Texas floods: search efforts enter fifth day as death toll passes 100 – latest updates

Nobel-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz unpacks how Trump’s threat of tariffs forced Canada to back down on its digital tax—a move that could embolden similar bullying tactics against other nations. The bigger issue? Whether countries will stand united to fairly tax tech giants or fold under pressure, leaving billions in potential revenue on the table.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about Canada—it’s a test case for how powerful economies can strong-arm smaller ones into dropping policies that target corporate tax avoidance. If nations don’t push back collectively, tech giants (and the U.S.) could keep dodging fair contributions, shifting the tax burden onto everyday people. Stiglitz frames it as a fight over who pays their fair share—and who gets away with playing dirty.

A recent U.S. poll reveals that for most Americans, the steep costs of child care and raising kids are a bigger worry than the broader trend of declining birth rates. It’s not that people don’t care about demographic shifts—it’s just that the day-to-day financial strain of parenting feels way more pressing.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about personal budgets—it’s a sign of how economic pressures are reshaping life choices. If families are drowning in child care costs, it’s no surprise fewer are having kids. Policymakers and businesses might want to pay attention, because this tension could ripple through everything from workforce growth to social programs down the line.

The Supreme Court just made a move that could help Trump push his controversial plan to end birthright citizenship—the long-standing policy that grants automatic citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, even if their parents aren’t citizens. The ruling itself deals with "universal injunctions" (basically, nationwide court orders), but the big takeaway is that it clears a path for Trump to challenge birthright citizenship if he wins reelection.

Editor’s Note: Birthright citizenship has been a legal norm for over a century, rooted in the 14th Amendment. If Trump succeeds in overturning it, it would upend the lives of thousands of families and spark a massive legal and political battle. This ruling matters because it signals the Supreme Court might be more open to sweeping changes—something immigration advocates have feared for years. Buckle up; this fight’s just getting started.

A federal judge just threw out a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to cancel nearly $800 million in Justice Department grants. The money was meant for programs that help reduce violence and support crime victims, but the court ruled the plaintiffs didn’t have standing to sue.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about legal technicalities—it’s a big deal for organizations relying on those funds. Without the grants, programs tackling violence and aiding victims could lose critical resources, leaving communities to deal with the fallout. The ruling also sets a precedent for how similar challenges might fare in court.

The death toll from last week's devastating flash floods in central Texas has risen to at least 105, with Kerr County bearing the brunt—87 victims were recovered there alone, including 28 children. Many were caught at Camp Mystic when the floods hit during Fourth of July celebrations. Authorities are still working to identify some of the deceased.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another weather story—it’s a heartbreaking tragedy that unfolded during what should have been a holiday celebration. The scale of loss, especially among children, underscores how quickly extreme weather can turn deadly, raising urgent questions about preparedness and climate resilience in flood-prone areas. It’s a grim reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the human cost of disasters.