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FTC Click to cancel rules blocked by the Court of Appeal

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The federal court of appeals has blocked a new rule that forces businesses to make it easier to cancel unnecessary subscriptions and memberships.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit broke the Federal Trade Commission rules just days before it was due to take effect, saying that a “fatal” procedural error had been made in the rulemaking process.

The FTC could not be reached for comment.

The “Click to Cancel” rule announced in October required that companies create a company that cancel services in the same way they sign up, saying it was “at least easy.” The companies would also have had to agree to a free exam that would be converted to subscriptions, auto-renewal and paid memberships.

The rules that were part of the Biden administration’s “time is money” initiative were initiatives to crack down on “junk fees” and other consumer headaches, and two Republican commissioners at the FTC voted against it, passing 3-2.

“It’s so easy to sign up for a subscription, and it’s miraculous. That’s why I know that the difficulty of canceling is not an accident. It’s an option. And it’s a choice that’s causing real harm to consumers.”

Consumer groups have been praised as a much-needed protection for consumers who have paid for services they no longer want. In 2024, the FTC said it received an average of 70 complaints per day.

But click to cancel,” he quickly faced political and legal challenges.

Republican and new FCC president Andrew Ferguson voted against “Click To Cancel” as FTC commissioner.

The rule was also opposed by business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who accused the FTC of over-statutory authorities and unfairly saddled businesses with high costs and unnecessary regulatory hurdles.

“The court ruled that federal agencies must follow the rulemaking process, including conducting a thorough analysis of how much the proposed regulations cost consumers and businesses,” the Chamber of Commerce said in a statement. “This decision provides safeguards against rushed rulemaking and strengthens the importance of agencies addressing public concerns.”

Erin Witte, director of Consumer Protection for the American Consumer Federation, said the court’s decision was “another handout to businesses that have done everything they can to hurt consumers and kill the rules.”

“Click to Cancel Rule was a candid, common sense approach that empowered Americans to break up with subscriptions without jumping over the outrageous hoops,” Witte said. “Subscription traps allow large businesses to make profits at the expense of Americans who want their freedom to choose where they spend their money.”

Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog director for the Public Interest Research Group, pointed to the long delayed silver lining caused by legal proceedings. Forecasting the rules has been enabled, and she said that in some states, many businesses changed their cancellation policies a few months ago, if they had similar rules.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a seldom going back to the old ways that companies have already made changes to their websites and interfaces, at least in the short term,” Murray said. “Many businesses think they’ve noticed that compliance standards are pretty low. They make it easy for customers to cancel subscriptions and repetitive purchases, and become transparent about costs, cancellation deadlines and other basic details. That sounds like a good business.”

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Trump praises President Liberian’s “good English” and urges criticism across Africa

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CNN
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US President Donald Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boachey on Wednesday for his strong grasp of English. However, African leaders were educated in Liberia, where English is the official language.

When he hosted five African leaders in the White House, Trump asked Boaches:

Bokai informed Trump of his education and urged him to express his curiosity. “It’s very interesting,” he said. “There are people at this table who can barely speak to us.”

Liberia was founded in 1822 by the American Colonization Association. The goal was to resettle freed slaves in Africa. The country declared its independence from the American Colonization Association in 1847, and today English is the official language and various languages ​​are spoken domestically.

Several Liberians have expressed their crimes against Trump’s comments on Boaches, taking into account the US President’s past statements on African countries and the colonial legacy left behind by the US organizations in Liberia.

“We felt humiliated because our country is an English-speaking country,” Liberian youth advocate Archie Tammel Harris told CNN.

“I don’t see it as a compliment because he asks that question. I feel that the US President and the people of the West are looking at Africans as villagers who are not yet educated.”

A Liberian diplomat who asked not to name him told CNN he felt it was “not appropriate.” The diplomat added, “It was a bit mean to an African president from an English-speaking country.”

South African politician Veronica Mente asked about X.

White House press defended Trump’s statement on Wednesday.

“I was at the meeting and everyone was deeply grateful for the president’s time and effort. There has never been a friend like that in the White House on the continent like President Trump,” Massad Boulos, a senior African adviser to the Trump administration, said in a statement to CNN.

White House assistant reporter Anna Kelly said Trump’s comments were “a heartfelt tribute” and that “President Trump should recognize that he is already doing more to restore global stability and uplifting countries in Africa and around the world than Joe Biden has done in four years.”

Liberian Foreign Minister Sarah Bethorrow Nyanti told CNN that “there was no crime” from the Liberian president’s point of view, “Many people do not understand the linguistic boundaries and linguistic demographics of the African continent.”

“What President Trump has heard clearly is the US influence on our English in Liberia, and the President of Liberia is not angry about it,” Nyanti said.

“We know that there are a variety of accents and forms in English, so he was picking up a clear intonation that has its roots in American English for us.

Trump has previously praised other leaders for their English proficiency during diplomatic meetings. At a press conference with German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz, Trump compiled his “good English” and asked if it was as good as his German.

Merz laughed, saying, “Let’s get almost everything,” and said he was trying to “get the best possible story.”

The US President has focused English as part of this “America First” platform. During the presidential debate in 2015, Trump argued that the United States is “a country where we speak English.” In March he signed an executive order to make English the official language of the United States.

Trump previously landed in hot water for what he said about African countries. In 2018, the president called immigrants from African countries and other countries coming from “sithole countries.”

In May he spoke to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with false claims that white South African farmers were victims of the massacre.

Trump hit another tone on Wednesday when he met leaders in Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal, celebrating the country as “a very vibrant place of all that has incredibly precious land, great minerals, great oil deposits, great people.”

He then met with the approval of African leaders. African leaders praised the president, urging them to invest in their country and develop their wealth of natural resources.

Boakai even said that Liberia “will (believe) in the policy that will make America great again.”

Samantha Waldenberg of CNN contributed to this story.

Jackpots rise to $216 million

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With no one awarded the Top Award on Monday, July 7th, the Powerball jackpot rose to $226 million in the draw on Wednesday, July 9th.

If someone matches all five numbers and Powerball on Wednesday, they can opt for a one-time cash payment of $98.4 million.

There were four Powerball Jackpot winners in 2025, but the most recent Californian was awarded the $204.5 million award on May 31st.

The Oregon lucky player has his first Powerball ticket to win the 2025 Jackpot, winning $328.5 million on January 18th. The second jackpot winner won all six Powerball numbers on March 29th, winning $527 million. The winner of Kentucky’s third jackpot was awarded the $167.3 million award on April 26th.

Check the following to see the number of wins in Powerball Drawing on Wednesday.

Powerball win counts on 7/9/2025

That’s the number of wins on Wednesday, July 9th. 5, 9, 25, 28, 69. Red Powerball is 5 and Power play is twice as high.

To win a lottery number is as follows: Jackpocke is the official digital lottery delivery company of the USA Today Network.

Has anyone won the Powerball?

Powerball winners will be posted here after being announced by lottery officials.

To find the full list of previous Powerball winners, Click on the link to the lottery website.

When will the next Powerball picture be?

The following drawings will be held on Saturday, July 12th at 11pm at 11pm.

How to play Powerball

To play Powerball you will need to buy a ticket for $2. This can be done in a variety of places, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and even grocery stores. In some states, Powerball tickets can be purchased online.

Once you have your ticket, you will need to select six numbers. Five of these are white balls with numbers 1 to 69. Red Powerball ranges from 1 to 26. People can also add “Power Play” for $1.

The “Power Play” multiplier can be multiplied by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x on the prize.

If you feel unlucky or want your computer to do your job, the “quick pick” option is available. Here, the computer-generated numbers are printed on the Powerball ticket. To win a jackpot, players must match all five white balls with any order and Red Powerball.

The Powerball painting takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturday nights. If no one wins the jackpot, the prize money will continue to be engraved.

Where to buy lottery tickets

Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online Jack Pocket, the official digital lottery delivery company of the USA Today NetworkThese US and territories include Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Maine, Maine, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app lets you select lottery games and numbers, order, look at tickets, and collect all your winnings using your mobile phone or home computer.

Jack Pocket is the official digital lottery delivery company of the USA Today Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to Jackpocket Services. Must be over 18 in AZ, 21+, and 19+ in NE. It is not affiliated with the state lottery. Gambling issues? Call 1-877-8-Hope-Ny or Text Hopeny (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-mylimit (or); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-Gambler (all other). visit jacketpocket.com/tos In perfect conditions.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA Today. Contact him at fernando.cervantes @gannett.com and follow him at x @fern_cerv_.

Polls show Trump’s approval rating after the tax bill passes

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President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell to two of the three polls he has taken since his signature tax cuts and spending bill passed in Congress on July 3.

The final version of the bill, signed on July 4th, emerged after nearly four days of conflict among Senate Republicans, along with vast cuts to Medicare and declining funding for Medicare. The bill also extends tax cuts in 2017, expanding the immigration enforcement budget.

Gallup Poling shows that Trump’s approval rating at the six-month mark on both terms is simultaneously lower than any other modern president of the administration, at 38% and 40% for each period, respectively. According to the voting company, the average is 52% since John F. Kennedy in 1961.

Let’s take a look at the polls and averages released since the Trump bill passed.

Trump’s favourable poll

economist

In the latest poll by economist YouGov, filmed between July 4th and July 7th, Trump’s approval ratings are as follows:

  • advantageous: 42%
  • Disadvantage: 53%
  • I don’t know: 5%

The poll included 1,528 adults.

The survey found a supported dip among black Trump voters. It found that 15% of black voters approved the way Trump handles his job as president, compared to 20% of black voters who approved his job in a June survey.

Morning consultation

The latest poll published on the morning of July 3rd to July 6th shows Trump’s approval rate:

  • Approve: 45%
  • Disapproved: 52%

The poll included 2,203 registered voters.

Rasmussen

The latest poll from voting company Rasmussen, released on July 9, shows Trump’s approval ratings:

  • Approve: 49%
  • Disapproved: 49%

The poll included 1,500 voters.

Silver Britain

The latest average released by Nate Silver’s Silver Britain newsletter on July 9th shows Trump’s approval rate:

  • Approve: 44.9%
  • Disapproved: 51.6%

The average included 10 votes.

Contribution: Sudiksha kochi, USA Today

Teen suspected of starting a wildfire in Southern California with fireworks

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The 13-year-old was arrested this week on suspicion of illuminating fireworks that likely caused a revamp on the coast of Southern California, urging evacuation and causing power outages in the area, authorities said.

The flame, known as the Zarangcho Fire, caught fire on July 7 at about 2:06pm local time in the Hillside area of ​​Laguna Beach, the city said in a statement. The fire burned dry brushes and vegetation in the area, growing to about four acres, threatening a nearby Canyon home, according to the Orange County Fire Department.

According to a preliminary report, the fire may have started with illegal fireworks, the Laguna Beach Police Department said in a July 8 statement. He said the flames spread along the hillsides of Rancho Laguna, making it a neighbourhood above the village area overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Police say Laguna Beach Police Rangers initially detained two boys and two boys. Officers later obtained video evidence that they said they had shown “the boy was lit up the fireworks and fled the scene.”

After further investigation, police identified the suspect as a 13-year-old boy and said they had obtained a search warrant for arrest and seizure of electronic devices. The boy was then detained on suspicion of reckless burning of a felony of a forest land.

“Because of the absence of injuries or immediate threat to the structure, Orange County Juvenile Hall will not accept suspects on the reservation,” police said. “He was edited at the Laguna Beach Police Station and released by his parents’ administrators.”

The case was filed with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for review, and there is a possibility of criminal charges being filed, police added.

Laguna Beach, a city in Tony Southern California known for its vibrant beach scene and art gallery district, is about 50 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. As of 2024, the city’s population is over 22,500, according to the US Census Bureau.

Laguna Beach Fire is included by July 9th

Laguna Beach Police said detectives are working with the Laguna Beach Fire Department and the Orange County Fire Department to continue investigating the origins of the firefighters. Laguna Beach Fire Chief Nico King said about 200 firefighters, five helicopters, two planes and a drone were used to fight the flames.

Laguna Beach Mayor Alex Raunagi said no injuries or damages have been reported, but the flames forced the evacuation of about 100 homes in the Arch Beach Heights area. In an update on July 7th, the mayor said a fire broke out in the Bluebird Canyon area, which was recently approved for fuel reduction work through hand crews.

In addition to evacuation, several roads have been closed and the city has reported intermittent power losses in the area. The evacuation order was lifted on July 7th at about 7:30pm, according to the city.

The 4.6 acres mapped fire was fully included by 8am on July 9th, with all closed roads reopening to traffic, the city said.

Laguna Beach officials have spent $25 million over the past few years in compliance with the 2019 fire program, the Los Angeles Times reported. Following the Palisade and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County earlier this year, city officials have updated their plans and aimed to improve fire safety.

“The effectiveness of the city’s Fuel Correction Zone (FMZ) was also clear. The vegetation was cleaned along the Ridgeline and helped slow the progress of the fire,” according to the city. “In particular, the FMZ closest to the fire has been recently approved and installed.”

Fires occur while the risk of fire increases

Laguna Beach Fire had residents enrolled after a series of flames in Los Angeles County ravaged earlier this year. According to the latest Cal Fire data, the flame was one of more than dozens of wildfires that sparked across California in recent weeks.

The fast-moving wildfire in Central California, known as the Madre Fire, has become the largest in the state so far this year. A fire broke out on July 2nd, burning a remote area in southeastern San Luis Obispo County.

As of July 9, the Madre fire had grown to over 80,600 acres, with about 62% contained, according to Cal Fire.

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned on July 9 that temperatures are expected to be between 95 and 105 degrees inland. The agency said it could “promote serious fire risks” in southwestern and southwest Santa Barbara County.

“Next Tuesday to Friday, especially the dangerous heat away from the coast,” the Weather Bureau said in a post on X.

contribution:

Do you think it’s too late to buy Nvidia with a $4 trillion valuation? Think again

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nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) It is one of the best AI stocks on the market. However, with chipmakers currently trading at a price of 26.4 and multiples of sales, many investors may wonder if the stock is too expensive to buy. Don’t be fooled: Nvidia stocks are still at reasonable prices.

Nvidia stocks aren’t as expensive as they look

NVIDIA designs graphics processing units (GPUs) that provide the processing power needed to support the latest AI and machine learning software. The company’s total margin is approximately 60% – Almost twice as many competitors as Intel – It reflects the comparison of cutting edge chips with rival offerings. Nvidia can claim more products for its products, primarily due to its performance advantage and the value of its widely used software platform. This allows developers to easily program chips for specific tasks.

Nvidia’s hardware is essentially powering the AI ​​revolution. Most analysts believe they currently have a market share of 85% to 90% on AI accelerator chips. With AI infrastructure spending expected to increase by more than 30% per year through 2033, Nvidia could actively grow its sales base over the next decade at least.

Investor optimism about all this makes the stock trade at an expensive 26.4x sales. However, measuring stocks against the company’s profits and ultimate outlook will significantly improve your valuation.

NVDA Revenue Growth Rate for Current Fiscal Year Chart

Data by ycharts.

NVIDIA shares are currently trading at around 51x revenues. It’s still quite premium. However, revenues are rising so rapidly that the stock will trade just 36.9 times its earnings next year. If we can maintain our total margin, our stock valuations could continue to improve dramatically year by year due to rapid sales growth. Nvidia’s ratings look quite reasonable compared to competitors like Intel, which have lost money in each of the last three quarters.

Certainly, stocks weren’t cheap, and stocks reached a $4 trillion market capitalization threshold. However, for patient investors willing to pay prepaid premiums, they can still prove profitable.

Ryan Vanzo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Motley Fools introduces and recommends Intel and Nvidia. Motley Fool recommends the following options: A short Intel phone for $24 in August 2025. Motley Fools have a disclosure policy.

The Motley Fool is a partner at USA Today, providing financial news, analysis and commentary designed to help people control their financial lives. The content is produced independently of USA Today.

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Trump was impressed by President Liberian’s English, the language of the people

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President Donald Trump was visibly impressed by how well Liberian President Joseph Boachey spoke the official language of West African country, the country he visited the White House on July 9th to discuss potential trade transactions.

“Liberia is a longtime friend of the United States and believes in policies that make America great again,” Boaches told the president, according to Reuters.

“Well, thank you, and such good English,” replied Trump. “It’s beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where did you get an education? Where? Liberia?”

“In Liberia?” asked Trump. “Yes, teacher,” Boaches said.

“That’s very interesting,” Trump said. “There are people at this table who can barely speak to us.”

After Boachey’s visit to the White House, several people, including at least one elected official, took him to social media to express their dissatisfaction with Trump’s comments and called them inappropriate.

“Trump is racist and never miss an opportunity to be wrong. Every day he finds embarrassing new ways,” Texas Sen. Jasmine Crockett posted on his previous Twitter. “To ask the president of Liberia where he learned English when he was literally at the peak of his official language. I am sure being blatantly offensive is not a way to do diplomacy…”

“This is an example of a microattack and highlights Trump’s views on Africans,” reads one X-Post. “Many Africans who were born, raised and educated in Africa communicate in ‘beautiful English’. ”

USA Today contacted the White House to comment on the interaction.

When did Liberia use English as Japanese?

English has been the Liberian Japanese language since 1847, and has also been spoken by 27 indigenous peoples.

Liberia was founded in 1822. This is because the United States wanted to either abolish slavery by 1804 or to relocate liberation black men and women after it had planned to abolish slavery or to develop a progressive liberation plan.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Declaration in 1863, declaring that enslaved people on Confederate territory were free, but slavery was formally abolished in the United States until ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865.

Reuters contributed to reporting this story.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Not yet listed in the ICE database for a week since his arrest.

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LOS ANGELES – A week after Ice was arrested, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., his whereabouts are still unknown.

Sometimes people who are detained by ice do not appear on the agency’s “detainee locators” for several days while in custody. Chávez Jr. has been held on ice for a week.

DHS Deputy Chief Tricia McLaughlin told USA Today when DHS asked for information on his detention Wednesday and when asked whether he would be deported or officially handed over to Mexico, where he is facing weapons and drug trafficking charges.

Attorney Michael Goldstein, who represents Chavez Jr. in a case not related to the ice arrest, told USA Today that the Mexican boxer is under DHS’s control. Two days ago, the lawyer said he didn’t know if Chavez Jr. was still in the US. Goldstein did not provide any information about Chavez Jr. on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, a woman answered the door to Chavez Jr’s house in Studio City, a nearby Los Angeles home, saying that Chavez Jr’s wife Frida had just left. The woman took a business card from a reporter on USA Today and said she would give it to Chavez Jr.’s wife, but there was no response from the Chavez family. No one answered the door to Chavez Jr.’s house on Wednesday morning.

On Monday, Chavez Jr. missed a court hearing in the Northwest Division of Los Angeles Superior Court, arising from a 2024 gun charge arrest. Chavez Jr. was expected to seek early release from the previous repurpose that allowed him to enter a program of rehabilitation services rather than face prosecutors.

Goldstein said Chavez Jr. is not expecting at the hearing as the former world champion was detained by the Department of Homeland Security the previous week.

Shortly after the hearing, Goldstein said he learned two days ago that Chavez Jr. was under DHS’s control in Hidalgo, Texas. Chávez Jr. When asked if he was still in the US, Goldstein told USA Today: “Unfortunately, there is no information.”

According to DHS, Chavez Jr. was arrested on July 2nd and detained by US immigration and customs enforcement agencies, where he was processed for rapid removal from the US.

DHS is Chávez Jr. said he faces an aggressive arrest warrant in Mexico on charges that include involvement in organized crime.

Chavez Jr.’s arrest comes days after he fought celebrity boxer Jake Paul in Anaheim, California. Former world champion Chavez Jr. was defeated in an unanimous decision with his father, Hall of Fame boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.

USA Today reporter Pamela Avila contributed to this report.

Will you make $250,000, save $3 million, and become miserable? A man’s confession

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A Reddit user with a revenue of $250,000 a year is unhappy with his work-life balance. But can he stop racing mice?

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As always, Motley Fools cannot and does not offer personalized investments or financial advice. This information is for information and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified financial advisor for any questions about your personal financial situation. If you want to submit a question for feedback, you can do so here.

What happens when you’re making a lot of money, but still constantly stressed and dealing with your money worries?

This is the situation one Reddit poster is currently facing. Redditor is a company worker and has actively pushed himself to succeed, achieving what it takes 20 years for most people to achieve in 12 years. He makes a lot of money, but he also hasn’t enjoyed life for a long time. He doesn’t know what to do. Because he focused on increasing his income, not making a path to getting out of the rat race.

I think I need help. 35, 3 million dollars, nothing more miserable

So, he can grasp how to balance his work/life that will allow him to support his family and pursue economic independence.

Having a clear financial plan can help you solve many financial hardships

First of all: Reddit posters are clearly In good financial situation.

He is the sole producer of a family of two children, earning $250,000 a year in pre-tax income, and the three-year-old startup expects him to be $90,000. He has a $350,000 shares home and a $300,000 mortgage at a 2.25% interest rate. He also has $2.5 million in his personal securities account, $200,000 in his IRA and $30,000 in his personal savings. His three cars have almost been paid back. He and his wife are also modest, spending less than 50% of what he earns.

These credentials on paper should be made Anyone The extremely happy poster said he “had never been more miserable.” He does not enjoy his hobby, cannot sleep, and he is worried about making money for the best years of his life. Stop Hustling.

But the good news is that his own posts provide answers to what he has to do. He simply needs To make that plan, he was talking about what to do.

To achieve success, you need an end goal for money

Ultimately, the key to making a lot of money is that you can live the life you want. And the OP clearly hasn’t achieved that goal.

The savings he already has and the income his business is generating, making it easy to cut down on the work he is doing, especially considering that he and his wife live far less than he already earns. However, the OP may not be aware that he has that option. He may not know what Any His choice is if he doesn’t think about what he’s heading for.

The poster should have a detailed financial plan, such as:

  • How much income does his family need to live?
  • How much money he wants to save to achieve his retirement goal (based on his spending needs as a retiree)
  • Whether he is working for his business alone, whether he is early retirement or not is something he wants to pursue.

If he knows those things, he can see whether his business provides enough money to him now, or whether he has actually been saved enough to retire completely, or whether it will be a few years later at his current pace. Some posters suggested talking to a financial advisor to move forward with this pass. The poster can do it if he is not comfortable doing these calculations himself.

Defining what financial success looks like, he doesn’t have to worry too much about whether he is achieving his goals. He will probably think that he will soon achieve financial independence where he needs to live his life based on what he needs to live his life. want To do not what he needs. This can help him find a much more balanced approach, so he can start enjoying the fruits of his labour.

Motley Fools have a disclosure policy.

The Motley Fool is a partner at USA Today, providing financial news, analysis and commentary designed to help people control their financial lives. The content is produced independently of USA Today.

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United Nations sanctioned by us after criticizing Israel’s war in Gaza

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WASHINGTON – The US said on July 9 that it was imposing sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Occupied Palestinian Territories, who was highly critical of Israel’s war in Gaza.

“Today, I am imposing sanctions on the UN Human Rights Council and for her shameful efforts to encourage (International Criminal Court) lawsuits against US and Israeli officials, businesses and executives,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.

An Albanese spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Italian lawyer and academic Albanese is calling on the UN Human Rights Council states to cut off trade and financial ties with Israel, denounce the US allies running a “genocide campaign” in Gaza.

Israel faces genocide at the International Court of Justice and war crimes accusations at the ICC over a catastrophic military attack on Gaza. Israel denied the charges and said the campaign would be self-defense after the fatal Hamas attack in October 2023.

In a report released earlier this month, Albanese accused more than 60 companies, including major arms manufacturers and technology companies of being involved in supporting Israeli settlements and military operations in Gaza. The report sought businesses to halt their transactions with Israel and to provide legal accountability for executives related to alleged violations of international law.

Albanese is one of dozens of independent human rights experts mandated by the United Nations to report on specific themes and crises. The views expressed by the Special Rapporteur do not, as a whole, reflect those of the world’s body.

Rights experts have condemned US sanctions against Albanese. Dylan Williams, vice president of government affairs at the International Policy Think Tank Centre, dubbed them “Rogue National Action,” but said Amnesty International would support the Special Rapporteur and would not be approved.

“All actors who believe in government and regulations-based order and international law around the world must do everything in their power to reduce the effectiveness of sanctions on Francesca Albanese and protect the work and independence of the Special Rapporteurs more generally,” said Amnesty International Executive Director Agnes Caramado, the former Special Rapporteur.

Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has stopped our involvement with the UN Human Rights Council, extended the halt of funding for Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, and ordered a review by the UNESCO Cultural Organization. He also announced his plan to leave the Paris climate contract and the World Health Organization.

His administration imposed sanctions on four judges at the ICC in June in retaliation for a war court of arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and retaliation for his previous decision to open a lawsuit against the alleged war crimes of Afghanistan’s US military lawsuit.

(Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones and Michelle Nichols, edited by Bhargav Acharya and Diane Craft)

Will Russian President Vladimir Putin fight back when President Donald Trump criticizes his “Burshu*t?”?

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CNN
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Is there a direct link between what US President Donald Trump is saying and what Russian President Vladimir Putin is doing?

Certainly, the harsh words and bitter violence of recent days in Ukraine suggest that there is probably an answer.

First, President Trump avoided frustration at the lack of commitment from his Russian counterparts to engage in a serious peace process.

“If we want to know the truth, we get a lot of bullshit that was thrown into us by Putin,” Trump blew the intensity at his cabinet meeting on Tuesday. “He’s always been very nice, but it turned out to be pointless,” he complained.

The next day, Russia launched its biggest, as if furious at the statement. The drone attack on Ukraine will send 728 drones and 13 missiles, attacking cities across the country with multiple waves.

It was to “communicate the attack,” observed Ukrainian President Voldymi Zelensky.

There are obvious signs of a pattern.

Last week, Russia unleashed yet another massive barrage of Ukraine after Trump publicly lamented that he had “not progressed” in a ceasefire after making a long phone call with the Kremlin leader. Described by Ukrainian officials as one of the worst attacks in the conflict, raining down 539 drones and 11 missiles.

Every time President Trump expresses anger, frustration, or even negativity about his Kremlin counterpart, he may be allowed to think that an immediate response from Russia is to intensify the ruthless punishment it contests with his Ukrainian neighbor.

But it’s not that easy.

The problem is that Russia will carry out a catastrophic strike against Ukraine during a period of relatively silent on the conflict that the US president has vowed to end in one day.

For example, on June 29th, Moscow launched 477 drones and 60 missiles against Ukraine. At the time it was Russia’s biggest air attack. However, President Trump had made little significant public comments about Russia in the last few days.

Additionally, President Trump told fellow leaders of industrialized democracy that he essentially regretted Putin’s absence at the June summit and criticised his previous leader for kicking Russia out of the then G8. Moscow ratchets up an attack on Kiev, killing at least 28 people in a drone and missile strike in the Ukrainian capital a few days later.

Even positive remarks from the US president may reasonably hope that it will ease the rage of Russia, which is boiling down about how it is being spoken in the White House, but it does not appear to act as a brake on the Kremlin’s excess.

The Kremlin proposes that President Trump’s recent critical explosion had a major impact.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added, “Trump generally tends to use rather strict style and expression,” and told Dmitry Peskov, “We’re very calm about it.”

The reality is that Russian military tactics will be much more likely to be driven by the relentless military purpose of seizing as many territory as possible before the crushing conflict in Ukraine becomes its fourth year, and will eventually halt.

Similarly, the horrifying increase in Russian drone use in recent weeks is likely to reflect more of a missile shortage and increased drone production in Russia than an angry Putin retort over one of Trump’s off-hand comments.

Paneramac and cheese lip balm. Here’s when you’ll get yours

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If you’re a Panera Mac and Cheese fan, you might want to listen and packer.

On Wednesday, July 9, the Bakery Cafe First Casual Restaurant Chain announced that it has partnered with beauty brands Horror and Glow to launch “unexpected products” that are “also luxurious and playful” in time for National Mac & Cheese Day.

The brand has created two lip balms inspired by Panera’s popular mac and a bowl of cheese and bread. The scent is as follows:

  • s’mac My Day: A balm with a golden, mac and cheese scent that is as rich and satisfying as your favorite spoon.
  • Get that bread: The toasted bread scented balm in a soft brown shade recalls the scent of baked bread with each swipe.

Panera said the two balms “bring comfort to a cozy, carbohydrate-inspired beauty routine.”

Each box comes with one of each fragranced balm and one of the spoon-shaped applicators. Customers will be able to get Balms for $8 from Amazon and Panera Shop starting July 9th, but supply will be the last.

“It makes sense to start with Panera’s classic Mac & Cheese and Pan Bowl for your first foray into the beauty world.

As an additional treat, Mypanera members will be able to enjoy $2 from Mac and Cheese entrees at cafes nationwide on July 14th. This is National Mac & Cheese Day. Customers in Green Bay in New York City and Austin, Texas may be surprised by the complimentary lip balm duo at local cafes, Panera said.

The lip balm comes a few months after the release of the croissant clutch

The chain S’mac and cheese lip balm are the latest forays into the fashion and beauty space.

Earlier this year, the company unveiled a croissant clutch. The company explained that “bread experts” will take on IT bags for the season.”

Inspired by the company’s croissant toast sandwich, the clutch is a limited edition croissant-shaped bag with “equal parts style and functionality.”

“Unlike the runway croissant clutch, the Panera croissant clutch is perfectly sized to fit the actual croissant toast sandwiches, insulated and keeps you warm for a delicious meal,” the restaurant chain said in a news release in April.

“The trendy brown clutch consists of a pleated design reminiscent of a flaky layer of croissant, a gusset on the accordion side, and a kiss lock closure with a gold frame,” Panera explained the accessories in a news release. “Stylish structured accessories also feature removable gold chain shoulder straps, a custom metal panera ‘P’ emblem and an insulated lining. ”

The clutch was available on April 30th for $39.50. However, it is no longer available.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter for USA Today. You can follow him with X @geuna Alternatively, email him at gdhauari@gannett.com.

DOJ says it is investigating transgender practitioners for children

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On July 9, the Department of Justice announced that it had sent more than 20 subpoenas to doctors and clinics involved in child gender medical procedures.

The department indicated that the subpoena was part of an investigation into possible medical fraud or false statements.

The move is likely to raise fears about transgender youth receiving gender-affirming healthcare after a series of Republican-led states banned such treatment for minors. Based on the hot button issue, it will be welcome news for those who oppose care, including those who helped push President Donald Trump to the White House.

“The health professionals and organizations that have hurt children in their distorted ideological service will be accountable by this Department of Justice,” Attorney General Pam Bondy said in a statement following the announcement.

Major American healthcare institutions, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, support gender maintenance care for minors.

However, some European countries have increased restrictions in recent years. This includes the National Health Service of England following a review that questioned the extent of a particular treatment.

In a decision that divided the Supreme Court along ideological boundaries, six conservative justice in June supported Tennessee’s ban on transgender minors receiving adolescent blockers and crosshormones.

Show me to the main and go just enough

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  • The 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport has a 35 mpg city/highway EPA rating.
  • There is also an AWD standard.

The tough-looking 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport is a cloak with no anti-feeling opinions from a huge compact SUV.

With compact SUV sales surge in, the risk that top sellers (Toyota RAV4 and CR-V) take the natural risk: only family-friendly commuters. I can’t see anything here.

Like the Goldendoodle spiked collar, Trailsport’s aggressive trim says “it’s more than it’s eye-catching.”

That’s not entirely fair. To Goldendoodles. The overheating hypoallergenic hybrid dog is a playful, energetic fluff that represents the finest aspects of the lineage, a standard poodle and golden retriever.

The 2026 Honda CR-V will win the hybrid part to the right, but it’s not as good as the off-road standard Honda set with the 2026 Passport Trail Sport.

It’s not a contract breaker. That is an expected expectation.

Passport Trailsport has raised expectations for the Honda Off-Road SUV. The CR-V Trailsport has more off-road capabilities than the previous CR-V, but the trim level is more of an appearance package than an equipment upgrade.

Anyway, it sells like Goldendoodles in Montessori. Dog parking and soccer stadium parking are packed.

Why does the 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport special?

The CR-V Trailsport is available only as an all-wheel drive hybrid. Fuel economy suffers from 2 mpg in city/highway driving combined with city/highway driving and non-trail sports AWD CR-V due to the extra weight and its capable all-terrain tires. However, it still deserves praise on a total of 35 mpg, 38 cities and 33 highways.

In addition to the handsome black orange “Trailsport” badges on the front and rear, external changes include a beauty silver front “low bumper garnish” so that you don’t mistake it for the front skid plate.

Interior changes include embroidered Trailsport headrests and seating with amber ambient lighting.

TrailSport also benefits from many changes made throughout this year’s CR-V line, including re-tug traction control.

TrailSport prices start at $38,800 and excludes a $1,395 destination fee.

Honda will build the CR-V Trailsport in Greensburg, Indiana.

Drive impressions

The CR-V Trailsport was surprisingly competent on a short off-road trail in Dusty Hills east of San Diego. This is a credit to the basic engineering of SUVs, as Trailsport does not have any special mechanical components except for the heavy-duty 18-inch continental all-terrain tires. The off-road courses offered by Honda were essentially a dusty field, but two notable exceptions are:

  • The Drop-Off Hill has the left and right wheels of the CR-V temporarily hanging in the air. Trailsport’s Hill Descent Control managed safe descent brakes and traction control without touching the brake pedal.
  • Metal rollers that simulate low towing conditions like mud and ice and remove all traction forces from one, two or three wheels. The all-wheel drive system and reprogrammed traction control system prevented the wheels from rotating, so the remaining wheels or wheels pulled the SUJV out of the obstacle.

On paved surfaces, deep grooved all-terrain tires slightly increase road noise, but are not enough to disrupt conversations. Even more noticeable, the drivetrain occasionally went uphill at around 50 mph, causing engine revving, then generated noise and vibration, which unexpectedly increased. It didn’t affect safety or speed, it was just amazing drivetrain noise.

2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport Hybrid Key Function

  • Standard all-wheel drive
  • Hill descent control
  • 18 inch Continental Cross Contact All Terrain Tire
  • Unique wheels
  • Cosmetics Bottom Bumper Garnish
  • Grill and tailgate trail sports badge

What’s good?

Let’s be clear. Apart from the Zombie Apocalypse, TrailSport has more off-road capabilities than CR-V owners require. What’s more, “such as steel skid plates) increase prices and disproportionately reduce fuel economy to the value the owner receives.

Still, I love the huge change that TrailSport badges have been delivered to my ’26 passport. I hate seeing badges mean diluted when they start gaining traction in a world competing with vehicles like the Ford Bronco Sports Sasquatch.

Why buy the 2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport Hybrid?

The CR-V happened to not become the second most sold non-picking in America. It’s a great vehicle and the Hybrid is its best model.

Trailsport’s handsome black trim, orange badges, beef wheels and tires are visually outstanding, especially with ash green metallic paint. This is the ash green metallic paint from my test vehicle.

Combined with upgrades to the entire 2026 CR-V model line, including Ritun Structure Control, a larger instrument cluster, available 9-inch touchscreen, wireless car play, and Android Auto, the CR-V Trailsport promises to be a powerful addition to the already crazy, popular model line.

Please contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Please read more Auto And sign up for us Automotive Newsletter. Become a subscriber.

The fullback moon in July will be at its peak. Here’s what you need to know

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Skygators can look to the horizon This week you can get a glimpse of the full moon around its peak lighting.

According to Earthsky, this month’s full moon is also known as the Buck Moon, and will be maximized at around 4:37pm on Thursdays. That’s what the old farmer yearbook says is that at a time when the moon was below the horizon for North Americans a few hours after sunset, the moon was below the horizon for North Americans.

“The good thing about a full moon is that it looks like it’s full on either side of the day. For example, if you go outside and see the full moon effectively fills up, it’s full on the night of the 9th. Similarly, if you missed it on the night of the 10th, it looks pretty full.

Historically, the full moon in July is known as the back moon. This is because, according to the old farmer yearbook, it matches the period when male deer and bucks antlers are growing rapidly.

Other monikers of the full moon from the indigenous people in July mark the summer season. Located primarily in Canada, Cree knows it as a molting month to indicate when birds are shedding their wings, but the Tringits in the Pacific Northwest call it the salmon moon, meaning seasonal salmon migration.

The best place to see the moon, if the weather permits, is in areas that are unobstructed by the eastern horizon, Peter added. It is also recommended to avoid areas with bright light.

According to NASA, Venus, Jupiter and Mars are not visible during the full moon, but Venus, Jupiter and Mars appear in the night sky towards the end of the moon.

On July 21st and 22nd, Venus and Jupiter will be visible on the horizon before sunrise. According to Earthsky, the planets appear alongside clusters of stars in the Pleiades and Hyades and the star Aldebaran. The Stargazers need to plan to wake up early to see the seductive morning scene.

The following week, Mars will appear right next door. According to NASA, the crescent moon on July 28th will be held on July 28th and will be displayed during the first hour or two after sunset.

July has also been marked with historical opportunities. This is the 60th anniversary of Mars’ first successful flyby in 1965. Nasa’s Mariner 4 Craft took images of the Red Planet during its flight.

Check out five more Full Moons this year. Supermoons occur in October, November and December.

According to Farmers Almanac, this is the list of the 2025 remaining Full Moons.

  • August 9th: Sturgeon Moon

  • September 7th: Corn Moon

  • October 6th: Harvest Moon

  • November 5th: Beaver Moon

  • December 4th: Cold Moon

Solar Eclipse of the Moon and Sun in 2025

As summer ends, two solar eclipse events appear in the sky.

According to date and time, on September 7th and 8th, a total lunar eclipse will be visible in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, eastern South America, Alaska and parts of Antarctica.

A moon solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly into the shadow of the Earth, with three celestial objects (the sun, the earth, and the moon) lined up. This will make the moon look dark or dark.

According to the Natural History Museum in London, when the moon sits in the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow, the moon’s rays peer in from behind the moon giving it a reddish tint. Some call the result “blood moon.”

Two weeks after the total lunar eclipse, on September 21st, a partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Australia, the Atlantic, Pacific Ocean and Antarctica.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon travels between the sun and the earth. In this case, according to NASA, the moon will not completely block the sun. This creates a crescent-shaped shape that looks like something has “bited” from the sun.

How Trump’s “big and beautiful bill” can help China dominate the EV market

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President Donald Trump’s settlement bill gives China the racial advantage of electric vehicles, according to EV and policy experts.

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  • Big Beautifulville will eliminate federal EV tax credits in September.
  • Experts say the current administration’s stance on EVs could hamper progress and cost automakers billions.
  • China already controls global electric vehicle sales, according to data. China’s EVs could become even more popular in the future.

“One Big and Beautiful Bill” was signed into law on July 4th after passing the Senate and House of Representatives. The settlement bill features hundreds of provisions that affect Americans from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Some of the bill’s provisions completely change the way auto companies produce electric vehicles and the way American consumers buy EVs.

The Senate changed the original settlement bill and accelerated the end of the incentives for used and new electric vehicles from December 2025 to September 2025. Experts say the elimination of the federal electric vehicle tax credit could be a catalyst for completing China’s domination in the global EV space. According to a column on AfticalPolicy.com, the power on international policy, the entire electric vehicle supply chain can be handed over to China.

China has won the electric car race

Electric cars are far more ubiquitous than they were a decade ago. What once considered an unrealistic niche powertrain has taken over the world. According to Cox Automotive, the US lags behind its EV adoption competitors, but around 300,000 electric vehicles were sold in the first quarter of 2025.

U.S. EV sales may be up year-on-year, but they sold 1 million EVs in May, according to electric vehicle research firm Rho Motion. China sold 4.4 million EVs from 2025 to May, overturning major competitors with electric vehicle sales.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpd-zodln04

China sells more EVs than the US, but their EV control never stops in their own country. According to Rho Motion, the People’s Republic of China holds 62% of the global EV market. In short, this means that car buyers around the world choose Chinese-made electric vehicles over American-made electric vehicles from companies like Tesla. China’s EVs are popular in countries such as Brazil, Spain, Norway and the UK.

Why “one, big and beautiful bill” allows China to claim more EV market share

President Donald Trump’s stance on electric vehicles was evident as an advocate for oil drilling and climate change skeptics. Therefore, it is not surprising to impose regulations that would hinder the advances in electrification of American cars. That said, the decision to eliminate EV tax credits along with the incentives for electric vehicles makes American EVs more expensive for consumers and production is less attractive to automakers.

The anti-electric vehicle provision in the bill could lead to significant unemployment for Americans. According to America, a non-profit plugin for EVs, companies will lose “billions of dollars in investments.” If American automakers are prevented from producing competitive electric vehicles due to lower profits and lack of incentives, China has a clear path to completely steaming the US in their global EV arena.

Is American electric cars worth buying?

Despite the sudden side of the electric vehicle industry, there are several excellent electric vehicles on sale in the US. Some of these are made in the United States or mostly assembled in the United States. The Tesla Model y Small Electric SUV is a leading sales leader. According to the Kelley Blue Book, Tesla sold a whopping 64,051 Model Y EVs in the first quarter of 2025.

The market has competitive American electric vehicles that offer plenty of value for money, such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Equinox EV, and Tesla Model 3. While American electric vehicles have made significant progress in recent years, it is clear that the elimination of the federal EV tax credit will affect American EVs in the coming years.

RFK Jr. postpones USPSTF meeting. What does that mean?

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suddenly postponed a meeting of another major federal advisory committee responsible for health recommendations for preventive care.

Members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force were notified via email that the Secretary’s in-person office has postponed a scheduled in-person meeting on July 10, according to anyone with knowledge of situations where they are not permitted to speak publicly.

Task Force members were scheduled to discuss recommendations for healthy diet, physical activity and weight loss.

In an email sent to USA Today, HHS confirmed that the task force did not meet July 10th.

Carroll said Move Rings will ring the bell when it reflects the secretary’s actions before firing all 17 members of another federal advisory board at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices (ACIP).

The postponed USPSTF meeting follows a recent Supreme Court decision that Kennedy will freely remove any Task Force members and review recommendations before it becomes effective.

The postponed meeting is “concerned,” said Dr. Aaron Carroll, CEO of AcademyHealth, a nonprofit healthcare group. “Given what happened with ACIP, there’s really a terrifying thing that could happen again in USPSTF.”

The recommendations made by ACIP have broad implications, guide school vaccine requirements and impact government programs that provide free vaccinations to about half of American children. Kennedy quickly appointed eight new members in a few days later, including several vaccine skeptics.

Under the Affordable Care Act, USPSTF plays a major role in selecting preventive health services that are covered by a free insurance plan for patients, including cancer screening, STI testing, mental health screening, and important drugs. Forcing task members to be removed for no reason could threaten access to their care, Carroll said.

USPSTF recommends in areas such as women’s health and obesity.

“This isn’t like a bureaucratic shuffle,” Carroll said. “You’re confusing how patients access care without cost preventative care, how clinicians practice it, how payers design it. That’s a calm message for everyone.”

The Supreme Court decision that revealed Kennedy’s authority over the USPSTF came from a Texas case. Two Christian-owned businesses and individuals argued that the health insurance plans they purchase do not need to cover medical tests or drugs that challenge them on religious grounds such as HIV-Prevention Drug Prep.

Access to this type of care could be at risk if Kennedy appoints members of a new task force carrying certain political ideologies, Carroll said.

At the postponed meeting, dozens of healthcare groups urged them to send letters to Senate Committee leaders on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, urging Congress to maintain task force procedures and duties.

“It is important for Congress to protect the USPSTF’s integrity from intentional or unintended political interference,” according to letters signed by AcademyHealth, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and others.

Adrianna Rodriguez can visit adrodriguez@usatoday.com.

How can families deal with anxiety around summer camps after the Texas flood?

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When tragedy falls into the news – natural disasters, plane crashes, fires – parents respond by responding naturally by thinking about what will happen to their children. And the children turn to worry about what will happen to them.

The flash flood that killed more than 100 people last week along the Guadalupe River in central Texas, bringing a family nightmare to life, including dozens of campers and counselors at Camp Mystic. Every summer, the children have their parents bid farewell to the camp. Both sides are filled with anxiety about the meaning of children leaving their homes and their families.

These normal concerns are amplified by news from Texas, so what should parents and children do?

Children planning to camp should go camping, even if they find it difficult, said Dr. Gale Salz, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Weil Cornell Medical College’s New York Presbyterian Hospital. “If we don’t act in anxious, it tends to limit us even more and actually make us more anxious.”

Though fear is understandable, it is important to recognize when it is irrational and unnecessary limitations. The devastation at Camp Mystic is particularly painful as summer camps are places people have chosen to go to and often retain their favorite memories.

The nature of overnight camping removes the sense of control that many parents feel when their children are at home. “It’s a transition to something new and different. It evokes separation anxiety for both parents and children, even for older children,” Salz said.

Looking at the tragedy of unfolding on this scale, it can trigger what Saltz calls “irrational and catastrophic fear” and a deep feeling of helplessness.

No matter how unprecedented the incident may be, hearing it makes you feel like it’s likely to happen again. “It’s important to remember that it’s oddly rare.”

The fatal flood occurred after drought conditions and heavy rain. This is another example of extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent amid rising global temperatures.

“It adds this element of helplessness, the same kind of helplessness that a lot of people feel about guns and school shootings,” Salz said. “And the feeling of being stuck increases the feeling of uncontrolled, painful and helplessness.”

Bob Ditter, a clinical social worker at the American Camp Association, said Camp Mystic Alumni’s story has been around for nearly 100 years and reflects where people are safe and feel a strong sense of belonging.

“The reason this resonates with so many people is that the fairies of driving us out of our safe and happy spaces are unimaginable,” he said.

Dr. Leslie Paris, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia who studies childhood in America, said the camp has historically been treated as a safe haven for crime and illness. They also encourage tradition and nostalgia, attracting generations of parents. “I want to provide similar opportunities to my children.”

Going to camp was never completely safe. Fatal owner deaths, illness outbreaks, and lightning strikes have been happening for generations, but have driven out campers so widely or often.

“The scale of the tragedy at Camp Mystic is particularly important,” Paris said. “I think we’re collectively shocked because these are so deeply broken down and fundamentally wrong.”

Parents and caregivers must acknowledge their fears, but they must resist the temptation to avoid anxiety and discomfort. They can do due diligence on safety, such as asking camps about emergency plans and how to communicate with children.

But they need to accept that there is always some degree of uncertainty. Parents who acknowledge and tolerate uncertainty as a model for children, Salz said.

“You’re working as a family. If you can’t tolerate any risks at all, there are millions of things in life,” Salz said. “You can’t cross the street, you can’t fly to a holiday. Everything has a slight (of uncertainty), so it’s important to resilience, experience, manage new tasks, and make it acceptable.”

For parents with uneasy children, Salz suggests removing news from family discussions and letters to camp.

“There’s no reason why kids in a Vermont camp are hearing about this camp in Texas,” she said. “In the pre-internet era when camps were around, they didn’t have it.”

Still, the words spread. And when it does, “The most important thing is to point out how unusual it is to tell them that they can absolutely talk to you about it,” Salz said. “They can ask you any questions. You may not know the answer, but you try to find them for them.”

“Parents said they need to emphasize that there is a difference in what happened to someone else that resonates with us, but that is a difference in what hasn’t happened to us,” a Ditter from the American Camp Association said.

Salz emphasizes that neither parents nor children should be immersed in the news.

“I advise parents who have learned about stories to avoid continuing to watch news stories over and over again,” she said. “There’s no profit, but there’s a repetitive trigger.”

Even if they feel uncomfortable, children with mild anxiety disorders, mood issues, or separation anxiety still benefit from taking risks and developing away from the normal home routine.

But sleepway camps may not be the case for everyone, including children who have experienced panic, mood disorders, phobia, or recent tragedy or trauma.

“If you send them to places they can’t get medical treatment, you could do harm to them,” Salz said.

How to help Texas flood victims without scams

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How to determine if that GoFundMe or Charity request is authentic.

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  • Financial contributions are the most effective way to support them, with several reputable organizations accepting funds.
  • Scammers are popular during disasters. Please investigate the charity before making a donation and avoid suspicious requests.

Disaster relief efforts are ongoing in central Texas, helping victims affected by the fatal July 4 flash flood that killed more than 100 people as search and rescue teams continue to rock the Guadalupe River due to a score that is still missing.

Camp Mystic, a Christian girl camp on the edge of the river, confirmed that at least 27 campers and counselors had died in the flood. Camp officials said five campers and one counselor were still missing. As of July 8, rescue workers were searching for at least 161 other people in Kerr County, one of the state’s hardest hit areas, Greg Abbott said.

Relief organizations, including the Red Cross and World Central Kitchen, helped those affected, were in the area for days. GoFundMe fundraising has emerged beyond the internet.

Unfortunately, there are con artists ready to take advantage of their generosity whenever there is a disaster and people want to help.

Here’s how to pitch without causing a scam:

Give money

Of course, the fastest way is to send money.

While there is often an urge to send water, blankets, food and other items, charities are not always ready to handle logistical nightmares of organizing, sorting, storing and distributing physical goods. Donating money to a trusted charity means going where you need it most and what you need now.

Charities often receive large discounts and may purchase items in disaster areas to help local economic recovery.

There may be times when you need items, but in the beginning it’s money.

How can I make my money reach the victims of the Texas flood?

Scammers often try to take advantage of catastrophic emergencies. Do some research before making a donation to an unfamiliar charity.

Easy way: Google the name of charity along with words like “scam”, “scam”, “complain”, “complain”, “rating”.

You can also research it with one of the organizations that evaluate charities. This is the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance (Give.org), Charity Navigator (CharityNavigator.org), Guidestar (Guidestar.org), or CharityWatch (CharityWatch.org).

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains a list of approved charities.

If a social media post, email, or text from a charity appears with a name that you recognize, then don’t assume it is from an organization. It could be a scammer. Please do not click on the link. Instead, go directly to the charity website and donate.

Don’t donate to a message asking for cryptocurrency. The Federal Trade Commission has a page on detecting cryptocurrency fraud at FTC.gov/cryptocurrency. Also, avoid paying in cash with gift cards or wires.

Pay with a credit card or keep a record of your contribution so you can check it later to make sure you’ve been charged the correct amount. The FTC also has these tips to keep in mind.

  • Don’t let anyone hurry you and donate. That’s what a scammer does.
  • Some scammers will try to fool you by thanking you for donations you have never made.
  • The scammer changes the caller ID to show calls like they are from a local acre code.
  • Some scammers use names that look very similar to the names of actual charities. This is one of the reasons why you need to pay to do the investigation before giving it.
  • The con man makes a lot of vague and sentimental claims, but he doesn’t give details on how your donations are used.
  • Fake organizations may argue that your donation is tax-deductible when it is not.
  • Guaranteed a prize money in exchange for a donation is not just fraudulent, but it is illegal.

If you are dealing with charitable fraud or believe you are a victim of fraud, file a complaint with the state attorney general and report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help others get affected.

Can you trust GoFundMe fundraisers for Texas flood victims?

GoFundMe fundraisers for people affected by the flood are already piling up on popular crowdfunding sites.

While these are great ways to help individuals in need and bring their faces to donors, they are also easy ways to scam as social media is filled with both real flood victims and carefully crafted, disastrous stories. Unless you’re sure your fundraiser is legal, read the campaign carefully and avoid donating.

Gofundme’s dedicated hub for Texas flood claims has been confirmed to be legal.

What country organizations support Texas flood victims?

American Red Cross: Always one of the first groups of the world’s most renowned aid organizations, the Red Cross provides food, shelters, supplies and emotional support to victims of the crisis. According to X’s post, it has opened shelters and two reunification centres in the already affected areas. You can contribute to National Group’s flood relief efforts in Texas.

Americans: Americares focuses on medical assistance and helps the community recover from disasters with access to medicine and provide personal protective equipment and medical supplies. The organization announced on July 8th that they deployed emergency response teams to the region. You can help at my.americares.org/give/623705

World Central Kitchen: When a disaster strikes, chef Jose Andre sets up kitchen facilities with his team and begins to serve thousands of meals to victims and responders. You can help by donating to their website.

Salvation Army: Another group that appears on the ground when disasters occur, Carville’s Salvation Army Clock Center coordinates and accepts donations of fresh food, personal hygiene products, diapers and other items while providing regular updates on its Instagram page. According to a July 5 statement, the Salvation Army in Texas has also deployed a mobile kitchen and team, making donations here.

There are also many other organizations that provide specialized care and support.

All hands and heart: This volunteer-based organization works with local residents to help rebuild schools, housing and other community infrastructure. The group staged to help make flood relief efforts safe in Kerr County. Here you can donate to all your hands and hearts.

Direct relief: Direct relief provides long-term medical aid that local officials and agencies require particularly long-term medical aid. The organization has provided $50,000 to support the rapid deployment of emergency medical supplies and operational funds in affected areas, and has earned more than $90 million on medications and medical supplies available to healthcare providers, according to the website. You can donate to their general fund here.

Operation Blessing: The group will work with emergency management and local churches to bring clean water, food, medicines and more to those with immediate needs in disaster areas. They are on the ground in Texas, their website said. Please donate here.

Save the child: The organization works to acquire supplies for children in the hands of families that have been hit hardest by the storm, including hygiene kits, diapers, baby wipes and classroom cleaning kits to schools, as well as helping to recover childcare and early learning centres. They have not yet launched a flood campaign in Texas, but posted on X, “Save the Children is closely monitoring the situation and assessing how children will be affected.”

Do I need to head to the affected area and volunteer to help flood Texas victims?

No unless officially requested.

Disaster response teams and trusted organizations work on the ground, and random volunteers are theoretically evaluated, but there is no safety or medical training to help with disaster recovery.

To see how to sign up for volunteering, visit Texas Community Recovery.

Can I help my pets get hurt or left behind in the Texas flood?

There are many local organizations dedicated to supporting animals in affected areas.

Austin Pet Alive! As of July 6, it reported that it had ingested more than 150 animals from flood-affected areas and shelters in Kerr and Williamson County.

The shelter works to find and rescue animals along the riverbanks, and is seeking donations to provide support to families who have lost pets, including physical recovery and cremation services.

The shelter accepts donations on its website. They are working with Kerrville Pets Alive and accept donations through Venmo’s @kerrvillepetsalive.

contribution:

Why did T-Mobile hang up Dei?

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T-Mobile is scrapping its diversity, equity and inclusion program under pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration.

In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission dated July 8, the wireless carrier said it would “result in lieu of its name, not just its name.”

“We recognize that the legal and policy environment surrounding DEI has changed under federal law,” writes T-Mobile.

Amidst the change, T-Mobile has no role or team dedicated to DEI, scrubbing references to DEI from websites and training materials, opening up training and other career development opportunities for all employees.

“Another good progress for equal opportunities, non-discrimination and the public good,” FCC Chair Brendan Kerr said.

Republican Kerr threatens to block transactions involving companies engaged in DEI.

“We encourage companies seeking FCC approval to stay busy ending their mysterious forms of DEI discrimination,” Carr said in an interview with Bloomberg News.

In May, the FCC approved Verizon’s $20 billion deal to acquire Frontier Communications after agreeing to terminate the DEI program in line with the Trump administration’s demands.

T-Mobile requires FCC approval to purchase Cellular’s wireless operation and internet service provider Metronet through a joint venture with KKR.

The backlash against the DEI took a surge in the 2024 presidential election, but reached a hot pitch when Trump took office. The private sector rushed to distance the trumpets from former policies after the president threatened to strip the federal contracts from businesses that were standing in the DEI program.

The rush to make a difference was the thing that should have been the ones that should have lost. Federal contractors and businesses in highly regulated industries such as telecommunications.

“In yet another ironic bid to win FCC regulatory approval, T-Mobile is laughing at its strengthened commitment to eliminate discrimination, promote equity and amplifying underrated voices,” said Anna Gomez, Democrat Commissioner Anna Gomez, who said, “History is not the kindness of this ward unit’s child ca.”