☕ The latest on Texas floods

Good morning.

Rescue workers in Texas are still working to find survivors from Friday’s flash flood, where 1.8 trillion gallons of rain fell in only a few hours last week. We bring you up to speed with what you need to know in today’s news.

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Some headlines from this morning:

• After ten weeks of hearings, an Australian jury has found Erin Patterson guilty of three charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder after she served her estranged husband’s relatives a beef Wellington lunch that included death cap mushrooms in July 2023. Prosecutors alleged that she intentionally put them in the meal, while the defense argued it was a mistake. The maximum sentence for murder in the Australian state of Victoria is life imprisonment, typically 25 years. Attempted murder also carries a maximum sentence of 25 years. It’s not yet known when Patterson will be sentenced. Her lawyers have 28 days to file an appeal.

• President Trump has threatened an additional 10% tariff on nations aligned with the BRICS partnership, which includes China and Russia. It came after the alliance, whose founding members also include Brazil, India, and South Africa, publicly criticized Trump’s economic policy over the weekend, stating his tariffs are causing global uncertainty. The BRICS statement also criticised the U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities last month, saying they violated international law. In response, Trump has vowed to increase tariffs on the nations, on top of existing levies announced earlier this year.

• Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public appearance on Saturday since Israel began strikes on Iranian targets on June 13. Khamenei waved to crowds at a religious celebration honoring Prophet Muhammad's grandson, according to Iranian state media. The appearance ended a 12-day period during which Khamenei had remained in a secure location amid the conflict. The U.S. continues pushing Iran to join nuclear disarmament talks, but Iranian officials have refused direct negotiations with Washington.

• Israel and Hamas held indirect talks through Egyptian mediators on Sunday, discussing a U.S.-proposed 60-day ceasefire for the first time since November. The talks come as thousands of Israelis protested in Tel Aviv, demanding Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu prioritize releasing 50 remaining hostages from the 15-month war. Netanyahu meets President Trump at the White House on Monday for their third meeting in six months, with Trump promising to be "firm" in pushing a deal. Disputes remain over Hamas's demand for a permanent ceasefire versus Israel's insistence on maintaining security control of Gaza's borders.

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Elon Musk announced the formation of the "America Party" over the weekend, positioning it as an alternative to what he calls the Republican-Democrat "uniparty" system.

The move escalates Musk's public feud with President Trump over government spending and marks the first time a major Trump ally has broken away to form a competing political organization. Here's what you need to know.

What happened?

Musk announced the party launch in a series of X posts late Saturday and early Sunday. "Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom," he said. The announcement came days after Trump signed the Big, Beautiful Bill into law Friday, despite Musk's objections that it failed to limit spending.

The split

The split centers on the Big, Beautiful Bill, estimated to increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion. Musk has called the legislation fiscally irresponsible and accused both parties of "waste and graft" that is "bankrupting" America.

"When it comes to government spending, we have only one party," Musk said, calling it a "uniparty" system.

Trump fires back

President Trump has escalated his response to Musk's criticism this week. "They might have to look at deporting" the South African-born U.S. citizen, Trump told reporters. He accused Musk of opposing the bill because it removes electric vehicle subsidies that benefit Tesla.

Trump posted on Truth Social that Musk had "gone off the rails" and condemned the idea of a third party.

What’s next

Electoral authorities indicate that the America Party has not yet been officially registered. Musk said the party will target "vulnerable Republican and Democratic Senators or House members" in the 2026 midterm elections.

The development represents the most significant challenge to Trump's control of the Republican Party since his 2024 election victory.

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At least 80 people have been killed in flooding and storms in Texas, with authorities warning the death toll is likely to rise.

Heavy rain on the Guadalupe River in the state’s south-east led to widespread flash flooding, destroying a girls’ summer camp.

Around 41 people are still missing, according to officials.

President Trump has declared a major disaster in the state, while some officials are questioning whether funding cuts to the National Weather Service contributed to delays in evacuations.

The flooding

The Guadalupe River is at the centre of the flooding. Heavy rain last week caused the river to overflow, resulting in flash flooding across roads and highways.

Authorities say the river rose eight metres in 45 minutes on Friday (local time).

A girls’ summer camp, situated on the river, Camp Mystic, was severely damaged by floodwaters. At least 10 children and one counsellor are still missing. Overall, at least 28 children have died in the floods so far.

The response

Evacuation orders remain in effect in parts of Texas.

Governor Greg Abbott and President Trump have signed disaster declarations, which enable the allocation of additional funding and resources to affected communities, including support for home and infrastructure repairs.

In a post on social media, Abbott said he had visited Camp Mystic, where he saw that floodwaters had reached the ceiling of the campers’ cabins.

Some Texas officials have questioned whether the federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established to reduce government costs, was responsible for delayed weather warnings.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is a federal government bureau. Since Trump took office, 600 people have been made redundant or retired.

CNN said fewer meteorologists were based in the nearby towns of San Angelo and San Antonio.

The NWS defended its record, stating that flash flooding warnings were issued in advance.

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