Good Morning!

It's Monday, July 7, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Flash floods in Texas kill over 80 citizens. 

• Musk set to form a third political party — ‘America Party’. 

• Ditching work-life balance might get you that job!

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SPILL THE NEWS

Texas Floods Kill 82; Dozens Still Missing

At least 82 people were killed and dozens remain missing after catastrophic flash floods swept through Texas’ Hill Country over the Fourth of July weekend. (Watch) A massive storm dropped over 12 inches of rain overnight Friday, triggering a rapid surge in the Guadalupe River, which rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes. In Kerr County, home to many youth summer camps, officials have recovered 68 bodies — including 28 children — following the floods. Search is underway for ten girls and a counselor who remain missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian camp on the Guadalupe River. Did officials reject warnings?

The National Weather Service issued a warning at 4 am, but many survivors said they had no warning at all. What warnings were received? Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly claimed “nobody saw this coming,” calling it a “100-year flood”. Some officials defended the delay, saying constant alerts can dull public response, while past efforts for a better warning system were rejected due to cost. How did the storm intensify?

President Trump on Sunday announced he signed a Major Disaster Declaration for flood-hit Kerr County, Texas. “These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing,” he said on Truth Social, adding the declaration would ensure first responders get needed resources. Trump said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the area with Governor Greg Abbott and praised the rescue efforts: “Our incredible U.S. Coast Guard, together with State First Responders, have saved more than 850 lives.” He further wrote, “GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!” How climate change plays a significant role.

Elon Musk Declares Formation Of A New ‘America Party’

Elon Musk announced the formation of the “America Party” on Saturday, one day after President Donald Trump signed a tax and spending bill. Renowned as the ‘big, beautiful bill, it ends EV tax credits — a move Musk has sharply opposed. What is in the bill? “You want a new political party and you shall have it! Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom,” Musk wrote on X, following a poll where 65% of users supported the idea. 

Responding to Musk’s announcement, Trump slammed the Tesla CEO, saying, “I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely ‘off the rails,’ essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States.”

While Trump signed the 870-page tax and spending bill, calling it a major win for economic growth. But he now faces resistance from both Democrats and Republicans, as polls show public skepticism about key provisions. Several Republicans criticized the bill for adding to U.S. debt, while Democrats warned it benefits the wealthy and harms lower-income Americans. How will you be affected by Trump’s bill?

Trump’s Tariff Warning Hits BRICS Nations

President Trump said on Sunday night that any country “aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS” will face “an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff”, adding, “there’ll be no exceptions to this policy”. His comment came hours after the 11-nation BRICS bloc — which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran — issued a statement expressing “serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade,” calling them “inconsistent with” World Trade Organization rules. Is BRICS getting harder to ignore?

The group, now responsible for over one-third of global economic growth (based on purchasing power parity), held its first leaders’ summit since 2009 in Brazil on Sunday. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend in person. The BRICS statement also criticized military strikes on Iran, though it didn’t name the U.S. directly.

The BRICS bloc also criticized NATO’s plan to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, a move driven by Trump’s demand that Europe bear more of the alliance’s defense costs. Brazil, host of the two-day summit, has avoided controversial topics to steer clear of U.S. tariff threats. Trump has warned of 100% tariffs on BRICS nations if they attempt to weaken the dollar. Trump’s 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs ends July 9. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said higher rates will take effect Aug. 1 unless trade deals are reached before then.

CLICK-WORTHY

💥 Seven killed after massive fireworks warehouse explosion in California.

😟 Americans abroad face growing unease (and some animosity).

🤝 Russia officially recognizes the Taliban government.

🧬 What lies in our future —- lab-grown sperms, eggs, and artificial human DNA.

🎤 Trump uses antisemitic term at July 4th rally, then claims he didn’t know that.

📉 Apparently, almost half of American murders go unsolved!

📞 Trump speaks to Zelenskyy over Russia strikes after "disappointed" with Putin call.

📱 Turns out, there’s science behind your doomscrolling.

⚖️ Supreme Court refuses to enforce parental-consent rule for minors' abortions.

📦 Trump re-escalates trade war with new tariff letters on Monday.

IN GOOD HEALTH

🧀 Could your favorite dairy foods be fueling bizarre nightmares?

🍷 Think you can still drink like you used to? It might hurt your health.

🦠 The fiber fix your gut's been secretly begging you for.

💧 That weight gain is probably your body holding water. Ugh, how do we fix?

IN STYLE, IN BEAUTY

💇‍♀️ Linen blonde is the chill-girl hair color of summer.

🩳 Shorts that transcend casual — meet summer’s smartest, chicest cuts.

🧴 Upgrade skincare routines with standout Korean beauty products.

👡 Jelly fisherman sandals are this summer’s cutest and comfiest comeback.

THE FAME FRAME

☀️ Which celebrity is having the best Italian vacation?

💔 Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom announce split, will co-parent daughter.

🎤 The year’s most unforgettable concerts so far.

📺 Courteney Cox shares sweet ‘Friends’ ritual before each live taping.

🎬 Dakota Johnson aims to direct debut film, avoid “toxic sets”.

WEIGH IN

"The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me."

— Ayn Rand