What's Going On?
A weekend update and weekday preview
Hope you had a restful long weekend — looks to be a busy week both domestically and internationally.
WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEKEND?
Texas Flooding
At least 82 people are confirmed dead including dozens of campers and counselors from Camp Mystic after devastating flash floods hit Kerr County, Texas and surrounding areas on Friday while many were sleeping.
A statement on the camp’s website says “Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly.”
At least 10 campers and one counselor are still missing.
First responders struggled over the weekend to connect with each other in such a remote area as hundreds of local, state and national first responders are working in the search and rescue efforts. Responders have been battling continued difficult weather conditions and flood watches are still in effect thru 7PM central time Monday evening.
Hostage Negotiations
Israel sent a delegation Sunday to Qatar for indirect talks with Hamas. The terror group gave a “positive” response to a framework proposal on the table. The deal would return about half the living and dead hostages over five releases in 60 days. Hostage families are fighting to have all hostages released at once. There are still looming questions about the release about the remaining hostages, a permanent ceasefire and “day after” plans in Gaza as Israel has said Hamas cannot rule Gaza after the war.
Terror in Melbourne
A 34-year-old Sydney man has been arrested and charged with setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue on fire Friday night while 20 people were inside eating dinner on Shabbat. Surveillance video shows a man pouring flammable liquid on the front door of the synagogue and setting it on fire before running away. Those inside ran out the back and were all safe. It has not yet officially been named as a terror incident.
Two other incidents targeted Jews in Melbourne Friday night, too. Nearly two dozen anti-Israel protestors swarmed an Israeli-owned restaurant and chanted “Death to the IDF” while destroying the place — smashing windows and flipping tables.
Nearby, antisemitic graffiti was written on some cars while others were set on fire.
WHAT’S UP FOR THIS WEEK?
Monday
President Trump & Primer Minister Netanyahu
The pair will meet at the White House as President Trump pushes the Israeli leader to broker a ceasefire and hostage agreement. Trump reportedly is hoping an agreement can be made during the meeting, and told reporters Sunday a deal could be reached this week.
Trump Refugee Ban
A federal judge in Seattle will look at the Supreme Court’s decision to prevent lower courts from issuing injunctions over the administration’s decision to halt the U.S.' refugee admissions program. A May order said the administration needed to admit 160 refugees who were supposed to come to the United States within two weeks of inauguration.
Protestors
A judge will hear a case looking at a multi-university lawsuit against the Trump administration that says it’s deporting immigrants for protesting the Israel-Hamas war.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia
The Maryland man who was detained by ICE and became the center of the discussion about immigration after being detained in El Salvador will have a hearing to see whether he should be returned to Maryland ahead of his trial in Tennessee ahead of his trial on human smuggling charges. His lawyers are asking he remain detained because they’re concerned he’d be deported again.
Tuesday
Tiger King
Bhagavan "Doc" Antle, known as “Tiger King” from the Netflix show will be sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to money laundering and animal trafficking charges in 2023.
Wednesday
Tariffs
The Trump administration’s tariffs are set to be reimposed Wednesday for dozens of countries. The president says he plans to send at least a dozen letters out this week to various countries to notify them of their new tariff rates which could range from 10-70%. He threatened additional tariffs for countries who align with the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates). The administration indicated an extension until August 1st and other countries will instead be notified by Wednesday.
Thursday
Trans Rights
A federal judge will hear arguments in a motion regarding the Trump administration’s policy change that limits sex markers on passports for transgender and nonbinary Americans. A group is asking the judge to block the move.
Friday
Trump Visit
President Trump said he will “probably” visit Texas Friday to survey the flood damage.