At least 36 people have died and 11,000 have been evacuated as wildfires continue to ravage Maui. The fires have caused significant damage to structures, and firefighters are struggling to contain the flames due to high winds. President Joe Biden has promised federal assistance to the area. In other news, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to release the latest inflation data, with experts predicting that prices for goods and services have increased due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin is considering attending the G20 meeting next month, despite facing potential aggression and confrontation over alleged war crimes. Republicans are facing challenges with their stance on abortion, as they continue to alienate swing voters. The recent violent brawl in Montgomery, Alabama, has highlighted racial tension in the city, while two of the suspects have turned themselves in. The FBI shot and killed a man who made online threats to President Joe Biden and a New York prosecutor. A contestant on the reality TV show “Big Brother” has been removed after using a racial slur. In politics, Donald Trump’s lawyers have asked for a secure facility at Mar-a-Lago to discuss classified documents, while special counsel Jack Smith executed a search warrant on Trump’s Twitter account as part of the 2020 election probe. Trump has also refused to sign a loyalty pledge for the upcoming GOP debate, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has agreed to debate California Governor Gavin Newsom. Senator Dianne Feinstein has been hospitalized after a fall at her home. Robbie Robertson, leader of The Band, has died at the age of 80. Court documents reveal how a 6-year-old boy obtained the gun used in a Virginia school shooting. Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio has been shot and killed at a political rally. There are concerns for the safety of Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum following a coup in the country. Health officials are encouraging people to get Covid boosters, flu shots, and RSV vaccines ahead of the upcoming virus season. An American nurse and her child have been released after being kidnapped in Haiti. Finally, travel adapters are essential for international travel, and NBC Select has curated a list of the best options. Elizabeth Robinson reported
The devastating wildfires in Maui have claimed the lives of 36 individuals and have forced 11,000 people to evacuate the island. The town of Lahaina has suffered significant damage, with over 270 structures impacted by the fires. The extent of the destruction will only be fully understood in the coming weeks or months. President Joe Biden has promised federal aid to assist the affected area. Firefighters are currently battling three wildfires, the Lahaina, Pūlehu, and Upcountry fires, but strong winds from Hurricane Dora have made containment efforts more challenging. The U.S. Coast Guard has also been involved in rescue operations, saving 14 individuals who sought refuge in the ocean. The latest inflation data is set to be released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experts predict that the inflation rate for July will be the same as June, standing at 3%. However, it is important to note that the prices of goods and services have been steadily increasing throughout the pandemic, with items such as eggs, ground beef, gasoline, used cars, and rent being the main contributors. It is unlikely that prices will return to pre-pandemic levels in the near future, and experts suggest that there is only one guaranteed way to impact prices, which is not a desirable outcome. Russian President Vladimir Putin is considering attending the G20 meeting in India next month, marking his first in-person meeting with Western leaders since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This decision comes as Putin faces an upcoming election and seeks to reestablish his presence on the global stage. However, attending the summit carries risks, including potential aggression from other countries and scrutiny over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. The upcoming G20 meeting is already expected to be highly contentious, even without Putin’s attendance. Republicans are facing a conundrum regarding abortion as they continue to face defeats in their efforts to restrict access to the procedure. The recent loss of Issue 1, a ballot measure in Ohio, marked the seventh defeat for anti-abortion advocates since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. This string of losses has raised concerns among conservatives and campaign strategists who fear that the current strategy is alienating swing voters. However, changing their stance on abortion would likely anger those who support a ban on the procedure. Democrats, on the other hand, see these defeats as opportunities to expand access to abortion. The violent brawl that took place on the Alabama riverfront has brought attention to the racial tension in Montgomery. For Black residents, the attack on a Black dockworker by a group of white men was not surprising, as it highlighted the long-standing struggle with racism in Alabama. Multiple Black residents expressed their lack of surprise at the incident, emphasizing that it is not a new phenomenon. In response to the brawl, two of the suspects turned themselves in, while a third suspect was already in custody. The FBI has fatally shot a Utah man who made online threats against President Joe Biden and New York prosecutor Alvin Bragg. The suspect, Craig Deleeuw Robertson, referenced the president’s upcoming trip to Salt Lake City and mentioned preparing a camouflage and sniper rifle. The FBI had been monitoring Robertson’s social media posts, which caught their attention due to their threatening nature. The incident resulted in a tense confrontation between Robertson and the agents. In a reality TV show, a contestant has been removed after using a racial slur, violating the show’s code of conduct. Luke Valentine, the contestant, used the N-word during a conversation with other contestants. He immediately realized his mistake, covering his mouth, laughing, and attempting to correct himself. The contestant’s departure will be addressed in the upcoming episode. In other news, Donald Trump’s lawyers have requested a secure facility at his Mar-a-Lago resort to discuss classified documents related to his case. Special counsel Jack Smith executed a search warrant on Trump’s Twitter account earlier this year as part of the 2020 election probe. Trump has refused to sign a loyalty pledge required by the Republican National Committee for participation in the first GOP debate. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has agreed to debate California Governor Gavin Newsom, both embracing the risk associated with the televised event. Senator Dianne Feinstein was hospitalized after falling at her home, and her office has confirmed that she is receiving medical attention. Robbie Robertson, the leader of the rock group The Band, has passed away at the age of 80 after a long illness. Newly unsealed court documents shed light on how a 6-year-old boy obtained the gun used in the shooting of his teacher at a Virginia elementary school. Fernando Villavicencio, an Ecuadorian presidential candidate known for his anti-corruption stance, was shot and killed at a political rally in Quito. A top general involved in the coup that overthrew Niger’s democratically elected president has declined to guarantee the safety of President Mohamed Bazoum, raising concerns among U.S. officials. Health officials are urging people to get the Covid booster, yearly flu shot, and RSV vaccines ahead of an anticipated busy virus season. An American nurse and her child have been released after being kidnapped in Haiti. Our Select team has curated a list of their favorite travel adapters, ensuring compatibility with multiple regions for international travel..