Russia and China will look to gain more political and economic ground in the developing world at a summit in South Africa this week, capitalizing on frustration with U.S. and European dominance. Also in the news: Hilary may be rolling north, but a new tropical storm system is expected to hit Texas Tuesday. Sha’Carri Richardson is now the fastest woman in the world.
🙋🏼♀️ I’m Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Congratulations, Rihanna!
Now, here we go with Tuesday’s news.
Russia’s Putin stays away over arrest warrant as leaders of emerging economies meet in South Africa
Russian President Vladimir Putin will be notably absent when Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders from the BRICS economic bloc begin a three-day summit in South Africa on Tuesday. Putin must participate via video call after his travel was complicated by an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for him in March over the abduction of children from Ukraine. The U.S. and Europe are paying attention to the meeting, too, as leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will likely address potential growth of BRICS and their criticism of the dominance of the U.S. dollar as the world’s currency for international trade. Read more
Hilary triggers floods as scorching heat affects millions
The remnants of Hurricane Hilary are rolling north toward parts of Oregon and Idaho, where some areas could get hit with up to 5 inches through Tuesday morning, resulting in some “significant” flash flooding, weather experts say.
Southern California is not free of Hilary. Road and rail line closures caused by major flooding, washouts and mudslides can be expected, putting pressure on already-strained infrastructure.
News you can use: Here’s how to easily cool off overheating plants and keep your garden healthy.
More news to know now
What’s the weather today? Check your local forecast here.
What to know about new COVID variant Pirola
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have announced another addition to their lists tracking variants of COVID-19 — and this one may be a little different. Described by the CDC as a new lineage of the virus that causes COVID-19, BA.2.86, nicknamed Pirola, has over 30 mutations, more than other variants currently circulating. Pirola has been detected in multiple countries, including Denmark, Israel, the U.S. and U.K. With many states and countries no longer reporting to a centralized COVID tracking system, cases are now generally tracked by less reliable standards, largely hospitalizations and wastewater data. Read more
Biden’s Maui visit was met with grief over relief efforts
President Joe came under scrutiny for declining to comment on wildfire relief efforts while relaxing at his Rehoboth Beach home earlier this month. He also faced criticism for waiting to visit Maui for nearly two weeks after the fires, a delay the White House said was necessary to avoid interfering with search and rescue efforts. Since then, the administration has made extra efforts to detail how the federal government is responding to the deadliest U.S. wildfires in more than a century. After getting an aerial tour of the damage on Monday and walking through part of Lahaina, where few buildings remain, he promised that the federal government will help “for as long as it takes.” Read more
- 850 people still unaccounted for after deadly Maui wildfires, mayor says.
- Costly climate: See billion-dollar natural disasters piling up across the US
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Trump to turn himself in for arrest at Fulton County jail Thursday
Former President Donald Trump plans to turn himself in early Thursday afternoon for booking at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta on charges of trying to overturn the 2020 election. Trump confirmed Monday on his Truth Social platform that he’s going to Atlanta on Thursday to face law enforcement officials. In the post, he accused Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Department of Justice officials of seeking to target his 2024 reelection campaign without evidence. The former president’s lawyers reached an agreement on Monday with Georgia authorities on a $200,000 bond. Read more
Quick hits
Photo of the day: What should this spotless giraffe’s name be?
A Tennessee zoo is asking the public to help name a rare spotless giraffe that was born last month. The giraffe was born late last month and is on view at Brights Zoo in Limestone. This is the only known spotless giraffe, according to zoo officials, and the last known example was born at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. The zoo will open a vote for the female giraffe’s name on its Facebook page on Tuesday where people can select one of four choices. Read more
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Associated Press contributed reporting.
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