Context:

Elon Musk has announced the formation of a new political party named the 'America Party,' following President Trump's significant domestic agenda bill, which added $3.3 trillion to the deficit. Central Texas has been devastated by severe flooding, resulting in at least 82 deaths and dozens missing, with ongoing search and rescue efforts. Israel launched strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen as a response to missile attacks, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu prepares to meet President Trump. Tropical depression Chantal continues to pose flooding threats despite weakening, affecting areas from North Carolina to Virginia. The EPA is investigating 140 employees after they expressed concerns over the Trump administration's climate policies, and the US faces its highest measles outbreak in 25 years, primarily affecting unvaccinated individuals.

Dive Deeper:

• Elon Musk, a major donor to Trump's 2024 campaign, aims to create a fiscally conservative 'America Party,' but details on its platform remain sparse, coming soon after Trump's domestic agenda bill added to the national deficit.

• Severe floods in central Texas have resulted in at least 82 deaths, with ongoing efforts involving hundreds of first responders and military drones to locate missing individuals, including children, amid continuous rainfall threats.

• In a retaliatory move, Israel attacked Houthi targets in Yemen, including a seized cargo ship, following missile launches at Israel, with Prime Minister Netanyahu set to discuss the situation with President Trump.

• Tropical depression Chantal, the first storm of the 2025 season, continues to threaten the US with flash flooding and dangerous surf conditions, particularly in parts of North Carolina, Virginia, and along the Atlantic coast.

• The EPA has suspended 140 employees for signing a letter criticizing the Trump administration's climate policies, citing issues such as undermining public trust and ignoring scientific consensus, sparking a significant internal investigation.

• The US measles outbreak in 2025 has reached its highest levels since the disease was declared eliminated, with over 1,277 confirmed cases and most affected individuals being unvaccinated, raising concerns about underreporting and public health implications.

• Parisians can now swim in the Seine following a $1.5 billion cleanup project, marking the first time since 1923 that swimming has been legally permitted due to previous pollution and navigation risks.