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1. Floods

A flood watch is currently in place for millions of people across the US Southwest after a weekend of rain and storms drenched the region. In Las Vegas, at least two people have died in flooding since last week in what has become the wettest monsoon season in a decade. In Texas, the National Hurricane Center is tracking a disturbance that will bring thunderstorms and up to 6 inches of rain over the next few days, leading to possible flash flooding. While the rain has brought relief to some drought-stricken areas, experts say climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme floods and catastrophic disasters. Separately, a new study suggests a catastrophic major flood is coming to California in the next four decades — and experts say it would be unlike anything anyone alive today has ever experienced.

While searching former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property last week, FBI agents seized 11 sets of documents, some classified as “sensitive apartment information” — one of the highest levels of government secrets. This comes after one of Trump’s lawyers signed a letter in June claiming there was no other classified material at the residence, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Meanwhile, several senior Republicans question whether the material at Mar-a-Lago was really that sensitive, citing a president’s powers to declassify top-secret information. They are also asking for the release of the redacted affidavit that would provide more information about why the investigation was necessary.

3. Taiwan

A second US congressional delegation arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for an unannounced two-day visit. Led by Sen. Ed Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts, the five-member delegation is visiting the self-ruled island in an effort to “reaffirm United States support for Taiwan” and encourage “stability and peace,” a Markey spokesman said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi drew China’s ire when she became the first US speaker to visit Taiwan in 25 years, at a time when Washington-Beijing relations have been particularly strained. Taiwan welcomed the delegation, but China retaliated today’s visit with a new round of military exercises in the region.

4. Health strike

Thousands of mental health therapists are set to strike in California today. Unionized psychologists, therapists, substance abuse counselors and social workers are demanding that Kaiser Permanente — the nation’s largest nonprofit HMO — provide “desperately needed” services to its patients, arguing that some are waiting months for needed therapy sessions. Kaiser employs about one full-time mental health clinician for every 2,600 members, causing therapists to leave Kaiser at a record rate, according to the National Health Employees Union, which represents 16,000 workers in California and Hawaii. The strike comes as the country experiences an explosion in mental health issues. The World Health Organization said the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic caused a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide.

5. India

Today is India’s Independence Day and many Indians around the world are celebrating 75 years since the end of nearly 200 years of British colonial rule on August 15, 1947. Since gaining independence, India has built one of the fastest growing economies in the world. it is home to some of the world’s wealthiest people, and according to the United Nations, its population will soon overtake China’s as the world’s largest. But despite the nation’s growing wealth, challenges remain as Prime Minister Narendra Modi tries to “break the vicious cycle of poverty”. However, India’s growing wealth is fueling its ambitions in various industries, including sports and space. And Bollywood, India’s glamorous multibillion-dollar film industry, continues to attract fans around the world, catapulting local names to global superstars.

THIS ONLY IN

Brittney Griner’s defense team is appealing the verdict Brittney Griner’s legal team has appealed a Russian court’s verdict that sentenced the WNBA star to nine years in prison for drug trafficking in Russia, Griner’s attorney Maria Blagovolina told CNN earlier today.

BREAKFAST DESCRIPTION

Loud ‘boom’ heard in parts of Utah and Idaho was ‘likely’ a meteor hitting the atmosphere, officials say Video of a loud noise and an object flashing in the sky is circulating on social media. Officials say it was “probably” a meteorite. Watch the video here. This is one of the creepiest shows ever to air on television If horror is your genre of choice, this creepy show has earned a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes — and it’s sure to scare the crap out of you. 8 reasons why you wake up tired and how to fix it Honestly, nothing is louder than your own thoughts after midnight. Here are some tips to help calm your mind and improve the quality of your sleep. The series finale of “Better Call Saul” premieres tonight “Breaking Bad” made the addictive formula for its TV spin-off “Better Call Saul.” Fans are now hoping that he can stick the landing with his series finale. Why is Velveeta everywhere? The processed cheese product — which food snobs love to hate — is making a big comeback with some heartbreaking marketing moves.

IN MEMORY OF

Actress Anne Heche, whose versatility led to an admirable career in television and film spanning four decades, has died aged 53. “Anne Heche was peacefully taken off life support,” a spokesperson for her family told CNN Sunday night. Heche’s car crashed into a Los Angeles home and burst into flames on August 5. After the accident, Heche suffered “severe anoxic brain damage,” depriving her brain of oxygen, among other critical post-accident injuries. Actress and director Denise Dowse, whose prolific career included roles on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Insecure” and “Ray,” has died, her family confirmed to CNN on Sunday. He was 64. The actress’ sister said Dowse will be remembered as a champion of African-American theater who was also dedicated to sharing the profession with children.

TODAY’S NUMBER

1 year That’s how long it has been since Afghanistan’s capital fell to the Taliban, resulting in the erosion of civil liberties — particularly for women and girls whose liberties increased under the civilian government. A year ago today, the Taliban’s rapid seizure of power sparked a chaotic withdrawal and brought to a disastrous end the United States’ two-decade mission in the country.

TODAY QUOTE

“Although his life-changing injuries are serious, his usual sharp and defiant sense of humor remains intact.” — Zafar Rushdie, son of famed author Salman Rushdie, shares an update on his father’s condition. Salman Rushdie was stabbed repeatedly on stage in front of a New York audience on Friday, leaving him with multiple serious injuries. The family of the 75-year-old author — who for decades lived under threat because of his writing — said he was in critical condition Sunday after the attack, which ended with the attacker being held by staff and guests and Rushdie being transported by plane to a hospital.

THE WEATHER TODAY

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AND FINALLY

The man who can control the bees Did you know that bees are responsible for pollinating about 90 commercially produced crops? Check out this amazing video of a scientist who can swarm bees on his body and not even get stung. (Click here to view)