Keeping Up With America

Lost mother's handwritten notes save her and 9-year-old son stranded in remote California wilderness: A mother and her young son were rescued after getting lost in a California forest, thanks to quick thinking, a handwritten note and timely action by rescuers.

Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte’s home burglarized during All-Star break: A home belonging to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was burglarized during the Major League Baseball All-Star break, according to police.

New U.S. assessment finds American strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites: One of the three nuclear enrichment sites in Iran struck by the United States last month was mostly destroyed, setting work there back significantly. But the two others were not as badly damaged and may have been degraded only to a point where nuclear enrichment could resume in the next several months if Iran wants it to, according to a recent U.S. assessment of the destruction caused by the military operation, five current and former U.S. officials familiar with the assessment told NBC News.

Newsom threatens to redraw California House maps in protest at Texas plan: Seeking to offset a Republican plan to pick up congressional seats in Texas, California Democrats say they are prepared to redraw the state’s 52 congressional districts in a longshot and controversial effort to pick up Democratic seats.

Trump administration tells US diplomats abroad not to opine on foreign elections: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed U.S. diplomats worldwide not to comment on the fairness or integrity of elections conducted by foreign countries, according to an internal note seen by Reuters on Thursday, in a significant departure from Washington's traditional approach of promoting free and fair elections overseas.

Around the World

Britain to lower voting age to 16 before next national election, government announces: Britain will lower the voting age from 18 to 16 by the next national election as part of measures to increase democratic participation, the government announced Thursday. The center-left Labour Party pledged before it was elected in July 2024 to lower the voting age for elections to Britain's Parliament. Scotland and Wales already let 16- and 17-year-olds vote in local and regional elections.

3 killed in strike on the last Catholic church in Gaza; a friend of Pope Francis is among the injured: Three people were killed and at least nine injured, including a parish priest who was a close friend of the late Pope Francis, in an Israeli attack on the only Catholic church in Gaza, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said Thursday.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

​Funders commit $1B toward developing AI tools for frontline workers

Meta investors, Mark Zuckerberg reach settlement to end $8 billion trial over Facebook privacy litigation

Netflix posts earnings beat as revenue grows 16% in second quarter

Richer, Wiser, Happier

Can you consolidate debt while on Social Security?: It's no secret that living on a fixed income can make managing your debt feel like an uphill climb. For retirees or those receiving Social Security, even small monthly payments can strain already tight budgets. And when you add in sticky inflation, which is driving up costs for everything from groceries to healthcare, it's easy to see how credit card balances and other debts can quickly spiral out of control.

Want to Retire With $1 Million? Start With Just $200 a Month | Jake FitzGerald, Fool. I used to think you needed a six-figure salary or a windfall to end up with a million dollars for retirement. That's just not true. If you can spare $200 a month, you can absolutely retire with $1 million. You just need to start as soon as possible and stick to your plan.

What could happen to HELOC rates now that inflation is rising again?: Inflation is creeping back up, and that's putting a lot of Americans on edge about their finances. In June, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) climbed 2.7% on an annual basis — a reversal from the downward trend seen earlier this year. On a month-over-month basis, prices jumped 0.3%, the largest increase since January. Some everyday essentials are rising even faster, with the price of eggs up by more than 27% and the price of ground beef up by over 10% compared to a year ago.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Mercury's Satou Sabally (ankle) to miss WNBA All-Star Game | Steelers, T.J. Watt agree to three-year contract extension

CBS to Cancel ‘Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ Citing ‘Financial Decision’ | ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Becomes Hollywood’s First Movie to Hit $1 Billion in 2025

Denise Richards alleges abuse by estranged husband Aaron Phypers, files restraining order | Blake Lively's deposition request revealed as she suffers major blow in Justin Baldoni legal battle

Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

Why You Should Broil In Your Air Fryer Instead of Your Oven

RFK Jr Issues 2025 Warning [Seniors Most At Risk?]

6 Cleaning Products You Should Always Have In Your Home

5 Mental Habits That Could Be Sabotaging Your Decluttering Goals