“Catastrophic Texas Floods Claim 120 Lives; Houthi Attacks Escalate in Crucial Red Sea Shipping Lanes” – 7/11/2025, 12:22:52 PM

As of July 11, 2025, major world news includes:

• Catastrophic floods in Texas have resulted in at least 120 deaths and over 170 people missing. The floodwaters are beginning to recede, with about 2,000 responders engaged in search and cleanup operations. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are visiting Kerrville, Texas, to assess the damage and support affected communities. The Texas governor is set to push for improved early warning systems and stronger storm communications in the state legislature[3][4].

• Escalation of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea: Houthi rebels from Yemen have launched a new wave of attacks on commercial vessels, sinking two ships and killing several crew members. One recent strike is believed to have killed four people, with 11 others missing—six reportedly in Houthi custody. These attacks are linked to ongoing tensions over Israel’s war on Gaza[1][2].

• US-Russia tensions and Ukraine war: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in Malaysia to discuss potential new approaches for peace talks regarding the Ukraine conflict. President Trump has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lack of flexibility in ending the war, and Rubio echoed that sentiment, though no concrete peace plan has emerged[4].

• International incidents and diplomatic tensions:

  • European intelligence officials express concern over a growing sabotage campaign attributed to Russia, resulting in fires, explosives, and increasing risks of injury or death[2].
  • Japan has demanded that China stop flying fighter jets dangerously close to Japanese military aircraft, warning of potential collisions[2].
  • In Turkey, three mayors from opposition parties in southern cities have been arrested, adding to a trend of detentions since the Istanbul mayor’s imprisonment in March[2].
• Other notable developments:
  • Greece has closed the Acropolis due to a severe heatwave[2].
  • The Pope celebrated the first ‘green Mass’ with a new rite, emphasizing ecological concerns within the Catholic Church[2].
  • The US announced a 50% tariff on copper imports starting August 1, with additional tariffs planned for several countries, part of a broader push on trade policy by President Trump[1].
• Science and technology: In Chile, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory is preparing to commence a major astronomical survey with potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. Meanwhile, Tesla has begun rolling out robotaxis, sparking debate over their safety[3].

These events reflect a period of intense geopolitical tension, climate-related disasters, and significant policy shifts around the world.