Marjorie Taylor Greene introduces ‘weather modification' ban
On Tuesday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said she filed the 'Clear Skies Act' to ban 'weather modification' and geoengineering. It comes as online conspiracy theorists claim without evidence that weather-altering technology was behind the recent catastrophic flooding in Texas.
'Finally, we can really take the fight in Washington to protect our skies, protect our water, protect our atmospheres, and most of all, protect our families,' Greene said in a video posted on social media.
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Greene's office provided the text of the bill, which has been designated H.R. 4403.
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Trump's pivot from aid to trade leaves Africa wary as it faces tariffs and uncertainty
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — When U.S. President Donald Trump met five African leaders in Washington in July, his lack of familiarity with the continent was on display. He praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai's English — Liberia's official language — and gestured at another leader to wrap up remarks. But the bigger takeaway was Trump's pledge to transform U.S.-Africa relations: a shift from aid to trade, even as the region reels from steep tariffs and sweeping aid cuts. African leaders offered minerals from manganese to uranium and possibly lithium. Senegal's president even sought to leverage Trump's love of golf by inviting him to build a course. Yet many nations are anxious about Washington's new path. After slashing billions in foreign aid, including shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development — which provided over $12 billion in humanitarian assistance in 2025 alone — the Trump administration says it is forging a new approach: 'commercial diplomacy.' Trade, not aid, is the order of the day. 'It is now truly our policy for Africa,' said Troy Fitrell, the top U.S. diplomat for Africa, when announcing the strategy in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in May. Ambassadors will now be judged not by aid projects but on 'how well they support' local businesses and 'how effectively they advocate for U.S. business and the number of deals they facilitate,' he said. Africa accounts for less than 1% of U.S. goods trade, but Fitrell called it 'the world's largest untapped market,' projecting its purchasing power could surpass $16 trillion by 2050. Early deals, lingering doubts Washington touts quick progress: 33 agreements worth $6 billion in Trump's first 100 days, plus $2.5 billion in commitments at a U.S.-Africa business summit in June. Projects span grain storage and digital infrastructure in Angola, energy ventures in Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Congo, and tourism in Ethiopia. Still, many worry about the costs. Job losses and economic pain from tariffs are mounting even as Washington celebrates these wins. Trump did not invent the idea of trade over aid. African leaders have pushed for this since the 1970s. The problem, critics say, is the caveat: steep tariffs and uncertainty over the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the U.S. flagship program for trade with the continent. 'In reality, these tariffs are not about trade balances. It's economic warfare,' said the Alternative Information and Development Centre, a South African NGO. Fears that jobs could go Trump has imposed a 30% tariff on selected South African goods and threatens another 10% for nations aligned with the BRICS bloc of developing economies. South Africa's Automotive Business Council says vehicle exports to the U.S. have plunged over 80%, warning that tariffs 'strike at the heart of South Africa's industrialization agenda.' More than 100,000 jobs, mostly in auto and agriculture, are at risk, the council says. Smaller nations are also reeling. Lesotho declared a state of disaster after being hit with 50% duties — the second-highest rate after China — before Trump announced a 90-day pause. About 12,000 textile jobs hang in the balance, according to Lesotho's Minister of Trade, Industry, and Business Development, Mokhethi Shelile. From vanilla farmers in Madagascar to cocoa growers in Ivory Coast and oil exporters in Nigeria, tariffs have shaken economies and raised doubts about Washington's intent. 'The U.S. certainly can't have it both ways,' said Bester Brendon Verster, an economist at Oxford Economics Africa. 'The 'aid to trade' stance risks leaving Africa behind once the U.S. has gotten what it wanted, which will probably be critical minerals." An agreement on the brink AGOA, enacted in 2000 and renewed in 2015, allows duty-free U.S. access for nearly 2,000 goods from 32 African nations. It expires in September, with no clear sign that it will be renewed. South Africa's trade minister warned it will be 'very difficult' to keep AGOA under current conditions. Fitrell said he is a 'big fan' of the deal but told African leaders they must do more to lobby Congress. Future arrangements may require 'much greater attention toward some form of reciprocity' to reflect Trump's push for U.S. economic interests, he said. Meanwhile, China is leveraging zero-tariff policies to expand its influence. In June, China — already Africa's biggest trading partner — said it plans to grant duty-free market access to 53 African nations. Still, Verster said some African nations might be cautious about strengthening ties with China, for fear of triggering retaliation from the U.S. 'Aligning with China … could possibly bring about more economic punishment from the U.S.," he said. Farai Mutsaka, The Associated Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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The California governor is currently suing the Fox News host for $787 million.
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Rare 'flesh-eating' bacteria claims 4 lives in Florida: What to know
Florida health officials reported that four people died and over a half dozen others were made sick this year by a rare "flesh-eating" bacteria. Vibrio vulnificus, which is found in saltwater, brackish water and inside contaminated raw or undercooked seafood, led to four deaths in four counties across the state and made at least seven people ill, the state's Department of Health announced on July 11. Infection from the bacteria is rare, with an average of 150 to 200 cases reported each year to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cases are most often reported in the Gulf Coast states, though research has shown it migrating north as climate change fuels warmer oceans. Most healthy people exposed to the bacteria experience only mild symptoms. For some, however, the bacteria can be deadly – especially if it enters the bloodstream or kills flesh around an open wound. About one in five people die from the infection, according to the CDC, sometimes within one to two days of becoming ill. Others may require surgery or even amputation after their exposure. Here's what to know about Vibrio vulnificus: Where is Vibrio vulnificus located? Vibrio are bacteria that naturally live in coastal waters year-round. Vibrio vulnificus requires saltwater to live and spread, though it can thrive in brackish water, where a stream or river meets seawater. Most infections occur when people swallow contaminated water or get it in an open wound. Another source of infection is contaminated raw or undercooked seafood, especially shellfish such as oysters. In Florida, which leads the nation in Vibrio vulnificus infections, spikes in cases and deaths coincide with major hurricanes, when seawater is carried on shore, triggering flooding and dumping seawater into freshwater sources. Between 2016 to 2024, an average of 48 Vibrio vulnificus cases and about 11 deaths were reported annually in Florida. In 2022, when Hurricane Ian battered communities along the southwest coast, there were 74 reported cases and 17 deaths. Last year, the state recorded 82 cases and 19 deaths – a surge health officials tied to a pair of damaging hurricanes, Helene and Milton. Why is it called a 'flesh-eating bacteria'? Vibrio vulnificus kills, but does not eat tissue. The bacteria cannot penetrate unharmed skin, but can enter through an existing break. If the bacteria enters the body through a cut, scrape or wound, it can cause necrotizing fasciitis, and the flesh around the infection site could die. Those infected through wounds may require major surgery or limb amputations, according to the CDC. What are the symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus? Common symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus infection include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever, according to the CDC. When open wounds are exposed to contaminated salt or brackish water, Vibrio vulnificus can cause discoloration, swelling, skin breakdown and ulcers. The bacteria can also invade the bloodstream and threaten severe and life-threatening illnesses such as septic shock, especially for those with pre-existing conditions. "Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections are fatal about 50 percent of the time," according to the Florida Department of Health. How to avoid Vibrio vulnificus Below are some tips to avoid Vibrio vulnificus, according to the Florida Department of Health and the CDC. Stay out of saltwater and brackish water if you have an open wound or cut. If you get a cut while you are in the water, leave the water immediately. If your open wounds and cuts could come in contact with salt water, brackish water or raw or undercooked seafood, cover them with a waterproof bandage. Cook shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) thoroughly. Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other foods with raw seafood and juices from raw seafood. Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw shellfish. Seek medical attention right away for infected wounds. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, Thao Nguyen, Gabe Hauari and Mike Snider, USA TODAY; C.A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network - Florida This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rare 'flesh-eating' bacteria kills 4 people in Florida: What to know Solve the daily Crossword
