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Tropical Storm Bertha, the Atlantic hurricane season's second named storm, is gaining strength as it moves along the Gulf Coast. 🌀 |
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Iran continues to target U.S. bases in the Middle East as President Donald Trump hosts Lebanon's president in Washington. |
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Grandparents in one Midwestern state will soon be able to enjoy happy hours at their retirement facilities. 🥂 👵🏼 |
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But first: Please, if you visit our national parks, respect the rules. Don't be like these people. 🛑
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Tropical Storm Bertha is heading toward the Gulf Coast, and forecasters say it's likely to bring heavy rain, storm surges and gusty winds. The second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season is moving west, with potential flooding as the biggest concern, especially in western Florida and southern regions of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, and the middle Texas coast.
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Tropical Storm Bertha has a decidedly lop-sided look as it moves along the U.S. Gulf Coast on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
Provided by NOAA/CIRA
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Trump threatens Iran over strikes
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Fears of a wider war that could engulf the Middle East are rising as the U.S. and Iran continue to trade strikes and Trump ratchets up his rhetoric. But on Tuesday the president downplayed concerns over the escalation as he hosted Lebanon's leader at the White House.
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Trump said the U.S. would "take care of it" if Houthis, a Yemeni Iran-backed rebel group, impose a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea.
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Watch: Key takeaways from Trump's meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. 📺 |
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What to know about a possible blockade in the Red Sea. 🛑 |
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The Pentagon says nearly 100 service members have been injured this month in the war with Iran. |
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President Donald Trump met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to discuss a range of topics that included U.S. action on Iran's nuclear sites.
Pool / Reuters
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed the cyclosporiasis outbreak, saying it's "under control." 🥬 |
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The Trump administration replaced displays at a Philadelphia historic site tied to George Washington and enslaved people he kept there. |
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Nearly 75 years after it went down, the remains of a Pan Am plane were discovered off the coast of Puerto Rico. |
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Two American tourists were hurt in a stabbing at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. |
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Make mine an old fashioned 🥃 👵🏼
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Seniors in one Midwestern state can soon go to happy hour without leaving the nursing home. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz recently signed legislation allowing nursing homes and assisted living facilities to serve alcohol to residents and their guests, a move he said allows facilities to more easily spend "more time creating opportunities for residents to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, happy hours and everyday moments together."
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Stay away from those artificial sweeteners, scientists say. |
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Too young to look old? How to (maybe) slow graying hair. |
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Meet the mom building a backyard 'Tike Town' 🛝
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It started with a pair of playhouses left on the side of the road: Now a Pennsylvania mom is building her two boys, ages 3 and 18 months, their own personal playground with more than 30 Little Tikes and Step2 playhouses, a "beach," "airport," campground and actual paved roads.
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“I know a lot of people think it’s crazy that we're building this entire town for two very young toddlers, but we do plan on having more children in the future,” the mom told USA TODAY. “I feel like we kind of get our money's worth if we build it now while they're really young, so then we get years out of it."
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One of Spain's World Cup winners shared the celebratory spotlight with his baby bro. The video is even cuter than it sounds. ⚽️ 🥹 |
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Wait, after all these years we've all been calling Oprah by the wrong name?! Apparently, yes. |
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After reading it countless times (and seeing Christopher Nolan's film), I still think Penelope is the unsung and underappreciated hero of "The Odyssey." And I'm not alone. 🎬 |
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Phaedra Trethan is a national correspondent at USA TODAY. She'd love to hear from readers about The Short List, story ideas from across the nation and your hot takes on "The Odyssey" (the epic poem and the film). Email her at ptrethan@usatoday.com.
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President Trump downplayed China's meddling in U.S. elections, five days after he accused China of "the largest compromise of election data in history."
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The victims were part of a group that had gathered at the Scioto River to "enjoy themselves on a summer night," authorities said.
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The man attacked by a bison at Yellowstone National Park recounts what happened before and during the now-viral incident.
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Federal officials seized over 700 drones at World Cup venues and are prosecuting 300 pilots for flight violations.
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Donald Trump's super PAC is sitting on as much money as six major Republican and Democratic campaign committees combined.
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President Trump took executive action to impose 50% tariffs on a wide range of imports from Canada.
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Defense attorneys for Tanner Horner are asking a judge for a new trial after his death sentence in the 2022 murder of Athena Strand.
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White House trade adviser Peter Navarro lost an appeal over his criminal conviction for defying a subpoena tied to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
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Novo Nordisk claims Eli Lilly aired misleading ads comparing the pharma companies' respective weight-loss drugs, Wegovy and Zepbound.
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Jessie Cave played Lavender Brown in three "Harry Potter" films. Now, she makes hair content on OnlyFans. What does that say about society?
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Play Your Way to a Relaxing Break
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Unwind with crosswords and challenges that recharge you.
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Crosswords, Puzzles, Comics & Horoscopes
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