John Yang:
Meanwhile, a senior U.S. negotiator tells PBS News that Hamas still has reservations about President Trump’s 60-day cease-fire proposal, but is willing to discuss them in this weekend’s talks in Qatar. Mr. Trump said Israel has already agreed to the deal.
Severe weather on this July 4 has turned deadly in parts of the country. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said at least six people are dead in Kerr County, and more than 20 others are still missing, some of them children, after close to 10 inches of rain caused flash floods along the Guadalupe River. Meteorologists say the water rose 22 feet in just two hours.
Meanwhile, in New Jersey, at least three people are dead after intense thunderstorms last night. The deaths were the result of toppled trees. The city of Plainfield declared a state of emergency and canceled its Fourth of July festivities.
Meanwhile, parts of Europe are dealing with a different set of difficult conditions. Wildfires burned across Turkey today and new blazes broke out in Greece, where this week flames have already charred thousands of acres. And a record-breaking heat wave is lingering over much of the continent.
In Bulgaria, construction workers braved the hazardous temperatures, while, in Sicily, beachgoers soaked up the sun’s rays and took advantage of the sea to cool off. Forecasters say that heat is likely to finally let up over the weekend.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without hot dogs, namely this year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Competitor eater Joey Chestnut reclaimed his title today after a year away with plant-based competitor Impossible Foods. Chestnut won his 17 Mustard Belt by downing 70.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
In the women’s competition, Miki Sudo defended her title with 33 hot dogs. Last year, she ate a record 51 franks.