August 23 top stories
It is August 23. Here are today’s top stories.
“Heat dome” lingering across the U.S.
There is a “heat dome” lingering over the central U.S. and south that is causing temperatures to be between 90 and 110 F in many places.
About 126 million people are under “heat alerts.” Some areas have a “feels like” temperature of 110 F to 120 F or higher due to humidity.
Axios said there were over 100 new records set or tied on Monday alone with high temperatures in the U.S. and that the heat will persist this week.
Pakistan cable car rescues
In Pakistan, six children and two adults were rescued from a broken cable car that was dangling 900 feet above a valley. The children were going to school and were using the cable car to go across a valley. First responders used a helicopter and then when it became too dark, they used zip lines to rescue those trapped one by one until all were safe. AP News said people across the country watched live news coverage of the rescue. The children’s families were emotional when they were reunited.
AP News said people in remote, mountainous villages in Pakistan frequently use cable cars to get around, but the cable cars are often poorly maintained and that every year people die or are injured while traveling in them.
Deadly wildfires in Greece
There are over 200 wildfires across Greece due to strong winds and hot, dry summer conditions. Tragically, the fires have killed at least 20 people. 18 of these killed are believed to be a group of migrants who were found in a forest.
AP News said there are hundreds of firefighters and water-dropping planes working in Greece. There are also wildfires happening in Spain, Turkiye, and Italy.
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Japan to begin releasing Fukushima water
The Japanese government said it plans to begin a process of releasing wastewater from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown into the Pacific Ocean. The meltdown happened after a powerful earthquake and tsunami hit Japan.
ABC News said there are people who are opposed to the idea due to environmental risks and economic impacts on fishing.
Japanese officials said the wastewater is safe for both human health and marine life.
The wastewater has been treated to reduce its radioactive properties and the process of releasing the water will be very slow, lasting up to 40 years. There is 1.3 million tons of treated water that are stored in over 1,000 tanks and it will be released via an underground pipeline extending more than half a mile into the Pacific Ocean.
House explosion kills NFL player’s father
CBS News said the home of NFL player Caleb Farley exploded on Monday night in North Carolina, killing his father and injuring a family friend. Farley plays for the Tennessee Titans. His father’s name was Robert Farley and he was 61.
Authorities said they are looking at a natural gas issue but that the investigation is ongoing. They said Caleb purchased the home for his father.
The Titans team said it would support Farley through this time.
First Republican primary debate tonight
Tonight (Wednesday night) is the first Republican presidential debate. It will take place in Milwaukee and it will air on Fox News. Donald Trump is not attending the debate, he is skipping it.
Those debating tonight include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Many are watching what the candidates will say about Trump because he is still very popular — he is the top Republican in presidential polling. But Trump is facing a lot of legal trouble with four criminal cases, so the candidates will want to try and convince voters that they are the better person while trying not to turn off those who support Trump.
The second-highest polling candidate is DeSantis. Tonight is his biggest stage so far to show who he is and what kind of candidate he is.
That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.
Heat Dome: https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/record-heat-wave-central-us-midwest-south
Home explosion: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/titans-cornerback-caleb-farley-father-killed-house-explosion/
Debate: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/7-things-watch-republican-primary-debate/story?id=102456607