July 17, 2025 • By Chris Fawkes

The UK is under a thunderstorm warning due to dry conditions increasing the risk of flash flooding. The Met Office has issued yellow thunderstorm warnings for Friday night and Saturday, with intense thundery downpours expected to bring heavy rain and potential disruption. Soils have been baked dry after three successive summer heatwaves, making it difficult for heavy rains to be absorbed, leading to a greater chance of flash flooding. The hardest hit areas could see over a month's worth of rain in just a few hours, with frequent lightning, large hail, and gusty winds also expected. The warning covers central southern England, south-east England, and the Midlands on Friday night, moving to northern England and Scotland by Saturday.

July 17, 2025 • By Jennifer Heymont

The BDX droids from Star Wars have arrived at Disney World's Galaxy's Edge in Hollywood Studios. They will be making appearances through August 30, 2025. The interactive droids are highly expressive and can be found using the My Disney Experience app. They are not weatherproof, so appearances may be cancelled in case of rain. Their arrival is part of a series of new events and reopenings at Disney World, including the Starlight Parade and the reopening of Test Track.

July 17, 2025 • By Logan Jaffe

A recent flood in Kerr County, Texas, killed over 130 people, including children, in an area known as "Flash Flood Alley". The flood was not unexpected, as the Guadalupe River has a history of devastating floods, including one in 1932 that killed at least 7 people. Local resident W. Thornton Secor Jr. had shared his family's experiences with floods in an oral history recorded in 2000, warning of the dangers of building near the river. His daughter, Mandi Secor Lipscomb, now owns the family's lodge, which was severely damaged in the recent flood. Despite the destruction, Secor Lipscomb plans to rebuild, and many of the families who survived the flood have already expressed interest in returning. The incident has raised questions about the preparedness of local officials and the effectiveness of warning systems in the area.

July 17, 2025 • By Liza Featherstone

Liza Featherstone is a contributing editor at The New Republic and author of "Divining Desire: Focus Groups and the Culture of Consultation" (2018).

July 17, 2025 • By Michael Leboff

Here is a concise summary of the news article: The Open Championship is a unique golf tournament with unpredictable weather conditions, making it challenging to predict. However, this chaos can be an opportunity for savvy live-bettors. Historically, winners of the Claret Jug have been within five shots of the lead after 18 holes, with a first-round scoring average of 67.1. A solid start doesn't guarantee a win, but it's essential to be within striking distance. Weather conditions, such as rain and wind, will play a significant role at Royal Portrush, and players who perform well in challenging conditions may be in sharper form than their score suggests. Bettors should consider taking a chance on players three or four shots back of the leader, as the final round could be unpredictable.

July 17, 2025 • By Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: TCBI) has announced its second-quarter 2025 operating results. The company reported net income of $77.3 million and net income available to common stockholders of $73.0 million, representing year-over-year increases of 86% and 95%, respectively. Earnings per share (EPS) were $1.58 per diluted share, up 98% from the same period last year. The company's adjusted EPS were $1.63 per diluted share, a 104% increase year-over-year. The company's strong performance was driven by a 7% quarter-over-quarter increase in total loans and a 10% year-over-year increase. The net interest margin was 3.35%, up 16 basis points from the first quarter of 2025. Non-interest income increased by $9.6 million compared to the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to increases in investment banking and advisory fees and trading income. The company's credit quality remained stable, with net charge-offs of $13.0 million and a ratio of non-accrual loans to total loans of 0.47%. The company's regulatory ratios continue to exceed "well-capitalized" requirements, with a CET1 ratio of 11.4% and a tangible common equity to total tangible assets ratio of 10.1%. During the quarter, the company repurchased 317,860 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $21.0 million. The company's CEO, Rob C. Holmes, stated that the company's multi-year focus on building a differentiated financial services firm has strengthened its client franchise and delivered high-quality outcomes, driving strong financial performance.

July 17, 2025 • By Casey Crownhart

The article argues that air-conditioning is being unfairly villainized as a major contributor to climate change. While it is true that air-conditioning is energy-intensive, it is also a life-saving technology that will become increasingly necessary as temperatures rise due to climate change. The article cites the recent deadly heat wave in Europe, which caused over 2,300 deaths, as an example of the importance of air-conditioning in preventing heat-related illnesses and deaths. It also notes that heating homes is also energy-intensive, but is not subject to the same criticism as air-conditioning. The article suggests that instead of blaming air-conditioning, we should focus on addressing the root cause of climate change and finding ways to make air-conditioning more efficient and sustainable. New technologies, such as those that store cooling power for when it's needed most, can help reduce the energy toll of air-conditioning. Ultimately, the article argues that air-conditioning is a necessary tool for comfort and safety, and that we should not demonize it, but rather work to make it more sustainable and efficient.

July 17, 2025 • By Nate Ryan

Dover Motor Speedway will host a NASCAR tripleheader on its first July weekend in over 56 years. The events include a 150-lap ARCA race on Friday, a 200-lap Xfinity race on Saturday, and a 400-lap Cup race on Sunday. Defending winners at Dover are Denny Hamlin (Cup), Ryan Truex (Xfinity), and Connor Zilisch (ARCA). The weekend will also feature the semifinals of the In-Season Challenge, with matchups between Ty Dillon and John Hunter Nemechek, and Ty Gibbs and Tyler Reddick. The weather forecast predicts partly cloudy skies on Friday, cloudy with rain showers on Saturday, and partly cloudy skies on Sunday.

July 17, 2025 • By Jamie Carter, Senior Contributor, Jamie Carter, Senior Contributor https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/

The Perseid meteor shower, one of the most popular and celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere, begins on Thursday night and will peak on August 12-13. However, this year's full moon may reduce the visibility of the meteors by about 75%. To maximize viewing, it's recommended to observe the shower during the darkest skies, which will be from July 18-28 and August 16-26. Additionally, waiting until August 15, when the moon will rise around midnight, may also provide a good opportunity to see the meteors. To ensure a good viewing experience, find a dark location with a clear view of the sky, dress warmly, and be patient, giving your eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust to the dark.

July 17, 2025 • By Emery Winter

A video of a rare cloud formation called a "fallstreak hole" trended on Reddit in July 2025, earning over 24,000 upvotes. The video, which was first posted on TikTok in January 2024, shows a cloud formation caused by supercooled water suddenly turning to ice. NASA had previously highlighted a similar formation in a satellite image from January 30, 2024, near the Florida Keys. Fallstreak holes occur when a disturbance, such as a plane, moves through high-level or mid-level clouds, causing the water droplets to freeze and fall, leaving behind holes in the clouds. The phenomenon is relatively rare and can be mistaken for unusual or unexplained phenomena.

July 17, 2025 • By Primary Author: Amy Houghton

The 2025 Lord Mayor's Balloon Regatta is scheduled to take place in London on Sunday, July 20, or Sunday, July 27, if the first attempt is cancelled due to bad weather. The event, which features dozens of hot air balloons flying over London's skyline, was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid and has been postponed every year since due to bad weather. The balloons will take off from Battersea Park at 5:30am and fly over iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. The event aims to raise awareness for the Lord Mayor's Appeal, which has raised over £250,000 for local charities since 2015. However, the weather forecast for the first scheduled date is not looking promising, with thundery showers and wind gusts predicted.

July 17, 2025 • By BraVapor

CD Project Red is releasing the 2.3 update patch for Cyberpunk 2077 on July 17. The update fixes bugs, adds new vehicles, photo mode, auto drive, and quality of life improvements. It's available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Mac, and PC, with a later release on Nintendo Switch 2.

July 17, 2025 • By Global Desk

Here is a concise summary of the news article: An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 struck near Sand Point, Alaska, triggering a tsunami warning for Kodiak, Cold Bay, and Unimak Pass. Currently, there are no reports of injuries or structural damage. Coastal residents are advised to remain vigilant and stay informed about seismic hazards, with evacuation plans and emergency supplies at the ready.