A bipartisan group of senators has introduced a bill to prohibit members of Congress, the president, and vice president from trading stocks. Led by Sens. Peters, Merkley, Hawley, and Ossoff, the bill aims to ensure elected officials act in the public’s best interest. It will be considered by the Senate panel on July 24, marking the first formal consideration of such legislation by Congress. (UPI)
Houston’s biggest utility is facing criticism for its response to Hurricane Beryl, with 1.4 million properties still without power. City Council member Kamin expressed concerns about the extended outage as frustrated residents sought relief and Mayor Whitmire called for better efforts from CenterPoint Energy. Many questioned the city’s preparedness for the storm. (AP)
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a warning to drivers about cheap and substandard air bag inflator replacements. This comes after three deaths and two severe injuries in the past nine months. The aftermarket replacement inflators, often manufactured overseas, malfunctioned during subsequent crashes, causing fatal injuries to drivers. (UPI)
A man was caught smuggling over 100 live snakes in his pants while entering China from Hong Kong. Custom officers found the snakes in canvas bags, most of which were non-native species. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of illegal wildlife trade in China, a major hub for such activities, representing a significant threat to native species and a sizable black market. (NPR)
Police in England detained a man after a manhunt following the killing of three women with a crossbow. The victims were identified as the wife and two adult daughters of John Hunt, a commentator on BBC Racing. The man was arrested with injuries, received medical treatment, and no shots were fired during his capture. (BBC)
