Wednesday, July 16, 2025
All civic learning topics for this day
Today's Topics
Record heat waves and climate disasters devastate US and Europe
A June-July 2025 heat wave killed at least 2,305 people across 12 European cities, with scientists confirming 65% of deaths were directly caused by climate change raising temperatures 1-4°C. The U.S. suffered 15 billion-dollar weather disasters in the first half of 2025, breaking records with $81 billion in insured losses globally. Nearly 160 million Americans faced heat at least three times more likely due to fossil fuel emissions, while hospitals lost power and the Washington Monument closed from extreme temperatures.
Ukraine spends final $10 billion as US profits from weapons sales
Ukraine's parliament approved a $9.8 billion defense spending increase on July 16, 2025, days after Trump announced NATO would purchase and transfer US weapons to Ukraine. The budget boost comes as Latvian PM Evika Siliņa visited Kyiv following Trump's 50-day ceasefire ultimatum to Russia. The spending increase represents Ukraine preparing for either intensified conflict or potential negotiations from strength.