Maui death toll rises:Â The death toll from the fires on Maui has risen to at least 55. Questions are starting to be asked about why the island’s emergency warning sirens did not sound and many people on the island had no idea that wildfires were spreading out of control until the fires had almost reached their homes and businesses. Officials said alerts were sent to cellphones and broadcast stations, but it appears they my have been sent out after the island’s electrical power had failed. What happened on Maui is described as the worst wildfire situation in the U.S. since a 2018 wildfire destroyed Paradise, California, killing 85 people.
Floods in Norway and Sweden:Â Flooding continues in Norway and neighboring Sweden, where torrential rains this week pushed numerous streams and rivers over their banks. A dam at a power station in southern Norway partially collapsed and officials say other dams are in danger because too much water has piled up behind them.
Arrests in Ecuador assassination:Â Six Colombians, reported by an Ecuadoran government official to be linked to organized crime, have been arrested in connection with the assassination of Ecuador’s presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. Ecuador has become a center for the illegal cocaine trade. Villavicencio had campaigned on a platform of going after the drug gangs.
Arizona ballot decision:Â A state judge in Arizona has tossed out a Democratic Party lawsuit to block the third party known as the No Labels Party from being recognized by the state and being able to place its candidates on election ballots. Democrats fear that the presence of a third party candidate on the next presidential ballot could draw votes away from Joe Biden and allow Donald Trump to win the presidency. The ruling in Arizona came as West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin indicated he is considering becoming an independent and entering the presidential race as a third party candidate.
Trump’s company tipped FBI:Â Truth Social, Donald Trump’s social media company, tipped the FBI in March to disturbing posts made by Craig Robertson, the Utah man killed by the FBI after he refused to surrender. Robertson threatened to assassinate President Biden during Biden’s trip to Utah. Truth Social had told the FBI about Robertson’s threat posted on their site to kill Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Bragg brought charges against Trump for falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Mortgage rates near 7%: The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is now averaging 6.96%, up from last week when it averaged 6.90%; a year ago at this time, it averaged 5.22%. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.34%, up from last week’s 6.25%; a year ago at this time, it averaged 4.59%. Sam Khater, chief economist at Freddie Mac, stated, “There is no doubt continued high rates will prolong affordability challenges longer than expected, particularly with home prices on the rise again.”
