Hurricane season arrives, but wet weather is already here
The official Atlantic hurricane season begins Wednesday and runs through Nov. 30,
but for millions, it feels like it's already here. Texans have been getting pounded by storms and flooding for months. Bonnie, which was downgraded from a tropical storm on Sunday, drenched the Carolina coasts over the holiday weekend. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecast a near-normal season, with four to eight hurricanes expected. Of those hurricanes, one to four could be rated as Category 3, 4 or 5, with wind speeds of 111 mph or higher.
Swiss open world's longest, deepest rail tunnel
Switzerland will celebrate an engineering marvel 20 years in the works on Wednesday: the debut of the world's longest and deepest railroad tunnel. The new tunnel will go through the 7,000-foot Gotthard Mountain, which has long served as Europe's main north-south axis through the Alps. The tunnel is 35.5 miles long, exceeding by 2 miles the current record-holder, Japan’s Seikan Tunnel. It will carry 325 passenger and freight trains a day, with each trip taking 20 minutes at speeds up to 150 mph. The goal is to reduce heavy auto traffic that creates pollution.
The battle for the Iraqi city of Fallujah continues
The battle to wrest control of the Iraqi city of Fallujah from the Islamic State continued Wednesday, as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned that an estimated 20,000 children remain trapped there. It comes after Iraqi forces repelled a fierce counterattack by the militants as government troops continued a slow advance to recapture the city. "Children face the risk of forced recruitment into the fighting, strict procedures for security screening and separation from their families," said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF's representative in Iraq. He called on all parties to protect children in the city and provide safe passage to people who want to leave. Fallujah has been under the control of the Islamic State since 2014.
Striking Verizon workers return to the job
Nearly 40,000 striking Verizon workers are scheduled to return to work Wednesday after reaching a tentative agreement on a new contract. The Communications Workers of America said the deal terms include 1,300 new East Coast call center jobs and 10.9% wage hikes over four years, a boost from the company's pre-strike offer. Verizon said the company will achieve cost savings and avoidance through health care plan changes, adoption of Medicare Advantage plans for retirees and increased flexibility in call sharing. The strike, which began in April, became one of the broadest U.S. job actions in recent years.
Breast and ovarian cancer gene database helps patients weigh treatment, prevention options
Doctors can now give women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes a clearer genetic picture of their risk for developing ovarian and breast cancer by tapping a database that in its first year has helped scientists parse hundreds of genetic variations. Researchers will announce the result of the initiative's first year Wednesday. Previously, a lab could identify a genetic variation but could not always pinpoint whether a particular form of the mutated gene indicated a cancer risk. Now, participating commercial labs can tell doctors more specifically which form of the gene a patient has. The screenings garnered worldwide attention last year when Angelina Jolie announced she had the BRCA1 gene and had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. Jolie, whose mother died of ovarian cancer at 56, two years earlier opted for a preventative double mastectomy.
And the essentials:
Weather: Sodden Texas will see another rainy day Wednesday, potentially leading to flooding, while high heat cranks up in the West.
Stocks: Global stock markets were lower Wednesday after reports on China’s manufacturing activity indicated weaknesses and U.S. consumer confidence dropped for a second month.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at American Ninja Warrior, Genius by Stephen Hawking and The Night Shift.
Be inspired: Special-needs couple become prom king and queen
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