Catastrophic Floods Devastate Libya – The New York Times

The authorities in Libya estimated that at least 5,000 people have died, and thousands more are believed to be missing, after heavy rain submerged the coastal city of Derna, destroyed roads and swept entire neighborhoods into the sea.

The storm caused two dams to burst, destroying much of Derna, on Libya’s northeast coast. Citizens who escaped the city left “as if they were born today, with nothing,” one army official said. The flooding buckled buildings and blocked roads, impeding access to the most stricken areas, and the death toll is likely to rise in the coming days.

One local official said today that a third dam, located between Derna and the larger city of Benghazi, was also on the brink of collapse.

Libya, a North African nation splintered by a war, was ill-prepared for the storm which swept across the Mediterranean Sea. The country is administered by two rival governments, complicating rescue and aid efforts, and its infrastructure has been poorly maintained after more than a decade of political chaos.

Libya is also especially vulnerable to climate change and severe storms. Warming causes the waters of the Mediterranean to expand and sea levels to rise, eroding shorelines and contributing to flooding, with low-lying coastal areas of the country at particular risk.

For more, maps show where floods hit Derna and videos show the scale of the devastation.

McCarthy ordered a Biden impeachment inquiry

Speaker Kevin McCarthy directed top congressional Republicans to open an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, as he works to appease far-right Republicans who have threatened to oust him amid a pitched fight over spending.

McCarthy said he would task three House committees with carrying out the inquiry into the president and his family as Republicans hunt for evidence of financial wrongdoing or corruption. After months of digging, Republicans have found no such proof, though they argue they have enough information to warrant more investigation.

Google’s monopoly trial began

A major antitrust case against Google went to trial today, with the federal government and more than three dozen states accusing the company of illegally protecting a monopoly so complete that its name has become synonymous with searching the internet.

In opening arguments, a lawyer for the federal government argued that Google illegally protected its internet search monopoly using deals struck with smartphone makers. A lawyer for Google said the company’s search product was popular because of its superiority, not because of anti-competitive tactics.

Should Google lose, it could be forced to restructure. But a win for Google could raise new questions about the government’s regulatory powers. The trial is expected to last 10 weeks. Here’s everything you need to know.

Israel’s Supreme Court weighs a law that limits its power

Israel’s Supreme Court began considering whether to strike down a deeply contentious law that limits the court’s power, setting the stage for a constitutional showdown between the country’s judicial and executive branches.

The law, passed by Parliament in July, ruled that judges can no longer use the legal standard of “reasonableness” to overrule decisions made by government ministers. Critics say the standard is too vague, but supporters of the court say it is a necessary curb on government overreach. The justices could take until January to make a decision, and legal experts said it was too early to predict what conclusion they would reach.

Sean Combs is back, with a new outlook

Sean Combs — the music mogul once known as Puff Daddy — is in his accolades era. Combs was the engine behind hip-hop’s merger with R&B decades ago, and last year he received a lifetime achievement honor at the BET Awards. Tonight, he’ll receive the global icon award at the MTV Video Music Awards, where he will also perform live.

Colorado is getting Michelin stars. Not everyone is happy.

The Michelin Guide, owned by the French tire manufacturer, is the world’s most widely recognized authority on fine dining. Its coveted stars have propelled careers and fueled the dreams of generations of chefs. But as it prepares to expand to Colorado — its stars in the state will be revealed tonight — some in the industry have voiced reservations about Michelin’s priorities and influence.

Since 2010, the Michelin Guide has transformed itself from an elite, arms-length critic of the restaurant industry to a financial partner, accepting money from sponsors like food brands, hotel chains and tourism agencies. Some chefs also fear that the honors are fostering a world of restaurant clones.

Sharks on the 14th hole

For nearly two decades, the Carbrook Golf Club near Brisbane, Australia, boasted what may have been the most intense water hazard in the world: a lake teeming with sharks.

The bull sharks, which were swept onto the course by raging floods in 1996, lived in the lake for 17 years, sustaining themselves on its large stock of fish and on the occasional meat treat provided by the club’s staff. Their time just off the fairway proved more than a fluke. New research based on their case suggests that bull sharks can live indefinitely in low-salinity aquatic environments.

Have an adaptable evening.