In an unprecedented event, neighborhoods across Indiana find themselves submerged as the White River has swelled to historic levels, surpassing 24.5 feet. This marks a new record, leapfrogging the previous high-water mark set back in 1913 by more than a foot.
Since Tuesday, an astonishing deluge has unfolded with over 11 inches of rainfall recorded to the east of Indianapolis. In response, Gov. Mike Braun declared a state of emergency on Thursday and has activated the Indiana National Guard to aid in relief efforts.
“Our state response is fully mobilized, resources are moving where they’re needed, and we will continue working around the clock to support every impacted community,” Braun announced, assuring residents in a public statement of the state’s commitment and actions underway.
In the city of Anderson, local authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders as streets lie beneath several feet of water, encroaching on homes and threatening safety.
Charlie Simmons, a resident of Anderson, shared his personal ordeal, stating he had just finished rebuilding his home when the floodwaters arrived.
“I’ve been working on it for about the last year,” he said. “I got in a couple months ago. Now it’s destroyed.”
As a lifelong Anderson resident, Simmons said he’s never seen flooding this severe.
The town of Yorktown, Indiana, which is in Delaware County, shared videos Thursday on its Facebook page, showing the widespread damage and severity of the flooding.
Town of Yorktown, Indiana
Meanwhile, in nearby Franklin County, swampy water covered train tracks and streets, and for the second consecutive day, several feet of water surrounded homes in Cambridge City.
First responders have rescued dozens of people across the region.
Everton Volunteer Fire Department
The flooding could still worsen as the river is expected to continue to spill over its banks until Sunday.
contributed to this report.
Halle Berry Marks Milestone 60th Birthday in Elegant Sheer Silky Robe
Celebrating her milestone 60th birthday, Halle Berry is capturing attention in a stunning ensemble of silk and lace.
The Oscar-winning actress has embarked on a tropical getaway to Fiji with her fiancé, Van Hunt. Her vacation wardrobe seemingly revolves around swimwear and flowing kaftans, as she marks this special occasion.
Sharing her festive mood on social media, Berry posted a series of images on Instagram, boldly declaring, “Today…don’t give a f—k!”
In the first image, the radiant birthday girl is seen tantalizingly indulging in a chocolate-covered strawberry, adorned only in a Soma sheer floral robe, accented with elegant black lace and priced at $218.
Complementing her look, Berry displays a vintage 1940s engagement ring on her left hand, alongside a Cartier Love bangle valued at $7,950, paired perfectly with a leather-wrapped bracelet.
In the photos that follow, Berry adds sunglasses, a mimosa in hand and plays with a wide-brimmed black hat — but appears to be wearing nothing underneath the topper.
Tamron Hall commented, “Yesssssss” while another fan commented, “I’ll have what she’s having. Thanks.”
On Wednesday, Berry posed in a semi-sheer black crochet halter dress, teasing, “60 here I come….”
The actress celebrated in a similar way last year, though she and Hunt were sitting oceanside in Bora Bora rather than Fiji.
What’s more, we’ve already gotten a taste of her sartorial vibe on this particular birthday vacation, as she’s been sharing images wearing sheer robes, caftans, barely-there swimwear and even a few forgoing the swimwear altogether for the past few weeks.
Berry is surely taking the birthday suit to the next level.
Enzo Fernandez and Enzo Maresca: Why Managing Manchester City Post-Guardiola is Fraught with Challenges
Manchester City’s interest in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez seems almost expected, as he has become a controversial figure in the sport, capturing the admiration of some while embodying what many consider to be the unsightly side of soccer.
Enzo Maresca, City’s new manager, has a history of supporting Fernandez despite the Argentine midfielder’s contentious behavior, which dates back to his tenure managing at Stamford Bridge.
Two years prior, Maresca had to justify appointing Fernandez as Chelsea’s captain for their 2024-25 season opener against City. This decision came shortly after Fernandez and fellow Argentina players shared a video mocking France’s ethnic roots, stirring considerable controversy.
Fernandez’s actions, often careless and offensive, have raised eyebrows. Not long before, his own club suspended him for publicly flirting with Real Madrid. His waning performance was also a factor in Liam Rosenior’s dismissal from Chelsea.
Known for his attempts to sway referees, Fernandez’s behavior on the field has earned him numerous critics. A notorious dismissal in the World Cup final and questionable conduct in the semi-final against England left many fans furious at the lack of disciplinary action.
It is not a surprise that Manchester City appear to be pursuing Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, who in the last couple of years has come to symbolise much that is ugly about the beautiful game
City’s new manager Enzo Maresca has got form for indulging the graceless and base antics of the Argentina midfielder that goes back to his time in charge at Stamford Bridge
In those circumstances, and given Chelsea set an asking price of £120million, it was predictable that Madrid did not want to go anywhere near him. It was less predictable that they would take the unusual step of stating publicly they were not interested in buying him.
‘The club wishes to state,’ read the Madrid communique at the beginning of July, ‘that it has not made any efforts, either directly or indirectly, aimed at signing the aforementioned player and, furthermore, has no intention of pursuing such an operation.’
But now, a couple of months into the job, Maresca is already risking the reputation City built in their Pep Guardiola years, for being a side that was widely admired for the quality, style and attitude with which it went about dominating the Premier League.
Chelsea have set a deadline of 5pm on Friday for City to make a bid for Fernandez and meet their asking price but it is possible the story will bleed further towards the transfer deadline of September 1.
City under Guardiola were the team of gifted stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva. They were the team of Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland. They were a team that put a smile on the face of any neutral that watched them.
The purchase of Fernandez, if it happens, will change that. Fernandez is a fine player but his quality comes at a high cost in terms of the image of the team he plays for. The wisest managers buy character as well as quality.
The truth is that if City buy Fernandez, it will represent not just a downgrade on Rodri but a reversal of much that the club stood for under Guardiola. It will represent an embrace of the ugly side of the game. It will be a transfer that stands for cynicism. It will be a move that says City are swapping beauty for the game’s dark arts.
The truth is also that Chelsea overpaid for Fernandez when they agreed to give Benfica £106.8million for him in the aftermath of the 2022 World Cup. He has not been as big a failure as some of the BlueCo signings but he has mixed some outstanding performances with periods of near anonymity.
The truth is that if City buy Fernandez (right), it will represent not just a downgrade on Rodri (left) but a reversal of much that the club stood for under Pep Guardiola
It will represent an embrace of the ugly side of the game. It will be a transfer that stands for cynicism. It will be a move that says City are swapping beauty for the game’s dark arts
He is supposed to be one of the leaders of the team but there were spells last season when he looked nothing like a leader. Leaders don’t flirt with other teams. Leaders don’t get suspended by their own club. Leaders don’t allow mediocrity to flourish all around them.
Chelsea finished tenth in the Premier League last season, 33 points adrift of champions Arsenal and Fernandez was part of that surrender. If Chelsea do sell him to City and somehow manage to recoup the money they paid for him, it should be cause for a huge celebration on the King’s Road.
There are early signs, in fact, that Chelsea, under their own new manager Xabi Alonso, are starting to pursue a more coherent transfer policy and achieve a better balance in their playing staff. If Fernandez leaves, it will be another step in the right direction.
For City, it would be the opposite. Maresca already has the most difficult job in English football in attempting to replace Guardiola. If he signs Fernandez, that job will get a whole lot harder.
80s Pop Icon Gary Johnson Passes Away: Family Shares Heartfelt Farewell
On a serene Wednesday, August 12, the soulful strummer from the iconic 80s pop group China Crisis, Gary Johnson, bid farewell at the age of 61. His passing was confirmed by his sister, Jan Hughes, on a dedicated China Crisis fan page on Facebook. While the cause of death was not disclosed, Jan’s heartfelt tribute painted a picture of a peaceful departure, with Gary’s devoted wife Jopie by his side. “Gazza was my elder brother. He left this world peacefully at exactly 12:05. It’s touching to see such lovely tributes, celebrating his remarkable talent as a bass player,” Jan shared. She fondly recalled Gary’s youthful days, strumming his very first guitar in his bedroom, a passion that set the stage for his musical journey.
Before his pivotal role in China Crisis, Gary was part of the Liverpool-infused New Wave band Hambi & the Dance, contributing to their 1982 album, Heartache. He joined the ranks of China Crisis from 1983 to 1989 and had a brief reunion with the group in 1995. During his tenure, alongside fellow musicians Gary Daly, Eddie Lundon, and Kevin Wilkinson, they propelled an impressive 10 singles into the UK Top 50, with five songs soaring into the Top 40, a testament to their vibrant sonic legacy.
Their chart-topping anthem, “Wishful Thinking,” hailed from their sophomore album, “Working with Fire and Steel – Possible Pop Songs Volume Two,” climbed to an impressive No. 9 spot in 1984, etching its place in music history.
Gary’s connection with the band’s frontman, Gary Daly, never waned over the years. His intricate bass melodies graced Daly’s debut solo studio album, “Gone from Here,” which debuted in May 2019, underscoring their enduring musical camaraderie.
He remained an integral part of the vibrant Merseyside music scene, gracing stages across Liverpool well into his later years. Among his favorite haunts for live performances was The Big House, colloquially known as The Yates’s Wine Lodge on Moorfields. Here, he was a beloved fixture of the Sunday live music sessions, enriching the local music circuit with his timeless talent.
Tributes flooded in for the beloved star as news of his death became public.
Commenting on Facebook one friend wrote: “I am so sorry to hear this news. It’s a long time since I last saw Gazza but I only have great memories of those wonderful times. He was a lovely chilled guy and his bass playing was absolutely sublime.”
Another added: “RIP Gary ‘Gazza’ Johnson, bassist for China Crisis, who gave us some excellent lines over the years.”
A third chimed in: “How very sad. I loved watching Gazza at the Cavern a couple of times. Such a talented musician. RIP Gazza. Thinking of Gazza’s family and his band members at this very sad time.”
Meanwhile a fourth shared: “I just heard the sad news of Gazza Johnson’s passing earlier today. A wonderful bass player. Safe travels Gazza xx
Lanterns Reignites DC Universe with a Riveting HBO Mystery Thriller
DC Studios/HBO
RATING : 8 / 10
HBO’s latest series, “Lanterns,” represents many things, but chiefly, it’s a vital rejuvenation for a franchise emerging from a significant failure. At the dawn of the new DC Universe, helmed by James Gunn, there was a promise of greater diversity in narrative voices, genres, and stylistic tones—marking a departure from the uniformity he encountered at Marvel. Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe aimed to be a creative sanctuary for auteurs, providing a canvas to express their vision within this expansive shared universe.
However, thus far, introductions like “Creature Commandos,” “Peacemaker,” and “Superman” have all mirrored Gunn’s distinct creative vision. Even “Supergirl,” which Gunn neither wrote nor directed, bore his influential style and arguably suffered from it, as critics delivered harsh reviews. Looking ahead, aside from “Clayface”—conceptualized by Mike Flanagan with direction by James Watkins—the spotlight is on the DCU’s next big release, “Man of Tomorrow,” a direct sequel to Gunn’s “Superman.”
“Lanterns” is different. It exists within the world Superman introduced us to and feels of a piece with what we’ve seen thus far, but also plays like something unexpected. Pitched as “True Detective” with a sci-fi twist, a buddy cop/noir thriller exploring a mystery at the heart of the DCU, “Lanterns” is the change of pace the franchise needs. We’ve only been privy to the first half of its eight-episode run, but if this sticks the landing, it’ll give the DCU a much-needed shot in the arm.
Lanterns is more than just True Detective with aliens
DC Studios/HBO
To be sure, “Lanterns” does have a lot of stylistic and structural overlap with “True Detective.” It principally follows two mismatched partners, veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and his new trainee John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), as they work a mystery across multiple time periods. Hal has been Earth’s first and only Green Lantern for years now, existing as one of the world’s only superheroes in the pre-Superman timeline the DC Universe has loosely alluded to. But now he’s getting on in years and is tasked with training John, an ex-Marine who grew up knowing about Hal’s exploits from the media. Their first case together takes them to Rushville, Nebraska, a unique town that’s connnected to Hal’s origins with the Green Lantern ring itself.
In addition to the aforementioned HBO series, “Lanterns” also directly borrows from the central dynamic of “Training Day,” while the setting of Rushville allows veteran TV helmer James Hawes to mine the Western genre just as much as it does the cop drama. The result is a rustic, grounded, and terse thriller that is concerned with narrative and character work first and science fiction world-building second. The early trailers felt so drab and desaturated that detractors thought the show was ashamed of its comic book origins. Yet the series itself is quite the opposite: People who were mad at the supposed lack of “green” won’t be mollified by the first few episodes, but the specific way the show deals with the larger cosmic lore from the perspective of an Earthbound mission pays real dramatic dividends.
There’s a moment early on where Hal gives a brief monologue in a bar about how the ring came into his possession and changed his life forever. There’s no maximalist flashback, no cutaways to special effects-laden recreations of crash-landing spaceships. It’s just Chandler’s voice and eyes and face recounting a tale fans of the source material will be very familiar with, but recontextualizing that notorious event through sheer will alone. It instills chills and very efficiently sells why “Lanterns” took this particular approach.
In the wake of the 2011 “Green Lantern” film becoming a perpetual punchline, forever tethered to the chip on Ryan Reynolds’ shoulder, reintroducing this mythology to the masses required a different approach. It’s not ashamed of its beginnings, but it knows a little genre convention goes a long way. It’s more like the first “Terminator” movie, which heavily alluded to the future robot war rather than trying to show us every inch of it. The unique way it brings Green Lantern back to the mainstream is an interesting amalgamation of its three creators’ respective approaches to storytelling.
Lanterns is the product of three different visions
DC Studios/HBO
Primary showrunner Chris Mundy’s biggest credit to date remains the Netflix crime drama “Ozark,” and that show’s confident plotting and high caliber acting are on display here, but it’s the show’s other two co-creators who give “Lanterns” its dueling creative identities.
Controversial “Wonder Woman” scribe Tom King has been involved with the DCU since James Gunn put his initial writers’ room together, and the failed “Supergirl” film was loosely based on one of his most celebrated graphic novels. But “Lanterns,” right from its shocking opening scene, feels like the clearest distillation of his cape comics in a live action setting. King likes to play fast and loose with accepted canon, making his approach to fan-favorite characters malleable within the stories he personally chooses to tell.
That’s why his Hal is older, washed-up and conflicted about his own legacy. It’s also likely why the unique wrinkle in the way John Stewart’s connection to the mythology is dispensed with hews so closely to ex-CIA agent King’s frequently maudlin and controversial explorations of combat veterans’ histories. Both provide fertile ground for the series’ two leads to play around in, with both Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre doing instantly iconic work within this new corner of the DCU.
The other big creative force here is “Lost” co-creator Damon Lindelof, and it’s clear he is continuing some of the ideas that were central to his “Watchmen” adaptation. There is a palpable sense of racial politics being wrestled with inside a superhero-centric setting, particularly once Stewart’s backstory begins to be excavated and his role as Hal’s successor becomes more complicated than it first appears. Together, these different writers and their respective pet themes and approaches help create something that feels like a necessary step outside Gunn’s authorial voice. Whether the changes work will likely depend on how much of a stickler for continuity and comic book accuracy the viewer is, especially with some of the thornier ideas surrounding race.
But “Lanterns” feels like something very necessary for the future of the DCU, especially its shaky state post-“Supergirl” and with the Paramount merger looming. Thankfully, it’s an entertaining and engrossing proposition, the kind of show that’s worth sticking with, whether or not the eventual finale effectively ties its disparate elements into a bow.
2026 Census Results: ABS Timeline for Data Release Announced
Australians eager to delve into the details of the 2026 Census will need to practice patience, as preliminary insights won’t be available until mid-next year, with the comprehensive data set expected by 2028.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has outlined a three-phase release plan, beginning in the middle of 2027 and stretching into the subsequent year.
Jenny Telford, who heads the Census and population statistics for the ABS, shed light on the necessity of a 10-month period before the initial data can be shared.
Explaining the timeline, Telford noted on Thursday, “June 2027 might seem distant, but the sheer size of Australia makes this process extensive.”
“We face a significant undertaking to collect every paper form from the most isolated corners of the country. Though it’s a hefty task, by next June, we’ll unveil a comprehensive snapshot of the nation.”
Over eight million completed Census forms had been received by Wednesday morning, the ABS confirmed, accounting for over two-thirds of Australians.
When will the 2026 Census results be released?
The first release is scheduled for June 2027, less than a year after Census night. It will include most Census topics and cover almost all geographic areas.
This first release will provide a broad picture of Australia, including population characteristics such as age, sex recorded at birth, gender and sexual orientation.
It will also include information on family composition, relationships, country of birth, ancestry, language, religion, education, income, housing, health, disability, unpaid work and care, and other demographic characteristics.
What information will be included in each Census release?
The second release is due in October 2027.
This will add a range of employment and location-based information, including labour force status, occupation, industry, hours worked, place of work and methods of travelling to work.
This release will be particularly useful for understanding how Australia’s communities function economically, including where people live and where they work. That information can help reveal commuting patterns and the links between residential areas and employment centres.
The third release is expected in early to mid-2028.
It will contain information requiring additional processing, including distance to work, estimates of homelessness and the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA).
SEIFA provides a way to compare areas based on their relative socioeconomic characteristics and can be particularly useful for governments and organisations when identifying areas of greater need and informing decisions about funding and services.
The staged approach is designed to give the ABS time to process, check and protect the data before it is published.
What’s new in the 2026 Census compared with 2021?
The 2026 Census will provide a detailed picture of how Australia has changed since 2021, from where people live and how households are structured to housing, education, employment, income and cultural background.
It will also provide new information on gender, gender experience, and sexual orientation, offering insights not available in the last Census.
Income data will also be enriched using administrative data, providing a more detailed picture of Australians’ economic circumstances.
Results will be available across a range of geographic areas, allowing users to compare changes between states, cities, suburbs, and smaller communities, and to see how Australia’s population and communities have evolved since 2021.
How governments and businesses use Census data
Census information is used by governments, councils, businesses, community organisations and researchers to understand Australia’s changing needs.
It helps inform decisions about schools, hospitals, housing, transport, infrastructure and local services, while businesses can use demographic and economic information to understand communities and plan investment.
Colombia Earthquake Crisis: Over 3,000 Missing, U.S. Sends $15.5 Million Aid Boost
In a tragic turn of events, over 3,000 individuals in Colombia have been reported missing after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck on Tuesday. This natural disaster has sparked an urgent search for survivors as the Trump administration steps in, pledging $15.5 million in relief aid to support recovery efforts.
The aftermath of the quake has been captured in videos and photographs showing emergency responders tirelessly digging through rubble and debris to find any survivors. Local leaders from cities such as Cali, Pereira, Chocó, and Manizales have confirmed that at least 179 lives were lost in these areas alone. Meanwhile, federal estimates remain at 111 fatalities, a figure last updated shortly after the earthquake hit, according to reports from The Associated Press.
“We stand united in prayer with the people of Colombia and are prepared to assist President Abelardo De la Espriella and his administration as they evaluate the situation,” announced the State Department on X, showing solidarity and readiness to support the Colombian government’s efforts.
The department further emphasized that “the Trump Administration is contributing $15.5 million to fund emergency shelters, provide food, ensure protection, and conduct assessments of the earthquake damage.”
The day after the devastating earthquake in Pereira, Colombia, rescue workers and volunteers were seen clearing debris on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. (Miguel Angel Lopez/AP)
Around 1,600 buildings across Colombia have been reported damaged or collapsed, and more than 3,000 people are missing, the AP reported.
A man looks at a collapsed building after an earthquake struck Manizales, Colombia, on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (Dario Cardona/AP)
President Abelardo De la Espriella, who was inaugurated just days earlier, traveled to Chocó’s capital, Quibdó, on Monday night and announced he was mobilizing “the entire military and police apparatus” to respond, deploying engineers, rescue workers and search dogs.
“Chocó will never again be the ‘land of the forgotten,’” he said.
Residents and rescue workers search through the rubble after an earthquake struck Cali, Colombia, on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (Santiago Saldarriaga/AP)
The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was centered in San José del Palmar, a town located within the western Chocó region, which borders the Pacific Ocean.
In a post on X, De la Espriella, added that, “The National Government stands with the people of Chocó.”
Rescue workers cut through debris as they search for survivors the day after an earthquake struck Cali, Colombia, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. (Ivan Valencia/AP)
“Immediate economic resources and humanitarian aid have already been allocated to support the more than 1,400 affected families and individuals,” he added. “The injured and those requiring priority medical attention are being transferred to Medellín with all available hospital capacity.”
Californians Divided on Billionaire Tax and Oppose Voter ID Requirement, New Poll Reveals
In the run-up to November’s vote, California finds itself sharply divided on two polarizing ballot measures.
The spotlight is on Proposition 40, popularly referred to as the one-time billionaire tax, which currently enjoys 48% support among likely voters. However, 41% remain opposed, leaving 11% of the electorate undecided, according to a recent survey conducted by UC Berkeley in collaboration with the Los Angeles Times.
“While Prop 40 is ahead, its lead is neither wide nor commanding,” observed Mark DiCamillo, the poll’s director, in a conversation with the Times. “Ballot initiatives generally benefit from having clear majority support, but we aren’t seeing that with this measure just yet.”
The proposed billionaire tax has ignited a heated debate among Democrats. While many labor organizations are rallying behind it as a shield against looming federal health care cuts, high-profile personalities such as Governor Gavin Newsom express concern that it might jeopardize the state’s economic health.
The urgency for Prop 40 to secure “yes” votes cannot be understated, especially as billionaires like Sergey Brin funnel resources into rival initiatives poised to potentially nullify its effects. As is customary, the initiative with the majority vote will ultimately prevail and be enacted.
“There’s going to be a lot of campaigning, apparently on the no side especially. So we’ll see,” DiCamillo said on the changing dynamics. “But you know, I think it’s confusing to voters in some ways.”
According to the poll, the billionaire tax is seeing stronger support from younger Californians. Minorities, women and lower-income voters were also more likely to back it than white voters, men and those who earn at least $200,000 annually.
Meanwhile, Prop 39, the initiative that would require strong identification rules has just 42% support, with over half of would-be voters opposing 39.
The divide among Prop 39 is more clearly partisan, with 80% of Democrats opposing it and 90% of Republicans supporting it. However, unaffiliated voters were not in favor by a 54% to 36% margin.
“It’s a very traditional Democrat versus Republican split,” said DiCamillo, who expected not to see major shifts in the numbers.
State Republicans are leading the push for Prop 39 and claim most Californians do think voter ID requirements are common sense. But they cried foul on a description rewrite by state Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, that they said framed the measure more negatively.
When supporters gathered more than 1.3 million signatures to qualify Prop. 39 for the November ballot, its title said the measure “establishes additional voter identification and citizenship verification requirements.” Bonta’s office changed the language to say: “Prohibits citizens from voting unless they present government-issued identification.”
Supporters sued Bonta but lost in court.
“California politicians know that a supermajority of California voters support Prop 39’s bipartisan solution for Voter ID — so now they are corruptly trying to rig the election by putting a biased and dishonest title on this common-sense measure,” Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R), the chief backer of the measure, said in a statement.
The Berkeley poll surveyed 4,207 California registered voters online from August 3 to 9. It has a margin of error of about 2.5 percentage points.
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