Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Skiivone.

The White House is deeply concerned about events unfolding in the African nation of Niger,

where leaders of an apparent coup there say they have replaced the country's president.

But the U.S. says there's still diplomacy going on to restore constitutional order in

Niger, a key U.S. partner.

And P.R. Michelle Kellman has more.

While the general claims to be the new head of state in Niger, the U.S., the United Nations

and a regional African group, are all backing the ousted president, Mohamed Bozum.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says the U.S. is watching closely.

We believe that there is still space for diplomacy here, and that that diplomacy is actively

being pursued, not just by the United States, but by our allies and partners and our

African partners as well.

The U.S. has about 1,000 troops in Niger, an important base for counterterrorism efforts

in the region.

Kirby says there are no plans yet to change the U.S. footprint.

Michelle Kellman and P.R. News, the State Department.

The National Weather Service says two-thirds of the U.S. population, around 200 million

people, are facing heat advisories, or a flood watch, or a warning.

The latest of the summer's intense weather waves began yesterday.

But expert Jeremy Hoffman of Groundwork, USA, says that due to multiple conditions, the

heat is felt more intensely in communities of color.

These extreme heatwaves are disproportionately dangerous for communities of color and

...