A looming UPS strike, a huge offshore wind project and the hottest day in what could become the warmest year on record.

That's some of what we'll get to on the seven from the Washington Post. I'm Jeff Pierre. It's Thursday

July 6th. Let's get you caught up with today's seven stories.

Number one, at least 20 people died in mass shootings over the July 4th holiday.

That's according to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive Group.

It qualifies the mass shooting as when four or more people are killed or injured.

The group says there have been 21 of these shootings since Saturday,

the first day of the month.

This is a continuation of a sharp uptick in mass shootings over the 4th of July holiday

that began in 2020. Experts say large gatherings, hot weather, and the consumption of alcohol

are all part of the problem. Number two, July 4th was Earth's hottest day on record. The average surface

temperature of the planet was 62.92 degrees Fahrenheit. That's hotter than any time since

records began in 1979. The US, China, Antarctica, and the north of Africa were all

hotter than usual.

You're probably asking, why is it so hot?

Well, it's a number of things.

It's summer here in the northern hemisphere.

There's the return of El Nino and of course climate change. By looking at data

scientists can estimate that this week may have seen the warmest average

temperatures in around 125,000 years. It's an alarming trend. This could end up being Earth's warmest year on record.

Number three, UPS moved one step closer to a nationwide strike.

Contract talks between the delivery giant and a union representing its workers broke down yesterday.

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