Florida residents were under orders to evacuate Tuesday ahead of Hurricane Idalia's arrival today, as forecasters said the storm was strengthening over an exceptionally warm Gulf of Mexico and would likely become "extremely dangerous" before landfall. Warm Gulf waters charged Idalia into an "extremely dangerous major hurricane before landfall on Wednesday," the NHC said. Major hurricanes are Category 3 or higher and can cause "devastating" and "catastrophic" damage.

MANY FLORIDIANS ARE IGNORING IDALIA EVACUATION ORDERS

President Joe Biden will be making a stopover in Vietnam to meet with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other Vietnamese leaders following the president's attendance at the G20 Summit in India next month. The visit is set to take place as Washington's concerns remain over China's growing economic and military muscle in the region. Biden will travel to Hanoi on Sept. 10 to discuss ways to "further deepen" the US-Vietnam relationship a half-century after the nations were at war.

SEE THE IMPORTANT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR US-VIETNAM

In a day that showed just how costly and painful the 18-month Russia-Ukraine war is, both sides held funerals of key players in the conflict. A private service for Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was held in Saint Petersburg after he died in a private jet crash two months after ordering a coup against Russia. In Ukraine, mourners gathered to pay homage to piloit Andriy Pilshchykov, who died in a training flight.

SEE HOW THE DEATHS TAKE FURTHER TOLLS ON BOTH SIDES

What is the oldest military medal issued by the US? When did it start?

Tuesday's answer: Eminem set the Guinness world record for the most words in a hit song with "Rap God", rapping 1,560 words in six minutes.