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A group of Jeffrey Epstein survivors is asking Republican Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn not to confirm Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General. The survivors say Blanche’s recent meeting with them did not show enough respect or real plans to hold Epstein’s associates accountable.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the acting U.S. Attorney General and is up for confirmation.
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse accuse Blanche of being dismissive during a recent meeting.
The meeting was arranged by Senator Thom Tillis as a condition to support Blanche’s confirmation.
Survivors say Blanche showed no remorse for the Justice Department’s release of files exposing victim identities.
Blanche acknowledged mistakes in handling documents but denied protecting Epstein’s associates.
Survivors argue the DOJ under Blanche has failed to investigate beyond Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Epstein survivors wrote a letter urging senators to vote against Blanche’s confirmation.
Senator Thom Tillis asked Blanche to meet with victims to help secure his vote.
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Federal health officials confirmed that iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms is still linked to a rise in Cyclospora infections causing diarrhea in multiple states. A false positive test result over the weekend caused confusion, but officials said the investigation and recall of lettuce from Central Mexico remain valid.
Key Facts
Cyclospora is a tiny parasite causing diarrhea linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms.
The CDC and FDA traced sick people’s lettuce back to shredded iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico supplied by Taylor Farms.
Taylor Farms recalled all its iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico harvested between June 29 and July 16.
Initial CDC warnings targeted Taco Bell lettuce in five states, but later cases suggest wider exposure.
An FDA test over the weekend showed Cyclospora on lettuce, but a later review said this was a false positive.
The false positive test was from lettuce not included in the recall and likely caused by contamination.
Taylor Farms stated the FDA admitted the mistake and said no positive product tests were found.
Despite the false positive, the FDA confirmed the recall and outbreak investigation are still sound.
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Christopher Nolan’s new movie, "The Odyssey," is the first full-length film made completely using 70mm IMAX cameras. These cameras capture very high-quality and detailed images for a big, clear film experience.
Key Facts
"The Odyssey" is a feature-length movie shot entirely on 70mm IMAX cameras.
It is the first film in history to use only 70mm IMAX cameras for the whole production.
70mm IMAX cameras provide a much larger film format than standard cameras, leading to sharper visuals.
Jay Holben, a technical editor for American Cinematographer, discussed the film’s camera technology.
The movie aims to offer an immersive viewing experience due to the advanced camera technology.
CBS News covered the story and featured interviews related to the film's production.
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President Donald Trump announced new 50% tariffs on many Canadian goods, saying Canada depends on the US to survive. The tariffs will start in 30 days and cover products like cars, wine, and hockey sticks, leading both countries to plan further talks.
Key Facts
The US government will impose 50% tariffs on most Canadian imports starting next month.
President Trump said Canada cannot survive without the US.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said the country is united and plans to negotiate with the US soon.
The tariffs target items including cars, alcohol, dairy, wine, hockey sticks, and cement.
Some goods affected were previously protected by the USMCA trade agreement.
The White House claims Canada treated US products unfairly, leading to the tariffs.
President Trump said the tariffs are not related to Canadian wildfires, though he criticized Canada’s wildfire response separately.
The US is considering wildfire-related costs as a different issue from the tariffs.
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The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has proposed ending a rule that requires large employers to report the racial and gender makeup of their workers each year. The proposal, supported by the Republican majority on the commission, will be open for public comments and a hearing before it can become final.
Key Facts
The EEOC is the main agency enforcing anti-discrimination laws in the US.
The current rule requires companies with 100 or more employees, and federal contractors with 50 or more workers, to submit data on race and gender in their workforce.
This data collection is called EEO-1 and covers about 73,000 employers and 50 million workers.
The EEOC says the rule is costly for employers (estimated $275 million) compared to the $4 million cost to the agency.
The commission claims the rule conflicts with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination but is meant to be "colorblind."
The EEOC chair, Andrea Lucas, argues that collecting data without specific complaints may hurt enforcement and raises legal concerns.
Critics say this reasoning is incorrect and that data collection helps identify discrimination patterns.
The proposal aligns with policy ideas from the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a conservative plan supported by President Donald Trump.
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Mediators from countries like Qatar and Egypt are trying to stop the growing conflict between the United States and Iran by proposing a 10-day pause in fighting and reopening the important shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides have continued military attacks recently, and it is uncertain if diplomacy can prevent further escalation.
Key Facts
Regional mediators have presented a plan to the US and Iran to pause fighting for 10 days.
The plan aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane for global oil and gas.
The US and Iran have recently expanded attacks beyond military targets to include civilian infrastructure.
President Donald Trump has promised that Iran will "pay" after US troop deaths.
The fighting began on February 28, triggered by Israeli and US strikes on Iran.
The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in April to reduce hostilities, but both accuse each other of breaking it.
Previous talks to ease tensions broke down, partly because the MoU was vague and open to different interpretations.
The proposal includes ideas for managing shipping fees, possibly involving international organizations or allowing Iran to charge fees for maritime security.
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New Jersey removed about 6,600 people who were wrongly registered to vote due to a software error that registered some noncitizens. Fewer than 400 of these people voted, and an investigation is underway to fix the problem and improve the system.
Key Facts
A software glitch caused noncitizens to be added to New Jersey’s voter rolls from June 2023 to June 2024.
About 6,600 people were incorrectly registered to vote because of this error.
Fewer than 400 people registered in error actually participated in an election.
The error happened before Governor Mikie Sherrill took office.
Sherrill ordered an investigation and started replacing the software vendor IDEMIA.
The Motor Vehicle Commission expects a new voting-related system to launch next year.
Republicans criticized Democrats for the mistake, while the White House supported stricter proof of citizenship laws for voting.
Governor Sherrill said the problem is being addressed transparently and disagreed with President Trump’s claims about election fraud.
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State election officials from both parties are preparing for possible federal interference in the upcoming November midterm elections. They are treating this as a new risk alongside traditional election challenges like weather and technical issues.
Key Facts
State officials are planning for potential federal government impacts on how they run elections.
Minnesota’s Secretary of State, Steve Simon, mentioned this new risk during a national conference of election officials.
The federal government has sought personal voter data and discussed mail-in voting, which some states see as influencing their control over elections.
The White House says it aims to work with states to fix election vulnerabilities and remove ineligible voters.
President Donald Trump released documents claiming U.S. elections have security weaknesses, though these claims lack strong evidence.
Trump’s speech occurred after the administration removed all remaining members of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission.
Some state officials criticized the removal of the commission members, saying it adds uncertainty for election administration.
Minnesota is preparing alternative plans ("Plan B or C") in case of federal interference, though this is a precaution, not a prediction.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended President Trump’s request for an extra $87.6 billion to fund the Pentagon, mainly for the US war against Iran. Lawmakers questioned the high cost and lack of clear information on the war’s progress and expenses.
Key Facts
The Trump administration requested $87.6 billion in extra funding for the Pentagon, with $67.1 billion for the war effort against Iran.
Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine answered questions before the Senate appropriations committee about the funding.
At least 17 US soldiers have died and nearly 100 have been wounded since February in the conflict with Iran.
Some Democrats want the war to end quickly rather than spending more money.
There is criticism that the administration underestimated the war costs, which experts say are much higher than the previously stated $30 billion.
Some Republican senators support measures to limit President Trump’s control over the war.
The Pentagon has not provided full details on how much the war is costing or on military supplies used, frustrating lawmakers.
The Senate committee is led by Susan Collins, who has expressed concerns about the changing war strategy.
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President Donald Trump announced 50% tariffs on many Canadian goods, accusing Canada of unfair trade practices and mismanaging its forests. These tariffs are based on an old law that allows the president to tax imports without an investigation, a power that has never been used before.
Key Facts
President Trump imposed 50% tariffs on various Canadian products including hockey sticks, beer, autos, alcohol, and cheese.
He used Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a law from the Great Depression era that allows tariffs up to 50% without an investigation.
Canada retaliated last year with tariffs after Trump’s earlier tariffs aimed at stopping fentanyl smuggling.
Trump claims Canada discriminates against American exports and is upset about Canadian wildfires causing smoke in the U.S.
The tariffs are set to start on August 19, 2026, and may be used as leverage in ongoing trade talks for the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Section 338 tariffs have never been imposed before and their legal future is uncertain.
Many Canadians are angry about these tariffs, leading to boycotts of U.S. goods and bans of American alcohol in some provinces.
Tariffs increase costs for importers, who usually pass those costs onto consumers, leading to higher prices.
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The Trump administration is delaying over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota due to suspected fraud and rule violations. This is part of a larger effort to prevent fraud before payments are made, rather than recovering money after investigations.
Key Facts
The administration cited suspected fraud and noncompliance as reasons for deferring Medicaid funds.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the approach aims to stop fraud early instead of recovering funds later.
Vice President JD Vance started an anti-fraud task force using data and technology to track misuse of federal money.
Minnesota’s state officials say the federal government has not explained how it calculated the amount being held back.
Governors of both states, Tim Walz (Minnesota) and Gavin Newsom (California), claim the deferrals are politically motivated.
Earlier, the administration increased immigration enforcement in Minnesota, causing protests and controversy.
The federal government admitted to errors in a similar fraud probe in New York previously.
There are concerns that these actions disrupt Medicaid services for people who rely on them.
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A lawyer representing five women accused a former Jesuit priest and religious artist, Marko Rupnik, of sexual and spiritual abuse. The lawyer criticized the Vatican’s secretive legal process, where the victims have little information about the trial, which is still ongoing.
Key Facts
Five women accuse Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik of sexual and spiritual abuse.
Rupnik is a former Jesuit priest and well-known religious artist who created mosaics worldwide.
The Vatican’s legal process is secretive and does not inform victims about trial details.
Reports said Rupnik was absolved in a Vatican trial, but the Vatican said the case is still open.
Rupnik was excommunicated briefly in 2020 for abusing the confessional to forgive a woman he had a sexual relationship with.
The Jesuits expelled Rupnik from their order in 2023 after multiple women accused him over 30 years.
Pope Francis waived the statute of limitations so the Vatican could try the older claims.
Vatican officials emphasize the need for a fair trial and respect for the presumption of innocence.
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Yemen’s Houthi rebels have declared a blockade of Saudi Arabia by closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi-linked ships. This action could spread the Iran war and disrupt global trade and oil shipments, as the strait is a key route connecting Europe and Asia.
Key Facts
The Houthi rebels say they closed the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to ships connected to Saudi Arabia.
Bab el-Mandeb is a narrow sea passage between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Arabia.
About 12% of the world’s trade and 25% of container traffic passes through this strait.
The blockade is reportedly in response to Saudi actions against Yemen and an attack on Sanaa’s airport.
The Houthis plan to use naval mines, drones, boats with explosives, and helicopters to enforce the blockade.
This strait is especially important now because the nearby Strait of Hormuz has limited shipping during the Iran war.
The Houthis do not control the coastline at the strait but hold territory nearby.
Disruptions in both Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz could severely affect global shipping routes.
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Troy Jackson is the Maine Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. Reports say he has a quick temper and once spoke harshly to Rachel Talbot Ross, a former House Speaker.
Key Facts
Troy Jackson is a Democrat from Maine.
He was a state senator and Senate President.
He is now the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate from Maine.
Reports describe him as having a fiery temper.
He reportedly verbally berated Rachel Talbot Ross, a former House Speaker.
The Maine Democratic Party supports his Senate run.
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Rescuers in eastern Afghanistan’s Nuristan province are looking for survivors after flash floods and a landslide caused deadly damage. So far, at least 23 people have died, and many more are missing as heavy rain continues.
Key Facts
The disaster happened in Nuristan province, eastern Afghanistan.
Flash floods and a landslide caused the destruction.
Rescuers are searching through mud and rubble for survivors.
At least 23 people have been confirmed dead.
Many people are still missing.
Officials warn more heavy rain is expected.
The death toll may rise as rescue efforts continue.
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Around 6,600 people who said they were not U.S. citizens when getting New Jersey driver’s licenses or IDs were wrongly registered to vote in 2023 and 2024. Governor Mikie Sherrill said a software mistake in the Motor Vehicle Commission caused this error, and fewer than 400 of those people actually voted.
Key Facts
About 6,600 noncitizens were incorrectly registered to vote in New Jersey.
This happened during the years 2023 and 2024.
The error was caused by a software problem in the Motor Vehicle Commission system.
Governor Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat who began her term this year, announced the issue.
A preliminary review found less than 400 of these noncitizens voted.
The error happened when people applied for driver’s licenses or state IDs.
The Department of Justice has warned about taking action if noncitizens vote illegally.
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More Americans say they have shoplifted this year compared to last year, mainly because they are struggling to afford basic items due to rising prices. A study found many are stealing everyday needs like food and hygiene products, often from large stores.
Key Facts
30% of Americans reported shoplifting in 2025, up from 24% in 2024.
About 90% of those who shoplifted said financial problems and the economy caused it.
Inflation has increased partly because of higher oil and gas prices linked to the war in Iran.
People mostly steal essentials like food, drinks, clothing, and hygiene products.
Large chain stores like Walmart and Family Dollar are the most common places for shoplifting.
Shoplifting carries risks including fines, legal trouble, and problems finding jobs or housing later.
Respondents said Walmart was the easiest store to steal from, followed by Family Dollar, Amazon Fresh, and Kroger.
Theft often involves stores with many customers, wide layouts, and self-checkout lanes.
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About 6,600 people who said they were not citizens when getting New Jersey state IDs were wrongly registered to vote in 2023 and 2024 due to a software error. The governor said fewer than 400 of these people actually voted, and she is removing the incorrect registrations and investigating how the mistake happened.
Key Facts
Around 6,600 noncitizens were mistakenly registered to vote in New Jersey because of a Motor Vehicle Commission software error.
Fewer than 400 of these individuals cast ballots in elections.
Governor Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, discovered this problem after taking office in 2024.
Sherrill ordered the removal of these wrong voter registrations and is replacing the software vendor.
An investigation is underway to find out how the error occurred.
New Jersey allows noncitizens to get driver’s licenses and state IDs.
President Donald Trump and some Republicans claim noncitizen voting is widespread, but evidence shows it is rare and can lead to serious penalties.
Experts warn that some estimates of noncitizen voter registrations may be inaccurate due to flawed data analysis.
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President Donald Trump met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House. During the meeting, President Trump said he is willing to have direct talks with Hezbollah if Lebanon asks for it, and he promised ongoing support for Lebanon.
Key Facts
President Trump met with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun at the White House.
Trump said he is open to direct talks with Hezbollah, a Lebanese political and militant group, if Lebanon requests it.
He promised the United States will continue to support Lebanon.
Hezbollah is an important group in Lebanon’s politics and security.
The meeting shows ongoing diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and Lebanon.
The U.S. has historically provided support to Lebanon for stability and security.
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Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, is expected to leave his role and the Scottish Parliament to become a minister in Andy Burnham's government in the UK House of Lords. This move will create a vacancy in Scottish Labour’s leadership and shift Sarwar from Scottish politics to a ministerial position in Westminster.
Key Facts
Anas Sarwar is set to step down as Scottish Labour leader.
He will leave the Scottish Parliament and move to the House of Lords.
Sarwar is expected to become a business minister under Andy Burnham’s leadership.
Scottish Labour won 17 out of 129 seats in the recent Scottish Parliament elections.
Sarwar had previously called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign in February 2026.
New rules stop politicians from serving in both the Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) and UK Parliament (Westminster) at the same time.
No by-election will happen for Sarwar's Scottish Parliament seat because he was elected via a regional list.
Andy Burnham recently became leader of the Labour Party at Westminster.
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