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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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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun visited Washington to seek stronger international support for Lebanon’s government and independence. Bilal Saab, a close associate of President Aoun, said the meeting went very well and emphasized that Lebanon needs ongoing political backing rather than military pressure to deal with challenges from Hezbollah, regional tensions, and security issues with Israel.
Key Facts
President Joseph Aoun traveled to Washington to meet with U.S. officials.
Bilal Saab, a senior research director and friend of Aoun, called the meeting highly successful.
The visit aims to boost global support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and government institutions.
Lebanon faces challenges from Hezbollah, regional conflicts, and security concerns with Israel.
Saab said military force won't solve Lebanon’s problems; instead, the country needs steady political support.
Lebanon is seen as a test for U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East and an example of fragile state-building.
The discussion highlighted the importance of concrete political backing, not just symbolic gestures.
The visit included talks about Lebanon’s army and cooperation with the U.S. under President Donald Trump.
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Senator Susan Collins criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for removing over twenty senior military officers since he became the Pentagon leader. She expressed serious concern about these actions during a Senate hearing.
Key Facts
Sen. Susan Collins is a Republican from Maine and chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Pete Hegseth is the current Secretary of Defense.
Since taking charge at the Pentagon, Hegseth has removed more than 24 senior military officers.
Collins called this removal of officers "deeply troubling."
She made these remarks at the start of an appropriations hearing, a government meeting about spending.
The senior military officers affected are high-ranking leaders in the armed forces.
Collins’s statement reflects concern about military leadership changes under Hegseth’s leadership.
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France's parliament has passed a law banning children under 15 from using social media platforms like TikTok, making it the first European country to do so. The government aims to start enforcing the ban by September 2024, with full restrictions on existing accounts by 2027, to protect children’s mental health online.
Key Facts
The ban applies to children under 15 years old and covers major social media apps such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
New accounts created by under-15s will be blocked starting September 1, 2024. Existing accounts will be blocked from January 2027.
Age verification tools will be used to enforce the ban, requiring everyone in France to prove their age for social media access.
Exceptions are made for educational sites and online encyclopedias.
The ban comes after studies showed social media can harm adolescents’ mental health, especially girls.
The law also includes a ban on mobile phones in high schools starting at the new school year.
Some lawmakers had different opinions on how strict the ban should be, but the final decision was a full ban without parental consent.
The European Commission supports gradual age limits and has developed an age verification app for use across EU countries.
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A new study found that spending time with pets generally makes people feel better, but interacting with cats during stressful moments may be linked to slightly more negative feelings. Researchers say this does not mean cats cause stress, but that the relationship between pets and stress relief is more complex than people thought.
Key Facts
The study tracked 188 pet owners for five days, checking their mood and stress several times a day.
Spending time with pets was linked to more positive emotions overall.
During stressful moments, pet interactions did not clearly reduce stress.
Cat owners who interacted more with their cats during stress reported a small increase in negative emotions.
Researchers suggest this might be because people seek cats when already feeling stressed, not because cats cause stress.
Cats and dogs may comfort owners in different ways; dogs often encourage physical activity, cats offer quieter companionship.
Experts say the findings are not definite and more studies are needed to understand pets’ effects on stress.
Cat owners who find comfort in their pets during stress should continue their routines and pay attention to what feels helpful.
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Senate Democrats are asking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for details about a new Pentagon policy that would screen troops for testosterone levels. They want to know how the policy will work and the scientific reasons behind it.
Key Facts
Senate Democrats sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The letter requests information on the Pentagon’s testosterone screening policy for military personnel.
Lawmakers want to understand how the policy will be put into action.
They are also asking for the scientific evidence supporting the policy.
Senators involved include Richard Blumenthal, Mazie Hirono, Gary Peters, Elizabeth Warren, and Ruben Gallego.
The demand for answers came on a Friday.
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Nintendo asked a court to dismiss a lawsuit that wants the company to give tariff refunds to customers who bought its products. The lawsuit claims that Nintendo unfairly kept profits after raising prices due to tariffs imposed during President Trump's trade policies. Nintendo says customers have no legal right to those tariff refunds because they paid the advertised prices and received the products.
Key Facts
Two customers filed a class-action lawsuit against Nintendo over tariff refunds for products bought between February 2025 and February 2026.
The lawsuit alleges Nintendo raised prices because of tariffs, did not tell customers it expected to get tariff refunds, and kept those refunds.
Nintendo raised prices on the original Switch console by $30 to $50 and increased prices on Switch 2 accessories by $5 to $10.
Nintendo argues that when customers buy products at the set price and get what they paid for, they are not entitled to tariff refunds.
Similar lawsuits have been filed against Sony for PlayStation buyers and Microsoft for Xbox buyers regarding tariff refunds.
Tariffs were imposed during President Trump’s administration and later ruled illegal by the Supreme Court and the US Court of International Trade.
The government refund process only allows importers or customs brokers to get tariff money back, not individual consumers.
Nintendo and other companies have sued the government to ensure tariff refunds are properly issued to businesses.
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