Prime Minister Andy Burnham has paused a new early prisoner release plan in England and Wales after concerns were raised about public safety. The plan, part of a law coming in September, would have allowed around 6,000 prisoners to be freed earlier to ease overcrowded jails, but the government will now review the policy first.
Key Facts
The early release plan would let prisoners leave jail after serving one-third of their sentence instead of half.
This change is meant to reduce overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales.
About 6,000 prisoners could benefit from being released earlier starting September 2.
Prisoners released early will be monitored in the community and must show they are improving (rehabilitating).
The prime minister paused the plan following public concerns, including objections from the widow of PC Andrew Harper.
PC Andrew Harper was killed in 2019 during a police chase involving teenage suspects.
The killers were sentenced to prison but could have been released earlier under the new early release rules.
A full review will be conducted before any prisoners are released under the new scheme to ensure public safety.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A columnist for Kentucky’s largest newspaper wrote a critical "pre-obituary" about Senator Mitch McConnell, reviewing his long career and recent health issues while McConnell remains alive. The columnist criticized McConnell for actions like blocking a Supreme Court nomination in 2016 and supporting another in 2020, which affected public trust in the court.
Key Facts
Mitch McConnell is an 84-year-old senator from Kentucky and the longest-serving senator from the state.
A columnist named Joseph Gerth wrote a "pre-obituary" critiquing McConnell’s career while he is still alive.
The column accused McConnell of harming civil rights and enabling President Trump despite privately criticizing him.
Gerth compared McConnell to former President Richard Nixon, saying McConnell never faced consequences for his actions.
McConnell blocked President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland in 2016 but helped confirm Amy Coney Barrett just before the 2020 election.
Public trust in the Supreme Court dropped significantly after Barrett’s confirmation, according to polls.
McConnell has been absent from the Senate since June due to health issues including falls and pneumonia.
His office released a hospital photo and health update in July, but concerns about his condition continue.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A recent poll finds that 63% of U.S. voters do not want AI data centers built near their communities. Opposition to these centers has grown sharply, with concerns over higher utility bills, water use, noise, and changes to neighborhoods.
Key Facts
63% of U.S. voters oppose building AI data centers near their homes, up 21 points since December 2025.
Only 27% of voters support building these centers nearby; 10% feel neutral.
Opposition is strongest among people with college or postgraduate degrees (72% and 79%, respectively).
A Redfin survey found 53% of U.S. adults oppose local data centers; 65% of baby boomers and 60% of Gen Xers oppose them.
Data centers are more opposed than other types of local construction, like new apartment buildings.
Concerns include noise, traffic, heavy water and electricity use, and impact on neighborhood character.
There are at least 430 local opposition groups in 40 states, with rapid recent growth in membership.
State leaders who once offered tax breaks for data centers are now reconsidering due to rising local concerns.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Putting $10,000 into a 1-year certificate of deposit (CD) or a high-yield savings account can earn more interest than a regular savings account today. The CD offers a fixed rate, earning about $417 in a year, while the high-yield savings account has a variable rate, earning about $410 if rates stay the same.
Key Facts
Traditional savings accounts currently pay very low interest rates, around 0.38%.
CDs and high-yield savings accounts are offering rates close to 4% now.
A 1-year CD locks in a fixed interest rate, so earnings are predictable.
High-yield savings accounts have variable rates that can change over time.
With $10,000, a 1-year CD paying 4.17% would earn about $417 in interest.
The same amount in a high-yield savings account at 4.10% would earn about $410 if the rate stays stable.
If high-yield savings rates rise, that account could earn more than the CD.
Online banks often offer better rates than traditional banks with physical branches.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rep. Jim Jordan has asked the Justice Department to consider prosecuting special counsel Jack Smith for possibly giving false information during his testimony about the investigation of President Donald Trump. Jack Smith’s lawyers say he spoke truthfully.
Key Facts
Rep. Jim Jordan is the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
Jordan referred Jack Smith to the Justice Department for possible prosecution.
The referral relates to Smith’s testimony about subpoenas for phone records of some Republican lawmakers.
The investigation involves President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
Toll records include call times, dates, lengths, and phone numbers but not what was said in the calls.
Jack Smith is the special counsel leading the investigation into President Trump.
This referral happened after a closed-door hearing in December 2025.
Jack Smith’s lawyers deny any false statements and say he testified honestly.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said he is thinking about launching a large military attack on Iran. This comes after the U.S. military has carried out 12 days in a row of strikes against the country.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke about the possibility of a much bigger attack on Iran.
The U.S. military has conducted 12 consecutive days of strikes on Iran.
Trump said the planned attack would be larger than any before.
He told the news outlet Axios he is near a final decision.
The situation reflects rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
No official order for the attack had been given at the time of the statement.
The article focuses on U.S. military and political actions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
British Gas plans to cut 1,300 call centre jobs over two years as more customers use digital services and AI chatbots instead of phone calls. The company’s owner, Centrica, says this job reduction reflects customer habits rather than AI causing layoffs. Meanwhile, Centrica reported higher profits despite having fewer customers.
Key Facts
British Gas will cut 1,300 call centre jobs across six UK cities over two years.
These cuts include 800 new reductions plus 500 already announced.
Over 90% of British Gas customers now use digital channels first, like websites or apps.
Customer phone calls have dropped by 20%, reflecting changing behavior.
Centrica says AI tools help serve customers but are not the main reason for job cuts.
British Gas had 7.45 million domestic customers at mid-year, down from 7.5 million.
Despite fewer customers, Centrica’s retail profits rose from £338 million to £346 million in six months.
British Gas will pay up to £112 million in compensation for issues related to prepayment meters during the Russian gas crisis.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article expresses concern about a specific cover of The New York Times related to the 9/11 event. It suggests that the cover reflects negative feelings toward America from a political group called the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America).
Key Facts
The article discusses a recent New York Times cover about 9/11.
Hasan Piker is mentioned as someone who shared or commented on this cover.
The cover is seen by the article’s author as evidence of dislike toward America.
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are linked to this perceived negative view.
The article asks if anyone will speak up against this cover.
The tone indicates disagreement with the opinions shown on the cover.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt did not provide new details about the civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia. This comes after President Trump said the deal depends on Saudi Arabia establishing normal relations with Israel.
Key Facts
President Trump made the civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia conditional on Saudi Arabia normalizing ties with Israel.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, declined to add new information about the deal.
President Trump has mentioned this condition several times before.
The deal involves civilian nuclear cooperation, meaning it relates to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Normalizing relations means Saudi Arabia would officially recognize and cooperate with Israel.
The White House emphasized that President Trump is the final decision maker on the deal.
Questions about details or next steps regarding the deal were not answered during the press briefing.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
China stated that its progress in artificial intelligence (AI) is based on its own strength and independence. This response followed claims from a senior U.S. official that a Chinese startup misused an American AI model and accessed restricted computer chips from Nvidia.
Key Facts
China says its AI development is driven by self-reliance and national strength.
A top White House official accused a Chinese startup of misusing the AI model called Anthropic.
The startup is also accused of accessing Nvidia computer chips that have export restrictions.
China opposes using trade and technology issues for political purposes.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson is Lin Jian.
These comments were made during a news briefing on Wednesday.
The U.S. concerns involve technology theft and illegal use of advanced AI tools.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senate Republicans stopped a plan that would require President Trump to pull U.S. troops out of the conflict with Iran. Although some Republican lawmakers are worried about more casualties and the long duration of the conflict, the motion did not get enough support to move forward.
Key Facts
The Senate vote was 47 in favor and 49 against advancing the war powers resolution.
The resolution aimed to direct President Trump to end U.S. military involvement against Iran.
Some Republican senators expressed concerns about ongoing casualties and the length of the conflict.
The motion needed a majority to proceed but fell short by two votes.
This vote reflects ongoing debate within the Republican Party about U.S. military actions in Iran.
The Senate continues to have divided opinions on how and when to end U.S. involvement in conflicts abroad.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Jon Ossoff is ahead of Representative Mike Collins by 9 points in a recent poll for the Georgia Senate race. The poll was done by bipartisan groups and was completed in mid-July, a few months before the election.
Key Facts
Jon Ossoff is the Democratic senator running for a second term in Georgia.
Mike Collins is the Republican challenger from Georgia.
A new poll gives Ossoff a 9-point lead over Collins.
The poll was conducted between July 13 and July 16.
The pollsters, Fabrizio Ward and Impact Research, are considered bipartisan (they work for both political parties).
The election will take place in less than four months.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The European Commission fined Google more than $1 billion for unfairly favoring its own services in search results and limiting app developers from guiding users to cheaper options outside Google Play. Google must change these practices within 60 days or face more fines, while some U.S. lawmakers have asked President Trump to respond with trade investigations against the EU.
Key Facts
Google received two fines totaling over $1 billion under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
One fine ($522 million) was for Google promoting its own services unfairly in search results.
The other fine ($488 million) was for restricting developers from directing users to cheaper alternatives outside Google Play.
Google has 60 days to fix these issues or face daily additional fines.
The EU wants Google to treat other companies fairly in shopping, hotels, and flights services in search results.
Google has started making changes to comply with these demands.
25 U.S. Republican lawmakers urged President Trump to launch trade investigations in response to the fines.
The European Commission said it has the right to enforce rules on companies operating in the EU and hopes to cooperate with the U.S. government without conflict.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Senate voted 49 to 47 against a measure that would have limited President Trump's authority to conduct military actions against Iran without Congress’s approval. Earlier the same day, the House passed a related resolution criticizing the president’s actions amid rising conflict with Iran. The debate involved disagreement between parties and highlighted ongoing tensions over how the United States should handle the situation.
Key Facts
The Senate rejected a resolution aimed at restricting President Trump’s war powers in Iran by a 49-47 vote.
Senator Susan Collins was the only Republican to support the measure; Senator John Fetterman was the only Democrat to oppose it.
The House passed a separate war powers resolution 214 to 208, with support from four Republicans alongside mostly Democrats.
The Senate vote followed several previous efforts by Democrats to limit the president’s authority on military actions against Iran.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying forces and limits unauthorized military actions to 60 days.
The Trump administration argued the 60-day limit did not apply after a ceasefire declared on April 7 but later notified Congress about renewed military actions in July.
Recent violence includes U.S. military strikes on Iranian sites and the deaths of U.S. soldiers in Iran-related incidents.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Republicans to support ending the conflict and withdrawing troops.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rick Jackson, a Republican candidate for Georgia governor, has promised to add $1,000 from the state to "Trump Accounts," a new federal savings program for children, if he wins the election. He also said he would pay this amount himself if the state legislature does not approve the funding. President Donald Trump visited Georgia to promote these accounts and support Republican candidates ahead of the November elections.
Key Facts
Rick Jackson pledged to add $1,000 from Georgia to each child's Trump Account.
Trump Accounts are federally supported savings accounts for children born between 2025 and 2028, with a $1,000 initial government contribution.
Parents and others can add up to $5,000 per year to these accounts.
The accounts are managed by parents or guardians until the child turns 18, then the child controls the funds.
Jackson made his pledge during a rally with President Trump in Marietta, Georgia.
Jackson is a wealthy healthcare businessman with a net worth of about $1 billion.
Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms criticized Jackson’s close ties to Trump and wants the election to focus on state issues.
Protests against Trump’s visit highlighted the political divide in Georgia before the elections.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said Saudi Arabia must agree to join the Abraham Accords as a condition for a nuclear deal between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. He also warned Iran and its Houthi allies of severe military consequences.
Key Facts
President Trump made the statement on social media.
Saudi Arabia must join the Abraham Accords to move forward with a nuclear agreement with the U.S.
The Abraham Accords are peace agreements between Israel and some Arab countries.
Trump issued a warning to Iran and the Houthi group about possible strong military action.
The announcement reflects ongoing tensions in the Middle East involving nuclear issues and regional security.
CBS News correspondent Kathryn Watson reported on this development.
The news was featured on CBS News and their mobile app.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Valentín Lavín Romero, a mayor in Morelos, Mexico, was shot and killed at his town hall after surviving a previous assassination attempt earlier this year. He is the 14th mayor to be killed since Claudia Sheinbaum became president in October 2024, amid ongoing violence linked to organized crime in the country.
Key Facts
Valentín Lavín Romero belonged to the Green party, allied with the ruling Morena party.
He was attacked once before in January 2026 at a petrol station but survived.
The second attack occurred at the town hall in Temoac, where he was killed by gunmen who fled on a motorbike.
Authorities have not yet found a motive or suspects but promised a thorough investigation.
Nearly 100 mayors have been killed in Mexico since 2006 due to drug-related violence and organized crime.
Local governments in Mexico are vulnerable and often targeted by criminal groups seeking control.
Lavín Romero was accused locally of ties to crime groups; his mother-in-law was arrested for alleged kidnapping and criminal activity.
Mexico’s federal government is working to break corruption between officials and criminals in an operation called Swarm, arresting 85 officials so far.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Secret Service has reported an increase in threats before the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which has been rescheduled for Friday. Security officials are paying close attention to ensure safety during the event.
Key Facts
The Secret Service is responsible for protecting key government officials and events.
There has been a rise in threats linked to the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
The dinner has been rescheduled and will take place on Friday.
The event is an annual gathering of journalists, politicians, and White House staff.
Security measures are being heightened due to the threat increase.
The Secret Service is actively monitoring and responding to these threats.
No specific details about the nature of the threats have been shared publicly.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump is upset with Senate Republicans and Majority Leader John Thune because they have not passed the SAVE America Act. The bill did not move forward before the Senate's August break.
Key Facts
President Trump is losing patience with Senate Republicans and John Thune.
The frustration is about the delay in passing the SAVE America Act.
The bill aims to address voter eligibility issues.
The Senate took a recess in August before passing the bill.
The SAVE America Act has not yet become law.
Majority Leader John Thune is a key figure in managing Senate bills.
President Trump wants the bill passed quickly.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said the new nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia depends on Saudi Arabia agreeing to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords. This statement came a day after the US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement was signed, creating uncertainty about the deal's future.
Key Facts
President Trump announced on July 23, 2026, that the Saudi nuclear deal is "totally subject to" Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, which means recognizing Israel.
Saudi Arabia has resisted normalizing ties with Israel, especially after the Gaza conflict, emphasizing the need for a Palestinian state.
The civilian nuclear deal was signed on July 22, 2026, and intended to allow Saudi Arabia to develop a civilian nuclear program.
The deal could generate billions of dollars for American companies involved in nuclear technology.
The White House stated that the Saudis were aware the deal depended on recognizing Israel, though this was not mentioned at the announcement.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Saudi recognition a "historic leap" for Middle East peace.
Experts doubt that Saudi Arabia will quickly change its long-standing position on Israel to secure the deal.
Critics are concerned the nuclear deal might trigger a nuclear arms race in an already unstable region.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
