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A White House teleprompter operator named Gabriel Perez is being investigated for allegedly using secret information from President Donald Trump’s speeches to place bets and make nearly $100,000. The betting platform Kalshi spotted unusual activity, froze Perez’s account, and reported the case to government regulators.
Key Facts
Gabriel Perez worked as a White House teleprompter operator since 2016.
He is accused of betting on the specific words President Trump would say in public speeches.
Bets were placed on Kalshi, a platform where people predict real-world events.
Kalshi noticed unusual betting on words mentioned by political leaders and reported this to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Perez’s account was frozen with over $90,000 in winnings before he could withdraw money.
The White House said Perez is now on unpaid leave and will no longer work there.
Perez is cooperating with the investigation, and no criminal case has been opened so far.
The CFTC did not confirm or deny the investigation.
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A trial has ended in Italy over the collapse of the Morandi bridge in Genoa in August 2018. Thirty-two people were found guilty, including the former CEO of the motorway company, Giovanni Castellucci, who received a 12-year prison sentence.
Key Facts
The Morandi bridge in Genoa collapsed in August 2018 during a rainstorm.
The collapse happened at the busy holiday season and caused 43 deaths.
Giovanni Castellucci, former CEO of the motorway operator, was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Castellucci was already serving six years for another road disaster from 2013.
Michele Donferri Mitelli, another top official, got an 11-year jail sentence.
A total of 32 people were found guilty in connection with the bridge disaster.
The bridge disaster led to a long criminal trial in Italy.
The collapse caused cars and trucks to fall to the ground when the bridge gave way.
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Actor Richard Gere criticized President Donald Trump, calling him a "rogue personality" who has caused destruction and harm during his second term. Gere expressed strong negative views about the impact of President Trump's administration.
Key Facts
Richard Gere spoke publicly about President Donald Trump.
Gere described President Trump as a "rogue personality."
He said President Trump has destroyed many things and hurt many people.
Gere also mentioned that President Trump's actions have caused deaths.
These comments were made during President Trump’s second term in office.
Gere expressed hope that President Trump’s time in office will end.
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Andy Burnham, the new prime minister, is keeping many of Keir Starmer’s key advisers in his main team at No 10. He has also hired some people from the private sector and campaign groups. His team will soon announce policies on energy, water, and the cost of living.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is the new prime minister and is forming his No 10 team.
Many senior aides who worked for Keir Starmer will continue in their roles.
Jonathan Powell remains national security adviser; Varun Chandra stays as business adviser.
Graeme Cooke is promoted to head the policy unit.
New hires include James Purnell as chief of staff and Hayden Munro as political director.
Sarah Brown will lead the press team; Grace Pritchard will be the prime minister’s spokesperson.
Alison Phillips is brought in as transition director to help avoid early mistakes.
Burnham aims to announce plans soon, including possibly taking water companies into public ownership.
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US Soccer chief JT Batson spoke publicly about President Donald Trump’s involvement in the controversy over Folarin Balogun’s red card during the World Cup. Batson praised the support from American fans and avoided expressing regret about Trump’s role, emphasizing the president’s authority.
Key Facts
President Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of Balogun’s red card from a World Cup match.
FIFA suspended Balogun’s one-match ban but said Trump’s calls did not affect their decision.
Balogun was red-carded after accidentally stepping on an opponent’s ankle.
US Soccer CEO JT Batson thanked fans for their strong support during the tournament.
Batson declined to say if the Federation regretted President Trump’s involvement.
The US lost 4-1 to Belgium in the next round after Balogun’s ban was lifted.
Balogun described the situation as difficult because it caused “a lot of outside noise” and made teammates nervous.
The Federation ended the press event early when asked again about regrets over Trump’s role.
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President Donald Trump has not ruled out the possibility of sending US troops into Iran amid renewed fighting and US military strikes. Experts discuss what a ground invasion might involve and the challenges it could present for the US military.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump has not dismissed the option of a US ground invasion of Iran.
Fighting in Iran has resumed along with ongoing US air strikes.
A ground invasion would involve deploying troops into Iranian territory.
Analysts say such an operation could be complex and difficult for the US army.
The discussion focuses on potential military strategies and challenges in Iran.
Iran remains a significant focus in US foreign and military policy.
There is no official decision yet to carry out a ground invasion.
The situation is evolving as tensions between the US and Iran continue.
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A White House teleprompter operator named Gabriel Perez made nearly $100,000 by betting on words in President Trump’s speeches using an online platform called Kalshi. Kalshi froze his account after finding unusual trading patterns and referred the case to a federal agency, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which is investigating.
Key Facts
Gabriel Perez worked as a teleprompter operator in the White House.
He placed bets on Kalshi, a prediction market platform, about words said in President Trump’s speeches.
Perez earned nearly $100,000 from these bets.
Kalshi's surveillance team noticed his trades were unusual and froze his account, holding back most of his earnings.
Kalshi reported the activity to the CFTC, the government agency that regulates prediction markets.
Perez has cooperated fully with the CFTC and is in talks about a possible settlement.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Perez is on unpaid leave.
President Trump called the situation “deeply unfortunate” and said Perez is cooperating with regulators.
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New York state has temporarily stopped building new data centers to study how they affect the environment and local communities. Experts are looking at the wider effects of these centers, which use a lot of energy to run artificial intelligence systems.
Key Facts
New York is the first state to pause new data center construction.
The pause is temporary while lawmakers review environmental and social impacts.
Data centers are facilities that house computers for processing data.
AI data centers require significant energy to operate.
Experts are concerned about the environmental footprint of data centers.
The goal is to balance technology growth with environmental protection.
State officials plan to create rules based on the study results.
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Senator Thom Tillis announced he will not support Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general until Blanche meets with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. Tillis wants to hear directly from the survivors before moving forward with the confirmation.
Key Facts
Senator Thom Tillis is a Republican from the United States.
Todd Blanche has been nominated for the position of attorney general.
Senator Tillis is delaying his support for Blanche’s confirmation.
Tillis wants Blanche to meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein first.
The meeting with Epstein survivors is important to Tillis before any vote happens.
This shows concern about how the justice system addresses victims’ experiences.
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Chinese car company XPENG wants to sell its electric vehicles in the United States but faces strong barriers like high taxes on imports and security rules. The company is planning for a long-term strategy to enter the U.S. market once these issues are resolved.
Key Facts
XPENG is a Chinese company that makes electric cars and other tech products using artificial intelligence.
The company currently sells vehicles in 60 countries, including in Europe and Asia.
XPENG delivered twice as many cars outside China in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
In 2024, the U.S. increased tariffs on certain Chinese imports, including electric vehicles, to 100%.
The U.S. government banned connected vehicle technology from China due to national security concerns.
Connected vehicle software sends data using cameras and sensors, raising privacy worries in the U.S.
Although the Chinese government does not directly own XPENG, it provides financial support.
Some other Chinese-owned companies, like Polestar, face restrictions to selling vehicles in the U.S., while others like Volvo can continue.
Experts say entering the U.S. market is difficult due to regulations and the need for long-term commitment.
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Iran accused the United States of carrying out an attack near a children's cancer hospital in Ahvaz, forcing the evacuation of 211 patients. Iran called the strike a war crime and compared it to Israel’s attacks on medical facilities in Gaza. The US has not commented on this specific hospital strike but launched other attacks on Iran.
Key Facts
The US attacked near Shahid Baghaei Specialized Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, which treats children with cancer.
211 patients undergoing chemotherapy were evacuated, including those on oxygen and ventilators.
Iranian officials called the strike a “barbaric” and “cowardly war crime.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called US attacks violations of international law.
Iran says it targeted US military sites in Jordan and Kuwait in retaliation.
President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iranian power plants and bridges if talks do not resume.
Iran warned it would respond by targeting civilian infrastructure in Gulf countries.
The conflict raises fears of wider regional escalation and harm to civilians.
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The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin agree on restarting traffic stops by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Department of Homeland Security has given verbal instructions to its field offices to continue these vehicle stops.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump and Secretary Markwayne Mullin share the same view on resuming ICE traffic stops.
ICE traffic stops involve pulling over vehicles to check immigration status.
The Department of Homeland Security has issued verbal guidance to all field offices about continuing these stops.
This information was announced by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The policy affects field offices across the entire United States.
The announcement was made during a White House press briefing.
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A new poll shows U.S. voters are evenly split on whether the economy is better or worse under President Trump compared to President Biden’s time in office. While unemployment is low and the stock market is up, many Americans still face high prices for housing, food, and other goods.
Key Facts
The poll surveyed 1,776 registered voters and found a 50/50 split on opinions about the current economy versus Biden’s administration.
72% of Republicans think the economy is better now, while 66% of Democrats think it was better under Biden.
57% of voters say the current economy is mostly due to Trump administration policies; 43% credit Biden’s policies.
Only 33% of voters believe the economy is heading in the right direction, with 61% of Republicans saying yes, versus 14% of Democrats.
54% of Americans describe the economy as weak, and 58% believe it is shrinking, not growing.
46% of participants say their personal financial situation is worsening; 30% say it is improving.
The U.S. unemployment rate dropped from 6.4% in January 2021 to 4.2% in June 2026.
Inflation rates have risen since Biden took office, with ongoing inflation causing concerns for voters.
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President Donald Trump knows that a White House teleprompter operator made thousands of dollars by betting on parts of his speeches using an online platform. The operator is now on unpaid leave and is working with a government investigation.
Key Facts
A White House teleprompter operator placed bets on the content of President Trump’s speeches.
The operator won thousands of dollars through an online betting platform called Kalshi.
President Trump called the situation "deeply unfortunate" and a "disgrace."
The teleprompter operator has been placed on unpaid administrative leave.
This action was approved by President Trump.
The operator is cooperating with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which oversees trading activities.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared these details publicly.
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has removed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after disagreements with the military leadership. The decision caused protests in Kyiv and concern from Ukraine’s international partners, while Zelenskyy appointed Yevhenii Khmara as acting defence minister.
Key Facts
Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov was dismissed following conflicts with the military’s commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Zelenskyy said efforts to unite the defence ministry and military leadership failed.
Yevhenii Khmara, head of Ukraine’s security service, was named acting defence minister pending parliamentary approval.
Over 1,000 people protested in Kyiv against Fedorov’s removal, showing public support for him.
The protests are notable as only the second large anti-government demonstration since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Kyiv, met with Zelenskyy, and was awarded Ukraine’s highest foreign honour.
Starmer praised Ukraine’s progress and expressed continued UK support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
The political crisis in Ukraine overshadowed Starmer’s farewell visit before he leaves office.
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Half of ICE’s field offices in the U.S. now have body cameras for agents, with the rest expected to have them within 60 days, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This move follows several fatal shootings involving ICE agents and aims to increase transparency in their actions.
Key Facts
Currently, half of ICE’s U.S. field offices have body cameras for agents.
The remaining offices will receive cameras within 60 days.
The push for body cameras increased after fatal shootings involving ICE agents in Minneapolis, Texas, and Maine.
DHS allocated an extra $20 million in April to provide more body cameras to ICE.
ICE began testing body cameras in 2021 and had deployed 1,600 cameras by 2024.
About 3,000 of 13,000 ICE agents had body cameras as of March 2024, with 6,000 more expected soon.
Some delays in camera deployment were linked to recent federal government shutdowns.
Critics say the delays are unacceptable, given the funding provided and concerns over ICE agents’ training and behavior.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is spreading more quickly than any past outbreak. In two months, over 2,000 cases and 796 deaths have been confirmed, making this the third-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded.
Key Facts
The Ebola outbreak is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo).
It is spreading faster than any previous Ebola outbreak.
More than 2,000 people have been infected in two months.
There have been 796 confirmed deaths so far.
This is the third-largest Ebola outbreak recorded in history.
The World Health Organization is monitoring and reporting on the outbreak.
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A recent vote in the U.S. House of Representatives revealed growing division within the Democratic Party over military aid to Israel. Over 100 Democrats, including senior leaders, voted to cut $3.3 billion in security assistance, signaling a shift in traditional bipartisan support for unconditional aid to Israel.
Key Facts
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged Democrats to oppose an amendment removing security aid to Israel.
Despite this, 103 Democrats voted in favor of the amendment, nearly half the caucus.
The amendment, proposed by Republican Thomas Massie, aimed to cut $3.3 billion in aid but failed with a vote of 314-104.
Nancy Pelosi supported the amendment to send a political message, though she called it “ill-conceived.”
Most Republicans, except Massie, voted against the amendment to maintain military aid to Israel.
The vote exposed a split in Democratic support due to concerns over Israel’s actions in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
Public opinion shows only 16% of U.S. adults support unrestricted aid to Israel, with even less support among younger voters.
Growing criticism of Israel’s influence in U.S. foreign policy has appeared among some Republicans.
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Vodafone has settled a legal claim made by 62 former franchisees who said the company unfairly took up to £85 million from them by cutting their commissions and imposing fines. The settlement ends the 19-month court case without Vodafone admitting any wrongdoing.
Key Facts
62 former Vodafone franchisees filed a legal claim in 2024 over losses from reduced sales commissions and fines.
The franchisees said Vodafone's actions caused them large debts and personal hardship, including stress and suicidal thoughts.
Vodafone and the former franchisees settled the dispute after 19 months, avoiding a trial.
The settlement terms are confidential, and Vodafone did not admit to wrongdoing.
Allegations included Vodafone slashing commissions unilaterally and imposing large fines for minor errors.
Vodafone apologized for the difficulties faced by some franchisees but denied profiting unfairly.
Vodafone reimbursed £4.9 million to franchisees in compensation for fines and clawbacks.
The company said it improved its governance and processes in response to the issues raised.
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Wildfire smoke from Canada is causing poor air quality across parts of the United States, leading health experts to recommend wearing specific types of masks for protection. Masks like N95, KN95, or KF94 respirators that fit well can better filter tiny harmful particles in the smoke, while cloth or surgical masks offer little protection.
Key Facts
Wildfire smoke has created hazardous air quality in parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast regions of the U.S.
The smoke contains tiny particles called PM2.5 that can enter deep into the lungs and bloodstream.
Well-fitting N95, KN95, or KF94 masks are most effective for protecting against these particles.
Cloth masks and surgical masks do not block these fine particles well.
People are advised to stay indoors and avoid heavy outdoor activities when air quality is poor.
Vulnerable groups include children, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases.
Some people, like outdoor workers and those without access to air filtration, cannot avoid smoke exposure.
Exposure to wildfire smoke can cause coughing, eye irritation, breathing problems, and may worsen chronic health conditions.
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