California rejected about 150,000 mail-in ballots during its June primary election, which is the largest number in recent years. This increase was partly due to many ballots being postmarked late, raising questions about how the U.S. Postal Service handled election mail.
Key Facts
California rejected 148,241 mail-in ballots in the June primary.
These rejected ballots make up 1.73% of all mail ballots cast.
The number of rejected ballots is the highest in recent election cycles.
Many ballots were rejected because they were postmarked late.
Concerns have been raised about changes in how the U.S. Postal Service processes election mail.
The data comes from the California Secretary of State’s office.
Mail-in voting plays a big role in California elections.
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A large wildfire in central Spain has forced over 10,000 people to leave their homes. Firefighters are working to control what is described as the worst wildfire in the country’s history.
Key Facts
The wildfire is happening in central Spain.
More than 10,000 people have been evacuated.
Firefighters are trying to stop the fire from spreading.
Authorities have declared a state of emergency because of the fire.
This wildfire is called the worst in Spain’s history.
Evacuees have spoken about their close escapes from the fire.
Efforts to manage the wildfire are ongoing.
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A new bill led by House Democrats aims to expand access to fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), for veterans and military families. The proposed law would increase coverage nationwide through the VA and other health plans, helping veterans facing infertility, especially those with service-related injuries.
Key Facts
The bill is called the Right to IVF Act of 2026 and includes a part named the Veteran Families Health Services Act.
It seeks to cover IVF and other fertility treatments for veterans, military families, and the wider population.
Currently, VA IVF coverage is limited to certain veterans and spouses under strict conditions.
Women veterans have a 50% higher infertility rate than civilian women, often due to service injuries.
The legislation would require fertility treatment coverage in employer plans, Medicaid, Medicare, and veterans' benefits.
It aims to reduce the high out-of-pocket costs that many families face for IVF treatments.
Related earlier legislation, the Veterans Infertility Treatment Act of 2025, proposed broader fertility services, including fertility preservation and travel assistance.
The bill is supported by several House Democrats and Senators Patty Murray and Rick Larsen.
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President Trump is scheduled to speak at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner, which is being held again after a gunman disrupted the first event. The White House press secretary said the president’s speech will aim to bring people together but also be tough in tone.
Key Facts
President Trump will speak at the WHCA dinner on Friday evening.
This event is a second attempt after the first dinner was interrupted by a gunman.
The gunman targeted President Trump and other administration officials.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, described the president’s remarks as “unifying but vicious.”
The dinner is organized by the White House Correspondents’ Association.
Security is expected to be heightened due to the previous incident.
The event combines government officials, journalists, and media personalities.
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Police Scotland declared a major incident as a wildfire has burned in Cairngorms National Park for 10 days. A change in wind direction increased the risk of the fire spreading toward the village of Nethy Bridge, leading to the evacuation of all residents.
Key Facts
The wildfire started near Ryvoan Bothy, south of Nethy Bridge, last Wednesday.
Over 100 firefighters, along with fire engines and specialist units, are working to control the fire.
A change in weather, especially wind direction, has made the fire spread more quickly.
Nethy Bridge residents are evacuated to the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel for safety.
Smoke from the fire has been seen as far away as Aberdeen, 59 miles from the blaze.
Firefighters use firebreaks (gaps in vegetation to stop fire spread) and drones to manage the fire.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service calls the situation "dynamic and unpredictable" due to weather changes.
First Minister John Swinney is monitoring the situation and plans a review to improve future response and resources.
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Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has been removed by a vote of ICC members due to allegations of sexual misconduct. Khan denies the accusations, but an extensive investigation found he engaged in improper conduct with a junior staff member and tried to block her complaint.
Key Facts
Karim Khan was elected ICC prosecutor in 2021 and suspended last month.
ICC members voted 82 in favor to remove him from his role.
Khan is accused of sexual misconduct involving a junior staff member and trying to stop her complaint.
Khan denies all allegations and his lawyers say the suspension was unfair and lacked evidence.
Investigations by ICC and United Nations offices produced over 5,000 pages of evidence.
Khan’s removal happened amid political tensions, including U.S. sanctions against him.
The U.S. opposes the ICC and is launching efforts to weaken or dismantle the court.
Khan cannot enter the U.S. because of sanctions related to ICC investigations into alleged war crimes by Israeli officials.
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Tony Romo, a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS NFL analyst, was arrested in Wisconsin for suspicion of driving under the influence. Wisconsin treats first-time drunken-driving cases as civil offenses with fines and administrative penalties, unlike many states that treat them as criminal misdemeanors.
Key Facts
Tony Romo was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
He performed poorly on field sobriety tests after being stopped on Interstate 43.
Romo was booked, released, and is scheduled for a court appearance on September 21.
Wisconsin typically treats a first OWI (operating while intoxicated) as a civil offense involving fines, not a criminal crime.
Fines for a first OWI in Wisconsin usually range from $150 to $300, plus additional fees and possible license loss.
This approach contrasts with many states where a first DUI or DWI results in a criminal record.
The state's policy focuses on harsher penalties for repeat offenders instead of criminalizing first-time offenses.
Romo is 46 years old, grew up near Milwaukee, and currently works as CBS Sports’ lead NFL analyst.
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford discussed new U.S. tariffs on Canada with CBS News. He said Canada did not begin the trade conflict and highlighted that President Trump imposed these tariffs on a close ally and major customer.
Key Facts
Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke with CBS News about U.S. tariffs on Canada.
President Trump introduced new tariffs targeting Canada.
Ford said Canada did not start the trade dispute.
He called the U.S. a close ally and Canada its number one customer.
The interview also mentioned the upcoming opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge.
The trade conflict involves tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods.
Ford’s statements respond to economic actions between Canada and the U.S.
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A 16-year-old student, Colt Gray, pleaded guilty to 55 charges, including second-degree murder, for a school shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia that killed four people and injured nine others. During sentencing, victims' families described the lasting trauma caused by the attack, and the judge must decide Gray’s final punishment, which could include life in prison.
Key Facts
The shooting happened on September 4, 2024, at Apalachee High School, near Atlanta, Georgia.
Four people were killed: two teachers (Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie) and two 14-year-old students (Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo).
Nine others were injured, including one student who had multiple surgeries and was unable to walk for about a year.
Colt Gray, aged 14 at the time, admitted committing the shooting and agreed to a plea deal, removing the need for a trial.
Gray faces 55 charges, including four counts of murder and 25 counts of aggravated assault, and was charged as an adult.
Gray’s father, Colin Gray, was convicted of murder and manslaughter for giving Colt the assault-style rifle used in the attack.
Families of the victims expressed deep grief and asked the court to sentence Gray to life in prison without parole.
The judge is hearing statements and evidence before deciding Gray’s final sentence.
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The Democratic Party plans to keep South Carolina as the first state to vote in the 2028 presidential primaries. The party aims to better represent its diverse voter base by moving states with more Black, Latino, and other minority voters earlier in the primary schedule.
Key Facts
South Carolina will vote first in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, scheduled for January 22, 2028.
Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia will follow in that order.
The proposal still needs approval from the full Democratic National Committee (DNC) next month.
South Carolina helped boost President Biden’s 2020 campaign and was made first in the 2024 primary calendar.
New Hampshire and Iowa, which were traditionally first, have mostly white populations and are being moved later.
The party wants to highlight states with larger Black, Latino, unionized, and less college-educated voter groups.
Nevada’s Democratic chair emphasized Nevada’s diverse population and noted President Trump won the state in 2024.
The new early voting states are key battlegrounds for presidential, Senate, and House races.
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Young people across India are protesting after the government canceled a national medical entrance exam because test questions were leaked. The protests began when India's chief justice called unemployed youth "cockroaches," and many young people adopted this term as a symbol of their movement against the government.
Key Facts
The protest movement started after the chief justice called unemployed young people "cockroaches."
Students created the "Cockroach Janata Party" as a joke against Prime Minister Modi’s party, gaining over 25 million Instagram followers.
The government canceled a medical entrance exam for 2 million students due to leaked questions.
These exams are very competitive and important for students’ futures and social mobility.
Protests spread across many Indian cities despite government crackdowns.
Activists say test leaks have contributed to at least 20 student suicides.
Protesters want the education minister removed and harsher punishments for leaks.
They also want compensation for fees students paid when exams are canceled.
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Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan said President Donald Trump’s visit to a Supreme Court hearing in April did not change how the court operated. She described his presence as a “non-event” and noted that the court continued its work as usual during the birthright citizenship case.
Key Facts
President Trump attended a Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship in April, the first time a sitting president has done so.
Justice Kagan said his presence did not affect the courtroom atmosphere or proceedings.
Chief Justice John Roberts did not publicly mention or address Trump’s attendance.
Trump left partway through the two-hour session.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against Trump’s executive order that tried to limit birthright citizenship.
The court has ruled against the Trump administration on several key cases despite a conservative majority.
Justice Kagan disputed the idea that the court automatically supports the current administration.
The birthright citizenship case involved whether children born in the U.S. to parents without legal status automatically get citizenship under the Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment.
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A woman found dead in California’s Big Sur was determined by investigators to have died from alcohol withdrawal. Officials found no signs of a crime, and injuries on her body were caused by insect bites and a minor cut.
Key Facts
Joanna Ruth Shields, 37, was found dead in the backcountry area of Big Sur in April.
Her body was discovered in Sykes hot springs in the Ventana wilderness.
She had marks on her neck and a cut on her forehead when found.
A man hiking with her said she went to the bathroom and did not return; he found her facedown in water.
The investigation initially treated her death as suspicious.
The sheriff-coroner ruled the cause of death as alcohol withdrawal seizures caused by long-term alcohol use.
Injuries on Shields were insect bites and a superficial cut that did not cause death.
Officials found no evidence of a crime related to her death.
Shields was a skater and brand ambassador for Evolve Skateboards.
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Roku has increased the prices of its streaming sticks and boxes by up to 60 percent, effective on its website. This price rise is due to shortages of memory and other components driven by high demand for artificial intelligence technology.
Key Facts
Roku streaming stick prices have risen, for example, the Roku Streaming Stick went from $30 to $40.
The higher-end Roku Ultra increased from $100 to $150.
A bundle with a Streaming Stick Plus and Fox One subscription also saw a price jump from $60 to $80.
Roku says shortages of memory chips and other parts have caused these increases.
Previously, Roku's CEO said the memory shortage was beneficial because their devices require less memory than competitors, lowering costs.
Other companies like Apple have also raised prices on streaming devices due to similar shortages.
Roku aims to keep devices affordable despite price hikes and claims its current prices remain competitive.
Fox announced plans to buy Roku in a $22 billion deal, expected to complete in 2027.
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A 25-year-old law student named Isobella Perrie Sullivan was charged after police found a bomb in her car near Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Ireland. The bomb was believed to be intended for use in Northern Ireland, and she appeared in court where bail conditions were set.
Key Facts
Isobella Perrie Sullivan is from Abbeylands Park in Clane, County Kildare.
She was charged with possession of explosives after police stopped her car on Wednesday.
The police operation targeted dissident republican activity.
The bomb was found in a bag in the back of her car.
The device included a timing power unit, detonator, and suspected Semtex plastic explosive.
The Irish Defence Forces confirmed the device was a viable bomb.
Perrie Sullivan appeared in Trim District Court and was granted bail with conditions, including a €15,000 surety, surrendering her passport, curfew, daily check-ins, and phone number provision.
A further bail hearing is scheduled for Monday.
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The White House Correspondents' Association rescheduled its annual dinner to Friday at Washington’s Waldorf Astoria hotel, with tighter security and fewer guests, after the original event was disrupted by a shooting. President Donald Trump is expected to give a speech during the event.
Key Facts
The White House Correspondents' dinner was delayed due to a shooting incident.
The rescheduled dinner will take place at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, D.C.
Security at the event will be much tighter than usual.
The guest list for the dinner has been reduced.
President Donald Trump will speak at 8:55 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
The dinner's atmosphere will be more subdued compared to previous years.
The White House Correspondents' Association organizes the event.
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Tony Romo, a CBS NFL analyst and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, was arrested in Wisconsin on suspicion of driving under the influence. He performed poorly on sobriety tests, was taken into custody, and has a court date set for September 21.
Key Facts
Tony Romo was stopped while driving south on Interstate 43 in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
He showed poor results on field sobriety tests during the traffic stop.
Romo was arrested, booked, and then released by sheriff’s officials.
He was in Wisconsin to participate in the annual Wisconsin Amateur Golf Championship.
In Wisconsin, a first offense of operating while intoxicated (OWI) is a civil violation, not a criminal charge, and usually results in a fine of $150 to $300.
Romo’s court appearance for this case is scheduled for September 21.
Romo has been CBS’s lead NFL game analyst since 2017 after playing for the Dallas Cowboys from 2004 to 2016.
He holds the Dallas Cowboys record for career touchdown passes with 248.
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The New York City Police Department is looking into two stabbings on the Upper West Side as possible hate crimes. An Asian man and a Jewish man were hurt in separate attacks and taken to the hospital for treatment.
Key Facts
Two stabbings happened on the Upper West Side of New York City.
The victims were an Asian man and a Jewish man.
Police are treating these attacks as possible hate crimes.
Both men were taken to Mount Sinai-St. Luke’s Hospital.
The incidents occurred around midday on the same day.
The NYPD is actively investigating the cases.
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Senator Jon Ossoff’s chances of winning the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination have recently increased, surpassing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in prediction markets. Although Ossoff says he is focused on his 2024 Senate reelection bid in Georgia and not running for president, early polls and market predictions show shifting support among possible candidates.
Key Facts
Prediction markets recently gave Ossoff a 16% chance to win the 2028 Democratic nomination, higher than Ocasio-Cortez’s 14%.
California Governor Gavin Newsom leads prediction markets with a 20% chance.
Ossoff’s chances rose from less than 4% at the start of 2024 to 16% recently.
Emerson College poll shows Buttigieg leading with 19%, Newsom at 17%, and both Ossoff and Ocasio-Cortez at 13%.
Another poll showed Kamala Harris leading with 28%, but it did not include Ossoff as an option.
Ossoff has publicly stated he is not interested in running for president in 2028.
He is currently focused on winning reelection in the swing state of Georgia, where his race is rated Lean Democrat.
Prediction markets and polls are early indicators that help donors and voters decide who might be a strong candidate in the future.
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The Education Department has ended a rule that allowed them to use statistics showing unequal outcomes as proof of discrimination in schools. This change stops the use of data showing that some groups of students may be affected unfairly during civil rights investigations.
Key Facts
The Education Department removed a policy used since 1979.
The policy allowed the use of statistical differences to show discrimination in schools.
The change affects how the Office for Civil Rights investigates civil rights complaints in education.
The policy was ended immediately on Thursday.
The previous rule helped identify if certain groups of students were treated unfairly based on data.
This change could affect how schools are monitored for discrimination.
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