Senate Majority Leader John Thune responded to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s comment that President Trump is losing patience with him over delays with the SAVE America Act. Thune suggested that those concerned should call senators to gather the necessary votes to pass the bill.
Key Facts
Karoline Leavitt said President Trump’s patience is running out with Sen. John Thune.
The issue is the stalled progress of the SAVE America Act in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Thune reacted by saying someone should call senators and get votes.
The SAVE America Act requires at least 50 votes to advance in the Senate.
Thune’s comments came during a Thursday news interaction.
The exchange shows tension between the White House and Senate GOP leadership.
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Yemen’s Houthi rebels said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, raising tensions connected to the conflict involving Iran. President Donald Trump warned of strong military action if the attacks on ships keep happening.
Key Facts
The Houthi rebels in Yemen are backed by Iran.
They attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea on Thursday.
These attacks may expand the conflict related to Iran’s involvement in the region.
The world oil price recently went over $100 a barrel.
The Houthis have threatened to close another important trade route.
Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key path for oil and gas shipments.
Iran and the U.S. are conducting military strikes as they compete for control of the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump warned the Houthis of major military punishment if they keep attacking ships.
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Hundreds of Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem during a large visit connected to the Jewish day of mourning called Tisha B’Av. The event, led by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, increased tensions because the site is sacred to both Jews and Muslims, and Palestinians were mostly barred from entering.
Key Facts
Around 4,200 Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the event, with numbers expected to reach 5,000 by sunset.
Tisha B’Av is a Jewish day of mourning for the destruction of two ancient Jewish temples believed to have stood where the mosque is now.
Orthodox Jews traditionally avoid entering the Al-Aqsa site, but Religious Zionist groups have increased visits despite legal prohibitions.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for far-right views, attended the visit under heavy police protection.
Israeli officials and activists prayed and sang at the site, raising Israeli flags and singing the national anthem.
Palestinians, for the most part, were not allowed to enter the compound during the event.
Ben-Gvir has entered the site at least 16 times since becoming National Security Minister, drawing criticism from Palestinians and regional governments.
Israeli authorities increased security measures, including blocking many Palestinians from entering and setting tighter checkpoints in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
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Diplomats from 125 countries are meeting in New York to decide whether to remove Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), following allegations of sexual misconduct. Khan denies the accusations but has already been suspended from his duties, is banned from entering the U.S., and faces a vote that could remove him permanently.
Key Facts
Karim Khan is the chief prosecutor of the ICC, based in The Hague, Netherlands.
He has been accused of sexual misconduct by a female aide; Khan denies the allegations.
The ICC’s executive committee suspended Khan in June for serious misconduct related to a sexual relationship and obstructing the complaint process.
The ICC's oversight body, the Assembly of States Parties (125 countries), is holding a special meeting in New York to vote on removing Khan.
Khan cannot attend the meeting because the U.S. has sanctioned him and banned his entry due to the ICC’s investigations into Israeli officials.
Khan is currently suspended from practicing law in the UK, pending investigation by the British Bar Standards Board.
The Netherlands, where the ICC is located, publicly supports removing Khan.
The ICC’s investigation into alleged war crimes in Gaza, including arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, has increased political tensions surrounding the case.
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Sister Leticia Ugboaja, a Nigerian nun, was detained by U.S. immigration officers while walking to church in Texas but was released hours later. She and her lawyer say she has legal protections against removal and is seeking fair treatment for others in similar situations.
Key Facts
Sister Leticia Ugboaja was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 28 while walking to Mass in McAllen, Texas.
She was released several hours after her detention following public and congressional attention.
Sister Leticia had her asylum application denied in 2019 but was granted protection from removal due to the risk of torture in Nigeria.
She has complied with all immigration rules and has permission to work legally in the U.S.
ICE planned to remove her to a third country but gave little explanation for her detention.
Sister Leticia is a member of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy and volunteers at the local church.
She works as a registered nurse in South Texas and has prior healthcare experience.
President Trump’s administration has increased immigration enforcement, including at places like churches, causing fear among some immigrants.
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A member of Vice President JD Vance’s Secret Service team is being investigated for possibly leaking news information. The Secret Service is looking into whether this person compromised the safety of the vice president or his family.
Key Facts
The investigation involves a member of Vice President Vance’s security detail.
The Secret Service said the probe may lead to criminal charges.
The issue relates to possible leaks of sensitive information.
The agency did not name the person under investigation.
The investigation began after a news report about Secret Service agents’ frustration with travel demands from Vance’s family.
Vice President Vance lives with his wife and children at the U.S. Naval Observatory.
The couple recently had a fourth child, Alec Neel Vance, the first baby born to a vice president in over 150 years.
The Secret Service stressed that any threat to the safety of protectees is taken very seriously.
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A 55-year-old man from Florida sued OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, after the AI chatbot gave him medical advice that he says led to a near-fatal health emergency. The lawsuit claims ChatGPT repeatedly misdiagnosed his symptoms and discouraged him from seeking real medical help before he suffered serious blood clots in his lungs.
Key Facts
Scott Winters, a pastor from Florida, filed the lawsuit against OpenAI and its founder Sam Altman.
Winters used ChatGPT for medical advice about symptoms like dizziness and unstable blood pressure.
ChatGPT advised him to stay inactive in a recliner, which doctors say likely contributed to his pulmonary embolism.
The chatbot combined medical advice with references to Winters’ Christian faith in its responses.
Winters’ family urged him to get medical help, but he relied on ChatGPT instead.
Winters nearly died from multiple blood clots in both lungs and now needs long-term recovery.
The lawsuit asks for financial damages and for OpenAI to add safeguards to prevent harm to users.
OpenAI states that ChatGPT is not a doctor and should not replace professional medical care.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has requested nearly $1.5 trillion for the 2027 U.S. military budget, marking a significant increase. At the same time, he is seeking $67 billion in emergency funds for operations related to the ongoing conflict in Iran, amid concerns from lawmakers about how previous funds have been used.
Key Facts
Hegseth originally aimed to cut Pentagon spending by 8% annually over five years but later shifted to requesting an increase of $454 billion for 2027.
The proposed 2027 defense budget of almost $1.5 trillion would surpass U.S. military spending levels from World War II when adjusted for inflation.
The U.S. government is funding the Iran war separately from the main Pentagon budget, leading to a dual push for funding on Capitol Hill.
Hegseth requested $67 billion in emergency defense funding for 2026, including money for the National Guard in Washington, D.C., southern border patrols, and operations in the Caribbean.
Senate Democrats questioned the emergency funding, highlighting some costs as unrelated to the Iran conflict.
Hegseth blamed the Biden administration for budget shortages related to the Iran war.
The Pentagon still has $75 billion left unspent from a previous $156 billion increase passed last year.
Hegseth counted the estimated cost of the Iran war up to September 30 at $37.5 billion but gave limited details.
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Mark Sanford, a former Republican representative from South Carolina, announced he will run for the U.S. Senate seat left open by the death of Senator Lindsey Graham. Sanford said he wants to address the national debt, which he described as growing quickly.
Key Facts
Mark Sanford is a former Republican congressman from South Carolina.
He announced his candidacy for Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat.
Senator Lindsey Graham recently passed away, leaving the seat vacant.
Sanford expressed concern about the increasing U.S. national debt.
He criticized Washington for adding about one trillion dollars to the debt every 100 days.
Sanford’s announcement was made on a Thursday morning.
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Health care organizations are investing heavily in digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve operations and patient care. However, many are not fully prepared to use AI reliably in real-world settings, leading companies like actAVA to develop specialized AI systems built specifically for health care needs.
Key Facts
About 40% of health care organizations spend $50 million to $100 million each year on digital technologies.
66% of these organizations are actively using new digital tools.
AI in health care includes predicting patient outcomes and supporting clinical decisions.
Only 18% of health care organizations feel ready to implement AI effectively.
actAVA created Cura, a large AI model made specifically for health care workflows and knowledge.
Cura helps health care providers create AI systems that they control and that fit their specific processes.
Reliable AI in health care must handle complex rules, policies, and various roles carefully.
Experts say future health care AI should focus on being dependable and continuously improved, not just powerful.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized President Donald Trump's behavior at the World Cup final trophy ceremony, saying the president embarrassed himself by lingering on stage during the celebration. Jeffries made these remarks during a press conference where House Democrats also discussed a resolution to limit Trump's military action against Iran.
Key Facts
Hakeem Jeffries is the House Minority Leader and a Democrat from New York.
Jeffries said President Trump "disgraced himself" at the World Cup final trophy ceremony.
Trump was booed when he walked onto the field after Spain won 2-0 over Argentina.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino tried to get Trump to leave the stage during the trophy celebration.
Trump stayed at the edge of the celebration and briefly performed his signature dance.
Jeffries made these comments during a press conference with House Democratic leaders.
On the same day, the House passed a Democratic resolution to limit Trump’s military actions against Iran.
The event took place at MetLife Stadium during the World Cup final.
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Yemen's Houthi fighters have attacked ships in the Red Sea and are blocking passage through the Bab El Mandeb Strait, a key route for global trade between Europe and Asia. This escalates tensions in the Middle East, which is already unstable due to ongoing conflicts involving the US, Iran, and Gulf countries.
Key Facts
The Houthis, a group from northern Yemen, claim responsibility for attacking ships near the Bab El Mandeb Strait.
The Bab El Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and is important for shipping between Europe and Asia.
US Central Command has been conducting airstrikes against Iranian military sites for 12 consecutive nights.
Iran-backed Houthis broke a ceasefire with Saudi Arabia from 2022 and have now targeted Saudi vessels.
Saudi Arabia uses an oil pipeline to transport crude from its eastern oilfields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu for export.
The Houthis warn ships to avoid Saudi ports and have turned back about 10 vessels recently.
Saudi Arabia and Gulf states face increased missile and drone attacks from Iran and Iran-backed groups.
President Donald Trump has pledged to address the threat from the Houthis, but so far the group remains powerful.
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Oil prices rose above $100 per barrel for the first time since May due to rising conflicts in the Middle East. Attacks on Saudi oil tankers by Yemen’s Houthis and ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States have threatened key shipping routes like the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
Brent crude oil price surpassed $100 per barrel, reaching the highest level in nearly two months.
Yemen’s Houthi group attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, confirming at least one tanker caught fire.
The Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz are vital routes for Middle Eastern oil shipments.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced control over the Strait of Hormuz, declaring it closed to tankers without their permission.
The US military, under President Donald Trump, launched repeated strikes against Iran and threatened heavy military action against the Houthis.
A ceasefire agreed in mid-June between Iran and the US has broken down, leading to renewed fighting around strategic waterways.
Goldman Sachs predicts Brent oil could exceed $120 per barrel later this year if these conflicts keep disrupting shipping routes.
Factors supporting higher oil prices include lower Middle East production, summer travel demand, and reduced releases from strategic oil reserves.
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Eline Van der Velden created an AI-generated actor named Tilly Norwood, who is starring in a new AI film called "Misaligned." Van der Velden says Norwood helps create jobs by expanding her studio and hires more people, while critics worry it might replace human actors.
Key Facts
Tilly Norwood is an AI-made virtual actor introduced in July 2025.
She will appear in "Misaligned," a movie about AI and digital life, produced by Van der Velden’s company Particle6.
Van der Velden’s studio grew six times bigger after using AI, hiring about 40 workers including writers and actors.
Van der Velden insists Norwood will not compete with live-action human actors and stays in an AI-only role.
The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA opposes AI actors like Norwood, saying they use unpermitted work from human performers.
Van der Velden believes the fears about AI actors are mistaken and says AI characters won’t replace real actors.
Prior to Norwood, Van der Velden acted in character roles herself, which she compares to directing AI expressions.
"Misaligned" is still being made and will feature other AI-generated actors alongside Norwood.
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Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton held a press conference to talk about law enforcement. However, during the event, reporters asked him difficult questions that he avoided by leaving early.
Key Facts
Ken Paxton is the Texas Attorney General.
He is running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican candidate.
Paxton held a press conference focused on law enforcement.
Reporters asked him challenging questions during the event.
Paxton left the press conference before answering those questions.
Avoiding tough questions is seen as unusual for someone running for the Senate.
The press conference became more about what Paxton did not answer than his original topic.
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A proposed law called the Coast Guard Leadership Modernization Act aims to create a new government position, the secretary of the U.S. Coast Guard. Several Republican senators support this change to give the Coast Guard leadership similar to other military branches.
Key Facts
The bill is named the Coast Guard Leadership Modernization Act.
It would create the role of secretary of the U.S. Coast Guard.
This role would be similar to leaders in other military branches.
Several Republican senators back the proposal.
The change is meant to modernize Coast Guard leadership.
The Coast Guard is currently led differently compared to other military branches.
This new position would be part of the U.S. government’s leadership structure.
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Lake Powell’s water level is dropping toward a point where the Glen Canyon Dam may no longer generate hydropower. If this happens, electricity prices in parts of the Western U.S. could rise because other, more expensive sources of power would replace the lost hydropower.
Key Facts
Lake Powell’s water level is only 34 feet above the minimum level needed for power generation.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation projects Lake Powell could reach that minimum level by March 2027, depending on future water management rules.
Glen Canyon Dam produces hydropower for about seven states in the Western U.S., powering roughly 700,000 homes annually.
As water levels drop, the dam becomes less efficient, reducing electricity production before it stops completely.
If the dam stops producing hydropower, electricity utilities would likely buy power from other regions or burn more natural gas, which can be more expensive and less stable in price.
Droughts have caused significant losses in hydropower in the Western U.S., costing the sector billions of dollars in recent decades.
Hydropower loss due to drought is a recurring problem that affects energy costs over time, not just a one-time event.
Other dams, like Lake Oroville in California, have faced similar shutdowns when water levels dropped too low.
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The United States and Saudi Arabia have agreed on a civilian nuclear cooperation deal. President Donald Trump said the deal will only happen if Saudi Arabia joins the Abraham Accords and establishes formal relations with Israel.
Key Facts
The US and Saudi Arabia have made a deal on civilian nuclear cooperation.
President Trump set a condition for the deal to take effect: Saudi Arabia must join the Abraham Accords.
The Abraham Accords are agreements that normalize relations between Israel and some Arab countries.
Saudi Arabia does not currently have official diplomatic ties with Israel.
The nuclear deal is focused on peaceful, civilian uses of nuclear energy.
Normalizing relations with Israel means Saudi Arabia would officially recognize and cooperate with Israel.
President Trump is using the deal as leverage to encourage peace in the Middle East.
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A 63-year-old woman developed a severe brain infection linked to bacteria that first caused a urinary tract infection (UTI). Doctors found that the bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, had changed over two years inside her body, becoming sticky and more dangerous before invading her brain.
Key Facts
The woman lost vision in her right eye and had brain inflammation and lesions in the parietal lobe.
Tests showed she had a brain abscess and infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Two urine samples and a brain biopsy all contained the same type of bacteria.
The bacteria changed from normal to sticky and gooey, making them harder for the immune system to attack.
The sticky bacteria are called hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, known to spread to organs like the brain.
Genetic analysis showed these bacteria evolved inside the woman and developed mutations causing the sticky capsule.
The hypervirulent bacteria grew slower and were less able to infect the bladder.
Scientists confirmed the mutations by recreating the sticky bacteria in the lab.
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President Donald Trump said he is close to deciding on a large military attack against Iran, bigger than previous strikes during ongoing tensions. The situation in the Middle East is escalating, with attacks on oil tankers, rising oil prices, and countries withdrawing staff or military assets from the region.
Key Facts
President Trump is considering a major military attack on Iran, larger than earlier strikes.
Oil prices rose above $100 per barrel amid the conflict's intensification.
Iran-backed Houthi militants attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
The UN Secretary-General warned that the Middle East is nearing a serious and uncontrollable crisis.
The UK and Germany have taken steps to reduce their presence near Iran, including withdrawing personnel and ships.
Israel is on high alert, preparing bomb shelters due to rising tensions.
President Trump linked US help for Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear program to Saudi normalizing relations with Israel, a condition Saudi Arabia has not accepted.
Iran reportedly sent military personnel and drone parts to the Houthis recently, contributing to Yemen-related conflict escalation.
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