The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a member of Vice President Vance’s security team for possibly leaking sensitive information. The agent has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation and possible criminal inquiry continue.
Key Facts
The investigation involves a Secret Service agent assigned to Vice President Vance’s protective detail.
The agent is suspected of leaking sensitive operational and information security details.
The Secret Service has started an administrative investigation into the matter.
There may also be a criminal inquiry linked to these allegations.
The agent has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation.
Anthony Guglielmi is the Chief of Communications for the Secret Service.
The leak could compromise the security and safety of the Vice President’s operations.
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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Iran for the first time since taking office in May. During the visit, Iraq and Iran signed several agreements to strengthen cooperation in fields like foreign affairs, economy, and energy, while also discussing regional security and mutual support.
Key Facts
This was Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s first official visit to Iran since becoming Iraqi PM in May.
Al-Zaidi and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian signed agreements on foreign affairs, finance, economy, and energy.
Iraq thanked Iran for helping fight the ISIL terrorist group and promised to prevent hostile actions against Iran from its territory.
Iran and Iraq plan to follow a strategic cooperation plan to deepen their relationship and security ties.
Iraq depends heavily on Iranian natural gas and electricity, and their trade exceeds $12 billion annually.
Millions of Iranian Shia pilgrims travel to Iraq each year to visit holy religious sites.
Iran has close ties with influential Shia parties and armed groups in Iraq connected to Iraq’s security forces.
Iraq is trying to balance relations between the United States and Iran, with the US supporting Iraq’s role as a mediator.
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President Donald Trump said Saudi Arabia must establish official diplomatic relations with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords for a nuclear energy agreement to proceed. The nuclear deal was signed recently, but President Trump made this condition clear on social media.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke on Truth Social about the Saudi Arabia-Israel relationship.
He said Saudi Arabia must join the Abraham Accords, which are agreements normalizing ties with Israel.
This step is needed before a nuclear energy deal involving Saudi Arabia can move forward.
The nuclear energy agreement was signed on the Wednesday before President Trump’s statement.
The Abraham Accords are a set of peace agreements between Israel and several Arab countries.
The demand links diplomatic progress with Saudi Arabia’s access to nuclear energy cooperation.
The statement highlights U.S. involvement in Middle East diplomacy and energy matters.
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Nearly 70 years after Frank Lloyd Wright designed a mile-high skyscraper called The Illinois, Spanish architect David Romero created detailed 3D images showing what the building might have looked like. The Illinois was a very tall, 528-story design intended to be a "city in the sky," and Romero’s work helps people see Wright’s vision using modern technology.
Key Facts
The Illinois was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1956 as a mile-high, 528-story skyscraper.
It was never built but meant to be a "city in the sky" and a new kind of urban space.
Spanish architect David Romero made 3D renderings of The Illinois to visualize the building.
Romero studied other Wright towers to accurately recreate The Illinois in detail.
The renderings place The Illinois alongside real buildings like the Eiffel Tower to show its scale.
Wright’s design used a tapered tetrahedral shape to handle wind forces, not just for looks.
Some engineering ideas in The Illinois remain relevant today, though some reflect 1950s technology optimism.
The project highlights ongoing debates about building taller structures versus renovating existing buildings for sustainability.
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President Donald Trump said that the nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia depends on Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel. This statement caused uncertainty about the agreement shortly after it was signed.
Key Facts
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia signed a nuclear cooperation deal.
President Trump linked the deal to Saudi Arabia recognizing Israel.
Saudi Arabia has resisted normalizing relations with Israel, especially after recent conflicts in Gaza.
Saudi Arabia wants a clear path to a Palestinian state before accepting ties with Israel.
The announcement surprised Saudi officials and created doubts about the deal’s future.
The deal was announced on July 22, 2026, with Trump’s comments coming the next day.
The agreement includes cooperation on civilian nuclear technology.
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Oil prices rose above $100 per barrel due to new fighting and military strikes in the Middle East, causing higher costs for gas, groceries, and school supplies. Companies are passing these costs on to consumers, leading to increased prices for everyday items and fuel.
Key Facts
Oil prices exceeded $100 a barrel because of renewed conflict in the Middle East.
Gasoline prices in the U.S. averaged $4.09 per gallon, up 15 cents from the previous week.
Higher oil prices increase costs for farming equipment fuel and transportation, raising grocery prices.
Fresh produce and dairy may see bigger price rises due to the need for refrigeration during shipping.
Imported foods like olive oil could become more expensive due to higher shipping costs.
Gasoline demand in the U.S. increased by 1% last week, showing people have not reduced driving.
Damage to oil refineries in the Middle East and Russia has reduced refinery capacity.
Futures prices suggest oil costs may fall after military actions end, but prices at the pump could keep rising short-term.
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Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist and supporter of President Donald Trump, changed her views about the war in Ukraine after visiting the country and experiencing an air raid. She met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visited a cathedral damaged by Russian attacks, expressing criticism of Russia’s actions.
Key Facts
Laura Loomer had previously minimized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and shared Russian propaganda online.
She experienced her first air raid in Ukraine and expressed sympathy for Ukrainians living under attack.
Loomer met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though the Ukrainian government did not organize her visit.
Zelenskyy’s office praised Loomer for coming to Ukraine and seeing the situation firsthand.
Loomer visited the Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv, which was damaged in a recent attack that Ukraine and UNESCO say was caused by Russia.
Russia denied attacking the cathedral, suggesting the damage came from a Ukrainian missile gone off course.
Loomer accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of hypocrisy for claiming to protect Christianity while Russia attacked a religious site.
The White House did not comment on Loomer’s trip to Ukraine.
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A study found that gun violence increased by 10% in Chicago neighborhoods near public schools that closed and stayed vacant for many years. Many of these schools, mostly in Black communities, have been abandoned since the 2013 closures, with some buildings still unused and plans to develop them underway.
Key Facts
Matthew Henson Elementary School in Chicago closed in 2013 and has been empty for 13 years.
The school and many others were part of the largest mass closing of public schools in U.S. history.
More than half of the 50 closed Chicago schools remained vacant for years despite city plans to sell or demolish them.
Most closed schools were located in majority-Black neighborhoods.
University of Chicago and Johns Hopkins researchers found a 10% rise in gun violence near these vacant school sites.
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the city formed a committee to redevelop the closed school properties.
CPS is reviewing bids to repurpose eight remaining vacant school buildings, with community input planned.
CPS offers protective services and early childhood education programs to help reduce violence and support students.
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More than 24 states sued the Trump administration for requiring them to meet election and immigration rules to get disaster funding from the federal government. The states say these conditions are illegal and could cause them to lose important money meant for public safety and disaster response.
Key Facts
Over 24 states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on April 24, 2026.
The lawsuit challenges new rules tying disaster funding to changes in state election and immigration policies.
States are required to switch to paper-ballot voting, audit voting systems manually, and verify citizenship of all voters to receive full funds.
The conditions also let the Department of Homeland Security stop grants at any time for any reason.
The states argue this violates federal laws and the Constitution’s rules about how the government can spend money.
Past court rulings have stopped the administration from attaching such conditions to funding before.
The disputed Homeland Security Grant Program funds are used to protect against cyberattacks and terrorism.
The lawsuit was filed in Rhode Island and challenges policies from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security.
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Mykhailo Fedorov, the ousted Ukrainian defense minister, said he will only accept his old government job and no other position. A Ukrainian lawmaker said that bringing Fedorov back is the only right choice for President Zelensky amid the ongoing war with Russia.
Key Facts
Mykhailo Fedorov was removed from his position as Ukraine’s defense minister.
Fedorov stated he will only accept being defense minister again, no other job.
Ukrainian MP Liudmyla Buimister said reinstating Fedorov is the best decision President Zelensky can make.
This situation adds to a political crisis in Ukraine during the ongoing war with Russia.
The interview was conducted by Mark Owen from FRANCE 24.
The article highlights tensions and political challenges within Ukraine’s government at a crucial time.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to affect political decisions in Ukraine.
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Amish Shah won the Democratic primary for a key congressional seat in Arizona, beating the candidate supported by the party’s national committee. He will compete against Republican Jay Feely, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, in the November general election.
Key Facts
Amish Shah is an emergency doctor who won the Democratic primary in Arizona.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) supported Marlene Galán-Woods, but Shah won instead.
Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker, won the Republican primary and was endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Shah and Feely were once part of the same New York Jets football team; Shah was a doctor for the team, and Feely was the kicker.
Marlene Galán-Woods switched from the Republican party to the Democratic party during President Trump’s first term.
The primary results show some voters are choosing candidates not favored by party leaders in Washington.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren questioned President Donald Trump’s nominee, Brian Johnson, for leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) about possible conflicts of interest and the agency’s recent budget cuts. The hearing took place before the Senate Banking Committee, with concerns raised about the future direction of the CFPB.
Key Facts
Brian Johnson is President Trump’s nominee to lead the CFPB.
Senator Elizabeth Warren pressed Johnson on potential conflicts of interest.
Warren also highlighted cuts to the CFPB’s workforce under acting director Russell Vought.
The hearing was held in front of the Senate Banking Committee.
The CFPB is a government group that protects consumers in financial matters.
The Trump administration has reduced the agency’s budget and staff.
Senator Warren is a leading Democratic voice on consumer protection.
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Andy Burnham has paused a plan that would have allowed many prisoners in England and Wales to be released early starting in September. The decision came after criticism from victims and their families, and a review will be done to improve how victims are informed and to ensure public safety.
Key Facts
The early release scheme was part of the Sentencing Act and aimed to reduce prison overcrowding.
Some offenders would have been released after serving one-third of their sentence instead of half; more serious offenders after half instead of two-thirds.
About 700 prisoners were expected to be released early under the plan in September.
The scheme drew criticism from victims’ families, including the widow and mother of PC Andrew Harper, who was killed by teenagers in 2019.
The Justice Secretary, Alex Norris, said the scheme is paused to give victims more certainty and to review how information is shared with them.
Prisoners will not be released early until the review is done and risks to the public are minimized.
Victims and survivors, including campaigners against early release, welcomed the pause on the scheme.
The government hopes to fix issues with the policy before moving forward.
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Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, is adjusting her approach to deal with the new Labour leader, Andy Burnham. She focuses on economic issues and questions how Burnham plans to pay for his policies, while becoming more confident and disciplined in her public appearances.
Key Facts
Kemi Badenoch recently gave her first major speech since the prime minister change.
She described Andy Burnham as a "nice guy" but challenged his economic plans.
Burnham replaced Keir Starmer as Labour leader and is considered more media-friendly and likable.
Badenoch and her team focus their criticism on how Burnham will fund his policies.
Badenoch is avoiding culture-war debates and emphasizing economy and jobs.
She holds regular press conferences and media Q&As, even without new policies to announce.
Analysts think Burnham’s relaxed style may reduce the impact of Badenoch’s harsh rhetoric.
Badenoch’s personal poll ratings have improved but this hasn’t yet increased support for her party.
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A wildfire near Bordeaux, France, has burned 3,100 hectares of forest. More than 20,000 people had to leave their homes and places they were visiting to stay safe. About 700 firefighters are working to control the fire and protect houses as the wind changes direction.
Key Facts
The wildfire destroyed 3,100 hectares (7,660 acres) of forest near Bordeaux.
Over 20,000 residents and tourists were evacuated for safety.
Around 700 firefighters are involved in fighting the fire.
Firefighters are trying to stop the flames from reaching homes.
Winds are shifting unpredictably, making firefighting harder.
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A West Virginia state lawmaker, Delegate David Elliott Pritt, was arrested and charged with sexual abuse of a minor. He allegedly used social media to contact and engage in sexual acts with a teenage student he taught.
Key Facts
Delegate David Elliott Pritt, 36, was arrested on sex abuse charges involving a minor.
He is accused of using Roblox and Snapchat to communicate with a 15-year-old student.
The victim’s family reported the abuse to law enforcement on July 9.
Pritt allegedly sent explicit photos and videos and asked the minor to do the same.
Sexual activity reportedly happened in his classroom multiple times between 2025 and early 2026.
Pritt was the assistant majority leader in the West Virginia House of Delegates and also worked as a teacher.
He was removed from all official legislative roles and is being held in jail.
The West Virginia House Speaker called on Pritt to resign following the charges.
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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there will be no new vote on Scottish independence. He wants to focus on improving the economy and lowering living costs instead of holding another referendum.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham became British Prime Minister on July 20.
Burnham told Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney that a new Scottish independence vote is off limits.
Scotland held an independence referendum in 2014, where 55% voted to stay in the UK.
Scotland wants a new vote because the UK left the European Union, which most Scots opposed.
The UK’s highest court said Scotland cannot hold a second referendum without UK parliament approval.
Burnham prefers to work on local economic growth and lowering the cost of living.
He plans to give more local power to regions through "devolution" to boost their economies.
Burnham is meeting with leaders from Wales and Scotland as part of his new role.
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Credit card users with high debt have several options to reduce what they owe starting this August. They can look into debt management, credit counseling, debt forgiveness, or consolidation loans and should gather their financial paperwork and research trustworthy debt relief companies.
Key Facts
Household debt reached a record high last year.
Interest rates have been cut several times in 2024 and 2025 but might rise again this fall.
Not all debt relief options work for everyone; options include credit counseling, debt forgiveness, and consolidation loans.
Bankruptcy can help but is not always the best first step.
Proof of financial hardship is often required for debt forgiveness programs.
Gathering all necessary documents early can prevent delays and further credit damage.
It’s important to research and choose legitimate debt relief companies carefully.
Checking reviews and organizations like the Better Business Bureau can help avoid scams.
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The final trailer for the movie *Coyote vs. Acme* was released at San Diego Comic-Con, showing a story where Wile E. Coyote sues the ACME company after years of failed attempts to catch the Road Runner using their products. Additionally, Sony revealed a new full trailer for a fresh *Resident Evil* movie set in the same universe as the games but featuring original characters and a new story.
Key Facts
*Coyote vs. Acme* is a film about Wile E. Coyote suing ACME Corporation for products failing him repeatedly.
The movie is based on a satirical story from The New Yorker published in 1990 by Ian Frazier.
The cast includes Will Forte, John Cena, Lana Condor, P.J. Byrne, and Luis Guzman.
Eric Bauza voices classic Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny and Tweety Bird in the film.
*Coyote vs. Acme* will be released in theaters on August 28, 2026.
Sony is rebooting *Resident Evil* with a new movie directed by Zach Cregger, known for the film *Weapons*.
The new *Resident Evil* film tells an original story with new characters inside the game’s universe.
The movie features Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier caught in a survival situation.
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Jimothy the raccoon became famous online because of his unusual body shape caused by a rare condition likely called short spine syndrome (SSS). Experts say the condition may not affect Jimothy's lifespan much but could make it harder for him to avoid dangers like dogs and cars in the city where he lives.
Key Facts
Jimothy is a raccoon from Seattle with a short, round body and little visible neck.
His shape is likely caused by short spine syndrome (SSS), a rare condition that affects the spine and is more common in dogs.
SSS can affect vertebrae (bones in the spine), sometimes making movement harder, especially head and neck mobility.
Jimothy’s condition likely has genetic and environmental causes.
Despite his condition, Jimothy appears to move around well and finds food easily in the city.
Possible threats to Jimothy include off-leash dogs and cars, rather than natural predators.
SSS might affect Jimothy’s interactions with other raccoons and his ability to reproduce.
Seattle is celebrating Jimothy’s unusual story with local events and items inspired by him.
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