In March, President Donald Trump was secretly removed from Air Force One in Turkey to avoid an alleged Iranian assassination attempt. U.S. officials say Iran has repeatedly threatened to kill Trump because of actions taken during his first term, including the killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Suleimani.
Key Facts
Iran is believed to have planned to kill President Trump in revenge for U.S. strikes that killed senior Iranian leaders.
Trump was covertly taken off Air Force One in Turkey to protect him from a possible missile attack.
U.S. officials have accused Iran of plotting to assassinate Trump both before and after his presidency.
Manhattan prosecutors said in 2024 that Iran ordered a hit on Trump, who was running for president at the time.
Israel shared intelligence about a new Iranian plan to kill Trump in July 2026.
An Iraqi militant linked to Iran was arrested and suspected of targeting Trump's daughter Ivanka.
Threats have targeted other Trump officials, including Mike Pompeo and John Bolton.
Iran has a history of using terrorism as a foreign policy tool, including attacks in Argentina in the 1990s.
Despite security measures, experts warn the threat to Trump remains while he is alive.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced she is freezing her eggs and shared the process on Instagram. Some conservative critics disagreed with her choice, but doctors say her age is a good time for egg freezing and that the criticisms are not based on medical fact.
Key Facts
AOC is 36 years old and publicly shared her egg-freezing journey.
Conservative commentators criticized her, saying egg freezing promotes unrealistic ideas about women’s fertility and career choices.
Some critics incorrectly called pregnancy after 35 “geriatric,” but doctors now use the term “advanced maternal age.”
A 2025 UCLA Health study found the average age women freeze eggs is just under 35.
Egg freezing success rates are better at younger ages, but 36 is still a reasonable age to freeze eggs.
Most frozen eggs are not used because many women get pregnant naturally or change their minds.
Egg freezing helps women feel more in control of their reproductive choices.
Medical experts say the criticisms aimed at AOC’s age and choice are not supported by science.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Senate is taking a five-week break in August, which means many important political issues will be left for September and after the elections. President Trump is urging Senate leaders to act quickly and pass parts of his agenda before Republicans might lose control of Congress.
Key Facts
The Senate will have a five-week recess in August.
Major political decisions are expected after the recess, in September and during the post-election session.
President Trump is pushing Senate Majority Leader John Thune to advance his agenda.
Republicans currently have control of Congress but may lose it after the elections.
Lawmakers want to complete as much of President Trump’s agenda as possible while they still control Congress.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Democratic candidates with progressive views have recently won several primary elections, showing growing support for more left-leaning policies within the party. This trend might make it harder for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to unify all Democrats if they regain control of the House of Representatives.
Key Facts
Progressive Democrats have won multiple primary races recently.
These wins show increased support among Democratic voters for progressive ideas.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries represents the more moderate wing of the party.
Jeffries may face challenges in bringing together progressive and moderate Democrats.
Democrats want a change in direction after recent election outcomes.
The party aims to take back control of the House of Representatives.
Internal party unity could be affected by the rise of progressive members.
The primary wins highlight a shift in Democratic voter preferences.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump has renewed focus on vaccine policy shortly before the midterm elections. He signed an executive order seeking to change the childhood vaccine schedule, which may affect some Republican candidates.
Key Facts
President Trump prioritized vaccine policy just three months before the midterm elections.
He signed an executive order to overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule.
The changes aim to reduce the number or timing of vaccines children receive.
This move could create challenges for Republican candidates in vulnerable districts.
The goal is to influence public health rules connected to vaccines during an election period.
The issue of vaccines is now a prominent topic in the political debate before the vote.
The executive order reflects the administration’s stance on vaccine regulation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
David Crowley has won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, beating Francesca Hong. Crowley will face Republican Tom Tiffany in the November election. Hong’s loss stops a recent trend of left-wing Democratic wins.
Key Facts
David Crowley is seen as a centrist Democrat and won the Wisconsin governor primary narrowly over Francesca Hong.
Francesca Hong is a Democratic Socialist and was originally favored to win by many observers.
Crowley had briefly left the race but rejoined with the support of Wisconsin’s current governor, Tony Evers.
Republican Tom Tiffany won his party’s primary easily and is supported by President Donald Trump.
Hong’s past comments on police funding and Thanksgiving raised questions about her electability.
Left-wing Democrats have had a series of primary wins recently, often challenging the party leadership in Washington.
Crowley plans to focus on affordability, education, jobs, and opportunities across Wisconsin.
The November election results will affect control of the U.S. Congress as well as state leadership.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Students competed in the Duck Brand "Stuck at Prom" Scholarship Contest by making prom outfits entirely out of duct tape. The contest helps students pay for their college education through scholarship awards.
Key Facts
The contest is called the Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest.
Participants create tuxedos and dresses from duct tape.
The event is sponsored by Duck Brand, a company known for duct tape products.
The contest provides scholarship money to help students pay for college.
Students show creativity and craftsmanship by designing and constructing their outfits.
The contest encourages fun and unique ways to support education.
ABC News reported on the event and interviewed participating students.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said he left Air Force One in Turkey using a catering truck because the Secret Service and military told him there was a threat against him. He downplayed the danger and said he did not ask many questions, while more than 100 people remained on the plane unaware of the threat. Democrats are now calling for a congressional briefing to understand the safety measures for those passengers.
Key Facts
President Trump left Air Force One in Turkey via a catering truck after a reported credible threat against him.
The Secret Service and military wanted Trump to switch to a different plane for his safety.
Over 100 White House staff, security personnel, and reporters stayed on the plane heading to Britain, not informed about the threat.
The incident was first reported by the Washington Post and New York Times.
Trump said he did not ask many questions about the threat and claimed he gets many threats normally.
Critics and Democrats expressed concern about why people on the plane were not warned or protected.
Senator Richard Blumenthal called for a congressional briefing to review the safety precautions for all passengers.
The episode has raised questions about the handling of the threat and transparency with the public and media.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Barnaby Joyce, a One Nation MP, defended his party as welcoming to gay people after a former One Nation candidate made statements calling same-sex attraction a mental illness. Joyce said the party has many gay members and promotes Australian values of tolerance, though he found the candidate’s comments offensive. One Nation is working to improve its process for selecting candidates ahead of upcoming elections.
Key Facts
A former One Nation candidate, Parminder Singh, called same-sex attraction a mental illness and opposed marriage equality.
Singh’s comments were made in a video and caused controversy.
Barnaby Joyce called these comments offensive and said One Nation includes many gay people.
One Nation MP James Virgo is openly gay.
Anna Brown, Equality Australia’s chief, said Singh’s views are false and harmful.
Almost 80% of Australians supported marriage equality in a 2017 survey.
One Nation has faced criticism for not thoroughly checking candidates.
Joyce said the party will improve candidate selection as it grows.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
David Crowley won the Wisconsin Democratic primary for governor, narrowly beating Francesca Hong. Crowley will face Republican Tom Tiffany, who has challenged past election results, in the November general election.
Key Facts
David Crowley defeated Francesca Hong by about 3,000 votes in the Democratic primary.
Crowley is aiming to become Wisconsin’s first Black governor.
Francesca Hong is a democratic socialist and focused on her working-class background during the campaign.
Hong faced criticism over some past statements and lacked endorsements from top progressive leaders like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Crowley was backed by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, the state’s top Democrat.
Republicans spent millions on ads that some Democrats say helped Hong’s campaign.
Republican nominee Tom Tiffany is endorsed by President Trump and has questioned the 2020 presidential election results.
The Wisconsin governor plays a role in certifying election outcomes, making the governor’s race especially important this year.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
In Minnesota's primary elections, Lisa Demuth won the Republican nomination for governor by defeating Mike Lindell. On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan secured the nomination for U.S. Senate, and Amy Klobuchar will run for governor. These elections follow the retirement of current officeholders Tina Smith and Tim Walz.
Key Facts
Lisa Demuth, speaker of the Minnesota House, defeated Mike Lindell in the Republican primary for governor.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
Michele Tafoya is projected to win the Republican nomination for Senate.
Democratic Sen. Tina Smith is retiring from her Senate seat.
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz is retiring from the governor’s office.
Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic senator, will run for governor.
Flanagan’s victory is part of a broader trend of progressive candidate successes nationally.
The upcoming races will feature Demuth vs. Klobuchar for governor and Flanagan vs. Tafoya for Senate.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
On Tuesday, six U.S. states held primary elections with important races for both Democrats and Republicans. Key results included a progressive win in Minnesota’s Democratic Senate primary and a close Republican governor’s race in Wisconsin.
Key Facts
Minnesota’s progressive Lieutenant Governor won the Democratic Senate primary against Representative Angie Craig.
The Republican governor’s primary in Wisconsin is still too close to call.
Businessman Mike Lindell, supported by President Trump, lost the Republican governor’s primary in Minnesota to House Speaker Lisa Demuth.
In South Carolina, Darlene Graham advanced to the Republican Senate runoff to succeed her late brother, Senator Lindsay Graham.
These primaries determine each party’s candidates for the upcoming general elections.
President Donald Trump has been active in endorsing candidates in these races.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said some left-wing ideas from 2020 were extreme and no longer reflect current views. She believes candidates should be judged by their present positions, not past ones, but this view faces challenges in politics today.
Key Facts
AOC acknowledged that some 2020 progressive politics, like calls to defund the police, were "crazy" and are not used today.
She suggests voters should focus on what candidates say now instead of their past statements.
Moderate Democrats and Republicans find it hard to accept a complete break from those 2020 ideas.
Kamala Harris also tried to move away from her past progressive positions during the 2020 presidential race, but opponents highlighted them.
President Joe Biden won by promoting more centrist policies and warning against extreme positions at the time.
Some current candidates still support or have supported radical ideas but have since walked them back.
A centrist group, Third Way, is spending heavily to oppose democratic socialist policies they view as harmful.
AOC seems to be shifting toward a focus on economic topics that appeal to a wider audience rather than social and cultural policies from early 2020.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Many noncitizen members of the U.S. military and veterans have been arrested and face deportation by ICE, causing concern among Democrats. Senator Elizabeth Warren and others are asking government agencies for explanations about these actions, which contradict long-standing traditions that honor military service as a path to citizenship.
Key Facts
Over 60 Democratic lawmakers, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren, sent a letter to several federal agencies asking for information about arrests and deportations of noncitizen service members and veterans.
ICE arrested 125 former members of the military from January 2025 to January 2026; 73 were detained, and 34 started removal (deportation) processes.
At least 282 veterans and their close family members are currently facing deportation.
Since October, 16 active-duty military members have been arrested by immigration agents, according to ICE data.
U.S. law allows noncitizens serving in the military during active conflicts to apply for citizenship quickly after one day of service.
Military service does not automatically grant citizenship or protect individuals from immigration laws if they have criminal convictions or other issues.
Historically, immigrant soldiers in the U.S. have had easier paths to citizenship going back to the Civil War era.
More than 800,000 people have become U.S. citizens through military service since World War I, including nearly 187,000 after 9/11.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article discusses how people’s political beliefs affect their perception of news bias, using a recent poll about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) in Michigan as an example. It explains that the same facts can be seen as biased depending on how they are presented, reflecting the “hostile media phenomenon,” where people believe news is biased against their view.
Key Facts
A study in the 1980s showed that people from opposing sides saw different biases in the same news coverage.
The “hostile media phenomenon” means people perceive bias based on their own beliefs, not on the facts alone.
A recent Newsweek article reported on a Michigan poll about AOC’s chances against other Democratic candidates for 2028.
In the poll, AOC was in third place behind Pete Buttigieg and Jon Ossoff but slightly ahead of Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris.
Different readers saw the Newsweek article as biased either to the left or right, depending on how they viewed AOC.
The article’s headline focused on AOC beating Newsom and Harris, which some readers saw as an optimistic spin.
Bias can be found in how facts are framed and what comparisons are chosen by reporters.
The article highlights how readers’ political views influence whether they see news coverage as fair or biased.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate with about 59% of the vote, defeating Representative Angie Craig. Flanagan’s campaign focused on grassroots organizing and rejecting corporate political action committee (PAC) money, while advocating progressive policies like Medicare for All and raising the minimum wage.
Key Facts
Peggy Flanagan beat Angie Craig 59% to 39.4% in the Minnesota Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
Flanagan raised $6.4 million and refused corporate PAC money; Craig raised $12.6 million and accepted such funds.
Craig was endorsed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Flanagan received endorsements from Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.
Craig spent $9.6 million on ads; Flanagan spent $1.9 million and focused on organizing more than 300 events in 112 communities.
Flanagan’s campaign emphasized progressive issues like Medicare for All, a national minimum wage increase, and universal childcare.
Flanagan became the favorite after winning the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party endorsement at the state convention.
Flanagan will face Republican Michele Tafoya in the general election and plans to continue focusing on her anti-PAC, economic populist message.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
David Crowley won the Democratic primary for governor in Wisconsin by a very small margin over Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist candidate. Crowley aims to win the general election against Republican Tom Tiffany, who has President Donald Trump's support. The close race shows a split in the Democratic Party between moderate and progressive wings.
Key Facts
David Crowley, a moderate Democrat, narrowly won the Wisconsin governor primary against Francesca Hong.
Crowley seeks to become Wisconsin’s first Black governor.
Republican Tom Tiffany is Crowley’s opponent in the November general election and has President Trump’s endorsement.
Francesca Hong is a democratic socialist and represented the progressive wing of the party.
Crowley's victory margin was less than 1 percent, but no recount was requested because it was more than 0.25 percent.
The Democratic Party faces a divide between establishment candidates and progressives ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
National progressive leaders like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did not endorse any candidate in this race.
The result reflects broader tensions within the party about electability and progressive policies.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
In Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor, Francesca Hong and David Crowley are running very close, showing a split between progressive and moderate Democrats. Other states, including Minnesota and Vermont, also held primaries where left-leaning candidates won in some races, while President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidates had mixed results.
Key Facts
In Wisconsin, Crowley leads Hong by a very small margin in the Democratic primary for governor, with about 94% of votes counted.
Hong supports progressive policies like ending ICE, a pause on new data centers, and higher taxes on billionaires and companies.
Crowley has the endorsement of Wisconsin’s current Democratic Governor Tony Evers.
Wisconsin’s Democratic voters are divided between moderate and progressive candidates.
In Minnesota, progressive Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan won her Senate primary against a more moderate opponent.
Trump-backed Republican Mike Lindell lost the Minnesota governor race to Lisa Demuth.
Vermont’s Democratic gubernatorial primary was won by Amanda Janoo; Republican incumbent Phil Scott ran unopposed and won.
The results highlight ongoing competition between Democrats with different political views and mixed influence of President Trump’s endorsements.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
At least 34 states and the District of Columbia have stopped or changed a practice where child welfare agencies used Social Security survivor benefits meant for children in foster care to pay for their care. The Trump administration pushed for these changes, calling the practice the "orphan tax," which is not an actual tax but the use of these benefits to offset foster care costs.
Key Facts
More than 330,000 children are in foster care across the United States.
Social Security survivor benefits are intended to help children whose parents have died and who qualify based on the parent's work history.
Some states used these benefits to reimburse foster care costs, taking money meant for the children.
The Trump administration urged states to stop this practice starting in 2025.
Federal guidelines say that benefits must be used for the child's current and future needs, not to cover government expenses.
Children can receive up to 75% of a deceased parent's Social Security benefit, averaging $1,179 per month.
States that have ended the practice include Alabama, California, New Jersey, Michigan, Maine, and many others.
Recent states to change the policy include Oklahoma, Iowa, Montana, Michigan, and Maine.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump reportedly took a secret military flight out of Turkey last month as part of a covert operation. This operation was carried out because of fears that Iran was planning to assassinate him, and it involved transferring him between aircraft hidden inside a catering truck.
Key Facts
President Trump left Turkey on a secret military flight last month.
The operation was covert, meaning it was kept secret from the public.
The reason for the secret flight was a suspected assassination threat from Iran.
To move President Trump between planes, he was transported inside a catering truck.
The operation was organized with national security in mind.
The news was reported by US media sources.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
