The Justice Department said that federal law banning TikTok from government devices no longer applies because TikTok is now mostly owned by American investors. However, individual federal agencies can still choose to block TikTok on their devices if they want.
Key Facts
The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel issued a legal opinion saying the TikTok ban no longer applies.
TikTok’s U.S. operations are now run by a new joint venture mainly owned by American investors.
ByteDance, based in Beijing, keeps a 19.9% minority stake, just under the 20% limit set by law.
In late 2022, Congress required federal agencies to remove TikTok from government devices due to national security concerns.
The ban targeted the TikTok version owned by ByteDance, which raised fears data could be shared with the Chinese government.
President Trump directed the Justice Department not to enforce the nationwide ban, aiming for a new ownership deal.
Oracle, a U.S. tech company, is one of the new investors and monitors TikTok’s cybersecurity.
Lawsuits have been filed by some tech firms arguing the new deal does not meet legal requirements; the case is still open.
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The race for South Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat shows a split among Republican leaders after Senator Lindsey Graham's death. Congressman Ralph Norman is supported by Senators Mike Lee and Rick Scott, while interim Senator Darline Graham, Lindsey's sister, is backed by President Donald Trump and Representative William Timmons.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham died from an aortic dissection on July 11 at age 71.
Ralph Norman has endorsements from Republican Senators Mike Lee and Rick Scott.
Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister and newly sworn-in interim senator, has President Trump’s backing.
President Trump publicly encouraged Darline Graham to run in the special Republican primary scheduled for August 11, 2026.
The South Carolina Senate seat is important as the state has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1976.
Ralph Norman has not yet officially announced if he will run but said a decision is coming soon.
Rick Scott praised Norman for supporting President Trump’s agenda in the House of Representatives.
William Timmons supports Darline Graham based on President Trump’s endorsement.
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David Crowley plans to re-enter the race for Wisconsin governor after Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez ended her campaign due to issues with campaign finance. Crowley made a public hint that he would soon make a major announcement about his campaign plans.
Key Facts
David Crowley is the Milwaukee County Executive.
He is running in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor.
Sara Rodriguez, Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor, recently quit the governor’s race.
Rodriguez left the race because of a campaign finance scandal.
Crowley announced on social media that he would soon share important campaign news.
Crowley previously left the governor’s race but is now rejoining.
The Wisconsin governor’s race is part of the 2024 election cycle.
Crowley represents the Democratic Party.
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More than a thousand people gathered in Memphis to support Justin Pearson, a progressive Democratic state representative running for Congress. The rally came after four fatal shootings by the Memphis Safe Task Force, and speakers highlighted issues like redistricting, racial justice, and environmental concerns in the city.
Key Facts
Justin Pearson is running in the Democratic primary for Tennessee’s 9th congressional district.
Four fatal shootings by Memphis Safe Task Force members occurred in the last two months.
Pearson was expelled in April 2023 from the Tennessee legislature for protesting against lack of gun laws but was reappointed by the Shelby County commission.
Tennessee’s congressional districts were redrawn to split Memphis’ largely Black Democratic district into three districts with no Democratic majority.
Progressive US representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Summer Lee supported Pearson at the rally.
Pearson plans to build on recent progressive wins in Democratic primaries and challenge established politicians.
The rally highlighted historical and ongoing struggles for racial justice, drawing connections to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.
Environmental issues tied to pollution in Southwest Memphis and concerns about a data center were also mentioned.
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Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run in California. He is accused of crashing into a parked, empty car and leaving the scene without fulfilling legal requirements.
Key Facts
Paul Pelosi is 86 years old.
The charge is a misdemeanor hit-and-run.
The incident involved hitting an unoccupied parked car.
The crash happened in California.
California law requires drivers in crashes causing property damage to stop and provide their information.
Pelosi is the husband of Nancy Pelosi, a Democratic U.S. House Speaker.
The charge was announced several weeks after the crash happened.
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Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin supported President Trump's claim that over 250,000 non-citizens are registered to vote in four states, but no detailed proof has been shared. Experts say the methods used to make this estimate likely overcount non-citizen voters, and confirmed cases of non-citizen voting are very rare.
Key Facts
President Trump and Secretary Mullin claim more than 250,000 non-citizens are registered to vote in California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada.
These four states have not provided voter data to the federal government as requested.
In 23 other states cooperating with the administration, about 28,000 non-citizen registrants were identified through a new federal database.
The 250,000 figure is based on commercial data analysis that may produce many errors, including false positives.
Election experts say many alleged non-citizens on voter rolls are actually eligible voters, and removing them could break the law.
Verified cases of non-citizens voting are extremely uncommon.
President Trump has pushed for stricter voting rules, including requiring proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote.
Courts have blocked some of these new voting restrictions, and the Justice Department is suing states to obtain voter roll data.
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Shomari Figures became the first Black person to represent Tuskegee, Alabama, in Congress in modern times. After helping secure $1 million for a new civic center, the US Supreme Court changed voting district rules, allowing Alabama to redraw maps that may weaken Black voter representation and challenge Figures’ reelection.
Key Facts
De’Mari Benham, a Tuskegee student, was injured and had limited access to adequate medical care due to lack of local hospitals.
Tuskegee is a small, mostly Black city with high poverty and no general hospital or full emergency care.
The local fire department often treats serious injuries because no proper medical facilities are nearby.
Shomari Figures, elected in 2024, is the first Black person to represent Tuskegee in Congress in modern history.
Figures helped get $1 million in federal funds to build a civic center to serve as a storm shelter and house emergency services.
The US Supreme Court struck down a part of the Voting Rights Act, enabling states like Alabama to redraw voting maps.
The new maps could split majority-Black districts, weakening minority voting power and favoring Republicans.
Tuskegee’s mayor worries losing Figures’ seat could hurt the city’s access to federal help and funding.
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Two U.S. Forest Service workers were kidnapped while working in Northern California and held at gunpoint for over 12 hours. Law enforcement, including the FBI, negotiated their release, arrested the two suspects, and confirmed the workers were not seriously harmed.
Key Facts
The kidnapping happened in the Shasta Trinity National Forest before 11 a.m. on Thursday.
The suspects are a father and his adult son, armed with guns and knives.
The workers were held inside a rural trailer near Mount Shasta, about 50 miles from the Oregon border.
Authorities used drones and sent SWAT, negotiators, bomb squad, and snipers to the scene.
Negotiations began around 4 p.m. and the workers were freed just before 2 a.m. Friday.
The suspects surrendered about 40 minutes after the workers' release.
One suspect had an AR-15 rifle, knives, and claimed to have grenades.
The suspects face federal kidnapping charges, and no motive has been confirmed yet.
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Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run in Northern California. He allegedly hit a parked car on July 3 and left the scene, also receiving a charge for an illegal turn.
Key Facts
Paul Pelosi was charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run after hitting an unoccupied parked car in Yountville, California.
The incident happened on July 3, causing major damage to the rear of the parked car.
Pelosi also faces a charge for making an unlawful turn during the incident.
The car Pelosi was driving was a 2025 Maserati GranCabrio convertible.
His court date is set for August 14.
The Napa County District Attorney’s Office made a rare public announcement due to high media interest.
A Pelosi family spokesperson said Paul Pelosi apologized to the vehicle owner and promised to cover the damage costs.
Yountville is about 50 miles north of San Francisco.
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President Donald Trump encouraged Darline Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham and his temporary replacement in Congress, to run for a full Senate term in South Carolina. This is for the special election coming up to fill the Senate seat permanently.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham recently passed away.
Darline Graham, his sister, is currently filling his Senate seat temporarily.
President Trump spoke to Darline Graham about running for the full Senate term.
The special election in South Carolina will decide who fills the Senate seat permanently.
This encouragement came as part of President Trump's involvement in South Carolina politics.
The seat represents South Carolina in the United States Senate.
The special election timeline was not specified in the article.
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A review of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust found serious problems in how the mortuary handled babies and mothers after death. Families experienced distress due to mistakes such as wrong baby releases, poor storage, and disrespectful treatment of deceased babies over many years.
Key Facts
The review covers mortuary failings at Nottingham University Hospitals from 2008 to 2025.
Some babies were stored for long times without proper freezer storage; one stayed for 772 days.
A baby was disposed of as clinical waste, and another was placed in a mortuary space for an adult.
One family received graphic photos of their deceased baby with a cost letter, causing further trauma.
A mother was mistakenly told her baby was a boy and buried him as such, but later found out the baby was a girl.
Poor communication and a lack of coordination existed between bereavement services, funeral directors, and mortuary staff.
The report highlighted insensitive language used by some staff when referring to babies, calling them "fetuses," "samples," or "specimens."
Incidents included a stillborn baby being left in a hospital fridge for four days before being moved to the mortuary.
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Political analyst Eric Ham says President Donald Trump is focusing again on election security and promoting the SAVE Act. Ham believes this is an effort to increase federal control over US elections before the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump is promoting the SAVE Act.
The SAVE Act relates to US election security.
Political analyst Eric Ham says Trump’s actions aim to expand the federal government’s role in elections.
This renewed focus comes ahead of the November midterm elections.
The midterms will decide the balance of power in the US Congress.
There is debate about the appropriate level of federal versus state control in elections.
Election security involves protecting voting systems from fraud or interference.
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Police found the wreckage of a boat that sank in San Francisco Bay after recovering the body of a missing person, Tondra Madruga. The boat capsized when hit by a wave, and search continues for two other missing people.
Key Facts
The boat, named Volare, was a 49-foot cabin cruiser carrying 20 people.
It sank on Wednesday after being hit by a wave and capsizing.
Tondra Madruga, 58, was identified as a missing person whose body was recovered.
One man, Clifford Boisa, died soon after being rescued from the water.
The boat was near Treasure Island in water about 120 feet deep.
Police used sonar and a remotely operated vehicle to locate and inspect the wreck.
Two people, Carol Boisa and Jackie Boisa, remain missing.
The Coast Guard searched over 800 square miles but stopped search efforts Wednesday evening.
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President Donald Trump spoke on Thursday night and said that China interfered in U.S. elections. He also questioned how honest the voting system is. CBS News checked the facts behind his statements.
Key Facts
President Trump made his comments during a primetime speech on Thursday evening.
He accused China of interfering in U.S. elections.
He expressed doubts about the fairness and accuracy of the U.S. voting system.
CBS News reporter Jake Rosen reviewed and fact-checked the president’s claims.
The report is available to watch on CBS News and through their app.
The fact-check aims to clarify which claims are true or false.
The focus is on election security and foreign influence.
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President Donald Trump’s social media company, Trump Media and Technology Group, is considering charging a high fee for early access to his posts on Truth Social. This plan faces criticism because it could reduce government transparency and let the president profit from his position.
Key Facts
Trump Media and Technology Group may charge $100,000 per month for priority access to Trump’s social media posts.
A lower fee of $60,000 per month could apply for a three-year subscription.
The data feed, called “Truth API,” would give banks and trading firms early access to top accounts on Truth Social, especially Trump’s.
Trump’s social media posts can influence markets and global financial conditions due to his role as U.S. President.
Critics say charging for early access is a conflict of interest and harms transparency in government.
Trump uses Truth Social since his Twitter account was suspended after the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
Lawmakers like Senator Ron Wyden have publicly opposed the plan, concerned it benefits Wall Street and the Trump family.
The plan was reported by news agencies Reuters and The Financial Times.
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Daneka Etchells suffered from severe endometriosis, a painful condition affecting many women, but doctors missed her diagnosis for 17 years. This delay caused permanent physical disability and ongoing pain, despite surgery to remove the disease. She now performs in a new stage play that highlights issues of medical neglect and disability.
Key Facts
Daneka Etchells first noticed heavy, painful periods at age 12.
Doctors initially dismissed her symptoms and prescribed birth control pills, which did not help.
Her diagnosis of endometriosis took 17 years, much longer than the average nine-year wait.
The untreated disease caused nerve damage and permanent mobility problems.
She needed excision surgery to remove endometriosis lesions.
Etchells uses a mobility aid and experiences constant pain.
She raised money privately for treatment due to long NHS wait times.
She is now acting in a new disabled-led stage adaptation of The Secret Garden that addresses medical dismissal and disability.
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Paul Pelosi, husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run after he hit a parked car in Yountville, California, and then left the scene. No one was hurt, and Pelosi was not under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Key Facts
The incident happened on July 3, 2026, in Yountville, California.
Paul Pelosi hit a legally parked car with his brown convertible.
He briefly stopped but then drove away without leaving his information, which is against the law.
No injuries were reported from the collision.
Pelosi was charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run and making an unlawful turn.
His court date is scheduled for August 14, 2026.
In 2022, Pelosi pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and was sentenced to jail time, probation, fines, and required safety measures like an ignition interlock device.
Pelosi was severely beaten in an attack at his home in 2022.
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Paul Pelosi, husband of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, is charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run after he crashed into a parked car and left the scene in California. He also faces a charge for making an illegal turn, with a court date set for August 14.
Key Facts
The incident happened on July 3 in Yountville, California.
No one was in the parked car, but it was heavily damaged.
Paul Pelosi apologized and is taking responsibility for the damage.
He faces two charges: misdemeanor hit-and-run and an illegal turn infraction.
Pelosi has past driving violations, including a 2022 guilty plea for driving under the influence (DUI).
He is not charged with DUI this time, as there is no evidence he was impaired.
Video from police body cameras will not be released until the case is over.
Pelosi’s arraignment is scheduled for August 14.
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Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin supported President Donald Trump’s plan to push strict changes to U.S. elections, focusing on states that do not follow these new rules. Mullin mentioned possible punishments for people accused of misleading the public about the 2020 election and said federal funds might be withheld from states that refuse to improve election security.
Key Facts
Secretary Markwayne Mullin repeated President Trump’s threats about changing how U.S. elections are run.
The administration plans a “maximum pressure” campaign to make states follow election reforms.
Mullin mentioned targeting individuals in the intelligence community and the Biden administration who allegedly misled the public during the 2020 election.
Four states—California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada—are the main focus for these election efforts.
Mullin claimed there are 250,000 non-citizens registered to vote in those states, but no clear evidence was provided.
The Trump administration says nearly 278,000 foreign nationals are registered to vote nationwide, but experts say registration does not mean they voted.
Experts say voting by non-citizens is very rare; for example, one study showed it made up just 0.0001% of votes in a past election.
Mullin warned that states must strengthen election security to receive federal funds, including securing voting machines and cleaning voter registration lists.
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AIPAC, a group that supports U.S.-Israel relations, has stopped raising money for over 24 House Democrats. These lawmakers voted to block billions of dollars in U.S. military aid to Israel in a recent vote.
Key Facts
AIPAC is an organization involved in U.S. politics supporting Israel.
More than two dozen House Democrats had their campaign fundraising halted by AIPAC.
These Democrats voted to stop billions in U.S. military aid to Israel.
The vote occurred as part of the fiscal 2027 funding bill for the State Department.
Over 100 House Democrats supported the amendment to cut the aid.
AIPAC’s action shows it rewards or punishes lawmakers based on their votes about Israel.
The issue is part of current U.S. government budget and foreign aid decisions.
This event reflects ongoing debates on U.S. support for Israel in Congress.
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