Melania Trump has invited people from all U.S. states and territories to apply as volunteers or performers for the White House holiday season. Applications have opened several months before the holidays begin.
Key Facts
The White House is preparing early for the holiday season.
Melania Trump started the call for volunteers and performers on a Monday.
People from every U.S. state and territory can apply.
The application period is now open.
The event is focused on Christmas and other holiday celebrations at the White House.
Volunteers and performers will take part in holiday activities at the White House.
This outreach is part of the White House's seasonal preparations.
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Almost half of Americans do not understand the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that President Donald Trump signed into law last summer. A new Politico poll shows many either have not heard of the law or cannot explain what it does.
Key Facts
49% of people surveyed could not explain the law.
Some respondents said they have not heard of the legislation at all.
The law was signed by President Donald Trump last summer.
The poll was conducted by Politico.
The name of the law is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The poll measures public awareness and understanding of this law.
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Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in the NFL, was deported from the US in June after overstaying his visa and facing several arrests. Immigration officials said he was a risk to the community, while supporters argue he had mental health issues and did not receive proper treatment during detention.
Key Facts
Daniel Adongo played two seasons as a linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts.
He was deported in June due to visa overstay and multiple arrests.
His visa expired in 2016, but he stayed in the US without legal status.
ICE described him as a threat due to several criminal charges, including felony intimidation and battery.
Supporters claim many charges were dismissed and he has serious mental health problems, possibly linked to brain injury from sports.
Adongo spent months in immigration detention, where his mental illness reportedly worsened.
He moved to the US in 2013 after playing professional rugby in South Africa.
The deportation comes as part of President Trump’s immigration crackdown during his second term.
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The article explains that the cost of living is higher in states that voted for Democrats and lower in states that voted for Republicans in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. It also shows that while some Democratic states have a higher cost of living, they score better in areas like education and economic mobility.
Key Facts
Many U.S. voters worry about inflation and the rising cost of food and gas.
54% of registered voters believe Democrats would handle the economy better than Republicans, according to a Fox News poll.
67% of voters disapprove of how President Donald Trump is handling the economy.
The Newsweek American Dream Index ranks U.S. ZIP codes on six factors, including cost of living.
States like Hawaii, California, and New York have high costs of living and mostly voted Democratic.
States like North Dakota, Iowa, and South Dakota have lower costs of living and mostly voted Republican.
Some Democratic-leaning states score higher on economic mobility and education than Republican-leaning states.
Cost of living measures how far a household’s paycheck can go.
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An intense heat wave is affecting 19 U.S. states, with the National Weather Service issuing Extreme Heat Warnings. The heat is driven by a "heat dome," causing dangerously high temperatures and humidity, especially in the Southwest and parts of the Midwest and South.
Key Facts
Extreme Heat Warnings are in effect in 19 states, including Arizona, California, Illinois, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Temperatures in some areas of Arizona, California, and Nevada may reach 108 to 116 degrees Fahrenheit, with Death Valley possibly hitting 120 degrees.
High humidity causes "feels like" temperatures between 110 and 117 degrees in parts of the South and Midwest.
Some northern states also face unusual heat, with Montana near 100 degrees and Minnesota and Wisconsin feeling close to 110 degrees.
A "heat dome" traps hot air under a high-pressure system, causing prolonged heat waves.
Overnight temperatures staying in the 80s and 90s provide little relief from the heat.
Heat warnings will last from Monday through at least Wednesday in some areas, with conditions easing later in the week for parts of the Midwest.
Officials advise drinking water, staying indoors in air-conditioned places, and avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest hours.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci will testify before the Senate about the U.S. government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Diary entries released by Senator Rand Paul’s office reveal internal discussions about the virus’s origins, travel restrictions, and concerns about President Donald Trump’s public statements on COVID-19.
Key Facts
Fauci’s diaries mention debates about whether COVID-19 came from a natural source or a lab leak, especially focusing on a virus feature called the furin cleavage site.
On January 26, 2020, Fauci noted White House officials wanted to close travel from China, but he and others preferred more limited measures like screening and quarantines.
Fauci warned President Trump several times not to downplay the seriousness of COVID-19 to avoid problems later.
Despite public disagreements, Fauci’s diaries suggest he and President Trump had a warmer private relationship early in the pandemic.
Fauci joined calls with other scientists and officials to investigate the virus’s origin and consider government actions.
The diaries show Fauci’s concern about conflicting messages between health experts and political leaders.
Fauci’s diary entry from early 2020 quotes Trump praising him and expressing trust in his advice.
The diaries were released to provide insight into the government’s handling of the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are visiting Washington to attend the funeral of former Senator Lindsey Graham and hope to meet with President Donald Trump. Their meetings come at a time when U.S. policies on the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine are changing.
Key Facts
Netanyahu and Zelenskyy will attend Lindsey Graham’s funeral on Tuesday in Washington.
Lindsey Graham was a close ally of President Trump and died suddenly on July 11 at age 71.
Netanyahu and Trump have had tensions due to unclear U.S. policy on Iran and disagreements over military actions.
The U.S. recently made a deal aiming for a 60-day ceasefire involving Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and starting nuclear talks.
Trump later rejected this deal as Iran continued attacks on commercial ships, leading to U.S. strikes on Iranian targets.
Netanyahu is unhappy about a new U.S.-Saudi Arabia deal supporting a peaceful Saudi nuclear program.
Zelenskyy’s visit comes as the Trump administration appears more supportive of Ukraine amid its war with Russia.
Zelenskyy shared intelligence with the U.S. on Russian support for Iran and Russian surveillance of U.S. military sites.
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The article explains that vaccine hesitancy, or doubt about vaccines, has existed for a long time and is still common today. It highlights that simply giving people facts about vaccines does not always change their minds because vaccine hesitancy is influenced by many issues including trust, social connections, and personal beliefs. It also notes that anti-vaccine groups use powerful stories to spread their message, which can be more effective than just facts.
Key Facts
Vaccine hesitancy means refusing or delaying vaccines despite medical advice.
Vaccine doubt has existed since at least the 19th century, including riots against the smallpox vaccine in England.
In the U.S., anti-vaccine groups have been around since the 1890s.
Simply providing more scientific information has limited success in changing vaccine-hesitant views.
Vaccine hesitancy is called a “wicked problem” because it is caused by many factors like misinformation, distrust, and personal beliefs.
People who hesitate to vaccinate are not all the same; they can be well-educated and know about health.
Anti-vaccine groups use emotional and dramatic stories to influence people, which often focus on personal freedom or distrust rather than just vaccine facts.
Public health messages based on facts can seem less exciting compared to the stories told by vaccine skeptics.
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President Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs on many countries, including a 50% tariff on Canadian goods and 10-12.5% tariffs on products from over 80 countries. These tariffs will raise prices for American consumers and add to economic challenges like inflation and job losses.
Key Facts
President Trump signed orders to impose a 50% tariff on many Canadian goods.
He also applied 10% or 12.5% tariffs on products from more than 80 other countries.
Tariffs are taxes on imports, which usually increase prices for people buying those products.
The Yale Budget Lab estimates that these tariffs will cost the average U.S. household an extra $1,100 each year.
Since President Trump returned to office, the U.S. has lost about 75,000 factory jobs despite his goal to boost manufacturing.
Many business leaders complain about uncertainty caused by frequent changes in trade policies.
Trump used a rarely applied part of a 1930 law called the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act to justify the high tariffs on Canada.
Canada's provinces stopped importing liquor from the U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs and related trade tensions.
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President Donald Trump urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to keep the Senate working until it passes the SAVE America Act. He also suggested removing the filibuster rule if the bill does not pass.
Key Facts
President Trump made his request on a Monday.
He addressed Senate Majority Leader John Thune from South Dakota.
The SAVE America Act is related to voting eligibility.
Trump wants the Senate to stay in session until the bill passes.
If the bill cannot pass, Trump suggested ending the filibuster.
The filibuster is a Senate rule that can block bills by requiring a supermajority to pass.
Trump’s action shows his focus on voting laws and Senate procedures.
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Lindsay Clancy’s trial has started in Massachusetts for the murder of her three children in 2023. She pleads not guilty, claiming mental illness, while prosecutors say she planned the killings.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is charged with first-degree murder for killing her three children aged 5, 3, and 8 months.
The children were found dead in their home on January 24, 2023.
Prosecutors say Clancy used exercise bands to kill the children.
Clancy attempted suicide afterward and uses a wheelchair at court.
Her defense says she suffered from extreme postpartum psychosis and was overmedicated.
Patrick Clancy, Lindsay’s ex-husband, is the first witness set to testify.
The trial is held in Plymouth Superior Court, overseen by Judge William Sullivan.
Photos and Patrick Clancy’s 911 call about the incident are being shown to the jury.
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The Trump administration has changed the asylum process so that some asylum seekers can be sent to immigration court without an interview by asylum officers first. This rule aims to reduce delays and focus resources on cases that need more attention.
Key Facts
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new rule allowing asylum officers to skip interviews before referring some cases to immigration court.
This change applies to affirmative asylum applications, where migrants apply for asylum before starting removal proceedings.
DHS estimates about 132,000 future asylum applicants could be affected each year.
Interviews will still happen when granting or denying asylum, or when required by law or court settlements.
The rule removes the idea that asylum seekers have a guaranteed right to an interview before court referral.
Applicants referred without an interview can still present their cases to an immigration judge during removal proceedings.
The goal is to reduce the large asylum backlog and stop system delays caused by some cases viewed as abusively prolonging the process.
The rule goes into effect immediately after publication in the Federal Register.
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Democrat Troy Jackson will replace Graham Platner in the Maine Senate race. Experts Chuck Rocha and Samir Kapadia discussed this development on CBS News.
Key Facts
Troy Jackson is a Democrat.
He will replace Graham Platner in the race for the Maine Senate.
The replacement was discussed on CBS News.
Chuck Rocha is a CBS News contributor.
Samir Kapadia is the managing principal at The Vogel Group.
The discussion focused on whether Democrats should be concerned about this change.
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A woman in Massachusetts, Lindsay Clancy, has gone on trial for the murder of her three children. She has pleaded not guilty, and her lawyers say she suffered from serious mental health problems after giving birth, which were worsened by her doctor’s treatment.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is charged with killing her three children.
The trial started on Monday.
Clancy has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Her lawyers claim she had severe postpartum mental health issues.
Postpartum mental health issues happen after giving birth.
The defense says her doctor’s treatment made her mental health worse.
The case is being covered by CBS News.
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Since President Donald Trump ordered strikes against Iran in February, over 600 US military service members have been wounded. The Pentagon recently updated casualty figures, moving some deaths and injuries between categories, which has caused confusion and criticism about transparency.
Key Facts
At least 624 US service members have been wounded since the conflict with Iran began in February.
417 injuries are linked to Operation Epic Fury, the initial attack ordered by President Trump.
207 injuries are listed under a new category called "Overseas Operations," which started tracking casualties from July 7, 2026.
The Pentagon changed its death count by moving four soldier deaths from Operation Epic Fury to Overseas Operations.
The death toll for Operation Epic Fury was revised from 18 to 14 after the changes.
The US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire in April and signed a Memorandum of Understanding in June, but attacks continued on both sides.
Pentagon officials called the changing numbers “temporary data disruptions” and said they are working to fix them.
Some military and political figures have criticized these changes, saying they reduce trust in the information about the conflict.
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New polls show President Donald Trump's approval ratings are at their lowest point in his current term, raising questions about his support among voters. Some readers express concern about Trump's policies and their effects, while others believe his core support remains strong despite the polls.
Key Facts
President Trump's net approval rating has dropped to a new low during his second term.
Poll results show a political divide across the U.S., with support shrinking in key "swing" states like Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.
Some readers say Trump's economic policies have caused problems like higher gas prices and economic pain.
Other readers believe pollsters often misjudge Trump's true support and say his base remains loyal.
Polls suggest Republican voters are increasingly open to independent candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Some commenters note both Republican and Democratic voters show dissatisfaction with the two-party system.
The survey results could impact Republican chances in future elections.
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Streamer Hasan Piker publicly challenged Fox News host Sean Hannity to invite him for a debate on air. Piker said Hannity had planned to have him as a guest but did not follow through.
Key Facts
Hasan Piker is an online streamer.
Sean Hannity is a host on Fox News.
Piker wants to debate Hannity on a specific topic.
Hannity reportedly said he would have Piker on his show.
Piker claims Hannity chose not to invite him after all.
Piker shared this challenge publicly, including a video clip.
The situation involves a request for an on-air discussion.
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Aaron Strachan, 21, was jailed with a lifelong restriction order after abducting and raping a 15-year-old girl in Edinburgh. He also attacked two men with weapons shortly before the rape. The court ruled he is likely to remain in custody or under supervision for life.
Key Facts
Aaron Strachan abducted a 15-year-old girl at knifepoint from a bus stop in Edinburgh in May 2025.
He forced her into a basement storage area where he raped her.
Strachan threatened the girl not to tell anyone or he would harm her.
Before the rape, he stabbed a man in the hand and attacked another man with a hammer.
Strachan has a criminal record for violence, robbery, and weapon possession.
He fled custody during sentencing but was caught after a police manhunt.
The High Court sentenced him to a minimum of five years in jail with a lifelong restriction order.
This order means a parole board must decide if he is safe to be released; it is unlikely he will be free soon.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he fully supports DNC Chair Ken Martin. This comes after news reports described Martin as feeling stressed and having low morale in his role.
Key Facts
Hakeem Jeffries is the House Minority Leader and a Democrat from New York.
Ken Martin is the Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
Jeffries spoke to reporters while campaigning in Pennsylvania.
Recent news stories say Martin is struggling with stress and morale in his job.
Jeffries publicly expressed his full support for Martin despite these reports.
Jeffries mentioned looking forward to continuing their work together.
The remarks were reported by NOTUS and other news outlets.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to increase deportations of Haitian immigrants as their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is ending. TPS allowed Haitians to stay in the U.S. temporarily due to unsafe conditions in Haiti.
Key Facts
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) granted Haitians safety from deportation due to crises in Haiti.
TPS for Haitians is coming to an end.
ICE plans to increase efforts to deport Haitian immigrants once TPS expires.
TPS is a temporary immigration status given to people from countries with unsafe conditions.
The change affects Haitian immigrants currently living in the U.S. under TPS.
Deportations will target Haitians after TPS protections end.
The information comes from sources cited by CBS News.
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