The Trump administration has issued new requirements for federally funded health programs, emphasizing parental control in education and reducing support for overdose prevention methods like harm reduction. These changes may affect efforts against the opioid crisis and could influence vaccine requirements in schools by pressuring states and local programs to follow new federal priorities.
Key Facts
Health programs receiving federal funding must agree to new priorities set by the Trump administration within five business days.
New priorities include promoting “parental authority” over children's education and reducing use of overdose prevention methods like harm reduction.
The changes may impact progress against the opioid crisis and public health efforts like vaccinations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent the notice to state, territorial, tribal, and local health programs focused on immunizations, HIV, hepatitis, and tobacco.
Staff within the CDC were reportedly unaware of the new requirements until the notice was sent.
Vaccine mandates are usually set by states or localities, but the new priorities may pressure them to reduce these mandates by linking compliance to federal funding.
Experts warn the move indicates increased political control over public health policies and could undermine public health goals.
The US Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to questions about the memo when asked.
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A U.S. federal judge has ordered the Justice Department to explain why it dropped criminal charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. The judge said the DOJ’s explanation was too brief and asked for more details by July 13.
Key Facts
The DOJ decided not to pursue charges against Gautam Adani, who was accused of bribery in India related to a solar power plant contract.
Adani’s lawyers asked for the case to be formally dismissed.
U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis said the DOJ’s reason for dropping the case was not clear enough.
The DOJ must provide a better explanation of its decision by July 13.
Adani’s legal team argued the case should be dismissed because U.S. law does not apply and the bribery could not be proven in India.
The charges were dropped shortly after Adani promised a $10 billion investment in the U.S.
Adani’s lawyer Robert Giuffra is also a personal lawyer for President Donald Trump.
A member of Giuffra’s legal team, James McDonald, has been nominated by President Trump for a top federal prosecutor position.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a national tax on billionaires worth more than $100 million, aiming to create a federal minimum tax instead of the state's one-time 5% wealth tax. Newsom opposes the state measure, arguing billionaires could avoid it by moving out of California, and says the country should close tax loopholes and adjust inheritance rules.
Key Facts
Newsom proposed a national "billionaires' tax" on Americans with over $100 million in wealth.
He opposes California's one-time 5% wealth tax on billionaires set to appear on the November ballot.
The state tax was pushed by the healthcare workers union SEIU-UHW in response to funding cuts.
Newsom wants to restore corporate tax rates to pre-2017 levels and stop offshore tax avoidance.
He warned about a $124 trillion wealth transfer in the next 20 years potentially creating a permanent inherited wealth class.
About 250 billionaires would be affected by California's state tax.
The state measure could lead some billionaires to leave California for other states.
Billionaires, including Sergey Brin, have spent heavily to oppose the California tax measure.
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President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on countries that apply digital taxes on American tech companies. He stated that these tariffs would override any existing trade agreements and said Europe could be targeted.
Key Facts
President Trump made the threat in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.
The tariffs would apply to any country that taxes US tech companies through digital service taxes.
Trump named European countries as possible targets for these tariffs.
He said the new tariffs would override any previous trade deals or agreements.
Trump has criticized digital taxes on US tech firms before, calling them harmful and discriminatory.
The EU recently agreed with the US to cap tariffs on most products at 15 percent, but digital service taxes were not included.
Trump set a deadline of July 4 for a new agreement on tariffs but warned the 100 percent tariff would take effect immediately if countries enforce digital taxes.
The president supports the US technology sector and has pushed back against foreign regulations on American tech companies.
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DACA recipients filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government due to long delays in renewing their DACA status. This status allows people brought to the U.S. as children to get work permits and stay legally in the country.
Key Facts
DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
The program was created under President Obama.
DACA helps people brought to the U.S. as children by giving work permits.
The Trump administration has delayed the processing of DACA renewals.
These delays led to a lawsuit from DACA recipients.
The lawsuit was filed on a Thursday.
The delays affect the ability of recipients to continue working legally.
The case challenges the federal government’s management of DACA renewals.
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Texas has made passages from the Bible required reading for millions of public school students starting in 2030. The new reading list, approved by the Republican-led Texas education board, includes Bible stories alongside other books for different grade levels.
Key Facts
The Texas education board approved a new statewide reading list including Bible passages for public school students.
This change will affect over 5 million students, starting with elementary students in 2030.
Bible excerpts for seventh graders include the Book of Jonah and Psalms; high school students will read parts of Lamentations and Genesis.
The 2023 law requires the state to pick at least one literary work per grade, with the board suggesting multiple texts.
Teachers can assign other books but must also include those on the required list.
Critics say the new list favors Christianity and may conflict with the separation of church and state.
Supporters say Judeo-Christian traditions are important to America’s history and deserve representation in schools.
Texas has a large and diverse student population, with many Hispanic and Black students, raising concerns about the reading list’s diversity.
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House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer issued two subpoenas to billionaire Leon Black during Black’s voluntary interview related to the committee’s investigation of Jeffrey Epstein. Comer stated that Black refused to answer questions about nondisclosure agreements connected to the inquiry.
Key Facts
James Comer, Chair of the House Oversight Committee, issued two subpoenas to Leon Black.
The subpoenas were given while Black was voluntarily being interviewed by the committee.
The investigation is focused on Jeffrey Epstein, who was a convicted sex offender.
Leon Black was asked about nondisclosure agreements involving women.
Comer said Black refused to answer questions about these agreements.
The committee is seeking more information related to Epstein’s activities.
The action took place in a congressional setting involving oversight and investigation.
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Texas will require public school students to read Bible stories as part of a new state-approved reading list. The list also includes classic books like "Charlotte's Web" and "Great Expectations," and will start being used with elementary students in 2030.
Key Facts
The Texas State Board of Education, controlled by Republicans, approved the new reading list on Friday.
More than 5 million Texas public school students will be required to read Bible stories alongside traditional literary works.
Bible stories include passages from the New Testament and the Book of Job, with different selections for elementary, middle, and high school levels.
The new reading list also includes well-known books such as "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White and "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens.
The required reading list will start being phased in with elementary students in 2030.
Critics say the requirement blurs the line between church and state and lacks diversity, while supporters say it reflects the nation’s Christian heritage.
Texas allows other Christian-related activities in public schools, like hiring chaplains and displaying the Ten Commandments.
The Texas law requires at least one literary work per grade, but this list contains about 200 texts, including Bible passages, exceeding that requirement.
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Abdikerm Eidleh, a suspected leader in the biggest pandemic fraud case in the U.S., was arrested in Somalia after more than four years on the run. He is accused of helping run a $250 million scheme that involved fake receipts and bribery to steal government money meant for food programs in Minnesota.
Key Facts
Abdikerm Eidleh was arrested in Mogadishu, Somalia, in a raid led by the FBI and Somali intelligence.
He is a key figure in the Feeding Our Future fraud case, which involved $250 million in stolen funds.
Eidleh allegedly collected $5 million in bribes and told food businesses to submit fake receipts.
He was second in command to Aimee Bock, who received a prison sentence of over 40 years for leading the fraud.
So far, 79 people have been charged in the case, mostly of Somali descent, with 66 convicted or pleading guilty.
The fraud involved taxpayer-funded social programs like childcare, housing, and behavioral health, mostly in Minnesota.
Officials say the total fraud in Minnesota might be more than $1 billion.
The FBI emphasized that Somalia is not a safe place for fugitives due to international law enforcement efforts.
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A U.S. soldier named Adrian Bonsey died after being hit by an M2 Bradley armored vehicle during a training exercise in the Mojave Desert on June 10. The Army is investigating the incident, which happened during early morning hours with low visibility.
Key Facts
Adrian Bonsey was 29 years old and a combat engineer in the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
The accident occurred around 4:30 a.m. during a large-scale training at the National Training Center in the Mojave Desert.
The armored vehicle involved was an M2 Bradley fighting vehicle, which weighs 27 tons and is designed to carry troops and support them with weapons.
Bonsey joined the Army in 2023 and had also served at Fort Carson, Colorado, and deployed to Poland in 2024.
The Army lost 31 soldiers in training accidents in 2025, many involving military vehicles.
Common causes of fatal training accidents include sleep deprivation, lack of proper training, and inexperienced leaders.
The training at the National Training Center prepares units for possible combat overseas.
The Army continues to work on reducing training accidents, with a current downward trend since the mid-2000s.
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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine criticized a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the Trump administration to end special legal protections for some Haitians and Syrians living in the United States. The ruling affects people who were given temporary permission to stay in the U.S. because of humanitarian reasons.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled on Mullin v. Doe, a case about ending humanitarian protections.
The ruling permits the Trump administration to remove Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from certain Haitians and Syrians.
Ohio is home to about 10,000 Haitian residents.
Governor DeWine said the court’s decision was a legal judgment but described the policy as a mistake.
TPS is a program that allows people from certain countries affected by crises to live in the U.S. temporarily.
The decision could lead to some Haitians and Syrians having to leave the U.S. if their TPS ends.
Governor DeWine has expressed concern about the impact of this ruling on Ohio’s Haitian community.
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In July 2026, some people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will get two payments in one month due to a scheduling change. This happens because the August payment is paid early on July 31 since August 1 falls on a weekend, but the total yearly amount stays the same.
Key Facts
About 7 million Americans receive SSI, a program for older adults, blind people, and those with disabilities.
SSI payments are normally sent on the first day of each month but are moved earlier if the first is a weekend or holiday.
In July 2026, SSI recipients will get their July payment on July 1 and their August payment early on July 31.
No extra SSI money is provided; the August payment is just paid early.
Other Social Security payments, like retirement or disability benefits, are not affected by this change.
Recipients should plan their budgets carefully since they won’t receive another payment in August.
Banks may process these payments on different days, so the exact deposit date might vary.
This timing change is a legal requirement to avoid delays when payment days fall on non-business days.
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A government report found that the Secret Service did not properly protect both their official and personal mobile devices. This failure increased the risk of hacking and put national leaders, including President Donald Trump, at greater risk after an assassination attempt on him.
Key Facts
The report was ordered following an attempt to assassinate President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted the investigation.
The Secret Service did not secure mobile devices used by their agents.
Both official devices and personal devices connected to the agency were vulnerable.
These security gaps increased the risk of hacking attacks.
The report highlights a need for better cybersecurity measures within the Secret Service.
Protecting mobile devices is critical to safeguarding national leaders and sensitive information.
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Louisiana Republicans will choose their candidate for the U.S. Senate in a primary runoff between Julia Letlow and John Fleming. This follows the defeat of Senator Bill Cassidy in the first round, a loss supported by President Donald Trump, who aims to back loyal Republicans in Congress.
Key Facts
Louisiana held a primary runoff to pick a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.
Senator Bill Cassidy lost his chance for a third term in the first round.
President Donald Trump endorsed Julia Letlow, encouraging her to challenge Cassidy.
Julia Letlow has served in Congress since 2021 after winning a special election.
Letlow replaced her late husband, Luke Letlow, who died of COVID-19 before taking office.
John Fleming, a former congressman, is the other runoff candidate.
Fleming served eight years in Congress before Trump’s first term and ran for Senate in 2016.
The Senate seat is not a key target for Democrats to regain control in the upcoming November elections.
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President Donald Trump said that victories by democratic socialist candidates in New York's primary elections are part of a wider problem within the Democratic Party. He made these remarks during a speech at a political conference in Washington.
Key Facts
Democratic socialist candidates won several primary races in New York on Tuesday.
President Trump spoke about these wins on Friday at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Annual Policy Conference.
He warned that the trend of democratic socialist victories is not limited to New York.
Trump said the Democratic Party is facing serious challenges because of these shifts.
He described it as becoming easier for these candidates to get elected.
The Faith and Freedom Coalition is a conservative political group that holds annual meetings to discuss policy.
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David Miliband expressed hope about Andy Burnham becoming the next UK prime minister and praised Burnham’s leadership qualities. Miliband, who left British politics to lead an international aid organization, might return to government if Burnham becomes prime minister.
Key Facts
David Miliband spoke at a London think tank event about Andy Burnham possibly becoming UK prime minister.
Miliband described Burnham as open, energetic, and able to connect with people and ideas.
James Purnell, a former Labour minister, is expected to be Burnham’s chief of staff.
Miliband resigned as a UK Member of Parliament in 2023 to lead the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
Miliband might rejoin the government through the House of Lords if given a peerage.
Miliband criticized cuts to UK foreign aid but supported focusing aid on fragile and conflict-affected countries.
Burnham is expected to announce plans about the economy and regional powers (devolution) soon.
Sir Keir Starmer resigned as prime minister, and Andy Burnham may be elected Labour leader and prime minister by mid-July if unopposed.
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Former Representative Cori Bush said she will not promise to support House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as speaker if she wins back her seat. Many progressive Democrats are unhappy with current leadership and are hesitant to back Jeffries without changes.
Key Facts
Cori Bush declined to commit to voting for Hakeem Jeffries as House speaker in 2027 if she returns to Congress.
Bush previously supported Jeffries in all speaker votes during her last term.
She criticized Democratic leadership for not addressing community needs effectively.
Bush has been part of the progressive "Squad" and has challenged both Democratic leaders and President Biden at times.
She lost her 2024 primary partly due to campaign finance allegations and opposition spending.
Several progressives are running strong campaigns to replace more moderate House Democrats.
Some progressive winners, like Brad Lander, still plan to support Jeffries while pushing for party changes.
The Trump administration asked the US Supreme Court to allow it to detain immigrants arrested during its immigration crackdown without giving them a chance to seek bond. This request challenges a lower court ruling that found the administration’s policy violated immigrants’ legal rights to a bond hearing.
Key Facts
The administration wants to detain people arrested in its immigration crackdown without bond hearings, even if they have lived in the US for years.
It is asking the Supreme Court to overturn a May ruling by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals that rejected this detention policy.
The mixed rulings from different appeals courts have led to many lawsuits from immigrants challenging their detention.
The Department of Homeland Security changed its policy to treat non-citizens already living in the US as “applicants for admission,” making them subject to mandatory detention.
Mandatory detention means these immigrants cannot have bond hearings while their immigration cases proceed.
Immigration judges nationwide have begun ordering mandatory detention based on this new policy.
The Sixth Circuit ruled that this policy violates the immigrants’ due process rights under the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution.
The administration argues that detaining immigrants helps ensure they attend hearings and allows their removal from the country.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom called for a national tax on billionaires and suggested the U.S. government should own shares in artificial intelligence companies. While supporting these national measures, he is also opposing a similar tax proposal in California.
Key Facts
Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing for a national "billionaires' tax."
He proposes the U.S. government should hold a stake in AI companies.
Newsom is currently opposing a wealth tax proposal in California.
His ideas align with the more left-wing part of the Democratic Party.
He says these changes are needed to stop wealth and power from concentrating too much among the elite.
Newsom described this approach as an "economic reset for America."
He shared his proposals in a post on Substack.
Newsom may run for president after his term ends.
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House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said he issued two subpoenas to billionaire Leon Black. This happened because Black did not answer certain questions during a private meeting about the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Key Facts
Leon Black is a billionaire who testified in a closed-door session before the House Oversight Committee.
The committee is investigating Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
During his testimony, Leon Black refused to answer some specific questions.
Chairman James Comer issued two subpoenas to Leon Black to require him to return and answer those questions.
A subpoena is a legal order to appear or provide information.
The subpoenas reflect the committee’s effort to get more information for its investigation.
This development was reported by CBS News.
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