A lawsuit challenges sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration on the International Criminal Court (ICC). The lawsuit claims these sanctions violate US citizens’ constitutional rights and laws by restricting their ability to support ICC investigations related to Palestine and Israel.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed by DAWN and the Taxpayers Alliance Against Genocide (TAAG).
Sanctions began in February 2025 targeting ICC officials involved in investigations of Israeli leaders.
The Trump administration’s sanctions also apply to individuals and organizations supporting ICC investigations.
Plaintiffs say the sanctions violate the First Amendment right to free speech and association.
The sanctions are argued to break the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which protects personal communications from sanctions.
The US is not a member of the ICC but opposes its investigations of US and Israeli nationals.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio promised more pressure and sanctions against the ICC.
Previous court rulings have found some sanctions unconstitutional and temporarily lifted them.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Heavy rains in south Texas have caused flooding, washed out highways, and stranded drivers. Officials warn that more heavy rain may cause dangerous flash floods in the region, prompting disaster declarations and rescue efforts.
Key Facts
Storms dumped up to 16 inches of rain in some rural south Texas areas, leading to at least two dozen rescues.
Parts of a highway near Ulvade were shut down due to flooding.
The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings, predicting 2 to 4 inches of rain in San Antonio and up to 15 inches in some locations.
The weather pattern is typical for mid-summer in Texas, caused by a slow-moving low-pressure system.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared disasters in 59 counties and deployed rescue teams and helicopters.
Some parts of Texas face a rare level 4 "high" risk for excessive rainfall, meaning flash flooding is very likely.
Past flash floods in the area have been deadly, such as in 2022 when at least 139 people died near the Guadalupe River.
Residents are advised to follow weather warnings and local safety instructions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Bristol has officially declared itself a “city of harm reduction,” focusing on helping people who use illegal drugs instead of punishing them. Local politicians want the government to change drug laws and allow safer drug-use facilities to reduce harm and deaths.
Key Facts
Bristol city council, led by the Green Party, made the harm reduction declaration.
The goal is to prioritize health support over criminal punishment for drug users.
The move has support from Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors but is opposed by Conservative members.
Bristol has nearly twice the national rate of drug poisoning deaths.
The city wants to open a legal drug-consumption site like the one in Glasgow.
Cara Lavan, a Green councillor, lost her partner to a drug overdose and supports the new approach.
The Greens want the UK to replace the 1971 drug law with policies based on evidence and health.
Some council members worry the policy could send the wrong message but agree on the need for change.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Midair refueling pilots in the U.S. military fly tanker planes that refuel other aircraft while in the air. This refueling keeps military missions going without planes needing to land. Reporters visited a U.S. base in England where these pilots operate.
Key Facts
U.S. military uses midair refueling tankers, like the KC-135 Stratotanker.
These tankers refuel other aircraft during flight.
Midair refueling allows military planes to stay in the air longer and extend missions.
Pilots specializing in this task are essential to U.S. military operations worldwide.
The report covered U.S. forces based at a Royal Air Force base in Mildenhall, England.
The tankers are sometimes called "the gas stations of the sky."
Midair refueling supports many U.S. military missions globally.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man in his 20s was arrested in south London for allegedly threatening to shoot Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, in a social media post. The police are investigating and have released the man on bail while they continue their inquiries.
Key Facts
The threat was made on the social media platform X and reported to police on May 8.
The arrested man is suspected of sending threatening messages to a Member of Parliament.
The arrest happened six days after Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe was killed.
The Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team informed Nigel Farage about the arrest.
Nigel Farage noted that this is the first time police have taken action on such social media threats.
Reform UK’s home affairs spokesperson said a potential government from the party would offer constant protection to all MPs.
Farage is said to live under constant threat, highlighting the security risks faced by politicians today.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that all Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest teams will now have at least one officer wearing a body camera. This decision came after two fatal shootings involving ICE agents who were not wearing body cameras. President Donald Trump defended ICE’s actions and operations on social media despite the new policy changes.
Key Facts
ICE agents involved in two fatal shootings were not wearing body cameras.
The Department of Homeland Security requires every ICE arrest team to include at least one officer with a body camera.
Body cameras record interactions between officers and the public to increase transparency.
President Donald Trump publicly supported ICE’s work amid the new safety measures.
The shootings happened in Maine and Texas.
The policy aims to improve accountability during ICE operations.
The announcement and President Trump’s defense came shortly after the shootings were reported.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Natalie Goodrich, a bride from Columbus, Ohio, experienced a sudden severe allergic reaction shortly after stepping outside for wedding photos on June 19, 2026. She was treated at urgent care with a steroid shot and then returned to her wedding reception.
Key Facts
Natalie Goodrich got married on June 19, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio.
About 10 minutes after going outside for photos in her second dress, she began sneezing and experienced worsening allergy symptoms.
Her symptoms escalated to eye swelling, hives, and an itchy throat.
Natalie and her husband went to urgent care where she received a steroid shot to stop the allergic reaction.
She stayed for observation before returning to the wedding around 8:30 p.m.
The cause of the allergic reaction is unknown.
Natalie shared videos of the incident on social media, which received wide attention.
They plan to have a re-celebration for their marriage on their one-year anniversary.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Wisconsin commission found probable cause that Elon Musk may have broken state election laws by offering $1 million payments tied to voting in a 2025 state Supreme Court election. Prosecutors have 40 days to decide if they will press criminal charges, which could challenge current rules about campaign money and free speech.
Key Facts
The bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission voted 5–1 to refer complaints against Elon Musk to prosecutors.
Musk is accused of offering $1 million payments to people connected to the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election to influence their votes.
Prosecutors must decide within 40 days whether to bring criminal charges against Musk.
Musk’s political action committee, America PAC, and related groups spent tens of millions on the election, which broke national spending records with over $100 million total.
Three Wisconsin voters received $1 million payments, some handed out publicly at a rally in Green Bay.
Wisconsin law makes it illegal to offer “anything of value” to induce voting, with violations punishable by up to 3.5 years in prison and fines.
Musk’s side argues the payments were political speech related to petition signing, which is protected by the First Amendment.
The case could set an important legal precedent about how money can be used in politics and elections.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A new report says that if union membership in the US tripled, many workers would get paid more, with the median worker earning about 14.5% more. This change would shift $1.2 trillion annually to workers, reduce pay gaps between races, and improve worker benefits like health insurance.
Key Facts
Union membership in the US was over 30% in the 1950s but dropped to about 10% by 2025.
Public support for unions remains strong, with 68% of Americans favoring them in 2025.
Increasing union membership to 30% could raise the median worker's pay by $7,700 a year.
This pay increase would total around $1.2 trillion per year shifted to workers.
Higher union density would help reduce racial wage gaps and expand health insurance coverage.
Declines in union membership have coincided with growing income and wealth inequality since 1979.
Laws like the Protecting the Right to Organize Act could help increase union membership and improve workers’ collective bargaining rights.
States with more union members tend to invest more in public education, Medicaid, and voting rights.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will stop most vehicle stops and require at least one officer on every arrest team to wear a body camera. This change follows two fatal shootings by ICE agents in Texas and Maine, where the agents were not wearing body cameras.
Key Facts
ICE will halt most vehicle stops nationwide.
Every ICE arrest team must have at least one officer wearing a body camera.
The policy change follows two fatal shootings involving ICE agents.
Both shootings happened in different states: Texas and Maine.
The agents involved in those shootings were not wearing body cameras.
The Department of Homeland Security made this announcement.
Body cameras are used to record interactions between officers and the public.
CBS News reported the new policy and the background of the shootings.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Mint will produce a new $1 gold coin featuring President Donald Trump's face. This coin is part of the 250th anniversary of the United States and aims to honor American values and freedom.
Key Facts
The U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the new $1 gold coin with President Trump's image.
The coin is part of the U.S.'s 250th birthday celebration.
U.S. law normally prevents living people from appearing on currency without a law change.
The Trump administration refers to a 2020 law allowing new coin designs for the 250th anniversary.
In May, the Treasury considered a $250 bill featuring President Trump but said it would need a legal change.
The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee must review and approve commemorative coin designs.
Details about the number of coins to be released and who can buy them have not been shared.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Jay Clayton is President Donald Trump’s nominee to become the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). His confirmation hearing may lead to replacing the current acting DNI, Bill Pulte, and allow Congress to renew an expired national surveillance program.
Key Facts
Jay Clayton is nominated by President Trump to be the Director of National Intelligence.
Clayton appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee for his confirmation hearing on July 15, 2026.
Bill Pulte, who has no national security background, has been serving as acting DNI since June 19, 2026.
President Trump delayed Clayton’s earlier confirmation hearing until Jamie McDonald, nominated as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, is confirmed.
Pulte is known for investigating political figures accused of mortgage fraud, but these targets deny wrongdoing.
Pulte cut hundreds of jobs at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence shortly after taking the role.
The previous DNI, Tulsi Gabbard, resigned earlier than planned due to family reasons.
Renewing the lapsed surveillance tool depends on having an official DNI confirmed by the Senate.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Illinois Representative Jesús "Chuy" García criticized the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency after two recent shootings involving ICE agents in Texas and Maine that resulted in deaths. He described ICE as a "lawless, rogue organization" amid growing tensions around these incidents.
Key Facts
Two fatal shootings involving ICE agents occurred recently in Texas and Maine.
Illinois Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García spoke publicly about these shootings.
Rep. García called ICE a "lawless, rogue organization."
The comments were made during an interview with CBS News.
These events have increased tensions around ICE's actions and behavior.
ICE is a federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement in the United States.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Russ Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, will speak to the House Financial Services Committee about the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau's recent report. Since leading the CFPB, Vought has limited its activities by freezing funds and restricting investigations.
Key Facts
Russ Vought is the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
He will testify before the House Financial Services Committee.
The testimony concerns the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) semi-annual report.
Vought became head of the CFPB recently.
He has frozen the bureau’s funding.
He has blocked CFPB employees from conducting investigations.
These actions affect how the CFPB operates and enforces consumer protection.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A South Florida woman, Nancy Dello Stritto, received a new license plate with the letters "SQZ A55" after renewing her vehicle registration. She found the combination inappropriate but plans to keep the plate while notifying state officials.
Key Facts
Nancy Dello Stritto is a 77-year-old resident of Pompano Beach, Florida.
Her new license plate reads "SQZ A55," which some see as containing a crude message.
She was surprised and upset that the plate was issued.
Many family members and friends have encouraged her to keep the plate.
The issue has become a topic of discussion in her retirement community.
Florida license plates are made at a state prison and distributed through county offices.
The Broward County Property Tax Collector’s office sent the plate and said they will replace offensive plates for free.
Nancy plans to keep the plate but will inform the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Kathryn Ruemmler, who was White House counsel under President Obama, will testify before a House committee about her connection to Jeffrey Epstein. She has been linked to Epstein through emails and documents and recently resigned from Goldman Sachs, where she worked as chief legal officer.
Key Facts
Kathryn Ruemmler served as White House counsel under President Obama.
She is scheduled to testify before the House oversight committee about ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Documents and emails show Ruemmler accepted gifts from Epstein and advised him about questions on his crimes.
Epstein was a convicted sex offender who pleaded guilty to state prostitution charges involving minors.
Ruemmler resigned from her chief legal officer role at Goldman Sachs but may continue as an adviser.
Lawmakers questioned Goldman Sachs about Ruemmler’s relationship with Epstein and what she disclosed before joining the firm.
Ruemmler states she had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal actions and denies wrongdoing.
Her testimony will be private, with the committee expected to release a transcript later.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Jay Clayton, chosen by President Donald Trump to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), will answer questions from the Senate Intelligence Committee. He was previously the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Key Facts
Jay Clayton is President Trump's nominee for the head of the ODNI.
He is replacing Tulsi Gabbard in this role.
Clayton used to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
He will testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday morning.
President Trump faced pressure concerning this nomination.
The ODNI oversees U.S. intelligence agencies and activities.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
House Republicans introduced a plan for a $95 billion budget package focused on defense, farm support, and helping states enforce voter ID rules in elections. This budget effort uses a special process called reconciliation to pass key Republican priorities.
Key Facts
The budget plan totals about $95 billion.
Funding will go to defense programs.
The package includes aid for farmers.
It provides money to help states enforce voter ID laws.
Republicans aim to use the budget reconciliation process to pass this plan.
This may be the last time Republicans use reconciliation to pass major legislation this way.
The plan was announced by House Republicans on Wednesday.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should keep doing traffic stops, despite the deaths of two men during recent stops. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had ordered a temporary pause on these stops to review the situation and possibly retrain agents.
Key Facts
Two men were killed by ICE agents during traffic stops within one week.
Both men were unarmed and were not the target of the operations that led to their deaths.
The agents involved did not wear body cameras during the incidents.
DHS ordered a temporary stop to traffic stops by ICE to review procedures and ensure safety.
President Trump disagreed with the DHS pause and said the traffic stops are important for fighting crime.
Trump claimed 25 million people crossed the border unchecked under President Biden.
Civil rights groups called the shootings extrajudicial killings and want ICE’s funding reviewed.
DHS has not confirmed when or if traffic stops by ICE will fully resume.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
