More than 24 Senate Democratic members, led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, are asking President Donald Trump's administration to share the results of a Pentagon investigation. The investigation looks into a February 28 strike on a girls’ school in Iran, which killed 175 people, mostly children.
Key Facts
Over two dozen Democratic senators signed a demand letter.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York leads the group.
They want the Pentagon to reveal the findings of its investigation.
The investigation focuses on a military strike on a girls’ school in Iran.
The strike happened on February 28.
Approximately 175 people died in the strike.
Most of the victims were children.
The senators want the report shared with Congress by next week.
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Thousands of people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with cyclosporiasis, a type of infection caused by a parasite. However, health experts believe the real number of cases is much higher than reported.
Key Facts
Cyclosporiasis is an infection caused by a parasite called Cyclospora.
Thousands of confirmed cases have been reported in the United States.
Many people with the infection may not be diagnosed or reported.
Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and tiredness.
The infection is often linked to contaminated food or water.
Underreporting happens because not all sick people seek medical care or get tested.
Public health officials track cases to help control outbreaks.
Better reporting and testing could show the true scale of the problem.
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House Republicans ended a weeks-long deadlock by passing a new rule that allows debate and voting on several bills. The vote was 215 to 211, marking a victory for Speaker Mike Johnson, who had worked to unite his party.
Key Facts
The House Republican conference had been stuck in a disagreement for several weeks.
The disagreement caused many legislative activities to stop.
On Tuesday, a new rule was passed by a vote of 215 to 211.
The rule allows the House to debate and vote on several important measures.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) led the effort to resolve the conflict and pass the rule.
This development signals a move to restart work in the House under Republican leadership.
The vote shows a narrow but successful effort to unite different Republican groups.
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Senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly from an aortic dissection, a serious heart issue, leading to many unfounded conspiracy theories about his death. Similar rumors have circulated about Senate leader Mitch McConnell’s health due to his recent public absence, while experts say such conspiracies spread quickly online but do not reflect widespread belief.
Key Facts
Lindsey Graham died from an aortic dissection, a sudden heart condition.
Conspiracy theories have falsely blamed various groups or events for his death.
President Donald Trump said he doubts foul play was involved.
Mitch McConnell has been absent from public view for weeks, sparking rumors about his health.
McConnell’s office has not provided detailed information about his absence.
Friends of McConnell have tried to counter rumors by posting about recent talks with him.
Studies show conspiracy theories online remain stable in number and do not always convince most people.
Social media makes conspiracy theories more visible than in-person conversations.
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Mahmoud Khalil has filed a lawsuit against officials from President Trump’s administration and several pro-Israel groups. He claims they worked together to target him because of his support for Palestinian rights, leading to his detention and attempts to deport him.
Key Facts
Mahmoud Khalil is a permanent US resident and former Columbia University student.
He was detained by immigration authorities in March 2025 due to his support for Palestinian rights.
Khalil’s lawsuit alleges a coordinated effort between Trump officials and pro-Israel groups Betar and Canary Mission.
The lawsuit names top Trump officials, including Stephen Miller, Marco Rubio, and Kristi Noem.
The Heritage Foundation is accused of leading a plan called “Project Esther” to target pro-Palestinian students for arrest and deportation.
The lawsuit says this effort aims to punish and silence Palestinian supporters by violating their rights.
Khalil was held for 104 days in detention, missing the birth of his child, and is married to a US citizen.
The White House states Khalil provided false information on his visa application, which Khalil’s lawyers deny.
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Darline Graham was sworn in to fill the U.S. Senate seat after the sudden death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. She was appointed by South Carolina’s governor to serve temporarily until a special election in August.
Key Facts
Darline Graham is the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
She was sworn in to complete her brother’s Senate term.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed her to the Senate seat.
Lindsey Graham died suddenly three days before her appointment.
A special election will be held on August 11 to choose a new Senate nominee.
The winner of the special election will compete against Democrat Annie Andrews in November.
The appointment and election cover South Carolina’s Senate seat.
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Florida plans to execute three of its oldest death row inmates by the end of July, including an 80-year-old man. These executions highlight the aging population on death row and raise debates about long delays in carrying out capital punishment.
Key Facts
Florida executed its oldest inmate in modern times, a 74-year-old man, on June 25.
Two more inmates, aged around 74 and 80, are scheduled for execution this July.
The 80-year-old inmate was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 1986.
Florida’s governor has the main authority to schedule executions in the state.
About half of Florida’s 242 death row inmates have finished their appeals and could be executed soon.
Governor Ron DeSantis has overseen a record number of executions in Florida, with nine so far this year and 19 in 2025.
Executions of older inmates bring up questions about the fairness and timing of capital punishment.
The average age of executed inmates in the U.S. has increased from the 30s to the 50s over the last 50 years.
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Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo was stopped by a Las Vegas police officer in May for allegedly running a red light but was not given a ticket after identifying himself. The police said this was a minor traffic stop and such warnings are common.
Key Facts
The stop happened on May 15, 2026, in Las Vegas.
Governor Lombardo was driving a light-gray Ford pickup truck with his wife in the passenger seat.
The officer stopped him for not fully stopping at a red light before turning right.
Lombardo immediately said, “I’m Joe Lombardo,” as the officer approached.
The officer knew who he was and decided not to issue a ticket.
Police say it is common to let drivers go without a citation for minor violations.
Lombardo's campaign said they were on their way to the airport at the time and the governor complied fully with the officer.
Police representatives said no special treatment was given; officers often release drivers after explanation if no serious issue is found.
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President Donald Trump announced plans to reduce the size of two national monuments in Utah, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, reversing actions that had expanded them. This move follows similar steps Trump took during his first term, which were reversed by President Joe Biden, leading to debates over land management and preservation.
Key Facts
Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante are large national monuments in Utah, important for natural beauty and Native American heritage.
President Trump plans to shrink these monuments from over 3.2 million acres to less than 303,000 acres combined.
The Antiquities Act of 1906 gives presidents the power to protect or change these monuments.
President Biden restored the original sizes of these monuments and created several new ones to honor cultural and historical sites.
Those supporting the reductions argue that smaller boundaries allow for mining and economic development of minerals like coal and uranium.
Opponents, including tribes, say the reductions disrespect tribal co-management and harm preservation efforts.
State officials in Utah support the reductions, saying local management is better for protecting the land.
There is legal debate about whether a president can shrink monuments, but past presidents have done so before.
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A Republican congressman from Texas, Chip Roy, introduced a bill that would require hospitals receiving federal money to ask patients about their immigration status and report it. This proposal aims to show how much treating undocumented immigrants costs the healthcare system, but patients would still get care even if they chose not to answer.
Key Facts
The bill is called the Illegal Alien Patient Reporting Act and is proposed by Texas Representative Chip Roy.
Hospitals that get federal healthcare funding would have to ask patients about their immigration status.
Patients can refuse to answer these questions without losing access to medical care.
The bill targets the cost of healthcare for undocumented immigrants in the United States.
Federal law now requires emergency rooms to treat everyone equally, regardless of immigration status, under a law called EMTALA.
Undocumented immigrants are generally not eligible for most federal health insurance programs like Medicaid or Medicare.
Some states, like Texas and Florida, have tried to collect similar information before but faced opposition from patient and immigrant advocacy groups.
The goal of the bill is to increase transparency about healthcare costs related to undocumented immigrants.
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Two US Supreme Court justices have asked Congress for $228 million in extra security funding because threats against them have increased. They spoke about dangers like hoax emergency calls, cyber-attacks powered by artificial intelligence, and threats from drones, highlighting the strain on their safety and families.
Key Facts
The court’s requested security budget is $228 million, a 53% increase from last year.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett experienced a "swatting" incident where police responded to a false report of gunshots at her home.
Justices Barrett and Elena Kagan warned of rising AI-driven cyber-attacks and drone threats.
The US Marshals Service reported 370 threats to federal judges so far this year, a 31% increase over last year.
Security details for justices currently range from four to eight officers, but justices hope to get protection levels similar to cabinet members.
There have been serious threats, including a woman sentenced to prison for plotting harm against Chief Justice John Roberts.
This was the first time since 2019 that sitting Supreme Court justices appeared before the House Appropriations Committee.
Public trust in the Supreme Court fell to 50%, down from 70% in 2022, according to Pew Research Center.
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Health officials are investigating a nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness linked to contaminated produce, with some cases possibly connected to Taco Bell. Despite public concern and media requests, Taco Bell has not commented while removing some fresh ingredients from its menu. The investigation is ongoing, with officials searching for the outbreak’s exact source.
Key Facts
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, leading to diarrhea, stomach pain, fatigue, and nausea.
The CDC reported 1,645 confirmed U.S. cases and over 5,100 potential cases needing further testing.
Michigan has seen a large number of confirmed and suspected cyclosporiasis cases.
Health departments are doing interviews and tracing food sources to find the outbreak’s origin.
Fresh produce like lettuce or salad greens is the suspected source, but no specific supplier has been identified.
Cyclospora spreads through food or water contaminated by human feces, and cooking food can kill the parasite.
Symptoms start about a week after exposure, making it hard for patients to remember what they ate.
Taco Bell has removed some fresh ingredients but has not responded to requests for comment on the investigation.
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Senator Mitch McConnell shared a photo showing him alive and recovering after a recent fall and mild pneumonia. Some people claimed the photo was created by artificial intelligence, but there is no proof for that, and experts say the image is real.
Key Facts
Mitch McConnell is a US Senator and a Republican.
He is 84 years old.
He was hospitalized due to a fall and mild pneumonia.
Questions about his health arose because he had not been seen in public for several weeks.
A photo he shared shows him alive and recovering.
Some people falsely claimed the photo was made by AI (artificial intelligence).
Experts analyzed the photo and found no evidence it was AI-generated.
The information was verified by BBC Verify.
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Top House Democrats said they will oppose a plan to stop $3.3 billion in U.S. military aid to Israel. They argue that cutting aid could harm humanitarian programs and efforts against militant groups while calling for a careful review of U.S.-Israel relations.
Key Facts
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie proposed an amendment to stop $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel.
House Democrats are debating whether to support or oppose this amendment ahead of a possible vote.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposes the amendment, calling it too broad and warning it could hurt humanitarian aid and counterterrorism efforts.
Jeffries and other Democrats want to “reset” U.S. relations with Israel, supporting Israel’s right to exist and the creation of a Palestinian state.
This debate is happening amidst Democratic primary elections where some candidates opposing strong pro-Israel policies have won.
Some Democratic incumbents lost their primaries after supporting Israel in the recent conflict following the 7 October attacks.
Democratic leaders say future U.S. agreements with Israel should align with human rights laws and expect Israel to fund its own weapons.
Democrats say they are focusing on current policies and not on the views of future lawmakers elected in November.
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President Donald Trump has decided not to impose a 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz. He said leaders from Gulf countries offered large investment and trade deals with the U.S. instead.
Key Facts
President Trump planned a 20% fee on goods moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway for global shipping.
He has now dropped the plan to charge this fee.
Gulf leaders proposed investing billions of dollars in the U.S. as an alternative.
The decision affects trade and diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Gulf countries.
Cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz is vital for energy exports.
The change may impact U.S. economic and security interests in the region.
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A bill is being proposed to require members of Congress to provide more information when they miss votes for a long time. The bill aims to increase transparency about lawmakers’ absences without forcing them to share private medical details.
Key Facts
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. missed nearly four months of House votes due to hospitalization for depression.
Sen. Mitch McConnell was hospitalized for weeks after a fall and pneumonia but gave limited public details.
Both faced criticism for not being transparent about their health-related absences.
Rep. Ritchie Torres is drafting the "Duty of Transparency Act" to make lawmakers file a disclosure when absent for three weeks.
The disclosure would include if they can work remotely, expected absence length, and a contact person, but not medical details.
Disclosures must be filed within five days after knowing about the absence or after three weeks of missed votes.
If a member is unable to file, their chief of staff or a designated person can do it.
The disclosures would be posted online within 48 hours and updated every 30 days.
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Writer E. Jean Carroll has received over $5.6 million following a jury verdict in her sexual abuse and defamation case against President Donald Trump. The payment was held in a special account since the 2023 verdict and was released recently.
Key Facts
A jury awarded E. Jean Carroll $5 million in her lawsuit against President Trump.
The lawsuit involved claims of sexual abuse and defamation.
The court added interest to the $5 million, raising the total payment to over $5.6 million.
The money was held in an escrow account, which is a special account to hold funds safely during legal processes.
The payment was released and received by Carroll in June 2024.
Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, confirmed the payment was made.
The original verdict occurred in 2023.
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Senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly at age 71 from a tear in his aorta. His death and the recent hospitalization of Senator Mitch McConnell have raised questions about the health of older U.S. politicians and how openly they share medical information with the public.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly at age 71 from a torn aorta.
Senator Mitch McConnell, age 84, was hospitalized in June after a fall and was treated for mild pneumonia.
McConnell released a photo to show he was recovering, but some people still doubted his condition.
There is ongoing debate about how much health information aging politicians should share.
Some politicians and their teams have been private about health issues, causing speculation and conspiracy theories.
Senator John Cornyn called for more transparency about politicians’ health.
President Donald Trump, currently 77, has released limited health information, often giving an optimistic view of his condition.
Concerns over politician health transparency intensified after the 2020 presidential debate involving President Joe Biden.
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A report found that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers used crowd control weapons improperly 412 times during immigration protests within one year. The report was created by Physicians for Human Rights and the Human Rights Center at the University of California, Berkeley.
Key Facts
ICE officers misused crowd control weapons 412 times in one year.
The weapons were used during protests related to immigration.
The report was written by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and the Human Rights Center (HRC).
The report focuses on the use of force by ICE at public demonstrations.
The analysis covers a full year of protests and ICE actions.
The report suggests these actions could be examples of excessive force.
The misuse involved tools meant to control crowds but used improperly against protesters.
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The Pentagon plans to keep the National Guard in Washington, D.C., until the next presidential inauguration on January 20, 2029. This decision is awaiting final approval from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Key Facts
The National Guard will remain in Washington, D.C. through January 20, 2029.
This extended deployment covers the time until the next presidential inauguration.
The plan was first reported in March.
Final approval is needed from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The National Guard is on a federal mission in the nation's capital.
The deployment continuation depends on approval and any changes in plans.
The current president is President Donald Trump, with the next inauguration set for 2029.
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