The official unemployment rate in the U.S. was 4.2 percent in June, suggesting a healthy job market. However, other data shows fewer people are working or looking for work, and many are stuck in part-time jobs when they want full-time positions.
Key Facts
The unemployment rate (U-3) was 4.2 percent in June, representing about 7.1 million people actively seeking jobs.
The labor force participation rate dropped to 61.5 percent, meaning fewer people are working or looking for jobs.
The employment-population ratio also decreased to 59.0 percent.
The broader U-6 unemployment rate, which includes people underemployed or marginally attached to the labor force, was 7.9 percent in June.
Nearly 1.4 million Americans worked part-time because they could not find full-time jobs, the highest since December.
People working part-time but wanting full-time work are counted as employed in the official rate, masking some worker difficulties.
Rising involuntary part-time employment can signal potential future job market weakness.
Economists warn that a drop in labor force participation and more part-time work may hide deeper challenges in the labor market.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Trump and chair of the Senate Budget Committee, died at age 71. His death creates a challenge for Senate Republicans to pass key legislation and confirm President Trump’s nominees with a slimmer majority.
Key Facts
Lindsey Graham was a South Carolina Republican and a strong supporter of President Trump.
Graham chaired the Senate Budget Committee, giving him significant influence over budget and defense bills.
His death reduces the Republican Senate majority and threatens the passage of Trump’s priorities.
The confirmation of Todd Blanche, Trump's nominee for attorney general, is now more uncertain.
Graham was a major advocate for the SAVE America Act, which aims to add strict voter ID and citizenship rules.
The annual defense budget bill, funding military spending, now faces more opposition without Graham’s support.
Senate Democrats plan to block the defense bill over concerns about the Iran war and relations with Israel.
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell’s health issues also create further uncertainty for the Senate majority.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rep. Mike Lawler criticized Rep. Nancy Mace for a social media post about trying to take over Sen. Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat after Graham’s death. Mace had shared a video clip from a movie that Lawler found inappropriate given the situation.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina died late Saturday night.
Nancy Mace, a representative from South Carolina, posted a clip from the movie “The Godfather Part III” about succession.
The post implied she might run to replace Graham in the Senate.
Rep. Mike Lawler, a representative from New York, called Mace’s post “grotesque.”
Lawler publicly criticized Mace on Sunday for her choice to share that video.
The situation involves discussions about who should take over Graham’s Senate seat.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Folarin Balogun, born in the United States, became a standout player in the World Cup. Meanwhile, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, an immigrant living in the U.S. for 35 years, was killed by immigration enforcement agents. These events point to the ongoing need to improve immigration laws.
Key Facts
Folarin Balogun is a U.S.-born soccer player who gained attention during the World Cup.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was an immigrant who had lived in the U.S. for 35 years.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were involved in the death of Salgado Araujo.
The article links these two events to show issues in the current immigration system.
It suggests that immigration reform is urgently needed to address such cases.
Birthright citizenship means a person is a U.S. citizen because they were born in the country.
ICE is a government agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws.
The case highlights challenges faced by immigrants in the U.S. immigration system.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
More than a dozen state attorneys general are suing the U.S. Department of Education. They say the department wrongly stopped mental health grants for public school students that Congress had approved.
Key Facts
Over 12 state attorneys general joined the lawsuit.
They accuse the Department of Education of ending mental health grants without following the law.
These grants were approved by Congress to support mental health services in public schools.
The lawsuit was filed on a Friday.
The filing is a protective measure, backing up an earlier lawsuit by some states.
The issue concerns funding for student mental health programs.
The department’s action could affect support available to public school students.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump asked the U.S. Senate to approve a cryptocurrency regulation bill called the Clarity Act. He made this request to honor the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who recently passed away.
Key Facts
President Trump made the appeal on Truth Social.
The bill in question is called the Clarity Act.
Senator Lindsey Graham was a strong supporter of this bill.
Senator Graham passed away unexpectedly over the weekend.
The Clarity Act deals with rules for cryptocurrency in the United States.
President Trump urged the Senate to pass the bill in Senator Graham’s memory.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A person was killed in a shooting involving US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Biddeford, Maine. State officials and the FBI are investigating the incident, which comes shortly after another ICE-related fatal shooting in Houston, Texas.
Key Facts
The shooting happened on July 13, 2026, in Biddeford, Maine.
One person died in the incident involving ICE agents.
Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau confirmed ICE’s involvement and said state police and the Department of Public Safety are investigating.
The FBI is expected to join the investigation.
No immediate comments were available from ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, or local officials.
This event follows a fatal ICE shooting in Houston just six days earlier, which has caused protests.
ICE had carried out a major enforcement operation in Maine earlier in 2026 called “Catch of the Day,” which led to hundreds of arrests.
Some Maine lawmakers and residents are asking questions about ICE’s presence and activities in the state.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Trump administration will start a diplomatic campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC). He shared this plan in an article and a video message, signaling a stronger U.S. opposition to the ICC.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio is the U.S. Secretary of State.
The Trump administration is launching a diplomatic effort against the ICC.
The goal is to dismantle or significantly weaken the ICC.
Rubio announced this in a Wall Street Journal opinion article.
He also shared a video message on social media about this plan.
The ICC is a global court that prosecutes serious crimes like war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The U.S. has had tensions with the ICC over its authority and investigations.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Pete Buttigieg, former Transportation Secretary, criticized corruption in Washington, D.C., saying it threatens the American Dream. He expressed concern about the current state of American politics.
Key Facts
Pete Buttigieg served as the Transportation Secretary.
He spoke out about corruption in the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C.
Buttigieg described the situation as a “carnival of corruption.”
He warned that the American Dream is at risk.
Buttigieg is considered a possible candidate for president in 2028.
His comments came during a public statement on a Sunday.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump wants Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, to temporarily take over Graham’s Senate seat. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is expected to appoint her as a placeholder until a new senator is elected in November.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly on Sunday.
President Trump supports appointing Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, as interim senator.
Governor Henry McMaster, a Trump ally, is expected to make the appointment.
South Carolina will hold a Republican primary on August 11 to select a candidate for the Senate seat.
The winner of the November 3 election will serve the full Senate term starting in January.
This temporary appointment helps keep the Senate seat in GOP hands while the primary process unfolds.
Some Republicans like Rep. Russell Fry and Rep. Joe Wilson are considered possible candidates to run for the seat.
Rep. Nancy Mace faced criticism from Trump’s political team for suggesting she wanted the seat soon after Graham’s death.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senate Republicans are returning to Washington after Senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly from a torn aorta. At the same time, Senator Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized and recovering from pneumonia and a recent fall, leaving Senate Republicans with fewer active members as they face upcoming challenges.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham, 71, died suddenly from a tear in his aorta.
Graham was a Republican senator from South Carolina and a close ally of President Donald Trump.
The Senate is set to meet at 3 p.m. EDT following a two-week break.
Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has been hospitalized for nearly a month and announced he is still recovering from pneumonia and a fall.
Republicans hold a slim majority in the Senate, with 53 Republicans to 47 Democrats.
The absence of Graham and McConnell reduces the number of active Republican senators.
These events occur just months before the November midterm elections.
Republican senators were already divided and struggling to advance their priorities.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will announce who will fill the Senate seat left empty by Senator Lindsey Graham’s death. President Donald Trump endorsed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve temporarily until a special election is held.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham died at age 71, likely from aortic dissection, a tear in the main artery from the heart.
Governor McMaster will announce the replacement for Graham’s Senate seat at a 4 p.m. press conference in Columbia.
The appointed person will serve until January 3, completing Graham’s term.
A special Republican primary election is scheduled for August 11 to pick the nominee for the November election.
The November election winner will get a full six-year Senate term.
President Trump endorsed Darline Graham Nordone, Lindsey Graham’s younger sister, to serve as interim senator.
Republican Senator Tim Scott supports Nordone as a temporary replacement and has spoken with her multiple times.
Other possible appointees include South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Republican Rep. Ralph Norman, but McMaster may avoid choosing a House member due to the narrow Republican majority there.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A person died in a shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Maine. This is the second time in recent days that an ICE-related shooting has resulted in a death, following a similar incident in Houston involving a Mexican national.
Key Facts
A fatal shooting occurred in Maine involving ICE agents.
The victim died as a result of the shooting.
This is the second recent death connected to ICE shootings.
The previous incident took place in Houston, Texas.
The Houston shooting involved a Mexican national.
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a U.S. agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
U.S. Central Command (Centcom) denied reports that three American service members were killed in Iranian attacks in Kuwait. Centcom said these claims were false and there were no casualties in Kuwait from Iranian strikes.
Key Facts
Centcom is the U.S. military command that covers the Middle East.
Iranian sources claimed that three Americans died in Kuwait due to Iranian attacks.
Centcom stated these reports are false and called them propaganda.
There were no American deaths in Kuwait linked to Iranian strikes.
Centcom used the social platform X to make their statement.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article explains that the main difference in politics today is not between political parties, but between younger and older generations. These two groups have different life experiences that shape their views and decisions.
Key Facts
The political divide is more about age than party lines.
Younger and older voters have lived through very different experiences.
These experiences influence how each group thinks and votes.
The article focuses on understanding these generational differences.
This divide affects political conversations and elections.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette spoke about Senator Lindsey Graham’s influence following his death. She said Senator Graham was brave and acted based on what he believed was right.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham recently passed away.
South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette shared her thoughts on his legacy.
Evette said Graham was not afraid to do what he thought was right.
She appeared on the CBS News 24/7 Mornings program.
The discussion focused on Graham’s impact in politics.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Streamer Sneako made statements during a livestream in New York City declaring the city an “Islamic Republic” and saying Islam would be in every household. His comments sparked strong criticism from conservative figures and social media users, while Sneako refused to apologize and continued making provocative posts.
Key Facts
Sneako’s real name is Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, and he converted to Islam in 2023.
The controversial remarks were made during a livestream celebrating Egypt’s World Cup win in New York City.
Sneako said, “This is the Islamic Republic of New York-istan” and hoped the whole world would become Muslim.
Alex Jones called for Sneako’s deportation, and Elon Musk agreed with Jones publicly.
Sneako responded to criticism by telling Musk to “go back to Africa” and posted further statements about Islam spreading in America.
The backlash came as New York City elected its first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani, whose victory has been politically significant.
Sneako’s livestream clip gathered tens of millions of views online across several platforms.
The mayor’s office was contacted for comment but had no statement at the time of reporting.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man named Dawood Safi has admitted to killing a dog walker in west London after suffering a severe mental illness during the attack. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter because he was in a psychotic state and will face trial for trying to kill two other people he attacked earlier the same day.
Key Facts
Dawood Safi, 28 years old, fatally stabbed 49-year-old Wayne Broadhurst on October 27, 2025.
Earlier that day, Safi attacked his landlord, Shahzad Farrukh, and a 14-year-old boy.
Safi pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility caused by a psychotic episode.
Four mental health experts agreed Safi was in a "complete mental collapse" during the attacks.
Safi was hearing voices and had lost touch with reality at the time.
He also admitted to lesser charges related to the attacks on the landlord and the boy.
Safi gave false information about his age and background when entering the UK and was granted asylum in 2022.
The prosecution says Safi lied about threats and harassment from the Taliban, which were used to support his asylum claim.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A bill in the U.S. House of Representatives may be voted on soon that would make standard time permanent across most of the country. Another bill proposes keeping daylight saving time all year instead. Some states could have exceptions to either rule.
Key Facts
One House bill aims to end changing clocks twice a year by making standard time permanent.
Another bill suggests keeping daylight saving time year-round.
Both bills address the current practice of switching between standard and daylight saving time.
Some states might be allowed to choose different time settings than the national rule.
The decision would affect how Americans set their clocks in the future.
Lawmakers are considering health and energy impacts when choosing which time to keep.
The debate reflects differing opinions on the benefits of standard time versus daylight saving time.
The vote on the bill(s) is expected to happen soon.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said he suggested Darline Graham, Senator Lindsey Graham’s sister, as the temporary senator for South Carolina. He made this recommendation during a talk with South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.
Key Facts
President Trump recommended Darline Graham for interim South Carolina senator.
Darline Graham is the sister of Senator Lindsey Graham.
The recommendation was made to South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.
The role is for an interim or temporary senator from South Carolina.
This suggestion was shared publicly by President Trump on Monday.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
