A large cyclospora outbreak has affected thousands in the United States this summer, mainly linked to recalled iceberg lettuce. Health officials recommend thorough washing of produce and cooking vegetables to reduce risk while continuing to investigate the cause.
Key Facts
The CDC confirmed 4,173 cases of cyclospora in the U.S. this year.
At least 1,644 cases are linked to recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms.
Michigan state officials report over 7,000 cases not yet counted federally.
Cyclospora is a tiny parasite that causes diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, and fatigue.
The parasite spreads through food or water contaminated by human waste.
Cooking vegetables can help kill cyclospora and other germs.
Food safety experts advise washing fruits and vegetables well and using safe food handling.
Recipes with cooked summer vegetables, like roasted zucchini and mushrooms, offer safer meal options.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Progressive Democrats held a hearing to discuss Medicare for All, a plan for universal healthcare in the U.S. They highlighted problems with the current healthcare system, including high costs and many uninsured people. Supporters believe Medicare for All would improve health outcomes and reduce spending.
Key Facts
The Congressional Progressive Caucus held a hearing on Medicare for All, led by Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Debbie Dingell.
Over half of House Democrats support Medicare for All legislation; Senator Andy Kim introduced a bill to cover children on Medicare until age 26.
Republicans recently passed a bill that cuts nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and ends some Affordable Care Act subsidies.
Medicare for All would save about 68,000 lives a year and reduce healthcare spending by roughly 13%, or $450 billion, according to a 2020 Yale study.
Healthcare experts testified that a large part of healthcare costs wastes money on insurance administration and corporate profits instead of patient care.
Nurses say profit-driven healthcare leads to understaffed units and worse patient care.
Polls show mixed public support: many prefer their current insurance, but there is strong backing among Democrats for universal healthcare.
Progressive Democrats say Medicare for All should be their top healthcare priority going forward.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour, has resigned to join Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government as a minister and a member of the House of Lords. His decision has drawn criticism from political rivals who say he broke promises and misled voters.
Key Facts
Anas Sarwar resigned as Scottish Labour leader to join the UK government department headed by Andy Burnham.
Sarwar will be appointed to the House of Lords, the UK’s upper chamber of Parliament, and given a ministerial role in Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
Sarwar was previously critical of the House of Lords and said he would never join it.
Political rivals, including the Scottish Green Party and SNP, called him a “chancer” and accused him of lying to voters.
Sarwar was the first senior Labour figure to suggest Prime Minister Starmer should step down.
His resignation surprised many in Scottish Labour, with calls for clearer communication and leadership planning.
Monica Lennon is expected to take Sarwar’s Scottish Parliament seat and is a possible candidate for next Scottish Labour leader.
Some believe Sarwar’s move to Westminster could help improve relations between Scotland and the UK government under Burnham.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A recent poll shows that some voters who supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 election think gas prices would have been lower if Vice President Kamala Harris had won. The poll also found that most Americans believe the war with Iran is a main reason for higher gas prices.
Key Facts
35% of Trump voters said gas prices increased the same amount or more under Trump compared to a Democratic president.
34% of Trump voters believe gas prices rose more under a Democratic administration.
The Iran war, which disrupted oil supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz, has contributed to higher gas prices worldwide.
63% of Americans say the Iran war is a key reason for rising gas prices.
Other factors blamed for high gas prices include tariffs (40%), economic management (38%), supply chain issues (23%), and low domestic oil production (21%).
Only 33% of Americans approve of President Trump’s handling of the economy.
Many Americans are not confident peace talks will lower gas prices; 59% lack confidence.
The poll was conducted online in July 2026 with over 2,000 adults surveyed.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that there are over 11,000 suspected cases of cyclosporiasis in the United States. Two states have experienced a significant increase in these cases recently.
Key Facts
Cyclosporiasis is an illness caused by a parasite called Cyclospora.
The CDC tracks and investigates outbreaks of this disease.
More than 11,000 possible cases have been reported in the U.S.
Two states have had notably higher numbers of cases compared to others.
The CDC is monitoring the situation to understand and control the spread.
Cyclosporiasis usually spreads through contaminated food or water.
Symptoms can include diarrhea, stomach pain, and fatigue.
Health officials recommend washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly to reduce risk.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump is promoting Trump Accounts, which give $1,000 to children born during his second term to help them invest in the stock market. These accounts started on July 4, and the government says millions have signed up, but some parents say they have not yet received the money.
Key Facts
Trump Accounts were launched on July 4 to provide investment accounts for children under 18.
Each child born from 2025 to 2028 will receive $1,000 seed money in these accounts.
President Trump promoted the accounts at a Georgia high school.
The accounts were created by a law called the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Treasury Department reports 6.5 million accounts have been opened so far.
About 1.5 million children are eligible for the $1,000 seed money.
The accounts offer tax advantages, meaning some taxes on the investments are reduced or delayed.
Some parents say they have not yet received the $1,000 funds.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
France and other countries like Australia and Britain have created strict laws to keep children safe on social media by limiting their access. The United States recognizes the problem but has not passed a strong national law, leading to many different rules in states, courts, and schools instead.
Key Facts
France banned children under 15 from using social media, setting strict national limits.
Australia requires social media companies to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts.
Britain has new child-safety rules for online services, including better age checks and safer content.
The U.S. government agrees that social media can harm children but struggles to make a clear national law.
The Kids Online Safety Act is a major federal proposal but has not become law.
States like Utah, Texas, and Florida have passed various rules on parental consent and age verification for social media use.
Courts in the U.S. are hearing cases that challenge social media companies for harm caused to young people.
Changes in the U.S. are expected to come slowly through state laws, court decisions, and smaller actions instead of one big national rule.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Representatives Angie Craig and Andy Barr introduced a bill called the Lawful Hemp Protection Act. This bill aims to create clear federal rules for hemp and hemp-derived THC products to ensure consistent regulation across the United States.
Key Facts
Reps. Angie Craig (Democrat from Minnesota) and Andy Barr (Republican from Kentucky) introduced the bill.
The bill is named the Lawful Hemp Protection Act.
It aims to create the first clear federal rules for hemp products.
The focus is on hemp and products made from hemp that contain THC, the substance in cannabis that can cause a high.
Angie Craig is the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee.
The bill seeks to provide consistent regulation for hemp products throughout the country.
The goal is to protect legal hemp businesses and consumers by clarifying the law.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Nolan Wells, a teenager from Mississippi, disappeared during a Fourth of July boat trip with friends. His body was found several days later, and his family hired an independent expert to perform an autopsy, whose preliminary results were shared publicly.
Key Facts
Nolan Wells went missing on July 4th during a boat outing.
He was with a group of friends when he vanished.
His body was discovered a few days after he disappeared.
The Wells family requested an independent autopsy to understand the cause of death.
Attorney Ben Crump shared the initial findings of this independent autopsy.
CBS News reported on the autopsy results and discussed them with legal experts.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) sent an email to millions of retirees promoting tax benefits from President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Democratic senators criticized the email for mixing political messages with government communication and questioned the accuracy of the claimed benefits.
Key Facts
SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano sent a July 2 email highlighting tax relief from President Trump’s OBBBA law.
The email said over 35 million seniors received an average of $7,500 in tax relief this year.
Democratic senators accused Bisignano of sharing misleading information and using a nonpartisan agency for political messages.
Senators argued the tax bill did not provide most seniors with $7,500 in direct savings and did not eliminate Social Security taxes.
Bisignano was confirmed as SSA commissioner in May 2025 and pledged to modernize and protect Social Security.
Democrats had concerns during his confirmation about potential service cuts and access to benefits.
SSA referenced Treasury data to support the email claims but did not respond to questions about political bias.
The controversy is part of broader criticism of Bisignano’s leadership, including staffing and service issues.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rosie O’Donnell said that President Donald Trump has used her as a joke for many years, which has caused her emotional distress. She feels she is now starting to recover from that trauma.
Key Facts
Rosie O’Donnell says President Trump has made her the target of jokes for a long time.
She describes this experience as traumatic and compares it to having PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
O’Donnell says she is now beginning to heal and regain her sense of self.
She mentioned feeling softer after visiting Ireland and being away from constant news about the situation.
The comments came in the context of discussing her personal feelings about the ongoing public attention.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A former aide from President Biden’s administration said he doubts Vice President Kamala Harris will win the presidency if she runs in 2028. This opinion was shared during a Fox News interview.
Key Facts
Michael LaRosa was a press secretary for First Lady Jill Biden.
He spoke about Vice President Harris’s chances for the 2028 election.
LaRosa said he does not believe Harris will win the presidency.
The comment was made on the show “America Reports” on Fox News.
The discussion focused on the future U.S. presidential race.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Senate unanimously passed the Older Americans Act reauthorization bill on July 14. Advocates are urging the House of Representatives to approve the bill to keep funding important services for older adults, such as Meals on Wheels.
Key Facts
The Senate passed the Older Americans Act reauthorization bill without any opposition.
The bill aims to continue funding programs that support older Americans.
Meals on Wheels is one of the key services funded by this bill.
Advocates want the House of Representatives to approve the bill soon.
The reauthorization is important to maintain essential care and assistance for seniors.
The bill has bipartisan support, meaning both political parties agree on it.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
More than 9 million people who took student loans have not been able to make payments and are in default. This rise happened after the Trump administration canceled some repayment plans that were started during President Biden’s time.
Key Facts
Over 9 million student loan borrowers are currently in default.
Default means borrowers have not made payments as agreed.
The increase followed the cancellation of Biden-era repayment plans.
These repayment plans were intended to help borrowers pay back loans more easily.
The Trump administration reversed these plans.
The change has affected many borrowers struggling with student loan payments.
Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, a reporter, provided details on this issue.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Thousands of immigrant children in the U.S. who arrived without parents face losing their legal help because the Trump administration has cut funding for organizations that provide lawyers. Without lawyers, these children are much less likely to win the right to stay in the country and face faster deportation.
Key Facts
The Trump administration ended contracts that funded legal services for over 20,000 unaccompanied immigrant children as of July 31.
Groups providing legal help have not been paid $65 million for work done since December.
The government demands these groups share sensitive information about the children’s cases, including medical records.
Losing legal representation causes most children to lose their cases and face quick deportation.
Many children arrive in the U.S. escaping abuse, trafficking, or persecution.
Legal advocates say children have a right to fair legal hearings, which is compromised without lawyers.
Federal officials plan to send many children to Texas, where the legal system tends to support the administration’s stricter immigration policies.
Local Texas legal groups that help immigrant children are struggling financially due to lack of government funding.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Katon Dawson, a former leader of South Carolina's Republican Party, said it is uncertain whether Senator Darline Graham will win the Republican primary for the South Carolina Senate seat. He suggested that her victory is not guaranteed in the race for the full six-year term.
Key Facts
Katon Dawson previously led the South Carolina Republican Party.
Dawson spoke on NewsNation during an interview on Tuesday.
He expressed doubt about Senator Darline Graham’s chances to win the GOP primary.
The primary is to select a Republican candidate for South Carolina’s Senate seat.
The winner of this primary will serve a full six-year term in the U.S. Senate.
Senator Darline Graham is currently running for this open seat.
Dawson’s comments indicate that the race may be competitive and uncertain.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Andy Burnham has announced that most bus fares in England will be capped at £2 again starting in January 2027. This reverses the previous increase from £2 to £3 made under Keir Starmer’s leadership. Some Labour politicians who oppose Starmer are expected to join Burnham’s government.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham announced the £2 bus fare cap will return in most of England from January 2027.
The £2 bus fare cap was first set by the Conservative government in 2023.
Keir Starmer raised the bus fare cap to £3 before Andy Burnham reversed this decision.
It is not yet clear how the £2 fare cap will be paid for.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who has criticized Keir Starmer, is expected to join Burnham’s government.
Other Labour figures who have challenged Starmer, like Wes Streeting and John Healey, may also join Burnham’s cabinet.
The story was discussed on the BBC podcast Newscast with reporters Adam Fleming, Chris Mason, and Henry Zeffman.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A recent national poll found that 46% of Americans rate President Donald Trump's mental sharpness as poor, which is close to the 50% who rated President Joe Biden's mental sharpness as poor during his presidency. While concerns about mental fitness have long focused on Biden due to his age and verbal mistakes, similar concerns are now emerging about Trump, who also recently turned 80.
Key Facts
The poll surveyed 1,514 U.S. adults from July 14-17, 2026, with a margin of error of ±2.6%.
46% of Americans rated President Trump’s mental sharpness as poor.
50% of Americans gave the same "poor" rating to President Biden’s mental sharpness during his presidency.
21% rated Trump’s mental sharpness as excellent, compared to 7% for Biden.
38% rated Trump’s mental sharpness as either excellent or good, versus 24% for Biden.
Concerns about presidents' age and mental fitness have been a key issue in U.S. politics, especially during recent election cycles.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle defended Trump’s mental fitness, contrasting it with what he described as Biden’s decline.
The poll suggests that worries about cognitive ability are now affecting public views of leaders from both major political parties.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Many women are using social media to share how they have changed and improved their lives emotionally and physically after a divorce. This trend shows the positive ways people move forward after ending a marriage.
Key Facts
Women are posting online about their “post-divorce glow-ups.”
A “glow-up” means improving or transforming, often in confidence or appearance.
The stories focus on emotional and physical changes after divorce.
This trend highlights personal growth following a divorce.
Social media platforms are the main places where these stories are shared.
It reflects a growing openness about life after marriage ends.
The posts encourage others who might be going through similar experiences.
The trend is part of broader conversations about self-improvement and healing.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani supports the International Criminal Court (ICC) and urges the U.S. federal government to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the U.S. under an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes. President Trump has said Netanyahu will not be arrested while in the U.S.
Key Facts
Mayor Zohran Mamdani supports the ICC and wants the U.S. to act on its arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
The ICC issued a warrant in November 2024 accusing Netanyahu of war crimes related to Gaza.
The U.S. and Israel are not members of the ICC, and the U.S. government opposes the court.
Mamdani says New York City police do not have legal authority to arrest Netanyahu.
Mamdani calls on the federal government, led by President Trump, to enforce the ICC warrant.
President Trump stated Netanyahu will not be arrested in the U.S., citing his fight against Iran.
Netanyahu and Israeli officials reject the ICC’s legitimacy and Mamdani’s calls, calling it political drama.
Some U.S. politicians have criticized Mamdani for focusing on matters linked to the ICC and Israel.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
