President Donald Trump fired the remaining members of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), a federal body that helps run elections across the U.S. This action happened a few months before the 2024 midterm elections and has raised concerns about election administration and stability.
Key Facts
President Trump terminated the last three members of the four-person bipartisan Election Assistance Commission.
The commissioners included one Republican, who resigned, and two Democrats, who were fired via email.
The EAC assists state and local officials in managing elections nationwide.
The firings occurred shortly before the 2024 midterm elections.
Critics called the move “irresponsible and dangerous,” worrying it may disrupt election integrity.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said the action harms nonpartisan election administration.
Senator Mark Warner said the dismissals require an immediate explanation from the administration.
The Brennan Center for Justice expressed concern about President Trump’s ongoing attempts to interfere with elections.
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A school nurse shared her story of being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at age 31. She went through chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and medications that caused severe side effects, leading her to stop medication to improve her quality of life. She has been cancer-free for two years.
Key Facts
The woman discovered a lump and breast deformation around age 31.
Imaging tests confirmed she had breast cancer, later diagnosed as stage 3, HER2-negative, and HR-positive.
She underwent five months of chemotherapy while continuing to work.
After chemotherapy, she had a double mastectomy and lymph node removal.
She received 25 rounds of radiation therapy following surgery.
She was prescribed medications to induce menopause to prevent cancer recurrence, which caused intense side effects like hot flashes, bone pain, and depression.
She chose to stop medication due to side effects and is now closely monitored for cancer recurrence.
She has been cancer-free for two years.
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Two steel columns buckled inside a building in midtown Manhattan that is being converted from offices to apartments, causing evacuations and stopping work. The project aims to turn two office buildings into about 1,600 apartments by adding new floors, but this incident shows the engineering challenges in such conversions.
Key Facts
The incident happened inside the former Pfizer headquarters at 235 East 42nd Street in New York.
Two steel columns buckled on the 21st floor of the newer building.
The project involves converting two office buildings, one from 1909 and another from the 1960s, into apartments.
Plans include adding more than a dozen new stories to the older building and redesigning the other.
Temporary supports were installed to stabilize the structure after the buckling.
Experts say the project is complex because old buildings must safely carry new weights and floors need reconfiguring for homes.
Engineers believe the buckling was likely caused by the extra load added during construction.
The developer, MetroLoft, has not publicly commented on the cause of the incident.
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A judge ruled that the Home Secretary acted unlawfully by reducing protections for potential trafficking victims to support the UK’s "one in one out" asylum return deal with France. The change stopped people denied trafficking protection from asking for a reconsideration, affecting some asylum seekers who arrived by small boats.
Key Facts
The legal challenge was started by five asylum seekers from Eritrea and Sudan facing forced return to France under the scheme.
The judge found the change in guidance by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was unlawful.
The "one in one out" deal returns one asylum seeker from the UK to France in exchange for another from France to the UK.
Since the scheme began, over 1,000 people have been sent back to France, many of whom have gone missing.
The Home Secretary argued France protects trafficking victims because it signed relevant treaties.
The court heard that trafficking victims who are not French or were trafficked outside France do not get equal protections there.
In the UK, all trafficking victims have a right to equal protection.
The judge allowed all five asylum seekers to continue their legal claims against their forced returns.
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A young woman named Chloe Moffat died by suicide after facing a disciplinary meeting at the UK Treasury over an anonymous complaint. Her mother has called for changes in how the Treasury handles such cases, especially to support employees' mental health and inform them of their rights during investigations.
Key Facts
Chloe Moffat worked as a personal assistant at the UK Treasury for nearly three years.
She was facing a disciplinary meeting about an anonymous allegation of sharing confidential information.
During the meeting, Moffat was distressed and was not allowed to have a friend or union representative present.
She was not warned about the meeting’s subject in advance and was told her job security was uncertain.
Moffat killed herself the day after the meeting.
Her mother asks the Treasury to assess mental health during disciplinary actions and inform employees of their rights early on.
Treasury managers said they avoided making the meeting more formal to prevent stress, but this left Moffat feeling isolated.
Friends reported Moffat feared she would lose her job and was deeply upset by the process.
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During a long heatwave in South West England, ambulance crews have been helping people affected by heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and dehydration. The ambulance service has seen a record number of emergency calls, especially from elderly people and those with chronic health problems.
Key Facts
Paramedics in South West England are treating many cases caused by the heatwave, such as heat exhaustion and breathing difficulties.
Elderly people and those with chronic health conditions are most at risk during heatwaves.
Ambulance calls have risen from about 3,000 per day in winter to over 4,000 during the heatwave.
Some people do not realize they are at risk; for example, some were wearing jumpers or had heaters on despite the heat.
The ambulance service covers a large area, from Cornwall to Swindon, and expects more calls due to heat and related water injuries.
Call handlers are working nonstop, with extra staff helping during the busy hot days.
Paramedics say heatwave pressures are greater than those in winter and can lead to serious health problems or death.
In some cases, patients only needed fluids and rest at home, avoiding hospital visits.
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The U.S. Department of Education shared a photo on social media to celebrate American history, but the image actually shows British suffragettes from the early 1900s. The photo was used in a post about America's 250th anniversary but was identified by Encyclopaedia Britannica as part of British history.
Key Facts
The Department of Education posted a black-and-white photo on Facebook with the message "American history is worth learning."
The photo shows British suffragettes holding signs advocating for women's right to vote in London around 1912.
Encyclopaedia Britannica labeled the photo as British history, not American.
The Facebook post included "Celebrate America's 250th," referring to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
The suffrage movements in Britain and the U.S. were separate and progressed at different times, with Britain giving some women voting rights in 1918 and equal rights by 1928, while the U.S. passed the 19th Amendment in 1920.
A historian pointed out the error publicly after the post was shared.
The Department of Education had not corrected or removed the post or responded publicly by the time of reporting.
America250 is a government campaign to highlight key people, events, and movements in U.S. history during the anniversary year.
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Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, ended his campaign after a woman accused him of sexual assault, which he denies. In a final video, Platner blamed political opponents and the media for his downfall while maintaining his innocence.
Key Facts
Graham Platner suspended his Senate campaign in Maine due to serious sexual assault allegations.
The main accuser stated Platner forced her to have sex while she told him to stop; Platner denies this claim.
Platner’s campaign began less than a year before with a video showing him doing outdoor work in Maine.
His exit video was recorded outside his home with aides present and showed him blaming "establishment Democrats" and the media.
Platner’s parting statement accused political forces of acting quickly against him without full investigations.
Additional women also accused Platner of troubling behavior.
Platner’s video resembled a grievance tone seen in other political controversies, but he did not use extreme language like calling the media "the enemy."
Platner attempted to present himself as an outsider hurt by powerful political interests.
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Graham Platner has dropped out of the Maine U.S. Senate race, opening the door for Troy Jackson to run. Jackson is a longtime union member and former state legislator with deep ties to Maine’s working-class communities and labor movement.
Key Facts
Graham Platner exited the Maine Senate race, creating a vacancy.
Troy Jackson is a fifth-generation logger and union member from northern Maine.
Jackson has served in state government since 2002 and won elections even in conservative areas.
He led union efforts, including a logging blockade in 1998 against Canadian workers taking Maine jobs.
Jackson supports progressive economic policies focused on working-class people.
About 36% of Mainers have a college degree, lower than the U.S. average, making working-class issues important in the state.
The Maine AFL-CIO labor federation strongly supports Jackson and actively mobilizes union voters.
Jackson’s experience and message may help Democrats compete against incumbent Senator Susan Collins.
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Graham Platner, a candidate for U.S. Senate from Maine, was accused of rape by a woman who said the attack happened in 2021. After the accusation came out, Platner denied it but suspended his campaign amid other past controversies. President Donald Trump defended Platner, questioning whether to believe the accuser.
Key Facts
Graham Platner was accused of rape by Jenny Racicot, who said the incident happened in 2021.
Racicot’s claims were supported by emails, interviews, and messages reviewed by Politico.
Platner denied the accusation, calling it false, but paused his Senate campaign.
Platner’s campaign had multiple scandals, including controversial personal behavior and a Nazi-style tattoo.
The tattoo is a Totenkopf, a military skull symbol, which Platner claims he did not understand.
Many prominent Democrats called for Platner to quit the race after the accusation.
President Trump defended Platner, suggesting that people sometimes lie about such accusations.
Platner’s history includes troubling internet posts and questionable judgment.
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The article explains how the Democratic Party’s views have changed since the 1990s, especially regarding economic policy. It describes a shift from moderate ideas under President Bill Clinton to more left-leaning ideas today, including stronger support for socialism.
Key Facts
In the 1990s, under President Clinton, Democrats supported welfare reform, Wall Street deregulation, and balanced budgets.
Clinton said "the era of big government is over" in 1996, showing a move toward smaller government.
Today, many Democrats have a positive view of socialism, with 66% favoring it according to a recent Gallup poll.
Some current Democratic leaders openly support socialism or communism, such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
New York City’s Zohran Mamdani supports collectivism and city-owned grocery stores.
The article argues socialism clashes with human nature and basic moral principles.
Republicans are debating what issues to emphasize in upcoming elections, including inflation, crime, and immigration.
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Democrats face difficulties in winning control of the U.S. Senate due to problems in key states like Maine and Michigan. The sudden collapse of a Democratic candidate’s campaign in Maine has made it hard for the party to find a strong challenger against Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Key Facts
Democrats aim to regain control of the U.S. Senate.
Maine and Michigan are important states for this goal.
In Maine, Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate, dropped out of the race.
This happened less than four months before the election.
The Democratic Party is looking for a new candidate to oppose Senator Susan Collins from the Republican Party.
These events have made it harder for Democrats to compete in these battleground states.
Winning these seats is crucial for control of the Senate.
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Andy Burnham wants to change how power is shared in the UK by moving decision-making away from London to other parts of the country. This plan is part of a bigger idea called devolution, which means giving more control to local governments outside the capital.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham aims to move power from Westminster and Whitehall to places across the UK.
The plan focuses on spreading government control more evenly outside London.
Devolution means giving local areas more authority to make their own decisions.
Details about Burnham’s specific plans have not been fully announced.
The BBC podcast episode discusses the challenges and possibilities of this plan.
Ant Breach from the Centre for Cities joined the discussion to talk about policy and research related to devolution.
The podcast is hosted by Adam Fleming and released daily by BBC News.
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Many well-known conservative figures are attending the court hearing for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA. The hearing is focused on whether there is enough evidence to send the suspect to trial for murder. The case has drawn national attention and sparked conspiracy theories online.
Key Facts
Tyler Robinson is accused of murdering Charlie Kirk in September 2023.
The preliminary hearing is taking place in Provo, Utah, this week.
Supporters attending include Donald Trump Jr., Senator Mike Lee, and other conservative influencers.
Prosecutors want Robinson tried for aggravated murder, which could lead to the death penalty.
Robinson’s roommate testified that Robinson admitted to the shooting and acted strangely afterward.
Text messages show Robinson said he was the shooter and discussed retrieving his gun.
Many false conspiracy theories about the case have spread on social media.
Kirk’s family wants more evidence to be made public but has had little success so far.
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This article invites readers to test their knowledge of the week’s major news stories through a quiz. It mentions a political event featuring Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner and Senator Bernie Sanders in Maine.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate.
He spoke at an event hosted by Senator Bernie Sanders.
The event took place in Orono, Maine, on May 24, 2026.
The article is published by The Associated Press.
It offers a weekly quiz about important news stories.
Readers can access the quiz through various online platforms.
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A recent AP-NORC poll shows many Jewish adults in the United States feel less safe than before the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Around 30% of Jewish adults or their household members have faced harassment, assault, or property damage due to their Jewish identity in the past year.
Key Facts
The poll surveyed U.S. Jewish adults about their feelings of safety and experiences with antisemitism.
About 60% say prejudice against Jewish people is a very serious problem in the U.S.
Nearly 40% have experienced physical attacks, verbal abuse, online harassment, or vandalism because they are Jewish.
Around 60% feel less safe than before the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Strong emotional ties to Israel and identifying as religiously Jewish raise feelings of threat.
About one-third feel safe as Jewish people in the U.S., while one-third feel unsafe.
Some Jewish adults now avoid visible signs of being Jewish, like wearing a kippah, due to fear.
There are growing divisions in how Jewish people view antisemitism and Israel-related protests.
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President Donald Trump and his team have been warning about the dangers of socialism and communism in the U.S. at public events. At the same time, his administration has taken part in government actions seen by some as controlling parts of the economy, such as owning stakes in companies and promoting lower gas prices through a new network of gas stations.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke against socialism and communism at events on July 3 and July 4, calling communism a threat that must be stopped.
Despite these warnings, his administration has acquired stakes in about 24 companies since January 2025, including in chipmakers, rare-earth, and steel industries.
The government holds a “golden share” in U.S. Steel, giving it veto power over important company decisions.
The White House helped launch the “Freedom Fuel” network, with 25 gas stations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey selling discounted gasoline at $3.47 per gallon.
President Trump publicly encouraged lower gas prices and ordered a Justice Department investigation into oil companies for possible price gouging.
Critics say these actions show government intervention in the economy, which conflicts with Trump’s warnings against socialism.
The White House denies providing funding or subsidies to Freedom Fuel stations and says the stations are reducing their profits to offer lower prices.
The Freedom Fuel Network LLC is a private company, recently established, not officially connected to the government.
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The Trump administration has proposed raising fees and increasing scrutiny for applying for U.S. citizenship. These changes may make it harder and more expensive for green card holders to become U.S. citizens, causing some to delay applying.
Key Facts
The Department of Homeland Security wants to raise the fee for the main citizenship application (Form N-400) from $760 to $1,330.
The proposal removes reduced fees and fee waivers for many applicants but keeps exemptions for current and former military members.
Increasing fees may especially impact lower-income applicants, making citizenship harder to afford.
Some green card holders rushed to apply before fee and rule changes took effect, causing a temporary spike in applications.
Experts say the changes could either cause more people to apply quickly or to delay applying.
Confusion about fee waivers may stop some eligible low-income applicants from filing.
The administration is also focusing more on denaturalization, which means canceling citizenship for those who obtained it through fraud or other issues.
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A study from Yale found that deaths caused by U.S. law enforcement more than doubled for adults and quadrupled for children from 2003 to 2024. Most of these deaths involved firearms, and Black and Hispanic males faced higher risks than White Americans.
Key Facts
The study analyzed 11,775 deaths involving law enforcement from 2003 to 2024.
Adult deaths rose from 363 in 2003 to 809 in 2024; child deaths under 18 increased from 8 to 37 annually.
Firearms caused over 87% of these deaths, with more than 10,300 gun-related fatalities.
Non-Hispanic Black males, especially aged 18 to 29, had the highest death rates in the study.
Black and Hispanic Americans had consistently higher risks of law enforcement-related deaths compared to White Americans.
Death rates for children remained stable before 2015 but rose steadily from 2015 to 2024.
A former law enforcement lawyer noted the study does not clarify if deaths were legally justified.
Researchers emphasize the need for better national tracking and measures to reduce firearm-related deaths caused by law enforcement.
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Governors in Ohio and Iowa have ordered flags to fly at half-staff to honor recent deaths connected to public service. These include a police officer killed in the line of duty in Ohio, longtime public officials in Ohio, and a military pilot who died in a crash in Iowa.
Key Facts
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered flags at half-staff in Wayne County for Sgt. Scott Ries, a police officer shot and killed on duty.
Ries was killed responding to a gunfire report where officers were attacked; the suspect was found dead.
Flags were also lowered in Summit County, Ohio, for Kenneth R. Cox, a former state senator and government official who died at 97.
In Hamilton County, Ohio, flags honored Simon “Si” Leis Jr., a longtime prosecutor, judge, and sheriff who died at 92.
On July 10, various parts of Ohio simultaneously honored a line-of-duty police death, a longtime lawmaker, and a veteran law enforcement leader.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered flags lowered statewide from July 10 to 17 for U.S. Air Force Maj. Brad Hovey.
Maj. Hovey died in a B-52 bomber crash during a test flight in California on June 15; he was an Iowa native and father.
The bomber was on a development test related to modernization of an aging aircraft fleet when it crashed, killing all eight crew members.
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