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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
A recent poll asked Americans about their views on several Founding Fathers during the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin and George Washington were rated the most favorably, while Benedict Arnold had the lowest approval.
Key Facts
The poll surveyed 1,514 adults in the U.S. from June 9 to June 15.
26% of Americans said they knew a lot about the 250th Independence Day celebration.
Benjamin Franklin had the highest net favorable rating at +75.
George Washington was second with a +68 net favorable rating.
Thomas Jefferson had a +60 net favorable rating.
Benedict Arnold had the lowest net favorable rating at -38 with 53% unfavorable.
Aaron Burr also had a negative net rating of -7 and many did not know enough about him.
Many respondents were not familiar with lesser-known Founding Fathers like James Madison and Aaron Burr.
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The war between the U.S. and Iran has increased costs for American households by about $1,000 each, mainly due to higher prices for fuel, food, and other expenses since February. The conflict has also kept inflation high and caused the U.S. to spend billions on military operations.
Key Facts
The war started in late February and has led to higher prices for gasoline, food, airfare, and interest rates.
Gas prices peaked at $4.56 per gallon in May and have added about $300 in fuel costs per household.
Increased diesel prices raised the cost of transporting goods, leading to about $200 more spent on groceries per household.
Higher interest rates caused by inflation have cost households an estimated additional $150 each.
Airfare rose due to jet fuel price increases, costing travelers around $100 more on average.
The U.S. is spending about $50 million daily on military actions related to the Iran conflict, totaling an estimated $50 billion so far.
Other research groups estimate fuel-related costs per household range from around $427 to $486.
Gas prices are starting to fall but remain above pre-war levels; future prices depend on the peace talks continuing.
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Andy Burnham gave a speech presenting himself as a hopeful and emotional alternative to Labour leader Keir Starmer. Burnham criticized the current political system and promised to bring more power to local areas, aiming to increase optimism among voters. While some Labour members support him, he has not yet faced key leadership tests as prime minister.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham plans to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader.
Burnham's style is more informal and emotional compared to Starmer's formal approach.
He called the current political system "broken" and wants to devolve power and resources locally.
Burnham aims to inspire hope and optimism for Britain’s future.
Since Burnham’s involvement was announced, Labour has gained some voter support in polls.
Some Labour MPs doubt Burnham’s political judgment and ability to implement his plans.
Burnham has avoided media questions since winning a recent byelection.
He is not expected to lead the country until after the summer break in parliament.
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The Supreme Court made two key decisions. First, it gave the president more power to remove leaders of independent government agencies, except for the Federal Reserve. Second, it decided that states can count mail-in ballots that voters send by Election Day even if the ballots arrive later.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court expanded the president’s power to fire heads of certain independent agencies.
This increased power does not apply to the Federal Reserve’s leadership.
The Court ruled that states may count mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day if they were sent on time.
The decision affects how mail-in ballots are handled in elections.
These rulings were announced on a Monday.
The rulings relate to presidential authority and election procedures.
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The Senate Ethics Committee dismissed a complaint against Senator Ruben Gallego from Representative Anna Paulina Luna. The complaint accused Gallego of inappropriate behavior and breaking campaign finance rules, but the committee found no evidence to support these claims.
Key Facts
Senator Ruben Gallego is from Arizona and a member of the Democratic Party.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna is from Florida and a member of the Republican Party.
Luna filed a complaint accusing Gallego of inappropriate advances toward women.
Luna also accused Gallego of violating campaign finance laws.
The Senate Ethics Committee investigated the complaint.
The committee found no evidence that Gallego violated any rules.
The complaint against Gallego was dismissed by the Ethics Committee.
Gallego was informed of the dismissal in a letter on Friday.
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The Senate Ethics Committee dismissed a complaint against Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego, finding no evidence he broke laws or Senate rules. The complaint, made by Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, involved allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations, which Gallego denies.
Key Facts
The Senate Ethics Committee is bipartisan and investigated the complaint against Sen. Ruben Gallego.
The complaint was filed by GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna in April.
Luna accused Gallego of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations.
The committee found no proof that Gallego violated federal law, Senate rules, or conduct standards.
Gallego fully cooperated with the investigation and denied any wrongdoing.
The committee reviewed testimony, federal election reports, and other documents during its review.
The committee can reopen the investigation if new evidence appears.
Gallego says Luna’s accusations are political conspiracies and calls for an apology.
The complaint came amid other sexual misconduct allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell, a former colleague of Gallego.
Swalwell resigned from Congress and stopped his California governor campaign after the allegations.
Gallego said he was unaware of Swalwell’s alleged misconduct and felt deceived by him.
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Washington, D.C., is preparing a large security operation for the 250th anniversary of American independence, with many visitors expected in the city. Thousands of law enforcement officers, National Guard troops, and military equipment will be deployed to protect events, especially those on July 4th, when there will be strict security measures including ID checks and possible flight restrictions.
Key Facts
The 250th anniversary celebration will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Washington, D.C.
Around 5,000 National Guard troops will be on duty alongside local and federal law enforcement.
The July 4 fireworks event is classified as a National Security Special Event, requiring the highest level of security coordination.
Visitors will face strict ID checks, security lines, and screening devices like those used at airports.
Snipers and armored vehicles, including SWAT BearCats and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, may be deployed.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will halt flights from noon on July 4 until the next day due to the celebrations.
Security planning has included months of preparation and rehearsals, with roles for military police in crowd and traffic control.
President Donald Trump has attended some events and plans to hold a rally on the National Mall during the celebrations.
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Resident doctors in England have accepted a new government deal on pay and jobs, ending strike actions that started in March 2023. The deal includes a pay increase of 6.6% fully paid by 2027 and 4,500 extra training places, with resident doctor pay set to be 35.2% higher than four years ago.
Key Facts
Resident doctors in England voted 53% in favor of the government's latest pay and job offer.
The deal includes a 6.6% average pay rise to be fully implemented by April 2027.
Resident doctor pay will be 35.2% higher compared to four years ago.
There will be 4,500 new specialty training places created over the next three years.
Strike action by resident doctors has cost the NHS £1 billion since last summer.
Residents had planned a 16th strike this month, which was called off after the deal.
Resident doctors walked out for 21 days in the last year, costing the NHS about £50 million per day.
NHS officials said the deal brings stability but more work to improve conditions will continue.
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Christopher Harborne, a crypto investor living in Thailand, has given millions of pounds to the UK political party Reform UK and registered to vote in the UK. New rules might limit donations from British voters living abroad, and simply registering to vote in the UK may not let Harborne avoid these restrictions.
Key Facts
Christopher Harborne is a billionaire crypto investor based in Thailand for over five years.
He has donated around £15 million to Reform UK in the past year and gifted £5 million to Nigel Farage, the party leader.
Harborne registered to vote in Hampshire, UK, possibly to continue donating large sums despite new donation limits.
A report recommends a cap of £100,000 to £300,000 a year on donations from British voters living abroad.
Election officials will decide if a voter is considered "normally resident" in the UK, not just based on voter registration.
If Harborne wants to avoid donation caps, he may need to live in the UK and pay taxes on his wealth.
These new rules aim to stop wealthy individuals living abroad from making unlimited political donations while avoiding UK taxes.
Nigel Farage is under investigation for not declaring the £5 million gift as required by parliamentary rules.
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Nancy Pelosi and the University of California, Berkeley, are starting a new institute in January called the Nancy Pelosi Institute for Representative Democracy. The institute will focus on protecting democracy and studying issues like climate change, inequality, and political leadership, with Pelosi helping to teach a course on Congress.
Key Facts
The Nancy Pelosi Institute for Representative Democracy will launch in January at UC Berkeley.
It aims to strengthen American democratic institutions and address social, economic, and environmental challenges.
The institute will focus on four areas: democracy, social and economic issues, human and civil rights, and diverse political leadership.
Pelosi will co-teach a course on Congress as part of the institute’s academic work.
The institute has received over $35 million in donations so far.
It will be part of UC Berkeley’s political science department and includes an exhibit about Pelosi’s career.
Pelosi represented San Francisco for nearly 40 years and served two terms as House Speaker.
The institute aims to prepare students to lead with integrity and engage in civil discourse.
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Thomas Pearce is a 19-year-old from Wales who was born with Pfeiffer Syndrome, a rare condition causing his skull to fuse too early, requiring 44 surgeries. Despite being bullied and facing many health challenges, he is now studying medicine at Cardiff University, inspired by the surgeons who treated him.
Key Facts
Thomas Pearce has Pfeiffer Syndrome Type 2, which affects skull growth from birth.
He underwent 44 specialized surgeries at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.
He also has hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid builds up in the brain, and uses a shunt to drain it.
Pearce was bullied in primary school because of his condition and hospital absences, which affected his confidence.
Teachers at St David’s College helped him keep up with studies despite many absences.
He had a major 14-hour surgery to fix his underbite, after which he couldn’t chew food for two months and lost weight.
Pearce is now a medical student and recently thanked his teachers for their support.
His head teacher called him an inspirational young man who did not let his health problems limit him.
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A federal judge has delayed Luigi Mangione's trial until January 2027. Mangione is accused of killing Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. The article also mentions charges against NBA player Malik Beasley related to gambling.
Key Facts
Luigi Mangione is facing federal charges for the alleged killing of Brian Thompson.
Brian Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
A judge postponed Mangione's trial to January 2027.
Malik Beasley, an NBA player, is under indictment for gambling-related charges.
The details about Beasley's case were mentioned alongside the Mangione case.
The information was reported by CBS News correspondent Anna Schecter.
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Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidates have won several primary elections, causing tensions within the Democratic Party. Some centrist Democrats want to separate from the socialist wing, while polls show many voters have a positive view of the DSA and support their focus on economic issues.
Key Facts
DSA candidates have won primary races in places like New York City, Maine, New Jersey, California, and Philadelphia.
About 150 candidates were endorsed by the DSA this cycle, with 35 winning or advancing uncontested.
Some senior Democrats, including James Carville and Jaime Harrison, argue for a split from the socialist wing.
Rahm Emanuel said the Democratic Party has lost focus and is too concerned with niche issues.
Polls indicate that many Democratic voters favor the DSA and view capitalism skeptically.
Younger and more liberal Democrats support change in party leadership and ideas.
Cost of living and affordability remain key voter concerns aligning with DSA platforms.
The DSA plans to expand its influence beyond current elections by engaging its chapters nationwide.
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Senator Bill Cassidy responded to President Donald Trump after Trump criticized him and other Republican senators for not supporting the SAVE America Act. Cassidy pointed out that he has always voted for the bill and suggested that Trump’s staff gave him wrong information.
Key Facts
Senator Bill Cassidy is from Louisiana and is a Republican.
President Donald Trump criticized Cassidy and other GOP senators for not supporting the SAVE America Act.
Cassidy has consistently voted in favor of the SAVE America Act.
Cassidy said Trump’s staff misled the president about his voting record.
The SAVE America Act is a legislative proposal supported by some Republicans.
The disagreement highlights communication issues between President Trump and some GOP senators.
Cassidy made these remarks publicly on a Monday.
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The Trump administration reported that the food stamp program SNAP had a high error rate of 10.6% in 2025, which they say shows waste and fraud. Experts and anti-hunger groups say most errors are unintentional mistakes, not deliberate fraud, and that focusing on fraud could hurt low-income families relying on the program.
Key Facts
SNAP is a government program that provides food assistance to low-income families.
In 2025, SNAP had a payment error rate of 10.6%, meaning over $10 billion in payments were incorrect.
The acceptable error rate threshold set by Congress is 6%.
Payment errors include both overpayments and underpayments and are often unintentional.
Fraud involves deliberately breaking rules, like selling benefits for cash or stealing card information.
The current error rate does not fully capture fraud cases like card skimming or fake enrollments.
Experts say errors happen due to complicated rules, changes in recipients’ finances, and paperwork problems.
Recipients must repay any overpayments, usually by reducing future benefits until the amount is recovered.
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House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers said the Pentagon’s policy chief, Elbridge Colby, misled him about plans to cut thousands of U.S. troops in Romania. Rogers said Congress was not properly informed about changes to U.S. military forces in Europe.
Key Facts
Mike Rogers is the chair of the House Armed Services Committee.
Elbridge Colby is the undersecretary of Defense and Pentagon’s policy chief.
Rogers claims Colby gave misleading information regarding troop reductions in Romania.
The planned reduction would cut thousands of U.S. soldiers stationed in Romania.
Rogers said Congress was not kept informed about these changes to U.S. military presence in Europe.
The issue concerns U.S. military force posture, which means how soldiers are deployed and where.
This disagreement highlights tensions between Congress and the Pentagon over military decisions.
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President Donald Trump responded on social media after the Supreme Court made two different rulings about his power to fire officials. The Court ruled that Trump acted lawfully when he fired Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter, but he cannot fire Federal Reserve Commissioner Lisa Cook while legal cases continue.
Key Facts
President Trump fired Rebecca Slaughter from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The Supreme Court decided that firing Slaughter was lawful.
President Trump also tried to fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve.
The Court ruled that Trump cannot fire Lisa Cook at this time.
Legal proceedings regarding the firing of Lisa Cook are ongoing.
President Trump shared his reaction on social media after the rulings.
The Supreme Court issued split decisions on these firings, meaning they ruled differently on each case.
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Rep. Glenn Ivey from Maryland said that the idea of the Democratic Party moving strongly to the left is exaggerated. He made this comment after some democratic socialists won in recent Democratic primary elections, but he pointed out that many Democrats, including himself, do not share those far-left views.
Key Facts
Rep. Glenn Ivey is a Democratic Congressman from Maryland.
Ivey said the claim that the Democratic Party is shifting hard left is overstated.
His comment came after democratic socialists won some Democratic primary races.
Ivey emphasized that many Democrats, including himself, do not support those far-left positions.
The discussion relates to the direction and diversity of views within the Democratic Party.
Democratic primaries are elections to choose candidates representing the party in the general election.
The phrase “hard-left” refers to more progressive or socialist policies.
Ivey’s statement was made publicly on Friday following the primary results.
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The US Supreme Court ruled that President Trump and future presidents can fire leaders of independent government agencies, overturning nearly 90 years of legal protections for these officials. This decision came after Trump fired a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioner, Rebecca Slaughter, leading to the court case Trump v Slaughter.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court decision allows the president to remove leaders of independent agencies without cause.
This ruling overturns a 1935 precedent, Humphrey’s Executor, which protected agency leaders from being fired for political reasons.
The case was triggered by President Trump firing FTC commissioner Rebecca Slaughter.
President Trump has fired several independent agency leaders during his second term.
Critics worry this ruling weakens checks on presidential power and could harm government independence.
The court ruled separately against Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook.
The ruling could give presidents greater control over agencies meant to operate without political pressure.
Some legal experts describe the decision as a major change in how government operates and warn of its long-term effects.
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