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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
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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Many small towns in the United States are finding it hard to afford large fireworks shows for the country’s 250th birthday celebrations. High costs, staff shortages, and limited equipment mean some towns have canceled shows or moved celebrations to different dates.
Key Facts
Fireworks companies are seeing more demand and higher budgets from bigger cities for the 250th Independence Day.
Smaller towns often cannot meet minimum prices, which can be $20,000 or more for a show.
Average fireworks shows cost about $1,000 to $1,500 per minute.
Fireworks companies are doing more shows than usual but have turned away many requests, especially from smaller places.
There are not enough licensed pyrotechnicians because many work only summer jobs and safety training limits who can operate fireworks.
Some towns have tried drone light shows as a safer and quieter option, but these often cost as much or more and are less popular with communities.
Many smaller towns try fundraising or schedule shows on less busy dates to manage costs.
Despite challenges, small towns still want big fireworks displays for celebrations.
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Nursing homes usually cannot make family members pay unpaid bills just because they are related. However, family members might have to pay if they signed a contract agreeing to take responsibility, live in a state with filial responsibility laws, are spouses, or if they manage the deceased resident’s estate.
Key Facts
Nursing home bills generally belong to the person who received care, not their relatives.
If a family member signs a contract agreeing to pay, they can be held responsible for the bills.
Some states have filial responsibility laws that can require adult children to pay for a parent’s care in certain cases.
These filial responsibility laws are rarely enforced and often don’t apply if Medicaid pays some costs.
Spouses may have legal responsibility for nursing home bills, depending on state law and marital property rules.
After a resident dies, unpaid nursing home bills become debts of the resident’s estate, not directly of the family.
It is important to carefully read nursing home admission documents and understand the financial obligations before signing.
Acting under power of attorney means managing care decisions, but does not automatically mean paying the bills personally.
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Justice Sonia Sotomayor disagreed with a Supreme Court decision that changed a long-standing rule about the president’s power to fire officials. She said the ruling gives President Trump and future presidents too much control, which could upset the balance between different parts of the government.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court overturned a nearly 100-year-old rule about presidential firing powers.
Justice Sotomayor filed a dissenting opinion, meaning she disagreed with the majority.
She warned that the decision gives the president “unbridled authority” to fire officials.
Sotomayor argued this change weakens the separation of powers in the government.
The ruling affects how much control the president, including President Trump, has over government employees.
The separation of powers means different branches of government have their own roles and limits.
This decision marks a significant change in how government authority is defined.
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New York City’s Racial Equity Plan, introduced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, uses racial categories to guide many city projects and decisions. The plan includes setting aside hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts specifically for certain racial groups.
Key Facts
The plan is called New York City's Racial Equity Plan.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled the plan.
The plan uses racial classifications to guide more than 200 city goals.
It applies to nearly all city agencies.
The plan continues a long-standing policy of awarding contracts based on race.
Hundreds of millions of dollars are set aside in contracts for specific racial groups.
The plan aims to advance racial equity in city contracting.
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The U.S. Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, who was appointed by President Biden. The Court ruled 5-4 that Trump cannot fire Cook without following proper legal procedures because Fed governors serve fixed terms and can only be removed "for cause."
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against President Trump’s effort to fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve.
President Trump cited allegations of mortgage fraud to try to remove Cook, but these claims were unproven and denied by Cook.
Federal Reserve governors serve 14-year terms and cannot be fired just because the president wants to; removal must be for a valid legal reason ("for cause").
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that Cook was not given the legal protections required before removal.
The Court decision helps protect the Federal Reserve’s independence from political interference.
Cook’s term is set to last until 2038, after being appointed in 2022 by President Biden.
Trump’s justice department asked to override a judge’s order blocking Cook’s firing, but the Court denied this request.
In a separate case the same day, the Court allowed Trump to fire a different government official, changing protections for agency leaders.
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The Supreme Court decided not to bring back a $300 million defamation lawsuit that attorney Alan Dershowitz filed against CNN. Dershowitz claimed CNN twisted his words during his defense of President Donald Trump in the 2020 impeachment, but the court chose not to review the case.
Key Facts
Alan Dershowitz sued CNN for $300 million, alleging defamation.
The lawsuit relates to CNN's coverage of his comments defending President Donald Trump during the 2020 impeachment.
Dershowitz said CNN showed only part of his statement, changing its meaning.
The Supreme Court rejected the request to revive the lawsuit without explanation.
Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas disagreed and wanted to rethink defamation rules for public figures.
The decision came alongside the court's refusal to overturn a verdict in another case involving President Trump.
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Melat Kiros, a Democratic socialist and political newcomer, is challenging Representative Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary for Colorado’s 1st Congressional District. Kiros has gained support from Senator Bernie Sanders and progressive groups, while Israel policy has become a key issue in the race. Recent polls and prediction markets show Kiros with a narrow lead over DeGette.
Key Facts
Diana DeGette has represented Colorado’s 1st District for nearly 30 years.
Melat Kiros is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and has Bernie Sanders’ backing.
The primary election is on Tuesday and is seen as a test for the influence of Democratic socialists outside New York.
Polling by Data for Progress shows Kiros ahead with 41% support versus 36% for DeGette among likely voters.
Prediction markets give Kiros about a 79% chance of winning, based on traders’ bets.
The issue of U.S. support for Israel has been a major focus of the campaign, with Kiros criticizing U.S.-Israel relations and DeGette maintaining a more moderate stance.
Kiros says she was fired from a law firm after defending critiques of Israel by students.
Colorado’s 1st District is a progressive area centered on Denver, where younger, more progressive voters are gaining influence.
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Resident doctors in England have accepted a government offer on pay and job training, ending three years of strikes. The deal includes pay raises, more training places, and reimbursement for exam fees.
Key Facts
Resident doctors voted 53% in favor of the government's offer in a referendum with a 57% turnout.
The pay rise starts at 3.5% this year, with backdated pay from April 2026 averaging a 4.9% increase.
By April 2027, the average pay rise will increase to 6.6%, with more increases planned.
Starting salaries for resident doctors will be just over £40,000; senior residents earn about £76,500.
4,500 additional training places for newly qualified doctors are included in the agreement.
Exam fees for doctors will be paid by the government as part of the deal.
Resident doctors in Scotland accepted a similar offer, while those in Northern Ireland are currently on strike.
The role name changed from "junior doctors" to "resident doctors" in September 2024 to reflect their expertise.
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