Wes Streeting, the UK’s first openly gay defence secretary, said he has faced a large amount of online homophobic abuse since his appointment last month. He noted that many in the UK Ministry of Defence welcome his role as a sign of progress, and highlighted the government’s efforts to compensate military personnel previously discharged due to their sexuality.
Key Facts
Wes Streeting became the UK’s first openly gay defence secretary last month.
He has received a high volume of homophobic abuse online since his appointment.
The UK military banned gay men and lesbian women from serving until 2000.
About 200 people were discharged annually before the ban was lifted, but records were incomplete.
The UK government created the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme in 2024 to compensate those affected by the ban.
Some veterans are unhappy with the slow payment process and have started legal action about payment amounts.
Streeting said many in the Ministry of Defence support his appointment and see it as a positive change.
He mentioned ongoing cooperation with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who opposes some equality measures.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will honor the Marines who were involved in the 2021 Abbey Gate attack in Afghanistan. This event marks five years since a suicide bombing killed 13 U.S. service members and many Afghan civilians during the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul.
Key Facts
The honoring event takes place five years after the Abbey Gate attack on August 26, 2021.
The attack was a suicide bombing near the entrance of Kabul’s airport.
13 U.S. service members died in the attack.
About 170 Afghan civilians were also killed.
The bombing happened as the U.S. was rapidly leaving Afghanistan.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is leading the commemoration.
The attack occurred during a critical time in the U.S. military withdrawal.
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President Donald Trump ended trade talks with Canada after disagreements over tariffs on steel and aluminum. In response, Canada imposed tariffs on $20 billion of US goods, leading to higher prices for some products in the US, including toilet paper. The situation has caused tension between the two countries ahead of the US midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump called Canada “difficult and unreasonable” after trade talks failed.
US tariffs on Canadian goods like hockey sticks and tongue depressors began in early June.
Canada responded with tariffs on about $20 billion worth of US products, including steel, dairy, and farm equipment.
US consumers are facing higher prices on products that rely on Canadian raw materials, such as toilet paper.
Trump threatened to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America” due to trade disagreements.
Trump criticized Canadian negotiators and Ontario’s premier in public statements.
Republican politician JD Vance criticized Canada’s trade policies during a rally.
The trade dispute comes less than three months before important US midterm elections.
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The U.S. Justice Department stopped a Chinese hacking operation that targeted several important U.S. agencies. They took control of two hacking tools used by a Chinese government-linked group to carry out cyberattacks.
Key Facts
The Justice Department announced the disruption on Wednesday.
The hacking operation targeted the DOJ’s own network and other sensitive U.S. agencies.
Two hacking platforms called “QScan” and “QTRouter” were seized.
These platforms were run by a Chinese state-run group linked to Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Technology Company.
The hackers aimed to steal information from U.S. government agencies, including NASA and the Federal Reserve.
The DOJ acted to prevent ongoing cyberattacks and secure U.S. networks.
This operation shows ongoing cyber threats from foreign actors against U.S. government systems.
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The United States government under President Donald Trump has imposed financial sanctions on the British group Palestine Action, the international movement Masar Badil, and an Italian group providing digital support to pro-Palestine activists. These sanctions are part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to target left-wing groups it calls “far-left terrorists” and critics of Israel.
Key Facts
President Trump's administration sanctioned Palestine Action, Masar Badil, and Autistici Inventati on financial grounds.
Palestine Action is a British activist group involved in direct-action protests against Israel’s policies.
The UK government labeled Palestine Action as a terrorist group, a first under its terrorism laws, but a court initially reversed this before the decision was reinstated on appeal.
Palestine Action’s cofounder criticized the US sanctions and urged UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to lift the ban on the group.
The sanctions freeze these groups’ assets in the US and ban Americans from financial dealings with them.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the move as part of fighting political terrorism and cutting financial support to far-left groups.
The UK civil rights group Defend Our Juries supported Palestine Action’s view that the bans suppress free speech and political dissent.
The Trump administration has previously sanctioned individuals linked to Palestinian rights and international law bodies seen as critical of Israel.
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President Donald Trump said the United States will keep applying new economic sanctions on Iran and continue military actions as long as needed. He told a reporter that there is no set plan for ending the conflict.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke in a phone interview with Al Jazeera’s Tanya Noury.
He compared new economic sanctions on Iran to the effects of the US military bombing campaign.
Trump said there is no timetable for ending the conflict with Iran.
He stated the US is ready to continue the war for as long as necessary.
The discussion focused on US actions and strategy toward Iran.
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A federal judge has removed all legal blocks on President Donald Trump's executive order that restricts mail-in voting. This decision allows the government to enforce the order fully after the Supreme Court said challenges were premature.
Key Facts
President Trump issued an executive order in March 2026 to limit mail-in ballots.
The order relies on the U.S. Postal Service to verify who is allowed to vote by mail.
A federal judge had originally blocked the most controversial parts of this order.
The judge lifted those blocks following a Supreme Court ruling.
The Supreme Court said lawsuits against the order were filed too early.
With the blocks removed, the order can now be put into full effect.
This decision affects the rules for mail-in voting ahead of upcoming elections.
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President Trump’s administration sent a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia to Congress for review. The deal would let Saudi Arabia enrich uranium, and the agreement depends on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords.
Key Facts
The deal is a nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
It would allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium, a process used in nuclear energy.
Sending the deal to Congress starts a required review process under the Atomic Energy Act.
President Trump set a condition that the deal will only proceed if Saudi Arabia joins the Abraham Accords, a peace agreement in the Middle East.
The congressional review process gives lawmakers time to approve or reject the deal.
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Anthony Guglielmi, the U.S. Secret Service Chief of Communications, has been put on administrative leave along with two other employees while the agency investigates possible misconduct. The investigation details are unclear, and the Secret Service stresses its commitment to professionalism and protecting government officials.
Key Facts
Anthony Guglielmi is the Chief of Communications for the U.S. Secret Service.
He and two other non-law enforcement staff members were placed on administrative leave.
The leave is pending an internal investigation by the Secret Service's Office of Professional Responsibility.
The investigation is about potential misconduct, but no specific details have been shared.
The three individuals lost their security clearances and access to work devices.
Guglielmi has worked in communications for major police departments and has been with the Secret Service for over four years.
The Secret Service is currently under scrutiny due to past assassination attempts on President Donald Trump and other security incidents.
The agency highlights the importance of integrity and professionalism in its mission to protect top government officials.
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Darline Graham, sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, won the Republican nomination to fill his U.S. Senate seat after his death. She is married to Larry Nordone, who is involved in several businesses in South Carolina, including a family-owned home textiles company and a sporting goods firm.
Key Facts
Darline Graham won the Republican primary to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by her brother Lindsey Graham's death.
She was endorsed by President Donald Trump and defeated Representative Ralph Norman with about 52% of the vote.
Lindsey Graham died on July 11 from an aortic dissection; he had been a senator since 2003.
Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to the seat temporarily following Lindsey Graham’s death.
Darline Graham is the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
Larry Nordone, Darline Graham’s husband since 2006, is connected to Birchwood Trading LLC, a family home textiles business.
Nordone is also the chief operating officer of Cosmox North America, a company involved in sporting products and firearms businesses.
Darline Graham has two daughters, Nicole Nordone and Emillie Boggs Roberts; Emillie was expecting a child at the time of Lindsey Graham’s funeral.
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The final witness spoke in the trial of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her three young children. This testimony marks the last part of the evidence presented in the case.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is on trial for the deaths of her three young children.
The trial is nearing its end as the last witness gave testimony.
The witness provided information relevant to the events leading to the children's deaths.
The case is being closely followed and reported by CBS News.
The trial proceedings offer insights into the circumstances of the alleged crime.
This is a criminal trial taking place in the United States.
The outcome will depend on the evidence and testimonies presented in court.
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Police in Upper Pottsgrove Township, Pennsylvania, shot and killed a man after responding to a call about a possible home break-in early Sunday morning. Authorities are investigating the incident.
Key Facts
The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday in Upper Pottsgrove Township, about 45 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
Police responded to a 911 call reporting a possible break-in at a home.
Officers found Glenwood Pysher IV at the back of the house.
Police shot and killed Glenwood Pysher IV during the encounter.
The Montgomery County Detective Bureau is leading the investigation.
The district attorney’s office issued a statement about the investigation.
The local police chief, Al Werner, is not releasing the officer’s name or other details until the investigation ends.
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A federal judge lifted a nationwide ban on President Trump's mail-in voting policy after the Supreme Court allowed it to move forward. The judge said the legal fight is not over, and states can still challenge the rule now that the postal service has finalized it.
Key Facts
A federal judge removed a nationwide block on President Trump's mail-in voting order.
The Supreme Court cleared the way for this decision earlier in the week.
The judge who lifted the block is U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani.
Her order was "without prejudice," meaning new legal challenges can be filed.
The Supreme Court has not ruled on the rule’s legality yet.
The court said states should wait until the Postal Service's final rule is published before suing.
The Postal Service has now issued its final mail-in voting rule.
A new lawsuit has been filed by some states against the final rule, with elections coming soon.
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President Donald Trump said that Canada is one of the hardest countries to work with after trade talks between the U.S. and Canada fell apart. The breakdown happened during negotiations about trade between the two neighbors.
Key Facts
President Trump criticized Canada, calling it one of the worst countries to deal with.
The comment came after trade talks between the U.S. and Canada failed.
The talks focused on trade agreements between the two countries.
The collapse of negotiations may affect economic relations between the U.S. and Canada.
CBS News reported on President Trump’s statements and the trade discussion.
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A Maryland judge blocked a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Democrats to redraw congressional districts before the 2028 elections. The judge's decision stops the amendment from appearing on the November ballot but allows time for an appeal to the state Supreme Court.
Key Facts
A Maryland court ruled against a Democratic-backed amendment for redrawing congressional districts.
The amendment aimed to affect redistricting for the 2028 elections.
The ruling stops the amendment from being on the November ballot.
The judge paused the ruling’s effect to allow an appeal to Maryland’s Supreme Court.
Democrats currently hold seven of eight congressional seats in Maryland.
Governor Wes Moore called a special legislative session in August to try to win the last congressional seat.
The ruling is seen as a setback to Democrats amid a nationwide Republican redistricting push led by President Donald Trump.
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Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, currently leads Republican Zach Lahn in the Iowa governor race according to recent polls. Despite Iowa’s history as a Republican stronghold and President Trump’s previous strong support there, the race is close with economic issues affecting farmers and changing voter opinions.
Key Facts
Rob Sand leads Zach Lahn by about 4 percentage points in the latest Suffolk University poll (48% to 44%).
Poll margins fluctuate but show a consistent narrow lead for Sand this summer.
The poll surveyed 500 likely Iowa voters and has a margin of error of ±4.4%.
Prediction markets have shifted from favoring Republicans to favoring Democrats for Iowa governor.
The Cook Political Report now views the Iowa governor race as leaning Democrat.
Iowa voted for President Trump by over 13 points in 2024 but currently has mostly Republican statewide officials.
Sand is the only Democrat elected statewide recently and has support from some registered Republicans.
Zach Lahn faces criticism for owning farmland in Iowa but living and working primarily in Kansas.
President Trump’s approval rating in Iowa has dropped, with more voters viewing him unfavorably than favorably.
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The US government has labeled the UK-based group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization and imposed sanctions on it. The group is accused of supporting violent acts since 2020, and this move is part of broader US actions against far-left groups considered terrorists.
Key Facts
The US Department of the Treasury designated Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
Palestine Action is based in the United Kingdom.
The group is accused of supporting terrorism acts since July 2020, including injuring UK police officers and damaging businesses linked to arms companies.
Supporting Palestine Action became illegal in the UK in 2025 after the government banned the group under anti-terror laws.
Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori criticized the US designation and said their actions aim to save lives.
The US Treasury Secretary warned far-left extremists that the government will use economic tools to stop them.
Four Palestine Action members were jailed for breaking into a defense firm and causing over £1 million in damage, including an attack on a police officer.
Palestine Action is legally challenging the UK ban, with the Supreme Court allowing a review after the Court of Appeal upheld the ban’s legality.
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