Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic nomination in Georgia's 2026 governor's race and will face a Republican runoff winner, either Burt Jones or Rick Jackson. Georgia is a closely divided state, with Democrats hopeful they can win the governor’s seat for the first time in over 25 years due to favorable conditions and an open race.
Key Facts
Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Atlanta mayor, won the Democratic nomination with 57.7% of the vote.
Republicans Burt Jones and Rick Jackson will have a runoff to decide their candidate.
Georgia narrowly supported President Donald Trump by about 2 points in 2024 and backed President Joe Biden by less than half a point in 2020.
Democrats have struggled to win Georgia’s governor’s office despite recent federal election successes.
The current governor, Brian Kemp, is term-limited and cannot run again in 2026.
Voter turnout, especially among Black voters in Atlanta, will be crucial in deciding the election.
An April 2026 poll showed Bottoms leading both potential Republican opponents with 49% to 43%.
Prediction markets give Democrats a 57–62% chance of winning the governor’s race, indicating a close but slightly favorable outlook.
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Pennsylvania held primary elections to decide key candidates for the November midterms, focusing on districts important for Democrats trying to win back control of the House of Representatives. Governor Josh Shapiro and several congressional candidates won their primaries, setting up competitive races against Republican incumbents in districts that are closely contested.
Key Facts
Sixteen of Pennsylvania’s 17 US representatives are running for re-election.
Democrats aim to gain four critical districts in their effort to retake the House.
President Trump won Pennsylvania by less than two points in 2024.
Governor Josh Shapiro faces no primary opposition and will run against Republican Stacy Garrity.
Bob Harvie won the Democratic primary in the 1st district and will challenge Republican Brian Fitzpatrick.
Janelle Stelson won the Democratic primary in the 10th district and will face Republican Scott Perry in a rematch.
Bob Brooks won a four-way Democratic primary in the 7th district and has strong endorsements including from Governor Shapiro and Senator Bernie Sanders.
Paige Cognetti won the Democratic primary in the 8th district, which includes Biden’s hometown, and will challenge Republican Rob Bresnahan.
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The Pentagon announced it has reduced the number of US Brigade Combat Teams in Europe from four to three, returning troop levels to what they were in 2021. This change has temporarily delayed sending more US troops to Poland as the US encourages European allies to take more responsibility for their defense.
Key Facts
The Pentagon cut US Brigade Combat Teams in Europe from four to three.
Each Brigade Combat Team has about 4,000 to 4,700 soldiers.
Troop levels in Europe are now the same as in 2021.
The deployment of additional US troops to Poland is temporarily delayed, not canceled.
The US will decide future troop movements based on strategic needs and allied contributions.
This reduction comes as the US urges European countries to increase their defense efforts.
President Donald Trump supports lowering US troop presence and expects European allies to share defense duties.
Earlier in May, the US also announced it would remove 5,000 troops from Germany.
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Keisha Lance Bottoms, former mayor of Atlanta, won the Democratic primary for Georgia governor by getting more than 50% of the vote, avoiding a runoff. She will compete in the November general election against either Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones or healthcare executive Rick Jackson.
Key Facts
Keisha Lance Bottoms served as Atlanta’s mayor and was a senior adviser in the Biden administration.
She focused her campaign on voting rights, healthcare access, economic fairness, and protecting Democratic gains in Georgia.
Bottoms was the only Black woman candidate in the race.
President Biden endorsed Bottoms early in May.
Republicans plan to criticize Bottoms for how she handled crime, disorder, and COVID-19 during her time as mayor.
If elected, Bottoms promises to exempt teachers from state income taxes and work on affordable housing solutions.
Bottoms will face either Burt Jones or Rick Jackson, who are competing in the Republican primary runoff.
The general election for Georgia governor will take place in November 2024.
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Nigerian and US forces have worked together to carry out attacks against ISIL fighters in northeast Nigeria, killing 175 militants. These operations destroyed ISIL bases and weakened the group's influence in the region, including the death of key ISIL leaders.
Key Facts
Nigerian and US military forces conducted joint strikes in northeast Nigeria targeting ISIL fighters.
The strikes killed 175 ISIL militants, according to the Nigerian Defence Headquarters.
Key ISIL facilities hit included checkpoints, weapons stores, logistics centers, and funding networks.
ISIL’s second-in-command in West Africa, Abu Bilal al-Minuki, was killed in the operations.
Other senior ISIL West Africa Province members, including Abd-al Wahhab, Abu Musa al-Mangawi, and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, were also killed.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu thanked US President Donald Trump for his support following the strikes.
ISIL has shifted much of its activity to Africa after losses in the Middle East.
The US increased its military presence in Nigeria earlier in 2026, initially for advisory and training roles, but has now engaged in active combat operations.
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British diplomat James Roscoe has left his role at the UK embassy in Washington without a public explanation. Roscoe had been deputy head of mission since 2022 and briefly served as interim ambassador after Peter Mandelson’s removal.
Key Facts
James Roscoe was deputy head of mission at the British embassy in Washington starting in 2022.
He served as interim ambassador after Peter Mandelson was removed from the position.
Roscoe played a key role during President Donald Trump’s UK state visit in September 2025.
He helped organize the king’s US state visit for the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Roscoe was previously the UK ambassador to the United Nations.
He also worked as communications chief to Queen Elizabeth II.
Earlier in his career, he was chief press officer for Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
His past diplomatic duties included postings at the UN, Sierra Leone, and Iraq.
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In Georgia’s Senate race, Republican Mike Collins and Derek Dooley are expected to compete in a runoff election. This contest shows a split within the Republican Party, with some members supporting President Donald Trump and others backing Governor Brian Kemp.
Key Facts
Mike Collins and Derek Dooley are leading candidates in the Georgia GOP Senate race.
They are set to face each other in a runoff election.
Derek Dooley is a former college football coach.
Both Collins and Dooley have Governor Brian Kemp’s endorsement.
The runoff highlights a division in the Georgia GOP between factions loyal to President Trump and those supporting Kemp.
This Senate race will determine who runs against Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.
The Republican primary did not produce a clear winner, requiring a runoff to select the nominee.
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Pennsylvania state Representative Chris Rabb is expected to win the Democratic primary for the 3rd Congressional District. He competed against state Senator Shariff Street and pediatric surgeon Ala Stanford in the race covering parts of Philadelphia.
Key Facts
Chris Rabb is a current Pennsylvania state Representative.
He ran for the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District.
The district includes areas in west and north Philadelphia.
His opponents in the primary were state Senator Shariff Street and Ala Stanford, a pediatric surgeon.
The projection of Rabb’s victory comes from Decision Desk HQ.
This primary win is notable among progressive candidates in the area.
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Kentucky is holding a U.S. Senate race to replace long-time Senator Mitch McConnell, who is not running for reelection. Andy Barr won the Republican primary with former Representative Charles Booker winning the Democratic primary, but Republicans are still favored to keep the seat.
Key Facts
Mitch McConnell, Kentucky’s senator since 1984, announced in February 2025 he would not run again.
McConnell was once an ally of President Donald Trump but later their relationship soured.
The open Senate seat caused many candidates on both the Republican and Democratic sides to compete in primaries.
Andy Barr won the Republican primary with 60.4% of the vote and has Trump’s endorsement.
Charles Booker won the Democratic primary with 47.1% of the vote.
Kentucky has not elected a Democratic senator since the 1990s.
Polls show Republicans have about a 93–95% chance of winning the general election.
Trump’s endorsement helped Barr consolidate Republican support, but not all voters say it will affect their choice.
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A current wave of mid-decade redistricting is happening in the United States. Experts say this change is unusual and could strongly affect political power during the 2026 congressional elections.
Key Facts
Redistricting means redrawing the boundaries of voting districts.
This redistricting is happening in the middle of the decade, not after the usual census.
Experts say this mid-decade redistricting is unprecedented, or never seen before in U.S. history.
The redistricting will influence the 2026 midterm elections.
Changes in district maps can shift political power between parties in Washington, D.C.
CBS News reporters David Becker, Anthony Salvanto, Nikole Killion, and Caitlin Huey-Burns are covering the story.
The process affects how people are grouped to elect their representatives.
This development could impact the balance of power in the U.S. Congress.
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Senators questioned acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about a $1.8 billion fund set up by the Justice Department. This fund is meant to pay people who say they were targeted for political reasons.
Key Facts
The Justice Department created a fund of nearly $1.8 billion.
The fund is for compensating people who claim political targeting.
Senators questioned Todd Blanche, the acting Attorney General, about this fund.
The questions took place during a Senate hearing.
The purpose of the fund is described as "anti-weaponization."
The news was reported by CBS News journalists Natalie Brand and Caitlin Huey-Burns.
The article focuses on the government’s handling of political claims through this fund.
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Cuba is facing a worsening energy crisis, partly because the United States started blocking oil shipments to the country in January. This blockade has made it harder for Cuba to get the oil it needs for electricity and other energy uses.
Key Facts
The U.S. began blocking oil tankers bound for Cuba in January.
This action increased an existing energy shortage in Cuba.
Cuba relies heavily on imported oil for its energy needs.
The energy crisis affects electricity availability and other essential services.
The blockade is part of broader U.S. policies toward Cuba.
Experts from the Council on Foreign Relations provide analysis on the situation.
The CBS News report includes insights into how this crisis impacts Cuba’s daily life and economy.
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President Donald Trump, his family, and his businesses have been granted immunity from ongoing and possible future tax audits by a Justice Department order. This decision extends a recent settlement between Trump and the IRS involving a $10 billion lawsuit over leaked tax information.
Key Facts
President Trump, his family, and his businesses cannot be prosecuted or investigated for current or future tax claims related to past tax returns.
The immunity was granted through a one-page document signed by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The document was posted online by the Justice Department without a formal announcement.
This immunity expands on a settlement regarding a $10 billion lawsuit about leaked tax documents from 2018 to 2020.
Democratic lawmakers criticized the move, calling it corrupt and unconstitutional.
The Justice Department set up a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to compensate people claiming they were victims of politically motivated legal actions.
A five-member commission, mostly appointed by Todd Blanche, will decide how the fund’s money is spent.
Todd Blanche denied that the fund is partisan or directed by President Trump.
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Senator Jon Ossoff is a slight favorite in the 2026 Georgia Senate race, but Republicans have a chance to win if they get past a divided primary that will go to a runoff. Republican candidate Mike Collins leads in the primary but trails Ossoff in polls for the general election, partly due to mixed voter feelings about President Trump and economic concerns.
Key Facts
Jon Ossoff is considered one of the more vulnerable senators but currently holds a small lead.
Republicans face a runoff primary between Mike Collins and another candidate after no one reached 50% of the vote.
Mike Collins has about 41.6% of the vote in the primary with a consistent polling lead among Republicans.
Polls show Collins losing to Ossoff in a general election match-up by around 7 percentage points.
President Trump won Georgia by only two points in 2024, and his approval ratings there are low, especially on the economy.
Economic issues like inflation and energy prices are top concerns for Georgia voters.
Collins has aligned himself closely with President Trump, supporting the war in Iran as a step toward U.S. energy independence.
A betting market gives Ossoff an 83% chance of winning the seat, while Republicans have a 17% chance.
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In early August 2024, Venezuela experienced heavy repression following a disputed presidential election won by Nicolás Maduro. Four months after the US detained Maduro, some political activity and the release of prisoners occurred, but many Venezuelans remain unsure about the future.
Key Facts
The disputed Venezuelan presidential election happened around August 2024.
Nicolás Maduro claimed victory in the election amid controversy.
After the election, there was a large wave of repression in Venezuela.
Thousands of people were imprisoned, and many went into hiding.
Journalists were trying to leave the country due to the situation.
In late April 2025, four months after the US took Maduro into custody, political activism began to return.
Hundreds of political prisoners were released after Maduro’s detention.
Many Venezuelans worry that the political changes may not last.
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The European Union reached a deal to implement a trade agreement with the United States after long negotiations. This deal meets the July 4 deadline set by President Donald Trump, who warned of higher tariffs if the agreement was not approved.
Key Facts
EU lawmakers and member states agreed early Wednesday on implementing a trade pact with the U.S.
The deal was initially made last July but needed final approval on the EU side.
President Trump threatened new tariffs if the EU did not approve the pact by July 4.
The agreement sets most tariffs on European goods at 15 percent with some adjustments.
EU negotiators compromised by removing or changing some tougher rules originally added by parliament.
A suspension clause lets the EU respond if the U.S. breaks the deal, but it was softened to give the U.S. until the end of the year to remove extra tariffs on steel.
The pact’s expiry date was extended to the end of 2029.
The trade relationship with the U.S. is important for the EU’s $1.9 trillion economy.
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The UK government has eased some sanctions on Russian oil products like diesel and jet fuel refined in third countries due to rising fuel prices. This move allows imports of certain fuels from countries such as India and Turkey and includes a temporary relaxation of rules on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping.
Key Facts
The UK loosened some sanctions on Russian oil products refined outside Russia starting Wednesday.
The change responds to concerns about fuel supplies amid the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Sanctions on transporting Russian LNG were also eased with a license valid until January 1.
The UK continues to maintain overall tough sanctions on Russia while adding these specific flexibilities.
European jet fuel prices more than doubled after the war began but have since decreased somewhat; UK petrol prices remain high.
Airlines have canceled flights and raised ticket prices due to high jet fuel costs.
The UK had banned imports of diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian crude since October but now allows imports from countries like India and Turkey that refine Russian oil.
Similar US waivers on Russian oil have faced criticism from allies and Ukrainian leaders, but the UK government says its measures aim to balance sanctions with market stability.
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Rep. Mike Collins has moved to a runoff in the Georgia Republican primary for U.S. Senate, with the second spot still undecided between Rep. Buddy Carter and Derek Dooley. The winner of the runoff will face Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in the general election, with Ossoff running unopposed in his primary.
Key Facts
Mike Collins advanced to the GOP runoff in Georgia's Senate primary.
The runoff will occur on June 16, with Buddy Carter and Derek Dooley still competing for the second spot.
Jon Ossoff, the current Democratic senator, faces no primary opposition.
Georgia requires a candidate to get over 50% to avoid a runoff in primaries.
Collins and Carter both support President Donald Trump, but Trump has not endorsed anyone in the primary.
Derek Dooley, endorsed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, presents himself as a political outsider.
Collins is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for alleged misuse of funds, which he denies.
Ossoff has raised over $32 million to defend his seat, while Republican groups have also invested heavily in ads.
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A court in Pakistan sentenced Umar Hayat to death for killing 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf after she rejected his advances. The court also ordered Hayat to pay compensation to Yousaf’s family. The case caused public outrage and highlighted violence against women in Pakistan.
Key Facts
Umar Hayat, 23, broke into Sana Yousaf’s home and shot her after she refused his repeated advances.
Sana Yousaf was a popular social media influencer with over a million TikTok followers and half a million Instagram followers.
Hayat admitted to the crime, saying he was obsessed with Yousaf after online interactions.
The Islamabad court sentenced Hayat to death and ordered him to pay 2.5 million rupees ($9,000) to Yousaf’s family.
Yousaf’s father called the verdict a lesson for criminals in society.
The murder has raised concerns about violence against women in Pakistan.
Some backlash against Yousaf’s social media work has come from a small group of men citing religious reasons.
Activists describe the criticism as misogynistic and highlight the dangers female content creators face in Pakistan.
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US Vice President JD Vance said the United States is ready to use military force if Iran does not reach a nuclear agreement. He also said there has been some progress in the talks with Iran.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance spoke about US readiness for possible military action against Iran.
The reason for potential military action is Iran’s nuclear program.
Talks between the US and Iran are ongoing.
Vance described some progress in these discussions.
The US government aims to reach a nuclear deal with Iran.
If talks fail, the US is prepared to act militarily.
These comments reflect current US policy under President Donald Trump.
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