A group of U.S. senators introduced a new bill called the "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026" to put sanctions on Russian leaders and heavy taxes on countries buying Russian oil and gas. The goal is to pressure Russia to stop its war in Ukraine by targeting its energy income and key people in the Russian government.
Key Facts
The bill imposes sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, top officials, the military, banks, and energy companies.
It would block Americans from buying Russian debt or doing business with Russia’s government or energy sector.
Tariffs up to 100% would be placed on the top five buyers of Russian oil: China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan.
Tariffs would also apply to the top five buyers of Russian natural gas: China, France, Belgium, Japan, and Hungary.
Countries buying less than 15% of Russia's gas exports would be exempt from tariffs.
The U.S. would review the list of top buyers every 180 days to encourage them to find other energy sources.
President Trump can exempt certain entities from sanctions with approval to Congress.
The bill was supported by 26 senators as of Tuesday, with more expected to join.
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House Republican leaders ended a delay in legislative work caused by conservative members demanding action on President Trump’s SAVE America Act. The House voted to move forward with several bills, including one to fund the State Department, and plans to attach the elections bill to this funding measure before sending it to the Senate.
Key Facts
Conservative House Republicans held up votes to pressure the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act.
The SAVE America Act requires proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo ID to vote in federal elections.
Most GOP holdouts agreed to move forward with a procedural vote, breaking the deadlock.
Speaker Mike Johnson intends to attach the SAVE America Act to the State Department funding bill.
The SAVE America Act has passed the House three times but failed to gain enough support in the Senate.
Some House conservatives also want action on a border security bill that passed the House in 2023 but not in the Senate.
Republicans have a narrow House majority, so a small group can delay or block votes.
The House faces limited time to work on other issues before a five-week recess.
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Several environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for reducing protections for habitats of endangered species. The groups say this change will harm the animals and is against environmental laws.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed by nine environmental organizations, including the Center for Biological Diversity and the Sierra Club.
The lawsuit challenges a recent decision by President Donald Trump’s administration.
This decision rolled back rules that protected the homes of endangered animals.
The groups say the rollback violates laws meant to keep endangered species safe.
The lawsuit was filed on a Tuesday, shortly after the rollback was announced.
The environmental groups want the protections to be restored.
The rollback is part of a broader effort to reduce regulations on land use.
The lawsuit aims to stop the rollback from going into effect.
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France held a ceremony in Nice on July 14, 2026, to remember the terror attack that happened 10 years earlier. The attack in 2016 killed 86 people and injured over 400 along the city's Promenade des Anglais.
Key Facts
The terror attack in Nice occurred on July 14, 2016, during Bastille Day celebrations.
A total of 86 people were killed in the attack.
More than 400 people were injured in the incident.
The attack took place on the Promenade des Anglais, a famous walkway in Nice.
French President Emmanuel Macron attended the 10th-anniversary ceremony in Nice.
The ceremony was solemn and meant to honor the victims and survivors.
The event received coverage from France 24 and other news outlets.
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Tensions between the US and Iran have intensified around control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil and gas. Iran insists it must control the strait and is firm on this issue, while the US demands free passage for commercial vessels, making the situation unstable.
Key Facts
The US and Iran recently signed a tentative deal, but tensions remain high.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key maritime corridor for global oil and gas shipments.
Iran interprets the deal as allowing it to control the strait, while the US expects free passage.
Iranian forces demand that vessels follow routes designated by Iran in the strait.
Some recent Iranian attacks on ships in the region are thought to be by a rogue unit within Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Iran’s parliament introduced a bill to strengthen control and security over the strait.
Iran sees control of the strait as a way to pressure the US and maintain economic leverage despite sanctions.
Neighboring countries like Qatar and Oman, involved as mediators, are concerned about Iran’s expanding control over the waterway.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom said that President Donald Trump did not sign a bipartisan housing bill because it resembled California's approach to housing. Newsom made the comment while signing a new state law aimed at making housing more affordable.
Key Facts
Governor Gavin Newsom is from California and is a member of the Democratic Party.
The housing bill in question passed with strong support in both the House and Senate.
President Donald Trump chose not to sign this bipartisan housing bill.
Newsom suggested the bill was rejected because it looked similar to California’s housing policies.
Newsom made this statement during the signing of a separate California state bill focused on affordable housing.
The state bill aims to help make housing more affordable for Californians.
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Darline Graham was sworn in as a U.S. senator from South Carolina after the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. She was appointed by the state governor to serve for the rest of Lindsey Graham’s term, and a special election will take place next month to choose a new senator.
Key Facts
Darline Graham is the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina.
She was sworn in as a U.S. senator three days after her brother’s death.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed her to fill the remaining months of Lindsey Graham’s term.
A special election will be held next month to select a new Republican nominee for the seat.
Lindsey Graham was seeking a fifth term before his death.
Darline Graham will be the first woman senator from South Carolina.
She has not held public office before.
Her past work includes being an optician and working at state agencies like the South Carolina Commission for the Blind.
She is married to Larry Nordone but will use her legal name, Darline Graham, in the Senate.
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The U.S. military carried out airstrikes in Iran for the fourth consecutive day, aiming at new threats from Tehran. These attacks focused on military targets and happened just hours after previous strikes.
Key Facts
The U.S. military launched airstrikes in Iran on four consecutive days.
The strikes targeted what the U.S. described as "emerging threats" from Iran.
The targets were military sites in Iran.
An anonymous U.S. official confirmed the strikes to The Hill news outlet.
The airstrikes continued shortly after earlier military actions in Iran.
The U.S. did not provide detailed information about the exact targets or damage.
The situation reflects ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
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Two teenagers, a 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, were charged with murder in Illinois after five family members were killed in shootings at three locations. The girl’s case will start in juvenile court, and the boy will be tried as an adult; two others were also injured.
Key Facts
Five family members were fatally shot in East St. Louis, Illinois.
The shootings happened mainly over the weekend, with one victim shot earlier.
The teens were arrested on Sunday in a state park after police stopped their vehicle.
The 16-year-old boy will be tried as an adult.
The 15-year-old girl’s case begins in juvenile court but may move to criminal court.
Prosecutors say the shootings were targeted, but no official motive was revealed.
The girl’s father said she planned the attacks with her boyfriend, the 16-year-old.
The victims were family members aged 74, 49, 25, 24, and 21 years old.
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The Caricom Reparations Commission has asked the UK to return control of the British Virgin Islands to the Caribbean and wants King Charles to support ending colonial rule in Britain’s overseas territories. The commission highlighted that many Caribbean islands remain under British control despite having some local self-government.
Key Facts
The Caricom Reparations Commission represents Caribbean nations seeking justice for slavery and colonialism.
It demands the UK return the British Virgin Islands and other territories to full local control.
These British overseas territories have local governments but remain under UK-appointed governors who control defence and international matters.
The Caribbean is described as the most colonised region in the world.
The commission has launched a new manifesto calling for reparations and including the end of colonial rule as a key demand.
King Charles is set to speak at the Commonwealth meeting in November, where the Caribbean will watch for his support on decolonisation.
The commission links reparations and decolonisation as connected goals.
There are around 20 colonies in the Caribbean still controlled by Britain, France, the Netherlands, and the USA.
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The UK Foreign Office has created a new role of special envoy to help British citizens detained abroad in difficult cases. Alistair Burt has been appointed to this position to provide additional support and improve efforts to secure releases, following criticism of past government handling.
Key Facts
Alistair Burt, former Middle East minister, is the UK’s first special envoy for Britons detained overseas.
The role focuses on complex consular cases and aims to support British nationals facing welfare, legal, or human rights issues abroad.
This appointment responds to criticism over inconsistent support for detained Britons, including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, held for six years in Iran.
The role was inspired by the US’s special envoy for hostages, which has been seen as more effective in securing releases.
The Foreign Office delayed appointing the envoy for over a year due to concerns about interfering with diplomatic relations.
Labour had promised a legal right to consular assistance for British citizens facing human rights violations, but no law has been passed yet.
Critics say success depends on strong government backing and determination to bring detained Britons home, such as Jagtar Singh Johal in India.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper supports the appointment and expects Burt to improve support for detainees and their families.
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Darline Graham Nordone was officially sworn in as a U.S. senator on Tuesday. She took the place of her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, marking the first time in Senate history that a sibling has replaced a senator who died while in office.
Key Facts
Darline Graham Nordone became a U.S. senator on Tuesday.
She replaced her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham from South Carolina.
Sen. Lindsey Graham passed away while still in office.
This is the first time a sibling has succeeded a senator who died in office.
The swearing-in took place at 2:30 p.m.
Nordone wore pale blue during the ceremony.
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Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh spoke to the House Financial Services Committee about the central bank's independence and inflation. New government data showed that inflation increased by 3.5% over the year ending in June.
Key Facts
Kevin Warsh is the Federal Reserve Chair.
He testified before the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday.
The discussion focused on the central bank’s independence and inflation.
Inflation rose by 3.5% over the last year as of June.
The testimony took place in Washington, D.C.
The inflation data is recent and reflects government measurements.
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Federal health officials say the outbreaks of cyclospora, a parasite causing severe diarrhea, are expected to continue through August in the US. The CDC has reported over 1,600 confirmed cases and is still investigating the source, with lettuce being a possible cause in some states.
Key Facts
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes watery, explosive diarrhea.
The CDC has confirmed 1,645 cases and reported 145 hospitalizations.
There are 5,100 more cases awaiting further review, including interviews.
Outbreaks are linked in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky, but the exact food source is not confirmed.
Michigan officials suspect lettuce, possibly from Taco Bell locations, might be involved.
Cyclospora infections often increase in warm months from May to August.
The parasite spreads through contaminated food or water, often via feces.
The CDC and FDA are working on investigations but face challenges due to limited staff and resources after budget cuts by the Trump administration.
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Actor Ben McKenzie, known for the TV show “The OC,” asked Senate Democrats not to approve a bill regulating cryptocurrency. He argued the bill does not include rules to stop President Trump from influencing the cryptocurrency industry.
Key Facts
Ben McKenzie is an actor famous for his role in “The OC.”
He spoke to Senate Democrats on Tuesday about a cryptocurrency regulation bill.
McKenzie wants the Senate to vote against this bill.
His main concern is that the bill does not have an ethics rule to limit President Trump’s involvement in cryptocurrency.
McKenzie is known as a critic of the cryptocurrency industry.
He made a documentary about the cryptocurrency industry last year.
The discussion is happening in the U.S. government’s Senate.
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Darline Graham was sworn in to finish the Senate term left by her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, who died recently. She is the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate and was appointed by the governor with support from President Trump and other officials.
Key Facts
Darline Graham is the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
She was sworn in as a U.S. Senator to complete Lindsey Graham’s term.
Senator Chuck Grassley gave her the oath of office on the Senate floor.
She is South Carolina’s first female senator.
Governor Henry McMaster appointed her to the Senate seat.
President Trump and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott supported her appointment.
Lindsey Graham had cared for Darline after their parents died; they had a close relationship.
Darline Graham has a background in disability services and was commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind.
A special primary election will be held on August 11 to choose a new Republican candidate for the seat.
Darline said she wants to honor her brother and support President Trump’s efforts while in office.
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More than 24 Senate Democratic members, led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, are asking President Donald Trump's administration to share the results of a Pentagon investigation. The investigation looks into a February 28 strike on a girls’ school in Iran, which killed 175 people, mostly children.
Key Facts
Over two dozen Democratic senators signed a demand letter.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York leads the group.
They want the Pentagon to reveal the findings of its investigation.
The investigation focuses on a military strike on a girls’ school in Iran.
The strike happened on February 28.
Approximately 175 people died in the strike.
Most of the victims were children.
The senators want the report shared with Congress by next week.
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Thousands of people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with cyclosporiasis, a type of infection caused by a parasite. However, health experts believe the real number of cases is much higher than reported.
Key Facts
Cyclosporiasis is an infection caused by a parasite called Cyclospora.
Thousands of confirmed cases have been reported in the United States.
Many people with the infection may not be diagnosed or reported.
Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and tiredness.
The infection is often linked to contaminated food or water.
Underreporting happens because not all sick people seek medical care or get tested.
Public health officials track cases to help control outbreaks.
Better reporting and testing could show the true scale of the problem.
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House Republicans ended a weeks-long deadlock by passing a new rule that allows debate and voting on several bills. The vote was 215 to 211, marking a victory for Speaker Mike Johnson, who had worked to unite his party.
Key Facts
The House Republican conference had been stuck in a disagreement for several weeks.
The disagreement caused many legislative activities to stop.
On Tuesday, a new rule was passed by a vote of 215 to 211.
The rule allows the House to debate and vote on several important measures.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) led the effort to resolve the conflict and pass the rule.
This development signals a move to restart work in the House under Republican leadership.
The vote shows a narrow but successful effort to unite different Republican groups.
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