Senator John Cornyn canceled a meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche before a Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Blanche’s nomination. Cornyn wants clearer, written proof that a fund linked to President Donald Trump’s IRS settlement will be ended and that IRS audits on Trump and his associates will be limited.
Key Facts
Senator John Cornyn canceled a meeting with Todd Blanche one day before a committee vote on Blanche’s AG nomination.
Cornyn’s main concerns involve President Donald Trump’s settlement with the IRS.
The Department of Justice created a $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” connected to the settlement, which Blanche called “dead” during his hearing.
Cornyn wants proof in writing that the fund will be formally rescinded.
The DOJ provided drafts rescinding the fund but did not offer changes related to limiting IRS audits on Trump and his associates.
Cornyn says the DOJ has not provided satisfactory documents that meet his requests.
Blanche’s confirmation as Attorney General depends on support from senators like Cornyn.
The dispute involves issues of government oversight and trust regarding enforcement actions connected to President Trump.
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A new U.S. study shows that serious mold infections may be more common and dangerous than previously known. Researchers found about 450 cases in hospitals near Atlanta over five years, with about one-third of those patients dying in the hospital.
Key Facts
The study was done by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Invasive mold infections can be life-threatening, especially for older people and those with weak immune systems.
Researchers looked at hospital data from 2020 to 2024 in the Atlanta area.
They found about 450 confirmed cases out of nearly 1,000 possible ones initially identified.
Hospitals can expect 3 to 5 mold infection cases per 100 inpatient beds each year.
Mold infections often affect people weakened by conditions like COVID-19 or cancer.
Mold exposure risks may increase due to climate change and natural disasters like floods and hurricanes.
The study results provide a new estimate but may not apply the same way in other parts of the country.
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Tyler Robinson is waiting for a judge’s decision on whether he will stand trial for the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Prosecutors say there is enough evidence for a trial and plan to seek the death penalty. The case involves video evidence and witness statements.
Key Facts
Tyler Robinson is accused of killing Charlie Kirk with a rifle shot at a rally in Utah on September 10, 2025.
Prosecutors say the evidence clearly supports moving forward to a trial.
The judge’s decision is expected after a hearing scheduled for September 1, 2026.
Robinson faces charges including aggravated murder and firearm offenses.
Videos allegedly show Robinson on the roof where the shot was fired.
Robinson's roommate said Robinson confessed to the killing in messages and in person.
Defense attorneys have until August 11, 2026, to submit arguments.
Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty in this case.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former U.S. Representative from Georgia, married conservative commentator Brian Glenn in Las Vegas. The wedding took place at the Bellagio Hotel and was shared by Greene on social media.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene was formerly a U.S. Representative from Georgia.
Brian Glenn is a conservative commentator.
The couple married on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Their wedding was held at the Bellagio Hotel.
Greene posted about the wedding on the social media platform X.
The post included photos from the wedding.
Family members were present for the ceremony.
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Senator Lindsey Graham was honored with funeral ceremonies in South Carolina, where he was remembered as a hardworking public servant dedicated to his state. Earlier, leaders including President Donald Trump spoke of him as a persistent dealmaker.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham returned to South Carolina for his funeral.
The ceremonies were streamed by South Carolina ETV.
President Donald Trump and Vice President others praised Graham in a funeral service in Washington, D.C.
Graham was remembered as a hardworking and tireless politician.
Friends and colleagues recalled his deep connections throughout South Carolina.
He supported Republican candidates with funding in state and local elections.
Former Representative Trey Gowdy described Graham’s humble beginnings as the son of pool hall owners.
Graham knew many local officials and community locations in South Carolina.
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Hackers stole over 740,000 pieces of data from the UK's Department for Education (DfE) and a police legal database. The stolen information includes contact details of officials, school and university staff, police officers, and members of the public. The hacking group called ExfilSquad is demanding payment to stop leaking the data.
Key Facts
More than 600,000 data lines were taken from the DfE’s help-desk portal, including names, emails, phone numbers, and job titles.
A smaller amount of data was stolen from the DfE’s Turing portal, which manages a study abroad scheme.
The police national legal database (PNLD) was also hacked, exposing about 135,000 pieces of data mainly about police officers and criminal justice workers.
Some public members’ names and addresses were taken from the Ask the Police service, but no confidential victim or offender info was exposed.
The hackers, calling themselves ExfilSquad, posted samples of the stolen data online to pressure the victims to pay a ransom.
The DfE and PNLD deny that ransomware was used to lock their systems.
The stolen PNLD data includes passwords, which raises concerns about password reuse on more sensitive systems.
The UK government is working with cybersecurity agencies to investigate and respond to the attack.
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Several airlines, including Southwest, United, and Delta, have banned humanoid and animal-like robots from flights and checked luggage due to safety concerns related to their batteries. These robots often use lithium-ion batteries, which can pose fire risks if damaged or mishandled.
Key Facts
Southwest Airlines banned robots on flights in May, citing battery safety issues.
United Airlines started a similar ban on July 23, applying to robots in cabins and checked bags.
Delta Air Lines also prohibits robotic devices with large lithium batteries that exceed safety limits.
The bans are precautionary measures, not responses to specific incidents.
Humanoid robots mostly use lithium-ion batteries, which can be dangerous if they explode.
Some experts recognize the bans help safety but also note the challenge for researchers needing to transport robots.
JetBlue and American Airlines have not yet imposed bans or commented on the issue.
Airlines want to keep passengers and crew safe by limiting new technology that may pose risks.
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President Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to overturn an $83.3 million defamation judgment won by writer E. Jean Carroll. This follows an earlier $5 million damages award against him for sexual abuse and defamation in separate civil trials.
Key Facts
Two civil federal trials in 2023 and 2024 ruled Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation against E. Jean Carroll.
Carroll accused Trump of assaulting her in the 1990s and defaming her after she made the abuse public in 2019.
Trump denied the allegations and claimed he never met Carroll.
The $83.3 million judgment relates to defamation statements Trump made while in office, including calling Carroll a "whack job."
Trump's lawyers argue he has presidential immunity for statements made while acting as a federal employee.
The Justice Department supports Trump's request for Supreme Court review, citing the Westfall Act, which protects federal employees from personal liability for official actions.
Lower courts have rejected Trump's attempts to overturn the judgments so far.
Carroll has received $5.6 million from the earlier case; the $83.3 million award is held in a court account pending further decisions.
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President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama have endorsed opposing candidates in three key races for the 2026 midterm elections in Iowa and Texas. These races will show how much each leader influences their party’s voters and whether Democrats can win back support in these traditionally Republican states.
Key Facts
Obama has backed three candidates: Josh Turek (Iowa Senate), James Talarico (Texas Senate), and Gina Hinojosa (Texas governor).
Trump has endorsed their Republican opponents: Ashley Hinson (Iowa Senate), Ken Paxton (Texas Senate), and Greg Abbott (Texas governor).
Trump won Iowa and Texas by large margins in the 2024 presidential election.
Democrats believe economic issues and Trump’s lower approval rating may help them compete in these states.
Polls show close races in Iowa between Trump-backed Hinson and Obama-backed Turek.
Obama’s endorsement video featured him praising Turek’s character and ability to win.
The Republican National Committee praised Trump’s endorsement record, noting a 99% success rate.
Democrats are also campaigning actively in Texas, hoping to flip the state in 2026.
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President Obama endorsed Josh Turek, the Democratic candidate for Senate in Iowa. Turek shared a short video featuring a basketball shooting game with Obama to promote his campaign.
Key Facts
President Obama publicly supports Josh Turek for Iowa’s Senate seat.
Josh Turek is the Democratic nominee in the upcoming Senate race in Iowa.
Turek is a state representative in Iowa.
The campaign video features a basketball game called IOWA, similar to the game HORSE.
Josh Turek was born with spina bifida, a condition affecting his spine.
The video was posted on YouTube to help promote Turek’s campaign.
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Patrick Clancy, the ex-husband of Lindsay Clancy, testified about the day in January 2023 when their three children were found dead in their Massachusetts home. Lindsay Clancy, who is on trial for their murder, jumped out of a window with serious injuries after the incident and claims she was suffering from psychosis.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is charged with three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of her children: Cora (5), Dawson (3), and Callan (8 months).
Patrick Clancy found the house unusually quiet and the bedroom locked when he returned home with food.
He saw blood in the bedroom and found Lindsay outside with deep cuts on her wrists and a mark on her neck after she jumped from the second floor.
Lindsay allegedly strangled the children using exercise bands in the basement.
Patrick Clancy attempted CPR on the children until emergency services arrived.
Lindsay’s defense says she had psychosis and heard a voice telling her to kill the children.
Lindsay Clancy is currently in a wheelchair due to injuries from her fall and has pleaded not guilty.
The trial is ongoing, with prosecutors presenting evidence and witness testimonies; Lindsay faces life in prison if convicted.
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A recent audit found that Chicago’s current rat control program mainly reacts to complaints by poisoning rats instead of using long-term methods to reduce rat populations. The report suggests the city should monitor rat problems more closely and address the reasons rats thrive, like poor sanitation, for better long-term results.
Key Facts
The audit covered Chicago’s rat control efforts from July 2023 to July 2024.
The Department of Streets and Sanitation focused on poisoning rats after complaints rather than using a full pest management strategy.
A recommended method, Integrated Pest Management, involves monitoring rat populations and addressing root causes but was not fully used.
The city treated individual 311 complaints as triggers to act, rather than looking at the bigger problem overall.
The sanitation department says it has made some improvements since the audit.
Rat complaints peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic but have been decreasing since 2021.
Chicago has had a long-standing rat problem and was recently named the second “rattiest city” in the U.S. by a pest control company.
The audit recommends that the city take a more proactive and systematic approach to controlling rats.
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Militants attacked a police post in the Hangu district of northwestern Pakistan, killing five police officers and injuring about 24 others. Police killed four attackers during the fight, and no group has claimed responsibility, though the Pakistani Taliban is suspected.
Key Facts
The attack happened on Wednesday in Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near Afghanistan.
Five police officers were killed and around 24 were wounded, some seriously.
Police killed four of the militants during the ongoing gunbattle.
No group claimed the attack, but the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) is suspected.
Pakistan’s military reported killing 32 militants in recent operations across northwest and southwest Pakistan.
The TTP has increased attacks on Pakistani security forces recently.
The TTP is allied with Afghanistan’s Taliban, which returned to power in 2021.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of sheltering TTP militants, but Afghanistan denies this.
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An investigation found many reports of sexual misconduct at Interlochen Center for the Arts, a Michigan school supported by Jeffrey Epstein, a known sex offender. The school uncovered allegations against nearly 50 faculty and staff members, including two involving Epstein’s inappropriate behavior.
Key Facts
Interlochen Center for the Arts hired a law firm in 2024 to investigate sexual abuse reports by faculty and staff.
The investigation grew to include reports related to Jeffrey Epstein, who donated over $400,000 to the school.
Two women said Epstein acted in a sexual way toward them while they were students, including one incident at a lodge named after him.
The investigation collected 70 accounts of sexual misconduct by 47 staff members from the 1950s through the 2010s.
The school removed Epstein’s name from the lodge after his 2008 sex offense conviction and later demolished the building.
Interlochen shared the names of accused individuals with local authorities; none currently work at the school, and many are deceased.
School leaders apologized to victims and stated that Interlochen now has strict safety policies and a changed culture.
Jeffrey Epstein was a student at Interlochen in 1967 and played the bassoon.
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Hundreds of migrants are swimming from Morocco to the Spanish territory of Ceuta, creating overcrowded conditions at reception centers. Spanish authorities and rescue services are working to manage the situation, but the number of arrivals has been unusually high in recent days.
Key Facts
More than 1,500 migrants, including adults and children, recently reached Ceuta by swimming from Morocco.
The reception centers in Ceuta are full and overcrowded.
Some migrants have died attempting the crossing, with about 60 bodies seen at sea in the last year.
Spanish authorities including the Civil Guard and Red Cross use boats to rescue swimmers and bring them to Ceuta.
Most migrants are Moroccans, with some Algerians who lived in Morocco.
A recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling protects migrants arriving by sea from immediate pushbacks without legal process.
The cause of the recent surge is unclear, though some link it to diplomatic tensions between Spain, Morocco, and Algeria.
Ceuta is a small Spanish city located at the northern tip of Morocco and serves as a key border crossing point.
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Two Democratic senators sent a letter to Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, asking what safety measures it has for users who might be vulnerable to problems caused by artificial intelligence (AI). They are worried because scams using AI are growing in the United States, especially affecting older adults.
Key Facts
Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Mark Kelly, members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, wrote to Meta.
They want to know how Meta protects "at-risk users," such as older adults who may have cognitive changes.
AI scams, which use artificial intelligence to trick people, are increasing in the U.S.
The letter asks Meta to explain what safeguards it has to keep these users safe.
Meta owns major social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where many users might be affected.
The concern is that users with memory or thinking difficulties could be more easily fooled by AI-generated content or scams.
The Senate Special Committee on Aging focuses on issues that affect older Americans.
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Tens of thousands of Hindu worshippers gathered in northern India to bathe in the Ganga and Saryu rivers during the religious festival of Guru Purnima. They came to pray, honor their spiritual teachers, and ask for blessings.
Key Facts
The event took place in India’s northern holy cities.
Devotees bathed in the Ganga and Saryu rivers as part of the ritual.
The festival celebrated is called Guru Purnima.
The festival honors spiritual teachers and leaders.
Bathing in the rivers is believed to bring spiritual purification and blessings.
Large crowds participated in this traditional religious practice.
Guru Purnima is an important sacred day for Hindus.
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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with U.S. government officials in Washington, D.C. to discuss a new artificial intelligence (AI) model. This meeting happened shortly after over 1,000 AI company employees signed a letter asking to slow down AI development.
Key Facts
Sam Altman is the CEO of OpenAI, a company that creates AI technology.
He met with government officials in Washington, D.C. to talk about a new AI model.
The meeting happened on a Wednesday.
The day before, over 1,000 employees from AI companies released a letter.
The letter asked to slow down the pace of AI development for safety reasons.
The discussion with officials likely involved how to manage and regulate AI progress.
A White House reporter from Politico commented on the meeting.
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President Donald Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn an $83 million judgment awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump argues that he cannot be held responsible for statements he made while serving as president and wants the government to replace him as the defendant in the case.
Key Facts
A federal jury awarded E. Jean Carroll $83 million after finding Trump liable for defamation.
Trump denies Carroll’s sexual assault claims and called her allegations false on social media.
Trump argues he is protected by presidential immunity for statements made during his time in office.
The U.S. Court of Appeals said Trump raised the immunity argument too late in the case.
In 2024, a federal judge ordered Trump to pay damages to Carroll for defaming her.
The Supreme Court refused to hear Trump’s appeal of a separate $5 million verdict against him.
Trump wants the Supreme Court to recognize his statements denying Carroll’s claims as official acts made as president.
Carroll’s lawyers have not commented on Trump’s recent petition to the Supreme Court.
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Firefighters in France are working to control a large wildfire west of Bordeaux during extremely hot and windy weather. The fire has burned 42,000 hectares and caused 220,000 people to evacuate their homes.
Key Facts
A wildfire is burning west of Bordeaux in France.
The fire has spread over 42,000 hectares (about 103,000 acres).
Around 220,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas.
Hot temperatures and strong winds are making the fire harder to control.
Both firefighters and local residents are fighting the remaining fire spots.
The situation remains serious due to weather conditions.
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