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The Federal Reserve’s committee decided to keep interest rates the same last month but showed disagreement about future inflation. Some officials think inflation will drop soon, while others worry new technology investments could keep prices high.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate at 3.6% in the latest meeting.
There are 19 officials on the rate-setting committee, with differing views about inflation.
Some officials believe inflation will go down as gas prices drop and tariffs fade.
Others worry large spending on artificial intelligence and tech products may keep inflation high.
Kevin Warsh became the new Federal Reserve Chair, appointed by President Donald Trump.
Jerome Powell, the previous Chair, remains on the committee as a Fed governor until 2028.
President Trump had criticized Powell for not lowering borrowing costs fast enough.
The minutes show no immediate move by Warsh to cut interest rates.
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Lebanese pop singer Fadel Shaker, who became involved in militancy, was released on bail after months in jail. He faces ongoing investigations related to 2013 clashes between Sunni militants and the Lebanese army near Sidon.
Key Facts
Fadel Shaker surrendered to Lebanese military intelligence in October after 12 years as a fugitive.
He was sentenced to 22 years in prison in 2020 for supporting a terrorist group in 2013 clashes.
Shaker paid 500 million Lebanese pounds (about $5,500) for his release on bail.
He faces charges including membership in an armed group, funding armed groups, and money laundering.
The 2013 clashes near Sidon involved Sunni militants and Lebanese army soldiers, causing deaths and deepening sectarian tensions.
Shaker was close to Sunni cleric Ahmed al-Assir, who was sentenced to death for his role in the clashes.
Shaker denies participating in the clashes but a video shows him taunting the military during the event.
After release, Shaker moved to a rented apartment in Beirut and the legal case is still ongoing.
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Thousands of people in La Guaira, Venezuela, are struggling to get clean water and proper toilets after earthquakes damaged many buildings and water tanks. Relief groups, including the U.S., are providing food, water, and hygiene supplies to help those living in temporary shelters or outside.
Key Facts
Strong earthquakes hit Venezuela on June 24, causing 3,685 deaths.
About 190 buildings collapsed, and 856 were damaged in the affected area.
Many families lost their water storage tanks, making it hard to get water.
Some communities had water service only once a month or less even before the earthquakes.
People are using beaches for showers and toilets due to lack of facilities.
The U.S. is sending humanitarian aid with food, water, and hygiene kits.
Relief workers distributed aid boxes near the beach in Maiquetía, home to the country’s main airport.
Humanitarian groups say better living conditions are needed to stop disease from spreading.
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At the NATO summit in Ankara, President Donald Trump and the other leaders renewed their commitment to defend each other if attacked, despite previous tensions. Trump described the summit as a success and highlighted unity among the allies.
Key Facts
The NATO summit took place in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7-8, 2026.
Leaders confirmed their commitment to Article 5, meaning an attack on one ally is an attack on all.
President Trump said there was “a lot of love” and unity among the leaders during the summit.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said allies welcomed President Trump’s leadership.
Trump authorized U.S. military strikes on Iran shortly after the summit dinner.
Rutte did not rule out a future NATO role in the conflict with Iran, although Iran is outside NATO territory.
The U.S. will license its Patriot air defense system technology to allies.
The summit saw discussions about defense and cooperation amid some past disagreements, including Trump’s interest in Greenland.
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DOGE, a government agency previously led by Elon Musk, is closing down after ending many public contracts and laying off numerous federal workers. The agency had a controversial period under Musk’s leadership.
Key Facts
DOGE was a government agency.
Elon Musk once led DOGE.
The agency canceled billions of dollars in public contracts.
Many federal employees lost their jobs due to DOGE’s actions.
DOGE is now shutting down.
The closure follows a controversial time under Musk’s management.
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Former Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan was fined $5,000 instead of being sent to prison after she helped a Mexican immigrant avoid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents by escorting them out of her courtroom. She was convicted of felony obstruction but avoided jail due to her mostly good record.
Key Facts
Hannah Dugan is a former Wisconsin judge who resigned in January after facing impeachment threats.
She was convicted in December of felony obstruction for helping a Mexican immigrant evade ICE agents.
A federal judge fined her $5,000 and did not give her prison time.
Dugan had been a Milwaukee County circuit judge for nine years.
Her lawyers said the Trump administration targeted her to make judges cooperate with ICE’s immigrant enforcement.
Republican lawmakers called her an "activist judge" and pushed for her impeachment.
Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany, a Trump supporter, publicly demanded she be jailed after her conviction.
Dugan said her prosecution threatened the independence of the judiciary.
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Baby Rose, a singer and songwriter from Washington, D.C., grew up surrounded by music from her family. Her latest album, YEARNALISM, explores themes of desire and emotion through songs inspired by her own experiences and group listening sessions.
Key Facts
Baby Rose was raised in a musical family with influences from funk, soul, and hip-hop.
She received her first piano at age 9, which became a key part of her music and personal comfort.
Early in her career, she worked with hip-hop sampling and appreciated imperfections in sounds.
She won her first Grammy for work on Leon Thomas’s album MUTT.
Her album YEARNALISM focuses on feelings like forgiveness, conflict, and yearning.
YEARNALISM was influenced by listening groups called Yearners Anonymous, which are like group therapy sessions.
Baby Rose aims to preserve music as a way to keep memories and traditions alive.
She believes that yearning is a natural part of being alive and an important theme in her music.
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The Maine Democratic Party says the team of Senate candidate Graham Platner is trying to interfere with choosing a new candidate if Platner quits. Pressure is growing on Platner to end his campaign after a former girlfriend accused him of sexual assault.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running for the Maine Senate.
A former girlfriend has accused Platner of sexual assault.
There is pressure on Platner to stop his campaign because of this accusation.
The Maine Democratic Party is concerned about the fairness of the process to pick a replacement candidate.
The party accuses Platner’s team of trying to influence or interfere with that replacement process.
The situation is currently making news and causing political tension in Maine.
CBS News reported on this story and shared updates.
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President Donald Trump has recently taken actions and made statements that challenge the unity and strength of NATO, including threats to withdraw U.S. troops from Europe and criticisms of NATO members. These developments raise concerns about the alliance’s ability to respond effectively to threats from Russia and maintain strong defense cooperation among its members.
Key Facts
President Trump threatened to pull all U.S. troops out of Europe.
He criticized NATO for not supporting his approach toward Iran.
At the G7 Summit in France, other leaders were relieved Trump did not disrupt the meeting.
The situation creates uncertainty about how quickly NATO allies can strengthen defenses against Russian missile threats targeting Ukraine.
There are concerns that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin may test the resolve of European countries on NATO’s frontline.
Trump reportedly considered not attending the NATO summit held in Ankara but came due to the invitation by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The alliance faces internal strain from these actions and statements by the U.S. President.
Experts and former diplomats from France, Turkey, and international political analysts have discussed these challenges.
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The Australian government’s broadband testing program, run by the ACCC and using SamKnows routers, ended on June 30, 2026. After the program finished, thousands of these routers were disabled, even though many still work and could be reused.
Key Facts
The Measuring Broadband Australia (MBA) program started in 2020 to test internet speeds using SamKnows routers given to volunteers.
The program focused on fixed-line broadband services over Australia’s NBN network and other access networks.
After June 30, 2026, the routers were “bricked,” meaning they were disabled and stopped collecting data.
Volunteers were told their accounts would be closed and their data deleted after the program ended.
Some volunteers pointed out the routers still function and can be reused by installing open-source software called OpenWRT.
Reusing the routers could prevent unnecessary electronic waste, but the government encouraged volunteers to dispose of the devices responsibly instead.
About 4,000 routers were expected to be distributed during the program, with over 2,600 given out by late 2020.
A similar program in the US distributed 9,000 routers in 2011, but it is unknown what happened to those devices afterward.
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This article lists 15 recent recalls of food and products that could affect consumers. It highlights safety concerns that led companies to remove these items from sale.
Key Facts
There have been 15 recent recalls of food and other products.
The recalls occurred over the summer.
The recalled items may pose safety risks to consumers.
Companies pulled these items from stores or issued warnings.
Consumers should check the recall lists to see if they have any affected products.
Recalls help protect people from unsafe or contaminated items.
Information about specific recalled products can help prevent harm.
Staying informed about recalls can guide safer shopping choices.
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A U.S. appeals court refused President Donald Trump's request to stop the removal of his name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The court noted that Trump's name had already been taken off the building and found no strong reason to delay the removal.
Key Facts
The appeals court rejected President Trump's and the Kennedy Center board's request to pause a lower court's order to remove Trump's name.
Trump's name was removed from the Kennedy Center facade following a federal judge’s order in May.
The judge ruled that the board's vote to rename the center the "Trump-Kennedy Center" was invalid.
The board also tried to close the center for renovations, but the judge voided that decision too.
The judges said the board did not provide specific evidence to show financial harm from removing Trump's name.
The Kennedy Center leadership must update the judge on future plans after a board meeting in mid-July.
A judge named Christopher Cooper handled the case at the district court level.
The appeals court included a judge appointed by President Trump, Gregory Katsas.
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Researchers from Northwestern University studied how TikTok’s For You Page (FYP) algorithm reacts to user feedback. They found that while users can reduce unwanted videos by marking them "not interested," the effect usually fades unless users keep providing the same feedback repeatedly.
Key Facts
TikTok’s FYP uses an algorithm that looks at how long users watch videos and if they like or follow content creators.
Some users feel their negative feedback, like clicking "not interested," does not stop certain videos from appearing.
Northwestern researchers created 90 bot accounts to test how the TikTok algorithm responds to different signals.
Their tests focused on three video types: cooking, fitness, and sports betting.
Using the "not interested" button reduced unwanted videos by about 84%, but skipping videos only lowered them by 48%.
The "not interested" button is not always easy for users to find.
The algorithm often returns to showing unwanted videos after a short time, especially if the user briefly interacts with that content again.
The research shows TikTok’s algorithm needs constant, repeated negative feedback to keep unwanted videos off a user’s feed.
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President Donald Trump has warned of more military strikes against Iran, stating that a ceasefire has ended. A retired U.S. Navy vice admiral discussed the situation on CBS News.
Key Facts
President Trump says the ceasefire with Iran is over.
He threatens additional military strikes against Iran.
Robert B. Murrett, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral, provides analysis on the situation.
The information was shared on CBS News.
The focus is on escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
No details about the location or timing of the strikes were given.
The situation involves U.S. military and foreign policy decisions.
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The U.S. Department of Education gave barbering, cosmetology, and massage therapy programs extra time to meet a new rule about tracking student success. The department acknowledged these jobs earn tips and want better ways to measure how graduates earn money.
Key Facts
The Department of Education set a new rule to check programs’ accountability.
Barbering, cosmetology, and massage therapy schools asked for more time to follow this rule.
These jobs often pay through tips, which affects income measurement.
The department agreed to give them more time to comply.
This change aims to better reflect the true earnings of program graduates.
The focus is on fairness in judging how well these programs prepare students for their careers.
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France has sent back 23 ancient Syrian artefacts that it kept since the civil war started in 2011. These items, which date from very old times to the Abbasid era, were returned to the National Museum in Damascus after French President Emmanuel Macron visited Syria.
Key Facts
France held onto 23 Syrian artefacts since 2011.
The artefacts cover a wide time period, from prehistoric times to the Abbasid era.
The items were returned following a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The artefacts were given back to the National Museum in Damascus.
The return marks a step in restoring Syria’s cultural heritage after the war.
The Syrian civil war began in 2011, which led to the artefacts being held by France.
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A judge in New York ordered President Donald Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll $5 million plus interest after a jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation. The Supreme Court recently refused to hear Trump's appeal on this case, while another jury awarded Carroll $83 million in a related case that is still under appeal.
Key Facts
A New York federal judge ordered President Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll $5 million plus about $800,000 in interest.
A jury found President Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll.
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Trump's appeal of the case last month.
In a related case, another jury awarded Carroll $83 million in damages, but it is still being appealed.
The judge overseeing the payment order is Lewis Kaplan.
The court order came while President Trump was attending the NATO summit in Ankara.
The cases stem from accusations made by E. Jean Carroll against President Trump.
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Submitting the FAFSA is the first step to getting help with college costs, but it may not cover all expenses. Students can appeal their financial aid decisions, consider private loans carefully, and apply for scholarships year-round to help pay for school in fall 2026.
Key Facts
FAFSA is the application used to get federal financial aid for college.
After receiving financial aid offers, students often find gaps between aid and actual costs.
Students can appeal their financial aid package if their financial situation changes or if the aid does not cover their needs.
Private student loans are an option if federal aid is not enough, but they have different terms and fewer protections.
When choosing private loans, it is important to compare interest rates, repayment plans, and borrower protections.
Scholarships can be applied for throughout the year, not just before college starts.
Schools may adjust financial aid awards based on significant changes like job loss, medical expenses, or family changes.
Students should borrow only what they need and try to maximize federal aid before using private loans.
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A former Milwaukee County judge, Hannah Dugan, was sentenced to pay a $5,000 fine but will not go to prison for helping a Mexican immigrant avoid federal agents. Dugan was convicted of obstruction last year after escorting the immigrant out of her courtroom through a side door, but the judge decided jail time was unnecessary.
Key Facts
Hannah Dugan, a former judge, was found guilty of obstructing a criminal proceeding in December 2025.
She helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national facing battery charges, leave the courthouse through a private exit to avoid arrest by federal agents.
Dugan resigned after her arrest in April 2025 as efforts to impeach her began in Wisconsin.
She was fined $5,000 but will not serve prison time.
Her lawyers plan to appeal the conviction.
The arrest was seen as a success for the Trump administration and supporters concerned about politicized justice.
Flores-Ruiz was eventually caught by immigration agents and deported.
Dugan said she acted without malicious intent and was trying to do her job as a public servant.
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A Mexican man named Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Houston while driving to a work site. His family and a Texas congresswoman say he had no criminal record and was seeking legal status in the U.S. Federal officials say Salgado tried to ram an officer’s vehicle and ignored commands, leading to the shooting.
Key Facts
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was a Mexican national living in the U.S. for decades without criminal convictions.
He worked in homebuilding and supported three American citizen sons through college.
He was shot in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood on July 7, 2026, during an ICE enforcement operation.
Federal officials claim Salgado rammed an ICE vehicle and ignored commands before the officer shot him in self-defense.
Salgado was shot in the abdomen and died at the hospital.
His family says he was working toward getting legal status in the U.S. after years of neglecting it.
Three other men who were with Salgado were detained, but their whereabouts are currently unknown.
Civil rights groups and Democratic officials are calling for federal authorities to release video and other evidence of the shooting.
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