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A new federal rule proposal would change how government grants are given. Instead of relying on experts to pick grants based on quality, political leaders in President Trump’s administration could reject or stop grants for any reason, including no reason.
Key Facts
The rule would change the federal grant process from expert-based to political control.
Political appointees could deny or end grants at any time.
Grants could be canceled without explaining why.
The change applies to federal grants, which fund various programs.
The proposal comes from the administration of President Donald Trump.
The current system focuses on merit and expert review.
Critics worry this could politicize funding decisions.
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Podcaster Joe Rogan said that President Trump might have made a mistake by starting a war with Iran. This comment came after the U.S. began military strikes on Iran because of Iran’s attacks on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
Joe Rogan expressed doubt about the decision to go to war with Iran.
The U.S. resumed military strikes on Iran following attacks by Iran on ships.
The attacks happened in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for ships.
Rogan suggested that the war was not supported by many conservatives.
His comments were made during a podcast on Wednesday.
The conflict involves President Trump’s military actions against Iran.
The situation reflects ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
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The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced two major changes to improve service for people receiving retirement and disability benefits. These changes include centralizing oversight of processing centers and expanding a call center for legal representatives to improve communication and speed up case handling.
Key Facts
SSA combined supervision of all eight processing centers into one group called Central Processing.
Several support units, such as Disability Operations and International Processing, are now under Central Processing.
This reorganization aims to make decision-making faster and improve how cases are handled.
The representative call center is expanding to give attorneys a single national number to ask about case status and fee payments.
Calls from representatives will be automatically connected to the right processing center.
SSA says new technology and tools have helped reduce wait times and manage more calls.
Commissioner Frank Bisignano leads these efforts to improve customer service.
SSA completed over 3.1 million benefit payments related to the Social Security Fairness Act early, totaling more than $17 billion.
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Progressive groups in Maine are searching for a new candidate to support for the US Senate after Graham Platner withdrew because of sexual assault allegations. Many former supporters are considering backing Troy Jackson, a progressive leader and former state senate president, while other Democrats aim for more moderate candidates.
Key Facts
Graham Platner dropped out of the Maine US Senate race after sexual assault accusations.
Progressive groups want to find a new candidate to continue Platner’s anti-establishment platform.
Our Revolution, a progressive group, is supporting Troy Jackson for the Senate seat.
Troy Jackson is a former Maine state senate president and a longtime progressive and union member.
Congressman Ro Khanna and activist Hasan Piker shifted support from Platner to Jackson.
Jackson previously opposed same-sex marriage and abortion but has changed his positions.
Some Democrats want the party to choose a more moderate candidate to improve election chances.
Other candidates, like Nirav Shah, a former Maine health official, are also seeking the nomination.
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The U.S. launched new airstrikes against Iran, hitting about 90 military targets. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire is over and claimed that Iran wants to make a deal, but the timing of any agreement is unclear.
Key Facts
The U.S. carried out a fresh series of airstrikes on Iran on Wednesday.
Approximately 90 Iranian military targets were attacked, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is over.
President Trump stated that Iran wants to negotiate a deal.
The exact timing of any potential deal with Iran is not known.
The strikes and remarks happened amid ongoing conflict concerns between the U.S. and Iran.
The report was provided by CBS News correspondent Olivia Rinaldi.
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A French court has allowed Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally party, to run for president in the April 2027 election. The court reduced and suspended her prison sentence and ban on holding public office, but she must wear an electronic monitor for a year under house arrest. Le Pen plans to appeal the decision in the highest French court and currently leads in opinion polls.
Key Facts
Marine Le Pen leads the far-right National Rally party in France.
A court reduced and suspended her prison sentence related to a jobs scandal.
Her ban on running for public office was lifted, allowing her to run for president.
She must wear an electronic monitoring device for one year while under house arrest.
Le Pen says the monitoring will make it hard for her to campaign.
She plans to challenge the ruling in France’s top court.
Le Pen is currently ahead in opinion polls for the 2027 presidential election.
The main question is whether voters opposing her nationalist and anti-immigrant views will unite behind another candidate.
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New York’s Attorney General Letitia James sued several big chemical companies, including 3M and DuPont, for selling harmful “forever chemicals” called PFAS. The lawsuit says these chemicals have polluted the environment and caused health risks, and it seeks money to clean up and require warnings for consumers.
Key Facts
New York filed the lawsuit against 3M, DuPont de Nemours, The Chemours Company, Corteva, and others.
The case claims these companies knowingly sold toxic PFAS chemicals for decades.
PFAS are used in products like cosmetics and non-stick cookware.
These chemicals do not break down easily and linger in air, water, and soil.
PFAS have been linked to certain cancers and developmental problems in children.
The lawsuit requests the companies pay for environmental cleanup in New York.
Officials say some companies knew PFAS were harmful but still sold products containing them.
Last year, similar companies agreed to pay up to $2 billion to New Jersey over PFAS pollution.
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NATO leaders met in Ankara to discuss military support for Ukraine and defense spending. The US asked NATO allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route Iran had blocked, but many European countries declined, saying the conflict with Iran is not NATO's concern.
Key Facts
NATO leaders gathered in Ankara for talks on defense and Ukraine support.
The US and Israel are involved in a conflict with Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial waterway for global shipping.
Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz for several months.
The US asked NATO allies to help secure the strait.
Many European NATO members refused to join the effort.
The refusal is based on the view that the Iran conflict is outside NATO's mission.
Experts from various universities and institutes discussed the issue during the meeting.
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England is experiencing its third heatwave of the year with temperatures reaching 35°C (95°F). Heat health alerts cover most of England, warning of pressure on health services and possible travel disruptions until Sunday evening.
Key Facts
Heat health alerts have been extended to northern England and cover almost all of England until 9 pm Sunday.
Temperatures reached 35.1°C in Surrey, close to the Wimbledon record of 35.7°C in 2015.
NHS ambulance services are under sustained pressure due to the heatwave.
Rail services across England are facing disruptions and have advised passengers to avoid non-essential travel.
This heatwave marks the eighth day this year with temperatures at or above 34°C, setting a new record for the calendar year.
High electricity demand is expected because of increased use of cooling devices, with the grid operator requesting more power availability.
Safety advice urges people to take care, especially children, elderly, and those with health conditions.
The worst heat is expected in southern and eastern England, with Wimbledon players receiving extra care for heat protection.
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Jet fuel prices have gone down after rising during the Iran war, but plane ticket prices remain high. Experts say strong travel demand and the shutdown of Spirit Airlines are keeping airfares expensive despite lower fuel costs.
Key Facts
Jet fuel prices dropped after rising due to the Iran war.
Plane ticket prices have not fallen much because demand for travel is still strong.
Spirit Airlines shut down, removing a low-cost option for travelers.
Airlines have less capacity to carry passengers, which keeps prices high.
Ticket prices rose 18% in May compared to the previous year.
Airlines raise prices quickly when costs increase but lower them slowly when costs drop.
Many travelers now prefer paying for better seats and services, not no-frills flights.
The number of passenger trips in May stayed about the same as the year before.
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Cach Mercer, winner of Love Island 2025, is one of the celebrities joining the 2026 season of Strictly Come Dancing. Other announced participants include celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton, singer Delta Goodrem, actress Lacey Turner, and reality star Dani Dyer.
Key Facts
Cach Mercer won Love Island in 2025 and works as a model, DJ, and mental health charity ambassador.
Mercer is excited to learn ballroom dances like the foxtrot on Strictly Come Dancing.
Chris Appleton is known for styling celebrities like Kim Kardashian and has created looks for Jennifer Lopez and Katy Perry.
Australian singer Delta Goodrem, who previously competed in Eurovision 2026, will also compete in the show.
Actress Lacey Turner, famous for her role on EastEnders, is participating and is a longtime fan of the show.
Dani Dyer, a previous Love Island contestant, is returning after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals last year and missing the competition.
The Strictly Come Dancing 2026 season is expected to start in September.
The show pairs celebrities with professional dancers to compete in ballroom and Latin dances.
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This article highlights several events from the past week, including Prince Harry losing a privacy court case, England's football team winning a match against Mexico, and the United States celebrating its 250th birthday. It also mentions a quiz related to news and events, referencing Kylie Minogue and Australia's Prime Minister's apology.
Key Facts
Prince Harry lost a privacy case against the publisher of the Daily Mail.
England's football team, known as the Three Lions, won a game in Mexico.
The United States marked its 250th birthday recently.
Australia’s Prime Minister apologized to singer Kylie Minogue (though details are not provided).
The article includes a quiz about recent world news events.
The quiz was created by Ben Fell.
Readers are invited to try other quizzes from previous weeks or archives.
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A Ghanaian social media influencer named Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, was extradited to the United States to face charges of running a romance scam that stole over $8 million from elderly Americans. He is accused of using fake online identities created with AI tools to trick victims and send the stolen money to accomplices in both countries.
Key Facts
Frederick Kumi (Abu Trica) is accused of scamming elderly Americans out of more than $8 million.
He allegedly used AI technology to create fake profiles and gain victims' trust on social media and dating sites.
Kumi was extradited from Ghana to the US and could face up to 20 years in prison.
His lawyer claims Ghana’s government ignored court decisions by extraditing him early, raising legal concerns.
Prosecutors say the scam involved false claims like urgent medical needs or investment opportunities to get money.
Kumi’s social media showed luxury cars and properties, which raised suspicion about his income sources.
The case is part of a larger effort by US authorities to stop fraud targeting elderly Americans, especially involving West African networks.
Kumi was arrested last year in a joint operation between Ghana and the US.
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Wally Funk, a pioneering female pilot and the oldest woman to travel to space, has died at age 87 in Grapevine, Texas. She was part of the Mercury 13 program in the 1960s and flew to space in 2021 with Blue Origin's New Shepard mission.
Key Facts
Wally Funk was born on February 1, 1939, and lived in Grapevine, Texas.
She was selected for the Mercury 13 program in 1961, undergoing the same tests as NASA astronauts.
Despite her qualifications, women were not allowed to join NASA astronauts during her early career.
Funk became the first female flight instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and the first female inspector for the FAA.
She trained over 3,000 pilots and logged more than 30,000 flight hours.
In July 2021, at age 82, she flew to space on Blue Origin's New Shepard NS-16 mission, becoming the oldest woman in space.
She received multiple honors, including induction into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame and Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame.
Wally Funk died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, as announced by the city of Grapevine.
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A 14-year-old girl named Lilly Jones was found dead in a park in Blaina, Wales, two days after she went missing. A 14-year-old boy has been charged with her murder and is due to appear in court again soon.
Key Facts
Lilly Jones went missing from her home on June 20.
Her body was found in Duffryn Park on June 22.
The cause of death was multiple stab wounds.
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with her murder and is in custody.
A court hearing for the boy is planned later this month.
A trial is expected to start in November.
Lilly’s family described her as kind, caring, and unique.
The family thanked the community for support and donations.
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A Hungarian court sentenced an Irish man to 14 years in prison for murdering an American woman tourist in Budapest in 2024. The man killed the woman during a private encounter, hid her body, and later disposed of it in a forest near Lake Balaton.
Key Facts
The victim was Mackenzie Michalski, a 31-year-old nurse practitioner from Portland, Oregon, visiting Hungary.
She was last seen at a nightclub in Budapest on November 5, 2024, after which she went missing.
The suspect, a 37-year-old Irish citizen identified as L.T.M., was arrested on November 7, 2024.
Police said the man beat and strangled Michalski and then hid her body in his apartment.
He later placed her body in a suitcase and discarded it in a wooded area near Szigliget by Lake Balaton.
The court found that the man intended to kill Michalski and did not seek help after the attack.
He was sentenced to 14 years in prison without parole and ordered to pay court costs and be deported after serving the sentence.
The man is appealing the conviction.
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President Donald Trump has proposed building a 250-foot tall arch in Washington, D.C. The National Capital Planning Commission is reviewing the plan but suggests changes to meet federal rules that limit building heights in the city.
Key Facts
The arch would be 250 feet (76 meters) tall and change the city skyline.
The National Capital Planning Commission is the federal agency that must approve the project.
The commission is holding a meeting to review the arch plan.
Staff from the commission recommend approving the site and building plans at first.
The staff also suggest changing the design to follow height limits set by federal law.
These height limits exist to protect Washington, D.C.’s famous skyline.
The commission enforces these rules when deciding on building projects.
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A new report shows strong growth in local groups opposing large AI data centers across the U.S., with over 430 groups and more than 525,000 members in 40 states. People are concerned about the centers’ energy use, water demand, noise, and other impacts as these facilities expand rapidly.
Key Facts
The number of opposition groups rose from 268 in April to 430 in the latest report.
Opposition members increased nearly seven times since December 2025, now totaling over 525,000 people.
Ohio has the most groups (47) while Pennsylvania has the second most (46), but Missouri has the largest number of members (about 141,000).
The report tracks groups mainly on Facebook to avoid counting duplicates on other platforms.
Data centers use lots of energy, sometimes as much as major cities, driven by demand for AI technology.
There are nearly 4,500 data centers in the U.S., including almost 500 in Texas and over 637 in Virginia.
A national protest against data centers is planned for July 18 in over 50 locations.
Concerns against data centers include rising utility costs, high water use, noise, land changes, and national security risks related to AI growth.
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A new survey shows that fewer Americans now support capitalism compared to ten years ago. The poll found that 48% of people think American capitalism is working well, while 51% believe it is not working well.
Key Facts
The survey was released by The Wall Street Journal and NORC Research Center.
48% of respondents said capitalism in the U.S. is working “very well” or “somewhat well.”
51% of respondents said capitalism is working “not too well.”
The data shows a decline in support for capitalism over the past decade.
The poll was shared publicly on a Wednesday (exact date not specified).
The survey reflects Americans’ opinions about how well the current economic system is functioning.
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Graham Platner ended his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Maine. He faced several sexual assault accusations, which he denies. CBS News reported on what will happen in the Senate race after his withdrawal.
Key Facts
Graham Platner was running for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine.
He dropped out of the race on a Wednesday.
Multiple sexual assault allegations were made against him.
Platner denies these allegations.
CBS News provided coverage explaining the next steps in the Senate race.
His withdrawal changes the candidate lineup for the Maine Senate race.
The report was shared on the CBS News app and website.
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