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Medicare has started a pilot program in six states that requires doctors to get approval before certain medical procedures, aiming to reduce fraud and unnecessary treatments. However, this new system has caused delays, confusion, and extra trips for patients and doctors, leading to frustration during its early rollout.
Key Facts
The pilot program began in January 2026 in Oklahoma, Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and Washington.
It requires prior authorization for 13 medical services that Medicare believes are often misused or involve fraud.
Patients like Bill Curry had to make extra trips and wait longer to get treatments such as epidural injections.
The program uses artificial intelligence to help decide which procedures need approval.
The rollout was very fast; announced in June 2025 and started just six months later in January 2026.
Doctors and healthcare groups say they were not prepared for the quick changes and found the new rules confusing.
Medicare officials say the goal is to reduce inappropriate care without delaying needed treatments.
The program targets services where Medicare spending has rapidly increased due to concerns about fraud.
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A green card holder named Charity Grace Mukamuri was released from ICE custody in early June after being detained for several months. She described her detention experience as traumatic and said she and her family are considering therapy to recover from the impact.
Key Facts
Charity Grace Mukamuri, 43, is a Zimbabwean native and lawful permanent resident (green card holder) who was detained by ICE from late 2025 to mid-2026.
She was held at multiple facilities, including Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas.
Mukamuri was released on June 3 following a court ruling that allowed her to stay in the U.S. under cancellation of removal laws for green card holders.
She was initially pulled over by law enforcement in Oklahoma and then moved between various detention centers before arriving in Texas.
Mukamuri took nearly two and a half months to get full access to her attorney during detention.
DHS previously accused her of cruelty to children, but details were not provided, and her family denies any criminal record.
Upon release, she was taken to a shelter and reunited with her children in an emotional meeting.
Mukamuri and her family are seeking therapy to cope with the emotional effects of her detention experience.
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In June 2021, part of the Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside, Florida, collapsed suddenly, killing 98 people. Investigations found serious design and maintenance problems with the building, leading Florida lawmakers to pass new safety laws for condos to prevent future disasters.
Key Facts
The condo was 40 years old and located on the beach in Surfside, Florida.
The collapse happened suddenly in the middle of the night on June 24, 2021.
98 people died, making it one of the deadliest building failures in U.S. history.
Investigators found the pool deck slab failed due to water damage and steel corrosion.
The building had construction and design flaws and was poorly maintained for decades.
A 2020 report showed the condo didn’t have enough money to pay for needed repairs.
Florida passed the Building Safety Act in May 2022, requiring regular structural safety studies for condo buildings.
The law aims to improve condo safety and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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Andrew Hastie, a member of the Liberal Party and former soldier, will receive extra security due to threats linked to a campaign from the One Nation party. The threats appear connected to his stance on war crime allegations against Ben Roberts-Smith, who was charged in April and supported by One Nation.
Key Facts
Andrew Hastie was told by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke that he would get extra security at his home and office.
The nature of the threats against Hastie was not disclosed.
Hastie believes the threats are connected to a campaign by One Nation and its supporters targeting him.
He served alongside Ben Roberts-Smith in Afghanistan and was involved in his defamation trial.
Roberts-Smith denies the war crime allegations and is supported by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
Hastie said he will continue to oppose One Nation, saying he will never give in to them.
There is tension within the Coalition about how to deal with One Nation’s rising support.
One Nation denied targeting Hastie and blamed the Liberal Party for the political issues.
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A recent national poll shows President Donald Trump’s approval rating is at 30 percent, while 66 percent of Americans disapprove of his job as president. Many people are worried about the economy, with 73 percent saying it is getting worse and 65 percent believing the U.S. is already in a recession.
Key Facts
President Trump’s overall approval rating is 30 percent.
Disapproval rating is at 66 percent.
Only 26 percent approve of how Trump is handling the economy, while 70 percent disapprove.
Approval has dropped from 38 percent last summer to 30 percent now.
73 percent of Americans think the economy is worsening.
65 percent believe the U.S. is in a recession already.
Economic pessimism is growing across all voter groups, including Trump supporters.
These poll results may influence political strategies ahead of the midterm elections.
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Some Labour MPs want Darren Jones to run for Labour leader to create a competitive election against Andy Burnham, who is the favorite to win without opposition. Jones is hesitant but may review Burnham’s economic plans before deciding. Burnham could appoint Ed Miliband as chancellor, a choice that worries some MPs and business groups.
Key Facts
Darren Jones is the chief secretary to the prime minister and MP for Bristol North West.
MPs want Jones to challenge Andy Burnham for Labour leadership to avoid an uncontested win.
Burnham is the strong favorite and may become leader without a contest.
Burnham is considering Ed Miliband as chancellor, causing concern among some MPs and businesses.
Jones has economic and national security experience and represents a generational change.
Labour MPs loyal to Keir Starmer have been encouraging Jones to run since last Friday.
Andy Burnham has about 300 MPs supporting his leadership bid.
Some Labour ministers, like Nick Thomas-Symonds, prefer a quick transition without a contest.
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France is experiencing a severe heat wave with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), affecting about half the country under a red alert. The heat wave is record-breaking and is causing disruptions in daily life, with multiple heat-related deaths reported.
Key Facts
Temperatures in Paris reached 44 degrees Celsius (111.2 Fahrenheit).
Meteo France placed 54 departments under a red heat wave alert; this covers about half of France.
Many public places like schools and trains are affected due to the extreme heat.
There have been around 20 drowning deaths linked to the heat since the weekend.
France generally lacks widespread air conditioning, making the heat more challenging.
This heat wave is unusually intense and early in the summer season.
The European Union states Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s.
Over 200,000 people in Europe have died from heat-related causes in the past four years.
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Andy Burnham, a new member of the UK Parliament and former mayor of Greater Manchester, is likely to become the next leader of the Labour Party and prime minister. He is set to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation after two years in office, and Burnham may face no serious challengers in the upcoming leadership contest.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham recently won a by-election to enter Parliament with the goal of becoming Labour leader.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he will step down soon after two years as leader.
Burnham is the favorite to replace Starmer and may be the only candidate in the leadership race.
Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a potential rival, has endorsed Burnham.
Labour leadership nominations open on July 9 and close a week later.
If unopposed, Burnham could become prime minister by July 17.
The next UK general election is not due until 2029, so no national vote is needed for this change.
Burnham is known for his success as Manchester mayor but has yet to reveal many national policy ideas.
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Iran’s president traveled to Pakistan to meet with officials helping negotiate a permanent end to the Middle East war involving Iran and the United States. Meanwhile, U.S. and Iranian teams continued working on a detailed peace agreement after high-level talks in Switzerland, though differences remain on some issues.
Key Facts
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Islamabad to meet Pakistan’s leaders as part of ongoing peace talks.
The talks aim to end the war between Iran and the U.S. that began in early 2025.
Recent high-level negotiations took place in Switzerland between U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
A “de-confliction cell” was agreed upon to reduce fighting in Lebanon involving Israeli forces and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.
The U.S. and Iran discussed ways to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, a vital passage for global oil shipments, which Iran had blocked during the conflict.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said no visits have yet been scheduled for the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect nuclear sites damaged by U.S. strikes.
Security was tight in Islamabad during the visit, marking Iran’s president’s first trip there since the war started.
Pezeshkian and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif planned a joint news conference after their talks.
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Turkish security forces detained more than 200 people in raids in Ankara before the NATO summit in July. The suspects are believed to have links to extremist groups, including the Islamic State.
Key Facts
Turkish security forces conducted large raids in Ankara ahead of the NATO summit on July 7–8.
Over 200 people were detained for suspected ties to extremist groups.
Of those detained, 56 are accused of being Islamic State members.
Thirty-five suspects are linked to the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front, a far-left group known for violence in Turkey.
The raids are part of Turkey’s increased security efforts before the summit.
Turkey’s government regularly carries out security operations targeting extremist groups.
The Islamic State has previously carried out deadly attacks in Turkey, including one in Istanbul in 2017 that killed 39 people.
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the NATO summit in Ankara.
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Peter Murrell was sentenced to over five years in prison for stealing more than £400,000 from the Scottish National Party while he was its chief executive. He used the money for personal luxury items and covered up the theft with false accounting.
Key Facts
Peter Murrell embezzled £400,315.65 from the Scottish National Party over 12 years.
He bought luxury items like a motorhome, a Jaguar SUV, watches, and pens with the stolen money.
Murrell falsified invoices and accounting records to hide the theft.
The court called his crime a serious breach of trust affecting the party and donors.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years and three months in prison.
The judge said the sentence should warn others not to abuse their position.
Murrell’s lawyer said he feels deep guilt, has been socially isolated, and is unlikely to reoffend.
Murrell has enough money to repay the stolen amount, but a court hearing on this is pending.
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Iran and the United States held technical talks in Switzerland, which ended successfully and set the stage for further negotiations to end their ongoing conflict. Both sides agreed on how to move forward, including mechanisms to implement their June 17 agreement, and the U.S. has agreed to release frozen Iranian funds and allow limited Iranian oil sales.
Key Facts
Iran's technical talks with the U.S. and mediators in Switzerland concluded with agreements on future negotiation steps.
The talks focused on implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a framework agreement signed virtually on June 17 by the U.S. and Iran.
Iran’s negotiator said the U.S. has agreed to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets.
President Donald Trump said the unfrozen money will be used by Iran to buy American agricultural products like corn and soybeans.
The U.S. Treasury announced a 60-day waiver letting Iran sell its oil and petrochemical products without sanctions.
This move allows Iran to sell oil at full market price, bringing significant revenue to its economy.
Iran and the U.S. agreed to set up communication to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments.
Iran said the control over the Strait of Hormuz will change from before the conflict but promised to follow international law.
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Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that a protein called tubulin can help prevent harmful clumps of other proteins linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Their study suggests that keeping tubulin levels high may stop these clumps from forming and damaging brain cells, offering a new approach to treating these illnesses.
Key Facts
Tubulin is a protein that helps build structures inside cells called microtubules.
Alzheimer’s disease is linked to harmful clumps of tau protein, while Parkinson’s disease involves clumps of alpha-synuclein protein.
These protein clumps damage brain cells and cause memory loss, thinking problems, and movement issues.
Tubulin competes with tau and alpha-synuclein in cell droplets called condensates, keeping these proteins in healthy forms.
When tubulin is low, harmful clumping increases, leading to neuron loss.
Instead of removing harmful protein clumps, researchers suggest maintaining tubulin to keep proteins working normally.
The study was done in lab and cell models and needs to be tested in animals and humans.
Developing drugs targeting microtubules is difficult because these structures are important throughout the body.
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A United Nations inquiry reports that Israeli forces have deliberately targeted and killed Palestinian children in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, actions that the inquiry describes as genocide and war crimes. The report highlights the severe impact on children’s health and safety, including attacks on medical centers, a blockade causing starvation, and arrests with harsh treatment.
Key Facts
Around 30% of people killed in Gaza since October 2023 were children.
Israeli attacks have targeted maternity and neonatal care centers, endangering newborns and reproductive health.
The blockade on Gaza has caused deaths due to starvation and disease due to lower vaccination rates.
The UN inquiry says there is evidence of deliberate targeting of Palestinian children by Israeli forces.
Over 50,000 children have been killed or injured since the war began in Gaza.
Palestinian children face arrests, torture, and mistreatment in Israeli prisons, with many held without trial.
Israeli forces have destroyed orphanages and schools in the West Bank, harming children’s development.
The UN warns humanitarian groups face challenges in protecting children in the region after the ceasefire.
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Ashley Cain apologized for using sexist and offensive language in social media posts he made over ten years ago. The BBC canceled the upcoming series of his documentary after the posts were revealed, and Cain said he has grown since then and takes responsibility for his past mistakes.
Key Facts
Ashley Cain used sexist and abusive language about women on social media over a decade ago.
The BBC cancelled the planned second series of his show "Ashley Cain: Into The Danger Zone" after the posts were uncovered.
Cain admitted he was wrong and said those comments were made by a younger, less mature version of himself.
He said his injury ended his dream of being a professional footballer and reality TV gave him a second chance.
Cain expressed regret and emphasized learning from mistakes and personal growth.
The BBC said its vetting process failed to catch the language during production checks and is investigating.
Cain has also spoken publicly about the death of his baby daughter from cancer and his efforts to support families affected by childhood illness.
He asked people to recognize that growth and change are possible even after past mistakes.
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A shooting in Montreal on June 22, 2026, killed a police officer, a civilian, and the armed attacker. The police quickly killed the shooter, and one other officer was seriously hurt but in stable condition. The motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Key Facts
The shooting happened around midday in Montreal’s Côtedes-Neiges neighborhood.
The attacker was a single unidentified man dressed in military clothing.
Police officer Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, 34, was killed; he joined the police in 2021.
A civilian named Michael Moshe Mizrahi also died in the attack; he was part of Montreal's Jewish community.
One other police officer was severely injured but is now stable.
Police do not know the attacker's motive yet; an alert was sent about a document urging violence against officers, but this is unconfirmed.
Witnesses heard shots and saw the attacker with a gun before police shot him dead.
Quebec security officials and Canadian leaders expressed shock and offered condolences.
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About 20 people drowned in France over the weekend while swimming in unsafe, unsupervised places to cool off during a heatwave affecting much of Europe. The heatwave has caused record-breaking temperatures, health issues, and even deaths, while also straining public services across several countries.
Key Facts
Around 20 people drowned in France trying to escape the heat by swimming in unauthorized areas.
Temperatures in many parts of France reached about 40°C (104°F) during the heatwave.
Two young children died from heat-related causes in southeastern France, and three elderly people died in the Bordeaux region.
The heatwave broke temperature records in cities like Bordeaux and Poitiers.
France issued a red heatwave alert for 54 areas and adjusted school schedules for student safety.
Britain expected a heatwave exceeding 39°C (102°F), surpassing previous June records from 1957 and 1976.
Spain’s northern city San Sebastian was forecast to reach 40°C (104°F), much higher than its usual temperatures.
The extreme heat is caused by an “Omega block” weather pattern, trapping hot air from North Africa over Europe without wind to cool things down.
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An artwork about Winston Churchill’s role in the 1943 Bengal famine, created by artist Helen Cammock, was removed from the National Portrait Gallery after critics, including Churchill’s grandson and historians, objected to its portrayal. The gallery removed the piece at the artist’s request after a week of controversy over its comments on Churchill’s responsibility for the famine.
Key Facts
The artwork, called Persistence, was a 40-minute video installation by Turner Prize-winning artist Helen Cammock.
The piece linked Churchill’s actions during the Bengal famine to deliberate starvation, which caused criticism.
Fifty members of the British peerage, including Churchill’s grandson Sir Nicholas Soames, signed a letter calling the installation an ideological rant.
The National Portrait Gallery initially defended the work but removed it after Cammock requested the removal.
The Bengal famine of 1943 caused around 3 million deaths in eastern India.
Historians disagree on Churchill’s responsibility, with some blaming natural disasters and mismanagement, and others accusing Churchill of ignoring food shortages and worsening the crisis.
The gallery said the artwork was a personal, artistic response and did not represent the gallery’s official views.
Cammock emphasized that art should challenge ideas and reflect on history.
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Google DeepMind lost two well-known AI researchers last week, with both joining other AI companies. Many top AI experts are changing jobs as companies compete to develop advanced artificial intelligence.
Key Facts
Noam Shazeer left Google DeepMind to work at OpenAI after Google spent over $2 billion to bring him and his team to the company.
Shazeer helped create the Transformer model, important for AI systems like ChatGPT.
John Jumper, a 2024 Nobel Prize winner for chemistry, left Google DeepMind to join Anthropic.
Barret Zoph returned to OpenAI in January but recently left again for unclear reasons.
Nvidia acquired the team behind Essential AI, including researcher Ashish Vaswani.
AI companies highly value a small group of experts who guide research and manage large projects.
Top researchers consider factors like money, computing resources, company leadership, and ethical use of AI when choosing where to work.
The AI industry expects rapid progress soon, increasing competition for these key scientists.
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San Francisco is addressing the problem of "zombie" grocery stores—stores that are closed but still leased by large companies, preventing others from opening there. City officials propose a new law to tax these empty stores, encourage new businesses to open, and improve access to affordable food for residents.
Key Facts
"Zombie" grocery stores are closed stores still held by tenants, blocking new stores from opening.
These empty stores worsen food access in some neighborhoods, creating "food deserts."
Many residents, especially seniors and low-income families, must travel far to buy groceries or medicine.
San Francisco’s Affordable Groceries Act would impose a tax on large chains leaving stores empty.
The law also offers tax breaks and speeds up approval for new grocery stores.
Money from the tax would support programs to lower food prices and help underserved communities.
Food prices in the U.S. rose about 27% from 2020 to 2025, making groceries less affordable.
Nearly one-third of San Francisco residents below poverty face food insecurity, highlighting the need for action.
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