A federal judge stopped President Donald Trump’s order that aimed to create a national voter list and restrict who could get mail-in ballots. The judge’s decision applies to this year's midterm elections and came after several states challenged the order.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump issued an executive order to make a federal voter list.
The order also sought to limit who can receive mail-in ballots.
U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani blocked this order.
The judge was nominated by President Barack Obama.
Nearly two dozen states joined to challenge the order.
The judge granted a summary judgment, meaning the case was decided quickly.
The ruling affects the 2024 midterm election cycle.
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Kim Murstein and her grandmother Gail Gudnick started the podcast "Excuse My Grandma" during the pandemic. They said the podcast helped improve their relationship and taught them new things about each other.
Key Facts
The podcast "Excuse My Grandma" is hosted by Kim Murstein and her grandma Gail Gudnick.
They began the podcast during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hosts shared their experience on CBS News' "CBS Mornings."
The podcast helped strengthen their bond as family members.
They learned new perspectives from each other through the podcast.
The show has become popular among listeners.
The pandemic was a key factor in launching their podcast.
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New York prosecutors have decided not to continue with a rape charge against Harvey Weinstein. This comes after three previous trials on the same charge, and follows discussions with the accuser, Jessica Mann, who chose not to face another trial.
Key Facts
Prosecutors dropped a rape charge against Harvey Weinstein for the fourth time.
Weinstein’s previous trials on this charge included one overturned conviction and two hung juries (where jurors could not agree).
Weinstein still has other sexual felony convictions in New York and California.
The decision followed discussions with the accuser, Jessica Mann, who is a hairstylist and actor.
The accuser did not want to go through another trial.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr stated that they believe Ms. Mann’s story and find her a credible witness.
The case is part of ongoing legal issues linked to Weinstein’s past sexual misconduct allegations.
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Northern Venezuela was hit by two strong earthquakes, causing buildings to collapse and killing at least 164 people. Rescue teams and local people are searching through the rubble to find survivors, but many more deaths are feared.
Key Facts
Two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela.
At least 164 people have been confirmed dead.
Many more people are feared to have died.
Buildings collapsed in the affected areas.
Rescue teams are working to find survivors under the debris.
Local residents are also helping in the search efforts.
The situation is ongoing, with rescue operations continuing.
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A group of 10 farmers in western France formed a cooperative that grows only organic vegetables. They sell their produce to schools, supermarkets, and restaurants while matching the crop yields of traditional farming methods. They want to show that organic farming can produce enough food to feed an entire country without using chemicals.
Key Facts
The cooperative is located in the Vendée region in western France.
All farming done by the co-op is 100% organic, meaning no synthetic chemicals or pesticides are used.
Their vegetables are supplied to local schools, supermarkets, and restaurants.
Their crop yields are similar to those from conventional, chemical-based farming.
The farmers aim to prove organic farming can be productive on a large scale.
The initiative challenges the common belief that organic farming is too expensive or cannot produce enough food.
The co-op focuses on local production and sales within the region.
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Joe Rogan, a podcaster and emcee for the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House, said the organizers should not have invited a fighter who made a rude comment about Michelle Obama. Rogan supports President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
Key Facts
Joe Rogan hosted the UFC Freedom 250 fight night at the White House.
The event took place earlier in the current month.
One fighter at the event insulted Michelle Obama.
Rogan said that fighter probably should not have been invited.
Rogan is supporting President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
The event was connected to President Trump’s administration.
Rogan expressed his opinion in a public statement about the fighter’s comment.
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Fake USB sticks linked to China infected Japan’s army computers with malware for nearly a year before detection. The malware spread through counterfeit flash drives used during disaster relief operations and affected both secure and classified military systems.
Key Facts
Fake USB drives carrying malware were given to Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force in March 2024.
The infection was found in February 2025 after a soldier noticed slow computer performance.
The malware activates immediately when the infected USB is inserted into a computer.
Six of eight USB drives tested contained the malware, and over 50 computers were connected to them.
Nearly half of the infected computers processed classified military information.
Japan’s military has both open and closed computer networks, with external data transferred via USB drives.
The fake USB sticks are counterfeit Chinese products sold cheaper than originals.
Similar infections have been reported in factories and research institutes with closed systems.
U.S. intelligence has warned about China-linked hackers using malware to pre-position attacks on critical infrastructure.
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Two strong earthquakes hit near Caracas, Venezuela, causing serious damage and loss of life. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates more than 10,000 people may have died due to the quakes.
Key Facts
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela close to the capital city, Caracas.
Thousands of people are feared dead from the earthquakes.
The U.S. Geological Survey used modeling to estimate the death toll.
The estimated number of deaths could be over 10,000.
Rescue efforts involve searching through rubble for survivors.
The earthquakes caused widespread destruction in and around Caracas.
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Pro-Russian social media accounts claimed Ukraine was behind a fire at the Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv, a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, the “proof” images they shared were created by artificial intelligence and do not show the real event. Ukrainian authorities and the international community say a Russian drone caused the strike.
Key Facts
The Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, caught fire during the night of June 14-15, 2026.
Ukrainian officials and international sources report that a Russian drone caused the strike.
Pro-Russian users on social media claimed Ukraine staged the strike and shared images as “proof.”
The images showing photographers on rooftops before and during the fire were generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
The AI images had a watermark that revealed they were created by Chat GPT’s AI image generator.
The AI images incorrectly showed the cathedral with a green roof, while the real Dormition Cathedral has a brown roof.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also blamed Ukraine for the strike, claiming it was caused by a US-made missile system.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the bombing as an attack against shared cultural heritage.
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The US dollar is a key currency for global trade and is held by many countries as a safe asset. Since 1971, the dollar has not been tied to gold but remains dominant, giving the US unique financial advantages and influence in world affairs. Experts discuss what might happen if this dominance is challenged by other currencies or new digital money.
Key Facts
The US dollar is widely used in global trade and is considered a safe currency by many governments.
Some countries, like Ecuador and Panama, use the US dollar as their official money.
After World War II, the dollar was linked to gold but this ended in 1971 under President Nixon.
Since then, the dollar's strength relies on its global acceptance and access to US financial markets.
This situation lets the US print money more freely and build up debt with less risk of inflation.
The US can also enforce sanctions by controlling access to the dollar.
Some countries, especially China, want to replace the dollar as the main global reserve currency.
Experts are exploring if digital currencies could eventually take the dollar’s place in global trade.
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Rep. Suhas Subramanyam stated that more people have been arrested for damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool than for matters related to Jeffrey Epstein’s files. He made this comment while serving on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Key Facts
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam represents Virginia and is a Democrat.
He spoke on a Thursday about arrests related to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
More arrests were made for alleged vandalism of the Reflecting Pool than from investigations involving Jeffrey Epstein’s files.
Subramanyam is a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is a landmark in Washington, D.C.
Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender who had extensive files related to his case.
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A federal judge in Boston blocked a Trump administration rule that would require the postal service to track and possibly reject mail-in ballots if states did not share their voter lists with federal officials. The judge said this rule was unconstitutional because the president cannot create new powers over election rules without Congress.
Key Facts
The Trump administration issued an executive order on March 31 requiring the postal service to track mail-in ballots using barcodes linked to citizenship data.
US District Judge Indira Talwani ruled this order unconstitutional and blocked its enforcement.
The plan would have denied mail-in ballots to states that refused to share their voter rolls with the federal government.
President Trump is pushing Congress to pass new laws imposing voter ID rules and limiting mail-in voting.
Voting rights groups and 23 states plus Washington, D.C. sued to stop the rule, arguing the president has no authority over election administration.
During a Senate hearing, Democratic senators questioned the postmaster general about the legality of the proposed rule.
The postal service had proposed that states submit voter lists with barcodes 30 days before elections, and mail-in ballots not matching would be rejected.
The judge’s order allows states to voluntarily share data but prohibits the federal government from forcing or controlling state voter lists or punishing states over election administration.
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The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to bring back a policy that limited the number of migrants who can ask for asylum each day at the U.S.-Mexico border. The policy was first used under President Obama and expanded during President Trump’s first term but was stopped in 2021. The court ruled that people waiting at the border do not legally arrive until they enter the U.S., so they can be turned away without applying for asylum.
Key Facts
The policy, known as “metering,” restricts how many migrants can apply for asylum daily at border crossings.
It began under President Obama during a Haitian migrant surge and was expanded by President Trump.
The policy stopped in 2020 due to new restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and was officially ended by President Biden in 2021.
A lower court found metering violated asylum seekers’ rights, but the Supreme Court reversed this decision in a 6-3 vote.
The Trump administration said the policy is necessary to manage high numbers of asylum seekers safely.
The Supreme Court majority said people waiting at the border have not “arrived” in the U.S. legally, so officials can block entry.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, arguing the ruling goes against U.S. values of welcoming asylum seekers.
The case is one of several immigration issues the court is considering this term, including birthright citizenship and protections for migrants fleeing danger.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a news conference at the immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz," amid reports that the facility is closing. The final detainees left last week, and the site may be transformed into protected Everglades land proposed by Miami-Dade officials.
Key Facts
"Alligator Alcatraz" is an immigration detention center in Florida, costing around $1.2 billion.
The facility was praised by Governor DeSantis and President Donald Trump as a model for other states.
Vendors were told to begin full demobilization, signaling the facility's closure.
The last detainees were transferred or deported, partly due to safety concerns before hurricane season.
Conditions inside the facility faced criticism from lawyers, families, and human rights groups.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava plans to convert the land to protected natural space as part of Everglades restoration.
The site is on county-owned land near the Everglades, with limited use for aviation and high maintenance costs.
Officials will work with federal, state, tribal, and environmental groups to transfer the land properly.
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The Tate Modern in London is hosting an exhibition about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The exhibit shows her well-known self-portraits and includes works by other artists influenced by her style.
Key Facts
The exhibition takes place at Tate Modern in London.
It focuses on Frida Kahlo, a Mexican painter known for her self-portraits.
The exhibit also features artworks by artists inspired by Kahlo.
Frida Kahlo’s life was difficult, and the exhibit highlights this aspect.
The article briefly mentions other cultural news, including French World Cup fans and a Ghanaian music genre added to UNESCO’s cultural heritage list.
A French music festival, Solidays, is set to start soon, featuring French and American performers.
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A new white nationalist youth group for girls called Young Columbia has formed in the U.S., linked to the broader United Youth organization, which also runs male youth clubs. Experts say these groups recruit young people online and promote white nationalist ideas by appealing to feelings of uncertainty and traditional gender roles.
Key Facts
Young Columbia is the first known white nationalist youth group for girls in the U.S.
It was announced in May 2025 by United Youth, which has male Youth Clubs for ages 15 to 18 in all 50 states.
The girls’ group requires members to be female, of white European descent, and nationalist.
The groups recruit through social media platforms like Telegram and TikTok.
Male Youth Club members participate in sports, hiking, and spreading white nationalist messages.
Experts say some Gen Z teenagers turn to extremist views due to uncertainty and loss of control during events like the pandemic.
Young Columbia promotes traditional gender roles and femininity to attract young women.
The group’s activities have been documented mainly in Wisconsin and Illinois.
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Scientists studied giggles from humans and great apes and found they share similar rhythms. By comparing tickling sounds from apes and young children, researchers believe these shared laughter patterns come from a common ancestor millions of years ago.
Key Facts
Researchers tickled 13 captive great apes including gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, and bonobos.
They compared the ape giggles with recordings of four young children laughing while being tickled.
Human and ape laughter have similar rhythms, showing regular timing between laughs.
Laughter likely evolved from a common ancestor of humans and great apes about 15 million years ago.
Human laughter is faster and more complex, varying by social context.
Other animals, like rats, also make playful sounds but these differ from human laughter patterns.
Studying laughter helps scientists learn about communication and how humans may have developed speech.
The research was published in the journal Communications Biology.
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The UK is experiencing a record-breaking heatwave, with the hottest June day and night ever recorded. Temperatures reached up to 36.4°C in Somerset, and extreme heat warnings are in place affecting millions of people, causing health risks and disruptions to services.
Key Facts
The hottest June day temperature was 36.4°C recorded at Yeovilton, Somerset.
The UK had its warmest June night with temperatures not dropping below 23.5°C in Cardiff.
A rare red warning for extreme heat is active in parts of England and Wales until Friday evening.
Heat-related health risks have led to at least six NHS trusts declaring critical incidents.
The heatwave has caused problems with IT systems, medical equipment, and transport delays.
Over 2,400 schools in England and Wales have closed due to the heat.
A hosepipe ban started for about 850,000 people in Kent because of high water demand.
Scientists say days over 30°C in the UK have more than tripled in recent years, linked to climate trends.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to allow President Donald Trump’s administration to end temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian and Syrian immigrants, which had prevented their deportation. This decision removes court blocks and lets the government quickly stop protections for about 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians who fled violence and disasters in their countries.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court’s decision lets the Department of Homeland Security end TPS for Haitians and Syrians without further court review.
TPS is a program that temporarily protects immigrants from deportation when their home countries face danger like war or natural disasters.
About 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians currently have TPS, with a total of 1.3 million people from 17 countries protected.
The Trump administration argued that immigration officials’ decisions on TPS should not be overruled by judges.
Critics say the affected countries remain unsafe and that ending protections was done too quickly and unfairly.
The administration has ended TPS for people from 13 countries since Trump returned to office in 2025, including Venezuela.
The U.S. first gave TPS to Haitians after the 2010 earthquake and to Syrians during their civil war starting in 2012.
TPS allows people to stay and work for about 18 months legally but does not give a way to become U.S. citizens.
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New York prosecutors have dropped the rape charge against Harvey Weinstein after his jury could not reach a verdict for the third time. Weinstein remains convicted of other sexual crimes and will stay in prison while prosecutors recommend a 20-year sentence.
Key Facts
Prosecutors decided not to try Weinstein again on the New York rape charge.
Weinstein is still convicted of other sexual offenses in New York and California.
The rape charge involved actress Jessica Mann, who accused Weinstein of raping her in 2013.
The jury was deadlocked twice and could not reach a unanimous decision.
Jessica Mann testified she was raped despite having a prior consensual relationship with Weinstein.
Weinstein’s lawyers claimed the relationship was consensual and denied assault.
Weinstein admitted to acting wrongly but denied assaulting anyone.
Prosecutors said Weinstein should receive a 20-year prison sentence based on his convictions.
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