President Donald Trump played golf at his course in Scotland while protesters gathered around the country to object to his visit. Trump was accompanied by his son Eric and the U.S. ambassador to Britain, Warren Stephens, during the game. Meanwhile, various protest groups demonstrated in Edinburgh and other locations, expressing dissatisfaction with Trump's presence and policies.
Key Facts
President Trump played golf at his Turnberry course in Scotland.
Trump was with his son Eric and U.S. ambassador Warren Stephens.
Security at the golf course was tight, and protesters were kept away.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, to protest Trump's visit.
Protesters included environmental activists, opponents of Israel's war with Hamas, and pro-Ukraine groups.
The protests were organized by a group called "Stop Trump Coalition."
Demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans against Trump.
The protests were smaller than previous demonstrations during Trump's 2018 Scotland visit.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Three deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department died in a grenade explosion at a training facility. They were handling two grenades, one of which exploded while the other is missing. An investigation is underway, and new safety measures are being put in place to prevent such incidents in the future.
Key Facts
Three members of the Sheriff’s Department's arson and explosives unit died in a blast.
The incident happened at a training facility on July 18.
There were two grenades involved; one detonated, and the other is missing.
The grenades were believed to be "inert" or inactive before the explosion.
An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is ongoing.
New safety procedures are being implemented for handling explosives.
The deputies who died had served for 19, 22, and 33 years.
This incident is the department’s worst single loss since 1857.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
In several U.S. cities, new candidates from the left are challenging current Democratic mayors. These challengers aim to address issues like affordability, poverty, and public spending, and their efforts reflect growing dissatisfaction with the party's traditional leaders.
Key Facts
Left-wing candidates are competing in mayoral races in New York City, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Albuquerque.
Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, won New York City's Democratic mayoral primary with a focus on affordability.
In Minneapolis, state Senator Omar Fateh, backed by the Democratic Party, is challenging incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey.
Katie Wilson in Seattle is running against Mayor Bruce Harrell, criticizing his focus on clearing homeless encampments.
In Albuquerque, Alex Uballez, a former U.S. attorney, is running on a platform that supports immigrants and fights income inequality.
These races show internal divisions within the Democratic Party and the influence of progressive voters.
Incumbent mayors are preparing strong defenses, with some dismissing the nomination processes favoring their opponents.
Progressive candidates aim to address issues like high living costs and homelessness, appealing to a diverse voter base.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
More than 6,000 children in Wiltshire can get up to 10 free swimming lessons this summer. The lessons are available for children in the FUEL programme and those who get free school meals, supported by funding from Wiltshire Council and other sources.
Key Facts
More than 6,000 children in Wiltshire are eligible for free swimming lessons this summer.
The lessons are part of a pilot programme linked to Wiltshire Council's FUEL initiative.
Children eligible for free school meals can also participate.
Up to 10 lessons will be held at council-run leisure centers with pools.
The programme is funded with £45,000 from Public Health England and children's services budgets.
Parents need to provide proof of free school meal eligibility to join.
Swimming lessons will be offered in various locations, including Marlborough and Calne.
The scheme will be reviewed in the autumn after it ends.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Trump administration is actively working to redraw congressional district maps to gain more Republican seats before the midterm elections. This redistricting effort is causing intense competition between Republicans and Democrats, who are finding it difficult to counter without legal or electoral intervention.
Key Facts
The Trump White House is working on redrawing congressional maps to increase Republican seats before the midterms.
Redistricting usually happens every ten years after the census, with the next census in 2030.
Republicans hope to gain several seats in states like Texas, Ohio, and Missouri through this redistricting.
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott included redistricting in the special session agenda after Trump’s encouragement.
Texas Democrats are considering tactics like breaking quorum to stop a vote on redistricting.
Democrats, led by California Governor Gavin Newsom, are planning to create new Democratic seats in response.
Other Democratic-majority states like New York and Illinois face constitutional limits on redistricting.
If Democrats win the House, it would hinder Trump's legislative goals and might lead to impeachment, as happened in 2018.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Southwest Airlines flight from Southern California to Las Vegas quickly dropped 300 feet after takeoff to avoid another plane. This sudden movement injured two flight attendants and left passengers frightened. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident.
Key Facts
A Southwest Airlines plane from Southern California to Las Vegas dropped suddenly over 300 feet.
The drop was in response to an alert about a nearby plane.
Two flight attendants were injured during this event.
Some passengers were out of their seats due to the sudden movement.
The plane landed safely in Las Vegas without further issues.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is looking into what happened.
The incident happened shortly after the plane took off from Hollywood Burbank Airport.
Southwest Airlines stated the crew responded to alerts that required sudden altitude changes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rupert Murdoch's media companies are covering a story about an alleged letter from Trump to Jeffrey Epstein in different ways. The Wall Street Journal broke the story, while Fox News has paid less attention to it. Trump is suing the Journal and Murdoch over this coverage but has limited power to influence Murdoch’s media strategy.
Key Facts
Rupert Murdoch owns both Fox News and The Wall Street Journal.
The Wall Street Journal reported on an alleged letter from Trump to Epstein, but Fox News has not highlighted this story.
President Trump is suing The Wall Street Journal and Murdoch because of this coverage.
News Corp.'s share price has more than doubled since Trump took office.
Fox Corp.'s shares have increased by 39% since it started trading independently in 2019.
Trump's relationship with Fox News has been important for his political strategy.
Fox News ratings are very strong and continue to grow.
The Wall Street Journal has gained over 3 million new digital subscribers since 2016.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A factory in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is breeding special mosquitoes that can't spread diseases like dengue because they carry a bacteria called Wolbachia. The Brazilian government is using these mosquitoes to help reduce disease levels across the country, where dengue has affected millions of people.
Key Facts
A factory in Rio de Janeiro breeds mosquitoes that carry a bacteria called Wolbachia.
These mosquitoes can't spread dengue because the bacteria prevents the dengue virus from surviving in them.
The Brazilian government is investing in these mosquitoes to fight diseases they spread.
Dengue can cause severe symptoms like fever, internal bleeding, and organ failure.
Brazil is heavily affected by dengue, with over 3.1 million cases reported this year.
Warmer, wetter climates are helping dengue spread to new areas, including Europe and North America.
Dengue has had a significant impact on people's lives in Brazil, leading to many deaths.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Venus Williams, a professional tennis player, returned to competitive play partly to regain her health insurance benefits. She mentioned needing the coverage due to her frequent medical needs and the conditions of her tennis career.
Key Facts
Venus Williams returned to tennis competition at the Mubadala Citi DC Open after a break.
She stated her return was partly motivated by the need for health insurance benefits.
Most working-age Americans get health insurance through their jobs.
Williams previously had health insurance through the Women's Tennis Association (WTA).
Williams is currently on COBRA, a program allowing continued coverage after leaving a job, but it requires paying the full premium.
COBRA insurance can be very costly, often similar to a mortgage payment.
Williams needs regular medical care due to past surgeries, an autoimmune condition, and her status as an elite athlete.
The Affordable Care Act improved options for athletes like Williams who would have struggled to get coverage in the past.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A deadly attack took place in Yelwata, Nigeria, with armed individuals storming the village and killing at least 160 people. The incident highlights ongoing violence between farming communities and herders in Nigeria, which has been exacerbated by population growth, climate change, and weakening traditional conflict resolution methods.
Key Facts
The attack happened in mid-June in Yelwata, located in Benue State, Nigeria.
At least 160 people were killed in the attack, which was one of the deadliest in recent years.
Attackers were armed with rifles, machetes, and fuel, and targeted the village while families were asleep.
The violence is part of the farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria's Middle Belt, an area known for its fertile land.
Farmers and herders have longstanding disputes over land and resources, which have escalated into more deadly confrontations.
Police suspect most attackers are bandits or armed herders, primarily from the Fulani ethnic group.
The violence in Benue has caused close to 300 deaths since April and displaced almost half a million people.
Traditional dispute resolution methods have weakened, contributing to increased violence.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A young Mexican spider monkey named Violeta was taken from the wild and smuggled into California, where keeping primates as pets is illegal. The proposed Captive Primate Safety Act aims to end the private ownership and breeding of primates in all U.S. states, addressing the stress and harm that captive primates often endure.
Key Facts
Violeta is an endangered spider monkey that was poached and illegally brought into California.
It is illegal to keep primates as pets in California, but other states allow it under certain conditions.
The Captive Primate Safety Act is a proposed law that would make owning and breeding primates illegal across the U.S.
Many primates suffer from stress and health issues when kept as pets.
Social media and entertainment often promote owning primates, encouraging illegal trade.
Poachers often kill adult monkeys to capture babies for the pet trade.
Many captured primate infants die during smuggling or due to poor conditions afterward.
Spider monkeys are heavily trafficked and are listed as endangered by conservation groups.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Garbage collection workers at Republic Services have been on strike since July 1, affecting waste management in several U.S. cities. The workers, represented by the Teamsters union, claim they are underpaid compared to others in the industry, while Republic Services accuses the union of illegal activities. The strike has resulted in trash piling up across the country, impacting millions of people.
Key Facts
Republic Services is a large waste management company with contracts across the U.S.
Workers began striking on July 1, starting with Local 25 in the Greater Boston area.
The strike has spread to several cities, including Manteca, California, and Lacey, Washington.
The Teamsters union, representing the workers, claims the workers receive low pay and poor benefits.
Republic Services accuses the union of illegal actions like truck theft and vandalism.
Over 2,000 garbage collectors were not working at the strike's peak, affecting many Americans.
Some local disputes have been resolved, but many workers are still on strike.
The increase in uncollected garbage has led to legal actions against Republic by affected communities.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Taiwan held a recall election to decide whether to remove some members of the parliament from the major opposition party Kuomintang (KMT). This vote could help President Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) gain more control in parliament, while concerns about China's influence in Taiwan were highlighted.
Key Facts
The recall election in Taiwan targets 24 KMT lawmakers.
An additional recall for seven more KMT lawmakers is set for August 23.
The DPP needs to remove at least 12 KMT lawmakers to gain temporary control of Taiwan’s parliament.
By-elections later this year are required to solidify the DPP’s parliamentary majority if they win the recall.
The election has been a major topic in Taiwanese news and social media.
Taiwan’s government accused China of trying to interfere in the election.
The KMT is seen as more friendly towards China, while the DPP takes a firmer stance against it.
Polls opened at 8 am local time and closed at 4 pm, with results expected the same evening.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
In Taiwan, voters are deciding whether to remove a group of lawmakers from the opposition Nationalist Party (KMT), which supports closer ties with China. This vote comes as the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) seeks to change the balance in Taiwan's legislature. The result could influence Taiwan's legislative power and its relationship with China.
Key Facts
Taiwanese voters are casting ballots to potentially remove around 20% of their lawmakers from the KMT.
The ruling DPP aims to gain a legislative majority by ousting KMT lawmakers and winning subsequent by-elections.
To pass a recall, over 25% of eligible voters in the district must vote for it, and supporters must outnumber those against it.
The KMT currently holds 52 legislative seats, while the DPP holds 51.
The KMT argues that the recall efforts are political retaliation by the ruling party.
The recall elections are unprecedented in scale, and more KMT lawmakers face similar votes soon.
This vote might impact Taiwan's relations with China, as KMT supports closer ties, while tensions exist with the ruling DPP.
China's government has criticized Taiwan's ruling administration, accusing it of suppressing opposition parties.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Paramount Global plans to finalize its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media on August 7, after receiving approval from President Trump's administration and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This merger signifies a significant change in the U.S. media industry as it ends the Redstone family's control over Paramount. The merger has drawn attention due to political factors, including a conflict between Trump and CBS, a Paramount subsidiary.
Key Facts
Paramount Global is merging with Skydance Media in an $8 billion deal.
The merger is expected to close on August 7, after receiving approval from Trump's administration and the FCC.
The merger ends the Redstone family's control over Paramount.
President Trump aimed to influence independent agencies like the FCC by appointing loyal allies.
There was conflict between Trump and CBS, a Paramount-owned media outlet, particularly involving 60 Minutes.
Trump canceled an interview with 60 Minutes and later sued Paramount, accusing them of deceptive editing.
Paramount settled the lawsuit by paying Trump $16 million.
Stephen Colbert’s Late Show was canceled, leading to speculation about connections to Trump and the merger.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Former congressman George Santos has started serving a prison sentence of over seven years for crimes including wire fraud and identity theft. Santos confessed to unlawfully collecting unemployment benefits and misusing campaign money.
Key Facts
George Santos has begun his prison term at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey.
He pleaded guilty to federal charges related to fraud in New York.
Santos was expelled from Congress due to the fraud allegations.
He was charged with using campaign funds for personal expenses and lying to the Federal Election Commission.
Santos charged over $44,000 to his campaign using unsuspecting contributors' credit cards.
He admitted in court to theft and wrongly obtaining unemployment benefits.
Santos was ordered to pay at least $374,000 in restitution.
He was the first congressman expelled in over 20 years after being charged with 23 federal crimes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
More than 10,000 former part-time firefighters, known as retained firefighters, in the UK may still qualify for pensions they currently are not receiving. Recent legal changes allow those who served between April 2000 and April 2006 to receive full career pensions after covering missed contributions. The union is urging eligible individuals to contact their former employers to claim the money owed.
Key Facts
Over 10,000 former retained firefighters in the UK might be missing out on pensions.
Retained firefighters serve in rural areas and handle emergencies alongside other jobs.
Legal rulings now entitle these firefighters to pensions if they served between April 2000 and April 2006.
Firefighters must cover missed pension contributions to qualify for their full career pensions.
Payments vary by service length, station activity, and rank achieved.
Some have received lump sums of tens of thousands of pounds plus ongoing monthly payments.
The union estimates 10,000 eligible individuals have not yet claimed their pensions.
Fire and rescue authorities, supported by the government, handle pension administration.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
House Democrats want access to a birthday book related to Jeffrey Epstein, currently held by Epstein's estate. They see this as a chance to get information about possible misconduct connected to President Trump. Democrats are asking Epstein's estate to hand over the book, hoping it will help in their investigations and possibly lead to new laws.
Key Facts
House Democrats are seeking a book from Jeffrey Epstein's estate that may have contributions from President Trump.
The book is linked to Epstein's 50th birthday celebration.
Representatives Ro Khanna and Robert Garcia are leading this effort.
They wrote to the estate's attorneys asking for the complete book without cuts or changes.
The book might be important for looking into how the Trump administration handled Epstein's case.
Trump has denied being involved and is suing for libel over related claims.
Epstein's estate has possession of the book, and they may be asked to give it by August 10.
Democrats believe this book could help create new laws about sex trafficking and financial regulations.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Trump administration will release more than $5 billion in previously frozen education funds. This decision comes after bipartisan pressure and will help support school programs by sending money to states starting next week.
Key Facts
The Department of Education will release over $5 billion in previously frozen funds for schools.
The funds were initially supposed to be distributed on July 1 but were delayed.
Bipartisan pressure from Republican senators and over 20 governors led to the release of the funds.
The frozen money supports programs like after-school and summer activities for children.
The funds are part of nearly $7 billion earmarked by Congress for education.
A portion of the funds for after-school programs was released last week.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon cited administrative transitions and lengthy reviews as reasons for the delay.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
