Assma Ali, an American lawyer of Yemeni descent, was appointed as a municipal judge in Benoit, Mississippi. Her appointment has sparked social media attacks and false claims related to her religion, but supporters affirm her qualifications and commitment to upholding the law.
Key Facts
Assma Ali was appointed last week as municipal judge in Benoit, a small Mississippi town with fewer than 400 residents.
She is Muslim, wears a hijab, and is an American citizen of Yemeni descent.
Ali has nearly 10 years of experience as an immigration lawyer and runs a private practice in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
She earned her law degree from Mississippi College School of Law in 2017 and was admitted to the state bar the same year.
Social media posts and some politicians falsely claimed she had radical beliefs and would enforce Islamic law.
Ali publicly confirmed her commitment to uphold the U.S. Constitution and Mississippi laws.
Municipal judges in Mississippi are appointed by city officials and typically handle local ordinance violations and minor crimes.
Legal experts say attacks on Ali are based on her religion, which is protected under U.S. and Mississippi constitutional law.
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U.S. officials say American forces are set to finish withdrawing from Iraq by September 30, 2026. This ends the military mission that began with the 2003 invasion and continued efforts against the Islamic State group.
Key Facts
The U.S. and Iraq agreed in 2024 to end the U.S.-led operation against ISIS in Iraq.
Most U.S. troops left Iraqi bases last year, except those in the Kurdish region in northern Iraq.
The Kurdish bases have been targeted since the U.S. and Israel started a war on Iran in February 2026.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met with U.S. military leaders and confirmed September 30 as the final withdrawal date.
U.S. forces helped defeat ISIS, and now Iraqi security forces, including Kurdish Peshmerga, will lead anti-terror efforts.
The U.S. troop number in Iraq peaked over 170,000 in 2007; troops left in 2011 but returned in 2014 at Iraq’s request.
The current U.S. mission has about 2,500 troops for training and counter-ISIS operations.
Iraq’s prime minister also set a deadline of September 30 for armed non-state groups to disarm, but many militias, especially Iran-backed ones, resist giving up weapons.
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Senator Tim Scott, who leads the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said he voted for Senator Lindsey Graham and will support her in the South Carolina Republican primary runoff. The runoff is to fill the Senate seat left by her late brother, and she will compete against Representative Ralph Norman on August 25.
Key Facts
Senator Tim Scott is the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
He announced his vote for Senator Lindsey Graham in the South Carolina Senate Republican primary runoff.
The runoff is to fill the Senate seat previously held by Graham’s late brother.
The runoff election is scheduled for August 25.
Senator Lindsey Graham will compete against Representative Ralph Norman in the runoff.
Tim Scott has publicly declared his support for Lindsey Graham in this race.
The race is part of the Republican primary process in South Carolina.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to buy electric shock gloves to help officers control people by causing pain and limiting movement. The gloves cost between $10 million and $20 million and will be given to agents after special training.
Key Facts
ICE plans to spend $10 million to $20 million on electric shock gloves.
The gloves are made by Compliant Technologies and are called CTG-5 Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter (G.L.O.V.E).
The gloves cause pain through skin contact and stop people from moving muscles together.
Officers must get certified in using the gloves and retrain every two years.
The manufacturer advises not to use the gloves on elderly people, children, pregnant women, or seriously disabled individuals.
ICE says its officers receive training on reducing conflicts and controlling use of force.
Civil rights groups worry the gloves could be used secretly and cause harm without proper oversight.
ICE is also increasing the use of body cameras after incidents involving force and deaths.
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Immigration agents detained Tonny Quesada-Ramirez, a father who has lived in New Jersey for about 26 years, despite his ongoing efforts to gain legal status. Neighbors have raised money to help his legal fight, while the Department of Homeland Security stated that pending immigration applications do not prevent deportation.
Key Facts
Tonny Quesada-Ramirez was detained by ICE agents in South Orange, New Jersey.
He has lived in the U.S. for approximately 26 years and has a family with two children.
Quesada-Ramirez first entered the U.S. illegally in 2001 and was ordered removed after failing to appear in court.
He was arrested again by ICE in 2010 and released on bond in 2011.
Neighbors raised over $36,000 on GoFundMe to support his legal defense.
The Department of Homeland Security said Quesada-Ramirez had multiple prior arrests.
The current administration enforces that having pending immigration applications does not stop deportation.
Recent policy updates clarify that applying for legal status does not grant lawful status or protect against removal proceedings.
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President Donald Trump’s administration asked the US Supreme Court to stop a judge’s decision that blocks new rules restricting mail-in voting before the November midterm elections. The judge ruled the president’s order, which directs tighter control over mail ballots, was unconstitutional because election rules are set by states.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order to restrict mail-in voting in March.
The order directs the Postal Service to only deliver ballots to approved voters.
A judge in Boston blocked the Postal Service from enforcing this order nationwide.
The judge said the federal government cannot control elections, as states have this power.
The Department of Justice asked the Supreme Court to pause the judge’s ruling.
The case is supported by voting rights groups and the American Civil Liberties Union.
The executive order also calls for investigating officials who give ballots to voters seen as ineligible.
The administration says the lawsuits are premature since rules are not yet enforced.
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A Texas court ruled that a baby with a rare heart defect, carried by a surrogate from Alaska, must receive lifesaving surgery after birth. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened to ensure medical care, despite disagreement between the surrogate and the intended parents.
Key Facts
The surrogate, McKenna West, was about 20 weeks pregnant when the fetus was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a serious heart defect.
The intended parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, wanted West to have an abortion but she refused and went to Texas for protection and medical care.
Children with this heart defect usually need three surgeries, starting within two weeks of birth.
The intended parents have not agreed to the surgery and may try to move the child out of Texas to avoid treatment.
Texas law requires babies born in the state to receive care regardless of contracts or agreements.
A court order states the baby must receive lifesaving care when born and appoints a guardian to represent the child.
The order gives medical decision responsibility to the intended parents under court supervision, with emergency hearings planned if treatment is refused.
Attorney General Paxton said his office will protect the baby’s right to receive care under Texas law.
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Lightning struck an Ohio prison during a severe storm, injuring 16 inmates. Severe weather in the US Midwest has caused tornadoes, flooding, power outages, and at least three deaths.
Key Facts
Sixteen inmates were injured when lightning hit an Ohio prison; one was airlifted to a hospital in serious condition.
The injured prisoners were outside moving between buildings after dinner during the storm.
Nine inmates returned to the prison, while seven remain hospitalized.
Severe weather has caused tornadoes in Chicago suburbs, flash flooding, and strong winds over 100 mph in parts of the Midwest.
At least three people have died due to the storms, including a 4-year-old boy in Indiana and a woman killed in a home explosion during high winds.
Power outages affected over 295,000 customers in Indiana, 185,000 in Ohio, and 145,000 in Illinois.
The Federal Aviation Administration stopped flights at major airports like Chicago O'Hare due to thunderstorms.
Officials warned people to stay alert and plan for dangerous weather and flooding conditions.
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The official cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security in 2027 will be announced in a few months. Current estimates suggest it may be one of the largest increases in recent years after new inflation data was released.
Key Facts
Social Security COLA adjusts benefits to keep up with inflation.
The formal COLA for 2027 has not yet been released.
New inflation reports have caused projections to change slightly.
The expected COLA increase could be among the biggest in recent years.
The adjustment affects millions of Social Security recipients in the United States.
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A pet goose named Goosey helped save a Texas family’s barn and animals by making loud honking noises to alert them to a fire. The family quickly put out the fire and kept all their animals safe thanks to Goosey’s warning.
Key Facts
The fire happened on August 4 in Fort Bend County, Texas.
Goosey, a four-month-old pet goose, made loud honking sounds outside the burning barn.
The goose’s noise woke up Bert Gerber, who was asleep on the couch.
Bert found the fire and put it out with a water hose.
All animals in the barn, including chickens and turkeys, were unharmed.
The family adopted Goosey on Mother’s Day after their daughter liked him at a poultry event.
Chelsea Gerber, who was afraid of geese, agreed to bring Goosey home after their daughter’s request.
The family feels very thankful that Goosey’s alertness helped prevent a bigger disaster.
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President Donald Trump is being sued by two US media organizations over a Truth Social service that charges up to $100,000 a month for early access to his posts. The lawsuit claims this paid service creates unfair advantages by letting some users see Trump's messages seconds before the public, which can affect financial markets.
Key Facts
Two US media groups, The Intercept and Freedom of the Press Foundation, filed a lawsuit in New York federal court.
The lawsuit challenges Truth Social’s paid service called Truth API, offering early access to Trump’s posts.
The service costs up to $100,000 per month for priority access.
Paying clients receive Trump’s posts nearly instantly, seconds before the general public.
Trump’s posts can include important news that may influence financial markets.
More than 10 businesses currently pay for this early access service.
Trump Media & Technology Group says the product is for businesses needing fast data feeds and dismisses concerns about unfair advantages.
President Trump is the most followed user on Truth Social with about 13 million followers.
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Tyler Robinson is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk at an event in Utah. His lawyers argue he should not face the death penalty because he only aimed at Kirk and did not endanger others. Prosecutors say Robinson confessed and have DNA evidence tying him to the crime.
Key Facts
Tyler Robinson was charged with killing Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
Robinson’s lawyers say he targeted only Kirk and did not put others at risk during the shooting.
Prosecutors claim Robinson told his roommate he acted because he was tired of Kirk’s “hatred.”
Searches of Robinson’s home did not find clear proof of political motives beyond the roommate’s statement.
DNA evidence links Robinson to the gun used in the shooting.
Robinson’s defense challenges the prosecution’s evidence but does not provide another theory for the shooting.
Robinson has not yet entered a plea and turned himself in a day after the incident.
A judge will decide by September 1 if the case will move to trial and on what charges.
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A man killed his partner and their child at the home daycare they owned in Hopkins, Minnesota, before killing himself. Six other children at the daycare were not harmed and were safely returned to their parents.
Key Facts
The incident happened at a home daycare in Hopkins, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The man killed his partner and their child, then took his own life.
Six other children were present but were not injured.
A parent witnessed the attack and called the police.
Hopkins Police Chief said such killings are very rare in the area.
The police did not release details about how the victims died.
The child who died is believed to be the couple’s.
Police officers were deeply affected by the scene inside the home.
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Darline Graham and Ralph Norman did not win outright in South Carolina's Republican Senate primary. They will compete against each other in a runoff election to decide the Republican nominee for the Senate race.
Key Facts
The primary election was held in South Carolina.
Neither Darline Graham nor Ralph Norman secured enough votes to win on the first try.
A runoff election is needed between these two candidates.
The runoff will determine who represents the Republican Party in the Senate election.
CBS News reporters Fin Gómez and Anthony Salvanto covered these developments.
The Senate seat is open for the 2024 election cycle.
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A federal hearing has been unexpectedly scheduled in the stalking case against Luigi Mangione, raising questions about a possible plea deal that could affect his upcoming state murder trial in New York. Mangione denies the charges related to the killing of Brian Thompson, and legal teams have not confirmed any plea deal discussions.
Key Facts
Luigi Mangione faces federal stalking charges and state murder charges linked to the death of Brian Thompson in Manhattan in December 2024.
An unexpected federal court hearing is set for Friday at 11 am in Manhattan.
Prosecutors and Mangione's lawyers jointly requested the hearing.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both federal and state charges.
There is speculation that a plea deal is being considered to resolve the federal case.
Mangione’s defense initially planned a psychiatric defense citing "extreme emotional disturbance" but withdrew it.
State prosecutors warned that a federal guilty plea could interfere with the state murder trial.
The state murder trial is scheduled to start on September 8, with measures like anonymous jurors and an extra courtroom due to high public interest.
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The U.S. Justice Department charged 11 people with running a large fake marriage scheme to help Chinese nationals get green cards. The scheme involved over 1,000 sham marriages between Chinese citizens and Americans from 2016 to 2026.
Key Facts
The case was brought in New York's Southern District.
Defendants include Amy Cheng, Xiao Mei Chan, and Gang Zheng.
The scheme used social media, word of mouth, and advertising to find participants.
Foreign nationals paid up to $100,000 to get fake marriages arranged.
Facilitators earned about $5,000 per sham marriage.
Sham wedding ceremonies were sometimes held in restaurants with traditional Chinese clothes to look real.
The fake marriages took place across the U.S. and in places like China and Vanuatu.
Photos of these ceremonies were submitted to U.S. immigration officials as evidence.
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Lindsay Clancy's mental health counselor testified that she did not notice signs that Clancy was in crisis before the deaths of her three children. The counselor gave this statement during a recent hearing.
Key Facts
Latiesha Dukes was one of Lindsay Clancy’s mental health counselors.
Dukes testified that she did not see any signs of distress or crisis in Clancy.
The testimony occurred after the tragic deaths of Clancy’s three children.
The counselor's statement aims to clarify her observations before the incident.
The case is being covered by CBS News and involves ongoing legal and mental health issues.
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Senator Marco Rubio spoke openly about his personal life in a joint interview with his wife, Jeanette, on Katie Miller’s podcast. The interview happened while the Trump administration works on changing U.S. foreign policies during ongoing global conflicts.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio appeared in an interview alongside his wife, Jeanette.
The interview was on Katie Miller’s weekly podcast.
Rubio shared more personal details than usual.
The interview took place during multiple global wars.
President Trump’s administration is revising U.S. foreign intervention policies.
Rubio briefly served as acting Secretary of State.
The discussion reflects ongoing political and diplomatic efforts by the U.S. government.
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Inflation in the United States slowed down a bit in July, with the yearly rate dropping to 3.4%. This information comes from the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report.
Key Facts
The inflation rate in the U.S. for July was 3.4% when compared to the same month last year.
This shows a slight cooling, meaning prices are rising more slowly than before.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures how much prices for goods and services change over time.
Lower inflation can affect the cost of things people buy every day.
Market experts, like Matt Phillips from Axios, provide analysis on these reports.
The report was shared on CBS News and is also available on their app.
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A group of mostly Republican lawmakers in the House is pushing a plan called the Affordable Loans for Students Act to lower federal student loan interest rates to 2 percent. Democrats oppose this plan because they support a different proposal that would eliminate interest on federal student loans entirely. The debate comes as millions of borrowers face changes in student loan policies after recent shifts under President Trump’s administration.
Key Facts
The Affordable Loans for Students Act (H.R. 2003) aims to cap federal student loan interest rates at 2 percent.
The bill is supported mainly by Republicans, including Representatives Michael Lawler, Anna Paulina Luna, and Jared Moskowitz.
Democrats favor the Student Loan Interest Elimination Act, which would reduce interest rates on federal student loans to zero percent.
The current interest rates on federal student loans range roughly from 6.5 percent to 9 percent.
Anna Paulina Luna is leading an effort to get enough signatures to force a vote on the Republican bill in the House.
Some experts say once a 2 percent cap is law, interest rate changes could be locked in for a decade.
The American Enterprise Institute estimates the Republican proposal could cost at least $30 billion per year.
Both parties want to reduce borrowing costs but differ on how to pay for those changes.
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