Puerto Rico is facing a severe water shortage due to a historic drought and long-standing problems with its water system. Over 180,000 people are now on a 48-hour water rationing schedule, while local leaders report ongoing service issues that predate the drought. The Trump administration has not made any official statements about the crisis.
Key Facts
More than 180,000 residents in Puerto Rico are under a 48-hour water rationing plan.
The Carraízo reservoir is at critically low levels, causing alternating water shutoffs in seven municipalities.
Some neighborhoods experienced over 100 days of unreliable water service this year before rationing began.
July was the driest month in San Juan in over 120 years.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts continued dry and hot conditions through October.
About 68% of Puerto Rico is in drought, especially in interior and northern areas.
Puerto Rico’s government and the main water agency, PRASA, have not clearly communicated how long rationing will last.
San Juan’s mayor has sued PRASA for chronic water shortages unrelated to the current drought.
The Trump administration has not issued any public comment on the water crisis affecting millions of U.S. citizens.
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Millions of people in England may have to wait longer for mental health care as many NHS providers plan to cut services and reduce staff to save money. These changes could affect important areas like child mental health, crisis support, and community programs, even though the government has announced plans to open more mental health centers.
Key Facts
Over two-thirds (68%) of NHS mental health providers in England plan to cut or reduce some services in 2026-27.
Around half (57%) expect to cut clinical staff jobs, and 59% plan to freeze hiring new staff.
Services likely affected include child and adolescent mental health, talking therapies, addiction support, and crisis help.
The NHS is facing rising demand for mental health care along with financial problems.
East London NHS trust plans to cut many services and hundreds of jobs to close a £25 million financial gap.
Mental health experts warn cuts could harm care quality and safety across England.
The UK prime minister announced plans to open nearly 200 new community mental health centers and emergency mental health services by 2029.
Mental health charities say cutting funding and jobs makes it impossible to improve care effectively.
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Tennessee held its primary election using a new congressional district map redrawn by Republicans after changes to voting rights laws. The primary decided party candidates for the November midterm elections, highlighted by a close governor’s race and upset results in some congressional districts.
Key Facts
Tennessee’s congressional map was redrawn in May after the Supreme Court weakened minority voting protections.
Redistricting split Memphis’s majority-Black district, a traditional Democratic area.
Republicans hold 8 of Tennessee’s 9 congressional seats and aim to win all seats in November.
Senator Marsha Blackburn won the Republican nomination for governor and will face Democrat Jerri Green.
Blackburn would become Tennessee’s first female governor if elected.
In District 5, Trump-backed incumbent Andy Ogles lost his primary to Charlie Hatcher.
Ogles faced criticism for his anti-Muslim statements.
District 6’s open House seat has a competitive Republican primary after the incumbent ran for governor and lost.
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The U.S. Senate has passed a strong sanctions bill aimed at punishing Russia for its war in Ukraine. The bill, supported by both parties and linked to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, targets countries buying Russian oil and gas to cut off funds for Russia’s military actions.
Key Facts
The Senate approved the Russian sanctions bill by a large vote of 86-11.
The bill targets countries that import Russian oil, gas, and exports to reduce Putin’s war funding.
President Donald Trump supports the bill and urged the House of Representatives to vote on it.
The sanctions allow tariffs on the top five buyers of Russian energy, including China and India.
Countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia can receive exceptions if they are cutting back.
The bill also sanctions Russian leaders, financial institutions, and oil tankers that avoid previous sanctions.
Former Senator Lindsey Graham led efforts to create the bill before his sudden death.
Senator Darline Graham was appointed to her brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat and supports ending the war in Ukraine.
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The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed savings claims made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by President Trump and Elon Musk. The GAO found that most of the claimed savings from canceled grants, contracts, and leases could not be verified or were exaggerated.
Key Facts
DOGE reported saving $215 billion through various government cuts but did not provide enough evidence to support most of these savings.
GAO focused on $110.3 billion in claimed savings related to contracts, grants, and leases.
Of $49.2 billion claimed in grant savings, about 96% could not be verified due to lack of information.
DOGE claimed $61 billion in savings from contracts, but GAO found that DOGE followed its own savings methods for only 27.5% of those cases.
The GAO noted that DOGE ignored important details and complexities in federal contracts, which likely caused savings to be misstated.
DOGE reported cutting 15,887 grants, 13,440 contracts, and 264 leases.
DOGE refused to respond to GAO’s requests for interviews or clarification about these issues.
Senate Democrats had earlier found that DOGE worked in secrecy, with restricted access at agencies and strict security measures.
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The White House shared a list of companies that recently lowered prices on various products and services, crediting these cuts to President Donald Trump’s efforts to make life more affordable. However, most companies did not mention the president or his policies when announcing their price reductions.
Key Facts
The White House claims that private companies have responded to President Trump’s call to lower prices for American families.
Companies cutting prices come from different sectors, including groceries, prescription drugs, energy, and automobiles.
Examples include Giant Eagle grocery chain reducing prices by 10% on popular items and Walmart cutting prices on 250 products.
Many companies say their price cuts are due to normal business reasons or seasonal campaigns, not directly because of President Trump’s policies.
University experts say there is no clear evidence showing that these price cuts were caused by the president’s efforts beyond the White House’s claims.
The White House credits agreements called Most Favored Nation (MFN) deals with drug manufacturers for some prescription drug price cuts.
Energy companies such as Georgia Power and automobile makers like Ford and Chevrolet are also on the list.
President Trump has posted on social media claiming credit for several major retailers lowering prices.
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The U.S. Senate approved a sanctions bill targeting Russia and Iran. The bill is named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham and passed with strong support from both parties.
Key Facts
The sanctions bill targets Russia and Iran.
It is named after Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away.
The Senate voted 86 in favor and 11 against the bill.
The bill received bipartisan support, meaning members from both political parties agreed.
The vote took place on Friday.
The bill aims to increase pressure on Russia and Iran through economic measures.
Sanctions often involve limiting trade or financial activities to influence a country's behavior.
This is part of ongoing U.S. efforts to respond to international issues involving Russia and Iran.
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The U.S. Senate passed a bill proposing strong new sanctions on Russia to limit its ability to fund the war in Ukraine. The bill targets Russia’s energy sales and also penalizes countries that keep buying Russian oil and gas, but 11 senators, including one Republican, voted against it.
Key Facts
The bill was introduced by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
It passed the Senate with 86 votes in favor and 11 against; the 11 included Senator Rand Paul, the only Republican opposing.
The sanctions aim to block Russian political leaders, banks, military groups, and energy companies.
The bill targets countries and companies that help Russia evade current sanctions, including those involved in shipping Russian oil.
It limits U.S. investments in Russia and restricts financial deals related to Russian energy and government debt.
The bill introduces “secondary sanctions” and tariffs on countries continuing to buy Russian oil and gas.
Some senators opposed the bill because it gives the President broad power to impose tariffs, which they worry might be used recklessly.
The legislation includes provisions allowing the President to waive certain sanctions to maintain flexibility.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, asked senators to reject a proposed amendment by Senator Ted Budd. The amendment would let a federal ban on most hemp products start in November, but Oz expressed serious worries about its effects.
Key Facts
Dr. Mehmet Oz is the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Senator Ted Budd from North Carolina proposed an amendment related to hemp products.
The amendment would allow a federal ban on most hemp-derived products to begin in November.
Dr. Oz sent a letter to senators urging them not to support this amendment.
Oz stated he has “grave concerns” about the amendment’s impact.
The discussion involves the regulation of hemp products at the federal level.
This issue affects healthcare and product availability regulated by CMS.
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The US Senate approved the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act by a large bipartisan vote. The bill imposes new sanctions and tariffs on Russia and countries buying its oil, and gives President Donald Trump authority to add tariffs on certain nations.
Key Facts
The Senate approved the bill with a vote of 86-11.
The bill targets Russia’s president Vladimir Putin, military leaders, and major exporters.
Tariffs up to 500% would be placed on Russian exports; Trump can impose up to 100% tariffs on top importers of Russian oil and gas.
The bill is named after Senator Lindsey Graham, who died last month and strongly supported the sanctions.
The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration after its recess.
Some Democrats warn the bill gives Trump broad powers to impose tariffs without Congress being able to reverse them.
House Democrats have proposed a different bill combining Ukraine aid and sanctions, which Senate has not yet taken up.
Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, was appointed to his Senate seat following his death.
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Scott Colom is a Black Democrat running for the U.S. Senate in Mississippi, a state with a history of white conservative leadership. He grew up in Mississippi with a Republican father who supported Ronald Reagan and knew influential political figure Thad Cochran.
Key Facts
Scott Colom is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi.
He is a Democrat and a Black man.
Mississippi has been led for many years by white conservatives.
Colom grew up with a Republican father.
His father campaigned for former President Ronald Reagan.
The family knew Thad Cochran, a prominent Mississippi politician.
Colom is known as a friendly and outgoing prosecutor.
His background differs from the usual political profile in Mississippi.
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The U.S. Senate passed a bill with wide support to increase sanctions on Russia and its major oil buyers. The bill also extends current sanctions on Iran and was a key goal of Senator Lindsey Graham before his recent death.
Key Facts
The Senate vote was 86 in favor and 11 against.
The bill targets Russia and the top five countries buying Russian oil.
It also continues sanctions already in place on Iran.
The measure was bipartisan, meaning it was supported by both Republicans and Democrats.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was a main advocate for this bill before he died recently.
The sanctions aim to put more pressure on Russia and Iran economically.
This law reflects ongoing U.S. efforts to respond to international conflicts involving Russia and Iran.
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Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine and teacher, has been held in Russia since 2022 and is seriously ill due to prison abuse. His family and U.S. officials are urging Russia to release him for medical care in the United States.
Key Facts
Robert Gilman has been detained in Russia for over four years on disputed charges.
He has been in a "dissociative stupor" for 47 days and suffers from high fever and high blood pressure.
Gilman was moved to a civilian hospital but is still handcuffed to his bed.
His family reports he was initially detained after a dispute with police in Moscow.
Gilman’s prison sentence has been extended to 10 years after several convictions for attacking guards.
U.S. Senator Edward Markey and the State Department have called for his release on humanitarian grounds.
Russian authorities have not publicly commented on Gilman’s case.
Gilman pleaded guilty to some charges, explaining that he wanted to avoid being moved to another prison.
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President Donald Trump has nominated Dennis Kirk, a former White House official and author of a chapter in the conservative plan called Project 2025, to be the internal watchdog for the Interior Department. Some people worry this choice could affect how honestly the department investigates issues.
Key Facts
President Trump made the nomination of Dennis Kirk.
Dennis Kirk previously worked in the White House.
He helped write part of Project 2025, a conservative policy plan.
The nomination is for the role of internal watchdog in the Interior Department.
The internal watchdog's job is to oversee investigations inside the department.
Critics are concerned this nomination might harm the fairness of investigations.
The Interior Department manages natural resources and public lands in the U.S.
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A federal appeals court blocked President Donald Trump's plan to build a $400 million ballroom at the White House. The court said only Congress has the power to approve major changes to the historic White House building.
Key Facts
The court ruled that President Trump cannot start building the new ballroom without Congress's approval.
Judges Millett and Garcia said the President is only a temporary resident of the White House, not the owner.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued to stop the construction, arguing only Congress can approve such changes.
The court’s decision does not rule out the project entirely, but it must wait for Congressional authorization.
President Trump said he will appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.
Judge Neomi Rao disagreed with the majority, saying the President likely has authority to make improvements and that construction should continue.
The ruling is delayed for two weeks to allow time for the Trump administration to appeal.
Construction began last year, including demolition of part of the East Wing of the White House.
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In Michigan’s primary elections, Thomas Smith, a new Republican candidate, won in the 8th District against Amir Hassan, who was supported by President Trump. On the Democratic side, Abdul El-Sayed won the Senate primary and will compete against Mike Rogers in the general election.
Key Facts
Thomas Smith, a Republican newcomer, won the 8th District primary in Michigan.
Amir Hassan, endorsed by President Trump, lost the 8th District primary.
Abdul El-Sayed narrowly won the Democratic Senate primary in Michigan.
Abdul El-Sayed will face Mike Rogers in the general election.
The results highlight a rare primary loss for a Trump-endorsed candidate.
The primaries were held in Michigan.
The 8th District seat and the Senate seat are both contested races in Michigan.
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Francesca Hong, a top Democratic candidate for governor in Wisconsin, responded to criticism from political strategist David Axelrod. Axelrod called Hong a “zany liberal” and said she might lose the election.
Key Facts
Francesca Hong is a leading Democrat running for governor in Wisconsin.
David Axelrod, a former chief strategist for President Obama, criticized Hong.
Axelrod described Hong as a “zany liberal” in a social media post.
He suggested that Hong could lose the upcoming election.
Hong publicly responded to Axelrod’s comments on Friday.
Axelrod’s criticism reflects a disagreement within the Democratic Party.
Hong identifies as a democratic socialist.
The exchange occurred during the Wisconsin gubernatorial race campaign.
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A gunman opened fire at an In-N-Out Burger drive-thru in Twin Falls, Idaho, killing three people and injuring seven others before taking his own life. Police have released surveillance video of the attack but have not found a reason for the shooting.
Key Facts
The shooting happened last Saturday at the In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho.
The gunman, Chad Williams, 24, fired through the drive-thru window multiple times.
Three people died, including a restaurant worker and a man who helped others with sobriety.
Seven people were injured in the shooting.
The gunman killed himself after the attack.
The In-N-Out Burger had recently opened in July as part of the chain’s growth in Idaho.
Police have not identified a motive for the shooting.
The victims who died were Ashley Garibay (23), Dale Schultz (66), and Christopher Claunch (59).
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The U.S. Army is allowing small companies to use its test ranges to speed up the development and purchase of new weapons like missiles and drones. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said this will reduce delays that usually slow down military contractors and help get better weapons to soldiers faster.
Key Facts
The Army opened its test ranges in the U.S. and allied countries to private companies on August 6, 2026.
Companies can request access through an online marketplace and get permission within 30 days.
Testing new weapons can normally take 12 to 18 months, but this program aims to shorten that time.
The program is designed to bring faster innovation to the battlefield amid changes in warfare, such as drone use by Iran and Ukraine.
The Army wants to invite industry to work closely with soldiers to develop safer and more effective weapons.
The first company to use the new program tested a cruise missile in Morocco.
The initiative also addresses shortages in advanced weapons caused by recent conflicts in the Middle East.
The Army plans to buy weapons that prove to improve soldier safety and effectiveness through this process.
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The Department of Justice confirmed that Florida Republican Representative Byron Donalds is not under investigation, contradicting allegations made by his primary rival James Fishback. Fishback claimed that a federal investigation into another congressman, Cory Mills, had expanded to include Donalds, but these claims were denied by the DOJ and Donalds’ spokesperson.
Key Facts
James Fishback accused Byron Donalds of being under federal investigation, based on information from a whistleblower.
The DOJ spokesperson said the claim that Donalds is under investigation is "absolutely false."
Byron Donalds’ spokesman called the allegations baseless and defamatory.
Congressman Cory Mills is under a House Ethics Committee investigation related to financial and sexual misconduct accusations.
Fishback shared some documents to support his claims, but these have not been independently verified.
Fishback stated that Donalds and Mills deserve the presumption of innocence but argued voters deserve transparency.
Donalds remains the leading candidate in the Republican primary for Florida governor, with President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
Fishback said he will not use the allegations in campaign ads, framing his concern as voter transparency rather than politics.
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