President Donald Trump said he will push to create an "anti-weaponization fund" if Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn do not stop delaying the confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general. Tillis and Cornyn want Trump to put in writing that he will not pursue the fund before they approve Blanche. The fund would give money to people who say they faced political persecution.
Key Facts
President Trump wants Todd Blanche confirmed as attorney general.
Senators Tillis and Cornyn have delayed Blanche's confirmation.
They want Trump to agree in writing not to create the "anti-weaponization fund."
The fund is nearly $1.8 billion to pay people claiming political persecution.
Trump announced the fund in May as part of a settlement with IRS and Treasury.
Blanche said the fund is "dead" and no money has been used from it.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to vote on Blanche's nomination on Tuesday.
The Senate will recess at the end of next week and return in mid-September.
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This summer, extreme weather events like floods and heatwaves have affected many parts of the U.S. Despite this, many Democratic politicians have talked less about climate change. Activists are now urging lawmakers to speak more openly and act on the climate crisis.
Key Facts
Texas has seen severe flooding, and other states have faced intense heat and wildfire smoke this summer.
Scientists agree that global warming is causing more frequent and severe extreme weather.
Some Democrats have reduced public discussion of climate change in politics recently.
Environmental activists have launched campaigns in at least 20 states during the congressional recess to push lawmakers to address climate issues.
Groups involved include the Climate Action Campaign, Sierra Club, Third Act, and NAACP local branches.
Activists are urging both Democratic and Republican representatives to prioritize climate action.
New polls show that talking openly about climate change does not harm Democratic candidates and may increase voter support.
Most Americans, including many Republicans, recognize that extreme weather has increased in recent years and are concerned about global warming.
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Gun deaths in the U.S. have dropped about 30% over the last five years, helped by policies like in-person background checks when buying guns. The Trump administration wants to change federal gun rules, allowing more online sales without these checks, which could increase gun violence.
Key Facts
Gun homicides in the U.S. have decreased nearly 30% from their highest point five years ago.
Cities like Baltimore have reached the lowest homicide rates in 50 years.
Current federal rules require guns bought online to be sent to licensed dealers for in-person background checks.
The Trump administration proposed over 30 changes that would weaken these rules.
One key change would allow guns to be bought online and delivered directly without a background check in person.
This online system is compared to an “Amazon for Guns,” making purchasing easier but less secure.
Law enforcement warns that these changes could make it harder to stop violent criminals and could lead to more mass shootings.
Even some gun sellers oppose these new rules, saying online checks are not as safe as in-person checks.
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OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney has reached a plea deal in the second-degree murder case over the 2022 stabbing death of her boyfriend, Christian Obumseli, avoiding a trial set for the near future. The plea deal will be formally reviewed in court on August 10, where a judge will decide whether to accept it.
Key Facts
Christian Obumseli died from a stab wound in April 2022 inside their Miami apartment.
Clenney called 911 on the day of the incident, reporting a violent fight and claiming she threw a knife in self-defense.
Medical examiners said the fatal wound could not have come from a knife thrown from a distance.
The couple’s relationship was marked by allegations of mutual violence and abuse.
Prosecutors accused Clenney of stabbing Obumseli fatally, while her defense said she acted to protect herself.
Clenney was arrested months later in Hawaii while in rehab for substance abuse and PTSD.
She pleaded not guilty and was in custody before signing the plea agreement.
The plea hearing is scheduled for August 10 before a Miami-Dade judge.
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Savannah Guthrie is asking for help to find her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who went missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona, six months ago. After Arizona officials released ransom notes claiming Nancy had died shortly after being taken, the family continues to seek answers and offers a reward for information.
Key Facts
Nancy Guthrie, 84 years old, disappeared from her Tucson home six months ago.
The Guthrie family received ransom notes after her disappearance.
The second ransom note said Nancy likely died soon after being taken, possibly from heart-related causes, and was buried outdoors.
Savannah Guthrie shared a message asking the public for any information or tips related to the case.
The family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery.
Tips can be given anonymously.
Savannah emphasized the family's hope and faith as they continue searching for answers.
Officials have released images of the ransom notes to the public.
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Maryland Governor Wes Moore said he is very worried that President Donald Trump might use federal power to interfere with the upcoming midterm elections. Moore mentioned Trump’s past actions like trying to limit mail voting, asking states for voter data, and possibly sending federal forces to polling places as reasons for concern.
Key Facts
Governor Wes Moore of Maryland expressed serious concerns about President Trump interfering in the midterm elections.
Moore discussed Trump’s efforts such as restricting voting by mail and seeking voter information from states.
There is a possibility that federal troops or agents could be sent to polling locations during the elections.
Moore is now the chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), a group of U.S. governors from both parties.
He believes the NGA can help states run elections fairly according to the U.S. Constitution.
Moore is gaining national attention and is considered a potential future presidential candidate but says he will focus on the elections this year.
He is leading a national program called “Service United” to help young people enter the workforce through community service and apprenticeships.
Some Republicans, including outgoing NGA chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, support parts of Moore’s workforce and service initiatives.
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A federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit to get Illinois’ full voter registration records, ruling the department does not have the legal power to demand this information. This is the 19th time the Trump administration’s effort to access sensitive voter data from states has been rejected in court.
Key Facts
The Justice Department sued Illinois to get the state’s complete voter registration database.
Illinois election officials refused to provide unredacted voter records due to privacy concerns.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless ruled the DOJ lacks authority under federal law to force Illinois to hand over the full database.
The judge said laws require states to allow some voter data viewing but do not require full disclosure of confidential voter information.
This case marks the 19th time the Trump administration has lost similar lawsuits in different states.
The DOJ argued the data is needed to check if states are maintaining accurate voter rolls and to find illegal registrations.
States raised concerns about privacy and cybersecurity because the requests included sensitive personal details like driver’s license numbers.
The judge dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning the DOJ cannot bring the same case again in that court but could appeal the ruling.
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A recent poll shows Democrats have gained a clear lead over Republicans on voters' trust to handle the economy and inflation, two key issues for many Americans. This shift happened after Republicans previously held the lead earlier this year, but lost ground following the conflict involving Iran.
Key Facts
Democrats lead Republicans by 7 points on trust to manage the economy (41% vs. 34%) and inflation (40% vs. 33%).
Republicans held a lead on these issues as recently as March 2026.
The change occurred after the Iran conflict impacted public opinion.
A majority (51%) of voters say the economy and inflation are the most important issues to them.
Democrats also have a 10-point lead on which party voters trust most on their top issue (44% vs. 34%).
Healthcare is the third most important issue, with Democrats leading by 18 points there.
The poll surveyed 1,000 registered voters online on July 27-28, 2026, with a 3.1% margin of error.
The Democrats’ current economic trust level is their highest since October 2024.
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President Donald Trump imitated the sound made by Patriot missile interceptions while explaining how the US military shot down five Iranian missiles over Jordan. He joked about getting the number of sounds right to avoid being compared to President Joe Biden.
Key Facts
President Trump described the US military intercepting five Iranian missiles.
The interceptions happened over Jordan, a country in the Middle East.
He mimicked the "bing" sounds made by Patriot missile defense systems.
President Trump made a joke related to President Joe Biden while doing this.
The Patriot missile system is used to shoot down incoming missiles to protect people and places.
The event shows ongoing military tensions involving the US and Iran.
The remarks were made in a public setting where President Trump spoke about the incident.
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A small town in Colorado named Hartman was declared abandoned after its leaders resigned during a serious water crisis. The town’s water was unsafe to drink for a long time, and the local government could no longer operate, so the nearby county will take over essential services like water.
Key Facts
Hartman is a small town in south-eastern Colorado with fewer than 60 people.
The town’s water lacked chlorine for over a month and had a bad smell, making it unsafe to drink.
Residents had to boil water for months because it was not clean.
All local public officials resigned, leaving the town without government leadership.
The town could not hold elections or maintain its water system.
The water tower needed repairs but was neglected due to political conflicts.
Colorado’s secretary of state officially declared Hartman abandoned to allow the county to provide clean water.
Some residents disagreed with the abandonment decision, feeling the town was failed by the support systems.
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Alexis Carter-Black received a surprising text from a woman named Lisa, who revealed that Alexis’s brother, Bobby, had died six months earlier from heart failure. Lisa, who had been Bobby’s partner for 14 years and the mother of his three children, finally found a note Bobby left with Alexis’s contact in case anything happened to him.
Key Facts
Alexis had not seen or heard from her brother Bobby in 20 years.
Lisa sent a text to Alexis revealing Bobby’s death and sharing details about their life together.
Bobby died from congestive heart failure in his sleep at age 53.
He passed away two days before Christmas 2023, but Alexis learned about it six months later.
Bobby had given Lisa a sticky note with Alexis’s contact info and asked her to call if anything happened to him.
Lisa found the note after searching for six months.
Alexis told her husband and her mother about Bobby’s death after learning the news.
This news deeply affected Alexis and her family.
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Psychologists say only children do not have one single personality and are generally as healthy and social as children with siblings. Only children often talk more with adults, which can make them comfortable using adult language, but this does not mean they grow up emotionally faster.
Key Facts
About 20% of U.S. households with children now have only one child.
The rise in only children is linked to factors like higher living costs, fertility issues, and less social pressure to have more kids.
Only children are not more spoiled, lonely, or socially awkward just because they lack siblings.
Personality and behavior depend more on parenting style, family life, and temperament than the number of siblings.
Only children often interact more with adults, leading to early use of broader vocabulary.
Some only children prefer close friendships or adult company over noisy groups with peers.
A 2025 study found no mental health problems tied to growing up without siblings and noted some strengths in thinking and mental resilience.
Differences related to being an only child usually result from family support and environment, not birth order.
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Actor Shane Richie, who plays Alfie Moon on the TV show EastEnders, was arrested for drink-driving in Harlow, Essex. He has been charged and will appear in Colchester Magistrates' Court on September 9.
Key Facts
Shane Richie is 62 years old and lives in Tadworth, Surrey.
Police arrested him near a Tesco petrol station forecourt in Church Langley Way, Harlow.
The arrest happened shortly before 11:20 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29.
He is charged with drink-driving by Essex Police.
Richie’s real name is Shane Roche.
He has played his EastEnders character since 2002.
His court appearance is scheduled for September 9 at Colchester Magistrates' Court.
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Troy Jackson, a progressive Democrat from Maine, has less than 100 days to win a US Senate seat against incumbent Republican Susan Collins. Jackson is working to unite Democratic voters and appeal to people who voted for both Collins and President Donald Trump in 2020.
Key Facts
Troy Jackson is a lumberjack and former state lawmaker chosen as the Democratic nominee in Maine’s Senate race.
He replaced Graham Platner, who dropped out after accusations he denies.
Susan Collins is a moderate Republican who has held her Senate seat in Maine for over 30 years.
Maine is important for Democrats to gain control of the US Senate in the upcoming midterm elections.
Jackson must quickly build support across Maine, including among voters who previously voted for Collins and President Trump.
About a third of Maine voters are unenrolled with no party affiliation.
Some voters are concerned about Collins supporting policies linked to President Trump.
Democrats want to rally behind Jackson despite recent challenges in the party.
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The New Mexico attorney general, Raúl Torrez, set a July 31 deadline for the US Department of Justice (DoJ) to share unredacted files about abuse at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. The DoJ has only provided a small number of heavily redacted documents, prompting Torrez to consider legal action.
Key Facts
Raúl Torrez reopened a criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in New Mexico.
Torrez requested unredacted files from the DoJ in February and set a July 31 deadline for delivery.
The DoJ provided only 31 pages, mostly old news clippings and heavily redacted documents.
No confirmed federal search of the ranch took place, unlike other Epstein properties.
Torrez warned he might sue if the DoJ did not fully cooperate by the deadline.
The Southern District of New York (SDNY) initially said it would not cooperate with Torrez’s request.
Jay Clayton, director designate of national intelligence and former SDNY US attorney, mentioned ongoing talks to resolve disputes over the files.
Todd Blanche, acting US attorney general, was accused of a "cover-up" but said he is still working with New Mexico officials.
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Rep. Max Miller, a Republican from Ohio, faces domestic abuse allegations that he denies. These claims are gaining national attention and making the race for his congressional seat more complicated.
Key Facts
Max Miller is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio.
Allegations of domestic abuse have been made against him.
Miller strongly denies these allegations.
The accusations have drawn national media coverage.
The situation has complicated the election race for his congressional seat.
Democrats have called for Miller to resign or face investigation.
Despite the claims, Miller still holds a strong position in the race.
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The article says that the United States democracy has weakened rapidly under President Donald Trump’s leadership, with concerns about his use of executive power and election interference. It argues that a big Democratic win in the upcoming midterm elections is needed to stop this decline and restore democratic norms.
Key Facts
The Varieties of Democracy Institute reported that U.S. democracy worsened sharply in 2025, reaching its lowest point in 60 years.
In 2025, President Trump issued 225 executive orders, while Congress passed only 49 laws, mostly minor.
The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 aims to strengthen presidential control, supported by Supreme Court rulings.
There are efforts to restrict voting rights, such as limiting mail-in ballots and requiring proof of citizenship, mainly targeting likely Democratic voters.
If the midterm elections are close, Republicans might try to exclude or disqualify Democratic winners.
Trump’s policies, including tariffs and war in the Middle East, have increased living costs and lowered his approval ratings.
The war against Iran has cost tens of billions of dollars, with no clear way to end it peacefully.
Reports allege that President Trump and his family have made about $2 billion from their time in office, and there are controversial business links between Trump associates and the FIFA World Cup.
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Many Americans find it harder to buy homes now because house prices and borrowing costs have gone up faster than wages. However, some counties in the South and Midwest still offer affordable homeownership, while coastal areas in the Northeast and West are much less affordable.
Key Facts
Home prices and borrowing costs increased significantly since the pandemic, outpacing wage growth.
The Newsweek American Dream Index evaluates 33,772 U.S. ZIP codes on housing affordability and opportunity, using scores from 0 to 100.
Scores over 65 indicate thriving housing access, while scores below 35 show areas struggling with affordability.
The most affordable counties are mostly in the South and Midwest, where land and construction costs are lower, and building rules are less strict.
Popular Southern markets in Florida, Tennessee, and Texas have become less affordable due to high demand and limited new housing supply.
The least affordable counties are mainly coastal areas in the Northeast and West, including New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles counties.
The range of housing access scores shows large differences across the country in the ability of average households to afford homeownership.
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The US Justice Department dropped charges against former Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Officials now say the damage happened because of a bad installation during renovations overseen by President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
David Hearn faced felony vandalism charges for allegedly damaging the Reflecting Pool.
The charges were dropped after new evidence showed the damage was due to poorly done renovation work.
President Trump oversaw the renovation project, which cost at least $14 million.
The renovation included adding a new liner that later peeled and caused algae problems.
Hearn was arrested after inspecting a partially detached liner, but he denied causing any damage.
The Justice Department admitted the installation was "botched," not vandalism.
Hearn’s lawyers said the case was politically motivated and called for an apology.
President Trump had warned of jail time for damaging his renovation projects before.
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The US Justice Department dropped a criminal case against David Hearn, a former Olympian accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. New evidence showed the damage was caused by a poorly done renovation ordered by President Donald Trump, not vandalism by Hearn.
Key Facts
David Hearn was charged with felony vandalism for allegedly damaging the Reflecting Pool.
The Justice Department dismissed the case after discovering the damage resulted from a botched renovation, not vandalism.
President Trump personally oversaw the hurried renovation before the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.
The project cost about $14 million and included installing a new "American flag blue" liner.
Problems like peeling coating and algae appeared soon after the renovation was completed.
Hearn was arrested after touching a partially detached liner during a visit but denied causing damage.
Trump warned of a 10-year prison sentence for damaging his renovation projects, but no evidence linked Hearn to vandalism.
Lawyers for Hearn accused the administration of misusing government power in bringing the charges.
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