President Donald Trump said he might withdraw the nomination of Todd Blanche for Attorney General until Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis leave office next year. Cornyn and Tillis want written proof that Blanche will end protections related to Trump’s family business and a settlement involving Trump’s tax lawsuit.
Key Facts
President Trump nominated Todd Blanche for Attorney General.
Blanche is currently acting Attorney General.
Trump called Blanche “a STAR” and supports him strongly.
Senators John Cornyn (Texas) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina) oppose the nomination without written assurances.
The senators want confirmation that an “Anti-Weaponization Fund” linked to Trump’s IRS lawsuit will end.
This fund protects Trump and his family from certain tax audits.
The Senate Judiciary Committee delayed voting on Blanche’s nomination.
Cornyn and Tillis will leave office next year, and Trump plans to reconsider the nomination afterward.
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The US economy grew by 1.5% in the second quarter of 2026, slower than the 2.1% growth in the first quarter. Rising inflation, higher fuel prices, and a growing trade deficit are creating economic pressure, while consumer spending and technology investments continue to support growth.
Key Facts
US GDP grew 1.5% between April and June 2026, down from 2.1% in the previous quarter.
Consumer spending increased by 3.2% during the same period, helped by tax refunds under President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’.
Fuel prices have risen to an average of $4.09 per gallon, up from $3.84 last month and $2.98 in February.
Trade deficits are increasing partly due to heavy imports tied to the AI technology sector.
Nvidia is negotiating to invest $250 million in OpenAI, showing growth in tech spending.
Inflation, measured by the Personal Consumption Expenditure Price Index, rose 3.7% annually in June after a 4.1% increase in May.
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady at 3.5-3.75%.
US stock markets rose, especially in technology shares, with the Nasdaq up 2.6%.
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President Donald Trump may temporarily stop trying to make Todd Blanche the permanent US attorney general because some Republican senators are not supporting him. Senator John Cornyn said he won’t back Blanche without proof that a $1.8 billion slush fund for the president’s allies is canceled.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is currently the acting US attorney general.
President Trump wants to make Blanche the permanent attorney general.
Some Republican senators, including John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, do not support Blanche’s nomination.
Senator Cornyn wants written proof that a $1.8 billion slush fund is ended before backing Blanche.
Blanche needs all Republican votes on the Senate judiciary committee to secure the permanent role.
President Trump said he might withdraw Blanche’s nomination temporarily if the senators do not support him.
Trump said Blanche would stay as acting attorney general even if the nomination is withdrawn.
Trump criticized Cornyn and Tillis, noting he did not endorse them and implied their political futures are affected by him.
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President Donald Trump said he would agree to delay the nomination of Todd Blanche as Attorney General until after some Republican senators leave office in January. Trump called Blanche a strong candidate and said Blanche would continue as acting Attorney General during the delay.
Key Facts
President Trump is open to pausing Todd Blanche’s official nomination as Attorney General.
The delay would last until certain Republican senators, including Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, leave office next January.
Todd Blanche is currently the acting Attorney General.
Blanche was previously President Trump’s personal attorney.
Some Republican senators oppose Blanche’s nomination, causing the delay.
Trump described Blanche as a "star" and supports him strongly.
Blanche would keep his role as acting Attorney General even if the nomination is delayed.
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David Cifaldi was hiking Montana’s Granite Peak when he slipped and a hiking pole pierced his body. He avoided major damage to organs and hiked 10 miles down the mountain despite the injury. As a nurse, he cared for his wound during the hike.
Key Facts
David Cifaldi was hiking with friends on Granite Peak in Montana.
He slipped and was impaled by his own trekking pole.
The pole missed all his major organs.
Instead of calling for a helicopter rescue, he chose to walk down.
He hiked 10 miles down the mountain with the pole still in him.
Cifaldi is a wound care nurse and treated his injury on the way down.
The incident shows both his skill in injury care and physical endurance.
This event happened recently and was reported within the last hour.
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President Donald Trump may temporarily withdraw his nominee Todd Blanche for attorney general because two Republican senators, John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, are not supporting him. They want written proof that a fund connected to Trump's IRS settlement will be ended before they approve the nomination.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is President Trump's pick for attorney general.
Senators John Cornyn (Texas) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina) are withholding their support.
Cornyn and Tillis want written assurances that an "Anti-Weaponization Fund" tied to Trump's IRS lawsuit settlement will be permanently ended.
The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed the vote on Blanche's nomination because of this opposition.
President Trump said he would be okay with withdrawing Blanche's nomination and resubmitting it after these senators leave office.
Blanche will continue to serve as acting attorney general for now.
Cornyn and Tillis are set to leave office next year.
The dispute raises questions about the Justice Department's leadership future if the nomination is delayed.
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Recent Fox News polls show Democrats leading Republican candidates in key Senate races in Iowa, North Carolina, Georgia, and Ohio ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Voters show growing concerns about Republican candidates closely linked to President Donald Trump, and inflation remains the top issue for voters in these states.
Key Facts
Democrat Roy Cooper leads Republican Michael Whatley by 9 points in North Carolina (53% to 44%).
Democrat Josh Turek leads Republican Ashley Hinson by 4 points in Iowa (50% to 46%).
Democrat Jon Ossoff holds a 13-point lead over Republican Mike Collins in Georgia (56% to 43%).
Democrat Sherrod Brown leads Republican Jon Husted by 8 points in Ohio (53% to 45%).
More voters are concerned about Republican candidates being too close to President Trump than worry about Democrats being too liberal.
Inflation is the top concern for voters in all surveyed states, but Republicans are not consistently gaining support because of it.
Republican candidates face pressure to increase support among independent and moderate voters.
In North Carolina, 48% of voters worry about Whatley’s ties to Trump, and President Trump’s favorability is lower (40% favorable, 58% unfavorable).
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President Donald Trump's approval rating among white voters without a college degree has dropped from 61% in February 2025 to 46% in July 2025, according to a CNN poll. This group was key to his 2024 election victory, but the recent decline raises concerns for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections.
Key Facts
Trump’s approval among white voters without a college degree fell from 61% in February 2025 to 46% in July 2025.
This voter group helped Trump win by 34 points in the 2024 election.
The CNN poll shows Trump is now 8 points underwater with this group (more disapprove than approve).
The poll surveyed 1,225 people with a margin of error of ±3.2 points.
Approval decline is linked to concerns about the economy and the unpopular war with Iran.
Only 37% of these voters think Trump is handling the economy well.
White voters without a degree increasingly feel Trump has not focused on the country’s most important problems.
White House spokesperson says Trump is working hard on jobs, inflation, and housing affordability.
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Senate Republicans have postponed a vote on President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. attorney general, Todd Blanche. The delay is due to concerns from some Republican senators about Blanche’s close ties to Trump and a controversial legal settlement involving Trump’s tax case.
Key Facts
The Senate Judiciary Committee delayed the vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general.
Blanche is currently acting head of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Some Republicans worry about Blanche’s past role as Trump’s personal criminal defense lawyer.
Concerns focus on a settlement between Trump and the IRS that stopped future tax investigations and included a $1.8 billion fund for those claiming political prosecution.
Both parties opposed the fund, and a judge ruled the settlement illegal.
Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis expressed doubts and requested more proof that the settlement plan is abandoned.
Cornyn accused the DOJ of withholding information, saying the next move is up to Blanche.
President Trump suggested Cornyn’s opposition might be linked to Trump’s previous endorsement of Cornyn’s primary challenger.
Blanche said he leads the DOJ independently from the White House and has managed major DOJ actions on Trump’s priorities.
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A recent poll found that most Americans (55%) would not consider voting for a presidential candidate who calls themselves a democratic socialist. Around 39% said they would consider voting for such a candidate, and 6% did not answer.
Key Facts
The poll was done by The Washington Post and Ipsos.
55% of people said they would not vote for a democratic socialist presidential candidate.
39% said they would consider voting for that kind of candidate.
6% of respondents did not give an answer.
The poll focuses on attitudes toward democratic socialist candidates in a presidential race.
The term "democratic socialist" refers to political candidates who support socialism combined with democracy.
The poll shows more Americans are hesitant to support this political label.
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President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he might temporarily withdraw Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general. He wants to avoid making deals with some Republicans who are hesitant to support the nomination.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump nominated Todd Blanche for attorney general.
Todd Blanche is currently the acting attorney general.
Some Republicans are hesitant or hold out from supporting the nomination.
President Trump may pull the nomination temporarily.
This action aims to avoid giving concessions to those Republicans.
The news is still developing and updates may follow.
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Kathy Ruemmler, a former top lawyer at Goldman Sachs, told a House committee that Jeffrey Epstein helped her law firm earn millions of dollars through referrals. She said she met Epstein many times, gave him legal advice, and maintained a professional relationship despite knowing about his past criminal conviction.
Key Facts
Kathy Ruemmler testified before the House Oversight Committee about her ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Epstein referred clients that brought "single-digit millions" of dollars to her law firm.
Ruemmler never officially represented Epstein but gave him legal and public relations advice.
She said she was aware of Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor but continued working with him because he showed remorse.
Ruemmler met with Epstein around 20 times between 2014 and 2019.
Her last conversation with Epstein was a brief call after his arrest in July 2019.
She attended Epstein’s arraignment to keep a business acquaintance, Ariane de Rothschild, informed.
Ruemmler described Epstein with mixed terms, including "arrogant" and "pushy," and used the nickname "Uncle Jeffrey" in a teasing way.
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A recent CNN poll shows that about one in three Democrats say they are democratic socialists. These voters are a smaller group but remain very loyal and influential within the Democratic Party.
Key Facts
Approximately 33% of Democrats identify as democratic socialists.
The poll was conducted by SSRS for CNN.
Democratic socialists represent the progressive side of the party.
This group is a minority within the Democratic Party.
Democratic socialists tend to be very loyal voters.
They are more actively engaged compared to other Democrats.
The survey highlights the growing influence of the progressive wing in the party.
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An 18-month-old toddler in Arizona was declared dead after being found in a family pool but was later discovered breathing hours later in a hospital morgue and survived. Authorities decided not to charge the parents after finding safety measures in place and no clear evidence of negligence.
Key Facts
The toddler was found in a backyard pool and initially declared dead at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.
Hours later, the child was discovered breathing in a hospital room used as a morgue.
Police recommended negligence charges, but the county attorney declined to file them.
The family had childproof locks and safety measures, and multiple adults were present at the home.
No signs of impairment were found in the parents.
First responders tried life-saving measures before the boy was taken to the hospital.
The child was later flown to another hospital and survived.
The hospital reviewed its procedures and aimed to improve its care after the incident.
Police reports noted tension with hospital staff during the event, including a conflict between officers and a doctor.
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Inflation in the U.S. dropped more than expected in June, helped by lower gas, clothing, and used car prices. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy costs, also slowed, suggesting underlying price increases are cooling. However, rising oil prices due to tensions with Iran could slow this progress.
Key Facts
Consumer prices fell 0.4% from May to June, the biggest monthly drop in four years.
Yearly inflation rate dropped to 3.5% in June from 4.2% in May.
Core inflation, excluding food and energy, stayed flat in June and rose 2.6% year-over-year, above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
The gas price increase from the Iran war raised some costs but did not cause broad inflation.
President Donald Trump blamed former President Joe Biden for last month’s inflation spike, saying inflation is now going down.
Inflation rose since President Trump took office last year, increasing from 3% to 3.5%.
Rising oil prices from renewed U.S. attacks on Iran and a new blockade in the Strait of Hormuz could reverse recent inflation gains.
The cooler inflation report reduces pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in the near future.
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Labour has asked the UK Electoral Commission to investigate whether Reform UK broke rules on political donations after reports revealed large sums of money were transferred by George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster, to his mother who then donated to the party. Reform UK denies any wrongdoing and says it followed all rules, while the police are also looking into the matter.
Key Facts
Labour’s chair, Bridget Phillipson, requested an investigation into Reform UK’s donations.
George Cottrell, convicted of fraud, transferred over $2 million to his mother before she donated to Reform UK in 2024.
The Electoral Commission has referred the case to the Metropolitan police.
Funds were given directly to Reform UK or through Britain Means Business, a fundraising group linked to the party.
Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, directs Britain Means Business, which donated £500,000 to the party before the 2024 election.
Reform UK says it followed all election donation rules and will cooperate with any investigations.
Cottrell lives in Montenegro and advises Nigel Farage but Reform says he is only a volunteer.
Labour says if the allegations are true, Reform accepted money from someone not legally allowed to donate.
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A new Fox News poll shows that former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is leading by 9 points against his opponent Michael Whatley in the race for the U.S. Senate seat. Cooper has 53 percent support among voters in North Carolina.
Key Facts
Roy Cooper is the former governor of North Carolina.
Michael Whatley is a former chair of the Republican National Committee in North Carolina.
The poll was conducted by Fox News.
Cooper leads Whatley by 9 percentage points.
53 percent of likely voters in North Carolina support Cooper.
The election is for a U.S. Senate seat currently held by another senator.
This race is part of the 2024 U.S. election cycle.
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The Senate committee has approved Dr. Erica Schwartz’s nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), moving her one step closer to becoming the agency’s director. Dr. Schwartz has a medical and law background and previously served as deputy surgeon general. Senators expressed concerns about whether she would resist political influence, especially from President Trump’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Key Facts
Dr. Erica Schwartz was nominated by President Donald Trump to be CDC director.
She has both medical and law degrees and experience as deputy surgeon general and a U.S. Coast Guard leader.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved her nomination with near party-line support.
Some senators questioned if she would oppose changes to CDC policies unsupported by science, especially from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, committee chairman, expressed confidence in Schwartz’s ability to stand up to political pressure after further discussions.
The CDC has faced major challenges, including the loss of over 3,000 employees and low morale since President Trump returned to office.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is known for anti-vaccine views and tried to change childhood vaccination recommendations, which were halted by a judge.
Public health experts and a CDC worker coalition remain cautious about Schwartz’s ability to protect CDC guidance from politics.
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A Massachusetts court is hearing a murder trial where Lindsay Clancy is accused of killing her three children. The trial included playing a 911 call made by Clancy’s ex-husband, which contained disturbing details about the case.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is on trial for the murder of her three children.
The trial is taking place in Massachusetts.
A 911 call from Clancy’s ex-husband was played in court.
The 911 call is described as chilling or disturbing.
CBS News reported on the trial and the 911 call.
Testimonies and evidence are being presented during the trial.
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Children crossing roads in England’s poorest areas are nearly five times more likely to be killed or seriously hurt than those in the richest areas. Road accident data for Great Britain in 2025 shows a growing gap in injuries and deaths between wealthy and deprived communities, especially among young pedestrians.
Key Facts
In 2025, nearly 30,000 people were killed or seriously injured on Great Britain’s roads; 2,432 were under 16 years old.
More than 20% of child pedestrian casualties lived in the poorest 10% of areas, while only 4% were from the wealthiest 10%.
The risk of road injury is higher for poorer car occupants, even though they tend to travel fewer miles than wealthier car users.
Motorcycle deaths increased by 14% from 2024 to 2025, rising to 372 fatalities.
Speeding contributed to 52% of recorded road deaths in 2025.
Over 75% of people killed in all types of road accidents were male.
Motorways were the safest roads per mile driven, making up 6% of fatalities but carrying 21% of traffic.
Experts say reducing road deaths requires focusing on poorer communities by improving road safety and infrastructure where risks are highest.
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