Dr. Anthony Fauci refused to answer questions during a congressional hearing about the COVID-19 pandemic by repeatedly invoking his right not to speak. Senator Rand Paul announced he will try to hold a vote to find Fauci in contempt of Congress next week.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci, a government health official, declined to answer questions about COVID-19.
Fauci invoked the 5th Amendment 107 times, which protects against self-incrimination.
The hearing focused on the origin and management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senator Rand Paul is leading the effort to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress.
A vote on contempt is planned for the following week.
This event took place during a congressional hearing.
The hearing was covered by CBS News.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Dangerous and chaotic weather has affected parts of the United States this week. The Northeast experienced historic flash floods, while the West faced extremely hot temperatures and a rare fire tornado caught on camera.
Key Facts
The Northeast was hit by life-threatening flash floods.
These floods were described as historic, meaning unusually severe.
In the Western states, temperatures have been very high.
A rare fire tornado, which is a tornado caused by fire, was filmed in the West.
Weather reporter Rob Marciano is covering these events.
The events highlight both heavy rain and extreme heat happening in different U.S. regions at the same time.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Four former football coaches and six players at Cheltenham High School in Pennsylvania face criminal charges for assaulting a 15-year-old teammate during two pre-season practices in 2025. The football team’s season was canceled after an investigation revealed the assaults and coaches did not report the incidents despite being told by the victim.
Key Facts
The victim was a sophomore assaulted after two football practices in August and September 2025.
Players restrained the victim and poked him with a broomstick; one incident was recorded on a cellphone video.
The second incident involved players kicking and stomping the victim, including blows to the head and groin.
The victim reported the attack to coach Ralph Burnley, who then messaged other coaches; they allegedly tried to keep the victim from telling his parents.
No coaches were present in the locker room during the assaults.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele called the assaults crimes, not just horseplay.
Many witnesses hesitated to speak during the investigation, which delayed the case.
The school district canceled the football season and expressed concern for the victim’s well-being.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson talked about the new need for strong security since she joined the Court, which she had not experienced in lower courts. She explained that the security demands have changed her daily life and talked about efforts to remain unbiased in her role. Other justices have also asked Congress for more money to boost their protection because of rising threats.
Key Facts
Justice Jackson said the biggest change in the Supreme Court is the need for heavy security.
She cannot go out as freely as before due to safety concerns.
Jackson follows strict rules to avoid any conflicts of interest and to stay unbiased.
Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan spoke to Congress asking for more funding for security.
Security funding would pay for more police officers, better physical security, and improved cybersecurity.
Threats to justices and their families have increased, causing worry among Supreme Court members.
Justice Barrett mentioned being given a bulletproof vest and experiences with "swatting" attacks.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh faced serious security threats including an armed man near his home.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Dr. Anthony Fauci was questioned by Senator Rand Paul and other Republican lawmakers during a Senate hearing. Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times, choosing not to answer many questions. Political experts shared their thoughts about the hearing.
Key Facts
The hearing involved Dr. Anthony Fauci, a public health official.
Senator Rand Paul and other Republicans asked tough questions.
Dr. Fauci used the Fifth Amendment over 100 times to avoid answering.
The Fifth Amendment allows people to refuse to answer questions that might incriminate them.
Democratic and Republican political strategists commented on the hearing.
The hearing was broadcast by CBS News.
The discussion focused on Fauci’s actions and public health decisions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senators are negotiating with leaders of the Southeastern and Big Ten college sports conferences to revise a bill called the Protect College Sports Act. They aim to resolve disagreements and bring the bill to a vote before the Senate’s summer break next week.
Key Facts
The bill aims to regulate college sports and is called the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA).
Sponsors Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Maria Cantwell want a vote on the bill before August 7.
A major proposal includes creating a $20 million “retention pool” to help schools keep players from leaving.
This retention pool would double the current revenue-sharing salary cap of $21.3 million for schools this year.
The conferences want to know if this increase affects rules about third-party payments to players or conflicts with a $2.8 billion House lawsuit settlement.
Issues like antitrust protection and state law preemption remain unresolved and are important to the conferences and NCAA.
Negotiations also cover flexibility on how many Olympic and women’s sports programs schools must have and rules on expanding leagues to 19 teams.
There is draft language to stop private equity investors from paying schools to form a new "super league."
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump and the Department of Justice have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to cancel an $83.3 million defamation judgment awarded to writer E Jean Carroll. They argue that Trump's statements about Carroll are protected by presidential immunity laws since they relate to his official duties.
Key Facts
President Trump faces an $83.3 million defamation penalty from a jury in a case brought by writer E Jean Carroll.
Carroll claims Trump sexually assaulted her in a department store, and Trump denies the accusations.
Both Trump’s lawyers and the Department of Justice say Trump’s statements are protected by presidential immunity.
The immunity claim is based on the Westfall Act, which protects federal employees from lawsuits for actions within their job duties.
A 2024 Supreme Court case expanded presidential immunity but only for criminal cases, not civil cases like this one.
Trump’s legal team wants the Supreme Court to broaden that immunity to include civil defamation suits.
The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals rejected extending immunity to this civil case in 2023.
Trump has faced two defamation lawsuits from Carroll: one filed in 2019 and another in 2022; the larger $83.3 million verdict is from the 2019 case.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Police said the bullets that killed two bystanders at a Seattle festival were not fired from the gun used by a 15-year-old shooter arrested at the scene. The shooting involved at least four guns, and one 19-year-old suspect was killed by police during the incident.
Key Facts
The shooting happened during the Bite of Seattle food festival.
A 15-year-old was arrested for firing a ghost gun, which is an untraceable handmade firearm.
Bullets that killed two bystanders did not match the 15-year-old’s gun.
At least four firearms were used in the shootout, according to shell casings found.
A 19-year-old suspect involved in the shooting was shot and killed by police at the scene.
Police are trying to identify more people involved in the shooting.
Charges against the 15-year-old include first-degree assault and illegal gun possession under age 18.
It is unclear who fired the bullets that killed the two victims.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man named Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, who witnessed a fatal shooting by an ICE agent in Houston, was released from immigration detention after several weeks. The shooting involved Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot by federal agents; Rojas Pliego disputes the official account and a judge ordered his release.
Key Facts
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was fatally shot by an ICE officer on July 7, 2026, in Houston.
Rojas Pliego was a witness in the van during the shooting and was detained afterward.
A federal judge ordered Rojas Pliego’s release and blocked his deportation.
The Department of Homeland Security said Salgado Araujo tried to use his vehicle to run over an agent, leading to the shooting.
Witnesses including Rojas Pliego say the officers were not in front or behind the van, contradicting the DHS account.
Salgado Araujo was a 52-year-old father of three living in the U.S. for 35 years and close to getting legal status.
His death is among at least 10 deaths during immigration enforcement operations under President Donald Trump’s deportation efforts.
Federal prosecutors filed to delay Rojas Pliego’s release while they appeal the judge’s decision.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A UK parliamentary inquiry found that a data breach exposing personal details of over 18,500 Afghans applying to flee to the UK was a predictable failure by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The breach happened because of poor data handling and secrecy, and the report criticizes the MoD for lacking skills to manage the relocation scheme for Afghans after Kabul fell to the Taliban.
Key Facts
The data breach involved personal information of more than 18,500 Afghan applicants to the UK Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) scheme.
The breach occurred in August 2023 but was kept secret under a super-injunction until July 2025.
The MoD shared an Excel spreadsheet containing the data with a trusted third party, causing the exposure.
The Arap scheme was created in April 2021 to help Afghans who worked with British forces escape danger and resettle in the UK.
The committee said the breach was not a single mistake but a systemic failure due to poor tools, procedures, training, and culture around data protection.
The Ministry of Defence was criticized for running immigration casework, which was seen as outside its expertise.
The secrecy and long-lasting injunction harmed accountability and public trust.
Special Forces' involvement in the scheme and breach raised concerns, but the committee could not confirm details due to government secrecy rules.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Rand Paul said there is a real chance Dr. Anthony Fauci could face criminal charges after Fauci refused to answer questions in a Senate hearing by invoking the Fifth Amendment. Fauci's lawyer said the former White House health official has the right to refuse answering, while Paul argued that a pardon Fauci received may affect that right.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing, refusing to answer all questions.
The Fifth Amendment lets people avoid answering questions if their answers might incriminate them.
Senator Rand Paul said Fauci could be charged with contempt of Congress or obstructing Congress for not answering.
Fauci’s attorney said Fauci has a legal right to invoke the Fifth Amendment here.
Fauci received a pardon from President Biden before Biden left office, which Paul said may affect Fauci’s right to refuse to testify.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee, led by Paul, plans to vote on whether to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress.
If the committee votes yes, the full Senate would vote next, needing a majority to approve.
The Justice Department would decide whether to press criminal charges if contempt is approved by Senate.
The hearing included debate on COVID-19 government responses and the origins of the virus, with Paul supporting the lab leak theory.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The American Red Cross has announced a crisis in the US blood supply, marking the second time in its 150-year history levels have been this low. Factors such as wildfires, extreme heat, and increased summer injuries have caused blood supplies to drop sharply, which may affect hospital services.
Key Facts
The US blood supply shortage has reached crisis level for the second time ever.
The American Red Cross provides about 40% of the US blood supply.
Blood supply dropped by 25% last month and the Red Cross is sending 3,500 more units than usual.
Blood donations are needed for all types, especially O positive, a universal emergency blood type.
Blood donations are harder to collect during summer heat and wildfires limit blood drives.
Blood expires after 42 days, limiting how long supplies can be stored.
Hospitals may have to divert emergency patients if they run out of blood.
Canada is also experiencing a nearly 20% drop in blood donations since June.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Elon Musk is restarting his super PAC, America PAC, to help boost Republican voter turnout in the 2026 midterm elections. The group will focus on door-to-door efforts, digital ads, and mail to encourage conservative voters, aiming to support President Trump and the GOP’s chances in Congress.
Key Facts
Elon Musk is reviving America PAC, which spent over $260 million in 2024 to support President Trump’s election.
America PAC will work on getting more conservative voters to vote in the 2026 midterms through door-knocking, digital ads, and mail.
Musk’s spending amount is not confirmed but expected to be large based on his 2024 donations.
The GOP currently has a financial advantage of over $300 million compared to Democrats before the 2026 elections.
Musk is coordinating with President Trump’s team and other GOP groups to maximize the impact.
America PAC reached over 10 million doors in key swing states in 2024.
Musk’s political adviser Chris Young will lead the new efforts for America PAC.
Musk had disagreements with President Trump in the past but has recently resumed supporting the GOP financially.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Dr. Anthony Fauci used his Fifth Amendment right multiple times during a Senate hearing led by Republican Senator Rand Paul. The hearing focused on the origins of COVID-19 and questioned whether Fauci gave false information to Congress and the public.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before a Senate committee on COVID-19 origins.
The hearing was chaired by Senator Rand Paul, a Republican.
Fauci repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right, which protects against self-incrimination.
The investigation questioned if Fauci misled Congress or the public about COVID-19.
Fauci called Senator Paul's actions an "unhinged obsession."
The hearing took place on a Wednesday.
Fauci is widely known as the main figure in the U.S. response to COVID-19.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump shared his summer reading list, which includes 11 books from different genres like history and fiction. He invited people to share their own book recommendations.
Key Facts
President Trump announced his summer reading list on Wednesday.
The list includes 11 books across various types, such as history and fiction.
He posted the list on a social media platform.
He asked people to share books they have enjoyed reading.
The announcement happens annually around the same time each year.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell are still negotiating with leaders of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big Ten Conference to finalize changes to the Protect College Sports Act. They hope to vote on the bill before the Senate breaks for summer, aiming to address issues like revenue sharing and rules related to college athletes.
Key Facts
Senators are working on changes to a bill regulating college sports called the Protect College Sports Act.
The bill aims for a vote before August 7, when the Senate breaks for summer.
The SEC and Big Ten want clearer rules about revenue sharing, especially a proposed $20 million "retention pool" to keep players from transferring.
The current salary cap for sharing revenue with players is $21.3 million, which might double under the new bill.
Officials are concerned about how increases in revenue sharing affect third-party payments to players and compliance with a $2.8 billion lawsuit settlement.
The bill may also include changes to rules about how many Olympic and women’s sports programs schools must have.
Negotiations have not yet addressed antitrust protections or state law preemptions, which are key concerns for college conferences and the NCAA.
There is language to stop private equity firms from paying schools to create a "super league," though that may be revised.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who helped guide the U.S. pandemic response under Presidents Trump and Biden, appeared before Congress after being subpoenaed. During the hearing, he used his legal right to refuse to answer questions more than 100 times.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci was a key leader in the U.S. pandemic response for both President Trump and President Biden.
Fauci is now retired from government work.
He was called to testify before Congress under a subpoena, which means he was legally required to appear.
During the hearing, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times; this amendment protects against self-incrimination.
The discussion about Fauci included his legacy and the reasons behind the congressional hearing.
Journalist Katherine Wu wrote an article titled “The Unmaking of Anthony Fauci” for The Atlantic.
Amna Nawaz discussed the hearing and Fauci’s role in the pandemic response on a news program.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Howard University interim president Dr. Wayne Frederick addressed an enrollment issue where over 500 new freshmen were informed they were no longer enrolled at the university. He explained what happened and outlined the next steps the university will take to resolve the situation.
Key Facts
More than 500 incoming freshmen at Howard University were told they were no longer enrolled.
Dr. Wayne Frederick is the interim president of Howard University.
He spoke publicly about the enrollment problem to explain what happened.
The university is working on a plan to address the situation and help the students affected.
The incident involves a significant number of students who had expected to start classes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
In the United States, 20 million single women own homes, which is nearly three million more than single men. Reporter Paul Solman looks into why more women are buying homes and some of the problems they encounter.
Key Facts
There are 20 million single women homeowners in the U.S.
Single women outnumber single men in homeownership by about three million.
More women are choosing to buy homes on their own.
The article explores reasons behind this trend.
It also discusses challenges some single women face after buying homes.
The focus is on the U.S. housing market and gender differences in ownership.
The information comes from economics reporting.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Representative Debbie Dingell from Michigan asked Democrats in her state to come together and support the party no matter who wins the upcoming Senate primary race. The primary election between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens will happen in less than a week.
Key Facts
Debbie Dingell is a Democratic Representative from Michigan.
Michigan Democrats have a Senate primary race between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens.
The primary election is happening soon, in less than seven days.
Dingell wants Democrats to unite after the primary, regardless of the winner.
The article focuses on unity within the Democratic Party in Michigan before the general election.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
