President Donald Trump criticized Dr. Anthony Fauci before Fauci’s Senate testimony. Trump said more people died of COVID-19 under President Biden than under his administration and praised “Operation Warp Speed,” the COVID-19 vaccine development effort during his term.
Key Facts
President Trump made critical remarks about Dr. Anthony Fauci ahead of a Senate hearing.
Fauci was scheduled to testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Trump claimed that more COVID-19 deaths occurred under President Biden than during his own presidency.
He called “Operation Warp Speed,” the vaccine development program launched during his administration, “spectacular.”
Trump posted his comments on the social media platform Truth Social.
The article focuses on U.S. political figures and their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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A new study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that children who have their own cellphones tend to score lower on reading comprehension tests. This effect appears even if the children do not bring their phones to school.
Key Facts
The study was conducted by researchers at UCLA.
It focused on children who own personal cellphones.
Children with cellphones scored lower on tests measuring reading comprehension.
The lower scores occurred regardless of whether children brought phones to school.
Dr. Patricia Greenfield is the study’s lead author.
The study offers advice aimed at parents and teachers.
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Robert Bush, a funeral director in Hull, admitted to 67 offences including failing to properly care for bodies and cremations. Authorities found 35 decomposing bodies and more than 100 sets of ashes stored poorly at his funeral home, and he deceived families by giving ashes of strangers or falsely claiming cremations and burials.
Key Facts
35 bodies and over 100 sets of ashes were discovered in poor condition at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in March 2024.
Robert Bush admitted 67 offences, such as not burying or cremating people as promised.
Bodies were left unwashed, in soiled states, and kept longer than necessary without proper care.
Ashes were stored improperly, with many containers covered in mold on the floor.
Bush falsely told families their loved ones had been cremated or buried and gave them ashes from other people.
Between 2017 and 2024, over £3.3 million was paid into Legacy and Bush’s personal accounts, but reported earnings were much lower.
Bush failed to pay proper taxes, spent money on personal hobbies, and sold fake funeral plans totaling more than £500,000.
He also stole charity donations collected at funerals, affecting groups like Macmillan Cancer Support and The Salvation Army.
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Anthony Fauci, who was the top medical adviser to the White House, refused to answer some questions during a Senate hearing by using his Fifth Amendment right. This right allows people to avoid answering questions that might incriminate themselves. The hearing was led by Senator Rand Paul, who has been critical of Fauci.
Key Facts
Anthony Fauci appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, chaired the hearing.
Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right, which means he chose not to answer some questions to avoid self-incrimination.
Fauci criticized Senator Paul for repeatedly calling for him to be prosecuted.
The hearing involved a dispute between Fauci and Senator Paul over Fauci’s past actions and statements.
Fauci previously served as the chief medical adviser to the White House during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hearing was public and part of ongoing political discussions about the government’s response to COVID-19.
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Childcare has become a major political issue in the United States, as the rising cost and shortage of care affect many families, not just the poor. Several recent political candidates have made free or affordable childcare a key part of their campaigns, and New Mexico is now the first state to offer free childcare for all children.
Key Facts
Francesca Hong is running for governor in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary, promoting government-funded childcare.
For decades, US childcare policy mainly helped low-income families, with limited broader government support.
Childcare costs have risen so much that they now exceed college tuition in many cases.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for affordable childcare became a problem for the middle class.
New Mexico is the first state to provide free childcare to all families as of March 2024.
Candidates like Zohran Mamdani in New York and others in Virginia and New Jersey have campaigned on universal childcare.
Long-term advocacy efforts and recent crises have brought childcare to the forefront of US political discussions.
The US almost created a national childcare system in the 1970s, but it was blocked by President Nixon’s veto.
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Families in Jersey who earn middle incomes say they are struggling with costs because government help, like a school supplies bonus, does not reach them. The social security minister said the government will review the support program and look for more ways to help families with costs.
Key Facts
A school supplies bonus is available only to low-income families in Jersey, not middle-income earners.
Many middle-income families say they struggle with rising costs like interest rates, nursery fees, and school lunches.
Lisa McCabe, a parent and business owner, said middle earners are being overlooked by government support programs.
The social security minister, Elaine Millar, called the school bonus a pilot program and plans to review it before next year.
Some parents want the bonus given as vouchers instead of cash to avoid backlash and misuse concerns.
The government is considering a broader review of support for families and meeting with charities about poverty.
The minister said any increase in income support must be targeted carefully to avoid raising taxes.
Raising taxes is not currently planned by the government.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led the U.S. response to COVID-19, invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing and did not answer questions from lawmakers. The hearing was held by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee chaired by Senator Rand Paul.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before the Senate committee but chose not to answer questions.
Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment, which protects against self-incrimination.
The committee is led by Republican Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky.
Senator Paul has accused Fauci of misleading the public about the COVID-19 pandemic's origins.
Paul focused on Fauci’s private journal entries from December 2019 to December 2022.
The hearing took place on July 29, 2026, at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Fauci played a key role in managing the U.S. response to COVID-19.
This story is ongoing, and updates may follow.
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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear asked CNN to call Senator Mitch McConnell live during a broadcast to show that McConnell is healthy and still active after being away from Congress for over 40 days due to a medical emergency. This challenge came after a CNN contributor mentioned having talked with McConnell recently.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell has not been seen in Congress for more than 40 days.
McConnell has been absent due to a medical emergency.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear publicly challenged CNN to call McConnell live on air.
Beshear’s goal was to confirm that McConnell is alive and well.
A CNN contributor named Scott Jennings said he recently spoke with McConnell.
The challenge aims to stop rumors and speculation about McConnell’s condition.
McConnell is a Republican senator representing Kentucky.
Beshear is the Democratic governor of Kentucky.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before a Senate committee to answer questions about the origins of COVID-19. Senator Rand Paul subpoenaed Fauci and shared Fauci’s personal diary entries, suggesting inconsistencies in Fauci’s public and private statements about the virus.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci helped lead the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senator Rand Paul subpoenaed Fauci to appear before a Senate committee.
The hearing focused on the origins of the coronavirus.
Senator Paul released over 1,000 pages of Fauci’s personal diary entries from the pandemic.
Paul accused Fauci of giving different information privately than he did publicly.
Fauci has denied lying about the pandemic and called the accusations "preposterous."
The event was streamed live for public viewing.
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President Donald Trump and the Justice Department have asked the Supreme Court to review a $83.3 million defamation judgment won by writer E. Jean Carroll. Carroll accused President Trump of sexual assault, and the government wants to use a law that lets it take over lawsuits involving its employees.
Key Facts
E. Jean Carroll won an $83.3 million defamation award against President Trump.
Carroll had accused President Trump of sexual assault.
The Justice Department is working with President Trump to appeal the verdict.
They are asking the Supreme Court to review the case.
The government wants to use a law allowing it to intervene in lawsuits against federal employees.
This move could shift the case from state court to federal court.
The appeal focuses on whether the lawsuit should be handled by the federal government.
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Lindsay Clancy is on trial in Massachusetts for the murder of her three children in January 2023. Her ex-husband, Patrick Clancy, testified about the events that night, describing finding blood in the house and not being able to find his family. The jury will visit the family home as part of the trial.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is charged with three counts of first-degree murder for killing her children aged 5, 3, and 8 months in Duxbury, Massachusetts.
The children were reportedly killed using exercise bands inside their home on January 24, 2023.
Lindsay Clancy attempted suicide afterward and was left paralyzed, attending court in a wheelchair.
Prosecutors say the murders were planned, while the defense claims Clancy had postpartum psychosis and was overmedicated.
Patrick Clancy witnessed blood in their bedroom and noticed the house was unusually quiet when he returned home.
He left to pick up takeout and medicine on the night of the murders after a text from Lindsay Clancy.
The jury will visit the family home, including several rooms, but may not open closets or touch items.
Police will secure the home during the jury visit to ensure a controlled environment.
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Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK and MP for Boston and Skegness, is under investigation for not declaring an £80,000 loan from George Cottrell, an adviser to Nigel Farage. The loan raises questions because Cottrell is a convicted criminal living in Montenegro, and the loan was not reported as required by rules for MPs.
Key Facts
Richard Tice received an £80,000 loan from George Cottrell in late 2024.
George Cottrell is an aide to Nigel Farage and has a criminal record for wire fraud in the US.
The loan was not declared to the parliamentary standards watchdog or in corporate filings.
Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart requested an investigation into Tice’s failure to declare the loan.
The loan may have been given at a preferential rate and Cottrell’s status as an “impermissible donor” is questioned.
Tice claims the loan relates to his property business, not politics.
Banks flagged the loan under anti-money-laundering rules due to the source and size of the transaction.
Tice has repaid the loan and paid back a bit more than the amount borrowed.
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The Trump administration announced it will end the Medicare Part D subsidy program in 2027. This program helps lower prescription drug plan premiums for millions of seniors, and its end may cause some seniors to pay more for their medications.
Key Facts
Medicare Part D is the government program that helps cover prescription drug costs for older or disabled Americans.
The subsidy program helps keep monthly premiums for drug plans around $36 per person.
Ending the subsidy is expected to raise premiums for about half of the people enrolled, possibly by up to $20 a month.
The change is planned to start in 2027, with new costs announced in the fall of 2026.
The administration argues the subsidy mainly benefits insurance companies and claims ending it will stabilize the market.
Officials say most seniors will still have access to low-cost plans and that prescription drug prices will continue to be lowered through other policies.
The decision comes as Affordable Care Act subsidies have expired and healthcare costs remain a major political issue.
Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz spoke publicly about the subsidy end and related drug pricing efforts.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, kept detailed diaries during the COVID-19 pandemic that show his interactions with many celebrities. These diaries were made public by Senator Rand Paul as Fauci prepared to testify before Congress again.
Key Facts
Fauci served as head of NIAID during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senator Rand Paul subpoenaed Fauci to testify before his committee.
Paul released Fauci’s diaries covering the pandemic period.
The diaries show Fauci’s Zoom meetings with many celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, and Bono.
Several stars contacted Fauci about COVID issues, including Barbra Streisand.
Fauci received awards and testimonials from famous people such as Robert De Niro and President George W. Bush.
Fauci described feeling both overwhelmed and humbled by his fame during the pandemic.
The diaries highlight the unusual mix of science, politics, and celebrity surrounding Fauci’s role.
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The article discusses changes to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under President Donald Trump, focusing on its decision to stop collecting demographic data and a shift away from its original goal of addressing workplace discrimination.
Key Facts
The EEOC is a federal agency that fights discrimination in the workplace.
Under President Trump, the EEOC has stopped gathering information about employees' race and gender.
The agency’s role traditionally included protecting workers from racism and sexism.
Critics say this change may make it harder to identify and fix unfair treatment.
Supporters argue that the EEOC’s previous focus was unfair to some groups.
The shift represents a change in how the government approaches workplace equality.
This decision impacts how discrimination cases are investigated and resolved.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci testified before a Senate committee chaired by Senator Rand Paul, who has accused Fauci of lying about the COVID-19 pandemic. Although President Biden issued Fauci a preemptive pardon in early 2025, experts say it may not protect Fauci if he lies in this new testimony.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led the U.S. COVID-19 response, testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Senator Rand Paul subpoenaed Fauci and has accused him of lying about the pandemic.
Paul released over 1,000 pages of Fauci’s pandemic diaries, suggesting inconsistencies between Fauci’s private notes and public statements.
President Biden granted Fauci a preemptive pardon in January 2025 covering alleged offenses up to that time.
Legal experts say the pardon does not protect Fauci from new crimes, such as lying during this testimony.
Fauci and his attorneys deny all accusations and call them baseless.
Fauci served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for nearly 40 years.
The dispute centers on claims about funding of research related to COVID-19 origins and whether Fauci misled Congress.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci will testify before the Senate Homeland Security Committee about gain of function research, which is a type of scientific study that can make viruses more powerful. The hearing focuses on questions about how the COVID-19 pandemic started. Senator Rand Paul, who leads the committee, recently released new materials related to this topic.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci is testifying before a Senate committee.
The committee is focused on Homeland Security issues.
The main topic is gain of function research connected to COVID-19 origins.
Gain of function research means making viruses stronger in the lab to study them.
The hearing revives the debate over how COVID-19 began spreading.
Senator Rand Paul chairs the committee and released new related information recently.
The event is happening Wednesday morning.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci will appear before a Senate committee to answer questions about the origins of COVID-19 and his personal diaries. This hearing is led by Senator Rand Paul and focuses on Fauci’s role during the pandemic.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci was the White House’s chief medical adviser on COVID-19.
He directed the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for many years.
Fauci will testify before the Senate Homeland Security panel.
Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky leads the questioning.
The hearing will address the origins of the COVID-19 virus.
Fauci’s personal diaries related to the pandemic are also a topic of discussion.
The hearing takes place in the context of ongoing government investigations into the pandemic.
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Former President Barack Obama endorsed Iowa Democrat Josh Turek for the U.S. Senate in a video where they played a basketball game together. Turek aims to win a Senate seat currently held by retiring Republican Senator Joni Ernst, while President Donald Trump supports Turek’s Republican opponent, Ashley Hinson.
Key Facts
Josh Turek is a Democratic state representative running for U.S. Senate in Iowa.
Turek is competing to replace retiring Republican Senator Joni Ernst.
Barack Obama made a video endorsement of Turek, playing a basketball game called I-O-W-A with him.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Ashley Hinson, Turek’s opponent.
Obama won Iowa in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections and praised the state in the video.
Turek has competed in four Paralympic Games as a wheelchair basketball player.
Iowa has not had a Democratic senator in over ten years, but Democrats see a chance this election.
Obama has actively supported other candidates this election cycle, including James Talarico in Texas.
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Federal officials involved in prosecuting former FBI Director James Comey are accused by his lawyers of misleading judges, hiding facts, and submitting false statements in a case about a social media post. The post showed seashells arranged to read "86 47," which authorities said threatened President Donald Trump, but Comey's defense argues the prosecution is unfair and politically motivated.
Key Facts
James Comey was charged with threatening President Donald Trump through an Instagram photo of seashells arranged as "86 47."
The number "86" is often used to mean "get rid of" or "eject," but it is not usually linked to violence.
Comey removed the post after realizing others saw it as a threat.
Defense lawyers claim investigators did not find evidence that Comey intended a violent threat and withheld this information from judges.
The FBI searched for connections between Comey and the term "86" but found no clear evidence.
Investigators interviewed Salvatore Gravano, a government cooperator, who did not recall discussing "86" with Comey.
Comey’s lawyers argue the prosecution is a selective and retaliatory effort by the Trump administration.
They also request access to grand jury transcripts and describe Secret Service surveillance of Comey as unlawful.
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