Dr. Anthony Fauci kept detailed journals during the COVID-19 pandemic that reveal his thoughts on the virus origin, media coverage, and his relationship with President Trump. These journal entries were released by Senator Rand Paul’s office.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci wrote journal entries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The diaries include Fauci’s uncertainty about where COVID-19 began.
Fauci described his experience with heavy media attention during the crisis.
He wrote about his “unique” relationship with President Trump.
The journal entries were publicly released by Senator Rand Paul’s office.
Fauci was the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases during this time.
The entries cover several years of the pandemic response.
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President Donald Trump is encouraging Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reduce the number of vaccines recommended for children in the United States. Kennedy recently cut the routine vaccine schedule but faced a court order to stop these changes after legal challenges. Trump wants to address autism concerns linked by some to vaccines, despite scientific evidence showing no connection.
Key Facts
President Trump has a history of opposing vaccines and has pushed for smaller or fewer childhood vaccines since at least 2015.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current Secretary of Health and Human Services, recently reduced the childhood vaccine schedule from 17 to 11 vaccines.
A federal judge halted Kennedy’s vaccine changes after the American Academy of Pediatrics sued.
The advisory committee on immunization practices was paused due to being illegally formed under Kennedy.
Trump discussed vaccines and autism concerns publicly, despite decades of research showing no link between vaccines and autism.
Kennedy requested over $5 billion from the NIH budget to research vaccines and autism.
Political polling shows anti-vaccine strategies are generally unpopular with voters.
The White House spokesperson said the administration aims to consider concerns of parents of autistic children while continuing vaccine discussions.
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President Donald Trump met separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on July 28, 2026. The meetings focused on support issues related to the wars involving Iran and Ukraine, including missile production and diplomatic efforts.
Key Facts
President Trump met with Zelenskyy and Netanyahu individually at the White House.
Both meetings were closed to reporters.
Zelenskyy and Netanyahu were attending Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral; Graham was a strong supporter of Ukraine and Israel.
Zelenskyy described his meeting with Trump as "good" and discussed Patriot missile interceptor licenses to help Ukraine.
Trump and Zelenskyy had recently met in Turkey at a NATO summit, where the U.S. allowed Ukraine to produce Patriot missiles.
Trump met Netanyahu after Zelenskyy, but no details have been released about that meeting.
This was their first known face-to-face meeting since the U.S. and Israel started military actions involving Iran.
Trump noted Netanyahu should be more careful regarding Lebanon and pushed back on reports about a nuclear site in Iran.
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A federal appeals court decided not to block President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at restricting mail voting. However, the order’s future for the upcoming midterm elections remains uncertain due to ongoing legal challenges and the timing of its possible implementation.
Key Facts
A federal appeals court panel refused to stop President Trump’s order that seeks to limit mail voting.
The order’s implementation depends on formal regulations from the Trump administration, which had not been fully issued when the case was first challenged.
The court noted the president does not have clear constitutional authority to control how elections are run.
If the order is forced on states shortly before the November midterms, courts might block it.
A separate federal judge previously blocked the order for this year’s elections, saying it interferes with states’ rights to manage their own voting processes.
The Trump administration has appealed that block to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The U.S. Postal Service has not confirmed any action on the order yet.
Postal workers’ union says it is preparing an online system for voters to submit information if the order is implemented.
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The U.S. Supreme Court’s approval rating has dropped significantly among Republicans, falling from 79% in June 2025 to 58% recently, according to a Gallup poll. The Court's approval among all Americans is at a record low of 33%, as recent rulings involving President Donald Trump and other issues have caused public trust to decline.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court’s approval rating among all Americans is now 33%, down from 42% in September 2025.
Republican approval of the Court dropped from 79% in June 2025 to 58% in the latest poll.
The Court made rulings that upset both progressives (e.g., weakening the Voting Rights Act) and conservatives (e.g., ruling against Trump's efforts to end birthright citizenship).
Democratic approval of the Supreme Court remains very low, at 12%, slightly down from 14% in September 2025.
The Court has a conservative 6-3 majority of justices.
The Court’s approval rating has been declining since 2020, when it was at 58%.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson expressed concern about the Court’s recent decisions having real-world impacts without clear explanations.
This is the lowest public approval rating the Supreme Court has ever had in Gallup polls.
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A woman who had a miscarriage was given ashes by a funeral director that police said might not be human but possibly from an animal. The funeral director, Robert Bush, is facing court for fraud and other charges related to mishandling ashes from many families.
Key Facts
Lucy Ness had a miscarriage in April 2021 and was given ashes by funeral director Robert Bush.
Police told Ness that the ashes she received could be from an animal, not her baby.
Bush is on trial for 67 offenses, including fraud and denying proper burials to 30 people.
Police found Bush collected the real ashes from the crematorium after giving Ness the ashes.
Ness kept the ashes with her baby scan for three years before finding out about the issue.
Bush was arrested at Heathrow Airport after returning from a holiday in the U.S.
Ness was not charged with burial denial because of her baby’s early gestational age.
Ness and others are calling for more rules and regulations for funeral directors to prevent cases like this.
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The United States may soon reach the highest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth, with forecasts predicting up to 129 degrees Fahrenheit in California's Death Valley. Experts warn of dangerous heat from Thursday through the weekend, with potential new temperature records in the Southwest.
Key Facts
Death Valley is forecasted to reach up to 129°F, just below the 130°F highest reliable temperature recorded in July 2021.
The record 130°F was measured at Furnace Creek in Death Valley in 2021.
Forecasts warn of dangerous heat across southern Nevada, southeastern California, and northwestern Arizona from Thursday to Sunday.
Some forecasts predict Las Vegas could see 117°F on Saturday.
The extreme heat is partly influenced by a heat dome and Hurricane Genevieve’s outflow strengthening high-pressure ridges.
The often-cited 1913 record of 134°F in Death Valley is considered likely inaccurate by experts.
The National Weather Service has issued Extreme Heat Warnings in affected areas.
Forecasts several days ahead can vary by a few degrees, so the exact temperature may differ slightly when measured.
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President Donald Trump held back-to-back meetings at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The talks focused on Ukraine’s missile defense needs, US-Israel relations, and issues related to Iran and Middle East diplomacy.
Key Facts
President Trump met with Zelenskyy and Netanyahu on the same day at the White House.
Zelenskyy discussed the possibility for Ukraine to produce its own missiles for the US Patriot defense system.
Netanyahu’s visit marked his first Oval Office meeting with Trump since launching a joint campaign against Iran in February.
Netanyahu and Trump have had recent tensions over approaches to Iran and Lebanon.
The meetings covered topics like Iran, a US-Israel-Lebanon deal, and expanding the Abraham Accords peace agreements.
Netanyahu is currently facing a difficult re-election campaign and seeks to ease tensions with Trump.
Public support in the US for Israel has dropped amid criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
White House said both meetings were “positive and productive.”
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The Pentagon removed the name of James Clapper, former Director of National Intelligence, from an auditorium at the Defense Intelligence Agency headquarters. The auditorium was renamed the Thomas Knowlton Leadership Hall.
Key Facts
The auditorium was formerly called the Clapper Leadership Hall.
James Clapper served as Director of National Intelligence.
The name change took place at the Defense Intelligence Agency headquarters.
The location of the building is Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.
The new name is Thomas Knowlton Leadership Hall.
The Pentagon and Defense Department made the change.
The article does not explain the reason for removing Clapper’s name.
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Former Vice President Mike Pence spoke about Senator Lindsey Graham before Graham’s funeral in Washington, D.C. Pence described Graham as a dedicated and patriotic leader.
Key Facts
Lindsey Graham, U.S. Senator, passed away recently.
His funeral was scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. on a Tuesday.
Mike Pence, the former Vice President, gave remarks remembering Graham.
Pence called Graham a "true American statesman," showing respect for his service.
The commentary was part of a CBS News interview segment.
The focus was on reflecting Graham’s contributions to the country.
No additional details about Graham’s life or cause of death were provided in this article.
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Starting Tuesday, the U.S. government will stop giving asylum seekers an interview to review their claims. Instead, migrants will be sent directly to immigration court, where a judge will decide if they can stay or are deported.
Key Facts
The new rule began on a Tuesday.
It eliminates a required interview that asylum seekers used to have.
Migrants will now go straight to immigration court for decisions.
The rule comes from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
This change skips the usual public review and comment process.
Officials expect this to speed up deportations.
The rule may face legal challenges because of how it was introduced.
It is part of the Trump administration’s approach to immigration.
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Several schools in the United States are installing drones equipped to spray pepper to respond quickly to school shootings. These drones can fly remotely, communicate with people on the scene, and help law enforcement locate and manage threats.
Key Facts
The drones are provided by Campus Guardian Angel, a company based in Austin, Texas.
Schools in Georgia, Florida, and Colorado are installing these pepper-spraying drones.
The drones activate after a confirmed attack alert and can be controlled from far away.
They have a speakerphone to talk to teachers, staff, and law enforcement during an incident.
Each drone can fly about eight minutes per battery charge and can break through windows without special coatings.
The drones carry pepper balls to disable shooters and create noise with sirens and air poppers to distract attackers.
The drone idea was inspired by the use of small drones during the war in Ukraine, where they helped in combat situations.
Some people affected by school shootings question whether these drones are the best way to address the problem.
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Senator John Cornyn from Texas said he has not made any agreement with President Donald Trump’s administration about voting for Todd Blanche as attorney general. Because of this, Blanche’s nomination might be delayed in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Key Facts
Senator John Cornyn is a Republican from Texas.
Cornyn discussed Todd Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general.
There is currently no deal between Cornyn and President Trump’s administration on this nomination.
Without an agreement, Blanche’s nomination could remain stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Cornyn explicitly denied reports that a deal has been made.
The attorney general position is a high-level legal job in the government.
The Senate Judiciary Committee reviews such nominations before a full Senate vote.
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Audio recordings from 2016 and 2017 show President Joe Biden talking about classified material and notes he kept from his time as vice president. A report by a former special counsel found that Biden kept and shared classified information after leaving office but decided not to press criminal charges.
Key Facts
The recordings were made when Biden worked with a ghostwriter on his 2017 memoir.
Biden discussed having extensive notes, some containing classified information about military and foreign policy.
Biden appeared to struggle with recalling details in the recordings.
Biden’s team said the conversations were private and shared with the Department of Justice with the expectation of confidentiality.
A 2024 report by former special counsel Robert Hur concluded Biden willfully kept and shared classified materials but recommended no charges.
The report described Biden as an elderly man with a poor memory.
Similar issues with classified documents also involved President Donald Trump after his first term.
Hur stated it would be difficult to prove criminal intent for Biden due to his age and mental state.
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Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral was held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where President Donald Trump gave a eulogy. Many political leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, attended the service.
Key Facts
Lindsey Graham was a four-term Republican senator from South Carolina.
He died on July 11 from an aortic dissection caused by heart disease.
President Trump eulogized Graham, calling him a great friend and senator.
Vice President JD Vance spoke about Graham’s dedication and political skill.
Graham was known for supporting Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation.
Netanyahu and Zelenskyy met with President Trump and spoke with each other before the funeral.
Other speakers at the funeral included Fox News’ Sean Hannity and Graham’s niece Emillie Boggs Roberts.
Several clergy members from the National Cathedral and other churches participated in the service.
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Democrat Paige Cognetti is challenging Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan in a Pennsylvania congressional race by criticizing new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and their impacts on local communities. The race is important for the Democratic Party as they try to gain control of the U.S. House and oppose President Donald Trump's agenda.
Key Facts
Paige Cognetti is the mayor of Scranton and the Democratic candidate running against Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan.
The campaign ad focuses on opposition to AI data centers being built in the district.
Data centers use a lot of electricity and often receive tax breaks, which Cognetti says unfairly raise local electric bills.
Cognetti criticizes companies for secrecy, environmental pollution, and not hiring local union workers.
Rep. Bresnahan introduced a bill to limit lawsuits by companies over local decisions to block data center construction.
The bill has not advanced and has no cosponsors yet.
President Trump supports data centers to boost U.S. AI competitiveness against China.
Both President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have visited the district to support Bresnahan.
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The health care system in the United States is shifting from focusing on treating illnesses after they appear to preventing them before they start. This change is driven by an aging population, rising chronic diseases, and patients who want to stay healthy longer instead of just living longer.
Key Facts
By 2050, the number of people aged 60 and older worldwide will nearly double to 2.1 billion.
Chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and dementia cause about 90% of U.S. health care spending.
Global health spending is increasing as people live longer but with more complex medical needs.
The wellness market globally is now worth $6.8 trillion, and the longevity sector is expected to surpass $33 billion this year.
More people want preventive care, personalized health plans, and testing to catch health issues early.
Dr. Andréa Mosca, a health provider with military medicine experience, promotes focusing on prevention and the body’s ability to heal itself.
Patients are becoming more active and informed about their health, ready to invest in long-term wellness.
This represents a shift away from emergency and reactive treatment towards proactive health management.
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A federal judge has temporarily stopped Minnesota’s new law that bans prediction markets from taking effect. The judge said the law could harm companies like Kalshi and Polymarket, which the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulates. The legal battle continues over whether states or the federal government have the authority to regulate these markets.
Key Facts
Minnesota passed a law banning prediction markets, making it a crime to run or help run them.
A federal judge blocked this law just before it was to start.
The judge ruled that Kalshi, Polymarket, and the CFTC are likely to win in court and would face harm if the law took effect.
Kalshi and Polymarket say federal law, regulated by the CFTC, should control prediction markets, not states.
States argue most of the business on these platforms is sports betting, which they can regulate.
Minnesota’s Attorney General calls prediction markets gambling and wants to protect communities from it.
The CFTC’s leader, appointed by President Trump, opposes states banning or regulating these markets, defending federal control.
Several states, including Connecticut, are involved in lawsuits to try to shut down prediction market platforms, citing illegal gambling laws.
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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has asked Senator Mitch McConnell to either prove he is healthy enough to continue his duties or resign. McConnell has been in rehabilitation after a hospital stay caused by a fall and has missed recent events and Senate votes.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell has been in a rehabilitation facility since June 14 following a fall.
McConnell is 84 years old and has not yet been cleared by doctors to leave rehab.
Governor Andy Beshear sent a letter demanding McConnell show proof he can serve or step down.
Beshear also urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to investigate McConnell’s health if no proof is given.
McConnell’s office has given very few updates and no direct comment on Beshear’s letter.
Public concern about the health of older U.S. politicians has increased after recent health incidents and deaths in office.
McConnell missed a major Kentucky political event and upcoming Senate votes due to his health.
Beshear is seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2028.
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Pennsylvania lawmakers missed a court-imposed deadline to change the state’s sentencing rules for second-degree murder, a crime involving deaths during violent felonies. Without new laws, judges must decide sentences case-by-case, while two different legislative proposals remain unresolved.
Key Facts
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences without parole for second-degree murder violate the state constitution.
Lawmakers had until July 24 to update sentencing laws but did not pass a final law.
Second-degree murder includes deaths that happen during crimes like robbery or arson, even if the person convicted did not directly cause the death.
Two bills are in progress: the Senate’s bill sets a 35-year minimum sentence, with parole eligibility after that, and the House’s bill lets courts use guidelines and allows parole after 30 years.
Neither bill has become law yet, and there is no agreement between lawmakers on a compromise.
Judges will decide sentences for new second-degree murder cases until the legislature acts.
People already serving life sentences are not automatically released and will not be immediately eligible for parole.
Lawmakers plan to continue talks when the legislature returns in September.
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