A federal judge ordered U.S. immigration officials to release Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, a key witness in the fatal shooting of a Mexican homebuilder by an ICE officer in Houston. The judge found that keeping Rojas Pliego detained violated his legal rights and blocked his deportation while his legal status is being reviewed.
Key Facts
Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego was a passenger in a van when ICE agents fatally shot Lorenzo Araujo Salgado on July 7, 2026, in Houston.
Araujo Salgado was a Mexican homebuilder who had lived in the U.S. for 35 years and was close to gaining legal status.
ICE claimed the officer fired because Araujo Salgado used his vehicle as a weapon to try to run over the officer.
Rojas Pliego and another witness said officers were beside the van, not in front or behind, disputing the government’s story.
The judge found that Rojas Pliego’s detention violated his Fifth Amendment right to due process.
Rojas Pliego has applied for a U-Visa, which could protect him from deportation and allow him to work legally.
The judge ordered immigration to release Rojas Pliego within 48 hours and requires notice and a hearing if they try to detain him again.
The shooting has caused protests and calls for an independent investigation into the incident.
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Senator Lindsey Graham, who served more than 30 years in the U.S. Senate and was known for his work on national security, will be honored with memorial services in Washington, D.C., including a funeral at the National Cathedral. President Donald Trump and world leaders like Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to attend the services, recognizing Graham's influence in U.S. politics and global affairs.
Key Facts
Lindsey Graham was a U.S. Senator from South Carolina for over 30 years.
He died suddenly on July 11, 2026, likely from a tear in his aorta.
Graham’s remains will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol before a funeral at Washington National Cathedral.
President Donald Trump, Fox News host Sean Hannity, and other conservative leaders will speak at the funeral.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plan to attend.
Graham was known for his bipartisan work and strong national security focus, including close ties with Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman.
Vice President JD Vance and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are expected to speak during the memorial services.
Graham’s political career included shifts in his relationship with President Trump, initially opposing him but later supporting him.
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A corruption inquiry in New South Wales (NSW) is investigating illegal donations linked to a group called the Liberal “Reformers,” who aimed to push their party to the right. A hotel owner admitted giving money to the group but said he now regrets supporting them after believing the party shifted too far in another direction.
Key Facts
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is holding hearings on alleged illegal donations to young NSW Liberal Party members called the “Reformers.”
The Reformers are accused of trying to change the party’s direction toward conservative policies by using branch stacking, which means manipulating party membership to influence decisions.
Hotelier Michael O’Hara, who is banned from making political donations due to his liquor business, admitted paying $165,000 to support the Reformers between 2018 and 2023.
O’Hara said he made payments through a lobbyist and a company linked to Jean-Claude Perrottet, brother of former Liberal Premier Dominic Perrottet.
O’Hara stopped funding the group after feeling the NSW Liberals had become “woke,” a term referring to socially progressive positions, and criticized both state and federal leaders for being weak.
The inquiry heard that members of the Reformers expected $2 million from a fugitive property developer to support their goals.
Damien Tudehope, a NSW shadow attorney general and former business partner of O’Hara, was questioned but is not accused of wrongdoing; he has stepped aside from his party roles.
NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane said the hearings were difficult to hear but emphasized fairness during the investigation.
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Audio recordings from 2017 reveal that President Biden acknowledged having classified materials after leaving his vice-presidential job. Republicans in Congress released these tapes during an ongoing Justice Department investigation into how Biden handled classified documents.
Key Facts
The recordings were made while Biden was working on his 2017 memoir.
In the tapes, Biden says he found classified documents stored downstairs after leaving office.
House Republicans and a conservative group sued to get the tapes released.
The Justice Department had declined to release the tapes during Biden’s presidency.
Biden’s lawyers tried to keep the recordings private but dropped the lawsuit after losing in court.
The tapes include redactions, which Republicans say hide Biden’s disclosure of classified information.
Special Counsel Robert Hur investigated and concluded Biden improperly kept records but did not charge him.
Hur believed a jury might sympathize with Biden due to his age and memory issues.
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Howard University unenrolled over 500 incoming first-year students because they missed the tuition payment deadline. The university reinstated some students, but many remain uncertain about their status just weeks before the fall semester starts.
Key Facts
Howard University unenrolled 502 incoming freshmen for missing the tuition payment deadline.
The deadline students missed was July 10, ahead of the fall semester starting on August 17, 2026.
The university said students received multiple reminders about tuition and financial aid since March.
Some students said they either never got notifications or received them only on the payment due date.
One student, Nikiyah Clark, traveled to the campus to try to regain her enrollment after being dropped.
Howard University stated that unenrollment was necessary to manage resources for enrolled students.
The university requires students to meet all payment, payment plan, or financial aid reporting deadlines.
Disagreement remains between students’ accounts and the university on the timing and receipt of notifications.
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In Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary debate, candidates Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed disagreed on outside spending, U.S. aid to Israel, and who is more electable. Stevens is a moderate and criticized outside funding claims, while El-Sayed, a progressive, opposed military aid to Israel and highlighted large spending by pro-Israel groups supporting Stevens.
Key Facts
The debate was between Michigan Democratic Senate candidates Haley Stevens (moderate) and Abdul El-Sayed (progressive).
The race is to replace outgoing Democratic Senator Gary Peters.
El-Sayed criticized Stevens for receiving tens of millions from pro-Israel outside groups, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
Stevens supports a two-state solution and denies outside spending affects her views on Israel.
El-Sayed opposes U.S. military aid to Israel and called it a bad use of tax dollars.
Stevens pointed out El-Sayed’s super PAC received money from his father-in-law, showing both sides use outside funding.
Stevens and her supporting super PACs have spent over $61 million on ads; El-Sayed and his allies have spent about $15.3 million.
The primary winner will face Republican Mike Rogers, who appeared with President Donald Trump, in the November election.
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The US aviation authority, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), warned that seats on 453 Boeing 737 MAX planes registered in the US might have been installed incorrectly and need inspection. If seats are loose during an emergency, they could cause injuries and slow down evacuation.
Key Facts
The FAA identified a possible problem with seat installation on 453 US-registered Boeing 737 MAX jets.
Loose seats could injure passengers and block aisles during an emergency landing.
The FAA proposed requiring airlines to inspect these seats.
This order applies only to planes registered in the US; other countries may follow the FAA’s lead.
Boeing had advised operators about this issue since December 2025 and supports making inspections mandatory.
There have been ongoing safety concerns about Boeing, including an emergency landing in January 2024 caused by a cabin panel missing bolts.
Around 2,300 Boeing 737 MAX jets fly globally, with 823 in the US.
The US National Transportation Safety Board criticized Boeing in June 2025 for poor training and oversight related to safety incidents.
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Senator Rand Paul has released over a thousand pages of Dr. Anthony Fauci’s journals covering the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic until Fauci stepped down in 2022. The journals reveal Fauci’s thoughts on the virus’s origins, his media interactions, and his relationship with President Trump as the Senate investigates how COVID-19 started.
Key Facts
Senator Rand Paul subpoenaed Dr. Fauci to testify about COVID-19’s origins.
Fauci’s journals cover December 2019 to December 2022, including the start of the pandemic.
Paul supports the idea that COVID-19 came from a lab leak in Wuhan, while many scientists think it arose naturally from animals.
The FBI and CIA have at times supported the lab leak theory, but with low certainty.
Fauci’s notes show early uncertainty about the virus’s source and calls for more investigation.
Fauci described his complicated media attention and his interactions with President Trump during the pandemic.
Paul accused Fauci of being dishonest about the virus’s origins in public statements compared to his private journals.
Fauci expressed discomfort with media reports suggesting he and President Trump were fighting.
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President Donald Trump stated that talks with Iran are ongoing while the US has paused military strikes. He said there is a good chance for progress but warned that military action might start again if the talks do not succeed.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump announced a pause in US military strikes against Iran.
Talks between the US and Iran are continuing during this pause.
President Trump expressed optimism about a possible breakthrough in negotiations.
He also warned that military action could resume if the negotiations fail.
The pause aims to create space for diplomatic discussions with Iran.
No additional details were given about the timing or content of the talks.
The situation involves efforts to avoid escalation of conflict between the US and Iran.
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CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins responded to insults from President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents Dinner, saying the focus should be on her reporting, not on his attacks. President Trump criticized Collins publicly, continuing a pattern of confrontations with female journalists who ask him tough questions.
Key Facts
Kaitlan Collins won an award at the White House Correspondents Dinner.
During the event, President Trump said Collins "never smiles" and called her award "fake," though he congratulated her.
Collins said she wants to keep attention on her work and the questions she asked, not on Trump's insults.
Trump posted an AI-generated image on his social media that replaced a transgender influencer’s face with Collins' face.
President Trump has repeatedly criticized Collins and other female journalists who ask him challenging questions.
The exchange is part of ongoing public conflicts between Trump and members of the press.
The story is still developing and may have updates in the future.
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President Donald Trump flew from Michigan on Monday aboard Air Force One, which has a new paint design. The plane is now dark blue with a gold stripe and red trim.
Key Facts
President Trump traveled from Michigan on Monday using Air Force One.
Air Force One is a Boeing 757 airplane used for presidential travel.
The plane received a new paint design featuring dark blue color.
The new scheme includes a gold stripe and red trim.
The update was reported by Ana Ceballos, a journalist from the Los Angeles Times.
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Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed debated for the second time ahead of the Michigan Democratic Senate primary on August 4. They discussed topics like corporate influence in politics and support for Israel as they compete to replace retiring Senator Gary Peters.
Key Facts
Haley Stevens is a current U.S. Representative from Michigan.
Abdul El-Sayed is the former health director of Wayne County, Michigan.
They are both running in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat.
The primary is scheduled for August 4.
The current Senator, Gary Peters, is retiring and not seeking reelection.
The candidates debated issues including the role of corporate money in politics.
They also discussed their positions on U.S. support for Israel.
This debate was their second one-on-one meeting before the primary vote.
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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine spoke about President Trump's plan to increase arrests and deportations of Haitian migrants. DeWine said this approach is wrong because the situation in Haiti is very bad right now.
Key Facts
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is a Republican.
President Trump has a plan to increase arrests and deportations of Haitian migrants.
DeWine criticized this plan, saying it is a mistake.
DeWine described the conditions in Haiti as very harsh, calling it "hell."
He believes deporting people back to Haiti would be sending them to a dangerous place.
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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said President Donald Trump’s plan to increase arrests and deportations of Haitian migrants is wrong. DeWine described the situation in Haiti as very bad and expressed concern about sending people back there.
Key Facts
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is a Republican.
He spoke in an interview with CBS News.
President Trump plans to increase deportations of Haitian migrants.
DeWine criticized this plan, calling it a mistake.
DeWine described Haiti as being in a very bad condition.
He worries that sending migrants back to Haiti is harmful.
The interview was made available on the CBS News app and website.
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New CBS News polling shows that President Trump has low approval regarding his handling of Iran. Additionally, sources say that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency plans to increase the number of deportations of Haitian migrants in the United States.
Key Facts
CBS News released new polling data about President Trump's stance on Iran.
The polling indicates President Trump is not popular on this issue.
ICE plans to increase deportations of Haitian migrants.
These deportations will affect Haitian migrants currently in the U.S.
The news was featured on CBS News' program "The Takeout with Major Garrett."
The information about deportations comes from unnamed sources.
The story was available through the CBS News app and website.
The focus is on U.S. immigration and international relations issues.
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The state of Tennessee has begun a trial against Meta, accusing the company of ignoring its own research about Instagram’s harmful effects on teenagers. Tennessee lawyers claim Meta prioritized profits over teen mental health by keeping addictive features active, while Meta says it is working to address these risks.
Key Facts
Tennessee’s lawsuit says Meta ignored internal research showing Instagram causes addiction, eating disorders, depression, and self-harm among teens.
Features like autoplay, notifications, and infinite scroll reportedly keep teens on Instagram longer to show more ads.
Meta argues it is open about risks and actively tries to find and fix problems on its platforms.
The Tennessee case is one of 42 similar lawsuits by U.S. states against Meta.
In March, Meta lost a case in New Mexico and was ordered to pay $375 million for child harm.
Tennessee’s lawsuit seeks money penalties and court orders to change harmful Instagram features.
If Meta is found liable, a judge will decide how much the company must pay.
A related federal trial involving Meta and other social media companies will start next month with 29 states participating.
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A judge has decided that US musician D4vd will face a trial for murder in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. This decision followed a five-day hearing in Los Angeles where prosecutors presented witnesses and evidence.
Key Facts
A judge ordered D4vd to stand trial for murder.
The case involves the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was 14 years old.
The hearing lasted five days in Los Angeles.
Prosecutors questioned about twelve witnesses during the hearing.
Photographic evidence was shown in court.
BBC correspondent Shaimaa Khalil reported from inside the courtroom.
The judge’s ruling means the case will proceed to a full trial.
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Funeral services for Senator Lindsey Graham will be held in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina following his death on July 11 from an aortic tear. The events will include a Capitol memorial, a service at Washington National Cathedral, and a public funeral in South Carolina, with notable political leaders attending.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham died on July 11 at age 71 from an aortic dissection (a tear in the main artery).
His funeral in Washington will be on July 28 at 2 p.m. ET at the National Cathedral, with attendance by invitation and a public livestream.
Earlier on July 28, his remains will be honored at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, also available via livestream.
On July 29, more services will take place in South Carolina, including a procession and public funeral at First Baptist Church of Columbia.
Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, will succeed him in the Senate.
President Donald Trump will speak at the Washington funeral service.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are expected to attend, reflecting Graham’s role in foreign policy.
President Trump also plans meetings with Netanyahu and Zelensky to discuss peace efforts and regional issues.
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A well-known man in Melbourne was found guilty of raping a former employee after a three-week trial. The man denied the charges, but the jury convicted him of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He was taken into custody and will be sentenced later.
Key Facts
The crime happened in March 2023 at the man's home after drinking and drug use.
The victim was the man's former personal assistant and gave evidence over four days in a closed court.
The man did not testify during the trial.
The jury found the man guilty of all charges after deliberating for several days.
The judge praised the jury’s role in deciding the case and confirmed this system is effective for such matters.
The man’s bail was revoked immediately after the verdict.
The victim tried to resist and punched the man during the assault.
Police were called early in the morning after the victim contacted her mother and reported the incident.
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Deborah Fleischaker, former Acting Chief of Staff at ICE, said that hiring officers too quickly and focusing too much on detention numbers is leading to deadly errors. She made these remarks shortly after a 26-year-old Colombian man was shot and killed in Maine.
Key Facts
Deborah Fleischaker used to be the Acting Chief of Staff at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
She stated that rushing to hire new ICE officers is causing mistakes in the field.
There is a strong focus on meeting detention goals or numbers within ICE.
This focus and rush have led to fatal errors, including the recent death of a 26-year-old Colombian man.
The incident happened in Maine and involved a shooting.
Fleischaker’s comments came two weeks after this deadly event.
The problem points to issues in how ICE manages staffing and enforcement priorities.
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