Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met with survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. One survivor, Annie Farmer, described Blanche as rude and unwilling to promise a new investigation into her case.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the Acting Attorney General of the United States.
Blanche met with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes at the Justice Department.
Annie Farmer, a survivor, said Blanche was “abrasive, condescending,” and avoided committing to investigations.
Farmer testified at Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial; she alleges Epstein and Maxwell abused her when she was 16.
Blanche did not agree to investigate why an FBI report about Epstein from 1996 was ignored.
Blanche declined to release documents about charging decisions related to Epstein.
Blanche encouraged survivors to share information with the FBI for possible prosecutions.
Blanche said there was frustration from survivors but no shouting during the meeting.
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President Donald Trump claimed that China interfered in the 2020 U.S. election during a prime-time speech. CBS News reported on these claims and Beijing’s response to the allegations.
Key Facts
President Trump said China tried to influence the 2020 U.S. election.
CBS News fact-checked these claims in their coverage.
The report included commentary from CBS foreign correspondent Anna Coren about China’s reply.
China denied the interference accusations.
The speech took place during prime time to reach a wide audience.
The topic is part of ongoing discussions about election security.
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A bill to make daylight saving time permanent passed the House with strong support, including from President Donald Trump, but is facing strong opposition in the Senate. Some senators worry permanent daylight saving time would cause children to go to school before sunrise in winter, especially in northern and rural states, leading to safety concerns.
Key Facts
The House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act to keep daylight saving time year-round, stopping the twice-yearly clock change.
President Donald Trump supports the bill.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said many senators oppose the bill due to concerns about dark winter mornings.
Permanent daylight saving time would delay winter sunrises by about an hour, affecting children’s school commute times.
Senators from northern and rural states, like South Dakota, oppose the bill because children might go to school in the dark.
Opposition in the Senate includes Republicans and Democrats, showing it is not a strictly political issue.
The U.S. tried permanent daylight saving time in the 1970s but repealed it after safety concerns arose.
Some senators, including Tom Cotton, have spoken out specifically about the risks for schoolchildren on dark mornings.
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Jeannie-Marie Blake, a Services Australia worker, is suing the Australian government for threatening her before and after she gave evidence about the robodebt scheme at a royal commission. She says her testimony about the scheme's harms led to work pressures and warnings, which the government denies.
Key Facts
Jeannie-Marie Blake worked at Services Australia during the robodebt scheme rollout.
She blew the whistle on the scheme, saying it was unfair and harmful.
Blake was the only current employee to voluntarily testify at the robodebt royal commission in 2023.
Before giving evidence, she claims she was warned her testimony could cost her job.
After testifying, she alleges her work was more closely checked and that she lost common work flexibility.
She also received warnings about possible disciplinary action.
The Australian government denies threatening her.
Blake reported suffering emotional trauma and negative effects due to the scheme and her role.
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Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin will hold a news conference to discuss the security of electronic voting systems. President Donald Trump said Mullin’s briefing will share cybersecurity findings and warn about problems in many states.
Key Facts
Markwayne Mullin is the Homeland Security Secretary.
He will speak on Friday at 11 a.m. EDT about voting system security.
President Trump announced Mullin’s briefing on Thursday.
The briefing will cover cybersecurity issues with electronic voting systems.
The president said the voting systems have problems in many states.
The administration is informing political leaders about these potential problems.
A live video player is available to watch the news conference.
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has quickly hired thousands of new officers to increase immigration arrests and deportations under President Trump’s administration. Some people worry that the agency is not properly checking the backgrounds of these new hires, but the Department of Homeland Security says these concerns are unfounded.
Key Facts
ICE has been rapidly expanding its workforce by hiring thousands of new officers.
This expansion is part of efforts to increase immigration arrests and deportations.
The growth of ICE is supported by billions of dollars from Congress.
Concerns have been raised about whether new officers are properly vetted before hiring.
The Department of Homeland Security rejects the claims that vetting is inadequate.
The hiring surge links to policies by President Donald Trump’s administration.
The article connects these issues to a recent Maine shooting and the officer’s background.
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President Donald Trump gave a speech announcing he has declassified documents that, he said, show serious problems and foreign interference in the U.S. elections system. He accused China of accessing voter data and claimed intelligence agencies hid this information from him, but he did not provide proof that the 2020 election results were changed.
Key Facts
President Trump held a primetime speech from the White House on July 16, 2026.
He announced the release of declassified documents alleging weaknesses and foreign interference in U.S. election systems.
Trump claimed China accessed 220 million U.S. voter files, including personal and political information.
He said the intelligence community suppressed information about this alleged interference.
The president accused a "deep state" of hiding key details from him and Congress.
Trump repeated claims that the 2020 election was stolen or rigged but did not show clear evidence.
He ordered the Department of Justice to prosecute those involved in election fraud or interference.
The speech focused on concerns about election security and foreign influence, especially from China.
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President Donald Trump gave a primetime speech claiming that the 2020 US election was fabricated and accused China of a major election data breach. He released documents he said showed foreign interference, but US intelligence officials say there is no proof that any foreign countries changed the election results.
Key Facts
President Trump repeated claims that the 2020 election was fraudulent.
He accused China of carrying out the largest election data breach in history.
Trump shared documents he says prove foreign interference in the election.
US intelligence agencies found no evidence that foreign powers changed the election outcome.
The speech was aired during primetime television.
Democrats said Trump is using these claims to challenge midterm election results.
Media outlets were divided on whether to broadcast Trump’s speech.
Election fraud claims continue to be a major political issue in the US.
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Jill Biden said that the media treats her husband, President Joe Biden, differently than it treats President Donald Trump. She made this comment while talking about her book and answering questions about how the press covers her husband’s time in office.
Key Facts
Jill Biden is the wife of President Joe Biden.
She spoke about the media’s coverage of her husband’s presidency during a question-and-answer event.
Jill Biden claims the press uses a “double standard” when reporting on President Biden compared to President Donald Trump.
The term “double standard” means treating similar situations or people differently.
This statement was made as part of promoting her memoir.
President Donald Trump is the current U.S. President, serving his second term.
The discussion focused on how the media covers U.S. presidents.
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President Donald Trump made a speech claiming China interfered in the 2020 election and pushed for a new voting law called the Save America Act. Critics say he is trying to prepare to challenge the results of the November midterm elections. Many Democrats and some Republicans oppose the bill and warn that it could harm free and fair voting.
Key Facts
President Trump claimed without proof that China interfered in the 2020 election.
The speech focused on Trump's demand to pass the Save America Act, which would ban mail-in ballots nationwide and require new voter ID rules.
The Save America Act faces strong opposition from Democrats and has no clear path to pass in the Senate.
Top Democrats accuse Trump of trying to undermine the integrity of elections ahead of the midterms in November.
Republican leaders in Congress showed little public support for Trump’s speech or the bill.
The administration of elections is managed by states, many of which say US elections are safe and secure.
Senator Chuck Schumer said Democrats will continue to block the Save America Act.
The bill has been rejected by courts, Congress, and even some Republicans, but some supporters are still pushing for it.
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The U.S. House has approved a bill called the Sunshine Protection Act to end changing clocks twice a year and keep daylight saving time all year. The bill now moves to the Senate, and President Donald Trump supports making daylight saving time permanent. People have mixed opinions about the change, debating benefits like more daylight after work against concerns like children's safety and health.
Key Facts
The Sunshine Protection Act aims to stop the twice-yearly clock changes and keep daylight saving time all year.
The bill passed the House and is now pending in the Senate.
President Donald Trump supports permanent daylight saving time.
Some people like lighter evenings for outdoor activities and business benefits.
Others worry about darker winter mornings and children's safety going to school in the dark.
The U.S. tried permanent daylight saving time once before in 1974, but it was unpopular.
Some readers say permanent standard time is healthier, while others want more evening daylight.
Regional differences in sunrise and sunset times mean one rule may not suit the entire country.
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A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Maine shot a Colombian man recently. The officer, David Brouillette, has a background of mental health problems and violent behavior, according to his family members.
Key Facts
David Brouillette is an ICE officer involved in a recent shooting in Maine.
He is a U.S. Army veteran.
He has experienced serious mental health issues since childhood.
His family says he has a history of violent and frightening behavior.
Relatives accuse him of attacking women in his life over time.
A voicemail was shared with the news where Brouillette threatened to harm a woman.
Family members believe he should not have been allowed to work as a law enforcement officer.
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Kiran Kaur was sentenced to three years in jail for removing a knife from the scene where her son, Vickrum Digwa, killed Henry Nowak. Digwa was sentenced to life in prison for stabbing Nowak five times. False claims by Digwa about racism sparked riots in Southampton.
Key Facts
Kiran Kaur, 53, removed the murder weapon from the scene to help her son.
Her son, Vickrum Digwa, stabbed Henry Nowak, 18, five times.
Digwa received a life sentence with a minimum of 20 years.
Digwa falsely claimed he was racially abused before the stabbing.
Police arrested and handcuffed Nowak based on Digwa’s false claims.
These false accusations triggered riots in Southampton.
At least 25 people have been charged with violent disorder related to the riots.
The police force is being investigated for its handling of the arrest.
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Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin will speak with reporters about election security before the midterm elections. This comes shortly after President Trump spoke about the issue, promoting the SAVE America Act, which aims to add voter ID and citizenship requirements.
Key Facts
Markwayne Mullin is the Homeland Security Secretary.
He will talk to the media about election security on Friday morning.
This event is held just before the U.S. midterm elections.
President Trump gave a speech about election security earlier.
Trump supports the SAVE America Act.
The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.
It would also require photo ID when people vote.
The focus is on protecting the fairness and safety of elections.
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Ty Cobb, who worked as a lawyer in President Donald Trump’s White House, said that President Trump acts like a young child upset over losing a toy. Cobb said that Trump’s claims of election fraud come from not wanting to accept that he lost the 2020 election.
Key Facts
Ty Cobb served as a lawyer for President Donald Trump in the White House.
Cobb compared President Trump to a 2-year-old child who lost a toy.
This comparison referred to Trump’s reaction to losing the 2020 presidential election.
President Trump has made claims that the 2020 election involved fraud.
Cobb said these claims are because Trump does not accept the election loss.
The comments were made on a TV program called MS NOW.
Cobb spoke before President Trump’s primetime address.
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A federal appeals court ruled that the Pentagon can keep its policy requiring journalists to be escorted on its grounds. The court said this rule applies equally to all reporters and does not violate the First Amendment’s free speech protections.
Key Facts
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decided 2-1 to allow the Pentagon’s escort policy for journalists.
The policy requires reporters on Pentagon grounds to be accompanied by authorized personnel.
The New York Times and reporter Julian Barnes are challenging the escort rule as a violation of free speech rights.
The judges who supported the policy said it treats all journalists the same and does not single anyone out.
One judge disagreed, saying the policy could discourage reporters from doing their work regardless of equal application.
This case follows stricter Pentagon rules for reporters introduced under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Several news organizations refused to accept the new Pentagon restrictions.
The Times plans to continue fighting the policy in court.
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Senator Chris Coons said that President Donald Trump did not provide clear proof that China or other foreign countries changed the results of the 2020 election in his recent national speech. Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated that no new or solid evidence was presented.
Key Facts
Senator Chris Coons is from Delaware and part of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
President Donald Trump gave a primetime speech about the 2020 election.
Trump claimed foreign countries interfered with the election results.
Coons said he did not hear any new or clear evidence in that speech.
The focus was on alleged interference by the Chinese government or other foreign actors.
The statement was made shortly after the President’s televised address.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) informed officials in four states that their review found more than 250,000 possible non-citizens registered to vote. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin asked state officials to check voter records and respond within two weeks.
Key Facts
DHS sent letters to California, New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania about potential non-citizen voter registrations.
The agency identified about 190,832 possible non-citizen registrations in California.
New Jersey had 35,152, Nevada 15,903, and Pennsylvania 14,576 possible non-citizen voter registrations.
DHS Secretary Mullin said election security is part of national security.
President Trump highlighted the issue during a White House address related to election security concerns.
About 154 million people voted in the 2024 election; the 250,000 figure is about 0.16% of that total.
Newsweek has not independently confirmed DHS’s numbers or conclusions.
The states have two weeks to respond about their efforts to review voter registration records.
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The U.S. is considering making daylight saving time (DST) permanent throughout the year. Some people support this change because it would provide more evening daylight, while others have concerns about its effects on health and safety.
Key Facts
Daylight saving time would no longer change clocks twice a year if made permanent.
Supporters say permanent DST means more sunlight in the evening, which can help with outdoor activities.
Critics worry about darker mornings, which might affect children going to school and increase accidents.
Some health experts say permanent DST could disrupt people’s natural sleep patterns.
The change requires approval from the U.S. Congress.
A few states already observe permanent standard time, not DST.
The debate involves balancing benefits like more daylight in the evening with potential safety and health risks.
President Donald Trump and lawmakers have discussed the possibility but no final decision has been made.
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Federal health officials found that shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants in five U.S. states was linked to an outbreak of a parasite called cyclospora, which causes diarrhea. The CDC warned people not to eat this lettuce in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Key Facts
The parasite cyclospora causes diarrhea and other stomach issues.
Lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell is identified as the source.
Five states are affected: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
The CDC issued a warning to avoid shredded iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell in these states.
Over 30 states have reported cyclospora cases during this outbreak.
Not all recent cases may be linked to the same food source.
The outbreak involves a record number of cyclospora infections.
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