U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens is running in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, emphasizing her record of winning tough races against Republicans. She is competing against Abdul El-Sayed, who promotes more progressive policies. Michigan’s Senate seat is important for Democrats to maintain their Senate majority in the upcoming election.
Key Facts
Haley Stevens flipped a Republican-held House seat in 2018 and has won every election since.
Stevens defeated another Democratic incumbent in a difficult 2022 primary after redistricting.
She highlights her ability to win against Republicans as a key strength in the Senate race.
Abdul El-Sayed is the progressive candidate in the Democratic primary, focusing on bold policy changes and rejecting corporate political donations.
Michigan has not elected a Republican U.S. Senator since 1994, but the 2024 race was close.
Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer and former Sen. Debbie Stabenow support Stevens as the best chance to win in November.
Some Democratic voters support El-Sayed because they want the party to move left instead of toward the middle.
The Democratic primary election is scheduled for August 4, 2026.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Angus Taylor defended Liberal senator Sarah Henderson’s calls to the emergency number triple zero during a Telstra outage, saying she was "doing her job" to test the system. Questions arose after Senator Kerrynne Liddle claimed an elderly person died because of the outage, but South Australian police said they had no report of such a death.
Key Facts
Telstra experienced a nationwide outage that affected calls to triple zero (Australia’s emergency number).
Sarah Henderson made multiple calls to triple zero to check if the system was working during the outage.
Calling triple zero without an emergency can lead to criminal penalties, but Henderson said she had a unique role.
Angus Taylor criticized the government for focusing on politics instead of solving problems during the outage.
Senator Kerrynne Liddle claimed on social media that an elderly person died due to the outage, but police in South Australia said they had no knowledge of such a death.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority will investigate the outage and its impact.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said welfare checks were being done on people who could not reach emergency services.
Telstra fixed about 90% of a secondary issue that also affected triple zero calls after the main outage.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A US appeals court ruled that President Donald Trump’s name must stay off the Kennedy Center building during the appeal process. This follows a judge’s earlier decision that removing Trump’s name was required because the name change was illegal.
Key Facts
President Trump’s name was added to the Kennedy Center in 2025 after he became chairman of its board of trustees.
A federal judge ordered the removal of Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center’s facade and signs.
The Kennedy Center appealed this decision, seeking to keep Trump’s name visible during the legal process.
A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals denied the request to keep Trump’s name on the building while the appeal proceeds.
The appeal court said there was no proof that removing Trump’s name during the appeal would cause serious harm.
Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, a Kennedy Center board member who brought the lawsuit, called the ruling a win for the American people.
The legal battle started after Trump’s board renamed the center “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
The Kennedy Center has not yet responded publicly to the appeals court ruling.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine, has withdrawn from the race after accusations surfaced that he sexually assaulted a woman. Platner denies the allegations, but the situation weakens the Democrats' chances of gaining control of the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
Graham Platner announced he is dropping out of the Maine Senate race due to allegations of sexual assault.
A woman who dated Platner said he forced her to have sex while she told him to stop; Platner denies this.
The current Senate majority is held by Republicans with 53 seats to Democrats' 47.
Democrats hoped to win the Senate to limit President Donald Trump's power during his final two years.
Platner was recruited by progressive activists but faced many controversies, including a Nazi-linked tattoo and past inappropriate behavior.
His background check was reportedly limited and did not fully uncover all issues.
Platner portrayed himself as a working-class candidate but comes from a wealthy family and private schooling.
The controversy threatens Democrats' efforts in a difficult election map to retake the Senate majority.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump has criticized communism more than 80 times in the last two weeks. Experts believe he is using this message to energize his supporters ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump mentioned communism over 80 times recently.
His denouncements have mainly occurred within the past two weeks.
Analysts think this focus aims to rally his political base.
The timing is linked to the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.
The approach resembles anti-communism campaigns from the Cold War era.
The article discusses the possible reasons behind the sudden emphasis on communism.
This topic has become a key part of President Trump's public statements lately.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A California man named Jeffrey Ying was sentenced after stealing rare 17th-century Chinese manuscripts from the UCLA Library. He returned fake copies made using false library cards and equipment to copy the original books.
Key Facts
Jeffrey Ying pleaded guilty to stealing a 17th-century Chinese manuscript from UCLA.
He used fake names on library cards, including Jason Wang, Alan Fujimori, and Austin Chen.
Ying rented rare books from UCLA, then returned counterfeit copies he made himself.
The theft happened between December 2024 and July 2025, involving items valued at around $216,000.
Ying traveled between the U.S. and China shortly after the thefts.
Authorities found blank manuscripts and paperwork in his hotel used to create fake books.
He was sentenced to about one month in jail, one year of home confinement, and three years of supervised release.
UCLA previously allowed public library card access online without government ID, which made it easier to check out rare materials.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Jillian Segal, an antisemitism envoy, told a royal commission that public broadcasters ABC and SBS need an independent committee to review how they cover Israel. She said many in the Jewish community feel the broadcasters' reports are unbalanced and give too much voice to anti-Israel views. The commission is looking at antisemitism and media coverage following a terror attack in Australia.
Key Facts
Jillian Segal wants a new independent committee to check ABC and SBS coverage of Israel.
The Jewish community feels coverage focuses too much on Gaza and gives more airtime to views critical of Israel.
ABC and SBS already have independent ombudsmen who handle complaints.
Segal suggested the committee could guide or approve coverage and mentioned the UK's Ofcom as a good example.
Complaints about Israel-Gaza coverage to ABC are almost evenly split between claims of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel bias.
The royal commission on antisemitism was set up after a terror attack in Bondi where 15 people were killed.
The commission debates how to separate antisemitism from criticism of Israel.
The ABC and SBS have not adopted the internationally contested IHRA definition of antisemitism because some see it as limiting free discussion about Israel.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Secret Service recommended that President Trump avoid using the newer Air Force One plane gifted by Qatar when leaving the NATO Summit in Turkey. Instead, he used the older Air Force One model as a precaution against possible security risks.
Key Facts
President Trump attended the NATO Summit in Turkey.
Qatar had gifted a newer model of Air Force One.
The Secret Service advised against using the newer plane for the return flight.
President Trump flew back on the older Air Force One plane.
The decision was made to reduce potential security threats.
The report about this decision was released on a Wednesday.
Sources familiar with the situation provided this information.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rahm Emanuel, former Chicago mayor and former U.S. ambassador to Japan, spoke at Tel Aviv University. He called for the United States to stop giving unconditional support to Israel, reflecting a political change among Democrats.
Key Facts
Rahm Emanuel gave a speech at Tel Aviv University on Wednesday.
Emanuel has served as Chicago mayor and U.S. ambassador to Japan.
He suggested ending unconditional U.S. backing of Israel.
His statement signals a shift in views within the Democratic Party.
The speech was covered by CBS News.
Unconditional support means backing without any conditions or limits.
Emanuel is considered a potential Democratic presidential candidate.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for a key U.S. Senate race in Maine, suspended his campaign following sexual assault allegations. Platner denied the claims, but many Democrats withdrew their support, leaving the party to quickly find a replacement candidate before the July 27 deadline.
Key Facts
Graham Platner was the Democratic nominee aiming to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine.
Allegations surfaced that Platner sexually assaulted an ex-girlfriend in 2021; he denied these claims.
After the allegations became public, key supporters, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, withdrew their backing.
The national Democratic Party stopped funding Platner’s campaign soon after the allegations were reported.
Platner announced his campaign suspension in a video but said it was due to pressures from political opponents, not the allegations.
The Maine Democratic Party will hold a convention within two weeks to choose a new Senate candidate.
Democrats see the Maine Senate seat as vital to winning control of the Senate in the November midterm elections.
Platner had previously faced controversies like offensive social media posts, a tattoo with Nazi associations, and allegations of threatening behavior.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner stopped his 2026 campaign after a former girlfriend accused him of sexual assault. Many Democrats withdrew their support after the allegations, and Platner denied the claims but decided to end his run in a social media video.
Key Facts
Graham Platner was running for U.S. Senate in Maine for the 2026 midterm elections.
A former girlfriend accused Platner of sexual assault that happened about five years ago.
Politico and CNN reported the allegations, including claims Platner entered her home without permission.
Top Democrats and political groups withdrew their support after the reports.
Platner had apologized earlier for offensive Reddit posts and had a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol that was later covered.
His wife said Platner had sent sexually explicit texts to other women but described their marriage as strong.
Maine Democrats called for Platner to drop out, emphasizing support for women and survivors.
Platner’s exit leaves the Democratic Party to find a new candidate to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump spoke about the sexual assault accusations against Graham Platner, a former Maine Senate candidate. Trump questioned whether people should believe the woman making the allegations and said that many people tell big lies.
Key Facts
President Trump commented on the rape allegations involving Graham Platner.
Platner is a former candidate for the Maine Senate.
Trump expressed doubt about the truthfulness of the accusations.
He highlighted the question of whether the accuser is believable.
Trump said that many people say big falsehoods in such cases.
The comments were made while Trump was on Air Force One.
The allegations are part of a political and legal discussion involving a Democrat.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Graham Platner, who won the Maine Democratic primary for Senate, has stopped his campaign due to a sexual assault accusation he denies. Maine Democrats have until July 27 to choose a new candidate to run against Republican Susan Collins, with several possible contenders emerging.
Key Facts
Graham Platner won the Democratic primary but suspended his campaign after a sexual assault allegation from 2021.
Platner denies the accusation and plans to officially withdraw from the race.
Maine Democrats must pick a new candidate by July 27 to face Susan Collins in the Senate election.
The Maine Democratic Party will hold a convention to select the new nominee.
Troy Jackson, a former state senate president, has announced his candidacy and has some progressive support.
Other possible candidates include Valli Geiger, Nirav Shah, Shenna Bellows, Jordan Wood, and Paige Loud.
Governor Janet Mills is not currently considered a likely replacement despite her profile.
The new candidate will have limited time to prepare for the general election against Collins, a five-term incumbent.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear sent a letter to Senator Mitch McConnell asking for detailed information about McConnell’s health after weeks of hospitalization with little public update. Beshear expressed concern about McConnell’s ability to serve in the Senate and requested transparency for Kentucky residents.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized since June 14 for an undisclosed health condition.
McConnell’s office has shared few details but said he is continuing to recover in the hospital.
Governor Andy Beshear wrote a letter asking McConnell to update the public on his health status.
Beshear said constituents want to know if McConnell can still perform his Senate duties.
McConnell has had phone calls with Republican leaders while hospitalized.
McConnell is not running for re-election in 2026, and his Senate seat could require a special election if it becomes vacant.
Kentucky law prevents the governor from appointing a temporary replacement for the Senate seat.
McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, was abroad on a planned trip, and her spokesperson said McConnell’s health did not require her immediate return.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, has paused his campaign after being accused of sexual assault. He denies the accusations and shared his decision to suspend his campaign in a video on social media.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine as a Democrat.
He has been accused of sexual assault.
Platner denies all the allegations against him.
He is 41 years old.
Platner announced he is suspending his campaign.
The announcement came through a video posted on social media.
The news was reported by Caitlin Huey-Burns on CBS News.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Maine Democrat Graham Platner announced he is suspending his campaign for the U.S. Senate after sexual assault allegations were made against him, which he denies. The Maine Democratic Party plans to choose a new candidate through a nominating convention before the July 27 deadline, creating uncertainty for the party’s chances in this important election.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is suspending his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Maine.
He denies sexual assault allegations made by two women.
The allegations caused key Democratic leaders and endorsers to withdraw their support.
The Maine Democratic Party will hold a nominating convention to pick a new candidate.
Democrats have until July 27 to replace Platner on the election ballot.
Some progressives criticize the convention process for not involving ordinary voters.
Platner says the replacement process should respect the voters who supported him.
Maine’s Senate race is considered crucial for Democrats’ goal to retake the Senate.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine, has ended his campaign. He made this decision after allegations of sexual assault were made against him, which he denies.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a 41-year-old Democrat running for Senate in Maine.
He dropped out of the Senate race.
His decision came after sexual assault allegations surfaced.
Platner denies the allegations.
He announced his withdrawal in a video on social media.
The news was reported by CBS News.
Jessi Mitchell anchored the special report.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man named Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed by ICE officers in Houston after officers said he did not follow commands and tried to run over an officer with his vehicle. His family is asking for an independent investigation into the shooting, and the FBI has started looking into the case.
Key Facts
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national, was shot by ICE officers in Houston on July 7, 2026.
ICE said the officers tried to stop his vehicle around 6:50 a.m., and he did not follow verbal orders.
ICE claimed Araujo used his car as a weapon and tried to hit an officer, leading to the shooting in self-defense.
Araujo was taken to a hospital but died from his injuries.
His son, Ronaldo Salgado, and local officials called for an independent investigation.
This is the second shooting involving ICE officers in less than a week.
The FBI has opened an investigation into the incident.
Family members said Araujo worked hard to provide for his family and valued education.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump stopped in the United Kingdom to switch from the old Air Force One plane to a newer aircraft provided by Qatar. This change happened during his return trip from a NATO meeting in Turkey.
Key Facts
President Trump was returning from a NATO summit held in Turkey.
He made a stop in the United Kingdom to change planes.
The switch was from the older Air Force One to a newer Qatari plane.
This stop was on the last part of his journey home.
Iran issued a warning related to its defense policies during this time.
Some people speculated about the meaning of Iran’s statement.
The article focuses primarily on President Trump’s travel and plane transfer.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
