In 2001, most Republicans and Democrats said they were proud to be American. Today, fewer Democrats feel this way, showing a change in how people in that party view their country.
Key Facts
In January 2001, 92% of Republicans said they were proud to be American.
In the same year, 87% of Democrats said they were proud to be American.
At that time, both parties showed strong feelings of national pride.
The article suggests that over time, Democrats have become less likely to say they are proud of America.
This change points to shifts in attitudes within the Democratic Party regarding the country and its values.
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Texas lawmakers are considering a ban on foreign nationals using Texas surrogates to have children. This topic is part of a wider discussion on immigration and birthright citizenship, with the Texas Senate health committee set to hear testimony soon.
Key Facts
The Texas Senate health committee will discuss a possible ban on foreign nationals contracting with Texas surrogates.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick set this issue as a priority before the upcoming legislative session.
The Texas GOP recently approved a platform plank banning commercial surrogacy for foreign nationals.
Surrogacy involves a woman carrying a child for another party, usually through in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Surrogacy contracts are private, so exact numbers of foreign surrogacy cases in Texas are unknown.
Some worry this ban could lead to wider restrictions or a full ban on surrogacy in Texas.
The Texas GOP also supports banning public funding for IVF, which limits surrogacy options.
Other states like Florida have passed similar laws focusing on surrogacy cases involving certain foreign nationals.
There have been reports of Chinese nationals using American surrogates, raising national security concerns.
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A group of Democrats has started Project 2029 to plan policies for when the party might retake the White House in 2028. Their agenda focuses on issues like online child safety, reducing annoying fees, and regulating tech companies, aiming to offer a clear alternative to current policies under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Key Facts
Project 2029 is a Democratic initiative preparing policies for a possible post-Trump White House in 2029.
The group aims to present actionable reforms from day one after taking office.
They see their plan as a response to Project 2025, a conservative agenda linked to President Trump’s 2024 win.
Project 2029’s policies include online child safety rules, such as limits on social media use for under-16s and banning phones during school hours.
The group wants stricter limits on collecting children’s data and rules against AI companies using personal data without permission.
They call for changes to Section 230 laws to hold tech firms accountable for AI content, paid ads, and illegal activities on their platforms.
New rules for AI chatbots are proposed to protect users’ privacy better.
A second policy targets reducing “annoyance economy” costs, such as fees and delays, in industries like health insurance and airlines.
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Senator Dick Durbin spoke about President Trump’s plan to remove U.S. sanctions on Turkey. The discussion happened after President Trump announced this decision at a NATO meeting.
Key Facts
President Trump announced he will lift U.S. sanctions on Turkey.
The announcement was made during a NATO summit.
Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois discussed this plan on CBS News.
The sanctions are related to actions Turkey took that previously led the U.S. to impose restrictions.
The news was covered by CBS News 24/7 and is available on the CBS News app.
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Senator Bernie Sanders spoke with Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner and suggested that Platner leave the race following a report accusing Platner of sexual assault, which Platner denied. Several Democrats have withdrawn their support for Platner, and major Senate Democratic groups are pulling funds from his campaign, limiting his chances in the upcoming election.
Key Facts
Bernie Sanders recommended Graham Platner step down from the Senate race after a sexual assault allegation.
The allegation involves a Maine woman claiming Platner entered her home without permission in 2021 and forced himself on her.
Platner denies the allegation and calls it "categorically false."
Multiple Democrats have withdrawn endorsements or urged Platner to quit the race.
The Senate Democrats' campaign arm and Senate Majority PAC are pulling financial support from Platner's campaign.
Platner won the Democratic primary to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Maine law allows candidates to be replaced after withdrawal by mid-July, with parties having two weeks to name a new candidate.
Sanders’ opinion is important because he had been a key supporter of Platner.
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Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, was accused of sexual assault by a woman who said he forced her to have sex in 2021. After the allegation, many Democratic leaders withdrew their support, and Senator Bernie Sanders advised Platner to drop out of the race. Platner denied the accusation, but the controversy has severely damaged his campaign.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a Democratic candidate aiming to challenge Republican Susan Collins in Maine.
A woman named Jenny Racicot accused Platner of sexual assault occurring in 2021.
Platner denied the allegations, calling them false and serious.
Prominent Democrats, including Ro Khanna, Elizabeth Warren, and Ruben Gallego, withdrew their endorsements after the allegation.
Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand said Democrats will not fund Platner’s campaign unless he leaves the race.
Senator Bernie Sanders, who originally supported Platner, recommended he step aside after hearing about the allegations.
Platner faced earlier controversies, including offensive online posts, a tattoo linked to Nazi symbols, and previous allegations of troubling behavior from former girlfriends.
Despite past issues, Platner had continued to receive support from progressives until this latest serious accusation.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reported that a building in the city is at risk of collapsing due to damaged support columns, cracks, and sagging floors. Firefighters responded to the construction site, and nearby buildings have been evacuated as a safety precaution.
Key Facts
A building in New York City shows signs of serious structural damage.
The damage includes bent support columns, visible cracks, and floors that are sagging.
Firefighters went to the construction site to check the situation.
Several buildings close to the damaged building have been evacuated.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani gave updates on the condition and safety measures.
Authorities are closely monitoring the site to prevent any accidents.
The evacuation is a precaution to protect people in the area.
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Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star, criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for a speech he gave before the 250th anniversary of the United States. Pratt called Mamdani a “vile, commie” in a video he shared on social media.
Key Facts
Spencer Pratt is a former reality TV star and ran for mayor of Los Angeles earlier in 2024.
Zohran Mamdani is the mayor of New York City and a member of the Democratic Party.
Pratt made his remarks on social media on the day before the 250th anniversary of the U.S. founding.
Pratt described Mayor Mamdani using the phrase “vile, commie.”
The controversy arose in the context of Pratt’s video response to Mamdani’s speech.
The article focuses on a political disagreement involving a public figure and a city mayor.
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A building under construction in Midtown New York City became unstable after two support columns bent and five floors collapsed. The New York City Fire Department responded with a large emergency operation on Tuesday morning.
Key Facts
The incident happened in Midtown, New York City.
Two structural columns in the building bent or buckled.
Five floors of the building gave way and collapsed.
The building was still under construction at the time.
The New York City Fire Department launched a major emergency response.
The event occurred on Tuesday morning.
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Senator Bernie Sanders asked Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner to leave the race after new sexual assault allegations surfaced. Platner denies the claims, while some Democrats have withdrawn their support, which may affect efforts to gain a Senate majority.
Key Facts
Bernie Sanders recommended Graham Platner step aside following serious sexual assault allegations.
Platner is a progressive Democrat running against Republican Susan Collins in Maine’s Senate race.
A woman named Jenny Racicot accused Platner of forcing sex on her in 2021 while she objected.
Platner denies the allegation and calls it false.
Other Democrats, including Rep. Ro Khanna, have withdrawn endorsements of Platner after the allegations.
The controversy could hurt Democrats’ chances of winning this key Senate seat in 2026.
Maine was seen as an opportunity to defeat Susan Collins, who is popular but vulnerable in a strong anti-Trump environment.
Sanders had previously supported Platner and campaigned with him despite past controversies.
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Federal laws on medical cannabis need major changes to align with new rules about the drug's classification. Without clear guidance, patients may face problems and rely on court decisions to protect their rights.
Key Facts
Medical cannabis laws at the federal level are outdated.
Changes are needed to match the updated drug classification.
Lack of clear rules causes difficulties for medical cannabis patients.
Courts may have to intervene when patients face legal issues.
Coordinated guidance from the government is necessary to prevent ongoing problems.
Patients currently face inconsistencies in access and legal protections.
The article stresses the importance of updating federal laws to reflect new cannabis policies.
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A strong storm hit New Jersey, causing heavy rain, strong wind, and flooding. A store roof at BJ's Wholesale Club in Ocean Township collapsed, but no one inside was hurt.
Key Facts
A severe storm brought heavy rain and strong winds to New Jersey.
The storm caused flooding and knocked down trees in the area.
The roof at a BJ's Wholesale Club in Ocean Township, New Jersey, collapsed during the storm.
No injuries were reported inside the store when the roof fell.
News reporters Meg Oliver and Rob Marciano covered the event.
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A U.S. House committee asked Ted Leonsis, owner of the Washington Wizards and Capitals, to end business ties with Alibaba. This request follows the Pentagon labeling Alibaba as a “Chinese military company,” a decision Alibaba is legally challenging.
Key Facts
Ted Leonsis owns Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which includes the NBA team Wizards and NHL team Capitals.
Rep. John Moolenaar, chair of the House Select Committee on China, sent Leonsis a letter asking to confirm that Alibaba ties are cut.
The Pentagon designated Alibaba as a Chinese military company because it may support China’s military through business activities.
Alibaba sued to be removed from the Pentagon’s list of companies linked to the Chinese military.
The Committee set a July 15 deadline for ending these business links.
Joseph Tsai, co-founder of Alibaba, owns the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty teams, showing other sports ties to Alibaba.
The Committee has previously questioned Alibaba’s involvement with the Olympics and raised concerns over performance-enhancing drug cases involving Chinese athletes.
LA Olympic organizers chose Google, a competitor to Alibaba, as an official sponsor for 2028.
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Two Supreme Court justices, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett, will testify before Congress about the Supreme Court's budget. They will appear at separate hearings held by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government on July 14.
Key Facts
Justices Kagan and Barrett are scheduled to testify before Congress.
The topic is the Supreme Court's annual budget request.
Hearings will be held on Capitol Hill.
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government is leading the hearings.
The hearings will take place on July 14.
Tom Cole, a Republican from Oklahoma, chairs the subcommittee.
Each justice will testify in separate hearings.
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Senator Bernie Sanders has urged Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner to drop out of the race after a sexual assault allegation. Platner denies the claim but has paused campaign events and is thinking about what to do next.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine.
A sexual assault allegation has been made against Platner.
Many Democrats have withdrawn their support for Platner.
Senator Bernie Sanders spoke to Platner and recommended he step aside.
Platner denies the sexual assault allegation.
Platner canceled upcoming town hall events.
Party leaders are unsure how to proceed in the Senate race against Republican Senator Susan Collins.
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Democratic candidate Graham Platner faces calls to quit the Maine Senate race after a sexual assault claim, which he denies. If Platner withdraws by July 13, the party can choose a new candidate by July 27 to run against Republican Susan Collins in November.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from Maine facing a sexual assault allegation.
Platner denies the accusation and is thinking about his next steps.
Several senior Democrats have taken back their support for Platner.
The party’s main Senate fundraising group will stop spending money in Maine until Platner drops out.
Maine law requires Platner to quit by 5 pm ET on July 13 for Democrats to pick a new candidate.
The replacement candidate must be selected by 5 pm ET on July 27.
Possible replacements include Nirav Shah, Shenna Bellows, and Troy Jackson, all of whom have asked Platner to step down.
The Maine Democratic Party says the replacement selection will be open and involve voter participation.
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Senator Bernie Sanders asked Graham Platner to withdraw from the US Senate race in Maine because of serious sexual assault claims. Platner denies the accusations but is considering his next steps after the story became public.
Key Facts
Bernie Sanders is a progressive senator.
Sanders wants Graham Platner to quit the Senate race in Maine.
Platner faces serious sexual assault allegations.
The claims were first reported by Politico.
Several Democrats also want Platner to step down.
Platner denies the accusations.
Platner said he is thinking about what to do next.
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The United States’ trade deficit rose sharply to $77.6 billion in May due to higher imports and lower exports. Increased spending on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, petroleum, and auto parts contributed to the larger trade gap.
Key Facts
The US trade deficit in May was $77.6 billion, a 42.2% increase from April.
Imports grew 3.3% to $395.3 billion, while exports fell 3.2% to $317.7 billion.
Semiconductor imports increased by $1.2 billion amid a boom in AI-related spending.
Petroleum imports hit a record high, rising by $1.5 billion despite tensions involving Iran.
Imports of automotive parts and engines rose by $2.2 billion; passenger car imports grew by $1 billion.
Toyota announced a $3.6 billion investment to move Tacoma pickup truck production to Texas by 2030.
The US had its largest trade deficits with Vietnam, Mexico, Taiwan, China, and the European Union.
Canada posted a trade surplus of 4.24 billion Canadian dollars (about $3 billion), reaching a four-year high.
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Maine Democrat Nirav Shah is thinking about running for the U.S. Senate after a new sexual assault claim was made against the current Democratic nominee, Graham Platner. Platner is pausing his campaign to reconsider his options.
Key Facts
Nirav Shah is a Democrat from Maine.
He previously served as the state's public health chief.
Shah ran for governor of Maine but did not win.
Graham Platner is the current Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine.
A new sexual assault allegation has been made against Platner.
Platner is taking time away from his campaign to review the situation.
Shah is now considering entering the Senate race because of these developments.
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Senator Bernie Sanders asked Democrat Graham Platner to leave the race for the Maine Senate seat after a report said Platner sexually assaulted a woman he dated in 2021. Sanders said he spoke with Platner about what is best for Maine.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running for the Maine Senate seat as a Democrat.
A report alleges Platner sexually assaulted a woman he dated in 2021.
Senator Bernie Sanders spoke directly to Platner about the situation.
Sanders suggested that Platner should quit the Senate race.
The call from Sanders was made public on Tuesday.
Sanders framed his advice as being in the best interest of Maine.
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