President Donald Trump is meeting with Republican senators on Capitol Hill after months of disagreements about legislative priorities. Senators hope the meeting will help unify the party before the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump is attending a closed-door Senate GOP luncheon for the first time in over a year.
Trump has pushed senators to support his voting bill requiring proof of citizenship, but it lacks enough votes to pass.
He has blocked the confirmation of one of his own nominees and asked for funding for a White House project despite opposition.
Trump endorsed challengers who defeated two incumbent GOP senators, John Cornyn and Bill Cassidy, who have since criticized him.
Senators, including John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, want to focus on unity for the midterms.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has told Trump the voting bill is not realistic to pass.
Trump wants to eliminate the filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act, which includes strict voter ID rules and other provisions.
The relationship between Trump and some Senate Republican leaders remains tense but professional.
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Two senior Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Steny Hoyer and Jerrold Nadler, are retiring. Their former aides won Democratic primary elections and are expected to replace them in Congress since their districts strongly favor Democrats.
Key Facts
Representatives Steny Hoyer and Jerrold Nadler will retire when their current terms end in January.
Both endorsed former staff members in the Democratic primaries to succeed them.
Their districts lean heavily Democratic, making the primary winners likely to win the general election.
At least five retiring members of Congress have supported former aides for their seats this year.
More than a dozen other members have worked in some way to help preferred candidates succeed them.
Some voters appreciate endorsements from well-known representatives even if they are controversial.
There is criticism and concern about lawmakers influencing succession to favor insiders.
Public approval of Congress remains low, which makes some voters skeptical of political endorsements.
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General Christopher Donahue, who was the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021, is unexpectedly stepping down from his role as commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa after 18 months. His deputy, Major General Christopher Norrie, will take over his duties temporarily.
Key Facts
General Donahue led the 82nd Airborne Division during the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
He was the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, ending nearly 20 years of U.S. military presence.
Donahue currently commands U.S. Army Europe and Africa and NATO’s Allied Land Command.
He will step down on July 2, 2026, after a sudden decision announced by the Army.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been encouraging a reduction in the number of top military generals.
The Army is considering downgrading the U.S. Army Europe and Africa command from a four-star to a three-star command.
The U.S. is conducting a review of its forces in Europe amid criticism of European allies.
Donahue is a West Point graduate and former Delta Force commander with a strong military reputation.
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International students from countries where being gay is illegal have been targeted in Victoria, Australia. They were tricked into meetings through gay dating apps, then attacked, filmed, and threatened with having their sexuality revealed to their families unless they paid money. Police have identified many attacks, but experts say the real number is likely higher because victims are afraid to report.
Key Facts
Since June 2024, police found 95 attacks against gay and bisexual men in Victoria, with 42 arrests.
Many victims are international students whose home countries criminalize homosexuality.
Attackers use gay dating apps to lure victims, then assault and film them.
Victims face threats to publicly share videos of the attacks unless they pay money.
Victims often fear police and worry about family reactions if outed.
The attacks mainly happen in Melbourne’s outer northern and south-eastern suburbs.
Some attackers are as young as 13 years old.
These attacks are considered hate crimes linked to far-right online communities called the “manosphere.”
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Peter Murrell, former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), was sentenced to over five years in prison for stealing more than £400,000 from the party over 12 years. Police released photos showing luxury items, including a £124,550 motorhome and expensive kitchen goods, bought with the embezzled money.
Key Facts
Peter Murrell embezzled more than £400,000 from the SNP over 12 years.
He was sentenced to five years and three months in prison.
Police seized a luxury motorhome valued at £124,550 parked at Murrell's mother’s house.
The motorhome contained various high-end kitchen items such as a £220 stainless-steel teapot and branded cooking utensils.
Other discovered items included a Peugeot salt and pepper mill and Molton Brown toiletries.
Murrell’s estranged wife, former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, said she did not recall seeing the motorhome.
The motorhome was seized as part of Operation Branchform on April 5, 2023.
Some items bought with stolen funds were purchased online, including from Amazon.
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A federal judge blocked the government from making arrests at immigration courts across the U.S. The judge ruled that the government did not provide good reasons for changing the policy to allow arrests at courthouses, a change made after President Donald Trump took office.
Key Facts
The ruling stops Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from arresting people at immigration courts nationwide.
Before President Trump’s administration, arrests at immigration courts were not allowed for many years.
Judge Casey Pitts said the government’s decision lacked proper explanation and did not consider how arrests might prevent people from attending court hearings.
The decision refers to the Administrative Procedure Act, a law that requires federal agencies to explain their actions clearly.
This ruling follows a similar decision made in May that applied only to New York courts.
Homeland Security’s lawyer criticized the ruling, saying it interferes with lawful judicial actions and supports an "open borders" agenda.
Under the current practice, agents sometimes arrest individuals right after court hearings, sometimes holding them more than 12 hours in separate cells.
Judge Pitts was appointed by President Joe Biden, whereas the policy change occurred under President Donald Trump’s administration.
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Yehia Hassan, a 78-year-old man with diabetes who uses a wheelchair, returned home to find his house in Luton was damaged and turned into a cannabis farm while he was in hospital. Police found hundreds of cannabis plants there, but the renters responsible have not been found. The damage to the house is extensive and will cost a lot of money to repair.
Key Facts
Yehia Hassan was hospitalized in Egypt when his home was used as a cannabis farm.
Police raids uncovered hundreds of cannabis plants at Hassan’s house and a nearby property.
The renters who turned the home into a cannabis farm have not been located.
Hassan had rented the house to a local business owner who sublet it to others.
The damage includes holes in walls, rewiring for electricity theft, broken furniture, and leftover growing materials.
Thousands of cannabis farms have been discovered in English homes in the past three years.
Bedfordshire Police report a rise in criminals using unregulated estate agents to sublet properties for cannabis growing.
Hassan’s family learned about the police raid from a Facebook post and is currently living elsewhere while dealing with repairs.
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Police officers took eight minutes to find the fatal stab wound on Henry Nowak after arriving at the scene in Southampton. Despite efforts to save him, Henry died, and the man responsible, Vickrum Digwa, was jailed for life. The police and authorities are investigating the incident and reviewing the officers’ actions.
Key Facts
Henry Nowak was stabbed and died from an 8cm deep wound to his chest.
Police took eight minutes to discover Henry’s stab wound after arriving on the scene.
Vickrum Digwa, who stabbed Henry, falsely told police he had been racially attacked.
Officers handcuffed Henry and initially did not believe his claim that he had been stabbed.
Henry received CPR from police and medical teams for 51 minutes before being declared dead.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police apologized to Henry’s family for the treatment he received.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the police officers’ actions that night.
A full inquest into Henry’s death will start in September 2027 to examine if police actions contributed.
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The BBC asked people from different states in the U.S. how they see their American identity as the country approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026. The interviews covered views from a wide range of Americans to understand what being American means today.
Key Facts
The BBC conducted interviews with U.S. citizens from states including California, New York, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Washington DC.
The topic was about American identity and what it means to be American in the year 2026.
The interviews were done as the U.S. prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary.
Video and editing of the interviews were done by Meiying Wu.
Multiple people helped film, including Angélica Casas and Madeline Gerber.
The project aims to show diverse opinions from across the country.
The content was published recently, about three hours ago.
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Many UK schools are struggling with high indoor temperatures because they were not built to handle hotter weather. Older school buildings with thick walls stay cooler, while newer buildings often become uncomfortably hot, showing a lack of planning for climate change impacts.
Key Facts
A 130-year-old school building stays cooler in summer than a newer building from 2017 nearby.
Newer school buildings were designed using guidelines that did not fully consider rising temperatures.
Some 1970s schools have poor designs like flat roofs and small windows, making heat problems worse.
The UK government’s Climate Change Committee says current school adaptation plans are “not fit for purpose.”
The committee recommends air conditioning in all schools, with a deadline set for 2050.
The UK Department for Education is investing nearly £20 billion to rebuild and refurbish over 750 schools by 2035.
A £710 million program is underway to upgrade schools to better handle climate change by 2030.
There are over 22,000 state schools and colleges in the UK, so more investment will be needed to prepare them all for hotter weather.
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President Donald Trump said that a U.S. military operation in Venezuela lasted 48 minutes. He also claimed that the United States has recovered its costs 28 times over by extracting oil from Venezuela.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke about a U.S. military operation in Venezuela.
He stated the operation lasted exactly 48 minutes.
President Trump claimed the U.S. recovered its costs 28 times over.
The recovery of costs is said to come through extracting oil from Venezuela.
The information connects the military action directly with economic gains from oil.
No further details were given about the military operation or verification of the claims.
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In New York's congressional primaries, progressive candidates supported by Mayor Zohran Mamdani won against established Democrats. This included the defeat of two current congressmen, showing support for Mamdani’s effort to change the Democratic Party.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed three Democratic candidates who won their congressional primary elections in New York City. Their wins represent a shift toward more progressive, left-leaning politicians challenging established party leaders.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, endorsed three candidates in NYC’s Democratic congressional primaries.
The candidates Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, and Darializa Avila Chevalier are all projected winners.
Two of the winners defeated sitting Democratic congressmen.
Voters in New York showed strong support for younger, more progressive candidates wanting change.
These results challenge established Democratic leaders like Gov. Kathy Hochul and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 13th District.
Brad Lander won in the 10th District, beating incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman.
Claire Valdez won in the 7th District to replace retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez.
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In New York, two House Democrats, including the head of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, lost their primary races to left-wing challengers supported by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). These results may double the number of DSA members in Congress and have caused concern among moderate Democrats.
Key Facts
Rep. Dan Goldman lost his primary to Brad Lander by over 30 points.
Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Hispanic Caucus chair, narrowly lost to democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier.
Claire Valdez, a democratic socialist, won the primary to replace retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez.
All three victorious challengers were backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsed the incumbents Goldman and Espaillat and showed some support for Antonio Reynoso.
Democratic Socialists of America are gaining influence in New York congressional races, raising concerns among moderates.
Moderates argue that DSA candidates are supported mainly by younger, well-educated, mostly white voters in gentrified districts.
Democratic leadership views these primary losses as a significant setback and is focused on regaining control in upcoming elections.
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Angus Taylor, a senior Liberal politician in Australia, hesitated to clearly say if he supports multiculturalism after questions about One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s statement against multiculturalism. Some members of Taylor’s party worry about trying to compete with Hanson on immigration issues, while Taylor later said he supports a multiculturalism based on shared values and law respect.
Key Facts
Angus Taylor avoided directly saying if he supports multiculturalism during a press conference.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said Australia "cannot be a multicultural society" and must be "monocultural."
Some Liberal politicians think Taylor’s unclear answers weaken their position against One Nation.
Taylor later clarified he supports a multiculturalism where people respect laws, values, and contribute to society.
Taylor criticized Labor’s multiculturalism, saying it applies different standards based on culture.
Some Liberals are uncomfortable competing with One Nation’s views on immigration and culture.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Australia has a core Anglo-Celtic culture and Judeo-Christian values.
Other Liberals challenge Hanson’s idea of monoculture as unrealistic and against Australia’s history.
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Zohran Mamdani, a New York City Democrat, supported three candidates in recent House primary elections, and all three won. Among them, Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, and Brad Lander beat Rep. Dan Goldman.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani backed three candidates in New York City House primary races.
All three candidates supported by Mamdani won their elections.
Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated current Rep. Adriano Espaillat.
Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier are identified as Democratic socialists.
Brad Lander, a progressive, won against Rep. Dan Goldman.
These election results show a shift in support within the Democratic Party in New York.
Mamdani’s endorsements put him at odds with some other party members.
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Nancy Lacore, a three-star navy rear-admiral fired last year by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, won the Democratic primary for South Carolina’s 1st congressional district. She will run in November against Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt to try to win a seat currently held by Republican Nancy Mace.
Key Facts
Nancy Lacore was fired during a defense secretary-led removal of senior military officials last year.
She won the Democratic nomination after defeating Mac Deford in a runoff election.
The current congresswoman, Nancy Mace, is not running for re-election because she ran unsuccessfully for governor.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt won the Republican primary for the same congressional seat.
Lacore is supported by veterans’ groups and Emily’s List, which supports pro-choice Democratic candidates.
She raised over $1.4 million by late May for her campaign.
Lacore is part of a Democratic group called the Bench that helps candidates in competitive districts.
The race is part of efforts by Democrats to flip seats held by Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.
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Senator Rick Scott of Florida said he will meet with President Donald Trump and Senate Republican leaders to talk about election security. Scott supports a bill called the SAVE America Act that aims to improve how elections are protected.
Key Facts
Senator Rick Scott represents Florida and is a Republican.
Scott plans to meet with President Trump and the Senate Republican Steering Committee.
The main topic for the meeting is election security.
Scott recently wrote a letter to support the SAVE America Act.
The SAVE America Act seeks to safeguard voter eligibility and protect elections.
Scott has encouraged other GOP senators to hold votes on this bill.
The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.
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In New York’s recent congressional primaries, candidates supported by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a progressive leader, won three key races. This outcome challenges the influence of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who backs more traditional Democratic candidates, showing a possible shift in the party’s local power.
Key Facts
Three candidates endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani won their congressional primary races in New York.
Mamdani represents the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, while Hakeem Jeffries leads the establishment faction.
Mamdani supported Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Claire Valdez in their races.
Jeffries endorsed the incumbents Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat, who lost in two contests.
Mamdani’s victories may signal a change in the Democratic Party’s leadership in New York.
The primaries test whether Mamdani’s mayoral success translates into broader political influence.
Jeffries’s role is to keep incumbents in office and unify the party to win back the House majority.
The contests reflect a growing ideological divide within the Democratic Party between progressives and establishment members.
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New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani successfully backed three candidates who won Democratic primary elections, defeating two current Democratic congressmen. Other primary election results include Maryland state Delegate Adrian Boafo winning a key Democratic nomination and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson winning the Republican runoff for governor.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani endorsed three candidates for Congress in New York who all won their primaries.
Mamdani’s candidates defeated two incumbent Democratic congressmen in New York districts 7, 10, and 13.
Claire Valdez, Brad Lander, and Darializa Avila Chevalier are the three winners endorsed by Mamdani.
Maryland Delegate Adrian Boafo won the Democratic primary to replace retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore won the Democratic primary for governor.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson won the Republican runoff for governor.
President Donald Trump endorsed South Carolina candidates Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.
Alan Wilson will face Democrat Jermaine Johnson in the South Carolina governor race.
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