Ibrahim Khaldoon Hilmi, an American businessman, was arrested in Turkiye and returned to the US to face charges for a $3.7 billion Medicare fraud scheme. He is accused of using fake companies to submit false claims for medical equipment that patients never requested or received.
Key Facts
Hilmi ran companies, including Sunshine Senior Solutions, that appeared legitimate but were fronts to steal Medicare money.
Medicare is a US health insurance program for seniors and people with disabilities.
The fraud involved billing for durable medical equipment like knee braces and catheters that were not delivered or ordered.
Hilmi fled the US in May 2025 before authorities could arrest him and remained on the run for over a year.
Turkish authorities arrested him, and the FBI transferred him back to the US through a formal process.
His arrest is part of a larger federal effort called Operation Gold Rush targeting Medicare fraud and organized crime.
Hilmi will face federal court charges and could receive fines or prison time if convicted.
Another fugitive accused of a $1.3 billion Medicare fraud was also caught recently, highlighting the scale of such crimes.
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President Donald Trump continues to say that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was vandalized after reports showed the new base covering is peeling. The pool was recently renovated by the Trump administration for millions of dollars, but it now faces issues like green water caused by algae.
Key Facts
President Trump maintains his claim that vandalism occurred at the Reflecting Pool.
The Reflecting Pool is located at the Lincoln Memorial.
The pool recently underwent a costly renovation led by the Trump administration.
The renovation cost millions of dollars.
After the renovation, the new base covering is peeling off.
The water in the pool has turned green due to an algae bloom.
The article discusses problems appearing shortly after the renovation was completed.
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The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against a Rastafarian inmate who said prison officials forcibly shaved his dreadlocks, violating his religious rights. The Court decided he cannot sue individual prison employees for money damages under a law protecting religious freedom in prisons because only institutions, not individuals, can be held liable.
Key Facts
The case involved Damon Landor, a Rastafarian inmate in Louisiana whose dreadlocks were cut by prison staff against his religious beliefs.
Landor sought monetary damages from the prison employees under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
The Supreme Court majority said RLUIPA does not allow suing individual officials for damages, only the state or institutions that accept federal funding conditions.
The decision was 6-3, with conservative justices forming the majority and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting.
The Court emphasized that individuals must consent to legal obligations tied to federal funding, which prison staff did not do personally.
The ruling contrasts with previous Court decisions favoring religious liberty claims, such as those related to pandemic restrictions, prayer by coaches, and religious schooling.
The decision may limit remedies available to prisoners who face religious rights violations by individual staff members.
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Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to win the 2026 New York governor's race, but Republican Bruce Blakeman is trying to make the race competitive by focusing on issues like affordability, taxes, and public safety. Polls currently show Hochul leading by a large margin, but she has seen some drops in approval ratings, especially among independents and men.
Key Facts
Kathy Hochul is the Democratic governor of New York and the favorite to win re-election in 2026.
Bruce Blakeman, the Republican nominee, is campaigning on concerns about cost of living, taxes, and crime.
New York is a very Democratic state but has shown some competitiveness in recent elections.
Recent polls show Hochul ahead by about 16 to 22 points.
Prediction markets give Democrats about an 88-90% chance to win.
Hochul’s approval ratings have dropped recently, hitting lows in the last year.
Many voters, including Democrats, are concerned about housing and cost of living.
Hochul benefits from New York’s large number of registered Democrats compared to Republicans.
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Representative Dan Goldman is trailing progressive Brad Lander in polls for the Democratic primary in New York’s 10th Congressional District. The race highlights a choice between moderate and progressive leadership in a district known for strong progressive support.
Key Facts
Brad Lander leads in recent polls: one showed 57% support for Lander vs. 23% for Goldman, another showed 47% for Lander vs. 42% for Goldman.
Prediction markets give Lander about a 98-99% chance of winning.
The 10th District covers parts of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, areas with many progressive voters.
Goldman is seen as more centrist and has faced criticism from progressives for his stance on Israel.
Lander has the endorsement of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, reflecting the mayor’s influence in the city’s progressive politics.
Goldman supports Israel firmly but criticized its current leadership and policies regarding Gaza.
The primary election is a key test of the progressive movement’s influence in New York politics.
This race is one of several in 2026 where progressives challenge moderate Democrats in New York City.
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The National Guard and U.S. Park Police are watching the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after it turned green from algae and had blue paint floating on it. This is part of a response to prevent further damage to the pool.
Key Facts
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool showed green water due to an algae bloom.
Blue paint was also found floating on top of the pool’s water.
The National Guard and U.S. Park Police began patrolling the area on Monday.
The patrols aim to stop people from harming the pool.
The Department of the Interior is involved in addressing this situation.
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Nancy Guthrie, mother of TV host Savannah Guthrie, disappeared earlier this year near Tucson, Arizona. A ransom note sent after her disappearance expressed regret about her death and suggested the kidnappers felt some sympathy for her family.
Key Facts
Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home near Tucson, Arizona, early in 2024.
A first ransom note demanded cryptocurrency and said she was safe.
A second note, sent later, said Nancy died soon after she was taken.
The second note did not ask for money but showed regret over her passing.
Former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer said the note showed unusual empathy from the kidnappers.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI are actively investigating the case.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings made a public video offering to pay for their mother’s safe return.
The kidnappers described Nancy as “buried with nature,” but did not reveal her exact location.
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The article argues that adding four new seats to the Supreme Court under a future Democratic government would actually be reversing previous changes, not packing the court. It suggests that expanding the court in this way is a way to restore balance.
Key Facts
The proposal is to add four new seats to the Supreme Court.
This would happen under the next Democratic-led government.
The current Supreme Court has fewer justices than it did in the past.
Adding seats can change the court’s balance.
The article says this expansion is "unpacking" the court, meaning restoring it.
The term "court-packing" usually means adding seats to influence decisions.
Here, the article argues this is not court-packing but correcting past changes.
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Nine Texas protesters were sentenced to long prison terms after being found guilty of terrorism and other charges related to a July 4 protest at an immigrant detention center. The protest involved vandalism and a gunshot that injured a police officer, leading prosecutors to label the group as part of a planned conspiracy linked to antifa.
Key Facts
The protest occurred on July 4 at an immigrant detention facility in Alvarado, Texas.
Some protesters damaged property, including cars, a guard shack, a government van, and a security camera.
One activist fired an AR-15 at a police officer, injuring him in the shoulder; the officer survived.
Sentences ranged from 50 to 100 years in prison for the convicted defendants.
Prosecutors described the group as a "North Texas antifa cell" and said the attack was planned.
Eight defendants were convicted of providing support for terrorists, while one was convicted of hiding documents.
Evidence included the activists’ membership in a book club and gun group, reading leftwing zines, possession of legally purchased guns, and using encrypted messaging.
Similar government prosecutions against activists interfering with ICE agents have taken place in other cities recently.
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The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that a Rastafarian man, Damon Landor, cannot sue Louisiana prison officials for monetary damages after they forcibly shaved his hair, which violated his religious beliefs. The court said the law protecting religious rights of prisoners does not allow individuals to be sued for money damages in this case.
Key Facts
Damon Landor is a Rastafarian whose religion requires growing uncut hair.
Prison guards in Louisiana held Landor down and shaved his hair despite his religious beliefs.
Landor’s lawsuit was based on the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000, which protects religious rights of people in institutions like prisons.
Lower courts dismissed his case because the law does not let him sue individual officials for money damages.
The Supreme Court’s decision was 6-3, with three liberal justices disagreeing.
The Trump administration supported Landor’s case, asking the court to allow the lawsuit to proceed.
Landor had reminded officials of a past court ruling that found Louisiana’s hair-cutting policy violated the law, but it was ignored.
The court has expanded religious rights protections in past cases but limited monetary claims in this one.
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Senator Rand Paul has officially subpoenaed Dr. Anthony Fauci to appear before the Senate Homeland Security Committee in July. Fauci had previously agreed to testify voluntarily this month but later decided not to.
Key Facts
Senator Rand Paul is the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
Dr. Anthony Fauci was initially set to testify voluntarily this month.
Fauci later canceled his planned testimony.
Due to this, Senator Paul issued a subpoena to require Fauci’s appearance.
The subpoena demands Fauci attend the committee hearing in July.
The issue relates to Fauci’s role and actions regarding government public health matters.
The exchange highlights tensions between Fauci and some Senate members.
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Richard Glossip, who was on Oklahoma’s death row for nearly 30 years for a 1997 murder, is back in court as his case moves toward a retrial. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction last year because of false testimony, and he was recently released on bond while waiting for the next step.
Key Facts
Richard Glossip was convicted for the 1997 murder of Barry Van Treese, his former boss.
Prosecutors said the murder was part of a murder-for-hire plan, involving a baseball bat death.
The U.S. Supreme Court found that prosecutors let a key witness give false testimony, violating Glossip’s rights.
Glossip spent almost 30 years on death row and had nine scheduled execution dates.
He was released on bond last month while awaiting retrial.
Oklahoma plans to retry him but will not seek the death penalty again.
Glossip has said he is innocent and has received support from public figures, including Kim Kardashian.
Van Treese’s family wanted the original conviction and sentence to remain as decided by the courts.
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The National Action Network (NAN), led by Rev. Al Sharpton, has bought a building in Harlem to make its headquarters permanent after more than 20 years of renting. The new home is a renovated former community theater called the Faison Firehouse Theater.
Key Facts
NAN has been based in Harlem for over two decades but was previously renting its space.
The new headquarters is located at the former Faison Firehouse Theater on Hancock Place near 124th Street and Manhattan Avenue.
The theater was converted from an old firehouse by Tony Award-winning choreographer George Faison in 1999.
Faison chose to sell the building to NAN rather than a large developer.
Rev. Al Sharpton, aged 71, plans for NAN to be a lasting institution beyond his leadership.
The renovation of the new headquarters is complete and functional.
NAN’s regular Saturday rallies are expected to resume there in the summer.
NAN was founded in 1991 and previously met in rented spaces, including an elementary school and locations on 125th Street.
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A Texas man, Charles Tod Brooks, shot and killed his daughter, Rebekah Bailey Brooks, during a fight between her and her mother on Father's Day. He is charged with first-degree murder and is in jail awaiting further investigation.
Key Facts
The incident happened in Azle, Texas, at the family home.
Charles Tod Brooks, 61, confessed to shooting his 25-year-old daughter.
The shooting occurred while trying to separate a fight between the daughter and her mother.
Rebekah Bailey Brooks was found with a gunshot wound and died at the scene despite medical efforts.
Charles Brooks was charged with first-degree murder and held on a $2 million bond.
The Texas Rangers are helping with the investigation.
The reason for the fight between the daughter and her mother is not known.
Authorities have expressed condolences to the family.
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President Donald Trump visited a Mack Truck factory in Pennsylvania to talk about the U.S. economy and move attention away from the conflict with Iran. His visit comes ahead of the November midterm elections and focuses on a key swing district where Republicans are trying to keep control.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke at a Mack Truck facility in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District.
The visit aims to highlight the economy and downplay the Iran conflict after an interim agreement was signed.
Pennsylvania is a crucial swing state that helped Trump win the presidency in 2016 and 2024.
Rising prices and economic concerns are important issues for voters this fall.
About one-third of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, according to a recent poll.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Iran situation.
The Mack Truck plant had layoffs in 2025 but has since rehired most workers.
The district Trump visited is contested by Republican Ryan Mackenzie and Democrat Bob Brooks ahead of the midterms.
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The U.S. Supreme Court decided that ExxonMobil can sue Cuban government companies in U.S. courts over property taken by Cuba after Fidel Castro came to power. The Court’s 6-3 ruling supports U.S. owners trying to reclaim property seized more than 65 years ago.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of ExxonMobil on Tuesday.
ExxonMobil can sue Cuban state-owned companies in U.S. courts.
The lawsuit concerns property seized by Cuba’s government after Fidel Castro’s rise.
The decision was made by a 6-3 vote.
This is the second recent Supreme Court ruling supporting U.S. owners of Cuban property.
The property was confiscated by the Communist government over 65 years ago.
The case involves American legal rights to challenge foreign state actions in U.S. courts.
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New York’s 12th Congressional District is holding a Democratic primary to replace Representative Jerry Nadler. Key candidates include Micah Lasher, Alex Bores, and Jack Schlossberg. Polls show a close race with many voters still undecided.
Key Facts
The district is strongly Democratic and rated as "Solid Democrat" by the Cook Political Report.
The seat is open because longtime Representative Jerry Nadler is not running again.
Candidates include Assemblymembers Micah Lasher and Alex Bores, attorney George Conway, health researcher Nina Schwalbe, and Jack Schlossberg, grandson of John F. Kennedy.
Polls show Lasher and Bores have recently gained support, while Schlossberg has lost some ground.
About one-third of voters are undecided according to recent surveys.
Roughly 172,700 people voted early, with over 67,000 from Manhattan.
The race has attracted approximately $26 million in advertising spending.
Voting preferences vary by gender, with men favoring Bores and women favoring Lasher.
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly called Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick “an idiot” during a discussion about a minerals deal with Ukraine. This information comes from a new book written by two New York Times journalists.
Key Facts
Scott Bessent is the U.S. Treasury Secretary.
Howard Lutnick is the U.S. Commerce Secretary.
Bessent called Lutnick “an idiot” to his face.
The comment was about a deal involving minerals and Ukraine.
The information is from a book called "Regime Change."
Two journalists from The New York Times wrote the book.
A TV host named Lawrence O’Donnell read parts of the book on a show.
The show was MS NOW’s “The Last Word.”
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The U.S. Supreme Court decided that a Rastafarian inmate who had his dreadlocks shaved by prison guards cannot claim money for violating his religious rights. The court ruled 6-3 that the inmate cannot seek damages for this treatment.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in the case involving a Rastafarian inmate.
The inmate, Damon Landor, had his dreadlocks shaved by Louisiana prison guards.
This happened just weeks before Landor was going to be released from prison.
Landor says the shaving violated his religious rights.
The court said he cannot sue the guards for damages over this issue.
The decision was split along ideological lines, reflecting different judicial views.
The case concerns the balance between prisoners' religious rights and prison policies.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that ExxonMobil can sue Cuban government companies in U.S. courts over property seized after Fidel Castro took power. This decision supports the 1996 Helms-Burton law, which allows Americans to sue businesses that use property confiscated by Cuba.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court voted 6-3 to allow ExxonMobil's lawsuit against Cuban state-owned companies.
The property was originally owned by Standard Oil, ExxonMobil’s predecessor, and included over 100 gas stations and a refinery.
The Helms-Burton Act of 1996 lets U.S. citizens sue companies benefiting from property confiscated by Cuba’s government.
President Trump lifted the suspension of this law in 2019, enabling ExxonMobil to file the lawsuit.
The court reversed a lower court ruling that had protected Cuban companies from such lawsuits.
The U.S. Foreign Claims Settlement Commission valued ExxonMobil’s lost property at $71.6 million in 1969, now worth over $1 billion with interest.
A similar recent Supreme Court case revived claims against cruise lines operating in Cuba during the Obama administration’s policy thaw.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion, while Justice Elena Kagan dissented, disagreeing on legal interpretation regarding sovereign immunity.
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