The New World screwworm fly, a harmful parasite, was found in a calf near the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas. Authorities are working quickly to stop the parasite from spreading in the United States.
Key Facts
The New World screwworm fly is a parasite that harms animals by laying eggs in their wounds.
It was discovered in a calf close to the Texas-Mexico border.
The parasite is not normally found in the U.S. because of ongoing prevention efforts.
The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) is leading efforts to control and stop the spread of the screwworm fly.
Containing the fly is important to protect livestock and the farming industry.
The finding shows how close the threat is to U.S. agriculture near the border.
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E. Jean Carroll, a writer who accused President Donald Trump of sexual assault, said she did not lie while testifying under oath. She made this statement after news of a Department of Justice investigation involving her.
Key Facts
E. Jean Carroll accused President Trump of sexual assault.
The Department of Justice is reportedly investigating her.
Carroll denied committing perjury, which means lying under oath.
She addressed this issue on her Substack newsletter.
Carroll’s statement came shortly after news about the DOJ probe.
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A shooting occurred outside a high school graduation ceremony in Fairfield, California, killing an 18-year-old and wounding three others, including an 11-year-old. Police said there is no ongoing threat, and investigations are underway.
Key Facts
The shooting happened around 7:15 p.m. on June 3, 2026, in the parking lot outside Fairfield High School.
The event was a graduation ceremony for Sem Yeto High School graduates.
Four people were shot: an 18-year-old who died, and three others aged 11, 20, and 25 who were injured.
It is not clear if the 18-year-old victim was a graduate.
Police are interviewing witnesses and following leads to investigate the shooting.
About 1,000 people attended the graduation, providing many potential witnesses.
The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District expressed sympathy for those affected.
Police have not released information about any suspects or ongoing threats.
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Jill Biden said that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris remain friends a year and a half after leaving office. She shared this while promoting her new book in Washington, D.C., mentioning that Harris recently called President Biden.
Key Facts
Jill Biden spoke at an event at the Sixth & I synagogue in Washington, D.C.
She was promoting her new book during this event.
Jill Biden said that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are still friends.
Harris recently called President Biden.
This friendship continues about 18 months after they left office.
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order that removes job protections for nearly 8,000 senior federal employees, making their positions "at-will," which allows faster dismissal. This change affects key roles in many agencies, including those handling national security, cybersecurity, and emerging technology, and is expected to cause workplace disruption and legal challenges.
Key Facts
The order changes the status of about 8,000 senior federal employees to "at-will," allowing quick dismissal without the usual appeals process.
It revives parts of Schedule F, a classification from President Trump’s earlier term aimed at shifting policy-influencing roles to at-will employment.
Affected positions include IT leaders like chief information officers, chief technology officers, and senior managers responsible for cybersecurity and AI.
Most impacted employees are at the GS-15 level, a senior federal pay grade, with many earning close to $200,000 a year.
The Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and Department of Health and Human Services have large numbers of employees affected, risking disruption in security, military, health, and technology work.
White House officials say the change helps senior staff implement the administration’s goals without resistance.
Critics warn it may politicize roles meant to be nonpartisan and cause rapid turnover and instability.
The Office of Personnel Management supports the change, stating these roles should be filled by those who fully support the administration’s policies.
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The family of a six-year-old girl who was left brain-damaged at birth due to mistakes by an NHS hospital trust accepted a £28 million payout. The settlement came after the hospital admitted it failed to properly monitor the baby’s heart rate during labor, causing severe brain injury. The girl will need lifelong care for her disabilities.
Key Facts
The girl was born in July 2019 at Queen’s hospital in Romford, east London.
NHS trust failed to monitor the baby’s heart rate or call a specialist during labor.
The girl suffered severe brain damage from lack of oxygen at birth, leading to epilepsy and loss of mobility.
The family received a £28 million payout to cover lifelong care costs, with an expected lifespan to age 83.
The settlement was made out of court after a high court lawsuit.
NHS maternity care has faced multiple scandals and calls for urgent reform.
Two reviews on maternity care safety are due to be published soon.
The Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS trust apologized and said it has improved maternity services since 2019.
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The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was emptied recently to allow workers to repaint the floor and fix damages. After the repairs, water has started to fill the pool again.
Key Facts
The Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial was drained.
Workers used this time to repaint the floor of the pool.
Repairs were made to address any damage.
Water has now begun to refill the pool.
The project involved cleaning and restoring the pool area.
The pool is an important landmark in Washington, D.C.
The repainting and repairs help maintain the pool’s appearance and condition.
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The U.S. Senate voted against a plan by Senator Thom Tillis to change the use of a $1.8 billion fund. The fund was originally meant to stop the misuse of government resources for weaponization, but Tillis wanted to use it to fight fraud against taxpayers instead.
Key Facts
Senator Thom Tillis is from North Carolina and is a Republican.
He proposed an amendment to redirect $1.8 billion from an anti-weaponization fund.
The money was planned for the Justice Department to prevent weaponization.
Tillis wanted to use the funds to improve efforts to stop fraud targeting U.S. taxpayers.
The Senate voted overwhelmingly to reject this amendment.
The rejected plan would have prohibited federal funds from being used for certain claims.
The vote keeps the original purpose of the fund intact.
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A federal inspection at the Winn Correctional Center in Louisiana found unsafe conditions and improper use of force against ICE detainees, including a chokehold and an officer stabbing a detainee with a pen. The report highlighted poor facility maintenance, unsanitary conditions, and failures in medical care and recordkeeping.
Key Facts
An officer used a prohibited chokehold on a detainee.
Another officer stabbed a detainee's thumb with a pen after a dispute.
One detainee was restrained by five officers using mechanical restraints and a suicide smock, but the incident was not properly documented.
The facility lacked records showing who received use-of-force training or punishments for policy violations.
The Winn Correctional Center holds about 1,500 ICE detainees, making it one of the largest ICE detention centers in the U.S.
Inspectors found sanitation issues, including three kitchen leaks and damaged ceilings in the intake building.
Perishable food was not always stored at safe temperatures.
Medical staff failed to keep accurate and updated records of detainees’ health problems and treatments.
About half of the problems found still have not been fixed, increasing risks to detainees’ health and safety.
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The Arizona Supreme Court refused to overturn a decision sending the fake elector case against Mark Meadows and others back to a grand jury. The state attorney general will continue the prosecution by presenting the full case to a new grand jury.
Key Facts
The case involves fake electors tied to the 2020 presidential election in Arizona.
Mark Meadows, former chief of staff to President Trump, and Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor, are among those charged.
The Arizona Supreme Court denied an appeal by the state’s attorney general to stop sending the case back to a grand jury.
Similar cases in Michigan and Georgia were dismissed, and a federal case on the conspiracy charge against President Trump ended in late 2024.
A lower court found the first grand jury was not properly instructed on the Electoral Count Act, a law covering how election results are certified.
Defense lawyers argue the law allowed states to submit multiple sets of electors if election results were disputed; however, a 2022 amendment says only one set is valid and must be signed by the governor.
The attorney general’s office plans to present the entire case again to a grand jury.
Joe Biden won Arizona in the 2020 election by 10,457 votes.
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The House Armed Services Committee added a rule to the yearly defense bill requiring the Pentagon to explain to Congress within five days when a senior military officer is fired or removed. This rule was proposed by Representative Pat Ryan and passed without any opposition.
Key Facts
The rule is part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual defense spending and policy bill.
It requires the Pentagon to notify Congress within five days about the firing or removal of senior military officers.
The measure was introduced by Rep. Pat Ryan from New York.
The committee passed the provision by a voice vote with no objections.
This new rule aims to increase transparency about personnel changes in the military leadership.
The provision puts pressure on both the Pentagon and individuals like Mike Hegseth, who may be involved in such decisions.
The House Armed Services Committee is responsible for overseeing defense policy and military affairs.
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In July, new federal student loan rules will take effect that change repayment plans, borrowing limits, and eligibility. These changes will impact both current and future borrowers, so people should review their loan plans and borrowing needs to avoid surprises and understand potential costs.
Key Facts
Federal student loan changes start on July 1.
Repayment options, including income-driven repayment plans, will be restructured.
Some repayment plans may no longer be available to new borrowers.
Monthly payments could increase for some borrowers under the new rules.
Borrowing limits and eligibility may change for graduate students and parents.
Future federal loan availability may be limited for advanced degrees or educational expenses.
Borrowers should compare current repayment plans, monthly payments, and forgiveness opportunities.
It is important to consider long-term costs, as lower monthly payments might increase total interest paid.
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Acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya said the US response to the Ebola outbreak is based on stronger scientific evidence than the actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. He wrote in The Wall Street Journal that measures like lockdowns, school closures, and mask rules used for COVID-19 were less justified than the current steps against Ebola.
Key Facts
Jay Bhattacharya is the Acting Director of the CDC.
He spoke about the US response to the Ebola outbreak.
Bhattacharya wrote an article in The Wall Street Journal.
He said the Ebola measures are more scientifically justified than COVID-19 measures.
COVID-19 measures included lockdowns, school closures, and mask mandates.
Bhattacharya compared the public health responses of the two outbreaks.
These comments relate to public health policy under President Donald Trump’s administration.
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Reform UK has received millions of pounds in donations from two cryptocurrency billionaires, Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo, raising concern among Labour MPs about the influence of large private donors in UK politics. The government has introduced a cap on overseas donations, but it may not limit these contributions, and some politicians want to broaden the cap to cover all donors.
Key Facts
Reform UK received £7 million in donations from two crypto billionaires in one quarter.
Christopher Harborne has given £15 million to Reform UK and £5 million to Nigel Farage personally.
Ben Delo co-founded the crypto trading platform BitMEX and became the UK’s youngest self-made billionaire.
Delo was pardoned last year by President Donald Trump after a US conviction related to money laundering controls.
Both donors live abroad but might avoid new donation limits by returning to the UK or challenging the rules.
Labour raised £6 million from all private donors in the first quarter of 2024, less than Reform UK received from just two donors.
The government’s current cap focuses on overseas donors but allows large donations if transparency is maintained.
Some Labour MPs want to extend donation limits to all donors due to concerns about political influence.
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Transport for London (TfL) reported that on the second day of a tube strike, public transport use in London was at 86% of normal levels. The strike involves London Underground drivers protesting proposals for a voluntary shorter workweek, and staffing levels were slightly better than during the previous strike day.
Key Facts
The strike took place from midnight to 11:59 pm BST on Thursday.
Overall public transport journeys reached 86% of normal usage during the strike.
London Underground travel was down by 43% compared to last year.
Use of other rail services increased: London Overground by 12%, Elizabeth line by 18%, and Docklands Light Railway by 9%.
Around 60% of Tube drivers worked on Thursday, up from Tuesday, with some lines like the Jubilee line staffed by 91% of drivers.
The strike was called by RMT union members over a proposal for a voluntary 35-hour, four-day workweek for drivers.
TfL said the proposal was voluntary and aimed at giving drivers more time off while improving Tube service efficiency.
Despite the strike, TfL operated services on most lines and apologized for the disruption.
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Three Republican senators facing difficult reelection campaigns voted with Democrats to stop the Justice Department from creating a fund to prevent "weaponization," a plan proposed by President Donald Trump. The amendment they supported failed narrowly by one vote.
Key Facts
Three Republicans—Susan Collins, Dan Sullivan, and Jon Husted—voted with Democrats on an amendment.
The amendment aimed to block the Justice Department from making an "anti-weaponization" fund.
This fund was originally proposed by President Donald Trump.
The amendment was narrowly defeated, with a 49-50 vote.
The three Republican senators are in tough races this fall.
The vote took place in the U.S. Senate.
The exact purpose of the "anti-weaponization" fund relates to preventing misuse of government resources.
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Senators Bill Cassidy and Cory Booker asked a federal judge to stop the Trump administration’s plan to use nearly $1.8 billion in an “anti-weaponization” fund. They joined a legal challenge against the payouts, even as the administration is stepping back from the plan.
Key Facts
The fund is called the “anti-weaponization” fund.
It involves nearly $1.8 billion.
Senators Bill Cassidy (Republican from Louisiana) and Cory Booker (Democrat from New Jersey) oppose the fund.
They asked a federal judge to block the fund’s use.
The Trump administration is reducing its support for the fund.
The senators say the fund threatens the constitutional order and authority.
This legal challenge focuses on the payment of the funds.
The issue is part of a current debate in U.S. government policy.
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The Kennedy Center has been ordered by a federal judge to remove President Donald Trump's name from the building and official materials by June 12. This follows a lawsuit that challenged the name change and the center’s planned two-year closure for renovations.
Key Facts
A federal judge ruled that President Trump’s name must be removed from the Kennedy Center’s title and signage.
The ruling came after Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty sued over changing the center’s name and planned closure.
Staff were told to immediately change email signatures, letterhead, and documents to use the original name.
Exterior and interior signs must be changed back by June 12.
The Kennedy Center board previously added President Trump's name without congressional approval.
The center is considering whether to stay open during a $257 million renovation scheduled to start July 5.
The judge acknowledged the need for renovations but said the board must follow legal rules before making closure decisions.
Some artists canceled performances after the name change was announced, and the National Symphony Orchestra’s director left the center.
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The U.S. Interior Department announced it will spend $5.1 million to regild four gold-plated statues near the Lincoln Memorial. These statues, called Arts of War and Arts of Peace, were gifts from Italy about 75 years ago and will have their gold layer restored.
Key Facts
The project involves regilding four equestrian statues near the Lincoln Memorial.
The statues are named Arts of War and Arts of Peace.
Italy gifted the statues to the U.S. roughly 75 years ago.
The restoration will include applying new gold leaf to the statues.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $5.1 million.
The work is managed by the Interior Department.
The statues are located close to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The restoration aims to preserve the statues' appearance and protect them from damage.
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President Donald Trump announced over $700 million in federal funding to upgrade and build coal power plants in the United States, including support for exports. Experts say there is no such thing as “clean coal” because burning coal produces greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and causes pollution harmful to health and the environment.
Key Facts
The Trump administration plans to spend $425 million to upgrade 13 existing coal plants and $75 million on a coal export terminal in California.
An additional $185 million will fund two new coal plants in Alaska and West Virginia and restart one in Maryland.
The Defense Production Act of 1950 is being used to allocate these funds.
Experts and government data show coal is a major source of carbon dioxide, a gas that causes global warming.
Coal burning also produces pollution that harms lungs, causes acid rain, and damages the environment.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology tries to reduce emissions but is expensive and not commonly used on coal plants in the U.S.
In 2022, coal caused more than half of carbon dioxide emissions from U.S. power plants.
Many coal plants are old and costly to run compared to cheaper renewable energy sources.
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