The Pentagon told military personnel in August 2026 to stop calling U.S. operations against Iran "Operation Epic Fury" because that operation officially ended on May 5, 2026. Since then, U.S. forces have carried out other activities under different names, and the Pentagon now uses broader terms to describe ongoing military actions in the region.
Key Facts
Operation Epic Fury officially ended on May 5, 2026.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the operation was over and that a new phase called "Project Freedom" had begun.
President Donald Trump told Congress four days before May 5 that hostilities had ended.
The Pentagon delayed publicly confirming the end date for months.
An Air Force email from August instructed leaders not to use the name "Operation Epic Fury" and instead use general terms for the conflict.
The guidance came from the Pentagon’s public affairs office and applied across the Defense Department.
After Operation Epic Fury ended, U.S. military actions included defending shipping lanes and striking threats from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The Pentagon usually announces clear start and end dates for military operations to help track U.S. involvement and determine awards for service members.
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US forces boarded and sank a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean. They said the boat was used by drug traffickers to refuel other boats. Men on the boat are suspected members of an Ecuadorian gang called Los Choneros.
Key Facts
US forces intercepted a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
The boat was described as a floating refueling station for drug traffickers.
The men on board are linked to Los Choneros, a gang from Ecuador.
The US military recorded the operation.
The boat was destroyed after being boarded.
This action is part of ongoing efforts to stop illegal drug trade in the region.
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President Trump signed a temporary government funding bill to prevent a shutdown. This law keeps federal agencies funded until at least December 11, covering the period beyond the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump signed the "Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027" into law.
The bill provides temporary funding for the federal government.
It prevents a government shutdown for now.
The funding extends through November and into December 11.
Congress passed the bill through both the Senate and House.
The bill is a stopgap measure, meaning it only provides short-term funding.
The funding covers federal agencies' operations during the midterm elections.
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President Donald Trump's approval rating among white voters has dropped by about 7 to 8 percentage points over the summer of 2024. Various polls show that fewer white voters now approve of his job performance, which could affect support for Republican candidates in upcoming elections.
Key Facts
In June 2024, 47% of white voters approved of President Trump, but by July and August, approval fell to around 39-40%.
Disapproval among white voters increased from 49% in June to 54% in July and August.
White voters made up about 71% of the 2024 electorate and traditionally have supported Trump strongly, with 55% backing him in the 2024 election.
National approval ratings for Trump have also declined, with recent polls showing around 36% approval and 60% disapproval among all Americans.
Concerns about the economy and U.S. military actions, such as the war in Iran, are cited as reasons for voter dissatisfaction.
Trump’s approval is especially lower among white voters without a college degree, a group that previously gave him strong support.
Political experts suggest that falling approval among these voters could hurt Republican candidates in the midterm elections.
Trump’s loss of support is noted in places and groups where he usually maintained strong backing, including rural areas.
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A gunman opened fire at a downtown Minneapolis apartment building, killing two people and injuring several others, including three police officers. The suspect also died, but police have not confirmed how. Authorities are still investigating the motive and condition of the injured.
Key Facts
The shooting happened in a high-rise apartment building in downtown Minneapolis around 4:30 p.m. local time.
Two victims died—one at the scene and one later at the hospital.
Three police officers were shot and taken to the hospital, where they are in stable condition.
Police do not yet know how the gunman died.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed thanks to emergency responders and is helping local law enforcement.
The motive behind the shooting and the condition of the other injured victims remain unknown.
The shooting occurred on the same day as a separate shooting at an elementary school in Virginia.
Recent shootings in Chicago and New Jersey also left people dead and wounded earlier that week.
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The City of London has warned Prime Minister Andy Burnham that markets could become unstable if he continues to increase government borrowing. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has promised to raise defense spending by cutting welfare, while French President Emmanuel Macron has offered extra police support to help with the UK's small boats crisis.
Key Facts
The City of London cautioned Prime Minister Burnham against excessive borrowing to avoid market chaos.
Burnham did not rule out more borrowing during his first Prime Minister's Questions session.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pledged to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP by 2030 by cutting welfare benefits.
French President Emmanuel Macron offered 45 additional police officers to help the UK manage migrant small boats.
Defense select committee chair Tan Dhesi urged the prime minister to commit more funds to national defense.
The British royal family's computer systems are at risk from cyberattacks due to outdated technology.
Chancellor John Healey is facing reduced spending power after government bonds were heavily sold off.
Burnham expressed concern about the EU's "Made in Europe" procurement plan affecting British steel and farming.
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Molly Ticehurst was murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend, Daniel Billings, in New South Wales in 2024. Her family spoke to Billings in court, expressing their pain and hopes for justice, as Billings pleaded guilty to murder and awaits sentencing.
Key Facts
Molly Ticehurst was killed by Daniel Billings in her home in April 2024.
Billings stabbed Molly 15 times in a short, violent attack.
Billings had a history of threats, sexual assault charges, and domestic violence but was out on bail before the murder.
Victim impact statements were given by Molly’s parents during the court hearing.
After 18 months of legal talks, Billings pleaded guilty to murder; sexual assault charges were dropped.
Molly’s murder led to new laws in New South Wales aiming to tighten bail rules for domestic violence cases.
The court showed videos made by Billings before the crime, which hinted at the attack.
Sentencing by Justice Natalie Adams is expected in September 2025.
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A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump’s new executive order that aimed to limit birthright citizenship. The judge said current law and Supreme Court rulings guarantee citizenship to children born in the U.S., and the order will be paused until a lawsuit by immigrant families and groups is resolved.
Key Facts
Judge Deborah L. Boardman, appointed by President Biden, issued a preliminary injunction against Trump’s executive order.
The order targeted “birth tourism,” where people visit the U.S. to have children and gain citizenship for them.
Birthright citizenship is protected by the 14th Amendment from 1868, granting citizenship to almost all born on U.S. soil.
President Trump had tried similar executive orders before, but the Supreme Court blocked the earlier attempt in June 2026.
The new order tried to deny citizenship to children born to parents connected to foreign embassies, organizations, or labeled as “alien enemies.”
Families suing fear the order could deny citizenship unfairly, sometimes based on relatives’ backgrounds or vague definitions.
The administration argued the injunction was premature and said agencies would enforce the order carefully, but the judge disagreed.
The case is ongoing and the order will not take effect until the lawsuit is settled.
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President Donald Trump encouraged Republican lawmakers to focus on his past achievements in the White House during their midterm election campaigns. He promised to actively campaign in about 35 key races, which will largely decide control of Congress, despite challenges like voter concerns about the economy and the war in Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke to Republican lawmakers at a dinner in the White House Rose Garden on September 2, 2026.
He urged them to run on his administration’s record, saying it would help them win elections.
Trump promised to campaign in all about 35 important House and Senate races before the midterm elections.
Voters have negative views on the economy and the war in Iran, creating difficulties for Republicans.
Trump highlighted achievements like economic investment, lower drug prices, and reduced border crossings.
He named specific Senate races in Alaska and Texas as key battlegrounds.
Trump supported Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, despite Paxton’s controversial past, praising his performance.
The Republican Party will hold an unusual midterm convention in Dallas soon.
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The US House of Representatives voted on a proposal to permanently limit the Supreme Court to nine justices but did not pass it because it needed a two-thirds majority. The vote was mostly along party lines, with Republicans supporting the limit and most Democrats opposing it.
Key Facts
The House voted 212 in favor and 206 against the amendment to cap the Supreme Court at nine justices.
A constitutional amendment needs two-thirds of the House to pass, which this vote did not achieve.
Only one Democrat, Representative Don Davis, supported the amendment, while most Democrats opposed it.
The proposal comes amid discussions about possibly expanding the Supreme Court to change its political balance.
The US Constitution does not fix the size of the Supreme Court; Congress sets the number of justices.
The current nine-justice number was set in 1869 and has remained unchanged since then.
Supporters of court expansion want to add more justices to balance the court’s conservative majority.
This vote happened shortly before the November midterm elections that will decide control of Congress.
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The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, created by filmmaker George Lucas and his wife, will open later this month in Los Angeles. The museum will display more than 1,200 works, including Star Wars items as well as other historic and modern art pieces.
Key Facts
The museum was founded by George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, and his wife.
It is called the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
The museum is located in Los Angeles, California.
It opens later this month.
The collection includes over 1,200 pieces of narrative art.
Exhibits will include Star Wars-themed memorabilia.
The museum also features historic and modern art beyond Star Wars.
A BBC reporter gave a preview of some exhibits before the opening.
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A major bridge in downtown Chicago got stuck in the raised position for over four hours due to heat causing its parts to expand. The DuSable Lake Shore Drive bridge finally lowered and reopened to traffic after city crews and firefighters cooled it down.
Key Facts
The DuSable Lake Shore Drive bridge crosses the Chicago River at Grand Avenue.
The bridge got stuck around 10 a.m. during a planned lift to let a boat pass.
High temperatures caused the bridge's components to expand, preventing it from closing.
The bridge stayed open for more than four hours, reopening just before 2:30 p.m.
Chicago fire crews helped city workers by cooling the bridge to fix the problem.
Extreme heat waves were affecting Chicago, with warnings from the National Weather Service.
Traffic was delayed downtown as drivers had to take alternate routes.
The Chicago Department of Transportation communicated the issue and solution.
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An American journalist, Thomas Weir Pauken II, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for acting as an agent for the Chinese government without proper disclosure. Pauken pleaded guilty to supporting Chinese intelligence operations and was also given supervised release with travel restrictions.
Key Facts
Thomas Weir Pauken II, aged 51, pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent for China inside the U.S.
He was sentenced to two years in prison and 36 months of supervised release with no travel overseas.
Pauken worked for Chinese state media, including CCTV and Xinhua, after moving to China in 2010.
From 2019 to 2026, he reported to Chinese government contacts and was paid at least $100,000.
Pauken recruited people to provide classified information to China and helped facilitate communication tools.
He was arrested in February 2025 after being stopped at a U.S. border checkpoint.
Pauken admitted to supporting Chinese intelligence but said he did not provide classified documents himself.
He used the alias Tom McGregor to separate his work from his family name, linked to Texas politics.
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Two people were killed, and the suspect died after a shooting at an apartment building in downtown Minneapolis. Three police officers were hurt but are in stable condition. Authorities, including the FBI, are investigating the incident.
Key Facts
The shooting happened in a high-rise apartment building in downtown Minneapolis on Wednesday afternoon.
Two people died: one at the scene and one after reaching the hospital.
The suspect also died, but police have not confirmed how.
Three Minneapolis police officers were injured, including two who were shot. All officers are stable.
Police arrived at the scene about three minutes after a 911 call reporting shots fired.
Officers found victims inside and followed gunfire to a higher floor where visibility was poor due to a haze.
Residents heard multiple gunshots and some reported knowing the shooter, who was known to show off a weapon.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated that state officials are assisting local law enforcement and expressed support for first responders.
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An immigrant rights group filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Justice Department to stop them from using federal databases. The group says the databases contain errors and are being used to wrongly target naturalized citizens who can vote, potentially causing confusion and intimidation around elections.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed by the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights and the UCLA Voting Rights Project in Washington court.
It claims DHS and the Justice Department are disrupting fair elections by using inaccurate data to find alleged illegal voters.
The databases used may have outdated or incorrect information, affecting naturalized voters disproportionately.
The federal government is accused of trying to intimidate naturalized U.S. citizens to interfere with voting rights.
The Trump administration aims to reduce noncitizen voting, though such cases are rare.
DHS says it compares public voter rolls with its records of noncitizens to protect election integrity.
The Justice Department has sought detailed voter data from 30 states and Washington, D.C., but has not yet gained full access.
California and other states are fighting federal efforts that could cause voter confusion before the midterm elections.
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A federal judge has paused President Donald Trump's new executive order that aims to limit birthright citizenship. The judge ruled that the order likely breaks the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to anyone born in the U.S.
Key Facts
President Trump issued an executive order to limit birthright citizenship for children of "alien enemies," foreign government workers, and those involved in “birth tourism.”
A federal judge, Deborah Boardman, temporarily blocked this order from being enforced.
The judge cited the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to all born or naturalized in the U.S.
The judge referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down an earlier attempt by President Trump to end birthright citizenship.
The administration defines “alien enemies” broadly, including some drug cartels, raising concerns about wrongful denial of citizenship.
Plaintiffs, including immigrants and advocacy groups, argue the president cannot change the Constitution through an executive order.
The Justice Department claims the Supreme Court recognized some exceptions, such as children of diplomats and certain alien enemies.
There are worries that people traveling to the U.S. by paying for birth tourism might be unfairly targeted under this order.
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The jury in the Lindsay Clancy trial is likely heading toward a mistrial after reporting twice that they cannot reach a unanimous decision. The trial focuses on whether Clancy, who admitted to killing her three children, was mentally ill to the point she should not be held criminally responsible.
Key Facts
The jury has told the judge twice they are deadlocked and cannot agree on a verdict.
The judge has given special instructions (called Tuey-Rodriguez instructions) to encourage continued discussion without pressuring jurors.
Lindsay Clancy is charged with killing her three children in January 2023.
Clancy admits she killed her children but claims she suffered from postpartum psychosis and severe mental illness.
Prosecutors argue Clancy understood her actions and planned the killings, pointing to evidence like her behavior and phone records.
Clancy tried to kill herself afterward and is now paralyzed from the waist down.
The main legal question is whether Clancy’s mental illness made her unable to understand her actions or follow the law.
Experts say the case is complex because Clancy’s mental health history is well documented, but the law requires proving she couldn’t know what was wrong.
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Childhood obesity in the UK has increased sharply, especially during and after Covid-19 lockdowns, with many children missing school. Experts believe that less time in school and social isolation are important reasons for this rise, along with poorer diets and less physical activity.
Key Facts
More than 6,000 children with severe obesity are being treated at NHS specialist clinics across England.
Many obese children treated at these clinics do not attend school regularly.
Childhood obesity rose from 35% to 41% among 10- and 11-year-olds during Covid-19 lockdowns.
One in 10 children starting school in England is obese; by the end of primary school, 1 in 5 is obese.
School absence in England increased from 10% to 18% of pupils missing at least 10% of classes since 2019.
Experts say missing school time contributes to worse diets, less exercise, and social isolation, which may increase obesity.
Short breaks from school, like summer holidays, also tend to increase children's weight.
Previous research from other countries shows obese children are more likely to be absent from school.
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President Joe Biden will attend the memorial ceremony at Ground Zero in New York City for the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. His attendance was confirmed by a spokesperson and reported by NewsNation.
Key Facts
The 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks will be marked at Ground Zero.
President Biden will be present at the memorial event.
The ceremony takes place in New York City.
NewsNation confirmed the President’s attendance.
The announcement came shortly after other related White House communications.
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A federal judge in Maryland blocked President Donald Trump’s new executive order that aimed to limit birthright citizenship, following a Supreme Court ruling that said a similar prior attempt was unconstitutional. The judge said the new order likely violates the Constitution because the Supreme Court already decided that children born in the U.S. are citizens under the Fourteenth Amendment.
Key Facts
Judge Deborah Boardman issued a preliminary injunction against Trump’s new birthright citizenship order from August 6.
The new order targeted “birth tourism” and sought to deny citizenship to certain children of foreign nationals in specific groups.
The judge cited the Supreme Court’s June decision in Barbara v Trump, which upheld birthright citizenship under the Constitution.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the Fourteenth Amendment protects automatic citizenship for those born in the United States, with exceptions like diplomats’ children.
Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the U.S. automatically becomes a citizen.
President Trump campaigned on changing birthright citizenship, saying children of temporary or undocumented immigrants are not under U.S. jurisdiction.
Immigrant rights groups challenged Trump’s order in court and previously blocked his first executive order on this issue.
Judge Boardman called Trump’s latest attempt “unprecedented” and unlikely to be constitutional.
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