The Nevada governor’s race is between Republican Joe Lombardo, the current governor, and Democrat Aaron Ford, the state attorney general. The election is seen as a test for Republican governors in key states during a time of economic worries, low approval for President Donald Trump, and shifting voter groups.
Key Facts
Joe Lombardo won the 2022 governor’s race in Nevada by 1.5%.
Lombardo supports some policies linked to President Trump, such as tariffs, despite some economic pain.
Nevada’s economy relies heavily on tourism, which dropped 7.5% last year, and the state has a high unemployment rate.
Lombardo highlights progress in education funding and job growth since he took office.
Aaron Ford focuses on economic issues like housing, healthcare, gas, and food affordability.
Ford has taken legal actions against the Trump administration’s policies, including tariffs.
Ford is supported by Democratic leaders such as former Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto.
Nevada has a growing number of independent voters, making it a key battleground state.
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Japanese anime and manga fans have asked President Trump to stop using their favorite characters in his social media posts without permission. A petition with about 20,000 signatures protests the White House’s use of images from series like Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Naruto in official posts.
Key Facts
About 20,000 people signed a petition called Protect Japanese Manga on Change.org.
The petition opposes the White House X account’s use of anime images without permission.
The Japanese government was asked to address this issue with the U.S. embassy in Japan.
The official Yu-Gi-Oh! account said creators did not approve the use of their material.
A recent image showed President Trump as Naruto, which restarted online criticism and petition efforts.
Fans said they want the U.S. government to respect creators and stop unauthorized use of anime content.
Shueisha, the publisher of Naruto, said copyright is held by the film production committee; the creator Masashi Kishimoto has not publicly commented.
The Guardian reached out to the White House for a response to the petition.
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Two federal judges are holding hearings this week about the Trump administration's $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund," which the Department of Justice says will not move forward. President Donald Trump supports the fund to compensate people connected to the January 6 Capitol attack, while watchdog groups want courts to block it.
Key Facts
The "Anti-Weaponization Fund" was proposed to pay compensation to people who claim they were wrongly targeted under the Biden administration.
The Department of Justice has stated that the fund is "not going forward."
President Donald Trump has publicly supported the fund and said Jan. 6 defendants should receive compensation.
A watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), asked a federal judge to block the fund officially.
CREW argues the fund’s legal documents are still active and that money could be taken from the Treasury without proper oversight.
CREW’s lawyers claim that the fund creation was corrupt and linked to political self-dealing.
The DOJ lawyers said the case is moot because the fund never started.
Another federal judge in Virginia issued a temporary order stopping the administration from creating or funding the compensation pool.
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is actively supporting his 26-year-old son-in-law, Michael Alfonso, in a race for a Wisconsin House seat. Alfonso has received endorsements and campaign money linked to Duffy, causing concern among local Republicans about the use of Duffy's official position to influence the election.
Key Facts
Sean Duffy is the U.S. Transportation Secretary and is helping his son-in-law, Michael Alfonso, run for a Wisconsin House seat.
President Trump endorsed Alfonso after Duffy asked him to do so.
Alfonso has received significant campaign money from groups connected to the transportation industry, which Duffy oversees.
Duffy transferred $1 million from his former congressional campaign to Alfonso's super PAC last year.
Duffy has appeared at Alfonso’s campaign events and fundraisers in multiple locations.
Some Wisconsin Republicans say Duffy’s involvement discourages donors and party leaders from supporting Alfonso’s rivals.
Duffy’s support complies with rules requiring political activities be done in a personal role, but some critics feel his official power is influencing the election.
Alfonso has not attended candidate debates, which has upset some Republican voters in the district.
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Graham Platner won the Democratic primary in Maine with 72% of the vote and will face Republican Susan Collins in the November Senate election. President Donald Trump continued to influence the Republican Party by helping to defeat a candidate who wanted to release Jeffrey Epstein files. The Maine race is important because Democrats see Collins’s seat as vulnerable.
Key Facts
Primary elections were held in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, and South Carolina ahead of the November midterm elections.
Graham Platner, a Marine veteran and oyster farmer, won the Democratic primary in Maine with 72%.
Platner defeated Governor Janet Mills, who had suspended her campaign but remained on the ballot.
Platner has faced controversy over past behavior, including old offensive posts, a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, and accusations of past intimidation.
Platner has apologized for his past actions and linked some issues to PTSD and depression from military service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand expressed strong support for Platner’s campaign.
Platner criticized Susan Collins for breaking promises on abortion rights and accused her of corruption.
The Maine Senate race could influence which party controls the Senate after the 2024 elections.
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The Supreme Court is set to decide important cases related to voting rules, immigration policies, and presidential powers. These decisions could affect mail-in ballot deadlines, birthright citizenship, deportation policies, transgender athletes in sports, and President Trump’s ability to remove certain officials.
Key Facts
The Court will rule on a Mississippi law that allows mail-in ballots received up to five days after Election Day to be counted.
President Trump opposes mail-in ballots but has voted by mail himself.
The Court will hear a case challenging limits on how much money political parties can spend with candidates.
Trump signed an order limiting birthright citizenship to children born in the U.S. only if at least one parent is legally in the country.
The Court is reviewing the Trump administration’s effort to end temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian and Syrian immigrants.
A decision will clarify if people stopped at the U.S.-Mexico border on the Mexican side can apply for asylum.
The Court will consider cases on transgender athlete bans in Idaho and West Virginia under Title IX rules.
The Court is also examining President Trump’s power to fire officials in the Federal Reserve and the Federal Trade Commission.
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Bill Gates will testify in a private session before the U.S. House committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities. Lawmakers will question Gates about his previous meetings and connections with Epstein, following released documents that mention Gates and show repeated contact.
Key Facts
Bill Gates is scheduled to appear before the House Oversight and Reform Committee in a closed-door meeting.
The committee is investigating Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
Documents released by the Justice Department mention Gates multiple times and show several meetings between him and Epstein.
Gates has denied any knowledge of Epstein’s illegal actions and has not been accused of wrongdoing.
The Gates Foundation had some staff discussions with Epstein but did not pursue any partnership or funding deals.
The foundation is conducting an external review of its past contacts with Epstein and its policies on partnerships.
Gates has publicly regretted meeting Epstein and called it a mistake.
Gates admitted he met Epstein between 2011 and 2014, flew with him on a private jet, and spent time together in several countries but denies staying overnight at Epstein's properties.
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Republican Nancy Mace finished fifth in South Carolina’s GOP primary for governor after she pushed to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. She said she has no regrets about her decision, saying it was a moral issue, even though it may have cost her support and President Trump’s endorsement.
Key Facts
Nancy Mace is a Republican representative who ran for governor in South Carolina.
She finished fifth with 12.1% of the vote in the June 9 GOP primary.
Mace voted to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, which made her unpopular with some voters and President Trump.
President Trump’s endorsement was linked to success in the primary, and Mace did not get it.
Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson advanced to a runoff, leading the Republican field.
Mace said she decided to release the Epstein files because of her personal experience as a survivor of sexual assault.
She described exposing misconduct as more important than winning the election.
Mace said she will continue to be active in public life despite the loss.
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A large wooden cross was found burning in Chicago’s Grant Park on the afternoon of July 9, 2026. Police are investigating how and why the cross was set on fire, and there were no injuries reported.
Key Facts
The burning cross was discovered in Grant Park, a popular area near Lake Michigan in Chicago.
The Chicago Fire Department confirmed the object was a wooden cross and put out the fire.
Police are investigating the circumstances and the reason behind the burning cross.
No one was hurt, and the investigation is ongoing.
Burning crosses have historically been used as symbols of hate, especially linked to the Ku Klux Klan.
A motorist named Keinika Carlton recorded the burning cross and expressed concern it might be a racial or religious act.
Carlton estimated the cross was about 6 feet tall.
The incident raised feelings of shock and sadness among witnesses, highlighting ongoing concerns about racial violence.
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Inflation in the U.S. is expected to have reached its highest level in three years last month, mainly due to rising gas prices caused by the war in Iran. Prices increased by about 4.2% compared to a year earlier, making it harder for people to afford everyday goods and creating challenges for President Trump’s administration.
Key Facts
Inflation likely rose 4.2% in May compared to the previous year, up from 3.8% in April.
Monthly prices probably increased by 0.5% in May.
Rising gas prices are linked to the Iran war, which affected global oil supply by blocking the Strait of Hormuz.
Gasoline prices rose from around $4.04 per gallon in mid-April to $4.49 in mid-May but have since dropped to about $4.16.
Inflation had started to slow down before President Trump imposed tariffs in April 2025, which raised the cost of many goods.
Core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, is expected to have risen 0.3% in May and stands at an annual rate above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
Some prices, like dental care and car repairs, remain high even though wages are only growing slowly.
Higher diesel fuel prices have increased shipping costs, causing companies to add extra fees.
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Bill Gates will testify before a congressional committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities. The committee is reviewing Gates’ past interactions with Epstein, focusing on Philanthropy discussions, but Gates denies any wrongdoing.
Key Facts
Bill Gates will appear before the House Oversight Committee about Jeffrey Epstein.
Epstein was accused of sex trafficking minors and died in 2019 while awaiting trial.
Gates’ meetings with Epstein occurred from 2011 to 2014, after Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea.
Gates said he only met Epstein to talk about charity work and called their relationship a mistake.
The Gates Foundation confirmed some staff met Epstein but never worked with him on projects or gave him money.
An external review is underway at the Gates Foundation to examine past contacts with Epstein.
Former President Bill Clinton also testified for over six hours about his ties to Epstein.
Democrats want President Donald Trump to testify, but Republicans say they have no evidence of wrongdoing by Trump.
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Solar power in the United States has reached new levels, producing more electricity than coal for the first time in May 2026. This growth happens even as President Donald Trump supports coal by investing nearly $700 million to boost coal power plants and coal exports.
Key Facts
In May 2026, solar power generated 12.8% of U.S. electricity, surpassing coal’s 12.2% share.
Solar power became the third-largest electricity source in the U.S., after natural gas and nuclear energy.
Coal electricity output hit a record low in April 2026 and only slightly increased in May.
Electricity demand in the U.S. is rising due to growth in artificial intelligence, manufacturing, and electric transportation.
President Trump announced a plan to spend nearly $700 million to support the coal industry.
Despite federal support for coal, solar power continues to grow as investors seek profitable energy sources.
Wind and solar combined have surpassed coal generation before, with wind sometimes generating more power during windy months.
Globally, renewable energy is expected to provide about 45% of electricity by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency.
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Graham Platner won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Maine and will challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in the general election. Despite past controversies, Platner pledged to earn voters’ trust and focus on issues like cost of living and healthcare, while Collins emphasized her experience and work for Maine communities.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a U.S. Army veteran and oyster farmer.
He won the Maine Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday.
Platner faces Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November election.
Platner’s campaign dealt with controversies including past explicit messages, allegations of intimidation, and offensive online posts.
Platner apologized for past comments and explained some were linked to mental health struggles.
Collins is the longest-serving senator from New England and chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Platner focuses his campaign on affordability, healthcare, and housing, with early support from Senator Bernie Sanders.
Maine uses ranked-choice voting for some races, with other Democratic nominations still being decided.
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Students at the University of Nottingham are worried that a staff boycott of grading will harm their final degree results. The university plans to use earlier grades to estimate final marks, which some students say does not show their recent hard work.
Key Facts
University staff have begun a marking boycott to protest possible job cuts affecting about 2,700 employees.
The boycott means some students’ final grades may be estimated from earlier year results instead of fully marked final-year work.
Abigail Maguire, a student, is concerned her high final-year marks won't count, making her earlier lower grades more important.
Students can choose to delay accepting estimated grades to wait for marking, but this could delay graduation.
The university says it has processes to support students with personal difficulties and to ensure fair grading.
Students unhappy with results can appeal and request an independent review.
The university’s contingency plan uses actual marks first, then marks from completed work, and as a last resort, derived marks from overall performance.
The uncertainty around grading is stressful for students worried about future job offers or postgraduate plans.
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Retired Lt. Col. David Flippo, who has President Trump's endorsement, is expected to win the Republican primary in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. This district's current representative, Mark Amodei, is retiring after 15 years in the seat.
Key Facts
David Flippo is a retired lieutenant colonel.
President Donald Trump endorsed David Flippo in the primary race.
Flippo is projected to win the Republican primary in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District.
The seat is currently held by Mark Amodei.
Mark Amodei is retiring after serving 15 years.
The 2nd Congressional District is Nevada’s only Republican-held seat in Congress.
The primary election took place on a Tuesday.
Decision Desk HQ reported these election projections.
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Bill Gates will testify to a congressional panel investigating Jeffrey Epstein, becoming the latest high-profile figure connected to Epstein to do so. The House Oversight Committee is examining documents that show Gates had a professional relationship with Epstein from 2011 to 2014, mainly about philanthropy, but Gates denies any wrongdoing.
Key Facts
Bill Gates is scheduled to appear before a House Oversight Committee panel investigating Jeffrey Epstein.
The investigation looks into connections between Epstein and powerful individuals in tech, finance, and politics.
Documents show Gates and Epstein met multiple times and communicated about charitable projects.
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 for soliciting a minor and was later indicted in 2019 for sex trafficking of minors.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial.
Gates has denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and said his association with Epstein was a mistake.
The Gates Foundation said a few employees met Epstein but never created a fund or paid him.
Other prominent figures like former President Bill Clinton have also testified or been questioned about their ties to Epstein.
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A burning cross was seen in Chicago’s Grant Park, drawing concern from people who witnessed it. Police and firefighters responded to the scene, and authorities are investigating the incident and its motive.
Key Facts
A burning cross was spotted in Grant Park, Chicago, on a Tuesday afternoon.
The fire department put out the flames around 2:30 p.m. after the cross and a nearby tree were set on fire.
Police spent about three hours investigating but have not released many details or confirmed if anyone was arrested.
Passersby expressed shock and sadness, noting the cross burning’s historical connection to racism and intimidation.
It is unclear if the incident was racially motivated or related to another cause.
The fire did not spread beyond the cross and the tree, avoiding further damage or safety risks.
Witnesses said they did not see who started the fire but were disturbed by its presence in a public place.
Authorities continue to work on understanding why the cross was burned in Grant Park.
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Rep. Nancy Mace from South Carolina has endorsed Attorney General Alan Wilson for governor after losing in the state's Republican primary. She said she supports Wilson because she wants a governor who focuses on law and order.
Key Facts
Nancy Mace is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina.
Alan Wilson is the Attorney General of South Carolina and a Republican candidate for governor.
Mace lost in the initial South Carolina GOP primary for governor.
After the primary, Mace publicly endorsed Wilson for governor.
Mace described Wilson as a candidate who supports law and order.
The endorsement was given shortly after polls closed on the primary election day.
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Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford won Nevada’s Democratic primary and will run against Republican Governor Joe Lombardo in the November election. The race is expected to be close, with polls showing nearly even support for both candidates in this important battleground state.
Key Facts
Aaron Ford won the Democratic primary with about 66% of the vote.
Joe Lombardo won the Republican primary with over 91% of the vote.
Nevada supported President Donald Trump by about 3 points in the 2024 election.
The Cook Political Report calls the Nevada governor race a “toss up.”
Ford would be Nevada’s first Black governor if he wins.
Polls show Lombardo and Ford nearly tied, each with around 40% support.
Ford has stronger support among Hispanics and women.
Governor Lombardo is somewhat more well-known and has a higher favorability rating.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris endorsed Aaron Ford.
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Graham Platner won the Democratic primary in Maine to challenge Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming Senate race. His campaign faced problems after reports about a sexting scandal and accusations of bad behavior from former girlfriends.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a progressive oyster farmer.
He won the Democratic primary in Maine on Tuesday.
His win sets up a Senate race against Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Platner was expected to win before the race started.
His campaign was hurt by news of a sexting scandal.
Some ex-girlfriends accused him of toxic behavior.
Despite these issues, Platner won the primary easily.
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