California voters are participating in the primary election to choose candidates for governor. The top two candidates with the most votes, no matter their political party, will advance to the general election.
Key Facts
The primary election is happening on a Tuesday in California.
The current governor is Gavin Newsom, a Democrat.
Candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties are running.
The primary will select the top two vote-getters to move to the final election.
Xavier Becerra, former Health and Human Services Secretary, is one of the candidates running.
The primary results determine who will compete to become the next governor.
California uses a system where the top two candidates advance regardless of party affiliation.
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is running for a second term but faces strong competition. The main challengers include city councilmember Nithya Raman and Republican reality TV personality Spencer Pratt. The city will hold an election where a candidate needs more than half the votes to win.
Key Facts
Karen Bass is the current mayor of Los Angeles.
She is seeking reelection for a second term.
Nithya Raman, a progressive city councilmember, is one of her key challengers.
Spencer Pratt, known from reality TV, is running as a Republican candidate.
Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States.
The election requires a candidate to get more than 50% of votes to win outright.
If no candidate wins over 50%, a runoff election may be held between the top two vote-getters.
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The U.S. government is canceling a $1.8 billion secret fund that was planned to pay Donald Trump’s allies. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will still not audit Trump, his family, or related groups, according to the acting attorney general Todd Blanche.
Key Facts
The planned $1.8 billion fund to compensate allies of President Donald Trump is being stopped.
The fund was described as secretive.
The acting attorney general is Todd Blanche.
Blanche spoke at a House appropriations committee hearing.
The IRS will continue not auditing President Trump, his family, or related entities.
This no-audit agreement was made last month and remains in place.
More information is expected to be released soon.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Justice Department under President Trump will not continue with the planned $1.776 billion fund aimed at preventing the misuse of weapons. He confirmed the department will follow a recent court ruling that affects this fund but did not explain the next steps.
Key Facts
The fund was worth $1.776 billion and intended to stop weapon misuse.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke about the decision.
The Trump administration will not move forward with the fund.
The Justice Department said it will follow a court ruling related to the fund.
Blanche did not clarify how the Justice Department will make the commitment official.
The announcement happened soon after a court decision impacted the fund’s status.
The statement was made on a Monday, as noted by Blanche.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department will not continue with its $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund. This fund, which faced strong opposition from Republicans, will be officially ended according to Blanche's testimony to Congress.
Key Facts
The Justice Department's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund is no longer being pursued.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed this in a House Appropriations Committee hearing.
The fund was designed to pay people who claimed the federal government had used its power unfairly against them.
Republicans strongly opposed the fund, seeing it as a threat to their political agenda.
Due to GOP opposition, leaders dropped a vote related to Homeland Security funding tied to the fund.
The fund was also part of a legal settlement, raising questions about how it will now be abandoned.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Blanche’s clear statements might help Republicans move forward on other bills.
Some GOP senators remain uncertain if ending the fund will satisfy all party members.
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Rep. Tom Kean Jr., a New Jersey Republican, has not voted in Congress since March due to a medical issue but plans to return soon. President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Kean’s reelection bid ahead of the state’s primary election.
Key Facts
Tom Kean Jr. has missed 104 consecutive roll call votes since March 5, 2026.
Kean is addressing an unspecified medical condition and is following his doctors’ advice.
Kean plans to fully disclose details about his health when he returns to work.
President Trump renewed his endorsement for Kean’s reelection on social media.
Kean’s district, New Jersey’s 7th, is considered competitive and a top target for Democrats.
Kean faces no Republican challengers in the June 2 primary.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has spoken with Kean and expects his return soon.
Kean’s family has a history of public service; his father served as New Jersey governor.
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Top Democratic lawmakers have asked the U.S. Department of Labor to stop a plan that would let retirement plans invest in cryptocurrencies and other alternative assets. They believe this could put workers' retirement savings at greater risk and lead to higher fees.
Key Facts
The proposal aims to let 401(k) and other retirement plans invest in digital assets like cryptocurrencies.
It also includes other alternative investments such as private equity.
Democrats sent a letter to the acting Secretary of Labor opposing this plan.
They worry workers might face more financial risk with these new investment options.
They are concerned that fees for managing these assets could be higher.
The letter was sent on a Monday.
The lawmakers want the Department of Labor to withdraw the proposal.
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The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, originally cut short in April due to a gunman, has been rescheduled for July 24. President Donald Trump will attend and speak at a smaller event with increased security, to be held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Key Facts
The original dinner in April was interrupted by a gunman who prosecutors say tried to assassinate President Trump.
The rescheduled dinner will take place on July 24 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, formerly the Trump International Hotel.
President Trump has accepted the invitation and may deliver a speech, but has not decided if he will repeat his previously planned remarks.
The event will be smaller and have stronger security and new access rules.
The White House Correspondents’ Association president, Weijia Jiang, emphasized the dinner celebrates a free press and journalism’s role in democracy.
About 3,000 people attended the original event, but the size of the rescheduled dinner will be reduced.
The Secret Service officer injured in the April shooting is recovering, and the Association expressed gratitude to law enforcement and hotel staff for their response.
Some critics have questioned whether the dinner should continue due to security and ethical concerns about journalists socializing with political figures.
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Ken Paxton, a Republican Senate candidate from Texas, and Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate from Maine, visited Washington to gather support from their parties. Paxton met with President Donald Trump after receiving his endorsement ahead of the Texas runoff election, while both candidates face concerns about their impact on the November midterm Senate races.
Key Facts
Ken Paxton is a Republican running for Senate in Texas and is the state attorney general.
Graham Platner is a Democrat running for Senate in Maine.
Both candidates visited Washington, D.C., to build support within their parties.
Paxton met with President Donald Trump, who had endorsed him before the Texas runoff election.
Paxton defeated Senator John Cornyn in the Texas runoff.
Some Senate Republicans worry Paxton could be a weaker candidate against Democrat James Talarico.
Paxton has faced legal and personal controversies, including an indictment, impeachment, and public marital issues.
Both Paxton and Platner attended fundraising events during their visit.
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Senator Marco Rubio faced questions from Democrats about the Iran war and other policies from President Trump’s administration during hearings on Capitol Hill. The Secretary of State and national security adviser also appeared in related meetings over two days.
Key Facts
Democrats questioned Senator Rubio about the Iran war and actions taken under President Trump’s administration.
The hearings took place over two days with multiple sessions on Capitol Hill.
The Secretary of State and the national security adviser also attended these meetings.
Rubio had difficult exchanges with some of his former Senate colleagues.
The discussions included topics like Taiwan, Ebola, and incidents involving boats.
These hearings focused on U.S. foreign policy and national security matters.
The event was part of congressional oversight of the executive branch’s policies.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said that the Trump administration has decided not to create a $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund." This decision came after Republican leaders in Congress applied strong pressure against the fund.
Key Facts
The fund was called the "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
It was planned to have $1.8 billion in funding.
The fund was meant to support allies of President Donald Trump.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke about this during a House subcommittee hearing.
Republican congressional leaders strongly opposed the fund.
The Trump administration responded by canceling the plan.
The announcement was made in June 2026.
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The Trump administration has started reducing the $368 million Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), which has been monitoring ocean conditions since 2016. This plan involves removing hundreds of instruments from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and ending real-time data collection at several key sites over the next 15 months.
Key Facts
The Ocean Observatories Initiative was launched in 2016 to monitor ocean temperatures, carbon levels, currents, and coastal impacts in real-time.
The project has cost $368 million and was planned to run for about 25 years.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced in May 2026 that it would "descope" the OOI by removing instruments from four main ocean locations: Endurance (Northeast Pacific), Pioneer (Atlantic Coast), Irminger Sea (North Atlantic), and Station Papa (Gulf of Alaska).
Over 900 instruments make up the OOI’s infrastructure, many of which will be removed by 2027.
Removing these instruments will stop real-time data collection in those ocean areas.
The NSF said it is not canceling the OOI and all past data will remain available to scientists.
The decision is part of NSF’s strategy to focus on newer scientific priorities and technology while managing funding wisely.
Some scientists are concerned that cutting down the system could create gaps in tracking climate changes and hurt U.S. leadership in ocean science.
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President Donald Trump has appointed Bill Pulte, a housing agency official with no known intelligence experience, as the acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI). This position oversees all U.S. intelligence agencies and Pulte’s nomination has sparked criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum.
Key Facts
Bill Pulte currently directs the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Pulte is part of a home-building family business and works as a private equity financier.
He has no known background or experience in intelligence or national security.
President Trump praised Pulte’s management of housing finance and market safety in his announcement.
Democrats criticized the appointment, saying Pulte has used his government role to pursue political enemies.
Pulte has pushed for criminal charges against several prominent Democrats and Federal Reserve officials, but none have led to prosecutions.
The Government Accountability Office is reviewing how FHFA handles mortgage fraud investigations.
Acting officials like Pulte can serve only 210 days before requiring Senate confirmation.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized President Trump's choice of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Jeffries said Pulte’s limited background in security is dangerous and could harm efforts to renew government surveillance laws.
Key Facts
President Trump appointed Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence (DNI).
Bill Pulte has little experience in national security.
Hakeem Jeffries is the House Minority Leader and a Democrat from New York.
Jeffries called Pulte’s appointment “deeply dangerous.”
Jeffries warned it could hurt bipartisan support to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
FISA controls government spying programs and requires periodic reauthorization by Congress.
The role of DNI oversees intelligence agencies and coordinates national security information.
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Representative Andy Ogles from Tennessee said “Homosexuality has no place in America” during the start of Pride month. Other Republican representatives, including Mike Lawler and George Santos, responded quickly and disagreed with Ogles’ statement.
Key Facts
Andy Ogles is a Republican Congressman from Tennessee.
Ogles made his statement at the beginning of Pride month.
He called the month “Nuclear Family Month” on social media.
Mike Lawler, a Republican Representative from New York, disagreed with Ogles.
George Santos, also a Republican from New York who is openly gay, responded against Ogles’ comment.
The exchange happened publicly on social media platforms.
The discussion relates to LGBTQ+ rights and Pride celebrations.
The comments show differences in opinion within the Republican Party on this issue.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani launched a campaign called "Trans Rights Are Human Rights" to support and protect transgender people in the city. This campaign highlights local laws that fight discrimination against transgender residents, especially as federal policies under President Donald Trump have rolled back some protections for transgender individuals.
Key Facts
The campaign aims to promote awareness of protections under the New York City Human Rights Law for transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
The law forbids discrimination based on gender identity in housing, jobs, and public places.
Complaints about gender identity discrimination in NYC have risen from 5% to nearly 20% of all claims between 2020 and 2025.
New York City’s Commission on Human Rights is making protections more visible across all boroughs to help transgender residents.
Since January 2025, President Donald Trump has taken executive actions that reduce federal recognition and protections for transgender people.
New York University Langone Health ended its gender-affirming care for minors due to the current regulatory environment.
Democrats generally support transgender rights and oppose many of the restrictions proposed by Republicans.
Transgender policy has become a debated topic within the Democratic Party after the 2024 election.
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President Donald Trump appointed Bill Pulte, currently director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to lead the U.S. intelligence community. This move places a close Trump supporter in charge of overseeing multiple intelligence agencies and the vast data they collect.
Key Facts
Bill Pulte has been named Director of National Intelligence (DNI) by President Trump.
Pulte currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
The DNI oversees 18 intelligence agencies, including the CIA and NSA.
The DNI provides the president with daily national security briefings.
Critics say Pulte lacks enough national security experience for the role.
There are concerns Pulte might politicize intelligence work, continuing a trend some say began under the previous DNI, Tulsi Gabbard.
The Office of the DNI has access to data collected by many agencies and also purchases commercial data from companies tracking phones, cars, and social media.
Some lawmakers worry Pulte’s loyalty to President Trump could influence how intelligence is handled.
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Politicians and community leaders in the UK have called for calm after the murder of student Henry Nowak, warning against using the case to blame minority groups. Labour leader Keir Starmer criticized far-right figures for stirring division, while protests and accusations of racism against the police have followed the court ruling.
Key Facts
Henry Nowak, 18, was stabbed to death in Southampton in December 2025 by Vickrum Digwa, 23.
Digwa used a Sikh dagger and claimed racial abuse, but this was disputed during the trial.
Bodycam footage showed police handcuffing Nowak even though he said he had been stabbed.
Nigel Farage and other far-right figures have used the case to criticize racial equality efforts, promoting division.
Hundreds protested outside Southampton police station after the conviction, chanting slogans against the police.
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson accused police of racism and called for Digwa’s family to leave Southampton.
The UK’s Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the case, with a report expected in three months.
Labour leader Keir Starmer called the police footage upsetting and said serious questions about racism and police decisions must be answered.
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The United States has struggled for nearly 25 years to hold fair trials for detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Legal and moral questions about the use of torture and coerced evidence remain unresolved, causing ongoing delays in prosecuting terrorism cases such as those involving the USS Cole and 9/11 attacks.
Key Facts
The first detainees arrived at Guantanamo Bay on January 11, 2002.
President George W. Bush declared the federal court system "impracticable" for terrorist trials in November 2021, shifting responsibility to the Department of Defense.
The Office of Military Commissions and the Criminal Investigation Task Force were created to manage these cases.
Basic legal rights for detainees, such as access to lawyers and rules on evidence, were uncertain at the start.
Evidence obtained through coercion or torture was rejected by investigators and prosecutors in some cases.
Some detainees, like Mohammed al-Qahtani and Mohamedou Ould Slahi, faced cases that could not proceed because of torture-related problems.
President Obama officially ended the CIA’s interrogation program and acknowledged the use of torture.
Trials linked to the USS Cole bombing and 9/11 are still ongoing, with some delayed multiple times and debates about the use of torture-tainted statements continuing.
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Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer expressed confidence that Democrat Graham Platner will win the Senate race in Maine against Republican Senator Susan Collins, despite reports that Platner sent explicit texts to women. Schumer met with Platner and said Democrats plan to win the seat and take back control of the Senate.
Key Facts
Chuck Schumer is the Senate Democratic Leader.
Graham Platner is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Senator Susan Collins in Maine.
Platner has been reported to have sent sexually explicit texts to several women.
Schumer met with Platner and continues to support him.
Janet Mills, former candidate and Maine governor, ended her campaign but remains on the ballot.
Schumer said Democrats aim to win the seat and regain control of the Senate.
The news article included video clips of Schumer’s statements.
The article stresses the importance of a free press and trusted journalism.
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