Robert Kenyon, Reform UK’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election, admitted to making some "crass" comments online before entering politics. He said he has changed and focused on representing local people, while Reform UK said it has no plans to investigate his past remarks.
Key Facts
Robert Kenyon is the Reform UK candidate for the Makerfield by-election in Greater Manchester.
The by-election is on June 18, triggered by the resignation of former MP Josh Simons.
Kenyon faced criticism for past online comments on Brexit, abortion, and Ukraine.
He admitted some comments were "crass" but said they were made before he was a politician.
Reform UK supports Kenyon and will not investigate his previous social media posts.
Kenyon is a local plumber and councillor and says he wants to give a voice to the community.
He denies making sexual remarks and says he regrets earlier comments, promising to behave responsibly if elected.
Kenyon criticized Labour’s stance on issues like transgender rights and grooming gangs in the interview.
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Jill Biden said that if President Joe Biden had stayed in the 2024 presidential race, he would have won against President Donald Trump. She made this statement in an interview on a TV show called "Morning Joe."
Key Facts
Jill Biden believes President Biden would have beaten President Trump in 2024.
She shared this opinion during an interview on MS Now's "Morning Joe."
President Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race in July 2024.
The interview took place after Biden's exit from the race.
Jill Biden is the wife of President Joe Biden.
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A New Mexico legislative panel is investigating alleged sexual abuse at Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch. They plan to issue subpoenas to 14 institutions, including government agencies and banks, to gather information about the estate and related activities.
Key Facts
Fourteen subpoenas will be issued to public and private institutions connected to Epstein’s New Mexico ranch.
The investigation is led by the New Mexico Survivor’s Truth Commission, a group formed to look into abuse claims.
The Zorro Ranch is a 7,500-acre estate near Santa Fe that Epstein owned since 1993.
Subpoenas will target financial institutions like Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan Chase, federal agencies such as the FBI and Department of Justice, and several New Mexico state offices.
Some federal subpoenas, such as those to the FBI and FAA, may take longer due to special rules.
Epstein died in jail in 2019 while waiting for trial on sex trafficking charges.
Survivors have accused Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell of abuse at the ranch.
Epstein had donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Santa Fe Institute, a research organization linked to some scientists he supported.
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President Donald Trump has appointed Bill Pulte, a loyal supporter without government or intelligence experience, as acting director of national intelligence. This decision has raised concerns in Washington due to Pulte’s previous use of government power for political purposes and his lack of relevant expertise.
Key Facts
Bill Pulte is a strong supporter of President Trump and had no government experience before his previous appointment.
Trump first appointed Pulte to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees government mortgage lenders.
At the agency, Pulte removed board members and made himself chair, actions seen as politically motivated.
Pulte pushed for legal actions against several public figures linked to Trump’s political rivals.
Some of the prosecutions supported by Pulte were dismissed by courts due to improper procedures.
Critics say Pulte politicized and used his previous government role to target Trump’s opponents.
National security experts and politicians express concern that Pulte lacks the skills needed for intelligence leadership.
Congress’s investigative agency is looking into allegations that Pulte misused protected mortgage information.
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House Oversight Committee Democrats want to officially order Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel to appear for questioning about files related to Jeffrey Epstein. They base this request on statements from former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who mentioned their roles in handling the Epstein case.
Key Facts
House Oversight Democrats want subpoenas issued to Todd Blanche and Kash Patel.
Todd Blanche is the Acting Attorney General.
Kash Patel is the FBI Director.
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi cited their involvement in decisions on Epstein files.
Bondi spoke to the committee in a closed-door session recently.
Ranking member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) requested the subpoenas after Bondi’s testimony.
The subpoenas aim to gather more information on the handling of Epstein-related documents.
The investigation is part of the committee’s oversight duties.
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CBS has canceled "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," leading late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to express worry about the future of late-night television. Kimmel suggested that political pressure during President Donald Trump's time might have influenced the decision to end Colbert’s show.
Key Facts
CBS ended "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."
Jimmy Kimmel, another late-night host, shared his concerns about this cancellation.
Kimmel feels uncertain about what will happen to late-night TV moving forward.
The cancellation has caused speculation about the role of political pressure.
This pressure is linked to the time when President Donald Trump was in office.
Kimmel described feeling "a bit defeated" because of the changes in late-night TV.
The news was reported in a profile by Vulture on Monday.
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Four people were arrested for trafficking over $45 million worth of cocaine through a 2,000-foot-long tunnel connecting a store near the U.S.-Mexico border in California with Tijuana, Mexico. The tunnel had electricity, reinforced walls, ventilation, and a rail system, and was discovered after a federal investigation focused on suspicious activity at the store.
Key Facts
The tunnel was discovered under a warehouse for a store called Buy 4 Less near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego.
The tunnel extended about 55 feet deep, running over 1,000 feet on the U.S. side and more than 800 feet on the Mexico side.
Over 2,269 pounds (more than a ton) of cocaine were seized from three vehicles connected to the operation.
Four men, two from San Diego and two from Mexico, were arrested and charged with drug distribution and tunnel-related crimes.
Federal agents noticed the store had little customer activity but employees regularly carried empty-looking suitcases across the border.
The tunnel included advanced features like electric lighting, reinforced walls, ventilation, and a rail system to move drugs.
The bust happened after agents observed suspicious loading of heavy items into vehicles and transferred between trucks near the store.
The defendants face up to life in prison if convicted.
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A new study says that having National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. for almost 10 months did not lower violent crime rates in the city. However, the presence of the Guard did reduce some types of crime, such as opportunistic property crimes, which went down by 24 percent.
Key Facts
National Guard troops were deployed in Washington, D.C. for nearly 10 months.
The deployment did not lead to a decrease in violent crime.
Some types of crime, like opportunistic property crimes, fell by 24 percent during this time.
The study was conducted by the Niskanen Center, a policy research organization in Washington.
Opportunistic property crimes involve crimes of chance, such as theft when an opportunity arises.
The research suggests the Guard’s presence had limited impact on serious crimes.
The report focuses on crime trends during the Guard’s deployment period.
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The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) is planning a second dinner event for this summer. The original annual dinner in April was canceled after an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump, who attended that event.
Key Facts
The WHCA organizes the White House Correspondents’ dinner each year.
The April 2024 dinner was canceled due to an assassination attempt targeting President Trump.
President Donald Trump was at the April event when the attempt happened.
WHCA plans to hold a second dinner on July 24, 2024.
Weijia Jiang, a CBS News correspondent and WHCA leader, informed members about the new event.
The second dinner is meant to ensure the tradition continues despite the earlier incident.
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Six states led by Democratic governors have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. They want to stop a deal that cancels a French company's permission to build offshore wind farms in return for investments in oil and gas.
Key Facts
The lawsuit involves New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The Trump administration made a deal with a French company.
The deal cancels the company’s rights to develop offshore wind farms.
In return, the company is expected to invest in fossil fuel projects like oil.
The states argue this deal harms clean energy goals and the environment.
Offshore wind farms are wind turbines built in the ocean to generate renewable energy.
The sued deal favors fossil fuels over renewable wind energy.
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) with government oversight, while encouraging innovation. The order requires AI companies to share new AI models with the government 30 days before release and focuses on protecting critical infrastructure from AI-related cyber risks.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an AI executive order after delaying an earlier plan.
The order asks tech companies to submit advanced AI models for review 30 days before public release.
This 30-day review period is shorter than the 90-day period originally considered.
The order focuses on protecting critical infrastructure like banks and hospitals from AI-driven cyberattacks.
It sets up a voluntary government review process for the most advanced AI models.
The order does not impose mandatory licensing or require government approval before AI releases.
It aims to balance AI innovation with national security and cybersecurity concerns.
The order encourages quicker government action to reduce cyber risks tied to AI technologies.
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The United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), which stores emergency oil, is reaching its lowest level since the 1980s as the government releases large amounts of oil to help stabilize energy prices amid the war with Iran. Despite President Donald Trump’s earlier promise to fill the reserves, the SPR has been significantly drained since early 2024 due to ongoing global energy challenges.
Key Facts
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve currently holds 365.1 million barrels of oil, down from 374.2 million barrels a week earlier.
The reserve has decreased by over 50 million barrels since the war with Iran began at the end of February 2024.
The SPR’s levels are nearing those last seen in August 1983, shortly after it was created in the 1970s.
The SPR was created in 1975 to protect the U.S. from oil supply disruptions like the 1973 Oil Crisis.
It stores oil in underground sites along the Gulf Coasts of Texas and Louisiana.
Previous releases from the SPR occurred during major events such as the Gulf War, Hurricane Katrina, the Libyan civil war, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
President Trump criticized the use of the SPR under President Biden and promised to refill it, but the reserve has continued to decline.
In March 2024, the Trump administration announced a plan to release 172 million barrels over 120 days to help lower energy prices along with other nations in the International Energy Agency.
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The Trump administration has proposed a new 25% tariff on imports from Brazil due to concerns about unfair trade practices, including illegal deforestation and issues with digital trade. A public comment period will allow feedback before the tariffs take effect, and some products like beef and coffee will be exempt.
Key Facts
The tariffs target Brazil for alleged unfair trade practices and violations under US trade laws.
Issues include illegal deforestation, ethanol market access, and corruption enforcement.
The US claims Brazil’s trade deals with Mexico and India hurt US exports by creating financial advantages abroad.
Some Brazilian products such as beef, coffee, metals, energy, and aircraft parts will not face tariffs.
There will be a public comment period and a hearing in Washington to discuss the tariffs.
The tariffs are meant to replace some previous tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
Despite concerns, the US actually had a trade surplus with Brazil in March 2026.
The tariffs expire at the end of 2027 and follow the Supreme Court blocking the use of a previous law for tariffs.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, who leads the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), will hold a White House briefing on Tuesday afternoon. At the same time, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is answering questions in Congress about the U.S. government's diplomatic efforts related to the ongoing Iran conflict.
Key Facts
Dr. Mehmet Oz is the current administrator of CMS.
He will give a White House press briefing after 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is attending hearings on Capitol Hill.
These hearings are the first since the Iran war began.
Rubio faces questions about the U.S. administration's diplomatic efforts worldwide.
He said U.S. negotiators have noticed some engagement by Iran’s supreme leader in talks.
The supreme leader of Iran has not appeared publicly during these negotiations.
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Representative Kevin Kiley from California has signed a petition to force a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on the Ukraine Support Act. This act would increase sanctions on Russia, provide up to $8 billion in military loans to Ukraine, and confirm U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO.
Key Facts
Rep. Kevin Kiley is pushing for a House vote on the Ukraine Support Act.
The act aims to impose stronger sanctions on Russia.
It authorizes up to $8 billion in Foreign Military Financing loans to Ukraine.
The act confirms continued U.S. support for Ukraine.
It also reaffirms U.S. support for NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
A discharge petition is used to bring a bill to the House floor if leadership does not act.
The act responds to Russia’s military actions against Ukraine.
The goal is to increase pressure on Russia and support Ukraine’s defense.
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Authorities found a hidden tunnel under a fake store in San Diego used to smuggle drugs from Mexico. Four people were charged, and officials seized over a ton of cocaine worth about $45 million.
Key Facts
A secret tunnel was discovered under a fake store in San Diego.
The tunnel was used to move drugs from Mexico into the U.S.
The investigation lasted several months and involved Homeland Security.
Four suspects have been charged in connection to the tunnel.
Authorities seized more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine.
The cocaine is valued at approximately $45 million.
The tunnel was described as "sophisticated" by officials.
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Democrats in New Jersey’s 7th District are choosing a nominee to run against Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who has been absent from Congress due to medical reasons. The district is competitive and important for both parties as they try to control the House of Representatives.
Key Facts
Tom Kean Jr., a Republican, currently represents New Jersey’s 7th District but has been away from Congress for months due to a health problem.
Kean plans to run for a third term despite his absence.
The 7th District includes suburban areas, farmland, and one of President Trump’s golf clubs.
Four Democrats are competing to challenge Kean: Rebecca Bennett, Michael Roth, Tina Shah, and Brian Varela.
Bennett is a former Navy helicopter pilot, Roth worked at the Small Business Administration, Shah is a doctor, and Varela is a businessman supported by progressive groups.
The Democratic primary is closely contested, with all candidates raising large amounts of money.
This seat has historically been competitive, with incumbents losing it twice in the last ten years.
Both Democrats and Republicans see this district as important for controlling the House.
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Los Angeles election officials warned of possible interference after some mail-in ballots were burned and a voting center was damaged two days before California’s primary election. The incidents included fire damage to a ballot drop box outside a government office.
Key Facts
The events happened in Los Angeles County.
Several mail-in ballots were burned.
A ballot drop box outside the Department of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office was damaged by fire.
A voting center was vandalized.
The incidents occurred two days before California’s primary election.
Officials are concerned these acts could interfere with the election process.
Election authorities are likely investigating the damages to ensure voter safety and election integrity.
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order to improve how the government works with artificial intelligence (AI). The order sets up a voluntary program for AI companies to share new powerful AI models with the government before they launch them to the public, aiming to boost security and innovation without slowing down progress.
Key Facts
President Trump signed the order on Tuesday to promote AI security and innovation.
The program encourages AI companies to voluntarily share their new high-level AI models with the government up to 30 days before public release.
The order was delayed by the president earlier due to worries it might slow U.S. leadership over China in AI development.
The government aims to improve federal cybersecurity using AI and to identify advanced AI systems called "frontier" models.
The order stresses that cooperation with the government is voluntary and does not create mandatory licensing or rules for AI companies.
Homeland Security and other federal departments will work with AI developers to improve cyber defenses and find software weaknesses.
Anthropic, an AI lab, has already shared a model called Mythos with partners to help protect against cyber attacks before wider release.
The original draft of the order was not made public, but President Trump said he postponed signing it because he disliked parts that could hurt U.S. competitiveness.
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A student investigation revealed that the University of Southern California (USC) has sold donated bodies to the US Navy, some of which were used to train Israeli military surgeons. Families of donors worry their loved ones’ remains were used in military training without proper consent.
Key Facts
USC received donated bodies for education and research.
Since 2018, USC has sold at least 89 fresh cadavers to the US Navy.
These cadavers were used to train both US Navy and Israeli military surgical teams.
A student journalist team uncovered this information in 2025.
Public details about the Israeli military training using these bodies are limited.
A 2020 medical paper from USC and the US Navy provides some insight into the training.
Family members of donors are concerned that their relatives' bodies were used in military conflicts.
One family had donated a body for education, not military training.
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