The State Department is cutting around 1,300 jobs to reduce the federal workforce. A court rejected a plea deal for a person accused of planning the 9/11 attacks. In Baltimore, police are looking into a possible mass overdose incident that sent over 24 people to the hospital.
Key Facts
The State Department plans to lay off about 1,300 workers.
This is part of the Trump administration's plan to reduce the number of federal employees.
An appeals court denied a plea deal for the person thought to be behind the 9/11 attacks.
Police in Baltimore are investigating a suspected mass overdose.
Over two dozen people were hospitalized in Baltimore due to this event.
David Gergen, a former presidential advisor, has died at the age of 83 due to Lewy body dementia. He worked with both Democratic and Republican presidents and was known for his contributions to the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour.
Key Facts
David Gergen was a presidential advisor.
He was 83 years old at the time of his death.
He died after being diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a type of brain disorder.
Gergen served four U.S. presidents from both major political parties.
He was a contributor to the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour, providing insights and analysis.
Lewy body dementia affects brain functions like memory and movement.
Gergen contributed to public discussions through his role on the NewsHour.
David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart discussed several political topics with Amna Nawaz. They talked about how the federal government is handling flooding in Texas, new tariff threats from President Trump, and remembered David Gergen's career.
Key Facts
David Brooks is a columnist for the New York Times.
Jonathan Capehart is an associate editor at the Washington Post.
They discussed the federal response to flooding in Texas.
President Trump has made new threats to impose tariffs.
They also talked about the life and work of David Gergen, a political analyst.
A new Gallup poll shows that more people in the US now see immigration as a positive thing compared to last year. Support for deporting undocumented immigrants and expanding the US-Mexico border wall has decreased.
Key Facts
A Gallup poll shows 79% of Americans think immigration is good for the country, up 15 points from last year.
Support among Republicans for immigration rose to 64%, up from 39% in 2024.
Only 38% of people support deporting all undocumented immigrants, down from 47% last year.
Support for expanding the US-Mexico border wall is now at 45%, down eight points.
The survey included 1,402 US adults and took place in June.
62% of respondents disapprove of Trump's immigration policies, while 36% approve.
The poll indicates a shift in public opinion towards supporting pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Hundreds of people attended the funeral of Boniface Kariuki, a Kenyan mask vendor shot by police during a rally against police brutality. The event increased pressure on President William Ruto to resign after he suggested violent measures against protestors.
Key Facts
Boniface Kariuki, a 22-year-old vendor, was shot by police during a protest and later died in the hospital.
The funeral took place in Kangema, about 100 kilometers northeast of Nairobi.
The protests, initially about proposed tax rises, grew after the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody.
President Ruto faces criticism for suggesting police should shoot protesters.
Over 100 people have died in protests across Kenya since last year, with many deaths linked to police actions.
Human rights groups urge police restraint, as recent protests led to over 50 deaths.
Four police officers face murder charges related to protester deaths, including Kariuki's.
Kenya swore in new electoral officials after legal challenges, filling long-vacant positions in the electoral body.
This year, for the first time, more U.S. college students are studying completely online than attending classes fully in-person. Research indicates that most online programs cost the same or even more than traditional in-person programs.
Key Facts
More U.S. college students are learning entirely online than in-person this year.
This is the first time online learners outnumber in-person learners at U.S. colleges.
Online programs often cost the same or more compared to attending classes on campus.
The shift marks a significant change in how higher education is delivered.
Despite the rise in online learning, the cost remains a significant consideration for students.
Jane Ragsdale, a respected community leader in Kerrville, Texas, died in a flood. She dedicated almost 70 summers to attending and running camps on the Guadalupe River.
Key Facts
Jane Ragsdale passed away due to a flood on the Guadalupe River.
She spent nearly 70 summers involved with camps on the river.
Ragsdale was known for her leadership in the Kerrville community.
She started as a camp attendee before becoming a camp leader.
The incident highlights her lifelong connection to the river.
An Iranian missile hit a U.S. air base in Qatar on June 23, damaging a structure used for secure communications. The attack followed U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Although the attack did not result in significant damage or start a larger conflict, it disrupted air travel briefly.
Key Facts
Iran launched a missile at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, damaging a communication dome.
Satellite images show the dome was destroyed, but the base remains mostly undamaged.
The attack was a response to U.S. strikes on nuclear sites in Iran.
The U.S. had moved its aircraft away from the base before the attack.
U.S. and Qatari defenses were prepared due to warnings before the strike.
The base continues to operate normally after the attack.
U.S. President Donald Trump described the response as weak, with minimal damage.
Iran claimed it had severely damaged the base’s communication systems.
A couple in Fall River, Massachusetts, opened a cafe in a previously unused building. Besides serving food, the cafe runs food pantries, organizes neighborhood cleanups, and has a community fund to help people who can't pay for a meal.
Key Facts
A couple opened a cafe in Fall River, Massachusetts.
The cafe is located in a previously neglected storefront.
They organize food pantries at the cafe.
The cafe also hosts neighborhood cleanup events.
There is a community fund to help people who can't afford meals.
A child in Mason, Ohio got stuck inside a claw machine after climbing through the prize door. Local police and fire services came to the scene and safely freed the child, who was unhurt.
Key Facts
A child tried to enter a claw machine at a community center in Mason, Ohio.
The child became trapped inside the machine, which is full of stuffed animals.
The incident prompted the Mason police and fire departments to respond.
Rescuers freed the child by accessing the back of the machine.
The child was unharmed and reunited with their parents.
A wildfire near the Grand Canyon in Arizona has led to evacuations and the closure of the park's North Rim. High temperatures and winds are making the fire spread quickly. Officials also reported a hiker's death from extreme heat.
Key Facts
A wildfire called the White Sage Fire was started by lightning on July 9 near the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
The fire has burned about 1,000 acres and is not yet under control.
High temperatures and strong winds are making it hard to fight the fire.
All visitors at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon have been evacuated because of the fire.
A 67-year-old hiker from Texas died from the heat while hiking in the Grand Canyon.
Part of State Route 89A has been closed because of the fire.
Wildfires are also affecting parts of Colorado, leading to evacuations at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
A Department of Energy report suggests that power outages in the U.S. might increase significantly by 2030 due to higher demand and old infrastructure. Recent policy changes under President Trump's administration are reducing tax credits for renewable energy projects, which could affect the development of wind, solar, and battery storage technologies. Homeowners might also face higher electricity costs as incentives for renewable energy installations end.
Key Facts
Power outages in the U.S. could be much more frequent by 2030.
An aging power infrastructure and increased power demand are contributing factors.
New U.S. policies are phasing out tax credits for renewable energy projects.
Projects must start soon to qualify for full tax credits.
There may be a short timeline for projects to be operational to receive credits.
The ending of tax credits could impact projects like solar panels and geothermal heat pumps.
Homeowners might see their electricity costs rise by over $100 annually.
These changes could have significant environmental impacts, according to advocates.
A federal appeals court canceled plea deals for three men accused of planning the 9/11 attacks. The court ruled that former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was within his rights to rescind these deals last year, despite prior approval from a military court.
Key Facts
A federal appeals court canceled plea deals for three men accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks.
The men involved, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, had agreed to plead guilty for sentences of up to life in prison.
Former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin canceled the deals two days after they were announced.
Austin wanted to pursue a death-penalty trial for the defendants instead.
The appeals court decided that Austin had the legal power to revoke the deals.
Lawyers for the defendants argue Austin should not have canceled the deals since plea negotiations were ongoing for over two years.
The defendants are now considering whether to appeal this decision to higher courts.
A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., has canceled an agreement allowing Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to plead guilty for his involvement in the September 11, 2001, attacks. The court decided the previous decision to accept the plea deal was incorrect and that a formal trial should occur instead.
Key Facts
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is accused of planning the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
A plea deal was arranged that would give Mohammed and two other defendants life sentences, avoiding the death penalty.
Relatives of the September 11 victims were split on the plea deal; some wanted a trial for more information, while others wanted a conclusion.
The plea deal included a requirement for the defendants to answer questions about the attacks.
Former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, under President Biden, rejected the deal, saying such decisions should be made by the Defense Secretary.
The D.C. Circuit Court found that Austin acted correctly within his powers by rejecting the deal.
The plea deal had been paused while the court considered appeals from different administrations.
The decision means the case will continue without a quick resolution through a plea deal.
President Donald Trump visited Texas to see the damage caused by severe flooding. The flooding, which resulted in over 120 deaths and more than 170 people missing, prompted Trump to extend disaster aid to more affected areas.
Key Facts
President Trump visited Texas to assess flood damage.
Over 120 people died and more than 170 are missing due to the flooding.
Trump approved extending disaster aid to additional counties in Texas.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump toured flood-affected areas and met with officials.
Trump met with Texas officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott and Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.
Trump acknowledged the need for better warning systems and infrastructure repairs.
The visit was seen as a morale booster in an area that largely supported Trump in the election.
U.S. stocks fell on Friday morning as the Trump administration announced increased tariffs on Canadian imports. Major stock indexes like the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq dipped after their recent highs, while bond yields went up. The tariffs are part of ongoing trade negotiations but have caused fluctuations in the stock market.
Key Facts
U.S. stocks fell on Friday as the government announced higher tariffs on goods from Canada.
The S&P 500 index was down 0.4% after reaching a record high the previous day.
The Dow Jones fell by 279 points, and the Nasdaq dropped by 0.2%.
The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond increased to 4.40%.
President Trump plans to raise tariffs on Canadian imports to 35%.
The U.S. set a new deadline of August 1 for countries to finalize trade deals under the threat of increased tariffs.
Trump has also proposed tariffs on pharmaceutical drugs and copper imports.
Earnings season for companies is beginning, with many set to report their quarterly results next week.
Some stock sectors, like financials and health care, saw losses, while some tech stocks rose.
A Gallup poll shows that 79% of Americans now view immigration as beneficial, up from 64% a year ago. This positive shift includes increases among Republicans and independents. During President Trump's latest term, more Americans, including Republicans, support pathways to citizenship for immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status.
Key Facts
79% of Americans say immigration is a "good thing," a rise from 64% last year.
Only 20% of U.S. adults currently see immigration as negative, down from 32% last year.
Republican support for immigration being positive has increased, with 66% now in favor compared to 39% last year.
The percentage of Americans wanting to decrease immigration has dropped from 55% to 30%.
About 40% of Americans want immigration levels to stay the same, while 26% favor an increase.
The portion of Republicans who wish to decrease immigration fell from 88% to 48%.
Most Americans support a path to citizenship for immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status.
President Donald Trump will travel to Texas to see the damage caused by severe flooding that resulted in at least 120 deaths. During his visit, he plans to tour affected areas from the air and meet with emergency workers and the families of flood victims.
Key Facts
Severe flooding in Texas has resulted in at least 120 deaths.
President Trump will visit Texas to assess the flood damage.
The floods are described by the administration as a "once-in-a-lifetime" event.
The president will take an aerial tour of the areas that were badly affected.
Trump plans to meet first responders and families of those who died in the floods.
He will receive a briefing from officials at the state emergency operations center.
The administration previously aimed to reduce federal emergency services but has shifted focus following the disaster.
United States President Donald Trump complimented Liberia's President Joseph Boakai on his English during a meeting, although English is Liberia's official language. Liberia, founded by freed Black American slaves in 1822, is Africa's oldest republic and has a diverse population with various ethnic groups.
Key Facts
President Trump commented on President Boakai's English, which is Liberia's official language.
Liberia is located on the west coast of Africa and has a population of about five million.
Liberia was founded in 1822 as a place for freed Black American slaves.
Liberia became a republic in 1847 and is Africa's oldest republic.
Liberia and Ethiopia were never colonized during Europe's colonization of Africa.
The capital city, Monrovia, was named after U.S. President James Monroe.
The population includes various ethnic groups, with the Kpelle being the largest.
Americo-Liberians, descendants of the freed slaves, once led Liberia's government but lost power after a 1980 military coup.
