A U.S. court has rejected a plea deal for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is accused of planning the 9/11 attacks. The deal would have avoided the death penalty and allowed him to plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence without parole.
Key Facts
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is accused of planning the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.
The court rejected a plea agreement that offered a life sentence without parole.
Mohammed was captured in 2003 and is currently held at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
The plea deal included Mohammed answering questions from victims' families truthfully.
Victims' families are divided on whether a trial or the plea deal is the better option.
The deal was previously approved by military prosecutors but overruled by the Defense Secretary.
The court decision emphasized the Defense Secretary's authority over the agreement.
A US appeals court confirmed that former Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin was legally allowed to cancel a plea deal for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is accused of planning the 9/11 attacks. This decision means that Mohammed's case will continue in the military court system, which might take many years to complete.
Key Facts
A US appeals court upheld Lloyd Austin’s decision to cancel a plea agreement for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
The canceled plea deal would have avoided the death penalty for Mohammed in return for a guilty plea.
Mohammed has been held at Guantanamo Bay since his capture in Pakistan in 2003.
The decision supports Austin’s view that the case should be seen in a military trial.
The court found that Austin's action was legally valid, allowing withdrawal of the plea deal.
There are challenges expected in the trial, including issues with evidence obtained through torture.
The decision prolongs the case and continues the debate over the future of Guantanamo Bay.
Guantanamo Bay once held nearly 800 prisoners but now has 15, with three approved for release.
David Gergen, an adviser to four U.S. presidents, has died at the age of 83. He worked in various roles, including speechwriter and communications director, and was a founding director at Harvard's Center for Public Leadership. Gergen also served as a senior political analyst for CNN and authored a book on leadership.
Key Facts
David Gergen was an adviser to Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton.
He held roles such as speechwriter, communications director, and counselor to the president.
Gergen passed away at age 83 after a long illness.
He was involved with the Harvard Kennedy School and founded the Center for Public Leadership.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the 1960s.
Gergen received 27 honorary degrees during his career.
He worked as a senior political analyst for CNN.
A private burial will take place at Mount Auburn Cemetery, with a larger memorial service planned at Harvard.
President Trump and the first lady went to central Texas on Friday. They looked at the damage from last week's floods and spoke with families who suffered losses.
Key Facts
President Trump visited central Texas with the first lady.
They checked the damage caused by recent floods.
The floods happened last week.
120 people have died because of the floods.
At least 160 people are still missing.
The visit aimed to offer comfort to affected families.
Search teams from various parts of the United States and Mexico continued their efforts to find flood victims along the river banks in central Texas. There have been no new survivors found recently, and families are dealing with significant losses.
Key Facts
Rescuers are searching for flood victims in central Texas.
Teams include responders from multiple U.S. states and from Mexico.
Searches are focused along river banks.
No new survivors have been located this week.
Families affected by the floods are experiencing large losses.
The report includes accounts of devastation beyond Kerr County.
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.
