New York City is trying to introduce a new tax on luxury second homes owned by people who mostly live outside the city. However, the tax has caused confusion and legal challenges because it is hard to determine who actually owns and uses these properties as their primary residence.
Key Facts
Mayor Zohran Mamdani supports a new tax on expensive second homes in New York City owned by non-primary residents.
The tax targets homes worth over $5 million for houses and over $1 million for condos and co-ops.
The tax aims to raise about $500 million yearly from wealthy owners who do not pay city income taxes.
Complex ownership arrangements like trusts and limited liability companies make it hard to identify who should pay the tax.
Some property owners and groups have sued the city, claiming the city did not clearly establish who owes the tax.
A judge temporarily paused the tax process, but the city appealed to continue collecting it during legal review.
President Donald Trump’s Manhattan penthouse could be affected by this tax since his main home is now in Florida.
Officials say showing proof of primary residence is difficult due to informal arrangements like family members staying without documentation.
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Perez Hilton’s mother has filed for temporary custody of his three children after he was hospitalized during a mental health crisis in south Florida. Hilton was taken into care following a disturbing live stream where he appeared to harm himself, and his family is working to protect his children and support his recovery.
Key Facts
Perez Hilton’s mother filed for temporary custody of his three children in Miami-Dade County.
Hilton was hospitalized after a mental health crisis shown in a now-deleted live stream.
In the video, Hilton appeared naked, covered in blood, with cuts and holding a knife.
Police used Florida’s Baker Act to detain Hilton for up to 72 hours for a psychiatric evaluation.
Hilton’s family says he is in serious condition and requires surgery.
His children, niece, and sister left the home just before the live stream started to protect the kids.
Hilton is a single parent to three children under 14, all born via surrogacy.
The family asks for privacy and space around their home as they focus on healing and recovery.
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The U.S. Department of Justice charged 11 people in New York for running a marriage fraud scheme that helped mostly Chinese nationals get green cards. The scheme lasted about ten years, involved over 1,000 fake marriages, and included paying U.S. citizens to pose as spouses.
Key Facts
Eleven defendants were arrested for conspiracy to commit marriage and immigration fraud.
The scheme operated from 2016 to 2026 and involved fraudulent green card applications.
Foreign nationals paid up to $100,000 to enter fake marriages with U.S. citizens.
The defendants staged fake wedding ceremonies and submitted false evidence to immigration officials.
The fraud operated not only in New York but also in other states like Connecticut, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Participants included recruiters who found willing U.S. citizens and facilitators who earned commissions.
The charges carry possible prison terms of five to ten years.
The scheme generated millions of dollars over its operation.
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A news outlet called The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s media company. The lawsuit says the company’s new service, which lets Wall Street firms see the president’s Truth Social posts before everyone else, breaks free speech laws.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday by The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation.
President Donald Trump’s media company offers early access to Truth Social posts for paying Wall Street firms.
The plaintiffs claim this early access violates the First Amendment, which protects free speech.
The lawsuit describes this early access program as corrupt.
Truth Social is a social media platform linked to President Trump’s media company.
The issue centers around fairness and equal access to the president’s public posts.
The lawsuit aims to stop the company from selling early access to these posts.
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A new poll shows Democratic candidate Amy Acton slightly ahead of Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the Ohio governor's race. The race is close, reflecting Ohio's status as a competitive state despite recent Republican wins.
Key Facts
Amy Acton leads Vivek Ramaswamy by 2 percentage points in a recent poll (46% to 44%).
The poll was conducted from July 29 to August 4 and has a margin of error of ±4 points.
Other recent polls show a very close race, with some polls showing ties or slight leads for either candidate.
Prediction markets estimate a nearly even chance of winning for both candidates.
Ohio has shifted politically right but remains competitive, especially in suburban areas.
President Donald Trump won Ohio by about 11 points in 2024, improving on previous elections.
Acton previously led Ohio’s health department during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ramaswamy is known for his entrepreneurial background and 2024 presidential campaign.
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Senator John Fetterman said he will not campaign against Senator Dave McCormick if McCormick runs for a second term in 2030. Fetterman made this statement during an interview and expressed that he would not try to oppose McCormick’s future campaign.
Key Facts
John Fetterman is a Democratic Senator from Pennsylvania.
Dave McCormick is a Republican Senator from Pennsylvania.
Fetterman was asked about McCormick’s possible run for a second term in 2030.
Fetterman said he would not campaign against McCormick if he decides to run again.
The statement was made in an interview with the Washington Examiner.
The discussion focuses on a potential future election happening in 2030.
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Thousands of people in east-central Indiana, especially around Muncie, were told to move to higher ground because of severe flash flooding caused by heavy rain. The National Weather Service issued an urgent flood emergency warning, and local officials warned of dangerous road conditions and forced some evacuations.
Key Facts
A Flash Flood Emergency was issued for Muncie and nearby areas in Delaware County.
Between 3 and 6 inches of rain had already fallen, with up to 2 more inches expected.
Flooding is life-threatening and causing problems on roads, underpasses, streams, and urban zones.
Residents were advised not to travel unless evacuating and to avoid driving through flooded roads.
Some neighborhoods in Muncie’s south side were evacuated as water levels rose.
Emergency crews were helping stranded motorists and affected homes.
The flood damage threat was described as “catastrophic” by the National Weather Service.
The flood warning was active from 10:17 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. EDT and rain was expected to continue.
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President Donald Trump faces a lawsuit over a subscription service that charges up to $100,000 a month for early access to posts on his social media platform, Truth Social. The legal complaint argues that this pay-for-privilege system could be corrupt and unconstitutional, as it gives select subscribers information before the public.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed in a US district court in New York by the Intercept and Freedom of the Press Foundation.
The service, called Truth API, launched on August 1 and offers early access to posts from top accounts like President Trump and other senior officials.
Subscribers pay $100,000 monthly or $60,000 a month with a three-year commitment.
Paying customers reportedly include financial news organizations and high-frequency trading firms.
Truth Media claimed the service is a way to generate high revenue from valuable market-related information.
Critics say the service could give insiders unfair advantages and urged the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate.
The lawsuit seeks to stop the administration from using Truth Social as the only place for official announcements that are sold early to paying users.
President Trump remains the largest shareholder of Trump Media, with a stake valued around $1 billion.
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The White House is undergoing a construction and expansion project that is expected to cost nearly $1 billion. The Trump administration says the work is necessary for security reasons and is funded by private donors and government accounts, but the project has raised concerns about legal approval and potential conflicts of interest.
Key Facts
The White House construction project will cost almost $1 billion.
The work includes building a large new ballroom replacing much of the East Wing.
President Trump and private donors have contributed about $400 million toward the project.
Around $875 million has been added to the White House Repair and Restoration account, much higher than usual.
About $500 million of the funding comes from the Secret Service and White House Military Office.
A federal judge recently halted work on the ballroom, stating it needs approval from Congress.
Lawmakers and courts have expressed concern that private businesses funding the project might receive government contracts in return.
An advocacy group reported that corporate donors had received over $50 billion in government contracts in the past six months.
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Assma Ali, an American lawyer of Yemeni descent, was appointed as a municipal judge in Benoit, Mississippi. Her appointment has sparked social media attacks and false claims related to her religion, but supporters affirm her qualifications and commitment to upholding the law.
Key Facts
Assma Ali was appointed last week as municipal judge in Benoit, a small Mississippi town with fewer than 400 residents.
She is Muslim, wears a hijab, and is an American citizen of Yemeni descent.
Ali has nearly 10 years of experience as an immigration lawyer and runs a private practice in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
She earned her law degree from Mississippi College School of Law in 2017 and was admitted to the state bar the same year.
Social media posts and some politicians falsely claimed she had radical beliefs and would enforce Islamic law.
Ali publicly confirmed her commitment to uphold the U.S. Constitution and Mississippi laws.
Municipal judges in Mississippi are appointed by city officials and typically handle local ordinance violations and minor crimes.
Legal experts say attacks on Ali are based on her religion, which is protected under U.S. and Mississippi constitutional law.
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U.S. officials say American forces are set to finish withdrawing from Iraq by September 30, 2026. This ends the military mission that began with the 2003 invasion and continued efforts against the Islamic State group.
Key Facts
The U.S. and Iraq agreed in 2024 to end the U.S.-led operation against ISIS in Iraq.
Most U.S. troops left Iraqi bases last year, except those in the Kurdish region in northern Iraq.
The Kurdish bases have been targeted since the U.S. and Israel started a war on Iran in February 2026.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met with U.S. military leaders and confirmed September 30 as the final withdrawal date.
U.S. forces helped defeat ISIS, and now Iraqi security forces, including Kurdish Peshmerga, will lead anti-terror efforts.
The U.S. troop number in Iraq peaked over 170,000 in 2007; troops left in 2011 but returned in 2014 at Iraq’s request.
The current U.S. mission has about 2,500 troops for training and counter-ISIS operations.
Iraq’s prime minister also set a deadline of September 30 for armed non-state groups to disarm, but many militias, especially Iran-backed ones, resist giving up weapons.
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Senator Tim Scott, who leads the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said he voted for Senator Lindsey Graham and will support her in the South Carolina Republican primary runoff. The runoff is to fill the Senate seat left by her late brother, and she will compete against Representative Ralph Norman on August 25.
Key Facts
Senator Tim Scott is the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
He announced his vote for Senator Lindsey Graham in the South Carolina Senate Republican primary runoff.
The runoff is to fill the Senate seat previously held by Graham’s late brother.
The runoff election is scheduled for August 25.
Senator Lindsey Graham will compete against Representative Ralph Norman in the runoff.
Tim Scott has publicly declared his support for Lindsey Graham in this race.
The race is part of the Republican primary process in South Carolina.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to buy electric shock gloves to help officers control people by causing pain and limiting movement. The gloves cost between $10 million and $20 million and will be given to agents after special training.
Key Facts
ICE plans to spend $10 million to $20 million on electric shock gloves.
The gloves are made by Compliant Technologies and are called CTG-5 Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter (G.L.O.V.E).
The gloves cause pain through skin contact and stop people from moving muscles together.
Officers must get certified in using the gloves and retrain every two years.
The manufacturer advises not to use the gloves on elderly people, children, pregnant women, or seriously disabled individuals.
ICE says its officers receive training on reducing conflicts and controlling use of force.
Civil rights groups worry the gloves could be used secretly and cause harm without proper oversight.
ICE is also increasing the use of body cameras after incidents involving force and deaths.
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Immigration agents detained Tonny Quesada-Ramirez, a father who has lived in New Jersey for about 26 years, despite his ongoing efforts to gain legal status. Neighbors have raised money to help his legal fight, while the Department of Homeland Security stated that pending immigration applications do not prevent deportation.
Key Facts
Tonny Quesada-Ramirez was detained by ICE agents in South Orange, New Jersey.
He has lived in the U.S. for approximately 26 years and has a family with two children.
Quesada-Ramirez first entered the U.S. illegally in 2001 and was ordered removed after failing to appear in court.
He was arrested again by ICE in 2010 and released on bond in 2011.
Neighbors raised over $36,000 on GoFundMe to support his legal defense.
The Department of Homeland Security said Quesada-Ramirez had multiple prior arrests.
The current administration enforces that having pending immigration applications does not stop deportation.
Recent policy updates clarify that applying for legal status does not grant lawful status or protect against removal proceedings.
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President Donald Trump’s administration asked the US Supreme Court to stop a judge’s decision that blocks new rules restricting mail-in voting before the November midterm elections. The judge ruled the president’s order, which directs tighter control over mail ballots, was unconstitutional because election rules are set by states.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order to restrict mail-in voting in March.
The order directs the Postal Service to only deliver ballots to approved voters.
A judge in Boston blocked the Postal Service from enforcing this order nationwide.
The judge said the federal government cannot control elections, as states have this power.
The Department of Justice asked the Supreme Court to pause the judge’s ruling.
The case is supported by voting rights groups and the American Civil Liberties Union.
The executive order also calls for investigating officials who give ballots to voters seen as ineligible.
The administration says the lawsuits are premature since rules are not yet enforced.
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A Texas court ruled that a baby with a rare heart defect, carried by a surrogate from Alaska, must receive lifesaving surgery after birth. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened to ensure medical care, despite disagreement between the surrogate and the intended parents.
Key Facts
The surrogate, McKenna West, was about 20 weeks pregnant when the fetus was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a serious heart defect.
The intended parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, wanted West to have an abortion but she refused and went to Texas for protection and medical care.
Children with this heart defect usually need three surgeries, starting within two weeks of birth.
The intended parents have not agreed to the surgery and may try to move the child out of Texas to avoid treatment.
Texas law requires babies born in the state to receive care regardless of contracts or agreements.
A court order states the baby must receive lifesaving care when born and appoints a guardian to represent the child.
The order gives medical decision responsibility to the intended parents under court supervision, with emergency hearings planned if treatment is refused.
Attorney General Paxton said his office will protect the baby’s right to receive care under Texas law.
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Lightning struck an Ohio prison during a severe storm, injuring 16 inmates. Severe weather in the US Midwest has caused tornadoes, flooding, power outages, and at least three deaths.
Key Facts
Sixteen inmates were injured when lightning hit an Ohio prison; one was airlifted to a hospital in serious condition.
The injured prisoners were outside moving between buildings after dinner during the storm.
Nine inmates returned to the prison, while seven remain hospitalized.
Severe weather has caused tornadoes in Chicago suburbs, flash flooding, and strong winds over 100 mph in parts of the Midwest.
At least three people have died due to the storms, including a 4-year-old boy in Indiana and a woman killed in a home explosion during high winds.
Power outages affected over 295,000 customers in Indiana, 185,000 in Ohio, and 145,000 in Illinois.
The Federal Aviation Administration stopped flights at major airports like Chicago O'Hare due to thunderstorms.
Officials warned people to stay alert and plan for dangerous weather and flooding conditions.
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The official cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security in 2027 will be announced in a few months. Current estimates suggest it may be one of the largest increases in recent years after new inflation data was released.
Key Facts
Social Security COLA adjusts benefits to keep up with inflation.
The formal COLA for 2027 has not yet been released.
New inflation reports have caused projections to change slightly.
The expected COLA increase could be among the biggest in recent years.
The adjustment affects millions of Social Security recipients in the United States.
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A pet goose named Goosey helped save a Texas family’s barn and animals by making loud honking noises to alert them to a fire. The family quickly put out the fire and kept all their animals safe thanks to Goosey’s warning.
Key Facts
The fire happened on August 4 in Fort Bend County, Texas.
Goosey, a four-month-old pet goose, made loud honking sounds outside the burning barn.
The goose’s noise woke up Bert Gerber, who was asleep on the couch.
Bert found the fire and put it out with a water hose.
All animals in the barn, including chickens and turkeys, were unharmed.
The family adopted Goosey on Mother’s Day after their daughter liked him at a poultry event.
Chelsea Gerber, who was afraid of geese, agreed to bring Goosey home after their daughter’s request.
The family feels very thankful that Goosey’s alertness helped prevent a bigger disaster.
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President Donald Trump is being sued by two US media organizations over a Truth Social service that charges up to $100,000 a month for early access to his posts. The lawsuit claims this paid service creates unfair advantages by letting some users see Trump's messages seconds before the public, which can affect financial markets.
Key Facts
Two US media groups, The Intercept and Freedom of the Press Foundation, filed a lawsuit in New York federal court.
The lawsuit challenges Truth Social’s paid service called Truth API, offering early access to Trump’s posts.
The service costs up to $100,000 per month for priority access.
Paying clients receive Trump’s posts nearly instantly, seconds before the general public.
Trump’s posts can include important news that may influence financial markets.
More than 10 businesses currently pay for this early access service.
Trump Media & Technology Group says the product is for businesses needing fast data feeds and dismisses concerns about unfair advantages.
President Trump is the most followed user on Truth Social with about 13 million followers.
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