Marni von Wilpert, a San Diego city council member and former labor lawyer, is running for Congress to update federal labor laws and support workers’ rights. She helped create legislation called the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which aims to strengthen protections for workers trying to organize, but it has not passed the Senate yet. Von Wilpert highlights her labor background to contrast with her opponent, Jim Desmond, who opposes pro-labor policies.
Key Facts
Marni von Wilpert helped draft changes to the National Labor Relations Act to protect workers' rights better.
The proposed changes are part of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, introduced in Congress since 2019.
The PRO Act passed the House in 2021 but is stalled in the Senate.
Von Wilpert is running for Congress to take over the seat held by Republican Darrell Issa.
Her opponent, Jim Desmond, is endorsed by President Trump and opposes some pro-labor policies.
Von Wilpert points to actions by the Trump administration that reduced worker protections, including firing many federal workers.
Von Wilpert previously worked for the National Labor Relations Board, where she saw delays and challenges workers faced in labor disputes.
The congressional race district has become more favorable to Democrats but remains competitive.
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Four US states are suing Meta, the company that owns Instagram and Facebook, accusing it of intentionally making these social media platforms addictive to minors. The states want Meta to pay $1.4 trillion in fines due to these claims.
Key Facts
The states suing Meta are California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey.
The lawsuit accuses Meta of designing Instagram and Facebook to be addictive for young users.
Meta was founded by Mark Zuckerberg.
The fines being sought total $1.4 trillion.
The case is part of ongoing legal scrutiny of social media companies in the US.
The focus is on protecting minors from harmful effects of social media use.
This is a high-profile legal action on tech companies and user safety.
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order promoting the idea of spacing out childhood vaccines over multiple visits, a theory that has been disproven by scientific studies. This order appeals to some voters who want more control over vaccine schedules but also gives Democrats a point to criticize Trump and his allies ahead of the November elections.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an order to change the childhood vaccine schedule by spreading out shots into separate visits.
Scientific studies have found no link between vaccines and autism, contradicting Trump's theory.
Trump has long supported this idea, dating back to at least 2014, despite medical experts’ advice.
The order may please some “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) voters who want more vaccine choice.
Democrats plan to use this as a campaign issue to argue for science-based medical advice and accountability.
Trump’s administration recently shifted focus away from vaccines but returned with this executive order.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was present when Trump signed the order.
Critics warn the order could cause confusion and harm children’s health by delaying recommended vaccines.
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David Crowley won the Wisconsin Democratic primary for governor, defeating Francesca Hong. Crowley is now the Democratic candidate and faces Republican Tom Tiffany, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, in the November election. Prediction markets now show a higher chance that Democrats will keep the governor’s office.
Key Facts
David Crowley won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor.
He beat Francesca Hong, a progressive candidate.
Crowley aims to be Wisconsin’s first Black governor.
Tom Tiffany won the Republican primary and is endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Crowley had previously quit the race but restarted it with support from outgoing Governor Tony Evers.
Prediction markets now give Democrats about a 77-78% chance to win the November election.
Before Crowley’s win, these markets showed Republicans had a better chance.
Prediction markets use money bets from traders to estimate the chance of events like elections.
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This article describes the experience of flying on Air Force One with President Donald Trump. It offers a view of the events and atmosphere aboard the presidential plane.
Key Facts
The article focuses on flying with President Donald Trump on Air Force One.
It includes details about the environment and activities on the plane.
President Trump uses Air Force One for official travel.
The article was published recently.
It mentions the reason President Trump changed planes, but specific reasons are not detailed in this excerpt.
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Reports say Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her partner, Riley Roberts, may have ended their engagement about two years ago. The couple was last seen together publicly in 2021, though some social media posts suggest they appeared more recently.
Key Facts
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) is a New York congresswoman and important figure in the Democratic Party.
TMZ reported that AOC and Riley Roberts ended their engagement around two years ago.
Their last widely known public photo together was at the 2021 Met Gala.
An Instagram post from May 4 shows them together, but AOC was not wearing an engagement ring.
AOC confirmed her engagement with Roberts in May 2022 on social media.
AOC’s office has not commented on the relationship status.
The breakup news comes shortly after AOC publicly shared her experience with freezing her eggs.
AOC said sharing her egg-freezing process is important in the current political fights over reproductive health rights.
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The number of children injured in e-scooter crashes in England has risen sharply, with many accidents involving children as young as nine. Most injuries happened on public roads or parks, even though privately owned e-scooters are only legal on private land.
Key Facts
Researchers studied injuries to children under 16 at three UK hospitals from 2019 to 2024.
The average age of injured children was 12, and about 65% were boys.
Most common injuries were to arms and legs, then head and face; less than 2% wore helmets.
There were 477 recorded e-scooter injuries in the three hospitals, with numbers increasing over time.
Over 80% of injuries were from private e-scooters used illegally on public land.
Private e-scooters can only be legally ridden on private property, but about 1.2 million people own them in England.
Rental e-scooters are legal for people age 16 and older, limited to 15 mph, and must have insurance.
A 15-year-old was sentenced after causing a fatal crash involving a 14-year-old passenger on an e-scooter.
Officials and campaigns urge better education on e-scooter risks and call for stricter rules like helmet mandates and speed limits.
The UK government is planning new laws to make e-scooter use safer and legal on public roads.
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The U.S. Justice Department charged four members of the Mexican drug cartel CJNG for trying to buy weapons in the Czech Republic using fentanyl and methamphetamine as payment. Two suspects were extradited to the U.S., and two others await extradition; all face serious drug and weapons charges.
Key Facts
Four alleged CJNG cartel members were arrested in the Czech Republic in June.
Two suspects, Edgar Lopez Velasco and Jose Alvarado Morales, have been brought to the United States.
The other two, Noe Diaz Jimenez and Leobardo Gaxiola Lopez, are waiting for extradition.
The cartel tried to trade fentanyl and methamphetamine for machine guns, rocket launchers, and other weapons in Europe.
The charges include drug importation conspiracy and firearms trafficking, with possible life prison terms.
The U.S. government increased rewards for capturing CJNG leaders, including $25 million for Juan Carlos Gonzalez, aka "Pelón."
CJNG is designated as a foreign terrorist organization and recently lost its leader, "El Mencho," in a military operation supported by U.S. intelligence.
The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on cartel members and companies, freezing assets and blocking transactions.
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Two sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier have tried to jump overboard during a long deployment in the Middle East. Family members have raised concerns about shortages, long work hours, and mental health risks for the roughly 5,000 crew members on board.
Key Facts
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed since November, heading to the Middle East for a conflict involving Iran.
At least two sailors attempted to jump off the ship, according to their relatives.
Families have reported supply shortages and long work shifts aboard the carrier.
Over 200 family members met recently with the acting Secretary of the Navy to discuss safety and mental health concerns.
A second meeting between Navy officials and families took place virtually.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier group is expected to relieve the Abraham Lincoln at an unspecified future date.
The Navy says it is listening to families and supporting sailors to ensure the mission is completed safely.
The incidents have raised questions about the mental health and well-being of the crew during extended deployments.
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Edinburgh schools have started a ban on mobile phones during the school day. While primary pupils keep phones in cabinets, secondary pupils are expected to use special lockable pouches, but these pouches are not yet ready and will arrive in the next weeks.
Key Facts
Mobile phones are banned from use during the school day in Edinburgh schools.
Primary school children must keep their phones in cabinets during the day.
Secondary school children will use magnetically sealed pouches to lock their phones.
The pouches for secondary schools are still being tested and will be phased in by October.
Parents will be informed when the pouches arrive for their children.
The City of Edinburgh Council allocated £400,000 for enforcing the ban.
The policy also applies to smartwatches in both primary and secondary schools.
The Scottish government supports phone bans and plans to introduce related law changes in 2024.
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Flock Safety installs cameras that read license plates to help police catch criminals and recover stolen cars. Some people worry these cameras track too much about where individuals go, raising questions about privacy and the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unfair searches.
Key Facts
Flock Safety uses automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras in many U.S. neighborhoods.
These cameras capture license plates and information like a vehicle’s color and model.
Police say Flock cameras help find suspects and solve crimes.
Privacy groups and some communities oppose the cameras, fearing detailed tracking of people’s movements.
Some lawmakers want stricter rules on these cameras due to privacy concerns.
There have been cases where officers misused access to the camera databases.
Supporters argue better rules can prevent abuse while keeping the tool for law enforcement.
The debate involves the Fourth Amendment, focusing on whether collecting location data from public cameras is a legal search.
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In March, President Donald Trump was secretly removed from Air Force One in Turkey to avoid an alleged Iranian assassination attempt. U.S. officials say Iran has repeatedly threatened to kill Trump because of actions taken during his first term, including the killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Suleimani.
Key Facts
Iran is believed to have planned to kill President Trump in revenge for U.S. strikes that killed senior Iranian leaders.
Trump was covertly taken off Air Force One in Turkey to protect him from a possible missile attack.
U.S. officials have accused Iran of plotting to assassinate Trump both before and after his presidency.
Manhattan prosecutors said in 2024 that Iran ordered a hit on Trump, who was running for president at the time.
Israel shared intelligence about a new Iranian plan to kill Trump in July 2026.
An Iraqi militant linked to Iran was arrested and suspected of targeting Trump's daughter Ivanka.
Threats have targeted other Trump officials, including Mike Pompeo and John Bolton.
Iran has a history of using terrorism as a foreign policy tool, including attacks in Argentina in the 1990s.
Despite security measures, experts warn the threat to Trump remains while he is alive.
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Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced she is freezing her eggs and shared the process on Instagram. Some conservative critics disagreed with her choice, but doctors say her age is a good time for egg freezing and that the criticisms are not based on medical fact.
Key Facts
AOC is 36 years old and publicly shared her egg-freezing journey.
Conservative commentators criticized her, saying egg freezing promotes unrealistic ideas about women’s fertility and career choices.
Some critics incorrectly called pregnancy after 35 “geriatric,” but doctors now use the term “advanced maternal age.”
A 2025 UCLA Health study found the average age women freeze eggs is just under 35.
Egg freezing success rates are better at younger ages, but 36 is still a reasonable age to freeze eggs.
Most frozen eggs are not used because many women get pregnant naturally or change their minds.
Egg freezing helps women feel more in control of their reproductive choices.
Medical experts say the criticisms aimed at AOC’s age and choice are not supported by science.
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The Senate is taking a five-week break in August, which means many important political issues will be left for September and after the elections. President Trump is urging Senate leaders to act quickly and pass parts of his agenda before Republicans might lose control of Congress.
Key Facts
The Senate will have a five-week recess in August.
Major political decisions are expected after the recess, in September and during the post-election session.
President Trump is pushing Senate Majority Leader John Thune to advance his agenda.
Republicans currently have control of Congress but may lose it after the elections.
Lawmakers want to complete as much of President Trump’s agenda as possible while they still control Congress.
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Democratic candidates with progressive views have recently won several primary elections, showing growing support for more left-leaning policies within the party. This trend might make it harder for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to unify all Democrats if they regain control of the House of Representatives.
Key Facts
Progressive Democrats have won multiple primary races recently.
These wins show increased support among Democratic voters for progressive ideas.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries represents the more moderate wing of the party.
Jeffries may face challenges in bringing together progressive and moderate Democrats.
Democrats want a change in direction after recent election outcomes.
The party aims to take back control of the House of Representatives.
Internal party unity could be affected by the rise of progressive members.
The primary wins highlight a shift in Democratic voter preferences.
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President Donald Trump has renewed focus on vaccine policy shortly before the midterm elections. He signed an executive order seeking to change the childhood vaccine schedule, which may affect some Republican candidates.
Key Facts
President Trump prioritized vaccine policy just three months before the midterm elections.
He signed an executive order to overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule.
The changes aim to reduce the number or timing of vaccines children receive.
This move could create challenges for Republican candidates in vulnerable districts.
The goal is to influence public health rules connected to vaccines during an election period.
The issue of vaccines is now a prominent topic in the political debate before the vote.
The executive order reflects the administration’s stance on vaccine regulation.
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David Crowley has won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, beating Francesca Hong. Crowley will face Republican Tom Tiffany in the November election. Hong’s loss stops a recent trend of left-wing Democratic wins.
Key Facts
David Crowley is seen as a centrist Democrat and won the Wisconsin governor primary narrowly over Francesca Hong.
Francesca Hong is a Democratic Socialist and was originally favored to win by many observers.
Crowley had briefly left the race but rejoined with the support of Wisconsin’s current governor, Tony Evers.
Republican Tom Tiffany won his party’s primary easily and is supported by President Donald Trump.
Hong’s past comments on police funding and Thanksgiving raised questions about her electability.
Left-wing Democrats have had a series of primary wins recently, often challenging the party leadership in Washington.
Crowley plans to focus on affordability, education, jobs, and opportunities across Wisconsin.
The November election results will affect control of the U.S. Congress as well as state leadership.
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Students competed in the Duck Brand "Stuck at Prom" Scholarship Contest by making prom outfits entirely out of duct tape. The contest helps students pay for their college education through scholarship awards.
Key Facts
The contest is called the Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest.
Participants create tuxedos and dresses from duct tape.
The event is sponsored by Duck Brand, a company known for duct tape products.
The contest provides scholarship money to help students pay for college.
Students show creativity and craftsmanship by designing and constructing their outfits.
The contest encourages fun and unique ways to support education.
ABC News reported on the event and interviewed participating students.
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President Donald Trump said he left Air Force One in Turkey using a catering truck because the Secret Service and military told him there was a threat against him. He downplayed the danger and said he did not ask many questions, while more than 100 people remained on the plane unaware of the threat. Democrats are now calling for a congressional briefing to understand the safety measures for those passengers.
Key Facts
President Trump left Air Force One in Turkey via a catering truck after a reported credible threat against him.
The Secret Service and military wanted Trump to switch to a different plane for his safety.
Over 100 White House staff, security personnel, and reporters stayed on the plane heading to Britain, not informed about the threat.
The incident was first reported by the Washington Post and New York Times.
Trump said he did not ask many questions about the threat and claimed he gets many threats normally.
Critics and Democrats expressed concern about why people on the plane were not warned or protected.
Senator Richard Blumenthal called for a congressional briefing to review the safety precautions for all passengers.
The episode has raised questions about the handling of the threat and transparency with the public and media.
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Barnaby Joyce, a One Nation MP, defended his party as welcoming to gay people after a former One Nation candidate made statements calling same-sex attraction a mental illness. Joyce said the party has many gay members and promotes Australian values of tolerance, though he found the candidate’s comments offensive. One Nation is working to improve its process for selecting candidates ahead of upcoming elections.
Key Facts
A former One Nation candidate, Parminder Singh, called same-sex attraction a mental illness and opposed marriage equality.
Singh’s comments were made in a video and caused controversy.
Barnaby Joyce called these comments offensive and said One Nation includes many gay people.
One Nation MP James Virgo is openly gay.
Anna Brown, Equality Australia’s chief, said Singh’s views are false and harmful.
Almost 80% of Australians supported marriage equality in a 2017 survey.
One Nation has faced criticism for not thoroughly checking candidates.
Joyce said the party will improve candidate selection as it grows.
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