President Trump will give a speech in Iowa to start celebrations for the United States' 250th anniversary. This event, called "America250," will include plans like a "Great American State Fair" and high school "Patriot Games." Trump will also discuss his policy goals, including tax changes and trade plans.
Key Facts
President Trump will speak in Iowa at the State Fairgrounds on Thursday night.
The speech is part of "America250," a series of events marking the U.S.'s 250th anniversary.
Trump plans to introduce ideas like a nationwide state fair and sports contests for students.
He will discuss a new policy package that includes tax cuts and changes to social services.
Trump's trade policies, including tariffs affecting farmers, will also be highlighted.
The administration is urging countries to propose new trade deals to avoid higher tariffs.
The celebration planning includes reviving a proposal for a "National Garden of American Heroes."
Trump aims to extend his influence within the government during these anniversary celebrations.
The Thai government has changed its rules on selling cannabis, now requiring a doctor's prescription for cannabis buds, which impacts businesses previously focusing on recreational sales. The government also plans to put cannabis back on the controlled narcotics list, citing health concerns and misuse, affecting many dispensaries across Thailand.
Key Facts
The Thai government now requires a doctor's prescription to buy cannabis buds.
This change targets recreational cannabis sales to return focus to medical use.
The government plans to classify cannabis as a controlled substance, similar to cocaine.
Government officials cite an increase in health issues among youth since decriminalization.
A survey found 75% of Thai people support stricter cannabis controls.
Business owners in the cannabis industry express concern about the economic impact and potential closures.
The United States will apply a 20 percent tariff on many Vietnamese exports, instead of a higher rate previously suggested. Vietnam will accept American products without tariffs, and goods passing through Vietnam from other countries will face a 40 percent tariff. This trade deal aims to reduce tensions between the two countries.
Key Facts
The US will charge a 20 percent tariff on many exports from Vietnam.
Goods moving through Vietnam from other countries will have a 40 percent tariff.
Vietnam agreed to allow US products in without tariffs.
President Trump announced the deal on social media.
A previous plan suggested a 46 percent tariff on Vietnamese imports to the US.
Vietnam is the US's 10th biggest trading partner and its largest export market.
The Vietnamese government did not confirm specific tariff details.
The deal is seen as a political boost for President Trump.
The US is concerned about Chinese goods avoiding tariffs by moving through Vietnam.
US trade with Vietnam has grown significantly, with Vietnam's exports increasing nearly threefold since 2018.
A federal judge in Washington, D.C. ruled that President Trump's order to stop people from seeking asylum at the southern border is not allowed under U.S. law. The decision said that neither the Constitution nor federal law gives the president the power to make such a decision.
Key Facts
A federal judge ruled against President Trump's order stopping asylum seekers at the southern border.
The judge stated that neither the Constitution nor immigration law allows the president to deny asylum claims this way.
Trump's order was issued on his first day as president, January 20, 2025.
Asylum allows people fearing persecution to seek safety in the U.S. and has been part of U.S. law since 1980.
Advocacy groups, including the ACLU, filed a lawsuit arguing the order endangered many lives.
The ruling will be enforced in two weeks, but the Trump administration plans to appeal.
The White House criticized the decision on social media, using strong language.
President Trump's tax cut and budget bill is currently stalled in the House of Representatives. Conservative members and others have concerns about the bill, which is why the voting process has been paused.
Key Facts
President Trump's tax cut and budget bill is under discussion in the House.
The bill is not moving forward because enough support has not been secured.
Conservative members of the House have shown concerns about the bill.
House Republican leaders are working to get enough votes to proceed.
The current situation requires the House to pause proceedings until they gather more support.
Most House Republicans support President Trump's bill, which includes extending tax cuts and adding work requirements for Medicaid. Some Republicans have concerns about the effects on Medicaid and increasing deficits, but they remain a minority.
Key Facts
President Trump's bill extends tax cuts.
The bill introduces work requirements for Medicaid.
Most House Republicans support the bill.
Some Republicans worry about cuts to Medicaid.
There are concerns about increasing deficits.
Congressman Mike Flood of Nebraska supports the bill.
Congressman Flood discussed the bill with Amna Nawaz.
Congressman Ralph Norman from South Carolina has concerns about the Senate's version of President Trump's tax cut and budget plan. He spoke with Geoff Bennett to share his thoughts.
Key Facts
Congressman Ralph Norman is from South Carolina.
He is a member of the House of Representatives.
Ralph Norman has concerns about the Senate's version of the tax cut and budget plan.
The plan is associated with President Trump.
Congressman Norman discussed these issues with Geoff Bennett.
Sean "Diddy" Combs was found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering, but guilty of prostitution-related charges. This verdict concludes a high-profile trial.
Key Facts
Sean "Diddy" Combs faced charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution offenses.
He was acquitted, meaning found not guilty, of the sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
He was found guilty of offenses related to prostitution.
The trial was one of the most widely followed in the country.
Geoff Bennett discussed the case with Moira Penza, a former assistant U.S. attorney.
Moira Penza previously led the prosecution in a separate sex trafficking conviction of NXIVM leader, Keith Raniere.
In Northern California, an explosion at a fireworks warehouse led to a large fire and the evacuation of nearby areas. Seven people are missing, and authorities are investigating the cause and searching for those missing using drones.
Key Facts
An explosion happened at a fireworks warehouse near Esparto, California.
Seven people are missing after the explosion and fire.
Emergency teams are using drones to search for the missing individuals.
The explosion caused a large fire that spread to farm fields and surrounding areas.
Authorities evacuated people from the area, and the cause of the explosion is under investigation.
The property is owned by someone with a license to handle pyrotechnics (fireworks).
The fire had covered about 80 acres by Wednesday morning.
Nearby counties are looking for new ways to celebrate the Fourth of July because their fireworks were destroyed.
Paramount settled a lawsuit by agreeing to pay Donald Trump $16 million. Trump claimed that a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris was edited unfairly, but CBS denied this.
Key Facts
Paramount agreed to pay $16 million to Trump to settle a lawsuit.
The lawsuit was about a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris.
Trump claimed the interview was edited to make Harris look or sound better.
CBS denied Trump's claim about the interview edits.
The settlement money will go to Trump's library, not directly to Trump.
Paramount did not have to apologize as part of the agreement.
Amna Nawaz and Brian Stelter talked more about this in a discussion.
A study from The Lancet warns that if there are cuts to USAID, it could lead to 14 million deaths over five years. Ghana, which is known for its democratic values in West Africa, faces challenges with poverty and health issues, especially in rural parts.
Key Facts
The Lancet published a study about the impact of USAID cuts.
USAID is a U.S. government agency that provides foreign aid.
Cutting USAID might result in 14 million deaths in five years.
Ghana is recognized for its democracy in West Africa.
Despite this, Ghana struggles with poverty and health problems.
These issues are more severe in Ghana's rural areas.
The potential end of USAID support could worsen conditions in Ghana.
A 30-year-old named Bryan Kohberger admitted to killing four Idaho students in 2022 to avoid the death penalty. He pleaded guilty to murder and burglary charges and will be sentenced to life in prison.
Key Facts
Bryan Kohberger confessed to murdering four students in Idaho in 2022.
The plea deal he took will spare him the death penalty.
Judge Steven Hippler stated Kohberger waived his right to appeal or seek leniency.
The victims were Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen.
Kohberger faces a life sentence for each murder charge and up to 10 years for burglary.
The judge will formally sentence him on July 23.
Kohberger was studying criminology at Washington State University at the time.
Sean "Diddy" Combs was found guilty of offenses related to prostitution under the Mann Act, a law designed to prevent sex trafficking. He was cleared of more serious charges but convicted for organizing travel for paid sexual activities involving his girlfriends and male sex workers.
Key Facts
Sean "Diddy" Combs was convicted under the Mann Act but acquitted of more serious trafficking and racketeering charges.
The Mann Act is a federal law passed in 1910 to prevent sex trafficking, initially involving transporting women for prostitution.
Combs was found guilty of flying people around the country for paid sexual activities, involving his former girlfriends.
The Mann Act was amended to remove gender bias and focus on prosecuting related sexual crimes.
Notable past convictions under this law include R. Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The law's original aim was to stop immoral purposes, which included consensual relationships deemed illicit at the time.
Combs’ legal team argued that the Mann Act had racist origins, but prosecutors countered that race was not a factor in the current charges.
The changes in the 1980s made the law applicable to anyone, regardless of gender, involved in illegal sexual activities.
A Ukrainian actress named Antonina Khyzhniak responded to a White House video featuring stock footage of her by making her own video. In the video, she humorously acts out a conversation with former President Trump, highlighting Ukraine's need for air defense systems.
Key Facts
The White House used stock footage of Antonina Khyzhniak in an Instagram video about a tax bill.
Khyzhniak is a well-known actress in Ukraine, known for her role in the TV series "To Catch the Kaidash."
She received many messages from Ukrainians who recognized her in the White House video.
Khyzhniak created a video where she plays herself and an animated version of President Trump.
In her video, she humorously negotiates with "Trump" for Patriot air defense systems, which Ukraine needs.
Patriots are advanced defense systems made in the USA that help protect against attacks.
Her video aimed to bring attention to Ukraine's ongoing struggles during the conflict with Russia.
The White House later announced it would stop some air defense missile shipments to Ukraine.
A federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump's order to suspend asylum at the southern border is unlawful. The judge's decision will take effect on July 16, allowing the government time to appeal. This order had been part of Trump's plan to reduce migration at the southern border.
Key Facts
A federal judge declared Trump's asylum suspension at the border unlawful.
The ruling will take effect on July 16, offering time for an appeal.
The judge stated the president cannot bypass laws allowing asylum.
The ruling challenges a key part of Trump's immigration policy.
Trump's suspension labeled the border situation as an "invasion."
Border arrests decreased significantly after enforcement changes.
U.S. law ensures the right to seek asylum for those fleeing danger.
A report describes people in Gaza facing danger and violence while seeking food at distribution sites. Health officials say hundreds have been killed by military fire at these locations.
Key Facts
People in Gaza are trying to get food from sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
The foundation is supported by Israel and the U.S.
Israeli military fire has killed hundreds of people at these food sites, according to health officials and international medical teams.
Crowds compete for food rations at these sites.
Thieves have been observed at these distribution locations.
The information comes from an NPR journalist in Gaza.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs was found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering by a jury in New York, but he was convicted of a lesser charge related to prostitution. After the verdict, Combs showed emotions along with his family and lawyers, and he was released from jail.
Key Facts
Sean 'Diddy' Combs was on trial for sex trafficking and racketeering.
A jury found Combs not guilty of the major charges.
He was convicted of a lesser charge involving transportation for prostitution.
The verdict was reached after about two days of jury discussions.
Combs showed emotion and made gestures of prayer and gratitude after the verdict.
Combs had been in a federal jail since September.
His lawyers confirmed that Combs was able to leave the courthouse after the decision.
A jury found musician Sean "Diddy" Combs guilty of a prostitution-related crime but not guilty of more serious charges like sex trafficking and racketeering. The trial lasted seven weeks and involved testimonies about Combs's alleged abusive behavior, but he was only convicted of helping transport people for prostitution.
Key Facts
Sean "Diddy" Combs was found guilty of a prostitution-related charge.
He was acquitted of charges including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
The trial lasted seven weeks and involved testimonies from his former partners.
Combs could have faced life in prison if found guilty of sex trafficking.
Acquittal on sex trafficking charges means he avoids a 15-year mandatory sentence.
Prosecutors claimed Combs forced his partners into drug-fueled sexual activities.
Combs's lawyers argued that the activities were consensual.
Combs has previously settled civil lawsuits related to abuse allegations.
US President Donald Trump and some officials have suggested they might consider taking away US citizenship from Zohran Mamdani and Elon Musk. Mamdani, a Democratic mayoral candidate in New York, became a naturalized US citizen in 2018. Musk, a famous businessman, became a US citizen in 2002. Questions have been raised about the ability of the administration to remove their citizenship.
Key Facts
Trump and his team have hinted at possibly revoking citizenship of Zohran Mamdani and Elon Musk.
Zohran Mamdani is a naturalized US citizen who came from Uganda to New York at age seven.
Elon Musk became a US citizen in 2002 and was born in South Africa.
Andy Ogles, a Republican representative, is pushing for a probe into Mamdani’s citizenship status.
Ogles claims Mamdani might have hidden his support for people linked to terrorism when he became a citizen.
Musk denied starting his US career without proper work authorization, explaining he initially had a J-1 visa.
Both Mamdani and Musk are naturalized, meaning they legally became US citizens after fulfilling certain residency requirements.
