President Donald Trump recently won a golf club championship at his Bedminster, New Jersey course. Independent trackers estimate that the total taxpayer cost for his golf-related travel and security during his second term has reached nearly $115 million, which is higher than the amount spent on former President Barack Obama's golf trips.
Key Facts
President Trump announced winning his 43rd career club golf championship at Bedminster.
The estimated cost of Trump's golf travel and security is about $114.97 million as of early August 2024.
The costs include trips to Mar-a-Lago, Bedminster, Scotland, and a Washington-area golf course.
Most expenses are tied to travel by Air Force One, Coast Guard patrols, and other security arrangements.
Trump spent 259 days at his properties, including 148 days at golf courses, during the first 512 days of his current term.
Trump has played golf on about 26.4% of his second-term days, more than Obama’s 11.4% during his entire presidency.
Obama mainly golfed near the White House, reducing travel costs compared to Trump’s trips to private clubs.
The cost estimates might increase by 20-40% when considering travel-related days not counted in the current figures.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Wildfires near Spokane, Washington, have forced tens of thousands of people to leave their homes. City officials report that about 600 homes have burned down as of Monday.
Key Facts
The wildfires are occurring around Spokane, the second largest city in Washington state.
Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated for safety.
Approximately 600 homes have been destroyed by the fires.
Before and after images and videos show extensive damage, including burned houses and cars.
City officials are closely monitoring the situation and assessing the destruction.
The news coverage included verification of the damage by matching videos taken after the fires with earlier images.
The event is part of wider wildfire concerns affecting parts of the United States.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Trump administration has finished creating a voluntary plan for AI companies to share new AI models with the government before public release. President Trump signed an order in June directing this plan to improve AI safety and encourage innovation without strict government rules.
Key Facts
The Trump administration finalized a voluntary AI evaluation framework.
A meeting with AI industry partners will be held to discuss the framework.
The plan comes from an executive order President Trump signed in June.
The order encourages AI companies to share powerful new AI models with the government before release.
The sharing is voluntary, not required by law.
The government aims to improve AI security and protect against harmful uses.
"Frontier" AI models are the most advanced, and the government may access these for up to 30 days.
The framework tries to balance safety with allowing AI innovation to continue.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A far-right Republican candidate in Florida, James Fishback, is being sued by a student debate champion, Briana Whatley, for not paying her $8,000 in scholarship money she was promised. Whatley won the scholarships through a debate league Fishback founded, but he has only paid her a part of the money and has delayed the rest.
Key Facts
Briana Whatley won around $11,000 in scholarships from Incubate Debate, a competition created by James Fishback.
Fishback gave Whatley a $10,000 check and two $500 awards but has not paid $8,000 promised to her.
Whatley filed a lawsuit in Broward County small claims court against Fishback and the Incubate Foundation Inc.
Fishback allegedly ignored emails and changed payment terms, blaming a fired employee and claiming installment payments were always planned.
Fishback admitted in a text message that he "totally dropped the ball" and later paid only $3,000 more.
The lawsuit states Whatley has suffered financial harm due to the unpaid scholarship money.
Fishback is a candidate for Florida governor, competing in the Republican primary on August 18, 2024.
Fishback survived a recent legal challenge about his residency for the governor race.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create the Presidential Military Spouse Commission. The commission will focus on solving problems faced by military members and their families.
Key Facts
President Trump signed the executive order on Monday.
The order establishes the Presidential Military Spouse Commission.
The commission aims to help military families with housing, jobs, health care, education, and childcare.
Jennifer Hegseth, wife of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, will lead the commission.
The commission will develop suggestions to improve the lives of military spouses and troops.
The event was shared in a video format for public viewing.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Trump criticized major U.S. oil companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil for making large profits while gasoline prices remain high. He urged these companies to lower gas prices to help consumers, especially as oil prices have been affected by the Iran conflict.
Key Facts
President Trump said oil companies have "made too much money" from high oil prices.
He specifically named Chevron and ExxonMobil, urging them to reduce gas prices.
Gasoline prices in the U.S. are above $4 per gallon, up from about $3 before the Iran war.
Brent crude oil price recently fell by over 4% to around $84 per barrel amid hopes for peace progress.
About half of Americans say high fuel prices are causing financial problems, per a CBS News poll.
Oil companies do not directly set gas prices; oil costs, refining, and transport all affect prices.
President Trump predicted oil prices will fall sharply after the Iran conflict ends.
ExxonMobil and Chevron did not immediately respond to requests for comments on the criticism.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis announced their support for Todd Blanche as attorney general. This announcement followed an agreement to end the "anti-weaponization" fund, which had been controversial. Legal experts are discussing whether the Department of Justice (DOJ) might bring back this fund despite its cancellation.
Key Facts
GOP Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis support Todd Blanche as attorney general.
An agreement was made to end the "anti-weaponization" fund.
The "anti-weaponization" fund was controversial before it was ended.
The Department of Justice may consider reviving the fund.
Rupa Bhattacharyya, a legal expert, is providing analysis on the situation.
The discussions involve the role of the DOJ in managing such funds.
The fund was meant to address issues related to weaponization, though details are not specified.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The trial of Lindsay Clancy, who admitted to killing her three children in Duxbury, Massachusetts, resumed with testimony from doctors and diary readings. Clancy’s diary entries revealed her struggles with stress, mental health problems, and feelings of being overwhelmed before the murders.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy admitted to killing her three children on January 24, 2023.
The prosecution says Clancy intentionally strangled her children, ages 8 months, 3 years, and 5 years.
The defense claims Clancy was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis and was overmedicated.
Diary entries read in court showed Clancy feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and desperate for relief.
Clancy wrote about hearing her baby cry for over an hour, feeling like she was "drowning," and wanting to die.
Hospital doctors described Clancy as anxious and "horrified" after the murders, with some delirium linked to medical treatment.
Clancy sought to change her healthcare proxy from her ex-husband to her parents after the incident.
Psychiatrists testified that Clancy’s harmful thoughts were not constant or all-day long.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The US House ethics committee recommended censuring North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards for creating a hostile work environment and sexual harassment through inappropriate attention and gifts to two young female staffers. The investigation found no sexual activity but ruled his behavior violated House rules, and the House may officially reprimand him.
Key Facts
Chuck Edwards is a Republican congressman from North Carolina in his second term.
The House ethics committee found he gave special gifts and attention to two young female staffers, making them and others uncomfortable.
Edwards did not engage in sexual activity or suggest it, but his actions broke House rules on sexual harassment.
He acknowledged some behavior might be inappropriate but did not fully take responsibility for the harm caused.
Gifts, late-night texts, private dinners, and trips were part of the behavior described.
If censured, Edwards would stand in the House chamber while a formal rebuke is read aloud.
Edwards won his seat in 2022 by defeating a scandal-plagued incumbent and faces a tough re-election race in 2024.
His Democratic opponent said the report shows the need for leaders with strong moral character.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Voters in Michigan are choosing between Abdul El-Sayed and Representative Haley Stevens in a Democratic Senate primary. This election could change the party's future and affect the role of groups that support Israel.
Key Facts
Michigan voters are voting in a Democratic Senate primary.
The candidates are Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens.
Abdul El-Sayed is known as a progressive candidate.
Haley Stevens is currently a Representative in Congress.
The outcome could influence the Democratic Party’s direction.
The primary may impact the power of pro-Israel lobbying groups.
Voting takes place on a Tuesday in Michigan.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
David Venturella, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), informed Senator Elizabeth Warren that he sold his stocks in Geo Group, a company involved in detention centers. He also said he will avoid any involvement with contracts related to detention to prevent conflicts of interest.
Key Facts
David Venturella is the acting director of ICE.
He sent a letter to Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Venturella said he sold his stocks in the Geo Group.
Geo Group is a company that operates detention facilities.
He declared he will not participate in any contracts or duties involving detention.
The letter did not provide details about how ICE manages contracts.
This action is to avoid conflicts of interest between his role and his investments.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor declined to stop a $656 million court judgment against the Palestinian authorities. This ruling follows the Supreme Court’s earlier decision supporting Americans harmed in attacks in Israel.
Key Facts
The judgment is for $656 million against the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
The lawsuit was filed by Americans who were killed or injured in attacks that took place in Israel.
The Supreme Court previously ruled last year in favor of the victims and their families.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor refused to delay enforcing the judgment.
The case involves claims linked to violence impacting American citizens abroad.
The decision allows the victims to pursue the awarded compensation from the defendants.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
About 24 states led by Democrats sued President Donald Trump over his new global tariffs. They argue these tariffs are illegal, similar to others the Supreme Court has stopped before.
Key Facts
Around two dozen states controlled by Democrats joined the lawsuit.
The suit targets President Donald Trump’s recently announced tariffs on global imports.
The tariffs add an extra charge of about 10 percent or more on certain goods.
The states say the tariffs are unlawful based on past Supreme Court decisions.
Small businesses have also started legal challenges against the tariffs in recent days.
The tariffs were announced last month as part of President Trump’s trade policy.
The lawsuit is part of a growing opposition to the President’s use of tariffs.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump criticized U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for dropping charges against a former Olympian accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Trump said Pirro gave up under pressure from a judge and expressed disappointment with how the pool repair project was handled.
Key Facts
President Trump said Jeanine Pirro “folded like an umbrella” after she moved to drop vandalism charges against David Hearn.
Hearn, a former Olympian, was accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool but said he only touched the pool briefly and followed a park worker’s orders.
Trump was frustrated that Pirro blamed poor construction for the damage instead of vandalism.
The Reflecting Pool repair project was done by Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a company Trump said rushed the work to finish before July 4.
Trump said he did not personally know the contractor and was not fully happy with their work.
The pool was drained recently for more repairs, with no new bidding for the rebuilding work.
The White House has not announced the completion date or the cost of the new repairs.
Trump predicted the Reflecting Pool would reopen in about one to two weeks.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Supreme Court refused to stop a $656 million judgment against the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority. The money is meant for Americans hurt or killed in attacks in Israel, and the decision allows the victims’ families to receive compensation.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor denied a request to pause the $656 million payment.
The judgment is related to attacks in Jerusalem in the early 2000s that killed 33 Americans and injured hundreds.
The lawsuit was filed using the Anti-Terrorism Act, which lets victims of international terrorism sue in U.S. courts.
The PLO and Palestinian Authority warned the payment could harm West Bank government services.
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the victims last year, reviving two related cases in 2025.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the verdict in March 2026.
The victims’ families expressed relief that the decision would bring justice after a long legal battle.
Earlier, a federal court in New York had overturned the original verdict before Congress changed the law.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Twenty-five U.S. states sued President Donald Trump’s administration over new tariffs on imports. The states say these tariffs are a way to replace earlier tariffs the Supreme Court stopped, and they claim the new taxes are illegal.
Key Facts
The lawsuit involves 25 states, including New York, California, and Michigan.
The new tariffs target goods from 59 countries and the European Union.
These tariffs are meant to punish countries that don’t stop products made with forced labor.
The Supreme Court blocked earlier tariffs under a 1977 law called IEEPA.
After that ruling, the administration used temporary tariffs that recently expired.
Now, new tariffs are applied under a different law, Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Section 301 allows tariffs against unfair trade practices and was used before on China’s imports.
The states argue the new tariffs still illegally raise taxes on U.S. families and businesses.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Twenty-five U.S. states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration about new tariffs. They say these tariffs are an attempt to bring back import taxes that the Supreme Court ruled against earlier this year.
Key Facts
The lawsuit involves 25 U.S. states suing the federal government.
The dispute concerns new tariffs set by President Trump’s administration.
These tariffs apply to goods from 59 countries and the European Union.
The tariffs target imports believed to be made with forced labor.
Last month’s tariffs replaced temporary tariffs that ended after a Supreme Court ruling.
The Supreme Court had struck down earlier tariffs in February.
The new tariffs began just as the temporary tariffs expired.
The states argue the new tariffs are a way to reinstate taxes the Court rejected.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche made an agreement with two Republican senators to end a $1.8 billion fund linked to former President Trump. Some Democrats and experts say the deal is weak and could allow Trump to restart the fund.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche withdrew an order that created a $1.8 billion "weaponization fund."
The fund was linked to a lawsuit involving Trump’s tax returns.
Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, both Republicans, agreed to support Blanche’s confirmation after the deal.
The agreement limits tax audit immunity to Trump, his sons, and their businesses only for past actions.
Legal experts and Democrats say the deal is not strong and leaves room for Trump to revive the fund.
Trump praised the fund and threatened to bring it back.
There is a separate government process under the Federal Tort Claims Act that could allow payouts to people involved in the January 6 events.
Some Democrats say the deal is not enough to stop future payouts or the return of similar funds.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump criticized U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for dropping criminal charges related to damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. He said Pirro blamed poor work by a contractor instead of vandalism and expressed his frustration with her decision.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke about the case on Monday.
The charges concerned damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Pirro's office blamed a contractor's poor workmanship, not vandalism.
The criminal charges were dropped against a former Olympian accused of damaging the pool.
Trump used phrases like "folded like a cheap umbrella" and "choked" to describe Pirro’s actions.
Jeanine Pirro is a former Fox News host and the U.S. Attorney involved in the case.
The case reversal disappointed President Trump.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Police arrested two men in Sydney after one allegedly showed a fake gun and wore a bulletproof vest with a US flag at a busy entertainment area. The men were charged with firearm and drug offenses, with one denied bail and the other granted conditional bail.
Key Facts
The incident happened at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park, Sydney.
One man was wearing a bulletproof vest with a US flag and had a replica firearm, plastic handcuffs, and a toy police badge.
Police arrived quickly, surrounding the men and causing confusion among nearby shoppers.
The younger man (35) was charged with having an unregistered, unauthorized pistol in public and for offensive behavior.
The older man (39) was charged with possession of prohibited drugs found during a search.
The younger man was refused bail and appeared in court the same day.
The older man was granted conditional bail and has a court date set for August 20.
Police acted with uniformed and specialist officers, including tactical gear.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
