Private research university in Washington, D.C., chartered by Congress in 1821
Janeese Lewis George, a Democratic Socialist, is leading DC’s mayoral race after the primary, with Kenyan McDuffie in second. The race is expected to shape the city’s stance on statehood, ICE, and relations with the Trump administration, amid a volatile political moment.
DC voters have elected Janeese Lewis George as mayor-elect in a landmark primary victory, signaling a shift toward democratic socialism. Her win challenges the status quo and sets up a tough general election as the district confronts housing, childcare costs, and a fragile budget amid a national debate over the role of government.
Federal student‑loan regulations have changed this week under the One Big Beautiful Bill and court rulings. The Education Department has rolled out new repayment plans, temporary interest‑rate cuts for autopay enrollees, and lifetime borrowing caps for graduate and professional students, while a federal judge has paused the department's narrowed definition of "professional degree," temporarily preserving wider borrowing access for many advanced‑health and other programs. Notices are going out to millions of borrowers who must pick new plans.
Recent reporting shows Donald Trump has publicly labeled Democrats and candidates allied with democratic socialism as “communists,” arguing this stance threatens religion and the American way of life. He cites New York primary victories by Mamdani-backed progressives as evidence of a leftward shift, while analysts warn the tactic risks conflating democratic socialism with communism.
The SAVE income-driven repayment plan has ended and servicers have begun notifying roughly 7–7.5 million borrowers that they have 90 days from their notice to choose a replacement. New Department of Education rules that took effect on July 1 have created a Repayment Assistance Plan and a Tiered Standard plan, tightened graduate and Parent PLUS borrowing caps, and added a temporary autopay interest discount.
A wave of heat-related challenges is unfolding as global households face rising energy bills, with heat waves intensifying the demand for cooling. Governments are weighing support for low-income families while debates over air conditioning and fan use continue across regions.
On the Fourth of July, hundreds of members of the Patriot Front march through Washington, D.C., with uniforms and flags, prompting police monitoring. Reports from Reuters, The Times of Israel, Al Jazeera, Independent and The New York Post detail the group’s tactics, the crowd’s reactions, and ongoing safety measures.
Governor Andy Beshear has pressed for a direct public update on Mitch McConnell’s health, urging him to prove his capacity to serve or resign. The push follows McConnell’s hospitalization after a June 14 fall and limited public updates from his office. Several lawmakers stress transparency amid ongoing questions about the senator’s ability to return to the Senate.
Graham has died at 71 after a suspected brief illness. Medical examiner findings indicate an aortic dissection linked to arteriosclerosis as the likely cause; official cause will follow toxicology and microscopic tests. Social media claims of foul play are unfounded according to preliminary reports. Authorities have noted FBI assistance at Graham’s home.
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order imposing a one-year statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centres that use 50 megawatts or more, directing regulators to complete an environmental impact review and consider rules to make developers pay for power, contribute to grid upgrades and lose tax breaks. The move has drawn praise from community and environmental groups and rebuke from industry and national conservatives.
The Fauci diaries have intensified scrutiny of his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Senate panel has voted to hold him in contempt for refusing to answer questions, while states push for records. Republicans argue for accountability; Democrats defend the former NIH director amid a renewed focus on origins, lockdowns, and media coverage.
Fauci has invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing on his COVID-era policies. Rand Paul has moved to refer him to the Justice Department for contempt, arguing the presidential pardon does not shield him from self-incrimination. The diaries raise questions about private misgivings vs public statements, and about the origins of the virus and lockdowns.
The Department of Justice has asked the Supreme Court to let construction on the president's 90,000 sq ft White House ballroom continue while courts hear challenges. A federal appeals court last week upheld an injunction requiring congressional approval for above‑ground work and stayed that order for 14 days. The administration argues the project includes vital security and military features and is roughly two‑thirds complete.
Iran has appointed Mohsen Rezaee as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and elevated its top commanders, reshaping the security and military leadership amid ongoing US-Israel war. The moves consolidate Mojtaba Khamenei’s influence and signal a hardline stance, even as some officials call for de-escalation and negotiations.
Greenland Energy plans to drill in Jameson Land amid warnings from Greenlandic regulators. The government says landings require mineral resources approval, while a drilling effort linked to US interests faces political pressure as local authorities weigh conservation commitments against potential oil reserves.
Flock Safety has announced mandatory changes to its national license-plate camera network after reporting dozens of US officers misused the system. The company has shortened default data retention from 30 days to seven, will require case codes for searches and will force all customers to enable an audit tool that can lock out flagged users.
Anthropic has announced Enterprise Frontier Safeguards and new Claude 5.1 family models as it expands data handling controls for enterprise customers. The move coincides with major cloud and hardware partnerships to scale compute capacity, as the company positions itself for a possible IPO amid fierce competition in AI infrastructure.
The United States has removed Syria from its state sponsor of terrorism list, and has also delisted the al-Nusrah Front. Damascus says the move unlocks investment and accelerates reconstruction as it seeks to reintegrate with the global economy. Washington frames the step as a path to stability, while analysts caution continued regional risks.
Federal filings show a nurse practitioner prescribed hundreds of thousands of opioid pills across more than 20 states, guiding clients on evading DEA scrutiny. The DEA has revoked her authority to prescribe controlled substances. Civil settlement reached earlier this year did not admit wrongdoing. Details tie prominent athletes and others to the operation.