American politician, Massachusetts senator since 2013
Twelve state attorneys general, led by California AG Rob Bonta, have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block Paramount Skydance’s proposed $110–$111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The suit argues the deal will raise prices, reduce content and lessen competition in theatrical distribution and basic cable; the states have asked the court to freeze the transaction pending review.
Roskomnadzor has been at the center of a February-to-April surge in security claims, with authorities alleging Ukrainian involvement in a string of sabotage attempts and threatening online information controls amid broader war-time tensions. The latest case involves a supposed drone- or bomb-related plot raising questions about Ukrainian influence and internal security responses.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has testified twice before Congress this week about the U.S. war with Iran and a proposed $1.45–$1.5tn Pentagon budget, with officials publicly putting the conflictcost at $25bn. Lawmakers have pressed for a strategy, probed civilian casualties and stockpile depletion, and challenged Hegseth on troop use at US polls and senior officer dismissals.
A group of 12 Democratic senators has sent a letter to CENTCOM chief Brad Cooper accusing Israel’s mass evacuation warnings in Lebanon and Iran of likely contravening international humanitarian law. The letter seeks clarification on coordination with U.S. forces and the legality of targeting within evacuation zones, amid broader scrutiny of U.S. military support for Israel.
Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, has died at 87. His life spanned philanthropy, conservation, entertainment and sports ownership. His most enduring legacy is creating the 24-hour news cycle through CNN, which transformed journalism and public discourse. His passing prompts questions about CNN’s future under new ownership.
The U.S. has extended for another month a waiver allowing the sale of Russian crude already loaded on tankers, keeping oil in global markets and aiming to temper prices amid ongoing tensions in the Iran war and Hormuz disruptions. The extension comes as critics say it benefits Moscow, while allies push for further relief.
Airlines have adjusted summer schedules and are temporarily suspending select routes in August–September because jet fuel costs have surged since the Iran conflict closed key shipping lanes. Carriers including American, easyJet and others have reduced seats, delayed route launches or paused services; travelers are being offered refunds or rebooking and face higher fares and fees.
Graham Platner has front-lined a Fight the Oligarchy rally in Portland, Maine, alongside Bernie Sanders, as he seeks the Democratic nomination for Maine Senate. He has faced questions over a resurfaced online history and a controversial post about a veteran. The event comes as his campaign confronts scrutiny of his past remarks.
Graham Platner has won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Maine despite weeks of damaging reporting about sexually explicit messages, a chest tattoo linked to Nazi imagery and accounts from former partners describing volatile behavior. Platner has held to the campaign, high-profile Democrats have continued to back him, and he will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November.
Democrats are grappling with Graham Platner’s recent disclosures ahead of the Maine Senate race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. The New York Times has reported disturbing accounts from several former partners, while Platner has described his past as a period of transformation. Party leaders remain cautiously supportive, highlighting the stakes for control of the Senate.
Zach Lahn has won the Republican gubernatorial primary in Iowa, challenging Trump’s pick Randy Feenstra. Democrat Rob Sand is seeking to flip the governorship, arguing for balanced government amid a Republican trifecta in Des Moines. The primary outcome also intersects with potential shifts in California and a Democratic Senate bid in Iowa.
SpaceX has floated on Nasdaq under the ticker SPCX, raising about $75 billion at $135 a share and debuting with a market value above $2 trillion. The newly public group combines SpaceX's rocket and Starlink businesses with xAI and X. Investors have driven strong demand despite losses and questions about unproven projects such as orbital data centres and Mars plans.
Multiple recent reports have revealed unsafe conditions across U.S. immigration detention sites and a rising death rate since January 2025. Federal watchdog and medical examiner findings have shown missing evidence, inadequate medical care, suicides and a homicide ruling after a Haitian asylum seeker died days after release. Protests and hunger strikes are escalating at privately run centres.
The Education Department has announced a two-year, temporary 1% reduction in interest rates for Direct Loans issued after July 2012, available to autopay borrowers through June 30, 2028. Eligible borrowers on autopay will see the discount automatically, with action required only for new enrollments by Sept. 30, 2026. The policy forms part of a broad overhaul of repayment plans under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The Maine Senate primary has become a test of Democratic unity as Graham Platner confronts a cascade of past misconduct allegations. Voters weigh his outsider appeal against concerns about character, with Mills’ campaign staying on the sidelines as Democrats wrestle with how to respond ahead of the general election.
Trust funds for Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Medicare face earlier depletion than previously forecast. PWBM projects depletion by 2033 for OASI and 2034 for combined funds, while the official trustees warn longer-term pressures. Lawmakers face urgent choices on taxes, benefits, and program integrity as costs rise for aging Americans.
Graham Platner has won the Maine Democratic Senate primary and will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. Several colleagues hesitate to endorse him, citing his past scandals, while party leaders urge unity to regain Senate control.
Democrat Graham Platner has clinched the Maine Senate nomination amid a wave of scandals linked to past behavior and posts. Some Democrats argue voters care about issues and elect candidates who energize the base, while others caution against dismissing misconduct. The race now moves to a general election against Republican incumbent Susan Collins.
The bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act has cleared major hurdles in both chambers, capping single-family home purchases by large investors at 350 units and removing a seven-year sell-off requirement. The measure aims to boost housing supply and affordability while streamlining environmental reviews and funding housing initiatives.
Congress has passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act with overwhelming bipartisan majorities to speed construction, restrict corporate buyers and ease federal rules. President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned signing and said he will not sign until Congress passes voter ID and other measures in his proposed SAVE America Act, leaving the legislation’s enactment uncertain.
Trump has canceled a signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill, saying he will not sign until Senate passes the SAVE America Act. The move follows a tense exchange at a Capitol Hill luncheon where Cassidy challenged the administration’s Iran war approach. The episode highlights deep GOP rifts as lawmakers balance housing affordability with stricter voting measures ahead of midterms.
Anthropic has alerted lawmakers to a campaign by operators linked to Alibaba’s Qwen lab that allegedly carried out 28.8 million exchanges with Claude across nearly 25,000 fraudulent accounts between April 22 and June 5, aiming to extract its capabilities. The company says the activity is the largest known distillation attack to date and calls for penalties and stronger safeguards.
The government has released June employment data showing payrolls rising by 57,000, far below forecasts, while the unemployment rate edges down to 4.2%. The labor force participation rate has fallen, highlighting a shift in the job market as fewer people are seeking work. Revisions to May and April data point to a softer hiring pace than previously thought.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge remains closed despite calls to open it, with Mallory McMorrow accusing Donald Trump of blocking its opening to benefit a major donor. The scenario is unfolding as Michigan’s primary races intensify and the bridge becomes a point of political leverage.
The Supreme Court has allowed the administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, affecting about 1.3 million people from 17 countries. The decision, written by Justice Alito, sides with the administration’s authority over TPS but drew sharp dissent from Justice Kagan, who highlighted racist remarks by Trump related to Haitian migrants.
The Fed has maintained policy amid inflation that remains above the 2% goal. Markets are watching for Warsh's approach, with two potential paths emerging as data guides policy. Public appearances and congressional testimony will shape expectations for rate moves this year.
Trump has tied support for a housing bill to passage of the SAVE America Act, arguing for stricter voter-ID rules while facing Senate resistance and intra-party divisions. The White House awaits responses as lawmakers maneuver on two intertwined priorities ahead of the midterms.
Three major egg producers—Cal-Maine Foods, Versova and Hickman’s Egg Ranch—have agreed to a civil settlement with the DOJ and 17 states over alleged price manipulation. The deal requires them to pay $3.3 million and donate 53 million eggs to food banks, with court approval pending. They deny wrongdoing and will adopt antitrust compliance programs.
OnePlus has announced it will stop launching new phones in Europe and North America and will focus new device rollouts on India and China. The company has said existing phones will keep receiving software support, but OxygenOS will be replaced globally by Oppos ColorOS with the Android 17 update.
OpenAI has proposed that the U.S. government take roughly a 5% stake in the company and has discussed a plan for other leading AI firms to give similar stakes to a government-backed vehicle. The talks have taken place with Trump administration officials and would likely require congressional approval. (Updated Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:15:26 +0100)
Tesla has reported record second-quarter deliveries of 480,126 vehicles, a 25% year-on-year rise that exceeded Wall Street estimates. Production ran at 451,758 units, leaving the company to draw down inventory. Strong European demand, higher fuel prices and expanded availability of its driver‑assist systems have powered the rebound.
McMorrow has suspended her campaign for the U.S. Senate, leaving a two-person race between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed. The move intensifies competition in a key battleground state as Democrats weigh electability ahead of November.
Graham Platner has withdrawn from the Maine Senate race after a former girlfriend accused him of sexual assault. He denies the allegations, saying the decision is about protecting campaigns from power structures. The Maine Democratic Party must nominate a replacement before the July 27 deadline as it races to defend Susan Collins in November.
Graham Platner has paused his Maine Senate campaign after a sexual assault accusation, which he denies. The Maine Democratic Party must replace him by a July 27 deadline, with ongoing scrutiny of new allegations and potential implications for the race against Republican incumbent Susan Collins.
Graham Platner, Maine’s Democratic Senate nominee, is facing growing pressure to withdraw after a Politico report details a 2021 sexual assault allegation from Jenny Racicot. Platner denies the accusation, while Democrats including Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand urge him to step aside; the party weighs replacement options ahead of a July 13 deadline.
Democrat Graham Platner has withdrawn amid sexual-assault allegations, triggering a rapid search for a replacement nominee ahead of a July 27 deadline. The Maine Democratic Party plans a nominating convention to select the nominee, while candidates race to present themselves to roughly 600 delegates.
New York City open primaries face opposition from Mayor Mamdani as activists push for a system that could widen voter participation. The debate centers on whether the closed primaries strengthen incumbents or expose voters to broader choice.
The Social Security retirement fund is projected to exhaust its reserves by 2032. A bipartisan push seeks solutions to extend solvency, with proposals including PROMISE and Social Security 2100 Act. COLA trends show adjustments for 2027 and beyond amid inflation.
A developing clash in Congress over a GOP budget reconciliation package seeks to fund Iran-related military actions and domestic priorities. Republicans push a defense-heavy framework with limited offsets, while Democrats press for affordability and oversight as votes approach.
Kathryn Ruemmler has testified before the House Oversight Committee, acknowledging a long relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and saying he used her to legitimize his standing. She has stepped down from Goldman Sachs but remains as senior adviser. Lawmakers are pursuing further depositions and documents as part of a broad probe into Epstein’s network.
The Commerce Department has moved toward easing export controls for the United Arab Emirates, designating it as a privileged trading partner and enabling greater access to AI chips and related technology from Nvidia, Microsoft and OpenAI. The change centers on Gulf ties to U.S. tech and security interests.
President has announced Promise Me, America, a memoir detailing the challenges of his presidency and the decision to end his re-election bid. The book is scheduled for Nov. 17, two weeks after midterm elections; publishers have not disclosed financial terms.
Graham Platner has withdrawn from the Maine Senate race after a sexual assault allegation. Democrats are replacing him and will hold a nominating convention by July 27 to select a new candidate to challenge Susan Collins in November. Several contenders are weighing runs as the party grapples with the upheaval and the race tightens.
Trump Media & Technology has unveiled a paid, low-latency data feed — branded Truth API/Truth PSI — that will deliver real-time posts from the platform’s top accounts to banks, high-frequency trading firms and news organisations starting August 1. The company says it has already signed customers; critics and lawmakers have warned the service will let traders profit from presidential posts and raise conflict‑of‑interest concerns.