Kayla Epstein

Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly are projected to have won their Florida gubernatorial primaries and will face each other in November, with Donalds backed by Donald Trump and Jolly running as a former Republican turned Trump critic. Democratic socialist Angie Nixon defeated Alex Vindman in a surprising Florida Senate primary and will challenge Republican Ashley Moody. Republican Congressman Cory Mills lost his primary amid an ethics investigation and allegations of domestic abuse, which he denies. In Alaska, incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan advanced alongside Democrat Mary Peltola despite concerns that a similarly named challenger could confuse voters.

Florida Republicans nominated Trump-endorsed Congressman Byron Donalds for governor, while Democrats selected former Republican Congressman David Jolly, setting up a November contest in a state Democrats have not governed since 1999. Democratic socialist state lawmaker Angie Nixon won a surprise Senate primary over better-funded former official Alex Vindman and will face Republican Ashley Moody. Congressman Cory Mills lost his Republican primary amid an ethics investigation and domestic-abuse allegations, which he denies. In Alaska, incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan advanced alongside Democrat Mary Peltola after defeating a confusingly similar-named challenger, preserving Democrats’ hopes of flipping the seat.

Luigi Mangione’s New York state murder trial over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been postponed after Mangione pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges and admitted shooting Thompson. His lawyers are seeking dismissal of the state case, arguing that pursuing both prosecutions would violate constitutional double-jeopardy protections. Judge Gregory Carro ordered the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to respond by 9 October, with the next hearing set for 10 December; Mangione’s federal sentencing is scheduled for 18 December and could carry a life sentence.

Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to two counts of interstate stalking resulting in death, admitting that he planned and carried out the December 2024 shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for December 18. Mangione still denies eight state charges in New York, including second-degree murder, weapons offenses and possession of a forged document; his lawyers argue that the state case violates protections against being prosecuted twice for the same conduct. The federal government’s earlier death-penalty-related charges were dismissed, while public reaction remains divided, reflecting broader debates over healthcare, institutional power, political extremism and violence.

Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in federal court to fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson in Manhattan in December 2024. He told Judge Margaret Garnett that severe back pain and his experiences with the health insurance industry led him to research Thompson's company conference, make a gun using a 3D printer, and shoot Thompson. Mangione faces a possible life sentence on two stalking charges, although prosecutors recommend 24–30 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 18 December, while a separate state murder trial remains scheduled for September.

Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in a New York federal court to killing UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson in Manhattan in December 2024. He told the court that chronic back pain and his experiences with the health insurance industry motivated him to research Thompson's conference, make a gun using a 3D printer and shoot him. Mangione faces up to life in prison on each of two stalking charges, with prosecutors recommending 24 to 30 years; sentencing is scheduled for 18 December. A separate trial on state murder charges remains scheduled for September.

Luigi Mangione's attorneys are scheduled to meet federal prosecutors amid reports that they may be discussing a plea agreement in the case involving the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione faces federal stalking charges carrying a possible life sentence and a separate state prosecution, and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. A federal guilty plea could prompt arguments that the state case violates double-jeopardy protections, although it remains unclear whether the cases overlap sufficiently and whether any agreement will be reached.

A New York judge ruled that the 12-person jury in Luigi Mangione’s state murder trial will remain anonymous because of intense public and online interest. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on 8 September, with an overflow room planned for spectators. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to charges including second-degree murder and weapons offenses in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson. The judge excluded some evidence from Mangione’s Pennsylvania arrest but allowed prosecutors to use a gun, notebook writings, surveillance footage, ballistics and fingerprint evidence. His lawyers have not disclosed a complete defense strategy and withdrew a proposed extreme-emotional-disturbance argument; Mangione also faces a separate federal trial next year.

Donald Trump rejects reports that the United States is running short of missiles and other weapons, calling claims of shortages false and threatening severe punishment for alleged leakers. The Pentagon also disputes the reports, while Iran says its domestic arms industry leaves it prepared for continued conflict. Reports cited by CBS News and The Washington Post, along with estimates from CSIS, indicate that the United States has used substantial portions of its Patriot and THAAD missile stocks during the war with Iran and in support of Ukraine. Replenishing advanced weapons is slow and costly, prompting the administration to seek $87 billion in emergency funding to accelerate production and replace equipment.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy said he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, likely preserving President Donald Trump's nominee after Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins opposed him. Cassidy criticized Blanche's judgment over an anti-weaponisation fund and an IRS settlement benefiting Trump, but said confirmation could give Blanche leverage to influence the Justice Department and that he did not want to impede its work against violent crime. Murkowski cited concerns about the department's politicization and Blanche's handling of the Epstein files and other controversies. The White House welcomed Cassidy's decision.

Anthony Fauci’s lawyer says Fauci is on solid legal ground after he invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during a contentious Senate hearing led by Senator Rand Paul. Paul plans to seek a criminal contempt resolution, but legal experts say the effort faces procedural hurdles, including the committee’s narrow Republican majority and the likely need for 60 Senate votes. Fauci’s pre-emptive pardon from Joe Biden may limit potential federal charges, while state-level prosecution remains legally uncertain. The hearing also revisited disputed theories about the origins of COVID-19, with intelligence agencies divided between natural exposure and a laboratory incident, and the World Health Organization saying the available evidence remains inconclusive.

Anthony Fauci’s lawyer says the former senior US health official was on firm legal ground when he invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during a Senate hearing on his handling of COVID-19. Senator Rand Paul is pursuing a criminal contempt resolution, but legal experts say success is uncertain because of procedural hurdles, the Senate’s narrow partisan balance and questions about the scope of Joe Biden’s pre-emptive pardon. The hearing also revisited competing theories about the pandemic’s origins, with intelligence agencies divided between natural transmission and a laboratory-associated incident. Fauci denies wrongdoing, while Democrats defended him and former President Donald Trump continued to accuse him of concealing a Wuhan laboratory origin.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of fomenting hatred after Mamdani called him a war criminal and previously pledged to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. Mamdani later acknowledged that New York City lacks independent legal authority to enforce the warrant and urged the federal government to arrest Netanyahu, while saying Netanyahu is unwelcome in the city. Netanyahu plans to attend the UN General Assembly in New York later this year, despite the dispute, but his current US visit includes meetings with Donald Trump and no stop in New York. The confrontation comes amid recent hate-crime stabbings in New York and continuing debate over Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he plans to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York despite former arrest threats from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani later acknowledged that the city lacks independent legal authority to enforce the International Criminal Court’s warrant and urged the US federal government to arrest Netanyahu instead. Netanyahu accused Mamdani of inciting hatred and cited recent knife attacks against Jewish and Asian men in New York. Mamdani, who supports Palestinian rights, has called Netanyahu a war criminal over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Israel rejects allegations of war crimes, while the article recounts the deaths and hostage-taking during the October 2023 Hamas attack and the much larger Palestinian death toll reported by Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry and recognized by the United Nations.

Todd Blanche, serving as acting US attorney general, faced extensive questioning in a Senate confirmation hearing regarding his ties to Donald Trump, the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files and redaction errors, and a quashed settlement involving a $1.7bn anti-weaponisation fund. Blanche defended his independence, apologised for mistakes in the Epstein file releases and stated Trump is not eligible for a third presidential term. Tense exchanges arose over FBI leadership and media merger reviews, though overall Republican senators appeared inclined to support his nomination as it moves to committee and full Senate votes.

Todd Blanche defended his independence from Donald Trump during his Senate confirmation hearing while addressing controversy over a nullified settlement involving an “anti-weaponisation fund” and criticism of the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files. He accepted responsibility for redaction mistakes, stated Trump is not eligible for a third presidential term, and navigated tense exchanges with several senators. Despite concerns, Republican members signaled likely support for advancing his nomination to lead the Justice Department permanently.

A brief revival of Donald Trump’s plan to impose a 20 percent fee on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz underscores difficulty in ending the months‑long conflict with Iran, despite a previous memorandum aimed at establishing a ceasefire and negotiation framework. The proposal was abandoned within a day as Iran intensified attacks on US allies and commercial vessels, effectively paralyzing regional shipping. Although US military operations have weakened Iran’s defenses, Iran continues to obstruct access to the strait. The collapse of the memorandum, renewed blockades, and rising energy price risks have left both sides in a familiar stalemate, with US escalation carrying political and economic costs and Iran facing renewed pressure on oil revenues. Persistent disagreements over Hormuz security, Iran’s nuclear program, and regional influence continue to hinder prospects for a durable settlement.

Trump briefly proposed a 20% transit fee for ships passing through the Strait of Ormuz before withdrawing the idea a day later, reflecting his struggle to end the months‑long conflict with Iran. Renewed U.S. naval blockades and military strikes prompted Iranian retaliation that again disrupted regional shipping. The earlier memorandum of understanding meant to establish a path to peace has collapsed, leaving both sides in a familiar stalemate over control of Ormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, and regional influence. Economic concerns, especially oil prices and inflation, constrain Trump’s options as the conflict approaches its fifth month, with no clear resolution in sight.

Graham Platner suspended his campaign for the US Senate in Maine after a woman accused him of sexual assault, prompting Democratic leaders and endorsers to withdraw their support. Platner denied the allegation and said he would drop out formally once assured that his replacement would be chosen through an open and democratic process. The Maine Democratic Party will select a new nominee within two weeks, with several Maine political figures expressing interest. The scandal disrupts Democrats’ efforts to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins in a race considered crucial for hopes of gaining a Senate majority.

Rumoured wedding celebrations for Taylor Swift and fiancé Travis Kelce drew major media attention as guests arrived at Madison Square Garden for an event described as a pre-party or rehearsal dinner. Around 100 attendees were expected, with a larger gathering planned for the following day. Fans and reporters crowded the area despite extreme heat, and city permits and street closures fuelled speculation. Celebrities including Lena Dunham, Jack Antonoff, Erin Andrews, and others were seen heading to the venue, while preparations such as canopy tents, equipment deliveries, and filming notices suggested significant activity inside the arena.

Rumoured wedding celebrations for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce drew significant media attention as guests arrived at Madison Square Garden in New York. Around 100 attendees were expected for a Thursday pre‑party ahead of a larger event planned for Friday. Celebrities including Lena Dunham, Jack Antonoff, Erin Andrews, and Gigi Hadid were seen arriving, while fans gathered outside despite extreme heat. Street closures, heavy security, and equipment deliveries added to speculation about the event’s scale. City officials confirmed permit applications without naming applicants, and fans expressed excitement as preparations unfolded around the venue.

The Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to all children born in the United States, rejecting Donald Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship through executive action. The decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, affirmed that children born to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are citizens at birth. Trump and his allies condemned the ruling and vowed to pursue legislative changes, while civil rights groups and Democratic leaders celebrated it as confirmation of long-established constitutional protections.

The US Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that children born in the United States are citizens under the 14th Amendment, rejecting President Donald Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship via executive order. The majority opinion, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, reaffirmed long-standing constitutional interpretations dating back to 1868. Conservative justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito dissented, warning the decision extends citizenship too broadly. The ruling, a significant setback for Trump’s immigration agenda, drew praise from civil rights groups and Democratic leaders, while Trump and senior administration figures condemned it and vowed to pursue legislative efforts to restrict citizenship.