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Edition · 2026-08-03
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the United States health secretary, told parents on Sunday to vaccinate their children against measles during a CNN interview. He said the measles vaccine is about 97% effective and recommended the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. The United States recorded 2,371 confirmed measles cases this year, exceeding the 2025 total of 2,289 and marking the highest yearly total since 1991. The past two years combined have accounted for more measles infections than all previous years of the 21st century. The surge has prompted 37 outbreaks and puts the United States at risk of losing its measles elimination status achieved in 2000. Kennedy denied any responsibility for the increase, attributing the spread to religious communities that avoid vaccines and to global health conditions. He also asserted that the measles vaccine’s protection wanes and described vaccination as a personal choice. During the interview, host Dana Bash urged parents to vaccinate because the vaccine is safe and protects children’s lives. Bash noted her frustration that statements from the health secretary could contribute to vaccine hesitancy. Kennedy responded by accusing Bash of making unsupported claims and questioning her scientific understanding. Senator Andy Kim said Kennedy’s remarks suggested a lack of preparation for a potential pandemic. Public health expert Ashish Jha expressed encouragement that Kennedy supported the MMR vaccine but said most of his statements were inaccurate, noting the administration’s insufficient promotion of vaccination. The measles outbreak continues to spread as the new school year approaches.
Senator Bernie Moreno (R‑Ohio) said Representative Max Miller (R‑Ohio) is unfit to hold office. He made the comment after Mother Jones published a report on July 18 detailing allegations that Miller’s ex‑wife, Emily Moreno, told police Miller held a gun to her head, threw hot water at her, and shoved her against a wall. The same investigation examined how Miller’s toddler suffered a broken collarbone and was deemed “unsubstantiated,” meaning there was insufficient evidence to prove abuse. Miller has denied any wrongdoing and said he attributes the reports to “left‑wing media” and to a woman with “mental health challenges.” In 2021, Politico reported that witnesses said Miller threw a woman down stairs after she rejected his advances; the woman told Mother Jones the night remained “one of the more traumatic nights of my life.” Earlier, former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham accused a fellow Trump staffer of assault, and Miller sued her for defamation, leading to a confidential settlement; Grisham is now suing Miller for allegedly violating the settlement terms. Moreno is the first Republican lawmaker to publicly address the allegations, although Politico reported that some Republicans are “silently sweating” the situation. The allegations remain under investigation, and Miller’s campaign has not responded to requests for comment.
Kansas Governor Race Intensifies over Data Center Issue
Kansas' gubernatorial primary scheduled for Tuesday is shaped by a dispute over data center development, with Democratic state Sen. Cindy Holscher and Republican state Sen. Ty Masterson among the candidates most targeted by campaign attacks.
The issue stems from a 2025 bipartisan bill that authorized expanded data center construction and 20-year tax incentives for developers, signed by Governor Laura Kelly. Since passage, local opposition has grown, with several municipalities, including Topeka, enacting one-year moratoria to review proposals.
Republican businessman Philip Sarnecki has contributed over $300,000 to advertisements accusing Masterson of supporting the bill and being influenced by technology industry interests. Holscher, who also voted for the bill, now advocates a moratorium on new data centers, citing constituent concerns about health and environmental impacts. Her primary rivals, state Sen. Ethan Corson and Overland Park Mayor Kurt Skoog, criticize her shift as inconsistent.
The Kansas Comeback PAC, linked to Sarnecki, has run television ads questioning Masterson's record and labeling him a recipient of technology industry funding. Meanwhile, Holscher's campaign argues her position reflects broader public opinion across urban and rural areas, and she says a moratorium will establish needed regulations.
Masterson emphasizes local decision‑making and supports a voluntary framework to prevent utility cost increases, while some Republican opponents, including Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, call for a complete moratorium. Corson proposes a local‑first approach combined with statewide rules on energy use, water consumption and tax relief for nearby residents.
Political analyst Bob Beatty of Washburn University said the debate is blurring traditional party lines and reflecting rising public concern about artificial intelligence. Polls indicate growing opposition to data centers, especially among Democrats, though the issue crosses partisan divides. Both parties see the matter as a potential factor in the upcoming primary and the general election, with the Republican Governors Association reserving $7 million for television advertising after the primary.
The primary will reveal voter appetite for either strong opposition to data center expansion or a more moderate, community‑driven approach, and will test the ability of candidates to align with shifting public sentiment on the technology.
Japan and the United States jointly intervened in the foreign exchange market last week to halt a decline in the yen, which fell to a 40‑year low.
By · 81d ago · Source: bbc
Japan and the United States jointly intervened in the foreign exchange market last week to halt a decline in the yen, which fell to a 40‑year low.
The yen has weakened recently because Japan’s central bank has kept interest rates far lower than those of the United States, making the currency less attractive to international investors. The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate to 1% in June, the highest level since 1995, while the U.S. Federal Reserve’s rate remains between 3.50% and 3.75%.
The Ministry of Finance said the coordinated action countered excessive volatility in the yen. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent posted on social media that the United States supports Japan’s decisive market and monetary steps to correct the yen’s undervaluation. President Donald Trump told reporters that the United States was “always there for Japan.” Oxford Economics head of Japan economics, Shigeto Nagai, said the partnership serves U.S. national interests at low cost and that the two countries are likely to intervene intermittently for some time. He noted that even modest intervention, combined with a prolonged sense of vigilance, can deter speculative trading.
The dollar fell 0.2% to 157.07 yen after Trump’s remarks, down from a 40‑year high of 164 yen earlier in the month, before rising to 157.70 yen following the finance ministry’s statement. Bank of Japan data indicated that Tokyo may have sold almost $59 billion of U.S. dollars to purchase yen on Thursday, and a notepad photographed in front of Bessent during a cabinet meeting suggested a target of $5‑10 billion for the joint operation. The United States has not confirmed the size of its contribution.
Officials said they will consider further coordinated interventions if market conditions warrant, but the current effort is intended to stabilize the yen and limit disorderly movements in Japanese government bonds.
Democrats in Michigan face a contentious primary on Tuesday as voters choose between progressive candidate Abdul El‑Sayed and Representative Haley Stevens, a contest that could influence the party’s Senate prospects.
The race narrowed after former candidate Mallory McMorrow withdrew in July, leaving El‑Sayed, an epidemiologist and progressive insurgent, and Stevens, a centrist Democrat who has represented Michigan’s 11th House district since 2019. Both candidates have attracted significant outside spending, with more than $40 million poured into the contest from groups supporting Stevens and attacking El‑Sayed, including organizations linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
A recent Emerson poll of likely Democratic voters showed El‑Sayed leading with 54 % support versus 39 % for Stevens, a gap widened by age: voters under 50 favored El‑Sayed by 42 points, while those over 60 supported Stevens by 14 points. Independents backed El‑Sayed by 27 points.
Stevens has received endorsements from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Senator Gary Peters, while El‑Sayed has been backed by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chris Van Hollen, as well as the Working Families Party, the United Auto Workers and Indivisible.
Campaign finance has been a focal point. Stevens cites an A‑rating from End Citizens United and emphasizes small‑donor contributions, noting a note she received at a church service. El‑Sayed released his financial disclosures after criticism that he had not done so, and has defended his podcast and book as legitimate campaign activities.
Controversies include misleading advertisements that accused El‑Sayed of disrespecting women and linked Stevens to former President Barack Obama, who has not officially endorsed the race. Stevens has highlighted her record of defeating Republican opponents in a Republican‑leaning district and noted a leaked phone call in which Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers said he would have a better chance of flipping the seat if El‑Sayed won the primary.
Voter sentiment reflects skepticism among Black voters, who make up about 20 % of the primary electorate and have tended to favor Stevens, while younger Black voters are more inclined toward El‑Sayed. Some voters expressed support for El‑Sayed on the basis of electability, arguing that his message resonates with those who feel economically betrayed.
El‑Sayed has emphasized universal health care, campaign finance reform and a stance against corporate influence, while Stevens has positioned herself as a pragmatic legislator focused on kitchen‑table issues and incremental change.
Campaign ground operations are robust: El‑Sayed’s team comprises more than 10,000 volunteers knocking on nearly 10,000 doors per day, while Stevens benefits from a network of local supporters and church engagements.
Analysts note that the primary is being watched closely for its potential impact on the broader Democratic strategy in the Senate, with senators Warren and Van Hollen stating that progressive victories could shift the tone of the chamber.
The outcome will determine which candidate faces former Congressman Mike Rogers in the November general election, a contest that could be pivotal for Democratic control of the Senate.
Daphy Michel, 31, was found dead at a bus shelter on Pittsburgh’s South Side on March 2. She had spent six months in Washington County jail after a mental health crisis and was released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement into removal proceedings. The Allegheny County medical examiner ruled her death a homicide, citing untreated severe mental illness and a language barrier. Her family said she posed no threat and was not a danger to others. They have announced plans to file a lawsuit seeking accountability. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security said she died three days after officers encountered her and claimed she was released with a fully charged phone in warm weather, making public transportation available. Joseph Murphy, an attorney for the family, disputed those statements, saying Michel’s entry was lawful, her phone plan had lapsed, and that freezing temperatures and an unfamiliar neighborhood created a hazardous situation. He added that her mental health condition was apparent and that she should not have been left alone. Advocacy groups such as the ACLU and Free Migration Project noted that ICE often releases detainees far from their homes without sufficient support, especially when mental health or language issues are present, and called for clearer release guidelines. Community members and immigrant‑rights organizations have highlighted the broader context of Haitian immigration in the United States, including the 2025 Supreme Court decision ending temporary protected status for many Haitians and Syrians, and have organized vigils and fundraisers in her memory. The investigation remains ongoing, and the family awaits judicial resolution.
President Donald Trump on Saturday criticized U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's claim that damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool resulted from poor construction rather than vandalism, saying the majority of the damage was caused by vandals.
In a filing on Friday, Pirro moved to dismiss criminal charges against former Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of pulling up a section of the pool’s liner. The filing said newly disclosed documents indicated that the damage stemmed from a contractor’s installation error and the rushed completion of the project before the planned America 250 celebration in 2026. A visual inspection also found damage across the pool, including in the center, a location where vandalism would be unlikely.
Trump posted on social media that he disagreed with Pirro, stating the major damage was caused by vandals and sharing a video that appeared to show individuals interacting with the pool, claiming the footage showed material being cut. The video, captured from a distance, did not clearly confirm vandalism, and workers were present nearby. The National Park Service reported a June 9 incident in which it said a sharp knife or razor cut the new liner.
Hearn’s legal team said Trump was angry because Pirro’s filing aligned with their argument that the renovation was botched, not vandalism, and criticized Pirro’s claim that she had been misled by the Interior Department. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum responded, stating that the department had provided expert testimony and evidence to the U.S. attorney’s office regarding vandalism.
The dismissal marks a rare public disagreement between a Trump‑appointed official and the president, and the legal dispute over the Reflecting Pool’s condition remains unresolved.
Abdul El‑Sayyed, a progressive candidate in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, said the influence of money, particularly from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), is a central issue in the race. He made the remarks during a July 8 campaign event in a packed church auditorium in Ferndale, Michigan, where supporters attended despite summer heat. Campaign finance records show that AIPAC and its affiliated groups have contributed more than $30 million to support Rep. Haley Stevens, the largest amount AIPAC has invested in an electoral contest since launching its United Democracy Project super PAC in 2021. The primary is one of the most expensive Democratic Senate races in history. El‑Sayyed said the large spending distorts policy priorities and urged reforms such as campaign finance limits, Medicare for All, and greater fiscal responsibility. He noted that AIPAC’s spending focuses on foreign aid rather than domestic needs. Stevens, in a televised debate, said she has been clear, consistent and transparent and emphasized her support for a two‑state solution and her representation of a large Jewish constituency. The race is also linked to broader debates about U.S. foreign aid to Israel, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and to internal party divisions over the Gaza conflict and the 2024 uncommitted movement. El‑Sayyed described the potential victory over AIPAC spending as a test of whether Democratic candidates can challenge moneyed interests without harming electability. He said that confronting AIPAC would be catastrophic for the party if he wins, and that the outcome could reshape the party’s direction. Stevens said she remains committed to long‑term peace. The primary will be decided in August, and the winner will face Republican Mike Rogers in November. Observers say the contest may influence the Democratic Party’s future fundraising strategies and its stance on foreign policy.
Medication abortion access has risen across the United States since the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and the COVID‑19 pandemic, according to Dr. Angel Foster, an abortion provider and researcher. Foster said that while 33 to 40 percent of women of reproductive age now have fewer legal options for abortion, access to medication abortion has increased for many. Massachusetts and nearly half of the states have passed shield laws that protect providers from prosecution in states where abortion is banned. The law enables Foster’s clinic, the Massachusetts Medication Abortion Access Project, to prescribe abortion pills to patients in those states. A courier for the project risks arrest while transporting pills to patients in banned states. A conservative activist is leading a campaign to stop medication abortion nationwide. The Reveal podcast this week examined three women with distinct missions: Foster, the courier, and the activist.
Barnes announced his withdrawal from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor on Thursday. He said in a video posted to social media that it had become evident who the party’s nominee would be and that the party needed to do everything to beat Tom Tiffany, the Republican candidate.
The primary had been competitive with several Democratic candidates, including state lawmaker Francesca Hong, who led polls with 38 percent support. Barnes held 16 percent and David Crowley 7 percent, according to a Marquette Law School poll released Wednesday. Hong’s support was concentrated among younger voters, while Barnes attracted a larger share of undecided voters.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported an investigation into allegations that Barnes used his role within the state Democratic party to have sexual encounters with young women, based on a 2025 party review that found no actionable outcome. POLITICO has not independently confirmed the allegations. Barnes’ campaign spokesperson Darby O'Connor said there were no allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing against him.
Democratic officials hope the withdrawal will allow voters to coalesce around David Crowley, who plans to appear with Governor Tony Evers on the campaign trail next week. Evers said he was surprised by Barnes’ exit and noted that the decision was Barnes’ own. Evers also will attend fundraisers for Crowley in Madison and Milwaukee.
State Senator Kelda Roys and former Evers cabinet member Joel Brennan remain in the race, polling in single digits. Brennan said he would stay in the race and continue reaching voters about his platform.
The primary remains competitive as Hong leads, while Crowley seeks to attract former Barnes supporters and Evers prepares to bolster his campaign.
This edition was assembled from neutral, agent-rewritten summaries of the day's aggregated news.
Why it matters: Every article was reviewed for loaded language, partisan framing, and missing attribution before publication.
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