Washington Examiner
07:58 PM
Marco Rubio topped the straw poll at the Western Conservative Summit with 85% support, followed by JD Vance at 71% and Ron DeSantis at 55%. The event attracted over 500 attendees and included a total of 27 potential candidates for the 2028 presidential election.
Guardian — US
07:57 PM
Abdul El-Sayed has secured a victory in the Michigan Democratic primary for the US Senate, leading Haley Stevens by a margin of fewer than 15,000 votes. This win is part of a trend of progressive candidates succeeding in various states.
The Daily Beast
07:56 PM
Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever has called for a return to focusing on basketball amid controversy over her comments regarding transgender athletes in women's sports. She described the attention as a distraction and emphasized her desire to protect the rights of biological women while rejecting negative labels associated with her views. Some WNBA members have expressed opposition to her stance.
Washington Examiner
07:55 PM
Laura Loomer has publicly expressed her interest in becoming the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, aiming to replace Markwayne Mullin. Her announcement follows a record number of arrests by ICE, while the deportation rates have remained stable. Loomer has been a vocal supporter of Trump and has previously made controversial statements on various issues.
Daily Wire
07:53 PM
A Senate panel has received records from Dr. Anthony Fauci's cellphone used during the COVID-19 pandemic as it prepares for a vote on holding him in contempt of Congress. Senator Rand Paul plans to recommend prosecution to the Department of Justice if the vote passes. The contempt vote requires bipartisan support, and penalties for contempt of Congress include fines and possible imprisonment.
The Daily Beast
07:52 PM
New Mexico has initiated legal action against the Department of Justice for not providing access to investigation files related to Jeffrey Epstein's former ranch. The state claims this refusal hinders its ability to investigate crimes and protect survivors. The DOJ maintains that it prioritizes victim privacy and is prepared to assist within legal limits.
PBS NewsHour
07:51 PM
The Senate has confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the CDC. This appointment comes as the agency has been dealing with issues of political influence and low morale among its staff.
Ars Technica
07:51 PM
YouTube's policy on AI-generated content requires creators to disclose significant alterations or photorealistic generation. However, the policy has inconsistencies, allowing for various AI uses without disclosure, including idea generation and production assistance.
Al Jazeera English
07:51 PM
New Mexico's Attorney General has initiated legal action against the US Justice Department, alleging the withholding of key unredacted documents pertinent to the Epstein investigation. The lawsuit was filed on August 5, 2026.
New York Times — World
07:46 PM
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for attacks on eight ships linked to Saudi Arabia, according to Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree. This statement comes after the group announced a blockade on Saudi shipping in the previous month.
Al Jazeera English
07:46 PM
A 21-year-old flight instructor made an emergency landing on a freeway near Pensacola, Florida. The incident occurred on August 5, 2026, and was executed without incident.
Washington Post — Politics
07:46 PM
Joanna Whaley is running for a seat in the Michigan legislature and is positioned to potentially become the first transgender person elected to that body. The election is set for November.
Deutsche Welle
07:46 PM
Abdul El-Sayed secured victory in the Michigan Senate primary against Haley Stevens. The election has been noted for its representation of the ideological divisions within the Democratic party.
Deutsche Welle
07:43 PM
Ukrainian officials and independent media have suggested that Russia is planning a new mobilization campaign to increase its military personnel. The Kremlin has denied these reports.
Washington Examiner
07:39 PM
On August 5, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche discussed President Trump's authority to fire U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, following Trump's criticism of her decision to drop charges against an Olympic canoeist. Blanche affirmed that such decisions are within the president's power and defended Pirro's record despite the controversy surrounding the case.
Guardian — US
07:36 PM
The US Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the CDC with a 51-44 vote. She is the third nominee from President Trump to lead the agency amid previous unsuccessful nominations.
Deutsche Welle
07:36 PM
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, visited the DR Congo to address the escalating Ebola outbreak. He emphasized the need for urgent and increased efforts to combat the disease, as new cases have reportedly doubled in some areas within the last week.
Deutsche Welle
07:36 PM
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the WHO visited DR Congo to address the escalating Ebola outbreak. He highlighted the necessity for an urgent increase in response efforts, as new cases have reportedly doubled in some regions within the last week.
Wired
07:35 PM
TikTok acknowledged a 'moderator error' that allowed a livestream of Perez Hilton, who appeared injured, to remain online before being terminated. Hilton has since been hospitalized.
Fox News — Latest
07:34 PM
An Air India flight from Phuket to New Delhi experienced severe turbulence on August 4, injuring 17 individuals. The flight landed safely in Delhi, and the airline is cooperating with authorities during the investigation. Passengers described the incident as traumatic, with some being thrown against the cabin ceiling.
The Hill
07:33 PM
Senator Gary Peters has communicated to his colleagues that Anthony Fauci cannot face prosecution for invoking his Fifth Amendment rights. Peters emphasized that Fauci's pardon does not diminish his constitutional protections, ahead of a Senate vote on the matter.
PBS NewsHour
07:33 PM
New Mexico has initiated legal action against the Department of Justice and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, claiming interference in its investigation of Jeffrey Epstein's sex crimes at a ranch in the state. The lawsuit was filed on August 5, 2026.
Fox News — Latest
07:32 PM
On August 5, 2026, Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Ahmad Vahidi announced that Iran would continue its nuclear weapons program as long as the U.S. and Israel possess nuclear arms. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Experts have urged U.S. negotiators to prioritize Iran's nuclear program in ongoing discussions, warning that Iran may seek concessions before addressing its nuclear capabilities.
TechCrunch
07:30 PM
Jeff Dean, a notable figure in AI at Google, is departing the company to co-found a startup with other executives. The new venture aims to leverage AI for enhancing scientific discovery.
The Hill
07:29 PM
The Senate has confirmed [Name Schwartz] as the new CDC director. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed emerged victorious in the Senate primary against Rep. Haley Stevens, marking a notable win for progressive candidates.
The Hill
07:27 PM
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche commented on the future of Jeanine Pirro, indicating that it is up to President Trump to decide. He praised Pirro's performance as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
Axios
07:23 PM
The Senate has confirmed Erica Schwartz as the new director of the CDC with a vote of 51-44, marking the agency's first full-time leader in nearly a year. Schwartz, who has a background in public health and previously worked under the Trump administration, faces challenges in restoring trust within the agency and managing political pressures.
Al Jazeera English
07:22 PM
Flavio Bolsonaro has selected Alfredo Gaspar as his running mate for the presidential election in Brazil. The announcement comes amid warnings from President Lula about foreign interference and as polls show a closer race for the presidency.
Guardian — US
07:20 PM
The US State Department plans to close five consulates in Canada, Grenada, Japan, Indonesia, and Cameroon, citing cost reasons. This decision has raised concerns among critics about a potential diplomatic vacuum that may be filled by China.
Ars Technica
07:19 PM
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has thus far produced two named storms, Arthur and Bertha, which have affected Houston. Both storms were of moderate intensity, and forecasts indicate that the season may continue to be relatively quiet.
Breitbart
07:16 PM
Following his primary victory, Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed was labeled an 'extremist' by Republican opponent Mike Rogers. Rogers accused El-Sayed of wanting to empty prisons and support the Muslim Brotherhood in a statement made on August 5, 2026.
Fox News — Politics
07:13 PM
The Senate has confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the CDC amid a Cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce. Schwartz's confirmation followed scrutiny from lawmakers regarding her stance on vaccine policies and her ability to make independent decisions. She previously served as deputy surgeon general during Trump's first term.
The Hill
07:12 PM
Dr. Erica Schwartz has been confirmed as the new director of the CDC by the Senate, marking the first time in nearly a year that the agency will have a permanent leader. The confirmation vote was 51-44, with Senator Tim Kaine being the only Democrat supporting her nomination.
Washington Post — Politics
07:11 PM
Recent polls in Michigan inaccurately projected a significant lead for Abdul El-Sayed, overestimating it by 12 percentage points. Such inaccuracies are common in statewide primary elections.
Washington Examiner
07:07 PM
The White House is contemplating a third extension of the Jones Act waiver to alleviate oil prices, facing pushback from Republican lawmakers and the maritime industry. The waiver, first issued by President Trump in March, has allowed foreign-flagged vessels to transport fuel domestically. Energy Secretary Chris Wright suggested that an extension is likely, while industry representatives warn of potential job losses and minimal effects on gas prices.
The Hill
07:07 PM
A study has identified a link between birth order and disease risks. The research's findings may be limited due to the exclusion of uninsured families and those on Medicaid.
Ars Technica
07:05 PM
Demis Hassabis, CEO of DeepMind, will step back from daily operations to take an oversight role at Alphabet. This decision follows ongoing personnel changes within DeepMind, and Hassabis has emphasized his commitment to the pursuit of artificial general intelligence.
Ars Technica
07:05 PM
Demis Hassabis, CEO of DeepMind, is stepping down from his daily responsibilities to take on a new role at Alphabet. This change occurs amidst ongoing personnel changes within the company, as Hassabis continues to emphasize the potential of artificial general intelligence.
The Hill
07:04 PM
A federal appeals court ruling has led to the cancellation of about $11 billion in federal student loan debt for more than 170,000 borrowers. The ruling, issued on July 17, 2026, rejected attempts by the Trump administration to delay relief for students who claimed they were defrauded by their schools.
BBC — World
07:02 PM
Sheikh Hasina, a former leader of Bangladesh, is attempting to return to the country despite being convicted of crimes against humanity and facing a death penalty. The conviction stems from her involvement in a crackdown during a 2024 uprising.
The Hill
06:47 PM
With the impending transition to standard time, there is growing discussion about a bill aimed at maintaining permanent daylight saving time. This dialogue includes contributions from the White House.
The Daily Beast
06:40 PM
In a recent podcast interview, Jon Stewart confronted Senator John Fetterman about his favorable comments regarding Donald Trump, despite previously criticizing him. Fetterman defended his approach as an effort to be fair and emphasized the need for Democrats to learn from Trump's political strategies. The conversation also included discussions on accountability within the Democratic Party and Fetterman's views on Israel.
Al Jazeera English
06:40 PM
Malaysian authorities have committed to not returning Rohingya refugees to Myanmar if their safety is at risk. They are currently screening around 5,000 refugees, as rights groups highlight the potential for persecution in Myanmar.
democracydocket.com
06:40 PM
Voting advocates in Missouri have initiated a lawsuit to challenge the rejection of their redistricting referendum by Secretary of State Denny Hoskins. The lawsuit aims to ensure the referendum appears on the November ballot, claiming that Hoskins' decision obstructs voters' rights. The referendum has already met the signature requirement, with over 300,000 signatures collected.
boltsmag.org
06:40 PM
Missouri voters rejected Amendment 4 on August 5, 2026, which sought to impose stricter requirements on citizen-led ballot initiatives. Approximately 80% of voters opposed the measure, which critics argued would undermine direct democracy in the state. Following this defeat, advocates are working to protect the initiative process from future legislative restrictions.
nbcnews.com
06:40 PM
Thomas Smith won the Republican primary in Michigan's 8th District, defeating Amir Hassan, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Smith, who had suspended his campaign, received about 50% of the vote, while Hassan received 33%. Smith's campaign raised minimal funds, and he has a background in engineering and business.
finance.yahoo.com
06:40 PM
Corporate America has received billions in tariff refunds, with major companies like Apple, Amazon, and Nike among the beneficiaries. However, consumers who faced higher prices due to these tariffs are not seeing significant returns. The government is processing claims for refunds totaling around $166 billion, but the current system limits refunds to those who directly paid the tariffs.
nbcnews.com
06:40 PM
New Mexico has sued the Department of Justice and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, alleging obstruction of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's sex crimes. The lawsuit seeks to compel the DOJ to provide information to support the state's ongoing probe, which coincides with the release of preliminary findings related to Epstein's ranch.
cbsnews.com
06:40 PM
The White House disclosed that the FBI investigated whether President Trump acted as a Russian asset when he fired FBI Director James Comey. This investigation, part of the larger Crossfire Hurricane probe, was found to lack merit according to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's findings, which concluded that there was no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Trump has frequently criticized the FBI and Comey regarding their investigations.
The Atlantic
06:40 PM
Concerns have emerged regarding AI companies allegedly purchasing and destroying used books for model training, with notable figures like Michael Burry and Elon Musk voicing their apprehensions. While some companies, including Anthropic, have confirmed using physical books, the specifics of current purchases remain unclear, with many books being non-rare nonfiction titles. The situation has prompted public debate about the implications for authorship and knowledge access.