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Dr. Anthony Fauci testified before Sen. Rand Paul's Senate committee under subpoena today, confronting 1,141 pages of his own diary entries that Paul released ahead of the hearing. The diaries reportedly show Fauci privately acknowledged lab-leak questions while publicly championing the natural-origin theory. Republicans are pressing him on gain-of-function funding and his preemptive Biden pardon.
Graham's flag-draped casket lay in the Capitol Rotunda before a full state funeral at Washington National Cathedral, attended by Trump, Netanyahu, and Zelensky. Graham died July 11 at 71 from a sudden aortic dissection. The Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 86-12 as a final tribute, with his sister appointed to temporarily fill his seat.
Sen. Mitch McConnell remains in rehab more than six weeks after a June 14 fall at home, still not medically cleared to return to the Senate. Kentucky's Democratic governor is publicly demanding McConnell directly address constituents with proof of capacity to serve — or step down. The prolonged absence is stalling Senate votes on Iran war funding, Russia sanctions, and key nominees.
The House passed a $95 billion reconciliation framework covering Iran war funding, voter integrity enforcement, and farm relief — but left out a debt ceiling increase despite Trump's preference. Senate Majority Leader Thune is expressing skepticism the Senate can move the package before August recess, setting up a fall budget standoff.
Saudi Arabia publicly joined U.S. airstrikes on Iran-proxy militia sites across eastern Iraq — the first time Riyadh has openly acknowledged combat alongside U.S. forces. Iran simultaneously launched a ballistic missile salvo against American troops in Jordan, which CENTCOM intercepted entirely. Trump is now reportedly weighing a decapitation strike on IRGC leadership as the conflict escalates sharply.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy told Fox News that Russia is losing 30,000 troops per month and that the war's initiative is no longer in Putin's hands. Ukraine also struck Caspian Sea vessels it claims carried Iranian military cargo to Russia, killing one Iranian sailor and prompting a warning from Tehran. Ukraine simultaneously launched 400-plus drones in one of the war's largest-ever strikes on Moscow-area targets.
The U.S.-brokered Israel-Lebanon framework struck June 29 is showing real momentum, with the first pilot zone now active and Lebanese Armed Forces beginning to deploy as Israeli troops pull back from the south. Both governments confirmed they are advancing full implementation. The deal requires Hezbollah disarmament as a condition of full Israeli withdrawal — a sticking point that collapsed prior agreements.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a previously unknown third giant planet in one of astronomy's most-studied star systems, concealed behind a disk of cosmic dust. Webb identified it not visually but by the chemical fingerprint of its atmosphere — carbon monoxide, water vapor, and methane. The technique could now be applied to dozens of similar debris-disk systems across the galaxy.
Researchers analyzing volcanic glass from the Kermadec island arc north of New Zealand found that water-rich submarine volcanic systems concentrate gold at surprisingly high levels. The findings reshape understanding of how economically significant ore deposits form and could guide future deep-sea mineral mapping. Scientists are calling these underwater systems a natural geological gold kitchen.
A Kansas City man climbed into a portable toilet tank during a World Cup watch party to retrieve a dropped bottle of Mountain Dew — and got stuck for eight hours in 90-degree heat with the lid closed. A sanitation driver spotted the occupied tank and flagged down police. When the door finally opened, a company rep said his head popped up like Oscar the Grouch from his trash can. Kansas City firefighters had to cut him free and hose him down on the scene.
