In its term that ended last October, the Supreme Court issued 63 orders on its shadow docket, outpacing the 56 orders from the more traditional merits docket for the first time, a finding that surprised legal experts. This shift to using the shadow docket has allowed the court to make consequential decisions, including limiting federal courts' ability to issue nationwide injunctions and enabling the detention of American citizens by immigration agents, often without explanation or adherence to legal precedent. Analysts have noted that this pattern appears to favor President Trump's policies and raises concerns about the court's credibility and reliance on political preferences.
Democratic socialist Melat Kiros triumphed over longtime incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in Denver, marking a significant shift as voters expressed anti-establishment sentiments during the midterm elections. This victory is part of a broader trend, with progressive candidates unseating longstanding Democratic figures across the country, culminating in the ousting of 40 years of incumbency in the past week. Kiros, who criticized her industry for its silence on Israel, is now set to face Republican Christy Peterson in November in a district firmly leaning Democratic.
Fourteen children, aged five to 16, died when the roof of an unregistered tutoring centre collapsed in Lahore, Pakistan, on Tuesday. Rescuers found the victims under the rubble, and authorities have launched a negligence investigation, promising strict legal action if violations are confirmed. This incident highlights the frequent occurrence of building collapses in Pakistan due to poor safety standards, with past incidents, such as a July collapse in Karachi that killed 27 people, underscoring the ongoing issue.
A new 188-page report by the Palestinian Feminist Collective documents systemic sexual violence against Palestinians by Israeli forces, emphasizing that such abuse is a longstanding institutional practice rather than isolated incidents. The report aligns with recent findings by the United Nations, which cited 31 cases of sexual violence perpetrated by Israeli forces in the past two years. Testimonies reveal horrifying accounts of abuse, including severe sexual assault and torture, challenging narratives that dismiss these violations as rare occurrences.
Democratic Party leaders in the House show growing support for a resolution against U.S. involvement in Israel's war on Lebanon, with 187 Democrats voting in favor of it and only 22 against, despite the resolution ultimately failing 235–189. This marks a shift in attitudes among Democrats, as the earlier war powers resolution attempted by Rep. Rashida Tlaib on June 4 failed 324–92 due to concerns about its language. Tlaib argues that the U.S. is complicit in war crimes through its support of Israeli actions, while leaders like Rep. Gregory Meeks acknowledge there are no direct U.S. military combat operations in Lebanon.
The Supreme Court issued a 6–3 ruling that upholds state bans against trans girls participating in girls’ sports, providing states the authority to discriminate against these athletes. Currently, 27 states have implemented bans on trans girl athletes, and the majority opinion stated that these bans do not violate Title IX or equal protection rights. Critics argue that such decisions open the door to further abuses, including potential genital inspections and genetic testing, while reflecting a broader decline in trans rights amidst rising anti-trans sentiments and legislation.
Delhi's government plans to ban petrol scooters, motorbikes, and autorickshaws over the next two years in an effort to cut pollution levels, aiming for 30% of the city's vehicle fleet to be electric by 2030. The new regulations will allow only electric small trucks and e-rickshaws to receive new license plates starting in 2027, followed by e-scooters and electric motorbikes in 2028. In addition, the government pledged to establish over 30,000 public charging points to support the transition to electric vehicles, which currently account for more than two-thirds of the tens of millions of vehicles on Delhi's roads and are responsible for an average of 23% of air pollutants.
In May 1981, an 18-year-old Syracuse University freshman was brutally raped, but police detective George Lorenz dismissed her case after only five hours of investigation, deeming her account “not completely factual.” The victim, Alice Sebold, later identified her attacker, Anthony Broadwater, who was convicted and spent 16 years in prison, while Sebold publicly shared her story in her memoir "Lucky," which sold a million copies. In 2021, Broadwater's conviction was vacated due to flawed police work, leading to widespread media attention and a reevaluation of the case's racial implications, which significantly impacted Sebold's identity and career.
Oklahoma has restricted oil field wastewater injection within a half-mile of public water wells to prevent pollution, yet at least 114 injection wells violate this state rule, threatening the water supply for over 300,000 residents. The city of Enid is actively seeking stronger protections and has filed complaints against the Flying Monkey injection well, which has repeatedly failed integrity tests and was approved without a required hearing. In recent years, state regulators have granted nearly 400 exceptions to injection regulations and have been criticized for not holding oil companies accountable for pollution.
Twenty-three-year-old Sarah Roque was fatally shot by fellow soldier Wooster Rancy at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, with her body found in a dumpster in October 2024. An analysis by The Intercept revealed that from 2011 to August 2025, at least 41 women in the Army were homicides, over half by other service members or veterans, with rates of intimate partner violence homicides among women soldiers at least three times higher than the national average. Additionally, between 2011 and 2024, 128 women soldiers also died by suicide, with homicide and suicide rates for women in the Army being double those of women nationwide.
A report by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) highlights ongoing issues of police misconduct in cities like Louisville and Minneapolis, following the Trump Justice Department's withdrawal of oversight, claiming that reform efforts were “factually unjustified.” The ACLU's review of hundreds of use-of-force reports revealed continued misuse of Tasers and inadequate reviews of force, with specific incidents including officers in Minneapolis shocking a compliant man with a Taser and a Louisville officer escalating a mental health call leading to excessive force. In light of these findings, the ACLU aims to hold local police accountable as federal oversight diminishes, with concerns about racial profiling and excessive force continuing in several communities.
This spring, Father Dustin Feddon faced intense anxiety while accompanying prisoners on Florida’s death row, as Governor Ron DeSantis expedited the signing of death warrants, leading to the highest execution rate in over eighty years. In 2025, Florida accounted for 40% of all U.S. executions, with Frank Walls being the 19th man executed that year, surpassing the previous state record of 11 executions in 1936. Feddon has been deeply impacted by this shift, spending extensive hours ministering to multiple condemned men as the pace of executions increased, ultimately transforming his role from spiritual guidance to preparing them for death.
Rep. Diana DeGette is facing her first competitive primary in 30 years, with her opponent, democratic socialist Melat Kiros, gaining momentum amid rising anti-incumbent sentiment following recent leftist victories in New York. DeGette's campaign received support from new super PACs, including one from the pro-Israel lobby, after she struggled with public confrontations and unfavorable polling. Kiros’s coalition reports increased donations and volunteer engagement, reflecting a broader anti-establishment frustration within the Democratic Party, as voters demand action rather than platitudes from incumbents.
Umar Khalid, an activist and one of India’s most notable political prisoners, has spent nearly six years in Tihar prison without trial since his 2020 arrest, accused of terrorism for his role in anti-government protests. He criticizes the Modi government's Hindu nationalist agenda and the persecution of minorities, claiming that his incarceration reflects a broader crackdown on dissent under the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). International human rights organizations have condemned Khalid's detention, describing it as unjust, and he emphasizes the toll his imprisonment has taken on his mental and physical well-being.
Former Louisiana death row inmate Jimmie “Chris” Duncan has been exonerated following a unanimous ruling by the Louisiana Supreme Court, which overturned his 1998 conviction for the murder of his former girlfriend's toddler, Haley Oliveaux, due to flawed forensic practices, specifically discredited bite mark evidence. The court noted that since Duncan's trial, nine other prisoners have also been freed after convictions based on similar inaccurate evidence from forensic dentist Michael West and pathologist Steven Hayne, with three of those men having been on death row. Justice Cade R. Cole emphasized that the new evidence presented in Duncan's case undermined the state's foundational claims, highlighting the scientific indefensibility of the bite mark analysis used against him.
The article discusses the disturbing prevalence of graphic videos depicting violence and atrocities in conflict zones, noting that such content has become increasingly accessible online. A 2015 survey found that over half of 209 respondents in media and humanitarian fields viewed distressing content several times a week, with around 40% experiencing negative personal impacts, while a 2023 study indicated that over 66% of 300 Pakistani journalists reported indirect trauma from such imagery. The psychological toll includes feelings of isolation, flashbacks, and severe stress-related symptoms among those exposed to these harrowing visuals.
Abdul El-Sayed has been endorsed by Jewish Voice for Peace Action, marking the group's first endorsement for a U.S. Senate candidate, as he runs in a contentious three-way Democratic primary in Michigan. El-Sayed, who is endorsed by prominent progressive figures like Sens. Bernie Sanders and Chris Van Hollen, is vying against centrist Rep. Haley Stevens and progressive Sen. Mallory McMorrow, all while advocating for Palestinian rights in a political environment increasingly focused on foreign policy issues. This endorsement reflects a significant shift in the Democratic Party, with an emerging class of candidates questioning unconditional support for Israel and advocating for a broader progressive agenda that includes Palestinian justice.
Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan killed 36 civilians and wounded 163 others, according to Afghan officials, as the strikes were conducted against a terrorist group blamed for an attack in Karachi that killed three security personnel. The Taliban government condemned the airstrikes, highlighting that 28 villagers were killed when rescuers were targeted in Chamkani district, alongside additional casualties in Paktika province, while a civilian home in Kunar killed 30 livestock. Despite a March ceasefire, violence between the two countries continues, with Pakistan citing the need for operations against militant groups like Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Aron D’Souza, the creator of a platform called Objection intended to challenge media claims through a "private AI tribunal," recently took the site down due to overwhelming demand for more complex investigations. He highlighted the discontent with journalism, noting that just 28 percent of Americans trust the media according to a 2025 Gallup survey, and criticized the concentrated media ownership among elite families. D’Souza aims to reform journalism by providing affordable and evidence-based ways for individuals to dispute statements made against them in the media.
Tribes have negotiated the largest tribal water rights settlement in U.S. history, aimed at securing water for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, while providing approximately $5 billion for water infrastructure. The Upper Basin states—Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—oppose the deal due to concerns over water leasing outside reservations, leading to a stalemate in resolving water rights as nearly 40 million people depend on the Colorado River. For individuals like 83-year-old Marilyn Tewa, the lack of indoor plumbing highlights the urgency of the settlement, as her village continues to rely on untreated water from a windmill while Congress delays action until all parties reach an agreement.
Democrats and Republicans in Congress have reached an agreement on the KIDS Act, which could significantly alter online access for everyone, potentially requiring age verification for users on many social media platforms to avoid legal liabilities. The law could undermine online anonymity, impacting not just the general public but also journalists and their confidential sources, as age verification may allow the government to demand user identification information from tech companies. With age verification methods often reliant on collecting government IDs, this poses a risk to privacy, despite claims from the KIDS Act that it won't mandate such practices.
Keir Starmer has resigned as the U.K.'s sixth prime minister in a decade, with Andy Burnham emerging as a likely successor amidst a turbulent political landscape marked by the rise of far-right parties like Reform U.K. and challenges from the Green Party. Starmer's leadership saw him purge leftist influences from the Labour Party, distancing himself from predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, but he failed to distinguish his party from the Conservatives, drawing criticism for embracing centrism. His administration's policies, particularly on issues such as trans youth healthcare, have been met with significant backlash, reflecting the growing polarization in British politics.
Daniel "Des" Sanchez Estrada was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for transporting a box of zines discussing anarchism, marking a significant escalation in the Trump administration's crackdown on dissent. He was one of eight defendants sentenced to a combined total of 450 years under the NSPM-7 counterterrorism memorandum, with his wife, Maricela Rueda, receiving a 70-year sentence despite not being involved in any shooting incident. The government's approach blurs the line between political ideology and criminal culpability, raising concerns about the criminalization of possession of information and the chilling effects on free speech.
During a historic drought, half of Central Oregon's Deschutes River was diverted to wealthy agricultural landowners, leading to water-rich farms growing mostly grass and pasture while local farmers fellowed a third of Jefferson County's irrigated land. An analysis revealed that only 1 out of every 4 gallons taken by the Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) was absorbed by crops, as they manage over half of the river's volume and control more water than all other districts combined. This diversion has caused significant distress, including several suicides among farmers struggling with debt, as the state's century-old water laws protect certain users at the expense of others.
Every year, about 90% of Central Oregon’s Deschutes River vanishes into irrigation systems, impacting around 7,500 landowners, while the Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) controls over half of the river’s volume. During a recent drought, COID diverted water four times more than its landowners’ crop needs, forcing downstream farmers to fallow their land, as highlighted by an Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica analysis. Proposed solutions to water inefficiency include a $360 million project to replace open canals, which waste nearly half of the water through evaporation and seepage, with pressurized pipes.
Child malnutrition rates in Nepal have surged to alarming levels, with a survey revealing a wasting rate of 12.3% in the province of Madhesh and overall rates of 7.8% suffering from wasting and 17.4% underweight. This crisis follows the cessation of USAID funding for child nutrition programs in 2025, which has significantly impacted community outreach and support for malnourished children. Despite Nepal’s historical success in reducing under-five mortality by 72% from 1996 to 2022, experts warn that without immediate intervention and regained funding, these gains may be reversed.
After earthquakes on June 25, 2026, that killed at least 188 people and injured 1,520 in Venezuela, U.S. President Donald Trump offered assistance, stating, “The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help!” However, U.S. officials criticized this response, arguing that the U.S. has a unique obligation to provide significant humanitarian aid due to the economic damage caused by U.S. sanctions, which have left Venezuela's infrastructure in a state of disrepair. An analyst indicated the costs of the military operation to overthrow Nicolás Maduro exceeded $206 million, while Trump claimed the U.S. has recovered its war costs through oil extraction, amounting to approximately $5.7 billion.
An investigation by ProPublica and Drilled reveals that fossil fuel companies have funded climate research at U.S. universities for over 30 years, influencing scientists to advocate for solutions that do not require relinquishing reliance on oil, gas, and coal. This funding has shaped global climate models and policies, creating a misconception that the climate crisis can be resolved without significantly cutting fossil fuel use, which has delayed necessary emissions reductions for decades. Companies have sponsored entire research centers and maintained control over projects, leading to criticism of this influence as the "colonization of academia," despite universities asserting that safeguards exist to maintain academic independence.
For over 40 years, the fossil fuel industry has funded climate change research promoting carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a solution, despite significant evidence of its limitations and the enormous resources required for effective implementation. Current projections indicate that by 2050, countries will need to inject 6 billion tons of CO2 underground annually, which would necessitate converting about 768,000 square miles of land and constructing over 68,000 miles of new pipelines in the U.S. alone, yet deployment of CCS currently lags far behind these ambitions, with global efforts capturing less CO2 than a single large power plant emits in a year.
BP funded a $15 million Carbon Mitigation Initiative at Princeton to promote research on climate solutions that would not require a shift away from fossil fuels, leveraging the influential "Wedges" paper to present a more optimistic view on addressing climate change. The paper, which became widely cited and incorporated into major climate policies and education, was significantly shaped by BP executives who were involved in its drafts and content. Despite portraying technological advancements like carbon capture and storage as proven solutions, the portrayal was criticized for overselling their readiness and impact in combating climate change.