NEWS - THURSDAY, JULY 02, 2026 - NEWS
On July 4, 1831, James Monroe died from heart failure and tuberculosis at his daughter's house in New York City. LA Times
More than 100 people deported from the U.S. were staying at a shelter in Venezuela that collapsed during two deadly earthquakes. LA Times
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was found "unconscious" and may have suffered a heart attack at his DC residence before being rushed to a local hospital last month, according to a District Fire and EMS dispatch call made public Wednesday. New York Post
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An AMBER alert has been issued after a 3-month-old baby boy was abducted in Northern California Sunday. New York Post
New Jersey’s suburban gold rush has no ceiling in sight, and buyers are paying whatever it takes. Forty-two Euclid Ave in Maplewood hit the market at $1,795,000. It sold for $2,279,000, a staggering 27% above ask. Down the road in South Orange, 376 Melrose Pl listed for $998,999 and closed at $1,332,200, a 33% premium. ... New York Post
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pressed President Trump earlier to cripple Iran. But as Iran asserted its power, the prince urged a cease-fire, and is now pursuing his security priorities. New York Times
VOA VIEW: Iran should be terminated - will happen.
As the death toll mounts, thousands of bodies have overwhelmed Venezuela’s forensic system, turning a seaport into a temporary morgue. New York Times
Republicans are defending seats in Alaska, Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas as they try to maintain their majority. Democrats are competitive in all six states — but not leading in enough to take the chamber. New York Times
VOA VIEW: The GOP must prevail.
The Federal Reserve chairman, Kevin Warsh, stressed that the central bank would “deliver price stability,” a point he has emphasized repeatedly since taking over in May. New York Times
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Russia has borne the heavier toll, with 1.4 million troops killed or wounded since it invaded in February 2022. New York Times
After making the climb, the pair unfurled a large black flag and apparently posted to Instagram. Video appears to show one person proposing to the other. New York Times
President Donald Trump’s approval rating has increased following the White House’s recent moves to end hostilities in Iran—a diplomatic breakthrough that sent oil prices plummeting. OANN
Prior to boarding the new Air Force One jet for an inaugural flight, President Donald Trump bluntly announced that he has directed Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Bill Pulte to "declassify almost everything." OANN
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Kicking of its inaugural flight as Air Force One, President Donald Trump boarded the Qatari-gifted jet on Wednesday morning to head to North Dakota for the opening of the Theodore Presidential Library. OANN
First Lady Melania Trump released a statement approving of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling banning biological males from women’s sports, while also signaling support for the LGBT+ community. OANN
Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives largely sided with Republicans to reject a war powers resolution to prevent U.S. troops from engaging in “any hostilities” in Lebanon. OANN
VOA VIEW: As they should.
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Homeowners in an upscale San Diego-area community say they're being threatened with fines by their homeowners association over flying the American flag, just days before the nation marks its 250th birthday. Washington Times
The Department of Agriculture is rolling out a challenge to fast-track fertilizer production in the U.S., complete with half a billion in funding. Washington Times
A New Jersey middle school has recalled its 2026 yearbook after discovering that an infant photograph of Adolf Hitler had been inserted into the publication's "baby pictures" collage of graduating eighth graders, triggering a bias-incident investigation involving local police and the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. Washington Times
A Vanderbilt University report has ruffled feathers in higher education with its conclusion that social justice politics, rather than knowledge, drives much of today's humanities scholarship. Washington Times
The deaths of three U.S. government firefighters in a Colorado wildfire are casting a spotlight on the Trump administration's creation of a new federal fire service and its revival of a previously discredited policy to stomp out all wildfires quickly. Washington Times
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Emergency crews descended Tuesday afternoon on Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania, after a CSX freight train derailed near the Neshaminy Falls Train Station, prompting a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents and the evacuation of some homes. Washington Times
A polarizing Harvard astronomer known for splashy theories about alien visits has been tapped by the White House to lead a team of outside scientists to study the national security risks posed by UFOs. Washington Times
The body of a newborn was discovered inside a portable toilet at a Michigan music festival over the weekend, prompting Michigan State Police to appeal for the public's help. Washington Times
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American workers' share of the nation's income is at its lowest point in almost 80 years, as more of the economy's gains flow to corporations and investors. CBS
Extremely dangerous heat, coupled with humidity, could result in heat index readings of 100 to 115 degrees from the Midwest to the East Coast, forecasters said. CBS
The Supreme Court gutted one of President Trump's signature policies, rejecting his effort to end birthright citizenship. CBS
VOA VIEW: It was a stupid decision.
The holdouts blocked Speaker Mike Johnson's plan to merge the SAVE America Act with the annual defense policy bill before sending it over to the Senate. CBS
Loan revamp affects how much students and families can borrow to pay for college, as well as their repayment options. CBS
Medicare will cover GLP-1 drugs prescribed solely for weight loss for eligible beneficiaries at a $50 monthly copay. CBS
Despite return-to-office policies, the share of employees working from home increased in 2025 from the year before. CNBC
VOA VIEW: They should be held accountable.
Companies are realizing artificial intelligence can't do everything after all, prompting them to rehire employees to grow their businesses CNBC
VOA VIEW: They acted too hastly.
Trump's 927-page financial disclosure report for 2025 totals more than 900 pages detailing holdings in cryptocurrency and stocks. CNBC
VOA VIEW: It is hard to understan.
Gold fell further on Wednesday, with bullion continuing its slide after suffering its worst quarter since 2013. CNBC
VOA VIEW: There good times and bad.
Cal-Maine Foods, Versova and Hickman's Egg Ranch agreed to settle allegations of price manipulation by the Department of Justice and 17 states. CNBC
VOA VIEW: As they should.
The Trump administration has expanded access to nicotine products despite concerns from public health critics about youth use and addiction. CNBC
Trump's huge defense budget request and a race to replenish weapons stocks while building hypersonic missiles lead to war between U.S. states for jobs. CNBC
A 23-month-old boy was found dead in a hot car outside a Plantation, Florida, daycare after his father allegedly forgot to drop him off that morning. FOX News
Five people face federal charges after prosecutors say a trafficking ring funneled dozens of guns from Georgia to Chicago gangs tied to violent crimes. FOX News
Catherine Beth Washburn allegedly sent more than $30,000 in cryptocurrency to a Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighter and led a radical extremist group, DOJ says. FOX News
VOA VIEW: She should pay deeply.
A freight train derailment in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, reportedly involved about 16 cars, but officials say no hazardous material leaks were found and the area has been deemed safe. FOX News
Four Venezuelan nationals allegedly used malware and hardware to jackpot Connecticut rest stop ATMs, stealing over $529,000 in less than two weeks. FOX News
VOA VIEW -- Is the opinion of "Voice of Americans", which is a private entity not affiliated in any way with the United States government or any of its agencies. The opinions expressed here, in whatever medium or format, are not necessarily the opinions of the ownership or advertisers of this web site - 0415.
President Donald Trump said that the Republican Party will hold a midterm convention, an unprecedented development ahead of November's midterms. UPI
VOA VIEW: Needed against progressive Dems.
American and Iranian delegates arrived Tuesday in Doha, Qatar, for "technical talks" to discuss the cease-fire between the two countries. UPI
VOA VIEW: No deal can be made with Iran.
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to permanently stop trying to halt funding for the Gateway tunnel project under the Hudson River. UPI
VOA VIEW: The judge is unreal.
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Only a third of US college students believes higher education is worth the cost — with humanities majors feeling the most ripped off, a dismal study shows. Just 33% of students said college is worth the price, while 29% said it isn’t, according to the survey of 1,000 undergrad and graduate students enrolled in 2024 and conducted by the education research firm Best Colleges. Another 38% of respondents said they are still on the fence about the value of college, the poll found. Costs have gotten too high.
Tuition for a four-year in-state public university averages $11,950 a year. For a private school, the average is nearly $45,000. The survey also revealed growing skepticism over whether college should ideally be for everyone. Just over one in three students, or 34%, said it is, regardless of what they want to do or accomplish in life. But nearly half, or 45%, disagreed with the statement, and 21% were on the fence. Those figures represent a 22 percentage point difference from 2022, when 56% of respondents said college was for everyone regardless of their aims, the survey said.
A similar drop was seen in the percentage of students who said college is for everyone regardless of economic background. In 2022, almost two-thirds of those surveyed, 65%, said college was for everyone regardless of economic means. By 2024, that figure had dropped to 48%, while 32% of students disagreed that college was for everyone regardless of background, and 20% were neutral.
