POLITICSFauci Pleads the Fifth, Refusing to Answer Questions on Covid Origins at Senate HearingSenator Rand Paul said the committee he leads would vote next week on whether to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress.NY Times·July 30, 2026
POLITICSWith Blanche Nomination at Stake, Payouts to Trump Allies ContinueA seven-figure settlement was announced hours before senators skeptical about the so-called weaponization fund delayed a crucial vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general.NY Times·July 30, 2026
POLITICSLawyer Who Represented Trump Is Appointed U.S. Attorney in ManhattanFederal court judges appointed James M. McDonald, a former federal prosecutor, to the post. He represented President Trump in his appeal of his criminal conviction.NY Times·July 29, 2026
POLITICSTrump Has Made Billions in Office. Will His Party Pay Politically?The president took in a staggering $2.2 billion last year while in office. Democrats are hoping to make it a campaign issue in the midterm elections.NY Times·July 29, 2026
POLITICSTrump Unveils $22.5 Billion Redesign of Dulles AirportThe project would make the airport easier to navigate and include a new United lounge, officials said. It’s part of the president’s plans to remake the Washington area.NY Times·July 29, 2026
POLITICSOpenAI president says it’s ‘building a family of devices’ for its AI chatbotsIn an interview with our friend Joanna Stern on her YouTube channel, OpenAI president Greg Brockman said the company is working on a "family of devices" for interacting with its AI models. However, Brockman didn't confirm reports that one of those devices is a smart speaker OpenAI's rumored to be laThe Verge·July 29, 2026
POLITICSThe US government just banned RoombasWhen the Trump administration announced yesterday that it was banning "advanced robotic devices" from entering the United States, the headlines were all about humanoids. But spying doesn't require legs - and neither does the FCC's robot ban. The robot ban will sweep up robot vacuum cleaners too, FCCThe Verge·July 29, 2026
POLITICSWhy Republicans Aren’t Funding the Texas Senate Race YetThe peculiar dynamic is playing out in Texas, where the fate of the Republican nominee, Ken Paxton, will help decide which party controls the U.S. Senate.NY Times·July 29, 2026
POLITICSUS government bans new foreign-made humanoids, robot dogs, and solar inverters, citing risks to national securityThe ban largely affects U.S. imports from China, which currently dominates the global market for making humanoid robots and solar inverters.TechCrunch·July 29, 2026
POLITICSObama Endorses Josh Turek in Iowa Senate Race With Basketball VideoThe former president is trying to help Josh Turek net a Senate seat in Iowa, which Democrats see as one of their best pickup opportunities of the midterms.NY Times·July 29, 2026
POLITICSX Says Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Risks Interfering With Foreign LawElon Musk’s platform attacked the country’s “invasive” information-gathering powers as it demands the government drop efforts to strengthen its no-children policy.Wired·July 29, 2026
POLITICSU.S. and Iran resume attacks. And, Fauci to face Senate questions on COVID pandemicThe U.S. and Iran have resumed fighting after Iran attacked U.S. forces in the Middle East yesterday. And, a Senate committee will question Anthony Fauci about the COVID-19 pandemic.NPR·July 29, 2026
