Senate confirms Charles Kushner, father of Trump's son-in-law, as ambassador to France

** Despite Trump's high-energy visit to Capitol Hill—where he pitched his "big, beautiful" vision for Medicaid and tax reforms—a stubborn faction of GOP lawmakers still isn’t buying in. The holdouts remain skeptical, leaving the party’s internal divisions on full display.

What This Mean: ** This isn’t just about policy disagreements—it’s a sign that Trump’s influence within his own party might be slipping, or at least hitting limits. If Republicans can’t rally behind their own president’s agenda, it could stall key legislation and deepen rifts ahead of the election. For voters, it’s a reminder that even with unified control, Washington’s gridlock doesn’t magically disappear.

A watchdog group is urging the Justice Department to investigate whether federal prosecutors in New York—who were supposed to be representing the Department of Transportation—secretly worked against the Trump administration’s legal push to scrap NYC’s congestion pricing program. The claim suggests these attorneys may have sabotaged efforts to kill the controversial driver tax.

What This Mean: If true, this would be a pretty big deal—federal lawyers are supposed to represent the government’s interests, not undercut them. The accusation raises questions about political bias in the legal system and whether career officials quietly resisted Trump-era policies. It also throws fuel on the long-running debate over NYC’s congestion pricing, which drivers hate but urban planners swear by. Either way, it’s the kind of story that could rattle trust in how the Justice Department operates.

** Former President Trump is reportedly set to unveil plans for a massive missile defense system dubbed the "Golden Dome," designed to shield the U.S. from long-range attacks. The project, estimated to cost billions, resurfaces amid political turbulence for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, whose once-bright prospects have dimmed since his 2022 re-election high.

What This Mean: ** This story matters because it blends high-stakes military spending with the ongoing political drama surrounding Trump and DeSantis. A new missile defense system could reshape national security strategy—and federal budgets—while also serving as a flashpoint in the broader debate over defense priorities. Meanwhile, DeSantis’s struggles highlight how quickly political fortunes can shift, even for rising stars.

Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen faced off against a massive online team of 143,000 players in a grueling marathon match—and shockingly, neither side could secure a decisive win. Team World, pooling their collective moves, held their own against one of the greatest chess players alive, forcing a rare draw in this high-stakes showdown.

What This Mean: This isn’t just another chess match—it’s a fascinating experiment in crowd intelligence versus individual genius. Carlsen usually dominates, but this draw shows how collective strategy (even from amateurs) can stand up to elite skill. It’s a win for the underdogs, even if they didn’t technically win. Plus, it highlights how tech and global participation are changing traditional games. Who needs a single grandmaster when you’ve got the internet?

** The Trump administration has agreed to pay $5 million to the family of Ashli Babbitt, a woman who was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer during the January 6, 2021, riots. Babbitt was part of the mob that stormed the Capitol and was attempting to climb through a broken window when she was fatally shot. The settlement marks a rare financial acknowledgment by the government in a case tied to the insurrection.

What This Mean: ** This story is significant because it highlights the lingering legal and financial fallout from the Capitol riot. While Babbitt’s death was controversial—with some portraying her as a martyr and others as a participant in an attempted coup—the settlement raises questions about accountability, government liability, and how such cases are resolved. It also underscores how deeply divisive January 6 remains, even years later.