US News Live: House oversight chairman demands documents from Epstein estate

New York Governor Kathy Hochul's reelection campaign launched its first digital ad on Monday, framing her as an adversary to President Donald Trump's administration in the state, according to a report in The Hill. The advertisement is the first of her current campaign and presents Hochul as a "mom from Buffalo" who does not come from a wealthy background. The launch was also noted to coincide with Hochul's previous statements vowing to explore options for redrawing New York's House maps.

A federal judge in Maine has ruled that a network of clinics will not have its Medicaid funding restored while it pursues a lawsuit against a Trump administration policy aimed at defunding abortion providers, according to a report in AP. The decision on Monday came despite a ruling from a different federal judge last month that had allowed Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide to remain eligible for Medicaid funding. The broader legal fight over the administration's efforts to defund these providers continues in the courts.

Keurig Dr Pepper is set to unwind its 2018 merger by splitting into two separate public companies, as per a report in AP. The move follows the company's announcement on Monday that it is acquiring the owner of Peet's Coffee for $18 billion. After the acquisition, the company will divide into a coffee business and a cold beverage business, which will include brands like Snapple, Dr Pepper, and 7UP. Following the announcement, shares of Keurig Dr Pepper experienced a 7% decline in early trading.

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation to honor U.S. servicemembers killed during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, according to a report in AP. In other developments, a bipartisan pair of lawmakers is advocating to lift sanctions against Syria, while a Senate Democrat stated she was "appalled" by Israel's bombing of a Gaza hospital. Additionally, the U.S. ambassador to France reportedly did not respond to a summons from the French foreign ministry over antisemitic claims. Domestically, a U.S. District Judge warned the government against deporting Abrego Garcia, who is held in Virginia, and clinics in Maine were denied Medicaid funds.

Brazil's government announced on Monday it will purchase several domestic agricultural products, such as acai, coconut water, mangoes, and Brazilian nuts, to support producers affected by new US tariffs, AP said in a report. The government stated it will pay an 'adequate' price for these goods. However, other major exports like coffee and beef, which are also impacted by the US measures, were not included in the purchase program. The tariffs were reportedly imposed by US President Donald Trump, who linked them to the trial of his political ally, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

Republican U.S. Representative Mike Alford conducted a town hall meeting in his west central Missouri district on Monday, engaging in a civil, hour-long discussion with about 100 constituents, AP says in a report. The event, noted as a rarity for in-person appearances by GOP House members, featured polite conversation on topics including Medicaid and what was described as aggressive executive actions by the administration of President Donald Trump. The audience at the event was described as being slightly Democratic-leaning.

US stocks showed mixed results in Monday trading, pausing after a significant rally the previous week driven by hopes for future interest rate cuts, according to a report in AP. The S&P 500 remained largely unchanged, hovering near its all-time high. However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average pulled back from its record set on Friday, falling 234 points, while the Nasdaq composite saw a 0.3% gain, supported by strong performance from major technology stocks like Alphabet.

US corn farmers are grappling with increased stress and risk as climate change contributes to more volatile weather, including excessive heat and rainfall that can interfere with critical pollination periods, AP says in a report. While an overall 'monster' yield is expected nationally this year, individual farmers, such as those in Michigan, are experiencing the direct impact of these trickier conditions. The situation highlights the growing challenge of maintaining stable agricultural production amid increasing climate variability.

Livestream footage captured MMA fighter Raja Jackson assaulting pro wrestler Stuart Smith, according to a report in The New York Times. The video reportedly showed Jackson, who is the son of former UFC champion Quinton Jackson, punching Smith at least 20 times.

Maurice Tempelsman, a powerful diamond magnate and the longtime companion of former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, has died at 95, The Washington Post said in a report. He was a significant figure in the global diamond industry, which was often characterized as opaque and exclusive. Tempelsman also gained considerable public attention for his close, private relationship with Onassis during the final years of her life.

The House Freedom Caucus (HFC), a conservative faction within the House Republican Conference, is experiencing a significant transition as several of its key members depart, according to a report in The Washington Post. This development is creating an opening for new leadership and potential shifts in the caucus's tactical approaches. The HFC has wielded considerable influence, particularly given the narrow Republican majority in the House, often impacting legislative priorities and leadership decisions within the party.

Elon Musk has filed an antitrust lawsuit in Texas federal court targeting Apple and OpenAI, alleging the two companies are colluding to stifle competition in the artificial intelligence sector, as per a report in AP. The 61-page complaint claims the iPhone maker is unfairly favoring OpenAI and its ChatGPT product. This legal action follows public accusations Musk made two weeks prior, where he suggested Apple's app store rankings were manipulated against ChatGPT competitors, including his own AI, Grok.

Planned pharmaceutical tariffs by President Donald Trump's administration threaten to impact many of the most common medicines in the USA, according to a report in The New York Times. The policy, part of a broader "America First" economic agenda, aims to reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing but could lead to higher drug costs for consumers and potential supply shortages. Many drugs marketed as "American-made" still depend on foreign-sourced Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), making them vulnerable to the proposed tariffs and highlighting the complexities of reshoring the nation's pharmaceutical production.

U.S. immigration authorities detained Kilmar Abrego Garcia in Baltimore on Monday, and he faces possible immediate deportation to Uganda by the Trump administration, according to a report in AP. A blanket order from a Maryland federal court, however, has automatically paused any effort to remove him. The order covers any immigrant in that federal court district who is challenging their detention, blocking their removal while their cases are under review.

The US government has acquired a 10% stake in Intel, an announcement made by President Donald Trump on Friday, according to a report in AP. This development follows the President's public criticism of Intel's CEO just weeks prior. Concurrently, multiple European postal services are suspending many package shipments to the United States, citing a lack of clarity regarding new import duties. Additionally, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has indicated a potential openness to lowering interest rates.

US stocks slipped in early Monday trading after a major rally the previous week, AP says in a report. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 192 points, or 0.4%, pulling back from the record it set on Friday, while the S&P 500 declined by 0.2%, remaining just below its all-time high. The Nasdaq composite was mostly unchanged. The market's dip follows last week's gains, which were driven by investor hopes for potential interest rate cuts.

Top-ranked American tennis players Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton started the US Open with strong performances on Sunday, AP says in a report. The No. 6 seed, Shelton, defeated Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Buse 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in a match lasting just over two hours. The victories mark a strong start for the American men's contingent, which is noted as being the largest in the tournament's bracket in the last 25 years.

A person who traveled to El Salvador has been diagnosed with New World screwworm, marking the first reported U.S. case tied to travel to a country with a current outbreak, according to a report in AP. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the diagnosis on August 4. Federal health officials, who collaborated with Maryland health officials on the case, acknowledged the infection in a statement on Monday but did not provide details on the patient's condition.

An El Salvadoran national, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was expected to report to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Baltimore, Maryland, on Monday for a scheduled check-in, AP says in a report. The Trump administration intends to deport the man, whose case has become a focal point in the administration's immigration enforcement policies. The check-in follows his recent release from detention, where he had been held since June.

Taiwan has won its first Little League World Series title in 29 years, defeating the team from Nevada 7-0 in the championship game in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, as per a report in AP. Pitcher Lin Chin-Tse retired the first 13 batters and allowed only one hit over five innings to secure the victory. This marks Taiwan's 18th overall title in the tournament's history, the most for any international participant.

Global stock markets showed a mixed reaction on Monday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted at potential interest rate cuts, AP said in a report. On Friday, US stocks on Wall Street rallied following Powell's speech at an annual conference in Jackson Hole. However, on Monday, futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were down 0.2%, while European markets also opened lower.

Democratic members of a congressional investigative committee have stated that the Department of Justice's response to a subpoena for files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case was insufficient, The New York Times says in a report. According to the members, the 'overwhelming majority' of the material provided by the Justice Department in response to the subpoena had already been released to the public. This has led to complaints from the Democratic members, who are seeking new, non-public information to advance their investigation.

Tommy Fleetwood of England secured his first PGA Tour title by winning the Tour Championship in Atlanta, which also earned him the FedEx Cup and its $10 million prize, AP says in a report. Fleetwood's victory on Sunday was aided by early mistakes from competitors, including Patrick Cantlay and Scottie Scheffler. The report also noted a victory for Jon Rahm's team in the LIV Golf League, which is funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and has faced scrutiny in the U.S. over its proposed merger with the PGA Tour and concerns of foreign influence.

Reuters has issued a correction for a previous story concerning a human case of screwworm in the USA, as per a report in Reuters. The news agency clarified that its initial report was incorrect in stating this was the first recorded human case in U.S. history. The story and its associated shotlist have been resent to reflect the accurate historical context of the disease.

Novak Djokovic secured a victory in the first round of the US Open, defeating Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6 (3), 6-2 in his first match since Wimbledon, according to a report in AP. This marks Djokovic's return to the US tournament after a forced absence in prior years. His participation was made possible by the lifting of US federal government mandates in May 2023, which had previously required non-U.S. citizens to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the country. Despite the win, Djokovic acknowledged struggling physically during the match.

Donald Trump on Sunday suggested a potential criminal investigation into former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's alleged involvement in the 2013 "Bridgegate" scandal, according to a report in The Hill. Trump made the threat in a post on his Truth Social platform following a Sunday morning television appearance by Christie, a former ally who has become a vocal critic. The "Bridgegate" scandal involved lane closures on the George Washington Bridge; Christie was never charged in connection with the incident, and the convictions of two of his former aides were unanimously overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2020.