Here are today's featured stories, posted by DU members and curated by the Administrators. More news items can be found in our Latest Breaking News forum, and for all the most up-to-the-minute stories that are being talked about by DU members, visit the Latest Discussions page.
July 7, 2026
'Grab Whatever You Want':Trump Reportedly Told White House Guests to Take Swag That Could Sell for Thousands of Dollars
(Mediaite) President Donald Trump reportedly invited a German delegation to take various items from a room in the White House, saying they could be sold for “thousands of dollars.” In a piece published by The Wall Street Journal on Sunday, the paper described a previously unreported meeting of European heads of government back in January, after Trump reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland, the autonomous North Atlantic and Arctic Circle territory from Denmark.
Go to discussionRepublicans now 'sincerely worried' about Senate seat in a state Trump won by 13 points
(Raw Story) Iowa was supposed to be safe Republican ground, but a closely watched Iowa political analyst said Monday the GOP is worried about holding a Senate seat in a state President Donald Trump carried by 13 points just two years ago. Appearing on Democratic strategist Joe Trippi's "On the Ground" podcast, Laura Belin, who runs the progressive Iowa site Bleeding Heartland, said the open contest to replace retiring Sen. Joni Ernst has become a real fight.
Go to discussionMitch McConnell's daughter deletes her X account as questions swirl over health after his hospitalization
(The Independent) The daughter of Senator Mitch McConnell has deleted her X account amid widespread speculation over the former Senate majority leader’s health, following a sudden June hospitalization. It is unclear when or why Porter McConnell, a progressive-leaning political activist who previously directed the Take On Wall Street campaign, deleted her account. The Independent has contacted Porter McConnell for comment.
Go to discussionTwo tankers hit in latest attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, British military says
(AP) Two tankers were struck by projectiles Tuesday in the Strait of Hormuz, the British military said, in the latest attacks targeting vessels moving through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf. One of the tankers was traveling off the coast of Oman and caught fire, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. Iranian state television said the liquefied natural gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim the assault.
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Belgium beats, then trolls, U.S. team on Monday night
(NBC Sports) Throughout the night, the U.S. team seemed flat, lifeless. Low energy, as some would say. Chances started to materialize, inevitable close calls happened, but nothing made it into the goal. And an awkward play by U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese early in the second half resulted in Belgium’s third goal. After that, even though there was plenty of time to play, it felt like it was over. After it ended, the Belgian team’s social media account had a message to the U.S. on Twitter: “Overturn this.”
Go to discussion'No Going Back': France Was Reportedly Prepared for a 'Shooting War' if Trump Moved on Greenland
(Mediaite) A stunning report in The Wall Street Journal described a marathon meeting of U.S. European allies who had come to view the country as a security risk under President Donald Trump. The leaders met at the European Council headquarters in Brussels. Cameras and phones were not allowed, and each head of government had been told to come alone. French President Emmanuel Macron was blunt in his assessment. He had just deployed French soldiers to Greenland to participate in Denmark’s Operation Arctic Endurance, in which Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden also participated.
Go to discussionMichael Cohen says he reconciled with Trump
(The Hill) President Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen on Monday said he and the president have reconciled after he turned on his former boss. Cohen joined John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby for Friday’s “Cats & Cosby Show” on 77 WABC to talk about the president and said the “far left … brought back the relationship” roughly six months ago.
Go to discussionObamacare rolls shrank dramatically in many states over the past year, new federal data shows
(AP) States across the country saw steep drops in the number of people covered by the Affordable Care Act over the past year, with Ohio and Oklahoma each losing nearly one-third of enrollees, according to new federal data that provides the first complete 50-state breakdown of sharp enrollment declines following the January expiration of enhanced subsidies. The data, posted in late June by the Trump administration and first reported on by The Associated Press, reveals how changes in each state’s insured population led to around 2.6 million fewer Americans having Obamacare plans in February compared with the same time last year.
Go to discussionAfghan national who fought with U.S. forces died of allergic reaction in ICE custody
(NBC News) An Afghan national who fought alongside U.S. forces died from an allergic reaction while in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, one day after he was detained for deportation proceedings, his death certificate shows. Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, 41, suffered “an adverse drug reaction” to an unidentified substance, which triggered anaphylaxis and exacerbated his asthma, according to the document. His March 14 death at a Dallas hospital was ruled to be an accident.
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