Good morning. It's Tuesday, July 28, 2026. President Trump welcomed the president of Lebanon to the Oval Office as Israel began its first withdrawal from Lebanon under a United States brokered agreement.
At the same time Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Washington to attend the funeral of former Senator Lindsey Graham at the National Cathedral. The events mark a busy day of diplomacy and remembrance in the nation's capital.
Graham who served 20 years in the Senate was remembered by colleagues as a patriot and statesman with a Senate vote on his Russia sanctions bill set for later today.
The Top Stories
President Trump met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the Oval Office Tuesday as Israel began its first withdrawal of troops from Lebanon. The pullout follows a United States brokered agreement aimed at reducing tensions in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Washington to attend the funeral of former Senator Lindsey Graham. Why it matters: These meetings and the funeral bring together major international figures at a time when United States policy on the Middle East and Ukraine remains a top concern for many Americans.
Former senior Pentagon official Evelyn Farkas discussed President Trump's likely priorities in his talks with the leaders of Ukraine and Israel. She noted the focus on security guarantees and long term stability.
Graham's funeral at the National Cathedral drew bipartisan praise with Senator Tim Scott calling him a patriot who showed faith and sacrifice through decades of military and public service. Why it matters: Graham's death leaves a gap in Senate foreign policy leadership at a moment when key votes on Russia sanctions are scheduled.
The United States self deportation program has helped 132000 people leave the country with another 70000 signed up. The voluntary effort pays unauthorized immigrants to return home and covers travel costs.
Officials say the pace puts the program on track for 200000 total departures by year's end. Why it matters: The program offers a way to address immigration numbers without large scale enforcement actions.
Washington & the Nation
A funeral for longtime Senator Lindsey Graham was held at the National Cathedral in Washington on Tuesday. Senator Tim Scott paid tribute to Graham as a statesman who served with honor in the military and in Congress.
A Senate vote on Graham's proposed Russia sanctions bill is scheduled for later in the day. Senator Rand Paul released thousands of pages of diary entries from former White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci.
Fauci is set to appear before the Senate later this week. The release adds to ongoing reviews of decisions made during the COVID-19 period. Johnson and Johnson agreed to pay 5.5 billion dollars to settle tens of thousands of lawsuits over its talc based products.
The cases claim the products caused ovarian cancer and other health problems. The settlement is one of the largest of its kind in recent years. In Los Angeles a judge ruled that singer D4vd must stand trial in the killing of 14 year old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Prosecutors say the girl's phone activity stopped after she arrived at the singer's home and that she was killed after she threatened to report him. Patrick Clancy testified in his ex wife's murder trial.
He described her use of the drug Seroquel and her reports of intrusive thoughts about harming their children before the killings occurred.
Around the World
Firefighters in southwest France are battling a large wildfire that has forced more than 200000 people to leave their homes. The fire has burned thousands of acres and destroyed several villages.
At the same time nearly 100 million Americans remain under heat alerts this week with temperatures reaching dangerous levels in many states. Israel began its first withdrawal of forces from Lebanon under the United States brokered deal.
The move is seen as a step toward calmer borders after months of conflict. President Trump discussed next steps with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun during their meeting in Washington.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham. Their presence highlights the strong ties between the United States and both nations.
Former Pentagon official Evelyn Farkas said President Trump is expected to press for clear security commitments in his talks with both leaders.
Your Money
Stock markets showed mixed results on Tuesday. The Dow and the S&P 500 finished higher while the Nasdaq closed lower. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies gained ground.
Gold prices rose as investors sought safe assets. Oil prices fell on signs of steady supply from major producers. The yield on the 10 year Treasury note held near 4.65 percent.
Johnson and Johnson reached a 5.5 billion dollar settlement over talc lawsuits. The agreement could resolve claims from tens of thousands of people who say the company's products caused cancer.
The deal is expected to be paid over several years and will ease uncertainty for the company's finances. The self deportation program has already moved 132000 people out of the country with 70000 more set to leave.
By offering cash and travel help the program reduces government costs compared with traditional enforcement. Economists say the effort could affect labor markets in some industries that rely on immigrant workers.
Health & You
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that adults over 50 can lower their risk of heart disease and stroke by adding two simple habits. First walk at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
Studies following more than 40000 adults found this level of activity cut heart related deaths by 25 percent. Second take medicines exactly as prescribed if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
The National Institutes of Health report that consistent use of these drugs can reduce the chance of a major heart event by up to 40 percent. Many people in their 60s and 70s stop taking pills because they feel fine.
Doctors say the protection comes from staying on the medicine long term. Talk with your doctor before changing any routine. Simple steps like these have helped millions of older Americans stay healthier and avoid hospital stays.
One Good Thing
Senator Tim Scott's tribute to Lindsey Graham offered a warm reminder of the value of public service. Scott spoke of Graham's decades of military duty and his willingness to work across party lines on issues he believed mattered for the country.
The funeral brought together leaders from different backgrounds to honor a man known for his faith and steady character. In a time of sharp debate such moments of respect show that shared values can still unite people.
Graham's friends say he often quoted the idea that service to others is the rent you pay for your time on earth. That message left many in the cathedral feeling hopeful about the next generation of leaders.
On This Day
In 1868, The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing equal protection under the law, was ratified. In 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, setting off the chain of events that became World War I.
In 1945, A B-25 bomber crashed into the Empire State Building in dense fog, killing fourteen people. In 1750, Johann Sebastian Bach, the German composer and organist of the Baroque era.
(From the 50PlusHub Nostalgia archive.)
The events in Washington today show how foreign policy, remembrance, and domestic programs overlap in real time. President Trump's meetings with leaders from Lebanon, Israel, and Ukraine come as the nation honors Senator Lindsey Graham's long record of service.
The self-deportation program reaching 132000 departures offers one practical path on immigration. Johnson and Johnson's 5.5 billion dollar settlement brings some closure to families affected by talc related claims.
For your own health remember that 30 minutes of walking most days plus taking prescribed medicines can cut heart risks sharply. Small steady choices compound over time. We will continue to follow these stories and bring you clear facts each day.
And that's the way it is.
Sources
- The White House, 'President Trump Meets with Lebanese President Aoun' (2026)
- U.S. Senate, 'Funeral and Memorial for Senator Lindsey Graham' (2026)
- Department of Homeland Security, 'Self-Deportation Program Update' (2026)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 'Physical Activity and Heart Health in Adults Over 50' (2025)
- National Institutes of Health, 'Medication Adherence Study' (2024)
- U.S. District Court, 'Johnson & Johnson Talc Settlement Filing' (2026)
- U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields)
- Yahoo Finance (delayed market quotes)