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The article reports on the second day of Todd Blanche's Senate confirmation hearings to become attorney general. CBS News senior justice department reporter Sarah Lynch summarized the important points from the hearings.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is being considered for the role of attorney general.
The Senate is holding confirmation hearings to decide on his appointment.
This article covers the events of the second day of those hearings.
Sarah Lynch, a CBS News reporter, shared a summary of key moments.
The hearings involve questions and discussions about Blanche's qualifications and plans.
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Thousands of Hyundai auto workers in South Korea began striking after talks failed over plans to use humanoid robots in their factories. Hyundai plans to introduce more than 25,000 Atlas robots made by Boston Dynamics across its plants, starting with U.S. factories in 2028, raising concerns about job security.
Key Facts
Hyundai workers at its Ulsan plant started a partial strike from July 13 to July 15 and plan four-hour strikes from July 20 to 22.
The strike is in response to Hyundai's plan to deploy Atlas humanoid robots that can perform various factory tasks.
Atlas robots are over 6 feet tall, can lift more than 100 pounds, and cost about $130,000 each.
Hyundai aims to install more than 25,000 Atlas robots in its and Kia’s manufacturing plants worldwide.
The union wants a fixed salary for workers and a retirement age increase from 60 to 65 to protect workers from automation impacts.
Boston Dynamics, the maker of Atlas, will become a fully owned subsidiary of Hyundai.
Other carmakers like Tesla, BMW, and some Chinese EV companies are also testing humanoid robots.
The global automotive industry has used industrial robots for decades, with over 1 million robots in use worldwide by 2021.
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The U.S. is considering a law to keep daylight saving time all year instead of changing clocks twice a year. The country tried permanent daylight saving time before, in the 1970s, but it did not continue. Changes in work habits and new sleep research are making the idea more relevant today.
Key Facts
Congress is reviewing a bill to end the twice-yearly clock changes and keep daylight saving time permanent.
The U.S. previously tried permanent daylight saving time in the 1970s, but it was not maintained.
Many people find changing clocks twice a year inconvenient or annoying.
More people are now working from home than before, affecting daily schedules.
New scientific studies about sleep suggest more complex effects of time changes.
The current discussion is part of a fresh look at daylight saving time's benefits and downsides.
If passed, this would change how Americans manage time throughout the year.
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Ukraine’s President Zelensky has removed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, causing protests and a political crisis. The dismissal revealed a conflict between the defence minister and the country’s top general amid changes in Zelensky’s wartime government.
Key Facts
President Zelensky dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
The removal of Fedorov led to protests in Ukraine.
The dispute between Fedorov and Ukraine’s top military general became public.
Zelensky is conducting his second reshuffle of the wartime government this year.
The events highlight tensions within Ukraine’s military leadership during the ongoing conflict.
Fedorov was considered one of Kyiv’s most popular defence officials.
The political crisis unfolds while Ukraine continues to face threats from Russia.
This situation is part of broader political and military challenges in Ukraine.
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President Donald Trump will give a live speech from the White House at 9 p.m. EDT on Thursday. He plans to talk about protecting the integrity of U.S. elections.
Key Facts
President Trump’s speech will happen at 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time from the White House.
The topic is about ensuring the honesty and fairness of elections.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the speech and encouraged Americans to watch.
PolitiFact will provide live fact-checking during the speech in a chat feature.
The speech is considered important enough to call a "major address" by the White House.
The news outlet hosting the speech promotes supporting trusted journalism and civil conversation.
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke to reporters about President Donald Trump’s upcoming primetime speech and recent military strikes on Iran. She also answered questions on other related topics during the briefing.
Key Facts
Karoline Leavitt is the White House press secretary.
She addressed the media on Thursday.
President Trump plans to deliver a primetime speech soon.
There have been new military strikes against Iran.
Leavitt answered questions about these strikes and other matters.
The briefing was reported by CBS News.
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A Cyclospora parasite outbreak has caused thousands of infections across 34 U.S. states, with Michigan the most affected. Two companies, Gotham Greens and Little Leaf Farms, say their greenhouse-grown salad greens are safe and not linked to the outbreak.
Key Facts
There are 1,645 confirmed Cyclospora cases and 141 hospitalizations reported as of July 16.
The CDC is investigating over 5,100 possible additional cases related to the outbreak.
Cyclospora causes a stomach illness with symptoms like diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and fatigue.
Michigan has the highest number of reported infections.
Gotham Greens and Little Leaf Farms say their salad greens are safe because they grow in controlled greenhouses.
These companies monitor and treat water and maintain strict food safety practices.
Their products are sold nationwide in stores like Whole Foods, Walmart, and Kroger.
The White House is monitoring the situation and advises people to follow CDC and FDA food safety tips.
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Most countries in the world do not use daylight saving time (DST), which is the practice of changing clocks twice a year to extend evening daylight. While the United States, Canada, and many European countries still observe DST, many nations in Asia, Africa, and South America have stopped using it or never adopted it.
Key Facts
Daylight saving time involves moving clocks forward in spring and back in fall to make better use of daylight.
The U.S. and much of Canada, plus most European countries, continue to observe DST.
Countries like China, India, Japan, Brazil, Russia, and most of Africa do not use DST.
Some countries, including Russia, Brazil, Iran, and Mexico, have ended daylight saving time in recent years.
One reason some countries avoid DST is that near the equator, daylight hours vary little throughout the year.
The U.S. House has passed a bill that could make daylight saving time permanent, but it still needs Senate approval.
Supporters say DST can help businesses and recreation by offering longer evenings, while critics highlight potential health problems.
During the 1970s energy crisis, the U.S. tested year-round DST but stopped after public pushback.
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Syria stopped a truck carrying advanced weapons near its border with Iraq, saying the arms were meant for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah denied any involvement. Iraq is helping Syria investigate the incident and wants to improve border security.
Key Facts
Syria found missiles, rockets, and drones hidden in an oil tanker truck near the Iraq border.
The weapons were discovered at the al-Tanf crossing during a routine search.
Syrian officials said the weapons were likely going to Hezbollah, a Lebanese group backed by Iran.
Hezbollah denied the accusations, calling them false and harmful.
Syria’s current government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been cracking down on weapon smuggling.
Iraq plans to form a special committee to investigate and work with Syria on border security.
The trucks use a route through Baniyas for fuel and goods between Iraq and Syria.
The United States’ President Donald Trump has spoken with Syria’s leader about disarming Hezbollah, but Syria says it will not interfere in Lebanon’s internal issues.
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Senator Adam Schiff questioned former Attorney General John Ashcroft about President Donald Trump's calls to prosecute his political opponents. Ashcroft was testifying before the Senate to support Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general.
Key Facts
Senator Adam Schiff asked John Ashcroft about President Trump's desire to prosecute his political enemies.
John Ashcroft is a former U.S. Attorney General.
Ashcroft appeared before the Senate to support Todd Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general.
President Trump has publicly called for legal actions against some political opponents.
The questioning took place during a Senate hearing.
The hearing is part of the process to approve Todd Blanche as attorney general.
CBS News reported on the event and made video coverage available.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio led a meeting with leaders from over 60 countries to discuss political terrorism linked to left-wing groups. He called for international cooperation to stop this type of violence, seen as a key issue for Republicans before upcoming elections.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio organized a conference on left-wing political terrorism.
More than 60 countries participated in the meeting.
The event was part of the Trump administration’s effort against political violence.
Rubio described a rise in violence from communist and Marxist groups.
This focus contrasts with studies showing fewer left-wing attacks compared to far-right violence in the U.S.
Participants were mostly officials from Europe and Latin America.
Rubio said left-wing terrorism is often overlooked in counterterrorism strategies.
The topic is important for Republicans ahead of midterm elections.
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Nicaragua has ended diplomatic relations with Italy because Italy criticized Nicaragua for not sending back a man convicted of kidnapping and killing former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro in 1978. Italy wants Nicaragua to extradite Alessio Casimirri, who has lived in Nicaragua for many years and is protected by its laws.
Key Facts
Nicaragua cut diplomatic ties with Italy over a disagreement about a murder case from 1978.
The case involves Alessio Casimirri, convicted of kidnapping and killing Aldo Moro, a former Italian Prime Minister.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani criticized Nicaragua for protecting Casimirri and granting him citizenship.
Casimirri was a member of the Red Brigades, a far-left group responsible for Moro’s kidnapping and death.
Italy has repeatedly asked Nicaragua to extradite Casimirri, but Nicaragua’s laws do not allow extraditing its own citizens.
Moro was kidnapped in March 1978 and found dead about two months later.
Italy says it will keep demanding that Casimirri face justice in Italy.
Nicaragua’s decision followed Tajani’s public statements during a political summit in Spain.
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A teleprompter operator for President Trump allegedly made $100,000 by betting on whether certain words or phrases would be said during Trump’s speeches. This activity took place on a prediction market called Kalshi, which allows people to bet on future events based on inside knowledge. Kalshi noticed unusual bets, froze the operator’s funds, and reported the case to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which is investigating.
Key Facts
Kalshi is a prediction market where people bet on events by buying contracts tied to future outcomes.
The teleprompter operator, Gabriel Perez, had access to President Trump’s speeches and sometimes changed his bets during the speeches.
Perez allegedly made $100,000 by betting on specific words and phrases being mentioned during Trump’s talks.
Kalshi discovered suspicious betting activity connected to a federal employee and froze his account.
The CFTC, the federal agency overseeing such markets, is investigating Perez for possible insider trading.
The Trump White House warned employees earlier to avoid using private information to place bets on these markets.
Similar cases of government insiders using secret information to profit on prediction markets have occurred before.
Kalshi is fighting state laws by seeking federal regulation from the CFTC for its markets.
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that a Tesla driver in Texas overrode the car’s driver assistance system before causing a fatal crash. The incident happened in June when the Tesla Model 3 left the road and crashed into a house.
Key Facts
The crash occurred in mid-June in Katy, Texas.
The car involved was a 2025 Tesla Model 3.
The driver was 44 years old.
The Tesla’s driver assistance system was overridden by the driver.
The car left the road, went onto a driveway, and hit a residence.
The crash resulted in at least one death (implied by "fatal crash").
The NTSB released preliminary findings about this accident.
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Top officials in President Donald Trump’s administration held a meeting with representatives from 66 countries to talk about the threat of left-wing violence. They focused on criticizing leftist groups and did not address right-wing violence, using strong language to describe leftist activists as dangerous to society.
Key Facts
The event was led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and included top advisers like Stephen Miller and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The meeting was called a “ministerial on the resurgence of political violence” but focused only on left-wing violence.
Officials used harsh language, calling leftists “enemies of civilization” and linking leftist groups to violence and terrorism.
They did not discuss right-wing violence, including the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
President Trump had labeled “antifa” as a domestic terrorist organization the year before.
Rubio suggested the US had mostly defeated terrorism related to the 2001 attacks and was now shifting to fight leftist violence.
The officials proposed working with other countries to confront leftist groups internationally.
The discussion referenced a 2023 presidential memorandum about national security and combating such threats.
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Some Republican members of Congress are worried that President Trump’s planned primetime speech, which will focus on elections and include a major announcement, might upset voters if it heavily revisits the 2020 election. The speech is scheduled for Thursday night at 9 p.m. EDT.
Key Facts
President Trump will give a national address on Thursday at 9 p.m. EDT.
The speech will focus on elections and include a significant announcement.
Some House and Senate Republicans are concerned about the speech’s content.
Their worry is that focusing too much on the 2020 election could hurt public opinion.
There have been rumors about what the “big announcement” might be.
The address is expected to attract wide attention because of its timing and topic.
Republican leaders are debating how to respond to or support the speech.
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Two men charged in a plan to attack the White House during a UFC event pleaded not guilty in court. They appeared before a federal judge in Ohio and denied the charges against them.
Key Facts
Two men, Tycen Proper (19) and Chandler Scaggs (21), are part of a group of eight indicted in connection to a plot targeting the White House.
The alleged plan involved an attack during a UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) event.
Both men entered not guilty pleas in federal court on Thursday.
The hearings took place in Ohio before Judge Edmund Sargus Jr.
The case is federal, meaning it is handled by the U.S. government courts.
The men come from Ohio and West Virginia.
Prosecutors accuse them of conspiracy to attack a government building.
The legal process will continue with further court proceedings.
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President Donald Trump’s media company will offer a new service that sells faster access to posts on Truth Social, the platform where he shares news and policy updates. Starting August 1, this service will provide real-time posts to paying customers, including financial firms that need quick information to make decisions.
Key Facts
Trump Media & Technology Group announced a Truth API data feed providing fast access to important posts on Truth Social.
The service is expected to start on August 1.
It aims to deliver posts to customers in milliseconds, which is helpful for high-frequency trading firms that trade stocks very quickly.
The API offers 24/7 coverage and includes an archive of posts back to 2022.
The company has not disclosed the cost of the service.
President Trump founded Trump Media & Technology Group in 2021 after being suspended from major social media platforms.
President Trump has 12.9 million followers on Truth Social, making him the platform’s most prominent user.
He often uses Truth Social to make announcements that influence financial markets.
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Liz Oyer, a former pardon attorney, spoke against Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, during his Senate hearing. She said Blanche fired her because she refused to restore gun rights to actor Mel Gibson, a friend of the president, and warned senators not to approve Blanche’s nomination.
Key Facts
Liz Oyer was a pardon attorney who was fired by Todd Blanche.
Oyer refused to recommend restoring firearm rights to Mel Gibson, who had a domestic violence conviction.
Mel Gibson is an ally and friend of President Donald Trump.
Todd Blanche said Oyer’s firing was not because of her recommendation but due to actions before President Biden’s term ended.
Oyer disagreed with Blanche and called his explanation false, citing documents as proof.
Oyer urged senators to reject Blanche’s nomination to protect the justice system’s integrity.
She accused Blanche of using the Department of Justice to serve President Trump’s personal interests.
Oyer said these actions harm the Department of Justice’s reputation and waste resources.
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Toyota's 2026 RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV includes a large 22.7 kWh battery that allows most daily driving to be done using electric power alone. It features a new powertrain with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine, two electric motors, and advanced electronics to improve efficiency and performance.
Key Facts
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid has a 22.7 kWh lithium-ion battery located under the cabin.
The SUV uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine operating on the Atkinson cycle, producing 186 horsepower.
There are two main electric motors: one driving the front wheels (203 hp) and one on the rear axle (55 hp).
The combined power output of the engine and electric motors is 324 horsepower.
The transmission is an electronically controlled variable ratio transmission (eCVT) using planetary gears, not typical belts or cones.
The RAV4 can switch between series hybrid mode, mostly using electric power, and parallel hybrid mode at high speeds.
Trim levels like SE and XSE offer up to 52 miles of all-electric range and about 40 miles per gallon combined fuel efficiency.
The Woodland trim adds off-road features but lowers fuel efficiency compared to other trims.
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