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Five U.S. states have introduced property tax relief measures in their 2027 budgets to help homeowners facing rising costs. These measures include tax cuts, expanded exemptions, and proposals to reduce or eliminate property taxes, amid concerns about housing affordability and increasing insurance and mortgage costs.
Key Facts
Property taxes rose by over 30% between 2019 and 2025, following a large increase in home values.
Home prices increased by 54% nationwide since 2020, driven by low borrowing costs and limited housing supply during the pandemic.
Homeowners are also seeing a 72% increase in average monthly insurance premiums due to more frequent natural disasters and higher construction costs.
Mortgage rates have climbed to 6-7%, nearly doubling since the pandemic lows, making homeownership more expensive.
Florida plans a property tax cut that would raise the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, subject to voter approval.
Indiana is considering a bill to phase out property taxes by 2028, funded by a larger state sales tax, but the bill has limited support.
New Jersey’s $60.7 billion budget includes $4.1 billion for property tax relief targeting homeowners aged 65 and older.
Lawmakers are debating how to balance property tax relief with potential losses in revenue for local governments and public services.
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A $5,000 deposit in a no-penalty certificate of deposit (CD) can earn significantly more interest than a traditional savings account. No-penalty CDs allow you to withdraw money early without a fee while still earning higher fixed interest rates over different terms.
Key Facts
No-penalty CDs pay higher interest rates than typical savings accounts.
A 6-month no-penalty CD at 4.10% interest can earn about $101 on $5,000.
A 1-year no-penalty CD at 4.11% interest can earn about $205.50 on $5,000.
Longer CD terms, like 5 or 10 years, offer higher returns—up to $2,617 on $5,000 at 4.30%.
Traditional savings accounts earn around 0.38% interest, which would pay about $19 on $5,000 for a year.
No-penalty CDs let savers access their money early without losing interest, unlike traditional CDs.
Higher interest rates on no-penalty CDs mean potentially hundreds or thousands of dollars more in earnings compared to savings accounts.
The no-penalty feature provides flexibility similar to savings accounts but with much better returns.
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Pat Oliphant, a famous cartoonist known for his sharp political drawings, died on July 13, 2026, at age 90. He was recognized worldwide and won a Pulitzer Prize. In a 2000 interview, Oliphant discussed the history and impact of political cartoons.
Key Facts
Pat Oliphant was a Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist.
His cartoons appeared in up to 500 publications globally.
Oliphant died on July 13, 2026, at the age of 90.
He created sharp, critical drawings of political figures.
In a 2000 CBS News interview, he spoke about caricature and censorship.
He referenced Honoré Daumier, a 19th-century French cartoonist whose work influenced press freedom.
Daumier’s cartoons of King Louis Philippe led to reduced press freedom in France in 1835.
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A meteorite that crashed into a New Jersey home in July 2024 contained rare materials and molecules linked to the origins of life. Scientists found that the meteorite had salty brine and organic compounds, suggesting that such space rocks may have delivered important chemicals to early Earth.
Key Facts
The meteorite landed in a New Jersey home in July 2024.
The homeowner preserved the fragments carefully, allowing detailed study.
The meteorite is a rare type called CM1/2 carbonaceous chondrite.
This is only the second time scientists have observed a fall of this meteorite type.
Scientists found evidence of salty liquid (brine) on the parent asteroid before the meteorite broke off.
The brine contained high salt levels that can help create molecules important for life.
The meteorite held organic materials like amino acids and magnesium organic compounds used in living things.
Some fragments will be kept at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City for future research.
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A U.S. Navy Blue Angels pilot is being reviewed after flying lower than usual over Pensacola Beach, Florida, on July 15. The low pass caused umbrellas, chairs, and tents to fly around during a public event, and videos of the incident have gone viral online.
Key Facts
The incident happened during the "Breakfast with the Blues" event before the Pensacola Beach Air Show.
A Blue Angels pilot flew lower than the normal flight path during an arrival maneuver.
The low flyover caused a disturbance, moving beach chairs, umbrellas, and tents.
The Blue Angels team confirmed the incident and said safety is their top priority.
Officials are conducting a full review of the event to understand what happened.
Videos shared on social media showed the flyover and sparked discussions on aviation safety.
Witnesses said this low pass was unusual and surprising compared to previous years.
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The U.S. Pentagon is making plans for a possible military action against Cuba. Senior defense officials are reviewing their options as part of these preparations.
Key Facts
The Pentagon is creating plans that could lead to military action in Cuba.
Senior U.S. defense officials are involved in considering the military options.
These plans suggest growing concern about events or threats related to Cuba.
The information comes from U.S. government sources.
No official decision has been announced yet regarding military action.
The situation is under active review and monitoring by U.S. defense leaders.
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Central Texas experienced heavy rain and dangerous flash floods for three days in a row. A tornado formed near San Antonio during the storm, and many people were rescued from flooded areas.
Key Facts
Central Texas had heavy rain for three consecutive days.
The rain caused flash floods, which can happen suddenly and are very dangerous.
A tornado occurred close to San Antonio during the storm.
Dozens of people needed to be rescued due to flooding.
The storm system was responsible for both the floods and the tornado.
Emergency teams worked to help those trapped by the floodwaters.
Flash flooding can cause significant damage and threaten lives quickly.
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President Donald Trump fired Roger Rogoff, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, shortly after federal judges appointed him to the role. This action continues a pattern of conflict between the Trump administration and federal courts over temporary appointments of U.S. attorneys.
Key Facts
President Trump fired Roger Rogoff as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington.
Federal judges had legally appointed Rogoff after the previous temporary appointee’s term ended.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche criticized the judges for not consulting the administration before the appointment.
Senator Patty Murray opposed the firing, calling Rogoff qualified and accusing the administration of politicizing the office.
The Western District of Washington has lacked a Senate-confirmed U.S. attorney since mid-2023.
Trump previously fired another temporary U.S. attorney in Seattle after taking office in 2025.
Federal law allows courts to appoint interim U.S. attorneys after a 120-day term expires if no Senate-confirmed attorney is in place.
Similar disputes have occurred in other states, where judges appointed U.S. attorneys that Trump then fired.
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Football shirts in Latin America have become symbols used in political campaigns, especially in Brazil and Colombia. Politicians from the right have linked themselves to national football jerseys to show patriotism, leading to debate over the use of these popular sports symbols in politics.
Key Facts
Paulo Duarte, a Brazilian football fan, collects and sells Brazil’s national football shirts.
Brazil’s yellow-and-green football jersey has been used by right-wing politicians, including Jair Bolsonaro and his son Flavio Bolsonaro.
Flavio Bolsonaro recently called the Brazil jersey "Bolsonaro’s jersey" during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In Colombia, President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella used the national football jersey in his political campaign.
Both Brazil and Colombia have been eliminated from the current World Cup, but the political use of football shirts continues.
Sociologist Bryan Clift explains that football shirts can represent a shared national identity and are powerful symbols for politicians.
The use of football jerseys in politics has caused tension between different political groups in Latin America.
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Healthcare workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have started a strike because they have not been paid. This strike is happening as the Ebola virus is spreading faster than in previous outbreaks, with over 2,000 cases and 754 deaths reported.
Key Facts
Healthcare workers in the DRC are on strike due to unpaid wages.
Ebola is spreading rapidly in the DRC, faster than before.
More than 2,000 people in the DRC have caught Ebola.
There have been 754 deaths linked to the Ebola outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned about the fast spread of Ebola.
The strike is affecting efforts to fight the Ebola epidemic in the DRC.
The news was reported by FRANCE 24 and journalist Emmet Livingstone.
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U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Jeffrey Epstein appeared connected to both Israeli intelligence and top U.S. intelligence agencies. Vance discussed these ties during a long interview and admitted the Trump administration made mistakes in handling information related to Epstein.
Key Facts
JD Vance stated Epstein had connections to Israeli intelligence, especially elements described as “left of centre” in Israel.
Vance also said Epstein had friendships across the U.S. political spectrum.
Epstein was known as a financier and socialite who was convicted of sex crimes and died in jail in 2019.
There are no official documents publicly confirming Epstein was an intelligence agent for the U.S. or Israel.
FBI files include a memo suggesting one source believed Epstein was a Mossad agent trained as a spy.
Epstein had email contact with Israeli politicians and funded some Israeli organizations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied Epstein worked for Israel.
Vance admitted the Trump administration mishandled communications about Epstein.
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The United States carried out more military strikes against targets linked to Iran. These actions aim to reduce Iran's ability to threaten ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for international trade.
Key Facts
The U.S. launched multiple attacks during the night.
The strikes targeted places connected to Iran.
The goal was to weaken Iran's threats to commercial shipping.
The conflict centers on the Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping route.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have increased recently over this area.
CBS News reported on the situation with coverage by Courtney Kealy.
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A review of studies suggests people who eat a lot of chili peppers might have a higher chance of developing digestive cancers, especially esophageal cancer. Researchers found people with the highest chili pepper intake were nearly three times more likely to get esophageal cancer, but the studies do not prove chili peppers cause cancer.
Key Facts
The review looked at 14 studies with over 11,000 people, including more than 5,000 with digestive cancers.
People who ate the most chili peppers had a 64% higher chance of digestive cancers overall compared to those who ate the least.
The strongest link was for esophageal cancer, with heavy chili pepper eaters nearly three times more likely to develop it.
No significant increased risk was found for stomach or colorectal cancers.
The studies used are observational, meaning they show possible links but cannot prove that chili peppers cause cancer.
Experts say the evidence is not strong enough to tell healthy people to stop eating spicy food.
Measuring chili pepper intake is difficult because people report their own eating habits, which can be inaccurate.
Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which may have both anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory effects, but its role in cancer is unclear.
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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced it will invest an additional $100 billion in the United States to build more factories for making computer chips. The new facilities will be located in Arizona to meet growing demand from its U.S. customers.
Key Facts
TSMC is a company from Taiwan that makes semiconductor chips.
The company plans to spend $100 billion more in the U.S. for new factories.
The factories will focus on semiconductor and advanced packaging production.
All new plants will be built in Arizona.
The investment aims to meet strong demand from major U.S. customers.
The announcement was made on a Thursday by TSMC’s CEO, C.C. Wei.
TSMC is one of the world’s largest chipmakers.
This move supports expanding U.S. chip manufacturing capacity.
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A Kenyan court ruled against the Rastafari Society’s request to decriminalize cannabis use. The society had argued that cannabis is important for their religious practices, but the court did not approve their petition.
Key Facts
The court case addressed the use of cannabis by the Rastafarian community in Kenya.
The Rastafari Society is officially recognized as a religion in Kenya.
The community wants cannabis to be legal for religious reasons.
The court has been considering the case since 2021.
The ruling was made public on July 16, 2026.
The court decided not to decriminalize cannabis for Rastafarians.
Cannabis remains illegal for religious use in Kenya after this ruling.
The case had gained attention because it involved religious freedom and drug laws.
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An Italian court sentenced 32 people for their roles in the 2018 collapse of the Morandi bridge in Genoa, which killed 43 people. The former head of motorway operator Autostrade, Giovanni Castellucci, was among those found guilty and sentenced to prison for negligence and vehicular homicide.
Key Facts
The Morandi bridge in Genoa collapsed on August 14, 2018, during heavy rain, killing 43 people.
Giovanni Castellucci, former chief of Autostrade (the motorway operator), was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Castellucci was accused of delaying important maintenance work on the bridge.
A total of 57 people were on trial; 32 were convicted, and 25 were acquitted.
The investigation showed little maintenance was done on pillar number nine, which collapsed.
Other defendants included executives and technicians from Autostrade and engineering company Spea.
Some defense lawyers plan to appeal the guilty verdicts.
Italian officials said the collapse was due to serious errors and negligence, not an accident or hidden defects alone.
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Mykhailo Fedorov served six months as Ukraine’s defence minister before being dismissed due to conflicts with the military leadership. He tried to modernize the army by improving salaries, introducing rewards, and increasing drone use, but faced strong opposition from top commanders.
Key Facts
Fedorov became Ukraine’s defence minister in January 2026 at age 35, the youngest ever in that role.
He aimed to reform Ukraine’s army, which was tired after four years of fighting Russia.
Reforms included raising soldiers’ pay, planning partial demobilization, and using game-like incentives to reward units.
He pushed for more drone purchases and helped cut off Russian units from Starlink internet services.
Fedorov clashed with Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, who resisted changes.
His dismissal sparked protests in Kyiv, Lviv, and other Ukrainian cities.
Fedorov previously worked as Ukraine’s minister for digital transformation and helped President Zelensky win the 2019 election with his social media skills.
He sought to use data and technology to improve the military’s performance during the war.
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Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, attracting about 50 million tourists each year. Many travelers return multiple times and seek unique, personalized tours beyond the usual sights. Maud Hacker, an art historian and private tour guide, offers bespoke tours to help visitors create special experiences in the city.
Key Facts
Paris receives around 50 million tourists annually.
Many visitors come back for second or third trips.
Returning tourists often want new ways to explore the city.
Maud Hacker is an art historian and private tour guide in Paris.
She offers custom-made tours tailored to individual interests.
These tours focus on creating unique experiences beyond popular landmarks.
The article was published on July 16, 2026.
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The US and Iran have ended a June ceasefire agreement and are engaged in ongoing military attacks against each other and allied Gulf nations. Although both countries have expressed interest in diplomacy, tensions remain high amid economic and military pressures, with Pakistan urging both sides to resume talks.
Key Facts
The US and Iran have stopped following a ceasefire deal signed in June and are exchanging attacks.
The United States recently reimposed sanctions on Iran after briefly lifting some as part of the June agreement.
Iran’s economy has weakened due to long-term US sanctions and the ongoing conflict, with lower oil exports and a lower currency value.
Iran’s military resources, including missiles and drones, have been significantly reduced from earlier US-Israeli strikes.
The US claims to have damaged Iran’s nuclear sites during a 12-day war in 2025.
Pakistan is acting as a mediator and urges both nations to choose dialogue over violence.
President Donald Trump says Iran wants peace but is not trusted by the US.
Iranian officials describe the conflict as an “existential war” and are hesitant to return to the agreement.
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The Navy’s Blue Angels are reviewing why one of their jets flew very low over a crowd at Pensacola Beach in Florida, causing sand and items to fly. They say safety is their top concern and are checking that all rules were followed during the flight.
Key Facts
The Blue Angels jets performed a flyover at Pensacola Beach, Florida.
One jet flew lower than usual and banked sideways close to the crowd.
The low flight caused sand, chairs, and tents on the beach to move or fly up.
The Blue Angels are conducting a safety review to understand what happened.
They said their top priority is the safety of the public, pilots, and community.
Similar low-fly incidents recently happened with military helicopters in South Carolina and Tennessee.
In those past helicopter cases, pilots were briefly suspended, but suspensions were later lifted.
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