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Relationship OCD (ROCD) is a condition where people have constant, distressing doubts about their romantic relationships. These doubts go beyond normal worries and can cause serious anxiety and compulsive behaviors like repeatedly seeking reassurance.
Key Facts
ROCD causes persistent and intrusive doubts about a relationship or a partner’s flaws.
It leads to distress and compulsive actions like testing the partner for reassurance.
OCD affects about 1.2% of people in the UK, but data on ROCD specifically is limited.
ROCD can be triggered by relationship milestones like moving in together or marriage.
It may be slightly more common in women, though clear data is lacking.
Social media can make ROCD worse by creating unrealistic ideas about love and relationships.
People with ROCD often experience their doubts as mental torture that dominates their thoughts.
Treatments and awareness are increasing, helping more people seek support.
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Smoke and an orange haze from many wildfires in Canada have spread across Ontario and reached northern parts of the United States. There are 838 active wildfires in Canada, but officials say the smoke is not expected to be as bad as it was in 2023 when wildfire smoke affected the US East Coast.
Key Facts
Hundreds of wildfires are currently burning across Canada.
Smoke and orange haze have spread into Ontario and northern US states.
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre reports 838 active wildfires.
The smoke is less severe than last year, when it covered much of the US East Coast.
Officials are monitoring the situation but expect less impact this time.
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The New York Times asked a court to cancel subpoenas from the Justice Department that demand reporters reveal their sources. The subpoenas relate to stories about security issues with the new Air Force One plane given by Qatar, and the Times says this legal action threatens press freedom.
Key Facts
The Justice Department issued subpoenas to New York Times journalists about reporting on Air Force One security concerns.
The subpoenas were delivered last week and require reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan.
The new Air Force One was gifted by Qatar and cost $400 million to upgrade under President Trump’s administration.
The Times reported the new plane may lack some security features, which led President Trump to use an older jet recently.
The Justice Department says reporters are not the targets; they want to find government leak sources.
The Times filed a motion in court to quash (cancel) the subpoenas, calling them a threat to journalists’ rights.
Press freedom groups have criticized the subpoenas as an attempt to intimidate the media.
It is very rare for the government to force reporters to name sources before a grand jury.
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Temperatures in the UK will drop this weekend due to cooler winds from the north, ending the heatwave in some northern areas. However, much of the UK, especially southern England, will remain warmer than usual with dry and sunny conditions continuing.
Key Facts
Cooler northerly winds will lower temperatures by several degrees across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England.
Southern England has experienced a heatwave lasting 12 days or more.
Despite cooler temperatures, the UK will stay drier than normal with little to no rain expected soon.
Some areas in south-east England have nearly 30 days without rain.
Hosepipe bans affect over eight million households in England due to dry conditions and high water demand.
After the weekend, warmer weather is expected to return quickly across most of the UK.
The UK’s climate is changing, with hotter days now more common even in northern regions.
The Met Office reports that climate extremes are becoming usual in the UK.
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All newborn babies in England will be tested for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a serious muscle-weakening genetic disease, starting as part of a study in October 2026. Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson, whose twin daughters have SMA, has campaigned for this screening, which can identify affected babies early so they can receive life-saving treatments before symptoms appear.
Key Facts
SMA causes muscle weakness that affects walking, breathing, and swallowing; severe cases can be fatal before age two.
Gene therapies exist that can treat SMA if given early, before symptoms start.
England will begin newborn blood tests for SMA in October 2026 as part of a large study, with full rollout planned by October 2027.
Scotland already has newborn screening for SMA in place.
The test is done using a blood sample from a heel prick shortly after birth.
Jesy Nelson’s twin daughters were diagnosed with SMA and may never walk.
The study is led by scientists at the University of Oxford and will help decide if SMA screening becomes permanent.
Health Secretary James Murray praised campaigners raising awareness of SMA and emphasized the importance of early treatment.
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President Donald Trump announced that Iran has released an American citizen, Dena Karari, who had been detained in Iran since December 2024. Karari is now safely out of Iran and returning to the United States after efforts led by President Trump.
Key Facts
Dena Karari is a dual citizen of the United States and Iran.
She was detained and banned from leaving Iran since December 2024 after visiting family.
Karari works for an American tech company and runs a charity for children in Iran.
She was charged with espionage after the US and Israel carried out strikes on Iran in 2025.
President Trump called Iran’s release of Karari a gesture of goodwill.
Her lawyer, Jared Genser, credited President Trump’s efforts for her release.
Jared Genser has helped free over 340 prisoners worldwide in the past 20 years.
The announcement came during new US military strikes against Iran.
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Lawmakers and officials from President Donald Trump’s administration attended the second Hill Nation Summit in Washington on Wednesday. They spoke with reporters about current news and discussed their recent work during this bipartisan event.
Key Facts
The event is called the Hill Nation Summit and this was its second gathering.
It took place on a Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
Both lawmakers and officials from President Trump’s administration participated.
The summit was bipartisan, meaning it included members from different political parties.
Participants discussed accomplishments as well as challenges they face.
Reporters from The Hill and NewsNation spoke with attendees during the event.
The focus was on news of the day and current political topics.
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A 76-year-old woman in Florida received a random license plate from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that caught the attention of her senior community because it was funny. The license plate was issued without her requesting any special or personalized plate.
Key Facts
The woman is 76 years old and lives in Florida.
She got her license plate from the Florida DMV.
The license plate was given randomly, not chosen by her.
The plate became popular and a topic of conversation in her senior community.
Some people pay for funny license plates, but hers was assigned by chance.
The story was reported by CBS News and shared by Tony Dokoupil.
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United Airlines expects to spend $6 billion more on jet fuel this year due to higher oil prices. Other airlines like Delta also face rising fuel costs and have increased ticket prices to help cover these expenses.
Key Facts
United Airlines will spend an extra $6 billion on fuel in 2024, making fuel their second-largest expense after labor.
In the second quarter, United already spent $2.3 billion more on fuel, an 84% increase compared to last year.
Delta Air Lines also saw a 77% rise in fuel costs in the second quarter, spending $4.4 billion.
Jet fuel prices hit a record high of nearly $5 per gallon in April and were $3.64 per gallon recently.
The rise in jet fuel prices is linked to the conflict involving the U.S. and Iran.
Airlines are raising ticket prices and adding fuel surcharges to help cover increased fuel costs.
Some airlines have cut inefficient flight routes and increased baggage fees to manage costs.
Passenger demand for air travel remains strong despite higher ticket prices.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that all Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest teams must have at least one agent wearing a body camera. President Donald Trump reversed a previous rule that had limited ICE agents from making certain traffic stops.
Key Facts
DHS requires every ICE arrest team to include an agent with a body camera.
This change follows incidents where ICE agents shot and killed two people earlier this month.
Body cameras record interactions between officers and the public.
President Donald Trump reinstated ICE agents' authority to conduct some traffic stops.
The reinstatement reverses an earlier order that restricted ICE from certain traffic-related actions.
The policy changes aim to increase transparency and enforcement abilities of ICE.
CBS News reported on these updates through their homeland security correspondent.
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Heavy rains caused floods along the coasts of West Africa in June, killing dozens and forcing thousands to leave their homes. Scientists say climate change made the rainfall much stronger than usual, turning a normal rainy season into a disaster.
Key Facts
Floods hit Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, and Liberia in late June.
More than 140mm of rain fell in some West African cities in less than one day.
At least 98 people died due to flooding across these countries since May.
The flood waters damaged homes, roads, markets, and other infrastructure.
Scientists found that climate change made such heavy rains five times more likely.
Rainfall intensity has increased by about 23% in the region since official records began.
The area is now 1.4°C hotter compared to before the industrial era due to greenhouse gases.
Extreme rainfall events like this may happen every two to four years in the future unless emissions are reduced.
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Nick Shirley, a conservative influencer and independent journalist, denied claims that he is related to Tyler Robinson, the man charged with killing Charlie Kirk. Shirley shared his family tree to prove the rumor false, and fact-checkers found the claim originated from inconsistent information given by an AI chatbot.
Key Facts
Tyler Robinson is charged with killing Charlie Kirk in Orem, Utah.
A rumor spread on X (formerly Twitter) that Nick Shirley and Tyler Robinson are cousins.
Shirley posted his family tree publicly, showing no relation to Robinson.
The cousin claim came from responses by Grok, an AI chatbot created by Elon Musk’s company xAI.
Grok gave conflicting answers about the family connection, with no verified proof linking Shirley and Robinson.
Shirley was the last guest on Charlie Kirk’s show before Kirk was killed on September 10.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Robinson’s family described him as becoming more political and critical of Kirk.
Multiple false claims about Robinson’s identity and background spread after the shooting, causing misinformation.
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A new Pew Research Center poll shows that more people in many countries now view China more positively than the United States. This change is linked to recent tensions between the Trump administration and US allies, as well as views on global peace and stability.
Key Facts
The poll surveyed 36 countries and territories between February and May.
In 25 out of 36 places, more people favored China over the US, including Canada and Mexico.
Only six countries saw the US more positively: Poland, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Japan, and Israel.
22 countries showed more favorable views toward Chinese leader Xi Jinping than President Donald Trump.
This is the first time in about 20 years that China is seen more positively than the US globally.
Negative views of the US are linked to events like the US handling of the Israeli-Hamas war, demands on Greenland, and the raid in Venezuela.
Canadian favorability toward the US dropped from 57% in 2023 to 33%, while favorability for China rose from 14% to 44%.
The US still leads China in being viewed as respecting personal freedoms, but the gap is getting smaller.
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Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird spoke publicly in support of Todd Blanche for the position of attorney general. She talked about his experience as a prosecutor and explained why she believes he should be confirmed by the Senate.
Key Facts
Brenna Bird is the current Attorney General of Iowa.
Todd Blanche is being considered for the position of Iowa Attorney General.
Brenna Bird supports Todd Blanche’s confirmation.
She highlighted his record as a prosecutor.
The Iowa Senate is currently reviewing Todd Blanche’s candidacy.
The discussion took place on a CBS News program called "The Takeout."
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President Donald Trump announced that Iran has freed an American citizen who was being held in the country. He described the release as a sign of goodwill after recent tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Key Facts
Iran freed a U.S. citizen who had been detained since December 2024.
President Trump said the person was wrongfully held during President Joe Biden’s term.
The release happened amid increased tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
President Trump shared this news on Wednesday evening.
The U.S. citizen is reported to be safe after leaving Iran.
The act was called a gesture of goodwill by President Trump.
No further details on the identity of the freed individual were provided in the article.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who was once President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, attended a confirmation hearing where senators from both parties asked if he could act independently. Blanche tried to ease concerns, especially from Republicans, but some senators remained doubtful.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is currently acting as the Attorney General.
He was previously President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer.
Blanche faced a confirmation hearing with senators asking about his ability to be independent.
Senators from both political parties expressed concerns about his impartiality.
Blanche attempted to reassure mainly Republican senators about his independence.
Some senators were still not convinced by his answers during the hearing.
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Todd Blanche and Jay Clayton appeared before the Senate for confirmation hearings. Democrats asked them tough questions as they seek approval to become attorney general and director of national intelligence, respectively.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is a nominee for attorney general.
Jay Clayton is a nominee for director of national intelligence.
Both had confirmation hearings on the same day.
Democrats questioned both nominees intensely.
The Senate holds these hearings to decide if nominees should be approved.
CBS News reporter Taurean Small covered the hearings.
The hearings are part of the U.S. government’s process to fill important positions.
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Two brothers in Oklahoma, Isaac and Andrew Reyes, fell 45 feet while trimming a tree after a cable broke. They were seriously hurt and are now in the hospital recovering.
Key Facts
The accident happened in Oklahoma.
Isaac and Andrew Reyes are brothers who work as tree trimmers.
A cable snapped during their work, causing them to fall.
They fell about 45 feet.
Both brothers sustained serious injuries.
They are currently in the hospital for treatment.
Surveillance video recorded the fall.
The incident occurred recently, as reported on July 15, 2026.
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A Cold War-era nuclear bunker in Debert, Nova Scotia, is being converted into luxury condos designed to protect residents during crises. The project includes high-end features like gourmet food, security technology, and onsite medical care, aiming to attract wealthy buyers and boost the local economy.
Key Facts
The bunker, called The Diefenbunker, covers 64,000 square feet and was built to survive a nuclear attack.
Jonathan Baha'i, a Canadian cryptocurrency businessman, purchased it in 2013 for about C$31,300.
The project will create 50 luxury condo units with amenities such as biometric security, 24/7 surveillance, gourmet dining, and medical services.
The complex will include a spa, yoga room, cigar lounge, and an indoor facility to grow food.
Nearby Debert Airport allows private plane access for residents.
Security plans involve drone surveillance and cooperation with a German firm experienced in protecting high-profile clients.
Condo owners can rent out their units when not in use, with profits shared among owners.
Originally built during the Cold War for government use, the bunker was closed in 1996 and repurposed for emergency use before this renovation.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he gives President Trump honest advice and is not just someone who agrees with him. During his confirmation hearing, senators asked Blanche about his ties to President Trump, the Justice Department’s handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, and Trump’s IRS lawsuit settlement.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the acting attorney general and was previously President Trump’s defense lawyer.
Blanche said he offers honest counsel to President Trump, not just agreement.
He asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to trust him again and welcomed tough questions.
Senators questioned Blanche about his relationship with President Trump.
They also asked about how the Justice Department handled files connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
Blanche faced questions concerning President Trump’s lawsuit settlement with the IRS.
Blanche became acting attorney general after Pam Bondi was fired in April.
The Senate approved Blanche as deputy attorney general in March 2025.
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