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Several reporters from The New York Times have been ordered to appear before a federal grand jury. This happened after the newspaper published articles about security problems with the new Air Force One airplane.
Key Facts
The New York Times published stories about security concerns regarding the new Air Force One.
Federal authorities issued subpoenas to multiple Times reporters.
The reporters must testify before a federal grand jury.
The case has raised questions about the freedom of the press.
White House correspondent Liz Landers and analyst Will Creeley have discussed these issues.
The situation involves government interest in national security information.
It highlights tensions between press reporting and government secrecy.
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Hundreds of employees and supporters protested layoffs at Bethesda and Zenimax, part of Xbox's parent company Microsoft. The rally aimed to urge Microsoft to resume contract talks and address job cuts affecting game development teams.
Key Facts
The protest took place outside Zenimax’s headquarters in Maryland during a midday rally.
Similar rallies were held at Microsoft offices in Texas, California, and Montreal.
The layoffs affected Bethesda Game Studios and Zenimax Online Studios employees.
The union involved is Zenimax Workers United, part of the Communication Workers of America (CWA).
Union leaders demanded Microsoft return to contract negotiations with uncontracted Bethesda staff.
Microsoft said it reached out to the union on July 6 to begin bargaining over the layoffs.
Microsoft CEO Asha Sharma stated layoffs were necessary to restructure Xbox for long-term growth.
Some laid-off employees criticized the layoffs as avoidable despite the company’s strong performance.
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Police in the U.S. use cameras with artificial intelligence to scan many cars every month. Some people say these cameras help catch criminals, while others worry they invade privacy and create a large surveillance system.
Key Facts
Law enforcement agencies in the U.S. use AI-powered cameras to monitor vehicles.
These cameras scan billions of cars each month.
Many drivers do not know their vehicles are being scanned.
Supporters believe the technology helps solve crimes.
Critics say it builds a nationwide network that watches people closely.
There are concerns about how much privacy is lost for the sake of safety.
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Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, faced questions from senators about how he handled files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Blanche admitted to some mistakes but defended his actions during his confirmation hearing.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche was nominated by President Trump for attorney general.
He became acting attorney general in April 2026 after Pam Bondi was fired.
Senate members questioned Blanche about the release of Epstein files to the public.
Blanche acknowledged errors in how the Epstein files were managed.
He was also asked about his personal relationship with President Trump.
The confirmation hearing was closely followed by news outlets, including the BBC.
Blanche defended his decisions during the hearing despite criticism.
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Congress may soon make daylight saving time permanent in the U.S., meaning clocks would no longer change twice a year. Health experts warn that this change could disrupt natural body rhythms and lead to long-term health issues like heart disease and obesity because people would get less morning sunlight.
Key Facts
The Sunshine Protection Act passed the House with 308 votes in favor and 117 opposed, and it now goes to the Senate.
If the Senate approves, President Donald Trump has said he will sign the bill into law.
Nearly all states except two would stay on daylight saving time year-round, with evenings having more sunlight and mornings less.
Studies show people do not generally exercise more just because of extra evening daylight; some existing exercisers may shift their workout time.
Health experts report more obesity and heart disease rates with permanent daylight saving time.
People tend to never fully adjust their sleep cycles to daylight saving time because it conflicts with the body’s natural clock, called the circadian rhythm.
Less morning light and later sunsets can cause difficulty falling asleep and waking up on time.
Poor sleep increases risks of heart issues, weight problems, weaker immune response, and possibly higher cancer rates.
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The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill that would keep Daylight Saving Time all year long. The bill now moves to the Senate, where a similar proposal faced challenges before.
Key Facts
The Sunshine Protection Act aims to make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the United States.
The bill passed in the House of Representatives with support from both political parties.
Currently, clocks are changed twice a year, once in spring and once in fall.
The bill will now be considered by the Senate.
A similar bill in the Senate did not pass several years ago.
The Lock the Clock Alliance supports stopping the twice-yearly clock changes.
Daylight Saving Time moves clocks forward by one hour to extend evening daylight.
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Black doctors in England are much less likely to get training positions compared to white doctors. Researchers found that after being shortlisted, black candidates receive offers for specialist training far less often, suggesting problems with fairness in the selection process.
Key Facts
Black doctors are four times less likely than white doctors to be offered NHS training places.
For anaesthetics training in 2024, fewer than 1% of black applicants got offers, 30 times less than white applicants.
In obstetrics and gynaecology, black applicants were almost 11 times less likely than white applicants to get training offers.
Black candidates were shortlisted at similar rates to white candidates but were less likely to get final offers.
Overall, 12% of black applicants, 19% of Asian applicants, and 47% of white applicants were offered specialist training places.
Experts say systemic racism and implicit bias influence the selection decisions after shortlisting.
NHS leaders call for clear actions to ensure fair and transparent recruitment practices.
The NHS is working to improve recruitment by adding observers and training interviewers on equality.
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Wildfires in Canada have caused smoke to spread into the United States, creating dark skies and poor air quality in some areas. U.S. senators from different political parties have raised concerns about Todd Blanche's ability to be independent in his role.
Key Facts
Large wildfires are burning in Canada.
Smoke from the fires is affecting the air quality in parts of the U.S.
The smoke has made the skies darker than usual in affected areas.
Air quality alerts have been issued in some U.S. regions.
U.S. senators from both major parties are questioning Todd Blanche's independence.
The situation involves natural disaster effects and government oversight concerns.
CBS Evening News covered this story on July 15.
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President Donald Trump has canceled an order from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that stopped most traffic stops. This change comes after two deadly shootings caused national concern.
Key Facts
ICE had previously suspended most traffic stops.
The suspension was linked to two deadly shootings that received wide attention.
President Trump has now reversed that suspension.
Mark Morgan, former acting ICE director under Trump’s first term, commented on the decision.
The news was reported by CBS News and featured in their app and broadcasts.
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President Donald Trump has resumed aggressive actions against Iran, leading to a cycle of conflict between the two countries. Experts believe these recent attacks may not lead to better outcomes or reduce tensions.
Key Facts
President Trump has restarted military efforts connected to the conflict with Iran.
The actions are seen as part of a repeating pattern of conflict, called a "vicious cycle."
Experts warn that recent attacks may not improve the situation with Iran.
The conflict involves attempts to limit Iran’s influence in the region.
These developments affect relations between the United States and Iran.
The situation is part of broader global political and security concerns.
The article discusses expert opinions on the potential results of these actions.
The news highlights ongoing tensions in international relations related to Iran.
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Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania said he does not plan to leave the Democratic Party now. However, he warned that if the party stops supporting Israel, that could be a reason for him to leave.
Key Facts
Senator John Fetterman represents Pennsylvania and is a member of the Democratic Party.
He currently has no plans to leave the Democratic Party.
Fetterman said he supports U.S. backing of Israel.
He warned that if the Democratic Party stops supporting Israel, it would cross a red line for him.
Crossing that red line could cause him to leave the party.
Fetterman made these remarks in a statement on Wednesday.
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Warren Buffett called Bill Gates’ connection to Jeffrey Epstein "distasteful" but said everyone makes mistakes with who they trust. Buffett’s company has stopped donating to Gates’ charity after Gates testified to Congress about Epstein’s criminal history.
Key Facts
Warren Buffett described Bill Gates’ relationship with Jeffrey Epstein as "distasteful."
Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has ended its 20-year donations to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Buffett gave his remaining shares intended for the foundation to family-linked groups instead.
Bill Gates testified before the US House Oversight Committee about knowing Epstein since 2011.
Gates admitted he should never have met Epstein and didn’t fully know Epstein’s crimes initially.
Epstein was convicted in 2008 for crimes involving underage prostitution and died in jail in 2019.
Buffett and Gates have been friends since 1991 and recently met to discuss the foundation’s donation change.
Buffett pledged $47 billion to the Gates Foundation over his lifetime but now feels his children can manage the money.
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A recent article highlights that fewer Americans are reading books for fun. It points out concerns about changes in what people read and how often, not just among children but across all ages.
Key Facts
There is growing concern about how reading habits have changed in the U.S.
Kids are reading fewer books and different kinds of material than before.
A new story in The Atlantic looks at reading trends in the entire American population.
The story raises questions about the amount and type of reading people do for pleasure.
Jeffrey Brown talked with Rose Horowitch from The Atlantic about this topic.
The focus is on understanding how and why fewer Americans choose to read books for enjoyment.
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A federal judge ruled that a high-speed internet grant program created during President Biden’s administration illegally prioritized race when deciding who would receive funding. The judge referred to a recent Supreme Court ruling about affirmative action in education to support his decision.
Key Facts
The grant program was designed to provide money for high-speed internet access.
The program was signed into law by President Biden.
Judge John Bates ruled the program unconstitutional for considering race in fund distribution.
The decision was influenced by the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in college admissions.
The ruling sided with arguments made by President Donald Trump’s side.
The issue centers on whether race can be a factor in government funding decisions.
This case is part of broader legal debates about race and equality policies in the U.S.
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The National Youth Poet Laureate program recognizes young writers who use poetry to promote social change. Fred de Sam Lazaro interviewed the 2026-2027 laureate, Daniel Umemezie, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, as part of an arts and culture series called CANVAS.
Key Facts
The National Youth Poet Laureate program has been running for ten years.
It honors top young writers in the United States.
The program focuses on writers who inspire social change through their work.
Daniel Umemezie is the National Youth Poet Laureate for 2026-2027.
Fred de Sam Lazaro interviewed Daniel in his hometown, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
The interview is part of the CANVAS arts and culture series.
The program aims to highlight the power of poetry among youth.
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New GPS information shows where the boat Nolan Wells was on moved before he went missing on July 4th. Nolan Wells was found dead on July 6th. The news report was provided by CBS News.
Key Facts
GPS data reveals the movements of Nolan Wells’s boat before he disappeared.
Nolan Wells disappeared on July 4th.
His body was found two days later, on July 6th.
CBS News obtained and shared the GPS information.
The report was covered by CBS News correspondent Anna Schecter.
The data helps understand the events before Wells’s disappearance.
The incident occurred around the Fourth of July holiday.
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The Trump administration replaced an exhibit about slavery at President George Washington's Philadelphia home with a new version that some historians say downplays the harsh realities of slavery. The city of Philadelphia opposed this change and sued the federal government, while a court ruled that the new exhibit could remain.
Key Facts
The original slavery exhibit was installed in 2010 at the site where the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
It showed the story of nine slaves living with George and Martha Washington in the 1790s.
The Trump administration removed the original panels overnight and installed new ones.
President Trump issued an order to focus historic exhibits on American achievements rather than uncomfortable truths.
The new exhibit includes information about slavery and abolition but omits some detailed content like a slave trade map and critical headlines.
Philadelphia's mayor and historians say the new exhibit whitewashes slavery history.
Philadelphia sued the federal government to restore the original exhibit.
A federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing the new panels to stay.
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Samsung will introduce new foldable Galaxy phones at its upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. The company aims to prove that these phones are very durable despite their folding screens.
Key Facts
Samsung is launching new foldable phones soon.
The launch will happen at the Galaxy Unpacked event next week.
Foldable phones have screens that can bend or fold.
Durability, or how tough the phones are, is a main focus for Samsung.
Technology reporter Abrar Al-Heeti discussed the upcoming phones on CBS News.
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Todd Blanche and Jay Clayton had hearings on Wednesday to be confirmed as attorney general and director of national intelligence. The Senate asked them various questions about their plans and views before deciding on their approval.
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, Wednesday.
The Senate conducted the hearings by asking questions.
The purpose was to review their qualifications and plans.
The hearings help the Senate decide if they approve the nominees.
Major Garrett provided coverage of these hearings on CBS News.
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Buzz Aldrin sold two small items—a dried-up felt-tip marker and a broken piece of a circuit breaker—from the Apollo 11 Moon mission for $857,600 at a Sotheby’s auction. These items played a key role in allowing the astronauts to leave the Moon safely after a critical switch broke during their descent.
Key Facts
The felt-tip marker and broken circuit breaker piece were aboard Apollo 11, the first mission to land humans on the Moon in 1969.
The circuit breaker switch controlled the lunar module’s ascent engine, which took the astronauts back to Earth.
The switch’s top broke off accidentally, threatening to trap astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon.
Buzz Aldrin used a plastic felt-tip pen to push the broken switch and restart the engine safely.
The pen was a Duro-brand Rocket felt-tip marker carried in Aldrin’s space suit.
Laws passed in 2012 allow Apollo astronauts to keep and sell items from their missions.
The auction final price of $857,600 includes buyer fees, with the buyer’s identity not disclosed.
The items had been publicly displayed at the Smithsonian’s “Destination Moon” exhibit.
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