David Brooks and Ruth Marcus discussed recent political events, focusing on the ongoing conflict involving Iran and its effects on the economy and people. They also talked about a new U.S.-Saudi agreement on nuclear energy and how some Republican primary winners support claims that the 2020 election was unfair.
Key Facts
The discussion highlighted the long-term nature of the Iran conflict and its costs.
The economic impact of the Iran war was a key concern.
The human toll, or suffering caused by the war, was also addressed.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have made a new deal on nuclear energy.
Some candidates who support claims that the 2020 election was stolen won GOP primaries.
The conversation took place on a political news program with Amna Nawaz.
Participants included David Brooks from The Atlantic and Ruth Marcus from The New Yorker.
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Yemen’s Houthi rebels said they launched a missile attack on the Saudi city of Jizan amid ongoing conflict involving the US, Iran, and their allies. President Donald Trump is considering stronger strikes on Iran while talks continue, as the Middle East war expands.
Key Facts
The Houthi rebel group in Yemen claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Jizan, a city in southern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis have announced a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia and targeted its ships in the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia responded by striking Houthi military sites, including a naval base in Hodeida and a camp on Kamaran island.
President Trump has not decided on launching major strikes on Iran but says talks with Tehran are becoming more serious.
The US has carried out 13 straight nights of strikes on Iranian military targets.
Iran has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for Saudi Arabia.
The conflict has resulted in attacks on US bases by Iran, killing four US service members.
The war has lasted nearly five months, longer than President Trump initially expected.
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Artificial eyes, also called ocular prosthetics, are no longer just replacements for missing eyes. Some makers are creating artistic designs on these prosthetics, allowing people to express themselves in new ways.
Key Facts
Ocular prosthetics are artificial eyes used by people who have lost an eye.
Traditionally, these prosthetics are made to look natural and blend in.
Some eye makers are now decorating them with creative designs.
This artistic approach helps clients feel more confident and unique.
The trend is part of a series exploring the connection between health and art.
The article features a Portland eye maker who creates these artistic prosthetics.
This change shows how medical devices can also be personal and expressive.
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A plane crashed into the water near the coast of Washington state but made a crash landing. Separately, the suspect involved in the Apalachee High School shooting admitted guilt in a courtroom in Georgia.
Key Facts
A plane crash landed off the coast of Washington state.
No further details on passengers or injuries were provided.
The suspect from the Apalachee High School shooting case pleaded guilty.
This guilty plea happened during a court session in Georgia.
These events were reported on CBS Evening News on July 24.
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A fast-moving wildfire in Spain forced NASA to evacuate its Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex and temporarily stop its operations there. NASA shifted mission support to its California facility to keep communication with spacecraft active while monitoring the wildfire situation.
Key Facts
The wildfire threatened NASA’s deep space tracking station near Madrid, Spain.
The station is part of NASA’s Deep Space Network, which helps communicate with over 40 space missions.
Evacuation and suspension of operations happened for safety of personnel.
NASA redirected mission communications to the California Deep Space Communications Complex.
The Madrid site has large radio antennas, including a 230-foot-wide dish and smaller 112-foot antennas.
The Deep Space Network has similar facilities in Australia and California for global coverage.
The California 70-meter antenna has been offline since last year due to an accident, leaving Australia’s 70-meter antenna as the only large dish available.
Spanish authorities evacuated more than 19,000 people near Madrid due to wildfires, with over 2,000 personnel fighting the fires.
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President Donald Trump announced new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on goods from 60 countries due to concerns about forced labor. These tariffs replace a previous temporary 10% tariff that was about to expire. The new charges may affect prices for U.S. consumers.
Key Facts
President Trump set tariffs on imports from 60 countries.
The tariffs range between 10% and 12.5%.
The action is based on concerns about forced labor in those countries.
These new tariffs replace a temporary 10% tariff that was about to end.
The changes may lead to higher costs for products in the U.S.
The announcement was made on a Thursday.
The tariffs apply to a wide group of international trade partners.
The goal is to address labor rights issues connected to imported goods.
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America's national parks protect beautiful natural areas and important historical places. Jason Epperson, a podcaster and RV traveler, talked about his experiences visiting these parks with his family on Judy Woodruff's podcast "In Pursuit of Happiness."
Key Facts
National parks in the U.S. preserve both natural beauty and history.
Jason Epperson is a podcaster who travels in an RV.
He has spent years visiting national parks with his family.
Epperson appeared on the podcast "In Pursuit of Happiness."
Judy Woodruff hosts the podcast.
The discussion focused on the history found at national parks.
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President Donald Trump and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro gave very different reactions to NBA player LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers. Trump favored Michael Jordan in a debate over the best basketball player, while Shapiro declared a special day to welcome James to the city.
Key Facts
LeBron James is transferring to the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team.
President Trump supports Michael Jordan as the best player and suggested LeBron James might dislike him.
Governor Josh Shapiro declared "LeBron James Day" in Pennsylvania to celebrate James joining the team.
LeBron James has previously criticized President Trump for his comments on NFL anthem protests and race issues.
Michael Jordan has said players should not be criticized for kneeling during the national anthem.
Jordan’s representatives said he has not publicly endorsed any political candidate in the 2024 election.
The exchanges highlight ongoing tensions involving sports figures, race, and politics in the U.S.
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Lorenzo Thompson, a Southwest Airlines flight attendant, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 14 at Nashville International Airport for overstaying his visa. He is currently held in a detention center in Mississippi while his immigration case continues.
Key Facts
Lorenzo Thompson entered the U.S. legally from Jamaica in April 2021.
His visa was set to expire in October 2021, but he stayed past that date.
ICE arrested him for overstaying his visa and keeping to remain in the country illegally.
Supporters say he has a valid work permit and an ongoing immigration case, which could allow him to work legally.
Thompson is held in Adams County Correctional Center in Natchez, Mississippi.
Southwest Airlines’ union and friends say he followed legal steps toward citizenship.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages people overstaying visas to leave voluntarily using a government app and offers money and free flights for self-deportation.
The legal details about Thompson’s status are disputed between government officials and his supporters.
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A new poll in Georgia shows Senator Jon Ossoff leading his Republican opponent by nine points in his race for reelection. The governor’s race in Georgia is very close, with Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms slightly ahead of Republican Rick Jackson, but the difference could be due to chance.
Key Facts
Senator Jon Ossoff is running for reelection in Georgia.
Ossoff holds a nine-point lead over Republican Mike Collins.
The governor’s race in Georgia is between Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson.
The governor’s race is very close and within the margin of error, meaning the result is uncertain.
The poll was conducted by AARP in Georgia.
The information was discussed by reporters from CBS News and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The poll provides insight into two key races in Georgia for the upcoming election.
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The Trump administration told a court that it canceled some federal green energy grants last year only because of the political party in power in those states. The Department of Energy identified 624 grants that might be cut, and officials said politics was the main reason for choosing which grants to stop.
Key Facts
The Department of Energy canceled some green energy grants last year.
The Trump administration admitted that decisions were based on states’ political affiliations.
A lawyer from the Department of Energy, Jeff Novak, made this statement in a court filing.
The department created a list of 624 grants that could be canceled.
The White House Office was involved in deciding which grants to end.
The cancellations targeted states based on which political party controlled them.
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A South Korean warehouse worker named Jang Deok-jun died of a heart attack linked to overwork while doing overnight shifts for the country’s largest online retailer, Coupang. His death has raised concerns about the health effects of South Korea’s fast overnight delivery industry, where workers often face heavy workloads.
Key Facts
Jang Deok-jun, 27, worked overnight shifts at Coupang’s warehouse and died in 2020 from a heart attack caused by overwork.
South Korea guarantees delivery by 7 a.m. for orders placed before midnight, relying on a large overnight workforce.
Coupang is the biggest online retailer in South Korea, with nearly 100,000 employees, leading in fast overnight delivery.
From 2020 to May 2026, 46 delivery and warehouse workers died from work-related strokes or heart disease, but exact data on overnight shift deaths is unclear.
South Korea does not limit the number of hours workers can operate overnight, unlike some countries such as the UK.
Night work is recognized by the UN as a possible cause of cancer and is linked to higher risks of heart disease, diabetes, and mental illness.
The workers’ union in South Korea has called for a ban on overnight deliveries starting in 2025 to improve worker health and safety.
Some experts question current data and stress that night shifts may have more harmful long-term health effects than daytime work.
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A Democratic National Committee (DNC) panel has recommended that South Carolina will hold the first Democratic presidential primary in 2028. This means South Carolina voters will be the first to choose their preferred Democratic candidate for president in that election year.
Key Facts
The recommendation was made by a DNC panel on a recent Friday.
South Carolina is set to be the first state with a Democratic presidential primary in 2028.
The primary is an early voting event where party members select their preferred presidential candidate.
Holding an early primary can increase a state's influence in choosing the party’s nominee.
The decision follows changes in the primary calendar from previous years.
The DNC oversees rules and schedules for Democratic presidential primaries.
This change may affect how candidates campaign and spend resources early in the election year.
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Leon Panetta, former U.S. Defense Secretary and CIA Director, said the United States faces serious problems in its conflict with Iran. He compared the situation to the long and difficult Vietnam War and warned that wars without clear endings usually have bad results.
Key Facts
Leon Panetta served as U.S. Defense Secretary and CIA Director during President Obama’s time.
Panetta said the U.S. is in "deep trouble" regarding the war with Iran.
He compared the Iran conflict to the Vietnam War, a long and tough U.S. war.
Panetta pointed out that "forever wars," or wars with no clear end, often end badly.
His comments were made in a CNN interview.
Panetta discussed historical lessons about prolonged military conflicts.
The statement highlights concerns over the current U.S. involvement with Iran.
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BuzzBallz, a popular pre-mixed cocktail brand among young drinkers, has packaging that cannot be recycled because it mixes plastic and metal, which cannot be separated. The company previously claimed on its UK website that the packaging was recyclable, but experts and recycling authorities have confirmed this is not true.
Key Facts
BuzzBallz packaging combines a plastic ball (PET) with an aluminum lid that cannot be separated for recycling.
UK recycling facilities do not accept BuzzBallz packaging, and it can contaminate other recyclable materials if processed.
The company’s UK website incorrectly stated the packaging was recyclable and partnered with TerraCycle, a scheme only available in the US.
BuzzBallz was founded by Merrilee Kick and bought by the Sazerac Company in 2024.
The product is popular because it is strong, affordable, and convenient for younger drinkers.
Recycling experts say mixing materials like plastic and metal in one package creates a “villain” for current recycling systems.
Recycling aluminum helps protect the environment by reducing mining impacts, but mixed materials in BuzzBallz packaging prevent proper recycling.
The shape of the BuzzBallz container also causes problems at recycling plants because they roll on conveyor belts and are hard to sort correctly.
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AARP, a large seniors advocacy group, is warning against the PROMISE Act, a bipartisan bill meant to speed up Social Security reform. AARP is concerned the bill limits public debate and gives too much power to an unelected advisory board, reducing lawmakers’ control over important changes that affect millions of retirees.
Key Facts
The PROMISE Act was introduced on July 14 by Senators Dick Durbin and Bill Cassidy.
The bill directs the Social Security Advisory Board to draft legislation to keep Social Security funds solvent for 50 years.
The proposal would then get faster consideration in Congress with limited debate and amendments allowed.
AARP supports strengthening Social Security but opposes rushing decisions without full public transparency.
Social Security’s trust funds are projected to be depleted within the next decade if Congress does not act.
Over 70 million Americans receive Social Security benefits, so changes affect many people.
AARP wants Congress, elected by the public, to lead Social Security reforms openly.
Supporters say the PROMISE Act is needed because Congress has delayed addressing Social Security’s financial problems for years.
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Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have agreed to delay their $111 billion merger until a court case by 12 states and the Writers Guild of America is decided or until June 1, 2027. A judge previously blocked the merger, saying it could reduce competition and violate antitrust laws.
Key Facts
The merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is delayed by months due to legal challenges.
Twelve states, led by California, and the Writers Guild of America sued to stop the merger.
A judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the merger, citing concerns about reduced competition.
The merger was initially approved during the Trump administration.
The delay means the companies cannot combine operations until after the court case resolves or June 2027, whichever is sooner.
The states argue the deal would reduce the number of major Hollywood studios and cable TV channel owners from five to fewer.
Both sides agreed to the delay to avoid a preliminary injunction hearing.
Paramount says the court trial is the best way to show the merger benefits customers, creators, and competition.
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The United States has introduced a new 10% tariff (a tax on imports) on goods from Canada, with plans to increase the tariff to 50% in August. This move has raised trade tensions between the two countries. Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke about the situation, calling the decision unfortunate.
Key Facts
The U.S. placed a 10% tariff on Canadian imports starting on a Friday.
The tariff will increase to 50% later in August.
This action has increased trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford commented on the tariffs during an interview.
Premier Ford described the decision as "unfortunate."
The new tariffs affect trade between Canada and the U.S.
These tariffs are part of a dispute over trade policies between the two countries.
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President Donald Trump said Venezuela is not ready yet to hold elections following the U.S. removal of President Nicolás Maduro. He spoke briefly about economic benefits brought to Venezuela but did not provide details or mention recent earthquake damage there.
Key Facts
President Trump was asked about elections in Venezuela after the U.S. ousted Maduro.
Trump said Venezuela is "not really ready" for elections yet.
He spoke to reporters in the Oval Office on a Friday.
Trump mentioned the U.S. brought economic benefits to Venezuela without explaining further.
He did not talk about recent big earthquakes in Venezuela.
The current Venezuelan President is Nicolás Maduro.
Maduro faces a U.S. drug trafficking case and recently appeared in court for a pretrial hearing.
Trump also referred to Venezuela’s success in Miss Universe pageants, a contest he once owned.
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Pete Buttigieg proposed major changes to the U.S. Supreme Court to restore public trust. He suggested expanding the court, setting term limits for justices, and creating a balanced bench to reduce partisanship.
Key Facts
Buttigieg said public confidence in the Supreme Court is at an all-time low.
He wants to increase the number of justices from nine to 13, matching federal judicial circuits.
The Constitution does not set a fixed number of Supreme Court justices; Congress decides this.
He supports term limits for justices to make appointments predictable and lessen political battles.
Term limits proposals often suggest 18-year staggered terms, allowing two appointments per president.
A balanced bench idea includes 15 justices: 10 appointed evenly by both parties, plus 5 chosen by the others for consensus.
Supreme Court justices currently serve for life, unless they resign or are removed.
Changing term limits might require a constitutional amendment or new laws from Congress.
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