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The Yemeni Houthi movement aims to control the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea, copying Iran’s strategy in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Yemen’s foreign minister-designate Afrah al-Zouba. This move threatens important global trade routes and comes amid rising conflict with Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s government.
Key Facts
The Houthis want to control shipping in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, similar to Iran’s control in the Strait of Hormuz.
Bab al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is crucial for global trade.
About 30% of global container traffic and 12-15% of overall trade pass through the Red Sea.
Yemen’s west coast controls access to Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Shipping traffic in the Red Sea has declined recently, with only 11 cargo ships passing on one recent day.
In July, the Houthis declared a maritime siege on Saudi shipping and attacked Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones.
Saudi Arabia responded with air strikes on Houthi-held Hodeidah port.
The conflict has killed hundreds of thousands since 2014, most from famine and disease caused by the war.
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Bryan Kohberger says he was misled when he pleaded guilty to killing four students at the University of Idaho in 2022. A legal expert from CBS News explains the new development in the case.
Key Facts
Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students.
Kohberger now claims he was misled during his guilty plea.
The case involves four college students who were killed.
A legal analyst named Jessica Levinson discussed this update on CBS News.
The discussion explains whether Kohberger can take back his guilty plea.
The information was shared through a CBS News video segment.
This is a recent development in a major criminal case in the U.S.
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A federal judge stopped Minnesota from enforcing a ban on prediction markets just before it was supposed to start. The judge said that the companies and the Trump administration are likely right that federal law overrules the state's ban.
Key Facts
Minnesota planned to ban prediction markets, which are platforms where people bet on future events.
The ban was set to begin soon but was paused by a federal judge.
Judge Katherine Menendez ruled in favor of the Trump administration and two companies, Kalshi and Polymarket.
The court case argues that federal law allows prediction markets despite the state ban.
The judge believes the plaintiffs will likely win because federal law takes priority over state law.
Kalshi and Polymarket run prediction markets where users can trade contracts based on event outcomes.
The decision means the ban cannot be enforced while the legal case proceeds.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are visiting Washington, D.C. They will meet separately with President Donald Trump to discuss the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. Their visits coincide with the funeral of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who had a notable role in influencing both conflicts.
Key Facts
Volodymyr Zelensky and Benjamin Netanyahu are both visiting Washington, D.C.
They will meet individually with President Donald Trump at the White House.
Zelensky will discuss the war in Ukraine during his meeting.
Netanyahu will talk about the conflict involving Iran.
Their visits happen on the day of Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral.
Lindsey Graham was a long-time Republican senator with influence on Ukraine and Middle East issues.
The meetings focus on two different wars affecting international peace and security.
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A new IMAX movie called "The Odyssey" has attracted many viewers. Because of the movie, more people are also reading the original ancient Greek book that inspired it, which is over 2,700 years old.
Key Facts
The movie "The Odyssey" is shown in IMAX format, which is a large, immersive film experience.
Many people are watching the movie in theaters.
Interest in the original book, also called "The Odyssey," has increased.
The original book is an ancient Greek epic poem written about 2,700 years ago.
The original work is considered a classic of world literature.
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The Trump administration plans to increase spending by hundreds of millions of dollars to limit China’s influence around the world, especially in the Americas. This includes $175.8 million to update undersea telecommunications cables in the Caribbean and Central America to prevent China’s expansion.
Key Facts
President Trump’s administration wants to spend $175.8 million on new undersea telecom cables in the Caribbean and Central America.
This effort aims to stop China from expanding its control over infrastructure in these regions.
China owns ports near the Panama Canal and funds projects through its Belt and Road initiative in the Americas.
U.S. officials see China’s investments as a risk to national security and economic interests.
The State Department plans to spend nearly $500 million more on programs to limit China’s influence in the Western Hemisphere, Africa, and Asia.
Many of these programs had been cut last year due to government budget and staff reductions under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The administration seeks to regain diplomatic influence lost after previous spending cuts and eliminated diplomatic posts.
President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping showed cooperation recently, and Xi is expected to visit the U.S. this fall.
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Journalist Savannah Guthrie has asked the public for help to find her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie. Investigators said that notes about a kidnapping linked to her mother's disappearance were fake.
Key Facts
Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, is missing.
Savannah Guthrie made a public appeal to find her mother.
The family described the situation as a very difficult and ongoing nightmare.
Investigators examined notes about a kidnapping in the case.
The kidnapping notes were found to be fake.
The search for Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts is still ongoing.
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Attachment theory explains how early relationships with caregivers affect how people form bonds as adults. It identifies four styles: anxious, avoidant, fearful-avoidant, and secure, which help people understand their own and others' behaviors in relationships.
Key Facts
Attachment theory was developed in the 1950s by British psychiatrist John Bowlby.
The theory says early care shapes how people expect others to behave in relationships.
There are four attachment styles: anxious, avoidant, fearful-avoidant, and secure.
Anxious people worry about rejection and seek reassurance often.
Avoidant people prefer independence and may avoid emotional closeness.
Fearful-avoidant people want close connections but also feel unsafe in them.
Secure people are comfortable with closeness and independence and generally manage stress better.
Attachment theory is increasingly popular on social media, helping people understand friendships, family, and romantic relationships.
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Parts of the UK are experiencing a fourth heatwave this year, with temperatures expected to reach up to 35°C by midweek, especially in the south-east and east of England. The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber heat health alerts due to increased health risks, mainly for vulnerable people.
Key Facts
The heatwave will peak on Wednesday, mainly affecting central, southern, and eastern England.
Temperatures are forecasted to rise between 30°C and 35°C in the hottest areas.
Northern Ireland, Scotland, and northern England will see cooler, wetter weather.
The UKHSA has issued amber alerts for the East Midlands, East of England, London, and the South East from Wednesday to Thursday.
Other regions like Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, and South West have less severe yellow heat alerts.
July 2026 is the second hottest month on record in the UK, with an average temperature of 17.5°C.
Low rainfall this month has caused dry conditions, leading to hosepipe bans and an increased risk of wildfires.
No significant rain is expected soon, which could worsen dry ground and soil moisture levels.
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Search efforts are ongoing for Elizabeth Waddell, a 44-year-old mother from North Carolina, who has been missing for five days on the Caribbean island of Grenada. Authorities and locals are involved in finding her.
Key Facts
Elizabeth Waddell is a 44-year-old woman from North Carolina.
She has been missing for five days on the island of Grenada.
Grenada is a Caribbean island nation.
A search is currently underway to locate her.
Both authorities and local people are participating in the search.
CBS News is reporting on the situation.
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A new free morning-after pill service launched in pharmacies across England has provided nearly 305,000 doses between October 2025 and March 2026. This service allows women to get emergency contraception quickly and easily without needing to book appointments with doctors or clinics.
Key Facts
The free morning-after pill service started in October 2025 at high street pharmacies in England.
Almost 305,000 doses were given out from October 2025 to March 2026.
Requests for the regular oral contraceptive pill more than doubled, from 50,000 to over 115,000 in one year.
Emergency contraception must be taken within 3 to 5 days after unprotected sex to help prevent pregnancy.
Women can receive a confidential consultation and the pill on the same day at participating pharmacies.
Before this service, women had to book appointments with a GP, sexual health clinic, or pharmacy to get emergency contraception.
The government wants to reduce unequal access to contraception seen in different areas.
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians providing the service have specialist training in contraceptive care.
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About 70 hours of recordings from an interview with President Donald Trump’s ghostwriter in 2017 were made public despite President Trump’s objections. The recordings were made before he became president.
Key Facts
The recordings total roughly 70 hours.
They are from an interview with a ghostwriter.
The interview took place in 2017.
The recordings were released on Monday.
President Donald Trump opposed the release.
The interview happened before President Trump’s current term.
CBS News reported on the release and provided coverage.
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Large wildfires are spreading in parts of Spain and France. These fires have forced hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes, and officials say the fires might keep burning for several months.
Key Facts
Wildfires are affecting areas in Spain and France.
The fires have caused many people, including tourists, to be stranded.
Authorities have evacuated hundreds of thousands of residents to keep them safe.
Officials warn the wildfires could last for months.
The situation is ongoing and serious, with emergency responses in place.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faces uncertainty in his confirmation as two key Republican senators, John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, withhold their support. Their main concern is the unclear status of the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" linked to a settlement involving President Donald Trump and the IRS.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the acting U.S. Attorney General and is seeking permanent confirmation.
Senators John Cornyn (Texas) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina) have not yet agreed to support Blanche’s nomination.
The senators want proof that the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" related to a Trump-IRS settlement is officially ended.
The fund was created in a $1.776 billion settlement announced by President Trump to compensate people claiming wrongful targeting under the Biden administration.
Blanche signed an addendum stopping audits of Trump's and his family’s tax returns, which caused bipartisan criticism.
Cornyn wants a written document confirming that the fund is no longer active and that audit immunity does not extend beyond the lawsuit.
The Department of Justice has not yet provided a written commitment to match Blanche’s public testimony on the fund.
Cornyn indicated he will not support Blanche's nomination without these written assurances.
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Punch the Monkey, a popular internet character, recently turned one year old. The Ichikawa City Zoo shared that he received more than 2,500 birthday cards from fans to celebrate this milestone.
Key Facts
Punch the Monkey is an internet-famous character.
He celebrated his first birthday recently.
Ichikawa City Zoo announced the birthday event.
Fans sent over 2,500 birthday cards to Punch the Monkey.
The celebration reflects Punch the Monkey’s popularity online.
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Diary entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci have been made public, showing his experiences and thoughts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The documents reveal Fauci’s rise to public attention and his doubts about where the coronavirus started.
Key Facts
The diary entries belong to Dr. Anthony Fauci, a leading expert on infectious diseases.
They were released by Republican Senator Rand Paul.
The entries show Fauci attending high-profile social events during the pandemic.
Fauci expressed uncertainty about the exact origin of COVID-19 in these notes.
The documents provide insight into Fauci’s personal and professional life during the health crisis.
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Lawyers for the state of Tennessee told a jury that Meta ignored its own research showing Instagram harms teenagers’ mental health by causing compulsive use, eating disorders, depression, and self-harm. The trial focuses on whether Meta should face penalties and be ordered to change Instagram to make it safer for teens.
Key Facts
Tennessee’s attorneys say Meta’s internal research showed Instagram harms teens’ mental health.
Features like autoplay, notifications, and infinite scroll were kept to increase time teens spend on Instagram and boost ad revenue.
Meta’s lawyers say the company works to fix problems and informs the public about risks.
Notifications trigger dopamine, making the app addictive, especially for teenagers.
Meta’s internal documents from 2017 warned that some features harmed users’ well-being but these warnings were not made public.
The lawsuit asks for financial penalties and changes to Instagram to protect teens better.
Similar lawsuits over social media’s impact on children have been filed by almost every US state.
A previous jury in New Mexico found Meta liable and ordered a $375 million payment.
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A 21-year-old man said he was bitten by a shark while standing in waist-deep water near Daytona Beach, Florida. He is now at home recovering from his injuries.
Key Facts
The incident happened near Daytona Beach, Florida.
The man was wading in water that was waist-deep.
He was bitten by a shark during this time.
The man is 21 years old.
After the bite, he went home to recover.
No further details on the severity of the injury or shark type were provided.
The event was reported on July 27, 2026.
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The trial of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her three young children, started on Monday. Her ex-husband testified in court as part of the proceedings.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is facing charges for the murder of her three small children.
The trial began on a Monday (exact date not specified).
Clancy’s ex-husband took the witness stand to testify.
The case is being covered by CBS News.
The children involved were very young.
The trial is ongoing, with more evidence and testimony expected.
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Police in Seattle are searching for a suspect after a shooting at a summer food festival near the Space Needle. Three people died and a toddler was hurt during the incident, which may have started from an argument.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at a summer food festival in Seattle.
The location is near the Space Needle, a famous city landmark.
Police believe the shooting began from a possible disagreement.
Three people were killed in the attack.
A toddler was injured during the shooting.
A manhunt is currently underway to find the suspect.
The police are actively investigating the incident and gathering details.
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