The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is holding a two-day meeting to review several peptides, which are substances promoted for health benefits but lack strong proof of safety or effectiveness. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports these peptides and wants to remove regulations currently in place.
Key Facts
The FDA advisory panel is reviewing more than six different peptides.
Peptides are popular in wellness trends but have little scientific proof they work or are safe.
The meeting lasts two days and started on a Thursday.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports peptides and calls himself a "big fan."
Kennedy wants to reverse restrictions on peptides that were put in place under President Joe Biden.
Some influencers, like Joe Rogan and Gary Brecka, promote peptides and sell them online.
Many people share positive experiences with peptides on social media, claiming health and fitness benefits.
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About 500 National Guard members have been sent to West Virginia to help after heavy rain caused sudden floods. The governor said rescue teams are still searching for people and working to fix damages from the floods.
Key Facts
Torrential rain caused flash floods in parts of West Virginia this week.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency for all 55 counties.
About 500 National Guard members were deployed to assist with flood response and rescue.
Severe storms brought heavy rain, strong winds, mudslides, and rapidly rising water.
Some counties, especially Lewis, Pleasants, and Upshur, were hit hardest by flooding.
In one area, 4.5 inches of rain fell in just 37 minutes, causing severe water buildup.
More than 6,000 residents were without power as crews worked to restore electricity.
The National Weather Service says weather will be calm for the rest of the week, with some rain expected again over the weekend.
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The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to rename the Defense Department as the “Department of War.” The bill, called the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2027, also includes a $1.15 trillion budget for national security and raises for military personnel.
Key Facts
The House approved changing the name of the Defense Department to the Department of War.
The change was part of the annual defense policy bill.
The bill is called the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027.
It includes a $1.15 trillion budget for national security programs.
The bill also provides pay raises for members of the military.
The NDAA is a yearly law that sets defense spending and policies.
The vote reflected majority support in the House of Representatives.
The legislation typically covers a range of defense and security issues.
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The White House held a news briefing to discuss the U.S. approach to rising tensions with Iran and conflicts in the Middle East. President Donald Trump issued several warnings to Iran and its allies as the number of American soldier deaths increases.
Key Facts
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt briefed reporters on Thursday morning.
The briefing focused on U.S. strategy regarding Iran and the Middle East conflict.
The death toll for American troops in the region is rising.
President Donald Trump has warned the Iranian government and its allies.
The situation has increased fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
The briefing aimed to address public questions and government plans.
The broader Middle East conflict involves various groups, including the Iranian-backed Houthi movement.
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Brian Johnson, chosen by President Trump to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), is currently testifying before the Senate Banking Committee. The CFPB helps protect consumers from unfair financial practices. Russell Vought has been the acting head of the CFPB before this hearing.
Key Facts
Brian Johnson is President Trump’s nominee for director of the CFPB.
Johnson worked in several roles at the CFPB during President Trump’s first term.
The Senate Banking Committee is holding a confirmation hearing for Johnson.
Russell Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, has been the temporary head of the CFPB.
The CFPB focuses on protecting consumers in financial matters.
This hearing is part of the Senate’s process to approve Johnson’s appointment.
The CFPB leadership was vacant until Johnson’s nomination.
The confirmation hearing is taking place on a Thursday morning.
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Thirteen House Democrats joined Republicans to pass a law that adds voter identification rules for federal elections. The new law was combined with a bill aimed at stopping insider trading, creating a mix of election rules and ethics reforms.
Key Facts
The House vote on July 22 was 232 in favor and 198 against the combined bill.
The bill paired voter ID requirements with a ban on insider trading by members of Congress.
Thirteen Democrats voted yes on the bill, joining the Republican majority.
The SAVE America Act, supported by President Trump, aims to change election laws, including requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration.
Some Democrats who voted yes represent districts where elections are closely contested.
Critics say attaching election rules to stock-trading reform is a political tactic.
Previous versions of the SAVE Act had less Democratic support.
The new law requires voters to show certain documents like passports or birth certificates to prove they are U.S. citizens.
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President Donald Trump has focused much attention on redecorating the White House, including major remodeling projects costing an estimated $1.2 billion. This behavior reflects a broader cultural interest in home renovations, which can cause stress but remains very popular across the U.S.
Key Facts
President Trump spends a significant amount of time and energy on interior decorating.
He is involved in decorating disagreements with First Lady Melania Trump and has personally worked on some White House renovations.
The White House has undergone about 18 major remodeling projects during Trump’s second term, potentially costing $1.2 billion.
Trump replaced the Oval Office carpet in 2017 and later made more extensive redesign changes, such as tearing down the East Wing.
Home renovation is a common and stressful activity for many Americans, with high levels of relationship strain reported during remodeling projects.
The U.S. interior design market is very large, with revenue projected to grow from $185 billion in 2025 to $298 billion by 2033.
Popular culture and media, such as HGTV and the Property Brothers, have contributed to the rise of renovation interest.
Some experts note that widespread renovation trends can lead to similar-looking homes and spaces across the country.
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As the United States updates its electric power grid, experts say attention should be given to the computer software and control systems used. These parts of the grid have the highest risks for security problems.
Key Facts
The U.S. is working to modernize its electric power grid.
The power grid includes software and control systems that help manage electricity flow.
These software and control systems are vulnerable to security threats.
Policymakers are advised to focus on protecting these high-risk areas.
Ensuring the security of the grid is important for reliable electricity supply.
Foreign enemies could potentially target these weaknesses.
Upgrading hardware alone is not enough to improve grid security.
Cybersecurity measures are crucial for the modern electric grid.
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A Republican-led House committee has referred Jack Smith, the special prosecutor who investigated President Trump, for criminal investigation, accusing him of lying to Congress. Democrats and Smith’s lawyers say these accusations are unfounded and politically motivated.
Key Facts
The House Judiciary Committee, led by Republican Jim Jordan, accused Jack Smith of making false statements during testimony about access to phone records.
Jordan claims Smith lied about only having "toll records" without message contents, while documents showed access to text messages of 44 lawmakers.
Smith’s lawyers said he answered questions truthfully in both closed and open hearings.
Democrats call the referral baseless and a political attack supporting President Trump’s wishes to punish Smith.
Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin said Smith’s testimony was clear, consistent, and truthful.
The referral letter was seen as a distraction to help confirm Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General.
Todd Blanche, the acting Attorney General, must decide whether to pursue charges against Jack Smith.
Smith led investigations into President Trump regarding the 2020 election and handling of classified documents.
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Angela Rayner, a Labour MP, has said she will not repay a £16,876 severance payment she received after resigning as deputy prime minister and housing secretary in 2025. She has returned to the cabinet as housing secretary under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, despite criticism from the Conservative Party.
Key Facts
Angela Rayner resigned in September 2025 after a tax issue related to her £800,000 flat.
She received a severance payment of £16,876 when she left her ministerial position.
Rayner returned to the cabinet as housing secretary under Prime Minister Andy Burnham in 2026.
The Conservative Party criticized her for keeping the payout after rejoining the government.
Rayner has said she will not return the severance money because she was out of government for almost a year.
Rayner had a tax investigation and paid £40,000 in unpaid stamp duty, but was cleared of deliberately avoiding tax.
She plans to focus on building council houses and supporting local government.
The government aims to fund £39 billion for social and affordable housing.
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NewsNation’s Chris Stirewalt said both political parties in the U.S. should be ashamed of the country's immigration system. He called the system confusing and broken, regardless of whether people want it to be more or less open.
Key Facts
Chris Stirewalt made the statement on NewsNation.
He criticized both parties for the immigration system.
He described the current immigration system as incoherent and ridiculous.
The criticism applies no matter if someone wants stricter or more lenient immigration rules.
The focus is on the state of U.S. immigration policy and management.
The system is seen as broken by the commentator.
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Police in Madison, Wisconsin, fatally shot a man during an attempt to arrest him. The man was armed with a knife and had injured an officer before being shot. Protests broke out following the incident.
Key Facts
The shooting happened in Madison, Wisconsin.
Police were trying to arrest a man who was armed with a knife.
The man injured a police officer during the event.
Police shot and killed the man.
Protests took place after the shooting.
CBS News reporter Mark Strassmann covered the story.
The incident was reported by CBS News online and in their app.
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Tom Homan, a White House border official, spoke about changes in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since January. He noted that ICE has made improvements and that the number of ICE arrests has decreased recently.
Key Facts
Tom Homan is a White House official focused on border issues.
He discussed how ICE has changed since January.
Two U.S. citizens were killed in Minneapolis by federal immigration authorities in January.
ICE arrest numbers have gone down in recent months.
Homan spoke honestly about the drop in arrests.
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A Madison police officer fatally shot a man in his 30s after the man injured the officer with a knife while resisting arrest. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers called for transparency and accountability in the investigation as community members held protests and a candlelight vigil for the man.
Key Facts
Police responded to reports of a man trying to enter parked cars in Madison, Wisconsin.
The man fled on a bike but was stopped by officers on the street.
During a struggle, the man pulled out a knife and injured one officer.
An officer used a taser, but it did not work.
The same officer who was injured shot the man, who later died in the hospital.
Another officer was also injured, but it is unclear how.
The Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation will handle the shooting investigation.
Governor Tony Evers expressed sympathy for the family and called for transparency.
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A storefront in Burbank, California, once filled with about 100 mailboxes, is suspected to be involved in identity theft and fraud. Experts say thieves used the mailboxes to collect stolen and fake identities to open bank accounts and get loans. Authorities and investigators are working to understand the scope and movement of this fraudulent operation.
Key Facts
The Burbank location had around 100 P.O. boxes and operated under the name "Mailbox LA."
The business was not registered with the United States Postal Service, a federal requirement.
Fraud experts describe the site as a "fraud factory" used to process stolen or fake identities.
About 80% of identities linked to the address were used to open new bank accounts.
Around 10% of those identities were used to try to get new loans.
Mail received at the location included statements and cards from major banks like American Express and Capital One.
Similar mailbox fraud also affects residential neighborhoods by intercepting mail to unoccupied or unsecured homes.
Law enforcement notes that fraud operations often move locations to avoid being detected.
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Senator Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump is ready to order a strong military reaction if Iran acts aggressively. This warning comes as both Iran and the U.S. exchange attacks nearly five months into their ongoing conflict.
Key Facts
Senator Marco Rubio spoke about President Trump’s approach to military actions against Iran.
Rubio warned that the U.S. might respond very strongly to any aggressive moves from Iran.
The conflict between the U.S. and Iran has been ongoing for almost five months with attacks from both sides.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran’s policy is “eye for an eye,” meaning retaliation for any attack.
The situation represents rising military tension between the United States and Iran.
President Trump is the 47th president, currently in his second term.
Rubio’s comments reflect a serious stance on U.S. national security and foreign policy.
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Senator Marco Rubio has extensive knowledge of the countries and issues in the Western Hemisphere. He is recognized for his expertise on matters related to this region at a high government level.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio is a U.S. Senator.
He focuses on the Western Hemisphere, which includes North, Central, and South America.
He has a deep understanding of the countries in this region.
His knowledge is considered strong among top government officials.
The article highlights his role in shaping U.S. policy toward the Americas.
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A cyclospora outbreak connected to contaminated lettuce is causing concern among consumers and affecting businesses such as Taco Bell. The number of confirmed illness cases is increasing, leading to more attention on food safety.
Key Facts
The cyclospora outbreak is linked to lettuce contamination.
More people are testing positive for cyclospora infections.
Consumers are becoming cautious about the food they eat.
Businesses like Taco Bell are impacted by the outbreak.
The outbreak has led to increased focus on food safety practices.
Health officials are monitoring the situation closely.
Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness.
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The family of Nolan Wells, a Mississippi teenager who died after a Fourth of July boating trip, shared results from their own independent autopsy. CBS News reported on the new questions this second autopsy raises and explained the limits of such independent examinations.
Key Facts
Nolan Wells was a teenager from Mississippi who died after a boating trip on July 4th.
His family commissioned an independent autopsy separate from the official one.
The independent autopsy report has raised new questions about his death.
CBS News legal expert Caroline Polisi discussed what an independent autopsy can and cannot prove.
The family is seeking more information about the cause of Nolan's death.
The case remains under public and media attention as investigations continue.
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Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has decided not to allow Grant Shapps, a former cabinet minister and party chairman, to stand again as a Conservative candidate in the next UK general election. Shapps lost his parliamentary seat in 2024 and his application to run again has been rejected as part of Badenoch’s efforts to renew the party with new people and policies.
Key Facts
Grant Shapps served in nine different ministerial roles in the UK government.
He lost his Welwyn Hatfield seat to Labour in the 2024 election by 3,799 votes.
Shapps’s application to stand again as a Conservative candidate was rejected.
Kemi Badenoch leads the Conservative Party and wants new candidates to follow stricter rules and policies.
Badenoch wants candidates to abandon net zero carbon policies and leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
Shapps is co-chair of Conservatives Together, a group supporting Conservative candidates.
He received a knighthood from former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for political and public service.
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