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Jay Clayton, President Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday. He acknowledged that Joe Biden was certified the winner of the 2020 election through the Electoral College process but declined to state directly that Biden won the election. Democrats on the committee expressed strong criticism of his responses while Republicans hold sufficient votes to advance the nomination.

Todd Blanche is serving as Acting Attorney General while undergoing Senate confirmation for the permanent role. His hearing on Wednesday featured questions on his prior representation of Donald Trump and interactions with senators including John Kennedy, Cory Booker, Richard Blumenthal, and Sheldon Whitehouse. Claims about the duration of his acting role remain unverified across sources.

Donald Trump stated that the United States is taking over the Strait of Hormuz from Iran and will receive payment for the role. Iran declared the strait closed, and US and Iranian forces conducted attacks on July 12-13 targeting military sites in multiple countries. Oil prices rose following the reported exchanges, which occurred after a June interim agreement.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released June 2026 CPI data on July 14 showing a 3.5 percent year-over-year increase, down from 4.2 percent in May, with a 0.4 percent monthly decline. Core CPI rose 2.6 percent year-over-year. Multiple outlets attribute the headline drop primarily to lower energy prices linked to a temporary US-Iran agreement that later ended.

The House approved a procedural rules package 215-211, with all Democrats and one Republican opposing. Speaker Mike Johnson plans to attach the SAVE America Act, requiring proof of citizenship for federal voter registration and photo ID to vote, to the State Department appropriations bill. The vote followed weeks of resistance from Republican holdouts led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.

A 2023 federal civil jury found Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll and awarded $5 million in damages. After the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal, Carroll received $5.62 million including interest in July 2024. A separate 2024 civil verdict addressed additional defamation claims.

CBS News and The Hill report nine deaths involving immigration officers over 18 months, including two in Minnesota in January and two more in Texas and Maine within one week. Federal evidence from the Minnesota cases was transferred to state officials after repeated requests. Democratic members of Congress, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, have linked the incidents to arrest quotas.

Donald Trump posted on social media on Wednesday calling on ICE officers to resume traffic stops as an enforcement tool following the agency's temporary pause after two fatal shootings. The pause was announced one day earlier by Tom Homan while reviewing the practice. Multiple sources confirm the sequence of events and Trump's statements.

President Trump stated that the United States would serve as guardian of the Strait of Hormuz, keep and run the waterway, and seek reimbursement for prior and future protection services. Oil futures rose following the remarks. Multiple low-quality reports described concurrent U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran.

Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot of US Airways Flight 1549, announced an early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis on Tuesday at age 75. Multiple outlets confirm the 2009 Hudson River landing saved all 155 people aboard after a bird strike disabled both engines. Sullenberger described mild symptoms including word-finding difficulty and sleep disruption.

DHS announced Tuesday that every ICE arrest team must include at least one officer with a body-worn camera. The policy follows fatal shootings of a Mexican man in Houston and a Colombian man in Biddeford, Maine, where agents lacked cameras. Prior rollout covered more than half of ICE field offices, with remaining offices scheduled to receive cameras within 60 days after a funding lapse during the partial government shutdown.

Texas officials have declared a state of emergency as heavy rains cause flooding along Highway 90 and in the Hill Country, with considerable to catastrophic flooding forecast through Thursday. The region experienced over 100 flood-related deaths a little over a year ago. Dozens of rescues have occurred in South Texas while conditions are monitored in San Antonio.

On July 8, 2026, President Trump stated the U.S.-Iran ceasefire had ended amid overnight tit-for-tat strikes. The U.S. conducted strikes on Iranian targets and reimposed oil sanctions following reported Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran targeted U.S. assets in Bahrain and Kuwait and claimed to have downed an MQ-9 drone.

CBS News and Bloomberg report that the United States and Iran conducted strikes across five consecutive days, including fresh U.S. strikes on Wednesday. President Trump stated a willingness to target Iranian civilian infrastructure. The reports rely on two outlets rated left-center and right-center by media bias evaluators.

The Senate voted Tuesday on a motion to proceed to the $1.15 trillion National Defense Authorization Act, which failed by 50-46. All Democrats opposed the motion while Senate Majority Leader John Thune also voted against it. Democrats linked the vote to renewed U.S. strikes on Iran and related notifications to Congress.

Iraqi authorities seized more than 825 pounds of gold and tens of millions in cash during anti-corruption operations, arresting at least 21 people including former deputy oil minister Adnan Al-Jumaili and several current and former parliament members. The actions occurred under Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, who took office in May.

Rep. Thomas Massie introduced an amendment to the annual State Department appropriations bill that would have reduced assistance to Israel. The amendment failed, with all sources agreeing that Massie was the sole Republican supporter and that ten members voted present. Multiple details including the exact funding amount, final vote tally, and number of Democratic supporters remain disputed across outlets.

An ICE agent fatally shot a man inside a vehicle in Biddeford, Maine; the man was not the subject of the warrant. Reports from multiple outlets also describe the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham and the appointment of his sister to the seat.

CBS News and CNN reported that Kevin Warsh testified before the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday, stating that the June inflation rate of 3.5 percent annually does not constitute mission accomplished. The reports also identified Warsh as Federal Reserve Chair.

President Trump sent a letter to Congress on July 10 notifying lawmakers that U.S. military strikes against Iran had resumed on July 7. The letter, addressed to Sen. Chuck Grassley, described the strikes as limited and aimed at Iranian military sites threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. It also grants the Pentagon an additional 60 days of operational flexibility in the Central Command theater.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican representing South Carolina, died on Saturday from an aortic dissection. He had won his primary election and was running for reelection in November. Tributes were issued by figures across parties and Trump commented on the senator's record during a Fox & Friends appearance.

Multiple U.S. outlets reported that Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died Saturday night at age 71 from an aortic dissection. Iranian state-linked newspapers published front-page illustrations and headlines referencing the death, while several domestic U.S. claims remain unverified.

The FDA is tracing the source of a cyclosporiasis outbreak that has produced 1,645 laboratory-confirmed cases and 141 hospitalizations since May 2026, with no deaths reported. Nearly 7,000 symptomatic cases have been noted across 34 states, though no official contamination source has been identified. Senator Amy Klobuchar has called for restored federal food-safety funding while traceback investigations continue.

President Trump announced a 20 percent fee on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, citing U.S. security costs. Cost estimates for large vessels range from $16 per barrel of oil to over $30 million per shipment. Subsequent reports of a policy reversal remain unverified.

Media reports from CBS News and NBC News state that astronomers have detected the four-carbon sugar erythulose in an interstellar cloud at the Milky Way's center. The detection is described as the first of its kind for this molecule. Analyses from multiple perspectives interpret the finding differently regarding its implications for origins research and research priorities.

France will play Spain in a World Cup semi-final on Tuesday in Dallas with kickoff at 20:00 BST. France manager Didier Deschamps, in his 14th year, plans to step down after the tournament. England will face Argentina in the other semi-final on Wednesday.

A 12-year-old visitor sustained injuries from a bison at Yellowstone National Park on Friday morning near Mud Volcano. The National Park Service reported the incident, initiated an investigation, and arranged transport to a hospital. Prior bison encounters at the park this year involved adult visitors who approached animals too closely according to NPS statements.

US Central Command initiated airstrikes against Iran on July 15, 2026, at 6 a.m. ET, targeting capabilities used to attack shipping. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards responded with threats to close the Strait of Hormuz and additional routes, while President Trump warned of further strikes on infrastructure if talks do not resume. Casualty reports and the status of a prior ceasefire remain supported by lower-quality sourcing.

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources GPS records track a boat carrying 18-year-old Nolan Wells to Horn Island on July 4, with departure from the island at 4:31 p.m. without Wells aboard. The vessel made multiple stops before returning to the owners' Biloxi residence. Wells was later found dead after being reported missing.

Fifteen Indian tourists died after a speedboat carrying 32 Indian passengers and four Vietnamese crew members capsized less than 500 meters from shore near Phu Quoc on Saturday afternoon. Vietnamese police detained the 57-year-old captain, Nguyen Hong Hai, on Sunday for alleged violations of waterway safety regulations. Sixteen survivors have been discharged from hospital while one remains in critical condition.

Lindsey Graham served three decades as a Republican senator from South Carolina. Darline Graham Nordone, identified as his sister, was appointed interim replacement for his Senate seat. John Thune, Senate Majority Leader, delivered a floor tribute on Monday.

Donald Trump completed a court-ordered wire transfer of $5,625,005.48 to E. Jean Carroll after a New York jury found him liable for sexual assault and defamation. Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, appointed by President Bill Clinton, directed the payment following the Supreme Court's decision not to review the case.

ICE has directed agents to pause most vehicle stops during enforcement operations, restricting them to serious criminal targets while additional training occurs. The temporary measure follows officer-involved shootings in Texas and Maine last week. Vehicle stops had been a standard tactic under the Trump administration for locating individuals away from residences or workplaces.

President Trump abandoned a planned 20% fee on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz following investment commitments from Gulf allies. Oil prices retreated from earlier highs after the reversal. The move substituted direct fees with bilateral trade arrangements.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican U.S. Senator from South Carolina, died suddenly at age 71 on Saturday. Multiple state Republican officials issued public tributes, and President Trump recommended Graham's sister Darline Graham Nordone to fill the vacancy. Sources confirm the death and related statements without dispute.

A 76-year-old Miami woman received a randomly assigned Florida license plate containing an eyebrow-raising message. CBS News and BBC reported the assignment occurred through standard DMV processes with no indication of intent. The story circulated in her senior community but lacks details on the plate's exact text or any official response.

An ICE agent shot and killed Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Maine on Monday. Guerrero was not the subject of the warrant connected to the operation. Available reports confirm the death but provide no further details on the circumstances of the encounter.

A pickup truck carrying wedding guests was crushed between two larger trucks on Indonesia's northern coastal highway on July 12, 2026, after stopping to make a U-turn. CBS News reports five injuries and an ongoing investigation by local authorities; the death toll is reported as 13 by CBS News but described as at least 13 and unverified by The Independent.

A vessel capsized Tuesday in San Francisco Bay, resulting in one confirmed fatality and three people missing. Multiple news outlets confirm the date, location, and casualty figures while other details remain unverified or disputed. Search operations by the Coast Guard are ongoing according to initial reports.

Multiple outlets report that the United States has conducted airstrikes against Iran for a third consecutive night. Verified reporting from AP News, PBS, and CBS News confirms repeated strikes, while claims of a new blockade or shipping tolls in the Strait of Hormuz are contradicted across sources.

Supported reports indicate intensified fighting and competing claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz on July 13, 2026, alongside a proposed 20% tariff and Iranian pledge of lower passage rates. Oil prices rose and the Nasdaq declined following related announcements. Multiple claims of a US naval blockade remain disputed across outlets.

US Central Command resumed a naval blockade against Iran and launched additional strikes on Tuesday, the fourth consecutive day of operations, according to multiple reports. Air-raid sirens activated near US facilities in Bahrain, including a naval support base in the capital and Sheikh Isa Air Base. Unverified reports describe Iranian cruise missile strikes on two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Central Command conducted strikes on Iranian targets after Iran announced closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with fighting extending into a third weekend. Iran reported one death at an agricultural water pumping station and stated it remains in contact with mediators. Oil prices rose more than 4 percent at market open Monday.

Lindsey Graham died suddenly last weekend after serving in the U.S. Senate since 2003. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed his sister Darline Graham as interim replacement, with the term ending in January. Tim Scott, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, publicly commented on the appointment.

CNA reports that US strikes on Iranian coastal defenses and missile sites on Wednesday, along with a reimposed naval blockade, coincided with Brent crude reaching $85.28 per barrel and WTI at $80.02 per barrel. Iran described the situation as an existential war and threatened further cuts to energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz. A CBS News claim of five consecutive days of exchanged strikes is disputed by CNA reporting.

Extreme heat warnings and advisories remain in effect through Thursday across multiple states, affecting an area home to at least 130 million people. Forecast temperatures include a heat index near 110°F in the northern Plains on Tuesday and readings 20–30 degrees above seasonal averages. Unverified reports mention potential record temperatures and secondary impacts.

Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett appeared before a House appropriations subcommittee on July 14, 2026, to discuss the Supreme Court's request for more than $228 million for the fiscal year beginning October 1. The request includes an additional $14.6 million for Supreme Court Police security to add six agents per justice. The justices are also scheduled to testify before a Senate panel the same day.

Supported reports confirm that Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke, age 29, died in Los Angeles this spring. CBS News and Breitbart both report he was pulled over in Arkansas six weeks earlier while driving a new Corvette over 100 mph and fleeing police. Claims of drug charges, kratom possession, bodycam footage, and any link between the stop and his death remain unverified.

Al Jazeera and CBS News both report that Spain reached the World Cup final. Multiple details about Lamine Yamal's background, birthday statements, and match specifics remain unverified and sourced solely to Al Jazeera. CBS News additionally confirms France entered as pre-tournament favorite and that Argentina faced England to determine the other finalist.

Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett appeared before House lawmakers to request increased security funding. The testimony addressed elevated threats against justices and sought a $230 million budget allocation. Coverage of the event came exclusively from left-center outlets.

Federal and state officials are investigating a cyclosporiasis outbreak with cases rising across more than 30 states and exceeding last year's totals. At least 300 cases have been reported in North Carolina. The source remains unidentified.

A 26-year-old Colombian man was killed by an ICE agent during a shooting in Maine. The incident occurred while the man was in his car. Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau called for ICE to be removed from the state in favor of local law enforcement.

An ICE officer fatally shot Joan Sebastian Guerrero, 26, in Maine according to a source with knowledge of the investigation. Washington Post and CBS News reported the incident, which prompted a state investigation and protests. Available reporting provides no details on the circumstances of the encounter or Guerrero's immigration or criminal history.

Al Jazeera and CBS News report that Argentina defeated England 2-1 in a FIFA World Cup semifinal played in Atlanta, with Argentina scoring twice in seven minutes after trailing 1-0. The reports state Argentina advanced to face Spain in the final in New Jersey, following an earlier comeback win against Egypt. Both sources are rated left-center by media bias evaluators.

All available reporting from Straits Times states that shipping companies are declining participation in a U.S. military transit scheme through the Strait of Hormuz. The scheme began after Iranian mining of the 1968 U.N. Traffic Separation Scheme and attacks on five vessels in Omani waters since July 7. Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for two supertanker attacks.

Twenty-six Meta employees filed suit claiming an AI system selected workers on medical or family leave for inclusion in the company's 8,000-person reduction. CBS News and USA Today reported the allegations; no court findings or internal model details have been released. The case centers on whether leave status influenced automated layoff decisions.

A deputy U.S. Marshal was shot and killed on Monday afternoon while serving an arrest warrant in Alexandria, Louisiana, with local deputies present. The suspect was taken into custody after a standoff and transported to a hospital with injuries. The FBI, state police, and sheriff's office are investigating, and FBI Director Kash Patel offered bureau resources.

US military strikes targeted Iranian vessels and facilities between July 12 and July 13 after the collapse of a ceasefire. Iran announced retaliatory actions against US bases and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, where one container ship was set ablaze. Oil benchmarks rose nearly 5 percent in immediate trading.

Subaru is recalling 541,237 vehicles across multiple models due to incorrect gross axle weight rating labels on certification stickers. NHTSA notified the company of the issue in May, with owner notifications scheduled to begin in August 2026. No crashes or injuries have been reported in connection with the labeling error.

Todd Blanche, identified as President Trump's former personal lawyer, holds the position of Acting Attorney General and appeared before senators for questions on Wednesday. Republican senators raised the $1.8 million Anti-Weaponization Fund associated with Trump during the hearing. Two sources, CBS News and National Review, report these details.

Ukraine's Parliament accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Tuesday. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to assign specific officials to foreign policy and domestic priorities including winter preparations. Zelenskyy is also expected to remove the defense minister according to separate reporting.

Samsung plans to introduce a new line of foldable devices at its Galaxy Unpacked event next week. A Spider-Man advertisement teases a redesigned shape for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Available reporting centers on the product announcement and marketing campaign.

Jay Clayton, President Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence, is set to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday [CBS News]. The hearing follows President Trump's earlier request last month to postpone the process until a replacement was confirmed for Clayton's prior role as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and to allow Bill Pulte to serve temporarily as acting intelligence chief [CBS News]. Democrats had withheld support for extending the Section 702 warrantless surveillance program, prompting Senate Republicans to link the nomination timeline to reauthorization efforts [CBS News].

Sen. Adam Schiff and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche discussed a $1.8 billion IRS settlement involving President Trump during Blanche's Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday. The New York Times reported that a judge later voided the settlement after finding collusion between Trump and the DOJ under an anti-weaponization fund, and that Blanche issued an order granting audit immunity. CBS News confirmed the hearing exchange occurred on Wednesday.

Lindsey Graham has died according to CBS News, Fox News, and The Daily Wire. His sister Darline Graham Nordone will complete the remainder of his Senate term per CBS News reporting. Potential special election details and candidate names remain unverified across available sources.

A bison charged a man at Yellowstone National Park last Friday in an incident captured on video, according to CBS News and The Daily Wire. Supported details confirm the location and recording, while claims naming the individual Carl Isom-McDaniel, his injuries, and specific circumstances remain unverified. Coverage originates primarily from right-leaning outlets with no reporting identified from left or center sources.

Mick Jagger discussed the role of politics in his music during an interview with The New York Times. Available sources confirm the interview occurred and report Jagger's comments on avoiding direct political lecturing of audiences. Multiple details including his age, band role, and specific statements remain unverified across the two right-center sources examined.

An ICE agent shot and killed a man in Maine on Monday, according to reports from CBS News and Fox News. Multiple additional details, including the victim's nationality, age, location, and actions, remain unverified and originate from single right-leaning outlets. Coverage has been limited to right-center and right-rated sources with no reporting from left or center outlets.

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department was filed for an improper purpose and referred attorney Alejandro Brito to the Florida Bar. The decision addressed claims tied to a 2019 tax-record disclosure by contractor Charles Littlejohn. Multiple details about the parties and allegations remain reported by only one outlet.

Jeremy Morrison and Kyle Bylin were born on January 26, 1988, at Unity Medical Center in Grafton, North Dakota. Morrison's DNA test two years ago indicated his parents were not biological; both men, their parents, and the two sets of parents are suing the hospital, which has denied the claims in court records. Both sets of parents have met their biological sons, but the two men have not met.