CBS News presents a special program called "The Uplift: The American Dream" to celebrate the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary. The show features American stories, including one about the founder of e.l.f. Cosmetics who became a Catholic priest.
Key Facts
CBS News is airing a special called "The Uplift: The American Dream."
The program celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States.
It highlights stories about American heroes and common pastimes.
One story features the founder of e.l.f. Cosmetics.
The founder made a big life change to become a Catholic priest.
The special aims to showcase inspiring American stories.
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Senator Thom Tillis criticized Russell Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, for the failure of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). During a Senate hearing, Tillis asked Vought to name a successful project from DOGE but expressed frustration over the lack of results.
Key Facts
Senator Thom Tillis is from North Carolina and is a member of the Republican Party.
Russell Vought is the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
DOGE stands for the Department of Government Efficiency.
DOGE was closed due to not achieving its goals.
During a Senate committee hearing, Tillis questioned Vought about DOGE’s accomplishments.
Tillis expressed frustration about having to deal with the problems left by DOGE.
The hearing took place in the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee.
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A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report says a bird strike likely caused a helicopter crash in the Hudson River near New York City that killed six people last year. The crash involved a Bell 206L-4 helicopter carrying a family of five from Spain and the pilot.
Key Facts
The crash happened in April 2025 in the Hudson River near New York City.
Six people died: a family of five (including three children) from Spain and the pilot.
The helicopter was a Bell 206L-4 model.
Bird remains were found in the helicopter wreckage and the crash area.
The NTSB concluded the crash was most likely caused by a bird strike.
A bird strike means a bird hit the helicopter during flight.
The report was released by the NTSB on a Thursday.
Further updates on this story may follow as investigations continue.
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The United States carried out air strikes against Iran for the fifth day in a row. These actions are part of ongoing military operations involving U.S. forces targeting locations linked to Iran.
Key Facts
The U.S. military conducted air strikes against Iran for the fifth consecutive day.
The strikes took place on a Thursday.
U.S. forces are actively involved in these operations.
The targets are connected to Iran.
The information comes from CBS News and Pentagon reporters.
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Ebola is spreading faster than before in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with over 2,000 confirmed cases in just two months and nearly 800 deaths. Meanwhile, Uganda is close to being free of the virus after discharging its last Ebola patient and starting a 42-day monitoring period.
Key Facts
The current Ebola outbreak in DRC is the third-largest on record.
Over 2,000 cases have been confirmed in DRC within two months, with 796 deaths.
The previous big outbreak took over 10 months to reach 2,000 cases.
Most new cases in DRC are not linked to known contacts, making it harder to control.
Healthcare workers in DRC started a strike due to unpaid wages during the outbreak.
Uganda had 20 cases, mostly from infected people who traveled from DRC.
Uganda has not reported new cases since June 22 and began a 42-day countdown to be declared Ebola-free.
Early diagnosis and safe care have helped 377 people in DRC recover from Ebola.
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The U.S. military has carried out airstrikes against Iran for six days in a row. These attacks aim to reduce Iran’s military power, starting each day in the afternoon Eastern Time.
Key Facts
The strikes began on a Thursday at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
This marks the sixth day in a row that the U.S. has launched attacks against Iran.
The U.S. Central Command oversees these military actions.
The attacks target Iran’s military capabilities.
The strikes started shortly after the White House made a statement about Iranian officials.
The goal is to weaken Iran’s military strength through these airstrikes.
No specific details on the locations or damages were mentioned in the article.
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Senator John Fetterman said he would leave the Democratic Party if it became “anti-Israel.” He spoke as many House Democrats tried to stop military aid to Israel amid conflict in Gaza and Lebanon.
Key Facts
Senator John Fetterman is a strong supporter of Israel within the Democratic Party.
He said he would leave the party if it became against Israel.
Over 100 House Democrats voted to try to stop $3.3 billion in U.S. military aid to Israel.
Some Democrats are concerned about Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Fetterman disagrees with many Republican policies, so he has no plans to switch parties.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi supported the vote to halt aid to send a political message.
Earlier, majority Democratic senators voted against efforts to block military sales to Israel, which Fetterman also opposed.
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Scientists used powerful radio telescopes to search for artificial signals from K2-18b, a planet outside our solar system thought to be a good candidate for alien life. They found no clear signals but developed new methods to improve future searches for signs of extraterrestrial technology.
Key Facts
The study was published in The Astronomical Journal.
Researchers used the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array and MeerKAT radio telescopes.
They searched for technosignatures, which are signs of alien technology.
Advanced software filtered out radio noise from Earth to avoid false detections.
No confirmed artificial radio signals were detected from K2-18b.
The study showed how radio searches can complement investigations of planetary atmospheres.
Current telescopes can only detect very strong or intentional signals from alien civilizations.
The research helps improve future searches by refining techniques and understanding limitations.
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England will ban the sale of energy drinks with high caffeine levels to anyone under 16 starting in April. The government wants to protect children’s health by reducing problems related to too much caffeine, like sleep issues and trouble concentrating.
Key Facts
Energy drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine per litre cannot be sold to under-16s in shops, cafes, vending machines, or online.
Popular brands affected include Red Bull, Monster, Relentless, and Prime.
Lower-caffeine drinks like Diet Coke, tea, and coffee are not included in the ban.
The ban aims to reduce child obesity and problems like anxiety, poor sleep, and difficulty focusing at school.
Local authorities will enforce the ban, with fines up to £2,500 for businesses that break the rules.
About 100,000 children in England drink energy drinks daily, which may affect their health and school performance.
Experts warn children are more sensitive to caffeine because their bodies and brains are still growing.
The ban was backed by public consultation and will use powers from the Food Safety Act 1990 once approved.
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The FDA has approved a new daily pill called Lipfendra from Merck that significantly lowers bad cholesterol (LDL-C) in adults. The pill works by blocking a protein called PCSK9, which helps reduce cholesterol levels effectively.
Key Facts
Lipfendra is the first daily pill that directly lowers LDL cholesterol by targeting PCSK9 proteins.
The FDA has officially approved Lipfendra for use in adults.
The medication comes from the pharmaceutical company Merck.
It offers similar benefits to other strong cholesterol-lowering treatments already available.
Lowering LDL cholesterol helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
Lipfendra is taken once every day.
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump will give a primetime speech about concerns over election security. She indicated that the speech will suggest changes might be needed to ensure election integrity.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to deliver a speech on Thursday night.
The speech will focus on election security issues.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt previewed the speech but gave few details.
Leavitt emphasized that Americans from all political parties should agree the country is great.
The speech may propose “adjustments” related to how elections are conducted.
There is an implication that current elections might not be fully secure.
The White House is preparing the public for possible changes in election processes.
The timing suggests the speech aims to influence public opinion ahead of upcoming elections.
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House Republican leaders stopped a vote on a large military benefits bill because it caused disagreements among veterans’ organizations. The bill aimed to increase payments to some veterans by reducing future disability claims but faced obstacles in Congress.
Key Facts
The bill offered more compensation to veterans.
To pay for this, it proposed cutting some future disability claims.
Veterans’ groups were divided about the bill.
House Republican leaders canceled the vote on the bill.
A Democratic-led procedural vote blocked sending the bill back to committee.
The controversy delayed the bill’s progress in the House of Representatives.
The bill’s goal was to change military benefits for veterans.
The disagreement shows challenges in passing veterans’ legislation.
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England will ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to anyone under 16 starting from April next year. The ban aims to protect children’s health by limiting their access to drinks that can cause anxiety, sleep problems, and affect concentration.
Key Facts
The ban applies to drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine per litre, excluding tea and coffee.
About 100,000 children in England currently drink these energy drinks daily.
The drinks are popular among children in poorer areas and are promoted by online influencers.
Selling energy drinks to under-16s will be banned in stores, vending machines, and online.
Retailers breaking the law can be fined up to £2,500.
The government expects the ban to help improve children’s health and reduce childhood obesity.
Health experts link energy drinks to anxiety, poor sleep, and lower school performance.
Doctors warn that heavy energy drink use can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
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A White House teleprompter operator named Gabriel Perez is being investigated for allegedly using secret information from President Donald Trump’s speeches to place bets and make nearly $100,000. The betting platform Kalshi spotted unusual activity, froze Perez’s account, and reported the case to government regulators.
Key Facts
Gabriel Perez worked as a White House teleprompter operator since 2016.
He is accused of betting on the specific words President Trump would say in public speeches.
Bets were placed on Kalshi, a platform where people predict real-world events.
Kalshi noticed unusual betting on words mentioned by political leaders and reported this to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Perez’s account was frozen with over $90,000 in winnings before he could withdraw money.
The White House said Perez is now on unpaid leave and will no longer work there.
Perez is cooperating with the investigation, and no criminal case has been opened so far.
The CFTC did not confirm or deny the investigation.
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A trial has ended in Italy over the collapse of the Morandi bridge in Genoa in August 2018. Thirty-two people were found guilty, including the former CEO of the motorway company, Giovanni Castellucci, who received a 12-year prison sentence.
Key Facts
The Morandi bridge in Genoa collapsed in August 2018 during a rainstorm.
The collapse happened at the busy holiday season and caused 43 deaths.
Giovanni Castellucci, former CEO of the motorway operator, was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Castellucci was already serving six years for another road disaster from 2013.
Michele Donferri Mitelli, another top official, got an 11-year jail sentence.
A total of 32 people were found guilty in connection with the bridge disaster.
The bridge disaster led to a long criminal trial in Italy.
The collapse caused cars and trucks to fall to the ground when the bridge gave way.
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Actor Richard Gere criticized President Donald Trump, calling him a "rogue personality" who has caused destruction and harm during his second term. Gere expressed strong negative views about the impact of President Trump's administration.
Key Facts
Richard Gere spoke publicly about President Donald Trump.
Gere described President Trump as a "rogue personality."
He said President Trump has destroyed many things and hurt many people.
Gere also mentioned that President Trump's actions have caused deaths.
These comments were made during President Trump’s second term in office.
Gere expressed hope that President Trump’s time in office will end.
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Andy Burnham, the new prime minister, is keeping many of Keir Starmer’s key advisers in his main team at No 10. He has also hired some people from the private sector and campaign groups. His team will soon announce policies on energy, water, and the cost of living.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is the new prime minister and is forming his No 10 team.
Many senior aides who worked for Keir Starmer will continue in their roles.
Jonathan Powell remains national security adviser; Varun Chandra stays as business adviser.
Graeme Cooke is promoted to head the policy unit.
New hires include James Purnell as chief of staff and Hayden Munro as political director.
Sarah Brown will lead the press team; Grace Pritchard will be the prime minister’s spokesperson.
Alison Phillips is brought in as transition director to help avoid early mistakes.
Burnham aims to announce plans soon, including possibly taking water companies into public ownership.
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US Soccer chief JT Batson spoke publicly about President Donald Trump’s involvement in the controversy over Folarin Balogun’s red card during the World Cup. Batson praised the support from American fans and avoided expressing regret about Trump’s role, emphasizing the president’s authority.
Key Facts
President Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of Balogun’s red card from a World Cup match.
FIFA suspended Balogun’s one-match ban but said Trump’s calls did not affect their decision.
Balogun was red-carded after accidentally stepping on an opponent’s ankle.
US Soccer CEO JT Batson thanked fans for their strong support during the tournament.
Batson declined to say if the Federation regretted President Trump’s involvement.
The US lost 4-1 to Belgium in the next round after Balogun’s ban was lifted.
Balogun described the situation as difficult because it caused “a lot of outside noise” and made teammates nervous.
The Federation ended the press event early when asked again about regrets over Trump’s role.
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President Donald Trump has not ruled out the possibility of sending US troops into Iran amid renewed fighting and US military strikes. Experts discuss what a ground invasion might involve and the challenges it could present for the US military.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump has not dismissed the option of a US ground invasion of Iran.
Fighting in Iran has resumed along with ongoing US air strikes.
A ground invasion would involve deploying troops into Iranian territory.
Analysts say such an operation could be complex and difficult for the US army.
The discussion focuses on potential military strategies and challenges in Iran.
Iran remains a significant focus in US foreign and military policy.
There is no official decision yet to carry out a ground invasion.
The situation is evolving as tensions between the US and Iran continue.
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A White House teleprompter operator named Gabriel Perez made nearly $100,000 by betting on words in President Trump’s speeches using an online platform called Kalshi. Kalshi froze his account after finding unusual trading patterns and referred the case to a federal agency, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which is investigating.
Key Facts
Gabriel Perez worked as a teleprompter operator in the White House.
He placed bets on Kalshi, a prediction market platform, about words said in President Trump’s speeches.
Perez earned nearly $100,000 from these bets.
Kalshi's surveillance team noticed his trades were unusual and froze his account, holding back most of his earnings.
Kalshi reported the activity to the CFTC, the government agency that regulates prediction markets.
Perez has cooperated fully with the CFTC and is in talks about a possible settlement.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Perez is on unpaid leave.
President Trump called the situation “deeply unfortunate” and said Perez is cooperating with regulators.
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