Senate Republican leaders reported they have been in contact with Senator Mitch McConnell from Kentucky, who has been in the hospital for more than three weeks. The article discusses what happens when a lawmaker is absent for a long time.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell is currently hospitalized.
He has been in the hospital for over three weeks.
Senate GOP leaders have spoken with him during this time.
The article explores the impact of a long absence by a lawmaker.
Washington bureau chief Susan Page provided analysis on the situation.
The news was shared by CBS News and USA Today.
The focus is on U.S. government and congressional matters.
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People had to leave several buildings in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday morning because bricks fell from a nearby construction site. Anil Agrawal, a professor who studies building structures, explained what might be causing the problem.
Key Facts
Bricks fell from a construction site in Midtown Manhattan.
This caused several buildings nearby to be evacuated for safety.
The incident happened on a Tuesday morning.
Anil Agrawal is a professor and the chair of structural engineering at City College of New York.
Agrawal provided an expert analysis of the unstable building situation.
The report was covered by CBS News correspondent Lilia Luciano.
The event raised safety concerns about the construction site and nearby buildings.
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The U.S. military conducted strikes against Iran following attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Central Command said the strikes happened on Tuesday in response to these tanker attacks.
Key Facts
The U.S. military launched strikes against Iran.
The strikes took place on a Tuesday.
These actions came after attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway for global oil transportation.
The U.S. Central Command announced the strikes.
CBS News reported on the timeline leading up to the strikes.
Senior national security correspondent Charlie D'Agata provided further details.
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A high-rise building under construction in New York City became unsafe after two of its support columns began bending on Tuesday morning. The building and nearby structures were evacuated due to concerns about falling bricks and structural instability.
Key Facts
Two support columns inside the building started to buckle.
The building is still under construction in New York City.
The building and surrounding buildings were evacuated for safety.
Reports of falling bricks were made before the evacuation.
Video footage shows the bending support beam inside the building.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the building remains unsafe.
The incident happened on a Tuesday morning.
Officials are monitoring the situation closely.
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Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, resigned as MP for Clacton to trigger a by-election amid scrutiny over a £5 million donation from a cryptocurrency billionaire. Rival parties have refused to contest the by-election, calling Farage’s move a stunt, while investigations into the donation have been suspended. In related news, Prince Harry and others lost a privacy case against Associated Newspapers, with the High Court rejecting all allegations.
Key Facts
Nigel Farage resigned as MP for Clacton to provoke a by-election.
Farage faces two parliamentary investigations about a £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne.
The donation was reported to the National Crime Agency due to money laundering concerns, but Farage denies any wrongdoing.
Rival parties including the Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats said they will not stand in the by-election.
The by-election could cost taxpayers more than £200,000.
Farage said his move was to let the people decide and to challenge the “establishment.”
Prince Harry and six others lost a High Court privacy case against Associated Newspapers.
The court rejected all allegations, calling it a win for press freedom.
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Top Democratic leaders are urging Graham Platner, the party’s nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine, to withdraw from the race. Platner has faced several controversies during his campaign, including recent allegations of sexual misconduct.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate race in Maine.
Several controversies have affected Platner’s campaign.
New sexual misconduct allegations have emerged against Platner.
Many Democratic leaders want Platner to drop out of the race.
The situation has caused former supporters to speak out against him.
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Democratic and Republican political experts discuss the situation around Graham Platner, who faces a sexual assault allegation during his campaign for the Maine Senate. Platner denies the accusation and has not stepped down from the race. Democrats are considering other candidates to replace him if needed.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running for the Maine Senate seat.
He is accused of sexual assault.
Platner denies the allegation.
He has not withdrawn from the election race.
Democrats are exploring possible replacement candidates.
Political strategists T.W. Arrighi and Matt Bennett provided analysis on the situation.
The discussion was featured on CBS News.
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Democrat Graham Platner is under pressure to leave the Maine Senate race because of a sexual assault accusation that he denies. He must decide to quit by July 13, or he will remain the Democratic candidate.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine.
He faces a sexual assault allegation, which he denies.
Some people are asking him to end his campaign because of this accusation.
Platner’s deadline to drop out is July 13.
If he does not quit by that date, he will stay on the ballot as the Democratic nominee.
The information comes from a CBS News report with correspondent Caitlin Huey-Burns.
Platner’s decision will affect the outcome of the Maine Senate race.
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The U.S. military responded to recent attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran with a retaliatory strike. At the same time, world leaders met in Turkey for the annual NATO summit to discuss international security issues.
Key Facts
The U.S. military took action against Iran following attacks on ships in a key waterway called the Strait of Hormuz.
This response was confirmed by the U.S. Central Command, the military body overseeing U.S. operations in the Middle East.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic location used for global shipping and oil transportation.
The attacks by Iran increased tensions in the region.
World leaders were in Turkey for the NATO summit, an annual meeting focused on security and cooperation among member countries.
The U.S. and other NATO members discussed global security challenges during the summit.
The strike took place on a Tuesday, as the NATO meetings were ongoing.
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House prices in several Australian cities have recently dropped slightly, with banks expecting a 2-3% fall by the end of the year. However, over the past ten years, home prices have more than doubled, making housing less affordable for many people.
Key Facts
House prices in major Australian cities have dropped recently.
Banks predict house prices could fall by 2-3% by year-end.
The median home price peaked at $944,000 in March 2024.
By June 2024, the median price fell slightly to $937,000.
Over the last ten years, the median home price increased by more than $400,000.
In 2016, the average home cost about 13 years and 4 months of typical household income.
By March 2024, this increased to more than 17 years of income.
Even if prices drop 10% from their peak, homes still cost over 15 years of household income.
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The U.S. has launched new military strikes against Iran in response to attacks near the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, more Democratic politicians are asking Graham Platner to stop his campaign.
Key Facts
The U.S. conducted new strikes targeting Iranian forces.
These strikes were a reaction to attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important route for global oil shipments.
Several Democrats have publicly called on Graham Platner to end his political campaign.
The news was covered on CBS News in the program "7/7: The Takeout with Major Garrett."
The situation reflects ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
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Veterinarian Ruth MacPete explains that cats can become overweight when owners feed them too much without realizing it. She lists five signs of overfeeding, including leaving food out all day, slow weight gain, difficulty jumping, poor grooming, and less play activity.
Key Facts
Many cat owners leave food available all day, which can lead cats to eat too much.
Treats should only make up about 5 to 10 percent of a cat’s daily calories.
Gradual weight gain in cats is hard to notice without veterinary help.
Veterinarians use a body condition score from 1 (very thin) to 9 (obese) to assess a cat’s weight.
Overweight cats may struggle to jump onto furniture or favorite spots.
Extra weight can make it harder for cats to groom themselves properly.
Cats that are overweight may stop playing as much and become less active.
Obesity in cats can lead to health problems like arthritis, diabetes, and liver disease.
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A large building in Manhattan, New York City, showed signs of structural damage when steel beams bent on Tuesday. This caused concerns about the building possibly collapsing and led to many people being evacuated for safety.
Key Facts
The building is located in the center of Manhattan, New York City.
Steel beams inside the building bent, which is unusual and dangerous.
The damage raised fears that the building might collapse.
Authorities decided to evacuate many people from the building.
The incident happened on a Tuesday.
News coverage was provided by CBS News.
The exact cause of the steel beams bending was not reported.
Officials are likely investigating to ensure public safety.
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Law enforcement agencies in the U.S., Canada, and Europe charged 37 members of Indian crime groups, including their leader, for crimes like kidnapping, drug trafficking, and murder. The charges are connected to the assassination of a Sikh activist in Canada in 2023, which caused tensions between Canada and India.
Key Facts
Thirty-seven people linked to three India-based crime groups were charged with serious crimes.
The charges include involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh activist in Canada.
Nijjar was shot outside a temple where he was president in 2023.
The killing made Canada and India’s diplomatic relationship worse.
Lawrence Bishnoi and Satinderjeet Singh allegedly planned the assassination; Bishnoi is arrested, Singh is still wanted.
These criminal groups are involved in violence, drug trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion.
Nijjar supported the Khalistan movement, seeking a separate Sikh homeland.
Canada has the largest Sikh population outside India, causing ongoing political tension between the countries.
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A recent national poll shows that the public's opinion of several conservative Supreme Court justices, including Clarence Thomas, Amy Coney Barrett, and Brett Kavanaugh, has become more negative over the past year. The overall approval rating for the Supreme Court is low, with more people disapproving than approving, and opinions are divided heavily along political party lines.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court's approval rating is 36%, while 50% disapprove of it overall.
44% of respondents say the court is "too conservative," and 9% say it is "too liberal."
Justices Barrett, Thomas, and Kavanaugh all saw drops in their net favorability compared to last year, with Barrett's rating declining the most.
Chief Justice John Roberts, also conservative, has a net approval rating of -11%, slightly down from last year.
Justice Neil Gorsuch is the only conservative justice with a small improvement in net favorability this year.
Among the liberal justices, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor have positive net favorability ratings that improved compared to last year.
45% of people said recent Supreme Court rulings have given the president too much power, while 29% said about the right amount.
The poll surveyed 1,603 U.S. adults from July 3 to July 6 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3%.
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A judge ruled that Chrome Holding, which controls DNA testing company 23andMe, must pay $46.75 million to people affected by a 2023 data breach. The payment will be managed by a company called Kroll, which will give the money to the victims.
Key Facts
In 2023, hackers accessed data from as many as 6.9 million 23andMe users.
Chrome Holding took control of 23andMe after it filed for bankruptcy in early 2025.
Chrome Holding is run by Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe’s co-founder.
The $46.75 million payout will be given to victims through Kroll Restructuring, a company appointed to handle the funds.
The breach exposed sensitive genetic information, including health and family history details.
Hackers accessed not only the targeted accounts but also the profiles of the users’ relatives, increasing the total impacted.
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office fined 23andMe £2.31 million for poor data security before the breach.
The California Attorney General sued 23andMe for failing to protect user data and misleading consumers about the breach’s severity.
Despite bankruptcy, 23andMe continues to sell DNA testing kits online.
23andMe was once valued at $6 billion and went public in 2021 but has never made a profit.
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Parts of the UK are expected to face an extreme marine heatwave this week, with sea temperatures rising 4-5°C above normal in some areas. This heatwave is linked to recent high air temperatures and long-term ocean warming caused by climate change, which threatens marine plants and animals.
Key Facts
The marine heatwave is strongest off eastern and southern England.
Sea temperatures could be 4-5°C higher than average in affected areas.
Warm seas stress marine habitats like seagrasses and kelp forests, causing damage or death.
Cool-water species like cod are moving north, while warm-water species like octopus are increasing around the UK’s south-west coast.
Increased octopus populations can harm shellfish like crabs, lobsters, and scallops since octopuses eat them.
The heatwave is fueled by "heat domes" that previously caused record air temperatures in May and June.
Marine heatwaves have become more frequent and severe due to human-caused climate change and warmer oceans.
Experts warn marine heatwaves may become normal by the middle to end of this century if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced.
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An 18-month-old toddler in Arizona was declared dead after a near-drowning but was later found alive in a hospital morgue room. The child was revived and survived after being flown to another hospital, while police are investigating possible negligence by the parents.
Key Facts
The toddler nearly drowned in a backyard pool on February 8.
First responders tried to save the child and took him to Mercy Gilbert medical center.
The hospital declared the toddler dead about an hour after arrival.
Hours later, police found the toddler breathing in the hospital’s "cold room" (a morgue area).
The child was flown to another hospital, survived, and was released.
Police noted a strong smell of marijuana and open doors at the home, suggesting lack of supervision.
Gilbert police may charge the parents with negligence.
The hospital reviewed the case and aims to improve care procedures after this incident.
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Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice has asked the National Crime Agency (NCA) to investigate whether it leaked his private financial information to the media. The financial details were flagged to the NCA under its Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) program, which monitors possible money laundering but keeps information confidential.
Key Facts
Richard Tice requested the NCA investigate a possible leak of his private financial data.
The NCA does not confirm or deny receiving Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) or comment on their use.
SARs are confidential, and revealing them without permission is against the law under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Tice’s company received an £80,000 loan from George Cottrell, an ally of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
A think tank owned by Tice got a £1 million donation from Cottrell's mother.
Britain Means Business, the think tank, donated £500,000 to Reform UK in June 2024.
The NCA flagged these payments in its SARs program, which reported over 866,000 cases in 2024/25 related to potential money laundering.
George Cottrell is involved in a political controversy over support given to Nigel Farage before Farage became an MP, with debates over whether declared gifts followed parliamentary rules.
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This winter, a strong El Niño weather pattern is expected to bring more storms and heavy rain to the southern United States. Travelers who head south to avoid cold weather might face risks like flooding and severe thunderstorms, especially in states like Florida, Texas, and California.
Key Facts
El Niño is a climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean that affects weather around the world.
This El Niño is developing rapidly and could become very strong during winter 2026-27.
Strong El Niño usually shifts storm paths to the southern U.S., causing more rain and storms there.
The storm path may stretch from California to the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, increasing rain and flooding risks.
Areas like Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas could see more flooding, flash floods, and travel delays.
Southern California might get heavier rain, which can help drought but also cause floods and landslides.
More people, including retirees and remote workers, travel south in winter, a practice called "snowbirding."
Increased storms could disrupt these winter travelers more than usual this year.
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