First-time homebuyers make up only 21% of the housing market. They are facing very high home prices, costly mortgage interest rates, and strong competition from older buyers known as baby boomers.
Key Facts
First-time buyers account for just 21% of home purchases.
Home prices are at record-high levels.
Interest rates on mortgages are high, making loans more expensive.
Baby boomers are actively buying homes, increasing competition.
These factors make it harder for first-time buyers to enter the market.
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The article reports on the situation in Iran as a ceasefire is about to end. It covers updates on the ongoing conflict, peace negotiations, and how the fighting is causing fuel prices to rise in other countries.
Key Facts
A ceasefire in Iran is close to ending.
The conflict in Iran is continuing to escalate.
There are ongoing peace talks aiming to resolve the conflict.
The war in Iran is affecting global fuel prices, making them higher.
CBS News reporters Charlie D'Agata, Olivia Rinaldi, and Lana Zak provided the update.
The article references coverage available on the CBS News app.
The situation has both local and international impacts.
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A man named Shamar Elkins killed eight children, including seven of his own, in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was shot and killed by police after fleeing the scene.
Key Facts
The shooting took place early on a Sunday in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The suspect was identified as Shamar Elkins.
Elkins killed eight children in total.
Seven of the children were his own.
After the shooting, Elkins fled the scene.
Police fatally wounded Elkins during the pursuit.
The incident is being investigated by local authorities.
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The Australian government plans to reduce spending on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to control its rapid growth. Officials from different states have expressed concerns about these cuts and their impact on the program and state budgets ahead of detailed announcements in a national speech.
Key Facts
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said NDIS cuts will be the main part of the upcoming budget savings.
Health Minister Mark Butler will explain changes to the NDIS growth rate in a speech to the National Press Club.
States are worried about the size of the changes and possible new costs they might face.
Western Australia, representing states, has raised concerns about structural changes to the NDIS.
The government plans a new national scheme called Thriving Kids for children with autism and developmental delays, replacing some state programs.
The NDIS budget is $52 billion and grew over 10% last year; it could reach $63 billion by 2028-29.
The government wants to slow growth of NDIS spending to 5-6% annually.
Labor rules out introducing means testing for the NDIS but may tighten rules for service providers to improve quality and compliance.
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Fuel prices are high because of the war involving Iran, which has disrupted oil shipments. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said gas prices might stay above $3 per gallon until next year. Farmers in Iowa explain how the expensive fuel affects their work.
Key Facts
War involving Iran has disrupted oil shipments worldwide.
Gas prices average about $4.05 per gallon in the U.S. currently.
Diesel prices are around $5.61 per gallon.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright expects gas prices to remain above $3 per gallon until next year.
Farmers in Iowa are facing higher fuel costs as a result.
Higher fuel prices make farming more expensive and challenging.
The situation has lasted nearly two months as of the report.
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The White House announced that Vice President JD Vance will lead talks with Iran in Pakistan. There is uncertainty about who on the Iranian side has the authority to make a deal or if Iranian officials will participate in the talks.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance is set to lead talks with Iran.
The talks will take place in Pakistan.
It is unclear who from Iran is authorized to make a deal.
It is also uncertain if Iranian representatives will attend the talks.
The White House officially communicated this information.
The discussions aim to address issues involving Iran.
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President Donald Trump said the U.S. seized an Iranian ship, and Iran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for oil transport. The temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is ending soon, and both sides claim the other broke the truce. The U.S. is sending more troops to the region.
Key Facts
President Trump announced the U.S. seized an Iranian vessel.
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after the seizure.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important passage for global oil shipments.
A ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is set to expire this week.
Both countries accuse each other of breaking the ceasefire.
The U.S. is sending additional troops to the Middle East region.
The situation remains tense with the potential for renewed conflict.
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The US Army will raise the maximum enlistment age from 35 to 42 to address recruitment challenges. The change, effective April 20, 2024, also removes the need for a waiver for people with one marijuana-related conviction and applies to the Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard.
Key Facts
The maximum age to join the US Army increases from 35 years old to 42.
The new rules remove the waiver requirement for those with a single marijuana possession or drug paraphernalia conviction.
Changes apply to the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard but not other military branches.
Other branches like the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and Space Force allow enlistment into the early 40s; the Marines’ age limit remains 28.
The Army missed recruitment goals by about 23% in 2023 and 25% in 2022.
Recruitment shortfalls for the Army Reserve have continued for six years straight.
Average recruit age has increased to 22.7 years, up from 21.1-21.7 in previous decades.
Recruitment challenges are linked to labor market changes, limited knowledge about the military, and health and social issues among youth.
The timing coincides with attention on US military involvement related to Iran, but the Army has discussed raising the age for years before.
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Eight children between the ages of 1 and 14 died in a mass shooting on Sunday morning in Shreveport, Louisiana. The incident is under investigation by local authorities.
Key Facts
The shooting happened in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Eight children were killed.
The children ranged in age from 1 to 14 years old.
The event took place on a Sunday morning.
Local police and officials are investigating the shooting.
No further details about the shooter or motive were provided in the report.
The story was reported by CBS News.
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Pope Leo XIV visited a Catholic shrine in Angola that was once a center for the trans-Atlantic slave trade. He acknowledged the long history of pain and suffering suffered by Africans during that time while praying at the site.
Key Facts
The shrine is called the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima and is located near the Kwanza River in Angola.
It was originally built by Portuguese colonizers in the late 1500s and served as a fort and slave trade hub.
Enslaved Africans were baptized there before being forced to walk over 110 kilometers to Luanda port to be shipped to the Americas.
Pope Leo XIV prayed the Rosary at the shrine and spoke about the sorrow and suffering experienced by the local people.
About 30,000 people gathered as the Pope urged building a more just and peaceful world.
The Catholic Church’s historical role in slavery, including forced baptisms and Vatican documents authorizing slavery, is a subject of ongoing discussion.
The papal bull Dum Diversas (1452) authorized the Portuguese to enslave non-Christians and take their lands during colonial expansion.
Some Black Catholics see the Pope’s visit as an important moment for healing related to the church’s history with slavery and colonialism.
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Oil prices rose sharply after Iran accused the United States of breaking a ceasefire by firing on an Iranian ship near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s military promised to respond, and tensions remain high in the region, affecting a key route for global oil transport.
Key Facts
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil increased by 7.5%, reaching $90.17 per barrel.
Brent North Sea crude rose by 6.5%, reaching $96.27 per barrel.
The U.S. destroyer USS Spruance fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman.
Iran says the ship was trying to avoid a U.S. naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for world oil and liquefied natural gas exports.
The U.S. military took control of an Iranian container ship near the blockade, announced by President Trump.
Iran currently has no plans to participate in new talks with the U.S., according to Iranian state media.
Energy officials say gas prices in the U.S. may not drop below $3 per gallon until 2027.
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President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV have clashed over comments related to the war in Iran. Some American Catholics at a church in Georgia spoke about their faith and expressed mixed feelings about the conflict between the president and the pope.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV has called for peace in the conflict with Iran and criticized war efforts.
President Trump made threats against Iran, including bombing civilian infrastructure.
The pope called Trump’s threats “unacceptable” and urged people to contact political leaders.
Three American cardinals questioned the morality of US attacks on Iran during a TV interview.
President Trump criticized the pope on social media, calling him “weak” on crime and foreign policy.
Trump posted and then removed an AI-generated image showing himself as Christ, claiming it was meant to show him as a doctor.
Catholics interviewed in Georgia expressed concern about the tone and behavior of President Trump toward the pope.
Some Catholics said they respect their faith despite disagreements with both the pope and the president.
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British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces criticism over the appointment of Lord Mandelson, who had security clearance concerns. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, civilians are returning home during a ceasefire with Israel, and US Vice-President JD Vance is in talks with Iran amid warnings from President Donald Trump about possible military action.
Key Facts
Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure due to the appointment of Lord Mandelson, linked to a security vetting scandal.
Lord Mandelson had the highest security clearance level, known as "strap three."
Some ministers worry the scandal could threaten Starmer’s leadership.
Starmer will make a statement addressing the issue soon.
People in Lebanon are returning to their homes during a 10-day ceasefire with Israel despite damaged infrastructure.
US Vice-President JD Vance is conducting negotiations with Iran in Islamabad.
President Donald Trump has described a proposed deal with Iran as “reasonable” but warned of bombing Iranian infrastructure if talks fail.
A former senior British civil servant, Sir Olly Robbins, is seeking legal advice after being removed due to the scandal.
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Oil prices rose sharply on Monday due to increased tensions between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil shipments. The rise came after recent attacks and threats in the region, with the US intercepting an Iranian cargo ship and ongoing diplomatic talks involving the US.
Key Facts
Brent crude oil prices rose 6.4% to $96.13 per barrel in Asian trading.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil prices increased 7.5% to $90.15 per barrel.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route where about 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas passes.
Tensions increased after the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, and Iran threatened to target shipping in the strait.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced the US seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship trying to bypass Iran’s port blockade.
President Trump said US representatives will negotiate in Pakistan on Monday, with Vice-President JD Vance leading the delegation.
Iranian state media reported no plans to join the talks yet, but their position remains unclear.
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Two U.S. embassy officials, one Mexican official, and one Mexican police officer died in a car crash in Chihuahua, Mexico. They had been involved in closing a drug lab in the Morelos area before the accident.
Key Facts
The crash happened on a Sunday in the Mexican state of Chihuahua.
Two officials from the U.S. embassy were killed.
One Mexican official and one Mexican police officer also died.
The group had worked to shut down a drug lab in the municipality of Morelos.
The event involved cooperation between U.S. and Mexican officials.
The incident highlights the dangers faced by officials working against drug operations.
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A photo showing an Israeli soldier breaking a Jesus statue in southern Lebanon has caused strong reactions. The Israeli military confirmed the photo is real, said it involved a soldier in Lebanon, and opened an investigation into the incident.
Key Facts
The photo shows an Israeli soldier smashing a statue of Jesus Christ near Debl village in southern Lebanon.
Israel recently conducted a ground invasion and air attacks in southern Lebanon during its joint conflict with the United States against Iran.
The Israeli military confirmed the image's authenticity and said it will take action based on investigation results.
Palestinian Israeli lawmakers and activists criticized the destruction and connected it to wider issues of religious site attacks.
There have been multiple reports of attacks on religious sites and symbols by Israeli forces and settlers in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Religious Freedom Data Center reported over 200 violent incidents against Christians in Jerusalem and other areas between early 2024 and late 2025.
Critics said international silence on such attacks allows more damage to religious symbols.
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Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia has gained popularity as a potential Democratic nominee for the 2028 U.S. presidential election, according to prediction markets. At a rally, he criticized President Donald Trump’s administration for corruption and rising costs affecting Americans.
Key Facts
Jon Ossoff is rising in prediction markets as a favored candidate for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lead the prediction markets, with Ossoff in third place.
Ossoff’s predicted chances range from about 6 to 8 percent depending on the market.
Ossoff criticized President Trump’s administration for corruption, calling it the “Mar-a-Lago mafia.”
He highlighted issues like high rents, grocery prices, power costs, and healthcare expenses this year.
Ossoff accused the Trump family of increasing their wealth while Americans face financial struggles.
The senator used his rally in Augusta, Georgia, to address concerns about U.S. foreign relations and domestic affordability.
Other potential 2028 candidates mentioned include Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and Josh Shapiro.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will answer questions in the UK Parliament about the vetting of Lord Mandelson, who was appointed as US ambassador in December 2024. Starmer says he was unaware of warning signs about Mandelson’s background until recently, and he promises to be fully transparent.
Key Facts
Lord Mandelson was appointed US ambassador in December 2024.
UK security officials raised concerns about Mandelson's vetting in January 2023.
Starmer says he first learned of these concerns last week from top civil service officials.
Mandelson’s vetting problems relate in part to his known ties to Jeffrey Epstein and past scandals.
Starmer replaced the previous ambassador, Karen Pierce, when President Trump returned to office in January 2024.
Opposition parties accuse Starmer of misleading Parliament about the vetting process.
Starmer’s former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigned over the scandal in February.
Starmer says he delayed answering parliamentary questions to gather full details after learning about the vetting concerns.
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The new “Star Wars” series called “Maul: Shadow Lord” on Disney+ is breaking streaming records and has a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It became the top trending show on Disney+ in the U.S. and quickly reached 4.1 million global views for its first episode.
Key Facts
“Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord” premiered on April 6, 2026, on Disney+.
The first episode reached 4.1 million global views within seven days.
The series has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest for any “Star Wars” show.
It regularly appears in Disney+ Top 10 rankings since its release.
The show features a darker, noir-style storyline focusing on the character Maul.
Lucasfilm's chief creative officer praised the team for delivering something new and exciting.
The series has 10 episodes, releasing two every Monday until May 4, 2026.
Episodes become available at midnight Pacific Time on release days, with corresponding times across other U.S. time zones.
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