The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits increased slightly last week to 214,000 but remains within a healthy range compared to recent years. The U.S. job market shows signs of strain with mixed job growth, inflation pressures, and economic uncertainty linked to global events and policy decisions.
Key Facts
Weekly jobless claims rose by 6,000 to 214,000 for the week ending April 18, 2026.
This number is slightly above analysts' expectations of 210,000 but remains historically healthy.
Jobless claims are used as a quick indicator of layoffs and job market health.
The U.S. added 178,000 new jobs in March, lowering the unemployment rate to 4.3%.
Job growth slowed significantly in 2025, with fewer than 200,000 jobs added last year compared to 1.5 million in 2024.
Inflation increased by 3.3% in March compared to the previous year, mainly due to rising gas prices.
The Federal Reserve has kept interest rates steady this year to manage inflation and is expected to decide on rates soon.
Global events like the Iran war contribute to economic uncertainty and affect oil and gas prices.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order to reclassify state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, which means it is now considered less dangerous under federal rules. This change may help increase research and ease some tax and regulatory limits on medical marijuana, but it does not legalize recreational use or fully remove marijuana from federal drug restrictions.
Key Facts
Medical marijuana licensed by states was moved from Schedule I to Schedule III in the federal drug classification.
Schedule III includes drugs like some pain medications, ketamine, and testosterone.
The reclassification may allow more detailed scientific studies on marijuana’s effects.
This federal change does not legalize recreational marijuana use nationwide.
Marijuana remains illegal under federal law and still on the controlled substances list.
The change could reduce some taxes and regulatory challenges for the cannabis industry.
President Donald Trump announced plans to reclassify marijuana but not legalize it before this order.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the change will help doctors and patients about medical treatments using marijuana.
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President Donald Trump’s acting attorney general, Todd Blanche, signed an order that changes the federal classification of state-licensed medical marijuana from a high-risk drug to a less dangerous category. This move does not legalize marijuana but reduces restrictions, offers tax breaks, and promotes research on medical cannabis.
Key Facts
Medical marijuana licensed by states has been moved from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law.
Schedule I drugs are considered to have no medical use and a high risk of abuse; Schedule III drugs are less strictly controlled.
The order provides tax breaks to licensed medical marijuana businesses.
It makes it easier for researchers to study medical marijuana without penalties.
The Department of Justice will start a hearing process in late June to consider broader marijuana reclassification.
President Trump instructed his administration to speed up the marijuana reclassification process.
About 40 states currently have medical marijuana programs that are supported by this change.
The action helps medical marijuana operators register more easily with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
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The Trump administration has officially changed the federal classification of cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. This change makes cannabis less restricted under federal law, allowing for more research and medical use, but the drug remains illegal federally.
Key Facts
Cannabis was moved from Schedule I, considered highly dangerous with no medical use, to Schedule III, a less strict category.
Schedule III drugs are seen as having accepted medical uses and lower potential for abuse, similar to Tylenol with codeine.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order last year to start this reclassification.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche ordered the reclassification for cannabis products regulated by the FDA and those with state medical licenses.
The change will take effect 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register, but it can be legally challenged during this time.
The DEA will hold a hearing on the reclassification in late June.
Most states already allow medical or recreational marijuana use despite the federal ban.
Trump also recently signed another order to improve access to psychedelic drugs for medical treatment.
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A judge approved a $425 million settlement in a lawsuit against Capital One. The case involves Capital One offering higher interest rates on a new savings account while paying lower rates on older accounts without clearly informing customers.
Key Facts
The settlement is for Capital One customers who had a 360 Savings account between September 18, 2019, and June 16, 2025.
Capital One introduced a new account called 360 Performance Savings in 2019 with higher interest rates than the older 360 Savings accounts.
The lawsuit claims Capital One did not clearly tell customers about the better rates on the newer account.
Customers do not need to file a claim to get payment from the settlement.
Payments will be based on how much extra interest each customer would have earned with the higher rate.
The total settlement money will cover legal and administrative costs before being shared among eligible customers.
Checks will be mailed to customers unless they chose electronic payment before March 30.
Payments are expected to be sent around July 21, unless there are legal appeals.
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Seven tourists, including three children, got stuck on a cliff in Australia when the tide rose during their morning walk on the beach. Emergency teams carried out a three-hour rescue operation to bring them to safety.
Key Facts
Seven tourists were trapped on a cliff in Australia.
Among them were three children.
The group was walking on the beach in the morning.
Rising tide blocked their way back from the cliff.
Rescue teams worked for three hours to save them.
The operation was covered and reported by CBS News.
The tourists were safely rescued.
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Hung Cao has been named Acting Secretary of the Navy following the sudden departure of John Phelan amid rising tensions with Iran. Cao takes the role during a fragile ceasefire while the U.S. Navy enforces a blockade and prepares for possible combat operations.
Key Facts
John Phelan, the Navy Secretary, left his position unexpectedly.
Hung Cao, a 25-year Navy veteran and the Navy’s second-highest civilian official, is now Acting Secretary.
The Navy is enforcing a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports during a delicate ceasefire.
The Pentagon is experiencing leadership changes during ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions.
Phelan’s departure related to disagreements over Navy shipbuilding priorities with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The U.S. armed forces are ready to resume fighting with Iran if the ceasefire ends.
The Navy also targets Iranian-linked ships globally and operates in the Caribbean against drug traffickers.
Removing a Navy Secretary during wartime is historically rare in the U.S. government.
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In March, rent prices increased by 1.8% compared to the previous year, which is the slowest growth since 2020. At the same time, incomes have started to grow faster than rent for the first time in several years, according to Zillow.
Key Facts
Rent increased by 1.8% in March on an annual basis.
This is the slowest rent growth rate since 2020.
Incomes are now rising faster than rent prices.
The trend marks the first time in years that income growth has outpaced rent increases.
Zillow provided this information based on its data.
The slower rent growth may affect housing affordability.
The report compares rent and income changes year over year.
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The Trump administration has officially started the process to change marijuana’s legal classification from schedule I to schedule III, which could allow more medical research and easier access for patients. This move follows President Trump’s executive order and aims to adjust how marijuana is regulated without fully legalizing it nationwide.
Key Facts
Marijuana was previously classified as a schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD.
The new classification would be schedule III, in the same group as ketamine and anabolic steroids.
Trump’s acting attorney general, Todd Blanche, signed the reclassification order.
The change is intended to improve healthcare by allowing more research on marijuana’s safety and medical use.
Rescheduling marijuana will not legalize it federally or change current criminal penalties immediately.
Marijuana remains illegal federally for transporting across state lines without permission.
This decision comes shortly after Trump ordered a review of psychedelic drugs for medical research.
Public opinion polls show majority support for marijuana legalization, including among some Republicans.
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The race for California governor became more competitive after Representative Eric Swalwell stopped running. Other candidates took part in a debate to discuss their plans for the state.
Key Facts
Eric Swalwell, a U.S. Representative, exited the California governor race.
The departure happened before a debate involving the remaining candidates.
The debate took place on a Wednesday.
Candidates discussed their ideas to lead California.
The event was covered by CBS News and The New York Times.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order to change the classification of state-licensed medical marijuana, lowering its danger level. This change reduces regulations and offers tax breaks to licensed medical marijuana businesses, but it does not fully legalize marijuana.
Key Facts
The reclassification applies only to state-licensed medical marijuana.
It lowers marijuana from a high-danger category to a less strict category.
The change was made by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Licensed medical marijuana operators will get tax breaks.
This order does not legalize marijuana nationwide or for non-medical use.
The move aims to ease regulations for medical marijuana within states that allow it.
The decision affects how marijuana is treated under federal rules.
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Illegal border crossings between the U.S. and Mexico have dropped to the lowest level in 55 years. This decrease follows a period of higher crossings and comes during a time when President Donald Trump’s administration is enforcing stricter measures in some large U.S. cities.
Key Facts
Illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border are at their lowest since 55 years ago.
Crossings had increased significantly in recent years before this drop.
President Donald Trump’s administration has increased enforcement actions in major U.S. cities this year.
The article discusses details of the border situation reported by Camilo Montoya-Galvez for CBS News.
The changes reflect shifts in migration patterns and government policy.
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Knife killings in England and Wales dropped by 21% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching the lowest level since 2010-11. Overall homicide cases also decreased by 6%, and total knife-related crimes fell by 10%. Theft incidents and shoplifting showed small declines, while robbery of businesses involving violence increased.
Key Facts
Knife killings fell from 217 in 2024 to 172 in 2025, a 21% decrease.
Total homicides dropped by 6%, from 534 in 2024 to 503 in 2025.
Knife-related crimes fell by 10%, with 49,151 offences recorded in 2025.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated 2.6 million thefts in 2025, 11% fewer than the previous year.
Recorded shoplifting offences fell by 1% to 509,566 in 2025.
Police were advised to record shoplifting with violence as robbery of business property, which likely caused a small increase in robbery cases.
Robbery of businesses rose sharply by 78%, from 14,691 cases in 2024 to 26,158 in 2025.
Homicide offences include murder, manslaughter, infanticide, and causing death or harm to children or vulnerable adults.
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A family shares the story of their 14-year-old daughter Englyn, who struggled with mental health issues linked to hidden social media use and harmful online content. Despite parental efforts, Englyn was exposed to distressing material promoted by social media algorithms, which contributed to her tragic death by suicide.
Key Facts
Englyn received a cellphone at age 11 to stay in touch with family and friends.
The parents knew her passcodes and checked her phone regularly but didn’t realize she downloaded secret social media apps.
Social media platforms used algorithms that showed Englyn content about self-harm and other harmful behaviors.
Englyn’s mental health declined, showing anxiety, depression, and self-harm before her death at age 14.
The family found Meta (Facebook) targeted Englyn and her friends with dark, disturbing videos, including one simulating a suicide attempt.
Despite multiple reports, the harmful video was not removed from Meta’s platform.
Internal company documents and lawsuits claim social media companies prioritize addicting users and use predatory practices like targeting children under 13.
Existing parental controls and screen time limits are often ineffective against these persistent algorithm-driven recommendations.
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Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran, was splashed with red liquid by a protester while visiting Berlin. Police quickly arrested the person, and Pahlavi was taken away safely by security.
Key Facts
Reza Pahlavi is the former crown prince of Iran living in exile.
The incident happened during his visit to Berlin, Germany.
A protester threw red fluid at him, hitting his neck and shoulders.
The protest was related to Pahlavi’s position on the war in Iran.
Police detained the protester at the scene.
Security escorted Pahlavi away after the attack.
Video footage captured the moment of the incident.
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Police are looking for a 17-year-old suspect, Damarian Jones, linked to a shooting near the University of Iowa that wounded five people. Jones faces multiple serious charges, including attempted murder, and remains at large after the incident early Sunday morning.
Key Facts
The shooting happened around 1:45 a.m. Sunday at Iowa City's Pedestrian Mall near the University of Iowa.
Five people were shot and injured; two are still hospitalized with serious injuries.
Jones is charged with five counts of attempted murder and other assault-related charges.
Police say Jones fired six shots after a physical fight involving multiple people.
None of the injured victims were the intended targets.
Authorities recovered three firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition during the investigation.
Police are asking the public to provide any information on Jones’s whereabouts.
Additional charges and arrests are expected as investigations continue.
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The article explains that people find it difficult to understand very large numbers because our brains did not evolve to handle such amounts easily. This creates challenges when dealing with data and information involving big numbers.
Key Facts
Humans find it hard to grasp very large numbers.
Our natural intuition is not designed for large numerical values.
This difficulty can affect how we process and understand data.
The article highlights a gap between human thinking and numerical information.
Understanding big numbers is important in many modern contexts like data analysis.
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U.S. forces stopped and searched an Iran-linked oil tanker called M/T Majestic X in the Indian Ocean. This happened after Iran's forces seized two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, continuing a series of back-and-forth ship seizures between the U.S. and Iran.
Key Facts
The U.S. military boarded the stateless tanker M/T Majestic X transporting oil from Iran.
The ship was stopped in the Indian Ocean, far from the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz earlier.
The two seized ships held 15 Filipino seafarers, all reported safe by the Philippine government.
Videos show U.S. forces boarding the tanker by helicopter and IRGC fighters boarding the seized cargo ships.
The U.S. says it will keep enforcing maritime laws to stop ships that support Iran.
Iran refuses to reopen the Strait of Hormuz despite a ceasefire extended by President Trump.
Iran views the U.S. naval blockade as a breach of the ceasefire agreement.
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Two families hiking along a coastal area were trapped when the tide rose quickly and cut off their path. Rescue teams carried out a daring operation to bring them safely from the rocky cliff edge.
Key Facts
Two families were hiking near the coastline.
The tide came in faster than expected.
Rising water stranded the families on a rocky cliff.
Rescue authorities responded to the situation.
The families were safely rescued from the cliff.
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Prince Harry visited Ukraine and spoke about the importance of U.S. support in protecting Ukraine’s borders and sovereignty. He said America has a key role in keeping Ukraine safe, especially because Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons based on U.S. promises. His comments differ from President Trump’s approach, which aims to end the war quickly but has caused tension with Ukraine’s leaders.
Key Facts
Prince Harry visited Kyiv, Ukraine, to attend a security conference.
He emphasized the U.S. role in supporting Ukraine’s security and sovereignty.
Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in 1994 under the Budapest Memorandum, which included promises from the U.S., Russia, and the U.K. to respect Ukraine’s borders.
Harry highlighted that U.S. support is a matter of global security, not charity.
President Trump has pushed for a fast end to the war in Ukraine, causing disagreements with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump’s efforts to negotiate peace have included pressure on Zelensky to accept terms Ukraine sees as unfair.
Tensions exist between Prince Harry’s comments supporting strong U.S. backing for Ukraine and Trump’s more cautious policy.
Harry described the war as a fight for democracy and criticized the breaking of security assurances to Ukraine.
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