Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress that some Democrats and a few Republicans are the main obstacle to stopping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. He praised President Donald Trump’s strong commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons during a House Armed Services Committee hearing about the 2027 defense budget.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth is the current U.S. Secretary of Defense.
He spoke at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the defense budget.
Hegseth said some Democrats and Republicans in Congress are blocking efforts to stop Iran’s nuclear development.
He called their words “reckless” and “defeatist.”
Hegseth praised President Donald Trump’s determination against Iranian nuclear weapons.
General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also testified at the hearing.
The hearing focused on the 2027 defense budget request of $1.5 trillion, the largest in many years.
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The average price of gas in the U.S. has risen to $4.23 per gallon, driven by disruptions linked to the war in the Middle East. Inflation has reached a two-year high, mainly due to increases in fuel, food, and housing costs, which is linked to a drop in President Trump’s approval rating. Despite this, consumer confidence slightly improved in April, and job growth exceeded expectations.
Key Facts
The U.S. average gas price is now $4.23 per gallon, up from $2.98 before the war in Iran.
California has the highest gas price, nearly $6 per gallon, with several other states also above $5.
Inflation jumped to its highest level in two years in March, with gasoline prices rising 18.9% in one year.
Food prices increased by 2.9%, housing costs rose 3%, and electricity prices went up by 4.6% in the last year.
President Trump’s approval rating fell to its lowest point since he took office again in 2024. Only 22% approve of his handling of the cost of living.
Despite inflation, consumer confidence rose slightly to 92.8 in April, the highest so far this year.
Job growth in March was strong, with 178,000 new jobs added, more than twice expectations.
The unemployment rate stayed steady at 4.3% in March.
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British police conducted raids on facilities linked to the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) group, arresting nine people on charges including modern slavery, forced marriage, and sexual assault. The arrests came after a woman previously in the group reported serious offenses that allegedly happened in 2023.
Key Facts
Around 500 police officers took part in the raids in northwest England, including at AROPL’s headquarters in Crewe.
Nine people were arrested: six men and three women from several countries including the U.S., Mexico, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Egypt.
The investigation was based on allegations made by a woman formerly in the group about crimes in 2023.
Police clarified that the investigation targets the alleged crimes, not the religion itself.
AROPL is a religious group with beliefs that differ from mainstream Islam and is linked to messianic prophecies and conspiracy theories.
The group’s leader Abdullah Hashem claims to be a messianic figure and has made unusual religious claims.
Authorities in some countries like Malaysia, Egypt, and Algeria have taken legal actions against AROPL members.
The group moved its headquarters to the UK from Sweden in 2021 after members’ residency permits were revoked.
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At a Buffalo Sabres hockey game, nearly 20,000 mostly American fans sang the Canadian national anthem together when the singer’s microphone failed. This act of singing showed goodwill between the US and Canada despite ongoing political tensions caused by President Donald Trump’s policies.
Key Facts
Buffalo, New York, is close to Canada and known for friendly relations with Canadian neighbors.
The Buffalo Sabres hockey team has had a tradition of singing the Canadian anthem for over 50 years.
During a recent game, the singer’s microphone cut out, and the crowd sang the Canadian anthem loudly.
Political tensions have increased due to President Trump’s threats to annex Canada and impose tariffs on Canadian industries.
Canada responded with boycotts, including pulling American products from shelves and reducing travel to the US.
Despite political issues, border communities like Buffalo and southern Ontario maintain close personal and economic ties.
Many people cross the US-Canada border daily for activities like shopping, work, and education.
Fans and locals see singing the Canadian anthem as a sign of respect and friendship regardless of government conflicts.
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A director of Camp Mystic in Texas apologized after 25 campers and two counselors died in a flash flood last summer. The camp is under investigation for lacking proper emergency and evacuation plans, and its owners want to reopen the camp with new safety measures in place.
Key Facts
Camp Mystic is an all-girls Christian camp in Texas where 25 campers and two counselors died in a flash flood.
Edward Eastland, a camp director, apologized to families and said they tried hard to save the girls during the flood.
The flood happened when the Guadalupe River overflowed during heavy rain.
The camp had no strong evacuation plan or emergency drills before the disaster.
Investigators and lawmakers say the camp missed chances to move everyone to safety earlier.
Camp Mystic owners plan to reopen the camp in late May but only in areas that did not flood.
State regulators found 22 problems with the camp’s emergency plan before the reopening.
Some families and lawmakers are against reopening because they believe the camp is not prepared to keep children safe.
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A gunshot was fired during the Secret Service's interaction with Cole Allen at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The bullet may have struck a cellphone kept in a bulletproof vest worn by an officer.
Key Facts
The incident took place at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Cole Allen was involved in the encounter with the Secret Service.
A gunshot was fired during this interaction.
The bullet possibly hit a cellphone inside an officer's bulletproof vest pocket.
The bulletproof vest was worn by a Secret Service officer.
Details were reported by two sources to CBS News reporter Nicole Sganga.
The event was covered by CBS News.
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Sharon McMahon, a civics educator, was scheduled to speak at Utah Valley University’s graduation but the university withdrew her invitation after pressure from politicians and the conservative group Turning Point USA. The controversy arose because McMahon posted about Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist killed on the campus earlier, explaining his influence and why he faced opposition.
Key Facts
Sharon McMahon is a bestselling author and civics teacher known for her social media work and podcasts about government.
She was invited to give the graduation speech at Utah Valley University (UVU).
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was killed on the UVU campus last September.
McMahon posted on Facebook and Instagram shortly after Kirk’s death, explaining who he was and his impact.
Her Instagram post aimed to provide context for both supporters and people unfamiliar with Kirk.
Utah Senator Mike Lee led efforts on social media to pressure UVU to cancel McMahon’s speech.
The backlash included threats against McMahon, the school president, and university officials.
UVU canceled her invitation days before graduation due to the pressure campaign.
McMahon criticizes social media for encouraging outrage and division instead of understanding different views.
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Liberal justices on the U.S. Supreme Court criticized a recent decision that limits the ability to use race as a factor in drawing voting districts. They said this ruling weakens the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a law designed to prevent racial discrimination in elections.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court made a decision restricting race-based redistricting.
Liberal justices disagreed strongly and wrote a 48-page dissenting opinion.
Justice Elena Kagan emphasized the importance of the Voting Rights Act for reducing racial discrimination.
The decision is seen as removing key protections from Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
The Voting Rights Act was originally passed in 1965 to protect minority voters.
The liberal justices described the ruling as a “demolition” of the law’s protections.
This case involves the balance between race considerations and election fairness.
The ruling will affect how voting districts are drawn in the future.
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A United Nations-backed report says that over 1.2 million people in Lebanon will face severe hunger this year due to conflict, displacement, and economic problems linked to the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah. This number is higher than before the war started in March, showing that food security in Lebanon has gotten worse.
Key Facts
More than 1.24 million people in Lebanon are expected to face serious food shortages from April to August.
Before the war started in March, about 874,000 people (17% of the population) faced severe food insecurity.
The war between Israel and Hezbollah has caused violence, displacement, and rising costs that make food harder to buy.
The UN groups involved in the report include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Over 2,500 people have died, and more than 1 million have been displaced in Lebanon due to the conflict.
A ceasefire began on April 17, reducing fighting but not ending all hostilities.
Humanitarian aid and support for farmers are urgently needed to prevent the food situation from getting worse.
Israeli forces remain active near Lebanon’s southern border, where residents are told not to return.
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Senator Thom Tillis expressed hope that the Justice Department’s case against former FBI Director James Comey has strong evidence beyond a photo. Comey was charged again for allegedly threatening President Donald Trump after posting an image made with seashells.
Key Facts
Senator Thom Tillis is a Republican from North Carolina.
Tillis commented on the Justice Department's case against James Comey.
Comey faces new charges related to threatening President Trump.
The charges involve a photo of seashells arranged in a certain way.
Tillis questioned if the evidence is more than just symbolic or weak.
The incident and charges were reported on a Wednesday.
James Comey previously served as FBI Director.
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The Florida House approved a new congressional map proposed by Governor Ron DeSantis that would give Republicans up to four additional seats. The map now moves to the Florida Senate, where Republicans hold a strong majority, but some Republican senators oppose it.
Key Facts
The new map aims to increase Republican seats by up to four in Florida’s congressional delegation.
Currently, Florida has 20 Republican and 7 Democratic representatives, with one Democratic seat vacant.
The proposed map reduces or removes districts that favor Democrats in Tampa, Orlando, and parts of southeast Florida.
The Florida Senate, with a two-thirds Republican majority, will review the map next.
Three Republican senators on the Senate Rules Committee opposed the map, but seven Republican defections would be needed to block it.
The map redraws at least one majority Hispanic district in central Florida.
The Supreme Court recently limited a part of the Voting Rights Act requiring some states to make majority-minority districts.
Some say the map may violate Florida’s Fair Districts Amendment, a 2010 rule against unfair redistricting.
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Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he ordered an investigation into Prince Andrew’s high travel costs as a trade envoy in 2008. Brown asked police to expand their inquiry to include how public money was spent and any connections between Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities.
Key Facts
Gordon Brown was UK Prime Minister from 2008 to 2010.
Brown requested a colleague to question Prince Andrew about expensive travel costs when he was a trade envoy.
Prince Andrew frequently used Royal Air Force (RAF) flights instead of commercial flights during his trips.
In 2008, Prince Andrew wanted the government to fund a separate fleet of planes for the royal family, but Brown refused and told the queen.
Prince Andrew was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct related to Jeffrey Epstein but denies wrongdoing.
Police are investigating if Prince Andrew shared secret information with Epstein and if public funds were used improperly.
There are allegations that Epstein trafficked women into the UK, possibly involving locations linked to the royal family.
Six UK police forces are reviewing flights connected to Epstein to see if they involve trafficking crimes.
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Iran’s national currency, the rial, has fallen sharply against the US dollar amid a naval blockade enforced by the United States and related sanctions. This economic pressure, alongside military actions and restricted trade routes, has caused Iran’s non-oil trade and exports to drop significantly.
Key Facts
The Iranian rial reached over 1.81 million to the US dollar recently, down from about 811,000 a year ago.
The US is enforcing a naval blockade on Iran’s southern waters, aiming to cut off economic trade.
Inflation in Iran has worsened due to sanctions, poor management, and disruptions from conflict.
Iran has allocated $1 billion to buy food and eased import rules in border provinces to ease shortages.
Non-oil trade in the Iranian calendar year ending March 20 was about $110 billion, a 16% drop from the previous year.
Trade volume dropped around 29% in the last months due to disrupted shipping, especially through the Strait of Hormuz.
US and Israeli forces have targeted Iranian ports, infrastructure, and industrial facilities with strikes.
Iran has temporarily limited exports of steel, petrochemicals, and chemicals to preserve domestic supply.
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The article says that U.S. policies are causing problems with energy supplies in Washington. This situation will make Russia stronger financially, as it will benefit from the current energy crisis.
Key Facts
U.S. actions have led to energy supply issues in Washington.
These energy problems create more opportunities for Russia to gain money.
Russia’s financial resources for its war efforts are increasing faster due to the crisis.
The article links U.S. energy policies directly to Russia’s growing war funds.
Moscow may become the main energy provider as a result of these changes.
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Rep. Lauren Boebert criticized a list of rules that House Speaker Mike Johnson gave to Congress members before King Charles III’s speech. The list described what members should and should not do during the British king’s visit and address to Congress.
Key Facts
Rep. Lauren Boebert represents Colorado and is a member of the Republican Party.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, provided Congress members with a list of guidelines for King Charles III’s visit.
The list included “do’s and don’ts” for members during the British king’s speech to Congress.
Boebert publicly criticized the British royal family related to these rules.
The event involved King Charles III giving a speech to the U.S. Congress.
A reporter asked Boebert her opinion about the king meeting with Congress members.
The article centers on U.S. political figures and their reaction to an international guest at Congress.
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The Pentagon’s acting chief financial officer told Congress that the U.S. military operation against Iran has cost $25 billion so far. Most of this money has been spent on ammunition.
Key Facts
The U.S. is involved in a military operation called Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
The cost of this war has reached about $25 billion.
The majority of the spending is on ammunition.
Jules Hurst III is the acting chief financial officer of the Pentagon.
He shared this information with the House Armed Services Committee.
The statement was made on a Wednesday during a congressional hearing.
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City during their trip to the United States. This is the first time a reigning British king has visited New York since Queen Elizabeth II in 2010.
Key Facts
King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited the 9/11 Memorial on a Wednesday afternoon.
Their visit is part of a tour through the United States.
This is the first visit to New York by a reigning British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II in 2010.
The 9/11 Memorial honors the victims of the terrorist attacks from September 11, 2001.
King Charles III also met with President Donald Trump during the visit.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress that Iran’s nuclear sites had been destroyed before the U.S. war began. Lawmakers questioned the timing of the attack and raised concerns about the war’s goals, costs, and effects on U.S. forces.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth said Iran’s nuclear facilities were "obliterated" before the conflict started.
Democratic lawmakers questioned why an attack happened if the nuclear threat was already removed.
The hearing focused on the Pentagon’s proposed 2027 budget, which would reach $1.5 trillion.
The U.S. war with Iran began in February without congressional approval.
The conflict has cost around $25 billion so far.
Lawmakers want clear answers on the war’s purpose, results, and impact on soldiers and weapons.
Concerns include civilian casualties, depleted weapons, and Iranian drone attacks on U.S. forces.
A fragile ceasefire is in place, but the overall military and political plan is unclear.
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The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will review how the Justice Department released files related to Jeffrey Epstein. This is the second review after the department’s own inspector general began checking the matter last week.
Key Facts
The GAO is a government office that oversees how federal agencies follow laws.
Congress ordered the Justice Department to release certain files about Jeffrey Epstein.
The GAO will check if the Justice Department followed this order correctly.
The Justice Department’s inspector general started a separate review of the same files last week.
The GAO’s review confirms continued congressional interest in the case.
The focus is on the Justice Department’s handling and release of the Epstein-related documents.
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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy returned to court to answer questions about documents involving Claude Guéant, his former close aide. They are involved in a case about illegal money from Libya for Sarkozy’s 2007 presidential campaign, which Sarkozy denies.
Key Facts
Nicolas Sarkozy appeared in court on April 7, 2026, in Paris.
His former aide Claude Guéant, now 81, gave written statements but did not attend court due to health reasons.
Guéant was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison for his role in the Libyan funding affair.
Sarkozy was convicted of criminal conspiracy charges linked to illegal Libyan campaign funds and sentenced to five years in prison; he faces up to 10 years if convicted on appeal.
The case involves alleged political payments from Libya in exchange for diplomatic favors and help with the legal case of Abdallah Senoussi, a French convicted terrorist connected to Gaddafi’s regime.
Sarkozy denies that Libyan leader Gaddafi ever asked him to help Senoussi or that he ordered Guéant to investigate the case.
Guéant claims he only followed orders from Sarkozy and disputes allegations against him.
The trial is expected to end in late May, with a verdict due in November 2026.
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