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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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was questioned by U.S. lawmakers for the first time since President Donald Trump began the war against Iran. Some Democrats argue the war is expensive and was started without the approval of Congress.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump launched a war against Iran.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced questions from U.S. lawmakers about the war.
This was Hegseth’s first congressional hearing related to the conflict.
Some Democrats disagree with the war, saying it is costly.
Democrats also say the war was started without Congress’s permission.
The hearing was covered by France 24 and is available for replay.
The conflict has been ongoing for nearly two months as of late April 2026.
The situation has caused concern related to U.S. government decisions and military actions.
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The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a case on whether President Donald Trump can end the temporary protected status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Haitians and Syrians living in the U.S. TPS is given when it is unsafe for people to return to their home countries. The court’s decision could affect over a million people from 17 countries.
Key Facts
TPS allows people from certain countries to stay in the U.S. temporarily if it is unsafe to return home.
The Trump administration ended TPS for Haitians and Syrians, arguing conditions in those countries have improved.
About 350,000 Haitians and 6,100 Syrians currently have TPS in the U.S.
Lawsuits accuse the Trump administration of ending TPS unfairly and possibly for racist reasons.
A U.S. judge ruled that ending TPS may have been motivated by racial bias against nonwhite immigrants.
The U.S. House passed a bill to extend TPS for Haitians until 2029, but the Senate has not voted on it.
The Trump administration has also tried to end TPS for people from other countries, with mixed court results.
The Supreme Court allowed the cancellation of TPS for Venezuelans to stand while legal battles continue.
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DS Smith, an international paper packaging company, has proposed closing its factory in Launceston, Cornwall, which has employed people for nearly 60 years. The company cited difficult market conditions and a review of its UK packaging operations as reasons for the possible closure, while staff and local officials expressed concern about job losses.
Key Facts
DS Smith plans to close its factory in Launceston, a site operating for almost 60 years.
The proposal comes after the company reviewed its packaging business in the UK due to tough trading conditions.
Staff reacted with shock and disappointment, worried about losing jobs.
Local politicians highlighted rising costs for businesses, such as increased national insurance and minimum wage hikes, as challenges.
The Launceston site was originally opened in 1968 and was bought by US company International Paper in January 2025.
DS Smith has recently closed other sites across the UK and made job cuts at a Scottish location in 2024.
A government spokesperson acknowledged the impact on workers and families and offered support.
The company is currently consulting employees before making a final decision on the closure.
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The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a faith-based pregnancy center that challenged a New Jersey investigation into whether it gave misleading information to discourage abortions. The court said the investigation could violate the center’s free speech rights under the First Amendment.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court gave a unanimous ruling supporting First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, a faith-based pregnancy center.
The center was being investigated by New Jersey for possibly misleading people to discourage abortions.
The court’s decision was about procedural rules related to the investigation and free speech rights.
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, including religious expression.
Even the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which supports abortion rights, backed the center’s free speech claim.
The conservative-majority Supreme Court has recently made decisions favoring abortion opponents.
In 2022, the court overturned the nationwide right to abortion in a major case.
This ruling does not decide on abortion directly but on how investigations can affect speech rights.
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A federal appeals court in New York refused to reconsider President Donald Trump's challenge to a legal verdict against him. The court upheld a $5 million reward to writer E. Jean Carroll for claims that President Trump sexually assaulted and defamed her.
Key Facts
E. Jean Carroll accused President Trump of sexual assault in the 1990s and defamation in 2022.
Carroll was awarded $5 million in damages after a nine-day trial in 2023.
President Trump denied the allegations and tried to replace himself with the U.S. government as the defendant, citing presidential immunity.
The appeals court rejected Trump’s attempts, saying these arguments were made too late in the process.
Judge Denny Chin emphasized that such a substitution would not be allowed for any defendant after the trial and judgment.
Another jury later awarded Carroll $83 million in damages in a separate trial.
The court declined to review the case with the full panel of judges (en banc).
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French prosecutors are investigating new websites that look very similar to Coco.gg, a platform linked to serious crimes including child abuse and rape. The original Coco.gg was shut down in 2024 after being connected to many criminal reports, and its creator is facing charges but denies them. Authorities are concerned that these new sites allow access to harmful content for minors.
Key Facts
Coco.gg was an unmoderated chat platform linked to child abuse, drug crimes, rape, and murder.
The original website was closed in 2024 after over 23,000 criminal reports.
Isaac Steidl, founder of Coco.gg, was charged with child pornography crimes in January 2025 and denies the allegations.
Since April 2025, websites with names and designs similar to Coco.gg have reappeared online.
French prosecutors opened a new investigation into these sites for sharing violent and pornographic content accessible to minors.
Journalists quickly signed into one of the new sites, receiving explicit messages even after revealing they were underage.
Sarah El Haïry, France’s childhood commissioner, called the situation a failure to protect children from sexual abuse and said complaints were filed against other similar sites.
Dominique Pelicot was found guilty in 2024 of drugging and raping his wife and recruiting men through Coco.gg to abuse her; 49 men were also convicted.
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The Virginia Supreme Court decided to keep a temporary order that stops the state from officially approving the results of a redistricting vote. This decision affects Democrats who wanted to reverse the earlier court ruling.
Key Facts
The Virginia Supreme Court is allowing a lower court’s order to stay for now.
The order stops Virginia from certifying the results of a redistricting referendum.
The Attorney General of Virginia, Jay Jones, is a Democrat.
Jay Jones asked the court to appeal the temporary blocking order.
The Supreme Court denied that request on Tuesday.
The decision is a setback for Democrats who hoped to challenge the order in court.
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Jimmy Kimmel highlighted a joke made by President Donald Trump about his own age and marriage during King Charles III’s visit to Washington. Kimmel’s audience reacted with cheers, while the comedian and president’s exchanges about jokes and firing demands have continued, reflecting ongoing tensions.
Key Facts
President Trump joked that he and First Lady Melania Trump would not be married as long as his parents were, referencing his age.
Jimmy Kimmel pointed out this joke on his show, noting the president’s earlier demand that Kimmel be fired for a joke about Melania Trump.
Kimmel previously made a joke about Melania Trump that led to criticism from the president and first lady.
The joke came during a speech at an official reception for King Charles III’s visit to Washington.
Melania Trump is 56 and President Trump is 79; they have been married for 21 years.
The National Religious Broadcasters Association filed a complaint with the FCC about Kimmel’s joke.
Disney, ABC’s parent company, confirmed it received a call-in for station license renewals linked to the dispute.
The tension between Kimmel and President Trump is part of a longer-running feud involving jokes about public figures.
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Bryan Kohberger’s attorneys criticized a defense expert, Brent Turvey, for sharing confidential information about Kohberger’s case. Turvey, who was hired to give an opinion on the crime scene, claimed police mishandled evidence related to a knife sheath found at the crime scene.
Key Facts
Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to killing four University of Idaho students in 2023.
Kohberger’s defense team hired Brent Turvey solely for opinions about the crime scene.
Turvey signed a confidentiality agreement in October 2024, which he is accused of violating.
The defense lawyers say Turvey spoke about confidential topics beyond his area of expertise.
Turvey claimed police mishandled the chain of custody for a knife sheath linked to Kohberger.
He said evidence signatures were missing or falsified, which could have affected the prosecution.
Police and other experts disagreed, saying the evidence would still have been allowed at trial.
The case ended last summer after Kohberger pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty.
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