A jury has reached a verdict in the trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is accused of starting the 2025 Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. The fire burned over 23,000 acres, killed 12 people, and destroyed more than 6,800 buildings. Rinderknecht denies starting the fire, but prosecutors say phone data and his actions prove his guilt.
Key Facts
Jonathan Rinderknecht is accused of starting the Palisades Fire on January 1, 2025.
The fire began as the Lachman Fire and continued to burn underground before growing into the Palisades Fire.
The fire covered over 23,000 acres near Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the Santa Monica Mountains.
Twelve people died and more than 6,800 structures were destroyed by the fire.
Rinderknecht, a 30-year-old Uber driver from Florida, called 911 multiple times but initially fled the scene.
Phone location data placed him close to where the fire began, contradicting his statements.
Prosecutors say Rinderknecht was angry and started the fire intentionally.
Rinderknecht faces a prison sentence of 5 to 45 years if convicted.
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Two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, causing many deaths and injuries. Rescue teams are working to help those affected by the disaster.
Key Facts
The earthquakes are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in over 100 years.
At least 188 people have died because of the earthquakes.
Around 1,500 people have been injured.
About 157 people are still missing after the disaster.
Rescue efforts are currently ongoing to find and assist survivors.
Venezuelan officials provided the numbers and updates on the situation.
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Rescue teams are working quickly to find survivors and recover bodies after two earthquakes hit Venezuela on Wednesday. The death toll has reached 188, with thousands of people reported missing or injured.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday.
Rescue teams are searching for survivors and recovering bodies.
At least 188 people have died due to the earthquakes.
Thousands more people are missing or injured.
The report comes from the capital, Caracas, where the damage was severe.
Efforts are ongoing to provide help and assess the full impact of the disaster.
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President Donald Trump urged House Republicans to come together after his meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson. He is pushing for laws that require people to prove their citizenship when they register to vote and to show ID at polling places, which has caused disagreement in Congress.
Key Facts
President Trump met with House Speaker Mike Johnson.
After the meeting, Trump asked House Republicans to unite.
Trump wants laws requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.
He also wants voter ID required at polling places.
These demands have caused a disagreement or standoff in Congress.
The issue relates to voting rules and election laws.
Trump shared his message through social media on Thursday.
CBS News reported the story and provided coverage.
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A federal judge temporarily blocked part of a new rule from President Donald Trump’s administration that would limit how much graduate students can borrow for federal student loans. The rule aimed to restrict higher borrowing limits to fewer degree programs, but critics say this could hurt students in important fields like nursing and education.
Key Facts
The judge’s order stops a new rule from the Department of Education that was set to start on July 1.
The rule would have limited most graduate students to borrowing $20,500 per year and $100,000 total in federal loans.
Some “professional” programs, like law and medicine, could borrow up to $50,000 annually with a $200,000 lifetime cap.
The rule narrowed which degree programs qualify for the higher loan limits, excluding some fields like nursing and education.
Healthcare and education groups argued the rule unfairly limits access to training for essential jobs.
The judge’s ruling pauses the stricter definition of “professional” degrees but does not remove the overall loan limits.
The Education Department is reviewing the decision and said most nursing students borrow less than the new caps.
The department hopes loan limits will encourage programs to lower costs while ensuring access remains.
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The Home Office plans to use three more military sites in the UK to house about 3,750 asylum seekers, aiming to reduce the use of costly hotels for accommodation. Existing military sites in East Sussex and Essex will also have their use extended as the government prepares new immigration reforms.
Key Facts
Three Ministry of Defence sites in Oxfordshire, Suffolk, and North Yorkshire may house 3,750 asylum seekers if approved.
Existing sites in Crowborough, East Sussex, and Wethersfield, Essex are being used and will continue housing asylum seekers until at least 2027 and 2030.
About 21% of asylum seekers were in hotels as of March 2024, down from 56,000 at the peak in September 2023.
The government has closed 20 more asylum hotels recently, reducing the total number to 170.
Labour opposes using hotels for asylum seekers and wants to stop it entirely.
Some local residents and human rights groups have protested the use of military bases for asylum seeker housing.
The government plans to introduce the Immigration and Asylum Bill to increase deportations of people refused asylum.
The cost of hotel accommodation for asylum seekers was around £2.1 billion in 2024-2025.
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President Donald Trump claimed that 45,000 people attended his rally on the National Mall during the nation’s 250th-anniversary celebrations, but independent sources reported much smaller numbers and no official count was given. This disagreement over crowd sizes follows a pattern seen throughout Trump’s political career, including disputes over attendance at his 2017 inauguration.
Key Facts
President Trump said 45,000 people came to his kickoff rally on the National Mall, but no official attendance numbers confirm this.
NBC reported the crowd as "more than 1,000," and The Washington Post described the crowd as thin and smaller than some movie screenings.
A viral video showed people leaving the rally halfway through, but Trump said everyone stayed until the end.
Several performers dropped out of the event beforehand because of issues related to Trump and the White House.
Trump asked people to show up for a July 4 event on the National Mall, showing concern about turnout.
President Trump has a history of claiming higher crowd sizes than media and officials report.
The largest and most well-known crowd size dispute was Trump's 2017 inauguration, where photos and experts showed a much smaller crowd than President Trump and his press secretary claimed.
The disagreement over crowd size has been a repeated topic throughout Trump's time in politics and presidency.
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Pixar director Brad Bird said he does not want to make a sequel to the movie "Ratatouille" because he believes the story is already complete. He mentioned that Pixar executives have hinted at a sequel, but he has consistently rejected the idea. Bird also stated that the story of his other film, "The Iron Giant," is finished.
Key Facts
Brad Bird is the director of Pixar's "Ratatouille."
Bird said there will be no "Ratatouille" sequel because the story has a satisfying ending.
Pixar executives have indirectly asked him about a sequel, but he declined.
Bird also does not plan a follow-up for "The Iron Giant," another of his films.
Fans have mixed reactions: some want a sequel, while others agree the story should end.
Bird emphasized that not all stories need sequels to remain special.
The discussion happened while Bird promoted his new movie "Ray Gunn."
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Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, said the Democratic Party needs new leaders. She believes the party has not fully recovered after losing seats in the 2024 elections.
Key Facts
Senator Elissa Slotkin represents Michigan and is a member of the Democratic Party.
She called for “new leadership” in the Democratic Party.
Slotkin said the party has not fully recovered from losses in the 2024 elections.
She spoke about this on the SiriusXM podcast called “Straight Shooter.”
Stephen A. Smith hosts the “Straight Shooter” podcast where Slotkin made these comments.
Slotkin mentioned ongoing debates within the party about its future direction.
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The UK Home Office plans to use three former military sites to house about 3,750 asylum seekers. Refugee charities and local communities have criticized the plan, saying it is expensive, isolated, and similar to past failed attempts.
Key Facts
The sites planned for asylum housing are MOD Bicester (Oxfordshire), RAF Barnham (Suffolk), and RAF Linton-on-Ouse (North Yorkshire).
The government also wants to extend asylum housing at Crowborough (East Sussex) and Wethersfield (Essex), increasing capacity at Wethersfield to 1,200 men.
Critics say using former military barracks costs more than housing asylum seekers in hotels and isolates them from local communities and services.
Local politicians and residents oppose the plans, citing previous protests, high costs, and unsuitable locations.
The number of asylum seekers in UK hotels has fallen by 35% compared to last year, dropping from 32,326 to 20,885 as of March.
The government has faced legal challenges over its asylum housing plans in former military sites before.
Asylum arrivals by small boat in 2026 have reached 11,267, according to provisional figures.
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Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck Venezuela’s northern coast within 39 seconds on June 24, 2026. The quakes caused many buildings to collapse, especially in La Guaira and Caracas, resulting in at least 188 deaths, over 1,500 injuries, and many people missing or trapped under rubble.
Key Facts
The earthquakes occurred along the San Sebastian fault near Venezuela’s Caribbean coast.
The first quake (7.2 magnitude) was west of Morón at 22 km deep; the second (7.5 magnitude) was southwest of Morón at 10 km deep.
These two quakes are called a “doublet” because they were close in time, size, and location.
La Guaira, a coastal city north of Caracas, was heavily damaged and declared a disaster zone.
Rescue teams from across Venezuela were sent to help find survivors and assist victims.
The tremors caused power and cellphone outages and forced evacuations as far as the Brazilian Amazon region.
Hundreds of people in Caracas spent the night outside due to damaged or unsafe buildings.
Venezuela’s main airport in Caracas was closed after the earthquakes.
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The Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation rose to 4.1% in May, marking its highest point since 2023. This shows that prices for goods and services are increasing faster than before.
Key Facts
The inflation gauge used by the Federal Reserve reached 4.1% in May.
This is the highest inflation rate recorded by this measure in over three years.
The inflation gauge tracks how much prices for goods and services increase over time.
Higher inflation means the cost of living is rising.
The Federal Reserve monitors this measure to help guide economic policy.
Inflation affects decisions on interest rates and economic growth.
Experts analyze this data to understand the economy's health.
CBS News and Barron's Investor Circle provided analysis of this increase.
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Two strong earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit northern Venezuela seconds apart, causing buildings to collapse and widespread damage. At least 164 people died, many were injured, and thousands are missing as rescue teams continue their search amid infrastructure failures.
Key Facts
The earthquakes struck northern Venezuela within 39 seconds of each other, known as a "doublet."
These are some of the strongest earthquakes in Venezuela in more than 100 years.
At least 164 people have died and over 900 were injured according to officials.
Thousands of families have lost their homes, and many areas have lost gas, water, and electricity services.
The earthquakes caused severe damage in Caracas and nearby coastal communities, with large parts of buildings collapsing.
The events triggered a national emergency and a regional aid response.
Venezuela’s earthquakes are classified as "strike-slip" faults, where the ground moves sideways, which tends to cause intense shaking.
They are compared to other recent major earthquakes like those in Turkey-Syria and Haiti, but with different effects due to geography and geology.
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Hundreds of people were arrested in Kenya during protests marking two years since deadly police shootings at anti-government demonstrations in 2024. Families of those killed demanded justice and compensation, while the government enforced heavy security measures around Nairobi to prevent disruptions.
Key Facts
At least 60 people died when police fired on protesters outside Kenya’s Parliament in June 2024.
The protests began due to anger over a tax increase amid a high cost of living.
Families of victims say compensation promised by the government has been slow and unclear.
Police detained 355 people described by officials as criminals, including many ordinary citizens.
Government officials set up roadblocks and closed businesses to maintain order during the protests.
Opposition leaders joined families and activists in peaceful protests calling for transparency.
Only about 20% of families claiming compensation have received payments so far.
Three police officers have been charged in connection with the deaths of some protesters.
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Two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela on Wednesday night, causing damage and leading to rescue efforts. Loyce Pace, a regional director for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, spoke about the aid work being done to help those affected.
Key Facts
Venezuela experienced two powerful earthquakes on Wednesday night.
Rescue and aid efforts began immediately after the earthquakes.
Loyce Pace is the regional director for the Americas at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The IFRC is involved in providing help to those impacted by the earthquakes.
CBS News conducted an interview with Loyce Pace to discuss the relief efforts.
The situation is ongoing, with aid organizations working to support victims.
The IFRC focuses on emergency response and disaster aid in many countries, including Venezuela.
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Reporter Maggie Haberman said that President Trump has stopped showing concern in his actions. She noted that he canceled plans to sign a housing bill because he wants his voter ID bill, called the SAVE America Act, to pass first.
Key Facts
Maggie Haberman is a reporter for The New York Times.
She made her comments on CNN.
President Trump canceled plans to sign a bipartisan housing bill.
He wants the SAVE America Act, a voter ID bill, to pass before signing the housing bill.
The housing bill had bipartisan support, meaning both Democrats and Republicans agreed on it.
The SAVE America Act focuses on voter ID rules.
Haberman said President Trump is no longer acting like someone who cares.
CNN’s Kaitlan was the interviewer in the discussion.
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Powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela near its capital, causing at least 188 deaths and heavy damage. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates the economic losses could be up to 7 percent of Venezuela’s economy. International aid and a reconstruction fund from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are planned to help rebuild.
Key Facts
Two strong earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, struck about 160 km west of Caracas on Wednesday.
At least 188 people have died due to the earthquakes.
Estimated economic damage could be between 1 and 7 percent of Venezuela’s $111 billion GDP.
Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced a $200 million IMF fund for rebuilding infrastructure, hospitals, and housing.
The U.S. is sending rescue teams and aid while assessing the damage.
The main airport near Caracas remains closed, complicating rescue operations.
The United Nations and Switzerland have also sent humanitarian aid and rescue equipment.
More than 20 million Venezuelans already lived in poverty before the earthquake, with limited access to food, medicine, water, and power, making relief efforts challenging.
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A van driver in Margate helped an armed police officer catch a suspect who had been running away after an assault. The driver stopped his van, let the officer in, and followed the suspect until the arrest was made.
Key Facts
The incident happened on 16 June in Margate, Kent.
The suspect was fleeing after an assault on High Street.
The van driver stopped and offered the armed officer a ride during the chase.
The officer directed the driver while still holding his gun on the suspect.
The suspect was caught after the van overtook him.
Kent Police praised the driver for his quick and helpful actions.
The driver said he was glad to help and found the experience exciting.
The police said the arrest may not have been possible without the driver's help.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla will not live in Buckingham Palace after it is renovated, choosing to stay at Clarence House nearby. The palace will remain the main place for royal events but not their home. The king has paid millions in taxes on his personal income, and the public money given to support royal duties is increasing.
Key Facts
Buckingham Palace is undergoing a £369 million renovation, expected to finish next year.
King Charles and Queen Camilla decided to remain at Clarence House instead of moving into the palace.
Buckingham Palace will still serve as the official royal headquarters and for ceremonies.
King Charles paid £12.9 million in income and capital gains tax in 2024-25 on his personal income.
Prince William paid £7.76 million in taxes for the same period.
The public money (sovereign grant) given to the king to support official duties will nearly double to £99.9 million by 2027-28.
The decision to pay taxes is voluntary; there is no legal rule requiring the monarch to pay them.
Public access to Buckingham Palace continues through seasonal tours and certain parts of the palace open for visitors.
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David Clayton-Thomas, the lead singer of the band Blood, Sweat & Tears, has died at age 84 in Toronto. He was known for his distinctive voice on hits like "Spinning Wheel" and helped the band become very popular in the late 1960s.
Key Facts
David Clayton-Thomas died peacefully at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto at age 84.
He was the lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears, a band famous for mixing rock with brass instruments.
The band won two Grammy Awards and beat the Beatles’ "Abbey Road" for best album in 1969.
Clayton-Thomas grew up in Canada and overcame a troubled youth, including time in a reformatory.
Blood, Sweat & Tears played at the 1969 Woodstock festival and toured Eastern Europe for the U.S. State Department.
Clayton-Thomas left the band in 1972 but later reunited briefly and had a solo music career releasing over a dozen albums.
He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1996.
Clayton-Thomas is survived by his daughters Ashleigh Clayton-Thomas and Christine Graham.
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