More than 18,000 vehicles in the UK are being used without proper records of where their owners live, which makes it hard to hold drivers responsible for offenses. The problem involves untraceable number plates, including cloned and ghost plates, and critics say the rules for registering plates are too weak.
Key Facts
Over 18,000 vehicles are registered to the DVLA’s own address, meaning the actual owner’s location is unknown.
Labour MP Sarah Coombes says this creates “ghost owners” who cannot be held accountable for illegal driving.
Many vehicles without an address are owned by car traders, but the real problem might be bigger.
Between 10% and 20% of requests for vehicle ownership data to the DVLA return no results due to issues like cloned or ghost plates.
More than 34,000 official number plate suppliers exist, with no background checks needed to register as a supplier for a £40 fee.
Over 130 registered suppliers admitted they could sell cloned plates, according to a government investigation last year.
Ghost plates use reflective coatings to avoid detection by police cameras, helping criminals evade penalties.
The DVLA has not fined anyone in five years for failing to update their address on driving records.
The UK Department for Transport plans to introduce tougher penalties and stricter checks to address illegal number plates.
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Ben Roberts-Smith, a former Australian soldier charged with murder related to alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, was planning to leave Australia before his arrest at Sydney airport. Court documents reveal he explored business opportunities overseas and booked a flight out of Australia, raising concerns among investigators about his willingness to face trial.
Key Facts
Ben Roberts-Smith is charged with five counts of murder linked to alleged war crimes in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
He allegedly killed unarmed, handcuffed civilians under Australian military custody.
Roberts-Smith denies all allegations and plans to clear his name.
He had booked a business class flight abroad and was arrested at Sydney airport before leaving.
Court documents show he investigated buying businesses in Spain, Thailand, and traveled to Myanmar for work opportunities.
Investigators worry he may try to avoid trial or interfere with witnesses and evidence.
Evidence includes witness statements, some with multiple eyewitnesses per charge, and images of deceased victims.
Roberts-Smith traveled overseas 28 times since 2018 when allegations first appeared.
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Senate Republicans approved a budget resolution after voting late into the night. This resolution will allow Congress to vote next month on a plan to fund immigration enforcement and reopen the Department of Homeland Security.
Key Facts
The Senate vote happened during a late-night session and ended shortly after 3:30 a.m.
The budget resolution passed by a close vote of 50 to 48.
The resolution sets up a budget reconciliation process for upcoming legislation.
The legislation will focus on immigration enforcement funding.
It also aims to reopen the Department of Homeland Security.
Budget reconciliation is a process that allows certain budget-related bills to pass with a simple majority in the Senate.
This step moves the budget plan forward to a full congressional vote next month.
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Three Republican senators voted for a change proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders that aims to lower prescription drug prices. The plan would require drug prices in the U.S. to be no higher than those in Europe or Canada.
Key Facts
The amendment was supported by Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont.
It aims to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for Americans.
The proposal would set a limit so that U.S. drug prices cannot exceed those charged in Europe or Canada.
Three Republican senators voted in favor of this amendment.
Two Republicans who voted yes are Susan Collins from Maine and Dan Sullivan from Alaska.
These two senators are considered to be in risky political positions.
The vote took place early on Thursday morning.
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Many schools in England have reduced support for children with special educational needs because of long-term financial problems. School leaders warn that cuts will likely continue, even though the government wants to improve support for these children.
Key Facts
40% of school leaders in England have cut support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
71% of school leaders reduced teaching assistants in the past year.
49% cut other support staff, and 81% expect more cuts ahead.
SEND cuts are worse in primary schools (45%) than in secondary schools (25%).
Many schools have also reduced subject choices, IT equipment, trips, and extracurricular activities.
86% of school leaders say the pupil premium (extra money for disadvantaged children) is not enough.
Despite more overall funding, many schools use this extra money to cover other budget gaps.
Experts say cuts make it hard for schools to meet government goals to better support SEND pupils.
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The Pentagon announced that John Phelan, the US Secretary of the Navy, has left his job immediately. This change is part of a larger series of removals of top military leaders under President Donald Trump while the US remains involved in an unresolved conflict with Iran.
Key Facts
John Phelan left his post as US Secretary of the Navy without a public explanation.
Phelan’s departure follows the recent removal of other top military officers, including Army General Randy George.
President Donald Trump has been replacing many senior military leaders since returning to office in early 2025.
Notably, General Charles “CQ” Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was fired by the president in February 2025.
Other dismissed officials include leaders from the Navy, Coast Guard, National Security Agency, Air Force, NATO, and military legal teams.
The Pentagon has reduced the number of top generals and admirals as part of these changes.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the president is choosing preferred military leaders, but some lawmakers worry this could politicize the military.
Undersecretary Hung Cao will serve as acting Navy Secretary following Phelan’s exit.
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Four Republican senators opposed an amendment to include parts of the SAVE America Act in a budget bill that could pass with a simple majority vote in the Senate. The amendment was proposed by Senator John Kennedy to have the Senate Rules Committee find a way to add the act to the budget package expected next month.
Key Facts
Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) sponsored the amendment.
The amendment aimed to include the main parts of the SAVE America Act in a budget reconciliation package.
Budget reconciliation allows certain bills to pass with a simple majority (51 votes) instead of the usual 60.
Four Republican senators voted against this amendment.
Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) were among those who voted no.
The decision affects how the budget package will be formed and what laws it might include.
The budget package is planned to be voted on next month.
The Senate Rules Committee would be responsible for figuring out how to add the act if the amendment passed.
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Queensland police found a fault in their standard-issue Glock handguns that might cause the gun to fire multiple shots at once. They are retesting all the Glocks and will remove any that do not meet safety standards to protect officers and the public.
Key Facts
Queensland police use 40-calibre Glock handguns as their standard sidearm since the 1990s.
A fault was discovered during routine testing that could cause multiple shots to fire unintentionally.
Police are retesting all service-issued Glocks across all regions and divisions.
No incidents related to this fault have been reported so far.
Guns that pass testing will be returned to use; those that fail will be removed from service.
Queensland police also use Tasers and some officers are trained with rifles.
Earlier this year, police recalled holsters for the new Taser 10 due to a different safety defect.
The police are working with Glock suppliers to fix the handgun issue.
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President Donald Trump is facing declining support in the United States amid a war with Iran, rising fuel prices, and a worsening cost of living crisis. Some prominent Republicans, like former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, have publicly expressed regret for supporting him.
Key Facts
President Trump started a war with Iran, which is causing global and domestic problems.
His approval ratings are in the mid-30% range, similar to levels after the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
Rising fuel prices, now around $4 per gallon, have increased costs for many Americans.
The Energy Secretary said gas prices might not return to $3 per gallon until next year.
Many Americans are more concerned about rising costs than the casualties in Iran.
Trump promised to reduce the cost of living but has not delivered significant results since his election.
Tucker Carlson, a major Republican media figure, apologized for backing Trump in 2024, expressing regret and "torment" over his support.
Some observers believe Carlson may be preparing to run for president in 2028.
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Six candidates debated to become California’s next governor after Eric Swalwell’s campaign ended amid allegations. The race is open with no clear leader, and candidates focused on issues like high costs, homelessness, and how to handle Donald Trump’s influence.
Key Facts
The debate included two Republicans and four leading Democrats.
Eric Swalwell’s campaign ended due to sexual assault and misconduct allegations.
The race is to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom in California.
Nearly 25% of voters are still undecided ahead of the June 2 primary.
Democrats agreed on many policies but disagreed on the best ways to lower prices and oppose Trump.
Republicans blame 16 years of Democratic leadership for California’s problems.
Steve Hilton is the Republican front-runner and has President Trump’s endorsement.
Candidates discussed homelessness, housing affordability, and the threat of artificial intelligence during the debate.
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Amy-Jane Davies from Wales is on six NHS waiting lists for different medical treatments, including surgery for her endometriosis. She has waited 21 months for a key procedure and the long waits are affecting her life and mental health.
Key Facts
Amy-Jane Davies has endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows elsewhere in the body.
She is on six NHS waiting lists and has waited 21 months for a laparoscopy surgery needed before referral to specialist treatment.
She previously paid £4,000 for private surgery to remove endometriosis but now faces bigger, more complex surgery requiring specialists.
Long NHS waiting times doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some waits reaching 8 to 10 years.
Amy-Jane has symptoms including pain, fatigue, bladder and bowel problems, and severe bloating.
She has reduced work hours because of her symptoms and cannot afford private surgery quoted at no less than £15,000.
NHS waiting times are a key issue for the upcoming Welsh government elections.
Endometriosis is not life-threatening but greatly impacts quality of life and fertility.
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Voters in Virginia approved a new congressional map that favors Democrats, potentially helping them win more seats in the US House of Representatives during the 2026 midterm elections. This redistricting is part of a larger trend where both parties redraw electoral maps mid-decade to gain political advantage, which experts warn could change how maps are drawn in the future.
Key Facts
Virginia voters approved redistricting that may increase Democratic seats from 6-5 to as much as 10-1.
Redistricting usually happens every 10 years after the census but is now happening mid-decade in several states.
President Donald Trump supports Republican-led redistricting efforts, especially in Texas, aiming to gain five more seats.
Other states like Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio are also redrawing maps to favor Republicans.
Democrats responded with redistricting efforts in California, Utah, and Virginia to gain new districts.
Experts say this back-and-forth redistricting creates a political “arms race” and may undermine democratic fairness.
Current predictions show Democrats leading slightly in many congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Control of Congress by Democrats could limit President Trump’s ability to push his agenda in his final two years.
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Keir Starmer and the Labour government have promised to ban ticket touting, which is when people resell event tickets at much higher prices. Music groups warn that without this law soon, fans could lose hundreds of millions of pounds to ticket resellers exploiting events like BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.
Key Facts
Labour’s 2024 manifesto includes a promise to outlaw selling tickets for profit (ticket touting).
Music industry groups and artists like Radiohead, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay support this ban.
Ticket touts are reselling tickets to Radio 1’s Big Weekend on sites like Viagogo and StubHub at prices up to 1,000% above face value.
Despite rules limiting local buyers to two tickets, touts listed up to 30 tickets in one posting.
Over 500 tickets were resold at inflated prices for Big Weekend between March 12 and March 31.
Many resold tickets were posted internationally, violating consumer protection rules.
The government may delay including the ticket tout ban in the upcoming King’s Speech, causing concern among music groups and consumer advocates.
Industry experts estimate fans have lost about £60 million due to ticket reselling since the policy was announced.
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Six candidates for California governor participated in a debate on Wednesday. The debate highlighted the challenges Democrats face in uniting behind a single candidate before the June primary, especially after Congressman Eric Swalwell left the race.
Key Facts
Six candidates took part in the California governor's debate.
The debate happened on a Wednesday before the June primary election.
Democrats have not yet agreed on a leading candidate.
Congressman Eric Swalwell, previously a top Democratic contender, withdrew from the race.
Swalwell also resigned from his position recently.
The debate did not clarify which candidate is the strongest choice.
The election will determine the next governor of California.
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Journalist Jodi Kantor wrote a book called How to Start to help young people find meaningful work amid difficult social and political times. The book was inspired by her talks with anxious students at Columbia University and her own life changes, including a cancer diagnosis and turning 50. Kantor’s work often focuses on early career challenges and social issues like the #MeToo movement.
Key Facts
Jodi Kantor gave a speech at Columbia University during a time of protests and campus unrest.
President Trump ordered a $400 million federal funding cut to Columbia, later reinstated after a settlement.
Columbia students expressed anxiety about finding life’s work in a troubled world.
Kantor’s book How to Start offers practical advice for young people and others seeking career direction.
The book was written during a personal transition for Kantor, including her breast cancer diagnosis.
Kantor helped expose sexual assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein, sparking the #MeToo movement.
She noticed rising fear and cynicism among young people about starting their careers.
Kantor’s daughter and her friends also inspired her insights on today’s youth challenges.
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Three Republican senators voted with Democrats to support a change aimed at stopping insurance companies from delaying or denying needed medical care. The amendment was introduced by Senator Jon Ossoff and passed despite opposition from most Senate Republicans.
Key Facts
The vote took place on Wednesday night in the Senate.
The amendment was sponsored by Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat from Georgia.
Three Republican senators voted in favor: Susan Collins (Maine), Dan Sullivan (Alaska), and Josh Hawley (Missouri).
The amendment focuses on preventing insurance companies from delaying or denying medical treatments.
Most Senate Republicans opposed the amendment.
The three senators who voted for it represent diverse political standings within the GOP.
The issue highlights concerns about insurance companies’ handling of medical care.
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CBS News California Investigates has created an online tool to help voters learn about candidates running for California governor in 2026. The tool shows detailed interview answers from several candidates side by side, allowing users to compare their views on important issues before an upcoming debate.
Key Facts
The interactive guide features over 20 hours of interviews with top candidates for California governor.
It presents candidates’ answers to key issues in a side-by-side format for easy comparison.
The guide was made by CBS News California Investigates and led by correspondent Julie Watts.
Topics covered include homelessness, housing, gas prices, environment, immigration, health care for undocumented immigrants, crime, public safety funding, and insurance problems.
The guide complements an April 28 debate hosted by CBS California stations with participation from several Democratic and Republican candidates.
The debate and guide aim to give voters a deeper understanding beyond short debate answers.
Eight active candidates were invited to the debate after participating in interviews.
Users can view full responses and follow-up replies to better understand each candidate’s stance.
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Senate Republicans voted against a proposal to restore $187 billion cut from the food assistance program SNAP and to help lower grocery prices. Senators Susan Collins and Dan Sullivan disagreed with most Senate GOP leaders by supporting this proposal.
Key Facts
Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) proposed an amendment to reverse SNAP cuts and lower grocery costs.
The proposed amendment was defeated in the Senate.
The cuts to SNAP came from last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, totaling about $187 billion.
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps low-income people buy food.
Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) broke with most Republican senators by backing the amendment.
Most Senate Republican leaders opposed the amendment.
The vote reflects different views within the Republican Party on how to handle food assistance funding.
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New York City Council member Chi Ossé was arrested while protesting an eviction of a city resident. He was released later and said he was physically handled by three men during the incident.
Key Facts
Chi Ossé is a member of the New York City Council.
He took part in a protest to stop a resident from being evicted.
Ossé was arrested during this protest.
He was released after the arrest.
Ossé reported that three men physically grabbed him.
The incident took place at the New York City Police Department’s 79th Precinct.
The protest aimed to prevent someone from losing their home.
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Police in Memphis found the remains of three unidentified children, estimated to be between 3 and 7 years old. The remains were discovered starting in early March and may have been there for years, with investigations ongoing to identify the children and find the cause of death.
Key Facts
A skull was first found on March 8 by someone walking a dog near a wooded area in Memphis.
A larger search followed, involving police and specialized teams, including a K-9 cadaver dog.
Another skull and 14 bones were found by April 2 in and near a drainage system.
About 170 personnel from agencies like the FBI and search and rescue were involved in the investigation.
The children are not listed as reported missing in the Memphis area.
Authorities do not believe there is any current public safety threat.
Police are working to identify the children and determine how they died.
Officials asked the public to come forward if they know about any missing children related to the case.
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