Abdul El-Sayed, Haley Stevens, and Mallory McMorrow are competing in Michigan’s Democratic primary for the Senate seat left open by retiring Senator Gary Peters. Polls show a close race among these candidates, with some Democrats believing Stevens has the best chance to win the general election against Republican Mike Rogers.
Key Facts
The Michigan Senate seat is open because Democratic Senator Gary Peters is retiring.
The primary race includes Abdul El-Sayed, Haley Stevens, and Mallory McMorrow.
Mike Rogers is the leading Republican candidate for the seat.
Michigan is a key battleground state, evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.
Polls show El-Sayed and McMorrow tied, with Stevens trailing but seen by some as the strongest candidate to beat Rogers.
El-Sayed is considered the most progressive candidate and supports Medicare for All.
Some Democrats worry El-Sayed’s positions and associations may hurt his chances in the general election.
Winning this seat is important for Democrats to try to gain control of the U.S. Senate.
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Keir Starmer told the UK Parliament that the Foreign Office lost the power to overrule security vetting decisions after a scandal involving Peter Mandelson’s ambassador appointment. Starmer admitted he made a mistake appointing Mandelson, who was initially denied security clearance, and revealed that important vetting information was withheld from ministers.
Key Facts
Peter Mandelson was appointed ambassador to Washington despite initially being refused security clearance.
The Foreign Office chose to overrule the vetting decision, a power no other department has.
This overruling power has been suspended by the Prime Minister’s office after the scandal.
Starmer said he would not have appointed Mandelson if he had known about the denied vetting.
The Foreign Office did not inform senior ministers or the head of the civil service about the vetting refusal.
An internal review stated that normal vetting procedures were followed, but key details were still kept secret.
The vetting process for political appointments was changed to require vetting before an announcement.
The Foreign Office’s top civil servant, Olly Robbins, was removed from his position following the controversy.
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order to support more research into using psychedelic drugs to treat some mental illnesses. This follows his earlier decision in December 2025 to lower the drug classification of marijuana, making it considered less dangerous.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order on Saturday about drug research.
The order encourages studying psychedelics for mental health treatments.
In December 2025, President Trump reclassified marijuana as a less dangerous drug.
Reclassifying a drug changes how it is viewed and regulated by the government.
The moves aim to make it easier for scientists to study these substances.
Josh Kesselman, founder of RAW rolling papers and publisher of High Times Magazine, is mentioned in relation to these changes.
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Police in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, responded to a shooting that started after a planned fight between two young people. Several victims and suspects, mostly juveniles, have been identified, and officers are using drones to search for the remaining suspects.
Key Facts
The shooting occurred near Leinbach Park in Winston-Salem on a Monday morning.
The incident began after a planned fight between two young individuals escalated into gunfire.
Multiple victims were found, and most people involved are juveniles.
The exact number of victims and suspects has not been confirmed.
Police are actively searching the area using drones and have asked residents not to fly personal drones nearby.
Nearby schools were placed on secure hold but students are now reported as safe, with normal operations resumed at Mt. Tabor High School.
Roads near the scene have been closed during the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact police or submit anonymous tips.
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President Donald Trump stated that Israel did not persuade him to attack Iran. He emphasized that his decision to strike Iran was based on his own long-held views and recent events, not pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Key Facts
President Trump said Israel did not influence his decision to attack Iran.
Some reports and critics had claimed that Prime Minister Netanyahu pushed Trump into launching strikes.
Trump referred to the events of October 7 as part of the reason for his stance on Iran.
He expressed a strong, long-standing belief that Iran should not have nuclear capabilities.
The comments were made by Trump on a Monday.
The topic relates to US foreign policy and military action considerations.
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President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to 37 percent, the lowest point in his second term, according to a recent NBC News poll. The decline comes as more people express worries about how he is managing the economy.
Key Facts
President Trump’s approval rating is currently 37 percent.
This is the lowest approval rating during his second term.
The poll was conducted by NBC News Decision Desk.
The survey took place in the first two weeks of April.
Many Americans are concerned about the president’s handling of the economy.
The rating has fallen compared to previous polls.
The poll reflects national opinions on the president’s overall job performance.
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The article discusses President Donald Trump’s assumption that Catholic voters will continue to support him regardless of his words or actions. It suggests that this belief may not be accurate.
Key Facts
President Trump believes Catholic voters will remain loyal to him.
The article implies this belief might be wrong.
Catholic voters have traditionally been an important group in U.S. elections.
Some voters may now reconsider their support based on recent events or statements.
The Catholic vote could become more competitive or uncertain in future elections.
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A U.S. congressman, Eric Burlison, suggested that a series of missing or dead American scientists may be linked to actions by foreign countries like China, Russia, or Iran. The FBI is being urged to investigate these cases, though no official proof connects them, and some experts say the cases have simpler explanations.
Key Facts
Representative Eric Burlison said missing or dead scientists might be targeted by foreign governments.
These scientists worked in areas like nuclear technology, advanced weapons, and space research.
The list includes people missing or dead between 2022 and 2026.
Retired Air Force Major General William McCasland, missing since February 2026, is noted for his knowledge about unidentified flying objects (UFOs).
The White House asked agencies for more information about the cases.
President Donald Trump called the situation “pretty serious” but hoped it was just a coincidence.
A former FBI agent disagrees that these cases are part of a big conspiracy, citing normal personal reasons for each case.
Families and close contacts of those missing or deceased have also denied conspiracy theories.
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A recent poll shows that more Republicans than Democrats believe the American Dream is real and achievable for everyone. The survey highlights differences in how people view success and opportunity in the U.S. as President Donald Trump’s term continues and the 2026 midterm elections approach.
Key Facts
57% of Republicans believe the American Dream exists for everyone, while only 28% of Democrats agree.
59% of all respondents say the American Dream is harder to achieve today than when they were young.
61% of people still believe in the idea of the American Dream, and 45% think they can reach it by working hard.
The poll surveyed 1,821 adults between January 23-26, 2026, with a margin of error of ±2.7%.
42% of men versus 33% of women said the American Dream is for everyone.
A UCLA study found 60% of Gen Z believes the American Dream is unreachable, but 86% say it is desirable.
New NBC polling shows 80% of Gen Z voters think the country is going in the wrong direction.
Republicans hold slim majorities in Congress, and the midterm elections in November 2026 could change control.
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Vice President JD Vance responded to recent tensions between Pope Leo XIV and President Donald Trump by saying disagreements will happen but the situation is more complex than the media shows. Vance thanked the pope for his focus on peace and said the administration tries to apply moral principles in real-world politics.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV spoke against a media-driven narrative of conflict with President Trump.
The pope said he prefers preaching peace rather than debating with President Trump.
JD Vance at first criticized the pope’s comments on the Iran war but later softened his tone.
Vance blamed the media for exaggerating conflicts between the pope and the Trump administration.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops supports Pope Leo’s comments as consistent with Catholic teaching.
Vance said the pope preaches moral issues while the administration applies those morals in politics.
Social media users reacted to Vance’s change of tone with mixed opinions.
Newsweek contacted the White House for comment, but no response was noted in the article.
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Sgt. First Class Jose Serrano, a U.S. Army sergeant with 27 years of service, said his wife was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during an appointment at an immigration office in El Paso. He does not understand the reason for her arrest.
Key Facts
Jose Serrano is an active-duty U.S. Army sergeant.
He has served in the military for 27 years.
His wife was taken into custody by ICE.
The arrest happened during a scheduled appointment at an immigration office.
The location of the arrest was El Paso, Texas.
Sgt. Serrano is confused about why his wife was arrested.
CBS News reported this event through journalist Camilo Montoya-Galvez.
The story was covered on CBS News and its app.
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President Donald Trump said Israel did not push him into the war with Iran. He blamed the events of October 7 and his belief that Iran should never have nuclear weapons for the conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump denied that Israel influenced his decision to go to war with Iran.
Trump cited the October 7 attacks and his opposition to Iranian nuclear weapons as reasons for the conflict.
There is no public proof linking Iran directly to the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Trump’s intelligence chief testified that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon.
U.S.-Israeli air strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and other officials, leading to retaliatory actions by Iran.
Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz after the strikes, causing oil prices and U.S. gas prices to rise.
Two-thirds of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the war according to a recent poll.
A ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is in place but is set to expire soon, with talks planned to continue in Pakistan.
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President Donald Trump will participate in a public Bible reading from the Oval Office as part of the America Reads the Bible initiative. His participation has raised questions about the separation of church and state, but experts say this event likely does not violate that principle since individuals can express their faith.
Key Facts
President Trump will read a passage from the Bible on a livestream at 6 p.m. ET as part of a seven-day event hosted by the Museum of the Bible.
The passage he will read is from 2 Chronicles 7:14, which talks about prayer and forgiveness.
Other participants include public figures like Pete Hegseth and Senator Marco Rubio.
The separation of church and state means the government and religious institutions operate separately and protects religious freedom.
Some people on social media questioned if Trump’s Bible reading breaks the separation of church and state.
The White House stated President Trump supports religious freedom and respects the Constitution’s protections.
Many past U.S. presidents have publicly expressed their faith without violating church-state separation.
The Bible reading is part of a broader national commemoration of 250 years of the Bible in America.
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Republican lawmakers are discussing how to fund parts of the Department of Homeland Security while a partial government shutdown continues. They are considering different options to keep these agencies running.
Key Facts
The government is currently experiencing a partial shutdown.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) includes several agencies critical to national security.
Republican lawmakers have different ideas about how to provide money for these DHS agencies.
Funding decisions are happening during ongoing political disagreement.
CBS News is reporting on these developments and the possible solutions being discussed.
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The Supreme Court decided not to hear a case from parents in Massachusetts who said schools must get their permission before supporting their child’s change of name or pronouns. The parents claimed this is part of their right to guide how their child is raised, which they say is protected by the Constitution.
Key Facts
The case involves parents from Massachusetts challenging school policies about pronoun and name changes.
Parents want schools to get their consent before supporting their child’s pronoun or name change.
They argue this is part of their fundamental right to raise their child as they see fit.
This right is based on the 14th Amendment’s due process clause in the Constitution.
The Supreme Court refused to hear the case on Monday.
The court had also refused a similar case in December.
The issue relates to parental rights and school policies.
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Maryland will be the first state to stop grocery stores from using "dynamic pricing." This means stores cannot change prices based on factors like demand or time of day. Governor Wes Moore supports this new law.
Key Facts
Maryland passed a law banning dynamic pricing in grocery stores.
Dynamic pricing lets stores change prices depending on demand or other conditions.
Maryland is the first state to make this kind of pricing illegal in grocery stores.
Governor Wes Moore says he is happy to sign the bill.
The law aims to keep grocery prices consistent and fair for shoppers.
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Rep. Daniel Goldman, a Democrat from New York, said that President Trump is “not well” after a report claimed that Trump’s advisers limited the information he received about a rescue mission for two pilots captured in Iran. The report said his impatience led to his exclusion from directing the military operation.
Key Facts
Rep. Daniel Goldman made the statement on a Sunday.
The Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump’s advisers restricted his access to information about the rescue operation.
The rescue operation involved two pilots who were downed in Iran.
The advisers took this step because of concerns about President Trump’s impatience during the crisis.
The report suggested Trump was excluded from leading the military mission.
Goldman described the president’s actions during this time as “acting so crazy.”
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The Trump administration has started taking refund claims from businesses for over $166 billion in tariffs after the Supreme Court ruled the tariffs were illegal. A new online system called Cape will handle most claims, but some companies involved in legal disputes must wait.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled that President Trump did not have legal authority to impose these tariffs.
The tariff refunds total more than $166 billion.
Over 3,000 companies, including Skechers, Toyota, and Costco, have sued for refunds.
Only companies that directly paid the tariffs, such as importers and large firms, can claim refunds.
The online system, Cape, can process about 63% of affected tariff claims now.
Some claims involving legal or customs issues cannot be processed yet.
Businesses may wait 60 to 90 days from submitting forms to receive refunds.
Some companies, like FedEx, plan to pass refunds back to customers through lower prices.
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Organised crime gangs are using the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to commit fraud, including paying kickbacks and threatening vulnerable participants. Law enforcement warns this activity risks poor care and financial losses in the $50 billion program, prompting government plans to strengthen oversight and reduce scheme growth.
Key Facts
Criminal gangs are laundering money and hiding assets through the NDIS by paying cash kickbacks to participants and families.
Intimidation and threats of violence are used against vulnerable NDIS participants.
Allied health professionals and other intermediaries have helped gangs by preparing false or exaggerated documents for higher payments.
Fraud includes false claims, requests made during hospital stays or imprisonment, and claims on expired plans.
Large cash withdrawals and asset purchases from NDIS funds aim to hide criminal activity.
People from non-English backgrounds and those with disabilities are most at risk.
The government plans to introduce stronger provider registration rules and improve data use to combat fraud.
The NDIS spending is growing rapidly, with projections to reach $63 billion by 2028-29, leading to planned budget cuts to slow growth.
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President Donald Trump's administration is working to end the LIHEAP program, which helps people pay for energy costs. If this happens during a time of rising oil prices, many families may struggle to pay their utility bills and could face having their service cut off.
Key Facts
LIHEAP stands for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
LIHEAP provides financial help to low-income households for energy bills.
The administration plans to stop funding LIHEAP.
Oil prices are currently rising, increasing energy costs for consumers.
Without LIHEAP, more people might fall behind on energy payments.
This could lead to more utility shut-offs.
Ending aid may increase hardship for vulnerable families during the energy price rise.
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