President Donald Trump signed an order to speed up the review of certain psychedelic drugs, such as ibogaine, to explore their use for medical treatments. These drugs are currently banned as high-risk substances, but the administration aims to make research and access easier for conditions like severe depression.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order to accelerate reviews of some psychedelic drugs.
Ibogaine, a psychedelic, has gained attention from combat veterans and some lawmakers.
These psychedelics are currently banned under the strictest federal drug category.
The order aims to ease rules to promote research into medical uses of these drugs.
Potential treatments could help people with serious symptoms like severe depression.
President Trump said the move could "dramatically accelerate" access to these treatments.
The administration hopes this will improve the lives of people with difficult health conditions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Three people in Los Angeles were sentenced to jail for staging fake attacks on expensive cars while dressed in a bear costume to commit insurance fraud. The scam was uncovered after they claimed a "bear" damaged a Rolls-Royce and submitted video evidence, which investigators proved was a person in a costume.
Key Facts
The scam involved pretending that a person in a bear suit attacked luxury cars like a Rolls-Royce and Mercedes.
The insurance claims were made in 2024, including one for a car parked at Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino.
A video showed the "bear" inside a vehicle, but experts and investigators identified it as a human in a costume.
Investigators found the bear costume during a search of one suspect’s home.
Three suspects—Alfiya Zuckerman, Ruben Tamrazian, and Vahe Muradkhanyan—pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud.
Each of the three was sentenced to 180 days in jail.
Zuckerman and Tamrazian were ordered to pay over $52,000 each in restitution; Muradkhanyan’s restitution amount is pending.
A fourth suspect, Ararat Chirkinian, will have a court hearing in September.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to speed up research on certain psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, to help treat veterans with mental health issues like depression and PTSD. The order aims to make it faster to review these drugs and support clinical trials, although the drugs remain illegal under federal law.
Key Facts
President Trump signed the order to accelerate research on psychedelics on a Saturday ceremony in the Oval Office.
The order includes ibogaine, psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD, which are still Schedule I controlled substances federally.
Veterans face higher rates of PTSD, depression, and suicide risk compared to civilians.
The FDA will offer priority review vouchers to speed approval if treatments meet national priorities.
Ibogaine is a substance from an African shrub and has been used in traditional ceremonies.
Some veterans report improvement in mental health after taking ibogaine abroad.
Safety concerns about ibogaine include heart issues and recorded deaths.
Texas has approved $50 million to fund ibogaine clinical trials, supported by veterans and political leaders.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Post-achievement depression is a feeling of emptiness or sadness that some people experience after reaching a big goal or milestone. Experts say this happens because people link their self-worth to achievements, and when the achievement doesn’t bring the expected happiness, they feel disappointed and quickly look for new goals.
Key Facts
Post-achievement depression happens after events like graduation, promotion, or personal successes.
It often affects high-achieving, perfectionistic people who equate achievement with personal value.
The term "arrival fallacy" describes the false belief that reaching a goal will bring lasting happiness.
People may feel let down and start chasing new goals quickly to escape disappointment.
Therapists explain this as the brain’s reward system reacting to the end of a goal-driven process.
Achievement can be a way some people seek safety, belonging, or validation.
The feeling is common enough to be recognized by mental health professionals.
Symptoms include feeling empty or sad after success and a strong urge to set new targets right away.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article discusses how political fortunes can change quickly, especially now during President Donald Trump’s time and with social media influencing politics. It suggests that Republicans should not underestimate the possibility of Kamala Harris running successfully for president again in 2028.
Key Facts
Political situations can change very fast.
We are currently in what the article calls the “Age of Trump,” meaning political dynamics are shaped strongly by President Donald Trump.
Social media plays a large role in influencing political opinions today.
Kamala Harris is a current major political figure who might make a comeback.
Republicans should consider that Harris could run for president again in 2028.
The article implies that no political outcome is certain well in advance.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A temporary rule change allows people who get SNAP food benefits in Hawaii to buy hot meals from certain stores. This helps those affected by heavy storms in March 2026 that damaged homes and made cooking difficult. The change is valid from April 17 to May 16.
Key Facts
Hawaii’s Department of Human Services and the USDA approved a temporary waiver for SNAP recipients.
SNAP recipients can now buy hot, prepared foods like hot chicken and food bar items at stores such as Foodland, Safeway, ABC Stores, and Costco.
Normally, SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy hot or prepared foods.
The change helps people affected by the March 2026 Kona Low storms, which caused flooding and damage in Hawaii.
President Donald Trump declared the storms a major disaster, unlocking federal aid.
Retailers will update their systems between April 17 and 19 to accept SNAP for hot foods.
The waiver will last until May 16, after which normal SNAP rules will return unless extended.
Hawaii officials say this measure supports families who may not have cooking access while recovering.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited Scotland for a short trip to the Faslane nuclear base but did not meet with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar or other Scottish Labour members. Sarwar has previously called for Starmer to resign and is focused on leading the Scottish Labour campaign for the upcoming Holyrood election.
Key Facts
Sir Keir Starmer visited the Faslane nuclear base in Scotland after a UK-France summit on the Iran crisis.
During the visit, Starmer did not meet with Anas Sarwar or other Scottish Labour colleagues.
Sarwar called for Starmer to step down as prime minister earlier this year.
Scottish politicians criticized Starmer for not campaigning with Scottish Labour during the election.
Sarwar said his focus is on changing the government in Scotland and improving local services.
Faslane is home to the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines, including the UK's Trident missile system.
Opposition leaders used Starmer’s visit to criticize his leadership and called for his resignation.
Downing Street said the visit was to thank UK defence personnel and details would be shared later.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Police stopped a man suspected of trying to kidnap a baby after chasing him at high speed. The chase ended when the man crashed into a church, and the infant was saved.
Key Facts
A man allegedly tried to abduct a baby.
Police pursued the man in a high-speed chase.
The chase ended with a crash into a church.
The baby was rescued safely by the police.
The incident happened recently and attracted police attention.
No further injuries or details about the suspect were reported.
The event took place in the United States.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump announced he will join a marathon Bible reading event called "America Reads the Bible." The event begins on Saturday evening and lasts for one week. This participation comes during a disagreement between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV.
Key Facts
President Trump will take part in a public marathon Bible reading.
The event is called "America Reads the Bible."
It starts on Saturday evening and continues for a full week.
The event is organized by a group named Christians Engaged.
The announcement was made by President Trump on Friday.
There is an ongoing dispute between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV.
Trump is listed as one of many participants in the event.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A series of strong tornadoes hit the Midwest region overnight, causing damage as severe storms moved through the area. Emergency responders and local communities are dealing with the effects of these storms.
Key Facts
Multiple tornadoes touched down across the Midwest.
The tornadoes occurred during overnight hours.
The storms were part of a larger severe weather system.
The tornadoes caused damage to buildings and property.
Emergency teams are responding to affected areas.
Local residents are coping with the impact of the storms.
Weather authorities issued warnings before the tornadoes hit.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Department of State has announced special passport acceptance events happening across the country this spring. These events aim to make it easier for first-time passport applicants by offering more flexible times, including evenings and weekends.
Key Facts
Special passport acceptance fairs will take place nationwide in spring.
Events include evening and weekend hours for convenience.
Fairs are mainly for first-time passport applicants, children, and those who must apply in person.
Some locations may accept passport renewals, depending on local rules.
Events are held at places like post offices, libraries, and court clerks’ offices.
Some events require appointments or advance calls; others do not.
The fairs cover multiple states and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico.
The goal is to help more Americans apply for passports amidst high demand for international travel.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
In Dallas, Texas, addiction workers visit homes shortly after fentanyl overdoses to offer help and life-saving medication. While fentanyl overdose deaths had decreased nationally, recent cuts in addiction funding by the Trump administration and changes in the drug market have raised concerns about rising overdose deaths again.
Key Facts
Michael Watkins works for a nonprofit that visits people within 72 hours of a fentanyl overdose to provide resources and Narcan, a medication that can reverse overdoses.
Dallas County saw 280 fentanyl deaths in 2023, up from 203 the previous year, even though the national trend had been declining.
Dallas is a major hub for fentanyl smuggling due to its location near the US-Mexico border and road network.
The Trump administration declared fentanyl a serious threat but cut hundreds of millions of dollars from addiction services and research programs.
In January, $2 billion in grants for drug treatment were briefly canceled before being restored, creating confusion among providers.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) lost half its staff under the current administration.
At least $1.7 billion in state health block grants and $350 million for addiction prevention have been cut since late 2025.
The fentanyl chemical supply is shifting from China to India, changing how the drug is produced and distributed.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton said Democrats are looking for a strong candidate to lead their party in the 2028 presidential election. He described this person as someone ready to challenge President Donald Trump directly.
Key Facts
Rev. Al Sharpton spoke about the 2028 presidential race.
He said Democrats want a "fighter" to lead their party.
The candidate should be ready to compete strongly against President Donald Trump.
Sharpton made these comments during an interview with MS NOW’s Nicolle Wallace.
The focus is on selecting a candidate who can actively confront the current president in future elections.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will join nearly 500 people, including President Donald Trump, in a weeklong public Bible reading event called America Reads the Bible. This event celebrates 250 years of the Bible in America and follows recent attention on Hegseth for reciting a prayer similar to a famous speech from the movie Pulp Fiction.
Key Facts
America Reads the Bible is a public event featuring continuous Bible readings from Genesis to Revelation over seven days.
President Donald Trump recorded a Bible reading from II Chronicles as part of the event.
Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy are among the participants.
Hegseth recently gained attention for reciting a prayer at a Pentagon service that closely resembles a monologue from the 1994 film Pulp Fiction.
The Pentagon spokesman confirmed the prayer was inspired by the movie but said it is a traditional invocation used by military rescue teams.
The event is organized to honor the Bible’s 250-year history in America and reaffirm the United States as a nation under God.
Most readings will take place live at the Museum of the Bible, with some prerecorded segments by notable figures.
The event highlights discussions about the role of religious language in government settings, especially during wartime.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to speed up the review of psychedelic drugs like ibogaine for medical use, especially to help treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The order includes $50 million in federal funding for research on these drugs, which are mostly illegal now but may be reclassified if clinical trials show success.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order to speed up FDA reviews of psychedelic drugs.
The focus drug, ibogaine, is believed to help treat PTSD and substance abuse.
The U.S. will dedicate $50 million to research on ibogaine and similar drugs.
Ibogaine is made from a root of a shrub found in central Africa.
Texas has already committed $50 million to studying ibogaine.
Psychedelic drugs like ibogaine can cause hallucinations and are mostly illegal now.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and podcaster Joe Rogan were present at the announcement.
Kennedy has criticized the FDA for suppressing psychedelics, and Rogan supports their responsible use and legalization.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump’s new budget plan shows changes that affect his earlier policies on tariffs called “liberation day.” The budget indicates a shift away from those tariffs and the ideas behind them.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump introduced a new budget plan.
The budget affects his previous tariff policies known as “liberation day” tariffs.
The new budget suggests these tariffs may be reduced or ended.
Tariffs are taxes on imported goods meant to protect local businesses.
This change could impact trade and economic strategies under President Trump’s administration.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to speed up the review of certain psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, to explore their medical use for conditions like severe depression and addiction. The order aims to ease restrictions and promote faster access to potential treatments, with support from health officials and veterans.
Key Facts
President Trump signed the order on April 18, 2026, at the White House.
Ibogaine and some other psychedelics are currently banned under the strictest federal drug category.
The executive order directs the government to accelerate research and review of these drugs for medical purposes.
Psychedelic drugs are being studied for hard-to-treat conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and opioid addiction.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other officials support easing access to these drugs.
The FDA will issue priority review vouchers to shorten approval times for some psychedelics, cutting months of waiting to weeks.
Conservative podcaster Joe Rogan and retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell attended the signing ceremony and voiced support for the policy.
The move has bipartisan backing and reflects growing interest in psychedelics' potential medical benefits.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Comedian Bill Maher made jokes about President Donald Trump’s handling of tensions involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key shipping route. Maher commented on the back-and-forth over the control and access to the strait in relation to U.S.-Iran relations.
Key Facts
Bill Maher is a comedian who often talks about current political events.
He made remarks about President Trump’s actions regarding Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway important for global oil shipping.
There have been recent tensions about whether Iran would allow passage through the strait.
President Trump’s responses to the situation were a focus of Maher’s jokes.
The issue relates to the broader U.S.-Iran conflict and Middle East politics.
Maher described the situation as a “new plot,” referring to the ongoing developments.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A 27-year-old Cuban man named Aled Damien Carbonell-Betancourt died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Florida in what appeared to be a suicide. The exact cause of death is still being investigated amid a rise in deaths in ICE detention during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Key Facts
Carbonell-Betancourt was found in his cell in what ICE called a possible suicide attempt.
He had been in ICE custody since February 11, after being charged with resisting an officer; those charges were later dropped.
This is the second suspected suicide in ICE custody in Florida within one month.
ICE acting director Todd Lyons said at least 44 people have died in ICE custody since March 2025, the highest number ever reported.
The increase in deaths is linked by ICE officials to the record number of detainees held during President Donald Trump’s second administration.
Another detainee, Geraldo Lunas Campos, died in January in Texas; his death was ruled a homicide and is still under investigation.
Attempts were made to save Carbonell-Betancourt, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The official cause of Carbonell-Betancourt’s death has not yet been confirmed and remains under investigation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to speed up research on certain psychedelic drugs that may help treat mental health problems. Joe Rogan, a well-known podcaster, was present with the President in the Oval Office during the signing.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order on Saturday in the Oval Office.
The order aims to accelerate research of certain psychedelic drugs.
These drugs are being studied for treating mental health disorders.
Joe Rogan, a podcaster, joined President Trump for the event.
The goal is to help people with serious mental health symptoms improve their lives.
The executive order reflects growing interest in psychedelic therapy research.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
