The top official at the UK's Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins, is leaving his job after a dispute about security checks on Lord Mandelson, who was appointed as the UK ambassador to the US. Lord Mandelson failed the security vetting but was still allowed to take the role, which has caused political controversy and calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign.
Key Facts
Sir Olly Robbins, the most senior official at the UK Foreign Office, is leaving his post.
Lord Mandelson was named UK ambassador to the US in December 2024 and started in February 2025.
Lord Mandelson failed the official security vetting but still took the ambassador role.
The UK government said neither Prime Minister Keir Starmer nor ministers knew about the failed vetting until recently.
Lord Mandelson was removed from his ambassador position seven months after starting, linked to his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
Keir Starmer denied misleading Parliament about the vetting process, stating full checks were done.
Several political parties have called for Starmer’s resignation, accusing him of lying or incompetence.
The Scottish National Party requested an investigation into whether the Prime Minister purposely misled the public.
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President Donald Trump has chosen Erica Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC has seen several temporary leaders in the past year, and the agency faces challenges related to vaccine policies under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Key Facts
President Trump nominated Erica Schwartz to be the next CDC director.
Schwartz previously served as a deputy surgeon general.
The CDC is responsible for protecting Americans from preventable health threats.
The CDC has had several temporary leaders since President Trump returned to office.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. oversees the CDC and had promised not to change childhood vaccine schedules.
Kennedy later said he would review and possibly revise the childhood vaccine recommendations.
Some of Kennedy’s changes to vaccine plans were paused by a federal judge.
The administration’s first CDC nominee, Dr. David Weldon, withdrew after his Senate confirmation hearing was canceled.
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A munitions factory in Tennessee experienced a deadly explosion in October that killed 16 workers. State investigators found over 100 safety violations at the site and fined the company more than $3 million for unsafe practices.
Key Facts
The explosion happened on October 10 at Accurate Energetic Systems’ facility in McEwen, Tennessee.
All 16 employees inside Building 602 died in the blast.
Investigators found more than 100 safety violations, including 44 serious violations.
The company failed to prevent ignition of dangerous vapors and did not keep proper safety records.
Officials said the company ignored safety rules by allowing too many workers and explosive materials in the building.
Accurate Energetic Systems’ CEO disagreed with the findings and said they are investigating the explosion.
Families of two victims plan to file wrongful death lawsuits and have requested $150 million in damages.
The $3.13 million fine is the largest ever issued by Tennessee’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
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President Donald Trump criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on social media, accusing him of hurting the city. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has been mayor for over 100 days and has an unusual relationship with President Trump.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani has served as New York City mayor for more than 100 days.
Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist.
President Donald Trump publicly accused Mamdani of damaging New York City.
The criticism occurred on social media platforms.
Political strategists Chuck Rocha and Harrison Fields discussed the situation on a news program called "The Takeout."
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Virginia voters will decide in a special election on April 21 whether to approve a redistricting plan that would create new congressional maps favoring Democrats. Polls show a close race, with support slightly above half, and the outcome could impact the number of Democratic seats in the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
The referendum proposes new voting district maps that could help Democrats gain up to four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The special election is set for Tuesday, April 21, 2024.
Polls from Quantus Insights and The Washington Post/George Mason University show about 51-52% of likely voters support the referendum.
An earlier poll from Roanoke College showed more voters opposed the referendum in February.
Virginia Democrats want to neutralize Republican gains made after states like Texas redrew maps favoring GOP candidates.
If approved, the new maps could change currently Republican-held districts, including areas represented by Jen Kiggans and Rob Wittman.
The referendum’s result could shape the political landscape for the 2026 midterm election.
The vote is competitive because voters are considering the fairness and partisan balance of the new maps.
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Police report that Justin Fairfax, former lieutenant governor of Virginia, killed his wife and then took his own life at their home just after midnight on Thursday. Their teenage children were present during the incident.
Key Facts
Justin Fairfax was the lieutenant governor of Virginia.
The incident happened just after midnight on Thursday.
Fairfax killed his wife and then killed himself.
The event took place in their home.
Their teenage children were in the home at the time.
Fairfax and his wife were going through a difficult divorce.
Police are handling the investigation.
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A New York City police officer on horseback chased and caught a purse thief on a busy street in Manhattan. The chase was recorded on the officer’s body camera.
Key Facts
The event took place in Manhattan, New York City.
The police officer was riding a horse during the pursuit.
The officer was chasing a person who tried to steal a purse.
The area was crowded with people at the time.
The entire chase was captured by the officer’s body camera.
The incident is part of a report on local police actions.
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before Congress for the first time in 2026 to answer questions about his work leading the national health agency. He testified in two consecutive hearings in the House Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees as part of a week-long series of congressional sessions.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the current Secretary of Health and Human Services.
He appeared before Congress on Thursday for two hearings back-to-back.
These hearings took place in the House Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees.
This was his first time testifying before Congress in 2026.
The hearings are part of a schedule with seven congressional sessions in seven days.
Democrats asked questions and examined his record leading the health agency.
The purpose was to review his management and policies at the Department of Health and Human Services.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he might oppose extending a government surveillance law called Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) unless new privacy protections are added. He expressed concern about the law allowing warrantless surveillance without stronger safeguards for people's privacy.
Key Facts
Hakeem Jeffries is the House Minority Leader and a Democrat from New York.
Section 702 of FISA allows the government to conduct surveillance without a warrant in some cases.
Republican leaders in Congress are pushing to extend this law.
Jeffries wants new privacy rules included before he supports extending the law.
Jeffries has not yet fully rejected extending the law; he is open depending on changes made.
This debate centers on balancing national security and individual privacy rights.
The law is scheduled to expire soon unless Congress acts to extend it.
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House Democrats are considering a plan to propose a new vote on a war powers resolution about Iran every day until one passes or U.S. military operations there end. This idea aims to pressure members of Congress and keep attention on the issue after a previous resolution narrowly failed.
Key Facts
House Democrats may push daily votes on an Iran war powers resolution.
The goal is to end U.S. military actions in the region or force Congress to act.
The plan was discussed during a Congressional Progressive Caucus meeting.
Past attempts to pass such a resolution recently failed by one vote (213-214).
Some moderate Democrats support the idea of recurring votes.
The resolution forces lawmakers to publicly state their position on the Iran conflict.
War powers resolutions need about 18 days to be fully considered in Congress.
The tactic aims to keep pressure on Congress and highlight issues like rising gas prices linked to the conflict.
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President Donald Trump said he is fine with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein having public hearings. He noted that many public hearings have occurred before and mentioned that some survivors did not want to testify under oath.
Key Facts
President Trump said he is "OK" with public hearings for Jeffrey Epstein survivors.
He made the comments during a talk with PBS News outside the White House.
Trump said there have already been many public hearings in the past.
He noted that some survivors did not want to testify under oath.
Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender who died before facing many charges.
The hearings involve survivors speaking about their experiences publicly.
Trump expressed surprise that survivors refused to testify under oath.
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The U.S. State Department is restricting visas for people from nearby countries who support nations or groups seen as threats to American interests in the region. This move is part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to strengthen U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere and address issues like drug trafficking and foreign influence from countries such as China.
Key Facts
The State Department announced visa restrictions on individuals supporting U.S. adversaries in the Western Hemisphere.
So far, 26 people have had their visas revoked under this new policy.
The policy targets those who support actions like controlling strategic resources, destabilizing security, or harming U.S. economic interests.
This policy relates to President Trump’s “Donroe Doctrine,” which updates the old Monroe Doctrine for today’s challenges.
The measures also focus on reducing the power of drug cartels and limiting China’s influence in Latin America.
The U.S. government has also revoked visas for some linked to the Iranian government and political opponents.
Notable visa revocations include officials in Brazil involved with opposing former President Jair Bolsonaro and Colombian President Gustavo Petro after his critical speech at the UN.
The policy uses the Immigration and Nationality Act, which lets the U.S. block entry if someone is seen as a serious risk to U.S. foreign policy.
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Podcaster Joe Rogan criticized President Donald Trump’s war actions in Iran as dangerous and confusing. He said the conflict goes against Trump's earlier promises to avoid foreign wars and warned it could lead the U.S. into a bigger fight.
Key Facts
Joe Rogan called President Trump’s war in Iran "terrifying" on his podcast.
Rogan described missile attacks on towns and infrastructure in Iran and Israel’s damage to Lebanon.
Rogan previously supported Trump during the 2024 campaign but has become more critical since Trump returned to office.
Rogan warned that the war contradicts Trump’s promise to keep the U.S. out of foreign conflicts.
Rogan expressed confusion and concern about the ongoing violence in the Middle East.
Despite criticism, Rogan and Trump have maintained some public contact, including a viral UFC event greeting.
Rogan’s comments reflect a shift from supporting Trump to questioning his actions from outside the political system.
The article was produced with the help of an AI assistant called Martyn.
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President Donald Trump criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s tax policies on Truth Social. He said these policies are harming the city’s economy and questioned whether the federal government should keep supporting New York under this leadership.
Key Facts
President Trump posted on Truth Social about Mayor Mamdani’s tax policies.
Trump said Mamdani is “destroying New York” and warned the city has “no chance” under current policies.
He claimed the tax approach is wrong and causing people to leave the city.
Trump suggested that federal support for New York should be reconsidered.
The criticism came after several months of relatively polite relations between Trump and Mamdani.
Newsweek reached out to Mayor Mamdani’s office for a response.
The article’s information was assisted by an AI tool named Martyn.
This is a breaking news story, and updates may follow.
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Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, claimed that Senator Ruben Gallego has behaved improperly. She made the statement after the resignation of Representative Eric Swalwell and suggested that there are other members of Congress with problems. Senator Gallego has denied any wrongdoing.
Key Facts
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is a Republican from Florida.
She said the Senate has members who have acted improperly.
Her comments followed the resignation of Rep. Eric Swalwell from the House of Representatives.
Luna specifically mentioned Senator Ruben Gallego as someone involved in misconduct.
CBS News asked Senator Gallego for a comment.
Senator Gallego has previously denied any wrongdoing.
The allegations were discussed on the show "The Takeout" on Thursday.
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Tensions are growing between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, marking an unusual conflict between the Vatican and the White House. This dispute reflects deeper issues involving politics, religion, and symbolic actions that affect both conservative Catholic voters and broader political discussions in the U.S.
Key Facts
The conflict between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV has developed over several months, not suddenly.
Pope Leo XIV has broad support among U.S. Catholics, including many conservatives and Republicans.
Unlike Pope Francis, Pope Leo is known for being more reserved and deliberate, making his criticisms harder to ignore.
President Trump has criticized Pope Leo XIV publicly, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.”
Some Catholic voters who supported Trump are uncomfortable with his attacks on the pope.
Vice President JD Vance has cautioned clergy against discussing political matters, but experts say the pope’s statements are part of his religious role.
Pope Leo plans to issue an important document on artificial intelligence, which could spark global discussions and new tensions with technology leaders.
The tension illustrates a wider clash between political authority (President Trump) and moral/religious authority (Pope Leo XIV) in public life.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke on CBS Mornings about Democratic Socialism growing anywhere in the U.S. He also shared that his conversations with President Donald Trump are honest and straightforward.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the Mayor of New York City.
He believes Democratic Socialism can work anywhere in the United States.
Mamdani discussed his relationship with President Donald Trump.
He described their talks as honest and direct.
The interview was featured on CBS Mornings.
Jared Ochacher from CBS News covered the interview.
The story was available on the CBS News app and website.
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A new study published in the medical journal JAMA found that deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers reached the highest level seen in 22 years. The rise in deaths happened while the amount of oversight or monitoring of these detention centers decreased.
Key Facts
ICE detention deaths are at their highest point in 22 years.
Oversight, meaning supervision and checks on detention centers, has been reduced.
The findings come from research published in the journal JAMA.
ICE is a U.S. government agency responsible for detaining people suspected of immigration violations.
Increased deaths and decreased oversight raise concerns about conditions inside detention centers.
The study highlights a trend over recent years, suggesting worsening safety or health monitoring.
Research like this can help inform government actions and public policy on immigration detention.
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A judge has decided that parts of Camp Mystic must stay closed for now. This decision keeps a restraining order in place while officials investigate a deadly flood that happened there last year.
Key Facts
A restraining order prevents changes to parts of Camp Mystic.
The judge’s ruling means these parts must stay closed temporarily.
The decision follows several days of emotional testimony.
The closure is related to a deadly flood that occurred at the camp last year.
State officials are conducting investigations into the flood.
The restraining order will remain until the investigations are complete.
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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before the House Ways and Means Committee about vaccine policies amid rising measles cases in the U.S. Democrats questioned his changes to vaccine recommendations and linked them to recent outbreaks and deaths, while Kennedy defended the country’s handling of measles compared to other nations.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the current Secretary of Health and Human Services.
The CDC, under HHS, removed some universal childhood vaccine recommendations, but a federal judge temporarily blocked this change.
A measles outbreak in West Texas infected over 700 people and caused two deaths in unvaccinated children—the first U.S. measles deaths in 10 years.
Kennedy has expressed doubts about the safety and effectiveness of the MMR vaccine, which is required for public school attendance.
Democrats criticized Kennedy for ending CDC flu vaccine campaigns early, linking it to preventable deaths.
Kennedy claimed the U.S. has managed measles better than many countries, citing higher measles rates in Mexico and Canada relative to their populations.
There was debate over whether President Donald Trump approved decisions to end pro-vaccine messaging.
Public health experts have criticized the government’s response to the measles outbreak, including Kennedy’s slow acknowledgment of the vaccine’s benefits.
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