Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized evangelical leader Franklin Graham for defending President Donald Trump after Trump posted and then deleted an image that compared himself to Jesus. Graham, who supports Trump, said he did not think Trump meant to liken himself to Jesus and referenced Trump’s own explanation.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, spoke out against Franklin Graham.
Franklin Graham is a well-known evangelical leader and supporter of President Trump.
President Trump posted an image that made him look like Jesus.
Trump deleted the post after it received criticism.
Graham said he does not believe Trump intended to compare himself to Jesus.
This discussion happened on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The situation highlights differing views among Trump supporters about the post.
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Ten U.S. scientists have died or gone missing recently under unclear circumstances, prompting the White House to consider investigating the situation. Several of these scientists were involved in key research at NASA and MIT, and their sudden deaths have raised public concern.
Key Facts
Ten U.S. scientists have either died or disappeared since 2023.
The White House, under President Trump, said it would look into these unusual clusters of deaths and disappearances.
Michael Hicks, a NASA researcher involved in asteroid research, died suddenly in July 2023.
Frank Maiwald, another NASA scientist managing space projects, died in July 2024.
Nuno Loureiro, director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, died from gunshot wounds in late 2025.
Loureiro’s death was linked to a mass shooting suspect who later died by self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
The scientists were highly respected in their fields and involved in major space and fusion research projects.
The cause or connection between many of these deaths remains unclear, increasing public and government interest.
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President Donald Trump has been informed about 10 U.S. scientists who have either disappeared or died in recent years. He described the situation as serious and said the White House is looking into whether the cases are connected or just coincidences.
Key Facts
Ten U.S. scientists linked to advanced research have disappeared or died since 2023.
President Trump called the issue "pretty serious stuff" and said officials will know more soon.
The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is investigating the cases.
There is no confirmed connection between the cases, but the situation has gained national attention.
Some missing scientists include Steven Garcia, William McCasland, Anthony Chavez, Melissa Casias, and Monica Reza.
Some who died include Nuno Loureiro, Carl Grillmair, Michael David Hicks, Frank Maiwald, and Jason Thomas.
These individuals worked at places like NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and other important research centers.
The White House investigation aims to determine if the incidents are isolated or part of a larger threat.
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Republican lawmakers are considering renewing the government's warrantless surveillance powers for one year instead of the 18 months President Trump requested. In return, they want to strengthen rules that protect Americans' privacy under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Key Facts
Republicans want to renew surveillance powers under Section 702 of FISA for one year.
President Trump had requested an 18-month renewal of these powers.
The negotiation includes adding stronger privacy protections for Americans.
Section 702 allows warrantless spying on foreign targets but can incidentally collect data on U.S. persons.
Lawmakers aim to balance national security needs with privacy concerns.
These discussions involve changes to the legal guardrails that limit government surveillance activities.
The talks are ongoing and involve several Republican members of Congress.
The Hill reported these developments based on multiple sources involved in the discussions.
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Rep. Katherine Clark, the House minority whip, said she never heard any rumors about alleged bad behavior by former Representatives Tony Gonzales and Eric Swalwell. She shared this during a CNN interview after the allegations became public.
Key Facts
Katherine Clark is the House minority whip.
She represents Massachusetts and is a Democrat.
She said she never heard rumors about Eric Swalwell or Tony Gonzales.
Swalwell and Gonzales are former members of the House of Representatives.
The allegations against them were recently made public.
Clark spoke about this on CNN with host Kate Bolduan.
She made these remarks on a Thursday.
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The House of Representatives passed a resolution asking the Trump administration to extend temporary legal protection for Haitian migrants. This measure passed with 224 votes for and 204 against, after 10 Republican members joined Democrats to bring it to a vote.
Key Facts
The resolution calls for extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants.
TPS allows people from certain countries to live and work in the U.S. temporarily due to unsafe conditions in their home country.
The resolution was passed in the House of Representatives.
The vote count was 224 in favor and 204 against.
Ten Republican representatives voted with Democrats to pass the resolution.
The maneuver to bring the resolution to the floor is rarely used and was successful this time.
The effort is directed at the Trump administration to take action on TPS for Haitians.
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President Donald Trump’s administration announced new visa restrictions targeting 26 people in the Western Hemisphere who work for U.S. adversaries. These restrictions aim to prevent these individuals from entering the U.S. because their activities threaten American interests and regional security.
Key Facts
The new policy expands visa restrictions to people acting intentionally on behalf of countries hostile to the U.S.
It targets those who directly support or carry out actions against U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere.
Activities targeted include helping adversaries gain control of strategic resources, destabilizing security, and undermining economic interests.
26 individuals are immediately affected, but their names have not been publicly released.
The move aligns with the Trump administration’s focus on stricter immigration and national security policies.
Recently, visa bond programs and fees for visa and green-card applications have increased as part of broader visa policy changes.
There has been a rise in refusal rates for U.S. student visas, reaching a 10-year high in 2025.
New requirements for H-1B work visa petitions started on April 1, changing how these applications are processed.
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One of the men charged in the 2002 killing of Jam Master Jay plans to plead guilty, according to court documents. This would be the first time someone admits in court to involvement in the death of the Run-DMC star.
Key Facts
Jam Master Jay, born Jason Mizell, was killed in 2002 in a music studio.
Three men were charged: Jay Bryant, Karl Jordan Jr, and Ronald Washington.
Bryant initially pleaded not guilty but is now negotiating a plea deal.
Jordan and Washington were convicted in 2024, but Jordan’s conviction was later overturned.
Bryant was indicted years after the others when his DNA was found on a hat at the crime scene.
Prosecutors say Bryant let the other two men into the studio for the attack.
Bryant’s uncle said Bryant admitted to shooting Jay, but prosecutors doubt this story.
Bryant is also facing sentencing for unrelated drug and gun charges.
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President Donald Trump said he does not want to meet with Pope Leo XIV because they have ongoing disagreements. Trump emphasized his right to disagree with the pope, especially on issues like Iran’s potential to get nuclear weapons.
Key Facts
President Trump said he does not think a meeting with Pope Leo XIV is necessary.
Trump stated he has the right to disagree with the pope on political matters.
The disagreement includes concerns about Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
Pope Leo XIV criticized the use of religion for political and economic gain, a message seen as directed at Trump.
Trump said he focuses on the gospel but must protect the U.S. from threats like nuclear weapons.
The tension between Trump and the pope increased after Trump posted a controversial image on Truth Social.
Trump is traveling to Las Vegas to discuss tax policies ahead of the midterm elections.
The article includes reports from the Associated Press.
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Pete Hegseth, defense secretary and former Fox News host, read a prayer at a Pentagon event that was based on a passage from the movie Pulp Fiction, not the Bible. The prayer was said to support military search-and-rescue efforts in Iran, but it closely followed a speech by actor Samuel L. Jackson rather than the original Old Testament verse.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth delivered a prayer at a Pentagon service intended to support troops involved with Iran.
He claimed the prayer was based on Ezekiel 25:17, a Bible passage from the Old Testament.
The words he used closely matched a speech by Samuel L. Jackson from the 1994 movie Pulp Fiction.
The Bible verse is much shorter and different from the longer, dramatic speech in the film.
The movie speech speaks about “great vengeance” and “furious anger” and was used by a character before executing someone.
Pentagon press secretary Sean Parnell confirmed the prayer was inspired by Pulp Fiction dialogue.
Hegseth did not mention the movie connection during the prayer, only the Bible verse.
The prayer was read to military crews who recently rescued a pilot from Iran after his plane was downed.
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The House of Representatives voted to stop President Trump’s plan to end temporary deportation protections for Haitian immigrants in the U.S. The bill requires extending these protections, known as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), for Haitians until 2029 to keep them safe from returning to dangerous conditions in Haiti.
Key Facts
The House passed the bill with a 224 to 204 vote, including support from all Democrats and 10 Republicans.
The bill was brought to the floor after a discharge petition led by Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley gained enough signatures to bypass GOP leadership.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) allows immigrants from unsafe countries to live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation for a limited time.
TPS for Haitians was first given after a 2010 earthquake killed over 300,000 people and has been extended multiple times.
The Biden administration recently extended TPS protections for Haitians for 18 months in August 2024.
President Trump’s administration sought to end these protections, stating it was “contrary to the U.S. national interest.”
Courts have recently blocked attempts to end TPS for Haitians, and the Supreme Court is expected to review the case.
Lawmakers argue ending TPS would force Haitians to return to dangerous and unstable conditions in their home country.
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Damon Jones, a former NBA player and assistant coach, is expected to plead guilty in a gambling investigation that involved over 30 arrests. He faces charges for schemes involving rigged poker games and sharing private injury information about basketball players to help bettors.
Key Facts
Damon Jones was an NBA player and unofficial assistant coach for LeBron James’ team.
He is charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
Jones allegedly shared secret injury information about players LeBron James and Anthony Davis to help sports bettors win money.
Prosecutors say he sold injury tips before games, including one in February 2023 about LeBron James not playing.
Jones was involved in a rigged poker game scheme using cheating equipment like altered card shufflers and hidden cameras.
He was arrested in October 2025 along with other basketball figures and reputed mobsters.
Jones could receive a plea deal after a hearing scheduled for April 28, 2026.
He earned over $20 million during his NBA career from 1999 to 2009 and played with LeBron James in Cleveland.
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A commission appointed by President Donald Trump gave preliminary approval to a 250-foot stone arch planned for Columbia Island in Washington, D.C. The arch would stand taller than the Lincoln Memorial and include gold statues, but some commissioners and the public raised concerns about its size, design, and political associations.
Key Facts
The arch is planned to be 250 feet tall, taller than the 99-foot Lincoln Memorial but shorter than the 555-foot Washington Monument.
It will be built on Columbia Island, a man-made area in the Potomac River near the Memorial Bridge.
The design includes gold-plated statues of Lady Liberty, two bald eagles, and two golden lions.
The commission asked questions about the arch’s foundation and access for pedestrians and wheelchair users.
About 1,000 public comments were received, and all opposed the project, citing concerns over its height and political symbolism.
Commissioner James McCrery suggested reducing the arch to 166 feet to better fit Washington’s memorial skyline.
Vietnam War veterans have sued to stop the arch, arguing it would block the view between Arlington Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial.
The project reflects a historical idea of placing symbolic columns on the island to represent the North and South after the Civil War.
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Justin Fairfax, the former lieutenant governor of Virginia, shot and killed his wife and then himself in their home. The couple was in the early stages of a divorce, and their two teenage children were home during the incident.
Key Facts
The shooting happened just after midnight in Annandale, Virginia.
Fairfax shot his wife multiple times in the basement and then fatally shot himself upstairs.
Their teenage children were home; Fairfax’s son called 911 reporting that his mother had been stabbed.
Police found bullet casings near the wife's body and later found Fairfax with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
There was no long confrontation; the event happened quickly and spontaneously.
Fairfax and his wife were separated and in divorce proceedings; she filed for divorce the previous July.
The incident is described as traumatic for the children, and victim services are assisting the family.
Fairfax served as Virginia’s 41st lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022 and faced past allegations of sexual assault, which he denied.
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Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Nigel Farage for urging Scottish nationalists to support the Reform party instead of the Scottish National Party (SNP). The SNP is expected to win the upcoming Holyrood election and may push for a second independence referendum, while anti-SNP parties consider tactical voting to block the SNP’s majority.
Key Facts
Kemi Badenoch called Nigel Farage an opportunist who shifts his support depending on his audience.
Farage encouraged Scottish nationalists to vote for Reform instead of the SNP in the May 7 election.
Farage said he supports the UK but thinks a second independence referendum might be reasonable in the future.
The Conservative party is trying to stop Reform from taking votes from them in Scotland.
Polls show the SNP leading and expected to win the election, possibly with a majority.
SNP leader John Swinney plans to ask for a second independence referendum by 2028.
Reform UK’s Scottish leader said his party would not work with Labour to block the SNP.
Some senior Tories support tactical voting among anti-independence voters to prevent an SNP majority.
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Damon Jones, a former NBA player and coach, plans to plead guilty to charges involving illegal gambling. He is accused of sharing inside information for sports betting and taking part in rigged poker games with other athletes and alleged mafia members.
Key Facts
Damon Jones initially pleaded not guilty but will now plead guilty in two federal gambling cases.
The cases involve illegal sports betting and a cheating poker scheme.
Jones is accused of tipping bettors about player injuries, including a message about LeBron James missing a game.
LeBron James is not charged with any crime.
The poker scheme allegedly involved famous athletes and mafia members.
Jones was named a "face card," meaning a well-known person used to attract players.
The cases are part of larger indictments charging 34 people.
His next court appearance is scheduled for April 28, 2026, in Brooklyn federal court.
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An ICE officer in Minnesota has been charged with assault for pointing his gun at people in a car on a highway. Prosecutors said the agent's actions went beyond his authority and that this is the first criminal case against a federal immigration officer from the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge in cities.
Key Facts
Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr, an ICE agent, is charged with two counts of second-degree aggravated assault.
The incident happened on February 5 on Minnesota Highway 62 near Minneapolis.
Morgan pointed his service gun at a vehicle’s occupants after they moved into the shoulder to slow him down, not knowing he was an officer.
Morgan claimed he shouted “Police. Stop,” but the victims did not hear him through the closed windows.
Morgan was driving a rented, unmarked SUV and was on his way to end his shift at a federal building.
His partner was with him but was not charged.
Minnesota law can punish second-degree assault with up to seven to ten years in prison depending on harm caused.
Prosecutors said federal officers are not immune from state laws when they violate them in Minnesota.
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Officials from President Trump’s administration spoke to Congress about the budget for the year 2027. They explained why they believe more money should be allocated for that fiscal year.
Key Facts
Several officials from President Trump’s administration testified to lawmakers.
The testimony took place on Capitol Hill, where Congress meets.
The discussion focused on funding requests for fiscal year 2027.
These officials presented reasons to support increasing the planned budget.
Fiscal year 2027 means the government’s financial year running from October 2026 to September 2027.
The hearing was covered by CBS News, a major TV news network.
Budget talks like this help Congress decide how government money is spent each year.
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Justin Fairfax, the former lieutenant governor of Virginia, shot and killed his wife, Cerina Fairfax, and then took his own life in their home. Police said the tragedy is linked to the couple’s ongoing divorce, and their two children were at home during the incident.
Key Facts
Justin Fairfax was 47 years old and served as Virginia’s lieutenant governor until 2022.
Cerina Fairfax, his wife, was 49 years old and a dentist.
Their teenage son called police to report the shooting shortly after midnight.
The couple had separated in 2024 and filed for divorce in 2023 but were still living in the same house with their children.
Fairfax was recently served court papers related to their divorce, which police say may have triggered the event.
Police said Cerina had installed home cameras and footage disproved Fairfax’s earlier claim that she assaulted him.
Fairfax faced sexual assault allegations starting in 2019 but denied the claims and completed his term in office.
Virginia officials expressed shock and condolences for the family, especially the two children.
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Officials from several Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies that do not handle immigration will speak to the House Appropriations Committee about the 2027 budget. This hearing happens during a partial government shutdown that is the longest in U.S. history. Agency leaders will answer questions about President Donald Trump’s budget plans.
Key Facts
DHS officials from non-immigration agencies are testifying before the House Appropriations Committee.
The agencies involved include the Secret Service, Coast Guard, TSA, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and FEMA.
The testimony is focused on the budget for fiscal year 2027.
The hearing takes place during a record-long partial government shutdown.
Officials will answer questions about President Donald Trump’s budget proposals.
The committee oversees government spending and funding decisions.
These agencies provide security and emergency services, but they do not handle immigration enforcement.
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