Russell Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, will speak to the Senate Budget Committee about President Trump's budget plan for 2027. The budget proposes a large increase in defense spending and cuts to other government programs.
Key Facts
Russell Vought is the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
He will testify before the Senate Budget Committee on the 2027 budget request.
President Trump's 2027 budget requests $1.5 trillion for defense, an increase of about 42% from 2026.
The budget plans to reduce non-defense spending by $73 billion.
The proposed cuts target programs that the memo describes in critical terms.
The hearing is scheduled for Thursday morning.
The budget reflects priorities set by President Trump’s administration.
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Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife and then himself in their home in Annandale, Virginia. The couple was going through a difficult divorce and lived together with their two teenage children at the time of the incident.
Key Facts
Justin Fairfax was 47 years old; his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, was 49.
The deaths occurred shortly after midnight when their son called 911.
The couple had been separated for nearly two years and Cerina filed for divorce last summer.
A judge had ordered Justin Fairfax to move out of the family home by the end of April.
Police investigated a previous assault allegation made by Fairfax against his wife but found no evidence to support it after reviewing home security cameras.
Justin Fairfax was a rising Democratic politician who faced sexual assault allegations years ago but was never charged.
Cerina Fairfax was a dentist and active in her community with interests in reading, yoga, and outdoor activities.
Their two teenage children were home during the fatal incident.
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Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona is hiring a press secretary amid increased public attention after Representative Eric Swalwell of California resigned over sexual misconduct allegations. Gallego, who worked closely with Swalwell, denies any knowledge of wrongdoing and is facing questions related to a false video and a resurfaced photo with Swalwell.
Key Facts
Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress and dropped out of the California governor race due to sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies.
Ruben Gallego has hired a press secretary during a time when he is under increased media scrutiny.
Gallego insists he knew nothing about any sexual misconduct or harassment involving Swalwell.
A false video circulated online wrongly suggested Gallego appeared with Swalwell in a compromising situation, which Gallego denied.
A photo of Gallego and Swalwell shirtless on a past foreign trip surfaced, but no inappropriate behavior is alleged from it.
Gallego faced tough questions from reporters and declined to comment on the situation in a brief phone interview.
The new press secretary role includes duties like writing public statements and managing quick responses, likely useful during ongoing scrutiny.
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The BBC does not report on election campaigns or related issues while polling stations are open in England, Scotland, and Wales on May 7, 2026. During this time, the BBC only shares neutral and factual information, such as polling station procedures or weather, and waits until polls close at 10 pm BST to report election results or opinions.
Key Facts
The BBC cannot share campaign details or election issues from 6 am to 10 pm BST on polling day.
This restriction applies to TV, radio, the BBC website, social media, and other channels.
Archived election reports and candidate lists remain available online during polling day.
The BBC may report neutral facts like politicians visiting polling stations or weather updates.
Publishing exit polls or any voting-related information before polls close is a criminal offense.
The BBC can cover other political events on polling day if they are not linked to the election.
After 10 pm BST, the BBC can report election results but must remain impartial.
These rules apply to the local elections in England, and parliament elections in Scotland and Wales in 2026.
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Ashley St. Clair, a former MAGA influencer and mother of a child with Elon Musk, clashed online with conservative influencer Benny Johnson after he made claims about her planning to transition their child. St. Clair denies these claims and has called out Johnson for speaking about her child without permission. Earlier this year, Musk sought full custody of the child, citing St. Clair’s support for transgender rights.
Key Facts
Ashley St. Clair is the mother of one of Elon Musk’s children.
Benny Johnson claimed St. Clair intended to transition their child, which St. Clair denies.
Elon Musk filed for full custody of the child after St. Clair expressed support for transgender people.
St. Clair apologized publicly for past anti-transgender statements and rhetoric.
Johnson criticized St. Clair on his show, questioning her fitness as a parent.
St. Clair responded strongly on Instagram, defending herself and condemning Johnson's remarks.
St. Clair previously wrote for the conservative site Babylon Bee and authored a children’s book described as anti-trans.
St. Clair sued Musk’s AI company, xAI, over the creation of sexualized images of women without consent.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke at the Pentagon about the U.S. military’s actions against Iran, saying the public supports the effort and the U.S. has strong control in the region. He highlighted that Iran is moving military equipment but cannot rebuild its forces and said the U.S. Navy is using only a small part of its power to enforce a blockade on Iran. The Joint Chiefs chairman added that no ships have been boarded yet, but Iran-linked vessels will be warned or forced to stop worldwide.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Americans see success in the conflict with Iran and don’t expect perfection.
A recent poll showed nearly 60% of Americans think U.S. military action in Iran is excessive.
Hegseth stated Iran is moving its military assets but cannot replace them after weeks of conflict.
The U.S. Navy uses less than 10% of its total strength to enforce the blockade on Iran.
The blockade includes 16 warships in the Middle East out of about 300 total U.S. warships.
General Dan Caine, Joint Chiefs chairman, said no ships have been boarded yet under the blockade.
Iranian ships approaching the blockade are warned to turn around or face boarding or use of force.
U.S. forces will pursue Iranian-flagged vessels or ships supporting Iran anywhere worldwide.
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Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax killed his wife, Cerina Fairfax, and then himself in a murder-suicide at their home in Annandale, Virginia, according to police. The police said the wife was shot in the unfinished basement, and Fairfax then went upstairs and shot himself.
Key Facts
Justin Fairfax was the former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.
The incident happened overnight at their home in Annandale, Virginia.
Fairfax’s wife, Cerina Fairfax, was shot in the unfinished basement.
After shooting his wife, Fairfax ran upstairs and shot himself.
The police publicly confirmed the event during a news briefing.
Fairfax was a member of the Democratic Party.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis shared the details with reporters.
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U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro set up a tipline to collect information about sexual misconduct claims against former Representative Eric Swalwell. Swalwell resigned from Congress after several women made allegations against him.
Key Facts
Jeanine Pirro is the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
She created a tipline to receive information about sexual misconduct linked to Eric Swalwell.
Eric Swalwell represented California in Congress.
Swalwell resigned recently following claims from multiple women.
The allegations include serious accusations such as drugging and assault.
The tipline aims to gather more details from anyone with relevant information.
This action is part of an official investigation into the claims.
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The House of Representatives is set to vote on a bill to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants, allowing them to stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation for three more years. This move opposes President Donald Trump’s administration, which is trying to end TPS for immigrants from Haiti and other countries.
Key Facts
The bill aims to extend TPS protections for Haitians by three years.
TPS allows people from countries in crisis to live in the U.S. temporarily without deportation.
The Trump administration wants to end TPS for Haiti, Venezuela, Syria, and others.
The House bill was pushed forward by Democrats with support from some Republicans, despite opposition from GOP leaders.
TPS for Haiti was first granted after a 2010 earthquake displaced over a million people.
The Supreme Court is soon expected to decide on legality of ending TPS for Haitians and Syrians.
About 350,000 Haitians currently have TPS, with protections extended multiple times due to ongoing violence and instability in Haiti.
Some lawmakers argue deporting Haitians would send them back to dangerous conditions.
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Senator Ted Cruz said that President Trump seriously talked with him about filling Supreme Court openings during his first term. However, Cruz said President Trump is more focused on working on policy issues than on legal battles.
Key Facts
Senator Ted Cruz represents Texas and is a Republican.
President Trump discussed Supreme Court vacancies with Cruz during his first term.
There were three open seats on the Supreme Court in that period.
Cruz says President Trump’s main focus is policy fights, not legal matters.
The discussion about court vacancies was hypothetical, meaning it was about possible situations.
President Trump is currently serving his second term as U.S. President.
Supreme Court vacancies happen when a justice retires or leaves, and the President chooses a replacement.
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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized the media for focusing on negative stories about the war on Iran. He praised US troops, calling their efforts a historic success and a major battlefield victory.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth is the US Defence Secretary.
He spoke in Washington about media coverage of the war on Iran.
Hegseth accused the press of focusing only on negative stories.
He said this negative focus harms the US image.
Hegseth praised the performance of US troops in the conflict.
He described their efforts as a historic success.
He called it an incredible battlefield victory.
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President Donald Trump’s approval rating has increased among Republican voters over the last month, reaching around 81 percent approval in April. However, his overall approval rating among all registered voters remains negative, with about 38 percent approving and 55 percent disapproving.
Key Facts
Trump’s net approval among Republicans rose from 72 percent in early March to 81 percent in April.
Among all registered voters, Trump’s net approval rating stayed negative, roughly -17 to -20 points.
The polling was done by Quinnipiac University in three surveys from March 6 to April 13.
Early March survey showed 37 percent overall approval, March 19-23 survey showed 38 percent, and April survey also showed 38 percent.
Each poll surveyed about 1,000 to 1,200 registered voters with a margin of error around +/- 3.6 to 3.8 percent.
Trump’s approval rating among Republicans peaked at 89 percent in late March.
A White House spokesman said the last election was the “ultimate poll” where nearly 80 million Americans voted for President Trump.
The article emphasizes the importance of Trump’s support within the Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections.
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The UK Home Office is investigating reports that some migrants are being told to lie about being gay or victims of domestic abuse to stay in the UK. Government officials say they are checking these claims carefully and will take action against those who misuse the asylum system.
Key Facts
The investigation started after a BBC report showed migrants using false stories to extend their stay.
Migrants have been advised to fake evidence like letters, photos, and medical reports.
Some law firms and advisers charge large fees to help migrants make these false claims.
The false claims include pretending to be gay or victims of domestic abuse.
UK officials say there are strong checks to stop and punish abuse of the asylum system.
Illegal or unethical legal advisers may be reported to the police.
The Immigration Services Commissioner calls this abuse "abhorrent" and is increasing investigations.
Some politicians want to completely change the asylum system to stop such abuses.
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President Donald Trump’s administration plans to present a design for a large triumphal arch to the Commission of Fine Arts. The proposal includes building a 250-foot arch at Memorial Circle on Columbia Island.
Key Facts
The Trump administration is presenting a new project to the Commission of Fine Arts.
The project is a triumphal arch, a large decorative structure.
The arch will be 250 feet tall.
Construction is planned for Memorial Circle on Columbia Island.
The Interior Department will submit the formal plans soon.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced this information.
The presentation is scheduled for Thursday morning following the announcement Wednesday.
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Justin Fairfax, former lieutenant governor of Virginia, died in a suspected murder-suicide after shooting his wife, Cenna Fairfax, at their home. Police said the couple was going through a difficult divorce and their teenage children were present during the incident.
Key Facts
Justin Fairfax, 47, served as Virginia’s lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022.
Fairfax shot his wife several times in the basement, killing her, before shooting himself in another part of their home in Annandale, Virginia.
Fairfax County Police described the event as a suspected murder-suicide linked to ongoing domestic disputes.
The couple was undergoing divorce proceedings but still lived together.
Fairfax was recently served court paperwork related to the divorce before the incident.
Their teenage children were home at the time of the shootings.
In January, Fairfax had accused his wife of assault, but police found this claim was false after reviewing home cameras.
Fairfax had previously faced sexual assault accusations in 2019, which he denied, saying the encounters were consensual.
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Zohran Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, apologized for hurtful social media posts she made as a teenager, which included racial slurs and support for Palestinian militants from a group labeled terrorist by the U.S. These posts resurfaced recently and drew public criticism. Mamdani, New York City’s mayor, has defended her as a private individual not involved in his political work.
Key Facts
Rama Duwaji expressed shame and apologized for past social media posts made when she was about 15 years old.
The posts included racial and homophobic slurs and praise for militants from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a group designated as terrorist by the U.S.
The social media account with the posts was deleted after the reports appeared.
Newsweek could not independently confirm that the accounts belonged to Duwaji, though another outlet linked them using facial recognition.
Mamdani has been New York City’s mayor since January, noted as the first Muslim and democratic socialist in the role.
Duwaji is an artist focused on Arab identity and social justice themes, and Mamdani said she is not involved in his campaign or City Hall.
Criticism also arose over some of Duwaji’s more recent social media activity related to the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Duwaji said she wants to focus on her art and not be a public figure.
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will appear before the House Ways and Means Committee for questioning about the Trump administration’s health policies named “Make America Healthy Again” and President Trump’s budget request for the year 2027. This is Kennedy’s first time appearing in a House hearing after a challenging session in the Senate Finance Committee.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the current Secretary of Health and Human Services.
He will be questioned by the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday morning.
The questioning will focus on the “Make America Healthy Again” health policies from President Trump’s administration.
The committee will also discuss President Trump’s fiscal year 2027 budget request.
This hearing is Kennedy’s first appearance in the House after a tough Senate Finance Committee hearing.
The House Ways and Means Committee oversees health policy and government budgets related to health care.
President Donald Trump proposed the “Make America Healthy Again” plan as part of his administration’s health efforts.
The fiscal year 2027 budget includes funding priorities and plans set by President Trump’s administration.
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with leaders from major social media companies to discuss new rules to protect children online. The government is considering setting a strict age limit for social media users and other changes to make platforms safer for young people.
Key Facts
Starmer met with executives from Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok, Google (YouTube), Snapchat’s owner, and X at No 10 (Downing Street).
The government is thinking about banning social media use for under-16s, similar to rules in Australia.
Possible restrictions discussed include setting a firm age limit and limiting features like infinite scrolling.
Starmer emphasized the need to protect children even if it means restricting access to social media.
Starmer had concerns about a ban pushing kids to unsafe parts of the internet but now faces pressure from lawmakers calling for stricter rules.
A recent House of Lords proposal for an age gate on apps was rejected by MPs.
The government is running a consultation to decide on the best approach before making final decisions this summer.
Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, is tasked with enforcing social media safety laws under the Online Safety Act.
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The UK Covid vaccine program was a major success that saved many lives and involved giving over 130 million doses in a year. However, the Covid inquiry highlighted issues like vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and the need to better support people harmed by vaccines.
Key Facts
The Covid vaccination program in the UK was the largest in its history and rolled out vaccines very quickly without compromising safety.
Over 90% of people aged 12 and over were vaccinated, with around 130 million doses given in one year.
The government worked with community leaders and set up pop-up clinics to encourage vaccination.
Misinformation online and distrust in authorities reduced vaccine uptake and affected confidence in other vaccines.
The UK government introduced, then dropped, vaccine mandates for care and health workers due to limited impact on stopping virus spread.
The steroid drug dexamethasone was quickly identified and used in UK hospitals to reduce deadly lung damage in Covid patients, saving many lives worldwide.
The inquiry noted rare but serious long-term health problems linked to vaccines and recommended better support and larger payouts for those harmed.
Rebuilding public trust in vaccines remains an important priority.
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Representative Anna Paulina Luna said that the Pentagon missed a deadline to release videos of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) seen by the military. Luna, who leads a task force on declassifying government secrets, said they will receive the files despite delays and lack of proper response from the Pentagon.
Key Facts
Luna requested more than 45 videos showing UFOs recorded by U.S. military in various locations, including near Iran, Syria, and U.S. bases.
The Pentagon was supposed to provide these videos by April 14 but did not meet the deadline.
Luna reported no reply from the Pentagon until her team reached out directly and then received only a delayed, non-committal response.
The videos reportedly show different shapes like spheres, cigars, and "Tic Tac"-shaped objects.
The letter requesting the videos was addressed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who supports President Trump's order to release the files.
President Trump directed his administration to find and share government UFO files earlier in 2024.
The Pentagon said it is still working on complying with the order but gave no timeline.
Public interest in UFOs is high, with many Americans believing intelligent life may exist elsewhere.
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