The House has approved a Senate bill to provide most funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aiming to end the 76-day partial government shutdown. The shutdown began on February 14 and will end once President Donald Trump signs the bill, but funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol will be addressed separately.
Key Facts
The House approved the Senate bill by a voice vote to fund most of DHS.
The DHS shutdown started on February 14, making it the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history.
Democrats have opposed funding ICE and Border Patrol because of disagreements over immigration enforcement.
Senate and House leaders, including President Trump, agreed on a two-step plan: pass the Senate DHS bill first, then fund ICE and Border Patrol through a special budget process called reconciliation.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned that money to pay employees would run out by early May during the shutdown.
Some DHS parts like the Coast Guard, TSA, and FEMA have suffered most from the funding gap.
ICE and Border Patrol have continued operating mostly normally because of prior funding from last year’s budget law.
The budget reconciliation process offers a way for Republicans to approve funding for immigration agencies without needing Democratic votes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The House of Representatives passed a bill to fund most parts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) except for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This action aims to help end a 10-week shutdown that has affected the department’s operations.
Key Facts
The bill funds most of the DHS but does not include Border Patrol and ICE.
The House passed the bill by a voice vote, which is a quick way to approve legislation.
The shutdown of DHS has lasted for 10 weeks, making it a record-breaking event.
Republican leaders quickly pushed the bill through the House.
Funding the DHS is important to keep many government services running.
Border security agencies like Border Patrol and ICE remain unfunded by this bill.
The vote was part of efforts to resolve the money issue causing the shutdown.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Cole Allen, a man accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump, will stay in jail while waiting for his trial. The attempt was related to an incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Key Facts
Cole Allen is the suspect in an attempted assassination of President Trump.
The incident is connected to the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Allen has agreed to stay in jail before his trial begins.
The trial for Cole Allen has not yet started.
CBS News reporters Anna Schecter and Melissa Quinn provided the update.
The case involves a serious threat to the U.S. President’s safety.
Maintaining custody means Allen will not be released on bail before court.
The White House Correspondents' Dinner is an annual event attended by government officials and journalists.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Two women who were Green party candidates in Lambeth, south London, were arrested by the Metropolitan police over alleged antisemitic posts on social media. The arrests relate to claims that they shared hateful material online, and both remain in police custody as investigations continue.
Key Facts
The two arrested women are Saiqa Ali (57) and Sabine Mairey (54), Green party candidates in Lambeth local elections.
They are suspected of stirring up racial hatred online, an offense under the Public Order Act 1986.
The arrests followed concerns reported to police about antisemitic social media posts made on or before April 21.
Ali’s posts included an image connected to the banned Islamist group Hamas with the slogan “Resistance is freedom.”
Mairey shared a post saying “Ramming a synagogue isn’t antisemitism. It’s revenge.”
Ali apologized earlier in April for any offence caused by her social media posts after allegations by local Labour politicians.
Both candidates’ details were removed from the Lambeth Greens’ website after the incidents.
Lambeth council is a Labour stronghold, but the Green party aims to gain more seats there in upcoming elections.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Angus King from Maine said the cost of the war with Iran might be about $50 billion, which is twice what Pentagon officials reported recently. He shared this estimate during an interview on CNN.
Key Facts
Senator Angus King is an independent lawmaker from Maine.
He said the Iran war could have cost the U.S. about $50 billion.
This amount is roughly double the Pentagon's official estimate given to Congress.
The Pentagon’s acting chief financial officer, Jules Hurst III, provided the original cost estimate.
Senator King mentioned these figures during a CNN interview.
The discussion focused on the financial cost of the conflict involving the U.S. and Iran.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump withdrew his nomination of Casey Means for the position of US surgeon general. He announced he would nominate Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist and Fox News contributor, instead.
Key Facts
President Trump pulled Casey Means as his nominee for US surgeon general.
Casey Means supports the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, opposed Means’s nomination.
Despite opposition, Trump said Means would continue working on MAHA health issues.
Trump announced Dr. Nicole Saphier as the new nominee for US surgeon general.
Dr. Saphier is a radiologist and contributes to Fox News.
The announcement was made on Trump’s Truth Social platform.
The article notes more details will be provided later.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump withdrew the nomination of Casey Means for U.S. surgeon general. He announced on Truth Social that he will nominate Dr. Nicole Saphier, a Fox News contributor and radiologist, as the new candidate for the position.
Key Facts
President Trump canceled Casey Means's nomination for surgeon general.
Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist and Fox News contributor, is now the nominee.
This is the third person Trump has chosen for the surgeon general role.
Saphier has experience helping women with breast cancer.
The announcement was made on President Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man named Cole Tomas Allen was charged with trying to assassinate President Donald Trump at a press dinner in Washington, DC. He fired a shotgun near the event, was arrested, and will stay in custody while he faces federal charges.
Key Facts
The event was the White House correspondents’ association dinner held at the Washington Hilton hotel.
Allen charged past security and fired a shotgun outside the ballroom where President Trump and other officials were present.
He was arrested after being wrestled to the ground by federal agents who responded with their guns drawn.
Allen allegedly traveled from Torrance, California, to Washington, DC, armed with guns and knives.
He faces charges including attempted assassination, using a gun during a violent crime, and illegally transporting weapons across state lines.
Prosecutors say Allen planned to attack government officials and sent an email referring to targeting administration members.
Allen’s lawyers argue there are problems with the case and say he has no previous criminal record.
The Secret Service agent reportedly hit by gunfire was protected by a bulletproof vest and not seriously injured.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana’s current congressional map violates the Voting Rights Act because it does not fairly represent Black voters. As a result, Louisiana’s May 16 primary elections will be delayed while state officials work on creating a new map.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court decided that Louisiana’s map, which has only one majority-Black district out of six, breaks the Voting Rights Act.
More than one-third of Louisiana’s voters are Black, but the map does not reflect this.
The lower courts had ordered Louisiana to add a second majority-Black district, but the Supreme Court reversed that decision.
The ruling prevents Louisiana from holding congressional elections under the current map.
Governor Jeff Landry plans to suspend the May 16 primaries using executive power.
Absentee ballots were already sent out, but early in-person voting had not started.
Some officials say it may be too late to change the map for the 2026 election cycle, but the current map cannot be used.
The state is working with the legislature and secretary of state to find the next steps.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Graham Platner, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate in Maine, praised Governor Janet Mills after she decided not to run for the Senate seat. With Mills out, Platner is likely to win the Democratic primary and face the current Senator Susan Collins in the general election.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine.
Governor Janet Mills chose not to run for the Senate race.
Platner praised Mills for her career serving Maine.
Mills’s exit makes Platner the likely Democratic nominee.
Platner will compete against incumbent Senator Susan Collins in the general election.
The primary election is scheduled for June.
Mills is a member of the Democratic Party.
Susan Collins currently holds the Senate seat.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth appeared before lawmakers on Capitol Hill to answer questions about his policies related to Iran and the Pentagon. The discussion involved disagreements or debates about these policies.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth is the current Secretary of Defense.
He appeared before U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Lawmakers asked questions about his policies on Iran.
They also discussed his policies involving the Pentagon.
The discussion included back-and-forth exchanges or debates.
Coverage was provided by CBS News and Axios reporter Hans Nichols.
The event was reported on the CBS News app and website.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about why certain generals and admirals were fired and how President Trump's administration managed the situation involving Iran. The discussion took place during a CBS News interview.
Key Facts
Senator Jack Reed represents Rhode Island and is a member of the Democratic Party.
Pete Hegseth is the current U.S. Defense Secretary.
Senator Reed asked about firings of high-ranking military officers, including generals and admirals.
The questions focused on the reasons behind these firings.
Senator Reed also questioned how President Trump’s administration handled issues related to Iran.
The conversation was featured on CBS News.
The interview was available on the CBS News app and through web browsers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Cherise Doyley, a woman in Florida, was forced into a court hearing via video call while in labor because she refused a planned C-section. The state and hospital wanted the surgery to protect the baby’s life, but Doyley argued she wanted to continue labor despite risks and believed her rights were violated.
Key Facts
The hearing took place on September 8, 2024, while Doyley was in active labor at a hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.
Doyley had previously had three C-sections and refused a fourth unless it became an emergency.
Doctors testified the baby’s heart showed distress and labor could cause uterine rupture, a dangerous uterus tear.
The state argued they must protect the unborn child’s life, leading to the emergency court hearing.
Doyley asked for a lawyer but was told she had no right to one in this emergency proceeding.
She described feeling outnumbered and believed discrimination played a role in the court case.
The hospital and state attorney’s office said they presented medical facts but do not make medical decisions.
Doyley is an experienced doula and wanted to advocate for her medical choice to avoid another difficult recovery.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Conservative figures Candace Owens and Erika Kirk disagree publicly following a shooting incident near the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Owens denies accusing Kirk of wrongdoing, while Kirk criticized Owens and others in a video addressing recent personal and political challenges.
Key Facts
A gunman opened fire near the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 25.
The suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, was charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump.
Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA and widow of Charlie Kirk, addressed criticism and jokes about her in a video.
Kirk claimed Owens accused her of murdering her husband, which Owens denied.
Owens said Kirk’s speech was poorly written and called it "uncomfortable to watch."
Kirk’s husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed in 2025; his killer was charged with aggravated murder.
The incident and recent political violence have increased tensions among conservative public figures.
Comedian Druski made a sketch that Kirk referenced as white face, adding to the controversy.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Two neutral election analysis groups, Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball, say seven House districts might change to favor Republicans after the Supreme Court limited a part of the Voting Rights Act. This law had helped create districts where racial minorities make up the majority of voters.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court made a decision that reduces the power of one part of the Voting Rights Act.
This part of the law helped create majority-minority voting districts.
Majority-minority districts are where most voters are from racial minority groups.
The decision might lead to redrawing district maps to favor Republicans.
Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball identified seven districts that could flip.
Sabato’s Crystal Ball is from the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.
Both groups are known for impartial election analysis.
The ruling could affect future elections by changing voter district boundaries.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied lying to President Donald Trump about U.S. military plans for Iran during Senate hearings. He and General Dan Caine testified about defense policy, budget requests, and military readiness, addressing questions from senators.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth said he never lied to President Trump about the Iran strategy.
Representative Jason Crow accused Hegseth of going behind Trump’s back.
Senator Tom Cotton asked Gen. Dan Caine if he had ever lied to Trump; Caine said no.
Senators questioned Hegseth and Caine about the Trump administration’s 2027 military budget proposal, which aims to reach $1.5 trillion.
The budget focuses on drones, missile defense, and new warships.
Hegseth criticized some Democrats and Republicans for opposing defense policies.
He said the military was weakened by previous “America last” policies before Trump’s administration.
Senator Joni Ernst expressed disappointment over the sudden retirement of Gen. Randy George, who helped improve Army recruiting and modernization.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rep. Dan Meuser, a Republican from Pennsylvania, responded angrily to a TMZ reporter who asked him about Congress not passing a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security and the approaching congressional recess. During the interaction, Meuser told the reporter to direct questions to the Democrats.
Key Facts
Rep. Dan Meuser is a Republican congressman from Pennsylvania.
A TMZ reporter, Charlie Cotton, asked Meuser about the DHS funding bill.
Congress has not yet passed a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
The interview happened as Congress was about to take a recess (a break or pause in sessions).
Meuser told the reporter to "talk to the Democrats" regarding the issue.
The exchange was captured on video and posted by TMZ.
The report focused on political disagreements over funding DHS.
This reflects ongoing debates about government funding and responsibility between parties.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine spoke about the Pentagon’s recent achievements during a Senate hearing. A protester briefly interrupted Hegseth’s statement during the event.
Key Facts
The hearing was held by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave opening remarks.
General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also spoke.
Both officials highlighted the Pentagon’s successes.
A protester interrupted the hearing for a short time.
The interruption happened during Hegseth’s statement.
The event was covered by CBS News.
The protester’s interruption was brief and did not stop the hearing.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Justice Department has charged the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) with 11 crimes including wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges say the SPLC paid people to join hate groups secretly but did not tell its donors about these payments.
Key Facts
The Justice Department filed 11 charges against the SPLC.
Charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The SPLC allegedly paid informants to join hate groups.
The payments to informants were not disclosed to SPLC donors.
The SPLC says it collected information to stop violence.
These events involve government legal action against a nonprofit group.
The case focuses on transparency and lawful behavior in gathering intelligence.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rep. Seth Moulton, a Democrat from Massachusetts, accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of committing war crimes. These accusations relate to U.S. military strikes on boats suspected of carrying drugs during operations connected to the Iran conflict.
Key Facts
Rep. Seth Moulton publicly accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of war crimes.
The accusation happened during an interview on CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront.”
The controversy involves U.S. military attacks on boats believed to be drug traffickers.
The military actions took place amid the ongoing Iran war situation.
Other House Democrats have also made similar accusations against Hegseth.
The term "war crimes" refers to serious violations of the laws of war.
Hegseth serves as the U.S. Secretary of Defense, responsible for military operations.
The issue connects to questions about the legality and conduct of U.S. military strikes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
