Bill Gates testified before the U.S. House Oversight Committee about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The testimony focuses on what Gates knew and his interactions related to Epstein.
Key Facts
Bill Gates appeared before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday.
The committee is investigating Jeffrey Epstein, who was involved in a criminal probe.
Gates was questioned about his relationship with Epstein.
Details about Gates’ meetings and communication with Epstein are being examined.
The testimony aims to clarify Gates’ involvement or knowledge of Epstein’s activities.
This is part of a broader investigation by U.S. lawmakers into Epstein-related networks.
CBS News reported live coverage and details of the hearing.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said he supports the recent rise in inflation because the U.S. is seizing millions of barrels of Iranian oil at night. He claimed this action is causing oil prices to stay high but expects inflation to drop quickly once the conflict ends.
Key Facts
President Trump said he "loves" the inflation increase despite the Consumer Price Index rising to 4.2%, the highest since April 2023.
He announced the U.S. has been secretly taking millions of barrels of Iranian oil by hitting and disabling ships at night.
The president said oil prices remain high because of these actions, contributing to inflation.
Oil price mentioned was about $85 per barrel, with Brent crude at around $94 per barrel.
Trump also said the U.S. is extracting oil from Venezuela and Iran.
He predicted inflation will drop sharply after the conflict ends.
Higher inflation comes as Republicans try to keep control of Congress during a midterm election year.
Despite formerly strong polling on economic issues, Trump is currently trailing in economic approval ratings.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy and inflation. She said the country is “in decline” and blamed Trump’s costly actions related to Iran for harming Americans, pointing out that during President Joe Biden’s time, inflation was heavily criticized by MAGA supporters.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene is a Republican Representative from Georgia.
She criticized President Donald Trump over the state of the economy and rising inflation.
Greene said the U.S. is “in decline” due to economic problems.
She mentioned the financial cost of Trump’s war on Iran as a factor affecting Americans.
Greene pointed out that MAGA supporters blamed President Joe Biden for inflation before.
The statement came as a reaction to current economic conditions and government actions.
The article highlights a shift in who some people are blaming for inflation and economic issues.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump is making changes to reduce the number of women in administrative roles in his administration. These changes come amid increasing criticism of female journalists who cover his presidency.
Key Facts
President Trump is cutting down on women working in key administrative jobs.
This action is happening while female journalists face more attacks and criticism.
The changes suggest a trend, not just one-off decisions.
Female journalists have increasingly reported feeling targeted for their work.
The shift in roles happens during President Trump’s current term.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), an important law that allows the U.S. government to collect foreign intelligence, is set to expire this Friday unless Congress renews it. The renewal is uncertain because of political issues involving the nomination of Bill Pulte for a key intelligence position.
Key Facts
Section 702 of FISA allows U.S. intelligence agencies to gather information from foreign targets outside the United States.
This law is critical for national security and helps monitor foreign threats.
The law will expire this Friday unless Congress votes to continue it.
Bill Pulte, the current director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has been nominated for a top intelligence job.
The nomination of Bill Pulte is causing delays and uncertainty in renewing Section 702.
Senate Democrats are involved in the discussions about both the renewal and the nomination.
Without renewal, intelligence agencies may lose a key tool for protecting the country.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. David Flippo won the Republican primary for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District with President Donald Trump’s support. The seat opened after Rep. Mark Amodei retired, and Flippo beat candidates backed by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and Amodei.
Key Facts
David Flippo is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel.
He won the Republican primary in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District.
President Donald Trump endorsed Flippo shortly before the primary.
Rep. Mark Amodei, who held the seat for 15 years, retired.
Both Governor Joe Lombardo and Amodei supported another candidate, James Settelmeyer.
Democrats selected Teresa Benitez-Thompson to run for the seat in November.
Some Democrats hoped Flippo’s win would make it easier to attract less partisan voters.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. economy shows signs of strength with good consumer spending and job growth despite inflation and external challenges like the war in Iran. However, many Americans feel their personal financial situation is getting worse, and surveys show low confidence about the economy’s future.
Key Facts
The U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs in May, following strong job gains in prior months.
Consumer spending remains strong, supporting about two-thirds of the U.S. economy.
Inflation has risen, partly due to gasoline prices increasing by about 40% since February.
Surveys indicate that 13.3% of Americans feel their finances are much worse than a year ago.
Nearly 44% of Americans feel at least somewhat worse off financially compared to last year.
The wealthiest households, earning over $250,000 annually, now make up about half of all consumer spending.
Rising credit card debt problems and wages not keeping up with inflation are worries for many Americans.
Consumer sentiment scores are at record lows according to the University of Michigan and the Conference Board.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump spoke about Iran while signing the Secure America Act in the Oval Office. During the event, he also commented on the Maine primary race and called Graham Platner a thug.
Key Facts
President Trump signed the Secure America Act in the Oval Office.
He answered questions from reporters during the signing event.
Trump said the U.S. will keep taking military actions against Iran.
He shared his thoughts on the primary election in Maine that took place on Tuesday.
President Trump called Graham Platner a thug during the discussion.
The event and remarks were covered by CBS News reporter Zak Hudak.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
During a signing event in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump said he "loves the inflation" despite the inflation rate reaching 4.2%, the highest in three years. He also mentioned that the U.S. has been taking millions of barrels of oil from Iran without Tehran knowing until now and predicted that inflation will drop quickly after the war ends.
Key Facts
Inflation in the U.S. recently rose to 4.2%, a three-year high.
President Trump said he "loves the inflation" in response to this news.
The U.S. has been secretly taking millions of barrels of oil from Iran.
Iran was unaware of the oil removal until President Trump announced it.
President Trump expects inflation to fall sharply after the war ends.
The statements were made during an event in the Oval Office on June 10.
The comments relate to ongoing economic and international issues involving Iran.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rep. Jason Smith said Congress must address Social Security’s financial problems. This comes after the Trump administration said a key Social Security trust fund could run out by 2032.
Key Facts
Rep. Jason Smith is a Republican from Missouri.
He spoke about the need for Congress to solve Social Security issues.
The Trump administration reports that a Social Security trust fund may be empty by 2032.
Social Security provides retirement and disability benefits to Americans.
The trust fund running out means the program won’t have enough money to pay full benefits.
Lawmakers have a deadline to fix the funding problem before it causes payment cuts.
Rep. Smith urged Congress to stop blaming each other and take action.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The United States has reported over 2,000 confirmed measles cases this year, nearing the highest levels seen in decades. The outbreak is spreading mainly in communities with low vaccination rates and limited public health resources, while experts say the real number of cases could be much higher.
Key Facts
There are more than 2,000 confirmed measles cases in the US so far in 2026.
This number is close to the total cases recorded in 2025, which was 2,228.
Measles spreads mostly in communities where many people are not vaccinated or under-vaccinated.
Babies too young to be vaccinated are also affected by the outbreak.
States with weaker public health departments and low vaccination rates, like Utah, have more cases.
Utah has a decentralized health system, which made controlling measles harder.
Some public health funding was cut by $11 billion, affecting local health departments’ ability to respond.
Some US leaders, including the Utah governor, have not publicly addressed the outbreak or vaccination efforts.
Vaccine misinformation is a major cause of the outbreak’s growth.
In some areas, efforts to control the outbreak included contact tracing, isolation, and increased vaccinations.
The outbreak has brought attention to the importance of vaccinations in protecting public health.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, is running for her sixth term in the Senate. She faces a Democratic challenger, Graham Platner, who has had controversies. Collins is well known in her state and sometimes keeps some distance from President Donald Trump, which has helped her stay popular.
Key Facts
Susan Collins is a Maine Republican senator seeking a sixth term.
Her main opponent is Democrat Graham Platner, a combat veteran and oyster farmer.
Platner has faced criticism for his past behavior, including online posts and a tattoo linked to Nazi imagery.
Collins has a long record of consecutive Senate votes and bringing federal money to Maine.
She has high name recognition and strong local support.
Collins sometimes stays apart from President Donald Trump’s positions.
Some Republican senators lost their seats because they closely followed President Trump’s lead.
Collins’ strategy of maintaining some independence from Trump may boost her chances for reelection.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said he liked the recent increase in inflation after May’s price data showed inflation reached 4.2% over the past year. He made this remark during a news interview when asked if he was worried about rising prices amid tensions with Iran.
Key Facts
Inflation rose to 4.2% between May 2023 and May 2024.
The increase was highlighted in the consumer price index, a measure of average prices for goods and services.
President Trump stated he “loved” the inflation despite concerns it might harm the economy.
The comment came during a time of heightened tensions related to Iran.
The inflation rise is connected to price spikes seen in May 2024.
Inflation impacts the cost of living by making many goods and services more expensive.
The President’s reaction contrasts with usual political concerns about inflation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump’s plan to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote and photo ID at the polls, is blocked in the Senate. Senate Republicans admit they do not have enough votes to pass the law before the 2026 midterm elections and may need to win more seats to move it forward.
Key Facts
The SAVE America Act requires proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.
The bill also requires voters to show photo ID at the polls and limits mail-in ballots to certain exceptions.
The House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act earlier this year, but it is stuck in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Republicans lack the votes to overcome a filibuster, which needs 60 votes.
President Trump wants the law passed before the 2026 midterms and said he might shut down the government if it is not.
Democrats oppose the bill, saying it would make voting harder for some eligible voters who lack documents.
Election experts say the bill’s failure to pass was expected due to the Senate filibuster rule.
The filibuster makes it difficult to change federal voting laws; most election rules are set by individual states.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Consumer inflation in the United States rose by 0.5 percent in May, reaching the fastest pace in three years. This increase is mainly due to higher energy prices, especially petroleum, which rose sharply because of tensions with Iran and global oil market issues.
Key Facts
Inflation increased by 0.5% in May after a 0.6% rise in April.
Inflation is now 4.2% higher than it was one year ago.
Energy prices jumped 3.9% in May, following a 3.8% increase in April.
Gasoline prices rose 7% in May and are over 40% higher than last year.
The average price for a gallon of petrol is $4.15, up from $2.98 in late February.
Shelter costs increased by 0.3%, and food prices rose by 0.3%, but food inflation is slowing down.
Real wages declined by 0.1% in May, the second month in a row with no wage growth.
The US Federal Reserve is likely to keep interest rates steady in June but may raise them later this year to fight inflation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued its own vaccine schedule for pregnant women that differs from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This new guidance includes vaccines for COVID-19 and flu, which the CDC recently removed under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s leadership. Several medical groups support ACOG’s vaccine recommendations for better protection of mothers and babies.
Key Facts
ACOG released a new maternal vaccine schedule for 2026 that includes COVID-19, flu, RSV, and Tdap vaccines during pregnancy.
The CDC currently recommends only Tdap and RSV vaccines for pregnant women after dropping COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
ACOG President Camille Clare cited confusion caused by changing CDC guidelines and vaccine misinformation.
Thirteen medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), support ACOG’s vaccine schedule.
AAP has also created its own childhood vaccine schedule, differing from CDC’s under Kennedy.
AAP filed a lawsuit against the vaccine-related policy changes made by Kennedy, resulting in a court order reversing many changes.
The lawsuit temporarily blocked many of Kennedy’s choices for the CDC’s advisory vaccine panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Medical experts emphasize maternal vaccines protect both mothers and infants, whose immune systems are still developing.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump signed a $70 billion law to fund immigration enforcement agencies through 2029. The Secure America Act provides money to ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Homeland Security to support border security and immigration law enforcement.
Key Facts
The Secure America Act was signed by President Trump after the House passed it 214-212.
The bill funds ICE with $38 billion, Customs and Border Protection with $26 billion, and DHS with $5 billion through September 2029.
The vote in the House followed a mostly party-line division, with one independent joining Republicans to vote yes.
The bill aims to fund border security, fight human trafficking, stop drug flow, break up criminal cartels, and enforce immigration laws.
Democrats opposed the bill, citing concerns over increased ICE operations and past actions by the agency.
Funding for these agencies had been blocked earlier, leading to a 75-day partial government shutdown beginning in February.
The shutdown was the longest partial federal shutdown in U.S. history.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the bill for lacking oversight and accountability.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Three election forecasters updated their predictions for the upcoming midterm elections, showing a close race for control of the U.S. House of Representatives. While Republicans currently have a narrow majority, Democrats could win the House if they secure enough toss-up districts in the November election.
Key Facts
Republicans hold a slim 217-212 majority in the House, with one independent and five vacant seats.
Democrats have been performing well in recent special elections.
President Donald Trump’s approval ratings are declining, which Democrats see as a positive sign.
The Cook Political Report, Sabato’s Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections all forecast a tight contest for the House.
Each forecaster lists multiple districts as “toss-up,” meaning the outcome is uncertain.
Democrats need to win most toss-up seats to gain the 218 seats needed for a majority.
Republicans are rated to hold more “safe” and “likely” seats than Democrats.
Key toss-up districts include areas in Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the future of Cuba depends on President Donald Trump and the Cuban government. He told U.S. troops that the military is ready for any possible situation involving Cuba.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to troops about the situation in Cuba.
He said President Trump and Cuba’s leaders will decide Cuba’s future.
The U.S. is increasing pressure on Cuba’s communist government.
Hegseth said the military is prepared for all possible outcomes.
The statement was made during a visit with U.S. troops.
The focus is on readiness for any changes or events in Cuba.
The U.S. government is closely watching developments on the island.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
