Pentagon officials have talked about firing Max Lederer, who has been the publisher of Stars and Stripes for 19 years. This discussion is happening even though Lederer is set to retire at the end of September.
Key Facts
Max Lederer has been the publisher of Stars and Stripes for 19 years.
Stars and Stripes is a news organization that covers U.S. military news.
Pentagon officials have discussed firing Lederer before his planned retirement.
Lederer is scheduled to retire at the end of September.
The information comes from U.S. officials speaking to CBS News.
The Pentagon is the part of the U.S. government responsible for military matters.
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President Donald Trump will appear on the radio show of Michael Cohen, his former lawyer who later testified against him in court. Cohen, who was once loyal to Trump and served prison time for crimes related to Trump’s election campaign, has said they have started to reconcile after a long break in their relationship.
Key Facts
Michael Cohen was President Trump’s personal lawyer and fixer before becoming his critic.
Cohen spent three years in prison for crimes including campaign finance violations connected to Trump’s 2016 campaign.
Cohen testified against Trump in a 2024 criminal trial involving hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.
President Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to the hush money case.
Cohen hosts a radio show on 77 WABC, where Trump’s interview will air on Thursday evening and Sunday.
The White House has not officially confirmed the appearance but confirmed Trump’s radio interview taping.
Cohen has started to reconcile with Trump after years of public attacks and legal battles between them.
Cohen described their past as 15 years of friendship before their break and said, “We forgave.”
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The UK government plans to require students who fail their GCSE maths and English exams to continue studying and retake the exams. Education experts and school leaders say this approach lowers motivation and may not help students succeed, calling for new qualifications and changes to the system.
Key Facts
Only about 1 in 7 students retaking GCSE maths passed with grade 4 or above this year.
Only about 1 in 6 students retaking GCSE English passed with grade 4 or above.
Around 620,000 year 11 students must retake maths or English next year after failing to reach the pass grade.
The government wants to introduce a new “stepping stone” qualification for students who scored grade 2 or below.
Education experts warn that forcing students to keep retaking GCSEs may increase the number of youths not in education, employment, or training (NEET).
Critics say the grading system and repeated retakes harm students’ future opportunities and mental health.
The Department for Education’s new qualification is seen as preparation for a later GCSE retake, meaning more exams for students.
School leaders call for more suitable and motivating alternatives to GCSEs in maths and English.
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The trial of Lindsay Clancy, charged with murdering her three children, included testimony from a hospital chaplain who said Clancy reported hearing a threatening male voice. Prosecutors challenged why this voice was not documented in hospital notes while the defense argued Clancy’s mental state was affected by medications. Closing arguments are expected early next week.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy faces charges of three counts of murder and three counts of strangulation related to the deaths of her three children in 2023.
Chaplain Sheila Cavanaugh testified Clancy told her about a persistent male voice commanding her to act, threatening harm if not obeyed.
The chaplain said this voice was mentioned multiple times during about 14 hospital visits and continued through her stays in different hospitals.
Prosecutors pointed out Cavanaugh’s hospital notes did not mention the voice, although they included other quotes from Clancy.
Cavanaugh explained her notes are not exact transcripts, and her role is to witness suffering rather than provide clinical evaluations.
The chaplain described Clancy’s ongoing deep grief over her children’s deaths and noted seeing her about 200 times.
Prosecutors argued against jury instructions about intoxication, saying no evidence showed drug or alcohol use during the killings.
The defense said the case involves involuntary intoxication due to medication issues affecting Clancy’s mental state.
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Federal agents searched the Washington DC home of Eric Swalwell, a former California congressman, during an investigation into sexual assault claims. Swalwell has denied the allegations, resigned from Congress, and is now under investigation by the Department of Justice.
Key Facts
FBI searched Swalwell’s home and took electronic devices at San Francisco airport.
Swalwell resigned from Congress after multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
The US House ethics committee started an investigation but ended it after Swalwell’s resignation.
The Department of Justice has opened its own investigation into Swalwell.
Allegations include sexual assault and sending unwanted explicit messages.
Swalwell apologized for past mistakes but denies the serious sexual assault claims.
The White House released documents about a past FBI investigation into Swalwell’s suspected connection with a possible spy.
FBI and Department of Justice have not publicly commented on the current investigation.
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The races for U.S. Senate seats in Texas and Iowa are now very close, according to recent political projections. These states usually vote Republican, but Democratic candidates have gained ground, making the midterm elections more competitive than expected.
Key Facts
The Cook Political Report changed Texas and Iowa Senate races from leaning Republican to toss-up, meaning either party could win.
Democrats need to gain at least four Senate seats to take control of the Senate.
In Texas, Republican Ken Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico for an open Senate seat; Talarico has a slight lead in recent polls.
Texas has not elected a Democratic statewide candidate in over 30 years.
The Texas governor's race moved from solid Republican to likely Republican; Governor Greg Abbott faces criticism over data center policies.
In Iowa, the Senate race is between Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek; Iowa hasn't voted for a Democratic presidential or Senate candidate since 2012.
Democrat Rob Sand leads in the Iowa governor's race against Republican Zach Lahn, helped by increased support from independent voters.
Democrats see these shifts as signs of momentum in their efforts to gain Senate control during a challenging political environment for Republicans.
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Female members of Congress from both parties want the House Ethics Committee to quickly complete its investigation into sexual misconduct claims against Representative Jimmy Gomez before the upcoming midterm elections. The committee confirmed it is looking into whether Gomez broke House rules by inappropriate sexual contact.
Key Facts
Lawmakers from both parties are pushing for a faster investigation.
The case involves Rep. Jimmy Gomez from California.
The probe focuses on sexual misconduct allegations.
The House Ethics Committee is responsible for the investigation.
The committee said it is examining potential rule violations.
The issue is gaining attention ahead of the midterm elections.
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The USS George Washington aircraft carrier has arrived in the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been on a long deployment of more than 250 days. Families of sailors on the Lincoln have reported concerns about poor living conditions, low morale, and food shortages during the extended mission supporting US operations.
Key Facts
The USS George Washington arrived in the Middle East on Wednesday to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed for over 250 days without a major port visit.
Sailors on the Lincoln have reportedly faced food and water shortages, plumbing problems, and disrupted mail services.
Family members say sailors show signs of exhaustion and low morale due to the long deployment.
The Navy and US Central Command acknowledge challenges but say sailors still have access to clean water and healthy meals.
Some sailors are reluctant to complain publicly due to fear of negative impact on their careers.
The Pentagon and Democratic lawmakers are looking into conditions aboard the Lincoln following reports from crew families.
Navy officials describe long deployments at sea as difficult but say mental health cases on the Lincoln are low compared to other carriers.
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Natalie Harp, a 35-year-old executive assistant, has gained a close working relationship with President Donald Trump, becoming one of his trusted aides. Some former Trump staff express concern about her influence and devotion to the president, while current White House officials defend her loyalty and work ethic.
Key Facts
Natalie Harp started working with President Trump during his first administration and 2020 reelection campaign.
She is known for controlling the president’s social media and acting as a gatekeeper of information.
Harp publicly credits Trump and his "Right to Try" law with helping save her life after a cancer diagnosis.
Some former White House staff describe her as extremely devoted, even borderline obsessed, with President Trump.
Harp was linked to a racist video posted to Trump’s social media account in February.
Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff criticized Trump’s relationship with Harp, suggesting the president prefers to travel with her over working.
The White House insists Harp is one of the hardest-working and most loyal aides on President Trump’s team.
The debate around Harp’s role has sparked discussion among Republicans and the media about trust and political attacks.
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States does not need to create as many new jobs because deportations and lower immigration have reduced the number of workers. This comment came after recent reports showed job growth slowing and a drop in labor force participation.
Key Facts
Secretary Bessent said deportations and border restrictions under President Donald Trump have reduced the size of the U.S. workforce.
Recent government data showed the U.S. lost 23,000 jobs in July, and previous months' job numbers were revised downward.
The unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in July, and fewer people are participating in the labor force.
Officials say stricter immigration enforcement helps American workers get available jobs.
Many economists warn that having fewer workers can hurt long-term economic growth.
Immigrant workers are important in sectors like farming, healthcare, construction, and transportation.
Some experts say mass deportations make it harder for employers to find enough workers.
The administration’s messaging shifted from creating jobs for Americans by removing immigrants to saying fewer jobs are needed because the workforce is smaller.
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The U.S. Army plans to end a drone battalion created last year to study drone warfare and learn from the Ukraine conflict. The decision follows internal disagreements among top Army leaders and a change in senior leadership.
Key Facts
The drone battalion, called the Unmanned Assault Battalion, was formed to specialize in using drones in combat.
It was created to gather lessons from drone use in the ongoing Ukraine war.
The unit is part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, whose soldiers are trained to parachute into combat.
The decision to shut down the battalion followed tensions between acting Army Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve and former senior officers who supported the drone unit.
The former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Gen. Christopher Donahue were key supporters of the battalion but left the Army before the shutdown decision.
The battalion will complete an exercise by September before returning to standard airborne infantry duties.
LaNeve published a plan emphasizing traditional soldier skills alongside new tech like drones but plans no special drone unit.
Retired General David Petraeus has stated the U.S. needs to adopt more drones in future warfare.
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President Donald Trump won the 2024 election by promising to seal the border, avoid new foreign wars, fix the economy, and clean up Washington. Nineteen months into his second term, polling shows his approval on these four key issues has dropped significantly, with overall approval falling from +11.6 points in January 2025 to -19.6 points by August 2026.
Key Facts
Trump’s 2024 campaign focused on four main promises: closing the border, avoiding new wars, improving the economy, and cleaning up Washington.
His net approval rating was +11.6 points on January 21, 2025, but dropped to about -19.6 points by August 20, 2026.
Immigration remains his best-rated issue but shifted from +7 points in January 2025 to -11.2 points in August 2026.
Border crossings fell sharply after Trump took office, which the White House cites as keeping the pledge.
Public support for Trump’s immigration policies decreased after several fatal border incidents.
Trump promised to avoid new foreign wars and claimed he could end the Russia-Ukraine war quickly, but his approval on foreign policy has fluctuated with the Iran ceasefire situation.
His approval ratings increased slightly after ceasefires but fell again when fighting resumed, including Iranian strikes on the UAE.
Economic and anti-corruption pledges have not seen improvement in public opinion based on the polling trends described.
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The Democratic Party has chosen Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia as the final three cities to host its 2028 national convention. This event will be where the party officially presents its candidate for president.
Key Facts
Democrats have shortlisted three cities for their 2028 national convention: Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia.
The convention is an important event to nominate the party’s presidential candidate.
Each city made a strong effort to be selected as the host.
The final decision aims to support the party’s plan to win the upcoming presidential election.
The convention usually gathers party members, leaders, and supporters for speeches and celebrations.
Hosting the convention can bring economic benefits and national attention to the chosen city.
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An Army unit at Fort Stewart, Georgia, is offering soldiers four extra days off as a bonus if they reenlist by November 14. This bonus time off is timed to let soldiers enjoy the release of the video game Grand Theft Auto VI, which comes out on November 19.
Key Facts
The 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion at Fort Stewart is giving a special incentive to soldiers who reenlist soon.
Soldiers who sign reenlistment contracts by November 14 will get four extra days off.
The extra days off are planned to coincide with the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, a popular new video game.
Reenlisting soldiers must commit to serving at least two more years in the Army to get the bonus.
At least 20 out of 130 eligible soldiers have already signed up for this offer.
Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to be a major entertainment event with strong preorder sales.
The video game is set in a fictional version of Miami and other parts of Florida, featuring action like carjackings and heists.
The game’s developer Rockstar Games will release new gameplay video on Netflix soon, after some footage was leaked online.
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President Donald Trump supports bringing large data centers and AI plants to towns and states because they create many jobs and generate high tax revenue. However, local voters often oppose these massive facilities due to concerns about higher electricity bills, water shortages, pollution, and changes to their communities.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke at the White House with cryptocurrency leaders about data centers and AI plants.
He said these facilities provide many jobs and pay significant taxes.
Data centers power artificial intelligence and cloud computing but are very large and use huge amounts of energy.
Many voters do not want data centers near their homes because of increased electricity costs, water use, pollution, and noise.
Data centers receive tax breaks from states competing to attract them.
Trump views data centers as critical to winning the AI competition against China.
He supports companies sharing the costs of rising electricity bills.
The White House is pushing to speed up permits for new power plants to support data centers.
Political candidates often avoid supporting data centers because of their unpopularity with voters.
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Jessica Bowie, a 35-year-old woman from Albany, is accused by federal agents of supporting ISIS and planning a bomb attack at the New York State Capitol. She allegedly converted to Islam five years ago, took the name Aisha Saif, shared extremist messages online, and scouted the Capitol before her arrest on August 19.
Key Facts
Jessica Bowie lives in Albany, New York.
She is accused of pledging loyalty to ISIS, a designated terrorist group.
She reportedly converted to Islam about five years ago and changed her name to Aisha Saif.
Bowie maintained multiple social media accounts promoting extremist ideas.
She spent weeks checking out the New York State Capitol, gathering information.
Investigators say she talked about explosives and tried to get a gun.
Bowie identified lawmakers as targets for a possible attack.
She was arrested on August 19 and charged with trying to support a terrorist organization.
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President Donald Trump signed an order encouraging states to offer separate vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella instead of the combined MMR vaccine. Medical experts and vaccine makers say separate shots are not currently available or proven safer, and this could cause confusion for parents about vaccine safety.
Key Facts
The combined MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella in two visits.
Separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines would require six clinic visits.
Separate vaccines have not been widely used or approved in the US for decades.
Vaccine companies say no scientific evidence supports splitting the MMR vaccine.
President Trump’s executive order advises states to offer separate vaccines despite their unavailability.
Andrew Wakefield, removed as a doctor for false claims, previously caused a drop in vaccination rates with similar advice.
Vaccine experts warn this order may confuse parents and reduce vaccination rates, putting children’s health at risk.
The US does not have healthcare systems like Denmark, which offers fewer vaccines but has strong health screenings.
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Senator Bernie Sanders has endorsed Angie Nixon, the Democratic nominee for Florida Senate, after she unexpectedly won the primary against a well-funded opponent. Sanders praised Nixon's progressive policies and called her a model for the Democratic Party, while Nixon prepares to face Republican Senator Ashley Moody in the general election.
Key Facts
Angie Nixon won the Democratic primary for Florida Senate, defeating Alex Vindman.
Bernie Sanders endorsed Nixon two days after her primary win.
Nixon supports policies like Medicare for All, canceling medical debt, more child care, and paid family leave.
Sanders said Nixon shows that ordinary people can beat wealthy interests in politics.
Nixon worked on Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign but did not have his endorsement during the primary.
The endorsement connects Nixon to the national progressive movement.
Republicans may focus on socialism in the upcoming campaign against Nixon.
Nixon faces a tough race in Florida, a state trending strongly Republican in recent elections.
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The U.S. government announced new sanctions on 15 people and companies in Ecuador and 10 ships for their involvement in cocaine smuggling. This network helped move large amounts of cocaine to Mexico, where drug cartels then sent it to the U.S.
Key Facts
The sanctions target individuals and groups linked to Ecuadorian gangs Los Choneros and Los Lobos, both listed by the U.S. as terrorist organizations.
These gangs used fishing boats from Manta, Ecuador, to transport thousands of kilograms of cocaine monthly.
Smaller fast boats were refueled by these vessels to move drugs through the eastern Pacific Ocean toward Mexico.
Mexican cartels like Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generación received and distributed the cocaine in the U.S.
The U.S. Treasury froze assets of those sanctioned and prohibited U.S. citizens from doing business with them.
Violating these sanctions can lead to fines or criminal charges, and foreign banks helping these groups risk further penalties.
The action supports ongoing U.S. efforts like Operation Pacific Viper to stop drug trafficking in the Pacific region.
The Treasury worked with other U.S. agencies and Ecuadorian forces in these counternarcotics efforts.
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Threets became the new host of the children's TV show "Reading Rainbow" in 2025, taking over from LeVar Burton. He announced that he is going to the hospital to get help for his mental health.
Key Facts
Threets took over as host of "Reading Rainbow" in 2025.
LeVar Burton was the original host of the show.
Threets publicly said he is checking into a hospital.
His reason for going to the hospital is to address mental health issues.
"Reading Rainbow" is a children's educational TV program.
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