Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging federal officials to help borrowers affected by the end of the SAVE student loan repayment plan. The plan, introduced in 2023, lowered monthly payments for millions, but a court ruling forced its end, leaving many borrowers facing higher payments and uncertainty.
Key Facts
The SAVE plan cut student loan payments to as low as 5% of income or even zero for some low earners.
SAVE offered interest subsidies and faster loan forgiveness for borrowers with smaller balances.
A federal appeals court ended the SAVE plan after lawsuits from Republican-led states.
Over 7 million borrowers are now required to leave the SAVE plan and select a new repayment option.
Borrowers have 90 days from July 1 to choose a new repayment plan or will be placed in a standard plan.
Senator Gillibrand wants borrowers to keep credit for time spent in SAVE’s forbearance period and avoid sudden payment increases.
Critics say borrowers made financial choices based on the SAVE plan being permanent, now disrupted by its end.
Other repayment options include Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR).
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has started a fast review of ABC’s local TV station licenses to investigate if ABC broke rules about unfair treatment connected to its diversity and inclusion policies. This review is unusual and comes amid tensions between ABC, its parent company Disney, and President Donald Trump’s administration over ABC’s broadcast content.
Key Facts
The FCC is investigating ABC’s local stations for possible violations of rules preventing unlawful discrimination tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
This is the first time the FCC has ordered such a broad review linked to a network’s DEI practices.
The review was accelerated after President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump criticized ABC’s late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for a controversial joke.
ABC’s licenses for local stations, which need renewal every eight years, were originally set to be renewed between 2028 and 2031.
The FCC’s investigation focuses on whether ABC violated a vague "public interest" rule.
National networks like ABC do not hold licenses; only local stations do, so the FCC can only review those local licenses.
Press freedom experts say such investigations may be used to pressure networks airing content the president opposes.
Disney says ABC has always complied with FCC rules and will defend its license qualifications legally.
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President Trump is trying to rename, close, and renovate the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. A lawsuit led by Representative Joyce Beatty challenges these actions, saying they break the law and go against the center's purpose as a memorial to President Kennedy.
Key Facts
President Trump is chairman of the Kennedy Center board and supports renaming it the Trump-Kennedy Center.
Rep. Joyce Beatty filed a lawsuit to stop the renaming, closure, and renovation.
Beatty says the changes violate the law and the center's role as a memorial to President Kennedy.
The Kennedy Center board voted to close the center for two years for renovations.
Beatty argues that closing the center for that long breaches the board’s duties to keep the center active.
The Department of Justice says renovations are needed to improve the center and reduce safety risks and costs.
A federal judge ruled Beatty must be allowed to participate in board meetings but did not decide on her voting rights or the legality of the changes.
The lawsuit reflects ongoing debate over who controls the Kennedy Center—Congress or President Trump.
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Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about President Trump and Melania Trump at a White House Correspondents’ dinner. The White House and President Trump reacted strongly, asking for Kimmel to be fired after the joke, which came before an attempted attack on the president.
Key Facts
Jimmy Kimmel told a joke about Melania Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
The joke mentioned Melania having the “glow” of “an expectant widow.”
This joke was made shortly before someone tried to attack President Trump.
The White House and President Trump responded by demanding Kimmel be fired.
The incident has renewed tensions between President Trump’s administration and Jimmy Kimmel.
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James Comey, the former FBI director, has been charged by the Department of Justice over a photo he posted showing the numbers “86 47” spelled out with seashells. Some supporters of President Donald Trump said the numbers were a call to harm the president, but Comey denied this meaning.
Key Facts
James Comey posted a photo last year with “86 47” spelled out in seashells on a beach.
The numbers “86” and “47” were interpreted by some as a threat to President Trump, the 47th U.S. president.
The Department of Justice charged Comey regarding the meaning of this photo.
“86” is slang that usually means to stop or get rid of something, and can mean to eject someone.
There are several possible origins of “86,” including a Prohibition-era bar address and naval codes.
Some sources say “86” can mean “to kill,” but this use is rare and not fully accepted.
The charge against Comey is part of actions by the Justice Department under President Trump targeting his political opponents.
The number “86” has also been used by Republicans to symbolically call for the removal of President Joe Biden, the 46th president.
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and FBI Director Kash Patel both said they played key roles in a major law enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Federal agents searched several businesses as part of an investigation into widespread fraud involving U.S. taxpayer money.
Key Facts
The operation took place in the Minneapolis area.
Multiple businesses were raided by federal agents.
The raids were part of an ongoing fraud investigation.
The fraud involved misuse of U.S. taxpayers’ dollars.
Governor Walz and FBI Director Patel each claimed credit for the operation.
The search warrants were criminal in nature, aimed at uncovering illegal activity.
This is a coordinated effort between state and federal officials.
The investigation targets widespread fraud affecting public funds.
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The U.S. State Department will release a special 250th anniversary edition of the American passport, which will include a portrait and signature of President Donald Trump on the inside pages. This new design will be available at the Washington Passport Agency without extra cost, while other locations will continue using the current passport design.
Key Facts
The new passport design celebrates the United States' 250th anniversary in July.
It features President Donald Trump’s portrait and signature over text from the Declaration of Independence.
This change marks a shift from traditional passport artwork that showed historical scenes and landmarks.
The redesigned passport will be the default option at the Washington Passport Agency.
Other passport offices and online applications will keep using the existing passport design.
The State Department confirmed the passports will have the same security features as current passports.
Plans to use President Trump’s image in public programs and commemorative items are part of his second administration.
Examples include renaming public institutions, a special visa program, currency with Trump’s signature, and a gold coin featuring his image.
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A U.S. special forces soldier pleaded not guilty in court to charges that he used secret information about a mission to capture former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. He allegedly made over $400,000 by betting on a prediction market called Polymarket using that insider knowledge.
Key Facts
The soldier, Gannon Ken Van Dyke, is 38 years old and serves at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
He was charged with illegal use of confidential government information, theft of nonpublic info, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and unlawful monetary transactions.
Van Dyke placed bets totaling $33,000 related to Maduro being out of power by January 31, which earned him over $400,000 in profits.
Polymarket detected the suspicious bets and reported them to the government.
Van Dyke entered a not guilty plea in Manhattan federal court and was released on $250,000 bail with travel restrictions.
The case involves evidence like grand jury subpoenas, cryptocurrency records, search warrants, and social media data.
Courts will continue to review the case, with a pretrial conference scheduled for June 8.
The situation has raised concerns about insider trading in prediction markets, which allow people to bet on real-world events.
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Rep. Sarah McBride criticized plans to spend government money on renovating President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom. She said many people in her state and across the country are struggling to pay for groceries and utility bills, so public funds should not go to this project.
Key Facts
Rep. Sarah McBride represents Delaware as a Democrat.
She opposed funding for the White House ballroom renovation linked to President Trump.
McBride said many people cannot afford basic needs like food and utilities.
The funds would come from taxpayers’ money.
McBride expressed her opinion in an interview with MeidasTouch.
The issue highlights debates over government spending priorities during economic challenges.
No details were given about the cost or timeline of the ballroom project.
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ordered ABC’s parent company, Disney, to file early renewal applications for its TV station licenses to allow a review of the broadcaster’s practices. This move follows President Trump and the First Lady’s criticism of a joke made by ABC host Jimmy Kimmel and an ongoing FCC investigation into Disney’s diversity and inclusion policies.
Key Facts
The FCC instructed Disney to submit early renewal applications for all ABC TV station licenses by May 28.
Normally, TV station licenses are renewed many years in advance, and revoking them is very difficult.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr opposes Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and has been investigating possible violations of discrimination rules.
The review accelerated after Jimmy Kimmel joked about First Lady Melania Trump during a comedy skit, leading to public complaints from President Trump and the First Lady.
Kimmel’s joke included comparing Melania Trump to an "expectant widow" and suggesting a connection between the Trumps and Jeffrey Epstein.
ABC owns stations in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and others.
Disney says it complies with FCC rules and is prepared to defend itself legally.
Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the FCC’s action as politically motivated and a threat to free speech.
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President Donald Trump and former FBI Director James Comey have had a tense relationship since 2016, involving investigations and public conflicts. Their disputes included investigations into Hillary Clinton’s emails and possible links between Trump’s campaign and Russia, culminating in Comey’s firing in 2017 and ongoing criticism from both sides.
Key Facts
James Comey led the FBI investigations into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server during the 2016 campaign.
Comey also oversaw the FBI inquiry into possible connections between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia.
In July 2016, Comey announced no criminal charges against Clinton but criticized her handling of classified information.
President Trump criticized Comey and the FBI, calling the system “rigged” and accusing federal agencies of political bias.
Trump fired Comey in May 2017, citing loss of confidence and handling of the Clinton case.
Comey testified before Congress that Trump asked for loyalty and tried to influence the FBI investigation.
Following his dismissal, Comey published a memoir critical of President Trump and became a key voice on law enforcement independence.
Their conflict continues publicly, reflecting broader debates about politics and justice in the U.S. government.
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A new poll shows that likely voters are equally divided in their support for Democratic and Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections. The poll reports that 50% of voters support each party.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted by Harvard-Harris.
Support for both parties among likely voters is exactly 50% each.
Most people answered according to their party affiliation.
97% of Democrats said they would support a Democratic candidate.
The poll reflects current views ahead of the 2024 midterm elections.
This poll gives a snapshot of voter preferences without predicting the final results.
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Members of Parliament voted against opening an inquiry into whether Keir Starmer misled Parliament about appointing Lord Mandelson. The vote was 335 against and 223 in favor of the inquiry, despite criticism from the Conservative Party.
Key Facts
MPs voted 335 to 223 not to investigate Keir Starmer over claims he misled Parliament.
The inquiry was related to the appointment of Lord Mandelson.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Starmer gave incorrect information to the Commons.
Number 10 Downing Street called the inquiry motion a political stunt by the Conservatives.
Morgan McSweeney, a former chief of staff to Starmer, admitted he made a serious mistake advising the Prime Minister on the appointment.
The discussion was covered in a BBC Newscast episode hosted by Adam Fleming.
The Newscast episode was 36 minutes long and released on April 28, 2026.
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The US is now 60 days into its military involvement with Israel in the conflict against Iran. By law, US President Donald Trump must get Congress’s approval to continue military actions beyond 60 days, but Congress has not yet decided whether to take action or allow the war to continue without formal approval.
Key Facts
The War Powers Act requires the president to stop military action after 60 days unless Congress authorizes it.
President Trump notified Congress about the military actions against Iran on February 28, making May 1 the 60-day deadline.
Congress has not yet voted to approve or disapprove further military involvement.
Republicans hold a slim majority in both the House and Senate and have mostly supported the war so far.
Some Republican senators have expressed reservations about approving continued military action.
If no approval is given, the legality of continuing the war after 60 days could be challenged in court.
Courts have historically avoided getting involved in disputes about war powers.
President Trump could request a 30-day extension to withdraw troops but would not be allowed to start new attacks under the law.
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The U.S. government will issue special passports this summer to celebrate 250 years of independence. These passports will show a large picture of President Donald Trump inside the cover, along with patriotic images and text from the Declaration of Independence.
Key Facts
The passports are part of the "America250" program marking 250 years of U.S. independence.
President Donald Trump’s photo will appear on the inside cover, surrounded by the U.S. flag and the Declaration of Independence text.
A famous painting of the founding fathers signing the Declaration of Independence will be on another page.
The passports will keep current security features and include new artwork.
Only a limited number of these passports will be issued, but the exact number is not announced.
Other government items featuring Trump’s likeness include a $1 coin draft design, national parks passes, and banners in several departments.
A large golden victory arch nicknamed the “Arc de Trump” has been approved despite public criticism. It would be taller than the Capitol and Lincoln Memorial.
The “America250” celebrations also include events like a Grand Prix race and a UFC fight on the White House lawn.
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A new poll shows Vice President Kamala Harris leading the early race for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination with 50 percent support. Other potential candidates lag behind, and the poll highlights Harris’s strong name recognition among Democratic voters.
Key Facts
The Harvard/Harris poll surveyed 2,745 registered voters in late April 2024.
Kamala Harris’s support rose from around 40 percent earlier this year to 50 percent in the latest poll.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is second with 22 percent support in the Democratic primary.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has 9 percent, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has 8 percent, and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has 6 percent.
Not all potential candidates were included in the poll, such as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Senators Cory Booker and Andy Beshear.
Harris has recently spoken at Democratic events in key states like Michigan, Arkansas, and South Carolina.
The first votes for the 2028 presidential primaries will be cast in early 2028, but candidates typically announce campaigns soon after the 2026 midterm elections.
Early polls help candidates gain donations, media attention, and voter support but do not guarantee final results.
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David Morens, a former senior adviser at a US health agency, was charged by the Department of Justice with hiding government records related to Covid-19 during the pandemic. The indictment claims Morens and others used personal email accounts to conceal communications about funding linked to the Wuhan Institute of Virology and tried to influence the public narrative on the virus's origins.
Key Facts
David Morens served as a senior adviser at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) from 2006 to 2022.
He was charged with concealing federal records during the Covid pandemic.
The charges include conspiracy, falsifying records, and hiding communications.
Morens and co-conspirators allegedly used his personal Gmail account to avoid public requests for official emails.
The NIAID had awarded a research grant that was later terminated due to concerns about Covid’s origin from a Wuhan lab.
Morens and others allegedly tried to restore the grant and counter the lab leak theory.
Prosecutors said Morens received gifts like wine and expensive meals linked to his efforts.
If convicted, Morens could face up to 20 years in prison for falsifying records plus other penalties.
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The Trump administration has stopped allowing federal money to be used for buying or handing out fentanyl test strips. These strips help people check if street drugs contain fentanyl, a powerful and dangerous opioid.
Key Facts
The administration reversed its earlier support for funding fentanyl test strips.
Federal funds can no longer be used to buy or distribute these test strips.
Fentanyl test strips help detect if drugs have been mixed with fentanyl or other harmful substances.
This change is part of a wider opposition to harm reduction practices by the administration.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration informed federal grant recipients about this decision in an open letter.
Harm reduction refers to strategies that aim to reduce the negative effects of drug use without necessarily stopping drug use completely.
Fentanyl is a strong opioid that has caused many overdose deaths in the U.S.
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ordered Disney to apply for early license renewals for its ABC TV stations. This comes as the FCC investigates possible rule violations related to Disney’s diversity and discrimination practices, following a controversy sparked by a joke on Jimmy Kimmel’s show about First Lady Melania Trump.
Key Facts
The FCC ordered Disney to file early renewals for ABC TV station licenses originally set to renew from 2028 to 2031.
The investigation focuses on possible violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and rules against unlawful discrimination.
The inquiry relates to Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, under review since March 2025.
Disney owns eight ABC stations, including major ones in New York and Los Angeles.
The license renewal order followed President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s demand that ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel after his controversial joke about the First Lady.
Kimmel’s joke aired April 23 during a comedy bit about the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The controversy increased after a shooting incident involving a Secret Service agent at the dinner where the Trumps were present.
Disney said it believes its stations comply with FCC rules and is prepared to defend its licenses legally.
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Two brothers, Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and Muhammad Amaad, are on trial for allegedly attacking police officers at Manchester Airport in July 2024. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz said he feared for his life when police forced him to the ground and claimed he acted in self-defense during the事件.
Key Facts
The incident took place at the car park pay station area of Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport.
Police tried to arrest Mohammed Fahir Amaaz after a report that he headbutted a customer.
Both brothers are accused of using high levels of violence against police officers.
Mohammed Fahir Amaaz claims he did not know police were there or why they used force.
Police officers PC Zachary Marsden, PC Lydia Ward, and PC Ellie Cook were involved.
PC Ward suffered a broken nose after being punched.
Amaaz said he thought officers were trying to harm him because of previous cases of police abuse.
Amaaz admitted to hitting officers but said it was in self-defense, not knowing some were female or that the Taser was not a gun.
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