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The United States carried out two sets of military strikes against Iran on Wednesday. These attacks are part of a series of actions over five days as tensions and conflict between the countries increase.
Key Facts
The U.S. launched two waves of strikes against Iran on the same day.
These strikes are the fifth day of continuous attacks on Iran.
The military actions indicate a rise in tension and conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
CBS News reported on the strikes, providing updates and details.
No information was given about the reasons behind the strikes or their targets.
The situation suggests an escalation in the ongoing conflict involving the U.S. and Iran.
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Dr. Erica Schwartz appeared before the Senate health committee for her confirmation hearing as the nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She promised to protect CDC science and increase transparency but faced questions about handling political influence, especially from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Key Facts
Dr. Erica Schwartz is the Trump administration’s nominee to lead the CDC.
The CDC is a top U.S. public health agency based in Atlanta.
Schwartz pledged to protect the CDC’s scientific integrity and be transparent.
Some senators expressed concern about political interference in the CDC.
They questioned how Schwartz would respond to pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy has pushed changes to vaccine and CDC policies in the past.
Schwartz did not clearly disagree with some of Kennedy’s actions during the hearing.
The hearing aimed to assess Schwartz’s ability to lead the CDC and protect public health.
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A former pupil named Meg says she was groomed by Neil Foden, a former headteacher at Ysgol Friars school in Bangor, Gwynedd, in 2023 when she was 14 years old. Foden was jailed for 17 years in 2024 for multiple sexual offences. Meg is now seeking compensation for the emotional harm she suffered, but the council’s insurers have challenged her claim.
Key Facts
Meg was groomed by Neil Foden during one-on-one "therapy sessions" at school in 2023, when she was 14.
Foden was jailed for 17 years in 2024 for a series of sexual offences against young girls.
Meg says she was never physically or sexually assaulted by Foden, but his behavior caused her nightmares and flashbacks.
Meg attended 17 private sessions with Foden, who told her not to talk about them with her parents.
The local council, Cyngor Gwynedd, is reviewing all compensation claims related to Foden’s actions.
Insurers acting for the council said there is "no legal liability" regarding Meg’s claim since no physical touching occurred.
An independent Child Practice Review in 2025 found over 50 missed chances to stop Foden’s abuse and criticized the school's leadership team.
Messages among school senior staff showed concerns about Foden’s conduct with pupils during the time Meg was attending sessions.
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An elderly woman in Florida was surprised to receive a new car license plate with the number "SQZ A55," which she felt was inappropriate. Although some people told her to change it, she has decided to keep the plate for now to see what happens.
Key Facts
Nancy Dello Stritto, age 77, lives in Pompano Beach, Florida.
She received a new license plate with the number "SQZ A55."
She felt the plate was risqué or inappropriate for someone her age.
Some neighbors suggested she exchange the plate, while family members told her to keep it.
She did not notice the issue when she first got the plate in the mail.
Florida license plates have been made at a state prison in North Florida for nearly 100 years.
Broward County officials said offensive plates can be exchanged for free.
Nancy decided to keep the plate and might enjoy the attention it brings.
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The U.S. military carried out a second round of attacks against Iran to limit its ability to threaten ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. These strikes happened as President Donald Trump considers attacking bridges in Iran.
Key Facts
The strikes targeted Iran’s military systems that could harm ships near the Strait of Hormuz.
The military operations began around 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday.
This was the second series of attacks within a short period.
Earlier attacks focused on Iranian coastal defense systems and missile capabilities.
President Donald Trump is thinking about extending attacks to bridges inside Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway for international shipping.
The strikes aim to reduce threats to marine traffic in this important region.
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Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s southern port city of Odesa early Wednesday. The attacks caused a large fire, killed at least six people, and injured 20 others in different parts of Ukraine.
Key Facts
Russia used both missiles and drones in its attacks.
The main target was the port city of Odesa in southern Ukraine.
The strikes happened early Wednesday morning.
A large fire broke out that required firefighters to put it out.
At least six people died as a result of the attacks.
Twenty people were wounded in various locations across Ukraine.
Officials confirmed the number of casualties.
The attacks were part of ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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A security researcher released code for a new exploit called HiveLegacy that lets non-administrator Windows users make changes to administrator accounts. Microsoft is investigating this vulnerability after releasing many security patches, and users can protect themselves by using detection tools and monitoring their systems.
Key Facts
A researcher named NightmareEclypse published an exploit called HiveLegacy for Windows on the same day Microsoft released many security updates.
HiveLegacy targets a vulnerability in the Windows User Profile Service.
It allows users with limited rights to alter the registry settings of administrator accounts, potentially gaining admin-level control.
The exploit requires knowing another user’s password and the username of a third account on the computer.
Microsoft is aware of the exploit and is investigating the issue.
The exploit uses the way Windows loads user settings during login, which runs with high system privileges.
Independent security experts have provided detection scripts and advice on monitoring Windows system activity to prevent this exploit.
Restricting the creation of local accounts and watching for unusual system behavior can help block attacks using HiveLegacy.
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Mexico has requested that U.S. state attorneys investigate the deaths of Mexican migrants who died while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. These deaths occurred during President Donald Trump’s second term amid increased immigration enforcement.
Key Facts
Mexico officially asked U.S. state legal authorities to start criminal investigations.
The focus is on deaths of Mexican migrants in ICE custody.
At least 17 Mexican nationals died during immigration enforcement in President Trump’s second term.
Of these, 14 died while held by ICE.
This request follows a period of stricter immigration policies under President Trump.
The investigations aim to determine the circumstances of these migrant deaths.
ICE is the U.S. agency responsible for immigration enforcement.
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France’s parliament approved a law allowing adults with incurable illnesses to end their own lives with medical help under strict conditions. The law applies to French citizens or residents who suffer greatly and can make clear decisions about their choice.
Key Facts
The law gives a legal right to assisted dying for adults with incurable, advanced, or terminal illnesses.
Patients can receive a lethal substance to self-administer or have a doctor or nurse give it if they cannot do it themselves.
To qualify, patients must suffer constant physical or mental pain and be able to make informed, free decisions.
The National Assembly passed the law with 291 votes in favor and 241 against.
President Emmanuel Macron supported the law and said it respects democracy and public debate.
If approved by France’s Constitutional Council, the country will join others like the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada in allowing assisted dying.
Some groups, including the far-right party and the Catholic Church, oppose the law, fearing potential abuse and moral issues.
France’s Senate rejected the bill, but the lower house’s decision is final, with possible review by the Constitutional Council.
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Two former high-ranking Maltese officials have been accused in court of being involved in a plan to kill journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The accusations came during the trial of businessman Yorgen Fenech, who is accused of ordering her assassination in 2017.
Key Facts
Former economy minister Chris Cardona and former chief of staff Keith Schembri were named as involved in the plot.
Brothers George and Alfred Degiorgio, imprisoned for planting the bomb that killed Caruana Galizia, made the accusations.
Alfred Degiorgio verbally accused the three men in court but refused to answer further questions and was arrested for contempt of court.
George Degiorgio detailed an alleged earlier murder plot from 2015 involving the same officials.
The plot included instructions, payment negotiations, and surveillance of the journalist’s home.
The plan was supposedly halted because of upcoming elections, according to George Degiorgio.
The journalists’ investigations had targeted the Labour party government led by then-Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
Both Cardona and Schembri were top officials in Muscat’s administration at the time of the alleged plots.
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Ukraine conducted a drone attack on 20 Russian ships in the Black Sea, hitting mostly oil and gas tankers and a tugboat. Over the past 10 days, Ukraine says it has targeted 136 ships linked to Russia’s hidden fleet in the Black and Azov seas.
Key Facts
Ukraine attacked 20 Russian vessels using drones.
The ships included 17 oil tankers, two gas tankers, and one tugboat.
The attack took place in the Black Sea.
Ukraine calls this a large-scale drone operation.
Ukraine claims it has targeted 136 ships connected to Russia’s shadow fleet in the last 10 days.
The shadow fleet refers to ships operating secretly or unofficially for Russia.
The area involved includes both the Black Sea and the Azov Sea.
Kyiv (the capital of Ukraine) released videos showing the strikes.
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Wildfires in Canada and Minnesota caused heavy smoke to spread across much of the U.S. The smoky air is expected to stay for a few more days and might get worse before it improves.
Key Facts
Wildfires are burning in Canada and Minnesota.
Smoke from these fires has spread across a large part of the United States.
The sky looks hazy and smoky in many areas.
Air quality is poor because of the wildfire smoke.
The smoke is expected to remain for the next couple of days.
Conditions may get worse before the smoke clears.
There is some chance that the air quality will improve after a few days.
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Senator Jon Ossoff questioned Jay Clayton, President Trump’s choice for national intelligence director, about the focus on disproven claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election. During a confirmation hearing, Ossoff and other Democrats challenged Clayton on the administration’s attention to these claims.
Key Facts
Jon Ossoff is a Democratic senator from Georgia.
He is up for reelection this year and considered vulnerable.
Jay Clayton was nominated by President Trump to be director of national intelligence.
The 2020 election fraud claims have been widely debunked.
Ossoff and other Senate Democrats questioned Clayton about the administration’s focus on these claims.
The questioning took place during Clayton’s confirmation hearing.
The hearing became tense as Democrats pressed on the issue.
The 2020 election refers to the U.S. presidential election held in November 2020.
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Three Democratic lawmakers are concerned that a new bill aimed at sanctioning Russia over its actions in Ukraine includes broad tariff powers for President Trump. They believe these powers go beyond what should be allowed and could have unintended effects. The bill is called the Sanctioning Russia Act 2026.
Key Facts
The Sanctioning Russia Act 2026 targets Russian President Vladimir Putin for the war in Ukraine.
The bill has bipartisan support but faces criticism from some Democrats.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) is a leading critic and senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Meeks says the bill includes tariff authorities that are not appropriate in this context.
Tariffs are taxes on imports or exports between countries.
Critics worry these tariff powers could be misused or harm U.S. economic interests.
The bill aims to strengthen sanctions against Russia to pressure an end to the war.
The debate shows challenges in balancing sanctions with trade policies in U.S. Congress.
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Iraq’s prime minister is visiting Washington to ask for stronger economic cooperation between the two countries. The relationship between the United States and Iraq has been affected by almost 100 years of wars, changing partnerships, and outside influences.
Key Facts
Iraq’s prime minister is currently visiting Washington, D.C.
The main goal of the visit is to improve economic ties between Iraq and the U.S.
The U.S. and Iraq have a long history of conflict and cooperation that spans nearly 100 years.
This relationship has changed many times due to wars and shifting alliances.
Foreign countries have influenced the relationship between the two nations over the years.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche did not clearly say whether federal agents will be sent to polling places but promised to follow the law. There are ongoing legal debates about whether sending federal agents near voting sites might break laws that protect voters from intimidation.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche said he would follow the law about deploying federal agents to polling sites but did not promise they would not be present.
Federal law generally bans armed troops or agents at polling places except in rare cases like stopping armed enemies.
Lawsuits are challenging the Trump administration’s use of federal agents near polling places over voter intimidation concerns.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection first denied then confirmed having documents about ICE agents near polling places in Texas and California.
A judge ordered CBP to release documents about potential ICE deployments at polling sites.
Other officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, did not rule out ICE presence, saying agents could respond to specific threats.
Voting rights groups say federal agents at polls may scare voters and reduce turnout.
There is no evidence that illegal voting by undocumented immigrants happens in numbers large enough to affect election results.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended his handling of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein during his confirmation hearing. He said the Justice Department worked hard to review millions of files after President Donald Trump signed a law requiring the release of these materials.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the Acting Attorney General and a nominee for the permanent position.
He spoke before the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing.
The Justice Department reviewed millions of files connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
This review happened after President Trump signed the Epstein Transparency Act into law.
The Act requires the release of documents related to Epstein’s cases.
Blanche admitted there were mistakes in redacting (blacking out) sensitive information.
Lawyers were ready to fix these redaction errors quickly.
Some documents wrongly revealed personal details and images of survivors.
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People protested in Paris and Gaza to ask for the release of Hussam Abu Safia, a Palestinian doctor held by Israel since December 2024. The protesters also want other Palestinian healthcare workers detained by Israel to be freed.
Key Facts
Hussam Abu Safia is a Palestinian doctor.
He has been in Israeli custody since December 2024.
Protests took place in both Paris and Gaza.
Demonstrators are calling for the release of Abu Safia.
Protesters also want other Palestinian healthcare workers held by Israel to be released.
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Senate Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin will join survivors of Jeffrey Epstein to oppose President Trump’s choice of Todd Blanche for Attorney General. Blanche faced tough questions from senators during his confirmation hearing.
Key Facts
President Trump nominated Todd Blanche to be the full-time Attorney General.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Whip Dick Durbin oppose this nomination.
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, who was a convicted sex offender, are also opposing Blanche’s appointment.
Todd Blanche currently serves as the acting Attorney General.
Blanche was questioned closely by senators during his confirmation hearing.
The opposition is centered on concerns linked to the Epstein survivors’ experiences.
The Attorney General is the top federal prosecutor and head of the Department of Justice.
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Johan Sebastián Guerrero was shot and killed by federal immigration officers in Maine during an enforcement operation. This incident is part of a series of cases where federal immigration agents have fatally shot people, leading to criticism and calls for reform of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Key Facts
Johan Sebastián Guerrero was shot while driving away from a house monitored by ICE because someone there had a final deportation order.
Guerrero had legal work authorization and a Social Security number, according to immigrant groups.
ICE officials say federal agents face a large increase in attacks involving vehicles during immigration enforcement.
Other recent cases include Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas and incidents in Minneapolis and Chicago involving fatal shootings by immigration officers.
Video evidence in some cases challenges official claims that victims used their vehicles to attack officers.
Some politicians and officials, including Maine’s governor, have called for ICE to be reformed or abolished.
Several of the shootings involved officers without body cameras, complicating investigations.
Families, lawmakers, and immigrant advocates question the use of deadly force and transparency in these incidents.
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