Hunter Biden discussed his presidential pardon from President Joe Biden in a BBC interview, saying the pardon was controversial but that he was grateful for it. He also spoke about his father’s health, denied planning to run for office, and emphasized his focus on addiction recovery.
Key Facts
President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden in December 2024.
The pardon covered Hunter’s federal gun conviction, a tax case, and any federal offenses between 2014 and 2024.
Hunter Biden called himself “the most privileged person” for receiving the pardon.
He said the pardon was criticized but claimed his father acted to protect him from potential prosecution under President Trump’s upcoming administration.
Hunter Biden said he and his father never discussed the pardon before it was granted.
He described President Biden’s cancer as painful and debilitating but said his father remains engaged in politics.
Hunter Biden ruled out running for political office and said he wants to focus on addiction recovery.
Hunter talked about the 2024 presidential debate where he felt something was wrong with his father’s health.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A federal judge in Alabama refused to dismiss a legal case against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) that was filed by the Justice Department under President Donald Trump’s administration. The judge said the SPLC did not provide enough proof that the government acted out of revenge or hostility when starting the case.
Key Facts
The case was brought by the Trump administration’s Justice Department.
The SPLC wanted the case dismissed, calling it a "vindictive prosecution" (meaning unfair or revenge-driven legal action).
The judge ruled against the SPLC’s request to dismiss the case.
The judge decided the SPLC did not prove the government acted with harmful intent or bias.
The case involves legal actions connected to civil rights issues.
The decision was made in a federal court located in Alabama.
The ruling allows the case to continue moving forward.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Senate passed a bill to increase sanctions on Russia by penalizing countries that keep buying Russian oil and gas. The Senate also confirmed Cameron Hamilton to lead FEMA and approved 74 other nominees of President Donald Trump, including new leaders for the TSA and the U.S. ambassador to Brazil.
Key Facts
The Senate approved a broad sanctions bill against Russia, aimed at countries like China and India that buy Russian oil and gas.
This bill supports Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia and moves next to the House for approval.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the Senate’s action as important pressure on Russia.
Cameron Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, was confirmed to lead FEMA, which is facing changes under President Trump’s administration.
David Cummins was confirmed to head the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is dealing with staffing and financial challenges.
Daniel Perez was confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Brazil, a position involved in diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Senator Bill Cassidy expressed support for Todd Blanche to become the head of President Trump’s Justice Department.
The Senate confirmed a total of 74 nominees from President Trump’s administration on the same day.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Jeff Merkley asked the Trump administration for details about plans to place disclaimers outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. They want to understand the reasons and intentions behind the disclaimers.
Key Facts
Senators Lisa Murkowski (Republican) and Jeff Merkley (Democrat) jointly requested information.
They are leaders on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees Interior and Environment funding.
The request concerns disclaimers planned for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
The lawmaker duo represents Alaska and Oregon, and come from different political parties.
The senators seek clarity on the purpose and content of these disclaimers from the Trump administration.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders aimed at limiting birthright citizenship and stopping birth tourism in the US. The orders expand rules on which children born in the US do not automatically get citizenship and increase enforcement against people traveling to the US just to give birth.
Key Facts
Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the US is usually a citizen, based on the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
Birth tourism is when foreign nationals come to the US to have a baby so the child will get US citizenship.
One order blocks automatic citizenship for children if a parent is linked to foreign terrorist groups, foreign diplomats, or lives in some US territories where citizenship is not given.
The government has said birth tourism is illegal but plans to crack down harder on the industry that promotes it.
There are no exact numbers on birth tourists, but about 9,500 babies were born in the US to foreign women in 2024.
Some US territories, like Puerto Rico and Guam, grant citizenship at birth, but others like American Samoa do not.
The orders follow a Supreme Court ruling that blocked President Trump’s previous attempt to limit birthright citizenship in June.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Hawaii’s lieutenant governor, Sylvia Luke, is facing bribery charges and is not running for re-election. Nine candidates, including five Democrats and four Republicans, are competing in the primary to replace her. Meanwhile, a Democratic congressman who supported President Donald Trump’s key policy faces a strong primary challenge.
Key Facts
Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke pleaded not guilty to bribery charges linked to her 2022 campaign.
Luke is not seeking re-election amid the corruption scandal.
Five Democrats and four Republicans are running to become the next lieutenant governor.
The lieutenant governor position in Hawaii is a common steppingstone to higher political offices.
Current Hawaii Governor Josh Green and U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz previously served as lieutenant governors.
The governor and lieutenant governor in Hawaii are elected separately, not as a team.
A longtime Democratic congressman who supported a major policy from President Donald Trump is facing a challenging primary fight.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito confirmed he will continue serving on the Supreme Court for another term. He made this announcement after rumors about his retirement spread following a mistaken news report.
Key Facts
Justice Samuel Alito is 76 years old.
He confirmed he is staying on the Supreme Court for another term.
Rumors about his retirement began after a false news story was published.
The false report was quickly retracted by the news outlet and the court.
If Alito had retired, President Donald Trump would have had the chance to appoint a new justice.
In an interview, Alito said he decides cases based on his own judgment, not political influence.
He noted that his decisions sometimes align with President Trump’s views and sometimes do not.
Alito spoke during a rare interview held in his Supreme Court chambers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Hillary Clinton asked Democrats to come together and support all party candidates. She pointed out divisions between longtime party leaders and newer progressive members during ongoing primary elections.
Key Facts
Hillary Clinton spoke about the need for unity in the Democratic Party.
She mentioned the rising tensions between establishment Democrats and progressives.
Clinton referred to close primary election results, such as Abdul El-Sayed’s narrow win in Michigan.
She emphasized that support within the party should be a two-way street, meaning all members should back each other.
Clinton made these comments during a conversation with journalist Kara Swisher.
The call for unity comes amid a wave of Democratic primary contests.
This reflects ongoing challenges in balancing different views within the party.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Senate is working on several important issues before the summer break. There is no agreement yet between the U.S. and Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for world oil shipments.
Key Facts
The U.S. Senate is handling multiple matters ahead of its summer recess.
No deal has been reached yet between the United States and Iran concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important route for global oil transportation.
Discussions and negotiations are ongoing but no final agreement is confirmed.
The news was reported by CBS News and discussed by Major Garrett.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Nearly 60 bodies were found stored in poor conditions at a funeral home in Chicago. Authorities are working to identify the remains and inform families, while the funeral home's director has had her license suspended.
Key Facts
Almost 60 bodies were discovered in bad condition at South Chicago Chapel.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office is leading the investigation.
Bodies were stored unrefrigerated with signs of decomposition and maggot infestation.
The funeral home director, Johanna Morgan, had her license suspended by Illinois regulators.
Johanna’s husband, Clark Morgan, also had his funeral director’s license revoked earlier.
Clark Morgan previously operated another crematory that was shut down for mishandling bodies.
Funeral homes in Illinois must follow strict rules, including not placing bodies on top of each other and keeping a written log of every body's movements.
State and federal authorities discovered the condition of the bodies after an inspection.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, the commander of the U.S. Army’s V Corps in Europe, was recently removed from his position. The Army has not explained why, and sources say it is not related to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s wider changes in military leadership.
Key Facts
Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza led the Army’s V Corps since April 2024.
V Corps is responsible for U.S. Army forces and operations across Europe, with a base in Poland.
The corps plays a key role in supporting Ukraine and managing NATO’s frontlines after Russia's invasion.
Costanza’s removal happened recently but the Army has not clarified the reasons.
The change is not connected to Defense Secretary Hegseth’s broader reshuffle of senior officers.
Brig. Gen. John B. Mountford is now the acting commanding general of V Corps.
The Pentagon canceled a planned deployment of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team to Poland this year.
President Donald Trump later said 5,000 U.S. troops would be stationed in Poland despite that cancellation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Senate confirmed Cameron Hamilton to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He had served temporarily in this role before being fired last year after opposing its removal. The Senate also approved 73 other nominations by President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Cameron Hamilton is now the confirmed head of FEMA.
Hamilton previously led FEMA temporarily but was fired last year for opposing plans to eliminate the agency.
President Donald Trump nominated Hamilton again about a year after his firing.
The Senate approved 74 nominations in total, including those for the Transportation Security Administration and ambassador to Brazil.
David Cummins was confirmed to lead the Transportation Security Administration.
Daniel Perez was confirmed as ambassador to Brazil.
FEMA's future was uncertain after President Trump's early threats to dismantle it in his second term.
The Trump administration is still planning major changes in how disaster management is handled.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Hillary Clinton shared a story about a moment during the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center when Michelle Obama praised Barack Obama’s achievements, including his Nobel Peace Prize. Clinton recalled Barack Obama’s brief reply to her joking about how President Donald Trump might react to the praise.
Key Facts
The moment took place at the dedication of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
Michelle Obama highlighted Barack Obama's key accomplishments, including winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
Hillary Clinton was sitting behind Barack Obama and noticed his reaction during Michelle’s speech.
Clinton joked that President Trump might be watching and thinking he was in trouble.
Barack Obama responded briefly, saying, “Yeah, I hope he is.”
The mention of the Nobel Prize by Michelle Obama drew audience applause and went viral online.
President Trump has expressed frustration about not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize despite his diplomatic efforts.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize and later gave her medal to President Trump during a White House visit.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump announced new deals and investments to support the mining industry. These actions are intended to strengthen the economy and improve supply chains for key materials.
Key Facts
President Trump announced these mining deals during a mining roundtable event.
The Department of Defense plans to sign a $1.4 billion loan with Sila Nanotechnologies.
The loan will help build a new battery manufacturing facility.
The administration says these investments will help the economy grow.
Strengthening supply chains is a major goal of the mining support efforts.
The focus is on increasing domestic production of important materials for technology and defense.
This initiative is part of a broader plan to secure critical industries in the U.S.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The CBS News show "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" will feature three guests on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The guests include Senator Bill Cassidy, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.
Key Facts
The show airs on CBS News at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
It also streams on Paramount+ and CBSNews.com at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Senator Bill Cassidy is a Republican from Louisiana.
Senator Bernie Sanders is an Independent from Vermont.
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is the Director of the National Institutes of Health.
The program is hosted by Margaret Brennan.
The episode date is Sunday, August 9, 2026.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A U.S. appeals court has blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to build a ballroom in the White House because it lacks congressional approval. The court says Congress controls the White House property, and the president cannot make major changes without permission.
Key Facts
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit voted 2-1 to uphold an injunction stopping the ballroom construction.
Judges Patricia Millett and Bradley Garcia were in favor; Judge Neomi Rao dissented.
The court emphasized Congress controls the White House property, and the president is only a temporary user.
The court stated no president has ever unilaterally demolished parts of the White House funded by taxpayers before.
The ruling warns that building the ballroom will cause permanent harm to the historic White House.
The injunction includes a 14-day delay to allow the Trump administration to appeal to the Supreme Court.
President Trump said he would appeal to the Supreme Court and argued the ballroom is needed for national security.
The ballroom idea was first proposed by Trump in 2011 and revived after he started his second term in 2025.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump has taken actions during his second term that some say are hostile to Muslims, like immigration restrictions and harsh language. However, he has also built closer ties with Muslim-majority countries and gained more support from some Muslim voters, making the situation more complex than in his first term.
Key Facts
In 2015, Trump called for a complete ban on Muslims entering the U.S.
He restricted entry from several Muslim-majority countries, policies later upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
Many Muslim Americans saw Trump as unfriendly during his first term, with 74% expressing this view in 2017.
After a shooting by an Afghan national in 2025, Trump’s administration tightened immigration rules, affecting many Muslim countries.
Trump used inflammatory language about some Muslim countries and politicians, drawing criticism from Muslim groups.
Muslim voters in 2024 showed more mixed support: about 31% backed Trump, while 50% voted for Kamala Harris.
Trump visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE early in his second term, announcing billions in economic deals.
Events like the Gaza conflict influenced the political views of some Muslim voters, causing shifts in their usual voting patterns.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Colin Gray was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter for giving his son the gun used in a deadly 2024 school shooting in Georgia. He has now asked for a new trial, claiming the jury's decision was not supported by the evidence.
Key Facts
The shooting happened on September 4, 2024, at Apalachee High School in Georgia.
Two students and two teachers were killed in the shooting.
Colt Gray, the shooter and son of Colin Gray, was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Colin Gray gave his son a semiautomatic rifle as a Christmas gift, along with ammunition and accessories.
Colin Gray was convicted of second-degree murder for the deaths of two 14-year-old students.
He was also found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of two teachers.
Georgia law defines second-degree murder in this case as causing the death of a child by cruelty to children.
Colin Gray’s lawyers argue that the jury’s guilty verdict was not based on sufficient evidence and requested a new trial.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Senate race in Mississippi is gaining attention as Democrat Scott Colom challenges Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith for her seat. This race is part of a wider contest where Democrats aim to win at least four new Senate seats to gain control during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Key Facts
Scott Colom is the Democratic candidate trying to unseat Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi.
Democrats need to win at least four new Senate seats to gain the majority.
Colom could become Mississippi’s first Black senator since the Reconstruction era after the Civil War.
Mississippi’s last Democratic senator was elected in the 1940s before the political party shift in the South.
Economic concerns like inflation and the rising cost of living are motivating voter interest.
Republicans remain confident they will keep control of the Senate.
Fundraising and increasing voter turnout, especially among Black voters, are key to Colom’s campaign.
Retail campaigning (meeting voters in person) and local media ads are important in Mississippi’s smaller market.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Sarah Matthews, a former deputy press secretary, said that Vice President Vance does not have the same charm as President Donald Trump. She made this comment after Vance posted a message on social media that criticized a conservative commentator’s weight.
Key Facts
Sarah Matthews spoke about Vice President Vance on CNN’s “NewsNight.”
Matthews said Vance lacks the charisma that President Trump has.
The comment came after Vance fat-shamed a conservative pundit.
The fat-shaming happened in a post on the social platform X (formerly Twitter).
Vance’s post was related to a public debate involving the pundit.
Matthews is a former deputy press secretary from President Trump’s administration.
The topic was discussed on a news program on a Friday.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
