US News

Republican Louisiana senator in tough primary after Trump backs opponent

May 16, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy faces a difficult Republican primary after President Trump endorsed his opponent, Julia Letlow. Cassidy had voted to impeach Trump and later tried to regain favor by supporting Trump-backed nominees, but Trump’s endorsement of Letlow has shifted support away from Cassidy.

Key Facts

Senator Bill Cassidy voted to impeach President Trump after the January 6 Capitol attack.
Cassidy later voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Trump-backed nominee, as health secretary.
President Trump endorsed Julia Letlow to run against Cassidy in the Republican primary.
Letlow and John Fleming are leading in polls ahead of Cassidy in the primary race.
Cassidy has criticized some Trump-backed nominees, causing further tension with the president.
Louisiana’s Republican party censured Cassidy in 2021 because of his impeachment vote.
Changes to Louisiana’s primary rules now allow only party members and unaffiliated voters to choose the Republican nominee, affecting Cassidy’s chances.
Cassidy is a doctor and former House member who has served as a US senator since 2015.

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Guardian World Guardian US

CBS News insiders fear Bari Weiss will soon enact ‘massive changes’ to 60 Minutes

May 16, 2026 • Guardian Business

Summary

CBS News’s program 60 Minutes remains highly popular, drawing millions of viewers. The upcoming 60 Minutes season will be the first fully led by Bari Weiss, the new editor-in-chief after Skydance Media acquired Paramount Global. Staff members expect significant changes, with some prominent correspondents leaving or possibly being fired.

Key Facts

On April 12, 60 Minutes attracted 10.1 million viewers, making it the most-watched news show this season.
Bari Weiss became editor-in-chief of CBS News after Skydance Media completed buying Paramount Global in August 2025.
Insiders say “massive changes” are expected after the current season ends on May 17, but the core mission of 60 Minutes may stay the same.
Anderson Cooper announced he is leaving the show to focus on his CNN program and family.
Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi suggested she may be fired; she criticized corporate interference at CBS News.
Weiss reportedly delayed Alfonsi’s December report on the Trump administration’s deportation of Venezuelans.
Some staff fear layoffs and worry changes under Weiss might harm the show’s reputation.
Former producers and insiders believe Alfonsi’s possible firing could discourage other journalists from reporting freely.

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Guardian Business

Our 10-Month-Old Had a Mysterious Illness. Then Suddenly She Was Gone

May 16, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

A father writes about the sudden and unexplained death of his 10-month-old daughter, Aviva, after repeated hospital visits for a mysterious condition causing her heart rate to drop during sleep. Despite many tests, doctors could never find the cause, and Aviva passed away unexpectedly during her sixth hospital visit.

Key Facts

Aviva was a 10-month-old baby girl who often experienced sudden drops in her heart rate while sleeping.
She was taken to the hospital five times before her death, starting at just nine days old.
Doctors conducted many tests, including heart, brain, and genetic checks, but never found a cause.
Aviva appeared happy and healthy between episodes, showing no obvious symptoms.
During her sixth hospital visit, her condition worsened suddenly, and she died despite emergency efforts.
The cause of Aviva’s death remains unknown.
The father describes the deep grief and loss experienced after her passing.
He commits to honoring his daughter’s memory despite the tragedy.

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Newsweek

GOP Sen. Cassidy fights to hold onto seat in Louisiana primary

May 16, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

Louisiana voters are choosing their Republican Senate nominee in a primary where incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy seeks a third term against challengers including Rep. Julia Letlow. The race reflects divisions within the GOP, with President Trump endorsing Letlow over Cassidy, who voted to impeach Trump after the January 6 Capitol attack.

Key Facts

Sen. Bill Cassidy is running for a third Senate term in Louisiana.
Cassidy voted to convict President Trump in his 2021 impeachment trial.
President Trump endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow, Cassidy’s Republican challenger.
Letlow was the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Louisiana in 2021.
Cassidy and Letlow criticize each other on loyalty and conservative credentials.
State Treasurer John Fleming is also running, creating a three-way Republican race.
If no candidate wins more than 50%, the top two will have a runoff on June 27.
Louisiana is a strongly Republican state where Trump won 60% of the vote in 2024.

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CBS News

Can a Republican defy Donald Trump and survive? Kentucky voters will decide

May 16, 2026 • Guardian US

Summary

In Kentucky’s 4th congressional district, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie faces a primary challenge from Ed Gallrein, who is backed by President Donald Trump. The race is seen as a test of Trump’s influence within the Republican Party, as Massie has often opposed Trump and positioned himself as an independent voice.

Key Facts

Thomas Massie is a seven-term congressman known for his libertarian views and opposition to some Trump policies.
Massie has voted against Trump’s tax and spending bill, opposed military actions without Congress’s approval, and co-authored a bill to release Jeffrey Epstein files.
Ed Gallrein, a farmer and retired Navy SEAL, is Trump’s endorsed candidate trying to unseat Massie in the May 19 Republican primary.
President Trump has publicly criticized Massie using harsh language and called for voters to remove him from office.
Two senior Trump strategists lead a political action committee supporting Gallrein in the race.
Early polling shows the race is close, with Massie’s limited local presence seen as a potential weakness.
The district is mostly white, with a median income of about $82,000, and strongly supported Trump in the 2024 election.
The primary is viewed as a choice between loyalty to Trump or support for an independent Republican voice.

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Guardian US

At least five people pardoned by Trump for Capitol attack accused of new crimes

May 16, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

At least five people pardoned by President Donald Trump for their roles in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack have been accused of new crimes since their pardons. One recent case involves Ryan Nichols, who threatened someone with a gun in Texas and was arrested for deadly conduct.

Key Facts

Ryan Nichols pleaded guilty for his role in the Capitol attack and was sentenced to over five years in prison.
He was pardoned by President Trump in January 2025, along with about 1,500 others involved in the attack.
In May 2025, Nichols was arrested after threatening a person with a handgun in a church parking lot in Harleton, Texas.
Nichols was charged with deadly conduct and released on an $8,000 bond.
Nichols previously planned to run for Congress but later withdrew his candidacy.
A nonprofit group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), tracks pardoned Capitol attackers facing new criminal charges.
CREW’s database listed more than 30 pardoned attackers, with at least four accused of new crimes before Nichols' arrest.
Notable cases include Christopher Moynihan, guilty of harassment threats, and Zachary Alam, sentenced to seven years for burglary.

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Guardian World Guardian US

Fetterman frustrates Democrats with pro-Trump remarks on Fox News

May 16, 2026 • The Hill

Summary

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, known for his straightforward style, has recently made remarks on Fox News that support President Donald Trump and criticize some Democrats. These comments have caused frustration among members of his own party.

Key Facts

John Fetterman is a Democratic senator from Pennsylvania.
He is known for his casual style and broad appeal, including to independents and some Republicans.
Recently, he spoke on Fox News defending President Trump.
Fetterman also criticized some members of the Democratic Party.
His remarks have upset many Democrats who worry he is distancing himself from the party.
Fetterman’s comments have raised questions about his political alignment.

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The Hill

Military Personnel Alerted to Cheap Loans They May Be Missing Out On

May 16, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

Many active and former U.S. military members do not use VA-backed home loans, missing out on important savings. VA loans offer benefits like no down payment and no need for private mortgage insurance, which can save borrowers thousands of dollars when buying a home.

Key Facts

Fewer than half of eligible military service members consider VA loans when buying a home.
Only 54% know VA loans require no down payment.
Just 39% are aware that VA loans do not require private mortgage insurance (PMI).
PMI savings for VA loan users amounted to a median of $10,600 in 2025.
VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and offered by private lenders.
VA loans are available to active-duty service members, veterans, and some surviving spouses with certain service requirements.
VA loans can be used to buy or improve homes, including single-family homes, condos, manufactured homes, and new builds.
In some cities with large military populations, use of VA loans is higher, such as Tampa, Florida, where about 40% of homebuyers used VA loans from 2023 to 2025.

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Newsweek

DOJ to create $1.776B 'Truth and Justice Commission' to compensate allies: Sources

May 16, 2026 • ABC News

Summary

The Department of Justice is planning to create a $1.776 billion fund called the "Truth and Justice Commission" to pay people who claim they were wronged by the government. This plan is part of a deal for President Trump to drop his lawsuit against the IRS.

Key Facts

The fund will compensate alleged victims of government "weaponization."
President Trump is set to drop his lawsuit against the IRS in exchange for this compensation fund.
The $1.776 billion figure references the year 1776, when the United States was founded.
The lawsuit involves Trump suing the IRS after a contractor leaked his and others' tax information.
A federal judge questioned if Trump can sue the government he leads, causing legal challenges.
DOJ lawyers considered letting the lawsuit continue under a legal idea called the "rule of necessity."
The judge asked for court filings to decide if the case can move forward because Trump controls the defendants.
The compensation deal may also cover other claims against Trump related to past investigations and a search of his property.

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ABC News

Call for more meningitis vaccines after teen dies

May 16, 2026 • BBC Top Stories

Summary

A teenage boy named Lewis Waters from Oxfordshire died after contracting meningitis B, sparking calls for wider meningitis vaccination for teenagers and young adults. Health officials and a charity are reviewing current vaccine policies and encouraging people to stay up to date with available meningitis vaccines.

Key Facts

Lewis Waters, a sixth-form student at The Henley College, died from meningitis B.
Two other teenagers in Reading are being treated for meningitis, with one confirmed case of meningitis B.
The charity Meningitis Now is urging the government to expand meningitis B vaccination to teenagers and young adults.
Meningitis B vaccines are not currently given routinely to teenagers on the NHS due to cost concerns.
The UK Health Security Agency found a social connection between Lewis and the other infected teens, and close contacts are receiving antibiotics as a precaution.
Approximately 300 to 400 cases of meningococcal disease occur in England annually, mostly affecting babies, children, and young adults.
The NHS offers a meningitis ACWY vaccine free to people up to age 25, but it does not protect against meningitis B.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is reviewing whether to change the eligibility for routine meningitis B vaccination.

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BBC Top Stories

Donald Trump Deals New Blow to US Farmers on China Trip

May 16, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

President Donald Trump defended Chinese purchases of U.S. farmland during his visit to Beijing, saying stopping these sales would lower land values and harm American farmers. This changed his earlier strong opposition and raised worries among farmers and security experts about China’s increasing influence on U.S. agriculture.

Key Facts

President Trump said blocking Chinese buyers from U.S. farmland would crash land prices and hurt farmers financially.
His comments came during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity in Beijing.
Farmers are already facing problems like low crop prices, high fertilizer costs, uncertain trade, and worries about exports to China.
Some farmers and experts fear China’s farmland ownership could be risky in the long term.
Local communities and lawmakers have voiced concerns about Chinese ownership near military bases and sensitive areas.
Chinese investment in U.S. farmland adds to fears about national security and food supply safety.
Critics say previous governments, including President Obama’s, did not act to limit Chinese land purchases.
China is the largest buyer of U.S. agricultural products but is seen by some as a rival to the U.S.

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Newsweek

Democrat Charles Booker Plans to Follow McConnell Playbook to Win Kentucky

May 16, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

Charles Booker, a Democrat, is running in Kentucky's Senate primary and aims to win by organizing in all areas, including rural and working-class communities. He plans to focus on economic and healthcare issues and build a campaign like Mitch McConnell’s, the retiring Republican senator, who dominated Kentucky politics for decades.

Key Facts

Charles Booker is the leading candidate in the Kentucky Democratic Senate primary.
He plans to organize voters across the state, including areas that usually support Republicans.
Booker wants to focus on issues like wages, healthcare, paid sick leave, and universal basic income.
He believes Kentucky is a "marginalized" state with working people who feel ignored by politics.
Booker’s campaign message is inspired by populism, aiming to connect with working-class frustrations.
Kentucky has voted strongly for President Trump in recent elections and is seen as a Republican stronghold.
The retiring senator, Mitch McConnell, is a longtime Republican leader from Kentucky.
Democratic Governor Andy Beshear has won statewide twice, showing some Democrats can win in Kentucky.

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Newsweek

What Trump’s Ballroom Reveals About Washington’s Donor Economy | Opinion

May 16, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project has drawn public criticism, especially from Democrats. However, some of these Democrats accept campaign money from the same donor groups connected to the project, showing how deeply linked political funding is across party lines in Washington.

Key Facts

President Trump has a large and controversial ballroom project in the White House.
Democrats publicly criticize the ballroom but take donations from related donors behind the scenes.
Donor networks often provide money to politicians from both parties.
Lobbying firms and consultants keep working with whoever is in power.
This shows a political system based on ongoing financial ties rather than strict party opposition.
The ballroom’s size and style are seen as disproportionate and symbolize the current political culture.
Ordinary Americans face financial struggles while political leaders operate within a wealthy system.
President Trump sometimes appears to believe in the political theater around him more than others do.

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Newsweek

I Thought I Was Just out of Shape—an ER Trip Changed My Life in an Instant

May 16, 2026 • Newsweek

Summary

A 25-year-old woman who lived a healthy lifestyle began experiencing worsening symptoms like fatigue, abdominal pain, and vomiting. After months of misdiagnosis, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that had spread to her liver and is currently undergoing treatment with oral chemotherapy.

Key Facts

The woman prioritized health and fitness before her symptoms began.
Symptoms included poor sleep, night sweats, frequent urination, severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Doctors initially diagnosed her with acid reflux without further testing.
Her symptoms worsened over several months, leading to an emergency room visit.
Imaging tests and a biopsy confirmed she had Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that had spread to her liver.
She received her diagnosis at age 25, which is considered very young for this cancer.
The cancer tumors are neuroendocrine, a specific type affecting hormone-producing cells.
She is currently being treated with oral chemotherapy pills and trying to stay positive.

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Newsweek

The release of the UFO files won’t satisfy conspiracy theorists – but it certainly serves Trump’s agenda | Daniel Lavelle

May 16, 2026 • Guardian US

Summary

The U.S. Department of Defense released UFO files under President Donald Trump’s order due to high public interest. The files showed unclear evidence and did not confirm alien visits, but their release fits Trump’s political approach by stirring public attention and distracting from other issues.

Key Facts

President Donald Trump directed the release of UFO files from the Department of Defense.
Nearly half of Americans believe aliens have visited Earth and that the government hides proof.
The UFO conspiracy theory began in 1947 with the Roswell incident in New Mexico.
The files released contained low-quality videos and images that did not prove alien activity.
Some videos were quickly debunked, showing explained objects like flares and balloons.
The release aligns with Trump’s style of appealing to conspiracy theories and political outsiders.
Several top government officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have publicly expressed interest in UFOs.
The files act as a distraction from President Trump’s legal and political challenges.

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Guardian US

US charges alleged Iran-backed ⁠Kataib Hezbollah suspect – What we know

May 16, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Summary

The US Department of Justice arrested Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, an Iraqi man accused of leading attacks for an Iran-backed group called Kataib Hezbollah. He faces charges for planning many violent acts across the US, Canada, and Europe aimed at forcing the US and Israel to stop military actions against Iran.

Key Facts

Al-Saadi is charged with planning at least 18 attacks or attempted attacks internationally.
He is alleged to be a senior leader in Kataib Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran and labeled a terrorist organization by the US.
The attacks were intended to pressure the US and Israel to stop recent military actions against Iran.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed al-Saadi’s arrest and praised the operation.
Al-Saadi worked closely with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and had ties to Qassem Soleimani, a former IRGC commander.
Attacks linked to him include shootings, stabbings, firebombings, and bomb plots in cities like Amsterdam, Toronto, London, and Paris.
He allegedly tried to fund attacks on Jewish centers in New York, California, and Arizona using cryptocurrency.
Al-Saadi was brought to a Manhattan federal court and is facing six federal charges.

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Al Jazeera

In the birthplace of Civil Rights Movement, groups rally to defend Black political representation

May 16, 2026 • AP News

Summary

Thousands gathered in Alabama, the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement, to support Black political representation and voting rights. They are responding to recent changes in voting laws and court decisions that have weakened protections for Black voters.

Key Facts

The rally started in Selma, a historic site for voting rights activism, and moved to the Alabama state Capitol in Montgomery.
The event aims to continue the work of the Civil Rights Movement and oppose what organizers call attacks on Black political power.
Recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have weakened voting rights laws, allowing stricter voter ID rules, less early voting, and other restrictions.
These changes affect states, including Alabama, that used to need federal approval before changing voting laws due to past discrimination.
A federal court ruled in 2023 that Alabama's 2nd Congressional District diluted Black voting power and ordered it to be redrawn.
The Supreme Court allowed a new district map that might enable the Republican Party to win the seat instead.
Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement expressed concern that protections gained over decades are eroding rapidly.
The protest highlights ongoing struggles to secure fair representation and voting rights for Black Americans.

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AP News

FDA official who scrutinized COVID shots and antidepressants is out in latest shake-up

May 16, 2026 • AP News

Summary

Dr. Tracy Beth Hoeg, an official at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has been removed from her role leading the agency’s drug program. Her departure comes amid a series of leadership changes at the FDA, including the recent resignation of the FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.

Key Facts

Dr. Tracy Beth Hoeg was removed from her position as acting director of the FDA’s drug center.
Dr. Mike Davis, the deputy director, will replace Hoeg as acting director.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned earlier in the same week.
Another recent resignation was Dr. Vinay Prasad, who led the FDA’s vaccine and biotech center.
Karim Mikhail was named acting director of the FDA’s vaccines center.
Hoeg was promoted rapidly by Makary despite having no prior government or management experience.
She has led investigations into the safety of antidepressants, COVID-19 vaccines, and other drugs since joining the FDA in March.
Hoeg has expressed controversial views on vaccines and public health measures and was involved in efforts to drop some federal childhood vaccine recommendations.

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AP News

Supreme Court rejects Virginia’s bid to restore congressional map favoring Democrats

May 16, 2026 • AP News

Summary

The U.S. Supreme Court refused Virginia’s request to reinstate a new congressional district map that would have favored Democrats. This decision ends efforts to change district lines before upcoming elections, meaning Virginia will use the older map from 2021.

Key Facts

The Supreme Court rejected Virginia’s attempt to restore a Democratic-friendly congressional map.
The Virginia Supreme Court had struck down a voter-approved amendment related to redistricting.
The issue involved the timing of placing the amendment on the ballot during early voting.
President Donald Trump encouraged Republican-controlled states to redraw districts to benefit the GOP.
Recent Supreme Court rulings have weakened the Voting Rights Act, helping Republicans gain seats.
Virginia will hold elections using the current 2021 district lines.
Democratic state officials criticized the federal court decision as a political move against voting rights.
The Supreme Court did not provide a detailed dissent or explanation for its order.

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AP News

Teenager Isla Bell’s body was found in a Melbourne tip 18 months ago. Today friends and family demanded ‘justice’

May 16, 2026 • Guardian World

Summary

Isla Bell, a 19-year-old from Melbourne, was found dead in a rubbish tip 18 months after her disappearance. The man originally charged with her murder had the charge dropped due to lack of evidence, which has upset her family and friends who are calling for justice and changes to protect victims.

Key Facts

Isla Bell’s body was discovered in a Melbourne rubbish tip in November 2024, about six weeks after she died.
Marat Ganiev, 55, was first charged with Isla’s murder, then the charge was reduced to manslaughter and later dropped because prosecutors said they did not have enough evidence.
Ganiev is now charged with trying to interfere with the investigation, not with causing Isla’s death.
Isla’s family and friends held a rally to honor her and to demand justice after the charges were withdrawn.
Isla’s mother, Justine Spokes, expressed grief and frustration with the legal system and called for cultural changes to stop violence against women.
David Spokes, Isla’s grandfather, asked the Victorian Attorney General to make sure the case is properly tried in court.
Those at the rally wore orange in memory of Isla’s long, vibrant hair and shared stories about her kindness and love for gardening.
The community search for Isla before her body was found lasted several weeks and brought people together to try to find her.

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