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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has called a special session of the state legislature to create a new map for congressional districts. This new map would remove the state’s only Democratic seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The change is part of a larger effort by both political parties to redraw voting boundaries before the November elections.
Key Facts
Governor Henry McMaster announced a special session for redistricting.
The new map aims to eliminate South Carolina’s single Democratic U.S. House seat.
Redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries.
Both Democrats and Republicans are actively redrawing maps before the November midterms.
The special session was called on a Thursday.
The redistricting will affect South Carolina’s congressional representation.
The action reflects ongoing efforts to influence election outcomes through district changes.
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The U.S. government is preparing to charge Raúl Castro, the 94-year-old former Cuban leader, for his role in shooting down planes 30 years ago. This move is part of broader U.S. efforts to pressure Cuba for political and economic reforms.
Key Facts
Raúl Castro is linked to the 1996 shooting down of planes flown by the group Brothers to the Rescue.
The indictment must be approved by a grand jury before charges proceed.
The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment on the situation.
President Trump has imposed strict measures on Cuba, including threats of tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba.
Raúl Castro stepped down as Cuba’s Communist Party leader in 2021 but remains influential.
Raúl Castro’s grandson, Raulito, acts as a key contact between the U.S. and Cuba.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe recently met with Raulito to deliver President Trump’s message demanding major Cuban reforms.
U.S. law enforcement is targeting Cuban Communist Party leaders for various crimes, including economic offenses and drug trafficking.
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The CDC is monitoring 41 people in the U.S. for hantavirus after an outbreak on the cruise ship M/V Hondius. Eighteen passengers are quarantined in Nebraska and Georgia, with more under observation due to possible flight exposures. No U.S. cases have been confirmed yet, and those in quarantine show no symptoms.
Key Facts
The CDC tracks 41 people for hantavirus exposure linked to the M/V Hondius cruise ship.
Eighteen passengers are quarantined in special medical centers in Nebraska and Georgia.
Seven other passengers who returned before the outbreak are also monitored.
Additional people exposed during flights are being watched, though exact numbers are unknown.
There are no confirmed hantavirus cases in the U.S. currently, and quarantined passengers show no symptoms.
Eleven confirmed or suspected hantavirus cases are linked to the cruise, including three deaths from Europe.
The hantavirus strain involved, Andes virus, can spread between people, unlike most hantaviruses usually passed by rodents.
A quarantined passenger shared his experience of missing personal events due to the long quarantine period of 42 days.
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The US Department of Justice accused Yale University’s medical school of illegally using race to decide admissions. Officials said Black and Hispanic students had a better chance of admission than equally or better qualified white and Asian students, violating federal law that bans racial discrimination.
Key Facts
The Justice Department sent a letter to Yale saying its medical school favors Black and Hispanic applicants over white and Asian applicants.
The department said Yale’s admissions gave Black students up to 29 times higher chance of interviews than similar Asian applicants.
This investigation follows a recent Supreme Court ban on affirmative action in college admissions.
The Justice Department is seeking a voluntary agreement with Yale but can take legal action if needed.
Similar accusations were made against UCLA’s medical school last week.
Yale’s admissions consider race through a “holistic” process, which the Justice Department says covers illegal racial preferences.
Yale had argued in court that without race consideration, diversity would suffer, but the Justice Department said diversity remained the same.
A group of Democratic attorneys general is suing to challenge the policy forcing schools to prove they do not use race in admissions.
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Congressional leaders are worried about some members of the House of Representatives missing important votes. Two lawmakers, Tom Kean Jr. and Frederica Wilson, have been absent for several weeks due to personal reasons, causing tight vote margins on key legislation.
Key Facts
A recent vote on an Iran war powers resolution ended in a tie, partly because several members were absent.
Rep. Frederica Wilson missed votes due to major eye surgery and plans to return next Wednesday.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. has been absent for two months because of a personal medical issue.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged Wilson to come back quickly because the vote margins are very close.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he knows only that Kean has a medical issue and hopes he returns soon.
Kean canceled a public event and is keeping his location private, leading to some uncertainty about his situation.
Both Kean and Wilson have not said they will quit running for reelection.
Kean is the only Republican candidate on the primary ballot in a district that Democrats want to win.
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South Carolina’s Republican Governor Henry McMaster has asked the state legislature to hold a special session to redraw the state’s congressional districts before the November midterm elections. The new map could change the boundaries of the state’s only Democratic district. Redistricting efforts like this are happening in other states and could influence future elections, including the 2028 presidential race.
Key Facts
Governor Henry McMaster is a Republican leader in South Carolina.
He requested a special session of the state legislature to redraw congressional districts.
The focus is on changing the district map before the November midterm elections.
South Carolina has only one congressional district currently held by a Democrat.
The redrawn map might affect this Democratic district’s borders.
Redistricting can change which party has an advantage in elections.
Similar redistricting efforts are happening in other states across the country.
These changes could influence not only midterms but also future elections like the 2028 presidential race.
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A UK charity, the NSPCC, reported a big increase in children being blackmailed online with sexual images last year. They said many threats came from criminals tricking kids into sending explicit photos and then demanding money or more images.
Key Facts
Contacts to NSPCC’s Childline about online sexual abuse rose 36% last year.
Blackmail was discussed in about 40% of online abuse counseling sessions.
Common blackmail tactics include demanding money after tricking children into sending explicit selfies and forcing them to send more images.
Criminals are using AI tools to make explicit images from children’s normal photos.
NSPCC urges the government to strengthen social media safety rules and improve protections for children.
A government consultation is open on online safety, including age limits and app restrictions.
MPs want more data transparency and controls on social media to protect kids.
The UK government is working on laws to limit harmful content and is considering bans or restrictions similar to rules in Australia.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that freight brokers can be held responsible in some truck crash lawsuits. This means logistics companies that arrange trucking services may face legal claims in certain accident cases.
Key Facts
The ruling was unanimous, meaning all justices agreed.
It allows lawsuits against freight brokers in some truck crashes.
Freight brokers are companies that arrange transportation but do not drive trucks themselves.
The decision could increase legal accountability for logistics companies.
The case was decided by the Supreme Court on a Thursday.
The ruling may affect how future truck accident lawsuits are handled.
CBS News reported this news with senior correspondent Jim Axelrod explaining the case.
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Former FBI Director James Comey said he never thought about asking President Joe Biden for a pardon before President Donald Trump came back to office last year. Comey also said he would not have accepted a pardon if it had been offered.
Key Facts
James Comey was the FBI Director before.
He spoke on Thursday about not asking President Biden for a pardon.
The pardon would have been asked before President Trump returned to office last year.
Comey said he never considered asking for a pardon.
He said he would not have accepted a pardon if offered.
The statement was made during an interview with CNN’s Kasie Hunt.
Comey did not know if President Biden would have given him a pardon.
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CBS News reporter Anna Schecter visited Flushing, Queens, a neighborhood with many Chinese Americans, to gather their views about the upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The article shares what these community members hope for from the meeting.
Key Facts
The article is based on interviews with Chinese Americans in Flushing, Queens.
The focus is on their opinions and expectations about the Trump-Xi summit.
The summit involves President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Flushing is known for its large Chinese American population.
The discussions center on the future of U.S.-China relations.
CBS News covered these perspectives to provide insight into community views.
The coverage was presented by reporter Anna Schecter.
The article is part of CBS News' broader reporting on international diplomacy involving the U.S.
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U.S. lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill to help civilian federal workers, like law enforcement agents, receive compensation for illnesses caused by exposure to toxic burn pits during overseas service. The bill aims to treat civilians the same as military members by making it easier to prove their illnesses are work-related.
Key Facts
The bill is called the Kenya Merritt Renewing Our Promise to Address Toxicity Act, named after an FBI agent who died from lung cancer linked to burn pit exposure.
It would give civilian federal employees the same legal status as military personnel for illnesses from burn pits.
A 2022 law helps military members get compensation for burn pit exposure but does not cover civilians.
Civilians must currently prove a direct connection between their illness and toxic exposure to get workers' compensation.
The new bill would create a "presumption" that certain illnesses are work-related for eligible civilians exposed to burn pits during overseas operations.
The bill is supported by both Democrats and Republicans and backed by the FBI Agents Association.
According to lawmakers, every civilian claim related to burn pits has been denied so far by the Department of Labor.
The bill was introduced during Police Week to highlight the needs of law enforcement agents exposed overseas.
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Representative Lou Correa supports more research on psychedelic drugs to help veterans. In April, President Trump signed an order to speed up research and increase funding for these treatments.
Key Facts
Rep. Lou Correa is leading a bipartisan effort to promote research on psychedelic drug therapies.
These therapies involve using certain drugs to treat mental health conditions.
Veterans may benefit from these new treatments.
In April, President Trump signed an executive order supporting faster research and more funding for psychedelics.
The discussion about this topic was featured on CBS News.
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The U.S. Senate has voted to stop their own pay during any future government shutdowns. Meanwhile, the CDC is tracking 41 people for hantavirus, rare protests have started in Cuba because of fuel shortages and power outages, and soul singer Clarence Carter has passed away.
Key Facts
The Senate agreed to withhold senators' pay if the government shuts down again.
The CDC is monitoring 41 people in the U.S. for hantavirus, a rare virus spread by rodents.
Protests have occurred in Cuba due to a lack of fuel and severe power blackouts.
Clarence Carter, a famous soul music singer, has died.
These events were reported together in a news wrap on Thursday.
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The House Ethics Committee is investigating sexual harassment claims against Representative Chuck Edwards from North Carolina. The committee is reviewing whether Edwards created a hostile work environment or violated the House's rules on harassment.
Key Facts
The investigation is led by the House Ethics Committee.
Rep. Chuck Edwards is a Republican from North Carolina.
The claims involve possible sexual harassment.
The committee is also looking into whether Edwards created a hostile work environment.
This review is based on the House's code of conduct, which sets behavior standards for members.
The committee publicly announced the investigation on a Thursday.
The outcome of the investigation has not yet been shared.
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The Supreme Court has temporarily allowed people to continue getting the abortion pill mifepristone by telehealth and mail. This extends a pause on a lower court order that aimed to stop these methods of access, but the legal battle is ongoing.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court extended a pause on a lower court ruling about mifepristone.
The lower court had ruled to block telehealth prescriptions and mail delivery of the abortion pill.
This extension means people can still get mifepristone remotely for now.
The decision is temporary and part of an ongoing legal conflict.
Experts like Mary Ziegler are discussing the implications of this case.
Mifepristone is a medication used to end early pregnancies.
Access to the pill by telehealth and mail has been a controversial legal issue.
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Several reality TV stars, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his family, are creating shows as they prepare for political campaigns. These reality TV personalities hope to use their public fame to win elected offices, which could impact future political styles and campaigns.
Key Facts
Sean Duffy, current Transportation Secretary, and his family are filming a reality TV show.
The show’s release aligns with the country's 250th anniversary celebration.
Sean Duffy and his wife first met while filming an MTV reality show in the 1990s.
A growing number of reality TV stars are running for political office.
These candidates aim to use their TV experience and public recognition to succeed in politics.
Campaigns of reality TV personalities might change how politics is done and presented to the public.
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The "Alligator Alcatraz" camp in Florida, which holds migrants, is expected to close. This is part of changes related to immigration policies under President Donald Trump's administration.
Key Facts
"Alligator Alcatraz" is a detention camp for migrants located in Florida.
The camp has been controversial, drawing public attention and debate.
It is currently expected to close soon.
The closure relates to immigration policy changes by President Donald Trump's government.
Liz Landers, a White House correspondent, reported on these developments.
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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) approved nearly $600 million for fixing and updating its hospitals and clinics in 2026. This funding is part of a larger $4.8 billion investment aiming to improve care for veterans by repairing old buildings and preparing them for new technology.
Key Facts
The VA approved $596 million in infrastructure improvements for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026.
The total maintenance budget for 2026 is $4.8 billion, with over $1 billion already committed by midyear.
Funds will repair outdated systems, including elevators, electrical, and heating plants, to make facilities more reliable.
$255 million will support upgrades related to future electronic health records systems.
The investment targets improving medical facility operations and healthcare delivery for veterans.
The VA has enrolled over 125,000 new veterans in health care and opened 35 new facilities since January 2025.
Staffing concerns remain as the VA reduced its workforce by nearly 30,000 employees last year.
The upgrades aim to address long-standing maintenance needs while preparing for new technology.
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Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, plans to return to the UK Parliament as a Labour MP by running for a seat in Makerfield after the current MP announced he would resign. This move comes amid growing pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, following poor election results and the resignation of health secretary Wes Streeting, who criticized Starmer's leadership.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham will try to become a Labour MP for Makerfield after Josh Simons said he would resign.
Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary, citing lack of confidence in Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.
Streeting called for a wide debate within Labour about the party’s future but did not say he would run for leader.
The Labour party must have its leader be a current MP, so Burnham’s return is linked to a possible leadership challenge.
Sir Keir Starmer’s allies say he is focused on uniting the party after poor election results.
Reform UK, a rival party, plans to strongly contest the Makerfield seat.
Angela Rayner, a potential leadership challenger, announced she settled a tax issue.
James Murray will replace Wes Streeting as health secretary.
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The US Supreme Court has allowed people to keep getting the abortion pill mifepristone by mail for now. This decision stops a lower court’s rule that limited access while the case continues in lower courts.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court blocked a lower appeals court’s decision that restricted abortion pill access.
Two companies making mifepristone asked the Supreme Court to step in after the restrictions.
Abortion pills are the most common way to end pregnancies in the US, especially in states with abortion bans.
The FDA allowed doctors to send abortion pills by mail or through telemedicine starting in 2023.
Earlier, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals required abortion pills to be picked up in person, following a lawsuit from Louisiana.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito disagreed with the Supreme Court’s decision.
Thomas criticized sending the pills by mail in Louisiana, calling it illegal under state law.
The legal debate centers on state abortion bans versus federal FDA rules for abortion pill access.
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