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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States

Watch live: Hegseth, Caine face Senate questioning over budget, Iran

Watch live: Hegseth, Caine face Senate questioning over budget, Iran

Summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine will speak to a Senate committee about the conflict in Iran and President Trump’s 2027 budget plan for the Pentagon. Hegseth may also be questioned about his dispute with Senator Mark Kelly.

Key Facts

  • Pete Hegseth is the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
  • Dan Caine is the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
  • Both are testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
  • The topic includes the conflict in Iran.
  • They will discuss President Trump’s budget request for the Pentagon for 2027.
  • Hegseth might answer questions on a disagreement with Senator Mark Kelly.
  • The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
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Young Americans feel negatively about job market prospects, new poll shows

Young Americans feel negatively about job market prospects, new poll shows

Summary

A recent poll shows that fewer than half of Americans aged 15 to 34 think it will be a good time to find a job in 2025. This suggests that many young people feel worried about their job prospects in the near future.

Key Facts

  • The poll was conducted by Gallup.
  • It focused on Americans between 15 and 34 years old.
  • Less than 50% of these young people feel positive about finding a job in 2025.
  • The results indicate concerns among young Americans about the job market.
  • Business analyst Jill Schlesinger discussed the poll findings on "CBS Mornings."
  • The news was shared by CBS News.
  • The poll reflects opinions about future job opportunities, not current employment status.
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How would a Labour leadership contest work?

How would a Labour leadership contest work?

Summary

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer faces pressure to resign after poor election results and resignations by some MPs. For a leadership contest to happen, 81 Labour MPs must back a challenger, and party members will vote to choose the new leader.

Key Facts

  • Labour lost many council seats in recent local elections and suffered major losses in Wales and Scotland.
  • Over 80 Labour MPs have called for Starmer to resign or set a timetable to leave.
  • Several ministers, including Jess Phillips, Miatta Fahnbulleh, and Alex Davies-Jones, have resigned from their roles.
  • To trigger a leadership election, 20% of Labour MPs (81 out of 403) must support a challenger.
  • Candidates for leader must also have the backing of 81 MPs to stand in the election.
  • Starmer automatically appears on the ballot if he chooses to run again and stays prime minister during the contest.
  • Labour party members and affiliated trade union supporters vote by ranking candidates in order of preference.
  • Potential challengers include Andy Burnham (who must first become an MP), Angela Rayner, and Wes Streeting.
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Ship operator and employee are charged in crash that caused the deadly collapse of Baltimore bridge

Ship operator and employee are charged in crash that caused the deadly collapse of Baltimore bridge

Summary

Federal prosecutors charged two Singapore-based companies and an employee for decisions that led to the 2024 crash of the cargo ship Dali into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge. The crash caused the bridge's collapse, killed six workers, and disrupted the local economy.

Key Facts

  • The Dali cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, 2024.
  • Six construction workers died while working on the bridge during the crash.
  • Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. (Singapore), Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd. (India), and technical superintendent Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair were charged.
  • Charges include conspiracy, failing to report hazards to the U.S. Coast Guard, obstruction, and making false statements.
  • The crash happened because the ship’s steering failed after two electrical blackouts disabled its controls.
  • The bridge replacement is estimated to cost $4.3 billion to $5.2 billion, with reopening expected by late 2030.
  • The collapse stopped shipping at the Port of Baltimore and caused widespread economic and traffic problems.
  • Maryland reached a settlement in principle with the ship’s owner and operator but lawsuits related to the crash remain partially unresolved.
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Watch: Reporters shout questions at ministers leaving No 10

Watch: Reporters shout questions at ministers leaving No 10

Summary

Reporters asked government ministers many questions as they left a meeting at 10 Downing Street about the prime minister's future. Health Secretary Wes Streeting did not answer when asked if he might challenge the prime minister’s leadership. More than 80 Labour MPs have publicly called for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down or set a plan for his departure.

Key Facts

  • Reporters questioned ministers about the prime minister’s future after a cabinet meeting.
  • Health Secretary Wes Streeting stayed silent when asked about a leadership challenge.
  • Over 80 Labour MPs want Prime Minister Keir Starmer to leave or give a timetable for leaving.
  • The events took place at 10 Downing Street, the UK government’s headquarters.
  • The situation reflects unrest within the Labour Party’s leadership.
  • Other political topics mentioned include UK social care funding and international matters like the Middle East conflict.
  • There are also mentions of political party leadership speeches and MP activities in the UK.
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Comer requests sit-down with former JPMorgan banker in Epstein probe

Comer requests sit-down with former JPMorgan banker in Epstein probe

Summary

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer asked Jes Staley, a former executive at JPMorgan Chase, to meet for an interview about Jeffrey Epstein. The request is part of the committee's investigation into Epstein, who was a sex offender and is now deceased.

Key Facts

  • James Comer is the Chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
  • Jes Staley is a former executive at JPMorgan Chase, a major bank.
  • Comer sent a letter asking Staley to participate in an interview.
  • The interview relates to an ongoing probe into Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender who died in 2019.
  • The investigation involves reviewing public reports and documents from the Department of Justice.
  • The committee is looking into Epstein’s connections and financial dealings.
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What Is the Purcell Principle? Supreme Court Called Out Over Alabama Order

What Is the Purcell Principle? Supreme Court Called Out Over Alabama Order

Summary

The U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed Alabama to use a new congressional map with only one majority-Black district, overturning a lower court’s order to use a map with two majority-Black districts. This decision came just days before Alabama’s primary elections and raised concerns about potential voter confusion and whether the court followed the Purcell principle, which aims to prevent last-minute changes to election rules.

Key Facts

  • The Supreme Court lifted a lower-court order that required Alabama to use a congressional map with two majority-Black districts.
  • The new map approved by the Supreme Court only has one majority-Black district and was drawn by Republicans in 2023.
  • The court’s decision came less than a week before Alabama’s primary elections were scheduled to start.
  • The Purcell principle advises courts not to change voting rules close to an election to avoid confusing voters and causing problems with election management.
  • The Purcell principle stems from a 2006 Supreme Court case, Purcell v. Gonzalez, involving last-minute changes to voter ID laws in Arizona.
  • Alabama’s maps have been challenged for possibly violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which protects against racial discrimination in voting.
  • The Supreme Court’s recent 2024 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais changed how Section 2 is applied to race-based district maps, influencing the Alabama case.
  • Some Supreme Court justices, including Justice Sonia Sotomayor, criticized the timing of the decision, warning it could confuse voters just before the election.
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How Uber, DoorDash and Lyft accounts are being rented and sold online

How Uber, DoorDash and Lyft accounts are being rented and sold online

Summary

A CBS News investigation found that Uber, DoorDash, and Lyft driver accounts are being bought and rented online, often by people who fail or avoid background checks. Lawmakers and experts worry this creates safety risks for customers, and calls are growing for stronger identity checks on drivers.

Key Facts

  • Driver accounts for Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash can be bought or rented online without showing ID.
  • This practice lets people who might not pass background checks drive or deliver with fake or stolen identities.
  • Sellers on sites like Facebook Marketplace and Instagram advertise these accounts and sometimes offer ways to bypass checks.
  • A longtime rideshare driver confirmed this has been a problem for years and said it raises safety concerns.
  • A Michigan congresswoman is pushing for better verification, including possibly checking driver IDs in person.
  • Uber reported handling about 3.6 billion rides and deliveries in early 2026, making in-person checks challenging.
  • The California Public Utilities Commission received only a few official complaints about stolen identity accounts in two years.
  • Uber acknowledges fraud is complex and says it works to fight identity theft but cannot eliminate it entirely.
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Trump nominates Kari Lake to be US ambassador to Jamaica

Trump nominates Kari Lake to be US ambassador to Jamaica

Summary

President Donald Trump has nominated Kari Lake to be the US ambassador to Jamaica. Lake currently leads the US Agency for Global Media but has faced legal challenges over her role there.

Key Facts

  • President Trump nominated Kari Lake to be the US ambassador to Jamaica.
  • Kari Lake was a TV anchor before entering politics in Arizona.
  • She ran for Arizona governor in 2022 and for the US Senate in 2024 but lost both elections.
  • Lake currently leads the US Agency for Global Media, which manages Voice of America (VOA).
  • A judge ruled in March that Lake was unlawfully serving as head of the agency because she was not confirmed by the Senate.
  • The ruling voided her actions, including firing hundreds of VOA employees.
  • Lake thanked President Trump and expressed eagerness to strengthen US-Jamaica relations if confirmed.
  • Some staffers see her nomination as a shift following the legal challenges to her management at USAGM.
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California mayor charged with acting as Chinese covert agent

California mayor charged with acting as Chinese covert agent

Summary

The former mayor of Arcadia, California, has agreed to plead guilty to charges of working secretly for the Chinese government without permission. The U.S. Justice Department announced this case involving illegal foreign agent activity.

Key Facts

  • The person involved is the former mayor of Arcadia, California.
  • She is charged with acting as an illegal foreign agent for China.
  • She agreed to plead guilty to the charges.
  • The U.S. Justice Department made the announcement.
  • Acting as a foreign agent means working for a foreign government without notifying the U.S. government.
  • The case involves secret activities on behalf of China in the United States.
  • This is a legal matter related to national security and foreign influence.
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2 foreign companies, supervisor indicted in 2024 Baltimore bridge crash

2 foreign companies, supervisor indicted in 2024 Baltimore bridge crash

Summary

Two foreign companies and a ship supervisor have been charged by the U.S. federal government for their involvement in the 2024 crash of a cargo ship that caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The crash resulted in the deaths of six construction workers.

Key Facts

  • The incident involved the cargo ship M/V Dali.
  • The crash caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
  • Six construction workers died in the collapse.
  • Two foreign companies related to the ship were indicted by federal prosecutors.
  • A shoreside supervisor of the M/V Dali was also charged.
  • The event occurred in 2024, and the indictments were announced in May 2026.
  • The crash caused significant damage and was a major infrastructure accident in Maryland.
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Jeffrey Epstein survivors to return to Palm Beach, Florida, for House hearing

Jeffrey Epstein survivors to return to Palm Beach, Florida, for House hearing

Summary

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse will participate in a congressional hearing near Epstein’s former home in Palm Beach, Florida, to discuss his crimes and a controversial legal deal from 2008. The hearing, led by Democratic lawmakers, will also explore allegations involving President Donald Trump, who denies any wrongdoing.

Key Facts

  • The hearing takes place near Epstein’s former mansion in Palm Beach, where he abused underage girls.
  • Democratic House members and survivors will attend; there is no Republican involvement or subpoena power.
  • Epstein escaped federal charges in 2008 due to a deal with Florida prosecutors, which Democrats call a “sweetheart deal.”
  • Some victims were allegedly recruited from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, where Epstein and Trump were once acquaintances.
  • Emails released in 2023 suggested Trump knew about Epstein’s activities, but the president denies these claims.
  • Epstein died by suicide in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
  • Virginia Giuffre, a key Epstein survivor, claimed she was recruited at Mar-a-Lago; she died by suicide in 2025.
  • The hearing will be streamed live and aims to raise attention to Epstein’s crimes and support victims.
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Feds charge ship operator in Baltimore's Key Bridge collapse

Feds charge ship operator in Baltimore's Key Bridge collapse

Summary

The operator of the container ship MV Dali that crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024 is facing federal criminal charges. The crash killed six workers and caused the bridge to collapse. The charges relate to using improper fuel pumps and making false statements during the investigation.

Key Facts

  • The ship MV Dali lost power and hit the Key Bridge, killing six highway construction workers.
  • The incident happened on March 26, 2024, early in the morning.
  • Synergy Marine's Singapore and India operations and technical superintendent Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair were indicted.
  • Charges include conspiracy to defraud the U.S., failure to inform the Coast Guard, false statements, and obstruction.
  • The crew used a flushing pump to supply fuel to generators, which was not the proper pump and was unsafe.
  • The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found two power outages caused by equipment failures and the inappropriate use of the flushing pump.
  • Synergy and the ship owner previously settled civil claims for over $100 million but still face lawsuits.
  • A major bridge replacement project is planned, expected to cost billions and take until the end of the decade.
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Trump’s loss in court could become the linchpin to his victory in Iran

Trump’s loss in court could become the linchpin to his victory in Iran

Summary

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled that part of President Trump’s government reorganization plan was unconstitutional. Although this was a loss for President Trump in court, the decision might actually help him in other legal or political battles.

Key Facts

  • President Trump often criticizes federal courts when they rule against him.
  • In March, a federal judge in the District of Columbia made a decision against part of Trump’s government reorganization plan.
  • The court found that part of the plan was unconstitutional, meaning it violated the U.S. Constitution.
  • This court ruling is considered a setback for President Trump’s government changes.
  • Despite the court loss, the ruling could become important in helping President Trump in other situations.
  • The article suggests this decision may have unexpected effects on President Trump’s efforts in Iran-related matters.
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Greene, Ingraham alarmed at potential Trump-Xi $1 trillion investment deal

Greene, Ingraham alarmed at potential Trump-Xi $1 trillion investment deal

Summary

Reports say President Donald Trump is thinking about a deal that would let China invest $1 trillion in the United States. Some conservative Republicans are worried about this plan because it might affect national security rules on Chinese investments.

Key Facts

  • President Donald Trump is considering a deal with China involving $1 trillion in investment.
  • China offered to increase its investments in the U.S. starting last October.
  • The deal may require the Trump administration to ease national security rules on Chinese business deals.
  • Conservative Republicans, including public figures Greene and Ingraham, are concerned about the potential risks.
  • The national security rules are meant to protect important U.S. industries from foreign control.
  • The proposed investment deal is seen as unusually large compared to past Chinese investments in the U.S.
  • Discussions about this deal have recently gained public attention through news reports.
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Americans from hantavirus cruise ship return to U.S. for treatment, observation

Americans from hantavirus cruise ship return to U.S. for treatment, observation

Summary

Americans who were exposed to hantavirus on a cruise ship have returned to the United States. They are receiving medical care or being watched closely in hospitals in Nebraska and Georgia.

Key Facts

  • People exposed to hantavirus on a cruise ship have come back to the U.S.
  • They are receiving treatment or observation for possible illness.
  • Medical care is happening in Nebraska and Georgia.
  • Hantavirus is a rare virus that can cause serious lung disease.
  • The outbreak happened aboard a cruise ship.
  • CBS News reported on this situation.
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Trump pushes to suspend federal gas tax as prices soar

Trump pushes to suspend federal gas tax as prices soar

Summary

President Donald Trump said he wants to stop the federal gas tax because gas prices are rising. He shared this plan in an interview with CBS News.

Key Facts

  • President Trump wants to pause the federal gas tax.
  • The reason is that gas prices are going up.
  • He spoke about this idea during an interview with CBS News.
  • The federal gas tax is a tax added to gasoline prices set by the U.S. government.
  • Suspending the tax would temporarily lower the price people pay at the pump.
  • The move aims to help drivers facing higher fuel costs.
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WATCH LIVE: Hegseth, Caine testify on Capitol Hill as Trump says Iran ceasefire is weak

WATCH LIVE: Hegseth, Caine testify on Capitol Hill as Trump says Iran ceasefire is weak

Summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine are testifying before House and Senate committees about the Iran war and the Trump administration's proposed 2027 military budget. Lawmakers are questioning the length of the Iran conflict and concerns about military funding and readiness.

Key Facts

  • Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine are testifying to congressional committees on defense spending and the Iran war.
  • Hearings are held by House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees that oversee defense budgets.
  • The 2027 military budget proposed by President Trump’s administration is $1.5 trillion, a historic amount.
  • Some Republicans worry the Iran war has gone on too long without Congress approving it.
  • Lawmakers are concerned about the impact of the Iran conflict on military weapons supplies and funding.
  • Rep. Ken Calvert highlighted threats from China’s military growth, Russia’s war actions, and ongoing threats from Iran and its allies.
  • Discussions also consider how the war affects political issues like fuel prices during midterm elections.
  • President Trump criticized the Iran ceasefire, calling it weak or "on life support."
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What's next for Americans from ship hit by hantavirus?

What's next for Americans from ship hit by hantavirus?

Summary

Some Americans on a ship were exposed to hantavirus and are now in quarantine. Dr. Céline Gounder explained what will happen next to keep them safe and monitor their health.

Key Facts

  • A group of Americans on a ship may have been exposed to hantavirus.
  • They are currently in quarantine to prevent the spread of the virus.
  • Dr. Céline Gounder provided information about the situation on CBS Mornings.
  • Health officials will watch the quarantined people closely for any symptoms.
  • Hantavirus is a virus that can cause serious lung illness.
  • Quarantine helps stop the virus from spreading to others.
  • Monitoring will continue until it is clear the virus is under control.
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Trump says he's weighing pausing the federal gas tax, but is that enough?

Trump says he's weighing pausing the federal gas tax, but is that enough?

Summary

President Donald Trump said he is thinking about pausing the federal gas tax to help Americans dealing with higher gas prices. This possible pause comes as gas prices rise partly due to conflict involving Iran.

Key Facts

  • President Trump is considering a temporary stop on the federal gas tax.
  • The federal gas tax is a tax added to each gallon of gasoline sold.
  • Gas prices have increased recently.
  • The rise in gas prices is linked to ongoing tensions involving Iran.
  • The pause on the gas tax aims to reduce the cost of fuel for American drivers.
  • It is uncertain if this temporary measure will fully address the problem of high gas prices.
  • President Trump discussed this possibility during an interview with CBS News.
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