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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The US Department of Justice’s internal watchdog will review if the department followed a law requiring the public release of files about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The law, called the Epstein Files Transparency Act, mandates releasing unclassified files quickly and limits redactions to protect victims and classified information.
Key Facts
The Office of Inspector General, an independent DOJ watchdog, started the review on compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The Act was passed in November and requires DOJ to release all unclassified Epstein-related records within 30 days.
Released files must be easy to download and search, with redactions only to protect victims’ privacy and classified data.
The Act forbids withholding or delaying records because of embarrassment or political sensitivity about public figures or officials.
Critics say the DOJ, under President Trump’s administration, delayed releases and heavily redacted files to protect powerful people’s identities.
Survivors of Epstein’s abuse criticized the handling of files, complaining some of their personal information was made public.
Epstein was a wealthy financier who died in 2019 and faced accusations of running a large sex-trafficking network involving powerful individuals, including two US presidents.
President Trump signed the transparency act into law after initial resistance and mixed messages from his administration about releasing the files.
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Several candidates from Reform UK have made offensive and controversial statements, raising concerns about the party’s candidate screening process. Labour plans to highlight these issues in an upcoming election broadcast before the 7 May elections.
Key Facts
Linda McFarlane, a Reform UK candidate, called for a "white Britain" and made violent remarks towards political leaders.
Other candidates made comments seen as anti-Black, anti-Muslim, and pro-far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Labour will run an election broadcast warning about the offensive views of some Reform UK figures.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and party officials say their vetting is strict but have faced criticism over these candidates.
The anti-racism group Hope Not Hate has pointed out many of these controversial statements.
Reform UK is under pressure due to candidates’ past social media posts.
Labour’s broadcast will also show Reform figures praising controversial public figures like Andrew Tate.
Some Reform UK candidates have been approached for comment but responses are not included in the article.
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The US Department of Justice's inspector general is starting an audit to check how well the department followed the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This law requires the Justice Department to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, while protecting victim privacy and national security information.
Key Facts
The Justice Department’s inspector general office announced an audit of its compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The audit will review how the department identifies, collects, edits (redacts), and releases Epstein-related records.
The law was passed in late 2023 and requires releasing all Justice Department files on Epstein with certain exceptions.
The Justice Department missed the original December 19 deadline for releasing the files and delayed until January 31.
Some victims and lawmakers say personal information was exposed or that redactions were too light or too heavy.
The House oversight committee subpoenaed former Attorney General Pam Bondi to explain the department’s handling of Epstein files.
President Donald Trump removed Pam Bondi from her post, and the Justice Department said Bondi no longer has to appear for the subpoena in her official role.
As of early April, the committee has not withdrawn the subpoena for Bondi.
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The US Senate, controlled by Republicans, passed a resolution to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Protection, moving a step closer to ending a government funding deadlock caused by debate over President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. The resolution now goes to the Republican-led House of Representatives, followed by committee work and more votes before becoming law.
Key Facts
Senate Republicans used a special rule called "budget reconciliation" to pass the funding resolution with a simple majority.
The resolution allows for about $140 billion in deficit spending to fund ICE and Border Patrol.
Some Republicans opposed the resolution, with two voting against it along with all Democrats.
The House of Representatives must pass its own resolution before final legislation is made.
The deadlock began due to opposition to President Trump’s deportation policies and funding for immigration enforcement.
The funding fight led to a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security and related problems like TSA staff shortages.
Democrats have opposed the funding partly because of backlash against Trump’s immigration drive.
The Senate also experienced a "vote-a-rama," where quick votes on many amendments were held after debate time expired.
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Police responded to reports of an active shooter at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. The mall was evacuated, paramedics treated possible victims, and authorities searched for one or two suspects.
Key Facts
The shooting was first reported around 1:30 p.m. near the mall food court.
Baton Rouge police and paramedics arrived at the scene.
Four possible victims were inside the mall at the time of the report.
Authorities locked all doors of the mall during the incident.
Police are looking for one or two suspects connected to the shooting.
The Mall of Louisiana was the site of a drive-by shooting in 2022 where two teens were killed.
The situation was considered active and ongoing at the time of the report.
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An 18-year-old woman from North Carolina has been charged with conspiring to attack a synagogue in Houston, Texas, with the goal of harming Jewish members. She is held on a $10 million bond, and the investigation is ongoing.
Key Facts
The suspect is Angelina Han Hicks from Lexington, North Carolina.
She faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and assault.
The planned attack targets Congregation Beth Israel in Houston.
The attack was allegedly to involve driving through a synagogue congregation to cause harm.
Two men are also suspected but have not been arrested; their full names are unknown.
The synagogue closed temporarily due to threat concerns.
The reason for targeting this specific synagogue is not yet known.
Hicks’ next court hearing is scheduled for May 13.
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President Donald Trump’s acting attorney general signed an order to reclassify medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug under federal law. This change moves medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, which could help medical research and make cannabis businesses more financially viable. However, recreational marijuana remains a Schedule I drug and is still illegal federally.
Key Facts
Medical marijuana was previously listed as a Schedule I drug, the most restricted category.
The new order reclassifies medical marijuana as Schedule III, a less restrictive category.
Schedule I drugs are considered highly addictive with no medical use; Schedule III drugs have moderate to low dependence risk.
Recreational marijuana remains a Schedule I drug under federal law.
The reclassification does not legalize marijuana federally but may encourage more medical research.
Cannabis businesses licensed for medical marijuana may now qualify for new tax deductions on expenses.
Difficulties exist in separating medical and recreational cannabis sales for tax purposes because many businesses sell both types.
The Department of Justice plans a hearing on June 29 to consider whether all marijuana should be reclassified.
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A recent Fox News poll shows that more people now believe Democrats would handle the economy better than Republicans. This is the first time since 2010 that Democrats have had this advantage in economic issues.
Key Facts
The poll was released on Wednesday.
52% of people surveyed said Democrats would do a better job with the economy.
48% said Republicans would do better on economic issues.
This is the first time since 2010 that Democrats lead Republicans on the economy in a Fox News poll.
The poll reflects public opinion on which party they trust to manage economic matters.
The poll results may impact political discussions and campaigns.
Economic issues include jobs, spending, and financial policies.
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A Los Angeles prosecutor said singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, was charged with killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Police found child sexual abuse images on his phone and cloud storage during the investigation into her death and body found in a car trunk. Burke denies killing her, but he faces multiple serious charges including murder and sexual abuse.
Key Facts
D4vd’s real name is David Anthony Burke, aged 21.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s dismembered body was found in a Tesla trunk registered to Burke.
Burke was charged with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
Investigators found child sexual abuse images on Burke’s phone and iCloud account.
Authorities believe Burke had a sexual relationship with Celeste starting when she was 13.
Police say Burke killed Celeste to stop her from telling and to protect his music career.
Celeste went missing in April 2025 after visiting Burke’s home and was last seen that day.
Prosecutors collected about 40 terabytes of evidence, including digital files and witness statements.
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A baby named Poppy Hope Lomas died from complications after a home birth that went against medical advice. An NHS hospital trust was found to have failed in warning the mother about the risks and did not properly manage the dangers of the home birth.
Key Facts
Poppy Hope Lomas died at seven days old after being born at home on 26 October 2022.
The home birth was considered unsafe and went against medical advice.
The baby likely died due to lack of oxygen to her brain in the 30 minutes before birth.
The Royal Free London NHS foundation trust supported the unsafe home delivery despite risks.
The mother was encouraged by midwives to have a vaginal birth at home, even though she had a previous cesarean section.
Medical guidelines recommend vaginal births after cesarean happen in well-equipped hospitals, not at home.
The coroner recommended clearer communication and consent procedures for parents choosing home births against advice.
The NHS trust expressed condolences and said they are making improvements including better midwife training and communication.
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Two University of South Florida doctoral students, Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, have been missing since April 16 in the Tampa area. The university police are asking for help in finding them.
Key Facts
Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy are both 27 years old and doctoral students at the University of South Florida.
They were last seen on April 16; Limon was seen around 9 a.m. at his home, and Bristy around 10 a.m. at a campus science building.
Both students are originally from Bangladesh and are a couple.
Limon studies geography, environmental science, and policy; Bristy studies chemical engineering.
Their disappearance was reported to the university police on April 17 by a family friend who could not contact them.
The university police ask anyone with information to call (813) 974-2628.
The couple had been discussing marriage but were focused on finishing their studies first.
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The U.S. Senate approved a budget plan to provide money for immigration agencies under the Department of Homeland Security. The vote happened early Thursday morning and passed by a narrow margin of 50 to 48.
Key Facts
The Senate passed a budget resolution to fund immigration agencies in the Department of Homeland Security.
The vote took place early on Thursday morning after a long voting session called a "vote-a-rama."
The result was 50 senators in favor and 48 against.
Two Republican senators, Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski, voted with all Democrats against the resolution.
The budget resolution is linked to immigration agency funding at the federal level.
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President Donald Trump held an event at the White House about making health care more affordable. He plans to announce a new deal with the drug company Regeneron under his “most favored nation” program.
Key Facts
The event took place on a Thursday afternoon at the White House.
The main topic was health care affordability.
President Trump will announce a new deal with Regeneron, a pharmaceutical company.
The White House press secretary is Karoline Leavitt.
The deal is part of the “most favored nation” initiative.
This is the 17th agreement made under this program by the Trump administration.
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Singer David Burke, known as D4vd, is charged with killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. A court hearing will soon review evidence from the case, including sensitive materials, to decide if Burke will face trial.
Key Facts
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a 14-year-old girl whose body was found dismembered in David Burke’s Tesla.
Burke, 21 years old, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges.
The court scheduled a preliminary evidence hearing starting May 1 to examine the case details.
Prosecutors have a large amount of evidence, including child sex abuse images from Burke’s phone.
The hearing aims to determine if there is enough proof to take Burke to trial.
Burke’s lawyers requested that prosecutors share their evidence publicly soon.
Burke was arrested on April 16 and is appearing in court wearing jail clothes and handcuffs.
This hearing is happening about one year after Celeste was last seen alive.
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Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders criticized Tucker Carlson, a conservative media figure, for spreading what she called “dangerous” misinformation after he expressed regret for supporting President Trump. Sanders spoke about this during an interview on CNBC’s show “Squawk Box.”
Key Facts
Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the governor of Arkansas and a member of the Republican Party.
Tucker Carlson is a conservative media personality known for his political commentary.
Carlson recently said he regrets supporting President Donald Trump.
Sanders called Carlson’s comments part of a dangerous misinformation campaign.
The remarks were made during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” with Andrew Ross Sorkin.
Sanders noted she could not speak directly for Carlson’s reasons behind his comments.
The discussion highlighted tensions within conservative media and political circles.
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A memorial has been unveiled for PC Andrew Harper, a police officer who died in 2019 after being dragged by a car while trying to stop quad bike thieves. His widow, Lissie Harper, helped campaign for harsher punishments for those who kill emergency workers, leading to a law requiring life sentences.
Key Facts
PC Andrew Harper died after being dragged for about a mile by a car in Berkshire in 2019.
He was trying to stop three teenagers stealing quad bikes.
The teenagers were sentenced to 13 to 16 years in prison for manslaughter.
His widow, Lissie Harper, opened the memorial in Reading, sharing her personal loss.
The memorial is 1.2 meters tall, made of Portland Stone with gold letters, across from Reading Crown Court.
Harper’s Law, passed in 2022, requires life sentences for killing emergency workers on duty.
Colleagues remember Harper as a good teammate who is greatly missed.
The Police Memorial Trust supports such tributes to officers who died in the line of duty.
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The National Urban League President Marc Morial criticized the Department of Justice’s recent charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center. The DOJ alleges the SPLC funded extremist hate groups, but Morial said the indictment is politically motivated and targets the SPLC’s civil rights work.
Key Facts
The Department of Justice charged the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) with allegedly supporting extremist hate groups.
Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, called the charges a “nakedly political” action.
Morial believes the DOJ’s move aims to undermine civil rights progress made by the SPLC.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment.
The SPLC is a nonprofit organization known for its civil rights advocacy.
The charges come amid ongoing political debates about civil rights and extremism in the U.S.
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House Republicans are expressing concerns about a limited funding bill meant for immigration enforcement. Their doubts about passing another Republican-only funding package this year are causing difficulties for Speaker Mike Johnson as he tries to bring the bill to a vote.
Key Facts
The bill focuses on funding immigration enforcement agencies like ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
Some House Republicans are unhappy with the narrow scope of the funding bill, calling it a "skinny" package.
These concerns make it harder for Speaker Mike Johnson to get enough support in the House.
The plan is to bring the bill to the House floor next week for a vote.
Republicans are skeptical about passing a separate GOP-only funding bill later this year.
The disagreement reflects wider challenges in managing immigration and government funding in Congress.
The issue involves balancing strict immigration enforcement with budget limitations.
Speaker Mike Johnson represents Louisiana and leads the House Republicans.
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Marijuana has been moved from Schedule I to Schedule III in the U.S. drug classification system. This change places medical marijuana in the same category as some pain medications, ketamine, and testosterone.
Key Facts
Marijuana was previously classified as a Schedule I drug, which is considered the most restrictive category.
The new order changes marijuana's classification to Schedule III.
Schedule III drugs have recognized medical uses and a lower potential for abuse than Schedule I substances.
This reclassification aligns state-licensed medical marijuana with some pain medicines, ketamine, and testosterone.
The change could affect how medical marijuana is prescribed and researched under U.S. law.
The update was announced on April 23, 2026.
This federal change may impact users, doctors, and law enforcement.
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In a Senate hearing, Senator Bernie Sanders challenged Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his rejection of germ theory, the scientific idea that certain microbes cause specific diseases. Senator Bill Cassidy then corrected Kennedy’s arguments, highlighting that Kennedy’s views are not supported by established science.
Key Facts
Germ theory is the scientific fact that specific microbes cause specific diseases.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health Secretary, rejects germ theory and promotes a different view called terrain theory.
Terrain theory says diseases come from imbalances in the body, not germs, caused by poor nutrition and toxins.
Kennedy has no scientific or medical background but is known for anti-vaccine activism.
Kennedy wrote about his views in his 2021 book "The Real Anthony Fauci."
Kennedy leads the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, focusing on diet, lifestyle, and clean living.
Senators Sanders and Cassidy publicly debunked Kennedy’s rejection of germ theory during the Senate hearing.
Kennedy supports fighting chemical pollutants but recently shifted to support increased production of some pesticides, aligning with President Trump’s policies.
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