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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
Sir Olly Robbins testified about the pressure from Downing Street to approve Lord Mandelson’s security clearance for an ambassador role, a decision later admitted by Sir Keir Starmer as a mistake. Robbins said he did not inform No 10 about vetting concerns and claimed that political staff wanted Mandelson appointed regardless of the issues raised.
Key Facts
Sir Olly Robbins spoke before the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee for nearly two and a half hours.
Robbins said he did not tell anyone in No 10 about vetting concerns around Lord Mandelson.
Downing Street pressured the Foreign Office to quickly approve Mandelson’s security clearance.
Robbins decided to clear Mandelson despite UK Security Vetting concerns, calling the case “borderline.”
No 10 denies undue pressure on Robbins but argues he made the wrong decision to grant clearance.
Robbins revealed a separate attempt to place another Labour figure with controversial ties in a diplomatic post.
The appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador was already publicly announced when vetting concerns arose.
Robbins’s testimony challenges Prime Minister Starmer’s claim that he would not have pushed ahead if he had known the vetting details.
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Colorado water officials are draining Antero Reservoir to move water downstream to another reservoir during a severe drought. This step is meant to save water that would otherwise evaporate and ensure supply for about 1.5 million people served by Denver Water.
Key Facts
Denver Water is draining Antero Reservoir in Park County, Colorado, due to one of the driest years on record.
The water will be transferred to Cheesman Reservoir to reduce evaporation losses.
Officials expect to save about 5,000 acre-feet of water, which is around 25% of Antero’s total capacity.
Snowpack is very low this year, so lost water from evaporation will not be replaced by snowmelt as usual.
Antero Reservoir was built to serve as a drought reserve, used in severe dry conditions.
Recreation activities like fishing and boating at Antero will be closed until the end of 2026.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will help relocate fish before water levels drop.
The reservoir was drained before during the 2002 drought and nearly drained in 2013 before late snowstorms improved conditions.
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New research shows many American retirees claim Social Security benefits too early, which can reduce their total lifetime income by about $182,000. Most workers could get more money overall by waiting until age 70 to claim benefits, but only a small percentage actually do so.
Key Facts
Social Security full retirement age is between 66 and 67, depending on birth year.
People can claim benefits as early as age 62 but will receive about 30% less monthly.
Waiting to claim until age 70 increases monthly benefits by about 32%.
Only 6% of workers wait until age 70 to claim Social Security benefits.
Claiming benefits before age 70 may cost the average worker around $182,000 in lifetime discretionary income.
Nearly half of Americans claim Social Security before full retirement age, and about one-quarter claim at 62.
Many retirees claim early because they worry about not living long enough to benefit from waiting.
Experts suggest planning for longer life expectancy to maximize lifetime Social Security income.
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US Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-Deremer has resigned because of an investigation into misconduct claims against her. The investigation involved accusations about her personal behavior and use of government resources. Her deputy will take over as acting secretary for now.
Key Facts
Lori Chavez-Deremer was the US Labor Secretary under President Donald Trump.
She resigned amid allegations of professional misconduct.
A whistleblower reported claims including an affair with a security team member and misuse of department resources for personal travel.
A months-long investigation looked into these claims and is near completion.
The White House announced her deputy will serve as the acting Labor Secretary.
The resignation was announced on April 21, 2026.
The issues involve both personal behavior and official resource use in the Labor Department.
No final conclusion of the investigation was shared at the time of resignation.
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Florida Representative Cory Mills faces accusations that he lied about his military service, including claims about earning a Bronze Star medal and serving in elite Army units. Another Republican, Nancy Mace, announced plans to introduce a resolution to expel Mills from the House of Representatives based on these allegations, which Mills denies.
Key Facts
Nancy Mace plans to introduce a resolution to expel Cory Mills from the House over questions about his military record.
Reports from NOTUS and Mother Jones claim Mills exaggerated or misrepresented aspects of his Army service, including his Bronze Star award.
Some individuals named in the award paperwork said Mills was not present during the events cited for the Bronze Star.
The officer who approved Mills’ Bronze Star stated the approval was part of routine administrative work and did not verify all details.
Military records reportedly do not support Mills’ claims that he served in the 75th Ranger Regiment or attended Army Sniper School.
Mills and his chief of staff say he earned the Bronze Star through the official Army process and deny wrongdoing.
Expelling a House member requires two-thirds of lawmakers’ votes and usually follows an ethics investigation.
Mills called Mace’s expulsion effort premature and political, emphasizing the need for due process.
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President Donald Trump plans to build new sections of the border wall through Big Bend National Park and nearby areas in Texas. This plan has caused concern among local residents and business owners, who fear damage to their land, wildlife, and the local economy based on tourism.
Key Facts
Construction began on upgrading a dirt road in Big Bend, Texas, to allow trucks to bring materials for the border wall.
The proposed wall will go through Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.
Local ranchers, including families who have lived there for generations, worry the wall will divide their property and affect their heritage.
Wildlife migration routes and public access to the Rio Grande may be severely disrupted by the wall.
The local economy depends heavily on tourism, which could decline if the wall affects the natural environment.
A company called Fisher Sand and Gravel received a $1.2 billion contract to build 70 to 80 miles of the border wall in the area.
Fisher Sand and Gravel has a history of environmental violations and controversies related to border wall projects.
There is broad opposition to the project from people with different political views, including judges, sheriffs, environmentalists, business owners, and local residents.
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The article argues that straight white American men are overrepresented in positions of power in the United States due to long-standing preferences given to them. It suggests shifting the conversation from underrepresentation of marginalized groups to examining why this group holds disproportionate influence and proposes "Swamp audits" to measure this overrepresentation.
Key Facts
Straight white American men make up about 29% of the U.S. population according to census data.
They hold a disproportionately high number of powerful positions across many sectors.
The term "Swamp" stands for "straight white American male preference," referring to systemic advantages for this group.
Overrepresentation is linked to cultural, psychological, and systemic practices, not to shortcomings of marginalized groups.
Legal attacks target remedies for inequality, but courts still uphold that discrimination based on race, gender, or other protected traits is illegal.
"Swamp audits" are proposed as tools to assess and highlight overrepresentation in organizations by comparing leadership demographics to the general population.
These audits can be applied to schools, companies, and government institutions to encourage fairness and change.
The goal is to promote justice and equal opportunity by addressing unfair preferences.
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Sam Bishop, a 26-year-old man in Massachusetts, has no official birth certificate because his parents never registered his birth. Without this document, he cannot get any legal ID or access basic services like jobs, bank accounts, or healthcare. Many people in the U.S. share this problem, called evidentiary statelessness, meaning they are citizens but have no proof of it.
Key Facts
Sam was born at home with no medical staff present, so no birth certificate was created.
His parents opposed government documentation and belonged to anti-government groups.
Without a birth certificate, Sam cannot get a Social Security number, driver’s license, passport, or other IDs.
Lack of ID blocks him from renting apartments, getting jobs, attending college, or accessing many everyday services.
To get a birth certificate as an adult in New Hampshire, people need documents like school or medical records, which Sam does not have.
His parents disappeared, and he has not contacted them for ten years.
Sam experienced an unstable and abusive childhood, including homelessness at age 16.
Attempts to find his parents using lawyers and private investigators have failed.
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SNAP benefits, which help about 40 million low- and no-income Americans buy groceries, will be paid out in May 2026. Each state distributes the funds on different days, and recipients receive the money via electronic cards that work like debit cards.
Key Facts
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and supports roughly 40 million Americans.
Benefits are paid monthly through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.
The EBT cards can be used to buy food at approved stores nationwide.
Each state or territory picks its own schedule for when SNAP payments are sent out.
Some states pay based on the last number of the case or the first letter of the recipient’s last name.
In smaller states like Alaska and South Dakota, all recipients often get payments on the same day.
May 2026 payment dates vary, for example, California pays from May 1 to 10, and Florida pays from May 1 to 28.
The article provides a full list of payment dates for every state and territory for May 2026.
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The U.S. military is considering large investments in autonomous warfare technology. There is concern that rushing into this new type of warfare without careful planning could lead to costly mistakes.
Key Facts
The Pentagon is thinking about spending $55 billion on autonomous warfare technology.
Autonomous warfare involves using machines or systems that operate with little or no human control.
Past military transitions have sometimes been delayed and expensive.
This new shift to autonomous warfare may not allow for long delays.
Mistakes in this area could result in very high costs.
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Police used body camera footage to arrest two people accused of trying to scam a 75-year-old woman in New York. The woman became suspicious when a caller asked her to withdraw $25,000 from her bank account.
Key Facts
Two people were arrested for allegedly trying to scam an elderly woman.
The victim was 75 years old and lived in New York.
The scam involved a caller asking the woman to withdraw $25,000.
The woman became suspicious and reported the call.
Police captured the arrest on body camera footage.
The police acted quickly to stop the scammers.
The incident shows law enforcement efforts to protect seniors from fraud.
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George Ariyoshi, Hawaii’s former governor and the first Asian American governor in the United States, died at age 100. He served three terms as governor from 1973 to 1986 and was known for his leadership during a period of growth for Hawaii.
Key Facts
George Ariyoshi was the first Asian American governor in the U.S.
He was governor of Hawaii from 1973 to 1986, serving three terms.
Ariyoshi became acting governor in 1973 after John Burns fell ill, then won election in 1974.
He was a member of the Democratic Party and helped during its rise to power in Hawaii.
Ariyoshi was born in 1926 in Honolulu to Japanese immigrant parents.
He served in the U.S. Army as an interpreter in Japan near the end of World War II.
Ariyoshi earned degrees in history, political science, and law from Michigan State and the University of Michigan.
As governor, he was concerned about Hawaii’s rapid growth and its effects on infrastructure and the environment.
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Virginia voters are deciding on a redistricting referendum that could change the state’s congressional districts before the 2026 midterm elections. Polls show a close race, and if the referendum passes, Democrats could gain up to four more House seats from Virginia. Legal challenges are ongoing, which may affect the final outcome.
Key Facts
Virginia voters will vote on a redistricting referendum that could reshape congressional districts for 2026.
Democrats currently hold 6 of Virginia’s 11 U.S. House seats.
The new map could increase Democratic seats to as many as 10.
Polls show a close contest, with some surveys showing narrow support for the referendum.
Democrats support the measure as a response to Republican-led redistricting in other states.
Republicans oppose the plan, calling it unfair and deceptive.
The Virginia Supreme Court is reviewing legal challenges that could invalidate the vote results.
Other states like Texas and Florida are also redrawing maps to influence future elections.
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Republican Representative Nancy Mace is trying to expel fellow Republican Cory Mills from Congress over claims of sexual and financial misconduct. Mills denies the allegations and has accused Mace of harassment and said she might also face expulsion due to ongoing investigations.
Key Facts
Nancy Mace wants Congress to expel Cory Mills, citing serious misconduct allegations.
Mills faces accusations including sexual misconduct, financial violations, and lying about military service.
The House Ethics Committee is investigating Mills for sexual misconduct and campaign finance issues.
Mace’s expulsion resolution requires a two-thirds House vote to pass.
Some recent resignations in Congress happened due to similar misconduct allegations against other members.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would not push Republicans to expel each other.
Mills accused Mace of ignoring due process and abusing her power.
Mace herself faces an ethics investigation over possible improper housing reimbursements.
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A 47-year-old man named Lee Owens pleaded not guilty to stalking and harassing Jess Phillips, a UK minister focused on fighting violence against women. Owens is accused of sending many threatening emails that caused Phillips serious distress and affected her work and family life.
Key Facts
Lee Owens is charged with stalking Jess Phillips, a Labour MP and minister responsible for addressing violence against women and girls.
Owens allegedly sent 94 aggressive and threatening emails to Phillips between July 10 and July 14 last year.
The emails caused Phillips serious alarm and disrupted her daily activities.
Owens had previously denied harassment for sending 31 emails to Phillips earlier in the year.
The case will be heard at Gloucester Crown Court, with the next hearing on May 19.
Owens was released on bail with the condition that he must not contact Phillips.
Jess Phillips became an MP in 2015 and worked for Women’s Aid before her political career.
In July 2024, Phillips was appointed to a government role focused on protecting women from violence.
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The wife of an active U.S. Army sergeant with 27 years of service was detained during a routine immigration interview and faces possible deportation to Mexico, a country she and her family have no connection to. Her husband, stationed at Fort Bliss and deployed three times to Afghanistan, says they have followed the rules, and the family is seeking legal help to stop her deportation.
Key Facts
Deisy Fidelina Rivera Ortega, wife of Sgt. 1st Class Jose Serrano, was detained on April 14 in El Paso, Texas.
Serrano has served 27 years in the U.S. Army and has been deployed to Afghanistan three times.
Rivera Ortega was attending an interview for "Parole in Place," a program for undocumented military family members to stay legally in the U.S.
She has a valid work permit until 2030 and was granted withholding of removal from El Salvador in 2019.
She is now at risk of being deported to Mexico, a country the family has no ties to.
Serrano said he would face restrictions traveling to Mexico due to military rules.
Rivera Ortega is currently detained at the El Paso Service Processing Center.
The Department of Homeland Security says she entered the U.S. illegally and has a final order of removal, but her attorney disputes this and has taken the case to federal court.
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More than 500 workers at the University of Cambridge are striking to demand a pay supplement like one given to staff at Oxford University. The union says Cambridge is in a costly area and can afford to pay more, while the university says it is trying to help with other pay and benefits.
Key Facts
Over 500 Cambridge University workers are on strike.
They want a “Cambridge weighting” pay supplement like Oxford University offers.
Oxford introduced this payment in 2024 and later increased it to £1,730 per year.
Cambridge workers only got a temporary 2.5% pay increase, which can be taken away.
Cambridge is an expensive city, with rents 30% higher than the UK average.
The university says it offers a 2.5% pay supplement for lower-paid staff and has raised starting salaries for some workers.
Strikes are planned for several days, including upcoming dates in April and May.
The union representing workers is called Unite, and Sharon Graham is its general secretary.
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A 29-year-old woman was charged with attempted murder and other offenses after a car hit pedestrians in central London, causing serious injuries. One woman remains in a life-threatening condition, and the accused was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol.
Key Facts
The incident occurred on Argyll Street, near Oxford Circus, early Sunday morning.
Gabrielle Carrington, aged 29 from Manchester, appeared in court charged with attempted murder and other charges including drink-driving.
The crash seriously injured Klaudia Zakrzewska, 30, who is still in life-threatening condition, and a man in his 50s who suffered life-changing injuries.
Another woman was slightly hurt in the accident.
Carrington had 61 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath when tested.
Carrington is a former X Factor contestant with a large social media following.
The next court hearing is scheduled for May 19 at the Old Bailey court in London.
Police and prosecutors have urged people not to share information that could affect the trial.
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NASA is working with other government agencies as Congress investigates several missing or deceased scientists connected to advanced research. NASA says there is no sign of a national security threat and promises to share more information when possible.
Key Facts
NASA is cooperating with federal agencies on this issue.
The House Committee on Oversight and Government is seeking information about missing or deceased scientists.
Some of the people involved include retired Air Force Major General William Neil McCasland and aerospace engineer Monica Reza.
NASA says there is currently no indication of a national security threat.
NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said the agency aims to be transparent.
The investigation covers cases related to advanced scientific research.
The story is still developing, and more details will be provided later.
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Sargent Shriver's memoir, recently found, gives a firsthand story about the War on Poverty. It shares his experiences and views on this U.S. government effort to reduce poverty.
Key Facts
The memoir was recently discovered.
It was written by Sargent Shriver.
The book gives a personal account of the War on Poverty.
The War on Poverty is a U.S. government program aimed at reducing poverty.
Sargent Shriver was involved in the War on Poverty efforts.
The memoir includes Shriver’s perspective on how the program was like a war.
It helps explain the history of poverty-fighting policies in the U.S.
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