USA

Howard Lutnick, the billionaire businessman and Commerce Secretary appointed by President Trump, warned of widespread fraud in the Social Security program. He suggested that the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, will be looking into cuts to the program. With over 68 million Americans relying on Social Security benefits, any cuts could have a significant impact on financial stability. Lutnick did not provide evidence of fraud but stated that the program would be reviewed by DOGE. President Trump and Musk claimed that millions of deceased individuals over 100 years old are receiving payments, a statement disputed...

Hailee Steinfeld jokingly shaded the Buffalo Bills' AFC East rivals during an interview with WhoWhatWear in February 2025 while taking a football IQ quiz. She also proudly supported her fiancé, Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who won the 2024 NFL MVP award after leading the team to their fifth straight AFC East title. The couple got engaged in Malibu in November 2024 and now share a home in Buffalo, with Steinfeld fondly reminiscing about the magical proposal moment. Full Article

President Donald Trump's approval rating remains at 47% in a new CNN poll, with 52% disapproval, marking a high point in his first term. Americans view securing the border as his most significant action, and 62% feel he hasn't done enough to address everyday prices. Other polls show varying approval ratings, with Quinnipiac at 45%, Gallup at 45%, and Reuters/Ipsos at 44%. Trump's early actions in his second term have included fulfilling campaign promises and making significant cuts to the federal workforce. Full Article

The Senate is voting on Kash Patel's nomination as FBI director, a controversial pick due to his past conspiracy theories and enemies list. Senate Republicans are supporting Patel despite Democrat concerns, and Patel has stated he would not pardon anyone who committed violent crimes, including those involved in the Jan. 6 events. Full Article

In summer 2023, plans were proposed to build 2,400 new affordable apartments in the San Fernando Valley without public subsidy, under Mayor Karen Bass’ initiative. However, after facing opposition from homeowners, only a third of the units are moving forward despite pushback from Bass and the City Council. The projects were initially allowed on single-family-home parcels before a revision to Executive Directive 1 blocked new developments, leading to intense politicking and legal battles in Los Angeles over affordable housing in single-family-home neighborhoods. Full Article

Kelsey Cook, a seasoned stand-up comedian, believes people are turning to podcasts for information due to a lack of trust in mainstream media and the relatability of podcast hosts. The 2024 election cycle highlighted this shift as President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance appeared on popular podcasts, leading to Trump's victory. Cook also attributes the recent surge in stand-up comedy's popularity to the COVID-19 pandemic, with revenue from live shows doubling from 2022 to 2024 as people sought out live entertainment post-lockdown. Full Article

President Trump suggested that the federal government should take control of Washington, D.C., advocating for strong law and order. This stance aligns him with Republicans who oppose the local government system in D.C., while facing opposition from residents and Democrats who support statehood. Republicans have historically resisted statehood efforts, citing concerns over crime and calling for federal governance, despite significant reductions in violent crime in recent years. Full Article

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulis will address confusion regarding the need for an Illinois Real ID or U.S. Passport to board domestic flights ahead of the May 7 deadline. Appointments for Real IDs are filling up, with concerns about a potential last-minute rush. Residents must bring original documents to their DMV appointments, such as a birth certificate, valid US Passport, and proof of address, to obtain a Real ID. Full Article

Delta Air Lines offered $30,000 to each passenger of Flight 4819, which crashed and flipped upside down while landing in Toronto, with all 80 people surviving and most injuries not life-threatening. Passengers are considering seeking compensation, as international treaties require airlines to make advance payments to cover immediate economic needs in case of injury or death, with such payments not admitting liability and being deducted from any future compensation won in a lawsuit. Other airlines, such as Asiana Airlines and Alaska Airlines, have made similar payment offers after accidents to ensure passengers' immediate needs are taken care of. Full Article

President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending taxpayer funding for federal resources supporting illegal immigration and aliens, aiming to prioritize American citizens and protect benefits for vulnerable groups. The order requires federal agencies to identify and terminate programs providing financial benefits to illegal aliens and to prevent federal funds from supporting sanctuary policies. Trump's administration criticized Biden's enabling of illegal immigration, citing billions spent on Medicaid services and FEMA assistance for illegal aliens, in line with Trump's commitment to secure borders and prioritize American citizens since taking office. Full Article