Author: Alex Smith

US Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe speaks during a press conference in Washington, DC, on September 20, 2024.  BEN CURTIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images U.S. Secret Service Deputy Director Ronald Rowe, who formerly served as acting director of the agency, announced Tuesday he’s retiring. Rowe was named to the top position in an acting capacity after Kimberly Cheatle resigned in July, under pressure from lawmakers who called for her to step down in the wake of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.Rowe led the agency until Sean Curran was appointed director last month. “Deputy Director Ronald…

A Florida corrections officer is dead after he was shot in a targeted attack, officials said early Tuesday. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said on social media that its deputies were dispatched for reports of gunfire at around 7:30 p.m. Monday night. When they arrived at the Belle Glade home where the shooting had been reported, they found the victim was an off-duty corrections officer in the sheriff’s office. The corrections officer was identified in a later post as Deputy Basil Powell, 39. He had been a corrections deputy for three years, the sheriff’s office said.  Deputy Basil Powell. Palm Beach County…

President Trump issued an ultimatum to Hamas Monday, saying that if all Israeli hostages are not released from Gaza by noon Saturday, then “all hell is going to break loose.” Asked by reporters for details on what that meant, Mr. Trump initially responded, “You’ll find out, and they’ll find out too. Hamas will find out what I mean.” He then said ending the ceasefire would be “Israel’s decision,” but that he felt it would be “appropriate” to cancel the agreement if the hostages aren’t released by his deadline.Mr. Trump made the comments about the hostage negotiations while he was signing executive…

The Pentagon is changing the name of the military base Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg, reversing a decision made by a congressionally mandated commission to rename bases that honor Confederate generals.The Army base will be renamed Fort Bragg, but it will honor a different Bragg than its original namesake, Gen. Braxton Bragg, who fought for the Confederacy. Instead, it will honor Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, who was awarded a Silver Star for actions during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, according to a memo signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “This decision reflects the installation’s…

Boston — A federal judge in Boston on Monday heard arguments over whether to extend a nationwide pause in the Trump administration’s bid to offer “deferred resignations” to federal workers who voluntarily leave government service.Judge George O’Toole of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts initially paused the deadline for workers to accept the offer last week, and held a hearing on Monday over whether he should issue a temporary restraining order extending the pause. He declined to rule on the matter from the bench, and said the pause would remain in effect until he issues a new…

About 2 million baked goods sold nationwide — including some doughnuts and coffee rolls purchased at Dunkin’ — were recalled last month due to concerns the products might be contaminated with listeria, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Manufacturer FGF Brands issued the recall involving products products before December 13, 2024, the FDA said in an enforcement report published on Wednesday. The recall went into effect on January 7, 2025, but the FDA did not issue a press release. The recalled products included a range of chocolate, raspberry and Bavarian doughnuts, French crullers, éclairs and coffee rolls.Dunkin’ responded to a…

President Trump says he has directed the Treasury Department to stop minting new pennies, citing the rising cost of producing the one-cent coin.”For far too long the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents. This is so wasteful!” Mr. Trump wrote in a post Sunday night on his Truth Social site. “I have instructed my Secretary of the US Treasury to stop producing new pennies.”The move by Mr. Trump is the latest in what has been a rapid-fire effort by his new administration to enact sweeping change through executive orders and proclamations on issues…

Chilean authorities on Sunday issued two evacuation alerts for the southern region of La Araucanía as wildfires raged. At least one person has died.The country’s government said the move aims to protect more than 860,000 people.Chile’s government ordered the evacuation in regions of imminent risk, urging residents to leave their homes and seek refuge in safe areas. It did not provide figures on damage or number of people evacuated following a request from The Associated Press.Authorities confirmed the death of an 84-year-old woman who had been evacuated but eventually returned home.La Araucanía, south of capital Santiago, has faced a wave…

How USAID dismantling could be a preview Are the Trump moves to dismantle USAID a preview of the future for other public servants? 03:20 President Trump said in pre-Super Bowl interview that he trusts Elon Musk, who has already exerted massive influence at the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency, especially since Musk is “not gaining anything” in the role.”I wonder how [Musk] can devote the time to it,” Mr. Trump told Fox News. “He’s so into it.” Mr. Trump sat down with Fox News host Bret Baier at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend before Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and…

Before gracing such grand venues as the Academy Awards, Cynthia Erivo could be found at the Stratford East Theatre in London, not far from where she grew up, and where she’d filled any role she could: “Working the bar or being an usher. And when I got to be in a play, I was so happy. That was a big deal for me.” Actress Cynthia Erivo, with correspondent Seth Doane, on stage at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in London. CBS News The talent that made her a big deal is undeniable – a dynamic vocalist who convincingly took on…