At the White House, President Trump and his Defense secretary sought to distance themselves from a controversial follow-up strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean that reportedly targeted survivors. Reports that a commander may have ordered attacks on shipwrecked people intensified questions about the strike’s legality. Legal experts noted that targeting helpless survivors could violate the Law of War, and the Defense Department’s Law of War manual specifically says shipwrecked combatants in a helpless state should not be attacked. During a cabinet meeting, the president said he relied on his defense officials for details and later praised the admiral who made the follow-up decision.
Also at the meeting, the president launched a sharp attack on Somali immigrants and on Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a former Somali refugee. His remarks, which singled out individuals and criticized behavior, prompted strong reactions. A U.S. official told CBS News that ICE plans to surge resources to Minneapolis and surrounding areas to target people with deportation orders, some of whom are Somali.
On the international front, the president’s special envoy and son-in-law met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss potential peace talks over Ukraine. Putin accused European allies of obstructing U.S. efforts and warned Europe against interference. In Kyiv, Ukrainians expressed worry that negotiated settlements could require giving up territory to Russia. Officials and veterans receiving mental health care said many Ukrainians desire peace but fear concessions that might invite future aggression. Ukraine’s president emphasized any deal must include Ukraine at the negotiating table.
Other headlines:
– The man accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers near the White House appeared by video from his hospital bed and pleaded not guilty. One soldier has since died; the other remains in critical condition.
– An inmate in the Atlanta area escaped custody after being taken to a hospital for evaluation. Authorities say he stole a car, abandoned it, and later took a paid ride; he is considered armed and dangerous.
– Minnesota police assisted a team of sled dogs after their trailer split on a highway, transporting the animals and posting photos with their handlers.
– Tech billionaire Michael Dell and his wife pledged more than $6 billion to open government-linked savings accounts, dubbed “Trump Accounts,” for millions of children age 10 and under. The accounts would include a government seed deposit and limit withdrawals until age 18, with some exceptions for college and first-home purchases, part of proposed federal policy changes.
San Francisco filed suit against major food manufacturers, the first U.S. city to take legal action over ultra-processed foods. City attorneys accused 11 companies of designing and marketing products that are unhealthy and addictive, placing a public-health burden on the city. Ultra-processed foods—those with industrial ingredients or chemical-based additives not typically found in a home kitchen—make up a large portion of many Americans’ diets and have been linked in studies to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and higher cancer risk. The companies named in the suit disputed the scientific definition of “ultra-processed” and rejected the claim they intentionally market harmful products.
CBS News’ Eye on America looked into the rise of classical charter schools and gaps in oversight after parents in Fort Myers said Optima Classical Academy, a publicly funded charter led by executives with a history of launching other charter schools, failed to open as promised. Investigators found millions in public dollars paid to outside firms for back-office services, some of which had ties to the chain’s executives. Experts said charter operators often face less stringent financial disclosure requirements than traditional public schools, making it harder to track public spending. Families left without the promised campus described frustration and disappointment after teachers and programs never materialized.
In climbing news, Sasha DiGiulian became the first woman to free-climb Yosemite’s Platinum Wall, El Capitan’s longest route. She ascended roughly 3,000 feet, using ropes only to catch falls. Planning for a two-week push, she instead endured a severe storm that forced her to wait nine days at about 2,600 feet while enduring intense winds, thunder and lightning. After the storm, wet, slippery rock raised the risk on the route. DiGiulian spent 23 days on the wall, battling bleeding fingers and brutal conditions before making the final, emotional pull over the top.
The broadcast also recapped human-interest items and regional stories including rescues, local law enforcement actions, and community reactions to weather-related school closures. Anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois closed by noting that the storm’s impacts and the political and legal developments will continue to unfold, and they promised further coverage in the next edition.”}