
(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

LVIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched its long-feared, full-scale ground offensive to take control of Ukraine’s east on Monday, attacking along a broad front over 300 miles (480 kilometers) long, Ukrainian officials said in what marked the opening of a new and potentially climactic phase of the war.

Republicans hail proposal to impose committee term limits on both parties
A proposal by House Republicans to add term limits for committee chairs and ranking members to House rules if they win back control of the chamber is getting some enthusiastic support from GOP lawm…


Live Updates | Russians fight in streets of Ukrainian town
A Ukrainian military official said street battles have begun and evacuation is impossible in the town of Kreminna.


Trump Jr. to campaign with J.D. Vance in Ohio following father's endorsement
The former president's son will headline a town hall forum for Vance near Cleveland.


Migrant crossings spike as US plans to lift curb on asylum
The number of migrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border has surged in recent weeks as the U.S. prepares for even larger numbers with the expected lifting of a pandemic-era order that turned away asylum seekers.


Justices reject states' appeal over cap on tax deductibility
The Supreme Court has rejected a challenge from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland to the 2017 tax law that capped federal tax deductions for state and local taxes.


Eastman shielding 37,000 pages of Trump-related email from Jan. 6 committee
The dispute over the documents is heading to District Court Judge David Carter for a case-by-case review.


Second arrest made in South Carolina mall shooting
Police say they have have identified two more suspects in a Saturday shootout inside a crowded South Carolina mall in which nine people were shot.


Yellen to see Ukraine PM, avoid Russians at global meetings
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to meet with Ukraine's prime minister during this week’s spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington.


EXPLAINER: What does Infowars’ bankruptcy filing mean?
Infowars has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as the website’s founder and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones faces defamation lawsuits over his comments that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax.


Alex Jones' Infowars files for bankruptcy after defamation suits
It will complicate efforts to make him pay damages in lawsuits over Sandy Hook conspiracy theories.


If Russia takes Mariupol, forces could be freed to fight in east: Pentagon update Day 54
Up to 12,000 troops could be used elsewhere, a U.S. defense official said.

Text message trove shows Oath Keepers discussing security details for Trump associates
Roger Stone and Michael Flynn were among them.


Russia begins new offensive in the Donbas region
Explosions rocked Lviv in western Ukraine early Monday as the world braced for a major Russian offensive further east and Mariupol refused to surrender.


On Tax Day, Elizabeth Warren accuses Intuit of manipulating tax filing
Free tax filing is a "failure" thanks to corporate sabotage, the Massachusetts Democrat charged.


Marjorie Taylor Greene's potential Dem challenger more than doubles her quarterly fundraising
Marcus Flowers is hoping to unseat Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., in this November's election, and while he still has to get through the Democratic primary he has already shown he is capable of hauling in big money for his campaign.

Latest U.S. weapons assistance arrives in Ukraine
The U.S. military will be training Ukrainians outside Ukraine on using U.S.-provided Howitzers in coming days.


Russia’s Putin says Western sanctions have failed
Sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine led to a ‘deterioration of the economy in the West’, Putin says.

OnPolitics: Lobbyists flocked to former Vice President Mike Pence
Pence was lobbied more heavily than any other vice president to hold the office in the past 24 years, nonprofit watchdog group OpenSecrets found.
www.usatoday.com

'Despicable': Mexico's president slams Texas' enhanced border truck inspections
President López Obrador's criticism comes after Texas' governor, who's facing re-election, touts his tough border policies, which snarled traffic and got criticized by business groups.


April 18, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news | CNN
Russian forces said the besieged city of Mariupol would be closed for entry and exit on Monday after Ukraine rejected a deadline for surrender, official says. Follow here for live news updates.

Mar-a-Lago Machine: Trump as a Modern-Day Party Boss
PALM BEACH, Fla. — On any given night, Donald Trump will stroll onto the patio at Mar-a-Lago and say a few words from a lectern, welcoming whatever favored candidate is paying him for the privilege of fundraising there. “This is a special place,” Trump said on one such evening in February at his...
Former Army colonel sues to block Jan. 6 committee subpoena for phone records
Phil Waldron testified at state legislative hearings claiming he’d seen evidence of large-scale technical irregularities in voting machines.


World Bank slashes global growth forecast; Ukraine says Russia's major offensive in the Donbas has started
Officials in Kyiv say Russia's offensive push into eastern Ukraine has started, with intensified assaults Monday near the cities of Izyum and Sloviansk.

Biden administration expands Temporary Protected Status eligibility for Ukrainians in U.S.
The move could benefit thousands of Ukrainians who have been processed by U.S. officials along the Mexican border in recent weeks.


He thinks Trump won in 2020. Now, he wants to oversee Ohio’s elections
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As John Adams watched the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, in which finalized tallies, audits and investigations confirmed Joe Biden’s wins in key states, he sti…


Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey fires back at Dem Rep. Maxine Waters over 'racist' ad claim
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday shot back at Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., after the liberal congresswoman derided the governor’s campaign ad as “racist.”

The Louisiana candidate making headlines for viral ads smoking a blunt, burning Confederate flag
Chambers made headlines this year for viral campaign ads about decriminalizing marijuana and burning the Confederate flag.


Pentagon reacts to North Korea's claim it launched 'tactical guided weapon'
The Pentagon addressed a report from North Korean state media that the country had tested a "tactical guided weapon" on Sunday, with the stated goal of boosting its nuclear fighting capability.

No ‘bigfooting’: House investigation into Hunter Biden could require ‘firewall’ - Washington Examiner
A growing troupe of House Republicans eager to unleash a wave of investigations if they win back power in this year's midterm elections is demanding that the Justice Department provide Congress a briefing on the inquiry into Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings.Rep. Ted Budd, a North...


'We will fight': Russia launches offensive in eastern Ukraine: April 18 recap
Russia reinforced its invading force in Ukraine before officially launching an offensive in the eastern area of the country.
www.usatoday.com

More Dem Senate hopefuls split with Biden on border
Six more Senate candidates have joined growing Democratic calls for the administration to come up with a more detailed plan before revoking pandemic-era border restrictions.


Billionaire Peltz draws GOP megadonors to $5,000-a-plate fundraiser for Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin
Several top executives privately said they hoped the conservative West Virginia Democrat would switch parties and run against Biden in 2024, CNBC has learned.

Kimberly Guilfoyle spends more than 9 hours with House Jan. 6 committee
Guilfoyle, the fiancée of Donald Trump Jr., appeared previously but didn't finish her testimony after a dispute about who was present.


Zelenskyy warns against Russia's possible moves; official says Mariupol hasn't fallen: April 17 recap
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Sunday that Russia's war on his country is far from over, and the world should be vigilant.
www.usatoday.com

Biden says he released his tax returns, ‘unlike some other presidents’
President Biden on Monday – Tax Day – in a swipe at his predecessor, said he released his tax returns, "unlike some other presidents."

German bosses, unions jointly oppose boycott of Russian gas
Germany’s employers and trade unions have joined together in opposing an immediate European Union ban on natural gas imports from Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.


MSNBC analyst Malcolm Nance reveals he joined fight in Ukraine - Washington Examiner
A well-known MSNBC analyst, who apparently just cut ties with the cable news network, has joined Ukraine's fight against invading Russian forces.Malcolm Nance, an author and former military intelligence analyst, appeared for an interview Monday with MSNBC host Joy Reid, who said he was in a...


Egypt cuts TikTok influencer sentence to three years
Court reduces TikTok influencer Haneen Hossam’s 10-year ‘human trafficking’ sentence to three years.

World Bank slashes global growth forecast to 3.2% from 4.1%, citing Ukraine war
The largest single factor in the reduced growth forecast was a projected economic contraction of 4.1% across Europe and Central Asia.

Weekend of mass shootings highlights rise in gun deaths
The recent incidents are just the latest examples of mass shootings that have been occurring at a sustained pace across the United States for the past two years.

Late-season winter storm threatens to drop snow on Northeast
Snow is in the forecast across the Northeast as a late-season winter storm looks set to sweep across New England and northern New York state Monday evening into Tuesday. Northern counties in New Yo…


McConnell-affiliated super PAC reserves $141 million in fall ad buys in GOP push to take back Senate
The Senate Leadership fund is trying to protect vulnerable Republican seats and flip Democratic seats in battleground states.

Fact check: Claim about inflation from 2017 to 2022 misses the mark
A viral image does not show accurate inflation rates under the Trump or Biden administrations from 2017 to 2022.

Some Democrats fear a 2020 repeat as cash flows to long-shot candidates | CNN Politics
Marcus Flowers makes it perfectly clear why he is running for Congress: The Georgia Democrat wants to unseat Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the attention-grabbing, conspiracy-pushing Republican who fills Democrats with rage.


Ilhan Omar says US must join International Criminal Court before it can hold Putin accountable for war crimes
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., called for the United States to join the International Criminal Court in light of Russia's alleged war crimes in Ukraine, saying that America's refusal to join is "antithetical to our commitment to human rights."

After Mar-a-Lago Trump meeting, ex-Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson won’t try comeback bid - Washington Examiner
Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, a 1990s-era Republican icon as a pioneer of state welfare reform, won't seek to return to his old job after discussing the possibility with former President Donald Trump. Thompson, 80, was elected to four consecutive terms beginning in 1986 and is a staple...


DeSantis defends math textbook rejection as Dems seek proof of critical race theory lessons
Florida Education Department officials have not yet provided examples from textbooks deemed “impermissible” but on Monday released the list of books that failed to make the cut.


Greitens undeterred by abuse allegations in GOP Senate race
Former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, whose ex-wife recently accused him of physical abuse, says he will not drop his political comeback bid for the U.S. Senate.


Patrick Lyoya shooting raises issue of officer name release
Patrick Lyoya’s father says he and his family have a right to know the name of the white officer who fatally shot the 26-year-old Black man.


Alex Jones’ Infowars files for bankruptcy following Sandy Hook lawsuits
Jones was found liable for damages in a trio of lawsuits last year filed after he falsely claimed that the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre was a hoax.

Russia-Ukraine war in maps and charts: Live Tracker
As the Russian offensive enters its 162nd week, we track where battles are taking place and the human cost of the war.

Ukraine war: Dramatic images appear to show sinking Russian warship Moskva
Russia says the Moskva sank after an explosion of ammunition, but Ukrainians say they hit it with missiles.

Florida Legislature to vote on DeSantis' congressional map
Florida lawmakers will return to the Capitol Tuesday to begin a special session to approve a new congressional map after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the previous GOP-backed boundaries that preserved minority districts. The work should be easy, given that Republican leaders have already...

Education Department moves millions of borrowers closer to student debt forgiveness
Democratic lawmakers are urging an overhaul of a program known as income-driven repayment, which they say has failed to help student borrowers as promised.


Rare overhaul of powerful US nuclear test reactor completed
Scientists in Idaho have completed a rare overhaul of one of the world’s most powerful nuclear test reactors

Russia-Ukraine updates: 2 US veterans who joined Ukrainian forces missing
Updates on the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Andrew Cuomo: Democrats’ ‘egregious’ disdain for laws will cost them the midterm elections - Washington Examiner
Democrats will suffer widespread electoral losses in November due to their "egregious" disdain for laws, as embodied by the scandals, gerrymandering, and high crime rates that have rocked New York in recent months, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.Cuomo, whose resignation from the governorship last...


Wisconsin Gov. Evers vetoes 'parental bill of rights,' dozens of other GOP bills
Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers vetoed more than two dozen bills on Friday that were passed by Republicans in the state's legislature, including a proposal that would have established a parental bill of rights.

Biden admin to ban anti-satellite weapons tests to prevent space junk
Vice President Harris is expected to announce the ban today. It is partly intended to highlight a recent Russian test that created a dangerous field of space junk.


POLITICO Playbook: The inflation argument splitting Dems in two
And the Senate Leadership Fund books $141 million in ads.


Civil rights groups sue Texas county over alleged ‘discriminatory’ map | CNN Politics
It’s the second federal lawsuit against Galveston County officials and underscores the new legal terrain that voting rights advocates now face in challenging redistricting maps.


Gaza militants fire rocket into Israel as tensions soar
Palestinian militants have fired a rocket into southern Israel for the first time in months. It's a potentially major escalation after clashes at a sensitive holy site in Jerusalem and a wave of attacks and military raids elsewhere.

Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger says he 'would love' to run against Trump in 2024 'even if he crushed me'
The Illinois Republican, who's retiring from Congress this year after serving since 2011, said he has no current plans for a presidential bid.

Moscow claims its forces have taken most of Mariupol; Russian navy boss meets with Moskva sailors
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russian sanctions still aren't enough for its "military machine to be left without means of subsistence."

Cannabis ban for cops gains traction


Biden faces deepening Democratic rift over Title 42
President Biden is facing growing pushback from Democrats, including from typical allies, over his decision to lift a Trump-era immigration policy.


Nurse details Johnny Depp’s substance abuse, searching house for severed finger - Washington Examiner
Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp's substance abuse problems were front and center as the second week of the star-studded defamation trial began Monday. One event in particular stole the show: the search for Depp's partially severed finger after a fight with ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp's...


Kentucky senator speaks on her viral speech against state's abortion ban
Kentucky state Sen. Karen Berg, a physician, said she fears for the health of women in her state following the passage of its 15-week abortion ban.

US believes Russia is learning from failures in north of Ukraine, senior defense official says | CNN Politics
The US believes that Russia is learning from its failures in the north of Ukraine, where they did not have the proper capabilities to sustain military operations, and applying those lessons to their new focus in the east and the south of the country, according to a senior US defense official.


Shareholders await Musk's next move in Twitter takeover bid
Twitter has dropped a major roadblock in front of Elon Musk’s effort to take over the company, leaving investors to wonder about the mercurial Tesla CEO’s next move.

White House stands by statement that Biden won't visit Ukraine
President Biden has no current plans to travel to Ukraine, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday, an assertion that contradicted what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview that aired on Sunday.

White House commits to barring anti-satellite missile tests
The Biden administration says the U.S. is barring anti-satellite missile testing. It's a move that White House officials say is meant to underscore their hope of establishing new norms for military action in space.


Former Maryland mayor avoids prison in revenge porn case
A former Maryland mayor who admitted to posting nude photos of his ex-girlfriend on Reddit will not have to spend time behind bars under a plea deal

Drug dealer tied to Mac Miller overdose death sentenced to nearly 11 years - Washington Examiner
The drug dealer who pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl-laced pills tied to the death of rapper Mac Miller was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison, a judge announced Monday. Ryan Reavis, 39, pleaded guilty to supplying counterfeit pharmaceutical pills in November after he and two...


Mariupol hasn't surrendered to Russia, PM says; at least 5 dead, 20 injured in Kharkiv attack
Russia says it has offered Ukrainian fighters holding out in Mariupol a window to surrender, saying their lives "will be spared" if they lay down their arms.

Syrian fighters ready to join next phase of Ukraine war
The next chapter of the war in Ukraine could see Russia bringing in greater numbers of battle-hardened fighters from Syria, observers say.


France's Macron says dialogue with Putin stalled after mass killings discovered in Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that his dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin has stalled after mass killings were discovered in Ukraine.

White House says terrorist encounters at border are 'uncommon,' touts Border Patrol for 'doing their job'
The White House on Monday said encounters with suspected terrorists at the U.S. Southern Border are “uncommon,” after 23 individuals on the terror watch list were apprehended in 2021.

Russia sets new Mariupol ultimatum in 'Battle of Donbas' as West pledges more help
Russia was intensifying its attack on Ukraine's east on Tuesday as it seized a frontline city and sought a decisive victory in Mariupol, prompting Western governments to pledge more arms and sanctions.

3 US sailors from aircraft carrier found dead in less than one week | CNN Politics
Three sailors from the USS George Washington aircraft carrier were found dead in less than one week, the Navy said, as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and local authorities investigate the deaths.


Tax refund whiplash: Pandemic perks give some a windfall, others a bill
Tax credits and other benefits Congress expanded to bolster families and the economy are leading to bigger refunds for some, but smaller payments — or bills — for others.


Man awarded $450K after being fired for panic attacks over unwanted birthday party - Washington Examiner
A Kentucky man who was fired after having a panic attack at his workplace was awarded $450,000 by a jury that determined his employer is guilty of disability discrimination. Kevin Berling, a former lab technician at Gravity Diagnostics, scored the victory in his case that he was unfairly fired...

Video to play key part in Jan. 6 hearings and report
Rather than relying on a report text, these hearings are expected to use video and multimedia elements, similar to approach used in Trump's second impeachment trial.

Florida rejects 54 math books, saying some contain critical race theory
The state Education Department said 28 of the books were rejected specifically because they “incorporate prohibited topics ... including CRT.”


Heavily armed thieves attempt raid in Brazilian city
A group of criminals with high-powered rifles have stormed a small city in Brazil’s southern Parana state, attempting a brazen robbery and engaging police in a shootout

Trump tears into Arizona GOP Senate candidate over 2020 election
Former President Trump criticized Arizona attorney general and GOP Senate candidate Mark Brnovich in a statement on Monday. Trump claimed Brnovich had received “massive information on the fraud and…


Tommy Thompson decides against run for Wisconsin governor
Republican former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson announced Monday that he won't run again in a bid to take on the Democratic incumbent in the battleground state.


Bosnians warn Ukrainians: It's a long journey to justice
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (AP) — Regardless of how the Russian war in Ukraine ends, getting justice for human rights abuses suffered during the conflict will inevitably be a long and painful process for those who survive to tell of the atrocities they witnessed.


US, S Korea urge North's return to talks after missile tests
The U.S. special envoy for North Korea says Washington and Seoul have agreed on the need for a strong response to North Korea's recent spate of missile tests, though they remain open to dialogue with the country

Washington Commanders deny financial misconduct allegations - Washington Examiner
The Washington Commanders denied allegations they have committed financial malfeasance, urging the Federal Trade Commission to dismiss requests to investigate the team’s conduct. The recently renamed NFL team sent a letter to the FTC on Monday seeking to disprove claims from Jason Friedman, a...

Trump attempt at a coup to be a focus of U.S. House hearings, lawmaker Raskin says
Then-President Donald Trump attempted a coup on Jan. 6, 2021, and that will be a centerpiece of committee hearings in Congress next month, said Democrat Jamie Raskin, a committee member who led the prosecution of Trump's second impeachment. On that day in 2021, Trump supporters stormed the U.S...

J&J settles West Virginia opioid litigation for $99 million
Johnson & Johnson said on Monday it agreed to pay $99 million to settle claims by West Virginia that it helped fuel an opioid addiction crisis in the state, removing the company from an ongoing trial that began earlier this month.

Who will run the 2024 election? They’re on your ballot in 2022.
The focus on secretaries of State has been magnified by Donald Trump’s conspiracy theories about the 2020 election he lost.


Five deadly weapons Russia is accused of using in Ukraine
Russia has been accused of using everything from so-called vacuum bombs to chemical weapons as it fights to overtake Ukraine. Some of the worst weapons that Moscow has allegedly used are indiscrimi…


AP source: Kimberly Guilfoyle meets with Jan. 6 committee
The fiancée of former President Donald Trump’s eldest son, Kimberly Guilfoyle, met with the House committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection on Monday.


Sen. Warren predicts Dems are heading for 'big losses' in midterms: 'Time is running short'
Sen. Elizabeth Warren sounded the alarm for her party, saying that Democrats were heading for 'big losses' in this year's elections

Gulf Coast, Mississippi River cities eager for flood funding
Cities on the Louisiana coast and Mississippi River are hoping the infrastructure law will bring badly needed funding to fortify levees, locks and other flood protection as climate change makes hurricanes stronger and wetter.


What it takes to prosecute war crimes
American and European leaders have accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine.

Watchdog warned UK government of spyware infections inside 10 Downing Street
Digital rights watchdog group Citizen Lab said on Monday it had warned British officials that electronic devices connected to government networks, including some inside the prime minister's office and foreign ministry, appeared to be infected with Israeli-made spy software.
Canceling Student Loan Debt Only Leaves a Broken System in Place
Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/GettyAn old adage attributed to Will Rogers says, “If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.”With Joe Biden’s approval ratings hitting a new low, Democrats seem hell-bent on ignoring this good advice. Take, for example, Monday’s The New York Times, in which Sen...

U.S. settles with UPS to resolve immigration-related discrimination claims
The U.S. Justice Department has secured a settlement with United Parcel Service Inc to resolve immigration-related discrimination claims in a civil action against the package delivery company, the agency said on Monday.

Harris to focus on portfolio issues on trip to California | CNN Politics
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to return to her native state of California on Monday for a series of events meant to showcase her leadership, as the White House struggles to reach an American electorate largely unconvinced of the Biden administration’s progress.


FBI, Treasury, CISA issue warning about North Korean state-sponsored hackers
The FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Treasury Department on Monday warned of “malicious” cyber threats from North Korean state-sponsored actors seeking to exploit “vulnerabilities cryptocurrency technology firms, gaming companies, and exchanges” in the United...

Zelensky says Russia has started ‘battle for Donbas’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that Russia has begun its battle for the Donbas after regrouping ahead of an expected offensive on the country’s eastern region. “It can …


A roundup of controversial red-state actions restricting abortion, LGBTQ rights and more | CNN Politics
Republican-led states around the country have enacted a flurry of new restrictions on abortion, LGBTQ and transgender youth rights, and discussion of critical race theory.


Israel downs Gaza rocket, admonishes Jordan as Jerusalem tensions simmer
Israel shot down a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip on Monday, the Israeli military said, the first such attack in months as tensions over a flashpoint Jerusalem shrine drew angry pro-Palestinian rhetoric from Jordan and U.S. mediation efforts.

Pa. Senate candidate McCormick earned $22M as hedge fund CEO
Dave McCormick earned more than $22 million last year as CEO of the world’s largest hedge fund — the job he quit to run for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania.


Biden to require US-made steel, iron for infrastructure
The Biden administration is taking a key step to ensure federal dollars will support U.S. manufacturing.

Who is Mike Gibbons? What to know about businessman running in Ohio GOP Senate race
An Ohio investment banker is a contender in Ohio's GOP Senate primary. Here is what to know about Mike Gibbons

Jordan's King Abdullah warns Israeli moves in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque are threat to peace
Jordan's King Abdullah said on Monday that Israel's "unilateral" moves against Muslim worshippers at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque seriously undermined the prospects for peace in the region, state media said.

Colorado River is America's most endangered; ranchers work to combat climate change
The Colorado River is at the top of the endangered rivers list, and ranchers who have depended on its freshwater are scrambling to adapt.

Congress seeks compromise to boost computer chip industry
A global computer chip shortage has made it harder for consumers to get their hands on cars, computers and other modern-day necessities.


Rain dampens 1st White House Easter Egg Roll since 2019
President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, have kicked off the first White House Easter Egg Roll since before the COVID-19 pandemic.


No Ukraine humanitarian ceasefires soon, possibly in coming weeks -U.N. aid chief
Humanitarian ceasefires between Ukrainian and Russian forces in Ukraine are not on the horizon right now, but may be possible in a couple of weeks, the U.N. aid chief said on Monday.

Jury says they're deadlocked in trial of Ohio doctor charged in deaths of 14 patients
Dr. William Husel is accused of ordering excessive painkillers that led to the deaths of patients in the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System.


Supreme Court rejects appeal from Airman facing punishment over refusal to take COVID-19 vaccine
The Supreme Court rejected an emergency appeal from a member of the Air Force Reserve who was punished over his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Senator Chris Coons Suggests U.S. Troops May Be Needed At Some Point In Ukraine
"I think the history of the 21st century turns on how fiercely we defend freedom in Ukraine and that Putin will only stop when we stop him,” the Democrat said.

California cannabis mega-factory eyes federal legalization of weed
The company behind a cannabis mega-factory in California is hoping federal legalization of the substance will allow it to expand distribution of joints, oils and edibles beyond the borders of the most populous U.S. state.

Democrats prepare to take second run at Biden spending plan
Top Democrats and the White House are eyeing a revival of a stalled-out tax-and-spending bill as the party tries to show deliverables to voters heading into a November election where they are facin…


EXCLUSIVE U.S., Cuba to hold high-level migration talks in Washington
American and Cuban officials are due to meet in Washington on Thursday to discuss migration concerns, people familiar with the matter said, in the highest-level formal U.S. talks with Havana since President Joe Biden took office last year.

Infuriating climate activists, Biden expands oil drilling on public land
President Joe Biden is bringing back leases for oil and gas drilling on federal land in a move that could help with high gas prices but is angering climate activists.

Pakistan: Death sentences over killing of Sri Lankan accused of blasphemy
Dozens are also given jail terms for the lynching of a Sri Lankan man accused of insulting Islam.


Spyware use on separatists in Spain "extensive," group says
A cybersecurity rights group says the phones of dozens of pro-independence supporters in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia, including the elected regional chief, were hacked with controversial spyware available only to governments.


White House to continue providing security, economic assistance to Ukraine amid 'empty threats' from Putin
The White House on Monday said the United States will continue to provide security and economic assistance to Ukraine, even amid “empty threats” from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned of “unpredictable consequences.”

Exclusive: Zelensky rejects ‘tall tales’ his forces need months of training to operate advanced weapons | CNN Politics
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed back against concerns from US and NATO officials that his military would need significant training before receiving advanced weapons from other countries, telling CNN his forces need weapons quickly – and can learn to use them just as fast.


Hunter Biden spotted at White House Easter Egg Roll after keeping low profile amid federal investigation
Hunter Biden and his family were spotted Monday at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington, D.C.

At Boston Marathon, Ukrainian runners show national pride
Ukrainian runners who participated in the Boston Marathon used the opportunity to display national pride amid war

Biden has confidence in Feinstein’s ability to serve, Psaki says
President Biden still has confidence in Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) ability to serve in the wake of a report detailing concerns from some congressional colleagues about her mental fitn…


Woman pleads guilty to 2016 kidnapping hoax
A Northern California woman has pleaded guilty to mail fraud and lying to the FBI

Van Dyke avoids federal charges in Laquan McDonald's death
Federal authorities say they will not criminally charge Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago police officer convicted of murder in the 2014 shooting death of Black teenager Laquan McDonald.


Doctors suggest new names for low-grade prostate cancer
Some doctors say it’s time to rename low-grade prostate cancer to eliminate the alarming C-word

On Tax Day, an extension may be better than rushing a return
Monday is Tax Day, the federal deadline for individual tax filings and payments. The IRS expects to receive tens of millions of last-minute filings electronically and through paper forms.


Sri Lankan president says regrets crisis, expands cabinet ahead of IMF talks
Sri Lanka's embattled president announced 17 new ministerial appointments on Monday, notably leaving out members of his own family, and expressed regret for his government's handling of a devastating economic crisis that has led to widespread protests.

The lobbyists who gave to GOP frontrunners for Ways and Means chair
Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Jason Smith (R-Mo.) have all thrown their hats in the ring to replace retiring Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas).


FBI, Treasury, CISA issue warning about North Korean state-sponsored hackers
The FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Treasury Department on Monday warned of “malicious” cyber threats from North Korean state-sponsored actors seeking to exploit “vulnerabilities cryptocurrency technology firms, gaming companies, and exchanges” in the United...

Life 'very hard' for Sri Lanka fishermen in financial squall
After three weeks at sea, Anton Fernando tallies his sales of tuna and other fish on a dock in Negombo, a fishing town in Sri Lanka, where the country's financial crisis darkens already murky waters.

Secret Service on the defensive over allegations agents were duped by men impersonating feds | CNN Politics
A series of embarrassing security lapses involving two men charged with impersonating federal agents have put the Secret Service on the defensive and angered at least one top national security official in DC, sources tell CNN.


Elon Musk says he doesn’t own a house, spends a lot of time in ‘friends’ spare bedrooms’
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in an interview that he doesn’t own a residential property, adding that he spends his much of his time in his friends’ “spare bedrooms” “I don’t eve…


JD Vance rolls out statewide ad touting Trump endorsement
Ohio GOP Senate candidate JD Vance rolled out a statewide ad Monday touting his new endorsement from former President Trump. Vance’s campaign on Monday said the ad is part of a $500,000 purchase ru…


Mom stabbed to death, dumped in duffel bag; suspect at large
The NYPD is searching for the killer of a mother who was stabbed to death and left in a large rollable duffel bag.

South African military deployed to flood-ravaged province
Thousands of South African soldiers will help with relief efforts in KwaZulu-Natal province, where more than 440 people have died in floods and mudslides and dozens more are missing.

Macron courts Marseille voters; climate activists in Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron is holding a major campaign rally in Marseille to seek backing from voters who supported a left-wing candidate in the first round of the presidential election.


Mom stabbed to death, dumped in duffel bag; suspect at large
The NYPD is searching for the killer of a mother who was stabbed to death and left in a large rollable duffel bag.

Operator error suspected in death of 14-year-old on Orlando amusement park ride
Operator error is suspected as the cause for the death in March of a 14-year-old boy who slipped out of his seat on a drop-tower ride at a Florida amusement park.

Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki continues improbable form with eight perfect innings to follow perfect game | CNN
Just a week after he threw Japanese baseball’s first perfect game in 28 years, pitching sensation Roki Sasaki very nearly pulled off another.



Do you have to wear a mask on your next flight? These airlines are dropping mask mandates
Though customers are free to continue wearing masks if they choose, passengers will not be required to mask up on many carriers for the first time in years.


Florida judge voids US mask mandate for planes, other travel
A federal judge in Florida struck down a national mask mandate on airplanes and mass transit Monday, and airlines and airports swiftly began repealing their face covering requirements.


Health care workers in Northern California strike over short staffing, COVID protocols, pay
More than 8,000 nurses and health care workers in Northern California are planning a one-day strike Monday over staffing and other COVID-related concerns.

U.S. CDC lifts COVID 'Do Not Travel' recommendations on about 90 countries
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Monday it had dropped its "Do Not Travel" COVID-19 recommendations for about 90 international destinations.

Hip hop pioneer DJ Kay Slay dies of COVID-19 at age 55
Pioneering hip hop artist DJ Kay Slay has died of complications from COVID-19. DJ Kay Slay was born Keith Grayson.


BA.2 cases on the rise amid concerns about mental health
While hospitalizations remain stable in New York City, total cases and the percentage of positive Covid tests are increasing.


Childhood vaccinations are lagging all around amid Covid
Kids aren’t catching up on routine shots they missed during the pandemic. Many vaccination proponents point to Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy as a big reason why.


High court won't hear New York City teacher vaccine dispute
The Supreme Court is declining to wade into a lawsuit filed by four New York City public school employees over a policy that they be vaccinated against COVID-19.


TSA won't enforce transit mask mandate for now after judge voids it
A U.S. District Court judge in Florida ruled that the mask mandate exceeds the CDC's authority.

A Trump-appointed federal judge in Florida just struck down the CDC's mask mandate on planes and trains
In response, the Biden administration said the Transportation Security Administration would stop enforcing the mandate right away.

White House calls federal ruling to toss mask mandate 'a disappointing decision'
The White House said the federal court ruling Monday to void the Biden administration’s mask mandate for travelers using public transportation such as trains and airplanes was “obviously a disappointing decision.”

Hong Kong zero-COVID policies create mountains of plastic waste
Hong Kong arrivals meet plastic everywhere in quarantine hotels: Remote controls are wrapped in cellophane, pillows are encased in plastic bags, food comes with plastic cutlery.

The pandemic vibe shift: A return to status quo


Nurses at top California hospitals prepare to strike
Some 5,000 nurses at Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital plan to go on strike a week from today.


NMSU ending option of COVID-19 testing; vaccination required
LAS CRUCES, N.M (AP) — New Mexico State University will require all students on campus to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by July 1, ending the option of submitting weekly tests as an alternative, the university announced Monday.


US judge throws out Biden mask mandate for planes and trains
A federal judge in Florida, appointed by Donald Trump, says the CDC exceeded its authority.
