
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Biden implores voters to save democracy from lies, violence
WASHINGTON (AP) — Warning that democracy itself is in peril, President Joe Biden called on Americans Wednesday night to use their ballots in next week’s midterm elections to stand up against lies, violence and dangerous “ultra MAGA” election disruptors who are trying to “succeed where they failed” in subverting the 2020 elections.

In final stretch, candidates sharpen their appeals to 'ticket-splitting' voters
Democrats Stacey Abrams and John Fetterman want to tie their rivals to unpopular Republicans on the ballot, while GOP hopeful J.D. Vance is courting conflicted Republicans.


Biden blames extreme MAGA Republicans for intimidating voters and election officials, calling it 'corrosive' to democracy
President Joe Biden urged Americans to reject election-denying candidates and be patient with results ahead of the first national Election Day held since the Jan. 6 attack.

Walker hits back at Obama: ‘Put my resume against his resume’
Georgia GOP Senate candidate Herschel Walker fired back on Wednesday at former President Obama, who said being a good football player does not make him qualified to be a lawmaker. Walker, a former …


Obama warns democracy 'may not survive' in Arizona if election deniers win
“That’s not an exaggeration. That is a fact," the former president said.


Biden warns election deniers pose threat, blames Trump
President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that threats by some Republican candidates to refuse to accept results from the Nov. 8 elections if they lose is a threat to democracy and he blamed former President Donald Trump for inspiring them.

North Korea fires suspected intercontinental ballistic missile
Japan says initial warning missile flew over archipelago was wrong, but concerns over potential nuclear test grow.

Biden goes after Trump ‘lies’ in democracy speech after Pelosi attack
President Biden on Wednesday went after former President Trump and other Republicans who continue to tout 2020 election lies, warning democracy is on the ballot just six days before the midterms an…


Five takeaways from the final New Hampshire Senate debate - Washington Examiner
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — Candidates for U.S. Senate Republican Don Bolduc and Sen. Maggie Hassan (D) met for their third and final debate Wednesday night, where they made their closing arguments in the race that could decide which party controls the Senate next term. Bolduc, a retired Army...


Mother of fallen Capitol officer Sicknick: He died ‘because of people like Kari Lake’
The mother of the officer who died amid the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, says in a new ad that her son died “because of people like Kari Lake,” the Republican nominee for governor of Ar…


Ukraine conflict, sanctions set to blow hole in Russia's finances
The cost of Russia's military mobilisation and the impact of Western sanctions are set to blow a hole in the government's budget forecasts and drain Moscow's reserves to their lowest level in years, according to analysts' latest calculations.

Russia's Vladimir Putin softens nuclear rhetoric over Ukraine
President Vladimir Putin and others had stoked fears that the Kremlin was considering using tactical nuclear weapons.


Russia resumes its participation in Ukraine grain export deal; Ukraine's energy infrastructure 'seriously damaged'
Russia said Wednesday that it will resume its participation in the Black Sea grain initiative, a deal with Ukraine to enable vital agricultural exports.

Biden’s war on ‘disinformation’ ramps up as GOP accuses officials of playing politics with the truth
The Biden administration's top federal agencies are working on countering disinformation from foreign adversaries on certain topics, including COVID-19 and Afghanistan withdrawal.

Biden administration offering $13 billion to lower energy costs. Here's how to qualify.
Americans can get additional help through a federal energy-assistance program or through funding to upgrade your home.


North Korea fires suspected ICBM, warns U.S. against 'dangerous' choices
North Korea fired multiple missiles into the sea on Thursday, including a possible failed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), prompting the United States and South Korea to extend air drills that have angered Pyongyang.

Russia agrees to rejoin Ukraine grain export deal
Russia’s defence ministry says it received ‘sufficient’ guarantees from Kyiv on demilitarising the Black Sea corridor.

Russian commanders discussed using nuclear arms in Ukraine, says US
Military leaders are said to have talked about how and when they might use the weapons in Ukraine.


Warnings about a fragile democracy hit home for some Arizona voters as election deniers compete for key offices | CNN Politics
The voters who poured into a Phoenix high school to hear from former President Barack Obama were looking to send a message of defiance Wednesday night.

As on-campus polling places are threatened in Texas, young voters face barriers
Texas A&M is the latest university in Texas to lose a polling place, after recent battles over voting access at other universities in Texas.
www.usatoday.com

Trump adviser Kash Patel granted immunity in documents case - Washington Examiner
Donald Trump adviser Kash Patel has been granted immunity to testify before a grand jury investigating the former president's handling of documents. Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ordered Patel, a former White House and Pentagon aide, to appear again...


Twitter owner Elon Musk met with civil rights leaders Tuesday — here's what happened
Twitter's new owner Elon Musk was pressed by civil rights leaders to keep banned users off the site and maintain election integrity tools.

Is Georgia's election fair? Here's what midterm voters say
Democrat Stacey Abrams has frequently alleged voter suppression, but many Georgia voters — including her own supporters — think the election is both secure and fair.

West Virginia's Mooney runs for Congress but aims at Manchin
West Virginia Republican U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney is facing Democrat Barry Wendell in the race for a seat representing the state's 2nd Congressional District.


Arizona Senate, governor’s races tighten: Fox News poll
The Senate and gubernatorial races in Arizona are appearing to tighten just a week ahead of this month’s midterm elections, according to a new Fox News poll. The poll, released Tuesday, puts …


Pentagon police arrest man who drove through checkpoint and said he ‘was trying to kill people,’ court documents say | CNN Politics
An Ethiopian man was arrested outside the Pentagon last week after Pentagon police say he drove through a checkpoint toward officers and later said, “I hate America and I was trying to kill people” as he was being apprehended, according to an affidavit filed in federal court.


Ethiopian government, Tigray agree on "permanent" end to 2-year civil war
Ethiopia's warring sides formally agreed to a "permanent cessation of hostilities" during peace negotiations in South Africa.


Democracy ‘on the ballot’ as US midterms loom: Biden
US president warns country’s system of governance is under threat from people who refuse to recognise results.
Mail ballots from voters of color in Texas were more likely to be rejected, report finds
Thousands of Texas mail ballots were rejected in the primaries. The Brennan Center for Justice found voters of color were more likely to be rejected.
www.usatoday.com

Canada orders three Chinese firms to exit lithium mining
Canada ordered three Chinese companies on Wednesday to divest their investments in Canadian critical minerals, citing national security.

How Disney and CEO Bob Chapek are preparing for a possible Republican House majority
Disney and its CEO Bob Chapek are preparing for Republicans to possibly become the majority in Congress.

Analysis: Biden’s plea for democracy is a strong election-closing argument for a different election | CNN Politics
Joe Biden’s eloquent defense of democracy was a message Americans needed to hear. But it was not the one voters most want now from their president – that relief is at hand from the soaring cost of living.


Mortgage rates fall for first time in months
Mortgage rates dipped slightly last week for the first time in more than two months amid the Federal Reserve’s ongoing fight with inflation, according to data released Wed…


FOR THE WIN: Control of the Senate hinges on these volatile races
Control of the Senate for either Democrats or Republicans will likely hinge on the outcome of the volatile races in Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and Pennsylvania.

Zinke's Trump Cabinet days shape Montana race for US House
Donald Trump’s former interior secretary, Ryan Zinke, is facing challenges on three fronts in his bid for a Montana U.S.


Biden calls midterms a 'defining moment' for democracy amid political violence and voter intimidation
The president spoke after the attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband in California and a restraining order was issued against a group accused of voter intimidation in Arizona.


Ukraine's first lady urges West to provide more weapons to help Kyiv prepare for winter war
Olena Zelenska on Wednesday called on Western leaders to offer more military support to Ukraine as Russia's onslaught extends into the winter months.

As Israel's far right parties celebrate, Palestinians shrug
The apparent comeback of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the dramatic rise of his far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies in Israel’s general election this week have prompted little more than shrugs from many Palestinians.


Biden draws line from Jan. 6 riot to Paul Pelosi attack in preelection democracy speech - Washington Examiner
President Joe Biden delivered a closing midterm message Wednesday evening, urging people to "think long and hard" about voting for "extreme MAGA Republicans" the president claimed are legitimate threats to democracy. The president has delivered similar speeches on democracy since entering the...

Newsom stays on sidelines of tightening LA mayor’s race
The California governor’s absence has become glaringly obvious as top Democrats like Barack Obama throw their support behind Rep. Karen Bass.


Accused fraudster Justin Costello has history of posing as billionaire and threatening cops, police say
Justin Costello was indicted for duping investors out of millions in schemes where he claimed to be billionaire, a Harvard MBA and an Iraq war veteran.

Newsom: Democrats getting ‘destroyed’ on messaging
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Democrats are getting “destroyed” on messaging and “crushed on narrative” with the November midterms less than a week away. “We’re getting crushed …


Officials: Saudis tell US that Iran may attack the kingdom
Saudi Arabia has shared intelligence with American officials that suggests Iran could be preparing for an imminent attack on the kingdom.


High inflation hardens some midterm election voters’ party preferences | CNN Politics
The economy and inflation are top of mind for nearly all likely voters in the midterm election.


North Korea covertly shipping artillery shells to Russia, US says
White House says North Korea is sending a ‘significant’ number of artillery shells to Russia for the Ukraine war.

Hassan and Bolduc trade fire in final showdown after GOP nominee comes under attack arriving at debate
A bystander took a swing at Republican Senate nominee Don Bolduc as he arrived for his third and final debate with Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire.

Trump files lawsuit against NY AG to halt review of personal trust
Former President Trump filed a lawsuit Wednesday against New York Attorney General Letitia James, accusing her of embarking on a “crusade” against him as he seeks to stop the Democrat f…


Ukraine war: Russia's uncertain future a product of its past
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is making its future uncertain - but so too is its authoritarian past.


Takeaways: In New Hampshire Senate debate, Hassan and Bolduc argue abortion, inflation and more
Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan and Republican Don Bolduc sparred over abortion, inflation and more in a debate for a New Hampshire Senate election.
www.usatoday.com

Tapped out: Struggling CNN prime-time show coming to an end - Washington Examiner
CNN anchor Jake Tapper's prime-time show, CNN Tonight with Jake Tapper, will not be allowed to continue after the week of the midterm elections amid low ratings. The cable news network says Tapper will move back to his afternoon slot, hosting The Lead, while his nighttime replacement will be...


Army probes whether troops wrongly targeted in bonus scandal
U.S. Army officials say investigators have launched a broad review of at least 1,900 National Guard and Reserve soldiers who were swept up in a recruiting bonus scandal up to a decade ago and may have been wrongly blamed and punished.


Trump files lawsuit to try to stop NY attorney general from getting records from trust that owns Trump Org. | CNN Politics
Former President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit in Florida state court trying to stop the New York attorney general from obtaining records from the trust that holds ownership of the Trump Organization.


Biden: ‘In our bones, we know democracy is at risk’
The president's speech was a closing argument for Democrats before the midterms.


2 alleged 'boogaloo' members arrested in Michigan and Ohio
The FBI says it has arrested two members of the far-right anti-government group the Boogaloo Boys, with authorities increasingly concerned about the potential for violence in the leadup to next week’s midterm elections.


What's driving Georgia's record early-voter turnout

Ye paid a settlement to former employee who alleged he praised Hitler and Nazis during meetings, documents show
In addition, six people who have worked with Ye or witnessed him in professional settings over the past five years said they had heard him praise Hitler or mention conspiracy theories about Jewish people.


Biden suggests voting for Republicans is a threat to democracy
President Biden said the only way to repudiate political violence and Republican extremism was for Democrats to show up at the polls on Election Day.

George Will: Biden, Harris should not seek 2024 White House nomination
Washington Post columnist George Will is arguing President Biden and Vice President Harris should call it quits after one term. Will described what he called a “boulder” bouncing by thi…


Nikolas Cruz: Parkland school shooter sentenced to life in prison
Nikolas Cruz, who murdered 17 students and staff with a semi-automatic rifle at a Florida high school, was formally sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday after listening to hours of anguished testimony from survivors and victims' relatives.

Biden, the optimist, wrestles with US democracy concerns
Facing a midterm election that will define, and quite possibly constrict, the next two years of his term, President Joe Biden is treading a difficult line.


Pope urges end to death penalty as he arrives in Bahrain
Pope Francis is urging Bahrain authorities to renounce the death penalty and ensure basic human rights for all citizens as he arrived in the Sunni-led kingdom.


Latinos could have record number of seats in Congress after midterm vote
If that happens, “Latinos could be more than 10%” of the 435-member House, Vargas said.


Kari Lake takes victory lap after Don Lemon grills her opponent on refusing to debate - Washington Examiner
Arizona gubernatorial hopeful Kari Lake heralded CNN host Don Lemon's grilling of her rival Katie Hobbs over her decision to shun a debate. During the exchange, Hobbs defended her position that debating Lake risks amplifying her 2020 "election denialism" and suggested that it is too late to...

Trump settles lawsuit filed by protesters over 2015 scuffle
The two sides reached an agreement as a jury was being selected.


Medical marijuana firms lead donors for legal weed campaigns
Donors associated with companies holding medical marijuana licenses are providing most of the funding for ballot measures that would legalize recreational marijuana in several states.


Amid midterm voting, Biden warns of 'chaos,' fears of political violence ahead of Nov. 8 election
Joe Biden warns Americans democracy is at risk in Nov. 8 elections amid growing concerns over political violence and threats from election deniers.
www.usatoday.com

Biden administration distributes billions to lower heating costs as energy prices soar | CNN Politics
The Biden administration is distributing $4.5 billion in federal assistance to help lower many Americans’ heating bills this winter as they brace for another season of sky-high energy costs.


Kari Lake says she ‘never made light’ of Pelosi attack, blames ‘creative editing’
Arizona gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake defended widely criticized comments she recently made that appeared to joke about the recent attack on the husband of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), saying…


'Happy' and 'mad': 2 visions in Colorado governor's race
Colorado's Democratic governor, Jared Polis, has emphasized in his reelection campaign his efforts to ease inflation’s burdens on families and fight crime while touting first-term triumphs in health care affordability, public education funding and climate policy.


White House says deleted tweet crediting Biden on Social Security gains was 'incomplete'
Twitter had marked the tweet with a "context" note to explain that by law Social Security increases are adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index, not presidential action.


Jan. 6 committee blames Dropbox screwup for Trump lawyer email leak - Washington Examiner
An apparent mishap with Dropbox led to media outlets obtaining access to a batch of emails that revealed former President Donald Trump's attorneys viewed Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as key to overturning the 2020 election. Trump lawyer John Eastman begrudgingly shared a Dropbox link...


After Pelosi attack, House chair wants answers from police
A top ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is demanding fresh answers from the U.S. Capitol Police about security failures that led to a brutal attack on Pelosi’s husband last week.


Abortion-rights protesters briefly interrupt Supreme Court
It was the first courtroom disruption since the court’s decision in June to strip away women’s constitutional protections for abortion after nearly a half-century under Roe v. Wade.


NYC's Naked Cowboy makes endorsement for gov while performing on Times Square: 'Restore law and order'
New York City's Naked Cowboy endorsed Lee Zeldin in a politically-focused song shared by the GOP candidate on his Twitter on Wednesday afternoon.

U.S. Capitol Police to conduct internal review over missed camera images of Pelosi attack
The U.S. Capitol Police said on Wednesday it would conduct an internal review after its officers failed to notice surveillance camera images of an intruder breaking into the San Francisco home of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

With no Powerball winner, jackpot grows to $1.5 billion and closes in on record
The estimated jackpot for Saturday’s drawing is approaching the biggest ever in the game’s history, which was the $1.586 billion won in 2016.


New poll workers raising concerns in Michigan, other states
A shortage of poll workers has concerned local election officials across the country as the midterm elections approach. Not so in Michigan.


How the AP counts the vote on election night
The Associated Press is the only news organization that does all of the nation's vote-counting math on election night.

DOJ takes aim at Adobe's $20 billion deal
The DOJ's investigation is the latest sign of heavy scrutiny on tech dealmaking.


Biden Pentagon official joins TikTok amid review of the Chinese app - Washington Examiner
A former Biden Pentagon official who claimed Twitter’s censorship of Hunter Biden laptop stories proved they were false while working on the Biden campaign has joined TikTok as a communications director. Jamal Brown, who served as the Defense Department’s deputy press secretary from February...


Bedeviled by high inflation, Federal Reserve hikes interest rate by 0.75% again
The central bank hopes to curb spending, investment and borrowing in order to cool off further price increases.


Lofgren demands answers from Capitol Police on Paul Pelosi attack
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) is demanding answers from the U.S. Capitol Police following the Friday home invasion attack on Paul Pelosi, which is sparking calls for greater protection of lawmakers. …


Which party will control the Senate? Here's every seat up for grabs in the 2022 midterms
Here's who's running in midterm Senate races across the country, including close elections in Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania and other states.
www.usatoday.com

More than 100 election jurisdictions waiting on federal cyber help, sources say
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency did not deny the backlog but noted it has provided cyber hygiene tests for 425 “election-related entities.”


Netanyahu set to return to power in Israel after PM concedes
Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears set to return to power as head of Israel’s most right-wing government ever after winning this week’s national election.


Secret recording: Oath Keepers leader wanted to warn Trump of upcoming ‘combat here on US soil’ | CNN Politics
In a secretly recorded meeting days after January 6, 2021, Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes allegedly tried to issue a warning to then-President Donald Trump, urging him to invoke the Insurrection Act and warning there would be “combat here on US soil.”


Wisconsin courts shoot down liberal groups' attempts to change rules for absentee ballots
A Wisconsin appeals court and a circuit judge ruled just days ahead of the midterms that absentee ballots cannot contain partial addresses of witnesses.

Andrew Cuomo: Democrats ‘tongue-tied when it comes to crime’
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) on Wednesday criticized the Democratic Party for being “tongue-tied” on crime. “I don’t know why the Democrats — and this is nationwide — I don’t know wh…


Brnovich leads 24-state attempt to hold Biden in contempt over border - Washington Examiner
Twenty-four states have asked a federal court to declare the Biden administration in contempt of a federal judge’s order that it prioritize turning away illegal immigrants rather than release them into the United States.Led by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, the states filed a request...


White House announces $13.5 bln funding to help households with energy bills
President Joe Biden's administration will make $13.5 billion available to help low-income U.S. households lower their heating costs this winter, the White House said on Wednesday.

Sen. Murphy: If CFIUS won’t review Saudi’s Twitter stake, Congress should
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) would back a congressional investigation into Saudi Arabia’s stake in Twitter if a government review body doesn’t open a probe first.


U.S. announces takedown of massive catalytic converter theft ring
U.S. authorities on Wednesday said they have taken down a nationwide ring to steal thousands of catalytic converters from cars and trucks, charging 21 people and seizing millions of dollars in assets.

Fed’s latest hike will push up mortgage rates
The Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate hike Wednesday of 0.75 percentage points is expected to intensify pressure on the housing market while pushing up mortgage rates that already have reached…


Brnovich leads 24-state attempt to hold Biden in contempt over border - Washington Examiner
Twenty-four states have asked a federal court to declare the Biden administration in contempt of a federal judge’s order that it prioritize turning away illegal immigrants rather than release them into the United States.Led by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, the states filed a request...


Clarence Thomas was 'key' to a plan to delay certification of 2020 election, Trump lawyers said in emails | CNN Politics
A lawyer for former President Donald Trump described Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as "key" to Trump's plan to delay Congress' certification of President Joe Biden's victory through litigation after the 2020 election, according to emails recently turned over to the House select committee...

Kyrie Irving to donate $500K to fight hate, takes responsibility for post about antisemitic film
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement Thursday Irving made a “reckless decision” while tweeting the offensive link.


Russia: West must stop 'encouraging provocations' to avoid nuclear disaster
Russia said on Wednesday that avoiding a nuclear clash between the world's nuclear powers was its first priority, but accused the West of "encouraging provocations with weapons of mass destruction".

What are the midterm elections? Here's what to know about them and why they're important
The midterms are elections that take place every two years – or halfway through a president's four-year term. In 2022, the midterms are Nov. 8.
www.usatoday.com

Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke joins Obama in using TikTok to push get-out-the-vote message
Texas gubernatorial nominee Beto O’Rourke is turning to TikTok in a final push to drive voter turnout ahead of the midterm elections.

White House won't say if it plans to pay for Twitter or if republic will survive GOP takeover of Congress
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was mum Wednesday when asked whether the White House would go along Elon Musk's new policy of having users pay $8 a month to be verified.

WATCH: Zeldin teases Florida’s ‘about to lose best real estate agent’ in Kathy Hochul - Washington Examiner
Republican Lee Zeldin said he is confident in these final days ahead of the midterm elections that New York will flip to a red state and vote him as the state’s next governor. Zeldin, who vacated his congressional seat to challenge Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul, said he believes he can get...


McCarthy slams Biden for 'dividing the nation' ahead of speech assailing MAGA Republicans
EXCLUSIVE: House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy said President Biden is "dividing the nation" ahead of his DNC anti-Republican speech Wednesday night.

5 key takeaways from the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes
The Federal Reserve ramped up its battle against inflation Wednesday with another large interest rate hike amid griping that the central bank’s efforts will plunge the U.S. into a recession. …


Jury weighs whether Trump ally Barrack was a foreign agent and lied about it
A U.S. jury began deliberations on Wednesday in the trial of Tom Barrack, the onetime private equity executive and fundraiser for former President Donald Trump, on charges that he acted as a foreign agent for the United Arab Emirates and lied to federal investigators.

Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in children’s textiles, pet food packaging
Cancer-linked “forever chemicals” are contaminating a broad assortment of pet food packaging and textiles made for babies and toddlers, a new investigation has found. These toxins — per- and polyfl…


White suburban women shift support from Democrats to GOP as midterm elections near: Poll - Washington Examiner
White suburban women have shifted their support in large numbers from Democrats to Republicans in the final stretch of the midterm cycle, particularly as the crucial voting bloc has become increasingly concerned with the economy and inflation. White women living in suburban areas, a key voting...


Erdogan moots putting Turkey headscarf reform to referendum
Turkey's president said on Wednesday his party could put to a referendum constitutional amendments to protect women's right to wear a headscarf, in a move some Turks see as an attempt to outflank the opposition on a once-deeply divisive issue.

A huge tunnel has opened below Niagara Falls | CNN
A newly opened tour plunges visitors into the rocks beneath one of North America’s greatest natural wonders to see how its pounding waters were harnessed for power.

Opinion | Florida Is a Blaring Warning Sign for Democrats
Biden has been reading too much of his own press.


Trump settles lawsuit over alleged assaults at Trump Tower protest
Donald Trump and his namesake company have settled a lawsuit by protesters who said his security guards violently attacked them while they were demonstrating outside Trump Tower in September 2015 over his statements about immigration.

G7 foreign ministers set to grapple with Ukraine war, China
Top diplomats from the world’s major industrialized democracies will grapple with the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s growing economic clout and aims on Taiwan and Iran’s treatment of anti-government protesters when they open two days of talks in Germany this week.


Bolsonaro tells protesting truckers to clear roads
After failing in his re-election bid, Brazil's president tells supporters to find other ways to protest.

The oil and gas paradox threatening Biden’s party at the polls
The president promised to move the U.S. away from fossil fuels. But U.S. oil production is up anyway, and so are federal drilling approvals.


Miss Argentina and Miss Puerto Rico reveal that they’re married | CNN
Mariana Varela and Fabiola Valentín, respectively 2020’s Miss Argentina and Miss Puerto Rico, stunned and delighted fans by revealing their secret relationship and recent wedding.


New U.S. cancer drug prices rise 53% in five years -report
The annual price of a newly-launched cancer drug in the United States averaged $283,000 last year, a 53% increase from 2017, according to a new report from U.S. Democratic Representative Katie Porter, a consumer bankruptcy law professor running for re-election in California.

Can the US live in Xi Jinping's world?
Mr Xi's vision is in stark contrast to what the West had hoped for from decades of trade and engagement.
www.bbc.co.uk
Opinion | Why Conservatives Can’t Stop Acquiring Media Companies
Recent conservative media acquisitions reflect the right’s long-standing desire for mainstream acceptance of unpopular ideas.


Biden's threatened windfall oil tax unlikely to pass U.S. Congress
President Joe Biden's threat to impose a windfall profits tax on oil companies is unlikely to pass in the U.S. Congress, even if Democrats defy forecasts and manage to maintain their razor-thin majority in midterm elections on Nov. 8.

COP 27- U.S. House Republicans to press need for minerals at climate talks
Republican U.S. representatives heading to U.N. climate talks in Egypt plan to discuss developing critical minerals used in everything from nuclear energy and electricity transmission to batteries for electric vehicles, the head of the delegation said on Wednesday.

Frigid winter? New Englanders will pay through frozen noses for oil and gas
This winter the U.S. Northeast faces its highest energy costs in more than 25 years due to tight heating oil supplies and fierce global competition for liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes.
Voters remain gloomy despite recent economic gains
A new POLITICO-Morning Consult poll suggests voters' views of the economy are baked in.


Asia stocks tumble after US Fed says more rate hikes likely
Benchmark indexes across Asia fall after US central bank raises key rate to the highest level in 15 years.

North Korea's expanding missile capabilities
This week's record number of North Korean missile launches, which included an apparent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), underscored the nuclear-armed state's efforts to rapidly advance its arsenal amid stalled denuclearisation talks.
Pressure mounts on Fed to slow 'alarming pace' of rate hikes
The central bank is expected to raise rates by another three-quarters of a percentage point, the fourth such increase in a row.


U.S. grants some Venezuelans speedy entry under new program, sponsors say
U.S. sponsors applying to bring Venezuelans into the United States under a new program are receiving approvals in hours or days, a lightning-fast pace that could soon fill up available spaces in the program, according to U.S. sponsors and advocates.

Astros pitch second no-hitter in World Series history - Washington Examiner
PHILADELPHIA — Hammered the night before, Cristian Javier and the Houston Astros desperately needed to figure out how to keep Bryce Harper and the Phillies in the ballpark.How about a no-hitter, would that do?HARPER, PHILLIES TIE WORLD SERIES MARK WITH FIVE HOME RUNS, TOP ASTROSJavier and...



Disney Cruise Line drops COVID-19 testing requirements
Disney Cruise Line is eliminating its COVID-19 testing requirements for guests.

Infants less likely to contract COVID, develop severe symptoms than household caregivers
In one of the first studies to explore how COVID-19 specifically affects older infants, researchers from the University of Washington and at institutions at four other locations in the Western and...
www.washington.edu

Chinese EV maker Nio resumes production after COVID shutdown
China is battling a rising number of COVID cases with tough curbs that have significantly disrupted businesses.

Monkeypox may spread before symptoms appear, study suggests
More than half of monkeypox infections may spread pre-symptomatically, a U.K. study estimated. That could pose a challenge for eliminating the virus in non-endemic countries.

Australia entering 'the next COVID wave', as new research suggests 'two-thirds' have been infected
Research suggesting almost two-thirds of Australians have had COVID-19 comes via blood studies from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.


Estee Lauder among multinationals hit by China lockdowns
The devastating effects of COVID-19 lockdowns in China overshadowed a strong quarter at Estee Lauder and shares y are tumbling in early trading

China Covid: Lockdown delayed potentially lifesaving treatment for sick boy, father says
A Chinese father tells the BBC how Covid measures prevented his son from being seen in time.


New Covid-19 wave to hit NSW within weeks, chief health officer says
Exclusive: Kerry Chant reiterates importance of vaccine boosters as Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and XBB tipped to become dominant

China's Covid controls are pushing companies to diversify away from a 'start-stop economy'
A Covid outbreak at Apple supplier Foxconn's factory shows the continued challenges factories face in trying to maintain operations while preventing infections.

Perspective: The case against pandemic amnesty
Washing our groceries was silly. Keeping children shut out of school was harmful, and people should be held to account


Vaccines used to be apolitical. Now they're a campaign issue
Advocates for inoculation are distressed by what they see as a new political focus on an old public health measure.


Illinois Coronavirus Updates: Loss of Smell as a COVID Symptom, Side Effects of Flu, COVID Shots
Here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic across Illinois today.


Macau announces second round of mass COVID testing for population
Macau’s government on Wednesday announced a second round of COVID-19 PCR testing for the city’s almost 700,000 residents scheduled for Friday and Saturday, the latest measures to try and contain a rise in infections.