(AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
POKROVSK, Ukraine (AP) — European leaders blasted Russia’s decision to cut natural gas shipments to Poland and Bulgaria as “blackmail,” saying the cutoff and the Kremlin’s warning that it might cease shipments to other countries is a failed attempt to divide the West over its support for Ukraine.
Top Trump allies tangle with McCarthy, Scalise over leaked audio
Most House Republicans, however, are sticking with McCarthy, and the tape controversy doesn't appear to have imperiled his bid for speaker for now.
www.nbcnews.com
Russia-Ukraine updates: 2 US veterans who joined Ukrainian forces missing
Updates on the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Ukraine war: Putin warns against foreign intervention
Russia's president says any nation meddling in the Ukraine war will face a "lightning-fast" response.
www.bbc.com
A chilling Russian cyber aim in Ukraine: Digital dossiers
BOSTON (AP) — Russia's relentless digital assaults on Ukraine may have caused less damage than many anticipated
apnews.com
US cites ‘credible’ reports that Russia executed Ukrainians trying to surrender in Donetsk
The U.S. has credible evidence Russia executed Ukrainians who tried to surrender in the Donetsk region, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack said at a United Nation…
thehill.com
DHS secretary defends border policies under intense grilling from GOP lawmakers
One GOP lawmaker vowed to impeach Mayorkas if Republicans retake the House in November.
www.cbsnews.com
‘More than half’ of howitzers provided by US have arrived in Ukraine - Washington Examiner
"More than half" of the howitzers the United States has designated to go to Ukraine have arrived as of Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.The U.S.'s military assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded Feb. 24 includes 90 155 mm howitzers, large artillery guns that are operated by a...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Grand jury investigating Donald Trump for criminal conduct will come to an end: Sources
The grand jury had been extended several times, but will not be renewed again.
Russia has earned $66 billion in fuel exports since war began, report says; Americans, British face Russian sanctions: April 27 recap
Russia imposed sanctions on 287 British lawmakers, claiming they "demonize" Russia. Dozens of Americans already sanctioned. Wednesday's recap.
www.usatoday.com
Push Russia out of whole of Ukraine, says Truss
Western allies must "double down" in their support for Ukraine, the UK's foreign secretary says.
www.bbc.com
Moscow halts gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria
Russia has cut gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, targeting Europe's economy to pressure Ukraine's allies.
www.nbcnews.com
Here are the GOP lawmakers targeted by McCarthy in new audio recordings
New audio recordings of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaking critically of some of his colleagues after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol are raising new questions about h…
thehill.com
White House preparing to ask Congress for massive Ukraine aid package
Administration officials described the amount of the request as “massive” but would not provide a specific dollar amount for the aid, which is intended to last through September.
www.nbcnews.com
Energy Department OKs new liquefied natural gas exports to meet Europe’s needs - Washington Examiner
The Department of Energy said Wednesday that it will authorize additional exports of liquefied natural gas in an effort to reduce supply shortages, the latest Biden administration effort to boost supply of the fossil fuel in response to a massive increase in European demand due to the war in...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Twitter abuse victims fear Musk's plans, but may not quit
Perhaps no group of people is more alarmed about Elon Musk’s apparent plan to make Twitter a free speech free-for-all than those most likely to be targeted for harassment: women, racial minorities and other marginalized groups.
apnews.com
Marjorie Taylor Greene under fire for inflammatory remarks about Catholic Church - Washington Examiner
Conservative firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is coming under fire for her accusation that the Catholic Church is controlled by Satan. During an April 21 interview with far-right Catholic news organization Church Militant, activist Michael Voris alleged that bishops receive “enormous sums...
www.washingtonexaminer.comOpinion | NATO’s Credibility Is on the Line with its Cyber Defense Pledge. That’s a Bad Idea.
It’s not clear how the alliance would actually respond to a Russian cyberattack, and it can’t risk fracturing amid Putin’s war on Ukraine.
www.politico.com
Russia’s tanks in Ukraine have a ‘jack-in-the-box’ design flaw | CNN
Russian tanks with their tops blown off are just the latest sign that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine isn’t going to plan.
www.cnn.com
Trump denied under oath knowing about 2015 scuffle with protesters, but Michael Cohen says otherwise
Trump's former lawyer said Trump told security to “get rid of” the protesters before the altercation, according to a court filing by the lawyer for the protesters.
www.nbcnews.com
Sen. Kennedy grills AG Garland on crime, calls Chicago 'world's largest outdoor shooting range'
Sen. John Kennedy grills Attorney General Merrick Garland for the Department of Justice "losing on crime."
Biden ‘disinformation’ chief a Trump dossier author fan and Hunter Biden laptop doubter - Washington Examiner
The Biden administration's new czar to combat disinformation has a history of sharing misleading claims about British ex-spy Christopher Steele’s discredited dossier and downplaying controversy embroiling President Joe Biden's son. Nina Jankowicz, who was a disinformation fellow at the Wilson...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
House GOP’s Trump defenders eye long game with McCarthy and avoid fight for now | CNN Politics
Donald Trump’s staunchest allies don’t like what they heard House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy saying on tape about the ex-President and some of their GOP colleagues after the Capitol attack. But they and the former President are holding their fire – at least for now.
www.cnn.com
Federal judge halts preparations for end of US asylum limit
A judge has ordered a two-week halt on phasing out pandemic-related restrictions on seeking asylum as the Biden administration prepares for the restrictions to be fully lifted on May 23.
apnews.com
Most in US fear Ukraine war misinformation: AP-NORC poll
A majority of U.S. adults say misinformation around Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a major problem, and they largely fault the Russian government for spreading those falsehoods.
apnews.com
Will Vladimir Putin succeed in seizing southwestern Ukraine?
After failing to capture the capital Kyiv and northern Ukraine, Moscow focuses on completing its conquest of the south.
Millionaire candidates pour cash into Ohio, Pa. Senate races
Millionaire candidates and billionaire investors are harnessing their considerable personal wealth to try to win competitive Republican primaries for open U.S.
apnews.com
Durham team argues 'strong intersection' between Christopher Steele work, Sussmann allegations against Trump
U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper heard arguments from both the special counsel’s team and defense attorneys for Sussmann about various pieces of evidence and whether they can be admitted for trial.
Deutsche Bank source found dead in Los Angeles - Washington Examiner
A man believed to have assisted federal investigators and journalists looking into Deutsche Bank was found dead in Los Angeles, local officials said.A cleaning crew found the body of Val Broeksmit, the adopted son of the late Deutsche Bank executive William Broeksmit, on Monday morning...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
This year’s House battlefield is almost locked in. The next decade is still wide open.
Operatives expect the fight over district lines to extend over the next decade as courts continue hearing challenges to new maps.
www.politico.com
Russia’s retaliation on gas raises stakes for U.S.
Russia is taking a retaliatory step the U.S. and its allies have been bracing for — cutting off gas exports to two European nations, a move that escalated tensions and raised concerns about the Peice of work…
thehill.com
McCarthy defends 1/6 audio, House GOP backs 'next speaker'
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy has assured colleagues he never asked then-President Donald Trump to resign over the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol.
apnews.com
Sen. Hawley demands answers from Google after study shows stark 'political biases'
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., sent a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Wednesday demanding answers in response to a recent study that found the tech giant's email spam filtering algorithms exhibited political bias in 2020.
Survivors unite to deliver message on Holocaust remembrance
Holocaust survivors across the world are uniting to deliver a message on the dangers of unchecked hate and the importance of remembrance at a time of rising global antisemitism.
apnews.com
Biden requests $33 billion for Ukraine war; Putin threatens 'lightning fast' retaliation to nations that intervene
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has warned the West of a "lightning fast" response to any country intervening in the war in Ukraine.
Warren tries to 'light the fire of urgency' for Democrats
The Massachusetts progressive is going all-out to try to push her party to emerge from a morass of bad polling and stalled priorities before Election Day.
www.politico.com
EXPLAINER: What's behind Russia's natural gas cutoff?
Russia's playing hardball on natural gas. State-owned exporter Gazprom says it's stopping pipeline deliveries to Poland and Bulgaria.
apnews.comMoscow halts gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria
Russia has cut gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, targeting Europe's economy to pressure Ukraine's allies.
www.nbcnews.com
Durham prosecutors detail criminal probe into tech executive who worked on Trump-Russia back channel claims | CNN Politics
Special counsel John Durham has an active and ongoing criminal probe into a tech executive who worked with a Hillary Clinton 2016 campaign lawyer to share claims of a cyber back channel between Donald Trump and Russia, prosecutors said in court Wednesday.
www.cnn.com
Russia-Ukraine latest updates: Blasts hit Kyiv as UN chief visits
Ukraine news from April 28: Rescue officials say at least one person has been killed and 10 wounded in explosions.
U.S. economy still 'very, very strong,' despite likely drop in GDP growth-official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. data due out Thursday is expected to show slower economic growth in the first quarter, mainly due to a less robust jump in business inventories, but the overall economy remains strong, a senior Biden administration official told Reuters on Wednesday. The Commerce...
Stefanik gets involved in Washington Senate race against Patty Murray
EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Elise Stefanik, the House GOP conference chairwoman, is throwing her support behind a first-time Republican candidate who’s running to defeat longtime Democratic Sen. Patty Murray in Washington.
Four Republicans, four Democrats vote ‘no’ on bill urging Biden to confiscate assets from sanctioned oligarchs
Eight House lawmakers voted against a largely symbolic bill on Wednesday that urges President Biden to confiscate assets from sanctioned Russian oligarchs and use the funds to support Ukraine. The …
thehill.com
State report details bias in Minneapolis Police Department
A Minnesota state agency says it will work with the city of Minneapolis to negotiate solutions to resolve the pattern of race discrimination uncovered by a two-year investigation.
apnews.com
New York court rejects congressional maps drawn by Democrats
New York’s highest court has rejected new congressional maps widely seen as favoring Democrats. The state’s Court of Appeals agreed Wednesday with a group of Republican voters.
apnews.com
McCarthy defends himself to Republicans after leaked Jan. 6 recordings
The House GOP leader received a standing ovation, multiple lawmakers said.
EXPLAINER: Will a Russian prisoner exchange impact Griner?
Brittney Griner remains detained in Russia and it’s unclear how an unexpected prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia that freed marine veteran Trevor Reed will affect the status of the WNBA star.
apnews.com
Family friend among 3 accused of kidnapping 3-month-old boy
A 3-month-old baby boy has been found safe after being kidnapped from his home, police said.
EXPLAINER: What Twitter could do as privately held company
If Elon Musk and Twitter get their way, the company will soon be privately held and under his control.
apnews.com
Civil defence is trending in Taiwan after Ukraine war
Taiwanese know how to prepare for natural disasters, but now some want to equip themselves for war.
Muslim voter turnout grew in 2020
Nearly three-quarters of registered Muslim Americans voted in 2020, according to a new report.
www.politico.com
Fellow North Carolina Republican calls for insider trading probe of Rep. Madison Cawthorn's crypto holdings
The allegations stem from Cawthorn's involvement with Let's Go Brandon coin, a cryptocurrency based on the conservative meme mocking President Joe Biden.
Rights groups: Biden should disavow racist rulings against Puerto Rico, territories
In century-old Supreme Court rulings known as the Insular Cases, a justice said U.S. territories were “inhabited by alien races” and they shouldn't have the same rights.
www.nbcnews.com
Women’s groups see path forward with possible House vote on women in sports bill
Republicans Reps. Greg Steube and Jim Banks filed a discharge petition Tuesday that could force a House vote on a bill to protect women's and girls' sports that some women's groups say is a giant step in the right direction.
Mayorkas ‘telling whoppers’ over Title 42 authority, GOP says - Washington Examiner
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas is "telling whoppers" when he says he has no sway over the use of Title 42 at the southern border, according to a Republican lawmaker. Rep. Brian Babin of Texas said Mayorkas has more power than he let on to advocate the continued use of the...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Musk is not supposed to disparage Twitter while trying to buy it. He's doing it anyway.
The tech billionaire continues to tweet at will despite a clause laid out in his acquisition agreement that requires him to avoid disparaging the company.
www.nbcnews.com
Is the US housing market headed for a price correction?
At present, the very tight labor markets and strong household balance sheets offer sufficient ballast to sustain real estate demand despite elevated home prices.
thehill.comProud Boys member pleads guilty to obstructing police at U.S. Capitol riot
A member of the far-right Proud Boys group on Wednesday pleaded guilty to obstructing police officers when he joined the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by President Donald Trump's supporters in their attempt to overturn his election defeat. The plea agreement filed in federal court in...
Moscow halts gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria
Russia has cut gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, targeting Europe's economy to pressure Ukraine's allies.
www.nbcnews.com
Russia cuts off gas to 2 NATO nations in bid to divide West
Russia cut off natural gas to NATO members Poland and Bulgaria and threatened to do the same to other countries, using its most essential export as an attempt to punish and divide the West for its united support of Ukraine.
apnews.com
Disney’s self-governing district says Florida cannot dissolve it without paying off its debts | CNN
Disney’s self-governing special district, the Reedy Creek Improvement District, says that Florida’s move to dissolve the district next year is not legal unless the state pays off Reedy Creek’s extensive debts.
www.cnn.com
Boeing lost $1.1 billion on Trump Air Force One contract; CEO regrets deal
Donald Trump had bragged his deal with Boeing for the Air Force One program would save taxpayers more than a billion dollars. It's cost Boeing more than that.
Top conservative group fires back at Trump as Ohio Senate primary escalates into GOP civil war
The Club for Growth, long seen as one of the most powerful groups in Republican politics, is sticking with its pick in Ohio’s messy GOP Senate primary despite attacks from top Trump allies backing a rival candidate.
Federal judge temporarily blocks Biden administration from lifting Title 42 before May 23
The Centers for Disease Control and Protection announced in April that the pandemic-era Title 42 immigration policy would be rescinded on May 23.
www.usatoday.com
Amid US abortion crackdown, California seeks to be a ‘sanctuary’
If Roe v Wade falls, 26 states are likely to ban abortion and millions will need to cross state lines to access care.
Trump endorses Joe Lombardo in Nevada governor race
Former President Trump endorsed Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo on Wednesday in the competitive GOP primary for Nevada governor, eschewing two other candidates seeking his support. One of those c…
thehill.com
Elon Musk will not testify in fiery trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard - Washington Examiner
Billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO and new Twitter owner Elon Musk will not testify in the heated defamation case between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp despite appearing on an initial witness list. Musk's lawyer, Alex Spiro, confirmed to the Washington Examiner that his client will no longer be a...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Elon Musk's bid to end SEC tweet settlement rejected by judge
The 2018 deal required Musk’s tweets to be pre-approved by Tesla’s board.
Elon Musk loses bid to end Tesla tweets oversight deal
The ruling comes just days after the world's richest person struck a deal to buy Twitter for $44bn.
www.bbc.com
New Hampshire starts with lead for first place on Dems' 2024 voting calendar
With Iowa's caucuses under threat, the next state in line has major factors working in its favor, despite Democrats' push for more diversity.
www.politico.com
Biden to skip eating portion of correspondents’ dinner to limit COVID risk
President Biden will take added precautions while at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner this weekend amid concerns about exposure to COVID-19, but White House press secretary …
thehill.com
Georgia’s Kemp signs bill creating new voter fraud probe powers
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed a bill on Wednesday empowering the state’s investigations agency to probe accusations of voter fraud, a power previously held only by the secretary of state…
thehill.com'Her story was America's story': Biden, Bill and Hillary Clinton remember Madeleine Albright
More than 1,400 people, including President Joe Biden and former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, are expected to attend Albright's funeral.
WATCH: Depp and Heard unsuccessfully attempted to resolve divorce outside of court - Washington Examiner
Actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard attempted to settle their divorce outside of court, according to testimonies given Wednesday during their defamation trial. Heard's talent agent, Christian Carino, and Depp's divorce lawyer, Laura Wasser, confirmed that the two celebrities met privately in 2016...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Psaki maintains Biden was 'not involved' with Hunter's business dealings
White House press secretary Jen Psaki continues to dismiss questions from reporters about whether President Biden engaged in Hunter Biden's business dealings during his tenure as vice president.
Gaetz, Greene to stump for Vance in Ohio ahead of GOP Senate primary
Two of the House’s most controversial Republicans are hitting the campaign trail for author and venture capitalist J.D. Vance ahead of Ohio’s GOP Senate primary next week. Reps. Matt Gaetz (R…
thehill.com
South Korean activist resumes flying anti-North leaflets
A South Korean activist says he launched a million propaganda leaflets by balloon into North Korea this week.
apnews.com
Delhi suffers at 49C as heatwave sweeps India
Experts say India is now recording more intense, frequent heatwaves which are also longer in duration.
www.bbc.com
DeSantis amplifies 2024 chatter with trip to Nevada to campaign for Senate candidate Laxalt | CNN Politics
Coming off a showdown with Disney and a month of headlines for waging fights over hot-button social issues, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis introduced himself to Republican primary voters in Nevada during a Wednesday campaign stop for US Senate candidate Adam Laxalt.
www.cnn.comU.S. Representative Greene gave 'dubious' court testimony, voters allege
A group seeking to have U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene removed from the ballot accused her of giving "dubious" testimony during a recent court hearing. In a court filing Wednesday, a group of Georgia voters said a text message reported by CNN two days previously casts doubt on...
ICC investigator for Ukraine says court can’t ‘do all of it alone’ - Washington Examiner
The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, does not believe his office can conduct its investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine "alone."Khan, whose comments came Tuesday during a panel interview with the U.S. Institute of Peace, agreed to join the joint...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Scalise, Gaetz meet privately after fallout from leaked call
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) met privately on Wednesday amid the fallout from a leaked recording in which Scalise raised concerns about some of Gaetz’…
thehill.com
Amal Clooney: UN has watched war crimes happen ‘without consequence’
Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney chastised the United Nations (U.N.) on Wednesday for ignoring war crimes that have been happening in the world, saying it emboldened Russia’s assault on Ukraine. “…
thehill.com
Trump expected to stump for Illinois congresswoman in primary fight against fellow lawmaker
Rep. Mary Miller, a member of the far-right Freedom Caucus, said Trump has vowed to campaign for her ahead of her primary against GOP Rep. Rodney Davis.
www.nbcnews.com
SpaceX launches 4 astronauts for NASA after private flight
SpaceX has launched four astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA, less than two days after completing a flight chartered by millionaires.
apnews.com
How Elon Musk wields his influence in Sacramento
Behind the Twitter-famous feuds, California's elected officials have shown a lot more love than hate for the billionaire.
www.politico.com
Young people want student debt relief. But not all want it totally canceled, poll finds
Some people discuss student loan debt relief in terms of fairness, wondering if debt should be eliminated for everyone or those in most dire need.
www.usatoday.com
Booby traps, looted homes, and 'Z' graffiti greet Irpin residents after Russian retreat
The shattered homes of this formerly comfortable suburb of Kyiv offer a glimpse of what besieged cities in Ukraine's east and south may now be experiencing.
www.nbcnews.com
Officers: No injuries on Amber Heard after fight with Depp
Los Angeles police officers who responded to a domestic violence call at the penthouse of actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard say they saw no marks on her face after a 2016 fight between the couple in which Heard says she was assaulted
Ilhan Omar claims DeSantis election police force will 'intimidate, harass, and punish poor and Black voters'
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., tweeted on Wednesday that Florida's new police force dedicated to voter fraud and other crimes related to elections will be used to “intimidate, harass, and punish poor and Black voters.”
Mexican Mafia leaders indicted in 31-person California RICO case - Washington Examiner
A federal grand jury in Orange County, California, has indicted 31 Mexican Mafia gang members and associates in a racketeering case involving three murders and six attempted murders, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced Wednesday.Prosecutors aim to bring...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Late PM Benazir Bhutto’s son is Pakistan’s new foreign minister
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, 33, is scion of Pakistan’s most influential political dynasty.
Here’s everything we’ve learned about January 6 in the last 72 hours (and what comes next) | CNN Politics
The farther away we get from January 6, 2021, the more we learn about the circumstances surrounding it.
www.cnn.comDHS secretary grilled on ending Title 42, preparation for immigrant influx
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas faced blunt questions from lawmakers on Wednesday about how the Biden administration is handling and preparing for the eventual end of pandemic-justified border restrictions that have reduced humanitarian relief options for asylum seekers at the...
Moscow halts gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria
Russia has cut gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, targeting Europe's economy to pressure Ukraine's allies.
www.nbcnews.com
About 6M Californians ordered to cut water use amid drought
Southern California’s gigantic water supplier has taken the unprecedented step of forcing about 6 million people to cut their outdoor watering to one day a week as an extended drought plagues the state.
apnews.com
Judge issues temporary restraining order preventing phase out of Title 42
Title 42 is a policy instituted under the Trump administration.
Trump appeals NY judge’s contempt ruling
Former President Trump on Wednesday began his appeal of a New York state judge’s ruling holding him in contempt and fining him $10,000 for every day that he doesn’t comply with a state …
thehill.com
Twitter employees still flooding Democrats with 99 percent of their donations for midterm elections
Twitter employees are giving virtually all of their political donations to Democrats for the 2020 cycle.
In a major escalation, Russia cut off gas to two European countries. What happens next?
The long-feared move marks a dramatic escalation of Moscow’s bid to weaken the collective resolve of Ukraine’s allies as they send more weapons to help Kyiv fight.
www.nbcnews.com
McCarthy isn’t worried about losing conservative support despite latest controversy - Washington Examiner
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he’s not concerned about losing the support of conservatives within his caucus despite some expressing frustrations with comments he made following the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. McCarthy, a California Republican who is vying to be the next speaker of...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Vast majority of Afghans turned away by U.S. entry program
The Biden administration has denied roughly 85 percent of the applications it has processed from Afghans seeking to come to the U.S. through a program that allows for temporarily waiving immigratio…
thehill.com
Russia releases US Marine vet in surprise prisoner exchange
Russia and the United States have exchanged prisoners. Russia released a Marine veteran jailed by Moscow while the U.S. released a convicted Russian drug trafficker serving a prison sentence in Connecticut.
apnews.comJimmy Kimmel Exposes Shameless Trump Bootlicker J.D. Vance
ABCOn Wednesday night, Jimmy Kimmel weighed in on a “funny scenario” developing in Ohio’s GOP Senate race, where rabid Trump supporter and guy who likes palling around with QAnon nutjobs Josh Mandel is running against J.D. Vance, a former critic of former President Donald Trump who wrote a book...
Marjorie Taylor Greene confronts DOJ about alleged 'entrapping' of defendants in Gov. Whitmer kidnapping plot
Greene on Wednesday sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray that backs defense lawyer claims that four defendants charged with conspiring to kidnap Whitmer were steered by undercover FBI agents and informants.
OnPolitics: Gender bias persists in races with only female candidates
A new report found that female candidates are still judged on qualifications, likability and appearance even when they aren't running against men.
www.usatoday.com
Post-Floyd probe finds discrimination by Minneapolis police
A state investigation launched after George Floyd’s killing in the custody of four Minneapolis police officers has determined that the department engages in a pattern of race discrimination.
www.politico.com
Boeing says it lost $660M in Air Force One deal with Trump
Boeing reported on Wednesday that it had lost $660 million following an Air Force One deal it had negotiated with former President Trump, with its chief executive saying in a quarterly earnings cal…
thehill.com
Trump becomes target of new ad after Ohio Senate endorsement
A group opposing Donald Trump’s endorsement of JD Vance in Ohio’s contentious Republican Senate primary is making the former president the target of a new ad campaign.
apnews.com
SpaceX capsule carrying latest astronaut crew docks with ISS
Italian Samantha Cristoforetti set to become the first European woman to assume command of the space station.
Rep. Higgins implores Mayorkas to resign over border crisis: 'Save the country the pain of your impeachment'
Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., repeated calls Wednesday for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to resign amid a crisis at the southern border, calling his leadership a failure.
‘Spite is no way to run a country’: Kellyanne Conway slams Biden policy reversals - Washington Examiner
Former Trump 2016 campaign manager and senior counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway had one word to describe President Joe Biden's reversals of Trump-era policies: spite. According to Conway, Biden's actions, including the halting of the Keystone XL pipeline expansion and the anticipated...
www.washingtonexaminer.comFact check: ICE program gives limited phones to immigrants for tracking, communication
Some social media users are claiming the Biden administration is giving smartphones to undocumented immigrants, but the phone's functions are limited.
Microsoft: Russian hacks often accompany Ukraine attacks
Microsoft says cyberattacks by state-backed Russian hackers have destroyed data across dozens of organizations in Ukraine and produced a “chaotic information environment.”
apnews.com
House Republicans give McCarthy standing ovation, brush off tapes
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) got a standing ovation in a Wednesday House GOP conference meeting after he addressed leaked recordings of his comments in the aftermath of Jan.…
thehill.com
Tennessee House passes bill to let state commission approve school library books
“We’re making sure we’re putting age-appropriate books there,” said a Republican sponsor of the bill.
www.nbcnews.com
Atomic agency: Danger signs at ‘occupied’ nuclear site in Ukraine
Rafael Grossi tells AP the Zaporizhzhia facility requires repairs and situation there is ‘not sustainable’.
4 Republicans claw for an edge in live TV governor's debate
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Leading candidates for the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania’s open governor's office made big promises in Wednesday night’s debate about how they’ll ramp up the economy and spend state dollars, as they clawed for an edge in a huge nine-person field.
apnews.com
Analysis: How the widening war in Ukraine will cost the world | CNN Politics
The vicious epicenter of the war in Ukraine now rests in the scorched cities of the east and the south. But the conflict’s reverberations are widening in a way that will leave few people on Earth – from small-town America to poverty-stricken Africa – untouched.
www.cnn.com
DC and Virginia attorneys general announce investigations into Washington Commanders - Washington Examiner
The Washington Commanders will undergo a review for its alleged financial misconduct, as the attorneys general in Virginia and Washington, D.C., have announced two separate investigations. The two offices will investigate whether the Commanders engaged in a “troubling pattern of financial...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Protesters shut down city meeting demanding justice for Patrick Lyoya
Protestors began shouting in a city meeting after a speaker's microphone was turned off for using profanity.
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s 'Marshall Law' Text Could Boost Case To Keep Her Off Ballot
The Georgia Republican's text message about Donald Trump using martial law to stay in office is more evidence she can't run for reelection, critics say.
'Deep appreciation': Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer receives emotional tribute at final argument
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer will retire this summer. With oral arguments now over, Wednesday may mark the last time he'll sit on the bench.
www.usatoday.com
POLITICO Playbook PM: How McCarthy survived
And Washington gathers to remember Madeleine Albright.
www.politico.com
Experts on robber barons agree: Elon Musk is something new
Elon Musk’s growing business empire and influence over media and culture have put him in a different class of robber barons.
www.nbcnews.com
DeSantis sets dates for session on property insurance
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that lawmakers will return to the Capitol in late May for a special legislative session to address the state's rising property insurance rates.
apnews.com
Biden suspected Kamala Harris team of sabotaging rivals during veep search - Washington Examiner
During a bruising vetting process to name his vice presidential running mate in 2020, Joe Biden wondered whether advisers to Kamala Harris were behind the flood of negative press coverage that engulfed some of her well-placed rivals.While candidates expect to face heavy scrutiny, the authors of...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Schumer says Biden is getting closer to canceling up to $50k in student debt: Talks 'have been very fruitful'
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday that President Biden is getting closer to canceling up to $50,000 in student loan debt for borrowers through executive action.
Trump testifies he hired bodyguard after seeing his ‘bravery’ in a fight
Ex-president also testifies that thrown tomatoes can be lethal, after activist sues over his treatment by Trump security Matthew Calamari stands in the lobby at Trump Tower in 2017. Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Donald Trump has revealed in sworn testimony that he hired Matthew Calamari...
Tillis calls for investigation of Cawthorn over insider trading allegations
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) Wednesday called for an investigation by the House Ethics Committee into Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) over allegations that Cawthorn violated federal insider trading law…
thehill.com
Tory MP accused of watching pornography in Commons chamber
A review of the claims - made by two female MPs - is escalated to an independent complaints scheme.
www.bbc.com
Rudy Giuliani expected to appear before January 6 committee next month | CNN Politics
Rudy Giuliani is expected to appear next month before the House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021, insurrection, according to sources familiar with the matter.
www.cnn.com
Shares of Facebook parent Meta soar despite growth slowdown
Facebook parent Meta’s first quarter profit jumped past Wall Street’s expectations despite slower revenue growth, sending shares up sharply in after-hours trading.
apnews.com
Russian gas crisis: 5 things to know about Europe’s supply
Russia is cutting gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, and is threatening to cut off other countries in Europe.
Who is Trevor Reed? The newly freed former Marine who had been jailed in Russia since 2019
A former U.S. Marine was on a trip in Moscow in 2019 when he was accused of attacking a Russian police officer and jailed.
www.usatoday.com
Republicans press Hunter Biden's business partner for records on tax refund transfer from father
House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer of Kentucky and more than a dozen other Committee Republicans are demanding information from Hunter Biden’s longtime business partner regarding an alleged 2010 transfer of then-Vice President Biden’s tax refund check to his son.
In Puerto Rico, lawmakers clash over bill to restrict abortions in first public hearing
The legislation crafted by powerful political leaders looking to join a similar conservative push in the U.S. mainland seeks to ban abortions starting at 22 weeks.
www.nbcnews.com
Multiple RNC staffers have spoken to Jan. 6 panel, sources say
House investigators have questions about the party’s messaging and fundraising in the weeks after the 2020 election.
www.politico.com
Madeleine Albright honored by Biden, other world leaders
World leaders and the U.S. political and foreign policy elite joyously remembered America's first female secretary of state as mourners paid their respects to the late Madeleine Albright.
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Energy & Environment — Russia war keeps oil prices elevated
The ongoing Russian war in Ukraine continues to keep gas prices high, the European Union slams the Kremlin on gas imports and a solar panel trade group says a Biden administration probe could devas…
thehill.com
Disney says state of Florida is on the hook for its $1 billion in debt
Reedy Creek says the state would have to pay the $1 billion in debt it owes.
www.nbcnews.comMissouri faces more lawsuits over lack of redistricting map
With the state’s Republican-led Legislature still deadlocked on redistricting, Missouri now faces lawsuits in both federal and state court asking the judiciary to intervene and order a new U.S. House map before this summer's primary election. Republican congressional candidate Paul Berry III...
Mayorkas testifies DHS is creating 'Disinformation Governance Board'
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testified Wednesday that the Department of Homeland Security is creating a “Disinformation Governance Board” to combat misinformation ahead of the 2022 midterms.
Police arrest man accused of Philadelphia subway rape
Police did not release many details of the assault, which came about six months after a much-publicized rape on a commuter train in October.
www.nbcnews.com
Indonesia widens export ban to include crude palm oil
The ban adds more uncertainty to a global food market suffering from wild price swings.
Life of Madeleine Albright honored at funeral services in Washington DC
Albright served as Secretary of State from 1993-1997 under former US President Bill Clinton. She died on March 23, 2022.
www.usatoday.com
One in five reptiles is threatened with extinction
Crocodiles and turtles are in a particularly dire situation, according to a global assessment of risks.
www.bbc.comFrench investigate who is behind fiber optic cables sabotage
The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened a preliminary investigation into the suspected sabotage of fiber optic cables.
apnews.com
'Unprecedented' water restrictions ordered for millions in Southern California
Unprecedented restrictions have been ordered for millions of residents in Southern California as the megadroght in the region persists and continues to intensify.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signs 'Right To Try 2.0' into law
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has signed a follow-up to a signature piece of Trump-era medical legislation.
Lawmakers scrutinize McKinsey's opioid, FDA consulting work
Lawmakers vowed to continue investigating consulting firm McKinsey after a hearing scrutinizing its work for the Food and Drug Administration even as it advised opioid makers on boosting sales.
apnews.com
Archegos founder Bill Hwang charged in massive stock market fraud
Hwang was charged with racketeering and other counts.
Big progress on wildfires, but dangerous winds on the way
Firefighters have been making significant progress on the biggest wildfires burning unusually hot and fast for this time of year in the western U.S.
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Paul Whelan, an American detained in Russia, wonders why he was left behind | CNN Politics
Paul Whelan, a US citizen who remains imprisoned in Russia, is questioning why he was left behind in the prisoner swap that freed fellow American Trevor Reed.
www.cnn.com
‘When the bombs fall, they don’t just fall on Roma’
Members of the Roma minority proudly serve in Ukraine’s army, but some fear discrimination when the war ends.
Biden, Italy's Draghi to meet as Russia-Ukraine war continues
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi will meet in Washington next month to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine among other issues, their offices said on Wednesday. Biden will host his Italian counterpart at the White House on May 10 ahead of...
Trevor Reed's parents to David Muir: 'He looked horrible ... we started crying'
The parents of the former Marine recently freed from Russian captivity opened up to David Muir about their concerns regarding their son's well-being.
Five things to know about Transnistria, a potential hot spot in Russian conflict
Explosions and gunshots in Transnistria, the Russian-backed separatist territory in Moldova, are raising fears that Moscow is looking to escalate its grab for territory beyond its war in Ukraine.&n…
thehill.com
Reputed federal informant, whistleblower found dead in L.A. after he's reported missing
"We had a complicated relationship, but this is just devastating to hear,” a journalist who described Valentin Broeksmit as a longtime source said.
www.nbcnews.com
House Republicans 'building a case' against Mayorkas as pressure builds over spiraling border crisis
A letter sent by more than 130 House Republicans that expressed “grave concerns” about Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ suitability for office is the latest sign of Republicans in the chamber ramping up the pressure on the DHS chief amid a spiraling border crisis.
The Madeleine Albright Few Knew
Her former spokesman shares a behind-the-scenes view of how the former Secretary of State wielded power at the height of American influence.
www.politico.com
N.Y.'s top court tosses congressional map over Democratic gerrymandering
The court will hire an outside expert to draw a new map before this year's elections.
www.nbcnews.com
The AP Interview: UN nuke chief wants Ukraine plant access
The International Atomic Energy Agency chief says the safety of Europe’s largest nuclear plant which is currently under Russian occupation in Ukraine is a “red light blinking” as the IAEA tries in vain to get access for work including repairs.
apnews.com
Newly re-elected Macron to toughen stance on Russia: Analysts
Dialogue channels will remain open but Macron is expected to push for more aggressive position on Russia, analysts say.
Justice Breyer participates in his last oral argument, colleagues offer 'deep appreciation'
The Supreme Court offered an affectionate tribute to Justice Stephen Breyer on Wednesday, after he participated in his last oral argument on that bench.
UN chief arrives in Kyiv after Moscow stop; Russia releases U.S. Marine veteran Trevor Reed
Russia has halted gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria because they have refused Russia's demand to pay for gas in rubles. Gas prices in the region are surging.
DHS head Mayorkas deflects to CDC on changing Trump COVID-19 immigration policy - Washington Examiner
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas deflected to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the issue of ending a pandemic rule stemming the flow of migrants over the southern border to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Mayorkas said during a Wednesday...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
CNN Exclusive: Meadows’ texts reveal new details about the key role a little-known GOP congressman played in efforts to overturn election | CNN Politics
Newly obtained text messages and recent court filings fill in significant gaps about the key role a little-known Pennsylvania Republican congressman played at almost every turn in scheming to reverse or delay certification of the 2020 election.
www.cnn.com
Former top State official to plead guilty for helping Qatar
A former top-ranking State Department official is set to plead guilty for improperly helping a wealthy Gulf country try to influence U.S. policy and not disclosing on a government ethics form gifts he received from a disgraced political fundraiser.
apnews.com
Family of victim in ‘Rust’ shooting demands Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office remove graphic video of her dying after being fatally injured, attorney letter says | CNN
Halyna Hutchins’ family says the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office “trampled on the constitutional rights” of the cinematographer.
www.cnn.com
Emotional Biden says teachers helped him overcome stutter
President Joe Biden congratulated the 2022 national teacher of the year by offering a deeply personal story saluting those teachers who helped him overcome a serious childhood stutter.
apnews.com
Dems offer reality check on Manchin, Build Back Better
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is sketching out his vision for what a scaled-down budget bill could look like as his party eyes a second run at moving a major policy bill through a reconciliation proce…
thehill.com
In 1988, an 11-year-old was stabbed to death. Now a suspect is in custody
More than 30 years after an 11-year-old girl was stabbed to death in Massachusetts, a suspect has been arrested for her murder.
Officer describes fending off Capitol rioter at man's trial
One of the dozens of police officers injured during the U.S. Capitol riot has testified that he didn’t punch or instigate a fight with a man in the mob.
apnews.com
5 dead, including suspect, after hotel shooting, carjacking in Mississippi
A man is suspected of fatally shooting three people at a Biloxi hotel and a fourth victim in a carjacking in Gulfport, police said.
www.nbcnews.com
Russia says it swaps ex-US Marine for Russian prisoner held in US
The White House confirmed Reed’s release after lengthy negotiations that ‘required difficult decisions’.
Measles outbreaks possible amid 'perfect storm' of conditions, WHO and UNICEF warn
A "perfect storm" of circumstances brewing for largescale measles outbreaks affecting children, WHO and UNICEF warn, as worldwide cases rise
Cawthorn says ‘establishment’ is hitting him with ‘coordinated drip campaign’
Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) has accused the “establishment” of launching a “coordinated drip campaign” against him, a comment that comes as the congressman…
thehill.com
Biden going to SKorea, Japan in May to discuss China, NKorea
President Joe Biden will travel next month to South Korea and Japan to consult with allies on growing threats from China and North Korea.
apnews.comPaul Whelan, an American detained in Russia, wonders why he was left behind | CNN Politics
Paul Whelan, a US citizen who remains imprisoned in Russia, is questioning why he was left behind in the prisoner swap that freed fellow American Trevor Reed.
www.cnn.comBusiness, travel groups ask Biden to jump-start federal business travel
A coalition of travel and business groups is urging the Biden administration to nudge the federal workforce back into their offices.
www.politico.com
Rhode Island Dem candidate faces 'carpetbagger,' 'opportunist' labels in growing competitive House race
Rhode Island Treasurer Seth Magaziner has engaged in an intricate political dance as he vies for higher office, ditching his gubernatorial aspirations for the seat being vacated by Rep. Jim Langevin.
Republicans target pause on student loan payments
The pause's extension from the beginning of May to the end of August will add an estimated $20 billion to the deficit.
www.cbsnews.com
Energy Dept OKs expanded LNG exports from Texas, Louisiana
The Energy Department has authorized additional exports of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, from planned terminals in Texas and Louisiana.
apnews.com
Ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars could save hundreds of thousands of lives, experts say | CNN
The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to announce a proposed rule this week to ban menthol from cigarettes, as well as to ban flavored cigars. It’s a step that public health officials say is essential to protect public health.
www.cnn.com
Big four meatpackers deny price fixing amid record profits
CEOs of the big four meatpacking companies on Wednesday denied accusations of price-fixing, under fire from House lawmakers after reporting record profits amid soaring meat prices. “Was there ever …
thehill.com
A look at Trevor Reed, the Texan released in prisoner swap
Trevor Reed’s nearly three-year imprisonment in Russia has ended. His parents say he walked off a Russian plane and onto an American one at a Turkish airport Wednesday.
apnews.com
World’s largest blue diamond to come to auction has sold for $57.5 million | CNN
Named “The De Beers Cullinan Blue,” the massive 15.10-carat step-cut gem sold at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong after an eight-minute bidding war.
www.cnn.com
'90 Day Fiancé' alum Caroline Schwitzky survives alleged murder attempt by boyfriend, police say
Cole Goldberg is accused of trying to strangle and drown Schwitzky after a heated argument on a boat in West Palm Beach, Florida, according to a police report.
www.nbcnews.com
Boeing: Plane-maker reveals losses from Trump Air Force One deal
The US plane-maker reveals costs from the deal former US President Donald Trump renegotiated.
www.bbc.comMayorkas claims Biden admin has 'effectively managed' border crisis, deflects blame
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the Biden administration has "effectively managed" the border crisis.
How does the refugee process work, and why has the U.S. struggled to increase admissions?
Due to Trump-era restrictions and the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. refugee admissions reached back-to-back record lows in fiscal years 2020 and 2021.
www.cbsnews.com
Supreme Court seems divided in Oklahoma Indian Country case
A seemingly divided Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday over Oklahoma’s authority to prosecute some crimes on Native American lands, following a 2020 high court decision.
apnews.com
British politics rocked by allegations of porn, sexual misconduct and misogyny: "This behavior is wholly unacceptable"
Boris Johnson's press secretary insisted that the Conservative Party does not have a sexism problem.
www.cbsnews.com
Trevor Reed: Parents overjoyed at release of US Marine in Russia
Held in a Russian prison since 2019, Trevor Reed has landed back in the US.
www.bbc.com
White House eyes more public events under new Covid calculus
The possibility of Biden’s hosting the first state dinner of his presidency is under preliminary discussion, officials said.
www.nbcnews.com
Fauci won't attend White House Correspondents' Dinner, says pandemic "is not over"
Fauci, 81, said everyone has to make decisions for themselves, and what is right for him may not apply to everyone else.
www.cbsnews.com
Fauci said the US is 'out of the pandemic phase.' What does that mean?
The worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic may be over in the United States, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, who recently said we are "out of the pandemic phase."
Moderna asks FDA to authorize Covid-19 vaccine for young kids
The request comes a month after the drug company signaled its two-dose regimen generated immune protection in the youngest children comparable to young adults.
www.politico.com
Once dead, twice billed: GAO questions COVID funeral awards
The Federal Emergency Management Agency may have been double-billed for the funerals of hundreds of people who died of COVID-19, the Government Accountability Office said in a new report Wednesday.
apnews.com
Parents of kids under 5 fed up with lack of FDA action on a vaccine
Parents of unvaccinated kids under 5 are fed up with what they see as inaction by federal regulators and the Biden administration on a vaccine for their little ones.
The US is in ‘transition phase’ of pandemic, Fauci says | CNN
The United States is “certainly, right now, in this country, out of the pandemic phase,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on PBS’s “NewsHour” on Tuesday.
www.cnn.com
Rep. Maxine Waters tests positive for COVID-19
Rep. Maxine Waters announced on Wednesday that she has tested positive for COVID-19, but is experiencing no symptoms.
Fauci backs out of White House correspondents' dinner over Covid risk
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that while Biden will attend the event, he will not be there the meal portion and may wear a mask when he’s not giving remarks.
www.nbcnews.com
White House clarifies Fauci statements on the state of the pandemic - Washington Examiner
The White House addressed Dr. Anthony Fauci's assessment that the United States is "out of the pandemic phase."The pandemic "isn't over," despite more manageable COVID-19 case, hospitalization, and death rates, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki.BIDEN MUTES DISPLAY OF CLEMENCY...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Beijing orders schools closed in tightening of virus rules
Beijing is closing all city schools in a further tightening of COVID-19 restrictions, as China's capital seeks to prevent a wider outbreak.
apnews.com
