(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is filing an appeal seeking to overturn a judge’s order that voided the federal mask mandate on planes and trains and in travel hubs, officials said Wednesday.
Yellen, Ukraine official walk out of Russia's G-20 remarks
WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Ukraine's Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko walked out of a Group of 20 meeting Wednesday as Russia's representative started talking. Several finance ministers and central bank governors also left the room, according an official familiar with...
apnews.com
'Days or hours left': Russia tightens the noose in Mariupol
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian forces tightened the noose around the defenders holed up Wednesday in a mammoth steel plant that represented the last known Ukrainian stronghold in Mariupol, as a fighter apparently on the inside pleaded on a video for help: “We may have only a few days or hours left.”
apnews.com
Russia-Ukraine updates: 2 US veterans who joined Ukrainian forces missing
Updates on the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Ukraine war: Mariupol commander makes 'last' plea for help
Major Serhiy Volyna says his troops are heavily outnumbered and running out of supplies.
www.bbc.com
GOP lawmakers vote remotely more often after initial scorn
WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 50 Republicans who once joined a lawsuit claiming the House's pandemic-era proxy voting was unconstitutional have themselves voted by proxy this year, remotely without showing up.
apnews.com
Trump releases audio that appears to refute claim he walked out of interview over 2020 questions
The former president’s communications director released audio that shows reports that Trump had stormed off in response to questions about his election claims were inaccurate.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump endorsements of Oz, Vance aren't deterring Cruz, Pompeo in key GOP Senate primaries
Former President Donald Trump's endorsements of Dr. Oz and J.D. Vance, don't deter Ted Cruz and Mike Pompeo in key GOP Senate primaries
Putin claims victory in Mariupol; Ukrainian fighters hold on
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed victory on Thursday in the biggest battle of the Ukraine war, declaring the port city of Mariupol "liberated," although hundreds of Ukrainian troops and civilians were still holding out inside a giant steel works.
Florida Senate votes to strip Disney of special self-government status, as feud over "Don't Say Gay" law escalates
The vote marks the latest escalation of DeSantis' battle with the entertainment giant over Florida's new "Don't Say Gay" law.
www.cbsnews.com
April 20, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news
Ukrainian forces continue to resist Russian attacks in southeastern Mariupol, with a Ukrainian commander saying the situation at the Azovstal steel plant is "critical."
Johnny Depp says ex-wife Heard beat him, cost him 'everything'
Actor Johnny Depp, testifying in a defamation case against his former wife Amber Heard, said on Wednesday that she was the one who became violent in their relationshipand that her false accusations cost him "nothing less than everything."
Opinion | Ron DeSantis' woke math scandal shows how he's become more dangerous than Trump
From his Disney crusade to his CRT fearmongering, DeSantis has turned Trump's divisive talk into real (and really harmful) action.
www.nbcnews.com
Florida Senate approves new congressional map that cements GOP gains
The Senate approved the new map on a straight party-line 24-15 vote after a nearly two-hour debate during which Democrats assailed the proposed map as unconstitutional.
www.politico.com
Tennessee GOP kicks Trump-backed candidate Morgan Ortagus off congressional primary ballot
Former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus, who was backed by Trump in January, was one of three candidates to be removed by the state party.
www.cbsnews.com
UN asks Zelenskyy and Putin to meet to discuss end of war; U.S. lobs fresh round of Russia sanctions
Officials in Ukraine continue to plead for more weapons support and faster delivery as Russia ramps up its bombardment of the eastern Donbas region.
White House says it is still working with Congress on marijuana policy
The Biden administration is still working with Congress on marijuana policy, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Wednesday, adding that President Joe Biden was reviewing his clemency powers.
FAA makes 'zero tolerance' policy for unruly passengers permanent
While the mask mandate on public transportation has been lifted, the FAA's zero-tolerance policy against unruly passengers is here to stay.
Piers Morgan talks tense fight with Trump: ‘What the f— is this’
Former “Good Morning Britain” host Piers Morgan described a meltdown former President Trump had at Mar-a-Lago after he was handed a list of nasty things the British reporter had said ab…
thehill.com
More Democrats sound the alarm as White House plans to scrap Title 42
Several Democrats are sounding the alarm on the Biden administration's plan to rescind Title 42 next month, warning of dire consequences should the health policy be removed with no plan in place to control the massive influx of migrants arriving at Americas' southern border.
Audio of Trump interview tells different story than explosive Piers Morgan promo
Piers Morgan's fiery interview conducted with former President Donald Trump, as advertised in a dramatic promo Wednesday, does not quite live up to the hype.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Ukraine forces fight to keep Mariupol; Russians likely exposed to radiation at Chernobyl: April 20 recap
Ukrainian forces continued to fight in Mariupol on Wednesday despite a Russian ultimatum to troops holed up in the Azovstal steel mill.
www.usatoday.com
Russia-Ukraine war live updates: Mariupol situation 'severe' as West rushes to send arms
Russia pushed for a crucial early victory in its eastern offensive, pressuring the last Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol while the West rushed to send more weapons.
www.nbcnews.com
Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign tries to keep its legal secrets away from special counsel John Durham | CNN Politics
Dispute is over how much of Clinton campaign materials can be covered by attorney-client privilege
Trump asks judge not to hold him in contempt, says he complied with subpoena from NY attorney general
Trump's lawyer argued that he did comply with James' subpoena when his legal team told her that he does not have any of the documents she requested.
DeSantis to stump for Trump-backed Nevada Senate candidate
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) will campaign alongside Nevada GOP Senate hopeful Adam Laxalt, lending his growing political celebrity to one of former President Trump’s preferred Senate candidates.&…
thehill.com
Russia's Chernobyl seizure seen as nuclear risk 'nightmare'
CHERNOBYL, Ukraine (AP) — Here in the dirt of one of the world’s most radioactive places, Russian soldiers dug trenches .
apnews.com
US begins training Ukrainians on howitzer artillery: Official
Senior US defence official says howitzer training of a few dozen Ukrainian forces has begun outside of the country.
Biden will pick Gary Restaino as interim director of ATF
President Joe Biden will pick Arizona's top prosecutor, Gary Restaino as the interim director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives until a permanent leader is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, a White House official said on Wednesday.
Analysis: Macron cements French presidential frontrunner status with combative debate performance
French President Emmanuel Macron cleared a major hurdle on the path to re-election with a combative TV debate performance against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen that convinced most viewers, a poll said, even if he was still deemed arrogant.
Obamas poised to part ways with Spotify
Former President Barack Obama and his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, are set to part ways with audio streaming service Spotify.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
On The Money — Biden moves to close Russia sanctions loopholes
President Joe Biden speaks at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in Greensboro, N.C., Thursday, April 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) The Treasury Department unveiled n…
thehill.com
G20 members condemn Russia's war in Ukraine, after Yellen and others stage walkout
Top officials from Britain, the United States and Canada walked out on Russia's representatives at a Group of 20 meeting on Wednesday and many members spoke to condemn Moscow's war in Ukraine, exposing deep divisions in the bloc of major economies.
'I'm not giving up': Those who fled Mariupol search for clues about loved ones left behind
With no electricity or cellphone service in the city, families are forced to turn to social media to find out whether loved ones are still alive.
www.nbcnews.com
The Memo: US faces big test as Ukraine war enters new phase
The war in Ukraine is entering a new phase — and that is bringing new challenges for President Biden and other Western leaders. The question facing the White House is whether the American public wi…
thehill.com
DOJ: 21 people charged nationwide with $150M in COVID fraud
WASHINGTON (AP) — Twenty-one people have been charged in the past nine days as part of a nationwide enforcement push to root out those who exploit the pandemic through health care fraud schemes, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.
apnews.com
Biden will seek reelection 'especially' if Trump runs: Report
President Joe Biden will campaign for reelection particularly if his 2020 rival, former President Donald Trump, runs again, according to a report.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
POLITICO Playbook PM: Latest House ratings look good for GOP
And the Bidens will attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
www.politico.com
Biden HHS set to roll back health care conscience protections
The Biden administration is moving to rescind a conscience rule that allows medical workers to object to providing services on religious or moral grounds.
Texas abortion law faces new legal challenge from former state Sen. Wendy Davis
The lawsuit argues that the Texas law is "blatantly unconstitutional" and makes a mockery of the court system.
www.usatoday.com
Israeli police stop Jewish nationalist march in Jerusalem amid rising tensions
Israeli police on Wednesday blocked hundreds of far-right Jewish protesters from marching toward Jerusalem's Damascus Gate, the main entrance to the Old City's Muslim quarter, amid rising tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
Cannabis sinks amid weed glut, Congress' inaction
Industry executives blame Congress’ failure to pass any significant cannabis legislation as the biggest reason the sector is flailing.
www.politico.com
Live updates | US set to send more military aid to Ukraine
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is set to announce plans Thursday to send additional military aid to help Ukraine fight back against the Russian invasion, according to a U.S. official. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Biden...
apnews.com
Most people in US want masks for travelers: AP-NORC poll
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A majority of people in the United States continue to support a mask requirement for people traveling on airplanes and other shared transportation, a poll finds. A ruling by a federal judge has put the government’s transportation mask mandate on hold .
apnews.com
Netflix's world has been turned upside down as stock plunges 35%
Call Eleven and Sheriff Hopper of "Stranger Things," because Netflix's world has been turned upside down.
www.cnn.com
White House earmarks $790 million to groups with ties to senior Biden officials
Two foreign nonprofit groups with close ties to high-ranking Biden administration officials are poised to receive a combined $790 million from the president's fiscal year 2023 budget, raising conflict of interest concerns from a watchdog group and a member of Congress.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Lawyers for Hillary Clinton ask judge to dismiss Trump lawsuit against her
Lawyers for Hillary Clinton on Wednesday moved quickly to dismiss former President Donald Trump's sprawling, gripe-filled lawsuit accusing her of masterminding a conspiracy against him.
www.cnn.com
'That was a terrible idea': Spanberger wants a policing reboot for House Dems
Democrats see Rep. Abigail Spanberger's district as competitive but winnable in a tough midterm fight. She thinks addressing GOP attacks on crime head on is key to keeping it.
www.politico.com
DOJ announces $150 million in Covid health fraud, bogus vaccination prosecutions nationwide
The prosecutions are the latest criminal cases related to people exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic with fraudulent health billings and fake vaccine cards.
U.N. chief separately asks Russia's Putin, Ukraine's Zelenskiy to receive him
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has separately asked Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to receive him to discuss steps to bring about peace following Moscow's invasion of its neighbor.
Timeline: Al-Aqsa raids, closures and restrictions
A review of the major events that have marked the history of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.
Trump ordered to pay ex-aide Omarosa Manigault Newman $1.3M in legal fees
Former President Trump's presidential campaign has been ordered to pay nearly $1.3 million in legal fees to former White House aide Omarosa Manigault Newman.
Large majority favor legal recreational marijuana under federal law - CBS News poll
Most Americans are not opposed to having legal marijuana businesses in their area.
www.cbsnews.com
A nuclear risk 'nightmare'? After seizing Chernobyl, Russian troops exposed themselves to radiation.
The Russian military has churned up highly contaminated soil from the site of the 1986 accident at Chernobyl, the world’s worst nuclear disaster.
www.usatoday.com
Clinton says Trump’s lawsuit has ‘no merit,’ should be dismissed
Attorneys for Hillary Clinton on Wednesday asked a court to dismiss former President Trump’s unusual lawsuit alleging a widespread Democratic conspiracy to undermine his 2016 campaign with ac…
thehill.com
Sanders' team says he has 'not ruled out' a 2024 bid if Biden doesn't run
The Vermont senator's former campaign manager wrote in a memo that allies should keep a potential third run for the presidency in mind.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump says he has no records subpoenaed by New York's attorney general and shouldn't be held in contempt | CNN Politics
Former President Donald Trump does not have any documents subpoenaed by the New York attorney general's office as part of its civil investigation into the Trump Organization's finances and shouldn't be held in contempt, he told a state court.
Pelosi blasts FAA over US Capitol evacuation: ‘outrageous and inexcusable’
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late Wednesday grilled the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for causing an evacuation at the U.S. Capitol earlier in the day.
Russian tycoon lambasts country's 'massacre'
Businessman Oleg Tinkov is one of the most high profile Russians to publicly condemn the war.
www.bbc.com
California seeks to curtail freeway expansion because it's 'racist' and not green
Car-centric California is on its way to outlawing the construction of new freeway lanes in most of the state, instead diverting billions of tax dollars toward green projects to achieve racial equality and climate goals.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Tesla 1Q earnings 7 times more than year ago on strong sales
DETROIT (AP) — Tesla reported Wednesday that its first-quarter net earnings were over seven times greater than a year ago, powered by strong sales despite global supply chain kinks and pandemic-related production cuts in China.
apnews.com
Florida Department of Health pushes back on federal guidance on trans youth care
The Florida Department of Health has released new guidance against gender-affirming for transgender youth.
Tennessee governor declines to intervene as execution looms
Tennessee's governor said Tuesday that he will not intervene in the scheduled execution later this week of an inmate convicted of fatally stabbing and shooting his estranged wife and her sons decades ago. Attorneys for 72-year-old Oscar Smith had asked Republican Gov. Bill Lee for clemency...
Justice Department finds "severe, systemic" problems in Mississippi prison
The department released findings of its two-year investigation of the state's oldest prison, Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman.
www.cbsnews.com
A protest in a small Sri Lankan town that quickly turned deadly
When K.D. Chaminda Lakshan was wheeled into the Kegalle Teaching Hospital in central Sri Lanka around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, the father of two was fighting for his life.
Boris Johnson back in the danger zone
www.politico.com
'Unimaginable tragedy': 5 people, dog found dead at Minnesota home
It wasn't clear how they died. Authorities said the people appear to be related.
www.nbcnews.com
Michelle Obama to address democracy summit June 13 in LA
WASHINGTON (AP) — Michelle Obama will deliver the keynote address at a democracy summit sponsored by a national, nonpartisan voting organization she helped create , the group announced Wednesday.
apnews.com
OnPolitics: At least 40,000 borrowers will see federal student loans canceled
New changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and income driven repayment plans will result in relief for millions of borrowers.
www.usatoday.com
This Ukrainian American helps funnel supplies to Ukrainian soldiers
Tetiana Poudel's father, a deputy commander in Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, needed combat boots.
www.cnn.com
U.S. appeals court will not reconsider California net neutrality ruling
A U.S. Court of Appeals on Wednesday said it will not reconsider its decision in January to uphold California's net neutrality law.
Psaki rules out Biden admin delaying Title 42 removal as more Dems break
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday appeared to rule out the possibility of the Biden administration delaying the removal of Title 42 next month.
Ukraine offers to hold Mariupol talks with Russia to evacuate garrison, civilians
Senior Ukrainian negotiators on Wednesday offered to hold special talks with Russia in Mariupol without conditions in a bid to evacuate troops and civilians from the besieged port city.
New Russian missile will make enemies ‘think twice’, says Putin
Sarmat is a new heavy intercontinental ballistic missile that Russia is expected to deploy with 10 or more warheads.
An abandoned Russian military camp in a forest near Kyiv reveals horrors of the invasion
Dmitry Nekazakov was walking his dog before he went to work when the Russian shelling started on Hostomel, a city on the outskirts of the capital, Kyiv. The sky buzzed with low-flying helicopters from which Russian troops jumped, while rockets rained down.
www.cnn.com
Justice charges 21 linked to COVID fraud schemes. Fake vaccine card makers among suspects.
A Colorado man claimed to have sold fake vaccine cards to three Olympians headed to Tokyo games
www.usatoday.com
Palin on serving in Congress: 'It would be all about Alaska'
WASILLA, Alaska (AP) — Sarah Palin isn't used to sharing the spotlight. In the nearly 14 years since she burst onto the national political scene, the former Alaska governor has appeared on reality television programs, written books, spent time as a Fox News contributor, formed a political...
apnews.com
Israel, Gaza militants trade fire as Mideast tensions mount
JERUSALEM (AP) — Palestinian militants fired several rockets into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip early Thursday and Israeli aircraft hit militant targets in Gaza, part of an escalation that was eerily similar to the run-up to last year's Israel-Gaza war.
apnews.com
WATCH: PETA activists charged with felonies after supergluing themselves to Starbucks
Looks like they're stuck.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
DeSantis campaign taps red-hot Florida real estate industry
A spike in industry political donations comes amid the state's affordable housing crisis.
www.politico.com
John McLaughlin on Russia's world-changing war - "Intelligence Matters"
Host Michael Morell speaks with former CIA Deputy Director John McLaughlin about global implications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
www.cbsnews.com
Trump pushes back against New York attorney general's contempt effort
An attorney for Donald Trump said he does not have any of the documents sought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Organizations in Miami grapple with soaring number of Cuban migrants
“I have never seen anything like this, and I have been doing this for 30 years,” a woman who works with recently arrived families said.
www.nbcnews.com
Judge sends Assange extradition decision to UK government
LONDON (AP) — A British judge on Wednesday formally approved the extradition of Julian Assange to the United States to face spying charges. The case will now go to Britain’s interior minister for a decision, though the WikiLeaks founder still has legal avenues of appeal.
apnews.com
GOP House members reportedly considering term limits for committee leaders
Anticipating a red wave in the 2022 midterms, GOP house lawmakers are reportedly weighing the possibility of capping committee leadership at three terms.
Michigan lawmaker blasts colleague for baseless grooming accusations; 'we will not let hate win'
Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, decried a political attack from Lana Theis, R-Brighton, who claimed McMorrow supports sexually grooming kids
www.usatoday.com
Why Chinese bankcard chips may not ease Putin’s economic pain
Russia has turned to China for microchips it needs to meet surging demand for its domestic bank cards.
Israeli war planes strike Gaza after rocket attack
Israel carried out air strikes in central Gaza before dawn on Thursday after a rocket launched from the Palestinian territory landed in Israel, Hamas officials and Israeli military sources said.
Federal firefighters brace for another year of staffing woes as wildfires intensify
The Biden administration has promised to increase pay and benefits for wildland firefighters, but the Forest Service is struggling to fill vacancies heading into another active fire season.
www.nbcnews.com
Macron attacks Le Pen on Russia, Muslim headscarf ban pledge
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron tore into his far-right challenger Marine Le Pen in a television debate Wednesday for her ties to Russia and for wanting to strip Muslim women of their right to cover their heads in public, as he seeks the votes he needs to win another 5-year term.
apnews.com
State Department predicts strongest year for foreign service intake in a decade | CNN Politics
The US State Department is expecting its strongest year for foreign service intake in a decade, a department spokesperson told CNN, reversing a trend that began under the Trump administration.
Ohio doctor found not guilty in 14 hospital patient deaths
An Ohio doctor accused of ordering excessive painkillers that led to multiple hospital patient deaths was acquitted Wednesday of 14 counts of murder
Did Donald Trump walk out or did Piers Morgan fake out?
At issue between the former president and the broadcaster is how an interview ended.
www.politico.com
Partygate: Boris Johnson says full facts needed before vote on investigation
Labour wants MPs to investigate if the PM misled them - but Boris Johnson says a decision should wait.
www.bbc.com
Explained: DeSantis’s effort to end Disney’s self-government power
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is trying to strip Walt Disney World, “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” of its self-government power amid an ongoing battle with the state’s biggest…
thehill.com
Millennials, Gen Z are putting off major financial decisions because of student loans, study finds
Despite their student debt, only 10% said in retrospect they would skip higher education.
www.cbsnews.com
Navy officer dies in Hawaii training exercise
A 29-year-old Navy officer died on Sunday while taking part in a training exercise at a military base in Hawaii, according to the U.S. military.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
China, South Korea protest over Japanese PM's offering to war dead
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sent on Thursday a ritual offering to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine for war dead, and several political leaders visited it in person, drawing condemnation from neighbouring China and South Korea.
Netflix warns of crackdown on password sharing: Here's what it means for viewers
Netflix may start charging a password-sharing fee and introduce a cheaper, ad-supported plan after losing subscribers for the first time in a decade.
www.nbcnews.com
Cash dash: Republican National Committee tops Democratic rival in first quarter fundraising
The Republican National Committee reports bringing in a record $17.6 million in fundraising last month, once again edging the rival Democratic National Committee
Kamala Harris to officiate New Mexico Gov. Lujan Grisham's May wedding
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is getting married, and Vice President Kamala Harris has been picked to officiate.
www.usatoday.com
Missouri legislator's speech against transgender sports bill goes viral
Openly gay Missouri state Rep. Ian Mackey gave an impassioned speech against a proposal to ban trans girls from playing on female sports teams.
www.nbcnews.com
Russia-Ukraine latest updates: Zelenskyy calls for more weapons
Ukraine news from April 21: Addressing Portuguese parliament, Ukraine president says Kyiv needs arms to defend itself.
Biden to attend White House Correspondents' Association gala
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden plans to attend the White House Correspondents' Association's annual dinner, the first time a sitting president will be at the event since Barack Obama in 2016.
apnews.com
Trump-appointed judge who overturned mask mandate becomes instant Republican heroine
Kathryn Mizelle, who overturned the federal requirement for masks on transport, part of Trump’s bid to reshape the judiciary After Mizelle’s ruling, some passengers removed their masks with glee. Others thought the move hasty. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images She has become an instant...
More US security assistance for Ukraine coming 'in very short order,' Psaki says
The US will announce a new round of security assistance to Ukraine "in very short order," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday evening, as Russia's brutal invasion continues.
www.cnn.com
First on CNN: Biden administration unveils new rebate programs to replace old transformers and upgrade commercial electric motors
The Biden administration is unveiling two new programs, established by the bipartisan infrastructure law, that will provide $20 million worth of rebates to replace old transformers and upgrade electric motor systems, according to the Department of Energy.
www.cnn.com
Ukraine war: Mariupol fighters' relatives tell of bitter pride
Relatives speak of their pride and fears for the last Ukrainian soldiers defending Mariupol.
www.bbc.com
UN secretary-general calls for Ukraine-Russia ceasefire during Orthodox Holy Week
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres requested a four-day ceasefire in Ukraine and Russia for the Orthodox Holy Week, which begins Thursday and ends with the Orthodox Easter on Sunday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Half of Trump's 2016 Ohio RNC delegates call Vance endorsement 'betrayal,' ask him to 'reconsider'
A group of former President Donald Trump's earliest supporters in Ohio Wednesday asked him to "reconsider" endorsing former critic-turned-supporter J.D. Vance for Senate.
Jan. 6 panel piecing together details of final Trump-Pence call
Several Donald Trump allies listened in from the Oval Office, but Mike Pence's side of the call remains elusive.
'Intruder' at Peruvian Embassy in DC shot dead by Secret Service ID'd
An alleged "intruder" at the Peruvian Embassy in Washington, D.C., was shot and killed by Secret Service Wednesday morning.
Parachute demo at Nats Park causes brief Capitol evacuation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Capitol was briefly evacuated Wednesday evening after police identified an aircraft that they said posed "a probable threat” — but the plane was actually carrying members of the U.S.
apnews.com
AP PHOTOS: Eyes of Ukraine refugees reflect war and welcome
The United Nations’ refugee agency says more than 5 million people have left Ukraine since Russian troops invaded the country almost eight weeks ago. The Geneva-based U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said Wednesday that data from official border crossing points put the total number of war...
apnews.com
Macron: Le Pen headscarf proposal would cause ‘civil war’
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that challenger Marine Le Pen’s proposed measure to ban Muslim headscarves in French public spaces would create “civil war” if implemented. In a …
thehill.com
Plane crash onto busy Haitian street kills at least six
A small plane crashed onto a busy street in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, killing at least six people including the pilot, officials said.
Rapper A$AP Rocky arrested at LAX in connection to 2021 shooting
Rapper A$AP Rocky was arrested Wednesday in Los Angeles for assault with a deadly weapon.
Commander says forces in Mariupol may only have a few hours left
A Ukrainian marine commander gave a somber warning to the world about the state of his forces in the besieged port city of Mariupol, saying they “may have only a few days or hours left.”…
thehill.com
Top Florida Democrat sues Biden administration over marijuana and guns
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried's lawsuit targets a federal requirement that prohibits medical marijuana users from purchasing firearms.
www.nbcnews.com
Bernie Sanders Heading To New York City To Back Amazon Union
The independent Vermont senator has been one of organized labor’s staunchest allies in Congress.
Report: Oregon has $5.3b invested in fossil fuel companies
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon State Treasury has at least $5.3 billion invested in fossil fuel companies, a coalition of environmental groups said in a report Wednesday that blamed the state for adding to global warming and urged divestment.
apnews.com
Trump’s Most Loyal Lawmakers Are Actually Losing Money
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/GettyLast year, it was a fundraising feast for the MAGA Goon Squad. But in 2022, without the donor stimulus of an attempted insurrection, things are going in the wrong direction.The first three months of the year took more than $275,000...
Slain teens remembered as search continues for suspects in Pittsburgh Airbnb house shooting
The investigation to identify suspects entered its fourth day in a mass shooting at a Pittsburgh Airbnb house that left two teenagers dead and nine people wounded.
Could there be a third presidential run in Sen. Bernie Sanders future?
Memo from Sen. Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign manager indicates Sanders may run again in 2024 if President Biden doesn’t seek re-election
AP sources: Administration to replace acting ATF director
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is removing the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from his position and replacing him with the U.S. attorney in Arizona, three people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
apnews.com
US Treasury secretary and other finance ministers walk out of G20 meeting with Russia
Finance ministers from multiple nations walked out of a closed-door G20 session in Washington on Wednesday when the Russian delegate began his prepared remarks, a show of protest against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
www.cnn.com
Series of swing House seats moving Republicans' way, political handicappers say
Two nonpartisan political forecasters shifted multiple House seat ratings in Republicans’ direction on Wednesday, with the party trying to net at least the five seats it needs to win a majority in the 435-member chamber.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Biden hosts military chiefs as Ukraine crisis intensifies
President Joe Biden convened U.S. military leaders on Wednesday in an annual White House gathering taking on special significance as the war in Ukraine enters a risky new phase and Washington plans more weapons assistance. A "variety of topics" were set to be discussed by Defense Secretary...
Russian armed forces will start taking delivery of new missile this year -Tass
Russia's nuclear forces will start taking delivery of the new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile this year once testing is complete, Tass quoted the head of the Roscosmos space agency as saying on Wednesday.
Burglars take NFL jerseys, valuable stamp from Louisiana lieutenant governor’s home
Burglars made away with Drew Brees and Peyton Manning NFL jerseys and other items from the home of Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, he told The Hill in a brief interview. No one was hurt in the …
thehill.com
South Carolina execution by firing squad blocked by state's high court
Richard Bernard Moore, 57, was given the choice between firing squad or death by electric chair.
www.nbcnews.com
An increase in potent "Frankenstein opioids" prompts warning from Ohio attorney general
The drugs called nitazenes are not approved for medical use anywhere in the world.
www.cbsnews.com
Alec Baldwin: Rust film producers were indifferent to gun safety - report
The makers of a film whose cinematographer was shot dead knew firearm safety rules were not being followed, a report says.
www.bbc.com
Climate change, big agriculture combine to threaten insects
Climate change and habitat loss from big agriculture are combining to swat down global insect populations, with each problem making the other worse, a new study finds. While insects may bug people at times, they also are key in pollinating plants to feed people, making soil more fertile and they...
apnews.com
Ukraine's Air Force has added about 20 more operational aircraft after influx of spare parts, senior US defense official says | CNN Politics
The Ukrainian Air Force has added about 20 more operational aircraft to its fleet because of an influx of spare parts, according to a senior US defense official.
Can Texas declare a border 'invasion' and return migrants to Mexico?
Republican governors in border states are being pushed to prevent migrants from entering the U.S.
Florida Senate passes DeSantis congressional map wiping out Dem gains from redistricting
The Florida Senate approved a congressional map proposal put forward by Gov. Ron DeSantis, helping pave the way for what would be large GOP gains in the state
French election: Macron and Le Pen clash in TV presidential debate
Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen take part in an animated contest ahead of Sunday's run-off vote.
www.bbc.com
Border Patrol not using Title 42 to expel some Northern Triangle migrants ahead of its May 23 end: sources
Border Patrol has already stopped using the Title 42 public health order to remove migrants from the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, more than a month before the Biden administration has said the order will be lifted altogether, multiple Border Patrol sources...
G7 finance ministers pledge more than $24 bln to Ukraine
G7 finance ministers said they have provided and pledged together with international community additional support to Ukraine exceeding $24 billion for 2022 and beyond, adding that they were prepared to do more as needed.
America's mask manufacturers take it on the chin
A U.S. judge's ruling this week that the Biden administration's mask mandate for public transportation was unlawful dealt another blow to an industry that built dozens of small U.S. mask factories during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just a year ago, 26 of these upstart producers...
Wind will be a force to reckon with on Southwest wildfires
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Fire managers across the Southwest are reckoning with strong winds that forecasters say could lead to explosive growth in wildfires this week. Hundreds of people were evacuated in numerous blazes that have scorched structures and signaled an early start to the fire season.
apnews.com
Analysis: An important shift in Ukraine -- and the US hopes more weapons will help
The war in Ukraine may be entering a new and critical stage with a fresh focus by Russia's military, a last stand in a key Ukrainian city and the promise of additional firepower from the US to help Ukraine fight back.
www.cnn.com
Utah Newspaper Demands GOP Senator ‘Come Clean’ On Trump Election Plot
The Salt Lake Tribune put Republican Sen. Mike Lee on notice with a scathing editorial.
Feds: Intruder killed at Peruvian ambassador's residence
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Secret Service officers shot and killed an intruder who was smashing windows at the residence of the Peruvian ambassador to the United States on Wednesday, authorities said. The ambassador and his family were inside the residence in the Forest Hills neighborhood of...
apnews.com
Train operators help evacuate millions of Ukrainians to safety
Considered unsung heroes in the war, railway workers risk harm to help their compatriots.
www.nbcnews.com
Ramos-Horta set to win East Timor presidency for 2nd time
DILI, East Timor (AP) — East Timor's former independence fighter and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta is set to win the presidential runoff election, according to over 60% of the votes counted Wednesday, defeating incumbent Francisco “Lu Olo” Guterres for the second time in Asia's...
apnews.com
Tesla shareholders try to get Elon Musk to just stop
Elon Musk wants everyone to believe he really did have the money secured to take Tesla private back in 2018. But a group suing him over that claim say he didn't have it, and that the SEC and a federal judge agree.
www.cnn.com
Judge mulls lawsuit seeking to kick Trump backers off ballot
Attorneys representing two Republican congressmen and a GOP state House member running to be Arizona’s top election official urged a judge in Phoenix Wednesday to dismiss lawsuits that allege they are ineligible for the November ballot because they participated in or helped organize the Jan. 6...
Johnny Depp put on defense on texts, drug use in Amber Heard defamation suit
Actor Johnny Depp faced nearly six hours of cross-examination Thursday, the third day in a row in his defamation case against actress Amber Heard.
U.S. Capitol briefly evacuated over Washington Nationals pregame parachute show
According to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Federal Aviation Administration failed to inform Capitol Police of the pre-planned flyover.
www.cbsnews.com
Johnson arrives in India to meet Modi, seek economic deals
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is trying to set aside his political troubles and focus on economic ties and the war in Ukraine during a long-delayed official trip to India. Johnson landed in the western state of Gujarat on Thursday, kicking off a two-day visit that will see...
apnews.com
Dwayne Haskins ran out of gas before being fatally struck by dump truck, 911 call shows
The Steelers quarterback was killed on April 9 while trying to cross Interstate 595 in Broward County, Florida.
www.cbsnews.com
US Pentagon chief speaks for 1st time to Chinese counterpart
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday spoke with his Chinese counterpart for the first time since becoming Pentagon chief more than a year ago, breaking a communications impasse that American officials saw as increasingly dangerous amid concern that Beijing might provide...
apnews.com
Minnesota Democrats to bid for early primary in next presidential race
The Democratic National Committee opened up the calendar for other states to apply besides Iowa, New Hampshire and the traditional early states.
www.politico.com
A gun, a phone cord spur heated talk at Kardashian trial
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A smashed gingerbread house, a phone cord wrapped around the neck and a gun grabbed from a nightstand were at the center of disputed testimony Wednesday in a trial over former reality television star Blac Chyna's lawsuit against the Kardashian family.
apnews.com
Gov. Whitmer wants federal aid to keep nuclear plant open
Michigan's Democratic governor wants a nuclear power plant on Lake Michigan to stay open and she's asking the federal government to pay for it. The Biden administration on Tuesday launched a $6 billion effort to rescue nuclear power plants at risk of closing, citing the need to continue...
Why Disney World has a self-governing district — and why DeSantis wants to end it
DeSantis and Disney have been feuding for months over Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” bill.
www.politico.com
DOJ: Alleged COVID fraudsters charged after raking in nearly $150 million through elaborate schemes
The DOJ has announced nearly two dozen arrests of alleged fraudsters who prosecutors say raked in nearly $150 million through schemes related to the pandemic.
Atlanta Apple store workers file for first union election at company
Workers at an Apple store in Georgia on Wednesday became the first at the Silicon Valley giant to file for a union election. The unit proposed by the union would include a little more than 100 work…
thehill.com
Capitol Police backtrack on airplane threat after ordering evacuation
An Army plane was circling the area around the Capitol, part of a parachute stunt at a Nationals game.
www.politico.com
Biden set for first Pacific Northwest trip since election
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is stretching his legs this week with a rare overnight visit to the Pacific Northwest, heading to Portland, Oregon, and Seattle. The trip is part of an expanded travel schedule ahead of the November elections as Biden tries to demonstrate that he has made...
apnews.com
It's time for the US to let renters unionize like FDR did for workers 87 years ago, a public policy professor says
San Francisco recently passed the country's first "right to organize" ordinance for renters, which Peter Dreier says Congress should adopt nationally.
Gold House launches $30 million fund to invest in entrepreneurs of Asian descent
Gold House Ventures aims to boost API leadership in the corporate world by promoting Asian entrepreneurs.
Rudy Giuliani unmasked on 'The Masked Singer'
Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor and former attorney to ex-President Donald Trump, was unmasked on Wednesday's episode of Fox's "The Masked Singer."
www.cnn.com
Working with assertive China a must - New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern
New Zealand's PM tells the BBC in an exclusive interview she'll work with China where possible.
www.bbc.com
Israeli private detective pleads guilty in U.S. hacking case
Federal prosecutors say the detective, Aviram Azari, organized a series of hacking missions on behalf of unnamed third parties against American companies based in New York.
www.nbcnews.com
Years of fruitful relations between Disney, Florida at risk
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The idea was presented to Florida lawmakers in a movie house outside Orlando 55 years ago, with Walt Disney, who had died less than two months earlier, helping make the pitch from the screen: Let Disney form its own government and in exchange it would create a futuristic...
apnews.com
Five countries with the highest gas prices
It’s likely cold comfort for Americans paying more at the pump, but even with gas costs rising above $4 per gallon across the country, U.S. drivers are paying less than their counterparts in …
thehill.com
Weed biz blues: How the surging cannabis sector ran into a financial ditch
Industry executives blame Congress’ failure to pass any significant cannabis legislation as the biggest reason the sector is flailing.
Queen celebrates 96th birthday in Sandringham
Britain's longest-reigning monarch has been celebrating the occasion with family and friends.
www.bbc.com
Harris snags top national security aide from Biden's team
The vice president is shuffling her core foreign policy staffers as she seeks to reorient her international portfolio.
www.politico.com
Little boy mysteriously found dead in suitcase, police desperate to identify him
Police are urging the public to help them identify a little boy mysteriously found dead in a suitcase in rural Indiana.
DNC hauled in $16.8M in March
Fundraising has been a bright spot for the party as it prepares for a difficult 2022 midterm election.
www.politico.com
NYC wants to help those hit by 'war on drugs' sell legal pot
New York City Mayor Eric Adams says he wants the city to promote its impending legal cannabis industry and assist people from minority communities most affected by marijuana-related offenses to become marijuana entrepreneurs. Adams is set to propose Wednesday that the city spend $4.8 million to...
Congressional stalling threatens restaurants’ future
At restaurant tables across the country, conversations cover record inflation, high gas prices, supply chain challenges, and workforce shortages, issues restaurant owners and operators feel more ke…
thehill.com
Delta to restore flight privileges to passengers barred over mask violations
Delta Air Lines said on Wednesday it plans to restore flight privileges to about 2,000 customers who were barred from flights after failing to comply with mask rules.
Florida releases guidance clashing with HHS advice on transgender kids
Florida's health department published a memo claiming that minors should not receive hormone therapies, puberty-blocking drugs or gender reassignment surgery.
www.politico.com
DOJ to appeal mask ruling after CDC request
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said it would appeal a ruling striking down the mask mandate for public transportation after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reques…
thehill.com
Milwaukee schools reinstate mask mandate 1 day after it was dropped
Milwaukee Public Schools reinstated the school district's mask mandate Tuesday after just one day of making face coverings optional for students.
Covid: Woman caught virus twice within record 20 days
Spanish researchers say it's the shortest-known gap between two coronavirus infections.
www.bbc.com
Psaki: Biden getting COVID would not mean protocols failed
White House press secretary Jen Psaki maintained Wednesday that it wouldn’t be a failure of the precautions in place to protect President Biden if he were to contract COVID-19, a situation that the…
thehill.com
Justice Department appeals mask ruling after CDC says mandate "remains necessary for the public health"
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked the Justice Department to appeal the decision.
www.cbsnews.com
Health experts urge parents traveling with kids to continue to wear masks, consider not taking flights
Story at a glance On Monday, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle overturned the Biden administration’s mask mandate for public travel. Shortly after, most major airlines scrapped their mask…
thehill.com
New York continues to enforce mask mandate for public transit due to variant spread, governor says
New Yorkers will still be required to wear masks on public transit for the "short term."
Biden appeal of judge’s mask mandate ruling risks backfiring
Legal experts who criticized a judge’s controversial decision this week striking down the federal mask mandate for travel say the Biden administration faces a grave risk if it moves forward with an…
thehill.com
New York Gov. Hochul warns of 'rising tide' of Covid cases as omicron subvariants drive spike in infections
New York will also keep in place its mask requirements for public transit and other similar settings, at least for now, Hochul said.
