

(AP Photo/Nathan Howard, File)
After bitter RNC meeting, Democrats look to project unity
WASHINGTON (AP) — A week after bitter divisions dominated a national Republican gathering, Democrats holding their own meeting are eager to showcase just how much they agree on.

McConnell pulls rival Rick Scott off powerful Commerce Committee
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has pulled Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who tried to oust him as the Senate’s top Republican in a bruising leadership race, off the powerful Commerce Com…


House GOP votes to oust Democrat Omar from major committee
House Republicans have voted to oust Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee.


North Korea warns of ‘overwhelming nuclear force’ to counter U.S.
The comments came in response to the U.S.'s plans to deploy more fighter jets and aircraft carriers to the Korean Peninsula as it expands joint military drills with the South.


Impassioned calls for police reform at Tyre Nichols' funeral
I'll add logging to the webhook mechanism to see if there is a time delay or a failure status for the videos coming from JW.


Matt Gaetz urges colleagues to abolish the ATF before it strips Americans of gun rights: 'Cannot be trusted'
Rep. Matt Gaetz is urging his colleagues to support a bill he introduced that would abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

GOP Rep. Andy Biggs announces articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Mayorkas
The Arizonan unsuccessfully introduced articles of impeachment against Alejandro Mayorkas in 2021, when Democrats controlled the House.


NATO chief wants more 'friends' as Russia, China move closer
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says China’s growing assertiveness and collaboration with Russia pose a challenge not only to Asia but also to Europe.


McConnell accuses Schumer of hypocrisy over debt ceiling approach - Washington Examiner
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) accused Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) of hypocrisy over his approach to negotiations involving the debt ceiling. Schumer urged President Joe Biden not to negotiate with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) about the debt ceiling ahead of...


House to vote on resolution removing Omar from panel
The House is set to vote on a resolution to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) from the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday, marking the culmination of Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) lon…


Veteran who claimed George Santos stole money for his dying dog says FBI has reached out to him
The FBI has contacted a Navy veteran, Richard Osthoff, as part of an investigation into George Santos and a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Osthoff's sick dog.

US and French forces seized Iranian-supplied weapons and ammunition bound for Yemen | CNN Politics
The US Navy assisted the French military in seizing thousands of assault rifles and half a million rounds of ammunition that were heading to Yemen from Iran in January, the US military confirmed on Wednesday.


205 Democrats vote against bill forcing federal workers to return to the office as COVID winds down
Nearly every House Democrat on Wednesday voted against a bill aimed at forcing federal workers to return to their offices now that the COVID pandemic is winding down.

US, Philippines agree to larger American military presence
The United States and the Philippines have announced plans to expand America's military presence in the Southeast Asian nation, with access to four more bases as they seek to deter China’s increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan and in the disputed South China Sea.


US secures deal on Philippines bases to complete arc around China
Washington now has more access to Philippines military bases facing the South China Sea and Taiwan.


GOP senators rally to defend DeSantis from Trump attacks
Republican senators are rallying to defend Ron DeSantis from former President Trump’s attempt to keep the popular Florida governor out of the 2024 presidential race. At the same time, Trump is pick…


War's longest battle exacts high price in 'heart of Ukraine'
The longest battle of the war in Ukraine has turned Bakhmut into a ghost city. Despite bombing, shelling and trying to encircle the city since the summer, Russia’s forces have not conquered it.


Rick Scott cries political retribution after senator loses spot on Commerce - Washington Examiner
Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Mike Lee (R-UT) are no longer members of the powerful Senate Commerce Committee, a decision some conservatives say is retribution for last year's leadership challenge to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Scott and Lee are notable members of the...


How Medicare and Social Security benefits factor into the Kevin McCarthy debt ceiling fight
Republicans say Social Security and Medicare won't be part of debt ceiling negotiations between Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden.
www.usatoday.com

Biden and McCarthy meet amid high-stakes debt limit standoff
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy characterized their meeting as "good," but said no agreements were made.


Russia said eyeing eastern Ukraine push; Kyiv targets graft
Ukrainian officials say Russia is mustering its military might in the country's Luhansk region. Kyiv suspects the movements are preparation for an offensive in the eastern province as the anniversary of Moscow’s invasion approaches.


Winter storm continues to wreak havoc on southern U.S.
The storm has caused at least eight weather-related deaths in Texas, according to numbers obtained by CBS News.


Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear's tornado relief fund 'erroneously' sent unknown amounts of money to wrong people
A tornado relief fund started by Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's administration "erroneously" sent out an unknown amount of money to people unaffected by the Dec. 2021 tornados.

US imposes visa restrictions on Taliban members involved in repression of women and girls | CNN Politics
The United States is imposing new visa restrictions on certain current and former Taliban members, non-state security group members and others who are believed to be involved in repressing the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Wednesday.


Hunter Biden seeks federal probe of Trump allies over laptop
A lawyer for President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, has asked the Justice Department to investigate close allies of former President Donald Trump and others who accessed and disseminated personal data from a laptop that a computer repair shop owner says was dropped off at his Delaware store in 2019.


Fighting ramps up in eastern Ukraine in 'devastating WWI-like environment'
Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukrainian positions as Vladimir Putin presses for gains on the battlefield ahead of the one-year anniversary of the war.

Klain promises to be at Biden’s side ‘when you run for president’ in 2024 - Washington Examiner
President Joe Biden’s outgoing chief of staff, Ron Klain, said he looks forward to supporting Biden “when you run for president” in 2024.Biden is expected to formalize his reelection plans in the weeks following the State of the Union but has not yet made an announcement.Klain, during a tearful...


House Dems eye discharge petition as escape hatch on debt ceiling
As the debt ceiling fight heats up on Capitol Hill, House Democrats are eyeing an end-around strategy to bypass Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) — and the conservative hawks driving his agenda — t…


California Gov. Gavin Newsom dubs head of College Board ‘puppet' of DeSantis: 'I call bulls---'
California Gov. Newsom called College Board CEO David Coleman a "puppet of Ron DeSantis" after the Board revised an AP African American studies program.

Lawsuit can proceed against Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse
A federal judge in Wisconsin has ruled that a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the father of a man shot and killed by Kyle Rittenhouse during a protest in 2020 can proceed against Rittenhouse, police officers and others.


GOP-led House Oversight Committee targets fraud in COVID relief programs
Over 1,000 people have pleaded guilty or have been convicted of federal charges of defrauding COVID-19 relief programs that Congress established early in the pandemic.


Fed approves 0.25% hike, softening rate increases again
The Fed has raised interest rates to cut prices but the move risks a recession.

Here's what the Fed interest rate hike means for you
The Federal Reserve raised its key rate by a quarter point Wednesday, bringing it to the highest level in 15 years as part of an ongoing effort to ease inflation by making borrowing more expensive.


Ukraine war: Russia planning 24 February offensive, Ukrainian defence minister says
Kyiv says Russia has amassed 500,000 men for an attack in the coming weeks.


Dianne Feinstein’s campaign reports meager campaign chest as speculation over reelection grows - Washington Examiner
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has under $10,000 in her campaign chest for her possible 2024 reelection campaign. Her campaign raised just $600 in the last three months and raised a total of $100,000 in all of 2022, the Hill reported. In contrast, two California Democrats who have announced their...


FBI investigating George Santos' alleged role in fundraiser for veteran's dying dog
A veteran has alleged that Santos helped him raise $3,000 for his dying dog through Santos' pet charity, but the veteran said he never got the money.


Rep. George Santos investigated by FBI over alleged dog charity scam: report
The FBI is investigating Rep. George Santos, R-Fla., over allegations that he raised $3,000 for a disabled veteran's dog and kept the money for himself.

GOP moves to stop unelectable Senate candidates
The Senate GOP campaign arm’s endorsement of Rep. Jim Banks in the Indiana Senate Republican primary on Tuesday marks an official departure from the committee’s policy in the 2022 cycle and makes c…


FBI searches Biden's vacation home; no classified documents
The FBI has searched President Joe Biden’s Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, home as part of its investigation into potential high-level mishandling of classified records.


Could ChatGPT be your child's next tutor? AI experts, politicians weigh in
The controversial AI chatbot -- ChatGPT -- has sparked debate on the use of artificial intelligence in education.

Federal agents interview veteran who alleges George Santos took thousands from dying dog’s GoFundMe | CNN Politics
Federal law enforcement officials are investigating a US Navy veteran’s allegation that Rep. George Santos raised money for a lifesaving surgery for his dying dog only to take off with the money.


Pope consoles Congolese victims: 'Your pain is my pain'
On his trip to Congo, Pope Francis has heard firsthand accounts of atrocities some people have endured during years of fighting in the eastern part of the country.


Arkansas House passes trans bathroom ban for schools
The Arkansas House on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban public schools from allowing transgender students into bathrooms that do not correspond to their biological sex.

New York's massive budget surplus gives Hochul money to spend
Hochul is benefiting from an $8.7 billion surplus thanks to higher-than-expected tax revenue to fund projects and programs to appease a wide variety of constituencies.


White House takes aim at Apple and Google for their app stores
Commerce Department report accuses two tech giants of operating mobile app stores that stifle competition.


Oregon torture suspect killed two people before taking his own life, police say
Police said they discovered the site of the double homicide in the same area where Benjamin Foster had eluded capture last week.


Australia is removing British monarchy from its bank notes
Australia is removing the British monarchy from its bank notes. The nation’s central bank said Thursday its new $5 bill would feature an Indigenous design rather than an image of King Charles III.


Michigan Republicans are in turmoil as their leaders navigate tricky Trump terrain
Republicans are now completely out of power in the Midwest battleground state and struggling to settle on a path forward.


Anger and hope for change at Tyre Nichols funeral
People in Memphis said they did not need to watch the bodycam to know how police behave in their city.


Progressives alarmed over Biden’s new chief of staff
White House chief of staff Ron Klain’s forthcoming departure from office has concerned liberals who have come to know him as a crucial ally in President Biden’s Washington. Klain, one of Biden’s ol…


U.S. opens embassy in Solomon Islands in bid to counter China
Beijing’s bold moves in the Pacific have sent Washington scrambling to increase engagement, including by opening an embassy in the Solomon Islands for the first time since 1993.


Democratic-backed Connecticut bill would ban 'Latinx' term
A group of Hispanic lawmakers in Connecticut has proposed that the state follow Arkansas’ lead and ban the term “Latinx” from official government documents, calling it offensive to Spanish speakers.


Another sailor assigned to the USS George Washington has died by suicide, police said.
This is the fourth sailor assigned to the USS George Washington who has died by suicide in less than a year.


Hunter Biden demands investigations and retractions, opening new front against GOP foes
His legal team is going on the offensive, calling for state and federal investigations into the dissemination of material from his laptop.


Biden administration is caught between California and its neighbors in Colorado River fight
California countered water plan offered by neighboring states that upholds its senior rights to river.


Fireworks in House after Democrat says 'insurrectionists' should be banned from leading Pledge of Allegiance
A routine House Judiciary Committee meeting erupted into a nearly hourlong heated debate Wednesday over the Pledge of Allegiance.


Ukraine hails French gift of radar as 'cherry on the cake'
Ukraine’s defense minister says Ukrainian lives will be saved by a sophisticated air-defense radar that France is supplying.


An unreleased police report makes claims about Tyre Nichols not corroborated by video
It states that he was violent and aggressive but does not mention that Memphis officers repeatedly punched and kicked him.


The Title 42 Covid ban at the southern border may end on May 11
When President Joe Biden said the national Covid emergency will end in May, he was also effectively declaring an end to a rule that has blocked 2.3 million border crossings.


Stocks rise after Fed acknowledges "disinflationary process has started"
"We will need substantially more evidence to be confident that inflation is on ... downward path," said Fed Chair Jerome Powell


Ukraine billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky targeted in new anti-corruption swoop
Authorities launch a fresh wave of raids, including on leading tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky.


Ron Klain says Biden taught him how to be a 'good father'
Ron Klain said during a transition event at the White House on Wednesday that he learned "everything" about being a "good father" from President Biden;

Biden, Black caucus agree on path forward on police reform
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have left a meeting with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris with an agreement on how to address the issue of policing in America after the recent killing of Tyre Nichols.


Large glacier near Seattle has ‘completely disappeared,’ says researcher who has tracked it for years | CNN
Nestled between the snowy ranges of Mount Rainier and Glacier Peak, a significant glacier in Washington state has disappeared after standing tall, full of snowpack for thousands of years. In this swath of mountain range in the Washington Cascades, the climate crisis has slowly chipped away at...


White House bids farewell to Klain, as Zients officially slips into chief role
President Biden on Wednesday hosted an official transition event to kick off Jeff Zients’s role as chief of staff and to thank former chief of staff Ron Klain for his service since the beginning of…


U.S. job openings unexpectedly rose in December to 11 million
American labor market remains hot despite the Federal Reserve's efforts to cool it down.


New Jersey lawmakers weigh smoking ban for Atlantic City casinos
New Jersey lawmakers are set to discuss a potential ban on smoking in Atlantic City casinos, with Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy promising to sign the bill if it passes the Legislature.

PG&E to face manslaughter trial over deadly California fire
A judge says Pacific Gas & Electric must face trial for involuntary manslaughter over its role in a 2020 wildfire in Northern California that killed four people.


DOJ report outlines steps to limit solitary confinement in prisons, as its use only increases under Biden
The president took office pledging to end solitary confinement with "limited exceptions." But the number of federal inmates in "restrictive housing" has gone up 29% in recent years.


VP Harris addresses mourners at Tyre Nichols' funeral
Tyre Nichols' family gathered in Memphis, Tennessee, on Wednesday for his funeral service.

U.S. announces new sanctions against Russian sanctions evasion network
The sanctions target the network’s leader, Russian arms dealer Igor Zimenkov, as well as his son and several members of the network.


DeSantis builds conservative resume with new $114B-plus budget
Some of the governor’s more controversial programs would get significant increases if ultimately approved.


Head of the College Board says new AP curriculum for African American Studies "hides from nothing"
The course was first announced last August but the final framework was released on Wednesday.


Brazil authorities probe Amazon ties to capital attacks
An investigation into anti-democratic protests and a recent attack on Brazil's capital is centering in part on areas along an important highway that goes through the Amazon.


Biden administration takes another step toward advancing a controversial oil drilling project in Alaska | CNN Politics
The Interior Department took a critical step toward advancing the controversial Willow oil drilling project on Alaska’s North Slope.


Judge poised to render verdict against former officer charged in George Floyd's death
A Minnesota judge is expected to soon announce a verdict in the criminal case against Tou Thao, the former officer accused in George Floyd's death.

California police face scrutiny after killing double amputee
Police say the wheelchair user threatened them with a butcher's knife. The family say it was murder.


In Congo, activists look to Pope to boost forest protections
Local climate activists in Congo are hoping Pope Francis’ visit will help spur action to protect the country’s rainforest from oil and gas interests.


Maryland lawmakers debating bill to require curbside voting
Maryland lawmakers are debating whether to endorse a bill to allow curbside voting in elections.

AP African American studies revised framework released after conservative backlash
College Board's AP African American studies framework has officially been released. The pilot was criticized by conservatives, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

A dire forecast: Scientists used AI to find planet could cross critical warming threshold sooner than expected | CNN
The planet could cross critical global warming thresholds sooner than previous models have predicted, even with concerted global climate action, according to a new study using machine learning.


Biden administration recommends major Alaska oil project
The Biden administration has issued a long-awaited study that recommends allowing a major oil development on Alaska’s North Slope. The U.S.


Bipartisan lawmakers launch uphill battle to expand background checks
A bipartisan pair of lawmakers introduced legislation on Wednesday designed to keep firearms from the hands of violent people — a wildly popular idea that has virtually no chance of moving in the G…


Colorado River: US states fail to reach deal on cutting water use
More than 40 million people in seven Western states rely on the drought-stricken Colorado River.


House Dem laments ‘friendly fire’ after losing a plum panel seat
Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), one of the party's more senior Intelligence Committee members, isn't returning to its ranks — despite support from Nancy Pelosi to remain.


Meta posts lower Q4 profit, announces huge stock buyback
Facebook parent company Meta has posted another quarter of declining revenue, hurt by a downturn in the online advertising market and competition from rivals such as TikTok.


Ukraine can’t retake Crimea soon, Pentagon tells lawmakers in classified briefing
The assessment from the DoD officials is likely to anger Kyiv, which wants to recapture the peninsula from Russia.


Philadelphia Eagles player charged with rape before Super Bowl
Days before the NFL final, Philadelphia Eagles guard Joshua Sills is also accused of kidnapping.


Here are the guests invited to Biden’s State of the Union address
President Biden is set to deliver his second State of the Union address after a year marked by both triumphs and challenges. The president has consistently struggled with poor approval ratings and …


Ex-aide says Elon Musk had 'handshake deal' for Tesla buyout
Elon Musk’s former chief of staff has testified that the billionaire believed he had a “handshake deal” to take Tesla private in 2018.


Nebraska Capitol sees crowds gather for 'heartbeat' bill hearings
Hundreds of people crowded around the Nebraska state Capitol on Wednesday as a hearing on a potential fetal heartbeat bill gets underway.

Police killing of double amputee in wheelchair sparks outcry
Police shot and killed Anthony Lowe near Los Angeles last week as he fled on what remained of his legs. His family wants to know why police believed they had to kill him.


Google has the next move as Microsoft embraces OpenAI buzz
Startup OpenAI released its ChatGPT artificial intelligence tool into the wild late last year with great fanfare.


Fighting Wagner is like a ‘zombie movie’ says Ukrainian soldier | CNN
Southwest of the city of Bakhmut, Ukrainian soldiers Andriy and Borisych live in a candle-lit bunker cut into the frozen earth. For several weeks they have been confronting hundreds of fighters belonging to the Russian private military contractor Wagner throwing themselves against Ukrainian...


U.S. expands military presence in the Philippines as China looms in region
The agreement gives American forces access to four more bases in “strategic areas of the country,” a U.S. treaty ally facing territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea.


Unions say Chris Christie's labor legacy playing out in Rutgers University contract talks
These sorts of strikes are spreading at other major universities across the country.


US winter storm causes 3rd day of dangerous, icy conditions
A deadly storm system is lashing a large swath of the southern U.S. with bands of sleet and snow for a third day.


Here’s how Fed rate hikes are hurting tech firms
Rising interest rates fueled by the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes are constraining tech firms of all sizes. After more than a decade of low borrowing costs, rising interest rates are forcing …


Nikki Haley plans 'big announcement' about 2024 presidential bid
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on Wednesday teased a "big announcement" on Feb. 15, which is expected to be the formal launch of her 2024 presidential bid.

Adams under water with New Yorkers worried about crime, new poll shows
Voters disapprove of Mayor Eric Adams by a 43-37 margin, with 20 percent declining to offer an opinion.


NY judge jails ex-gynecologist who abused 100s of women
A federal judge in New York City has ordered an ex-gynecologist to jail as he awaits sentencing, following his conviction for sexually abusing hundreds of patients over decades.


Fed's Powell warns of more pain ahead: Key takeaways
The central bank’s rate-setting committee signaled that borrowing costs will increase further, saying rate hikes will be "ongoing."


Brazilian Navy says it will sink ‘ghost’ aircraft carrier at high sea | CNN
A decommissioned aircraft carrier from the 1960s that has been floating offshore for three months since Turkey refused it entry to be scrapped there will be sunk in the Atlantic Ocean in waters under Brazil’s jurisdiction, the Brazilian Navy said on Wednesday.


California Gov. Gavin Newsom endorses even stricter gun control after string of mass shootings
A bill announced Wednesday would limit where people can carry concealed guns in California following a series of mass shootings.

Jamaica ready to send soldiers, police to quell Haiti chaos
Jamaica’s prime minister says his government is willing to send soldiers and police officers to Haiti as part of a proposed multinational security assistance deployment.


Five things from the Fed rate hike that raised eyebrows
The Fed raised interest rates by 0.25 percentage points on Wednesday to bring the federal funds rate to a range of 4.5 to 4.75 percent, marking its eighth straight rate hike since last March as the…


Texas ice storm updates: Over 350,000 customers without power
Updates on the massive ice storm hitting Texas and the southern United States.

Maxwell Frost hits back at Jim Jordan over his Tyre Nichols comments
First-term Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) is hitting back at Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for his comments that police reform legislation may have failed to prevent the “evil” of Tyre Nichols&…


Ohio’s education department is investigating a White supremacist homeschooling network that shares Nazi-related resources | CNN
The Ohio Department of Education is investigating an online homeschooling network after reports of parents sharing messages of White supremacy as educational resources, according to a state education official with knowledge of the review.


Republicans quash Democratic ban on carrying guns in a congressional committee room
A Democratic amendment to ban firearms from the hearing room for the GOP-led House Natural Resources Committee sparked a contentious debate Wednesday.


Fed lifts rate by quarter-point but says inflation is easing
The Federal Reserve extended its fight against high inflation by raising its key interest rate a quarter-point, its eighth hike since March.


McCarthy says he sees an 'opportunity to come to an agreement' on debt ceiling after 'very good' Biden meeting
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said his meeting with President Biden on how to handle raising the debt ceiling went well and there is an “opportunity here to come to an agreement."

No documents with classified markings found in FBI search of Biden's beach home
The Department of Justice conducted a "planned search" Wednesday of President Joe Biden's home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, according to Biden's personal lawyer.

Air Force opposes Chinese-owned corn plant for North Dakota
The U.S. Air Force is telling North Dakota leaders it believes a Chinese company’s plan to build a wet corn milling plant near the Grand Forks Air Force Base poses a national security threat.


Mother of teen killed by man who suspected him of tampering with cars speaks out
The Wednesday press conference was located at the offices of The Cochran Firm in Washington, D.C., the firm representing Karon’s mother, Londen Blake.

North Korea warns of ‘toughest reaction’ to allies’ drills
The statement by Pyongyang’s Foreign Ministry came in response to comments by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.


Michael Cohen says Manhattan DA asked for his cell phones amid Trump-Stormy Daniels hush money probe
Stormy Daniels hush money payment fixer Michael Cohen told CNN that he recently turned over cell phones and other records related to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s probe.

Gas stove debate reignites as Energy Department proposes new standards
In a move that's likely to inflame critics, the proposal seeks certain efficiency thresholds for both gas and electric stoves.


McCarthy describes 'good' first meeting with Biden, but 'no agreements' on debt ceiling
Republicans are pushing for spending cuts while Biden has said he won’t negotiate over raising the nation’s debt limit. The deadline to do so is June 5.



Republican-led committee targets COVID relief aid for review
House Republicans have begun their promised aggressive oversight of the Biden administration. The focus Wednesday was on what watchdogs describe as “indications of widespread fraud” in federal coronavirus aid programs initiated under President Donald Trump.


How costs for Covid tests and treatments will change after the emergency declarations end
The White House has announced an expiration date for the national and public health emergencies tied to the coronavirus, which have been in place since early 2020.


Nebraska lawmakers put off vote on 'heartbeat' abortion ban
The Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee took nearly eight hours of testimony Wednesday before adjourning without a vote on whether to advance a bill that would outlaw abortion at a point before many women know they’re pregnant.


What the end of the COVID-19 emergencies in the US means
The Biden administration said it intends to let the COVID-19 emergency declaration expire May 11. But what benefits will end once that happens?

Covid vaccination tracker: See the latest trend and count
NBC News is tracking Covid vaccine and booster doses in the United States. These charts will be updated weekly.


Top US official urges WHO to address sexual misconduct
A top U.S. health official has urged the World Health Organization to address allegations that one of its doctors repeatedly engaged in sexual misconduct.


FTC cracking down on companies that share customers’ health data
The latest action, against telehealth firm GoodRx, could have far-reaching implications for online business models.


Congress presses Secret Service for info on state-sponsored foreign hackers stealing Covid relief funds
At a House Oversight Committee hearing Wednesday, members from both parties cited an NBC News report about a group linked to China's government stealing millions.


If fentanyl is so deadly, why do drug dealers use it to lace illicit drugs?
Fentanyl is now being laced in traditional opioids like oxycodone and heroin, and increasingly, in non-opioids like cocaine and various counterfeit pills.

Covid hospitalizations: See the latest trend and current count
The weight of the pandemic can be measured in the count of hospital beds filled with Covid-positive patients.


Dutch government reports 1 case of mad cow disease on farm
The government of the Netherlands says a cow that died recently on a Dutch farm has tested positive for mad cow disease.


House passes bill to end coronavirus-era telework policies for executive agencies
The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would force executive agencies to end teleworking policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, ordering the entities to revert back to plans in place…


Covid deaths: Track the latest trends and fatality count
NBC News is tracking deaths from Covid-19 in the United States. These charts will be updated every Friday.


FTC fines GoodRx for unauthorized sharing of health data
The Federal Trade Commission has imposed a $1.5 million penalty on telehealth and prescription drug discount provider GoodRx Holdings Inc. for sharing users’ personal health data with Facebook, Google and other third parties without their consent.
