

(AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
Sharp drop in illegal border crossings continues in February
WASHINGTON (AP) — A sharp drop in illegal border crossings along the Southwest border that started in January after the Biden administration announced stricter immigration measures continued into February, the administration announced Wednesday.

Trump allies file ethics complaint against Gov. DeSantis
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Allies of former President Donald Trump have filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics accusing Gov.


Russian leadership approved actions of jets that damaged U.S. drone, officials say
One official said he had not gotten indications that the signoff went all the way up to President Putin.


Texas announces takeover of Houston schools, stirring anger
HOUSTON (AP) — Texas officials on Wednesday announced a state takeover of Houston's nearly 200,000-student public school district, the eighth-largest in the country, acting on years of threats and angering Democrats who assailed the move as political.


White House accuses House Republicans of playing ‘partisan games’ with Texas border field hearing
The White House on Wednesday accused Republicans of playing "partisan" games with a hearing on border security in McAllen, Texas -- while calling for more funding.

Georgia grand jury heard another Trump call recording
ATLANTA (AP) — A special grand jury that investigated whether Donald Trump and his allies illegally meddled in the 2020 election in Georgia heard a recording of the former president pushing a top state lawmaker to call a special session to overturn his loss in the state, according to a...


Food stamps already have work requirements. Now, GOP lawmakers want tougher ones.
The proposal aims to add work requirements for older workers on food-stamps just as 32 states are cutting benefits.


Meltdown: Paul storms out of Homeland Security markup after clash on amendments
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), the ranking member on the Senate Homeland Security panel, abruptly walked out of a committee markup Wednesday morning after clashing with the panel’s chairman, Sen. Gary Pet…


Musk brought internet to Brazil’s Amazon. Criminals love it.
ATALAIA DO NORTE, Brazil (AP) — Brazilian federal agents aboard three helicopters descended on an illegal mining site on Tuesday in the Amazon rainforest. They were met with gunfire, and the shooters escaped, leaving behind an increasingly familiar find for authorities: Starlink internet units.


What to know about the Trump-era rollback of bank rules and Silicon Valley Bank's demise
Experts told ABC News regulators missed "red flags" before the collapse.

DeSantis to unveil alliance with 18 states to combat Biden's 'woke' ESG agenda
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is expected to announce an alliance with 18 states Thursday. The group aims to "push back against President Biden’s environmental, social, corporate governance (ESG) agenda."


Judge appears sympathetic to abortion pill challenge in consequential Texas hearing
Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk said he'd issue his decision "as soon as possible" about a request to ban the drug mifepristone while the trial proceeds.


Ukraine war live updates: Moscow says it'll try to retrieve U.S. drone; British and German fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft
The fallout from an encounter between a U.S. drone and Russian fighter jets on Tuesday continues to be monitored closely.

Despite Silicon Valley Bank's spectacular failure, Americans still trust their banks
Americans trust their banks and the government to handle the crisis despite the historic run on deposits that caused Silicon Valley Bank to collapse.
www.usatoday.com

Former NATO Chief: Trump Could Sabotage the War
Regardless of whether he wins, Trump’s nomination would blow up Republican support for Ukraine, says Anders Fogh Rasmussen.


US and Russia ratchet up rhetoric over downing of drone
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia and the United States ratcheted up their confrontational rhetoric Wednesday over a U.S.


Murkowski won big time with Biden’s oil project. She knows it, too.
The Alaska Republican details her years-long campaign to win over the president's team.


In surprise, Trump goes after DeSantis on policy
President Trump has gotten increasingly aggressive in attacking Ron DeSantis (R) as the Florida governor inches toward a presidential campaign, posing potentially the biggest threat to date to Trum…


Trump extends lead over DeSantis in new poll of possible GOP primary field
DeSantis, who has not yet announced his widely expected presidential campaign, has recently come under fire from Trump and other presidential contenders.

TikTok says the Biden Administration is threatening US ban if Chinese owners don't sell stakes
TikTok has come under fire from lawmakers over concerns that the Chinese government could use the app to gain access to private user data.
www.usatoday.com

Partisan rancor in Oregon spills over into Idaho effort to absorb its rural neighbors | CNN Politics
Matt McCaw cringes if you say the word "secessionist" around him.

Ukraine war: Florida's Ron DeSantis invited to visit after 'territorial dispute' remarks
The man likely to run for president said the "territorial dispute" was not a "vital national interest".
www.bbc.com

Trump's VP? Some in GOP already jockeying for consideration
OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Trips to Mar-a-Lago. Glowing speeches. Front-row seats at major events. The first Republican presidential primaries are nearly a year away and the candidate field is unsettled.


New DOE efficiency rules could make washing machines more costly and less effective, manufacturers warn
New washing machine efficiency standards proposed by the Biden administration last month have sparked concern from some manufacturers and trade associations that fear the new machines could be less effective and more costly for U.S. consumers.


Here is what's at stake in abortion medication case
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit that poses a threat to the nationwide availability of a leading abortion medication. The hearing comes as a conservative Christian group seeks to reverse federal approval of the drug mifepristone.


Biden says he's focused 'intensely' on lowering drug costs
LAS VEGAS (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday said his administration was focused “intensely” on lowering health care costs and took aim at “MAGA” Republicans who he said are intent on dialing back Medicare coverage for millions of Americans.

TikTok dismisses calls for Chinese owners to sell stakes
TikTok was dismissive Wednesday of reports that the Biden administration was calling for its Chinese owners to sell their stakes in the popular video-sharing app, saying such a move wouldn't help protect national security. The company was responding to a report in The Wall Street Journal that...

With Saudi deals, US, China battle for influence in Mideast
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a matter of days, Saudi Arabia carried out blockbuster agreements with the world’s two leading powers, signing a Chinese-facilitated deal aimed at restoring diplomatic ties with its arch-nemesis Iran and announcing a massive contract to buy commercial planes from U.S.


Apple, Amazon, Google will likely get a reprieve from GOP-controlled House on antitrust legislation
House Republican leadership likely won't focus on antitrust legislation, giving a key victory to the tech giants of Google, Amazon and Apple.

Key Democratic groups won't commit to supporting Manchin re-election following party criticism
Key Democratic campaign groups won't commit to supporting Democratic West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin should he decide to run for re-election in 2024.
He Helps Trump Navigate Legal Peril While Under Scrutiny Himself
Boris Epshteyn has had his phone seized by federal agents investigating former President Donald Trump’s efforts to remain in power after his election loss. Lacking any track record as a political strategist, he has made more than $1.1 million in the past two years for providing advice to the...

China, Japan trade accusations over maritime incursions
BEIJING (AP) — China’s dispute with Japan over tiny Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea is heating up again, with both sides accusing the other of infringing on their maritime territory.


‘Ukraine doesn’t have any time to waste’: U.S. races to prepare Kyiv for spring offensive
Washington is increasingly concerned about Ukraine’s dwindling supply of ammo and air defenses.


Japan battles to persuade its big brands to join military buildout
Notable companies are reluctant to join Japan’s largest military expansion since WWII, after which it renounced war.


Russia's economy holds up, but growing challenges test Putin
Western sanctions have hit Russian banks, wealthy individuals and technology imports. But after a year of far-reaching restrictions aimed at degrading Moscow’s war chest, economic life for ordinary Russians doesn’t look all that different than it did before the invasion of Ukraine.


House Budget Committee chair renews call for constitutional convention of states to address US debt
The chair of the House Budget Committee, Rep. Jodey Arrington, is calling for a convention of states to pass a balanced budget amendment amid high government spending and record debt.

Schumer slams House GOP's energy permitting bid
The Senate Majority Leader called the GOP's opening pitch to ease permitting rules a "nonstarter."

Is a 4-day workweek coming? What to know about latest attempt at federal law in Congress
California Rep. Mark Takano isn't the only House member to push a bill in Congress calling for a four-day workweek. Previous efforts have failed.

DeSantis breaks with majority of Republicans on Ukraine: Poll
Gov. Ron DeSantis's (R-FL) recently expressed views on the war in Ukraine that differ from those of the majority of registered Republicans, according to a recent poll.


Can Yoon Suk-yeol’s Japan visit turn the page on bitter history?
S Korea, Japan face need to cooperate on challenges posed by N Korea and China, but history keeps getting in the way.

Stormy Daniels speaks to Manhattan DA in Trump payment probe
Stormy Daniels met Wednesday with Manhattan prosecutors investigating former President Trump's role in a hush money payment made to the adult film actress.

Bank fears spread to Europe, drag down shares of big lenders
GENEVA (AP) — Fears about the world banking system spread to Europe on Wednesday as shares in the globally connected Swiss bank Credit Suisse plunged and dragged down other major European lenders in the wake of bank failures in the United States .


Storms end Southern California water restrictions for 7M
LOS ANGELES (AP) — California’s 11th atmospheric river left the storm-soaked state with a bang Wednesday, bringing flooded roadways, landslides and toppled trees to the southern part of the state as well as drought-busting rainfall that meant the end of water restrictions for nearly 7 million...


Romney grills Biden official about Social Security in tense exchange
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) grilled Shalanda Young, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), about Social Security during a hearing Wednesday focused on President Biden’s fi…

Meet Michael Cohen, the liar and felon who might help convict his former boss, Donald Trump
Meet Michael Cohen, the disbarred lawyer, convicted liar and felon who might be the key to helping authorities convict his former boss, Donald Trump.

Ex-Trump attorney Michael Cohen wraps up his grand jury testimony in Stormy Daniels hush money probe
Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen finished testifying Wednesday before a Manhattan grand jury probing Donald Trump's 2016 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.

Rand Paul leaves security meeting over Democrats' conduct
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), the ranking member on the Senate Homeland Security panel, stormed out of a committee markup on the Fire Grants and Safety Act on Wednesday after clashing with Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) on amendments.

House Republicans say DeSantis had no friends in Congress. Now, many want him to run for president.
Former colleagues in Congress say Ron DeSantis was a "loner" on Capitol Hill. But as Florida governor, they love what he's done and hope he runs in 2024 for president.

North of Bakhmut, another key battle tests Ukraine's defences
What Ukrainian forces have long described in the city of Bakhmut is also playing out to the north in Luhansk region - more Russian troops, weapons and aggressive tactics that Moscow hopes will produce a breakthrough.


Ukraine vows to hold on to Bakhmut despite Russian onslaught
BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian troops on Wednesday defended positions in Bakhmut in eastern Ukrain e amid a relentless push by Russian forces to capture a city that has been turned into a wasteland by seven months of fighting.


UN says intense diplomacy under way to end 8-year Yemen war
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. special envoy for Yemen said Wednesday that intense diplomatic efforts are underway to end the eight-year war in Yemen. He cited new regional and international momentum, including the recent restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, who back...


Trump super PAC accuses Ron DeSantis of 'shadow' presidential bid in ethics complaint
If DeSantis violated Florida ethics laws, he should face the "severe penalties" including ballot disqualification, the pro-Trump super PAC argued.

Bipartisan dinner soothes Harris-Warren tensions
Tensions have grown heated over the past month between Vice President Kamala Harris and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). First, Warren offended Harris and her team after she was asked in a Jan…

Trump prepares an extensive opposition file on ‘Ron DeSanctimonious’
An early look inside Trump’s operation into his rival for the nomination reveals nothing is off the table.

Black Voters in Chicago Look for a Candidate and a Path Forward on Fighting Crime
CHICAGO — As Brandi Johnson left a restaurant recently in Bronzeville, long a center of Black culture on Chicago’s South Side, she did not hesitate before naming the issue that would determine her vote for the city’s next mayor: crime. Her ideas for addressing the problem sprang from her own...

The two biggest 2024 Republican names would mean bad news for Ukraine | CNN Politics
Russia might be bogged down in its vicious onslaught on Ukraine, but President Vladimir Putin is winning big elsewhere -- in the Republican presidential primary.

NY bank's demise: Contagion or a problem with the business?
Signature Bank's collapse came stunningly fast, leaving behind the question of whether there was a fundamental flaw in the way it did business — or if it was just a victim of the panic that spread after the failure of Silicon Valley Bank.


With Saudi deals, US, China battle for influence in Mideast
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a matter of days, Saudi Arabia carried out blockbuster agreements with the world’s two leading powers, signing a Chinese-facilitated deal aimed at restoring diplomatic ties with its arch-nemesis Iran and announcing a massive contract to buy commercial planes from U.S.


Saudi Arabia's golf case threatens to spill kingdom secrets
WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials who oversee Saudi Arabia's tens of billions of dollars in U.S.

Republicans Accept No Blame For Bank Failures After They Voted To Deregulate Banks
Congress made stricter bank oversight optional in 2018, and lawmakers who backed the bill said regulators still had the tools they needed.

Difficult to recover downed drone in Black Sea- top U.S. general
A U.S. surveillance drone brought down over the Black Sea after a Russian military intercept probably broke apart and would be difficult to recover given the depth of the water in the area, the top U.S. general said on Wednesday.


US drone downing: Russia will try to retrieve remnants of drone
A US surveillance drone plunged into the Black Sea after an encounter with Russian jets on Tuesday.
www.bbc.com

Pro-Trump super PAC files ethics complaint against potential 2024 opponent Ron DeSantis
DeSantis has not yet declared a 2024 run, though Trump acknowledged he is "probably" his biggest challenger.


UN says tonnes of uranium missing from Libyan site: Reports
UN nuclear agency IAEA says missing uranium stockpile poses possible radiological risk and security concerns.

Pentagon officials claim alien mothership could send ships to Earth in draft research paper
Officials at the Department of Defense claimed it is possible for aliens to send small probes to our solar system, and even to Earth, on missions similar to the ones conducted by NASA, according to a research report draft.


FDIC taps investment bank to lead Silicon Valley Bank sale
Lawmakers have been pressing federal officials to outline long-term plans for the failed bank.

Sold: Yacht With a Waterfall. Price: $19 Million. Broker: George Santos.
A $19 million luxury yacht deal brokered by Rep. George Santos between two of his wealthy donors has captured the attention of federal and state authorities investigating the congressman’s campaign finances and personal business dealings. The sale, which has not been previously reported, is one...

US says drone recovery difficult as Russian ships at crash site
US General Mark Milley said the MQ-9 Reaper drone sank in an area of the Black Sea where depths are up to 1,500 metres.

Elizabeth Warren poses with VP Kamala Harris over a month after 2024 endorsement snub
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., smiled and waved alongside Vice President Kamala Harris during a dinner a little more than a month after she stopped short of endorsing a 2024 Biden-Harris ticket.

US, Russian military chiefs resume contact to discuss drone
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to his Russian counterpart on Wednesday about the destruction of a U.S.


Rep. Chip Roy endorses Ron DeSantis for president, though DeSantis is not yet running
The Florida governor visited Iowa and Nevada recently, both states that hold early GOP presidential nominating contests.

Fact check: False claim 17 million immigrants to US expected during Biden's term
A more reasonable estimate is about four million immigrants, given long-term trends that have continued so far under Biden.

AI: How 'freaked out' should we be?
Artificial intelligence will radically change our lives, for better and worse. Experts are worried.


California regulators could decide oil profits penalty
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he wants state regulators to decide whether to impose the nation's first penalty on oil companies for price gouging, pivoting after months of negotiations with legislative leaders failed to reach an agreement on a bill aimed...


Border Patrol chief says DHS doesn't have operational control of US border
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz told lawmakers on Wednesday that DHS does not have operational control of the southern border, as he also said parts were in crisis.

FBI investigates fire where Chinese billionaire, a Steve Bannon ally, was arrested
Guo Wengui, an exiled Chinese billionaire with business ties to Steve Bannon, has been arrested on federal charges out of New York.

FACT FOCUS: Claims blame ‘woke’ policies on bank’s demise
Some social media users are honing in on a single culprit that led to the demise of Silicon Valley Bank: its socially aware, or “woke,” agenda.


‘Unfortunate and wrong’: Angry taxpayers respond to latest bank bailouts
The alacritous rescue of depositors at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank by the federal government over the weekend is getting a cynical and frustrated response from taxpayers. Many of t…


Info from data breach that affected lawmakers appears on hacker site
Senate staffers were sent an email warning that data from the DC Health Link breach, including users' birthdates and Social Security numbers, can be found online.


How does GPT-4 work and how can you start using it in ChatGPT?
Launched on March 14, GPT-4 is the successor to GPT-3 and is the technology behind the viral chatbot ChatGPT.

Is it a bailout? White House fights comparisons to 2008 as Biden confronts bank crisis
The White House is rejecting the word "bailout" to describe Biden's decision to rescue depositors at Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.
www.usatoday.com

Wisconsin man pleads guilty to role in Whitmer kidnap scheme
BELLAIRE, Mich. (AP) — A Wisconsin man accused of assisting the key figures in a plot to kidnap Michigan's governor pleaded guilty Wednesday to a lesser charge and will cooperate with prosecutors.


Accusations of hypocrisy and threats of legal action cloud tech industry after SVB collapse
The need for emergency government action was the latest black eye for an industry whose reputation has taken repeated punches in the past few years.

Ukraine flap is DeSantis’s first major test as an alternative to Trump
Foreign policy is usually dismissed by political analysts as a second-tier campaign issue, especially in primaries, but the war in Ukraine has taken center stage as the 2024 Republican contest heats up.

Stormy Daniels meets with Manhattan prosecutors amid Trump probe
The adult film star was paid $130,000 for her silence about an alleged affair with former President Donald Trump.


Trump leads DeSantis in primary but loses to Biden in general election: Poll
Former President Donald Trump leads Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) nationally in a new poll, but he falls to President Joe Biden by 4 points.


DOJ: Trump cannot save Navarro from contempt of Congress prosecution
The trial proceedings have renewed extraordinarily complex issues surrounding the immunity presidential advisers enjoy from being forced to testify to Congress.


Ecuador, Argentina order out envoys amid diplomatic clash
QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Argentina and Ecuador are in a diplomatic clash after a former Ecuadorian Cabinet minister who had been convicted of corruption and taken refuge with the Argentine ambassador escaped from Ecuador’s capital of Quito to Venezuela


Majority of Senate Republicans disagree with DeSantis on Ukraine, says Thune
Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) said Wednesday the majority of Senate Republicans disagree with the view shared by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) this week that supporting the war in Ukrain…


Texas judge hearing abortion pill case appointed by Trump, revered by conservatives
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who is presiding over a case whose ruling could halt sales of abortion-inducing mifepristone nationwide, has known conservative leanings.

Texas legislature could strip cities of local authority
Welcome to The Hill’s Sustainability newsletter{beacon} Sustainability Sustainability The Big Story Texas legislature could strip cities of local authority The Texas …


Why some protesters are dressed as kangaroos and clowns amid Texas hearing on abortion pill
As a Texas judge is set to rule on whether an aboriton pill will be banned, protesters are planning to dress as kangaroos and clowns to criticize the "circus hearing."

Arkansas lawmakers send Gov. Sanders school bathroom bill
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Transgender people at Arkansas public schools would not be able to use restrooms that correspond with their gender identity under a bill lawmakers sent to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday.


Guo Wengui: US accuses Chinese tycoon of billion-dollar fraud
As part of the inquiry into Guo Wengui, the US seizes more than $630m from multiple bank accounts.
www.bbc.com

SVB collapse: Gavin Newsom failed to disclose personal ties to bank after praising intervention
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) failed to publicly disclose his close ties with Silicon Valley Bank when praising the Biden administration's intervention.


Honduras says economic factors fuelling pursuit of China ties
Minister says the decision to sever ties with Taiwan is rooted in ‘pragmatism, not ideology’ amid economic hardships.

FBI says it has no records related to Trump's claim he 'sent' agents to stop voter fraud in Florida during 2018 election
The FBI's search for records in response to NBC News' Freedom of Information request came up empty, the agency said. Local officials had disputed Trump's assertions.


Pro-Trump super PAC demands DeSantis ethics investigation, governor's spokeswoman slams 'frivolous' attack
A super PAC supporting former President Trump has filed an ethics complaint against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, alleging a "shadow presidential campaign."

Trump lawyer puts forward Stormy Daniels' hush money defense: ‘It’s not a crime’
In an interview on MSNBC, Trump's lawyer Joe Tacopina said the former president was relying on the advice of his then-attorney Michael Cohen.


Chinese businessman arrested in $1 billion fraud conspiracy
NEW YORK (AP) — A business tycoon long sought by the government of China and known for cultivating ties to Trump administration figures including Steve Bannon was arrested Wednesday in New York on charges that he oversaw a $1 billion fraud conspiracy.


Ohio abortion measure would end parental consent for gender surgeries, critics warn
Protect Women Ohio (PWO) is fighting a state constitutional amendment that they say would strip rights of parents to consent on abortion or gender-altering surgeries.

Everything we know about the US drone that crashed in the Black Sea
Everything we know (and don't know) so far about a US drone that crashed in the Black Sea.
www.bbc.com

More than 1 in 4 Republicans approve of Jan. 6 rioters: poll
More than 1 in 4 Republicans now say that they approve of Trump supporters taking over the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks, a new poll found. A Economist-YouGov poll published on Wednesday…


UN warns gangs consuming Haiti despite help for police
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.N.’s special envoy to Haiti warned Wednesday that the ongoing training and resources the international community is providing to Haiti’s national police force is not enough to fight increasingly violent gangs.


Video shows Russia jet intercept US drone; Ukraine forces hold on in Bakhmut
The drone incident on Tuesday was the first known direct U.S.-Russia encounter since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine about a year ago.

War reporter who nearly died in Ukraine writes memoir to heal
War reporter Benjamin Hall was the sole survivor of a missile attack in Ukraine that killed his cameraman and producer. He recounts the experience in a new memoir.

UN: South Sudan must halt fighting, move faster to elections
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday demanded an immediate end to all fighting in South Sudan and pushed for swift progress by the government to ensure that delayed elections are held peacefully and freely in December 2024.


Ukraine invites Ron DeSantis to visit after Florida governor calls war a "territorial dispute"
"We invite him to visit Ukraine to get a deeper understanding of Russia's full-scale invasion and the threats it poses to U.S. interests," a Ukrainian government spokesman said.


Sen. Joni Ernst introduces legislation to bar DOD from paying abortion travel costs
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is leading the efforts on legislation aimed at amending the Department of Defense’s travel statute to prevent funding from being used to pay for service members and their families to travel to obtain an abortion.


Blinken making ‘historic’ trip to Niger as forces shift in Sahel
Blinken to be first US secretary of state to visit country amid concerns over Sahel security, growing Russian influence.

Putin, Assad discuss rebuilding Syria, regional issues
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Syrian leader Bashar Assad in the Kremlin on Wednesday for talks that focused on rebuilding Syria after a devastating civil war and efforts to stabilize the region.


Bipartisan letter to Biden calls for easing restrictions that affect Cuba's private sector
Easing restrictions on trade and travel would “increase demand for U.S. commodities and make it easier for U.S. exporters to reach the Cuban market," the letter says.


Rep. Greg Steube says he's cleared to fly following devastating ladder fall, will return to DC this month
Republican Florida Congressman Greg Steube announced Wednesday he was cleared to fly following his devastating 25-foot ladder fall earlier this year and would be returning to Washigton.

Magnitude 7.1 earthquake strikes Kermadec Islands in New Zealand - USGS
An earthquake of 7.1 magnitude struck the Kermadec Islands region in New Zealand on Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.


Arctic sea ice thins in 2 big jumps, and now more vulnerable
Climate change attacked crucial Arctic sea ice thickness in two sudden big gobbles instead of steady nibbling, a new study says. A little more than 15 years ago, sea ice quickly lost more than half its thickness, becoming weaker, more prone to melting and less likely to recover, according to...


Utah governor signs legislation banning clinics from providing abortions
Experts are concerned that if clinics stop providing abortions, hospitals’ comparatively higher costs of care and staffing shortages will make it harder to get legal abortions in Utah.


More than 1 in 4 Republicans approve of Jan. 6 rioters: poll
More than 1 in 4 Republicans now say that they approve of Trump supporters taking over the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks, a new poll found. A Economist-YouGov poll published on Wednesday…


EPA 'neighbor' rule cuts downwind pollution by power plants
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new “good neighbor” rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency will restrict smokestack emissions from power plants and other industrial sources that burden downwind areas with smog-causing pollution they can’t control.


Baton Rouge police arrest man wanted for questioning in death of Georgia man found in rolled-up rug
Derrick Perkins, 45, was arrested Monday night. He was wanted by police investigating the death of Nathan Millard.


Border Patrol chief expresses support for agents falsely accused of whipping Haitian immigrants
The chief of the Border Patrol publicly defended agents accused of whipping Haitian immigrants in 2021.


California flooded with rain, Northeast buried under snow
An atmospheric river dumped more torrential rain on California on Wednesday, forcing evacuations, power outages and road closures, while the remnants of a powerful Nor'easter blizzard buried much of upstate New York and New England under snow.


Court: Ukraine can try to avoid repaying $3B loan to Russia
LONDON (AP) — The U.K. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Ukraine can go to trial to avoid repaying $3 billion in loans it said it took under pressure from Russia in 2013 to prevent it from trying to join the European Union .


Senate Dems confident they can repeal Iraq war authorizations — despite absences
Two Democratic senators are out due to recent hospitalizations, complicating the math on lawmakers' years-long quest to formally end the Iraq war and reassert congressional authority.


Widow of 'Goodfellas' actor hopes politics wasn't why he was left out of Oscars In Memoriam segment
Dee Dee Sorvino, widow of actor Paul Sorvino, said she hopes her late husband's politics didn’t play a role in him being left out of the In Memoriam segment during the Oscars on Sunday night.

How Eric Garcetti avoided a career-ending humiliation and made it to New Delhi
The campaign against him was so relentless and formidable that it surprised even Garcetti.


Exclusive: Apple supplier Foxconn wins AirPod order, plans $200 million factory in India
Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn has won an order to make AirPods for Apple Inc and plans to build a factory in India to produce the wireless earphones, two people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.


El Salvador: 2,000 more to prison, vows will 'never return'
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — El Salvador’s government sent 2,000 more suspects to a huge new prison built especially for gang members Wednesday, and the the justice minister vowed that “they will never return” to the streets.


White House hopes Biden's relationship with Xi can defuse U.S.-China tensions
As the U.S. and China rivalry grows, President Joe Biden's belief in personal diplomacy faces the ultimate test.


Hunter Biden laptop letter signers will ‘fully cooperate’ with GOP investigation, lawyer says
The lawyer representing ex-intelligence officials who signed the infamous Hunter Biden laptop letter in October 2020 baselessly claiming Russian involvement says his clients will “fully cooperate” with the GOP investigation.


Mormon church to make massive water contribution to Great Salt Lake
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has agreed to part with a massive amount of water to help replenish the dwindling Great Salt Lake. The Salt Lake City-based institution, one of the w…


Analysis: Syria rebuilding hopes dim as war enters year 13
BEIRUT (AP) — The recent deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria which caused billions of dollars in damage has boosted the prospects of Syria's once widely shunned president return to the Arab fold, but appears unlikely to jump-start large-scale reconstruction in the war-ravaged country.

Newsom skips State of the State and heads out on a tour of California
The governor dislikes formal speeches in part because of struggles with dyslexia.


Xiaomi's slow shift in India to premium smartphones helps Samsung steal its crown
More Indians now want expensive phones with better features.


Princeton student charged with joining rioters in pushing against officers in Capitol attack, allegedly chanted "Drag them out!"
Larry Giberson was at the front line of the mob's fight against police in a tunnel when one of the officers was briefly crushed between rioters and tunnel doors, according to an affidavit.


India-Russia defence firm eyes $200 mln missile deal with Indonesia
India-based defence company BrahMos Aerospace expects to close a deal this year to sell Indonesia supersonic cruise missiles worth at least $200 million, as it looks to expand its presence in Southeast Asia, its chief executive said on Wednesday.


4 teens arrested on murder charges after Sweet 16 party shooting near Atlanta
Investigators believe the shooting was gang-related and the two victims were innocent bystanders.


Bank runs used to be slow. The digital era sped them up
NEW YORK (AP) — A bank run conjures images of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” with anxious customers crammed shoulder to shoulder, desperately pleading with a harried George Bailey to hand over their money.


GOP questions Penn Biden Center funding, probes possible foreign investment
House Ways and Means GOP members ask the University of Pennsylvania for details on how the Penn Biden Center was funded.

Senate confirms Eric Garcetti as next ambassador to India
The vote marks a win for the president, who sought to fill the post with a political ally.


EPA finalizes rule to cut down on harmful smog and pollution from power plants | CNN Politics
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday it had finalized its so-called good-neighbor rule, which aims to cut down on harmful smog and nitrogen oxide pollution from coal-fired power plants and industrial facilities.

U.S. issues travel alert for spring break in Mexico
The State Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety is urging the public against spring break vacations in Mexico amid the threat of kidnappings, crime and violence.


White House calls on Republicans in Congress to reverse course on gun policy
The White House called on congressional Republicans to ban assault weapons, which will almost certainly be rejected by the GOP.


Senator proposes sanctions on Russian patriarch amid war in Ukraine
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill is not an “authentic theologian,” according to a senior Republican senator who encouraged trans-Atlantic allies to sanction the cleric for blessing Russia’s war in Ukraine.


Netanyahu rejects judicial compromise, deepening crisis
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday swiftly rejected a compromise proposal aimed at resolving a standoff over his plans to overhaul the country's legal system, deepening the crisis over a program that has roiled the country and drawn international criticism.


Atmospheric river causes power outages, flooding and landslides in Southern California
This is the 11th atmospheric river, which can cause extreme flooding, to hit California since late December.


Bank of England in emergency talks as Credit Suisse crisis deepens - Telegraph
The Bank of England was holding emergency talks with international counterparts last night amid rising concerns as the crisis deepens in Swiss bank Credit Suisse Group AG , the Telegraph reported on Wednesday.


Migrant encounters in February down to lowest level since Jan 2022; Biden admin credits new border measures
Customs and Border Protection announced Wednesday that border numbers were at the lowest level since January last year, as Biden admin credited new border measures.

Despite market slump, high rates dim homebuyer affordability
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Homeownership is likely to remain a pipe dream for many Americans this spring homebuying season. The nation’s worst housing slump in nearly a decade stoked hope among prospective buyers that homes could be scooped up more easily.


Trump who? Ohio’s Mike DeWine doesn’t have time to talk ageism, partisan rancor or 45
“I really feel that I'm in my prime as far as my ability to make decisions and get things done,” the 76-year-old governor said.


Exclusive: TSMC's Germany chip plant talks hone in on govt subsidies -sources
Taiwan chipmaker TSMC's talks with the German state of Saxony about building a new factory are at an advanced stage and are now focused on government subsidies to support the investment, two people familiar with the matter said.


Twitter troll's election interference trial delayed after alleged witness intimidation
Douglass Mackey, a right-wing online troll facing criminal charges for alleged 2016 election interference, had his trial delayed after his attorney alleged an anti-hate group intimated a witness into withdrawing his testimony.


Iran says 110 arrested over suspected schoolgirl poisonings
Iranian police say 110 suspects have been arrested in connection with the suspected poisoning of thousands of girls in schools across the country

Macron's pension plan advances despite strikes across France
PARIS (AP) — Thousands of people angered over President Emmanuel Macron's plan to raise the retirement age joined a national strike on Wednesday as a committee of lawmakers advanced the proposal.


SkyWest Airlines investigating after ESPN anchor shares TikTok videos detailing fight between flight attendants
"SportsCenter" anchor Ashley Brewer shared a TikTok video of the incident saying the two flight attendants refused to work together and ultimately left the plane.


GOP criticizes Biden's budget proposal in front of his budget director: 'Funky voodoo accounting'
Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young appeared in front of a Senate panel on Wednesday to defend the president's FY2024 proposals

Arizona launches hotline for public to report 'inappropriate' school lessons | CNN Politics
Arizona's top education official launched a hotline this week for state residents to report K-12 class curriculum and lessons that they deem "inappropriate," the Arizona Department of Education said in a press release.

GOP questions Penn Biden Center funding, probes possible foreign investment
House Ways and Means GOP members ask the University of Pennsylvania for details on how the Penn Biden Center was funded.

Colombian coal mine blast kills 11, search on for survivors
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — A powerful explosion tore through a series of five coal mines interconnected by tunnels and ventilation systems in a rural area of central Colombia, killing at least 11 people and leaving 10 others missing, the government said Wednesday.


Senators push back on secrecy around Bolsonaro’s potential extradition
Senators unsuccessfully pushed the State Department on Wednesday for information about how it would deal with an extradition request from Brazil for its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, who has be…


Is the recession here? Three things to watch after the SVB debacle
Every responsible bank supervisor in America is spending their week scrutinizing the institutions they oversee to ensure they don’t become part of the falling dominoes.


Analysis: Swiss blank cheque wins some time for Credit Suisse
Switzerland's radical pledge to bankroll Credit Suisse Group AG has won the embattled lender the chance to resurrect itself from an almost complete collapse in confidence that rattled global markets.


North Korea launches ICBM before South Korea-Japan summit
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile Thursday just hours before the leaders of South Korea and Japan were to meet at a Tokyo summit expected to be overshadowed by North Korean nuclear threats.


Credit Suisse secures $54 bln lifeline as authorities rush to prevent global bank crisis
Credit Suisse on Thursday said it would borrow up to $54 billion from the Swiss central bank to shore up liquidity and investor confidence after a slump in its shares intensified fears about a global financial crisis.

Democrats in 'frontline' districts put hopes of retaking the House in jeopardy
Democratic Reps. Katie Porter and Elissa Slotkin are aiming for higher office, leaving their competitive seats wide open.


7 guests injured after tree branch fell on them at San Antonio Zoo
Seven people were sent to the hospital after a tree branch fell on them at a zoo in Texas, according to the San Antonio Fire Department.

Texas judge open to claims abortion drug wasn't properly vetted: Reports
After a nearly four-hour federal court hearing in Amarillo, Texas, about the safety and approval of a common abortion pill, a judge presiding over the trial appeared receptive to claims the drug wasn't properly vetted.


Honduras ditching Taiwan raises larger geopolitical concerns
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Honduras' decision to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China is yet another sign of growing Chinese influence in Latin America. For decades the Asian superpower funneled billions of dollars into investment and infrastructure projects across the region.


North Carolina Senate passes legislation mandating harsher penalties for utility damage
The North Carolina Senate passed legislation for harsher penalties for damaging utility equipment. This decision comes after the shootings that cut power to 45,000 homes and businesses.

5 things to know about the Silicon Valley Bank investigation
Multiple federal authorities have launched investigations into the fall of Silicon Valley Bank, the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history, as lawmakers and officials point fingers over who an…


Blinken discusses need for accountability for atrocities during Ethiopia visit | CNN Politics
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday pressed Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on accountability for atrocities committed by all parties throughout the yearslong conflict in northern Ethiopia.

Dow Jones futures fall 600 points following international bank shares' sharp decline
Dow Jones and several other stock futures fell on Wednesday morning as pressure on financial institutions continues to increase following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and a dip in Credit Suisse shares.


YouTuber loses seat in Japan's Parliament for never showing up to work
Yoshikazu Higashitani, also known as GaaSyy, was expelled from the upper house over his failure to appear in the chamber while residing abroad.


Border Patrol chief publicly backs agents falsely accused by Biden of whipping Haitian migrants
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz said Wednesday he was proud of his agents who were on horseback in Del Rio in 2021 and were falsely accused of whipping migrants.

EXPLAINER: Next steps for Black reparations in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco supervisors have backed the idea of paying reparations to Black people, but whether members will agree to lump-sum payments of $5 million to every eligible person or to any of the more than 100 other recommendations made by an advisory committee won't be known...


EPA rolls out new smog-fighting rules designed to reduce pollution crossing state lines
Environmental advocates have long pushed EPA to finalize the "good neighbor" rule to limit air pollution drifting across state lines.
www.usatoday.com

Fentanyl testing materials will be legalized in Mississippi
Mississippi is legalizing materials that will allow people to test illegal drugs to ensure they are not laced with fentanyl. The bill will become law on Jul. 1.

Biden border chief in hot seat over whether US-Mexico boundary is secure
Republican lawmakers took full advantage of a rare chance to question the head of the Border Patrol during his first appearance before a House committee and pushed the chief repeatedly to come down hard on his superiors for understating the state of the border.


'Big Ugly Diamond' discovered by Arkansas state park visitor
It's large, but not as large as other diamonds visitors have found in this unique crater.
www.bbc.com

What can ChatGPT maker's new AI model GPT-4 do?
LONDON (AP) — The company behind the ChatGPT chatbot has rolled out its latest artificial intelligence model, GPT-4, in the next step for a technology that’s caught the world's attention.


GOP bill offers aggressive starting bid on energy


Conservative author Bethany Mandel struggles to come up with definition of ‘woke’
Conservative author Bethany Mandel struggled to define the term “woke” on Tuesday while discussing her new book “Stolen Youth,” which accuses liberals of targeting children with “woke indoctrinatio…


Ohio man who falsely claimed to be Ghanaian prince sentenced to 20 years in prison | CNN Politics
An Ohio man was sentenced to 20 years in prison Wednesday for pretending to be a Ghanaian prince and swindling more than a dozen victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Exclusive: Samsung's new Texas chip plant cost rises above $25 billion
A chip plant that South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co Ltd is building in Taylor, Texas, will cost the world's biggest memory chipmaker over $25 billion, up more than $8 billion from initial forecasts, according to three people familiar with the matter.


Trump widens lead over DeSantis; Biden holds slight general election edge: poll
Former President Donald Trump holds a 14-point lead over potential 2024 Republican presidential nomination rival Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, according to a new poll.

Workers dismantle Florida ride where teen fell to death
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Almost a year after a Missouri teen fell to his death , a 400-foot (122 meter) amusement ride was being dismantled this week in central Florida’s tourism corridor.


House Democrats tout 'record' $12.3 million fundraising haul in February
The campaign arm for House Democrats announced it hauled $12.3 million worth of donations for February, boosting its war chest to $21.3 million.


Former Wells Fargo exec faces prison, will pay $17 million fine over fake accounts scandal
The former head of Wells Fargo's retail bank is facing prison time after agreeing to plead guilty to obstructing a bank examination in relation to the sweeping phony accounts scandal that roiled the bank in 2016.

Silicon Valley Bank collapse may not be the last. Blackrock CEO warns of 'slow rolling crisis'
Blackrock CEO Larry Fink, who runs the world’s largest money manager, warned of a “slow rolling crisis” following the Silicon Valley Bank collapse.
www.usatoday.com

Honda recalling 500,000 vehicles to fix seat belt problem
DETROIT (AP) — Honda is recalling a half-million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because the front seat belts may not latch properly. The recall covers some of the the automaker's top-selling models including the 2017 through 2020 CR-V, the 2018 and 2019 Accord, the 2018 through 2020 Odyssey...


Tiger King for president: Joe 'Exotic' Maldonado-Passage announces 2024 run
Joseph Maldonado-Passage, known to millions as "Joe Exotic," has announced he's running for president in 2024.


Senate GOP communicating with Mitch McConnell post fall and concussion as physical rehab continues
Mitch McConnell suffered a concussion and cracked rib from a fall, and is in physical therapy. Sen. John Thune said he has texted with the GOP leader.
www.usatoday.com

US tribes get bison as they seek to restore bond with animal
GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) — Dozens of bison from a mountain park outside Denver were transferred Wednesday to several tribes from across the Great Plains, in the latest example of Native Americans reclaiming stewardship over animals their ancestors lived alongside for millennia.


Former State Sen. Ron Rice, ‘African-American hero,’ dies at 77
He was a founder and the longtime chair of the Legislative Black Caucus and focused on racial and social justice issues throughout his career.


A fetching new title for French bulldogs: America's favorite dog breed
The sturdy, push-faced, perky-eared pooches ousted Labrador retrievers from the top spot after more than three decades, according to the American Kennel Club.


History-making politician Gloria Molina announces she has terminal cancer
Molina, 74, broke barriers as the first Latina elected to several legislative positions in California. "People both revered her and feared her," a political scientist said.


'What You Won't Do for Love' singer Bobby Caldwell dies
Bobby Caldwell, a soulful R&B singer and songwriter who had a major hit in 1978 with “What You Won't Do for Love” and a voice and musical style adored by generations of his fellow artists, has died, his wife said Wednesday.



Utah bans abortion clinics in wave of post-Roe restrictions
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah's Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation Wednesday that will by next year ban clinics from providing abortions, setting off a rush of confusion among clinics, hospitals and prospective patients in the deeply Republican state.


No clear association between Paxlovid and COVID-19 rebound, FDA says
An FDA analysis did not find a clear association between the COVID-19 antiviral drug Paxlovid and illness rebound, the FDA said in a new report.

In nursing homes, impoverished live final days on pennies
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — New pants to replace Alex Morisey’s tattered khakis will have to wait. There’s no cash left for sugar-free cookies either. Even at the month’s start, the budget is so bare that Fixodent is a luxury.


Some seniors could start paying less for certain drugs whose prices rose faster than inflation | CNN Politics
Starting next month, some Medicare beneficiaries will pay less out of pocket for 27 prescription drugs whose prices rose faster than inflation late last year, the Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday.
Why Ron DeSantis can't stop talking about COVID
For many Americans, the COVID-19 pandemic is a thing of the past. But there's one prominent politician who seems very reluctant to let go. His name? Ron DeSantis — the GOP governor of Florida and likely 2024 candidate for president.

Researchers identify a potential treatment to prevent severe COVID-19 in high-risk patients
UVA Health researchers have identified a potential treatment to prevent severe COVID-19 in patients at great risk.


Biden administration names first round of drugs to face Medicare rebate penalties
The Biden administration has released its first list of nearly 30 drugs covered by Medicare that will be subject to the penalties included in the Inflation Reduction Act, because their prices incre…


Scientists create mice with cells from 2 males for 1st time
For the first time, scientists have created baby mice from two males. This raises the distant possibility of using the same technique for people – although experts caution that very few mouse embryos developed into live mouse pups and no one knows whether it would work for humans.


Biden touts insulin drug savings, praises Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk for slashing prices
President Joe Biden praised the companies, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, for slashing prices of insulin, making it more affordable for patients.
www.usatoday.com

Texas judge hears abortion pill case that could disrupt access nationwide
An injunction from U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk could halt distribution of the abortion pill nationwide.


Here's what you need to know as Google expands its health care AI
Google is expanding its health care AI including partnerships to detect diseases sooner, answering medical questions and helping people find free and low cost care.

Mexican president floats banning use of medicinal fentanyl
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Wednesday proposed putting an end to medicinal use of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid blamed for rising U.S. drug overdose deaths which has fed tensions between his country and the U.S.


Coronavirus Omicron variant, vaccine, and case numbers in the United States: March 15, 2023
How many novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases were announced today?

US pregnancy deaths dropped in 2022, after COVID spike
NEW YORK (AP) — Deaths of pregnant women in the U.S. fell in 2022, dropping significantly from a six-decade high during the pandemic, new data suggests. More than 1,200 U.S. women died in 2021 duri…


Mediterranean diet may lower women's risk for heart disease by 24%, study finds
Researchers found the diet was associated with a 24% lower risk of heart disease in women and a 23% lower risk of total mortality.


Decimated by COVID-19, A Texas County Struggles to Move On
Lamb County had one of the highest COVID-19 death rates in the nation. Amid tides of contradictory news and misinformation, many have little idea of who to blame.


COVID vaccine update: FDA authorizes Pfizer booster for some children under age five
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent for children 6 months through 4 years of age.

Masks are effective but here's how a study from a respected group was misinterpreted to say they weren't
Experts said a Cochrane review study seemed to imply masks don't work against COVID spread, but it was misinterpreted and was actually looking at mask interventions.

Takeaways from the Texas hearing on medication abortion drugs | CNN Politics
Over the course of about four hours of arguments, a federal judge in Texas asked questions that suggested he is seriously considering undoing the US Food and Drug Administration's approval of a medication abortion drug and the agency's moves to relax the rules around its use.

US possibly scammed out of tens of millions by Wuhan Lab: reports
The U.S. government may have made duplicate payments for projects at labs in China through the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Agency for International Development

Two years on, sleep apnea sufferers still hurt by CPAP machine recall
The company said it has so far shipped replacements to about 2.5 million customers, roughly half of those who needed them.


'Am I dreaming?': Double lung transplants save two people with late-stage cancer | CNN
Two people with stage IV lung cancer who had been told that they had only weeks or months to live are breathing freely after receiving double lung transplants, Northwestern Medicine in Chicago said Wednesday.