REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Biden declares ‘America will not default,’ says he’s confident of budget deal with GOP lawmakers
WASHINGTON (AP) — An optimistic President Joe Biden declared Wednesday he is confident the U.S. will avoid an unprecedented and potentially catastrophic debt default, saying talks with congressional Republicans have been productive. He left for a G-7 summit in Japan but planned to return by the weekend in hopes of approving a solid agreement.
House sends Santos expulsion resolution to ethics panel instead; rep calls him 'a stain'
Rep. George Santos faces the possibility of disciplinary measures from his colleagues in the House.
New York progressives heckle Santos, argue with Greene on Capitol steps
Progressive Democrats from New York heckled Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) as he spoke to reporters on the steps of the Capitol on Wednesday, yelling at the embattled lawmaker to resign and telling Re…
thehill.com
South Carolina moves closer to abortion ban, a Southern trend that puts pressure on Virginia
As more Southern states pass new restrictions on abortion, Virginia is poised to become an outlier in the region for its relatively permissive laws. That could set up Virginia as a destination for women seeking abortions and raise questions about providers’ capacity to meet demand. South...
apnews.com
Exclusive: New evidence in special counsel probe may undercut Trump's claim documents he took were automatically declassified | CNN Politics
The National Archives has informed former president Donald Trump that it is set to hand over to special counsel Jack Smith 16 records that show Trump and his top advisers had knowledge of the correct declassification process while he was president, according to multiple sources.
www.cnn.com
Montana says 1st-in-nation TikTok ban protects people. TikTok says it violates their rights
Montana has become the first state to enact a complete ban on TikTok. Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the legislation Wednesday and it is scheduled to take effect next January. The measure is more sweeping than bans put in place in nearly half the states and by the U.S. federal government...
apnews.com
South Carolina House passes six-week abortion ban after hours of contentious debate | CNN Politics
South Carolina House members approved a controversial bill late Wednesday that would ban most abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy, after having spent the last two days in contentious debate on the legislation.
www.cnn.com
DeSantis limits trans treatments, drag shows, pronoun use in Florida
The governor says the laws will make Florida a "refuge of sanity". Critics called them "mean spirited".
www.bbc.com
DeSantis signs bills targeting drag shows, transgender kids and the use of bathrooms and pronouns
Florida is banning gender-affirming care for minors, effective immediately. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a series of anti-LGBTQ+ bills on Wednesday. Others address drag shows and how schools handle the use of personal pronouns and bathrooms. Planned Parenthood immediately started...
apnews.com
Mike Pence rejects Trump's call to let U.S. default as he hints at 2024 White House bid
Pence, who is considering a 2024 presidential run, also accused Trump and Biden of holding "identical" fiscal policy views.
State Department offers to share classified dissent cable on Afghanistan withdrawal with key lawmakers
House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Michael McCaul has threatened to hold Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena over the cable.
www.cbsnews.comAfter Years of Political Hype, the Durham Inquiry Failed to Deliver
WASHINGTON — The limping conclusion to John Durham’s four-year investigation of the Russia inquiry underscores a recurring dilemma in U.S. government: how to shield sensitive law enforcement investigations from politics without creating prosecutors who can run amok, never to be held to account...
McCarthy rebrands looming debt ceiling breach: 'Biden default'
McCarthy and the gathered Republicans broke into laughter when a reporter asked about Biden's recent comments on work requirements
Jim Jordan, Mike Turner threaten CIA subpoena in Hunter Biden letter inquiry
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) are warning the CIA they could subpoena the agency if it does not produce docum…
thehill.com
Ukraine tells China envoy peace plan must not lose land to Russia
Ukraine’s foreign minister told China’s envoy that Kyiv would not accept any peace proposal involving loss of territory.
Russia says hypersonic missile scientists face 'very serious' treason accusations
Three Russian academics who have worked on hypersonic missile technology face "very serious accusations", the Kremlin said on Wednesday, in a treason investigation that has spread alarm through Russia's scientific community.
www.reuters.com
Key Trump attorney says he's departing legal team as Mar-a-Lago probe intensifies
A key lawyer for former President Donald Trump says he's leaving the legal team, a move that comes as a special counsel investigation into the retention of classified documents shows signs of being in its final stages. Timothy Parlatore told The Associated Press that his departure had nothing to...
apnews.com
Marjorie Taylor Greene introduces articles of impeachment against Alejandro Mayorkas
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, making him her fourth impeachment victim this week.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Trump boasts he ‘was able to kill Roe v. Wade,’ takes credit for state abortion bans
Former President Trump on Wednesday took credit for bringing about the end of Roe v. Wade and the restrictive abortion laws that have passed in the year since the Supreme Court struck down the land…
thehill.com
Montana is banning TikTok. But can the state enforce the law and fend off lawsuits?
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte on Wednesday signed into law a first-of-its kind bill that makes it illegal for TikTok to operate in the state.
apnews.com
Ukraine war: Russian launches ninth missile attack on Kyiv this month
One person dies in a missile strike in the south as Russia continues to bombard Ukraine.
www.bbc.com
Rick Scott on Disney-DeSantis feud: ‘Cooler heads have to prevail’
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) weighed in Wednesday on one of the hottest political feuds in his home state, arguing “cooler heads have to prevail” in the battle between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and…
thehill.com
Elon Musk subpoena in Epstein-JPMorgan lawsuit can be served to Tesla, judge rules
Tesla CEO Elon Musk and co-founders of Google have been issued subpoenas in the Virgin Islands' lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Documents leak suspect had been warned about handling of classified information, prosecutors say
Prosecutors say that superiors of the Massachusetts Air National guardsman charged with leaking highly classified military documents had raised concerns internally on multiple occasions about his handling or viewing of classified information. Justice Department lawyers made the disclosure...
apnews.com
Sen. Marshall to force vote on resolution against Biden ‘public charge’ rule, White House threatens veto
Sen. Roger Marshall is forcing a vote on a resolution of disapproval of the Biden administration's public charge rule on immigrants and receiving welfare benefits.
Europe OKs plan to tally cost of Moscow's war in Ukraine with eye toward future reparations
REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — More than 40 nations agreed Wednesday to set up a system to tally the damage Russia has inflicted on Ukraine in the hope of getting reparations, adding to the international legal challenges the Kremlin is facing.
apnews.com
Boebert defends husband amid divorce filing: ‘He didn’t “sick dogs” on the process server’
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) is defending her estranged husband, condemning what she calls “misrepresentations” cited in court documents about their impending divorce. “I have always spoken highly…
thehill.com
Former Google CEO says AI at 'center' of technology competition between US and China
A former Google CEO said during a Congressional hearing that artificial intelligence is at the “center" of the technology battle between China and the United States.
Russia agrees to extend Ukraine grain deal in a boost for global food security
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Russia has agreed to extend a deal that has allowed Ukraine to ship grain through the Black Sea to parts of the world struggling with hunger. Erdogan said Wednesday that the deal would be extended for two months. The breakthrough accord brokered by the...
apnews.com
‘Stop, stop’: GOP bashes Biden for taking off during debt showdown
Republicans are blasting President Biden for leaving Washington for Asia on Wednesday without significant progress on debt limit negotiations, as the country inches toward a deadline on defaulting …
thehill.com
Myanmar military has imported weaponry worth $1bn since coup
UN expert says Russia, China and companies in Singapore top list of those sending weapons to military accused of abuses.
FBI agents lose security clearances ahead of congressional testimony
The FBI has revoked the security clearances of three of its agents for matters related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, the agency told lawmakers in a letter Wednesday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Ukraine reports new advances near eastern city of Bakhmut
Ukraine's military said it had made new advances on Wednesday in heavy fighting near the eastern city of Bakhmut, and that Russia was continuing to send in new units including paratroopers.
www.reuters.com
Ukrainian trauma surgeon operates on soldiers all day long amid Russia's war
The lead trauma surgeon at a military hospital in Ukraine’s capital has his hands deep in a war churning hundreds of miles away. The 59-year-old doctor’s work to repair the bodies of some of the most badly injured soldiers is all-consuming. “I only operate,” Petro Nikitin says. “I do nothing...
apnews.com
DeSantis to launch presidential campaign May 24, sources say
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to make his 2024 presidential bid official next week, but will hold a bigger launch event later.
www.cbsnews.com
Grand jury indicts Bryan Kohberger in connection with murder of 4 University of Idaho students
The suspect in the murder of four University of Idaho students has been indicted by a grand jury. Bryan Kohberger, 28, is expected to appear in court Monday.
Trump 2020 lawyer indicated he may be target of Fulton County probe, court docs say
The statement came in relation to a defamation case against Rudy Giuliani.
www.politico.com
Nevada GOP governor vetoes gun control measures | CNN Politics
Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo on Wednesday vetoed three Democratic-led gun control bills that attempted to increase the age to possess certain firearms and restrict who can obtain them.
www.cnn.com
Democrats call on Judiciary GOP to probe DeSantis’s election police
A trio of Democrat lawmakers are calling on the House Judiciary Committee’s GOP leadership to investigate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) handling of the state law enforcement agency, a…
thehill.com
Russia orders arrest of prominent producer, director who criticized Ukraine war
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Moscow court has ordered the arrest of prominent film producer Alexander Rodnyansky and theater director Ivan Vyrypaev for “spreading false information” about the Russian army.
apnews.com
Team DeSantis throws shade at Trump following endorsements from 99 Florida lawmakers: 'Almost universal'
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' team threw shade at former President Donald Trump after the former was endorsed by 99 GOP lawmakers in his state.
Biden judicial nominee struggles to explain legal terms in confirmation hearing
A Biden judicial nominee struggled to explain legal terms related to the Constitution's commerce clause during her confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
State Department will let McCaul look at Kabul cable after Blinken contempt threat
The Department of State announced on Wednesday that it will allow a top House Republican to look at a July 2021 cable from the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan after the GOP moved toward holding Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt over his refusal to make the document available.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
NYC truck terror attacker to serve 8 consecutive life sentences
Sayfullo Saipov was sentenced Wednesday for his 2017 ISIS-inspired terror attack in New York City.
Dow surges 400 points as Biden and lawmakers inch closer to a debt ceiling deal
President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy both said Tuesday that they did not see a default happening.
China's domestic travel recovery marred by anti-spending 'special forces'
A trend of ‘travelling like special forces’ has emerged in China as a symptom of the underlying weakness in household consumption, casting a shadow over a post-pandemic recovery in domestic tourism.
www.reuters.com
1,100-year-old Hebrew Bible sells for $38m, will head to Israel
One of the world’s oldest surviving Bible manuscripts will be placed in the Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv.
8-year-old migrant girl dies in U.S. Border Patrol custody, officials say
The girl's death marks the first known death of a migrant child in Border Patrol custody since the Trump administration, when several minors died.
www.cbsnews.com
Biden says there's 'work to do' on global stage as he heads to Japan; US debt limit standoff looms
President Joe Biden said Wednesday there’s “work to do” on the global stage as he headed to Japan to consult with allies on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s assertive influence in the Pacific. Biden pledged to remain in “constant contact” with negotiators back in Washington working to...
apnews.com
New York Gov. Hochul: Officials trying to find 'welcoming' sites for migrants in NYC, situation 'desperate'
New York Governor Kathy Hochul told Spectrum News that she is helping New York City Mayor Eric Adams with finding "welcoming" sites for migrants, as the city is at-capacity.
Seattle startup's ex-CFO accused of diverting $35 million, losing it in crypto crash
A federal indictment accuses the former chief financial officer of a Seattle startup of taking $35 million of his employer’s money without permission and losing it by investing in cryptocurrency before the crypto market crashed last year. Thirty-nine-year-old Nevin Shetty was hired in 2021 as...
apnews.com
House GOP passes pro-law enforcement bills as party weighs DOJ and FBI funding cuts | CNN Politics
House Republicans are taking up a series of pro-law enforcement bills this week, as the party grapples with cutting funding to federal law enforcement agencies.
www.cnn.com
Blinken backs down, will let Congress see Afghan dissent cable that warned of swift Taliban takeover
The State Department said Wednesday it would let lawmakers view the dissent channel cable related to the withdrawal of Afghanistan, in the face of a contempt vote against Blinken.
Tim Scott picks up first Senate endorsement ahead of White House announcement
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) has committed to backing his fellow Republican colleague Tim Scott (R-SC) as he prepares to launch a run for the White House in 2024.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
DeSantis signs bills affecting LGBTQ community
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a slate of bills affecting the LGBTQ community.
9 Ways Vivek Ramaswamy Can Beat Donald Trump, According to Andrew Yang
Presidential campaign lessons from one tech-savvy outsider to another.
www.politico.com
Pentagon’s top policymaker Kahl plans to resign, officials say
Two years ago Colin Kahl faced a tough confirmation battle to be undersecretary of defense for policy, in part because of his critical comments about Republicans on social media.
www.nbcnews.com
US House Democrats pursue 'discharge petition' maneuver on debt limit
Democrats in the Republican-led House of Representatives on Wednesday plan to file a discharge petition - a way to bypass regular procedures in the chamber - as a means to raise the U.S. debt limit in case it becomes necessary, the top House Democrat said.
www.reuters.com
Four children reported found in Amazon 17 days after plane crash
The children – aged 13, nine, four and 11 months – were reported to have survived a plane crash on May 1 in Colombia.
Texas legislature bans gender-affirming care for minors
If Gov. Greg Abbott signs the bill into law, which he is likely to do, Texas will become the largest state to ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors.
www.cbsnews.com
Gov. Kotek aware of Secretary of State Fagan’s cannabis contract before audit went public
Earlier this month, Shemia Fagan resigned as Oregon's secretary of state following the public release of her ties to an embattled cannabis company she was auditing.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
At Japan's G7 summit, the big elephants are China and Russia
The longest shadows at the Group of Seven (G7) leaders' summit this week will be cast by two countries that weren't even invited to the Hiroshima gathering: China and Russia.
www.reuters.comRep. Lauren Boebert Insists Estranged Husband Didn't Threaten Process Server
The Congress member also wants people to know that Jayson Boebert "doesn’t drink beer out of a glass, just as much as he doesn’t drink Bud Light.”
One killed in Ukraine's Odesa, missiles downed over Kyiv
One person was killed by a Russian missile strike on an industrial facility in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, while falling debris during an air raid triggered two fires in the eastern districts of Kyiv, officials said on Thursday.
www.reuters.com
Juror in murder trial of Lori Vallow Daybell breaks silence
A member of the Idaho jury that convicted Lori Vallow Daybell in the murders of her two youngest children and a romantic rival is speaking out for the first time.
Post distorts Karine Jean-Pierre's statement on immigration under Biden | Fact check
Jean-Pierre said that illegal migration dropped over 90% due to a parolee program in four specific countries -- not overall.
www.usatoday.com
Texas bill banning gender procedures, hormone therapy for trans kids sent to governor
A bill that would ban gender procedures for transgender youth in Texas is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.
New York limousine operator convicted of crash that killed 20
The operator of Prestige Limousine faces 15 years in prison for failing to safety maintain the limo.
www.bbc.com
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 449
As the war enters its 449th day, we take a look at the main developments.
University of California board to vote on allowing illegal immigrant students to work on campus
The University of California is set to consider and vote on a motion to allow illegal immigrants to be employed across the campus system — even amid legal objections.
Ukraine: The Mariupol steel workers longing for home
Mariupol's former Azovstal workers yearn for their old lives in the now Russian-held city.
www.bbc.com
Texas Gov. Abbott asks governors to fight Biden asylum rules
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Tuesday called on other state governors to “band together” in opposition to the Biden administration’s border management policies. In an open letter …
thehill.com
Washington confronts a new AI fight
A second day of hearings on Capitol Hill crystallizes new worries — and creates new fault lines.
www.politico.com
No audience change announced for CNN town halls after Trump event | Fact check
Despite the criticism the network faced after its May 10 Trump event, a CNN spokesperson said it did not announce changes to the live audience format.
www.usatoday.com
Elon Musk: I will say what I want even if it costs me
Twitter's owner has been criticised for spreading disinformation and conspiracy theories online.
www.bbc.com
Prince Harry and Meghan made getaway in NYC taxi after being trailed by paparazzi
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, were pursued in their car by photographers after a charity event in New York, an incident that the mayor and the couple’s office described Wednesday as potentially dangerous and stirred memories of the 1997 car crash that killed Harry’s mother, Princess Diana.
apnews.comTrump's candidate for Kentucky governor trounced DeSantis' last-minute endorsement, so Trump gloated 'Ron's magic is GONE!'
Donald Trump bragged about Daniel Cameron's win in the Kentucky gubernatorial primary. Trump's pick far outshined the Ron DeSantis-backed Kelly Craft.
Turkey’s opposition claim ballot irregularities in Sunday’s polls
CHP, YSP voiced concerns and lodged complaints over discrepancies between recorded count and votes registered.
Can Ukraine use Patriot defense systems to knock out Russian hypersonic missiles?
Ukraine said on Tuesday that it downed six Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles in a single night, in what would be a major setback for Moscow's efforts to develop an unstoppable next-generation weapon.
www.reuters.com
‘WOKE IDEOLOGY’: Lawmakers on Dems’ $14 trillion reparations demand to address harms 'since the founding’
Rep. Cori Bush introduced a resolution urging federal reparations for Americans of African descent, but one Republican lawmaker slammed the plan as "absurd."
Senate passes measure to restore Trump-era ‘public charge’ rule
The Senate passed a measure Wednesday to cancel a Biden administration immigration rule that scaled back the number of benefits that would be counted against immigrants when applying for permanent residency in the United States.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
National Archives officials testify that every administration since Reagan has mishandled classified material | CNN Politics
Every administration since President Ronald Reagan has mishandled classified materials, including commingling classified and unclassified documents, National Archives officials told the House Intelligence Committee during a closed-door interview in March.
www.cnn.com
Deutsche Bank to pay $75 mln to settle lawsuit by Epstein accusers
Deutsche Bank AG has agreed to pay $75 million to settle a lawsuit by women who say they were abused by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, and accused the German bank of facilitating his sex trafficking.
www.reuters.com
Whitmer amends MI Civil Rights Act to protect abortion seekers in workplace
Michigan's Civil Rights Act now prohibits workplace discrimination against employees who seek abortions or have received them in the past.
G7 summit: Taiwan looms large as Japan prepares to host leaders
As China becomes more assertive, Taiwan's security has become a growing concern for Japan.
www.bbc.com
DeSantis signs flurry of anti-trans bills, including ban on gender-affirming care for minors
The Florida governor also signed bills banning minors from attending drag shows, and an expansion on a bill prohibiting the instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.
www.cbsnews.comMontana bans TikTok for all residents
It's the first state to officially ban the app over national security concerns with its China-based owner.
www.politico.com
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's allies push for $12 billion financial package to raise taxes, defund police
Allies of newly-elected Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson are pushing for a $12 billion financial package that would raise taxes for certain residents in the city in an effort to “fund a just Chicago."
Manchin pulls support for Biden energy nominee over appliance efficiency rules
Senate Energy Committee Chairman Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has canceled a scheduled hearing and pulled his support for President Biden’s nomination for a key renewable energy post, the latest salvo bet…
thehill.com
Chinese Communist Party has been waging 'economic war' against US for 'decades': former U.S. trade rep
A former U.S. trade representative said that the Chinese Communist Party has been engaged in "economic war" against the United States for "decades."
Biden administration plans crackdown on colleges that overload graduates with student debt
A new policy would cut federal funding for for-profit colleges and certificate programs that produce graduates who can't cover their student debt bills.
www.usatoday.com
Russia-Belarus border checks return, linked to Ukraine war draft
Partial border controls between Russia and Belarus return for first time in decades.
New Mexico gunman who killed 3 wore bulletproof vest, left note
Authorities say a high school student who killed three women in northwestern New Mexico with an indiscriminate spray of gunfire left a cryptic note presaging “the end of the chapter” and wore a bulletproof vest that he discarded before being shot to death by police. Police in Farmington...
apnews.com
GOP committee chairs demand documents from CIA related to public statement from ex-intel officials questioning Hunter Biden laptop story | CNN Politics
Two Republican committee chairs are demanding the Central Intelligence Agency turn over a series of documents from an investigation related to the president’s son Hunter Biden.
www.cnn.com
Czechs cancel Soviet-era decrees giving Russian embassy free land
The Czech government on Wednesday cancelled Soviet-era decrees that granted the Russian embassy free use of land in Prague and other cities, a further step in a more than two-year diplomatic spat with Moscow worsened by the war in Ukraine.
www.reuters.com
Debt ceiling demands and red lines for the White House and Republicans
Here's what Republicans and Democrats are demanding regarding the debt ceiling, and the red lines they're drawing.
www.cbsnews.comKevin McCarthy's Latest Attack On Biden Sounds More Like A Compliment
Some Twitter users felt the House speaker's criticism of the president's border policy came across more like high praise or, worse, a Joe Biden campaign ad.
Sting warns against AI songs as he wins prestigious music prize
He says songwriters face "a battle" to defend work against the growing use of artificial intelligence.
www.bbc.com
Oil project near Amazon River mouth blocked by Brazil's environment agency
Brazil’s environmental regulator has refused to grant a license for a controversial offshore oil drilling project near the mouth of the Amazon River, prompting celebration from environmentalists who had warned of its potential impact. The agency’s president highlighted environmental concerns in...
apnews.com
Primary firsts: Black mayors in Philly and Colorado Springs; a Democrat in Jacksonville
Philadelphia is poised to elect its first Black woman mayor; a Democratic win in Florida bodes ill for Republicans.
www.usatoday.com
Riley Gaines: Swimming against 'mediocre male' inspired fight for women's rights
Riley Gaines and the Independent Women’s Forum are joining members of Congress to introduce the Women’s Bill of Rights.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Snooki, Tucker Carlson and the battle for offshore wind in New Jersey
Gov. Phil Murphy is hoping New Jersey will be the nation’s leading producer of wind energy by 2040.
www.politico.com
Nikki Haley calls for N.Y. governor to pardon Daniel Penny in Jordan Neely subway case
The Republican presidential candidate argued that it’s in Penny’s “blood to defend and protect” because he served in the military.
www.nbcnews.com
China imposes $2M fine for stand-up’s joke seen as mocking the military
China has fined a comedian’s company approximately $2 million after he made a joke that was seen by some as mocking the military. Multiple outlets reported Wednesday that the Beijing Mu…
thehill.com
House Foreign Affairs leadership offered viewing of Afghanistan cable
At issue is access to a cable from diplomats that correctly predicted the fall of Kabul.
www.politico.com
Woodward and Bernstein: Watergate reporters warn of the limitations of AI
Journalists Woodward and Bernstein tell the BBC the press is essential in finding the truth.
www.bbc.com
Why a debt limit deal could sink the financial markets
Now, there's a possibility that the White House might agree to cap spending at a time when markets already face considerable uncertainty.
www.politico.com
Pakistani police surround Imran Khan’s home claiming former PM is hiding riot suspects
The police deployment was likely to anger Khan’s many followers and raised concerns about more clashes between them and the security forces.
www.nbcnews.com
Florida judge rejects attempt by Tiger Woods' ex-girlfriend to throw out nondisclosure agreement
A Florida judge has sided with superstar golfer Tiger Woods in a legal dispute with his ex-girlfriend. Judge Elizabeth Metzger rejected late Wednesday an attempt by Erica Herman to throw out her nondisclosure agreement with Woods. Metzger called Herman's allegation that was a victim of sexual...
apnews.com
Senators fight over source of US deficit as default looms
Senators on the Budget Committee squabbled Tuesday over the root causes of the U.S. deficit as White House and congressional negotiators conduct last-minute talks to avoid a precedent-breaking defa…
thehill.com
Biden attacks Trump on abortion ahead of potential 2024 rematch
President Joe Biden targeted former President Donald Trump over his recent claims of credit for ending Roe v. Wade on social media.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
House Republicans block Democratic effort to expel George Santos from Congress
House Republicans moved to refer a resolution to expel the indicted Republican to the House Ethics Committee in a 221 to 204 vote.
www.cbsnews.comTrump lawyer in classified documents probe resigns
Tim Parlatore’s departure is the latest example of tumult among Trump’s bevy of lawyers.
www.politico.comClosing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities
Benchmark U.S. crude oil for June delivery rose $1.97 to $72.83 a barrel Wednesday. Brent crude for July delivery rose $2.05 to $76.96 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for June delivery rose 9 cents $2.57 a gallon.
apnews.com
Turkish presidential election goes to runoff as 'no party could actually win in the first round'
Turkey will hold a May 28 runoff election to determine its next president.
Canada's Alberta blanketed by smoke as wildfire battle continues
Smoke blanketed the skies over much of Alberta on Wednesday as firefighters from Canada and the U.S. battled raging wildfires that have prompted evacuations, disrupted rail service and shut energy production in Canada's main oil-producing province.
www.reuters.com
Black Californians hope state reparations don’t become another broken promise
Black Californians have watched closely as the reparations task force engaged in a two-year study, which will end this summer.
www.nbcnews.com
Massachusetts US Attorney Rachael Rollins violated law, regulations and ethics: watchdogs
Rachael Rollins, the U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, violated the law and ethics dabbling in Democratic politics, according to a watchdog report.
www.usatoday.com
IRS chief acknowledges Black taxpayers face higher probability of being audited | CNN Politics
Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Daniel Werfel acknowledged in a letter to the US Senate on Monday that Black taxpayers are audited at significantly higher rates than non-Black taxpayers, a revelation he said has left the agency “deeply concerned.”
www.cnn.com
Dancers at Los Angeles bar to become only unionized strippers in US after 15-month battle
Dancers at a Los Angeles bar could soon become the only unionized group of strippers in the U.S. The Actors’ Equity Association labor union says that owners of the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood have withdrawn their opposition and agreed to recognize the strippers’ union...
apnews.com
Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes files to run for Congress in New York
Olympic figure skater and gold medalist Sarah Hughes has filed with the Federal Election Commission to run for New York’s 4th Congressional District against an incumbent Republican in a blue district.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Illinois looks to double down on abortion protections
Illinois lawmakers have passed legislation requiring insurers to cover abortion pills and implement protections for out-of-state abortion seekers.
Remains of retired American Marine killed in Ukraine being returned to U.S.
Marine Capt. Grady Kurpasi (ret.) went missing in April 2022 after taking small-arms fire in the Kherson region.
www.cbsnews.com
Stock market today: Japan rises on GDP data; rest of region shaky
Asian shares are trading mixed as Japan’s benchmark jumped on the news of solid economic growth data, while the rest of the region was mired in uncertainty. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 gained in early trading, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dipped after a better-than-expected wage increase...
apnews.com
Japan's export growth hits two-year low on weak China demand
Japan's export growth hit its weakest pace in more than two years in April as China-bound shipments slumped amid lingering worries about faltering global economic demand.
www.reuters.com
Mick Mulvaney says he doesn’t believe in June 1 deadline for debt ceiling
Former White House aide Mick Mulvaney said Wednesday that he doesn’t believe the drop-dead date to raise the debt ceiling and prevent default is June 1, despite Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s re…
thehill.com
US Army Special Forces veteran killed in 'barrage' of Russian artillery in Bakhmut | CNN
A retired US Army Special Forces soldier has been identified as the American citizen killed by Russian artillery in the embattled city of Bakhmut this week, according to a close friend and the founder of a non-profit group working in Ukraine.
www.cnn.com
Iowa Republicans eye a January caucus date: Why the calendar is more complicated this year.
A complicated calendar fight may mean the date of the 2024 Iowa caucuses won't be set in stone for months. But the state GOP chair has a date in mind.
www.usatoday.com
Elizabeth Holmes will start 11-year prison sentence on May 30 after losing her bid to remain free
Disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes will remain free through the Memorial Day weekend before surrendering to authorities on May 30. That would be the start of her more than 11-year prison sentence for defrauding investors in a blood-testing scam. A federal judge set Holmes' revised...
apnews.com
Meghan and Prince Harry looked nervous, says New York taxi driver
"I think they were being chased the whole day or something," says New Yorker Sonny Singh.
www.bbc.com
Ron DeSantis’ ban of school diversity programs is coming to these states next
A number of conservative leaders argue diversity programs are working to “indoctrinate” young people.
www.politico.com
Supreme Court rejects challenge to Illinois assault weapons ban
Gun rights groups were seeking to immediately block a law that bans assault-style firearms such as the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, as well as large-capacity magazines.
www.nbcnews.com
Senate Finance Committee reissues records requests to Crow over Thomas gifts
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, sent a new letter to GOP megadonor Harlan Crow asserting his committee’s jurisdiction to investigate the gifts he gave over th…
thehill.comHow major US stock indexes fared Wednesday 5/17/2023
Wall Street rose along with hopes that the U.S. government can avoid a default on its debt. The S&P 500 rose 1.2% Wednesday. The Dow added 408 points, also 1.2%. Much of the gain came after President Joe Biden said he’s confident of reaching a deal with Republicans.
apnews.com
May 18, 2023 Russia-Ukraine news
Explosions were heard in Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions in the early hours of Thursday, as authorities activated air defenses against a nationwide attack.
Biden admin faces sharp questions from conservative appeals court in mifepristone case
Anti-abortion groups claim the FDA's green light of mifepristone forces them into situations where they must perform elective abortions.
www.cbsnews.com
New work requirements for federal aid? GOP pushes proposals in debt talks
Work requirements for federal aid programs have emerged as a sticking point in ongoing negotiations over raising the nation’s debt ceiling, and President Joe Biden has signaled openness to a possible compromise even as many in his party have balked. Legislation passed by the House in April would...
apnews.com
Ex-contractor's computer in Russia breached D.C. Metrorail transit system, watchdog finds
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority carries hundreds of thousands of people a day.
www.cbsnews.com
Ohio Senate passes higher education diversity training crackdown
A bill that would ban nearly all diversity, equity and inclusion training in Ohio universities has passed the state Senate with supermajority support.
Montana says 1st-in-nation TikTok ban protects people. TikTok says it violates their rights
Montana has become the first state to enact a complete ban on TikTok
'No indications' that attack on US convoy in Nigeria was targeted, Blinken says | CNN Politics
The United States does “not yet know the motive for the attack” on a US convoy in Nigeria Tuesday, but has “no indications at this time that it was targeted against our Mission,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.
www.cnn.com
Ecuador's president dismisses legislature as it tries to oust him, in a move that promises turmoil
The president of Ecuador has dismissed the legislature in a move that promised more turmoil around a conservative leader who has been unable to enact an agenda aimed at widening business opportunities and attracting more investment. Armed soldiers surrounded the National Assembly Wednesday after...
apnews.com
A Mexican woman who killed the man who raped her was sentenced to 6 years in prison
The ruling against Roxana Ruiz spurred anger from experts and feminist groups who said it speaks to the depth of gender-based violence.
www.nbcnews.com
How the debt ceiling showdown could play into China's hands and weaken US global power | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden’s pledge to the world that “America is back” after a period of political turbulence is looking a little shaky after a debt showdown with Republicans forced him to shorten an Asia-Pacific trip designed to showcase US power amid a challenge from China.
www.cnn.com
Court record: Wife says California doctor purposely drove family off cliff
Newly unsealed court documents show that the wife of a California radiologist accused of trying to kill his family by driving over a cliff told rescuers he was depressed and needed a psychological evaluation
Boomers and millennials fight for homes as housing market cools
Prices have cooled in the once red-hot housing market, but competition is heating up between two generations in seemingly perpetual conflict. Millennials entering their prime homebuying years…
thehill.com
Who's who in the debt limit fight: Meet the four negotiators who could save the US from default
President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are turning to a select group of negotiators to help broker a deal to increase the nation’s borrowing authority and avoid the economic carnage that would ensue if a deal is not reached soon. Republican Rep. Garret Graves of Louisiana will...
apnews.com
Jittery Democrats worried about Biden debt ceiling concessions
Liberals are growing increasingly jittery about what concessions President Biden may make in debt ceiling negotiations with Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). While the party has been largely unifi…
thehill.com
Migrant border crossings drop from 10,000 to 4,400 per day after end of Title 42
Biden administration officials have attributed the sharp drop to increased deportations, tighter asylum rules and efforts by other countries to stop U.S.-bound migrants.
www.cbsnews.com
Death toll up to 7 after hippo capsized canoe in Malawi; 17 missing
The death toll has risen to seven people after a hippopotamus charged into and capsized a canoe on a river in the southern African nation of Malawi
Twitter is purging inactive accounts including people who have died, angering those still grieving
Elon Musk announced last week Twitter would be “purging accounts that have had no activity at all for several years.” The move caused outrage among people fearing they could lose tweets from now-inactive accounts, including those belonging to users who have died. Some users reported seeing...
apnews.com
Rep. Gallagher says US needs to take off 'golden blindfolds' and 'open our eyes' to China risk
Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher said during a Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party on Wednesday that the U.S. needs to "take off the golden blindfolds" on China.
US officials say damage to Patriot missile defense system was minimal following Russian attack near Kyiv | CNN Politics
The damage to a Patriot air defense system following a Russian missile attack near Kyiv on Tuesday morning is minimal, three US officials tell CNN, with one official describing it as “minor” damage.
www.cnn.com
Judge in abortion pill case asks if Mother’s Day is ‘celebrating illness’
A federal appeals court judge on Wednesday questioned a lawyer for Danco, the manufacturer of the brand name abortion pill mifepristone, about whether Mother’s Day is “celebrating illness,” during …
thehill.com
Target wrestles with pullback in spending and theft that may cost retailer more than $1B this year
Target has reported another quarterly profit decline and issued a cautious sales and profit outlook for the current period. The discounter is dealing with rising costs and consumers who are more cautious about their spending. Still, Target's fiscal first-quarter results Wednesday beat Wall...
apnews.com
'Largest underwater scanning project in history' gives never-before-seen view of Titanic | CNN
The mysterious 1912 sinking of the luxury passenger liner, the Titanic, has long served as a source of fascination for many.
www.cnn.com
Southern courtesy, the ‘mail business thing,’ and other surreal moments from the abortion pill argument
Here’s how three conservative judges on the 5th Circuit questioned lawyers defending mifepristone.
www.politico.com
Police sources weigh in on Harry and Meghan's 'car chase' in NYC
The duke and duchess' spokesperson said the "car chase" lasted two hours.
Supreme Court denies request to block Illinois ban on semi-automatic rifles
The order leaves in place for now state and local laws in Illinois that ban assault-style weapons.
www.cbsnews.com
Pause on student loan payments about to end for millions
The Biden administration has given its clearest indication yet that the years-long pause of student loan repayments will come to an end in the coming months. Optimism that the White House would kee…
thehill.com
Asian stocks follow Wall St higher on hopes for US debt deal
Asian stock markets have followed Wall Street higher on hopes U.S. political leaders can reach agreement to avoid a potentially disastrous default on government debt. Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney advanced. Oil prices edged lower. Wall Street rallied after President Joe Biden expressed...
apnews.com
Republicans block George Santos expulsion, refer matter to House Ethics Committee
House Republicans blocked an effort by Democrats to expel embattled Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., and instead referred the matter to the House Ethics Committee.
Pressure campaign on Biden to send F-16s to Ukraine goes into overdrive
Officials signal they’re still open to allowing other countries to send their U.S.-made jets.
www.politico.com
Biden says he's "confident" U.S. "will not default" as debt ceiling talks continue
"I'm confident that we'll get the agreement on the budget, that America will not default," Mr. Biden said.
www.cbsnews.com
G-7 Hiroshima summit: Who's attending, what will be discussed?
TOKYO (AP) — Leaders of seven of the world’s most powerful democracies will gather this weekend for the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, the location of the world's first atomic attack at the end of World War II.
apnews.comTrump: ‘I’m the one who got rid of Roe v. Wade’
Former President Donald Trump proudly took credit Tuesday for ending the Constitutional right to an abortion in the United States.
Border Patrol arrest 16 people on FBI terror watch list in April at southern border
Border Patrol agents have encountered 16 people on the terror watch list in April, according to statistics released on Wednesday, as they deal with high migrant numbers.
New rule targets college programs that leave grads with low income, high debt
College programs that leave graduates underpaid or buried in loans would be cut off from federal money under a proposal issued by the Biden administration on Wednesday. The rules would apply only to for-profit colleges and a tiny fraction of programs at traditional universities. The Education...
apnews.comWill a 3rd-party 'No Labels' ticket help Trump beat Biden in 2024?
The centrist group known as No Labels is barreling ahead with its controversial plan to field a third-party "unity" ticket in next year's presidential election, revealing Friday that it will start to search for potential bipartisan pairings — one Republican, one Democrat — as soon as next month.
Newsom chides McCarthy over California water money
Central Valley leaders have asked for help as snowmelt brings slow-rising floods.
www.politico.com
Man who witnessed George Floyd murder by police suing Minneapolis over officers' actions
One of the most vocal bystanders who watched as a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd is suing the city, alleging he was assaulted and suffered emotional distress
Prince Harry and Meghan allege 'near catastrophic' paparazzi car chase in NY | CNN
Prince Harry and Meghan were involved in “near catastrophic car chase” involving a paparazzi in New York on Tuesday night, his spokesperson says.
www.cnn.comVogue's Anna Wintour to host Harris fundraiser in New York
The May 30 event will take place at the home of Moda Operandi founder, Lauren Santo Domingo.
www.politico.com
Texas man pleads guilty to smuggling gun linked to deadly Mexico kidnapping
A Texas man has pleaded guilty to purchasing a gun for a Mexican drug cartel that has been linked to the deadly kidnapping of four Americans. Forty-two-year-old Roberto Lugardo Moreno Jr. appeared before a federal judge on Wednesday. He entered his guilty plea to charges of straw purchasing and...
apnews.com
Biden awards Medal of Valor to public safety officers
Congress created the award in 2001 for officers who exhibit exceptional courage to protect human life.
www.cbsnews.com
Montana becomes first state to ban TikTok after governor signs bill into law
Following Gov. Greg Gianforte's signature, the law restricting downloads of the immensely popular social media app is likely to face legal challenges that it restricts free speech.
www.nbcnews.comChicago's largest newspaper blasts new left-wing mayor for day one 'disaster'
Chicago's biggest newspaper called out the Windy City's newly sworn-in mayor for doing the bidding of unions and signing "radical" executive orders just hours into the job.
The likelihood that Earth briefly hits key warming threshold grows bigger and closer, UN forecasts
The United Nations' weather agency says there's a two-out-of-three chance that the world will reach the internationally accepted global temperature threshold for limiting the worst effects of climate change sometime in the next five years. But scientists say it's likely to be a fleeting...
apnews.com
How the debt crisis could affect your 401(k)
The high-stakes battle over the debt ceiling in Washington is spilling over into financial markets. Stock values have whipsawed and bond yields have spiked in recent weeks as Wall Street becomes in…
thehill.com
Trump weaponizes FBI-Russia report he demanded to keep fighting the election that never ends | CNN Politics
A long-awaited report by Republican-appointed special counsel John Durham failed to find the “crime of the century” that ex-President Donald Trump said targeted him at the center of the Russia investigation. But it delivered him a potential political payoff nonetheless.
www.cnn.com
Democratic senators urge Biden to use 14th Amendment to raise debt limit
A group of Democratic senators led by Sen. Tina Smith (Minn.) are circulating a letter urging President Biden to invoke his constitutional authority under the 14th Amendment to raise the natio…
thehill.com
Senate Finance chair pushes GOP megadonor for answers about financial ties with Clarence Thomas | CNN Politics
Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden is pushing back on assertions from GOP megadonor Harlan Crow that the panel lacks authority to request personal tax information and travel records from him as part of a probe into whether hospitality he provided to Justice Clarence Thomas could have triggered...
www.cnn.com
Pale Male, red-tailed hawk who nested above NYC's Fifth Avenue for 30 years, dies at 33
A red-tailed hawk named Pale Male has died after bringing a touch of the wild to swanky Manhattan for 30 years. The hawk gained fame nesting above Fifth Avenue for three decades with a succession of mates. Wildlife rehabilitator Bobby Horvath posted on Facebook that Pale Male died late Tuesday...
apnews.com
Minnesota lawmakers target Amazon, other warehouses with productivity quota regulations
Minnesota is slated to pass a bill giving workers more leverage against employers with productivity quotas, mirroring other states' laws restricting Amazon warehouses' monitoring power.
Trump attorney Tim Parlatore leaving legal team
Parlatore testified before a grand jury in December.
www.cbsnews.com
Ex-DC Metro contractor logged in to sensitive system from Russia, watchdog finds | CNN Politics
A former Washington, DC, Metro transit system contractor retained access to “critical and sensitive” Metro data from his computer in Russia after he left his job in a breach that raises broader security concerns about one of the nation’s largest transit systems, according to a report released...
www.cnn.com
Congress crosses its fingers for the new Big Four to avert debt disaster
Lawmakers say the fresh White House trio and Rep. Garret Graves have the best shot at negotiating a debt deal in time.
www.politico.com
DeSantis sees both endorsed candidates lose
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) saw both of his endorsed candidates lose their races Tuesday, while the Florida governor is rumored to be readying for a possible presidential bid. DeSantis stepped in…
thehill.com
Minnesota man indicted for alleged theft of ruby slippers from 'Wizard of Oz'
A federal grand jury indicted a Minnesota man on Tuesday for allegedly stealing a pair of the ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore playing Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz."
Abortion pill case moves to appeals court, on track for Supreme Court
Lawyers seeking to preserve pregnant women’s access to a drug used in the most common method of abortion got pushback Wednesday from appellate judges with a history of supporting abortion restrictions. A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments over whether the...
apnews.com
Trust in Supreme Court fell to lowest point in 50 years after abortion decision, poll shows
Confidence in the Supreme Court sank to its lowest point in at least 50 years in 2022, after the Dobbs decision that overturned the right to abortion and which led to state bans and other abortion restrictions. That's according to the General Social Survey, a long-running and widely respected...
apnews.com
The abortion access map is being dramatically redrawn this week | CNN Politics
The evolving patchwork of access to abortion care is going through big changes this week, with the entire Southeast on the brink of imposing new limits.
www.cnn.com
Here are all of the abortion debates happening this week in US courts and statehouses
Abortion bans are back on the agenda for lawmakers in the Carolinas and Nebraska this week. In North Carolina, lawmakers overrode the Democratic governor's veto of a ban on abortion after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Lawmakers in Nebraska and South Carolina are considering bans just weeks...
apnews.com
What is the gut microbiome? Common questions, answered by experts.
You've heard of gut health, but what do you know about the gut microbiome? Here's how trillions of bacteria living in our gut affects our physical and mental health.
www.cbsnews.com
Americans urged to cancel surgeries in Mexico border city after meningitis cases, 1 death
State and federal health officials are warning U.S. residents to cancel planned surgeries in a Mexico border city after five people from Texas developed suspected cases of fungal meningitis. One of those people died. The Texas Department of State Health Services said Tuesday that the five people...
apnews.com
Takeaways from the 5th Circuit arguments over abortion drug access | CNN Politics
The roughly two hours of oral arguments that an extremely conservative appeals court heard Wednesday in a blockbuster abortion pill case suggested that the judges were not buying the Biden administration’s arguments for why courts should not second guess how the government has regulated a...
www.cnn.com
Appeals court appears skeptical of keeping full access to abortion pill mifepristone
The legal fight centers on the FDA's approval of a pill involved in medication abortion.
www.nbcnews.com
What’s in Sanders’ ‘bold’ plan for health care
His effort is the latest sign the progressive stalwart is toggling between his activist persona while pressing for a deal on what he thinks can pass a narrowly divided Senate.
www.politico.com
South Carolina advances 6-week abortion ban
South Carolina's Republican-controlled state House of Representatives late Wednesday passed a "fetal heartbeat" bill to ban abortions about six weeks into pregnancy, before most people know they are pregnant, moving it to the state Senate where its fate is less certain.
www.reuters.com
FDA panel to vote on the first RSV vaccine for infants, given to pregnant mothers
The FDA said the safety data for the Pfizer vaccine was "generally favorable" but noted a slightly elevated rate of preterm births.
www.nbcnews.com
Analysis: Amgen's antitrust woes spur wider pharmaceutical deal fears
Investors are scrambling to assess the fallout of a U.S. regulatory challenge against Amgen Inc's proposed $27.8 billion acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics Plc , with some fearing a spillover to other big deals in the drug sector.
www.reuters.com
Depression rates among US adults reach new high: Gallup
Nearly 30% of adults say they've been diagnosed with depression at some point.
Prominent New York hospital hit with historic fine for ‘persistent’ understaffing
The Mount Sinai penalty is the first time a New York City hospital has been held financially liable for violating new staffing ratios won by nurses after a three-day strike in January.
www.politico.com
Federal appeals court questions FDA rollback of abortion pill restrictions
A federal appeals court in New Orleans heard arguments in a high-stakes bid to invalidate FDA approval of the most widely used abortion medication in the country.
Drug overdoses in the US slightly increased last year. But experts see hopeful signs
Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. rose slightly in 2022. That makes it the first year without a substantial increase since 2018. Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the numbers plateaued for most of last year. New estimates from the CDC show about nearly 110,000 U.S...
apnews.com
FDA staff flag 'serious' safety risks for Intercept's fatty-liver disease treatment
The U.S. health regulator's staff reviewers on Wednesday raised a string of concerns with Intercept Pharmaceuticals' treatment for a type of fatty liver disease, sending the drugmaker's shares plunging 22%.
www.reuters.com
Settlement reached after fertility app Premom shared user health data with third parties, FTC says
Easy Healthcare, which owns Premom, has agreed to pay $200,000 in fines but did not admit to any wrongdoing.
www.cbsnews.com
South Carolina autism clinic director indicted by federal jury for allegedly defrauding Medicaid out of thousands
The director of an autism clinic in South Carolina was indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday on 21 counts of health care fraud for allegedly defrauding Medicaid.
Nigerian doctors begin 5-day strike, leaving many without health care
Many patients in Nigeria are left without health care as the association of doctors in government hospitals began a five-day strike to demand better conditions for their members. The president of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the strike...
apnews.com
Toni Braxton has lived with lupus for 15 years. Here's what to know about the disease.
Toni Braxton says she's had "some serious health complications" since being diagnosed with lupus. Here's what to know about this complex autoimmune disease.
www.cbsnews.com
