Marta Lavandier / AP
DeSantis launches GOP presidential campaign in Twitter announcement plagued by glitches
MIAMI (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launched his 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday with firm words but a disastrous Twitter announcement that did little to counter criticism that the 44-year-old Republican may not be ready to take on former President Donald Trump.
Five takeaways from Ron DeSantis’s glitch-ridden campaign launch
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) finally launched his campaign for the presidency Wednesday. His declaration, keenly anticipated for months, turned into a debacle — at least regarding its most-highly …
thehill.com
Debt ceiling talks teeter on the brink, as lawmakers leave town for weekend without a deal
Both President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are speaking hopefully of the likelihood of an agreement to raise the government's debt limit and avert an economically chaotic federal default. Yet House Republicans are pushing debt ceiling talks to the brink. As they leave town...
apnews.com
Trump's bizarre reaction to DeSantis' announcement sparks confusion online
Former President Donald Trump's comments mentioning his "red button" and Kim Jung Un in response to Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's campaign launch sparked confusion online.
Look who's talking: Biden mostly mum in debt negotiations, while McCarthy can't stop chatting
President Joe Biden has made a deliberate decision to go quiet as his team gets down to the wire in the debt-limit talks, according to White House officials. It’s his view that speaking in public about negotiations does nothing to produce an outcome. The already voluble House Speaker Kevin...
apnews.com
Will these Trump voters switch to DeSantis in 2024?
Republicans tell the BBC why the Florida governor is an attractive alternative in the 2024 race.
www.bbc.com
What's on DeSantis' agenda? A look at the laws he passed as Florida governor, from abortion to guns
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has cemented himself as a conservative standard-bearer in the lead-up to his 2024 presidential announcement. With the help of GOP supermajorities in the statehouse, the Republican has been able to push through an aggressive agenda that forms the base of his White House...
apnews.com
IRS whistleblower speaks: DOJ "slow-walked" tax probe said to involve Hunter Biden
The whistleblower connected to the Hunter Biden tax investigation said he became so concerned about prosecutors' handling of the investigation, he felt duty-bound to report it.
www.cbsnews.com
McCarthy sends GOP negotiators to White House 8 days before potential default
He said they would "try to finish out negotiations" as June 1 deadline looms.
Democrats erupt in laughter after Greene calls for decorum in House
Democrats erupted in laughter on the House floor Wednesday when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) — who was presiding over the chamber — called for decorum. The heckling came as House Majori…
thehill.com
Elon Musk wants to build a digital town square. But his debut for DeSantis had a tech failure.
Elon Musk wants to turn Twitter into a “digital town square,” but his much-publicized Twitter Spaces kickoff event, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announcing his run for president, struggled with technical glitches and a near half-hour delay Wednesday. The billionaire Twitter owner said the...
apnews.com
Leader of anti-Putin force says expect more Russian border raids
Denis Kapustin, self-described leader of the Russian Volunteer Corps, said his unit will raid Russian territory again.
Trump lumps DeSantis in with ‘devil’ and ‘Hitler’ in spoof of 2024 announcement - Washington Examiner
Former President Donald Trump posted a spoof video that showed a fake list of people who were listening to Gov. Ron DeSantis's (R-FL) campaign announcement, lumping the governor in with Adolf Hitler, the Devil, and more. The footage, which was posted on Instagram and Truth Social, included a...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Texas GOP leaders in feud over alleged drinking on the job and ‘illegal conduct’
State Attorney General Ken Paxton called on House Speaker Dade Phelan to resign.
www.nbcnews.com‘It turned out to be a mistake’: Botched rollout puts DeSantis on his heels
He portrays himself as a low-drama alternative to Donald Trump. His campaign launch was the picture of disorder.
www.politico.com
Stock market drop over debt ceiling could begin within days, experts said
A debt default could plunge the stock market as much as 45%.
Simmering tensions erupt between top Texas state Republicans | CNN Politics
Just days after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused the state House speaker of presiding over the chamber while drunk and called on him to resign, a GOP-led state House ethics panel heard explosive testimony from investigators detailing what they described as years of misconduct by the...
www.cnn.com
McCarthy says debt ceiling standoff 'not my fault,' as White House warns of economic risks
A defiant House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says the debt ceiling standoff is “not my fault” after he sent Republican negotiators to the White House to finish out debt limit talks. But he's warning that the two sides need more time as they try to reach a budget deal with President Joe Biden. McCarthy...
apnews.com
White House memo says GOP 'telling the truth' on Hunter Biden
In an appearance on Fox News on Monday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said that their investigation is moving the needle on Biden's poll numbers.
www.nbcnews.com
House GOP passes resolution overturning student loan cancellation; Biden vows veto
House Republicans passed a resolution on Wednesday that would overturn President Joe Biden’s student loan cancellation plan, but the measure faces an uncertain path in the Senate, and the White House has vowed to veto it. It adds to the GOP’s ongoing attack on Biden’s one-time student loan...
apnews.com
Democrats unanimously back debt ceiling discharge petition
Every House Democrat has endorsed the discharge petition to force a vote on legislation to hike the debt ceiling and prevent a default, party leaders announced Wednesday. The signatures of the two …
thehill.com
Team DeSantis campaign staff is assembled – and it includes ex-Trump officials
Ron DeSantis has assembled the campaign team he hopes will help win him the White House in 2024, and it includes ex-Trump officials.
Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign launch melts down in Twitter glitches
The Florida governor had big plans to launch his presidential bid on Twitter Spaces with Elon Musk. It did not go as planned.
www.nbcnews.com
Wagner chief says 20,000 of its troops killed in Bakhmut battle
Yevgeny Prigozhin repeats criticism of Russia’s top brass and warns high number of fatalities is a risk to the country.
DeSantis says he would fire Wray as FBI director if elected president - Washington Examiner
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) said he would not keep FBI Director Christopher Wray in his job if elected president in 2024.DeSantis, who announced his presidential candidacy on Wednesday night, made the comments in an interview on Fox News in the aftermath of special counsel John Durham’s report on...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Typhoon Mawar batters Guam, and 'what used to be a jungle looks like toothpicks'
Many residents of Guam are without power and utilities after Typhoon Mawar tore through the remote U.S. Pacific territory and ripped roofs off homes, flipped vehicles and shredded trees. The governor's office says there were minor injuries reported but no fatalities. She declared the “all clear”...
apnews.com
Former JPMorgan exec Jes Staley loses bid to dismiss suit over Jeffrey Epstein ties
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon is set to be deposed in a lawsuit by the U.S. Virgin Islands against the bank over sex trafficking by Jeffrey Epstein.
Twitter Spaces meltdown during DeSantis announcement sparks scorched earth reaction from Trump supporters
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was roasted Wednesday evening after his presidential campaign announcement was mired by technical glitches on Twitter.
Capitol rioter photographed propping feet on desk in Pelosi's office sentenced to over 4 years
An Arkansas man who propped his feet on a desk in then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office in a widely circulated photo from the U.S. Capitol riot was sentenced Wednesday to more than four years in prison. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said Richard “Bigo” Barnett became one of the faces...
apnews.com
Porter campaign privately pitches Dems to look beyond Schiff’s money
Katie Porter’s Senate campaign is assuring interest groups and donors that the congressmember can hold her own against Rep. Adam Schiff.
www.politico.com
Battle rages in Texas between AG Paxton and GOP-controlled House
A civil war is raging among Texas Republicans over the fate of the state’s embattled attorney general. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has spent the last four years in legal limbo, after bein…
thehill.com
Russian lobbies to be part of potential prisoner swap for Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan
Alexander Vinnik, who is accused of money laundering, wants to be part of a potential prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia.
www.cbsnews.com
Sinema says immigration is her 'No. 1 concern' as she considers her next moves
The freshman senator has been elusive about her ambitions after her term concludes in 2024, with no timeline for a decision to run for re-election.
www.nbcnews.com
Republicans, White House see progress in US debt ceiling talks
The Treasury Department has warned the federal government could be unable to pay all its bills by as soon as June 1.
www.reuters.com
Jack Dorsey shares RFK Jr. video echoing conspiracy theories
Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter and the head of Block Inc, has previously supported unconventional Democratic candidates.
www.nbcnews.com
Not just Disney: DeSantis brings history of business battles to the presidential campaign
Ron DeSantis is slated to launch his presidential campaign on Twitter during a conversation with Elon Musk, becoming Donald Trump's top rival.
DeSantis signs bill that makes his presidential run easier
The law will allow him to run for president as governor.
www.politico.com
Hunter Biden IRS whistleblower reveals self: ‘Couldn’t silence my conscience anymore’ - Washington Examiner
The whistleblower in the Hunter Biden Internal Revenue Service investigation has revealed himself. Speaking to CBS News, the whistleblower revealed himself as supervisory special agent Gary Shapley in the IRS's criminal investigations department. He is a 14-year veteran of the agency and is...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
South Korea, US troops hold large live-fire drills near border with North Korea
The South Korean and U.S. militaries have conducted large live-fire drills near the border with North Korea, despite the North's warning that it won’t tolerate what it calls an invasion rehearsal on its doorstep. South Korea says the drills involved fighter jets, attack helicopters, multiple...
apnews.com
NC Gov Roy Cooper faces scrutiny for sending daughter to private school amid opposition to school choice bill
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is attempting to prevent a school choice bill from passing the state legislature, despite sending his own daughter to a private school in Raleigh.
Wisconsin trial over fake electors set to start just before 2024 presidential election
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A jury trial in a lawsuit seeking $2.4 million in damages from Republicans who attempted to cast Wisconsin's 10 electoral votes for Donald Trump in 2020 even though he lost is scheduled to begin just two months before the 2024 presidential election.
apnews.com
Ron DeSantis 2024 campaign launch hit by Twitter tech glitch
After a bumpy start, Florida governor Ron DeSantis sets out his bid to become US president.
www.bbc.com
Tina Turner, 'Queen of Rock 'n' Roll' whose triumphant career made her world-famous, dies at 83
Tina Turner died Tuesday, after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland.
apnews.com
America’s nuclear secrets are vulnerable to fraudsters and spies, watchdog report says
The Government Accountability Office says the Energy Department has for years failed to act on recommendations pointing to gaping holes in its efforts to create an insider threat program.
www.nbcnews.com
McCarthy, Dems temper expectations on debt-ceiling deal
Democratic and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill are starting to temper expectations among their members about what a final debt ceiling deal could look like, becoming more explicit in acknowledgi…
thehill.com
House votes to cancel Biden’s $400 billion student loan handout
House lawmakers voted Wednesday to eliminate President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, which has been stalled due to ongoing legal challenges.
Chinese Indonesians reflect on life 25 years from Soeharto’s fall
The ethnic minority can now openly express their cultural identity but remain vulnerable to prejudice.
55 Things You Need to Know About Ron DeSantis
Donald Trump’s leading challenger for the GOP nomination has pressed the limits of power of the Florida governor’s office.
www.politico.com
Chinese hackers seeking to disrupt communications between US and Asia in event of crisis, Microsoft says | CNN Politics
Chinese government-backed hackers are likely pursuing cyber capabilities that could be used to “disrupt critical communications” between the US and the Asia Pacific region in the event of a future US-China crisis, Microsoft warned on Wednesday.
www.cnn.com
Fitch threatens to downgrade US’s ‘AAA’ credit rating over debt ceiling standoff - Washington Examiner
One of the leading credit rating agencies is warning the United States could lose its "AAA" standing if Washington does not avert a default crisis before the June 1 "X-date." Fitch Ratings placed the country on a "negative watch" on Wednesday, citing the "increased political partisanship"...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Biden picks history-making Air Force fighter pilot to serve as next Joint Chiefs chairman
President Joe Biden will announce Thursday that he is tapping Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., a history-making fighter pilot with deep knowledge of China, to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Brown’s confirmation would mean that, for the first time, both the Pentagon’s top military...
apnews.com
Here are some possible debt ceiling escape hatches for McCarthy, Biden
Washington is scrambling to stave off an unprecedented debt default as roughly a week stands between the country and a looming deadline. Treasury Department Secretary Janet Yellen warned earlier th…
thehill.com
With DeSantis event, Twitter solidifies its place in the conservative media world
Elon Musk suggested that all candidates would be welcome to follow DeSantis’ lead, but some Democratic operatives say the platform is no longer neutral ground.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden, Democrats plan beefed-up 50-state fundraising strategy to overwhelm GOP rivals
The fundraising strategy is an expansion of Biden and the DNC's 2020 efforts.
Trump Had an Escalator. DeSantis Had a Meltdown.
Two weird campaign launches of the modern era, by the numbers.
www.politico.com
GOP and White House talks continue as debt ceiling deadline approaches
The latest news and live updates on debt ceiling negotiations. Follow news on Biden and McCarthy’s efforts to strike a deal and avoid a national debt default.
www.nbcnews.comThe Media Has Got Ron DeSantis Nailed
The press has him in an unflattering straitjacket that will be nearly impossible to escape.
www.politico.com
Arkansas man who put feet on Nancy Pelosi office desk during Capitol protest sentenced to 4.5 years in prison
An Arkansas man who invaded the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and was photographed with his feet on a desk in Nancy Pelosi's office was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
Anniversary of George Floyd's killing: Changes were made, but short of 'reckoning' on racial justice
The murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police was three years ago today, and the fervent protests that erupted around the world in response seemed like the catalyst needed for a nationwide reckoning on racism in policing. Along with a few other cities, Minneapolis has issued bans...
apnews.com
A year after Uvalde, DHS officials say heightened threat environment remains
DHS terror threat bulletin warns online forums are a breeding ground for copycat attacks.
www.cbsnews.com
‘Raw, powerful, unstoppable’: Tributes pour in for Tina Turner
Barack Obama, Mick Jagger, Elton John and Beyonce pay tribute to ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ Tina Turner after her death.
'It's not their money': Older Americans worried debt default means no Social Security
If the United States defaults on its financial obligations, millions of Americans could be unable to pay their bills as well.
Georgia nuclear rebirth arrives 7 years late, $17B over cost
The first new U.S. nuclear reactor built from scratch in decades has begun generating electricity. The Georgia reactor is supposed to reach full power output in coming days, with a second reactor scheduled for completion in 2024. Lead owner Georgia Power Co. says the reactors are a success. But...
apnews.com
FBI director to meet with House Oversight chair in coming days about internal document | CNN Politics
FBI Director Christopher Wray and House Oversight Chairman James Comer are scheduled to meet in the coming days as the Kentucky Republican continues to escalate his investigation into President Joe Biden’s business dealings, a spokesperson for the FBI told CNN.
www.cnn.com
Nvidia fuels Wall Street gains; gold falls to two-month low
Progress on U.S. debt ceiling talks bolstered global equities and sent gold prices to a two-month low on Thursday, as forecast-smashing revenue from chipmaker Nvidia fueled a rally in AI-related companies.
www.reuters.com
Dems back push to force vote on debt ceiling
Welcome to The Hill’s Business & Economy newsletter{beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story All House Democrats sign onto measure to force debt…
thehill.com
Hunter Biden investigation: Comer skeptical of special counsel amid whistleblower claims - Washington Examiner
A top House Republican investigating Hunter Biden cast doubt on the need for a special counsel appointment despite many Republicans clamoring for an independent prosecutor amid growing whistleblower allegations. Rep. James Comer (R-KY), the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, told the...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announces his 2024 Presidential election campaign
DeSantis received criticism over his ‘Parental Rights In Education’ bill which has been labeled by detractors as “Don’t say gay”, as well as his lawsuit with Disney.
www.usatoday.com
Progressives turn up heat on Biden amid fears he’ll cave to GOP
Progressives are ramping up public pressure on Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) amid growing concerns that President Biden will cave to the GOP on the debt ceiling talks. Progressi…
thehill.com
Biden says too many schools have become 'killing fields' since Uvalde shooting
The president said families pleaded with him to “do something” after the mass shooting one year ago at Robb Elementary School.
www.nbcnews.com
YEAR END: Notable people who died in 2023
Photos of celebrities and trailblazers who left their mark on society and passed away in 2023.
Exclusive: Russian hypersonic scientist accused of betraying secrets to China
The director of a top Russian science institute, arrested on suspicion of treason along with two other hypersonic missile technology experts, stands accused of betraying secrets to China, two people familiar with the case told Reuters.
www.reuters.com
Louisiana lawmakers reject bill to abolish death penalty
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — For the fifth time in six years, Louisiana lawmakers have blocked attempts to abolish the state’s death penalty.
apnews.com
Fitch warns of possible credit downgrade with debt limit deadlock
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday warned that the U.S. was “almost certain” to reach the X-date in early June.
www.politico.com
DeSantis responds in force to NAACP's Florida travel advisory: 'A total farce'
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized the NAACP Wednesday evening for issuing a travel advisory this week warning Black Americans against visiting his state.
Texas says phone app encourages illegal border crossings in suit against Biden administration
Use of the CBP One app is a core part of the administration’s plans to create a more orderly system at the border where migrants set up appointments ahead of time.
www.nbcnews.com
Hillary Clinton: Feinstein should not resign from Senate
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to note Feinstein’s status as one of California’s first women elected to the Senate. Hillary Clinton said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif…
thehill.com
US State Department's top China policy official to step down
The U.S. State Department's top China policy official Rick Waters is set to step down at a time of fraught relations between Washington and Beijing.
www.reuters.com
AOC slams McCarthy after ChapStick auction: ‘Holding the entire US economy hostage’ - Washington Examiner
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) blasted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) on Wednesday after the California Republican gave updates on the latest debt negotiations, blaming Democrats for being “extreme.” “This guy swooned yesterday over MTG giving him $100k for a tube of cherry chapstick...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Alex Murdaugh indicted on federal fraud charges
A federal grand jury has returned a 22-count indictment against Alex Murdaugh for fraud charges.
U.S.-China relationship showing few signs of thaw
New tensions have arisen right before expected high-level meetings between U.S. and Chinese officials.
www.politico.com
Debt ceiling crystal ball: Deal unlikely over next couple of days
June 1 is looking large in Washington, DC. It appears, however, that lawmakers will be unable to reach a deal on the debt ceiling in the next couple of days.
Microsoft: State-sponsored Chinese hackers could be laying groundwork for disruption
Microsoft says state-backed Chinese hackers have been targeting U.S. critical infrastructure and could be laying the technical groundwork for the potential disruption of communications between the U.S. and Asia in future crises. The targets include Guam, where the U.S. has a major military...
apnews.com
Ukraine and Russia trade places in battle for Bakhmut
Ukraine now threatens encirclement of ruined eastern city after Russia claims victory.
First on Fox: Ron DeSantis officially launches 2024 presidential campaign with 'Great American Comeback' video
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida announces his presidential campaign in a new video released on Wednesday. DeSantis now joins former President Donald Trump in the 2024 GOP race
IRS veteran goes public as whistleblower in Hunter Biden criminal probe | CNN Politics
A 14-year veteran of the Internal Revenue Service went public for the first time Wednesday as the whistleblower claiming to have information about alleged mishandling and political interference in an ongoing criminal probe into Hunter Biden.
www.cnn.com
Republican-controlled committee rejects Louisiana bill to ban gender-affirming care for minors
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Bucking the trend of other reliably red states adopting restrictions on young transgender people, a Republican-controlled Louisiana legislative committee voted Wednesday to a kill a bill that would have banned gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.
apnews.com
Twitter glitches delay Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign kickoff with Elon Musk
Ron DeSantis' Twitter Spaces with Elon Musk to announce his presidential campaign was delayed by tech issues.
UN conference raises less than $1 billion for climate-wracked Horn of Africa in major disappointment
A high-level U.N. conference has raised less than $1 billion of the more than $5 billion organizers were hoping for to help over 30 million people in the Horn of Africa cope with a major climate crisis and mass displacement after years of conflict. It was a major disappointment to humanitarian...
apnews.com
President Joe Biden jabs Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over announcement crash on Twitter
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' scheduled event on Twitter Spaces with Elon Musk had technical difficulties. Twitter users had plenty to say.
www.usatoday.com
White House and Republicans still at odds over spending as debt ceiling talks continue
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy blamed Democrats for the current standoff over the debt ceiling, while Republican and White House negotiators continue working on a deal.
www.cbsnews.com
How will Turkey’s presidential run-off shape the economy?
Soaring inflation and a plunging lira will be top priorities for whoever wins the presidential run-off on May 28.
US action on short-sellers likely in 'next few months' -DOJ official
Short-selling, the practice of seeking to profit off bets that a stock will fall, is a key focus for U.S. prosecutors, and there will be more activity by the Justice Department in coming months, a top department official said on Wednesday.
www.reuters.com
DeSantis’s 2024 rivals pile on over tech issues with campaign launch
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) rivals in the 2024 presidential race reveled in the tech issues that marred his official announcement Wednesday using Twitter Spaces. DeSantis, who officially …
thehill.com
Christopher Wray threatened with contempt for defying subpoena on Joe Biden ‘scheme’ - Washington Examiner
A top House Republican investigator threatened Christopher Wray with a contempt charge after the FBI director repeatedly refused to hand over, or confirm the existence of, a bureau form that allegedly describes a “criminal scheme” involving then-Vice President Joe Biden and an unnamed “foreign...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Illinois Catholic clergy abuse report could draw lawsuits, reforms but new charges unlikely
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois' attorney general has ended a five-year investigation into sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy in the state, releasing a nearly 700-page report that revealed the problem was far worse than the church acknowledged in 2018 at the start of the state's review.
apnews.com
Greene says ‘no one is concerned’ about debt default in Republican conference
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) dismissed the threat of the government defaulting on its debt saying “no one is freaking out” in the House Republican conference about the deadline. Her remarks …
thehill.com
Minnesota governor signs ‘One Minnesota Budget’ as Democrats celebrate their top goals becoming law
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — As hundreds of people cheered on the lawn around him, Minnesota Democratic Gov.
apnews.com
OnPolitics: One year after Uvalde, House GOP members want to repeal bipartisan gun reform
The bill would repeal measures from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the largest gun reform bill in three decades.
www.usatoday.com
Debt limit negotiations hit 'speed bump,' Democratic official says
McCarthy told reporters Wednesday that he hasn't spoken to Biden since Monday.
www.nbcnews.com
Missouri ex-House speaker fined $47K for alleged campaign finance violations
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A disgraced former Missouri House speaker has been fined $47,000 for allegedly breaking campaign finance laws, according to records released Tuesday.
apnews.com
Exclusive: Chinese hackers attacked Kenyan government as debt strains grew
Chinese hackers targeted Kenya's government in a widespread series of digital intrusions against key ministries and institutions, according to three sources, cybersecurity research reports and Reuters' analysis.
www.reuters.com
The DeSantis-Musk alliance was a year in the making | CNN Politics
When Tesla CEO Elon Musk first mused about buying Twitter in early 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was among the many Republicans publicly cheering on the tech billionaire’s pursuit of a social media platform long viewed by conservatives as hostile to them.
www.cnn.com
DeSantis hits Trump for adding $8 trillion in debt and backing ‘amnesty’ - Washington Examiner
Presidential candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) said former President Donald Trump added trillions to the national debt and supported amnesty for illegal immigrants in an unusually direct criticism of his biggest rival in the 2024 Republican primary. DeSantis acknowledged to reporters on...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Where Trump and DeSantis stand on 5 financial issues: Taxes, Social Security and more
Trump and Ron DeSantis are headed toward a clash of contrasts in the 2024 Republican primary race, but their economic stances aren't so different
GOP-led Oklahoma Legislature agrees on largest-ever budget with little input from governor
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican leaders in Oklahoma, who control every lever of political power in the state, unveiled their largest-ever budget proposal this week, the result of bruising negotiations that left the GOP governor fuming and even some Democrats happy with what it included.
apnews.com
GOP voters flocking to Trump aren’t hungering for good vibes
Republican lawmakers who are trying to turn the page on former President Trump say voters are turned off by what they describe as his negativity, but polls show Republican primary voters&…
thehill.com
Tina Turner: Beyoncé, Mick Jagger and Elton John honour 'total legend'
"You are the epitome of passion and power," says Beyoncé, as stars react to the singer's death.
www.bbc.com
Pakistan considering banning Imran Khan’s party: Defence minister
Khawaja Asif says the former prime minister’s PTI party attacked the ‘very basis of state’ which could not be tolerated.
What would a Trump or DeSantis 2024 U.S. election win mean for Ukraine as Russia's war grinds on?
Ukrainian civilians and activists say remarks by the Republican front-runners, downplaying the importance of the war to the U.S., are fueling concern.
www.cbsnews.comIn DeSantis’ Sunshine State, life is not all sunny
A lack of affordable housing and rising insurance rates are not going unnoticed.
www.politico.comFormer Arizona television journalist announces bid for Schweikert’s US House seat
PHOENIX (AP) — A former Phoenix television journalist announced her candidacy Wednesday for the congressional seat currently held by seven-term Republican Rep.
apnews.com
Chinese malware targeting critical infrastructure, Microsoft and U.S. government warn
A Chinese-sponsored hacking campaign is targeting critical infrastructure in Guam and other locations in the U.S., Microsoft researches found.
www.cbsnews.com
Teen dies during apparent social media stunt on Los Angeles bridge, police say
Police say a 17-year-old boy slipped and fell to his death this weekend while climbing a Los Angeles bridge in an apparent social media stunt
New Mexico convenes law enforcement commission to disrupt organized crime
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's governor announced a new effort to confront organized crime Wednesday by convening a specialized commission of local prosecutors and leading law enforcement officials.
apnews.com
Gooden demands answers from United Way on federal grant money going to free services for illegal immigrants
A trio of House Judiciary Republicans sent a letter to the CEO of United Way Worldwide about reports of NGOs using federal grant money to give illegal immigrants free services.
Chief Justice Roberts says Supreme Court can do more to adhere to highest ethical conduct
Chief Justice John Roberts spoke on Supreme Court ethical conduct and said more can be done to adhere to the highest standards.
www.usatoday.com
Texas passes bill to let chaplains serve as counselors in schools
Texas lawmakers have passed a bill that will allow unlicensed chaplains into schools to serve in school counseling positions. The law, passed in a 84-60 vote in the state House Wednesday, wil…
thehill.com
House fails to override Biden veto of solar tariff resolution
House Democrats who backed the resolution to undo the moratorium called on lawmakers to vote to override the veto shortly thereafter.
www.politico.com
Greece says it's investigating claim migrants were illegally deported back to Turkey
Greece’s outgoing prime minister says he has ordered a probe into a report that authorities illegally deported back to Turkey a group of migrants, allegedly leaving them on a raft at sea for Turkish authorities to pick up. Kyriakos Mitsotakis — who will be replaced Thursday by a caretaker prime...
apnews.com
GOP presses Durham on letting Comey and key Trump-Russia figures off the hook - Washington Examiner
Two top Republican senators are demanding answers from special counsel John Durham about key Crossfire Hurricane figures who refused to cooperate in his investigation and whether he attempted to subpoena them. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) on Tuesday sent a letter, first...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
DeSantis raises $1 million in hour after campaign launch
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) raised $1 million in the first hour after he launched his presidential campaign Wednesday, his press secretary said. “There was so much enthusiasm for Governor D…
thehill.com
Singapore PM orders probe into ministers' homes amid public anger
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has ordered an investigation into the circumstances around the rental of state-owned homes in an exclusive location to two cabinet ministers following questions from the opposition.
www.reuters.com
Comer threatens to hold FBI in contempt of Congress if it fails to release key Biden document
Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., is threatening to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against the FBI if the bureau does not comply by the end of the month with his subpoena related to a possible criminal scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden.
Officers describe chaos, fear on Jan. 6 as judge weighs prison time for Oath Keepers' Rhodes
Police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and public servants who fled the mob’s attack have told a judge that they are still haunted by what they endured, as the judge prepares to hand down sentences in a landmark Capitol riot case. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta heard...
apnews.com
Democrat says Republicans care more about gas stove ban than mass shootings
Rep. Jared Moskowitz accused Republican members of Congress of caring more about a proposed gas stove ban than passing legislation to address school shootings.
www.usatoday.com
Social Security payments could be delayed due to debt ceiling impasse | CNN Politics
If the US is not able to pay all its bills for the first time ever, senior citizens could quickly feel the pain.
www.cnn.com
House Ethics Committee ends investigation into Rep. Eric Swalwell, taking no action
The House Ethics Committee won't take further action after an investigation into Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell.
www.cbsnews.com
Expect big crowds for the summer travel season -- and big prices, too
The unofficial start of the summer travel season is here, with airlines hoping to avoid the chaos of last year and travelers scrounging for ways to save a few bucks on pricey airfares and hotel rooms. Some travelers say they will settle for fewer trips than they hoped to take, or they will drive...
apnews.com
New York Republicans call Dems deceitful for bussing migrants to suburbs
His approach is testing the relationship between the mayor and the governor, who local leaders are pressing to intervene in the bussing of migrants outside the city.
www.politico.com
US remains in ‘heightened threat environment’ with recent racist and ethnically motivated attacks, DHS says | CNN Politics
The US remains in a “heightened threat environment” for terrorism driven by a series of racially and ethnically motivated attacks or plots in recent months, the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday in a public advisory.
www.cnn.com
Biden taps "unyielding patriot" Gen. Charles "C.Q." Brown as Joint Chiefs chairman
If confirmed, Gen Charles "C.Q." Brown will replace Gen. Mark Milley, who has been the chairman since 2019.
www.cbsnews.com
Cruz says Democrats’ 2024 plan is simple: ‘Run on how much they hate Trump’ despite Biden’s ‘spectacular’ mess - Washington Examiner
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) suggested the 2024 election cycle is shaping up to be an unprecedented ride. “It’s going to be wild and woolly,” Cruz told Hannity, commenting on the highly anticipated Republican matchup between former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL). MAKE OR BREAK: THIS...
www.washingtonexaminer.comHow major US stock indexes fared Wednesday 5/24/2023
Wall Street fell again, part of a worldwide swoon for stocks as worries about the economy pile higher.
apnews.com
Hunter Biden wooed China execs with high-level CCP ties while fundraising for movie venture while dad was VP
Hunter Biden met with several CCP-tied executives, including Jack Ma and other Alibaba execs, as part of a week-long China trip to find potential investors for a movie project in 2016.
Biden trolls DeSantis over glitchy 2024 launch on Twitter Spaces
President Biden on Wednesday mocked the issue-laden presidential campaign launch of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), whose attempt to talk about his candidacy on Twitter Spaces was marred by tech pro…
thehill.com
Stock market today: Asian shares extend losses, while Japan's Nikkei pushes higher
Shares are mostly lower in after worries about the U.S. economy pulled Wall Street lower. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index advanced, extending recent gains as investors bet on higher returns from Japanese companies. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 lost 0.7% after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said...
apnews.com
Rapper Fetty Wap sentenced to 6 years in prison for drug trafficking
Prosecutors said the 31-year-old hip-hop star, whose real name is Willie Junior Maxwell II, was a kilogram-level redistributor for a drug trafficking organization.
Ukraine and NATO: Will they or won’t they?
www.politico.com
North Korea constructing satellite launch pad with 'new urgency' - report
Construction at North Korea’s satellite launching station has hit a “new level of urgency,” most likely in preparation for a launch, a U.S.-based think tank said in a report citing commercial satellite imagery.
www.reuters.comClosing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities
Benchmark U.S. crude oil for July delivery rose $1.43 to $74.34 a barrel Wednesday. Brent crude for July delivery rose $1.52 to $78.36 a barrel.
apnews.comHarris, Cornyn mark Uvalde anniversary with opposing views on gun legislation
Wednesday is the one-year anniversary of the day a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary, killing 19 children and two adults.
www.politico.com
House passes bill to block Biden’s student loan forgiveness program | CNN Politics
The Biden administration’s one-time student loan forgiveness program is facing a fresh threat from House Republicans while it awaits a ruling from the Supreme Court about whether the proposal can take effect.
www.cnn.comYEAR END: Notable people who died in 2023
Photos of celebrities and trailblazers who left their mark on society and passed away in 2023.
Bipartisan China panel issues a blueprint to address Taiwan and Uyghur mistreatment
The new House select committee on China, which has shown rare bipartisanship on Capitol Hill, made its first policy recommendations Wednesday.
www.nbcnews.com
Top US solar panel maker accuses competitor of repackaging tech in new lawsuit - Washington Examiner
First Solar, the largest U.S.-based solar manufacturer, accused a competitor of purchasing and then illegally reselling as its own solar panels that were made by First Solar in one of its foreign manufacturing facilities. First Solar, which pioneered thin film, cadmium telluride-based solar...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Suspect in U-Haul crash near White House will remain detained pending hearing next week | CNN Politics
Sai Varshith Kandula is not a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident, prosecutors said.
www.cnn.com
'Death by a thousand cuts': Louisiana Republican blasts economic damage from 'administrative' state
Rep. Mike Johnson said in a House Judiciary Committee meeting Wednesday the "administrative state is out of control" and that Congress should pass the REINS Act.
Silicon Valley Bank: 500 jobs cut by new owner First Citizens
The move comes two months after SVB's collapse triggered fears of a banking crisis.
www.bbc.comGOP cooks up a new storm on gas stove rules
Republicans will use a House hearing and a markup Wednesday to fan the flames over proposed DOE efficiency standards.
www.politico.com
Nvidia's results spark nearly $300 billion rally in AI stocks
Stocks related to artificial intelligence surged in extended trade on Wednesday, adding almost $300 billion in market capitalization after chipmaker Nvidia Corp forecast strong revenue growth and said it was boosting production of its AI chips to meet surging demand.
www.reuters.com
Debt ceiling talks 'still far apart' as Republicans balk at giving any concessions to Democrats
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy sent Republican negotiators to the White House Wednesday to try to secure a deal on raising the debt ceiling.
www.usatoday.com
Twitter glitches plague Ron DeSantis' much-hyped presidential announcement with Elon Musk
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign announcement plans evening were derailed by massive technical glitches on Elon Musk's Twitter.
Nikki Haley to headline CNN town hall June 4 in Iowa in 2024 GOP presidential series
The Haley event comes a month after CNN's contentious town hall with Donald Trump
www.usatoday.com
Chip Roy urges House Republicans to ‘hold the line’ with debt ceiling talking points - Washington Examiner
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) sent a memo to House Republicans outlining a number of the GOP’s top priorities in the debt ceiling fight, offering messaging tactics he said would help the party maintain a “unified” front as talks continue. The memo lists seven reforms that House Republicans say must be...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
DEA's failure to punish distributor blamed in opioid crisis raises revolving door questions
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has allowed one of the nation’s largest wholesale drug distributors to keep shipping highly addictive painkillers for nearly four years after a judge recommended it be stripped of its license for its “cavalier disregard” of thousands of
apnews.com
CDC: 2 dead of suspected cases of meningitis after surgeries in Mexico, over 200 patients at risk
Federal officials say over 200 patients could be at risk of fungal meningitis after having surgical procedures at clinics in a Mexico border city. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday it is collaborating with the Mexican Ministry of Health to respond to the...
apnews.com
Chicago mpox outbreak raises alarm over summer spread
A cluster of mpox cases in the Chicago area has spurred concerns of a resurgence this summer, mere months after the end of the public health emergency for the outbreak that began last year. The U.S…
thehill.com
FTC investigating Abbott and baby formula makers for possible collusion
The Federal Trade Commission is investigating baby formula makers like Abbott Laboratories for possible collusion.
Alabama lawmakers attempt to define 'what is a woman'
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Wednesday advanced legislation that would define who is recognized as female and male under state law.
apnews.com
Taking a daily multivitamin appears to boost brains of adults over 60, but more study is needed
A new study shows a daily multivitamin may boost memory function in some people, although the results don't change recommendations about use of the supplements. Researchers tracked more than 3,500 people older than 60 for three years. They found those who took a daily multivitamin did better on...
apnews.com
Salmonella outbreak linked to raw cookie dough sickens 18 across 6 states
A salmonella outbreak has sickened 18 people across six states. The outbreak has been linked to Papa Murphy's raw chocolate chip cookie dough and s'mores bars dough.
Takeaways of AP report on DEA probe of drug distributor accused of fueling opioid epidemic
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has allowed one of the nation’s largest wholesale drug distributors to keep shipping addictive painkillers for nearly four years despite a judge’s recommendation to strip its license for turning a blind eye to thousands of suspicious op
apnews.com
Brain implants help paralysed man to walk again
A paralysed man has been able to walk simply by thinking about it, thanks to electronic brain implants
www.bbc.com
South Carolina's "sister senators" talk about their opposition to abortion ban bill
The only five women in the South Carolina Senate, who call themselves the "sister senators," sat down with CBS News to discuss their opposition to the state's six-week abortion ban.
www.cbsnews.com
Haley commits to federal abortion ban but says it's unlikely without more Republicans in Congress
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Wednesday pledged to sign a federal ban on abortion but again did not set down a marker for what timeline such a proposal should encompass. Haley suggested during remarks in Manchester, New Hampshire, that passing one would be highly unlikely...
apnews.com
Mass shootings take a toll on Americans' mental health, even from a distance, experts say
"We're going to create an entire generation of people with increased mental health problems," one psychologist warned.
www.cbsnews.com
Cholera kills 17 in South Africa and a further 9 in neighboring Zimbabwe
At least 17 people have died in a cholera outbreak in the Hammanskraal township outside South Africa's capital of Pretoria. Authorities in neighboring Zimbabwe have reported nine recent deaths in another outbreak of the water-borne disease. They are the latest cholera deaths in Africa after at...
apnews.com
Pro-lifers rejoice as Planned Parenthood announces national staffing cuts
Pro-lifers rejoiced after Planned Parenthood announced it would be cutting its national staff in June to reallocate funding for non-abortion services.
