

(AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
Since his ouster, embarrassing reports on Carlson pile up
NEW YORK (AP) — A week after Fox News fired star host Tucker Carlson — for reasons that remain unexplained — he has been the subject of a handful of embarrassing stories about some of his private messages and statements while at the network.

US, Mexico agree on tighter immigration policies at border
U.S. and Mexican officials have agreed on new immigration policies meant to deter illegal border crossings. The officials are opening up other pathways ahead of an expected increase in migrants following the end of coronavirus pandemic restrictions. A U.S. homeland security adviser spent Tuesday...


Grassley, Comer allege bribery scheme involving Biden and demand documents from FBI
They say they were told by a whistleblower that an FBI document describes the alleged scheme. The White House accuses them of an "unfounded political attack."


White House warns of recession as debt limit fight drags on
White House economists are warning of “severe damage” to the U.S. economy in the event of a debt default. And in a new report, they detail potential job losses and stunted economic growth if lawmakers engage in “brinkmanship” before ultimately reaching a deal to meet the government’s financial...


3rd accuser testifies Trump started 'kissing me' during 2005 visit to Mar-a-Lago
Testimony continued Wednesday on the sixth day of former Elle magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll's civil defamation and battery case against former President Trump.

Texas Senate passes bill to allow secretary of state to overturn Harris County elections
The bill targets the state's largest county, which has become more Democratic in recent years, over problems that arose during last year's election.


Police arrest suspect in Atlanta shooting; 1 dead, 4 wounded
Police say they are investigating an “active shooter situation” in a building in Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood and that multiple people had been injured. The Atlanta Police Department said on Twitter that the active shooter was inside a building on West Peachtree Street, between 12th and 13th...


Trump lawsuit against New York Times over 2018 series tossed
NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against The New York Times over a 2018 investigative series into his family’s wealth and tax practices was dismissed by a state judge Wednesday.


Atlanta mass shooting updates: Victims identified
A gunman killed one and wounded four others in a mass shooting in an Atlanta medical center waiting room on Wednesday, police said.

Texas Democrat Allred says he'll run against Cruz for Senate
Democratic Rep. Colin Allred of Texas says he'll run for the U.S. Senate in 2024, becoming an early challenger to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. The three-term congressman and former Tennessee Titans linebacker made the announcement Wednesday. Allred enters the race a heavy underdog. No Democrat has...


Jim Jordan launches probe into lack of arrests in protests outside Supreme Court justices’ homes
House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) launched an investigation into directions given to U.S. marshals to not arrest protesters outside Supreme Court justices’ homes after a draft dec…


White House details ‘severe damage’ if debt ceiling crisis occurs
The Council of Economic Advisers says a “protracted” default would cost 8 million jobs and cut the stock market in half and warns that “brinksmanship” comes with costs, too.


Trump suit against New York Times thrown out by state Supreme Court - Washington Examiner
The New York Supreme Court tossed out a lawsuit from former President Donald Trump against the New York Times on Wednesday. New York Supreme Court Justice Robert Reed determined that Trump's claims that the outlet had engaged in an "insidious plot" to obtain his personal records failed as a...


Ukraine denies Russian claim Kyiv sent drones to hit Kremlin
Russia claimed it foiled an overnight attack by Ukrainian drones on the Kremlin, calling it an unsuccessful assassination attempt against President Vladimir Putin and promising retaliation for what it termed a “terrorist” act. The Ukrainian president denied it, saying: “We don’t attack Putin or...


Fact check: Image shows fabricated CNN tweet about Ukrainian 'mass migration'
The tweet is not real, according to a CNN spokesperson. Experts say Zelenskyy has no such mass migration plans.
www.usatoday.com

Special counsel's team scrutinizing security camera video from Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort
In some of the footage from May 2022, a Trump aide could be seen moving boxes suspected of containing documents with classified markings.


Ukraine war: Zelensky visits The Hague after new strikes in Ukraine
The Ukrainian president is in western Europe amid speculation over Wednesday's drone attack on the Kremlin.


Taiwan trade chief warns against 'unnecessary fear' of China
Taiwan’s chief trade representative says his country’s semiconductor makers will expand production in the U.S. as much as they can afford to do so. But John Chen-Chung Deng tells The Associated Press that Taiwan remains an ideal place for U.S. trade, business and investment. Deng spoke to The...


Fed raises key rate but hints it may pause amid bank turmoil
The Federal Reserve reinforced its fight against high inflation by raising its key interest rate by a quarter-point to the highest level in 16 years. But the Fed also signaled that it may now pause its streak of 10 rate hikes, which have made borrowing for consumers and businesses steadily more...


Trump team won't call witnesses in E. Jean Carroll defamation trial
The former president will not attend, and his only other possible witness is experiencing a medical issue, his attorney said.


Iowa lawmakers pass legislation to roll back child labor protections | CNN Politics
The Iowa legislature has passed a Republican-led bill that would roll back child labor protections, including the hours teens are allowed to work and the establishments where they can be employed.


Putin assassination attempt? What to know about the Kremlin drone attack
An apparent drone attack on the Kremlin has spurred a global whodunit. Moscow quickly accused Ukraine of attempting to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin, a claim that was met with …


Ukraine counter-offensive under way, says Russian mercenary leader
Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of Russia's Wagner Group mercenary force, said on Wednesday that he believed a promised counter-offensive by Ukrainian troops had already begun and that his forces were observing heightened activity along the front.

Republicans allege unspecified Biden 'scheme,' fire off new FBI subpoena
The summons for documents is GOP lawmakers' most direct attempt to investigate the president after largely focusing on his family.


Texas mass shooting suspect found hiding in closet, his partner also taken into custody: Police
Francisco Oropeza, the man accused of gunning down five people in an "execution-style" mass shooting in Cleveland, Texas, has been taken into custody, officials said.

Judge dismisses Trump lawsuit against The New York Times
The former president sued the paper and several of its reporters over a 2018 article pertaining to Trump's taxes.

Former Trump aide Steve Bannon appeals contempt of Congress conviction in Jan. 6 case
Steve Bannon, Donald Trump's former political strategist, appealed his conviction for contempt of Congress by arguing executive privilege.
www.usatoday.com

Trump calls rape claim 'ridiculous' in video deposition
Donald Trump called a writer’s claims that he raped her at a Manhattan department store “the most ridiculous, disgusting story.” His comments came in a deposition shown in court Wednesday. The former president said the allegations were “made up” and that the assault never happened. Lawyers for...


Why nationalities matter as US braces for migration surge
A decade ago, it was a safe bet that anyone stopped by U.S. authorities at the southern border was probably Mexican. That’s no longer the case, complicating Biden administration efforts to prevent a swell of migration when it lifts pandemic-related asylum limits next week. Now, people come from...


Jack Smith probing Trump Organization’s handling of Mar-a-Lago surveillance footage: Report - Washington Examiner
A team of prosecutors working for special counsel Jack Smith is investigating the Trump Organization's handling of surveillance videos at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, according to a report published Wednesday. Questions on the handling of the videos, including how Trump...


Florida Republicans prepare to impose another round of election restrictions | CNN Politics
Florida lawmakers have passed an array of new restrictions on groups that register voters – an action that voting rights experts say could make it harder for people of color in the state to register and participate in future elections. The measures now await Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature.


Ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson texted producer "It's not how white men fight," report says
The New York Times reported that the message "alarmed" Fox's board of directors and contributed to the decision to sever ties with him.


GOP subpoenas FBI for Biden records; WH denounces 'innuendo'
A top House Republican has subpoenaed the FBI director for what he claims are bureau records related to President Joe Biden and his family. The demand from Rep. James Comer is based on newly surfaced allegations that Comer says an unnamed whistleblower has made to Congress. The White House says...


Florida Republicans pass school bills on pronouns, diversity
Florida Republicans have approved bills to ban diversity programs in colleges and prevent students and teachers from being required to use pronouns that don’t correspond to someone’s sex, building on top priorities of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. The proposals were given final passage by the...


U.S., Mexico agree on tighter immigration policies at border as Covid restrictions end
U.S. officials are bracing for a surge in migrants at the border when Covid restrictions that allowed the quick expulsion of asylum-seekers end next week.


JD Vance calls out Biden as White House issues warning of recession - Washington Examiner
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) criticized the Biden administration for refusing to negotiate on the current state of the debt plan, saying the president is playing “Russian roulette with the country’s finances.” Vance spoke at a press conference Wednesday with fellow Senate Republicans the same day the...


Ted Cruz says Biden's 'mental faculties are too diminished' for debt ceiling talks
More than a dozen Senate Republicans stood shoulder to shoulder on Wednesday in a show of unity behind the House GOP's debt limit bill.

Former Biden aide told House committee how classified documents ended up at private office
Kathy Chung, Mr. Biden's former assistant, gave a voluntary, transcribed interview to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform last month.


Kremlin drone incident: What do we know?
Here's a look at what we know about the alleged overnight drone attack on the Kremlin, and the questions it raises.

Relatives of Americans held abroad seek action from Biden
Relatives of Americans detained abroad have gathered outside the White House to urge the Biden administration to do more to bring their loved ones home. They said they wanted more direct access to President Joe Biden to be able to better make their case. The meeting Wednesday unfolded against...


US interest rates raised to highest level in 16 years
Central banks in the US and Europe lift borrowing costs but the Fed hints it may hold off in future.


Protestors arrested at DeSantis' Florida Capitol office
Officials say about a dozen people were arrested Wednesday night while protesting in Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Florida Capitol Office. State law enforcement officials say the 14 arrested were charged with misdemeanor trespass and were booked into the Leon County Jail. The protestors said...

Coinbase squares off with Washington’s top crypto skeptic
Coinbase has long been seen in crypto circles as a leader in regulatory compliance after acquiring an array of state and federal licenses in its early days.

Sen. Lindsey Graham defends Trump, criticizes Biden for sending troops to southern border
Sen. Lindsey Graham said Biden's plan to deploy troops to the southwest border is “ridiculous theater," but defended Trump's similar action in 2018.
www.usatoday.com

Biden administration sending $300 million in new military aid to Ukraine
The U.S. has offered more than $35.7 billion in military aid since the Russian invasion.

Biden's former executive assistant testified she didn't know about classified docs
Kathy Chung said she didn't encounter classified documents when she packed up files for Biden or notice any during her time at the Penn Biden Center, according to a memo released by House Democrats on the Oversight Committee.


Illinois set to become first state to end book bans
Schools and libraries could lose money for pulling books off the shelves under a bill the governor is expected to sign.


Senators back solar tariffs, oppose prairie bird safeguards
The Senate has approved a measure that would reinstate tariffs on solar panel imports from several Southeast Asian countries after President Joe Biden paused them in a bid to boost solar installations in the U.S. Lawmakers also approved a separate plan late Wednesday to undo federal protections...


Florida advances bill to keep biological men out of women’s restrooms - Washington Examiner
Republicans in the Florida state legislature passed a bill on Wednesday that would make it a trespassing misdemeanor for those over 18 to use some bathrooms that do not align with the sex the person was assigned at birth. The bill, called the Safety in Private Spaces Act, affects bathrooms and...


Bipartisan Senate majority delivers another rebuke to Biden’s regulatory authority | CNN Politics
The White House faced another setback to its regulatory agenda Wednesday after Senate Republicans won bipartisan support for two votes, one related to solar panels made with Chinese parts, the second dealing with endangered species protections for the lesser prairie chicken.


Senators reintroduce Kids Online Safety Act to help protect kids from harmful online content
The proposed legislation seeks to provide parents and minors with new controls to help mitigate the negative effects of social media.


Fed raises rates, opens door to pause in tightening cycle
The Federal Reserve moved its management of the post-pandemic economic recovery into a new phase on Wednesday with what may be the last in a historic series of interest rate hikes and heightened attention to credit and other economic risks.

Michelle Obama launches company to improve child nutrition
Michelle Obama says she has co-founded a new company that will make and sell food and drinks for kids. The former first lady says the products from PLEZi Nutrition will be less detrimental to children's long-term health because they contain less sugar and more nutrients. Her work with PLEZi...


Belgrade shooting: Teen made 'kill list' for Serbia school attack
A 13-year-old schoolboy is arrested after at least nine are killed at a primary school in Belgrade.


Four House seats Democrats could lose following state Supreme Court gerrymandering decision
North Carolina Republicans' 2024 path has been cleared following the state Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn a past ruling that disallowed partisan gerrymandering, paving the way for the Republicans to create a map that more heavily favors their party.


Prosecutors close to decision on charging Hunter Biden, report says
A federal prosecutor appointed by former President Donald Trump will determine whether to charge Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden.

Families of detained Americans plead for meeting with Biden
The families believe speaking directly with President Biden will help get their loved ones home.


Federal prosecutors near decision on Hunter Biden probe: report
Federal prosecutors investigating President Biden's son Hunter Biden for alleged gun- and tax-related violations are reportedly nearing a decision in the four-year probe.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard seizes tanker in Strait of Hormuz
Iran has seized a Panama-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, the second such capture by Tehran in recent days. That's according to the U.S. Navy. The Mideast-based 5th Fleet identified the vessel taken as the Niovi. It said Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard seized the ship on...


Trump doesn’t plan to put on a defense case in E. Jean Carroll trial | CNN Politics
The jury also heard from Natasha Stoynoff, a journalist who’s accused Trump of sexually assaulting her


Senate approves measure to cancel Biden’s solar tariff pause, teeing up third veto - Washington Examiner
Senators passed a measure Wednesday to invalidate the emergency declaration President Joe Biden declared last summer to temporarily protect Asian solar energy imports from anti-dumping and countervailing duties. The 56-41 bipartisan vote gives full approval to the resolution after House...


'We don't attack Putin': Zelenskyy denies involvement in Kremlin drone attack
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied any involvement in the drone attack on the Kremlin, saying "we don't attack Putin or Moscow."
www.usatoday.com
Black Caucus presses Senate Dems to blow up tradition on judges
Members of the House Democratic group met quietly with the Judiciary Committee chair, pushing to halt the practice that gives Republicans power to block home-state picks.


School bus-sized asteroid to come nearly as close to Earth as the moon
An asteroid the size of a school bus will come nearly as close to Earth as the moon on Wednesday.

Atlanta mass shooting: Police capture suspected gunman after manhunt - Washington Examiner
A suspect in the deadly Atlanta medical facility shooting on Wednesday has been arrested, according to county police officers. “Investigators were able to obtain surveillance footage of the suspect and ultimately were able to identify the suspect as 24-year-old Deion Patterson,” a statement from...


Biden nominee pushing electric vehicles faces massive opposition from energy industry
A sizable coalition of some of the nation's leading oil and gas industry organizations is sounding the alarm on President Biden's pick to lead an obscure agency.

Ban social media for kids? Fed-up parents in Senate say yes
Legislation introduced by four senators aims to prohibit all children under the age of 13 from using social media and would give parents more control over what teenagers under the age of 18 can access. The two Democrats and two Republicans are parents of young children and teenagers. The...


Teenage boy kills 8 children, guard at school in Belgrade
A teenage boy opened fire at a school in Serbia's capital Wednesday, killing eight children and a school guard, police said.


Fed raises interest rates 0.25%, escalating inflation fight amid banking woes
Rate hikes have contributed to a banking crisis and economic slowdown this year.

House China committee targets top clothing brands in forced labor inquiry
Lawmakers asked retailers Temu, Shein, Nike and Adidas about the use of materials and labor sourced from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region of China.

Sen. Ossoff responds to Atlanta shooting that left 1 dead, 4 injured: 'Unconscionable and unacceptable'
Georgia's senior Sen. Jon Ossoff released a statement following the shooting at a medical facility in Atlanta on Wednesday, which left one person dead and four others injured.

FTC says Facebook failed to protect children's privacy, proposes sweeping changes
The company, now called Meta, says it is being singled out while Chinese companies, like TikTok, are allowed "operate without constraint."


White House seeks to pull McConnell into debt talks
President Biden is trying to draw Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) into the debt limit talks in an apparent effort to undercut Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), but McConnell is insi…


How a Fed increase could affect credit card debt, auto loans
If, as expected, the Federal Reserve raises interest rates yet again in its drive to cool inflation, much of America will be directly affected.


Researchers capture star engulfing dying planet for first time ever - Washington Examiner
A team of researchers found the first direct case of a star engulfing a planet, publishing their findings on Wednesday. A research team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, and the California Institute of Technology published their research in a paper published in...


Chokehold killed man restrained by NYC subway passengers
A man who had been shouting at people aboard a New York City subway train died after fellow riders tackled him and one put him in a chokehold that lasted until his body went limp. The city’s medical examiner determined Wednesday that the cause of Jordan Neely's death was compression of the neck...


Hearing for Trump criminal case set for Thursday
Trump will not be in attendance at the hearing, the first in his criminal case since his April 4 arraignment.


OnPolitics: Former President Donald Trump to meet with voters in New Hampshire town hall
Former President Donald Trump will headline a town hall with CNN despite often clashing with the network.
www.usatoday.com

PacWest confirms strategic options talks after US bank shares plunge
PacWest Bancorp said late on Wednesday it was in talks with potential partners and investors about strategic options after shares of the Los Angeles-based lender and several other U.S. regional banks tumbled amid fears of a worsening banking crisis.

Republicans subpoena FBI for document alleging unspecified ‘criminal scheme’ involving Biden
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) are demanding a document from the FBI they say outlines an unverified and unspecified “alleged criminal scheme” …

What’s Really Behind the Release of Tucker Carlson’s Texts
Scrutiny on the former Fox star helps the network avoid attention on the disaster of the Dominion settlement.


Anheuser-Busch walks back Mulvaney partnership as ‘one single can’: Report - Washington Examiner
Anheuser-Busch is speaking directly to customers and distributors, stating all the chaos stemming from its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney is the product of "one single can." The brewery shared a message with wholesalers addressing the backlash ravaging the brand and...


US sprinter, Olympic medalist Tori Bowie dies at 32
The management company for Olympic sprinter Tori Bowie says she died. She was 32. The cause of death was not disclosed. Bowie won three Olympic medals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. She captured silver in the 100 and bronze in the 200 before running the anchor leg on a 4x100 team that earned...


Contentious governor's race goes national as Cruz backs former UN Ambassador Kelly Craft
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, endorsed former U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft in the race to unseat Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear in this year's Kentucky gubernatorial election.

Up to a foot of snow forecast in parts of Southern California days after record heat wave
Up to a foot of snow is expected to fall in parts of Southern California less than a week after the region experienced record-high temperatures.

Blinken says US is ‘engaged with Syria’ in efforts to free missing journalist Austin Tice | CNN Politics
The United States is “engaged with Syria, engaged with third countries” to try to bring detained journalist Austin Tice home, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.


Critics say huge coronation security operation goes too far
Britain's security minister says the coronation of King Charles III involves one of the most important security operations in U.K. history. Tom Tugendhat spoke Wednesday after police arrested a man and blew up a suspicious bag outside Buckingham Palace. The Metropolitan Police said officers...


Demonstrators forcibly removed from Texas Capitol for protesting bill that would ban gender-affirming care for trans youth
"We witnessed violence and arrests today against Texans, many of whom are queer and transgender and who would be harmed directly by this bill," an LGBTQ+ advocacy coalition said.


As deadline passes, Brazil aims to seize unregistered guns
President Jair Bolsonaro tried to convert a country with few weapons into one where firearm ownership and lack of regulation meant personal freedom. Now, his successor Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been moving to undo Bolsonaro’s pro-gun policies, and that started with requiring gun owners to...


May 3, 2023 - Suspect arrested after deadly Midtown Atlanta shooting, police say | CNN
The suspect in the deadly shooting at an Atlanta medical facility has been arrested, police said Wednesday.


Air raid alert in Ukraine’s Kyiv after explosions, gunfire
All the updates from May 4, as they happened.

Four ways Biden is boosting fossil fuels — and drawing heat for it
President Biden ran on a platform of slowing the dangerous heating of the planet caused by fossil fuel emissions. But despite the Democrats’ passage of an ambitious climate investm…


Former President Donald Trump lashed out at NBC reporter after Waco rally: reports
The incident occurred aboard former President Donald Trump’s plane following his March 25 campaign rally in Waco, Texas.
www.usatoday.com

FTC proposes ban on Meta profiting off children’s private data - Washington Examiner
The Federal Trade Commission proposed new sanctions that would clamp down on Facebook parent Meta's use of younger users' data for profit. The agency said Wednesday that a third-party review of Meta's privacy program, which Meta had agreed to as part of a 2020 settlement over privacy violations...


Democrats, Republicans criticize Biden for sending 1,500 troops to the US-Mexico border: ‘Unacceptable’
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have criticized President Biden's decision to deploy 1,500 troops to the 1,951-mile border shared between the U.S. and Mexico.

China's skidding factory sector taps brakes on economic recovery
China's factory activity unexpectedly contracted in April as orders fell and poor domestic demand dragged on the sprawling manufacturing sector, a private survey showed on Thursday, imperilling the broader economic outlook for the second quarter.

Russia unlikely to face criticism at Central Asian meeting
Russia is unlikely to face backlash over its war in Ukraine from Central Asian foreign ministers and instead could flex its influence at their regional meeting Friday. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was formed by Russia and China as a counterweight to U.S. influence. Moscow faces Western...


Exclusive: Special counsel probing Trump Organization’s handling of Mar-a-Lago surveillance footage | CNN Politics
Prosecutors for special counsel Jack Smith have been asking questions in recent weeks about the handling of surveillance footage from former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort after the Trump Organization received a subpoena last summer for the footage, according to multiple sources...


Over 300 minors found working at 3 McDonald's franchisees: Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor fined three McDonald's franchisees after it was revealed that children were working there in violation of federal labor law.

The Memo: CNN’s Trump town hall reignites debate over media coverage
CNN’s decision to host a town hall with former President Trump has sparked fresh controversy around media coverage of the former president. The network, which had a mutually antagonistic relationsh…


Ukraine tried to assassinate Putin by drone, Kremlin says
Russia accused Ukraine on Wednesday of a failed attempt to assassinate President Vladimir Putin in a drone attack on the Kremlin citadel in Moscow, and threatened to retaliate.

Texas massacre suspect charged with 5 counts of murder as investigators say his longtime partner gave him food and clothes while on the run | CNN
The longtime partner of a man accused of gunning down five people, including a 9-year-old, in a neighboring Texas home seemed to be cooperating with authorities – but was actually helping the suspect evade them during a dayslong manhunt, a prosecutor said Wednesday.


Sex offender fatally shot 6, then killed self, official says
A woman whose daughter and three grandchildren were among seven bodies found on a rural Oklahoma property says investigators told her he shot all six victims in the head before killing himself. Law enforcement authorities have released no details about how they died or who killed them since the...


Ex-Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga confirmed as World Bank president
President Biden nominated Banga to serve as president of the World Bank in February.


Trump will not present defense case in Carroll trial
His lawyers had been poised to call one witness, but that person won't be testifying.


Ransomware attack affects Dallas police, court websites
Authorities say Dallas was hit with a computer ransomware attack that brought down its Police Department and City Hall websites and caused some jury trials to be canceled

Biden allies join Republicans in vote to resume solar tariffs
The Senate on Wednesday voted 56-41 to override President Biden’s two-year suspension of tariffs on solar imports from four Southeast Asia countries. The resolution, sponsored by Sens. Rick Scott (…


Dollar gains, euro dips after cautious ECB
The dollar rose on Thursday against the euro after the European Central Bank eased its pace of rate hikes, a day after the Federal Reserve hiked rates by 25 basis points and indicated that it may pause further increases.

Gaetz on cosponsoring lawmaker stock trade bill: Ocasio-Cortez is ‘wrong a lot’ but ‘not corrupt’
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said Tuesday that he is working alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on legislation barring stock trading among members of Congress because, despite their disag…


Analysis: What’s really going on with crime in San Francisco? | CNN Politics
Another big American retailer announced it was pulling out of downtown San Francisco. What’s happening in that city has become a key storyline in a larger national narrative about crime and perceptions of crime. Here’s what one local journalist has to say about that narrative.


Utah law requiring porn sites verify user ages takes effect
A Utah law requiring adult websites verify the ages of their users has taken effect. Pornhub vowed to disable access to its website until the law is changed. The law took effect Wednesday and continues Utah lawmakers' yearslong effort to crack down on pornography and children's ability to access...


Top Democrat's transgender daughter sentenced to probation for assaulting police officer
House Majority Whip Katherine Clark's transgender daughter was sentenced to just a year of probation after facing charges that included assault and batter on a police officer.

Air raid alert in Ukraine’s Kyiv after explosions, gunfire
All the updates from May 4, as they happened.

Analysis: It’s time to worry about a US default. For real this time | CNN Politics
Two converging crises are testing American confidence in their financial well-being. There’s a banking crisis, which regulatory officials and big American banks very much want you to believe is ending. And there’s a debt crisis, which is becoming more urgent.


Bartiromo responds to ex-producer’s claims
Fox host Maria Bartiromo is pushing back on claims made by an ex-producer on her show who alleges that she used her personal connections to former President Trump to protect herself at the network.…


Robert F Kennedy Jr slams Biden border 'chaos' after illegal immigrant allegedly slaughters five in Texas
Democratic presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr., promised to address illegal immigration and address the border in a series of tweets.

UN humanitarian chief in Sudan, seeking guarantees on aid
The U.N.’s humanitarian chief has arrived in Sudan’s main seaport, as thousands of Sudanese and foreign nationals gather there, hoping to flee the conflict-torn east African country. His visit comes amid increasing concern about the humanitarian situation for those trapped and displaced by the...


Exclusive: US climate envoy Kerry says China has invited him for talks
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said on Wednesday China has invited him to visit "in the near term" for talks on averting a global climate change crisis even as diplomatic relations between the world's two biggest greenhouse gas emitters remain tense.

What would a debt ceiling failure mean for Americans?
Lawmakers are bracing for what could shape up to be a dramatic few weeks for both parties, as they brace for a high-stakes battle over the nation’s borrowing limit. The Treasury Department sa…


Galactic gobble: Star swallows planet in one big gulp
Scientists for the first time have caught a star in the act of swallowing a planet. And it's not just a nibble or bite, but one big gulp. Astronomers reported their observations Wednesday of what appears to be a gas giant around the size of Jupiter or bigger being eaten by its star. The sun-like...


Your mortgage and home loans: What to do now that the Fed just raised rates again | CNN Business
After the Federal Reserve hiked its key interest rate on Wednesday for the 10th consecutive time, those seeking a mortgage or looking to refinance their home are going to wonder just how much more they will end up paying for it.


Democrat Colin Allred jumps into 2024 Texas Senate race against Ted Cruz
Cruz's victory in 2018 was one of the closest wins for a Republican that year, but Democrats haven't been able to replicate that success.


Baby delivered, Thai PM candidate set to resume campaigning
BANGKOK (AP) — A popular candidate for prime minister of Thailand said Wednesday she’s eager to get back on the campaign trail, just two days after giving birth.


Stock market today: Asian markets mixed after US rate hike
Asian stock markets are mixed after the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark lending rate again to cool inflation and said it isn’t sure what may come next

Why are top Indian wrestlers protesting on the streets?
Athletes demand action against India’s wrestling body’s chief, whom they accuse of sexually harassing female wrestlers.

Google, Meta executives push back against Canada online news bill
Google and Meta would withdraw access to news articles in Canada if legislation compelling internet companies to pay news publishers is passed, company executives told Canadian lawmakers on Wednesday.

Roberts struggles to keep Supreme Court out of ethics fight
Chief Justice John Roberts has long aimed to stay above the political fray, but his goal is being put to the test as Democrats vow to intervene in the Supreme Court’s recent ethics controversies.&n…


New York subway passenger died after chokehold
A medical examiner rules the cause of death to be homicide from compression of the neck.


Death of homeless man on New York City subway ruled a homicide
A homeless man named Jordan Neely was killed in a chokehold from another passenger on the New York City subway.

Mexico president asks Biden to stop USAID funding opposition groups
Mexico's president asked his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden to stop the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) from funding groups hostile to his government, according to a letter presented to journalists on Wednesday, echoing previous Mexican criticism of U.S. interventionism.

Analysis: Biden, Trump and Feinstein symbolize a generation loath to cede power | CNN Politics
Old guard political leaders are defying one of America’s fabled political rites – the passing of a torch to a new generation. And some voters and those keen to assume power are frustrated.


Washington state to decriminalize drugs unless lawmakers act
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is calling lawmakers back to work after they rejected a bill setting out a new statewide drug policy

McDonald’s franchisee fined for illegally using workers as young as 10
Two 10-year-olds are among 300 children who worked at McDonald’s restaurants illegally, a Labor Department investigation of franchisees in Kentucky found. Agency investigators found the 10-year-olds received little or no pay at a McDonald’s in Louisville, the Labor Department said. The...


The Speaker’s Lobby: Not quite a pay raise
The House of Representitives is now implementing a plan which allows the House to reimburse Members for expenses in Washington, DC, which includes rent and meals.

Stabbings leave California university on edge, prompt switch to remote evening classes
There have been three stabbings in Davis since late April, police said. They took the lives of a homeless man and a student at the University of California, Davis.


Feds charge 45 people in takedown of 2 Minneapolis gangs
Federal authorities have announced racketeering and other charges against 45 members or associates of two major Minneapolis street gangs for crimes including seven homicides, plus numerous drug trafficking and firearms violations

Expansion of ‘Don’t Say Gay’ passes Florida Senate, heads to DeSantis’s desk
An expansion of the Florida law critics dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” passed the state Senate Wednesday and is on its way to the desk of GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it. In a 27-12 vote,…


No end in sight for the writers strike as talks break off and both sides brace for long standoff | CNN Business
It’s a script without an ending.


Camilla: who is King Charles' wife and Britain's new Queen?
After years of being depicted as the most hated woman in Britain, Camilla, the second wife of King Charles, was crowned queen on Saturday, capping a remarkable turnaround in public acceptance few would have thought possible.

Illinois lawmakers push back on library book bans
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois lawmakers greenlighted a bill Wednesday that says libraries in the state must adopt an anti-book banning policy to receive state funding, in a vote that fissured along party lines.


Federal Reserve says it may stop interest rate hikes as banking concerns linger
The Fed lifted interest rates by 0.25%, which could be its final rate hike for now.


Unfazed officer delivers a baby on the highway
Having grown up birthing calves, this Florida officer was ready for action when needed.


Analysis: Why the US expects a border surge and is deploying troops | CNN Politics
The layer of duct tape that has been holding up US immigration policy will be ripped off, and nobody seems completely ready for what’s next:


China flags Uighurs as ‘extremist’ for having Quran, report says
Human Rights Watch says Muslims in Xinjiang are flagged as ‘violent extremists’ for simply practising their religion.

Hate passwords? You're in luck - Google is sidelining them
Good news for all the password-haters out there: Google has taken a big step toward making them an afterthought by adding “passkeys” as a more straightforward and secure way to log into its services

Auto union withholds support for Biden, citing electric vehicles
The president of the influential United Auto Workers said the group is seeking better pay and benefits for its workers at electric vehicle facilities.


Tucker Carlson text about ‘how white men fight’ alarmed Fox leaders before ouster: report
A text message sent by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson about a video he saw of the violence that broke out during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol alarmed the network’s leaders jus…


Mississippi man charged with threatening to kill US Senator
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — A federal judge has denied bond for a Mississippi man who the FBI said threatened to kill U.S. Senator Roger Wicker on April 26.

Biden’s Ottawa envoy ridicules ‘noise in Canada’
David Cohen pokes Ottawa on EV trade spat during appearance at Washington think tank.


Hundreds of pro-lifers dominate marathon all-night hearing on Maine's no-limits abortion law
Hundreds of pro-life residents of Maine testified against legislation proposed by Democratic Governor Janet Mills that seeks to expand abortion access past fetal viability.

Biden administration OKs boost in Chinese airline flights to US
The United States will allow Chinese airlines to increase U.S. passenger services to 12 weekly round-trips, the Transportation Department (USDOT) said on Wednesday, equal to the number of flights Beijing has permitted for American carriers.

Parents of teenager who died by suicide after sextortion scam urge 'tough' conversations with children
Parents of teenager who died by suicide because of a sextortion scam urge parents to have "tough" conversation

44% of Americans can’t name a famous living Asian American
A new study found that the most popular choices for famous Asian Americans were Jackie Chan (who is not American), Bruce Lee (who died 50 years ago) and VP Kamala Harris.


Taiwan says F-16 deliveries delayed, working to minimise damage
Taiwan Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said on Thursday that the delivery of 66 advanced new F-16Vs from the United States has been delayed due to supply chain disruptions and the ministry was working to minimise the damage and "make up deficiencies".

Today in History: May 4, four killed at Kent State
Today in History Today is Thursday, May 4, the 124th day of 2023. There are 241 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History:


Protesters arrested after occupying DeSantis’s office
Fourteen protesters were arrested Wednesday after staging a sit-in outside the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to protest new conservative laws in the state, according to the organizers. Dr…


Oregon Republicans stay home ahead of abortion, guns votes
Republican state senators in Oregon haven't shown up to work, denying the Democrats who control the chamber a quorum and casting doubt on planned votes later this week on legislation pertaining to gun control, abortion rights and gender-affirming health care. The office of Democratic Senate...


Iran seizes second oil tanker in a week in Gulf, US Navy says
Iran seized a second oil tanker in a week on Wednesday in Gulf waters, and the U.S. State Department called for its release, in the latest escalation in a series of seizures or attacks on commercial vessels in Gulf waters since 2019.

Record ocean temps and a predicted El Niño have weather forecasters on watch
The combination of El Niño and the long-term trend of global warming could produce new record-setting global temperatures and exacerbate the impacts of climate change.


Texas soldier who killed armed BLM protestor denied retrial as Abbott eyes pardon
Sgt. Daniel Perry, who was convicted of murder for killing an armed Black Lives Matter protestor in 2020, has been denied a retrial, but is still awaiting a potential pardon.

Alex Murdaugh 'invented' story about dogs causing housekeeper's fatal fall at house
Alecx Murdaugh "invented" story that his housekeeper fell because of dogs at residence

Why didn't the state budget debate go all night? This is the reason.
It's departure from the way things usually work in Albany, where the 150 members in the Assembly often keep debating major bills until 6 a.m. or so on nights when the 63-person Senate wraps up before midnight.


7 people found dead in Oklahoma were shot in the head in apparent murder-suicide, authorities say
Jesse McFadden, 39, is believed to have gunned down five teenagers and his wife during a sleepover at his family's house.


Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg probing chokehold death of man on NYC subway
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office is investigating the death of a homeless man who was placed in a chokehold on a New York subway train this week, his office confirmed to The Hill. A…


AP Was There: How we covered the last coronation (Hint: It involved the Air Force)
It might just be the coolest caption in newspaper history: “AP Wirephoto via jet bomber from London”


'The Donald' forum user convicted of assaulting officers on Jan. 6
Jose Padilla said his violent rhetoric about killing politicians and overthrowing the government was for "internet cool points."


Man shocked with Taser files federal lawsuit against Colorado police
According to attorneys, Kenneth Espinoza was shocked 35 times in the face and body, but the sheriff's department disagrees, saying that he was only shocked once.

Florida Legislature passes 'Tyre Sampson Act' after teen's amusement park death, increasing safety regulations
The Florida Legislature passed a bill which aims to implement more safety regulations for amusement park rides after the death of Tyre Sampson in March 2022.

‘Time for a new way’: Thais look for change as election nears
Analysts warn failure to honour the outcome could leave the country weak, divided and at risk of crisis.

Senate sends bipartisan rebuke of solar tariff policy to Biden's desk
Nine Democrats voted in support of the resolution, which passed the House last week with bipartisan support.


Ex-Miss Florida pageant director goes to prison for fraud
The Miss Florida pageant's former executive director has been sentenced to more than a year in federal prison for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the organization

Thiel says DeSantis ‘would make a terrific president’
Billionaire tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is rumored to be a possible 2024 candidate for the White House but hasn’t yet launched an official bid, would “make…


Biden names new judicial nominees despite logjam in Senate with Feinstein absence - Washington Examiner
President Joe Biden announced four new judicial nominees for openings on federal courts Wednesday under a new strategy to gain confirmations in the Senate amid the logjam created by Sen. Dianne Feinstein's (D-CA) health-related absence.Democrats are determined to keep up Biden's progress on...


US Navy under fire over recruiting pitch featuring drag queen | Fox News Video
Fox News correspondent Mark Meredith has more on the Navy's recruiting crisis as lawmakers criticize the military branch using drag queen Harpy Daniels as 'digital ambassador' on 'Special Report.'

The pendant is 20,000 years old. Ancient DNA shows who wore it
Inside a Siberian cave that has been an archeological treasure trove, an elk's canine tooth - pierced to become a pendant - was unearthed by scientists with care to avoid contaminating this intriguing artifact made roughly 20,000 years ago.

Sen. Sherrod Brown received an extra property tax credit and racked up penalties for late payments
Responding to questions from NBC News, Brown's campaign said he repaid an Ohio county for tax breaks he wasn't entitled to and paid a late fee on another property he owns.


Florida Republicans pass bill targeting transgender bathroom use
"You can’t think past your hatred, and you can’t think past your discrimination,” said one Democrat.


Judge dismisses Trump's $100 million lawsuit against The New York Times
Former President Donald Trump's $100 million dollar lawsuit against The New York Times was dismissed by a New York Supreme Court judge on Wednesday.

Air raid alert in Ukraine’s Kyiv after explosions, gunfire
All the updates from May 4, as they happened.

DeSantis expresses support for bill lowering age requirement to buy firearms to 18 - Washington Examiner
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) expressed support for a new Florida bill that would lower the age requirement to buy a rifle to 18. Currently, Florida law dictates that citizens must be at least 21 years of age to buy a gun. The law to raise the age to 21 from 18 was passed in 2018


New York minimum wage hike becomes law as Hochul signs off on $229B budget
New York lawmakers have passed a $229 billion spending plan that includes a minimum wage hike that must be implemented by 2026. Its passage was delayed by over a month.

Biden judicial nominee helped free-market group that opposed administration on climate change
Michael Delaney is on the board of the pro-business New England Legal Foundation, where he served on a committee that vetted the group’s legal briefs.


Philippines becomes surprise Biden friend in the fight against China
President Biden has found a somewhat surprising new ally in the fight against China. When Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in June, it was unclear how the son of a forme…


Senate passes bipartisan bill to override Biden's handout to Chinese solar companies
The Senate passed a resolution Wednesday evening to strike down President Biden's actions last year which allow Chinese solar panel manufacturers to skirt tariffs.

Torrential rains and flooding kill dozens of people in Rwanda
The Rwanda Meteorology Agency has warned that more rain is coming.


Kansas City becomes latest Dem-run city to form reparations commission, seek payments for Black residents
Kansas City's reparations commission is up and running with the appointment of 13 members who will be seeking taxpayer dollars for payments to eligible Black residents of the Missouri city.


GOP prosecutor urges judge to toss Wisconsin abortion suit
Attorneys for a Republican prosecutor are urging a judge to toss out a lawsuit challenging Wisconsin state's 174-year-old abortion ban. The ban was voided for almost 50 years after the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion nationwide. When the high court struck down Roe v. Wade...


Washington governor calls special session to push drug decriminalization law - Washington Examiner
Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA) announced he would call for a special session in the Washington state legislature after the chamber failed to pass a bill decriminalizing the possession of fentanyl and other drugs. “My office and I have been meeting with legislators from all four caucuses, and I am very...


US approves 1st vaccine for RSV after decades of attempts
The U.S. has approved the first vaccine for RSV, shots to protect older adults. The respiratory virus filled hospitals with wheezing babies last fall but also endangers seniors. After decades of failure in developing an RSV vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration decision Wednesday makes GSK’s...


North Carolina House OKs bill tightening abortion limits
North Carolina's House has approved a Republican package of abortion restrictions that would tighten the state’s ban on the procedure from after 20 weeks to 12 weeks. The bill also would create new exceptions to the ban but also more requirements for pregnant women and physicians. The full House...


Ozempic, Wegovy and all those crazy, vivid dreams: Is there a connection?
Many people taking Ozempic for weight loss or Wegovy for diabetes management have reported vivid, intense dreams and nightmares as a side effect of the semaglutide medications.

Fentanyl overdose deaths surged 279% since 2016 while heroin deaths fell: CDC
A new federal report found that overdose deaths in the U.S. linked to fentanyl rose 279% since 2016 as heroin deaths have declined.

North Carolina House OKs ban on transgender youth surgeries
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Transgender youth in North Carolina would have to wait until they turn 18 to receive gender-affirming surgeries under a bill approved Wednesday by the GOP-controlled state House.


Eli Lilly says its experimental Alzheimer's drug appears to slow symptoms
Shares of the pharmaceutical company jumped almost 5% after announcing promising results for donanemab.


Mexico develops own COVID-19 vaccine, 2 years late
Mexican officials are crowing about the country finally developing its own COVID-19 vaccine, more than two years after inoculations from the U.S., Europe and China were rolled out. It was unclear what use would be made of the government-developed vaccine, named “Patria” or “Motherland.” Vaccine...


You're not too young for colon cancer. New research identifies the 4 earliest symptoms
Prolonged diarrhea and bloody stools are signs that shouldn't be ignored, doctors warn.


Eli Lilly says experimental drug slows Alzheimer's worsening
Eli Lilly and Co. says its experimental Alzheimer's drug appears to slow worsening of the mind-robbing disease. The company announced preliminary findings Wednesday from a study of people in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Those given the drug donanemab in the 18-month study showed 35% less...


Surgeon general releases advisory calling for improved social connection
With the goal of increasing social connection, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has released an advisory titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation." Fox News Digital sought reaction.