Ballot count confirms Laschet as leader of Merkel's party

Associated Press
Tennessee GOP-led Senate spikes bill seeking to ban LGBTQ+ Pride flags in schools
A bill designed to ban LGBTQ+ Pride flags in Tennessee public school classrooms was spiked Tuesday after it failed to attract enough support in the GOP-controlled Senate. The proposal had easily cleared the Republican-dominant House nearly two months prior after the bill's sponsor said he had parents complain about “political flags” in classrooms. “There were some parents in my district that felt like there were flags being displayed in the public school classroom that did not coincide with their values and felt like their children should not be indoctrinated in the schools,” said Republican Sen. Joey Hensley.
3m ago
Associated Press
Federal money eyed for Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota
Supporters of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota are cheering new federal legislation to help build the library and to showcase artifacts of the 26th president, who as a young man hunted and ranched in the state during its territorial days. Last week, North Dakota's three-member, all-Republican congressional delegation announced the bill to “authorize funding for the Library’s continued construction and go towards ensuring the preservation of President Roosevelt’s history and legacy.” The bill's Interior Department grant is for $50 million of one-time money, most of which “will go into creating the museum spaces in our facility," said Matt Briney, the library's chief communications officer.
7m ago
Associated Press
George Santos ends comeback bid for Congress after raising no money
Former U.S. Rep. George Santos on Tuesday said he is dropping his longshot bid to return to Congress, months after he was expelled from the House while facing a slew of federal fraud charges. Santos, who was running as an independent candidate for the 1st Congressional District in New York, said he was withdrawing from the race in a post on the social media platform X. The announcement came after the disgraced former congressman's campaign committee reported no fundraising or expenditures in March, raising speculation that his campaign had failed to get off the ground.
7m ago
Reuters
US, Russia set for a showdown at UN over nuclear weapons in space
The United States and Russia are set to face off over nuclear weapons in space on Wednesday at the United Nations Security Council, which is due to vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution calling on countries to prevent an arms race in outer space. Russia is expected to block the draft resolution, said some diplomats. The U.S. move comes after it accused Moscow of developing an anti-satellite nuclear weapon to put in space, an allegation that Russia's defense minister has flatly denied.
8m ago
Associated Press
US health officials warn of counterfeit Botox injections
U.S. health officials issued a warning Tuesday about counterfeit Botox injections that have sickened 22 people. Half of the individuals have ended up in the hospital, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said the shots were administered by unlicensed or untrained individuals or in settings like homes or spas.
12m ago
Politico
The Trump trial turns tabloid
From the National Enquirer to Truth Social, the courtroom was full of sensation on Tuesday.
14m ago
Reuters
Rights concerns, costs undermine Turkey-EU migrant deal, say auditors
Turkey's poor human rights record and economic factors are undermining the effectiveness of the European Union's migration deal with Ankara, EU auditors said on Wednesday. Under the 2016 deal, Ankara agreed to take back migrants who had crossed from its territory to Europe in return for EU aid to help fund more than four million refugees on Turkish soil. The EU, which faces elections in June for the European Parliament in which illegal migration promises to be a big issue, has sealed agreements similar to the Turkey scheme with Tunisia, Egypt, Mauritania and others.
15m ago
Associated Press
Dean Phillips gains his first delegates. Here’s why they’ll likely vote for Biden at the convention
Former presidential candidate Dean Phillips will receive at least three of Ohio's delegates to the Democratic National Convention even though he has dropped out of the race and endorsed President Joe Biden. The president locked up the Democratic nomination on March 12 and so far has won 99% of convention delegates, a sign that even some of the more organized efforts to oppose him haven't gained traction with the party's voters. Party rules also make it nearly impossible at this point in the presidential primary process for any candidate other than Biden to even be eligible to receive votes for the nomination at its summer convention.
16m ago
AFP
Biden hammers Trump on abortion in Florida
US President Joe Biden hammered Donald Trump on Tuesday over his role in restricting abortion rights, telling a crowd in Florida that voters will hold his Republican predecessor and opponent personally "accountable" in November.Biden and the Democratic Party hope to capitalize in November on voters' wariness of abortion restrictions pushed by Republicans, some of whom have called for a nationwide ban.
16m ago
Associated Press
Auditors say it's hard to tell how Turkey is using EU refugee funds. Some officials aren't helpful
European Union auditors said on Wednesday that they are unable to establish whether some of the billions of euros the bloc has given to Turkey to help it cope with Syrian refugees is actually having any impact. Under a deal concluded between EU leaders and Turkey in 2016, the bloc committed to provide at least 6 billion euros ($6.4 billion) to Turkey to help it cope with migrants crossing in from Syria. Turkey in turn committed to stop migrants leaving its territory for Europe.
18m ago
NBC News
Judge skewers Trump defense's 'credibility' in gag order hearing ahead of 'catch and kill' testimony
Judge Juan Merchan heard arguments on whether Trump violated a gag order with his social media posts about two expected witnesses in the hush money trial.
20m ago
USA TODAY
'Extraordinary': George Washington's 250-year-old cherries found buried at Mount Vernon
Archaeologists say that enslaved laborers picked the cherries, wiped them off to avoid condensation and placed them into the jar. They've been there ever since.
20m ago
Time
Supreme Court Appears to Side With Starbucks in Labor Dispute
The Supreme Court appeared to side with Starbucks in a case that could make it harder for fired workers.
20m ago
NBC News
Congress is finally set to approve a TikTok ban. But it could still be years before it takes effect.
TikTok’s fate has never been more in doubt since the House of Representatives recently approved a bill that forces its parent company to find a buyer or face a U.S. ban.
21m ago
Reuters
Argentina's Milei faces biggest protest yet as students march over budget cuts
Hundreds of thousands of Argentines took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Tuesday in an anti-government march against budget cuts to public universities, the biggest protest yet against President Javier Milei's painful austerity measures. The demonstrations are the latest example of rising tension over spending cuts that are helping undo a deep fiscal deficit but causing hardship in the real economy. In the union-backed marches in the capital and beyond, banners were held aloft in the southern autumn sunshine reading "Defend the public universities," "Studying is a right," and "Up with the budget, down with Milei's plan."
23m ago
Reuters
Factbox-Biden administration races to safeguard environmental rules from congressional axe
Agency rules completed and in the Federal Register before May 22, 2024 will not be subject to the Congressional Review Act, a law that enables a new Congress to nullify recently enacted regulations with a simple majority. Over the last few weeks, the Biden administration has announced a steady stream of final rules to carry out some of its most ambitious plans like spurring adoption of electric vehicles and protecting public lands for conservation. In the coming days, agencies will push out other key regulations, intended to help carry out the administration's goal to decarbonize the U.S. economy by 2050.
28m ago
CBS News
Tesla profits plunge as automaker grapples with slumping EV sales
Tesla reports slide in earnings and revenue, but investors cheered by pledge to accelerate rollout of cheaper electric vehicles.
31m ago
USA TODAY
Embattled former Rep. George Santos ends reelection campaign two months after announcing comeback bid
The disgraced former lawmaker isn't running for reelection, but teased he will "be back."
32m ago
Associated Press
Biden adminstration finalizes rule to grant overtime for millions more salaried workers
The Biden administration has finalized a new rule set to make millions of more salaried workers eligible for overtime pay in the U.S. Starting July 1, employers will be required pay overtime to salaried workers who make less than $43,888 a year in certain executive, administrative and professional roles, the Labor Department said Tuesday.
33m ago
NBC News
FBI director says agency is sharing intelligence to prevent violence on college campuses over Israel-Hamas war
The FBI is coordinating with college campuses to make them aware of antisemitic threats and possible violence in connection with the ongoing wave of protests over the Israel-Hamas war, FBI Director Christopher Wray told NBC News.
36m ago

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