Biden vows to shield US steel industry by blocking Japanese merger and seeking new Chinese tariffs
PITTSBURGH — President Joe Biden promised cheering, unionized steelworkers on Wednesday that his administration would block the acquisition of U.S. Steel by a Japanese company, and he called for a tripling of tariffs on Chinese steel, seeking to use trade policy to win over working-class votes in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.
Senate rejects impeachment articles against Mayorkas, ending trial against Cabinet secretary
WASHINGTON — The Senate dismissed all impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, ending the House Republican push to remove the Cabinet secretary from office over his handling of the the U.S.-Mexico border and shutting down his trial before arguments even began.
Inside the late-night parties where Hawaii politicians raked in money
HONOLULU — For the better part of a decade, some of Hawaii’s most powerful people huddled together at late-night parties in a cramped second-floor office where lobbyists and executives seeking government contracts lined up to drop cash and checks into a metal lockbox.
Communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without alerts amid Maui fire
HONOLULU — As unpredictable wildfires roared across Maui last August, the head of the emergency management agency dragged his heels about returning to the island amid the unfolding crisis, while a broad communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without emergency alerts, according to a report released Wednesday.
Tesla asks shareholders to restore $56B Elon Musk pay package that was voided by Delaware judge
DETROIT — Tesla is asking shareholders to restore a $56 billion pay package for CEO Elon Musk that was rejected by a Delaware judge this year, and to shift the company’s corporate home to Texas.
Trump complains jury selection moving too fast in Manhattan hush money trial
NEW YORK — Former President Donald Trump complained Wednesday about jury selection in his Manhattan hush money case as the trial moves faster than expected toward opening statements.
Netanyahu brushes off calls for restraint, saying Israel will decide how to respond to Iran’s attack
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday his country would be the one to decide whether and how to respond to Iran’s major air assault earlier this week, brushing off calls for restraint from close allies.
Boeing put under Senate scrutiny during back-to-back hearings on aircraft maker’s safety culture
An engineer at Boeing said Wednesday that the aircraft company, in rushing to produce as many planes as possible, is taking manufacturing shortcuts that could lead to jetliners breaking apart.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in US more likely to believe in climate change: AP-NORC poll
Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the United States are more likely than the overall adult population to believe in human-caused climate change, according to a new poll. It also suggests that partisanship may not have as much of an impact on this group’s environmental views, compared to Americans overall.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers begin to seat jurors for Trump trial
NEW YORK — The daunting work of selecting a jury for the first criminal trial of a former American president rapidly gained momentum Tuesday as seven New Yorkers were picked to sit in judgment of Donald Trump, accelerating a crucial phase of the case that many had expected to be a slog.
Scientology tried to ‘derail’ star’s rape trial by harassing prosecutor, suit says; church calls claim ‘false’
LOS ANGELES — Nearly six months after actor Danny Masterson was convicted of sexually assaulting two fellow members of the Church of Scientology, lawyers for his victims filed a document that contained a stunning new allegation against the faith.
Nevada’s Republican fake electors accuse state of withholding exculpatory evidence
LAS VEGAS — Attorneys representing Nevada’s Republican electors who submitted fake electoral documents falsely declaring Donald Trump the winner of the Silver State are accusing the state of withholding evidence that could clear them of wrongdoing.
Sen. Menendez, charged in bribery scheme, may blame his wife
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., may blame his wife, Nadine Menendez, for the bribery charges the couple is facing by claiming that she hid information from him and led him to believe that “nothing unlawful was taking place,” according to court papers unsealed on Tuesday.
Biden’s latest plan for student loan cancellation moves forward as a proposed regulation
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s latest plan for student loan cancellation is moving forward as a proposed regulation, offering him a fresh chance to deliver on a campaign promise and energize young voters ahead of the November election.
Yellen says Iran’s actions could cause global economic spillovers as White House vows new sanctions
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Tuesday of potential global economic damage from rising tensions in the Middle East as the Biden administration said it was readying new sanctions in response to Iran’s malevolent activity in the region.
Biden bashes Trump as a pawn of billionaires as he lays out his tax plan
SCRANTON, Pa. — President Joe Biden delivered a flurry of attacks on former President Donald Trump during a Tuesday speech in Pennsylvania about taxes and economic policy, painting his Republican rival as a puppet of plutocrats who had ignored the working class.
Fed’s Powell: Elevated inflation will likely delay rate cuts this year
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cautioned Tuesday that persistently elevated inflation will likely delay any Fed interest rate cuts until later this year, opening the door to a period of higher-for-longer rates.
Supreme Court questions obstruction charges brought against Jan. 6 rioters and Trump
The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned whether federal prosecutors went too far in bringing obstruction charges against hundreds of participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. But it wasn’t clear how the justices would rule in a case that also could affect the prosecution of former President Donald Trump, who faces the same charge for his efforts to overturn his election loss in 2020.
USC cancels valedictorian’s speech after pro-Israel groups object
The University of Southern California said it has canceled plans for a graduation speech by this year’s valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, who is Muslim. The school said the decision stemmed from security concerns based on emails and other electronic communications warning of a plan to disrupt the commencement, including at least one that targeted Tabassum.
Facing a Republican revolt, House Speaker Johnson pushes ahead on US aid for Ukraine, allies
WASHINGTON — Defiant and determined, House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed back Tuesday against mounting Republican anger over his proposed U.S. aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other allies, and rejected a call to step aside or risk a vote to oust him from office.
