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Asian stocks gain and oil prices decline after the UAE says it will exit OPEC

“The UAE has been increasingly frustrated over recent years by its output being constrained by OPEC production quotas, which have kept it well below its potential.”But as U.S.-Iran negotiations for a permanent end to the Iran war stalled and the Strait of Hormuz, where roughly one fifth of the world’s oil passed through before the war, was still largely closed, short term impacts on oil prices will still depend mainly on prospects for reopening the waterway, analysts said.The UAE was the third l

Hegseth will be grilled by Congress for the first time since the Iran war began

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will face questioning from lawmakers Wednesday for the first time since the Trump administration launched the war against Iran, which Democrats have contested as a costly conflict of choice waged without congressional approval.The hearing before the House Armed Services Committee is being held to discuss the administration’s 2027 military budget proposal, which would boost defense spending to a historic $1.5 trillion. Hegseth and the chairma

Janet Mills has the resume for her Senate bid. Is that enough to win over Maine’s Democratic voters?

Age is a double-edged sword in the race, as Maine has one of the oldest median ages in the country and many thousands of older voters, but Democrats have grown increasingly wary of older candidates since Joe Biden’s aborted run for a second term at 81 years old.“I’m really torn, I want the person who can win,” said Karen Tilbor, 79, who described herself as a supporter of Mills as governor but said she’s unsure how she’ll vote in the primary. She said she thinks “many more young peop

Supreme Court to weigh Trump administration push to end protections for Haitian, Syrian migrants

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will hear arguments Wednesday over the Trump administration’s push to end legal protections for migrants fleeing war and natural disaster, one in a series of immigration cases the high court is considering against the backdrop of the president’s far-reaching immigration crackdown.The government is appealing lower court orders that blocked the Department of Homeland Security from quickly ending temporary protected status for people from Haiti and Syria. If the

King Charles III and Queen Camilla visiting 9/11 Memorial and other NYC landmarks as part of US trip

NEW YORK (AP) — King Charles III and Queen Camilla are headed to New York on Wednesday as part of their closely watched diplomatic visit to the U.S.The royal couple’s swing through the city comes midway through a four-day trip marking 250 years of American independence. It will be the first trip to New York by a reigning British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II visited in 2010.They are expected to take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial, where they will meet with firs

Many Democrats are stressed out by the news. They still can’t turn away, a new poll finds

The findings from the new survey reflect divisions in an American electorate at a time when increased polarization and social media are changing the way people consume news.David Sterrett, a principal research scientist at the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, which was a partner on the project, said Democrats may be exercising wishful thinking when they say they try to avoid news about Trump.“They would like to avoid Trump news, but they’re probably not because most national politics

Fed likely to leave rates unchanged at what may be Powell’s last meeting, as Warsh to advance

Powell will preside over what will probably be his last meeting as chair and hold a news conference Wednesday afternoon, when he may say whether he will take the unusual step of remaining on the central bank’s board of governors, even after his term as chair ends May 15.Separately, the Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to vote on the nomination of Kevin Warsh to succeed Powell. The nomination is expected to be approved on a party-line vote, and will then be taken up by the full Senate

Do you prefer to pay income taxes or sales taxes? Missouri voters will get to choose

Many states adopted their own income taxes over the ensuing years, including Missouri in 1917.But some states — Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming — never adopted an individual income tax, instead relying on sales taxes, oil taxes or other sources. New Hampshire and Tennessee, which taxed income from interest and dividends but not wages, each ended those taxes within the past five years. Alaska is the only state so far to impose a general individual income tax and then repeal it.

Oakland attributes a 6-decade low in homicides, in part, to life coaches

“If you put down the gun, start taking the (city’s) services, we’ll help you find another way.”The California city has driven homicides to historic lows, and experts say part of the credit goes to a program that identifies people who are most likely to get pulled into gang violence and pairs them with life coaches to help turn their lives around. City officials meet weekly to review recent shootings and identify the participants. The city’s Department of Violence Prevention finds and

White House says funds to pay TSA and other Homeland Security workers will ‘soon run out’

They have left the chamber at a virtual standstill.The House is expected to vote as soon as Wednesday on the Senate budget resolution that is designed to unlock a multi-step process to eventually fund the department, and the administration warned GOP lawmakers off making changes that could prolong passage.“Restoring funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has never been more urgent, as demonstrated by recent events,” the memo said, a nod to the situation over the weekend when a man

US 101 fully blocked in Shelton after deadly crash

US 101 is fully blocked in Shelton after two vehicles collided head-on, killing at least one person.Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Katherine Weatherwax reported the crash <a href="https://x.com/wspd8pio/status/2049263306020659234" target="_blank" rel="noopener">via X</a> around 4 p.m. Tuesday.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasonCounty?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#MasonCounty</a>: US 101 MP 346 is fully blocked for a 2 vehicle head on collision. Unfortunately this is a fatal crash.Our heads go out to all of those affected by this tragic incident. Please use alternate routes. <a href="https://t.co/CNVrLHwPdX">pic.twitter.com/CNVrLHwPdX</a>— Trooper Katherine Weatherwax (@wspd8pio) <a href="https://twitter.com/wspd8pio/status/2049263306020659234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">April 28, 2026</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>The road is blocked at milepost 346.“Our hearts go out to all of those affected by this tragic incident,” Weatherwax wrote. “Please use alternate routes.”This is a developing story, check back for updates.

Federal judge dismisses DOJ lawsuit against Arizona seeking voter data

Department of Justice lawsuit against Arizona seeking access to the state’s detailed voter records, the latest legal setback in a nationwide effort by the Trump administration.U.S. District Judge Susan Brnovich, a Trump appointee, wrote that Arizona’s statewide voter registration list is “not a document subject to request by the Attorney General” under federal law. The judge dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice because, she wrote, “amendment would be legally futile.”The dismiss

Deputies respond to active shooting in Olympia involving law enforcement

Thurston County deputies are responding to an active shooting in Olympia involving law enforcement.The shooting is taking place off Hoffman Road, according to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Thurstoncountysheriff/posts/pfbid02EBTrnqAvwqXoSB7L426Cu1nsfNk6ugNYzcKFeVUq2Xnjd8B7Lb6wPuxc59ecokVwl?rdid=dbSvvM2f073shQpu#" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thurston County Sheriff’s Office</a>.Authorities said to expect road closures and use alternate routes.This is a developing story, check back for updates.

Costco hot dog combo survives 40 years unchanged — until now

Costco has quietly altered its beloved $1.50 hot dog combo deal for the first time in 40 years.Although the cost of the deal remains unchanged, the Issaquah-based wholesale giant has added an extra drink option for customers.Instead of the usual 20-ounce refillable fountain soda, customers can now choose a 16.9-ounce bottle of Kirkland Signature water to quench their thirst.It remains unclear when the new option will be available across all 643 warehouse locations in the United States, but shopp

Police looking for person who shot man in White Center

Seattle police and King County deputies are searching for a gunman after a shooting occurred in the White Center area.The Seattle Police Department (SPD) said the shooting happened in an alley along Southwest Barton Street, between 17th and 18th Avenues Southwest, just before 11 a.m. Tuesday.There is an encampment about halfway down the alley, and that’s where the shooting happened.“We have an adult male shot once in the back,” SPD Detective Brian Pritchard said. “Officer

Senate rejects attempt to end Trump’s blockade of Cuba

Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat who introduced the war powers resolution, said the blockade had caused “humanitarian crises across Cuba,” including disrupting medical care, leaving millions of people without clean water and spiking food prices.“My argument is that under the terms of the resolution we are already engaged in hostilities with Cuba because we are using American force, primarily the Coast Guard, but other assets as well, to engage in a very devastating economic blockade of the n

Upstate New York man pleads guilty to stealing more than $50M in Ponzi scheme

He eventually owed almost 1,000 people and organizations about $95 million in principal and interest, according to the trustee.Attorney General Letitia James said Marshall also spent his investors’ funds on shopping, vacations and restaurants.“Miles Burton Marshall scammed his clients out of their life savings and used their hard-earned money to fuel a classic Ponzi scheme,” James said in a prepared release.An email seeking comment was sent to Marshall’s attorney.Marshall is scheduled to be sent

California candidates for governor poised for latest TV debate with mail ballots about to go out

Voters, meanwhile, are saddled with growing everyday costs for groceries, utility bills and gas.The 90-minute debate will bring together the two leading Republicans, conservative commentator Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, and six Democrats, including former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter,billionaire Tom Steyer, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Biden administration Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state schools

Judge questions Trump’s plan to close the Kennedy Center for 2 years

<block>WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge overseeing a lawsuit that could decide whether Washington’s Kennedy Center closes in July for renovations questioned the Trump administration’s plans for the storied performing arts venue, asking Tuesday why the center needed to be closed entirely and whether the administration had done the research to back that decision.The hearing Tuesday was the first of two back-to-back court hearings on lawsuits over changes at the Kennedy Center. It ended with U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper taking no action after firing questions at plaintiff and defense attorneys alike, making it difficult to predict how he might rule.Cooper asked the government’s attorney, Brantley Mayers, where in its argument or submissions was the administration’s analysis of the cost of the closure so the center can be renovated, including the loss of sponsorships, bookings and revenue. “I didn’t see any numbers,” he said.Cooper also wanted to know why the government might oppose renovating the building in stages, an attitude he said had been the “status quo” until it suddenly changed its mind and opted for closure.Tuesday’s hearing centered on a lawsuit filed last year by Rep. Joyce Beatty. The Ohio Democrat sued President Donald Trump and other members of the administration in her capacity as an ex officio trustee of the Kennedy Center. Beatty’s lawsuit expanded to include the decision in February to close the center for two years for renovations starting in July.Since returning to office last year, Trump has taken particular interest in the Kennedy Center. He ousted its previous leadership and replaced it with a handpicked board that named him chairman, changes that prompted an outcry from many artists and exacerbated the operation’s financial challenges. Trump, whose name was later added to the building’s facade, announced the renovations earlier this year.Cooper spent more than half of the two-hour hearing grilling Nathaniel Zelinsky, senior counsel at the Washington Litigation Group, with technical questions relating to Beatty’s ability to bring forth the lawsuit. The judge held off on taking any action, including a possible injunction against the center’s name change. During Tuesday’s hearing, Norm Eisen, a board member at Democracy Defenders Action who is co-counsel with Zelinsky, pointed to dozens of statutory refences that made clear the name was intended to be the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.Following the hearing, Beatty said she was “very fearful that we’ll see what happened with the East Wing and what happened with the Rose Garden” if the center is closed, referring to major changes the president has made at the White House. Despite statements from its new executive director, Matt Floca, that work would be done appropriately, Beatty said she doesn’t trust the president. “We went through the same thing at the White House. I was right outside there when we saw the bulldozers.”Another hearing is set for Wednesday, this one the result of a lawsuit by a group of eight cultural preservationist groups who also oppose the closure and renovations.Cooper said during Tuesday’s hearing that he had questions he wanted answered at the upcoming hearing — especially by the defense — on what will happen to the Kennedy Center if it is closed, including whether there would be any public access.</block>

Appeals court rejects Trump’s no-bond immigration detentions, setting stage for Supreme Court review

Left with no way to request bond in immigration court, many immigrants have turned to the federal courts instead, requesting bond through a process known a habeas corpus petition.Attorneys for the Trump administration say the mandatory detention policy is legal under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act passed in 1996. That law streamlined the process to deport people who were newly arriving in the U.S. without permission, but immigrants who were already in the country