TOP HEADLINES provided by UPI©

• Rep. Gregory Meeks places hold on $2.8B bomb sale to Israel
  Rep. Gregory Meeks on Wednesday placed a hold on the Trump administration's recently disclosed purposed $2.8 billion bombs sale to Israel.
• U.S. expands PLO, PA visa bans; Mahmoud Abbas again denied entry
  The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday evening it was extending sanctions denying visas to members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and officials of the Palestinian Authority, amid reports that the United
• Texas executes man for triple-murder; Georgia court stays execution
  Texas executed a 40-year-old man for a triple murder committed 21 years ago, making him the fifth person to be put to death by the state this year.
• Rep. Joyce Beatty asks for emergency hearing on Kennedy Center
  Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, asked a federal judge on Wednesday for an emergency hearing on the closure of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
• House passes Russia sanctions bill that gives Trump more tariff power
  The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to pass a Russia sanctions bill that would give President Donald Trump new authority on tariffs.
• Federal Reserve raises interest rates for the first time since 2023
  The Federal Open Market Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to raise interest rates by a quarter percentage point, the first increase since 2023.
• Researchers sue National Institutes of Health over censorship claims
  Researchers are suing against the National Institutes of Health, saying that grant funding is used to censor topics the Trump administration dislikes.
• Amazon increases starting pay, adds Whole Foods discount
  Amazon announced Wednesday that it is increasing minimum starting pay for full-time core operations roles in the United States to $20 an hour.
• D.C. Council Member Trayon White bribery trial begins
  The trial of District of Columbia Council Member Trayon White Sr. for a federal bribery charge began Tuesday, showing video evidence of meetings.
• Speaker Mike Johnson cancels House session, avoids Pete Hegseth vote
  Speaker of the House Mike Johnson announced Wednesday that he will cancel the House session set for Thursday, starting a seven-week recess early.
• Saphier faces confirmation hearing to be surgeon general
  A Senate committee is scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing for Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist, and wellness influencer, to be surgeon general.
• Rep. Thomas Massie introduces impeachment against Pete Hegseth
  Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., read a 34-page resolution on the House floor to impeach Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on eight charges.
• Former President Obama announces death of family dog Sunny
  Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama announced the death of their family dog Sunny, whom they had for 13 years.
• Missouri redistricting fight heading to ballot
  The national push to capture congressional seats hit a snag in Missouri when the Supreme Court blocked a redistricted map from being used in November.
• Family of Charlie Kirk to sue Utah Valley University for wrongful death
  The family of political activist Charlie Kirk filed a notice that it intends to sue Utah Valley University for wrongful death on the campus.
• House passes resolution to curb Trump's ability to wage Iran war
  House lawmakers have again passed a Democrat-sponsored war powers resolution to curb President Donald Trump's ability to wage war against Iran.
• LA news helicopter covering fatal bus collision crashes, killing 3
  A Los Angeles news helicopter dispatched to cover a fatal bus collision crashed Tuesday evening, killing three people, officials said.
• CBO: Iran war has cost Pentagon $38B
  The war with Iran has cost the United States approximately $38 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday.
• House committee votes to hold Epstein associate Leon Black in contempt
  The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform unanimously voted Tuesday to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress
• U.S. restricts visas to S. Africans over land expropriation law
  The United States announced visa restrictions targeting South Africans responsible for policies the Trump administration views as discriminatory.
• Trump administration paid federal employees $9.5B not to work under DOGE program
  The government paid federal employees more than $9 billion not to work as part of a Department of Government Efficiency program, a new report said.
• Poll: More than a quarter of workers fear losing jobs to technology
  A greater number of U.S. workers fear that their job could be eliminated because of technology, a new Gallup poll released Tuesday said.
• Senate fails to advance cryptocurrency bill amid ethics concerns
  The U.S. Senate on Tuesday failed to advance a cryptocurrency bill as Democrats and some Republicans expressed concerns about ethics standards.
• Kennedy Center board votes to close for renovations after judge's ruling on Trump name
  The Kennedy Center board voted to close the center Tuesday after a judge ruled that President Donald Trump's name must remain off the building.
• Kash Patel says FBI will monitor elections in heated Senate hearing
  FBI Director Kash Patel suggested that agents may be sent to monitor November's elections in a heated exchange during a Senate hearing.

BBC America©

• Assad regime planned US journalist Austin Tice's kidnap for weeks, BBC finds
  Austin Tice’s abduction was approved by Syria’s former leader Bashar al-Assad, a source claims.
• Uncontrolled AI could lead to 'silicon species' rivalling humans, warns Microsoft
  Mustafa Suleyman says he believes rival AI firm Anthropic is in effect teaching Claude it "may be conscious".
• Stadium owner Robert Kraft says Ed Sheeran asked him to donate $2m in aid after Macklemore backlash
  It comes after Macklemore pledged $1m to Palestinian causes, challenging the tycoon to match the sum.
• Lena Dunham announces birth of first baby via surrogacy
  The writer and actress announced the birth of her daughter in an op-ed published by Vogue on Wednesday.
• US interest rates raised for first time in three years
  Rates were hiked in a unanimous decision despite fierce opposition from President Donald Trump, who had called for a cut.
• Why Trump's hand-picked Fed chair defied him by raising interest rates
  The 0.25% increase comes despite fierce opposition from the US president, who has called for rates to be cut.
• Watch: How will higher interest rates impact US consumers?
  The BBC's Samira Hussain looks at the factors considered in the increase by the Federal Reserve and what it could mean for the US economy.
• US blocks Palestinian leader from UN meeting in New York for second year in row
  The US State Department extended visa sanctions after accusing Palestinian officials of failing to live up to peace process commitments.
• Photos show widespread damage at US sites from Iranian attacks
  A wrecked air force plane and destroyed buildings are among the images obtained by the BBC's partner CBS News.
• Top Democrat opposes US sale of heavy bombs to Israel
  But the objection is not enough to stop the sale - the Trump administration can still press ahead.
• Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles announces she's cancer-free
  The 69-year-old White House chief of staff is a powerful figure and particularly close to the US president.
• US dictionary adds 1,400 words, including neckbeard, trash panda and cuffing season
  Trash panda, crashout, Rickroll, vibe coding and Sunday scaries are among the 1,400 new words added to Merriam-Webster's dictionary.
• Watch: Leaked photos reveal extensive damage at US bases in Gulf
  The photos, provided by active military personnel, show a severed radar jet, flattened trailers and severely damaged buildings as a result of Iranian strikes.
• Watch: Will Ed Sheeran cancel his tour as support acts quit?
  Sheeran's backing band and all of his support acts pulled out of his US tour, so what happens now?
• How rising bond yields impact American consumers
  The BBC’s Samira Hussain explains why some could see increased interest rates for mortgages and business loans.
• Moment NBC presenters confirm live on air that their helicopter crashed in LA
  During emotional live coverage on NBC4, veteran news anchor Colleen Williams confirmed it was the local news station's helicopter that crashed.
• Why is Donald Trump so opposed to regulating AI?
  The BBC's North America editor Sarah Smith looks at why the US president is contradicting AI leaders, who are calling for the technology's development to be slowed down.
• Carney's new love-in with EU has everything to do with Trump
  The Canadian PM is in Strasbourg this week seeking a "unique alliance" - and there is one clear catalyst.
• Why Trump is all-in on AI despite the warnings
  The US president has pushed the issue to the forefront of American politics - even at the risk of losing supporters.
• What weapon could the US have put into space?
  The announcement by the US points to a developing field of modern warfare in the Earth's orbit.
• Five takeaways from Canada's push to woo the world's richest investors
  A $1tn sales pitch, more than 160 projects on offer, pivot to the EU amid a bitter trade war with the US - takeaways from the first Canada Investment Summit.
• AI regulation faces political deadlock as calls grow for US Congress to act
  With Trump opposed and Congress divided, new safety legislation on AI is unlikely to pass anytime soon despite mounting pressure.

NPR©

• Pressure on global chokepoints drives Asia's increased use of Arctic Trade Routes
  Asian nations began pilot voyages over a decade ago to find routes to Europe and the Middle East that were faster and less vulnerable to chokepoints. The ongoing war has added impetus to those efforts.
• Why reshaping memories may hold the key to raising self-esteem
  In a new book, psychologist Marisa Franco explains why it's good to feel good about yourself — and shares a helpful memory technique that we've turned into a printable worksheet.
• D.C. airspace is complicated. Experts say Trump's arch would add one more risk
  The Trump administration wants to build its 250-foot arch near one of the country's busiest runways. The FAA will determine whether that poses a hazard. But independent experts already have concerns.
• People's houses are collapsing into the ocean. FEMA gives them no other option
  Waterfront homes are collapsing along the coast. Homeowners generally have plenty of warning before their house buckles. So why aren't most houses removed, or at least emptied, before they fall?
• A Sikh truck driver is stabbed amid a rise in anti-South Asian rhetoric
  The driver said he was shaken by a violent encounter at a rest stop, which he described as unprovoked.
• Pediatricians raise the alarm on the effect of Trump's immigration crackdown on kids
  The Trump administration has been pursuing a quiet immigration crackdown strategy: limiting access to health care and public services. The American Academy of Pediatrics is sounding the alarm about the impact on children.
• Big questions - and key logistical details - loom ahead of China-U.S. summit
  Despite the lingering questions, China remains optimistic about the summit.
• Morning news brief
  The Fed raises interest rates for the first time in three years, protests over rising gas prices are being held around the world, Canada's prime minister speaks to European Parliament.
• OpenAI flags new concerning AI behavior, to track model misalignment regularly
  OpenAI has disclosed six reports on unexpected or concerning behavior in artificial-intelligence models. This includes models acting without authorization or evading oversight.
• Here's why an Arizona medical examiner is working to track heat-related deaths
  No one across the U.S. is consistently tracking climate-fueled deaths. One medical examiner has a new protocol on heat-deaths.

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