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☆ Labor Day isn’t the holiday it once was for China’s workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Chris Lau | Hassan Tayir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Hong Kong CNN —Like hundreds of millions of workers in China, Hao Zeyu, an algorithm engineer at an electric vehicle maker, is getting five days off this week for the Labor Day holiday. So, why has a decades-old policy caused so much upset in a country whose Communist Party leadership pays annual homage to International Workers’ Day? Trending topicIn recent weeks, complaints about this year’s Labor Day leave arrangements have exploded on Chinese social media. Tourists visit the Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge during the May Day holiday on May 1, 2023 in Chongqing, China. Labor Day isn’t the only holiday to get the adjusted rest policy.

Persons: Hao Zeyu, Hao, “, ” Hao, ”, Yao, Max Teng, it’s, Yaer Tuerdi, Pang Dong Lai, Yu Donglai, Yu, Teng Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Labor, CNN, Communist Party, International Workers, Workers, Weibo, Tourists, China News Service, University of Wellington, “ Workers Locations: China, Hong Kong, Chongqing, United States, United Kingdom, Kentucky, Henan

☆ Democrats have officially decided to save Mike Johnson from MTG's ouster effort
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Democrats have officially decided to protect Speaker Mike Johnson from MTG's ouster effort. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . "We will vote to table Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Motion to Vacate the Chair. Some progressives may even vote against tabling Greene's motion, and showing that Johnson is reliant on Democratic votes to continue serving could weaken his standing — to Greene's benefit — in future leadership elections.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Greene, —, Mike Johnson's, Hakeem Jeffries —, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene's, Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Gosar, McCarthy, it's, tabling Organizations: Putin, Service, Democratic, Republican Rep, — Reps Locations: Ukraine, Arizona

☆ Johnson’s speakership hangs in the balance as ouster threat looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed to pass a major foreign aid package over the objections of hardline conservatives. Looming over Johnson as lawmakers come back to Washington is the question of whether he will face a vote over his ouster. A number of conservatives, however, opposed the legislation — and sending further aid to Ukraine in particular. So far, two other House Republicans have publicly backed the effort — Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Paul Gosar of Arizona. Over the recess, Johnson appeared to be trying to quell conservative opposition by highlighting his support for causes and positions that motivate the GOP base.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson “, doesn’t, I’ve, ” Johnson, ” Greene, Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene gaggles, Greene, Kent Nishimura, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Gosar, Chip Roy, Texas, @SpeakerJohnson, ” CNN’s Kit Maher, Lauren Fox Organizations: CNN —, Louisiana Republican, Republicans, GOP, ” Republican, CNN, Getty, Columbia University Locations: Louisiana, Ukraine, Israel, Washington, Georgia, Washington ,, Taiwan, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Johnson, Columbia

☆ Tommy Tuberville misses Ukraine aid vote after railing against it
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewAhead of a final Senate vote to send Ukraine aid to President Joe Biden's desk, Sen. Tommy Tuberville made one last stand against it. Paul has long been an opponent of Ukraine aid, while Scott said in a statement on Tuesday that he supports the bill. The more than $61 billion in Ukraine aid was wrapped up in a larger $95 billion package that included more than $14 billion for Israel, $9 billion in humanitarian aid, aid for Taiwan, and a bill to force a sale of TikTok. AdvertisementThe Alabama senator has long been an opponent of Ukraine aid. In May 2022, he was one of just 11 Republican senators to vote against a $40 billion aid package for the country.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville, It's, Sens, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Tim Scott of, Paul, Scott, Katie Britt, Tuberville's, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump Organizations: Service, Alabama Republican, Republican, Business, Democratic Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Tuberville's Alabama, Israel, Taiwan, Alabama, Soviet Union

☆ Nancy Pelosi says she respects Mike Johnson and hopes Trump isn't 'his puppeteer'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Nancy Pelosi offered muted praise for Speaker Mike Johnson. Pelosi had a famously fraught relationship with fellow Californian and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. AdvertisementFormer Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she respects Speaker Mike Johnson even if she strongly disagrees with his politics, a sign that the top Republican holds some sway with congressional Democrats. AdvertisementThe former speaker told The Atlantic that she viewed Johnson as "a person of integrity," adding she was "not here to criticize him." The expectation is that if Greene follows through with her threat to force a vote on Johnson, standing Democrats will help protect him.

Persons: Nancy Pelosi, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy, —, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump, McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, Greene, Paul Gosar of, Thomas Massie of Organizations: Service, Republican, Rep, Georgia Republican, New York Times, Florida Republican, Reps Locations: Georgia, Florida, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Ukraine

☆ US journalist Terry Anderson, held in Lebanon hostage crisis for nearly 7 years, dead at 76
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Melissa Alonso | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Terry Anderson, the former Mideast correspondent for The Associated Press who was kidnapped in 1985 and held captive for nearly seven years in Lebanon, has died at 76, his daughter told CNN. The cause of death was unknown, though his daughter told the AP he had recently had heart surgery. “You’re sorry, sorry for your family, sorry you were dumb enough to get captured,” Anderson told CNN once about his capture. In a 2016 interview, Anderson told CNN that he didn’t think about his captivity often. And you do it, day after day after day,” he said.

Persons: CNN — Terry Anderson, Anderson, Sulome Anderson, “, ”, Terry Anderson, Madeleine Bassil, Mark Lennihan, “ You’re, ” Anderson, “ There’s, He’d, Anderson’s Organizations: CNN, Mideast, The Associated Press, AP, Lions, Vietnam Children’s Fund, Protect Journalists, Marines, Marine, Iowa State University, Associated Press Locations: Lebanon, Greenwood Lake , New York, Kentucky, Tokyo, South Africa, New York, Ohio, Japan, Vietnam, Iowa, Lebanese, Beirut, Iran, Damascus, “

☆ Election 2024 Trump holds a rally in North Carolina, capping off the first week of his trial.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Chris Cameron | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

That changed on Thursday, when Mr. Brown appeared to address Mr. Gunter for the first time, at a private fund-raising event in Sparks, Nev., after Mr. Gunter accused him in ads and appearances of being disingenuous and not sufficiently pro-Trump. A group backing Mr. Brown’s campaign, the Duty First PAC, ran its first television ad this week since last year, a $322,000 reservation, according to the tracking firm AdImpact. Mr. Brown’s campaign declined to comment on Mr. Gunter. Mr. Trump made several posts seeming to express his approval for Mr. Brown on Truth Social, his social media platform, this month. Mr. Gunter said he was “running that place like clockwork,” and that the government report was “bogus.”

Persons: Nevada’s, Sam Brown, Jeff Gunter, Donald J, Trump, MAGA, Brown’s, Gunter, Brown, Mitch McConnell of, ” Mr, Jacky Rosen, Nev, Mr, Mike Berg, Gunter’s, Berg, Sam Brown’s, ”, Chuck Muth, Muth, he’s, California Democrat —, General Organizations: Republican, Senate, U.S . Army, National Republican Senatorial Committee, Trump, Democratic, The New York Times, Mr, “, “ California Democrats, Tarrance, Truth, Brown, Texas State House, Nevada State Assembly, California Democrat, Democrat, CBS Locations: Iceland, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Afghanistan, Sparks, California, “ California, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dallas

☆ Trump’s first trial, Ukraine aid and other surprises from a major news week
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

House Speaker Mike Johnson arrives to speak with reporters to discuss his proposal of sending aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on April 17, 2024. Johnson, although a bona fide conservative and a skeptic at times of Ukraine aid, is finally on the cusp of getting the vote done in the House. This week, Iran responded to Israel’s strike on a Syrian diplomatic facility with its own strikes, which Israel responded to on Friday with a strike on Iran. Joe Biden is running hardWith all the Trump trial coverage, you might have missed that President Joe Biden is running a spirited presidential campaign. While Trump is spending most days at his trial, Biden is going all over the map.

Persons: Trump’s, you’ve, Donald Trump, Trump, Mike Johnson’s, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Gosar, Arizona –, Johnson, Mike Johnson, J, Scott Applewhite, he’ll, It’s, Israel, Here’s Tamara Qiblawi, CNN’s Nic Robertson, Read, Joe Biden, Biden, Andrew CAballero, Reynolds, Pierre, Olivier Gourinchas Organizations: CNN, Trump, –, GOP, White, Getty, Monetary Fund, Federal Reserve Locations: Antarctica, New York, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Arizona, Iran, Syrian, CNN’s, Damascus, Qiblawi, Philadelphia, Wawa, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, AFP, Europe

☆ House Republicans have a wacky new plan to finally pass Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementFor months, the House has been sitting on a bill that would provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and humanitarian funding for Gaza. But many, if not most, House Republicans are opposed to further Ukraine aid, and House Speaker Mike Johnson now has to deal with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's threat to call a vote on his ouster if he allows more Ukraine aid to pass. AdvertisementMany Republicans oppose Ukraine aid, while Democrats are increasingly skeptical of Israel aidJohnson's plan is aimed at addressing two separate pockets of opposition to the foreign aid package. After October 7, the Biden administration and Senate leaders insisted on tying Israel and Ukraine aid together, with the idea being that including Israel aid would incentivize Republicans to swallow more Ukraine aid. Johnson's plan is designed to allow progressive Democrats to vote against Israel aid, while hard-right Republicans can vote against the Ukraine aid — all while allowing the whole package to move forward.

Persons: Johnson, —, Mike Johnson, Marjorie Taylor, Israel •, they're, I'm, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, Biden, they've, Israel, Nancy Pelosi, George W, Greene, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Boehner, — Thomas Massie, Massie, Republicans —, Kevin McCarthy's, Abigail Spanberger Organizations: Service, Republicans, Senate, • Fund, Democratic, Georgia, @RepMTG Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, Gaza, Connecticut, Iraq, Russia, Virginia

☆ Mike Johnson: Doing ‘the right thing’ may cost the speaker his gavel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —It took less than six months for Speaker Mike Johnson to reach his existential moment. His tiny majority means he can’t afford to lose more than one GOP vote to pass a bill on a party-line vote. But a GOP speaker dependent on Democratic votes will be seen by many Republicans as a tool of the minority party and would be on borrowed time. In this way, those who oppose Ukraine aid on principle could vote against it, allowing Democrats who support it to ensure its passage. These are important responsibilities,” Johnson told Tapper.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Paul Ryan, John Boehner –, Johnson, ” Johnson, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie of, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Greene, Chip Roy, Roy, ”, –, CNN’s Manu Raju, ’ Johnson, he’s, Tapper, “, Dan Crenshaw, CNN’s Raju, Johnson “, ” Trump, hasn’t, bankrolling, Dwight Eisenhower, George W, Bush, Vladimir Putin doesn’t, We’re, Putin, Xi, Lloyd Austin, Biden, he’d Organizations: CNN, Louisiana Republican, Republicans, Texas Rep, Democratic, GOP, White, Texas GOP, Lago, Trump, Senate, “, ”, House Defense Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Mexico, Kyiv, Washington, Texas, Mar, Trumpism, Europe, Iran, North Korea, British, Jordanian, Russia, Russia’s, United States

☆ Some House Republicans need this reminder that Russia is not their friend
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —There is a major disconnect between two CNN stories on Wednesday about Russia and the US. While it is mostly Republicans who oppose additional funding for Ukraine, they are still a minority, even within their own party. In February, 22 Republicans in the Senate joined all but three Democrats to form a 70-vote majority in favor of the funding. Asked about that propaganda comment by Tapper earlier this month, Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, agreed. The two appeared together at Mar-a-Lago last week, and Johnson has bought into Trump’s proposal to structure some Ukraine aid as a loan rather than direct aid.

Persons: Sean Lyngaas, ”, Mike Johnson, Johnson, “, ” Johnson, CNN’s Jake Tapper, “ We’re, Matt Gaetz, Chip Roy didn’t, he’s, it’s, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Defense Lloyd Austin, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Tucker Carlson, Vladimir Putin, Ralph Norman, Thomas Massie, Chip Roy, Tom Williams, It’s, Liz Cheney, Donald Trump, Michael McCaul, Puck, Tapper, Mike Turner of Ohio, ” Turner, Greene, Ken Buck, Moscow Marjorie ”, Putin, Trump Organizations: CNN, Capitol Hill, GOP, White, Conservative, Ukraine, Republicans, Senate, Florida, ” Texas, Defense, Republican, Fox News, Putin, Texas Republican, Foreign Affairs, House Intelligence, Trump, Mar, Lago Locations: Russia, Texas, Russian, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Wyoming, Colorado

Washington CNN —Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday he is sticking with his plan to put a series of foreign aid bills on the floor, including funding for Ukraine, after facing significant pressure from hardliners. The loan structure around aid comes after a meeting and news conference with Johnson and former President Donald Trump, who said in February that the US should stop providing foreign aid unless it is structured as a loan. The speaker has been facing mounting pressure to make tweaks to the foreign aid package proposed earlier this week – and not just from his most right-wing members. Other Republicans also expressed anger and wouldn’t rule out voting against Johnson on procedural motions that could upend the bill. “Let’s just hope that that does not happen, and that we can do our responsibilities, protect and defend our own democracy as we protect theirs,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, ” Johnson, Donald Trump, Nicole Malliotakis, “, Schumer, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie of, Chip Roy, Texas, ”, ” Roy, Matt Gaetz, Hakeem Jeffries, institutionalists, Tom Suozzi, Jared Moskowitz, Johnson –, “ Let’s, Nancy Pelosi Organizations: Washington CNN, Ukraine, Trump, Republican, Senate, GOP, Moderate New York Republican, Wednesday, Biden, Republicans, Conservative, CNN, Firebrand, Democrats, Democratic Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Haiti

Still, sources believe Emmer is working to improve his stock inside both the House GOP and MAGA world, and keeping his options open for the future. Others who could be waiting in the wings: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who also previously ran for speaker, and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, a top Trump ally. During the press conference, Johnson got some key backup from the former president. And a large swath of the House GOP conference agrees. Louisiana GOP Rep. Garret Graves warned against the idea of ousting Johnson without another speaker candidate waiting in the wings.

Persons: Mike Johnson’s, Tom Emmer, Emmer, Donald Trump –, Trump, “ Tom, …, Dan Meuser, ”, Meuser, “, Neither, MAGA, Jim Jordan, Jordan, Johnson, Steve Scalise, Elise Stefanik, Kevin McCarthy, Thomas Massie of, Marjorie Taylor Greene, “ He’s, ” Greene, Greene, Emmer’s speakership, Johnson trekked, Marc Molinaro, Garret Graves, There’s, ” Graves, ” Jordan, ” Morgan Rimmer, Haley Talbot Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, Louisiana Republican, House Republicans, Minnesota Republican, Caucus, ”, Trump, House GOP, Ohio Republican, GOP Rep, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Republicans, “, “ Republican, Mar, Lago, New, New York Republican, Louisiana GOP Rep Locations: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, –, Iowa, Minnesota, Louisiana, New York

☆ Opinion: Skimpy Olympic uniforms for women are an outrage
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Opinion Danielle Campoamor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Nike’s new Olympic outfit designs for the US women and men were revealed last week, and the track and field uniforms have rightly been met with intense criticism. Just look at what Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and this year’s women collegiate basketball players did for the NCAA. For the uninitiated, prior to the settlement the women were earning as little as 40% of what the men were paid, despite winning four World Cup championships. A woman, Simone Biles, is the most decorated gymnast of all time, winning an astounding 37 World and Olympic medals… and she’s not done competing. Instead, while male athletes are simply referred to as “athletes,” we are “women athletes” who must shave and trim, wax and pluck our way into the hearts and minds of… men.

Persons: Danielle Campoamor, CNN —, Danielle Campoamor Ashley Batz, Leslie Jones, Katie Moon, ” Katelyn Hutchison, ” Jaleen Roberts, ” Lauren Fleshman, “, Fleshman, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley, Simone Biles, —, I’m, ” Organizations: NBC, CNN, Olympics, Paris Games, NPR, Nike, Air, University of Kentucky, NCAA, US Soccer, Team USA, Go Locations: Paris

☆ Second Republican backs effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from power
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Scott Wong | Rebecca Kaplan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

"He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP speaker," Massie wrote on X , referring to former GOP Speaker John Boehner, who resigned in the middle of his term in 2015 while facing a similar conservative rebellion from Massie and others. WASHINGTON — A second House Republican said he will support an effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from power over his handling of foreign aid for Ukraine and other issues. Johnson told rank-and-file House Republicans in the room that he won't resign, Massie said, a point he reiterated to reporters. "I stand with the speaker," Trump told reporters when asked about Greene's efforts, adding that he gets along great with both Greene and Johnson. One moderate Republican facing a tough re-election bid this fall, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., called Greene and Massie's efforts "idiotic."

Persons: Thomas Massie, Anthony Fauci, Tom Williams, Massie, Johnson, Boehner, John Boehner, Marjorie Taylor Greene, WASHINGTON —, Mike Johnson, Rosie, Greene, Republicans —, —, Kevin McCarthy, Jared Moskowitz, Ralph Norman, Matt Gaetz, Troy Nehls, Jim Jordan, MAGA, Donald Trump, Trump, Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro, Molinaro, McCarthy, — Kyle Stewart, Syedah Asghar, Lori Rampani, Ryan Nobles, Sahil Kapur Organizations: Capitol Visitor Center, National Institute of Allergy, Inc, Getty, Triple, FISA, GOP, Republicans, Republican, U.S, Capitol, Caucus, MAGA Republicans, New York Republican Locations: Ky, Kentucky, Ukraine, WASHINGTON, DC, Washington , DC, Texas, Ohio, Mar, Israel, Taiwan, Mexico

☆ Cicadas 2024: What to expect from the Brood XIII and Brood XIX emergence of cicadas
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Kate Golembiewski | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The 13-year group, known as Brood XIX, or the Great Southern Brood, is the largest periodical cicada brood, stretching across the southeastern United States. The Northern Illinois Brood, or Brood XIII, emerges every 17 years. Periodical cicadas are smaller and mostly black, with bright red eyes and orange-tinged wings and legs. Billions of cicadas are expected this spring as two different broods — Broods XIX and XIII — emerge simultaneously. However, predictions of a cicadapocalypse — in which Brood XIII and Brood XIX show up at the same place at the same time — are probably an exaggeration.

Persons: hasn’t, Thomas Jefferson, —, “, ”, Jonathan Larson, don’t, XIII —, Jason Bergman, ” Larson, We’re, Chris Simon, XIII haven't, Chip Somodevilla, Larson, Cheney Orr, ” Simon, Kate Golembiewski Organizations: CNN, Southern, Northern Illinois, University of Kentucky, Midwest, University of Connecticut, Reuters Locations: United States, Indianapolis, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky , Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina , Georgia, Alabama , Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Columbia , Maryland, America, Chicago

☆ DOJ officials reject Republicans' demands for audio recordings of Biden's classified documents interview
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Jordan and Comer subpoenaed the tapes after Hur released his report in February. AdvertisementSpecial counsel Robert Hur questioned Biden in October about classified documents found in 2022 at his Deleware home and an office he used after leaving office. AdvertisementBiden's handling of classified documents is unlikely to be a major campaign pillar for Republicans and GOP frontrunner former President Donald Trump in the coming election, Schmidt predicted. "That's why Republicans think it's so important they get ahold of these tapes," Schmidt said.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Carlos Uriarte, Jim Jordan of, James Comer of, Comer, Hur, Uriarte, Matthew Schmidt, Robert Hur, Biden, zeroed, Schmidt, Donald Trump, Merrick Garland Organizations: Service, Justice, DOJ, Jordan, Business, University of New, Republicans, Washington Post, CNN, Justice Department, GOP Locations: Jim Jordan of Ohio, James Comer of Kentucky, University of New Haven

☆ Severe Weather, Including Tornadoes, Expected in Midwest and South
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Lola Fadulu | More About Lola Fadulu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

People across much of the Ohio Valley were bracing for severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, through the afternoon and evening on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. Ohio and Kentucky, and parts of Indiana, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia, were likely to be affected, officials said. More than 3.6 million people were under a tornado watch early Tuesday afternoon, the bulk of them around Nashville, according to weather officials. Parts of Kentucky and Tennessee were under a tornado watch until 3 p.m. local time, according to the Louisville office of the National Weather Service. Parts of western West Virginia were also under a tornado watch on Tuesday, according to weather officials there.

Organizations: National Weather Service Locations: Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia , Tennessee , Alabama , Mississippi, Georgia, Nashville, Tennessee, Louisville, West Virginia

For more on the effort to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson from his job and the fight over Ukraine aid, watch “Inside Politics Sunday with Manu Raju” at 8 a.m. “”The speaker wants to put wins on the board for House Republicans, and we better start doing that. But whether or not Johnson keeps his speaker’s gavel may hinge on how he handles the next divisive policy issue coming down the pike: funding for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Over the two-week Easter recess, Johnson has been quietly working with key lieutenants to chart a course on his Ukraine strategy. “It was a terrible deal.”Democrats are signaling that they will save Johnson if he moves a Ukraine bill they can support.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Manu Raju ”, Mike Johnson strategized, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, “, we’ve, ” Gaetz, … I’m, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson don’t, Greene, Kevin McCarthy, —, Mike, ”, Chip Roy, Texas, Roy, Anna Moneymaker, Thomas Massie of, ” Massie, Bob Good, McCarthy, She’s grandstanding, ” Good, Good, Ralph Norman of, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Drew Angerer, Hakeem Jeffries, there’s, Haley Talbot, Sheden Tesfaldet Organizations: CNN, House Republicans, Ukraine, Russia, GOP, won’t, Republican, Republicans, U.S, Capitol, Caucus, ” Locations: Ukraine, Florida, Johnson’s, Georgia, Washington , DC, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Virginia, America, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Washington ,

Other Republicans in the House and Senate often simply shrug when asked about Trump’s agenda, pointing to policies they like and others they might support. Trump himself has suggested having a “very tiny little desk” on the Capitol steps so he can sign documents on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2025. “On Day 1 of President Trump’s new administration, Americans will have a strong leader," said Karoline Leavitt, the campaign’s national press secretary. Republicans and Democrats resisted a White House effort to commandeer funds for a U.S.-Mexico border wall, leading to the longest government shutdown in history. Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who died in 2018, famously gave a thumbs-down to Trump's effort to repeal the health law known as the Affordable Care Act.

Persons: Donald Trump, “ We’re, ”, Republican Sen, JD Vance, Ohio, Trump, Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell of, Mike Johnson, Vance, wasn't, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Trump . Greene, Johnson, it’s, Paul Dans, “, Trump’s, Karoline Leavitt, John McCain of, Biden, Sen, Mitt Romney, Jason Chaffetz, GOP Sen, Josh Hawley, ” Hawley, Ted Cruz, Cruz, Eisenhower, Marco Rubio, Rubio, they’re, Vanessa Cardenas, Jill Colvin Organizations: WASHINGTON, Capitol, Republicans, Trump, Republican, Democratic, Republican Party, GOP, Trump’s, Biden, Trump ., Senate, Trump White House, Heritage Foundation's, Democrats, Affordable, Republican National Committee, Justice Department, America’s, Press Locations: Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Washington, U.S, Mexico, John McCain of Arizona, Utah, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Texas, New York

☆ Live updates: RFK Jr. vice president announcement
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Andrew Menezes | Isabelle D'Antonio | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to name attorney and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan as his running mate Tuesday, The New York Times reported. Other people whom Kennedy reportedly considered as a vice presidential pick included:Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse VenturaNFL quarterback Aaron RodgersFormer Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of HawaiiRepublican Sen. Rand Paul of KentuckyFormer Democratic presidential candidate Andrew YangFormer television host Mike RoweMotivational speaker Tony RobbinsCivil rights lawyer Tricia LindsayFollowing reports that Kennedy had met with Rodgers about the possibility of joining the campaign, CNN reported that the NFL star had shared in private conversations conspiracy theories about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting not being real, including in one instance to CNN anchor Pamela Brown. In response, Rodgers said in a social media post he has “never been of the opinion that the events did not take place” and called the shooting “an absolute tragedy.” In a statement to CNN, Kennedy campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear called the Sandy Hook shooting “a horrific tragedy.”Last week, CNN reported that Robbins and Kennedy had met as early as 2023 about Robbins being Kennedy’s running mate. But Robbins made clear to Kennedy that he did not believe this was the right time for him to run for public office.

Persons: Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy, Jesse Ventura, Aaron Rodgers, Tulsi Gabbard, Hawaii Republican Sen, Rand Paul of, Andrew Yang, Mike Rowe, Tony Robbins, Tricia Lindsay, Rodgers, Sandy, Pamela Brown, Stefanie Spear, ”, Robbins Organizations: The New York Times, Former Minnesota Gov, Democratic, Hawaii Republican, CNN, NFL, Sandy Hook Elementary Locations: Rand Paul of Kentucky

☆ The Far Right Lost Badly and Wants Its Revenge
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Carl Hulse | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As 2023 opened with Republicans newly in control of the House, the far-right members of the party considered themselves empowered when it came to federal spending, with increased muscle to achieve the budget cuts of their dreams. But it turned out that many of their Republican colleagues did not share their vision of stark fiscal restraint. Or at least not fervently enough to go up against a Democratic Senate and White House to try to bring it into fruition. Instead, Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday pushed through a $1.2 trillion bipartisan package to fund the government for the rest of the year, with none of the deep cuts or policy changes that ultraconservatives had demanded. Those on the right fringe have been left boiling mad and threatening to make him the second Republican speaker to be deposed this term.

Persons: Mike Johnson, ultraconservatives, ”, Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson Organizations: Democratic, White House, Republican Locations: Kentucky, Georgia

☆ Why axolotls are everywhere — but a rarity in the one lake they call home
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Kate Golembiewski | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“They’re teenagers, at least in appearance, until they die.”Mexico's Lake Xochimilco is the only spot where axolotls are found in the wild. Daniel Cardenas/Anadolu/Getty ImagesWhile the wild axolotls of Lake Xochimilco have dwindled to near-extinction, countless axolotls have been bred for scientific laboratories and the pet trade. However, the axolotls you might find at a pet shop are different from their wild relatives in Lake Xochimilco. That means that the axolotl extinction crisis can’t simply be solved by dumping pet axolotls into Lake Xochimilco. (Plus, the pet axolotls likely wouldn’t fare well with the poor habitat conditions in the lake.)

Persons: Randal Voss, Voss, “, ’ ”, Xolotl, “ ACK, uhl, ” Voss, Hector Vivas, they’re, Luis Zambrano, ” Zambrano, Daniel Cardenas, they’ve, Axolotls, Zambrano, axolotls, ”, ” Kate Golembiewski Organizations: CNN, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, “, Aztecs, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Axolotl, Amphibians Conservation, Anadolu, Getty Locations: Mexican, Xochimilco, Mexico City, It’s, Lake Xochimilco, Mexico, French, Europe, California , Maine , New Jersey, Washington, Minecraft, Chicago

☆ Starship’s monumental third flight ends unexpectedly
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Instead, the company utilizes flight tests to gather crucial data and make improvements before the next vehicle rolls out for liftoff. Defying gravityThe SpaceX Starship spacecraft lifts off from the Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on Thursday. Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty ImagesStarship’s eventful third test flight achieved multiple milestones before ending prematurely and likely breaking apart. The spacecraft was expected to splash down in the Indian Ocean at the end of its hourlong flight, but SpaceX lost Starship’s signal shortly after the vehicle reentered Earth’s atmosphere. However, the third flight of Starship flew longer and higher than either of the previous tests.

Persons: Chandan Khanna, axolotls, Stephen Dalton, ”, Randal Voss, Jiji Press, James Webb, “, Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt Organizations: CNN, NASA, SpaceX, Getty, Starship, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, NASA’s, Golden Records, Clipper, Japan Monkey, Jiji, Gorillas, James Webb Space Telescope, CNN Space, Science Locations: South Texas, Texas, Boca Chica , Texas, Turkey, Xochimilco, Inuyama, United States, Columbia , South Carolina, Panama, —, Scarborough , England

☆ A Watershed Moment for the Politics of Israel, Courtesy of Chuck Schumer
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Jonathan Weisman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Over 44 painstakingly scripted minutes on the floor of the Senate on Thursday, the majority leader, Chuck Schumer, spoke of his Jewish identity, his love for the State of Israel, his horror at the wanton slaughter of Israelis on Oct. 7 and his views on the apportionment of blame for the carnage in Gaza, saying that it first and foremost lay with the terrorists of Hamas. Then Mr. Schumer, a New York Democrat and the highest-ranking elected Jew in American history, said Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was an impediment to peace, and called for new elections in the world’s only Jewish state. The opposition was not nearly so painstaking. Within minutes, the House Republican leadership demanded an apology. The Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, using Mr. Netanyahu’s nickname, declared: “Make no mistake — the Democratic Party doesn’t have an anti-Bibi problem.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Schumer, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mitch McConnell of, Netanyahu’s, ” Organizations: State, New, New York Democrat, Republican, Democratic Party, Republican Jewish Coalition Locations: Israel, Gaza, New York, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Congress

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