INSIDER
2024 was a year of triumphs and setbacks for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Here's how it unfolded
Read full article: 2024 was a year of triumphs and setbacks for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Here's how it unfoldedThe year 2024 saw President Vladimir Putin further cement his power as he sought to counter Russia's isolation over the war in Ukraine.
Abortions are up in the US. It's a complicated picture as women turn to pills, travel
Read full article: Abortions are up in the US. It's a complicated picture as women turn to pills, travelEven with abortion bans in place in most Republican-controlled states, the number of people obtaining them has grown slightly.
Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office
Read full article: Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes officePresident-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a āpolitical resolutionā to the issue.
Janet Yellen tells Congress US could hit debt limit in mid-January
Read full article: Janet Yellen tells Congress US could hit debt limit in mid-JanuaryTreasury Secretary Janet Yellen says her agency will need to start taking āextraordinary measures,ā or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling, as early as January 14th, in a letter sent to congressional leaders Friday afternoon.
China sanctions 7 companies over US military assistance to Taiwan
Read full article: China sanctions 7 companies over US military assistance to TaiwanThe Chinese government has placed sanctions on seven companies in response to recent U.S. announcements of military sales and aid to Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims as part of its territory.
Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning out
Read full article: Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning outA lot of Americans, after an intense presidential election campaign, are looking for a break in political news.
Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row
Read full article: Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death rowPresident-elect Donald Trump says he'll āvigorously pursueā capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions.
Global monitor says famine is weeks away in north Gaza. A US diplomat calls warning 'irresponsible'
Read full article: Global monitor says famine is weeks away in north Gaza. A US diplomat calls warning 'irresponsible'A leading global food crisis monitor says deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in north Gaza as soon as next month.
Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing 'hurried' House action
Read full article: Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing 'hurried' House actionPresident Joe Biden has vetoed a once-bipartisan effort to add 66 new federal district judgeships.
Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus
Read full article: Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensusA powerful government panel has failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of a nearly $15 billion proposed deal for Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase U.S. Steel.
Biden signs defense bill despite objections to ban on transgender health care for military children
Read full article: Biden signs defense bill despite objections to ban on transgender health care for military childrenPresident Joe Biden has signed the annual defense authorization bill into law despite his objections to language banning transgender health care for military children.
Relief, defiance, anger: Families and advocates react to Biden's death row commutations
Read full article: Relief, defiance, anger: Families and advocates react to Biden's death row commutationsVictimsā families and others affected by crimes that resulted in federal death row convictions are sharing a range of emotions, from relief to anger, after President Joe Biden commuted dozens of the sentences.
An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump
Read full article: An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under TrumpPresident-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy ā more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally.
Congress is looking to ban Chinese drones that are widely used in US. What to know about the debate
Read full article: Congress is looking to ban Chinese drones that are widely used in US. What to know about the debateThe economic and technological rivalry between the U.S. and China has come to the drone market.
Biden gives life in prison to 37 of 40 federal death row inmates before Trump can resume executions
Read full article: Biden gives life in prison to 37 of 40 federal death row inmates before Trump can resume executionsPresident Joe Biden is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row.
Abortion opponents shift focus to pills with lawsuits, proposed laws and possible federal action
Read full article: Abortion opponents shift focus to pills with lawsuits, proposed laws and possible federal actionThe battles over abortion in the U.S. are increasingly focusing on the pills that are now the most common way pregnancies are ended.
Many Americans have come to rely on Chinese-made drones. Now lawmakers want to ban them
Read full article: Many Americans have come to rely on Chinese-made drones. Now lawmakers want to ban themThe economic and technological rivalry between the U.S. and China has come to the drone market, where Chinese-made flying devices are a dominant player in America.
China says US is 'playing with fire' after latest military aid for Taiwan
Read full article: China says US is 'playing with fire' after latest military aid for TaiwanThe Chinese government is protesting the latest American announcements of military sales and assistance to Taiwan, warning the United States that it is āplaying with fire.ā.
Isolated Chicago communities secure money for a coveted transit project before Trump takes office
Read full article: Isolated Chicago communities secure money for a coveted transit project before Trump takes officeDecades after a former Chicago mayor pledged to extend transit to the cityās far South Side, the federal government is committing to the massive project just before President Joe Biden leaves office.
Amazon and Starbucks workers are on strike. Trump might have something to do with it
Read full article: Amazon and Starbucks workers are on strike. Trump might have something to do with itAmazon delivery drivers and Starbucks baristas are on strike in a handful of U.S. cities as they seek to exert pressure on the two major companies to recognize them as unionized employees or to meet demands for an inaugural labor contract.
Biden signs bill that averts a government shutdown and brings a close to days of Washington upheaval
Read full article: Biden signs bill that averts a government shutdown and brings a close to days of Washington upheavalPresident Joe Biden has signed a bill into law that averts a government shutdown.
Here's a look at the $100 billion in disaster relief in the government spending bill
Read full article: Here's a look at the $100 billion in disaster relief in the government spending billCongress is allocating more than $100 billion in emergency aid to address extensive damage caused by hurricane and other disasters.
Senate passes RFK Stadium land bill, giving the Washington Commanders a major off-the-field win
Read full article: Senate passes RFK Stadium land bill, giving the Washington Commanders a major off-the-field winThe Washington Commanders' path to returning to nation's capital is clear after an on-again, off-again saga in Congress ended with a late reprieve.
Senate review of Supreme Court ethics finds more luxury trips and urges enforceable code of conduct
Read full article: Senate review of Supreme Court ethics finds more luxury trips and urges enforceable code of conductA nearly two-year investigation by Democratic senators of Supreme Court ethics details more luxury travel by Justice Clarence Thomas and urges Congress to establish a way to enforce a new code of conduct.
Biden and the first lady bring holiday cheer to patients and families at a children's hospital
Read full article: Biden and the first lady bring holiday cheer to patients and families at a children's hospitalPresident Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, brought some holiday cheer to patients and families at a children's hospital in Washington.
Whatās next for the man charged with killing UnitedHealthcareās CEO?
Read full article: Whatās next for the man charged with killing UnitedHealthcareās CEO?The man charged with gunning down United Healthcareās CEO outside a Manhattan hotel is now in a federal jail after being returned to New York City in dramatic fashion.
Trump to nominate the head of Catholic advocacy group as US ambassador to the Vatican
Read full article: Trump to nominate the head of Catholic advocacy group as US ambassador to the VaticanPresident-elect Donald Trump says heās nominating the president of the advocacy group CatholicVote to be the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.
Why were border wall materials put up for auction? Here's what you should know.
Read full article: Why were border wall materials put up for auction? Here's what you should know.Some Texas lawmakers including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick slammed the Biden administration over the auction of wall materials. But the sale was directed by Congress ā and Texas has already bought some of it.
EPA head Regan, who championed environmental justice, to leave office Dec. 31
Read full article: EPA head Regan, who championed environmental justice, to leave office Dec. 31Michael Regan, who has led the Environmental Protection Agency throughout President Joe Bidenās four-year term, said Friday he will be leaving the agency Dec. 31, about three weeks before Bidenā leaves office.
US proposes voluntary guidelines for self-driving vehicles in waning days of Biden administration
Read full article: US proposes voluntary guidelines for self-driving vehicles in waning days of Biden administrationThe governmentās highway safety agency is proposing voluntary safety guidelines for self-driving vehicles.
Government shutdown is averted just after deadline as Congress rejects Trump's debt limit demands
Read full article: Government shutdown is averted just after deadline as Congress rejects Trump's debt limit demandsThe Senate has rushed through final passage of a bipartisan plan to fund federal operations and prevent a government shutdown.
Trump was poised to inherit a strong economy. Then things got rocky and he added to the uncertainty
Read full article: Trump was poised to inherit a strong economy. Then things got rocky and he added to the uncertaintyDonald Trump seemed poised to inherit a relatively strong economy when he begins a second term in the White House in January.
White House starts scrapping pending regulations on transgender athletes and student debt
Read full article: White House starts scrapping pending regulations on transgender athletes and student debtPresident Joe Bidenās administration has started to withdraw pending regulations that wonāt be finalized by the time he leaves office.
International students urged to return to US campuses before Trump inauguration
Read full article: International students urged to return to US campuses before Trump inaugurationSome U.S. colleges and universities are advising international students to return to campus before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated.
Immigration agency deports highest numbers since 2014, aided by more flights
Read full article: Immigration agency deports highest numbers since 2014, aided by more flightsU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it deported more than 270,000 people over a recent 12-month period, the highest annual tally in a decade.
What to know about the debt ceiling debate as a government shutdown looms in Washington
Read full article: What to know about the debt ceiling debate as a government shutdown looms in WashingtonA debate over the debt ceiling is at the center of a dispute over funding that is pushing the possibility of a federal government shutdown to the brink in Washington.
White House says Biden will visit Pope Francis, Meloni in final international trip of his presidency
Read full article: White House says Biden will visit Pope Francis, Meloni in final international trip of his presidencyPresident Joe Biden will travel to Italy next month to meet with Pope Francis and top Italian officials for what is expected to be the final international trip of his presidency.
Millions of people may get expanded Social Security benefits. Who are they and how would it happen?
Read full article: Millions of people may get expanded Social Security benefits. Who are they and how would it happen?Nearly 3 million people could receive a boost in Social Security payments under legislation that's set for a final vote in the Senate.
In Florida, a race is on to save the Everglades and protect a key source of drinking water
Read full article: In Florida, a race is on to save the Everglades and protect a key source of drinking waterFor decades, largescale engineering projects for development and agriculture drained and partitioned South Florida's Everglades, a vast wetlands landscape home to endangered and threatened species and a vital source of drinking water for millions of Floridians.
EU leaders insist no decisions can be taken about Ukraine without Ukraine, or behind their backs
Read full article: EU leaders insist no decisions can be taken about Ukraine without Ukraine, or behind their backsEuropean Union leaders insist no decisions can be taken about the future of Ukraine without its consent or behind their backs.
Biden, on his way out, sets 'ambitious' climate goal: Cut US greenhouse gas emissions by over 60%
Read full article: Biden, on his way out, sets 'ambitious' climate goal: Cut US greenhouse gas emissions by over 60%President Joe Biden is pledging to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% by 2035.
A key Trump ally on immigration explains how mass deportations could work
Read full article: A key Trump ally on immigration explains how mass deportations could workA Kansas official whoās an informal adviser to President-elect Donald Trumpās transition team on immigration issues doesnāt expect mass deportations to prompt arrests of migrants at sensitive locations such as schools and churches.
US effort to curb China's and Russia's access to advanced computer chips 'inadequate,' report finds
Read full article: US effort to curb China's and Russia's access to advanced computer chips 'inadequate,' report findsThe U.S. Commerce Departmentās efforts to curb Chinaās and Russiaās access to American-made advanced computer chips have been āinadequateā and will need more funding to stymie their ability to manufacture advanced weapons.
The fate of the first-ever White House Gender Policy Council is uncertain in Trump's administration
Read full article: The fate of the first-ever White House Gender Policy Council is uncertain in Trump's administrationDuring the transition period between President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump, there has been at least some coordination on West Wing affairs.
Judge: Pardoning Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes for Capitol riot plot would be 'frightening'
Read full article: Judge: Pardoning Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes for Capitol riot plot would be 'frightening'The federal judge who presided over the seditious conspiracy case against Oath Keepers members says it would be āfrighteningā if the anti-government groupās founder, Stewart Rhodes, is pardoned for orchestrating a violent plot to keep Donald Trump in the White House after he lost the 2020 presidential election.
Mauritius wants to rethink a deal with the UK over remote islands housing a key US base
Read full article: Mauritius wants to rethink a deal with the UK over remote islands housing a key US baseThe British government says it still plans to hand over a contested Indian Ocean archipelago, which is home to a strategically important military base, to Mauritius.
Senate passes defense bill that will raise troop pay and aims to counter China's power
Read full article: Senate passes defense bill that will raise troop pay and aims to counter China's powerThe Senate has passed a defense bill that authorizes significant pay raises for junior enlisted service members and boosts overall military spending to $895 billion.
Biden honors the memory of his first wife and baby daughter who died in a 1972 car crash
Read full article: Biden honors the memory of his first wife and baby daughter who died in a 1972 car crashPresident Joe Biden is remembering his first wife and baby daughter 52 years after they were killed in a car crash in Delaware.
US repatriates 3 Guantanamo Bay detainees, including one held 17 years without charge
Read full article: US repatriates 3 Guantanamo Bay detainees, including one held 17 years without chargeThe Pentagon has transferred two Malaysian detainees at the Guantanamo Bay U.S. military prison to their home country.
Democracies across the globe are at a crossroads, as authoritarians seek to chip away at freedoms
Read full article: Democracies across the globe are at a crossroads, as authoritarians seek to chip away at freedomsThe past year has been both a glass half empty and half full for the world's democracies.
After investigating Jan. 6, House GOP sides with Trump and goes after Liz Cheney
Read full article: After investigating Jan. 6, House GOP sides with Trump and goes after Liz CheneyWrapping up their report on the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, House Republicans have concluded itās former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney who should be prosecuted for her work probing the riot.
Energy chief Granholm warns against 'unfettered exports' of liquefied natural gas
Read full article: Energy chief Granholm warns against 'unfettered exports' of liquefied natural gasEnergy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says the incoming Trump administration should proceed cautiously as it considers proposals for new natural gas export terminals.
What does Big Tech hope to gain from warming up to Trump?
Read full article: What does Big Tech hope to gain from warming up to Trump?In a string of visits, dinners, calls, monetary pledges and social media overtures, big tech chiefs have joined a parade of business and world leaders in trying to improve their standing with President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January.
Archivist says Equal Rights Amendment can't be certified as Democrats push Biden to recognize it
Read full article: Archivist says Equal Rights Amendment can't be certified as Democrats push Biden to recognize itThe archivist and deputy archivist of the United States have issued a rare joint statement to say that the 1970s-era Equal Rights Amendment cannot be certified without further action by Congress or the courts.
Congress unveils funding deal with more than $100 billion in disaster aid
Read full article: Congress unveils funding deal with more than $100 billion in disaster aidCongressional leaders have unveiled legislation that will keep the federal government funded through March 14 and provide more than $100 billion in emergency aid to help states and local communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and other natural disasters.
Lawsuit accuses State Department of creating loopholes for Israel on military aid and human rights
Read full article: Lawsuit accuses State Department of creating loopholes for Israel on military aid and human rightsA lawsuit by a group of Palestinians in Gaza and American relatives accuses the State Department of giving Israel a pass when it comes to a U.S. law meant to limit military aid over human rights abuses.
Americans end 2024 with grim economic outlook, but Republicans are optimistic for 2025: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: Americans end 2024 with grim economic outlook, but Republicans are optimistic for 2025: AP-NORC pollA new poll finds that Democrats are feeling more pessimistic about the U.S. economy after Donald Trump's victory.
Kamala Harris tells students to 'stay in the fight' after the election
Read full article: Kamala Harris tells students to 'stay in the fight' after the electionVice President Kamala Harris is urging anyone disappointed over her loss in last month's election to āstay in the fightā as Donald Trump prepares to take office.
Police chief says motive for Wisconsin school shooting was a 'combination of factors'
Read full article: Police chief says motive for Wisconsin school shooting was a 'combination of factors'Investigators in Wisconsin are trying to determine a motive in a school shooting that left a teacher and a student dead and two other children in critical condition.
Grassroots funding for Ukraine's military declines as groups look for creative ways to raise money
Read full article: Grassroots funding for Ukraine's military declines as groups look for creative ways to raise moneyAdvertisements pasted along the sidewalk in Kyiv ask for donations to help fill financial gaps across Ukraine's military.
Americans' trust in nation's court system hits record low, survey finds
Read full article: Americans' trust in nation's court system hits record low, survey findsAt a time of heightened political division, Americansā confidence in their countryās judicial system and courts dropped to a record low of 35% this year.
Trump says it was 'stupid' for Biden to let Ukraine use US weapons to strike deeper into Russia
Read full article: Trump says it was 'stupid' for Biden to let Ukraine use US weapons to strike deeper into RussiaPresident-elect Donald Trump says he might reverse President Joe Bidenās decision to permit Ukrainian forces to use American long-range weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory.
TikTok asks the Supreme Court for an emergency order to block a US ban unless it's sold
Read full article: TikTok asks the Supreme Court for an emergency order to block a US ban unless it's soldTikTok is asking the Supreme Court to step in on an emergency basis to block the federal law that would ban the popular platform in the United States unless its China-based parent company agrees to sell it.
Things to know about the shooting at a Christian school in Wisconsin
Read full article: Things to know about the shooting at a Christian school in WisconsinPolice in Madison, Wisconsin, believe multiple factors prompted a 15-year-old student to open fire at a private Christian school, but they declined to share those Tuesday.
Trump says he's a 'believer' in polio vaccine, and other news conference takeaways
Read full article: Trump says he's a 'believer' in polio vaccine, and other news conference takeawaysPresident-elect Donald Trump has held a wide-ranging news conference in which he took questions from reporters for the first time since winning the election.
Trump weighs in on NY mayor, vaccines and drones in freewheeling press conference at Mar-a-Lago
Read full article: Trump weighs in on NY mayor, vaccines and drones in freewheeling press conference at Mar-a-LagoPresident-elect Donald Trump told reporters that he would consider pardoning embattled New York Mayor Eric Adams, said the country was ānot going to loseā the polio vaccine and weighed in on the flurry of drone sightings over New Jersey during a freewheeling press conference Monday at his Mar-a-Lago club.
Biden establishes a national monument for Frances Perkins, the 1st female Cabinet secretary
Read full article: Biden establishes a national monument for Frances Perkins, the 1st female Cabinet secretaryPresident Joe Biden has signed a proclamation establishing a national monument honoring the late FDR-era Labor Secretary Frances Perkins.
Former FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about phony bribery scheme involving the Bidens
Read full article: Former FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about phony bribery scheme involving the BidensA former FBI informant has pleaded guilty to lying about a phony bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, that became central to a Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress.
Biden, Harris thank major Democratic donors and urge them to stay engaged after tough loss to Trump
Read full article: Biden, Harris thank major Democratic donors and urge them to stay engaged after tough loss to TrumpPresident Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris thanked deep-pocketed Democratic donors who raised record sums in last monthās election loss to President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump appoints longtime foreign policy adviser Richard Grenell to serve as special missions envoy
Read full article: Trump appoints longtime foreign policy adviser Richard Grenell to serve as special missions envoyPresident-elect Donald Trump has picked longtime foreign policy adviser Richard Grenell to serve as an envoy for special missions.
Mystery drone sightings continue in New Jersey and across the US. Here's what we know
Read full article: Mystery drone sightings continue in New Jersey and across the US. Here's what we knowMysterious drones have been reported flying over the eastern United States in recent weeks, sparking speculation and concern over who is flying them and why.
Unique among 'Person of the Year' designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazine
Read full article: Unique among 'Person of the Year' designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazineDonald Trump got something this year that no other person designated Time magazine's Person of the Year had ever received.
Biden's commutation in 'kids for cash' scandal angers some Pennsylvania families
Read full article: Biden's commutation in 'kids for cash' scandal angers some Pennsylvania familiesA judge who helped orchestrate a scheme to send children to for-profit jails in exchange for kickbacks was among the 1,500 people whose sentences were commuted by President Joe Biden this week.
Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightings
Read full article: Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightingsItās unclear if that buzzing sound coming out of New Jersey is drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward.
Supreme Court will take up a challenge related to California's tough vehicle emissions standards
Read full article: Supreme Court will take up a challenge related to California's tough vehicle emissions standardsThe Supreme Court says it will take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations, acting in a dispute related to Californiaās nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions.
Trumpās lawyers rebuff DA's idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it 'absurd'
Read full article: Trumpās lawyers rebuff DA's idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it 'absurd'President-elect Donald Trumpās lawyers are again urging a judge to throw out his hush money conviction.
Jill Biden tells military children at Marine Corps Reserve toy drive to remember that they are loved
Read full article: Jill Biden tells military children at Marine Corps Reserve toy drive to remember that they are lovedJill Biden has told children from military families who helped the White House donate toys for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign to remember that they are loved.
Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for 2 Venezuelan men accused of killing Texas girl
Read full article: Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for 2 Venezuelan men accused of killing Texas girlProsecutors in Texas will seek the death penalty for two Venezuelan men who are accused of killing a 12-year-old Houston girl after they entered the U.S. illegally.
Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases
Read full article: Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchasesElon Musk says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed ā or failed to disclose ā about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022.
Bank groups sue the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over a proposed cap on overdraft fees
Read full article: Bank groups sue the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over a proposed cap on overdraft feesSome banks and banking trade groups are suing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over a finalized rule that limits overdraft fees banks can charge.
About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC pollAmericans may have elected Donald Trump to a second term in November, but that doesnāt mean they have high confidence in his ability to choose well-qualified people for his Cabinet or effectively manage government spending, the military and the White House.
A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden's clemency list
Read full article: A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden's clemency listAmong the roughly 1,500 people whose sentences were commuted or who were pardoned by President Joe Biden are a nonprofit leader who supports at-risk youth, a social worker who fosters animals and a postdoctoral researcher One woman who received a pardon said she wanted people with drug addiction to know there is always hope.