Colleagues worry Dianne Feinstein is now mentally unfit to serve, citing recent interactions  —  WASHINGTON — When a California Democrat in Congress recently engaged in an extended conversation with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, they prepared for a rigorous policy discussion like those they'd had with her many times over the last 15 years.

Elon Musk offers to buy Twitter for $43 billion, so it can be ‘transformed as private company’  — Elon Musk offered to buy Twitter for $54.20 a share, or about $43 billion.  — “I invested in Twitter as I believe in its potential to be the platform for free speech around the globe …

Russia warns of nuclear deployment if Sweden and Finland join NATO  —  One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies warned NATO on Thursday that if Sweden and Finland joined the U.S.-led military alliance then Russia would have to bolster its defences in the region, including by deploying nuclear weapons.

Biden Job Approval Down Most Among Younger Generations  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joe Biden's recent job approval ratings, which are averaging 14 points lower than those early in his presidency, have declined far more among younger than older generations of Americans.

Kentucky lawmakers block abortion access with new law, effective immediately  —  Kentucky effectively suspended legal abortion access on Wednesday as the legislature enacted a sweeping anti-abortion law that took effect right away and forces providers to stop offering abortions until they can meet certain requirements.

Averting Our Eyes  —  The New York subway massacre has roots in mental illness, but the shooter's delusions were likely fed by the relentless cultivation of racial resentment.  —  Public safety  —  The Social Order  —  New York  —  Had a white male entered a New York subway car …

Trump should be charged.  Don't let the House pass the buck.  —  Again and again we've seen responsible figures determine that something must be done about Trump's behavior.  And then they decide to let someone else do it.  —  Members of the House's Jan. 6 committee are apparently split …

Russia-Ukraine war live updates: Russia evacuates flagship after suffering major damage in Black Sea blast  —  Ukrainian officials said their forces hit the Russian warship with cruise missiles.  Russia's defense ministry said the ship was “seriously damaged” by a fire.  —  Zelenskyy thanks Biden for funds for Ukraine

Grand Rapids police release video of officer fatally shooting Patrick Lyoya … A Black man facedown on the ground was fatally shot in the back of the head by a Grand Rapids police officer, the violent climax of a traffic stop, brief foot chase and struggle over a stun gun, according to videos of the April 4 incident released Wednesday.

U.S. weighs sending top-level official to meet Zelenskyy in Kyiv  —  The Biden administration is holding internal discussions about sending a high-level official to Kyiv to show further support to Ukraine, two U.S. officials told POLITICO.  —  No decision on the potential visit has yet …

Book details tension with McConnell over Trump's bid to reverse Biden's electoral win  —  In the weeks after he lost the 2020 election, then-President Donald Trump had a plan to stay in office - and he wanted Mitch McConnell to know about it.  —  If Trump could successfully pressure Republican …

DNC panel strips Iowa of guaranteed first vote for president; state party can still apply for coveted spot … Iowa Democrats are no longer guaranteed a place at the front of the presidential nominating calendar after a panel of Democratic National Committee members voted Wednesday …

EXPLAINER: Why the term ‘genocide’ matters in Ukraine war  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Joe Biden declares Russia's Ukraine war “genocide,” it isn't just another strong word.  —  Calling a campaign that's aimed at wiping out a targeted group “genocide” not only increases pressure on a country to act, it can oblige it to.

China rejects ‘pressure or coercion’ over Russia relations  —  BEIJING (AP) — China on Thursday said it would reject “any pressure or coercion” over its relationship with Russia, in response to a call from U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen for Beijing to use its “special relationship with Russia” …

The Price We Pay for Higher Prices  —  The debate over whether the recent surge in inflation is transitory or permanent has been settled.  Now the question is whether the Federal Reserve can tame increasing inflationary turbulence and bring the economy to a soft touchdown.

Sex Ed Is the Opposite of Grooming  —  If you ask some (okay, many) conservative pundits, Democrats are “grooming” children.  As in, grooming them to be abused by pedophiles.  Some Republicans have even accused Democrats of being pedophiles themselves.  —  The grooming charges lump together concerns …

CNN+ Is Said to Surpass 100,000 Subscribers in Its First Week  —  Under pressure from new owner Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. to justify its costs, CNN's streaming service eclipsed 100,000 subscribers in its first week, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Le Pen Backs NATO-Russia Reconciliation and Reduced French Role in Alliance  —  PARIS — Rejecting a “herd-like conformity” with the Biden administration, Marine Le Pen, the French far-right candidate for the presidency, said Wednesday that France would quit NATO's integrated military command …

Here Are All House Members Russia Didn't Sanction  —  The Russian Foreign Ministry announced sanctions on most members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday.  —  In response to what were called “anti-Russian sanctions” imposed on 328 deputies of the Russia's federal assembly …

McCarthy faces grumbles from right over Biden impeachment remarks  —  House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) drew right-wing ire after he stated that House Republicans, if they win the House majority in this year's midterm elections, will not impeach President Joe Biden for “political purposes.”

Biden World projects calm about Covid but bite their nails in private  —  The White House is publicly arguing that the country has finally arrived at a promising new stage in the pandemic fight — one that a recent spike in Covid cases won't spoil.  —  Infections may be rising across the Northeast …

Supply Chain Hurdles Will Outlast Pandemic, White House Says  —  The administration's economic advisers see climate change and other factors complicating global trade patterns for years to come.  — Give this article- - - Read in app  —  The coronavirus pandemic and its ripple effects …

Gov. Greg Abbott eases truck inspections at key border crossing in Laredo  —  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott relented Wednesday, agreeing to ease the additional safety inspections of trucks at the busiest border entry point near Laredo in exchange for promises of more border security by Mexican officials along one 8-mile stretch of the border.