Stories from United States

House Speaker Mike Johnson is seeking $7.4 billion to fund drug addiction treatment programs across the United States. The funding is intended to support various treatment initiatives nationwide. Brian Mann of NPR reported on the proposal.

Survivors and relatives of opioid overdose victims demonstrated in front of the Newark court in New Jersey on Tuesday.

US authorities have introduced expanded background checks for all applicants seeking political asylum, green cards, or citizenship. Officials stated that the review process will now take longer to allow for more cautious screening of potential future offenders. Reuters reports that the new measures aim to identify individuals who may commit crimes in the future. The US immigration service is now analyzing social media activity to identify individuals seeking publications with anti-American views. Many asylum applications in the US have been temporarily frozen. Additionally, entry for citizens of 39 countries is now either limited or completely prohibited. The US State Department has issued a new order for consular officers to screen non-immigrant visa applicants regarding potential persecution.

Lammes Candies, a candy store chain based in Texas, has closed its operations. The company cited economic pressures as the primary reason for the closure.

Gilbert Strang, a mathematics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has died. He was known for his lectures on linear algebra, which were watched online by many.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Pleasant Hill, Missouri, effective until May 1 at 3:24 AM CDT. The warning was initiated by NWS Kansas City.

A Department of Justice official stated that Maureen Comey will receive a trial by a jury of her peers regarding new charges. A jury hearing the full circumstances of the case may consider facts not included in the indictment. These facts include that Comey removed a post and apologized after being informed the term '86' is used in mob contexts to mean 'rub somebody out'. The Acting Attorney General stated there will be a motion to dismiss based on selective or vindictive prosecution. Prosecutors are looking at the extent to which it is appropriate to improve intent in this case. The case involves investigations into potential intent to commit harm. One commentator described the situation as vengeance masquerading as justice. A report from Lawfare, a Brookings senior fellow, suggests the Department of Justice is being used for political retribution.

A 60-page Bloomberg Intelligence report released within the last day suggests disruption to the $700 billion application software industry.

White House representative Anna Kelly told Reuters that the United States continues to conduct negotiations with Iran. The Gulf region provides 1.3 million barrels of global oil supply daily. Before the conflict, aviation fuel was priced between $85 and $90 per barrel.

A new bill in Virginia will allow law enforcement officers to wear medical protection masks, such as N95s, and masks designed to protect against chemical hazards. County Executive Mark Elrich is expected to sign the legislation. The bill was introduced in the Senate.