Stories from United States

Financial records reveal that former California representative Eric Swalwell utilized $40,000 from his campaign account to pay attorney Sarah Azari. The payments were made shortly after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against him. This development highlights the use of political funds for personal legal matters. The report was discussed on WLS AM 890. The segment included commentary regarding the administration of former Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

There are renewed demands for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the conduct of federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz. The investigation would focus on specific actions taken by agents during the operation. The calls for legal oversight follow recent developments regarding the federal response.

Inspector General Isabel Cummings has filed a lawsuit against the Baltimore Mayor's Office to address restrictions on her investigative powers. Cummings alleges that the city and the mayor's office are blocking her ability to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse. The legal action seeks to restore the independence and efficacy of the Inspector General's office. The report also revealed that juvenile arrest records and personal information were released to hundreds of individuals via a Gmail account. Councilman Mark Conway, the committee chair, described the accusations as deeply disturbing during a hearing at City Hall. The Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement is involved in the investigation.

Total US military expenditures have surpassed $61 billion according to WarCostTracker data. The ongoing blockade in the Strait of Hormuz has halted oil and commercial shipping, driving up international oil prices. This project is part of the Golden Fleet initiative announced by US President Donald Trump in December 2025. US lawmakers are questioning the Pentagon's estimate of $5 billion required for a potential war with Iran. Some Democrats have expressed concerns that the conflict could cost significantly more than the stated amount. Senators have raised questions regarding the scale and financial implications of the military action. This figure is reportedly lower than previous estimates provided by various military analysts. The information is currently undergoing verification.

The National Weather Service has issued a Gale Watch for the Wakefield, VA area, effective until April 27. This warning suggests potentially dangerous wind conditions for maritime and coastal activities. The warning is effective from April 25 at 9:45 PM EDT until April 26 at 11:00 PM EDT. The National Weather Service in Wakefield, VA, issued a High Surf Advisory effective until 10:00 AM EDT on April 27. The advisory covers coastal areas under the jurisdiction of NWS Wakefield.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Duluth, Minnesota, effective until 6:45 PM CDT on April 25. Residents are advised to monitor local conditions for potential rising water levels. The warning is effective from April 30 until May 5 at 7:00 AM CDT.

The US Department of Justice has dropped a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding a renovation project at the Fed's Washington headquarters. The probe initially involved potential criminal proceedings related to Powell's upcoming testimony before the Senate Banking Committee. While the investigation is closed, officials noted it could be reopened if new information regarding budget overruns emerges. This action is seen as clearing a key obstacle for the nomination of potential successor, likely to be more dovish than Powell. Following the news, the two-year US Treasury yield slightly decreased. Market expectations suggest a 50% probability of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve before July of next year. Senator Tillis, a Republican, indicated he is willing to vote for confirmation.

Republican candidates are projected to secure an additional five seats in Texas following recent voting trends. This shift is expected to fundamentally alter the composition of voting districts across the Deep South. The outcome depends on final voter turnout and specific regional tallies. Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated that the US Republican Party could gain at least a dozen more seats in the next Congress. Abbott specifically projected five additional Republican seats from Texas and four from Florida. He suggested that more seats would come from other Southern states. The governor's comments follow discussions regarding customs threats and their impact on German security experts.

Major corporations including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are increasing investments in nuclear power to meet the energy demands of artificial intelligence data centers. This includes specific plans to restart a reactor at Three Mile Island near Harrisburg. The shift marks a significant move toward utilizing nuclear energy to sustain large-scale computing infrastructure. They view nuclear power as safe and low-emission. Microsoft's investment in Australia is understood to be $25 billion. Building trades unions are collaborating with technology companies on the development of AI data centers. This partnership aims to leverage the expertise of both sectors for infrastructure projects.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on the United Kingdom if London does not repeal its digital services tax targeting large American technology firms. According to the Bundesverkehrsministerium, the Deutschlandticket currently costs 63 Euro and is used by approximately 14.5 million people, saving 2.5 million tons of CO2 annually. Officials have accused Brussels of not engaging in fair trade practices. President Trump announced via his True Social platform that he will increase import tariffs on European cars and trucks from 15 percent to 25 percent. The administration suggested the EU should respond with its most clear and firm stance. European Parliament Committee on International Trade Chair Ursula von der Leyen described the action as unacceptable, stating it shows the US is an unreliable trade partner.