National
Thursday, May 14, 2026 · Altamonte Springs
Trump, Xi Convene in Beijing Amid Trade Tensions, Iran War
President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday for high-stakes talks aimed at easing trade frictions and addressing global flashpoints. Accompanied by top U.S. CEOs, Trump seeks new deals in aerospace, agriculture and energy as a truce on rare earth exports nears expiration. The summit unfolds against the backdrop of America's war with Iran and unease over Taiwan.
Johnson, Jeffries Launch Bipartisan Task Force on House Sexual Misconduct
In a rare show of unity, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have appointed a bipartisan task force to overhaul the handling of sexual misconduct claims in Congress. Led by Reps. Kat Cammack and Teresa Leger Fernández, the group aims to streamline reporting and protect whistleblowers amid recent scandals. The move follows resignations tied to expulsion threats, signaling a push for accountability on Capitol Hill.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Kansas Monitors 3 After Cruise Ship Hantavirus Exposure; 11 Cases Confirmed Worldwide
Three Kansas residents are under observation after high-risk contact with an infected passenger from the MV Hondius, a cruise ship at the center of a deadly Andes virus outbreak in the South Atlantic. With 11 confirmed cases and three deaths reported globally, U.S. health officials say the domestic risk remains extremely low—but the incident marks the first known person-to-person spread of this rare strain outside South America.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Wholesale Inflation Surges 6% in April, Fueling Fears of Broader Price Spike
U.S. wholesale prices rocketed 6% year-over-year in April, the steepest jump in over three years, driven by soaring energy costs from the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Producer prices rose 1.4% from March, triple economists' forecasts, as gasoline and diesel prices exploded. The data signals mounting pressure on consumers and the Federal Reserve.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Wyoming Judge Halts 'Heartbeat' Abortion Ban in Latest Legal Blow
A Wyoming judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the state's newest abortion law, blocking enforcement while a lawsuit plays out. The ruling echoes the state Supreme Court's January decision striking down broader bans, citing voters' 2012 approval of healthcare choice rights. Abortion providers hail the move as a critical win amid ongoing battles.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Trump-Xi Summit Kicks Off as Trade Data Signals Sharp U.S.-China Decline
President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a high-stakes summit with Xi Jinping amid plunging bilateral trade figures. China's exports to the U.S. dropped 10.2% in early 2026, fueling market jitters over tariffs, tech rivalries and global supply chains. Investors eye potential deals on soybeans, Boeing jets and a new Board of Trade for stability.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Inflation Surge Lifts 2027 Social Security COLA Forecasts to 4.2%
Surging inflation from gasoline, energy, and produce prices has pushed estimates for Social Security's 2027 cost-of-living adjustment as high as 4.2%, offering potential relief to millions of retirees. Advocacy groups warn benefits still lag behind a 13.7% purchasing power loss since 2016. The official figure hinges on third-quarter data, but early signs point to the biggest boost since 2022.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Walmart Cuts 1,000 Corporate Jobs in AI-Led Restructuring Push
Walmart announced Tuesday it is cutting or relocating roughly 1,000 corporate positions as the retail giant consolidates its global technology and product divisions under new AI leadership. The move marks the second major restructuring in a year and signals the company's intensified focus on technology-driven operations to compete with Amazon.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Stock Futures Rise as Nvidia Earnings Ignite Tech Rally
U.S. stock futures climbed Thursday morning, fueled by Nvidia's blowout earnings that crushed Wall Street expectations and eased AI bubble fears. Dow Jones futures gained 0.61%, S&P 500 futures surged 1.19%, and Nasdaq 100 futures jumped 1.51%. Investors now eye whether this momentum sustains amid broader economic signals.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Cisco Cuts 4,000 Jobs as AI Infrastructure Orders Soar to $9B
Cisco announced nearly 4,000 layoffs on Thursday—less than 5% of its workforce—even as the networking giant posted record quarterly revenue and hyperscaler demand for AI infrastructure nearly tripled year-over-year. CEO Chuck Robbins framed the restructuring as essential to winning in the AI era, redirecting investments toward silicon, optics, and security.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Nvidia's Beijing Gambit: AI Chips and Diplomacy Collide at Trump-Xi Summit
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's last-minute addition to President Trump's China delegation signals that semiconductor access has become central to U.S.-China relations, with markets betting that eased chip export restrictions could unlock billions in AI revenue. Reports of U.S. approval for Nvidia H200 sales to Chinese tech giants have ignited a rally across semiconductor stocks, though skeptics question whether the breakthrough is real or merely theatrical.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Social Security COLA Eyed at 3.9% for 2027 as Inflation Surges
Millions of Social Security recipients could see a 3.9% cost-of-living boost in 2027, the largest since 2022, amid accelerating inflation. Advocacy groups warn the adjustment may still lag behind rising costs for energy, food and shelter. The projection hinges on third-quarter data, with final figures due in October.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Walmart Cuts or Relocates 1,000 Tech Jobs in Restructuring Push
Walmart is eliminating or relocating about 1,000 corporate positions to consolidate its global technology and AI teams, streamlining operations amid a fierce retail race. The moves, detailed in an internal memo, aim to accelerate decision-making without blaming AI automation. As the retail giant eyes digital dominance over Amazon and others, affected workers face relocation to Bentonville or Northern California.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Cisco's AI Bet Pays Off: Stock Surges 19% on Job Cuts, Soaring Forecast
Cisco Systems pulled off a rare Wall Street maneuver Wednesday: announcing nearly 4,000 layoffs while sending its stock soaring 19% in premarket trading. The networking giant's bold restructuring, backed by a $9 billion AI infrastructure order book from hyperscalers, signals a decisive pivot that investors are rewarding as the company races to dominate the artificial intelligence infrastructure market.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
NFL Unveils 2026 Schedule Tonight: Nine International Games, Week 1 Marquees Set
The NFL will release its complete 2026 regular-season schedule tonight at 8 p.m. ET across ESPN, NFL Network, and NFL+, ending months of anticipation for the 107th season. The league is planning a record nine international games across four continents, with early announcements already revealing a Chiefs-Broncos Monday Night Football opener and a Giants-Cowboys primetime clash in Week 1.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Mythical Playoff Shakeup: Wizards, Jazz, Grizzlies Stun as Top Seeds
In a stunning twist to the 2025-26 NBA playoffs, the Washington Wizards claim the No. 1 seed in the East, while the Utah Jazz snag No. 2 overall and Memphis Grizzlies land at No. 3. This improbable bracket defies expectations for rebuilding squads, setting up high-stakes drama. Full details from ESPN's playoff bracket reveal the chaos unfolding.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Aces Swarm Back with 105-78 Rout of Sparks After Ring Night Flop
One night after a humiliating 33-point season-opening loss to the Phoenix Mercury, the Las Vegas Aces delivered a resounding 105-78 beatdown of the Los Angeles Sparks. Chennedy Carter poured in 22 points while Jackie Young added 20 points and nine assists in the dominant road win. The victory marked a swift bounce-back for the defending champions on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Machado's Walk-Off Sac Fly Caps Padres' Epic 9th-Inning Rally vs. Cards
Down to their final strike in the ninth, Nick Castellanos crushed a two-run homer to tie the Cardinals, setting the stage for Manny Machado's bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 10th. The San Diego Padres claimed a 3-2 thriller on Mother's Day, splitting their four-game series 2-2 at Petco Park. The comeback marked San Diego's fourth walk-off win of the 2026 season.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Newhook's Double Powers Canadiens to 6-2 Rout, 2-1 Series Lead
Alex Newhook's two goals fueled the Montreal Canadiens to a dominant 6-2 home win over the Buffalo Sabres on May 10, seizing a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference second-round series. For the first time in these playoffs, Montreal strung together back-to-back victories. The win sets up high stakes as the series heads back to Buffalo.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Haliburton's Buzzer-Beater Sparks Pacers' Epic Game 1 Comeback
Tyrese Haliburton banked in a dramatic buzzer-beater to force overtime, capping the Indiana Pacers' stunning 14-point rally to stun the New York Knicks 138-135 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Aaron Nesmith's record-tying 3-point barrage fueled the fourth-quarter surge at Madison Square Garden. The victory gives Indiana a 1-0 series lead, with Game 2 set for Friday.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Tatum's Achilles Tear Dooms Celtics in Knicks Series Upset
Jayson Tatum's season-ending Achilles injury in Game 4 handed the New York Knicks a pivotal edge, propelling them past the defending champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Despite a valiant Celtics rally without their star, the Knicks closed out the series in six games. Now, nearly a year later, Tatum's triumphant return to Madison Square Garden signals Boston's renewed fire.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Pacers Stun Top-Seeded Cavs in Epic ECF Semifinals Upset
The Indiana Pacers defied all odds, knocking out the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in a thrilling seven-game Eastern Conference semifinals series. Behind Tyrese Haliburton's clutch playmaking and Pascal Siakam's scoring prowess, Indiana advanced to face the conference finals. This Hoosier State miracle has electrified fans across the Crossroads of America.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Turang's Walk-Off Blast Ends Brewers' 37-Year Yankee Drought
Brice Turang launched a two-out solo homer in the ninth inning to lift Milwaukee past New York 4-3, completing the Brewers' first sweep of the Yankees since 1989. The dramatic finish gave a surging Milwaukee team consecutive walk-off victories and pushed them six games over .500 for the first time since April.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Knicks Rain 25 Threes, Tie Record in 76ers Sweep
The New York Knicks torched the nets for an NBA playoff-record-tying 25 three-pointers in a 144-114 demolition of the Philadelphia 76ers, completing a stunning sweep of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Shooting 25-for-44 from deep at 56.8%, New York advanced to the conference finals with historic efficiency. Jalen Brunson and his squad sat early, signaling total dominance.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
CMS Orders States to Purge Unverified Immigrants from Medicaid Rolls
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has launched a nationwide crackdown on Medicaid eligibility, requiring states to verify enrollees' citizenship and immigration status or face funding cuts. Monthly reports flag thousands whose status can't be confirmed in federal databases, sparking debates over program integrity versus coverage gaps. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz vows to protect taxpayer dollars amid rising scrutiny.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Utah Mom Who Wrote Grief Book Gets Life for Husband's Fentanyl Murder
Kouri Richins, a 35-year-old mother of three who self-published a children's book about grieving after her husband's death, was sentenced Wednesday to life without parole for fatally poisoning him with fentanyl. Judge Richard Mrazik imposed the maximum sentence after a jury convicted Richins on all counts, including aggravated murder, attempted murder, fraud, and forgery in the March 2022 death of Eric Richins.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
NASA Pushes Artemis II Moonshot to March After Fuel Leak Fiasco
NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar voyage since Apollo, hit a snag during a critical fueling test, delaying launch from February to March 2026 at the earliest. Persistent liquid hydrogen leaks at the rocket's base echoed troubles from the uncrewed Artemis 1 flight. Engineers cite the need for data review and a second rehearsal amid valve issues and cold weather delays.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Senate Confirms Warsh as Fed Chair in Narrowest Vote Ever
The U.S. Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chairman Wednesday in a razor-thin 54-45 vote, the narrowest in history for the post. President Trump's pick replaces Jerome Powell amid clashing visions on interest rates and persistent inflation. Warsh vows independence despite White House pressure for cuts.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Congress Passes Stopgap Funding Bill, Dodging Shutdown Crisis
In a bipartisan dash against the clock, U.S. lawmakers approved a temporary funding measure Thursday, averting a partial government shutdown and sending it to President Donald Trump's desk. The deal sidesteps divisive immigration demands but keeps fiscal tensions simmering into the fall. Essential services remain intact amid election-year pressures.
Thursday, May 14, 2026