Protests over China’s zero-COVID lockdown grow
ABC News’ Maggie Rulli reports on the growing protests as demonstrators gather to oppose the country’s strict COVID policies.
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ABC NewsDEA plans to back reclassifying marijuana as less serious drug, sources say
In a historic shift, the Drug Enforcement Administration supports recommending the reclassification of marijuana as a less dangerous drug, moving it from a Schedule 1 classification, alongside drugs like heroin and ecstasy, to a Schedule 3 drug, like ketamine, steroids and testosterone, sources told ABC News. A source confirmed that the Department of Justice on Tuesday will send its recommendation to the White House's Office of Management and Budget, which will review it, further solidifying a process that will then take several more months. The White House declined to comment, referring all questions to the DOJ, which then announced its decision later on Tuesday.
- Good Morning America
What to know about the '9-Minute Theory' parents are talking about on social media
When Sara Martinez, a mom of a 19-month-old daughter, needed tips on raising a toddler, she turned to TikTok for help, asking in a video for parents to send their advice. According to Martinez, the theory suggests that parents focus on three key interactions with their kids during the day: The first three minutes after they wake up, the three minutes after they come home from school or day care and the last three minutes of the day before they go to bed. For Martinez, implementing the theory with her daughter Millie has helped her erase the "mom guilt" she said she felt, wondering whether she was doing enough for and spending enough time with her daughter.
- ABC News
Trump trial live updates: Trump hit with contempt, witnesses detail Stormy Daniels deal
Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City, where he is facing felony charges related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election. Exiting the courtroom following the day's testimony, former President Trump reiterated claims that the case is unfair and that he should be campaigning instead of sitting in court.
- ABC News
Netanyahu again vows military operation in Rafah, as Biden administration hopes for cease-fire in 'coming days'
As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Tuesday that Israel would proceed with a military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah "with or without a deal," the Biden administration -- which has repeatedly warned against a Rafah offensive -- appears to be holding out hope for a cease-fire agreement. "We will enter Rafah because we have no other choice," Netanyahu said Tuesday in comments translated from Hebrew. "We will destroy the Hamas battalions there, we will complete all the objectives of the war, including the repatriation of all our hostages."
- ABC News
4 dead, more than 50 suspected drug overdoses in Austin 'outbreak': Officials
Officials in Austin, Texas, are investigating an "outbreak" of deadly drug overdoses spreading across the city. Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) and the Austin Police Department (APD) said they received a total of 51 calls for suspected overdoses as of Tuesday afternoon, with four suspected deaths related to the surge, according to local ABC News affiliate KVUE. The surge of calls began around 9:00 a.m. CT Monday morning and were concentrated in the downtown area, Angela Carr, EMS division chief at ATCEMS, said during a Monday evening press conference.
- Good Morning America
Barbra Streisand publicly asks Melissa McCarthy about Ozempic, sparking debate on weight and shaming
A comment Barbra Streisand left on an Instagram post shared by Melissa McCarthy has sparked a conversation about weight, shaming and the increasingly widespread use of drugs for weight loss. McCarthy, 53, shared two photos on her Instagram page Sunday of herself with director Adam Shankman attending a gala in Los Angeles over the weekend. Below them was a photo of my friend Melissa McCarthy who I sang with on my Encore album.
- ABC News
How 'tiger stripes' on Saturn's moon Enceladus point to habitability: Study
In the race to understand the potential habitability of Saturn's icy and active moon, Enceladus, scientists could have a newfound understanding of the moon's defining stripes and eruptions. Enceladus harbors a global, subsurface ocean more than 30 miles deep, that periodically erupts jets of ice crystals and plumes of gas above its South Pole, which were first recognized by NASA's Cassini spacecraft in 2005. During the 13-year mission studying Saturn and its 146 moons, the Cassini spacecraft was able to capture material ejected into space by Enceladus' jets.
- ABC News
COVID-19 hospitalizations hit record low, the CDC says
Weekly COVID-19 hospitalizations have hit their lowest level ever reported since the pandemic began, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were 5,615 COVID hospitalizations in the most recent week data that is available. "The significant decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths to these new lows is encouraging, showing that our public health measures and vaccination efforts have paid off," said Dr. John Brownstein, chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital and an ABC News medical contributor.
- ABC News
Billy Idol discusses the 40th anniversary of his classic album 'Rebel Yell'
Legendary rock and roller and punk icon Billy Idol celebrates the 40th anniversary of his second album, "Rebel Yell," with a new deluxe expanded edition, a treasure trove for fans, featuring never-before-heard unreleased tracks. Rebel Yell was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City and released in November 1983. The album marked a significant artistic and commercial achievement for Idol, featuring memorable tracks such as the title song, "Catch My Fall," "Flesh for Fantasy," and "Eyes Without a Face."
- Good Morning America
House Democratic leaders announce they would save Johnson if threat to oust comes to floor
House Democratic leadership announced on Tuesday that if a motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson is brought to the House floor for a vote, they would vote to table the effort -- effectively saving the speaker from ouster. Less than an hour later, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene indicated that she will trigger a move to oust Johnson to put members on the record. Greene introduced a motion to vacate the speaker's chair last month.
- Good Morning America
Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks share sweet photos for their 36th anniversary
Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks are celebrating 36 years of marriage. On Tuesday, the couple marked the milestone with sweet photos together on Instagram. In her post, Wilson shared several images of her and Hanks over the years.
- ABC News
Americans older than 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023: FBI
People older than 60 lost more money in scams in 2023 than the previous year -- an 11% increase totaling more $3.4 billion overall, according to a new report released by the FBI on Tuesday. Commonly known as "elder fraud," financial crimes against seniors totaled $3.4 billion in 2023, up from $3.1 billion in 2022, according to the FBI's 2023 "Elder Fraud Report." There was also a 14% increase in complaints filed with the FBI by elderly victims.
- ABC News
AR-15 rifle recovered from scene where 4 law enforcement officers killed in Charlotte: Police
Authorities recovered an AR-15 rifle and .40-caliber handgun from the scene where four law enforcement officers were fatally shot while attempting to serve warrants at a residence in Charlotte, North Carolina, police said. Additional magazines and ammunition for both firearms were also recovered from the scene, where there are believed to have been more than 100 projectiles and casings, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings. The law enforcement officials were shot and killed as they attempted to serve two warrants in Charlotte on Monday, city officials said.
- ABC News
What to know about the Charlotte law enforcement shooting victims
Authorities have identified the four law enforcement officials who were fatally shot Monday in Charlotte, North Carolina. Thomas M. Weeks Jr., William "Alden" Elliott, Samuel "Sam" Poloche and Joshua Eyer were killed in the incident, which occurred at a residence in the city's North Tryon Division while the officers were attempting to serve two warrants. Eyer was an officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department, while the other three served with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.
- ABC News
Rural Americans are at higher risk of early death than urbanites: CDC
Rural Americans are more likely to die early from one of the five leading causes of death than those who live in urban areas, according to new federal data. The report was published Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rural Americans were more likely to die from heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, stroke and chronic lower respiratory disease before age 80 compared to urbanites, researchers said.
- ABC News
Israel-Gaza live updates: Netanyahu says Israel has 'no other choice' but to conduct Rafah operation
As the Israel-Hamas war approaches the seven-month mark, renewed negotiations are underway to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization, as Israeli forces continue to prepare for an apparent invasion of the southern Gaza town of Rafah. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke in a phone call over the weekend, discussing increasing the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza and plans for a possible military operation in Rafah, according to the White House.
- ABC News
College protests updates: Columbia expels students occupying building
Many pro-Palestinian protesters are calling for their colleges to divest of funds from Israeli military operations, while some Jewish students on the campuses have called the protests antisemitic and said they are scared for their safety. The student protests -- some of which have turned into around-the-clock encampments -- have erupted throughout the nation following arrests and student removals at Columbia University in New York City. Students at schools including Yale University, New York University, Harvard University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Southern California and more have launched protests.
- ABC News
Morehouse College not rescinding Biden's commencement invitation amid some criticism over handling of Israel-Hamas war
Morehouse College will still bring President Joe Biden to speak at the school's commencement ceremony in Atlanta next month, amid some complaints about the invitation from faculty members, students and alumni over Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. "There are of course opinions saying that we should rescind the invitation," Morehouse's provost and senior vice president of academic affairs, Kendrick Brown, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday. "But there are a number of individuals who recognize this opportunity and the prominence of the speaker and an opportunity for Morehouse to highlight its mission and to be able to use this venue to ask important questions."
- ABC News
USDA conducting studies on beef due to bird flu outbreak but maintain supply is safe
Federal officials continue to investigate the spread of avian flu, also known as bird flu, in livestock across the country and are now testing the U.S. beef supply to look for the genetic presence of the H5N1 virus. The virus has been found in at least 34 cattle herds across nine states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The federal agency said it remains confident that the nation's meat supply is safe.
- Good Morning America
Finalized guidance drops breast cancer screening age to 40 for women with average risk
Breast cancer screening guidelines have been finalized by a major task force, bringing the recommended age to 40 for most women of average risk in a report published Tuesday. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a major task force consisting of expert physicians providing recommendations in the primary care setting for routine medical screenings, behavioral counseling, and preventive medications, is now recommending breast cancer screening with mammograms every other year for women with an average risk of developing breast cancer, starting at age 40. This guidance was previously drafted in May 2023, and nearly one year later, these recommendations have been finalized without major changes.