Biden, Trump will go toe to toe

Debates between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump are official. Slovakia's pro-Russia prime minister was shot in an apparent assassination attempt.  And a look at where prices are declining as inflation slowed last month.

👋Hey there! Laura Davis here. It’s time for Wednesday’s news. Ready? Let’s go!

But first: RIP, Slim Shady. 🪦 Ahead of his new album, Eminem's most famous alter ego, Slim Shady, was eulogized in a faux-obituary in his hometown newspaper.

It's on: Biden and Trump agree to debates

Let the 2024 Election games begin! President Joe Biden and Donald Trump agreed Wednesday to debate each other twice, first in June and again in September, after a rapid back-and-forth between their campaigns and a flurry of taunts and insults from the candidates.

When they'll face off: CNN announced it will host a debate in Atlanta on June 27, and ABC announced a second one on Sept. 10 after Biden began the day challenging Trump to two debates under his terms − bucking the format of the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, the traditional host of the televised events. 🎤 How the debates came together.

• Gaffes, insults, a well-timed joke: The best presidential debate moments.

Slovakia's PM shot in apparent assassination attempt

In an apparent assassination attempt, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and wounded on Wednesday as he made an appearance outside a community center. Fico, 59, was shot in the abdomen after a meeting in the town of Handlova, about 100 miles northeast of the capital Bratislava, in central Slovakia, and airlifted to a nearby hospital. The alleged assailant, who has not been identified, was detained by police. 👉 What we know about the shooting.

• Ukraine's Zelenskyy cancels all foreign trips as Russian offensive intensifies.

Real quick

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• Tsk, tsk. Y'all were bad, so they put the portal between NYC and Dublin in time-out.

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Netanyahu denies any 'humanitarian catastrophe' in Rafah

While almost 500,000 have fled the southern Gaza city of Rafah in recent days as Israel's military gains traction, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday there is no humanitarian crisis there. The Biden administration and much of the world have repeatedly urged Israel to abandon plans for a major invasion of Rafah, fearing a worsening of the humanitarian situation that has swept across Gaza since the war began.

What they're saying: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that Israel's self-proclaimed "limited operation" in Rafah has had a "negative impact," and warned that Israel needs a clear plan for the future of Gaza or face chaos. 👉 Everything we know.

• Biden wants to transfer $1 billion in weapons to Israel.

📸 See photos: Evacuations in Rafah amid 'limited' Israeli operation.

Prices easing at the grocery store

After unexpectedly accelerating in the first quarter of the year, inflation eased in April as declines in grocery and used car prices offset another rise in rent and gasoline.

How it's been going: This month's report revealed more progress in the battle to tame prices, with an underlying inflation measure reaching a three-year low. Still, it may not be enough to convince the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in the next couple of months. 📊 A look at what's up, what's down.

• How the latest inflation figures impact your Social Security check.

A break from the news

• 🍳 How do you like your eggs? What to know about egg nutrition.

• 🥣 Not an egg fan? Try these oatmeal popsicles for breakfast!

• 🚢 Visit Australia without flying on this 93-day cruise.

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hi: laura@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Presidential debates, Slovakia PM shot, Rafah, inflation: Wednesday's news