NEWS - FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2026 - NEWS
The California Supreme Court ordered attorney and former law school dean John Eastman disbarred on Wednesday for his role aiding the Trump administration's attempt to overturn the 2020 election. He must also pay $5,000 to the California State Bar. LA Times
VOA VIEW: They find a way out.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration issues a recall notice of an allotment of Xanax over dissolution failure. LA Times
A war powers resolution aimed at curtailing President Trump's power to wage war in Iran failed in a 213-214 vote on the House floor Thursday, marking the third such failure for Democrats in the lower chamber New York Post
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The original "Top Gun" released in 1986, followed by its hit sequel "Top Gun: Maverick" in 2022. New York Post
The health secretary said he would reform the panel, which determines whether insurance will cover preventive services like mammograms and colonoscopies. New York Times
A federal judge wrote that an exception he made for work on security features did not cover most of the construction on the larger ballroom project Trump has proposed. New York Times
VOA VIEW: The judge is exceeding his authority.
In a setback for federal efforts to thwart climate litigation, the judge ruled that the suit, which tried to block the state from suing oil companies, was too speculative. New York Times
VOA VIEW: Another judge is overreaching.
President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, scheduled to take effect at 5:00 p.m. EST (midnight local time). OANN
The city of Houston is facing the loss of $110 million in grants over a recent proposition dealing with immigration policy, according to Texas state officials. OANN
VOA VIEW: The entire situation is getting out of control.
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Singer Katy Perry is under investigation by Australian police following an allegation by actress Ruby Rose that she sexually assaulted her at an Australian nightclub nearly 20 years ago. OANN
President Donald Trump said the Iran conflict is “very close to over,” expressing optimism that a diplomatic resolution could be reached amid a two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. OANN
VOA VIEW: Trump is too optomistic.
Brian Cole Jr., who is accused of placing pipe bombs outside national party headquarters on Jan. 5, 2021, faces new terrorism and weapons of mass destruction charges. Washington Times
VOA VIEW: Just the beginning.
Trader Joe's has agreed to a $7.4 million class action settlement over allegations that some of its stores printed too many digits of customers' payment card numbers on receipts -- and shoppers who made purchases during a narrow window in 2019 may be eligible for a payout. Washington Times
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Arizona's largest utility has agreed not to cut off electrical service to customers for nonpayment while high temperatures are 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) or above as part of a $7 million settlement of a lawsuit prompted in part by the 2024 death of an 82-year-old woman whose power was disconnected, Attorney General Kris Mayes said Wednesday. Washington Times
VOA VIEW: They want to limit liability.
It was long rumored -- and denied -- but ICE has now made its goal of a million deportations a year official. Washington Times
Virginia's redistricting referendum next week marks the beginning of the end of a nationwide battle to use mid-decade redistricting to help gain control of the U.S. House. Washington Times
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For the first time, scientists have measured the instantaneous mind-blowing power of jets blasting from a black hole. Washington Times
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife early Thursday before taking his own life inside their Annandale home, police said. Washington Times
An American Airlines pilot told Air Traffic Control at Charlotte International Airport that his plane "nearly hit" a truck speeding past on the concourse Wednesday, forcing him to slam the brakes. CBS
The lawsuit involved dozens of states that alleged Live Nation undermined competition and drove up ticket prices. CBS
All House Democrats and four Republicans forced a vote on a measure to stop the Trump administration from ending temporary deportation protections for more than 300,000 people from Haiti. CBS
VOA VIEW: Republicans don't stick together.
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A federal agency will open a portal on April 20 that lets businesses apply for a refund for Trump tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court. CBS
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor apologized Wednesday for publicly criticizing Justice Brett Kavanaugh, comments she said were "hurtful" and "inappropriate." CBS
The FDA meeting announcement follows repeated pledges by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to loosen regulations on peptides, which are often pitched as a quick way to build muscle, heal injuries or appear younger. CBS
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Americans are already seeing record refunds as President Trump's new tax breaks start to kick in. CBS
VOA VIEW: Much has been saved by Trump.
The International Energy Agency's head warned Thursday that Europe is going to run out of jet fuel in as soon as six weeks. CNBC
VOA VIEW: Europe was foolish not to stick with the US.
The carrier is facing the added challenge of a spike in the price of fuel. Fuel is airlines' biggest expense after labor. CNBC
The U.S. president said he was "trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon." CNBC
VOA VIEW: It would be good for all.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the Trump administration expects banks to comply in collecting citizenship information from customers. CNBC
Cattle futures contracts have jumped more than 25% over the past 12 months as ranchers face rising costs and cut the size of herds. CNBC
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson warns of a potential teen takeover on the South Side, urging parents not to let children attend dangerous gatherings. FOX News
VOA VIEW: Johnson is an idiot.
A Wisconsin sheriff says a woman fabricated a 40-hour ICE detention, citing hotel records, surveillance video and texts that contradict her claims. FOX News
CBP officers seized $2.8 million in cocaine and methamphetamine in back-to-back busts at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in California, officials say. FOX News
Deputies say an armed Arizona man with a Joker-inspired rifle and ballistic vest was arrested near Trump National Golf Course in California. FOX News
An airborne Russian assault against Ukraine's cities with hundreds of missiles and drones overnight killed at least 16 people and injured 98. UPI
VOA VIEW: Russia is causing more conflicts.
The U.S. military killed three people Wednesday in its fifth strike in five days targeting suspected drug-trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific. UPI
VOA VIEW: They should wise up.
Authorities on Wednesday arrested KaShawn Nicola Roper, a fugitive on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list over an alleged 2020 fatal shooting in Missouri. UPI
House Democrats filed impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing his handling of the U.S. attacks on Iran and other issues. UPI
VOA VIEW: Dems are acting like the fools they are.
House Speaker Mike Johnson delayed a vote to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act while he tries to gather more support. UPI
VOA VIEW -- Is the opinion of "Voice of Americans", which is a private entity not affiliated in any way with the United States government or any of its agencies. The opinions expressed here, in whatever medium or format, are not necessarily the opinions of the ownership or advertisers of this web site - 0415.
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COMMENTARY OF THE DAY
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Voice Of America
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President Trump's first four years in the White House brought about significant changes to the federal judiciary and the Supreme Court, shifting it rightward.
But the president's second term could yield less of an impact on the federal bench, as a confluence of factors — fewer vacancies, a slower pace of retirements and the results of the upcoming midterm elections — are likely to slow the judicial machine that churned out more than 200 judges in Mr. Trump's first term. Liberal stupidity.
The Senate has so far confirmed 33 of Mr. Trump's nominees to the federal bench: six to the courts of appeals and 27 to the district courts. While that surpasses the 24 judges who were appointed in the first 13 months of the president's first term, those picks included one Supreme Court justice and 13 judges named to the courts of appeals.
There are 37 current vacancies on the nation's trial courts, and another six seats are set to open up in the coming months. There are also four future vacancies on the appeals courts. Of the 47 vacancies, current and future, Mr. Trump has announced just 12 nominees.
"Getting good judges on the courts was a very high priority in the first administration. I don't think it's as high a priority in this administration for three reasons: One, there just aren't as many seats available. Two, they succeeded so much the first time around, especially with the Supreme Court, that there's not that much more room for success.
And three, they are trying to do so much through executive action. That's clearly been the focus now," Ed Whelan, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center who is a leading commentator on judicial nominations, told CBS News. "I don't think that the vacancies are getting the same level of attention that they got the first time around."
