Today's Headlines: Trump Tries to Downplay Economic Effects of the Iran War

May 5, 2026, 4:30 a.m. Eastern time

World

What a Bike Ride Showed Me About Apartheid’s Legacy

A New York Times reporter joined a group of cyclists on a route meant to break down Cape Town’s lingering racial and economic barriers.

Taiwan Could Learn From Ukraine. Informally, Connections Are Growing.

The governments have no official diplomatic or military ties. But a loose network led by company executives and volunteers is bridging some of that gulf.

U.S. Revokes Visas of Board Members at Costa Rica’s Top Watchdog Newspaper

The move came after the paper critically covered the country’s president, who has cozied up to the United States. Analysts view the visa decision as part of a White House strategy to punish critics of its allies.

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U.S.

Secret Service Shoots and Wounds Armed Man Near Washington Monument

A 15-year-old boy was also hit. The motorcade of Vice President JD Vance had passed through the area shortly before the shooting.

Man Accused of Starting Palisades Fire Admired Luigi Mangione, Prosecutors Say

The Los Angeles suspect was lonely and angry and felt “enslaved” by rich people, prosecutors say. After being romantically spurned, they say, he went into the mountains and lit a fire.

1,500 Beagles From Troubled Research Facility Are Getting New Homes

Last month, animal rights activists tried to steal some of the dogs from the Wisconsin facility, Ridglan Farms, but were thwarted by tear gas and rubber bullets.

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Politics

Trump Administration Demands Names of 2020 Election Workers in Georgia

The Justice Department again appears to be using the investigative power of the federal government to rehash debunked claims that Democrats stole the 2020 election.

Supreme Court Agrees to Fast-Track Louisiana Voting Map Decision

Louisiana voters who successfully challenged the state’s voting map as an illegal racial gerrymander had asked the justices to quickly return the case to the lower courts, clearing the way for a new map.

Judge Slams Trump Administration for ‘Serious Breakdown’ in Legal Ethics

The Department of Homeland Security criticized a judge for releasing a man accused of murder overseas, but did not inform her of the accusation. The judge said she would consider imposing sanctions.

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Business

White House Considers Vetting A.I. Models Before They Are Released

The Trump administration, which took a noninterventionist approach to artificial intelligence, is now discussing imposing oversight on A.I. models before they are made publicly available.

As Oil Prices Stay High, China Doubles Down on Wind Power

An industrial policy of subsidies and import restrictions laid the foundations for China to become almost as dominant in wind turbines as in solar panels.

New York Times Wins 3 Pulitzer Prizes

The Washington Post won the award for public service, considered the most prestigious of the Pulitzers, for its coverage of the Trump administration’s overhaul of federal agencies.

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Technology

S.E.C. Settles Lawsuit Against Elon Musk Over His Twitter Disclosures

The agency, which has been pulling back on lawsuits against major companies, ended a case that had accused Mr. Musk of hiding his purchases of Twitter stock. He agreed to pay $1.5 million.