NYTIMES (The New York Times) - Oil Prices Soar as Iran Standoff Shows No End in Sight
Oil prices push higher, approaching another wartime high, as President Trump asserted that the naval blockade of Iran’s ports would persist.
NYTIMES (Eshe Nelson) - Rising Fuel Prices Could Force Excruciating Choices on Economic Policies
The European Central Bank and Bank of England were expected to hold interest rates steady on Thursday while searching for signs of possible longer-term damage.
AXIOS (Courtenay Brown) - Powell to remain as Fed governor, denying Trump a key vacancy
Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that he will remain a central bank governor "for a period of time to be determined," citing attempted political interference. Why it matters: It extends Powell's influence over monetary policy beyond the conclusion of his term as Fed chair on May 15 . His term as one of seven Fed governors extends through January 2028. - It denies President Trump the immediate opportunity to fill a vacancy on the influential Fed board. - Powell's term as chair ends on May 15, but his term as a governor goes through Jan. 31, 2028. What they're saying: "My concern is really about the series of legal attacks on the Fed, which threaten our ability to conduct monetary policy without considering political…
WASHINGTONPOST (Dan Merica, Patrick Marley) - Louisiana governor prepares to suspend House primaries after court ruling
Gov. Jeff Landry (R) told Republican House candidates he plans to suspend the May 16 primary elections so lawmakers can redraw the congressional map.
NYTIMES (Michael Gold) - House Adopts Budget to Unlock $70 Billion for Immigration Enforcement
The measure will allow the G.O.P. to begin working on a filibuster-proof bill to fund ICE and C.B.P., part of their plan to reopen the long-shuttered Department of Homeland Security.
AXIOS (Barak Ravid) - Scoop: Commanders to brief Trump on new Iran military options Thursday
President Trump is slated to receive a briefing on new plans for potential military action in Iran on Thursday from CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper, two sources with knowledge tell Axios. Why it matters: The briefing signals that Trump is seriously considering resuming major combat operations either to try to break the logjam in negotiations or to deliver a final blow before ending the war. Behind the scenes: CENTCOM has prepared a plan for a "short and powerful" wave of strikes on Iran — likely including infrastructure targets — in hopes of breaking the negotiating deadlock, three sources with knowledge said. - The hope would be that Iran would then return to the negotiating table showing more flexibility on the nuclear issue. …
NYTIMES (Matt Stevens, Emmanuel Morgan and Orlando Mayorquín) - D4vd Bought Chain Saws to Dispose of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Body, Prosecutors Say
In a legal filing, prosecutors outlined for the first time how they say the singer murdered and dismembered Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
NYTIMES (John Ismay and Megan Mineiro) - Takeaways From Hegseth’s Testimony on Iran War and His Tenure
It was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s first public appearance before Congress since Operation Epic Fury began in late February.
ABCNEWS - D4vd case: Prosecutors reveal 'horrifying' details of teen's alleged murder
D4vd was charged last week with the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez following a monthslong investigation.
NYTIMES (Alex Travelli) - Indian Tycoon Offers Refuge to Pablo Escobar’s Condemned Hippos
Colombia was planning to slaughter 80 hippopotamuses after a small herd imported in the 1980s by the drug lord grew out of control. An Indian tycoon has offered them a new home instead.