Trump pays $2 billion in taxpayer money to end offshore wind projects

The Trump administration is spending nearly $2 billion to get energy companies to walk away from U.S. offshore wind projects. Democrats in Congress are investigating. The Republican administration adopted this strategy after federal courts thwarted President Donald Trump’s efforts to stop offshore wind development through executive action.

China calls US hypocritical for expressing concern over Panama's sovereignty

PANAMA CITY (AP) – The U.S. State Department accused China of violating Panama’s sovereignty over a port dispute in the Central American nation, triggering another fierce back-and-forth on Wednesday as the Chinese government called the Trump administration hypocritical.

Iran's rial currency hits record low as a shaky ceasefire holds

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Iran’s national rial currency dropped to a record low Wednesday while a U.S. naval blockade has increased pressure on its already battered economy amid a fragile ceasefire.

Editorials from The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

What to know about The Onion's take over of Alex Jones' Infowars

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The Onion is taking another stab at getting control of Alex Jones’ Infowars platforms and turning them into comedy sites spoofing the conspiracy theorist.

United Arab Emirates says it will leave OPEC, a blow to the oil cartel

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday it will leave OPEC effective May 1, stripping the oil cartel of one of its largest producers and further weakening its leverage over global oil supplies and prices.

Fed likely to leave rates unchanged at what may be Powell's last meeting

WASHINGTON (AP) – Wednesday will likely be a momentous day for the future of the Federal Reserve as Chair Jerome Powell could signal he will stay with the Fed even as a Senate panel is expected to confirm his replacement.

Australia moves to tax Meta, Google and TikTok to fund newsrooms

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Australia has proposed taxing digital giants Meta, Google and TikTok a proportion of their revenue to pay for news reporters. The government released draft legislation that would create a financial incentive for the social media companies to strike deals with news organizations to pay for journalism.

Decision by UAE to leave OPEC shakes up alliance that influences oil prices

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) – The decision by the United Arab Emirates to leave the OPEC oil cartel shook up the 65-year-old alliance that produces some 40% of the world’s crude oil and exerts major influence over the price of energy around the globe.