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Here’s what we’re following:Judge blocks US sanctions against independent UN investigator over criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza — 6:08 p.m.
By the Associated Press
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ordered Wednesday a preliminary injunction barring the Trump administration from imposing sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the U.N. special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza, after her family had file a lawsuit earlier this year.
Leon said the penalties the administration is pushing could be a violation of Albanese and her family members’ First Amendment amendment rights.
In a lawsuit filed in February in the U.S. District Court in Washington, Albanese’s husband and minor child outlined the serious impact those sanctions have had on the family’s life and work, including the ability to access their home in the nation’s capital.
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The State Department had said that Albanese had engaged in a “campaign of political and economic warfare” against the U.S. and Israel by urging other countries to sanction Israel over its alleged war crimes in Gaza and several U.S. companies for being “complicit” in those actions.
Tariff refunds begin to reach some businesses — 5:42 p.m.
By the New York Times
The U.S. government has started to refund some of the roughly $160 billion collected from tariffs that the Supreme Court deemed illegal, plus interest, turning what was once a prized windfall for President Trump into a liability on the federal balance sheet.
At least two businesses confirmed this week that they had received a partial refund, almost three months after the nation’s highest court determined Trump did not have the power to enact his original, country-by-country duties without Congress.
The refund process is expected to be extensive, expensive and lengthy. The government must return money to about 330,000 importers, federal officials previously estimated, sending back what they paid in taxes. That money must be paid with interest, which is accruing at an estimated rate of about $650 million per month.
US military says some humanitarian aid gets to Iran — 5:21 p.m.
By the Associated Press
It has allowed 15 merchant vessels “supporting humanitarian aid” through a blockade of Iranian ports, U.S. Central Command said in a social media post.
They include both merchant ships allowed to dock in Iranian ports as well as ships that were allowed to sail out of Iranian ports and into open waters, said Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for the command.
The social media post noted that since the blockade began on April 13, U.S. forces have redirected 67 commercial vessels and disabled four more “to ensure compliance” with the restrictions.
Immigration authorities detain former Kansas mayor who fears deportation over voting controversy — 5:11 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The former mayor of a conservative Kansas town is in the custody of federal immigration authorities, a possible step toward deportation.
It comes months after Joe Ceballos acknowledged he voted in elections despite not being a U.S. citizen. Ceballos was 4 when his family brought him from Mexico. The 55-year-old is now a legal permanent resident.
His lawyer says that while seeking citizenship, Ceballos admitted that he had voted — apparently not knowing his status doesn’t allow it. Immigration officials didn’t return a message seeking comment. Ceballos’ supporters were outside the immigration building in Wichita, Kansas.
“I’m extraordinarily disappointed in my government,” Jess Hoeme, his attorney, told The Associated Press.
Ceballos was twice elected mayor of Coldwater, population 700, and also served on the city council. He won a new term in November but resigned after state Attorney General Kris Kobach charged him with voting without being qualified and election perjury.
US deportations to El Salvador double as Bukele aligns himself with Trump agenda — 4:37 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Official figures show that the number of people deported to El Salvador from the United States nearly doubled in the first months of 2026.
The jump comes as Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has positioned himself as an ally willing to help the Trump administration accelerate deportations.
The U.S. deported 5,033 Salvadorans back to their country in the first three months of 2026 compared with 2,547 deportees during the same period in 2025, according to El Salvador migration authority figures obtained by The Associated Press.
In March 2025, Bukele accepted 238 Venezuelan deportees accused of being members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
The U.S. government has lined up allies across Latin America to help him carry out Trump’s agenda. While Mexico and other Central American nations have quietly accepted deportees from third countries, Bukele has boldly embraced Trump’s efforts.
Vance says US has made headway in Iran talks — 4:00 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The vice president says he thinks the U.S. is making progress in its talks with Iran over the war, but that it’s too soon to tell if it’s enough to ensure that Iran will never be able to have a nuclear weapon.
Vance was asked about the status of negotiations while taking reporters’ questions at a press conference Wednesday for his anti-fraud task force.
He said he spent “a good amount of time” on the phone with U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on Wednesday morning, as well as “a number of our friends in the Arab world.”
“I think that we are making progress,” Vance said. “The fundamental question is, do we make enough progress that we satisfy the president’s red line?”
Vance pushes back on question about Trump’s comment playing down economy as a factor in Iran negotiations — 3:17 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Speaking to reporters Wednesday at an event on healthcare fraud, the vice president was asked whether he agrees with Trump’s comments from a day earlier that said Americans’ financial situations are not a factor in negotiations with Iran.
“Well, I don’t think the president said that,” Vance told a reporter who paraphrased Trump’s remark. “I think that’s a misrepresentation of what the president said. But look, I agree with the president that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump commented on Tuesday as he departed the White House for a summit in Beijing. He said economic issues were not a factor in negotiations, “not even a little bit.”
“I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation,” Trump said. “I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”
Q: “When approaching the war with Iran, do you agree with the president’s position that Americans financial situations should not be a consideration in that decision making process?”
VP Vance: “I agree with the president that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon.” pic.twitter.com/x0WQ61kBAv
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 13, 2026
Senate confirms Trump pick Warsh as Fed chair — 3:06 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Kevin Warsh was confirmed Wednesday in a largely party-line vote. His nomination had been thrown into doubt in recent months after Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he would block the nomination while the Justice Department investigated Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The Powell probe was dropped in April, clearing the way for the Senate to confirm Warsh.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., urged colleagues to support Warsh during a floor speech Wednesday morning, saying it’s critical that a Fed chair “understand not only the macro” but also “appreciate the microeconomy: and that’s the hardworking Americans, their jobs and their livelihoods.”
“Kevin Warsh is just such a person,” Thune said.
Louisiana advances plan to eliminate majority-Black US House district after court ruling — 2:38 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Republican senators in Louisiana have advanced a plan to eliminate one of two majority-Black, Democratic-held congressional seats. The Senate committee vote early Wednesday follows a US Supreme Court ruling that struck down the state’s House map as an illegal racial gerrymander.
Committee members heard hours of testimony from Black residents and Democrats opposed to the move. Republicans chose not to target both Democratic seats.
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling weakening Voting Rights Act protections has prompted similar redistricting efforts in Southern states like Tennessee and Alabama. Those efforts are part of a broader national redistricting battle that has involved about one-third of the states. A similar attempt fizzled Tuesday in the South Carolina Senate.
Efforts undoing minority districts mark the latest phase in a 10-month national redistricting battle. It grew after Trump urged Texas Republicans to redraw House districts to win more seats in the midterm elections.
US and China seek to repair damage from tariff war that sent trade into a freefall — 1:31 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Trump’s trade war with Beijing has sent US-China trade into a freefall and forced companies on both sides of the Pacific to regroup. US firms are looking for suppliers outside of China. And Chinese firms have pursued business in Europe and Southeast Asia.
The sparring goes beyond tariffs.
China has cut off purchases of US soybeans and deprived US manufacturers of crucial minerals and metals. The US has blocked China from getting advanced computer chips.
The world’s two biggest economies have shown they can hurt each other. Now, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are trying to stabilize the relationship during their meeting in Beijing.
Senate again rejects bid to end Iran war, but GOP opposition grows — 1:29 p.m.
By the New York Times
The Senate on Wednesday blocked Democrats’ seventh attempt to halt the war in Iran, as Republicans banded together almost unanimously to beat back the first such effort since President Donald Trump blew past a 60-day deadline to seek congressional authorization to continue the fighting.
But another Republican who had opposed earlier attempts defected from the party line Wednesday, in a sign of growing cracks in the GOP’s patience with the conflict and the president’s handling of it.
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska for the first time joined Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky in voting with Democrats to advance the measure. The effort failed on a vote of 50-49, with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania again joining Republicans in opposition.
With one GOP senator absent Wednesday, the measure would have passed had Fetterman not voted with Republicans.
Memphis residents claim harassment, arrest and abuse by Trump-ordered Memphis Safe Task Force — 1:15 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Four Memphis residents say they have been harassed, arrested and physically mistreated for engaging in First Amendment protected activities by observing and recording the actions of law enforcement in their city.
A lawsuit filed on Wednesday in federal court in Tennessee targets the Memphis Safe Task Force. The task force comprises agents from 13 federal agencies that President Donald Trump ordered to the city to fight crime alongside Tennessee State Troopers and the Tennessee National Guard.
The suit asks the court to declare retaliation against the plaintiffs for observing and recording law enforcement activity unconstitutional and prohibit agents from further retaliation.
Since late September, hundreds of law enforcement personnel tied to the task force have made traffic stops, served warrants and searched for fugitives in the majority Black city of about 610,000 people. The lawsuit says the task force has conducted over 120,000 traffic stops.
Visitors to US with World Cup tickets won’t have to pay to enter country — 1:12 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The Trump administration is suspending a requirement that foreign visitors from certain countries pay as much as $15,000 in bonds if they are confirmed World Cup ticket holders, the State Department told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The department imposed the bond requirement for countries that it said had high rates of people overstaying their visas and other security issues as part of the administration’s broader crackdown on immigration.
The bond move is a rare easing of immigration requirements under the administration.
World Cup team players, coaches and some staff were already exempt from the bond requirement. But that didn’t apply to ordinary fans until Wednesday.
A former private prison executive will become ICE’s acting leader — 11:57 a.m.
By the Associated Press
David Venturella, Senior Vice President of GEO, presented information about a proposed new immigration detention facility at a public hearing in McFarland, Calif., in February 2020.JENNA SCHOENEFELD/NYT
David Venturella will serve as the acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Trump administration says, after the agency’s current leader steps down at the end of the month.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said late Tuesday that Venturella would succeed Todd Lyons, who led the agency through much of the administration’s tumultuous crackdown on immigration. ICE did not immediately respond to an email seeking additional information Wednesday.
Venturella left the Geo Group in early 2023 and has been working at ICE leading the division that oversees detention contracts, members of Congress wrote in a public letter earlier this year.
At the Geo Group, Venturella served in a number of posts, including executive vice president overseeing corporate development, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. It said he also has worked for federal contractors, including one that specializes in security clearances and background checks.
Geo has benefited from Trump’s mass deportation push, garnering big contracts to open shuttered facilities.
House Speaker Mike Johnson says his prayers are with Trump on China visit — 11:32 a.m.
By the Associated Press
“The president has laid down a marker that was overdue and very important: The American people are not going to be taken advantage of any more by adversaries or allies,” Johnson, a Republican, said at a news conference in Washington.
The House speaker said his prayers are with Trump that he has a “good visit” with Xi. He said he hoped “they come forward with some favorable policies, things that will help us out, and I believe he will.”
House Democrats ask Trump to proceed with arms sales to Taiwan — 11:18 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Ranking members of four House committees urged President Trump in a letter Wednesday morning to proceed with the $14 billion arms sales to Taiwan and resist any effort by Beijing to “dictate” the U.S. policy toward the self-governed island.
The letter, signed by the top Democrats on House committees on foreign affairs, armed services, intelligence and the Chinese Communist Party, was released as Trump arrived in Beijing for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Beijing strongly opposes any arms sales to Taiwan, which it sees as part of Chinese territory, while the U.S. is obliged by a domestic law to supply the island with sufficient hardware for self defense.
On Monday, Trump said he and Xi would discuss Taiwan in Beijing, raising worries that any slip by the U.S. president could undermine the U.S. commitment to the island.
Trump administration freezes new Medicare enrollments for hospice and home health agencies — 10:52 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The Trump administration said Wednesday it’s expanding its sweeping fraud-busting initiative in federal health programs with a nationwide six-month freeze on any new Medicare enrollments by hospice and home health agencies.
The moratorium will temporarily stop all new providers in these categories from signing up for reimbursement from Medicare, the federal insurance program for older adults across the country, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said in a news release.
“We’ve seen systemic and deeply troubling fraud in the hospice and home health space, with bad actors exploiting some of our most vulnerable Medicare patients and stealing money from the American taxpayer,” CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said in a statement. “Today we’re shutting the door on fraud-preventing new bad actors from entering Medicare while we aggressively identify, investigate, and remove those already exploiting them.”
The move is related to efforts by Vice President JD Vance’s anti-fraud task force, set up by Republican President Donald Trump to crack down on potential misuse of public funds.
Residents in Beijing held up their phones to wait for Trump’s motorcade — 10:10 a.m.
By the Associated Press
People gathered to watch President Trump’s motorcade in Beijing on May 13.PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images
As President Trump’s motorcade moved toward the Four Seasons Hotel, located near the US Embassy in Beijing, residents held up their smartphones trying to capture his arrival. Security was heightened around the hotel.
On the Chinese social media platform Weibo, some users posted about his arrival. A video post by the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showing Trump walking out of the plane had more than 66,600 likes and nearly 4,000 comments in less than two hours. Under the post, a comment that read “China and the US join hands to advance together and create a bright future!” drew more than 2,300 likes.
Wall Street is mixed following another discouraging inflation report and a recovery for tech stocks — 10:00 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The S&P 500 slipped 0.1 percent in early trading, still near its all-time high set at the start of the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 235 points, or 0.5 percent, as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.2 percent higher.
Gains for tech stocks helped support the market, like Micron Technology’s 4.3 percent. They had stumbled the day before after momentum suddenly halted for stocks riding excitement around artificial-intelligence technology.
Nvidia, the chip company that became one of the first faces of the AI boom, rose 2.4 percent and was the strongest force pushing upward on the S&P 500. Its CEO, Jensen Huang, got an invitation to join President Trump on his trip to China, where they could discuss allowing shipments of Nvidia AI chips to the world’s second-largest economy.
Trump had personally invited Nvidia’s Huang on the China trip — 9:30 a.m.
By the Associated Press
A surprise appearance on the Anchorage tarmac as Air Force One refueled en route to Beijing was Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who wasn’t initially included on the manifest of corporate executives accompanying Trump to China.
The president had realized through news reports that Huang, with whom he is close, wasn’t on the trip. So he personally called the CEO on Tuesday and invited him to join, according to a person with knowledge of the discussion. The person was granted anonymity to discuss a private conversation.
“CNBC incorrectly reported that the Great Jensen Huang, of Nvidia, was not invited to the incredible gathering of the World’s Greatest Businessmen/women proudly going to China,” Trump said on social media as the presidential plane traveled from Anchorage to Beijing. “In actuality, Jensen is currently on Air Force One and, unless I ask him to leave, which is highly unlikely, CNBC’s reporting is incorrect or, as they say in politics, FAKE NEWS!”
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.David Paul Morris/Photographer: David Paul Morris/Starmer has ‘confidence’ in health secretary said to be about to challenge him — 9:16 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Starmer says he has full confidence in Streeting as reports say he will resign from Cabinet and mount a leadership challenge, his spokesman says.
The Times and other British media are reporting that Streeting could quit as soon as Thursday and try to win the votes to oust Starmer.
Streeting, whose higher political ambitions have long been known, has been considered one of a handful of people who could try to unseat Starmer, who is unpopular and has taken the blame for the Labour Party’s disastrous local and regional election results last week.
If Streeting quits, he’d be the first Cabinet minister to resign.
Trump is also expected to visit the Temple of Heaven on Thursday — 9:07 a.m.
By the Associated Press
That’s where Chinese emperors once prayed for bumper crops.
And Trump will take part in a formal banquet Thursday.
Trump’s arrival is trending on Chinese social media platform Weibo — 8:50 a.m.
By the Associated Press
A video posted by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showing Trump stepping out of the plane and walking down the stairs had more than 18,000 likes in less than 30 minutes.
More than 1,300 comments were made in response to the post. Some welcomed Trump to China and others wrote: “peaceful coexistence, win-win cooperation.”
The status of Taiwan will be a major topic — 8:48 a.m.
By the Associated Press
China is displeased with US plans to sell weapons to the self-governing island the Chinese government claims as part of its own territory.
Trump told reporters Monday he’d be discussing with Xi an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan the US administration authorized in December but hasn’t yet begun fulfilling. The arms package is the largest ever approved for Taiwan.
But the US leader has demonstrated greater ambivalence toward Taiwan, an approach that’s raising questions about whether Trump could be open to dialing back support for the island democracy.
At the same time, Taiwan — as the world’s leading chipmaker — has become essential for the development of AI, with the US importing more goods so far this year from Taiwan than China. Trump has sought to use Biden-era programs and his own deals to bring more chipmaking to America.
Trump pauses to take in the elaborate welcome scene in Beijing — 8:26 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Three hundred youngsters waved miniature American and Chinese flags in front of themselves and then over their head in unison.
“Welcome, welcome! Warm welcome!” the children chanted in Chinese.
Trump greeted dignitaries after deplaning, then stopped and grinned, taking in the scene.
He didn’t answer questions, instead climbing in a limo on the way to his hotel.
The president has nothing more on his public schedule until Thursday.
Following him off the plane were Trump’s son, Eric, and Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, as well as assorted travelers, including Space X chief Elon Musk.
Elon Musk, one of the business executives accompanying President Trump, arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. KENNY HOLSTON/NYTThe Chinese offered Trump a pomp-filled welcome — 8:16 a.m.
By the Associated Press
A red carpet was rolled out for him after Air Force One landed.
The president was to be greeted by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng; Xie Feng, China’s ambassador to Washington; Ma Zhaoxu, executive vice minister of foreign affairs; as well as the US envoy to Beijing, David Perdue, according to the White House.
The welcoming ceremony includes some 300 Chinese youths, a military honor guard and a military band.
US President Trump walks off Air Force One as he arrives at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty ImagesThe meat of Trump’s summit in China won’t happen until Thursday — 8:13 a.m.
By the Associated Press
That’s when the leaders will hold bilateral talks and a formal banquet.
The Trump administration hopes to begin the process of establishing a Board of Trade with China to address differences between the countries. The board could help prevent the trade war ignited last year after Trump’s tariff hikes, an action China countered through its control of rare earth minerals. That led to a one-year truce last October.
Trump arrives in Beijing ahead of meetings with Xi — 7:54 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Trump has touched down in Beijing for his summit with Xi Jinping.
Trump has no public events beyond his arrival on Wednesday’s schedule, but is set to meet with Xi a series of times on Thursday and Friday.
Trump to get a big welcome at Beijing airport — 7:16 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The president is due to soon arrive in Beijing for his summit with Xi Jinping.
When he gets there, Trump’s expected to be greeted by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Xie Feng, China’s ambassador to Washington, Ma Zhaoxu, executive vice minister of foreign affairs, as well as the US envoy to Beijing, David Perdue, according to the White House.
The pomp-filled welcoming ceremony is expected to include some 300 Chinese youth, a military honor guard and military band.
President Trump (C) is escorted by China’s Vice President Han Zheng (R) upon his arrival at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty ImagesUS and China have “candid” exchanges in South Korea’s trade talks, CCTV says — 7:14 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent engaged in “candid, in-depth and constructive” exchanges on resolving economic and trade issues of mutual concern and further expanding practical cooperation, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday.
The officials led the trade talks between the world’s two biggest economies in South Korea, hours before Trump’s arrival in Beijing.
CCTV said they were guided by the important consensus reached by the heads of state of both countries, and upheld the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.
Nvidia CEO is late-announced addition to Trump’s trip — 7:13 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The White House said Huang’s schedule hadn’t permitted his coming, but then changed, clearing the way for him to make the trip.
The last-minute addition inspired online commentary and memes on the Chinese internet.
Those including on Xiaohongshu and Weibo, where people shared manipulated images of Huang clinging to Air Force One with his bare hands
Musk, Cook, and other prominent US executives invited to join Trump on trip to China — 7:04 a.m.
By the Associated Press
These prominent US executives from Big Tech to agriculture have been invited to join Trump on his trip to China, according to a White House official:
Elon Musk – CEO of Tesla and SpaceXTim Cook – CEO of AppleKelly Ortberg – Rockwell Collins former CEOJensen Huang – Nvidia President and CEOLarry Fink – BlackRock Chairman and CEOStephen Schwarzman – Blackstone Chairman, CEO and co-founderBrian Sikes – Cargill Chairman and CEOJane Fraser – Citi Chairman and CEOJim Anderson – Coherent CEOH. Lawrence Culp – GE Aerospace Chairman and CEODavid Solomon – Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEOJacob Thaysen – Illumina CEOMichael Miebach – Mastercard CEODina Powell McCormick – Meta President and Vice ChairmanSanjay Mehrotra – Micron Chairman, President and CEOCristiano Amon – Qualcomm President and CEORyan McInerney – Visa CEOTrump set to meet with Xi in Beijing as war and inflation weigh on his presidency — 6:51 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Trump is set to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday for his highly anticipated summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a restless moment for a world worried about war, trade and artificial intelligence.
While Trump likes to project a sense of strength, the visit occurs at a delicate moment for his presidency as his popularity at home has been weighed down by the US and Israel’s war with Iran and rising inflation as a consequence of that conflict. The president is seeking a win by signing deals with China to buy more American food and aircraft, saying he’ll be talking with Xi about trade “more than anything else.”
The Trump administration hopes to begin the process of establishing a “Board of Trade” with China to address differences between the countries. The board could help prevent the trade war ignited last year after Trump’s tariff hikes, an action China countered through its control of rare earth minerals. That led to a one-year truce last October.