News Wrap: Biden plans to designate Kenya as a major non-NATO U.S. ally

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• Geoff Bennett:

  In the day's other headlines: President Biden plans to designate Kenya as a major non-NATO ally. Mr. Biden made the announcement as he hosted Kenyan President William Ruto at the White House today.

  It's the first official state visit to the U.S. by an African leader in more than 15 years. President Biden also thanked Ruto for deploying Kenyan forces to combat the violence in Haiti, and he defended his decision to withhold U.S. troops.

  Joe Biden, President of the United States: Haiti is in a area of the Caribbean that is very volatile. There's a lot going on in this hemisphere, and we're in a situation where we want to do all we can without us looking like America once again is stepping over and deciding this is what must be done.

• Geoff Bennett:

  President Biden also addressed the decision this week by the International Criminal Court to seek arrest warrants for Israel's prime minister and defense minister, as well as three Hamas leaders. The president said the U.S. does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction, adding that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.

  Two Senate committees have launched an investigation into Donald Trump's reported offer to roll back President Biden's environmental policies in exchange for $1 billion in campaign donations. The New York Times reported that Mr. Trump made the proposition at a meeting with top U.S. oil executives last month.

  In a statement, the chairman of the committees, both Democrats, wrote — quote — "Time and time again, both Mr. Trump and the U.S. oil and gas industry have proved they are willing to sell out Americans to pad their own pockets." The House Oversight Committee is also seeking information related to the April 11 fund-raiser.

  Louisiana lawmakers passed a bill today that would reclassify two abortion-inducing medications as controlled and dangerous substances. The measure would impose fines and even jail time for those in possession of the drugs without a prescription. Doctors say the bill could make it harder to prescribe the pills, which have other critical health care uses.

  It now goes to Louisiana's Republican governor for final approval. He has previously expressed support for it.

  In Northern Mexico, nine people are dead and more than 100 others injured after a stage collapsed on a crowd during a campaign rally in heavy winds. Cell phone videos showed the twisted pile of large metal pillars, which had trapped attendees underneath. The long-shot presidential candidate who hosted the event, Jorge Alvarez Maynez, had to run for cover.

• Jorge Alvarez Maynez, Mexican Presidential Candidate (through translator):

  It was a very atypical event, because, normally, the weather gives some warning as it intensifies. What we experienced happened in just a few seconds. A gale came, a sudden wind, and, unfortunately, it collapsed the stage, resulting in a fatal accident.

• Geoff Bennett:

  One child is among those killed. An official investigation is now under way.

  China started two days of military drills around Taiwan today in what it called punishment for separatist forces on the island. This week, Taiwan's new President William Lai called on Beijing to stop its military intimidation of the island. China claims Taiwan as its own and does not recognize its de facto independence. Taiwanese officials say the exercises involve dozens of navy and coast guard ships, as well as 33 aircraft.

  U.S. weather officials are predicting that this year's Atlantic hurricane season will be extraordinary. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects up to 25 named storms, the most they have ever forecast in May.

  In its annual outlook, the agency says there are a number of contributing factors. They include record high water surface temperatures that act as fuel for storms. Experts also expect a La Nina weather pattern this year, which reduces high-altitude winds that can break up hurricanes.

  On Wall Street today, stocks slumped amid concerns that interest rates will stay high for even longer than expected. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 623 points to close at 39047. That's the biggest drop of the Dow so far this year. The Nasdaq lost 77 points. The S&P 500 shed nearly 42 points.

  And the Women's National Basketball Association is going international. The league announced today that it will expand to Toronto, its first franchise outside of the U.S. The WNBA's commissioner said of the announcement: "The world is finally taking notice of something that's been there all along, the immense talent, passion and competition in women's sports."

  The expansion team, which has not yet been named, is set to begin playing in 2026.

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