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National

Last of endangered species rollbacks sent to Democratic dustbin

President Joe Biden repealed a federal regulation Wednesday that had shaken up protections for endangered or threatened species, giving landowners deference over habitat designations by claiming they would face economic harm.

Biden mounts climate change fight in face of Congress stymied by partisan gridlock

Balking at the Senate’s failure to rally behind climate provisions of his Build Back Better plan, President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that he will begin issuing executive orders and proclamations in the coming days to combat the climate change emergency without the support of the legislative branch.

Bannon’s repeated subpoena snub detailed by Jan. 6 counsel

A day after Steve Bannon launched into a fiery tirade outside the courthouse to mark the start of witness testimony in his federal contempt trial, defense counsel worked on cross-examination Wednesday to make the prosecution of the famously disheveled conservative strategist look like a witch hunt.

Share of young adults living at home has nearly tripled since 1970s

Nearly one in four U.S. adults ages 25 to 34 lived in multigenerational family households last year, up from fewer than one in 10 in 1971. According to the Pew Research Center, the striking increase over 50 years — from 9% to 25% — can primarily be attributed to finances.

Trial kicks off for R. Kelly manager on threat to ‘shoot up’ documentary premiere

A man who stood as the manager, adviser and friend to R. Kelly in the time just before the singer’s public downfall for a litany of sex crimes went on trial Wednesday morning for crossing the line in a bid to protect Kelly’s reputation.

Regional

Flint water crisis trial against engineering firms nears end

The conclusion of a sprawling federal civil trial over lead-contaminated water in Flint, Michigan, was in sight Wednesday as attorneys presented their closing statements in the case against two companies that were not part of a settlement agreement over the crisis.

11th Circuit gives green light to Georgia six-week abortion ban

A Georgia law banning most abortions after doctors can detect a fetal heartbeat should be allowed to take effect, a unanimous panel of the 11th Circuit ruled Wednesday in a decision overturning a federal judge’s determination that the law was unconstitutional.

International

EU braces for Russian gas cutoff, Kremlin expands war aims

The battle lines over Ukraine hardened significantly on Wednesday with the European Union’s president telling Europeans to steel themselves for a total cutoff of Russian natural gas and the Kremlin saying it aims to conquer much more than Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.