In our news wrap Monday, FBI Director Kash Patel filed a lawsuit against The Atlantic magazine over a story alleging “excessive drinking and unexplained absences,” Monday marked the first day businesses could submit refund requests for tariffs paid before they were ruled unconstitutional and the House Ethics Committee defended its handling of sexual harassment cases involving members of Congress.
Amna Nawaz:
The White House says Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is leaving her post. Communications Director Steven Cheung announced her departure on social media, saying she’s done — quote — “a phenomenal job and that she’s taking a position in the private sector.”
Cheung added that her deputy, Keith Sonderling, will take over as acting secretary. Chavez-DeRemer had been under fire for months amid allegations that she abused her position. That included allegations of an affair involving a subordinate and drinking alcohol on the job. She’s denied any wrongdoing. Chavez-DeRemer is the third Trump Cabinet member to leave after he fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in March and ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this month.
Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit today against “The Atlantic” magazine. Over a story published on Friday titled “The FBI Director is MIA.” It alleges — quote — “episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences” by Patel.
His suit calls the article — quote — “a sweeping, malicious, and defamatory hit piece designed to destroy Director Patel’s reputation and drive him from office.” Both the Justice Department and the White House have denied the story’s claims.
In response, a spokesperson for “The Atlantic” says it stands by its reporting, calling Patel’s lawsuit meritless.
Today marks the first day the businesses can submit refund requests for tariffs paid before the Supreme Court ruled them unconstitutional two months ago. The Web site run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection allows the more than 330,000 importers who paid about $166 billion in tariffs to file for refunds with interest.
Approved refunds will take 60 to 90 days to be issued. But individual consumers who paid higher prices because of tariffs do not qualify to get their money back.
Police in North Carolina say at least two people were shot and killed this morning in Winston-Salem when several juveniles agreed to meet in a park to fight. A total of seven people were shot, with injuries ranging from minor to critical. A 16-year-old and a 17-year-old were killed.
Authorities say they’re still trying to determine each person’s role in the incident. The police chief lamented yet another episode of gun violence among young people.
William Penn Jr., Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Police Chief:
First, I need to acknowledge the fear and frustration that our community must be experiencing right now. Firearms are the number one killer of kids 1 to 17 in our nation now. It’s also our 98th mass shooting in our country. So I share that fear and that frustration.
Amna Nawaz:
A local middle school near the park briefly went into lockdown after the shooting. All students were later reported safe.
The House Ethics Committee issued a rare statement today defending its handling of recent sexual harassment cases involving members of Congress. The committee — quote — “strongly encouraged any victims of sexual misconduct by a House member or staffer to come forward.”
The statement comes after the recent resignations of Democrat Eric Swalwell and Republican Tony Gonzales and questions about how Congress investigates its own members. The House Ethics Committee largely operates behind closed doors and says little about its work.
In Japan, officials are warning of a possible mega-quake that could hit the country’s northeastern coast in the coming week. That follows a 7.7-magnitude earthquake felt hundreds of miles away in Tokyo striking the region earlier today.
(Sirens blaring)
Amna Nawaz:
Sirens blared in one coastal area followed by tsunami warnings that were later downgraded. But officials say the threat of further quakes remains.
Japan’s prime minister urged local residents to take precautions.
Sanae Takaichi, Japanese Prime Minister (through interpreter):
In response to the aftershock advisory, which is expected to remain in effect for about a week, please ensure you are prepared to evacuate immediately and always carry your emergency supplies with you.
Amna Nawaz:
Today’s advisory was the second such warning for the region in recent months. In the meantime, authorities are still assessing the damage from today’s shocks. At least two people were injured and some rail service was temporarily suspended.
The head of Apple, Tim Cook, is stepping down as CEO, but staying on as executive chairman. John Ternus, Apple’s hardware boss, will take over as CEO in September. It’s Apple’s first CEO change since 2011, when Cook took over from founder Steve Jobs.
In the meantime, on Wall Street today, stocks cooled off a bit after their recent record-setting rally. The Dow Jones industrial average lost less than five points, so basically flat. The Nasdaq slipped about 60 points to start the week. The S&P 500 gave back about a quarter-of-a-percent.
And a pair of defending champions won the Boston Marathon today. On the men’s side, John Korir of Kenya finished in two hours, one minute and 52 seconds, breaking the course record and running the fifth fastest marathon of all time. And Sharon Lokedi, also of Kenya, won the women’s race in just under two hours and 19 minutes.
In the meantime, in China, it wasn’t a human, but a humanoid setting the pace. This android from smartphone brand Honor set a new world record for a half-marathon, finishing in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. That is seven minutes faster than the human record and also way better than my all-time best.
