President Joe Biden has expressed concern over the recent leak of classified US documents, and has indicated that the Justice Department's investigation of the leaker is "getting close" to a conclusion. The FBI has reportedly narrowed the number of people they believe could be responsible, and the investigation is being conducted by the Intelligence Committee and the Justice Department. It is unclear what the consequences for the leaker may be, or what impact the leak may have on US foreign policy.
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Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has requested to be temporarily replaced on the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee while she recovers from shingles. She expressed her understanding that her absence could delay the important work of the committee, and asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to allow another Democratic senator to serve until she is able to resume her duties. Feinstein has served on the committee since 1993 and is the most senior Democrat on the committee.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has indicated that Moscow may be open to negotiating a prisoner exchange with the United States involving Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. The United States has offered to exchange him for two Russian nationals currently held in the U.S., but Russia has so far refused to consider such a swap. Gershkovich has been held in a Moscow prison since April 2019 and his trial has been delayed multiple times. It remains to be seen whether the Russian government will ultimately agree to a prisoner exchange.
Disneyland's Splash Mountain is set to close on May 31, 2021 and be replaced by Tiana's Bayou Adventure, an attraction featuring the first Black princess in Disney history. The new ride will feature the same flume ride technology, but with a new soundtrack and animatronics themed around Princess Tiana's adventures in the Louisiana bayou. The ride is expected to open in the near future and provide an inclusive experience for guests.
Former President Donald Trump is expected to testify Thursday in a New York deposition as part of a $250 million civil lawsuit alleging fraud in his real estate business practices. Trump has denied the allegations and tweeted that the deposition is "another unjust & ridiculous persecution". Sources have said Trump will answer questions during the deposition, and it is unclear how long it will last.
This article reports on a trove of classified US intelligence documents that have been leaked online, which suggest infighting between Russian officials and the Wagner Group's interest in Haiti. The documents appear to include highly classified material and the US government is likely to investigate the source of the leak and take steps to ensure similar leaks do not occur in the future. CNN has not independently verified the documents.
Thabo Bester, also known as the "Facebook Rapist," was returned to South Africa after escaping from a top-security prison with the help of guards. Bester is expected to be charged with murder for his part in the escape plot, while the guards will face disciplinary action and it is unclear what charges Magudumana will face. The escape has caused a stir in South Africa, as Bester was initially arrested in 2011 for the rape of a woman he had met on Facebook and was later convicted of murder and rape in 2014 and sentenced to life in prison.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida experienced heavy rainfall on Wednesday, resulting in widespread flooding, the closure of the city's airport, and the activation of the city's emergency operations center. The city is urging residents and visitors to stay off the roads until the water has subsided, and is responding with airboats and staff clearing drains and operating pumps to mitigate the water.