Washington, DC - The White House announced today that comedian Colin Jost will travel to Saudi Arabia next week in an effort to revive stalled peace negotiations between Israel and Palestinian authorities over the Gaza Strip.

Jost, best known for his tenure as a writer and Weekend Update co-anchor on Saturday Night Live, has no formal diplomatic experience. However, a senior administration official said President Biden personally recruited Jost due to his "unique brand of irreverent humor and disarming wit.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Biden administration has scrapped its controversial plan to prohibit the sale of menthol-flavored throat lozenges, according to an announcement made by the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday.

The proposed ban, which was first unveiled last year, aimed to reduce youth access and appeal to menthol-flavored tobacco products. However, it drew intense pushback from public health experts, advocacy groups, and manufacturers of over-the-counter menthol cough drops and lozenges.

New York - In a surprising move days before his criminal trial, former President Donald Trump has fired his legal team and hired Arthur Aidala, the lawyer who recently secured a major appellate victory for Harvey Weinstein.

WASHINGTON D.C. - President Joe Biden has signed a bill authorizing a significant aid package to Taiwan. The Taiwanese government has announced that it plans to use a portion of these funds to acquire the popular social media platform, TikTok.

The aid package, which amounts to $95 billion, is intended to provide assistance to several countries, including Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan1. The bill was passed with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.

Los Angeles — A Minnesota state senator was arrested on suspicion of burglary after allegedly breaking into the official residence of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Sunday night.

Democratic Senator Nicole Mitchell, 49, of Woodbury was found inside the Getty House in Los Angeles and taken into custody by police. She is currently being held in the Becker County Jail nearly 300 miles away in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota on suspicion of first-degree burglary, though formal charges have not yet been filed. 

NEW YORK - Columbia University has cancelled all classes and campus activities for the remainder of the week after a series of disruptive protests and occupations by students and environmental activists marking Earth Day.

Los Angeles — The iconic Halloween retailer Spirit Halloween has acquired the 99 Cents Stores chain after the discount store operator filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Spirit Halloween plans to convert the 99 Cents Stores locations into year-round destinations for Halloween merchandise and supplies.