1. Stocks futures edge down after Trump fires Comey
U.S. stock index futures slipped after President Trump unexpectedly fired FBI Director James Comey Tuesday. S&P 500 futures edged down by 0.2 percent early Wednesday, suggesting a lower open following gains that have pushed stocks into record territory. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped by 0.2 percent, and Nasdaq-100 futures fell by 0.1 percent. Bipartisan criticism of Trump's decision threatened to undermine his support, casting fresh doubt on the prospects of promised tax and regulation cuts that have lifted markets since Trump's election. The stock ripples show how "markets are still wary of an unpredictable president," said Hantec Markets analyst Richard Parry in a note.
2. Disney takes a hit as ESPN costs rise, cable subscriptions fall
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3. Tunnel collapses at nuclear waste site in Washington state
4. Court orders Spirit pilots back to work
5. ABC is bringing American Idol back for a 16th season
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Gaza is running out of cashUnder The Radar Palestinians pay the price as black market springs up around banknotes and coins
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Law firms: Caving to White House pressureFeature Trump targets major law firms tied to his past investigations
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Venezuelan deportees: Locked up for tattoos?Feature A former pro soccer player was deported after U.S. authorities claimed his tattoo proved he belonged to a Venezuelan gang
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'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weaponsThe Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
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The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarrayIn the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
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Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
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Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliamentTHE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
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Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysisIn Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
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Why Assad fell so fastThe Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
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Romania's election rerunThe Explainer Shock result of presidential election has been annulled following allegations of Russian interference
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Russia's shadow war in EuropeTalking Point Steering clear of open conflict, Moscow is slowly ratcheting up the pressure on Nato rivals to see what it can get away with.
