National news this week

Here are some of the top national news stories from the past week:

Politics

• The House of Representatives passed a bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, a key priority for Democrats. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to face opposition from Republicans. (Source: CNN)
• The Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, with a vote of 53-47. (Source: NPR)
• President Joe Biden announced a new plan to address the growing threat of domestic terrorism, including the creation of a new task force to counter online extremism. (Source: The New York Times)

Economy

• The US economy added 431,000 jobs in March, exceeding expectations and marking the 12th consecutive month of job growth. The unemployment rate fell to 3.6%, its lowest level since February 2020. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)
• The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter point, citing concerns about inflation and the economy's growth. (Source: CNBC)
• The US trade deficit widened to a record $74.4 billion in February, as imports surged and exports fell. (Source: Bloomberg)

Health

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a public health emergency in the US, marking a significant milestone in the country's response to the virus. (Source: The Washington Post)
• The FDA authorized the use of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 6 months old, expanding access to the vaccine for millions of young children. (Source: NBC News)
• The CDC reported a surge in cases of a rare but serious blood clotting disorder linked to the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. (Source: The New York Times)

Crime

• The FBI arrested a former police officer in connection with the murder of George Floyd, who died in police custody in 2020. (Source: CNN)
• A jury convicted a former Minneapolis police officer of aiding and abetting the murder of George Floyd, in a case that sparked widespread protests and calls for police reform. (Source: The New York Times)
• The Justice Department announced a new initiative to combat hate crimes, including the creation of a new task force to investigate and prosecute hate crimes. (Source: NPR)

Other News

• A powerful tornado outbreak struck the southeastern US, killing at least 25 people and causing widespread damage. (Source: The Washington Post)
• The US and China agreed to a new trade deal, aimed at reducing tensions and increasing cooperation between the two countries. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)
• NASA's Perseverance rover discovered evidence of ancient lakes and rivers on Mars, providing new insights into the planet's past habitability. (Source: Space.com)

These are just a few of the top national news stories from the past week.