White House on Sherrod Brown: 'He'll find a way to apologize'  —  The White House responded Wednesday to Sen. Sherrod Brown's criticism of President Barack Obama's treatment of fellow Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren.  —  White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Brown is “a stand-up guy.”

‘Absolute disastrous mess’: 6 dead, 146 injured after Amtrak train derails  —  Story highlights Philadelphia (CNN)  —  Latest developments  —  • A sixth person has died as a result of the Amtrak train crash in Philadelphia, a doctor at Temple University Hospital said Wednesday morning.

Introducing Instant Articles  —  As more people get their news on mobile devices, we want to make the experience faster and richer on Facebook.  People share a lot of articles on Facebook, particularly on our mobile app.  To date, however, these stories take an average of eight seconds to load …

Two Former Leaders of the Free World Sitting Around Chatting  —  Bill Clinton and David Letterman go down memory lane.  —  t williamfleitch  —  When former President Bill Clinton was introduced as a guest on Late Show With David Letterman on Tuesday night, he was greeted with an extended saxophone solo …

Republican Field, Mellow Edition  —  I find myself feeling mellow on the subject of 2016.  I have nonspecific affection and sympathy for everyone.  Actually when I think of the Republican field the picture that comes to mind is of Cloris Leachman in the movie “Spanglish.”  Merrily: “I love you.

The Great Democratic Crack-Up of 2016 … Maryland might seem a peculiar venue for a blood feud over the future of the Democratic Party.  It is the second-bluest state in the United States, after Massachusetts, according to Gallup; its registered Democrats, more than 30 percent of whom are black …

10 members of Congress took trip secretly funded by foreign government  —  The state-owned oil company of Azerbaijan secretly funded an all-expenses-paid trip to a conference at Baku on the Caspian Sea in 2013 for 10 members of Congress and 32 staff members, according to a confidential ethics report obtained by The Washington Post.

Oath Keepers Founder: Traitor McCain Should Be ‘Hung By The Neck Until Dead’  —  The founder of the Oath Keepers, a loose-knit group of current and former law enforcement officials and military who pledge to defend the Constitution, called for Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) to be “hung by the neck until dead” …

Missing U.S. helicopter carrying Marines reportedly spotted in Nepal  —  U.S. Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 UH-1Y Hueys bring relief supplies to Khopachagu, Nepal, May 11.  HMLA-469, or “Vengeance”, has flown 54 flight hours, delivering 68,307 pounds of food and shelter supplies to the rural areas of Nepal.

Moody's downgrades Chicago debt to ‘junk’ with negative outlook  —  Moody's downgraded Chicago's credit rating down to junk level “Ba1” from “Baa2.”  —  The announcement, which the ratings agency released Tuesday afternoon, cited a recent Illinois court ruling voiding state pension reforms.

The Execution of Clayton Lockett  —  On the morning of his execution, Clayton Lockett hid under the covers.  —  Before a team of correctional officers came to get him at 5:06 a.m., he fashioned a noose out of his sheets.  He pulled the blade out of a safety razor and made half-inch-long cuts on his arms.

John Kerry and John McCain: Once friends, now foes  —  A decades-old friendship between two Vietnam vets and former Senate allies is on the rocks.  —  Getty  —  When John Kerry was nominated to be Secretary of State in early 2013, his confirmation was never in real doubt.

Oracle's Larry Ellison to host fundraiser for Rubio  —  Sen. Marco Rubio now has another billionaire supporter in his corner: Oracle founder Larry Ellison.  —  Ellison will host a fundraiser for the Florida Republican's White House bid at his mansion in Woodside, Calif. on June 9, according to an invitation obtained by POLITICO.

GOP ramps up abortion fight  —  Republicans are ramping up their attack on Roe v. Wade with a House vote Wednesday on a bill banning late-term abortions.  —  While it's unlikely to pass the Senate and reach President Obama's desk, Republicans say they are playing a long game.

Improved Benefits for Facebook Contractors  —  Today, I am pleased to announce that we are implementing a new set of standards on benefits for contractors and vendors who support Facebook in the US and do a substantial amount of work with us.  These benefits include a $15 minimum wage …

Navy to double maternity leave, make fitness changes  —  Navy Secretary Ray Mabus is set to unveil a host of far-reaching initiatives and policy changes aimed at improving quality of life and careers for sailors and Marines, a senior Navy official confirmed to Navy Times.

Burundi general declares coup against President Nkurunziza  —  A Burundi army general says President Pierre Nkurunziza has been “overthrown” amid unrest over his bid to be re-elected for a third term.  —  Major General Godefroid Niyombare said a salvation committee had been set up, but the outcome of the coup is unclear.