IN THE NEWS TODAY
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, speaking on a panel at an economic development forum in Paris, called out the European Union for opposing trade negotiations at a time when China was willing to hold talks with the United States. (CNBC)
* China says does not want trade war but is not scared of one (Reuters)
The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions last year to reverse his decision to recuse himself from the probe into Russian election interference. Sessions is seen as a key witness in the investigation.
A court filing showed a retired federal judge in charge of reviewing documents seized from Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen as part of a criminal probe billed more than $47,000 for just six days of work, an eye-popping figure. (CNBC)
Speaking at a rally, Trump slammed frequent foe Arizona Sen. John McCain, who is currently battling brain cancer, for having voted against one of the measures that would have repealed Obamacare last year. (NBC News)
At the same rally, Trump mentioned his "big beautiful hands" in an apparent reference to his critics' continued mockery of his reportedly small hands. He was speaking on his administration's push to revitalize the nation's infrastructure. (USA Today)
A top North Korean official boarded a flight in Beijing Wednesday bound for New York and talks with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The meeting is seen as activity aimed at salvaging a summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un. (Reuters)
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed Hurricane Maria's death toll could exceed more than 4,600, mostly due to delayed or interrupted medical care. The official death count from the storm that hit Puerto Rico is 64. (CNBC)
Roseanne Barr apologized late last night for a racist tweet that led to the cancellation of her hit television show. The comedian then retweeted messages from supporters who defended the tweet that got her show canceled. (CNBC)
* Valerie Jarrett responds to Roseanne: The tone starts with Trump (USA Today)
* Multiple networks dropping 'Roseanne' reruns after racist tweet (Axios)
Game distributor Valve Software announced it has pulled the "Active Shooter" game that let players shoot up a school. The game was scrutinized in the wake of school shootings in Florida and Texas, drawing responses from the president. (Washington Post)
* Congresswoman says pornography is a root cause of school shootings (USA Today)
Tech giant Amazon.com (AMZN) announced an expansion of savings available to Prime members at its Whole Foods supermarkets, making those savings available at an additional 121 locations across 12 states. (TechCrunch)
* Protesters at Amazon shareholder meeting will fly a plane with a banner reading: 'Bezos needs a boss' (CNBC)
STOCKS TO WATCH
HP Inc (HPQ) matched estimates with adjusted quarterly earnings of 48 cents per share, with the computer and printer-maker's revenue above Street forecasts. HP Inc also raised its forecast for the full year. Separately, the company named Steve Fieler as its new chief financial officer, replacing Cathie Lesjak, who will become interim chief operating officer.
Novo Nordisk (NVO) said its oral diabetes drug did better in a study at lower blood sugar levels than competitor Jardiance, a treatment made by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly (LLY).
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) announced the resignation of its finance chief Ewen Stevenson. The surprise departure came on the day of the bank's annual meeting.
CBS (CBS) CEO Leslie Moonves is accused by controlling shareholder Shari Redstone in a court complaint of threatening to resign, unless directors voted to strip the Redstone family of voting control.
WATERCOOLER
Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson says his spaceflight company Virgin Galactic is 'two or three' flights away from taking people to space. Virgin Galactic reached nearly halfway to space in the second powered flight of its Unity spacecraft Tuesday. (CNBC)