(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Archives and Records Administration has provided a House committee with more than 700 pages of presidential documents after the Supreme Court rejected a bid by former President Donald Trump to block the release.
Facing tough '22 elections, Dems want a year of achievements
Democrats know they may lose control of Congress in November's midterm elections. So they're trying to sculpt a 2022 legislative agenda that would generate achievements and reassure voters that they’re addressing pocketbook problems and can govern competently.
apnews.com
Booster shots needed against omicron, CDC studies show
Three new U.S. studies offer more evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines are standing up to the omicron variant, at least among people who have gotten booster shots.
apnews.com
US, Russia to try more diplomacy amid tensions over Ukraine
Top U.S. and Russian diplomats agreed to keep talking in the standoff over Ukraine, even though their meeting produced no movement in the crisis that has seen Moscow mass tens of thousands of troops at the border and the West ramp up supplies of weapons to Kyiv.
apnews.com
Biden administration raises minimum wage for federal employees to $15
The directive will impact almost 70,000 federal employees, most of whom work at the Departments of Defense, Agriculture and Veteran Affairs.
www.nbcnews.com
Fox News Poll: While majority still supports Roe, opposition ticks up to new high
Support for toppling Roe v. Wade is at a new high, yet twice as many voters still want it to stand.
69 percent oppose overturning Roe v. Wade: CNN poll
A majority of Americans oppose overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that established a person’s constitutional right to abortion. A poll conducted by CNN fou…
thehill.com
DOJ seeks to block subpoena for Trump deposition | CNN Politics
The Justice Department is seeking to block, for now, a subpoena to depose former President Donald Trump in a lawsuit brought by former FBI agent Peter Strzok.
www.cnn.com
McConnell responds to uproar over comment about Black voters
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says the criticism he received over a comment made about African American voters is outrageous and offensive.
apnews.com
Biden, Putin might meet to resolve standoff over Ukraine, Blinken says
U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin might meet to resolve standoff over Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday.
Right-wing lawyer Sidney Powell ‘is cooperating’ with federal criminal probe into fundraising | CNN Politics
A lawyer for Sidney Powell, a well-known, Trump-connected attorney, acknowledged that her organization’s fundraising connected to the 2020 election is subject to an ongoing federal criminal investigation.
www.cnn.com
Trump draft executive order would have authorized National Guard to seize voting machines
The order, which was obtained by Politico, was never signed by the former president.
www.nbcnews.com
Texas man charged with making election-related threats to Georgia government officials
Chad Chistopher Stark allegedly used Craigslist to threaten Governor Brian Kemp and others.
www.cbsnews.com
US sends aircraft carrier group to Mediterranean as Russia threat looms
The U.S. military has sent the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier strike group to take part in a NATO naval exercise in the Mediterranean amid tensions between the West and Russia, the Pentagon’s…
thehill.com
Idaho sends Mike Lindell cease-and-desist letter over voter fraud claims - Washington Examiner
Idaho officials issued a cease-and-desist letter to MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell this week over voter fraud claims. The letter, a copy of which was reviewed by the Washington Examiner, was sent to Lindell on Tuesday by Idaho Secretary of State Lawerence Denney and Idaho Attorney General Lawrence...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Baltic states step up in arming Ukraine against potential Russian incursion
The three countries said they “stand united in their commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in face of continued Russian aggression.”
www.politico.comTexas attorney general refuses to hand over Jan. 6 records
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has rejected a prosecutor’s demand for records of his appearance at a pro-Donald Trump rally that preceded the assault on the U.S. Capitol. Last week, the Travis County district attorney’s office had set a four-day deadline for Paxton to turn over the records...
Bill Maher pushes back on Fauci: ‘Don’t sit there in your white coat and tell me “Just do what we say”‘
Bill Maher is pushing back against blindly following the advice of Anthony Fauci and other doctors amid the coronavirus pandemic, saying, “Don’t sit there in your white coat and tell me ‘Just…
thehill.com
January 6 riot probe gets over 700 pages of Trump White House documents after Supreme Court ruling
The January 6 Capitol riot by Trump supporters began after Donald Trump falsely claimed he won the 2020 election over President Joe Biden.
Facebook's lobbying spending surged to a record in 2021
The record lobbying surge — more than $20 million for the year — came as the company faced the most serious political crisis in its history.
www.politico.com
Supreme Court's Sotomayor calls Texas abortion case a 'disaster' in blistering dissent
"I will not stand by silently as a state continues to nullify this constitutional guarantee," the liberal justice said.
www.nbcnews.com
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema formally censured by Arizona Democratic Party
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is hemorrhaging support from Democrats in her home state after blocking the advancement of voting rights legislation.
Progressives eye Texas race as test for toppling incumbents
Activist groups want to push the Democratic Party in Congress to the left by notching midterm primary election wins that replace establishment, moderate incumbents with progressive alternatives.
apnews.com
Mitch McConnell slams 'outrageous mischaracterization' over his comment about Black voters
Many people decried a comment Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made this week implying Black people aren't Americans. He responded Friday.
www.usatoday.com
Mitch McConnell says Black people vote just as much as 'Americans'
When asked about concerns among voters of color, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell implied African Americans are not Americans.
www.usatoday.com
Read the never-issued Trump order that would have seized voting machines
The Jan. 6 select panel has obtained the draft order and a document titled "Remarks on National Healing." Both are reported here in detail for the first time.
www.politico.com
These Senate seats are up for election in 2022
A number of senators are up for reelection this November in what is expected to be a competitive slate of races across the country. All eyes will be on the Senate as both parties look to …
thehill.comBiased tweets? Politically-gridlocked civil rights commission squabbles over what to share with public.
A Republican appointee on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights proposed that public information only be shared if it receives a majority vote.
Where do Americans stand on abortion and on potentially overturning Roe v. Wade?
Anti-abortion activists are rallying in the nation's capital on Friday to mark the 49th anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade ruling.
Russia proposed interim nuclear deal to Iran, with U.S. knowledge
Iran says it is not interested in an interim deal. Experts say Iran is close to having enough fissile material for a bomb.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden enlists mayors as allies on infrastructure and economy
Facing a bleak national picture, President Joe Biden is embracing the old adage about politics being local.
apnews.com
Secretary of State Blinken meets with Russian counterpart in bid to prevent Ukraine invasion
Secretary of State Blinken told his Russian counterpart that the Kremlin could defuse concerns about an invasion by moving troops away from Ukraine's borders.
How can US solve 'Great Resignation'? Create better jobs, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh says.
Labor Secretary Marty Walsh says he has a remedy for the 'Great Resignation' that is upending the U.S. economy: Create better jobs.
www.usatoday.com
Kevin McCarthy's path to speakership enters final but treacherous leg
Kevin McCarthy was done being nice. The House Republican leader cast off his typically sunny demeanor during a December 8 meeting of the GOP conference to deliver a stern warning to his most raucous members: Quit trying to hold your vote for speaker over my head.
www.cnn.com
Wisconsin state GOP lawmaker calls for party to ‘cheat like Democrats’ to win elections
A GOP lawmaker in Wisconsin was secretly caught on video threatening to punch the state’s governor and arguing Republicans need to “cheat like the Democrats” if the party wan…
thehill.comBiden faces criticism over failed promise to end Yemen war after Saudi-led airstrikes kills dozens, including children
Arms sales to the Saudis have continued under Biden despite his pledge to take steps to end the Yemen war.
Sinema’s stand and its ripple effect on women’s rights
www.politico.com
Nearly 100 GOP lawmakers send letter demanding FDA provide answers on prenatal screening
A group of lawmakers is requesting additional information from the FDA amid concerns about non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).
University of Rhode Island revokes honorary degrees given to Rudy Giuliani and Michael Flynn
"Revoking these honorary degrees reinforces our values and allows us to lead with truth and integrity," the university's president said.
www.cbsnews.comAs oil companies make emissions pledges, Congress calls hearing on climate change disinformation
On Tuesday, ExxonMobil announced its "ambition to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for operated assets by 2050," the latest pledge by an oil company whose primary product is the single biggest driver of climate change.
Black employees at U.S. Mint feel marginalized and threatened, report says
Black employees at the U.S. Mint say they feel threatened and marginalized, The New York Times reported, citing an internal report.
1 NYPD officer killed, 1 severely injured in Harlem shooting
Officials say a New York City police officer has been killed and another critically wounded in a shooting in Harlem.
apnews.com
This grandmother has overseen dozens of elections in her city. And after 2020, she carries a gun | CNN Politics
Threats against election workers increased after the 2020 vote and are continuing in the run-up the midterms, driving some administrators to quit and others to seek protection.
www.cnn.com
Michigan Republicans sue over US House district lines
Republicans have filed federal suit against Michigan’s new independent redistricting commission over congressional district lines adopted last month that they say violate both federal and state sta…
thehill.com
Ukraine tension: US and Russia hold 'frank' talks
Their top diplomats say they want to pursue dialogue as fears of Russian military action persist.
www.bbc.com
How a Russia-Ukraine conflict could affect gas prices in the U.S.
The potential invasion in Ukraine’s future could lead to war, lives lost, and international crisis with one main aspect being its economic impact. NBC News’ Hallie Jackson explains the looming impact as well as the effect on how much Americans could pay for gas a result of a Russia-Ukraine conflict.
www.nbcnews.com
Tesla driver charged with manslaughter in deadly Autopilot crash raises new legal questions about automated driving tech
A Tesla Model S driver accused of crashing his car while Autopilot was activated had run a red light and slammed into a Honda Civic, killing its occupants.
www.nbcnews.com
US conducts airstrikes against ISIS in Syria amid attempted prison break - Washington Examiner
The U.S. military launched airstrikes in Syria in support of the Syrian Democratic Forces battling an attempted Islamic State prison break.Pentagon spokesman John Kirby confirmed on Friday that the United States “provided some airstrikes to support [SDF] as they deal with this particular prison...
www.washingtonexaminer.comAlaska will try something completely new in the fall election
Alaska’s Supreme Court ruled this week that a new election system can go forward, clearing the way for ranked-choice voting to get its highest-profile test yet in a contested U.S. Senate race there.
Effort to overhaul archaic election law wins new momentum
Momentum is growing for making changes to an archaic election law after former President Trump and his allies tried to overturn the Electoral College results. Multiple groups on Capitol Hill a…
thehill.comThe climate kinks in BBB
Democratic support, including from President Joe Biden, for a slimmed-down, climate-focused BBB doesn't guarantee success, with several outstanding disagreements within the caucus.
www.politico.com
Top Eric Adams appointee did business with Trump and a Russian oligarch who was sanctioned by the U.S.
New York Mayor Eric Adams has appointed to a top city job an executive with ties to the Trump Organization and Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg.
Biden stresses support for more police funding in shift from progressives
President Biden said he does not believe funding should be cut from police departments, claiming he has instead proposed "increasing funding" as he believes departments “need psychologists and social workers.”
I Am Vanessa Guillén Act brings 'historic' military reform as calls for justice persist
As a new law adds protections for victims of sexual violence, the mother of the slain Fort Hood soldier hopes to "learn the truth of what happened" to her daughter.
www.nbcnews.com
Nebraska’s Republican governor backs primary challenger against GOP lawmaker
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) came out against Rep. Jeff Fortenberry’s (R-Neb.) reelection bid on Friday, announcing that he would endorse state Sen. Mike Flood in the Republican primary for Nebr…
thehill.comBaltics quietly push Biden to pursue stronger Russia policy
www.politico.com
U.S. expands "Remain in Mexico" policy to busiest border sector for migrant arrivals
The move means asylum-seekers will be returned to an area of Mexico the U.S. warns Americans not to visit because of rampant crime and kidnappings.
www.cbsnews.comA year out of office, Trump's legal woes continue to mount
Former President Donald Trump's legal woes continue to mount amid numerous investigations into his presidency, his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his business.
Youngkin picks critical race theory opponent for diversity office, pleasing conservatives - Washington Examiner
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed an opponent of critical race theory to be the commonwealth’s new head of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, earning high praise from conservative activists.The governor’s appointment of Angela Sailor of the conservative Heritage Foundation to...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
McConnell defends civil rights record after ‘inadvertent’ comment sparks backlash | CNN Politics
Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell defended himself against what he called a “deeply offensive” and “outrageous mischaracterization” of his record on voting rights and race relations, after he had “inadvertently” omitted a word in a comment earlier this week, which sparked a massive backlash on...
www.cnn.com
Anti-abortion protesters optimistic at March for Life in DC
Speakers at the annual anti-abortion rally in Washington say there's a growing sense of optimism that their long-sought goal of a sweeping rollback of abortion rights in America is finally in reach.
apnews.comChicago's remap takes the stage
www.politico.com
Man arrested in Texas for allegedly plotting to kill election workers
The U.S. Justice Department said Friday that a Texas man has been arrested on charges of posting threatening messages on Craigslist about killing government officials in Georgia following the 2020 election.
Family accuses police of being 'racially insensitive' in investigating woman's death
Lauren Smith-Fields, 23, was found unresponsive in her Connecticut apartment after a date with a man she met on Bumble, according to a police report.
www.nbcnews.com
Texas hostages escaped synagogue as FBI SWAT team rushed in
An FBI official says that in the final moments of a 10-hour standoff with a gunman at a Texas synagogue, the remaining hostages and the officials trying to negotiate their release took “near simultaneous plans of action,” with the hostages escaping as an FBI tactical team moved in.
apnews.com
National Archives transfers contested presidential documents to Jan. 6 committee
The National Archives on Thursday evening released to the Jan. 6 committee hundreds of presidential documents that former President Trump sought to shield from the House panel.”On the ev…
thehill.comFact-Checking McConnell's Comparison of Black Turnout Rates
Hours before a failed effort by Democrats to pass a voting rights bill in the Senate, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was asked in a news conference Wednesday for his message to voters worried about access to the polls during the midterm elections. McConnell described those worries as a...
Biden, Japan's Kishida discuss Ukraine crisis, North Korean nuclear ambitions during virtual talks
NATO and G-7 members have previously pledged their support for Ukraine amid Russia's aggressive military buildup.
Supreme Court to weigh limits on its own Oklahoma tribal reservation ruling
The court does not typically reconsider its decisions so soon, but the state said the McGirt v. Oklahoma ruling has caused chaos in its courts.
www.nbcnews.com
Identities of two Marines killed in Wednesday crash released - Washington Examiner
The identities of the two Marines who died Wednesday following a military truck crash in North Carolina have been released. Lance Cpl. Jonathan Gierke, 19, of Georgia and Pfc. Zachary Riffle, 18, of West Virginia were identified as the deceased Friday, according to a Marine Corps announcement...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
The 18 jurors picked for federal trial over Floyd's killing
Eighteen people were picked to hear the federal case against three former Minneapolis officers who are charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights during the May 2020 arrest that led to the Black man’s death.
apnews.com
Cedric Richmond on Biden's turnaround plan
On this week’s show, Playbook author Eugene Daniels talks to Cedric Richmond, Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López about how the Biden Administration is trying to rebound.
www.politico.com
Feds issue subpoenas seeking records related to Rep. Cuellar and his wife, associates
A federal probe that led to the raid of Rep. Henry Cuellar's home is seeking records about an array of organizations, many with ties to Azerbaijan, ABC News has learned.
Biden to meet with national security team this weekend on Russia-Ukraine
President Biden will meet with members of his national security team while spending the weekend at Camp David amid ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia.”The president obviously is regu…
thehill.com
Biden-tied lobbying firms raked in the dough during his first year
Shops that employed former aides to the current president saw massive increases in clients and fees in 2021.
www.politico.com
NATO members scramble to support Ukraine amid Russian threat
The threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine has sent NATO countries scrambling to provide military support to Kyiv. In recent weeks, Spain, France, Estonia, the United Kingdom and t…
thehill.com
Biden nominates former Stacey Abrams lawyer for campaign finance watchdog
If confirmed, she would replace longtime commissioner Steven Walther.
www.politico.com
Saudi airstrike kills 70 in Yemen
An airstrike on a Yemen prison facility on Friday killed at least 70 people and wounded dozens of others, a Yemini rebel official told The Associated Press.The Saudi Arabia-backed airstri…
thehill.com
NATO shoots down Russian ultimatum as dispute flares after Blinken-Lavrov meeting - Washington Examiner
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s team renewed its demand for U.S. and Western European countries to abandon NATO’s Eastern European members, drawing a prompt rebuke just hours after a dialogue in Geneva that Western officials hoped would ease the risk of additional war in Ukraine.“We are...
www.washingtonexaminer.com'I Will Not Sit Quietly': 3 Black Senators in Spotlight on Voting Rights
WASHINGTON — The Senate has only three Black members, a paltry number that is unrepresentative of the country, so when the chamber took up a voting rights bill this week aimed at preventing the disenfranchisement of voters of color, Sens. Cory Booker, Tim Scott and Raphael Warnock played an...
US and Russia try to lower temperature as Ukraine tensions simmer
Top diplomats say they are open to further dialogue after talks yield no sign of breakthroughs.
IRS to require taxpayers to submit selfies to access website - Washington Examiner
The IRS will soon require payers to provide selfies in order to provide more secure access to certain tools and applications on its website.The additional layer of facial recognition will be needed from the summer of 2022 onward in order to log in to the IRS website and access the Child Tax...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Split on Sinema: LGBTQ groups divided over rebuke of bisexual senator
While some queer advocacy groups have threatened to pull their support for the Arizona senator, others have refrained from criticizing her for blocking filibuster reform.
www.nbcnews.com
California jobless rate dips half-percentage point to 6.5%
California’s unemployment rate dipped a half-percentage point in December as the most populous state added 50,700 nonfarm jobs.
apnews.com
Psaki pressed on Biden's readiness to evacuate Americans from Ukraine
White House press secretary Jen Psaki fielded questions from reporters Friday afternoon, and she responded to inquiries about the ongoing tensions in Ukraine and the United States' ability to extradite citizens in the increasingly tumultuous area.
Ex-Giuliani associate Fruman sentenced to one year in prison in campaign finance case
Federal prosecutors had recommended Igor Fruman spend between three and four years in prison.
www.nbcnews.com
McConnell says he made ‘inadvertent omission’ in voting remarks amid backlash
Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Friday defended his record on civil rights and race relations, blasting criticism sparked by voting remarks he made earlier this week, where he said he …
thehill.com
March for Life activists optimistic about ending Roe but say movement needs to do more to help women
Pro-life activists expressed optimism at the March for Life on Friday in Washington, D.C., maintaining that the end of the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade would just be the beginning of another stage in protecting life.
Police officers who killed 8-year-old girl to be terminated
The officers who killed 8-year-old Fanta Bility after a football game in August 2021 will be fired from the Sharon Hill Police Department.
Los Angeles DA defends soft-on-crime accusations by Union Pacific on train robberies - Washington Examiner
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon sent a letter to Union Pacific Railroad that blamed the company for thefts caused by gangs of armed bandits who storm the trains and pilfer millions of dollars' worth of goods.The letter, dated Friday, comes two days after the Washington...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Equilibrium/Sustainability — Solar-powered cars on the EV horizon
Today is Friday. Welcome to Equilibrium, a newsletter that tracks the growing global battle over the future of sustainability. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup…
thehill.com
House January 6 committee now has all the White House records Trump tried to block | CNN Politics
The House select committee investigating January 6 has received all 700-plus pages from the National Archives that former President Donald Trump had tried to block the panel from receiving.
www.cnn.com
Man found guilty of killing parents after they discovered he faked SpaceX job offer - Washington Examiner
A 23-year-old Wisconsin man was found guilty of murdering his parents after they discovered he faked aspects of his life, including a lucrative job offer from SpaceX. The jury ruled Thursday after two hours of deliberation that Chandler Halderson was guilty on two counts each of first-degree...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Los Angeles weighs phasing out oil and gas drilling
The University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles has a lot in common with urban areas across the U.S.: A dense population with lots of businesses and housing.
apnews.com
Merrick Garland addresses Texas synagogue hostage situation: 'We will not tolerate this'
Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday addressed the Jan. 15 synagogue hostage situation in Texas for the first time.
As Biden struggles, Harris touts California wildfire aid
Vice President Kamala Harris returned to her home state during challenging times for the White House to highlight funding for federal wildfire programs.
apnews.com
TSA confirms it lets illegal immigrants use arrest warrants as ID in airports
The Transportation Security Administration confirmed to Fox News on Friday that it allows illegal immigrants to use arrest warrants as an alternative form of ID to board airplanes.
Split on Sinema: LGBTQ groups divided over rebuke of bisexual senator
While some queer advocacy groups have threatened to pull their support for the Arizona senator, others have refrained from criticizing her for blocking filibuster reform.
www.nbcnews.com
No. 2 US climate diplomat leaves after a year under Biden
The Biden administration’s second-ranking climate diplomat is leaving his job, after one year. Special U.S. climate envoy John Kerry confirmed Jonathan Pershing's departure in a statement Friday.
apnews.comGOP Senate Favorite Adam Laxalt Backs Candidate Pushing FBI-Revenge Fantasy
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/GettyAs attorney general of Nevada, Adam Laxalt was in charge of enforcing the law. But now that he’s a Republican Senate candidate, Laxalt is throwing his “extremely enthusiastic” support behind someone who wants to abolish the FBI.That...
UN condemns deadly air strike on Yemen prison
A Saudi-led coalition denies it struck a detention centre on Friday, killing more than 70 people.
www.bbc.com
Miss. bill would block incarcerated people, minors from legally changing their name
Critics say certain provisions of the “Real You Act of 2022” are “particularly cruel.”
www.nbcnews.com
EXPLAINER: Will Chauvin testify at trial of 3 other cops?
As the federal trial for three former Minneapolis officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights is set to begin Monday, some wonder whether Derek Chauvin will take the stand.
apnews.com
With ‘Roe’ in peril, anti-abortion activists rally in Washington
Thousands of anti-abortion advocates protest as reproductive rights groups urge Congress to protect right to abortion.
US unveils changes to attract foreign science, tech students
The Biden administration has announced policy changes to attract international students specializing in science, technology, engineering and math.
apnews.com
Man admits to placing homemade bombs in suburban Des Moines
An Iowa man accused of making and placing several homemade bombs in a Des Moines suburb has pleaded guilty to federal weapons charges
Dozens killed in Saudi-led coalition air raid on Yemen prison
At least 70 people killed in air raid on prison in northern city of Saada, and dozens of others wounded.
Hispanic Democrats hear out Harris aide, expect support on immigration reform
Vice President Harris’s top communications aide survived the first major challenge of his tenure, after delivering apologies to congressional Hispanic Democrats over decade-old tweets that se…
thehill.com
Dozens killed as ISIS gunmen launch major attacks in Iraq and Syria
The bold assaults suggest militants have been revitalized after maintaining a low-level insurgency in Iraq and Syria over the past few years.
www.nbcnews.comUN chief: World more unpredictable than during the Cold War
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday the current world is “much more chaotic, much less predictable” than during the Cold War between the former Soviet Union and the United States, and it's dangerous because there are no “instruments” to deal with crises. As he starts his second...
WATCH: March for Life fills downtown DC streets on freezing Friday - Washington Examiner
The 49th annual March for Life was held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Friday amid freezing weather and a newly instated citywide vaccine mandate. Participants began congregating at around 9:30 a.m. in front of a stage situated between the Washington Monument and the Capitol...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Noncitizens lead recall of ‘woke’ San Francisco school board members - Washington Examiner
Five years after San Francisco allowed noncitizens to vote for school boards, some are helping lead a recall campaign against members who pushed radical agendas.San Francisco Unified School District made national headlines last year for attempting to rename schools dedicated to presidents...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Brian Laundrie claims responsibility for killing Gabby Petito in notebook: FBI
Investigators revealed new key evidence in the murder of Gabby Petito.
Klain under scrutiny as Biden struggles
As the president rounds out his first year in office with multiple setbacks in his agenda and a sinking approval rating, some blame his chief of staff.
www.nbcnews.com
Virginia parent charged after she threatens to "bring every single gun loaded" over school's mask dispute
Officials are investigating a threat made by a parent at a Virginia school board meeting.
www.cbsnews.comJanet Yellen co-opts Reaganomics phrase for new Davos speech
The U.S. needs to focus on increasing its productive potential, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told world leaders Friday, calling for what she terms "modern supply side economics."Why it matters: She co-opted a phrase traditionally used by political conservatives to describe low-tax and...
Mother sues Meta and Snap over daughter's suicide
A Connecticut woman alleges her daughter's "extreme" addiction to social media led to her death.
www.bbc.com
March for Life taking place as Roe faces potential end nearly 50 years after landmark decision
The 49th annual March for Life will take place as the Supreme Court prepares to issue a decision potentially overturning Roe v. Wade.
Biden, Kishida talk China, nuclear weapons in first meeting
President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have used their first formal meeting to discuss concerns about China’s growing military assertiveness.
apnews.com
Biden uses $20 billion Intel Ohio investment to push Congress to pass chip bill
The bill, which would provide $52 billion to the chip industry, has stalled in the House after passing in the Senate last year.
www.nbcnews.com
Analysis: The Gorsuch-Sotomayor kerfuffle shows how the Supreme Court will close ranks amid controversy | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court’s response to recent controversy over the justices’ masking practices reveals its studied lack of transparency and that, regardless of tensions among the nine, they will close ranks, particularly against the press.
www.cnn.com
NYPD officer killed, another in critical condition after Harlem shooting, police say
“We’re mourning, and we’re angry,” Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell told a news conference.
www.nbcnews.com
Giuliani associate gets year in prison in foreign donor case
A Florida man who helped Rudy Giuliani seek damaging information against Joe Biden in Ukraine has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison and fined $10,000 in an unrelated campaign finance case.
apnews.comBiden taps new election money regulator to serve on the Federal Election Commission
President Biden plans to nominate election law attorney Dara Lindenbaum to the Federal Election Commission, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The nomination gives Biden an opportunity to try to shape some U.S. election rules in the wake of Congress' failure to advance sweeping election...
Kansas teen's death has spotlight on 'stand your ground' law
Even some Republicans who have supported the “stand your ground law” in Kansas want to revisit it following the death of a Black teenager who was restrained at a juvenile intake center in Wichita last September.
apnews.com
Two Canadians shot dead at upscale Mexican resort
The incident began as an argument among guests, one of whom was the gunman, at the hotel near Cancún.
www.bbc.com
NCAA criticized for changing policy on transgender athletes
The NCAA updated its policy on the participation of transgender athletes, just as transgender swimmer Lia Thomas continues to break records.
Sudanese hold ‘day for martyrs’ after anti-coup protest killings
Civil society groups hold a day of solidarity with families of dozens of protesters killed since October 25 coup.
DOJ arrests Texas man over alleged threats to Georgia elections officials
The Justice Department arrested Texas resident Chad Christopher Stark on Friday over death threats he allegedly made targeting election officials in Georgia.
Think your home value is soaring? Talk to a farmer
For all the talk about rising U.S. home values in cities and suburbs, they have nothing on the skyrocketing price of farmland.
apnews.com
Wildlife YouTuber discovers new species of tarantula
JoCho Sippawat, known for his videos about Thailand's wildlife, discovered the first known tarantula to live exclusively inside bamboo stalks.
www.nbcnews.com
More than 300,000 pacifiers recalled over choking hazard
No injuries have yet been reported from the pacifiers.
www.cbsnews.com'This is just the beginning,' Biden says as Intel plans $20 billion semiconductor complex in Ohio amid chip shortage
President Joe Biden touted the project as a sign of major progress to address semiconductor shortages and boost U.S. manufacturing.
Louie Anderson, Emmy-winning comedian, has died at 68
Louie Anderson's career as a comedian and actor spanned more than four decades.
www.cbsnews.com
Abuse victims see inequity in payouts at 2 Michigan schools
Two former University of Michigan football stars who stand to receive as much as $500,000 each through the school’s sexual abuse settlement with more than 1,000 students say the per-victim payouts should be much higher.
apnews.com
Michigan GOP co-chair says Trump campaign directed fake electors, per CNN audio
The comments from Meshawn Maddock come days after Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said she thought actions by the fake electors were criminal.
www.usatoday.com
Oath Keeper charges renew attention on Trump orbit
The Justice Department’s (DOJ) leveling of seditious conspiracy charges against the founder of the Oath Keepers has renewed interest — and in some cases faith — in DOJ and whether its investigation…
thehill.com
'Minor incursion' by Russia could complicate West's response
Short of an all-out invasion, Russian President Vladimir Putin could take less dramatic action in Ukraine that would vastly complicate a U.S. and allied response.
apnews.com
NARAL pulls support from Sinema over failure to back filibuster change on voting bill
NARAL Pro-Choice America has joined a growing list of organizations that plan to withdraw support from Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., over her opposition to a change in Senate rules.
Biden, Kishida talk China, nuclear weapons in first meeting
President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have used their first formal meeting to discuss concerns about China’s growing military assertiveness.
apnews.com
Biden's chief of staff on potential sanctions against Putin: "Nothing on the economic side is off the table"
Ron Klain says the decision on whether to personally sanction Putin would be made "at the appropriate time" by the president and national security officials.
www.cbsnews.com
Trump campaign officials, led by Rudy Giuliani, oversaw fake electors plot in 7 states
Trump campaign officials, led by Rudy Giuliani, oversaw efforts in December 2020 to put forward illegitimate electors from seven states that Trump lost, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the scheme.
www.cnn.com
Hannity after Jan. 6 texted McEnany ‘no more stolen election talk’ in five-point plan for Trump
The House Jan. 6 select committee’s request to sit with Ivanka Trump is further highlighting the close relationship Fox News host Sean Hannity had with her father’s White House.A letter…
thehill.com
'Dangerous precedent': Jan. 6 committee trains its sights on false pro-Trump electors
GOP officials in five states illegitimately claimed to be qualified to declare Donald Trump the winner in 2020. And Trump allies were openly involved.
www.politico.com
Jim Jordan previews investigations he’ll lead as Judiciary Committee chairman - Washington Examiner
Rep. Jim Jordan already knows what he will do if he becomes chairman of the House Judiciary Committee next year with subpoena power and the ability to set the agenda for the panel. The Ohio Republican, who as the ranking member of the committee is lined up to take over as chairman, talked about the
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Yellen defends Biden's economic record, says she sees path to slower inflation
Treasury Secretary Yellen defended the administration's economic achievements and said that she hopes to see inflation closer to 2% by the end of 2022.
Has rule-breaker Boris Johnson met his match in 'partygate'?
For Boris Johnson, facts have always been flexible. The British prime minister’s career is littered with doctored quotes, tall tales, exaggerations and mistruths.
apnews.com
Analysis: Biden's hammering the GOP. But passing the buck is a risky strategy.
Analysis: The president demonstrated the challenge he faces in taking attention away from divisions in his own party and focusing it on external adversaries.
www.nbcnews.comMichael Flynn allies allegedly plotted to lean on Republicans to back vote audits
Ex-whistleblower says group enlisted his help to seek potentially damaging information on two members of Congress to prod them to back audits in key states Trump lost Michael Flynn, Trump’s disgraced former national security adviser. Photograph: Carolyn Kaster/AP FBI agents and the House panel...
Mitch McConnell’s viral Black voter comments cause widespread furor
Republican Senate minority leader’s comments came after party members blocked voting rights bill and changes to filibuster rule Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell has sparked widespread outrage by appearing to refer to African Americans and Americans as two separate groups in comments about...
Michigan GOP co-chair said Trump campaign encouraged efforts to give him state's electoral votes
Meshawn Maddock was one of 16 Republicans who signed a document saying Michigan's 16 electoral votes should go to former President Trump.
www.cbsnews.comBiden to urge mayors to spend more COVID aid to build workforces -official
President Joe Biden will urge U.S. mayors on Friday to use more of their state and local COVID-19 aid funds to expand their workforces, a White House official said, an effort partly aimed at easing economic bottlenecks and inflation. In an address to the U.S. Conference of Mayors' winter...
Top House Democrat ‘absolutely concerned’ about ‘illegitimate’ election - Washington Examiner
House Majority Whip James Clyburn echoed President Joe Biden in expressing fear that future elections could be illegitimate if voting reform legislation favored by the Democrats is not passed. The South Carolina Democrat told CNN's Kasie Hunt during an interview Thursday that he is "absolutely...
www.washingtonexaminer.comInside the White House's post-press conference call
White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain told allies and staff during a conference call Wednesday night President Biden wants to include funding for child and elder care in any revised Build Back Better agenda, people familiar with the matter tell Axios.Why it matters: Klain’s comments came after...
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm violated a stock disclosure law nine times last year
The energy secretary failed to disclose at least nine stock sales within the required 45-day window.
Top lobbying firms report record-breaking 2021 earnings
Most of the top lobbying firms raked in record revenue last year as K Street worked overtime to influence President Biden’s ambitious agenda, according to new lobbying figures shared with The Hill.…
thehill.com
Biden’s vow to be ‘most pro-union president’ tested in first year
Biden’s rhetoric didn’t create the current shift in public perception of workers’ rights and unions, but it is part of the mix of forces creating a clear opportunity for labor.
www.nbcnews.com
Democrats slim down ambitions after back-to-back failures
They'll try to revive their domestic spending bill and they want to keep fighting for election reform. None of that's expected to play out soon.
www.politico.com
Major airlines say the 5G doomsday scenario is over | CNN Business
Airline executives breathed a sigh of relief to their investors Thursday, saying they believe the threat to their operations from the rollout of 5G technology is now behind them.
www.cnn.com
FBI raid jeopardizes Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar’s reelection bid - Washington Examiner
House Republicans are spying a surprise opportunity to flip another Democratic-held district after the Laredo, Texas, home and campaign office of Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar were raided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Wednesday.Cuellar, 66, a centrist and frequent target of Republicans and...
www.washingtonexaminer.comJimmy Kimmel Reveals the Unlikely Guy Who Could Bring Down Trump
ABCOn Thursday night, Jimmy Kimmel gleefully ran down the significant legal problems facing former President Donald Trump during his monologue.“The legal woes for Trump are piling up,” said Kimmel. “The attorney general in New York says she has evidence that the Trump Organization engaged in a...
Atlanta DA seeks special grand jury in Trump Georgia election interference probe
Former President Donald Trump and others are being eyed in a criminal probe in Georgia in connection with the 2020 election against President Joe Biden.
New CIA report casts doubt on claims that Russia attacked U.S. spies, diplomats with microwave energy
While members of both political parties have pointed to foreign powers as the source of these attacks, a new CIA analysis appears to be closer in line with skeptics who say there has never been clear evidence supporting the existence of “Havana syndrome.”
Manchin touts Nick Saban’s opposition to changing filibuster
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) touted Alabama football coach Nick Saban’s opposition to changing the filibuster on Twitter Thursday after receiving backlash for voting against changes to the proce…
thehill.com
Opinion | Why Trump Is Headed for the Ditch Once Again
He might not have the juice to pull himself out this time.
www.politico.comAmid criticism, Biden walks back his suggestion that future elections might not be 'legit'
President Biden's comment that future elections might not be legitimate because of new GOP voting restrictions sparked criticism from Republicans and democracy watchers, prompting a walk-back Thursday by the White House.
UN chief: World worse now due to COVID, climate, conflict
As he starts his second term as U.N. secretary-general, Antonio Guterres says the world is worse in many ways than it was five years ago because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis and geopolitical tensions that have sparked conflicts everywhere.
apnews.com
Analysis: Neither Biden nor Putin can afford to lose their Ukraine standoff | CNN Politics
Escalating psychological warfare between the United States and Russia over Ukraine is fast approaching a point at which a peaceful exit from a crisis with real-world ramifications for Americans could be impossible.
www.cnn.com
Trump’s filing cabinets and Post-It notes: New York AG details new areas of interest in company probe
Letitia James is seeking to gather more evidence in her multiyear investigation into the Trump Organization.
www.nbcnews.comTrump Says Pelosi Is to Blame for ‘Jan. 6 as We Know It’
Fox NewsIn a chummy Thursday night interview with Fox News host and one-time informal presidential adviser Sean Hannity, Trump was asked pointedly whether he called up the National Guard on Jan. 6, 2021, to help quell the violence in Washington, D.C.“One hundred percent, and attested to by many...
Access again an issue at federal trial in Floyd's killing
A closed hearing in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers in George Floyd’s killing was canceled Friday after prosecutors and the media objected.
apnews.com
Democrats still back Biden, but evidence of unease among moderates - CBS News poll analysis
Biden's job approval has slipped more among moderate Democrats than liberal ones.
www.cbsnews.comSchumer: 'We made progress' on voting bill, filibuster rules
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in an interview Thursday that Democrats “made progress” toward changing the Senate's filibuster rules to advance sweeping voting legislation, despite the dramatic collapse of the package that his party says is central to protecting democracy. From his...
Trump claims ‘very good relationship’ with DeSantis despite reports of feud - Washington Examiner
Former President Donald Trump dismissed reports of rising tensions between himself and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of a possible 2024 election clash. The former president insisted during an appearance Thursday night on Fox News that there was "absolutely" no bickering between the two and...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
FBI presence at Texas Rep. Cuellar's home related to probe tied to Azerbaijan: report
Media outlets are reporting that the FBI agents seen outside the home and campaign office of Texas Democrat Rep. Henry Cuellar were there as part of a corruption investigation.
Officials vote to fire 3 Pennsylvania officers accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Fanta Bility
The Sharon Hill Borough Council voted 6-1 to fire the three officers who have charged in the 2021 killing.
www.nbcnews.com
US escalates pressure on Russia, approving new arms and accusing it of plot against Ukraine
The U.S. on Thursday escalated pressure on Russia, approving new arms transfers and accusing it of a plot against Ukraine.
Kyle Rittenhouse moves to get rifle back to destroy it - Washington Examiner
Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted of all charges in the shooting of three men during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is making moves to get his gun back — so he can destroy it. Mark Richards, an attorney for the 19-year-old, filed a motion in Kenosha County court Wednesday asking for the return...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
NYC Mayor Adams wants more federal cash even after massive infrastructure bill
New York City Mayor Eric Adams called for additional federal infrastructure spending on top of the already massive legislation signed into law by President Biden last year.
Supreme Court declined to order Texas abortion case back to the original judge
The Supreme Court declined to order the Texas abortion case back to the original trial judge for further proceedings for a second time. NBC News’ justice correspondent Pete Williams reports on the most restrictive abortion law in the country known as S.B.8.
www.nbcnews.comAlaska governor: Work with Murkowski endures after Trump nod
Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy said he doesn't see his acceptance of former President Donald Trump's endorsement as hurting his relationship with the state's senior U.S. senator, Republican Lisa Murkowski, who voted to convict Trump at his impeachment trial last year and whose reelection...
US seeks to speed up delivery of new F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan
Block 70 aircraft are the newest F-16 configuration with new avionics, a modernised cockpit, and an improved engine.
Rare blast of snow, ice takes aim at Southeast US coast
Freezing rain, sleet and snow blew into coastal areas stretching from South Carolina to Virginia. The bad weather emerged late Friday afternoon and marked the beginnings of a storm that could snarl the area.
apnews.com
U.S. and NATO to surge lethal weaponry to Ukraine to help shore up defenses against Russia
An array of lethal and non-lethal weapons systems have been approved to give Ukraine the means to defend itself.
www.cbsnews.com
GOP lawmakers seek answers from FDA on prenatal testing accuracy following New York Times report
Republican lawmakers sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking answers about noninvasive prenatal tests after learning that many such tests are inaccurate.…
thehill.com
Marjorie Taylor Greene posts message comparing vaccine mandates to Nazi 'health pass'
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Friday compared vaccine mandates to the Holocaust in a Telegram post that's very similar to a tweet Rep. Warren Davidson apologized for last week.
South Georgia: The museum at the end of the world reopens for business
On a British island at the edge of the Antarctic is one of the most remote tourist spots in the world.
www.bbc.com
Arizona Senate seeks 2020 election audit records at data center - Washington Examiner
Arizona Senate President Karen Fann has a lead in the search for documents from the 2020 election audit in Maricopa County now at the center of a legal fight for public access.The Republican sent a letter Thursday to Cyber Ninjas, a Florida-based firm hired to lead the partisan review, and its...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Oath Keeper charged with overseeing Jan. 6 weapons stockpile jailed pending trial
His recent social media activity may have played a role in the judge's decision.
www.politico.com
Secretary of state tries to clarify U.S., allied stance after Biden remarks on Russia
In a speech in Berlin, the secretary of state said it was Russia that threatens peace in Europe, not Ukraine or NATO: “Whose troops are surrounding whom?”
www.nbcnews.com
Jill Biden’s whirlwind first year as the President’s eyes and ears across America | CNN Politics
First lady Jill Biden visited Kentucky last Friday, a state that her husband, President Joe Biden, did not win in the 2020 election. Not that she cared. She was there to check in on victims of last month’s deadly tornadoes, which ripped through Bowling Green, taking down houses, gutting...
www.cnn.com
Israeli general turned lawmaker emerges as settler critic
A retired Israeli general has emerged as one of the country's most vocal critics against settlers in the occupied West Bank.
apnews.com
US accuses Russia of recruiting officials in attempt to take over Ukrainian government | CNN Politics
The United States accused Russia of recruiting current and former Ukrainian government officials to attempt to take control of Ukraine’s government as it unveiled new sanctions on Thursday.
www.cnn.com
Newsom calls littered LA rail tracks ‘unacceptable,’ brings along cleanup crew
Reacting to recent media images of trash-strewn railroad tracks in Los Angeles – the result in part of thieves stealing from passing rail cars and discarding packaging – California Gov. Gavin Newsom showed up Thursday with a clean-up crew and vowed action.
Biden Keeps Trump Immigration Policies—and Stephen Miller Is Loving It
Saul Loeb/GettyMoments after he was sworn into office, President Joe Biden made good on the first of dozens of promises he had made to immigrant communities on the campaign trail—bursting out of the gate with the repeal of some of the Trump administration’s most aggressively anti-immigration...
Myanmar refugees receive little relief at Thai border
Thousands of people running away from reported Myanmar army raids find little sense of safety in Thailand.
What's next for Biden's social spending plan
Senator Joe Manchin says Democrats will be starting negotiations on the Build Back Better Act from scratch.
www.cbsnews.com
Former Obama official rejects Biden's claim that Fox News reporter's question on Putin was 'stupid'
A former member of the Obama administration pushed back after President Biden brushed aside a question from a Fox News reporter about allowing Russian President Vladmir Putin to make the first move in Ukraine and called it “stupid.”
U.S. House Speaker Pelosi says banning member stock trades possible
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday signaled her willingness to advance legislation that could ban lawmaker stock trades, if her rank-and-file Democrats support such a move.
www.reuters.com
BYU under federal investigation over treatment of gay and transgender students - Washington Examiner
The Biden administration is conducting an investigation into a private religious university in Utah over how it disciplines gay and transgender students. The Education Department told the Washington Examiner that its Office of Civil Rights began the inquiry into Brigham Young University on Oct...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
FBI director: Texas synagogue hostage-taking ‘an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community’
FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a webinar Thursday that the hostage-taking at a Texas synagogue over the weekend was “an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community.”The comment came …
thehill.com
DOJ wants Oath Keepers leader to remain in jail pending trial | CNN Politics
The Justice Department is arguing that Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes should remain in jail as he awaits trial for seditious conspiracy related to the attack on the US Capitol.
www.cnn.com
Is the Media Doomed?
From a Big Tech crackdown to the rebirth of local news, 16 future-minded thinkers predict where journalism will be in 15 years.
www.politico.com
UK’s Johnson says Russian invasion of Ukraine would be ‘disaster’ for world
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday said a Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a “disaster for the world,” saying he stands behind Kyiv against aggression.In a brief comment …
thehill.com
Suspected ISIL fighters kill 11 Iraqi soldiers ‘in their sleep’
Iraqi officials say brazen attack took place at barracks in al-Azim district, in Diyala province.
U.S. charges Belarus with air piracy in Ryanair flight diversion to arrest journalist
U.S. officials say they have jurisdiction in the case because American citizens were aboard the flight.
www.nbcnews.com
IRS will require taxpayers to sign up with ID.me to access their online accounts
Starting this summer, an ID.me account will be required to view a tax transcript or pull up payment history on IRS.gov.
www.cbsnews.comTrump’s friends worry legal pick for N.Y. case lacks experience
Close associates and advisers to Donald Trump tell Axios they're concerned by his decision to use a relatively inexperienced New Jersey attorney, Alina Habba, in his high-stakes legal fight against New York Attorney General Letitia James.Why it matters: A former president typically has access to...
Kazakhstan unrest: 'If you protest again, we'll kill you'
Activists in Kazakhstan say they are being arrested and beaten as police crack down after unrest.
www.bbc.com
Biden approval rating drops to 43%, lowest of his presidency
U.S. President Joe Biden's public approval rating fell to the lowest level of his presidency this week as Americans appeared exhausted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic toll, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll.
www.reuters.com
Florida man charged after 4 found dead at Canada-US border
A Florida man has been charged with human smuggling after the bodies of four people, including a baby and a teen, were found near the Canada United States border.
apnews.com
Some state lawmakers focusing on abortion access amid challenge to Roe v. Wade
As Roe v. Wade is under threat on its 49th anniversary, several state legislators are introducing bills that would protect or expand access to reproductive rights.
Year 2: Biden plans more public outreach, less legislating
President Joe Biden is launching into his second year in office with a new focus on making fatigued Americans believe they’re better off under his leadership as he embraces a pared-back agenda before the midterm elections.
apnews.com
Boris Johnson: I've seen no evidence of plotters being blackmailed
The PM rejects the claims of a Tory MP, who says rebels face intimidation from ministers.
www.bbc.com
Resort guests raise money as world rallies to help Tonga
Dozens of former guests from New Zealand, Australia, the U.S. and elsewhere are raising money to help the owners of the Ha’atafu Beach Resort in Tonga after it was destroyed by a tsunami.
apnews.com
DNC torn over Biden messaging as midterms loom
Democratic National Committee insiders are debating how to handle the disappointments of President Biden’s biggest legislative fallouts, adding to the already mounting sense of despair in a party s…
thehill.com
EXPLAINER: Why fear of 5G halting flights has faded
New 5G wireless service is up and running in the United States, with little of the feared disruption to air travel.
apnews.comJury selection proceeds for Avenatti-Stormy Daniels trial
Michael Avenatti, the once high-profile California attorney who regularly taunted then-President Donald Trump during frequent television appearances, was introduced Thursday to prospective jurors who will decide whether he cheated porn star Stormy Daniels out of book-deal proceeds. Jury...
Shelling on Syria’s Afrin kills six civilians; dozens wounded
Artillery fire came a week after a suicide bomber launched an attack near a military base run by Turkey-backed fighters.
‘Crypto bros,’ UFOs and NFTs: Inside Peter Thiel’s Senate fundraising tour
Thiel has been deeply involved in the fundraising efforts for two favored Senate candidates running this year.
www.politico.com
U.S. assesses Russian retaliation potential should it be cut from SWIFT -senator
The United States is analyzing what damage could be done by Russia to Western allies, such as halting oil and gas exports, if the Biden administration cuts Moscow out of the SWIFT financial system should it re-invade Ukraine, a U.S. senator said on Thursday.
www.reuters.com
CIA says foreign actor may be behind some Havana syndrome cases
The CIA has assessed that the "majority" of reported cases can be "reasonably explained by medical conditions or environmental and technical factors."
Mark Cuban launches ‘radically transparent’ online pharmacy - Washington Examiner
Billionaire investor and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban announced Thursday the launch of an online pharmacy offering over 100 drugs at an "affordable price." The goal of the pharmacy, the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs Company, is to be "radically transparent" regarding price negotiations with...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
100 percent of US Olympic athletes are vaccinated, says top doctor
Chief medical officer Jonathan Finnoff confirmed the 200-plus team is fully vaccinated, with no athletes requesting a medical or religious exemption.
thehill.com
Penn pledges to work with NCAA, support transgender swimmer
The University of Pennsylvania says it will work with the NCAA under its newly adopted standards for transgender athletes.
apnews.com
Pelosi: Build Back Better may need to be ‘more limited,’ renamed
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) conceded Thursday that to revive President Biden’s stalled Build Back Better package, Democrats may need to rebrand and scale back the massive climate and social spe…
thehill.comIn Georgia, GOP upheaval over elections continues into 2022
The storm over how Georgia’s elections are run is far from abating, as Republicans echoing former President Donald Trump’s falsehoods about a stolen 2020 election make new proposals atop last year's state law that set a benchmark for restrictive GOP voting changes nationwide. Republican...
False banana: Is Ethiopia's enset 'wondercrop' for climate change?
The banana-like crop has the potential to feed more than 100 million people, according to research.
www.bbc.com
Police find 124 caged snakes in dead man's Maryland home
Some of the snakes, all of which were meticulously cared for, are venomous and illegal to keep, officials said.
www.nbcnews.com
Analysis: The mystery of Joe Biden’s 5 GOP senators | CNN Politics
Midway through his nearly-two-hour-long news conference on Wednesday, President Joe Biden dropped a very interesting nugget.
www.cnn.com
Democrats eye new strategy after failure of voting bill
Democrats are picking up the pieces after the collapse of their sweeping voting rights legislation. Some are shifting their focus to repairing laws Donald Trump exploited in his bid to overturn the 2020 election.
apnews.com
Tearful Adele postpones entire Las Vegas residency
"My show ain't ready," the star tells fans, one night before her concert series was due to begin.
www.bbc.com
Meat Loaf, 'Bat Out of Hell' rock superstar, dies at 74
Meat Loaf, the rock superstar loved by millions for his “Bat Out of Hell” album and for such theatrical, dark-hearted anthems as “Paradise By the Dashboard Light” and “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad,” has died at age 74.
apnews.com
In a medical first, kidneys from genetically modified pig implanted into brain-dead patient
The achievement could help revolutionize organ donation as shortages create yearslong waits for transplants.
www.nbcnews.com
Oldest person in the US has died at age 115 | CNN
Thelma Sutcliffe, who was the oldest person in the US, died on Monday at age 115, according to a family member.
www.cnn.com
M&Ms characters to become more inclusive
Candy is about to get more “inclusive,” with the maker of M&M’s announcing its famed characters are getting modern makeovers and will have more “nuanced personalities.”Mars, Incorporated, the c…
thehill.comTrump appointee blocks Biden federal worker vaccine mandate
A U.S. judge in Texas has issued a nationwide injunction barring the federal government from enforcing President Joe Biden’s requirement that federal workers without qualifying medical or religious exemptions be vaccinated for COVID-19.
apnews.com
COVID hospitalizations and deaths surge in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County reported 102 new COVID deaths Thursday, the highest number recorded in a single day since Mar. 10, 2021.
Covid booster shots effective against severe illness from omicron, CDC studies say
Three studies released Friday by the CDC underscore the importance of a third dose to help keep Covid-19 patients out of the hospital.
www.nbcnews.com
Texas federal judge temporarily blocks Biden vaccine mandate for federal employees
A federal judge in Texas Friday issued an injunction blocking the enforcement of President Biden's vaccine mandates for federal employees and contractors.
Study finds vaccination doesn't reduce fertility for women, but men catching COVID might
Researchers from Boston University analyzed data from more than 2,000 couples trying to conceive.
www.cbsnews.com
Mask rules spark political games and a nasty environment in the House
Rules instituted by Democrats requiring lawmakers to wear masks at the Capitol are being routinely ignored by Republicans, underscoring the scorched-earth environment in the House when it comes to …
thehill.com
Overwhelmed Utah battles omicron surge with limited testing
How Utah is impacted by testing shortage during omicron surge.
‘The CDC alone can’t fix this’: Walensky calls for overhaul of U.S. public health system
If the pandemic is to turn endemic — a situation top Biden health officials say they could more easily control — the U.S. needs to overhaul the nation’s public health workforce, she said.
www.politico.com
US suspends flights by China carriers after Beijing COVID move
Authorities in US to cut some Chinese flights after Beijing took action against US carriers over COVID cases.
Senior citizens are fuming that Medicare won’t pay for Covid-19 tests at retailers | CNN Politics
The Biden administration is requiring health insurers to cover the cost of home Covid-19 tests for most Americans with private insurance. However, Medicare is not subject to this requirement, so senior citizens and Americans with disabilities in the traditional Medicare program cannot get...
www.cnn.com
How omicron pushed Hong Kong to ramp up its ‘zero-Covid’ strategy
As the U.S. relaxes restrictions despite record cases, the situation could not be more different in the Chinese territory, which has almost no cases but is tightening its rules by the day.
www.nbcnews.com
Organized on Facebook, a ‘who’s who’ of anti-vaccine activists head to D.C.
The event adds momentum to activists who continue to find ways to spread false and misleading claims about Covid vaccines, now often focusing on mandates as an entry point.
www.nbcnews.com
Arizona sues Biden administration over threat to claw back COVID-19 funds
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) on Friday sued the Biden administration after it threatened to claw back its COVID-19 funding unless the state stops sending it to schools without mask mandates. La…
thehill.com
Boston area Dunkin' customer charged with assault after alleged hot coffee mask fight
The mask-related dispute at the breakfast chain spilled out into the parking lot, according to local officials.
www.nbcnews.com
Teacher tapes mask on student’s face; school district says it was ‘unacceptable’
The North Penn School District in Pennsylvania apologized after a photo of the teacher and student circulated on social media, saying the incident was "isolated."
www.nbcnews.com
COVID updates: New Zealand imposes restrictions amid omicron outbreak
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.5 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 865,000 Americans.
Ireland to drop almost all COVID restrictions
Majority of measures that have been in place for almost two years will be lifted on Saturday, prime minister says.
Is your insurer supplying home COVID-19 tests at no upfront cost?
Roughly half of the nation's largest private insurers require Americans to seek reimbursement for home tests.
www.cbsnews.com
Preteens can get vaxxed without parent under California bill
California would allow children age 12 and up to be vaccinated without parental consent under a state senator's proposal.
apnews.comCOVID updates: New Zealand imposes restrictions amid omicron outbreak
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.5 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 865,000 Americans.
Japan widens virus restrictions as omicron surges in cities
Restaurants and bars will close early in Tokyo and a dozen other areas across Japan beginning Friday as the country widens COVID-19 restrictions due to the omicron variant, which has caused cases to surge to new highs in metropolitan areas.
apnews.com
CDC urges Americans to get moving, but there's no simple solution
More than one-fifth of Americans aren't active enough, data shows.
Hamsters and mail: China, Hong Kong identify new Covid threats despite doubts
Faced with outbreaks that threatened to overshadow next month’s Winter Olympics, officials turned to new measures that have drawn dismay from residents and experts.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden administration to require essential travelers coming to US by land or ferry to be fully vaccinated starting Saturday | CNN Politics
The US will require essential travelers crossing into the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and provide proof of vaccination starting Saturday, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
www.cnn.com
Inspectors say Covid test firm didn't put patient names on specimens
The Minnesota attorney general has sued Center for Covid Control, alleging it “failed to deliver test results, or delivered test results that were falsified or inaccurate.”
www.nbcnews.com
Virginia moves to dismiss mask mandate lawsuit brought by Chesapeake parents - Washington Examiner
The newly elected attorney general of Virginia announced Thursday evening that he filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit against Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin over an executive order rescinding the state's school mask mandate. Attorney General Jason Miyares wrote in a post on Twitter that he...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Beijing Olympics torch relay confined to closed venues over COVID
Beijing is on high alert for the coronavirus after a handful of small outbreaks in various parts of the country.
As costs mount, how long can China stick with ‘zero COVID’?
Omicron has raised questions about the sustainability of Beijing’s lockdowns and border closures.
The government promised 500 million free test kits — but some manufacturers were already struggling to meet demand
Test kit makers are grappling with shortages of everything from crucial medical materials to packaging supplies to trucks to deliver the boxes.
www.nbcnews.com
At least 50 students walk out of Texas schools to protest COVID-19 policies - Washington Examiner
At least 50 students in Texas walked out of schools Thursday morning in protest of Round Rock Independent School District's COVID-19 policies. Over 600 students signed a petition that was passed around the district's high schools and middle schools. The petition reportedly demanded that the...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
