
(AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department, in a reversal, says the Treasury Department must provide the House Ways and Means Committee former President Donald Trump’s tax returns, apparently ending a long legal showdown over the records.

$1 trillion infrastructure plan clears another Senate hurdle
The Senate has further advanced a roughly $1 trillion infrastructure plan with a bipartisan group of senators helping it clear one more hurdle Friday.


Trump urged Justice officials to declare election 'corrupt'
President Donald Trump urged senior Justice Department officials to declare the 2020 election results “corrupt” in a December phone call.


Pelosi calls on CDC to extend eviction moratorium unilaterally
As House Democratic leaders struggle to find enough party support to extend an eviction moratorium, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is advocating a temporary fix, urging the Biden administration to…


Evictions looming, Biden fails to get Congress to extend ban
A national eviction moratorium is set to expire after President Joe Biden and Congress failed to extend it.


Senate takes next step on infrastructure, after floor drama
Lead negotiating Sens. Rob Portman and Kyrsten Sinema said they are still working on finalized bill text.


'Something has to change': Sen. Lindsey Graham, Rep. Henry Cuellar call on Biden to appoint 'border czar'
"Something has to change when it comes to border immigration issues," Rep. Henry Cuellar said at a press briefing Friday.
www.usatoday.com

US sets new Cuba sanctions as Biden meets Cuban-Americans
The Biden administration has announced new sanctions against Cuba’s national revolutionary police and its two top officials as the U.S. looks to increase pressure on the communist regime following this month’s protests on the island.


Trump to DOJ: ‘Just say that the election was corrupt + leave the rest to me’ | CNN Politics
Trump pressured top Justice Dept. officials to falsely declare the election “illegal” and “corrupt” despite finding no evidence of widespread voter fraud


Cawthorn vs. McKinley: Another intra-GOP spat breaks out on House floor
"I said, ‘Your district will remember that,'" the North Carolina conservative freshman recalled telling his West Virginia Republican colleague.


With bipartisan vote, U.S. Senate advances Biden's infrastructure bill
The U.S. Senate voted by a wide margin on Friday to take up a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, as Republicans and Democrats alike advanced President Joe Biden's top priority of renovating roads and bridges.

First evacuation flight brings 221 Afghans, many kids, to US
The first flight evacuating Afghans who worked alongside Americans in Afghanistan has brought more than 200 people to new lives in the United States.


Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn recounts emotional January 6 testimony and what took him to a "low place"
Dunn tells Nikole Killion about the troubling messages he's received since his testimony, the racial slurs he endured from rioters on January 6 and how he has tried to explain the attack to his 9-year-old daughter.


Senate starts infrastructure debate amid 11th-hour drama
The Senate voted on Friday to formally start debating a bipartisan infrastructure proposal after a last-minute snag briefly threw the chamber into chaos.Senators voted 66-28 to start debate. Senato…


Tech executive invests in digital news start-up launched by veteran D.C. journalists
A tech entrepreneur is investing in a digital news start-up run by veteran D.C. journalists.

Young people to Schumer: ‘Eliminate the filibuster to protect our future’ | CNN Politics
Over two dozen youth-focused organizations and more than 100 other young people sent Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer a letter, shared first with CNN, urging the New York Democrat and his caucus to scrap the filibuster.


Trump pushed DOJ to overturn 2020 election results, House committee says
"Just say that the election was corrupt + leave the rest to me and the R. Congressmen," Trump reportedly instructed the DOJ officials.

Families paying off rent, food, debts with child tax credit
Families are starting to spend the money from the expanded child tax credit. Many say they are using the money to pay rent, supplement their grocery budgets and for catching up on bills, including cellphone and car payments.


These states cut unemployment aid early to supercharge hiring. It isn't working.
States that cut jobless aid early aren't recovering jobs any faster than those that kept the benefit, a study finds.


‘Complete disaster’: Inside the Biden team’s chaotic bid to evacuate Afghan interpreters
The Biden administration has expedited the process for a number of applicants who are in the final stages, but thousands are left waiting for answers.


House obtains new evidence of Trump pressing DOJ to call election 'corrupt'
The House Oversight Committee obtained key evidence about former President Donald Trump pressuring the Department of Justice to call the 2020 lection "corrupt." NBC News' Leigh Ann Caldwell reports on how this could affect the former president.


Harris to visit Singapore, Vietnam, focus on economic ties
Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Singapore and Vietnam next month on a trip focused on strengthening economic ties and celebrating America’s cultural connection with the Indo-Pacific region.


Israeli forces wound more than 250 Palestinian protesters
Palestinian Red Crescent says most injuries sustained in Beita village in the north of the occupied West Bank.

House ethics panel decides against probe after Hank Johnson civil disobedience
The House Ethics Committee on Friday said it won’t pursue an investigation into Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), who was arrested by Capitol Police last week for staging a voting rights protest in the Ha…


Eviction moratorium to expire Saturday as House leaves town without passing extension
An eviction moratorium for renters from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is on track to expire Saturday night, after the House of Representatives adjourned for August recess without passing an extension.


Cheney in trouble: 77% GOP would not reelect, 53% call her ‘liberal’ - Washington Examiner
Embattled Rep. Liz Cheney’s position on charges President Donald Trump played a role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot has not turned around her negative ratings back home in Wyoming, and now she’s on the verge of losing her reelection.In polling data provided to Secrets, just 23% of regular primary...


'History of lying,' 'jail time' — welcome to the latest progressive-vs.-establishment fight
First Read is your briefing from "Meet the Press" and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.


Pelosi says Dems' massive spending bill should include immigration reform
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday that a sweeping, multitrillion-dollar spending bill that Democrats are aiming to pass without any Republican support should also tackle immigration reform.

Biden appoints Khizr Khan to committee on religious freedom
President Biden on Friday appointed Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father who gained prominence during the 2016 Democratic National Convention, to serve on the U.S. Commission on International…


Hunter Biden responds to critics of the prices of his art: "Other than f**k 'em?"
"I think I am the most famous artist in the MAGA world," the president's 51-year-old son said on a podcast.


READ: Notes from December 2020 phone call between Trump and Justice Department officials | CNN Politics
Former President Donald Trump pressured acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen to declare that the election was corrupt in an attempt to help Republican members of Congress try to overturn the election result, according to notes of a December 2020 call Trump held with Rosen and acting deputy...


295,000 lbs. of raw beef products recalled due to possible E. coli contamination
More than 295,000 lbs. of raw beef products from the meat supplier Greater Omaha Packing have been recalled due to E. coli contamination concerns.


Secret Service arrests man for jumping fence line near White House - Washington Examiner
The Secret Service arrested a man who jumped a security perimeter near the White House. The man, who has not been publicly identified, was observed on Friday within an outer barricade near the government building as one officer was in pursuit. A second agent hopped over a section of railing and...


Biden says Western wildfires demand ‘urgent action’ in meeting with governors | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden said Friday the wildfires intensifying in the West demand “urgent action” as he met with seven Republican and Democratic governors to discuss how states are responding to the wildfires and how the federal government can best assist.


Woman charged after close encounter with Yellowstone grizzly - Washington Examiner
An Illinois woman was hit with criminal charges after she was seen on video within feet of a grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park. Samantha Dehring was charged with violating closures and use limits in addition to feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife...


Heat wave sweeps Pacific Northwest, U.S. Southeast
More than 60 million Americans across the Pacific Northwest and the U.S. Southeast were under a heat advisory on Friday, facing temperatures well into the 100s and near-record high temperatures in parts of Idaho and Washington.


AP-NORC poll: Democrats optimistic but divided on compromise
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds 6 in 10 Democrats say they’re optimistic about their party’s future.


Texas congressman sworn in after beating Trump-backed rival
Texas Republican Jake Ellzey is the newest member of the U.S. House. Ellzey was sworn into office Friday after winning a special election from a congressional district near Dallas.


Trump faces another primary test in Ohio House race | CNN Politics
Donald Trump has a lot on the line in suburbs and small towns south of Columbus, Ohio.


President Joe Biden meets with governors to find help battling raging wildfires
Wash. Gov. Jay Inslee says the President's push to limit climate change will "ultimately decide whether these forests survive in the next century."
www.usatoday.com

House Democrat and GOP senator urge Biden to appoint Jeh Johnson to border czar role - Washington Examiner
A House Democrat representing a border district and a GOP senator are hoping to convince President Joe Biden to appoint a former Department of Homeland Security official to lead efforts combating the crisis on the southern border.Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South...


House obtains new evidence of Trump pressing DOJ to call election 'corrupt'
The House Oversight Committee obtained key evidence about former President Donald Trump pressuring the Department of Justice to call the 2020 lection "corrupt." NBC News' Leigh Ann Caldwell reports on how this could affect the former president.


Experts raise alarms over fundraising for GOP ballot reviews
Election officials and experts are raising alarms about the private fundraising surrounding Republican-led reviews of the 2020 presidential election, an effort that is expanding to more states former President Donald Trump falsely claims he won.


Audit push by Pennsylvania GOP lawmaker hits roadblock as counties decline to hand over election materials | CNN Politics
A Pennsylvania Republican’s effort to launch a ballot audit of the 2020 results in the Keystone State has hit a roadblock after three counties declined to hand over their election materials and voting machines.


Biden appoints Khizr Khan to committee on religious freedom
President Biden on Friday appointed Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father who gained prominence during the 2016 Democratic National Convention, to serve on the U.S. Commission on International…


Judge rejects challenge to Second Amendment sanctuary effort in Oregon - Washington Examiner
An Oregon judge sided against local officials and a gun control group on Thursday as he dismissed a challenge to a Second Amendment sanctuary ordinance that was previously approved by voters.Columbia County Board of Commissioners requested a court review of the Second Amendment Sanctuary...


UN compound attacked as battle for Afghanistan’s Herat rages
Afghan guard killed in attack amid intense fighting between gov’t forces and Taliban on western city’s outskirts.
Experts raise alarms over fundraising for GOP ballot reviews
In just over a month, the crowdfunding page dedicated to bringing an Arizona-style review of the 2020 presidential election to Pennsylvania had collected $15,339 from 332 donors. The website offers a six-week course on the Constitution and encourages supporters to become a “walking billboard...

Veterans and Gold Star families could have free access to national parks - Washington Examiner
The House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill that, if enacted, will provide veterans and Gold Star families free lifetime access to national parks.The legislation, which was passed on Thursday, would codify the U.S. National Park Service 2020 decision to offer the America the Beautiful...


US soccer team wins nail-biter against Netherlands with penalty kicks in Olympics quarterfinal
The U.S. faced off against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics, in a game that concluded with penalty kicks.

Tokyo Olympics: Russians face backlash from fellow competitors
The Russian Olympic Committee are fourth in the medal table at the Tokyo Games but their athletes are facing questions from fellow competitors about whether they should even be there.
www.bbc.com

Federal government doled out $783.5M in stimulus checks for prisoners
The federal government doled out $783.5 million for incarcerated individuals as part of the American Rescue Plan, Fox News has learned.

Voting rights activists finish final leg of 27-mile march to Texas Capitol
Activists from the "Poor People's Campaign" are set to finish a 27-mile march to the Texas Capitol in a week-long push for voting rights protections. NBC News' Priscilla Thompson reports from Austin.


Trump’s false election fraud claims fuel Michigan GOP meltdown
The ex-president’s refusal to accept defeat is taking a toll on the party in a key battleground state.


Analysis: Why McConnell is backing a Biden priority
Analysis: The Senate minority leader, known for blocking Democratic bills, voted to advance a major infrastructure deal. Here's what top allies believe is driving his decision.


First evacuation flight brings 221 Afghans, many kids, to US
The first flight evacuating Afghans who worked alongside Americans in Afghanistan has brought more than 200 people to new lives in the United States.


Trump takes two punches from GOP
It’s been a tough week for former President Trump. Trump’s preferred candidate in a special House election in Texas lost on Tuesday to another Republican who was likely boosted by some …


Schumer and Pelosi plan to meet with Biden on Friday to discuss voting rights legislation | CNN Politics
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are planning to meet with President Joe Biden on Friday to discuss a path forward on voting rights legislation, a person familiar with the plans told CNN.


As Biden's infrastructure plan advances, can GOP get to yes?
WASHINGTON (AP) — For President Joe Biden and the senators laboring over a nearly $1 trillion infrastructure package, there’s just one question left: Can enough Republicans get to yes?


Pelosi and Sanders brace for Democratic upheaval over Biden agenda
Once the Senate passes a bipartisan infrastructure deal, Democrats' path forward on two spending bills could get messy.


'Racist': As Latino vote accelerates, Texas Republicans seek more restrictions
Opponents of Republican-led restrictive voter laws say the aim is clear: Suppress Latino votes, even though it may also hurt the GOP.


The amount of Greenland ice that melted on Tuesday could cover Florida in 2 inches of water | CNN
Greenland is experiencing its most significant melting event of the year as temperatures in the Arctic surge.


POLITICO Playbook: Sinema’s vacation plans, Manchin gets booed and megadonor drama
And Biden rolls out his next vaccination plan.

Rep. Jim Jordan Polled People On ‘Trust’ And Received A Blunt Home Truth
Many Twitter users responded to the Ohio Republican's poll with a single damning word.

Two crew killed in attack on Israeli-managed tanker off Oman
Zodiac Maritime says the incident involved Mercer Street, a Japanese-owned, Liberian-flagged oil tanker.

Democrats warn shrinking Biden’s spending plan could backfire
Democrats are warning that any attempts by moderates to pare down a $3.5 trillion spending package could threaten President Biden’s top legislative priority and leave the party empty-handed.Progres…


GOP senator 'outraged' pole vaulter forced out of Olympics
“This is an injustice that can still be rectified if the Olympic Committee will be fair,” Wicker, a Republican, declared on the Senate floor Thursday.


Bipartisan plan to raise revenues from cryptocurrencies faces implementation obstacles - Washington Examiner
Lawmakers predict that they can raise nearly $30 billion in revenue through collecting more taxes on cryptocurrency as part of a new bipartisan deal on infrastructure, but that estimate is getting pushback from analysts who say the plan is not as easily administered as it is drawn up on paper. A...

'Cars into caskets': New study confirms police bias towards Black drivers
Black drivers were 61 percent more likely to hear words such as “dude” and “bro” and “hands on the wheel” during traffic stops.


7 Things To Look For As Track And Field Begins At The Olympics
For the first time since 2004, there will be no Usain Bolt scorching the track. That means a new generation of speed demons is looking to make its mark.


Angst grips America’s most liberal city
SEATTLE — America’s most liberal city stands at an uneasy crossroads.For decades, Seattle has been the vanguard of the nation’s progressive movement. It was the first major city to adopt a $15 per …


Double blow: Bangladesh battles dengue outbreak amid COVID crisis
Sharp spike in dengue cases strains Bangladesh’s healthcare system already battered by a worsening COVID crisis.

‘Absolute nonsense’: Khan rejects claim Pakistan helping Taliban
Imran Khan denies report that Pakistani fighters crossed border to aid Taliban in its fight against Afghan government.

How a Liberal Michigan Town Is Putting Mental Illness at the Center of Police Reform
Improving the way law enforcement deals with mental illness is emerging as one of the most important and challenging aspects of the national police reform movement.


House primary in Ohio takes nasty turn as national Democrats descend
High-profile endorsers — Sen. Bernie Sanders for Nina Turner, Rep. James Clyburn for Shontel Brown — are campaigning in the 11th District ahead of Tuesday's special election primary.


The Philippine President Says Long-Standing Security Pact With The U.S. Can Continue
The decision was announced Friday in Manila by Philippines Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin. U.S. military presence in the region is seen as a counterbalance to China.


Inmates grapple with uncertainty over Biden prison plan
A Biden plan to send inmates back to prison could upend lives they have established outside penitentiary walls.


Poorest Americans could see biggest impact of reversing Roe v. Wade | CNN Politics
Before her death, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg recognized that Roe v. Wade – the near 50-year-old landmark opinion establishing a constitutional right to abortion – was in some trouble.


Breaking the mold in military space acquisition
NASA makes infrastructure pitch — Starliner heads to ISS today


Gaetz, Greene and Gohmert turned away from jail to visit Jan. 6 defendants
Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Majorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) and Louie Gohmert (Texas) on Thursday were turned away from the D.C. Department of Corrections where they tried to vis…


The White House seems to be playing catch-up on coronavirus messaging
The Biden team has struggled to respond to the evolving pandemic dynamic, and to abrupt policy directives from public health officials within the administration itself.


Harris’s bad polls trigger Democratic worries
Vice President Harris has some ground to make up in order to be perceived more favorably by the public, a complicating factor for the Biden administration as it maps out its midterm strategy. …


Bannon says viral ‘hell’ quote preceding Capitol riot was about Pence - Washington Examiner
Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon denied giving an ominous premonition of the Jan. 6 Capitol siege after a quote of his went viral on Thursday.When he said, "All hell is going to break loose" on Jan. 5, the day before the riot, Bannon insisted he was referring to the far-fetched...


Biden backs effort to include immigration in budget package
President Biden on Thursday unequivocally backed Democratic efforts to include immigration in the budget as a way to navigate narrow margins in the Senate.”I think we should include in the re…


Runaway Texas Democrats in DC get pep talks from Stacey Abrams, the Clintons
As a group of runaway Texas Democrats continued their stay in Washington, D.C., they reportedly received a video pep talk from Democratic activist Stacey Abrams on Thursday – and also reportedly met with Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Biden tells lawmakers he’ll push for pathway to citizenship for millions in sweeping economic package | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden reiterated his support for a Democratic effort to include immigration policy in his multi-trillion anti-poverty package, assuring a group of lawmakers on Thursday that he would stand by them in their push to see a pathway to citizenship for millions signed into law.


First lady leaves Walter Reed after foot procedure
First lady Jill Biden left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Thursday evening after undergoing a procedure on her foot to remove an object she stepped on that apparently became l…


Police notified of ‘election integrity committee’ asking Pennsylvania county residents how they voted - Washington Examiner
People in Pennsylvania said they were approached by members of an “election integrity committee” inquiring about their votes in the 2020 election, prompting accusations of intimidation, according to a new report. Residents of York County reported knocks at their doors by people wanting to know...


Hunter Biden's wife spotted being driven to Malibu Starbucks by Secret Service
Hunter Biden's wife was spotted being escorted by Secret Service agents on a Malibu, California coffee run Tuesday.

Attorney General Merrick Garland threatens to sue Texas over governor’s order targeting migrants | CNN Politics
Attorney General Merrick Garland threatened legal action against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order targeting migrants in a Thursday letter, calling it “both dangerous and unlawful” and urging the governor to immediately rescind it.

McConnell urges public support for Sinema in private conversations
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is urging his fellow Republicans to buck up Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona — a Democrat, sources familiar with the conversations tell Axios.Why it matters: Republicans view Sinema and her moderate Democratic colleague Sen. Joe Manchin of West...

Rep. Bass Downplays Role Of Qualified Immunity In Stalled Police Reform Bill
Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., a lead negotiator trying to forge an agreement over a policing bill, talked about the status of the legislation.


Biden calls for big budget bill to include immigration
U.S. President Joe Biden, who has called for providing a pathway to citizenship for so-called Dreamer immigrants, said on Thursday that a big budget bill being written by Democrats in Congress should tackle immigration.

Hong Kong probes booing of China anthem at Olympic broadcast
Police begin probe after people at shopping mall were heard booing as the anthem was played after fencer won gold.

Coronavirus: Israel to give third jab to people aged over 60
Israel will offer Covid boosters amid a recent surge in infections.


Mike Lindell pulls MyPillow ads from Fox News - Washington Examiner
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell said he directed the removal of his company's advertisements from Fox News programming after the network declined to run one of his commercials. The ad he sought to have aired promotes his cyber symposium event that will discuss the 2020 election. Lindell has repeatedly...


Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas Democrat, arrested during DC protest
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat who has served in Congress since 1995, was taken into custody Thursday during a voting-rights protest in Washington, D.C.

On Jan. 6, I feared for my country, my colleagues, my husband. I had no idea how bad it really was.
We thought Jan. 6 would be happy, with Congress certifying Joe Biden as our next president. The riot turned it into the scariest day of our marriage.
www.usatoday.com

Garland floats legal action over Abbott immigration order
Attorney General Merrick Garland has threatened legal action against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) over an executive order restricting non-governmental organizations the transportation of migrants fro…

Sinema’s spending warning forces Democrats back to the drawing board
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's (D-Ariz.) warning that she’s opposed to a budget reconciliation bill costing $3.5 trillion will force Senate Democrats and the White House to either trim the proposals in it or tinker with how many years they'll run.Why it matters: Such gamesmanship will be necessary if...

Former CIA officer who allegedly spied for China claims memory issues
A former CIA officer who is accused of spying for China claims to have memory issues, saying he believes he has early Alzheimer’s disease. In a court filing on Wednesday, an attorney for Alexander …

Stacey Abrams Is 'Proud' Of Texas Dems 'Fighting Tooth And Nail' For Voting Rights
Democratic state reps from Texas met with Abrams to discuss combating GOP efforts to curtail voting access.

Tokyo Olympics live updates: USWNT beats Netherlands in penalty kicks, US swimmers medal
Lilly King and teammate Annie Lazor finished 2-3 in women's breaststroke; defending Olympic champ Ryan Murphy took silver in men's backstroke.
www.usatoday.com

US attorney general tells Texas to overturn immigration order
Merrick Garland said if Texas continues to implement the ground restrictions on migrants, it would lead to legal action.
Brazil's Bolsonaro escalates rhetoric over electoral fraud
BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro pleaded on Thursday for the adoption of printed ballots that can be counted, alleging that it is necessary to avoid fraud in the country's electronic voting system in next year's election. Bolsonaro showed a series of internet...

Kentucky state officials refuse to enforce virus mask rule
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has defended his mask requirement for state workers, brushing off criticism by GOP officials who said they won't enforce the mandate in their offices

Amazon predicts slower sales growth as Covid boost eases
The tech giant says third quarter sales growth will be slower as customers return to physical shops.


Russian module mishap destabilises International Space Station
The ISS was pushed out of position after engines on a new Russian module unexpectedly fired up.


House members will huddle Friday to plot next steps on Jan. 6 probe
Members of the special House committee investigating the Capitol attack will huddle behind closed doors Friday to plot their next steps after holding what they viewed as a very successful first hea…


Croatia celebrates joining of controversial Adriatic Sea bridge
The China-led project has angered Bosnian officials, who argue it violates the state’s access to open waters.
Climate bid faces tricky path over money for electric cars
The bipartisan compromise on infrastructure cuts in half President Joe Biden’s call for $15 billion to build 500,000 electric vehicle charging outlets, raising the stakes as the administration seeks to win auto industry cooperation on anti-pollution rules to curb climate change. The Senate...

Simone Biles explains competition withdrawal at Olympics: 'My mind and body are simply not in sync'
Simone Biles spoke out for the first time since she shocked the world by dropping out of the women's individual all-around final at the Tokyo Games.

Former longtime Sen. Carl Levin dies at 87
Former Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), a 36-year veteran of the Senate and a key voice on military issues, has died at the age of 87.The Levin Center at Wayne State Univers…


Saturn Will Soon Put On Its Best Show Of The Year. Here's Where And How To See It
Wipe the dust off your binoculars and extract the family telescope from the back of the closet: Saturn is about to put on its best and brightest show of the year — an act Jupiter will soon follow.


Haaland, Native American leaders press for Indigenous land protections
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland joined other Native American leaders and activists at the National Mall on Thursday to accept the delivery of a totem pole transported across the country as part…


FAA investigating another jetpack sighting over Los Angeles
The jetpack was said to have been seen at an altitude of around 5,000 feet, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.


Former NYC council member sentenced to 3 months for tax evasion
A former New York City Council member on Thursday pleaded guilty to tax evasion, earning him a short prison stint, The Associated Press reports.


House Democrats vote to let some illegal immigrants work as congressional staffers
Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan heralded the bill’s passage and the move to allow DACA recipients to work for Congress.

Rhode Island governor and mayor separated by security during heated exchange - Washington Examiner
Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, two Democrats who may face off in a gubernatorial challenge, were separated on Wednesday following a heated exchange. Moments before a press conference was set to begin, Elorza demanded McKee release details regarding a tentative...


Qatar’s emir approves electoral law for first legislative vote
Voters in October to select 30 members of the 45-seat Shura Council.

Robinhood has a muted stock market debut
Shares in the online trading platform fell in its first day of trading in a lacklustre debut.

Lawyers say China using Interpol to seek dissident's return
Attorneys are asking the Biden administration to release from immigration custody a Chinese democracy advocate who could be deported to his homeland to face what they say are false charges — despite the lack of an extradition treaty between the United States and China. Human rights advocates...

Navy sailor charged for fire that wrecked USS Bonhomme Richard - Washington Examiner
Charges were brought against a Navy sailor in connection to a fire that was set on the USS Bonhomme Richard last year.The unnamed sailor, who was charged on Thursday, was a member of the crew at the time of the fire, which was set on July 12, 2020.TWO NAVY SAILORS DIE OF COVID-19...


Portland city council bans homeless encampments in "high risk" wildfire areas
The ban aims to mitigate accidental fires ignited by homeless encampments amid a devastating wildfire season, local commissioners said.



New evidence has doctors worried about long-term damage from COVID 'brain fog'
Studies have found many who recovered from COVID experience cognitive decline.

Why some states are pushing back on masks amid delta variant surge
Here's why some states are fighting the CDC's recommendation that those in areas of high transmission, regardless of their vaccination status, return to wearing a mask.

Fact-checking Biden’s claim on mask mandates and vaccination rates | CNN Politics
While announcing measures to incentivize Covid-19 vaccinations on Thursday, President Joe Biden suggested people in states with high vaccination rates do not need to wear masks. The reality is slightly more complicated.


Fauci hopes to see full FDA approval of COVID-19 vaccines soon
Standard approval would give doctors license to prescribe doses of the shot.


White House: National vaccine mandate ‘not under consideration at this time’
The White House is not presently considering a national requirement for the COVID-19 vaccine, principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Friday.”A na…


DeSantis to sign executive order allowing parents to defy school mask mandates
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Friday said he will sign an executive order to “protect the rights of parents” and allow them to choose whether their children should wear masks even …


Critics slam Biden surgeon general suggestion vaccinated parents wear masks: 'alternate reality'
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy suggested vaccinated parents should wear masks at home to better protect against the coronavirus.

Back To The Office? Not Yet. Companies Scramble To Adjust To The Delta Variant
September was expected to be the month of mass returns to the office. Now the surging extra-contagious coronavirus variant has employers wondering what to do.


Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs order banning COVID vaccine, mask mandates
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday signed an executive order prohibiting mask mandates or COVID-19 vaccine requirements from government agencies and municipalities statewide.

New CDC mask guidance was based on study of outbreak at Cape Cod beach party - Washington Examiner
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study Friday backing up its stricter new mask guidance, one that concluded that people infected with delta variant may transmit COVID-19 even if they're vaccinated, based on an outbreak at a Cape Cod beach party. The study found that...

Florida governor blocks school mask mandates, says parents can choose
(Reuters) -Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Friday blocking mask mandates in the state's schools, saying parents had the right to decide if their children would wear face coverings. The move by DeSantis, a Republican who has opposed strict COVID-19 rules on residents...

With bipartisan vote, U.S. Senate advances Biden's infrastructure bill
The U.S. Senate voted by a wide margin on Friday to take up a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, as Republicans and Democrats alike advanced President Joe Biden's top priority of renovating roads and bridges.

White House walks back previous statement on possibility of new COVID lockdowns
The White House walked back a statement regarding the possibility of enforcing new coronavirus lockdowns due to the spread of the Delta variant.
South Dakota's Noem doesn't plan to ratchet up vaccine push
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem says she has no plans to ratchet up her messaging to urge people to get a COVID-19 vaccine, even as Republican leaders across the country try to persuade vaccine skeptics to roll up their sleeves and take the shots in response to a new, more contagious variant that...

States rush to administer COVID-19 vaccine doses before they expire
U.S. regulators extended the expiration date for hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 vaccine doses again.


Republicans argue Fauci emails show NIH funded gain-of-function research at Wuhan lab - Washington Examiner
Top House Republicans argue that emails and other evidence show that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases funded gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and are calling on its director, Dr. Anthony Fauci, to explain his repeated sworn testimony to the...


Google And Facebook Mandate Vaccines For Employees At U.S. Offices
The tech giants' vaccine requirements could push other employers to follow suit.


Florida Gov. DeSantis' $1,000 bonus to educators, first responders met with backlash
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is facing some backlash for the way the state decided to distribute bipartisan, one-time bonuses of $1,000 to first responders and teachers, according to local reports.

CDC says "pivotal discovery" about Delta variant prompted new mask guidance and urges universal masking in some places
Some 274 vaccinated people came down with symptoms of COVID-19 after an outbreak in Massachusetts, the CDC said.


Data suggests Russia's COVID-19 death toll is far higher than reported
Publicly available mortality data shows an increasingly huge gap between Russia's official coronavirus death toll and likely real toll of the pandemic in the country.

New details on CDC's Provincetown investigation portray delta variant as serious threat
Newly published details of the Provincetown outbreak indicate that the now-dominant delta variant may be able to spread among fully vaccinated people.

Front-line workers in Florida say current COVID-19 surge 'feels like it's an impending storm'
"In early July, we were down to 12 COVID-19 patients in the hospital, and today we have 80."

Residents: Myanmar leaders use pandemic as political weapon
As COVID-19 deaths rise in Myanmar, allegations are growing that the military government is using the coronavirus pandemic to consolidate power and crush the opposition.


Biden orders tough new vaccination rules for federal workers
The Biden administration has announced sweeping new pandemic rules for federal workers and some contractors.


CDC document warns Delta variant appears to spread as easily as chickenpox and cause more severe infection | CNN Politics
The Delta coronavirus variant surging across the US appears to cause more severe illness and spread as easily as chickenpox, according to an internal CDC document.


Don't expect DeSantis to join Biden's vaccine push


States with surging COVID-19 rates also tend to have higher rates of uninsured
As U.S. COVID-19 cases surge, a pattern is emerging -- the same states seeing the biggest increases in COVID-19 infections also have high rates of uninsured residents.

Analysis: Biden opens up new front in Covid-19 vaccination war as concerns over variant deepen | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden has launched a new, more aggressive campaign to vaccinate Americans against Covid-19, headlined by a new requirement that all employees of the federal government – the country’s largest workforce – either get the shot or face the prospect of an onerous mitigation regimen.


‘I am furious with myself’: Unvaccinated Covid patient describes the exhausting illness | CNN
Sitting in her hospital room in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Aimee Matzen struggled to breathe as she described how exhausting it is to have Covid-19.


Brutal killing spotlights violence against women in Pakistan
The beheading of a young woman in an upscale neighborhood of Pakistan’s capital has shone a spotlight on the relentless violence against women in the country.


Fauci, top scientist called to brief House committees; phone call questioned
A top scientist emailed Dr. Anthony Fauci during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak that the virus seemed like it may have been engineered.

Public health expert Dr. Leana Wen calls CDC communications strategy "frankly, very poor" — "The Takeout"
"The concern is not with the vaccinated. The concern is that the unvaccinated are masquerading as the vaccinated," Wen said.


Delta variant substantially more contagious than other variants, CDC presentation warns
Evidence is mounting about the dangers of the delta variant and how mask-wearing is essential to bring it under control, according to a CDC memo.
www.usatoday.com

Japan expands virus emergency after record spikes amid Games
Japan has expanded a coronavirus state of emergency to four more areas in addition to Tokyo on Friday following record spikes in infections as the capital hosts the Olympics.


Nanjing: New virus outbreak worst since Wuhan, say Chinese state media
Almost 200 people have been infected since the virus was first detected at Nanjing airport on 20 July.


A CDC Document Gives New Details On Just How Dangerous The Delta Variant Really Is
The CDC information dated Thursday gives new details on this variant of the coronavirus and says the agency should "acknowledge that the war has changed." It was first reported by The Washington Post.


Masks should be worn in 70 percent of US counties: CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said masks should be worn indoors for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in almost 70 percent of U.S. counties.The CDC said Thursday 69.3 p…


'Steady increase' in vaccines in past month, White House says
A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has now infected more than 197 million people worldwide and killed over 4.2 million of them.

CDC document warns Delta variant appears to spread as easily as chickenpox and cause more severe infection | CNN Politics
The Delta coronavirus variant surging across the US appears to cause more severe illness and spread as easily as chickenpox, according to an internal CDC document.


Texas governor threatens to fine local officials who enforce new mask mandates
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) threatened to fine local officials who enforce new mask mandates.


Government workers can be required to get vaccinated, too, legal experts say
Companies such as Facebook, Google and Lyft are requiring their employees to be vaccinated. Now, state and federal governments are doing the same, too.


Pentagon calls COVID-19 a threat to national security, weighs making vaccinations a requirement
The coronavirus pandemic is a national security threat and the Pentagon is considering adding COVID-19 vaccines to “the full list of requirements for military personnel,” according to a statement late Thursday.

Pentagon says it will start talks on making COVID-19 vaccine mandatory
The Pentagon said Thursday it will begin internal talks on making the coronavirus vaccine mandatory for military personnel, after President Biden called on defense leaders to examine “how and…


Summer camps see rise in COVID-19 outbreaks ahead of new school year
Summer camps around the country are battling COVID-19 outbreaks. Health officials worry it could be a preview of the coming school year.


How restaurants are reacting to CDC guidance: Masks indoors, proof of vaccination
The spread and rise of the COVID-19 delta variant has prompted some restaurants to create mask and vaccination policy changes.

Disney theme parks are requiring masks indoors again
Masks are required at places like the Skyliner and the monorail -- regardless of your vaccination status, Disney said.


Conservative reaction pours in after Dem mayors, governors impose new mask mandates: 'Kiss my mask'
Democratic leaders around the country are facing criticism and blowback after they rushed to reimpose unpopular mask mandates following updated coronavirus guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What The Latest Science Shows About Breakthrough Cases
With news about vaccinated people getting coronavirus infections, should you be worried? How common are breakthrough infections? Here's what scientists know and what they're trying to learn.


The Covid-sized hole in Biden’s vax order

What we know about federal vaccine rules, paid leave, potential $100 payments
Here's what to know about President Joe Biden's directive that federal employees and federal contractors get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Research looks for possible COVID tie to later Alzheimer’s
Researchers are trying to unravel why some COVID-19 survivors suffer “brain fog” and other problems, with new findings suggesting some worrisome overlaps with Alzheimer's

Covid in Sydney: Military deployed to help enforce lockdown
Authorities say the deployment is needed, but critics argue it will "pick on" marginalised groups.


A US company has turned a former coal plant into a gas-fired Bitcoin mine
Environmentalists have criticised the gas-fired mine but the company says it offsets its emissions.


Biden: ‘Every school should be open’ in the fall
President Biden on Thursday called for all schools to open this fall for in-person learning even as coronavirus cases rise around the country, arguing there are enough tools available to ensure chi…


Arkansas governor to ask state legislature to allow masks in schools
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) is asking his state legislature to allow public schools to make their own decisions regarding a mask mandate for students.“This is not a debate about mask…


Are America's unvaccinated changing their minds?
Timothy lives in a county where only a third are fully jabbed - he says he regrets his choice now.



Tokyo COVID-19 cases hit record high for third day in a row as Olympics continue
"We have never experienced the expansion of the infections of this magnitude," a Japanese official said.

Last edited: