
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s big. It’s messy. And it’s very politically complicated. That’s President Joe Biden’s sweeping domestic policy package as Democratic leaders in Congress try to muscle it into law. Fallout was brutal Friday after Biden’s announcement of a $1.75 trillion framework, chiseled back from an initial $3.5 trillion plan, still failed to produce ironclad support from two key holdout senators — West Virginia’s Joe Manchin and Arizonan Kyrsten Sinema.

Biden's future — and his party's — depends on whether Democrats can unify
Analysis: Biden carried his agenda to the edge of enactment. Finishing the job depends on whether a handful of lawmakers set aside distrust and differences.


Ex-Maryland man who joined al-Qaida sentenced at Guantanamo
A military jury has imposed a sentence of 26 years on a former Maryland man held at the Guantanamo Bay detention center who admitted to joining al-Qaida and cooperated with U.S. authorities.


Biden tells Macron US 'clumsy' in Australia submarine deal
President Joe Biden has told French President Emmanuel Macron that America was “clumsy” in its orchestration of a secret U.S.-British submarine deal with Australia.


Biden expresses regret to Macron ahead of G-20 summit: What to watch for in Rome
President Joe Biden expressed regret to French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of the first in-per G-20 leaders' summit since 2019. Here's what to watch for in Rome.

GOP Trump critic Rep. Adam Kinzinger won't seek reelection
Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois says he will not seek reelection next year. Kinzinger is a critic of Donald Trump's who is on the panel investigating the deadly Capitol attack.


Whitmer vetoes GOP-backed voter ID measures
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) vetoed three GOP-backed bills on Friday aimed tightening voter ID laws.The governor said that the legislation would have essentially eliminated the option for vot…


US to deepen relations with Taiwan in face of China tensions
The U.S. wants to deepen its relationship with Taiwan, the self-ruled island claimed by China, which has become a major point of conflict in the strained U.S.


Manchin, Sinema put stamp on party, to progressive chagrin
The $1.75 trillion social spending framework unveiled by the White House on Thursday — a package half the size of what progressives imagined just weeks ago — shows Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and K…


New York firefighters suspended after threatening state senator's staff over vaccine mandate while on duty
The firefighters from Ladder 113 drove to the senator's office while on duty.

Trust of US media in ‘free fall,’ lowest in world - Washington Examiner
The public’s trust in news outlets is among the lowest in the free world, a trend that has spiraled downward for years and appears to continue to do so.Regardless if it is trust in legacy or alternative media, the decline since President Joe Biden took office has registered in double digits...


Trump doubles down on calling for Pulitzers to be revoked from WaPost, NYT
Three years after The Washington Post and The New York Times won Pulitzer Prizes for their work investigating the Trump campaign, it still stings the former president.On Friday, former President Tr…


Biden says Pope Francis told him he's a 'good Catholic' amid criticism over his abortion views
President Joe Biden on Friday said Pope Francis told him he was a "good Catholic" amid criticism from U.S. bishops over his public stance on abortion.

After touch-and-go negotiations, climate emerges as big winner in Biden’s economic framework | CNN Politics
As the dust settles on Democrats’ $1.75 trillion economic framework, climate has emerged as a big winner.


'Overwhelming evidence' in sex crime case against former New York Gov. Cuomo: Sheriff
Cuomo resigned in August following a report from the state's attorney general that he sexually harassed multiple women, including current and former state employees.
A 'historic investment': Climate activists applaud Biden's $555B proposal for clean energy
Many climate activists are applauding the $1.75 trillion spending bill unveiled Thursday by President Joe Biden, a move that experts say will be crucial to
Big Hires, Big Money and a D.C. Blitz: A Bold Plan to Dominate Crypto
WASHINGTON — There was lunch at a French bistro near Congress with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and a meeting with some of President Joe Biden’s top economic aides. Then came a private dinner with a major financial regulator. The topic was always the same: “how to win the future” in the...

Biden: Pope told me that I should 'keep receiving Communion'
President Joe Biden says Pope Francis told him he's a “good Catholic” and should keep taking Communion when the world's two most prominent Roman Catholics met at the Vatican on Friday.


Lawyer linked to Steele dossier back in spotlight working for McAuliffe in Virginia race - Washington Examiner
The high-profile Democratic lawyer best known for hiring Fusion GPS on behalf of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and meeting with British ex-spy Christopher Steele during the 2016 election burst back into public view this week. Marc Elias, who was also the general counsel for now-Vice...


Lincoln Project takes credit for tiki torch stunt McAuliffe campaign passed off as genuine Youngkin supporters - Washington Examiner
The Lincoln Project took credit for a stunt in which a group of people wielding tiki torches in the style of a 2017 "alt-right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, showed up outside a Glenn Youngkin event. “Today’s demonstration was our way of reminding Virginians what happened in...


State Dept, Pentagon are concealing Afghanistan data, says U.S. watchdog
A U.S. government watchdog on Friday accused the State Department and Pentagon of suppressing information that lawmakers and the public need to understand the collapse of Afghanistan's former government and military and the chaotic U.S. troop pullout.

Rep. Castro, Democrats: Investigate Texas governor’s border enforcement operation
Rep. Joaquin Castro said it's likely so-called Operation Lone Star violates the Constitution. Texas reported it has led to drugs seizures and tens of thousands of arrests.


Obama returns to the world stage to boost Biden and reassure leaders after four years of Trump | CNN Politics
Barack Obama is headed to next week’s big climate conference in Glasgow to try and convince the world that America is more about Joe Biden than Donald Trump.


Halloween weekend mall threat reported in northern Virginia ahead of election - Washington Examiner
Authorities are warning people in northern Virginia to stay alert this Halloween weekend. The Fairfax County Police Department said on Friday it received information about a threat, which was not specified, just days away from a major statewide election. Sources told CBS News the threat was...


Republicans demand answers from Biden Cabinet on reported payments to illegal immigrants: 'Horrific decision'
North Carolina Republican Rep. Greg Murphy sent a letter to Secretaries Alejandro Mayorkas of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Xavier Becerra of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Attorney General Merrick Garland of the Department of Justice (DOJ) demanding answers...

Will Puerto Rico’s debt-restructuring deal end the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history?
If courts confirm the agreement, it would effectively cut annual public debt payments from $3.3 billion to $1.1 billion.


US hits Iran with sanctions ahead of key nuke talks meeting
The United States has hit Iran with a fresh set of sanctions as President Joe Biden prepares for a key weekend meeting with European leaders to discuss the possible resumption of nuclear talks with the Islamic Republic.


Progressives see infrastructure vote next week
House liberals are playing the long game. The progressives who bucked their president to block an infrastructure vote this week also lowered the bar for moving an even larger social benefits p…


McAuliffe events see small crowds days before Virginia election
Fox News attended a Thursday campaign event at the Virginia Democratic Party regional headquarters in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where McAuliffe spoke to supporters in the college town.

How taxes for the wealthy and big corporations would change under the new social spending plan
The richest Americans would pay a surtax, and big companies would see a new corporate minimum tax.


Biden, Pelosi, Schumer fueling Youngkin surge in Virginia showdown, conservative leader says
A top conservative leader says "shocking and eye-opening" moves by President Biden and congressional Democrats is fueling Glenn Youngkin's surge in the Virginia gubernatorial election.

Justices Kavanaugh and Barrett could rework the road map for the Second Amendment in courts | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Wednesday in a case that could broaden gun rights nationwide and transform how the Second Amendment is interpreted in the United States.


Can background checks curb gun violence?
In the gun violence debate, there’s much talk about universal background checks, but how effective are they in curbing gun violence?

Belarus forces US to close public diplomacy, USAID offices
Belarus has forced the closure of the U.S. Embassy’s Public Diplomacy and USAID offices in a move that comes amid the tensions with the U.S. and its allies over Belarusian authorities’ crackdown on protests.


Democratic women in Virginia frustrated by paid leave flop
Democrats’ decision to drop a proposal for paid family leave from their massive social safety net and climate change package was met with disappointment and irritation by female voters in Virginia.


Capitol Police officer charged with obstructing riot probe resigns from force
The officer, Michael Angelo Riley, was charged earlier this month for allegedly encouraging a Jan. 6 rioter to delete incriminating Facebook posts.


Supreme Court to review EPA’s ability to address climate crisis | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a case from Republican-led states and coal producers challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases and address the climate crisis.


NYPD top officer tells defund the police advocates ‘you own this’ after tourist is shot - Washington Examiner
The New York Police Department's leadership is targeting a familiar foe as being responsible for the city's uptick in crime. NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said the nationwide movement to strip funding from law enforcement contributed to the shooting death of a 71-year-old Florida tourist in New...


Puerto Rico police go on strike, demand better pensions
Some 1,900 police officers across Puerto Rico have gone on strike to demand a better public pension plan

McAuliffe supporters reveal the issue they care about most
Terry McAuliffe supporters told Fox News what one issue was most important to them in the gubernatorial election between McAuliffe and Youngkin.

California condors: Virgin births discovered in critically endangered birds
Scientists discover California condors can give birth without any male genetic DNA.


Democrats seek tweaks to $1.75T framework
Democrats are working to see how bendable the White House’s framework for the social-spending package is.Lawmakers are hoping to make adjustments to the framework released Thursday in areas t…


Medicaid issues, not Medicare's, get fixes in Biden budget
Medicaid issues are turning up as winners in President Joe Biden’s social budget framework even as divisions force Democrats to hit pause on far-reaching improvements to Medicare.


Supreme Court will weigh if Republican AGs can defend Trump-era immigration rule
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to consider whether a group of Republican attorneys general can step in to defend a Trump-era immigration rule that the Biden administration abandoned. &nbs…


US Democratic governors to participate in U.N. climate talks
U.S. governors are taking a seat at the table as international leaders gather in Scotland at a critical moment for global efforts to reduce fossil fuel emissions and slow the planet's temperature rise.


McAuliffe spokesperson, who also worked for Harris and Biden campaigns, accused of racist tweets
A spokesperson for Terry McAuliffe’s campaign is being accused of posting racist tweets in 2012.

EPA to consider tighter air quality standards for smog
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to reconsider federal air quality standards for smog after declining to tighten Obama-era rules in the final weeks of the Trump administration.The a…


RSC memo outlines 31 policies in massive Dem spending bill that will 'wreck America'
House Republicans are warning of 31 policies in the Democratic reconciliation package that they say will "wreck America" – after Democrats released a draft of the enormous spending bill they are hoping to get through Congress without Republican support.

White House debates to delay Biden’s plan for tariffs on key Chinese industries
White House trade leaders want higher tariffs on Beijing’s most favored industries, but key advisers disagreed on how to proceed.


Court rules Alabama judge accused of racist, sexist remarks must be removed from office
A complaint accuses Probate Judge Randy Jinks of speaking disparagingly of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter, and sharing a video of a woman doing a striptease.


WHO director-general Tedros unopposed for 2nd five-year term
The World Health Organization says its director-general is running unopposed for a second five-year term

Letitia James announces she will run for New York governor
New York Attorney General Letitia James has formally announced that she is running for governor. Friday's move had been widely anticipated.


Meta: Facebook's new name ridiculed by Hebrew speakers
The social media giant joins a number of companies that have fallen foul of translation blunders.


Virginia malls and shopping centers increase security amid ISIS threat
A potential threat against malls and shopping centers located just outside of Washington, D.C.


Trump: 'Not even believable' that Biden admin considering 450K for families separated at border
Former President Trump said Friday “it's not even believable” that the Biden administration is debating $450,000 payments per person to migrants who were separated from their families at the southern border.

Shipping companies are having a bumper year, racking up profits while they can
Global shipping snarls mean headaches for businesses — but big profits for ocean freight companies.


Jill Biden surrounded by her family’s deep roots in Italy as she returns to the Eternal City | CNN Politics
Six months after the death of their son Beau in 2015, Jill Biden and then-Vice President Joe Biden could not bear the thought of going to Nantucket, Massachusetts, for the traditional Biden family Thanksgiving.


Manchin upends paid leave, a benefit ‘personal to the president’
"We kept hearing, 'You have a Manchin problem,'" Molly Day, executive director of Paid Leave for the U.S., said. "So we kept digging in."


Inside the controversial US gunshot-detection firm
BBC News has been given access to ShotSpotter, the controversial US technology company that detects gunshots.


Biden admin makes another attempt to end 'Remain in Mexico' policy
The Biden administration of Friday said it would make another attempt to end the 'Remain in Mexico' policy begun under President Donald Trump.

Moms react as family leave hangs in the balance in social spending deal
Federal paid family and medical leave is "likely" out of the bill, sources say.

European consumer prices hit highest level in over 13 years
Consumer prices across the 19 European Union countries that use the euro currency have spiked to the highest level in over 13 years

US immigration policy was built by bureaucrats — it’s hurting us at home and abroad
Fixing the U.S. immigration system can’t stop at settling the legalization debate. It must also directly address the wasteful, inefficient processes in place and the administrative maze would-be Am…


Coinbase hired former Portman chief ahead of fight over senator’s tax provision
Crypto exchange Coinbase hired a fifth outside lobbying firm this year, according to a disclosure from July filed this week


Influencers in Shanghai are posing at Costco, pretending they're in L.A.
“The parking lot lawn by the Costco entrance feels like a sight of the West Coast,” one user wrote. “It makes you feel like you’re in L.A.”


White House renews bid to end 'Remain in Mexico' policy
The Biden administration has launched a second bid to end a Trump-era policy to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court.


3 years after Bulger's killing: No charges, still questions
No one has been charged in the killing of murderous Boston crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger in a West Virginia prison three years ago

Biden hoping climate talks > Congress talks


Elon Musk becomes first person to be worth more than $300 billion
A recent rise in Tesla's stock price has pushed Musk's net worth into the stratosphere. Some lawmakers want to tax it.


Prince Andrew 'unequivocally' denies Giuffre's sexual abuse claims, seeks to end lawsuit
Britain's Prince Andrew on Friday rejected Virginia Giuffre's accusations that he sexually abused her more than two decades ago when she was 17, and urged a U.S. judge to dismiss her civil lawsuit.

Ex-Rep. Vito Fossella makes post-scandal comeback bid in NYC
A former Republican congressman from Staten Island is making a bid to return to elected office more than a decade after a personal scandal derailed his political career


Youngkin aide accuses McAuliffe team of dressing up fake Youngkin backers in racist 'Unite the Right' garb
Republican Glenn Youngkin's Virginia gubernatorial campaign Friday mistakenly suggested Democrat Terry McAuliffe's campaign of engaged in dirty tricks to tie Youngkin to racists – which the McAuliffe campaign denied in a statement to Fox News.

Opinion | It’s Not Just Virginia: 5 Other Governors’ Races Could Determine the Fate of American Democracy
A powerful network of liberal donors goes public to explain why it's targeting several key elections.


Ocasio-Cortez defends climate provisions in spending bill: ‘I have to live in this future’
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is defending the importance of climate change provisions in Democrats’ budget reconciliation package, saying as the youngest member of the progressive caucus,…


Doubts surround viral story of ‘AIDS angel’ who says she helped hundreds of dying men
The viral story of Ruth Coker Burks has won the hearts of many, but some locals in Hot Springs, Arkansas, say it may be more fiction than fact.


Saudi Arabia expels Lebanon's ambassador amid diplomatic row
The move came in response to critical comments made by a top official in Beirut about the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen.


Doctors question sedative dose used in Oklahoma execution
Medical experts say it's unclear why an Oklahoma inmate began convulsing and vomiting after the first of three drugs used to execute him was administered.


Fishing row: PM fears breach of EU-UK trade agreement
French President Emmanuel Macron says the dispute is a test of the UK's credibility.


Sheriff defends filing of criminal complaint against Cuomo
A New York sheriff is defending his decision to file a criminal complaint against former New York Gov.


Supreme Court agrees to hear Republican effort to defend Trump-era policy on immigrants and welfare
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a bid by Republican states to take over the defense of a Trump-era rule that restricted green cards for immigrants deemed likely to be reliant on welfare – after the Biden administration dropped the legal defense of the rule.

Diving into ‘woke racism’ with John McWhorter


G20 leaders to confront energy prices, other economic woes
The global economy is giving leaders of the Group of 20 countries a lot to talk about at their summit this weekend in Rome.


Mike Ward: Comedian who mocked young disabled singer wins free speech case
The legal row over a comedy routine about a young disabled singer has ended after nearly a decade.


Virginia governor's race now hinges on education, and one candidate has a clear edge: poll
The Virginia governor's race between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republic Glenn Youngkin is at a dead heat, with education as the top issue among voters according to a new poll.

Protests hit U.C. Berkeley over display featuring U.S. colonizers in Philippines
“What happened here at this exhibit is yet another example of the persistence of U.S. national amnesia about colonialism in the Philippines,” one professor said.


Tara McGowan’s quest to fight fake news


NC voter ID debate clouded by call for justices' recusal
One of several legal challenges to North Carolina’s contentious voter ID law is on hold amid a dispute over whether two justices on the state Supreme Court should recuse themselves.


Armorer on Alec Baldwin film "has no idea" where live rounds came from, lawyers say
Attorneys said "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed is "devastated and completely beside herself over the events that have transpired."


Zayn Malik pleads no contest to harassment charges after he allegedly 'shoved' Yolanda Hadid
Zayn Malik pleaded no contest Friday to harassment charges after he allegedly "shoved" Gigi Hadid’s mother, Yolanda, according to court records obtained by ABC News.

Democratic reps call for investigation into Texas border policy
Democratic representatives are calling on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Texas’s border policies. T…


Fetty Wap: US rapper charged with drug trafficking
The artist was arrested at a stadium in New York City before his concert.


NYC mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa hit by cab, being evaluated by doctors
New York City mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa was “struck” by a cab Friday morning as he made his way to a live radio show in New York City.

Delta passenger arrested after fracas with fellow passenger, police say
The fisticuffs between the two passengers caused a 31-minute delay, but the flight eventually took off.


Jan. 6 committee set to interview rioter who breached the Capitol
Heather Shaner, an attorney who represents multiple defendants in Jan. 6 cases, confirmed that one of her clients will be remotely interviewed Friday afternoon.


Indian movie star Puneeth Rajkumar dies after heart attack
Puneeth Rajkumar, a leading star of southern Indian regional cinema, has died after a massive heart attack. He was 46.


Prescription drug cost relief nixed from Democrats' plan
A plan to let the government negotiate lower prescription prices with drug companies will likely not be part of Democrats’ social spending package, the White House said.

Sen. Burr under investigation again for pandemic stock sales
North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr and his brother-in-law are under investigation for insider trading.


Biden arrives in Rome as domestic agenda still unfulfilled
President Joe Biden promised to show the world that democracies can work to meet the challenges of the 21st century.


House Democrats again delay infrastructure vote amid party divisions | CNN Politics
House Democratic leaders on Thursday were once again forced to push back the timeline for a vote on a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, a sign of ongoing divisions within the party and a major blow to President Joe Biden and party leaders eager to show they can deliver on their agenda.


Fox poll shows Youngkin leading McAuliffe by 8 points among likely voters
Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) is trailing Republican gubernatorial nominee Glenn Youngkin by 8 points among likely voters in the latest Fox News poll, though the two remain in …


Robert Durst transferred to prison medical facility
Convicted murderer Robert Durst has been transferred to state prison less than two weeks after being hospitalized on a ventilator with COVID-19 following his sentencing for the slaying of his best friend

Lawmakers discussing potential compromise to revive drug pricing measure
Democratic lawmakers are discussing a possible compromise on lowering prescription drug prices that could revive the issue after it was left out of President Biden’s social spending framework…


Georgia GOP moves toward possible takeover of Fulton County elections
Georgia’s Republican-led election board is inching closer to potentially taking over elections in Fulton County, a Democratic stronghold, thanks to a provision in the state’s controversial new voting law. Republicans say the move is about election integrity while Democrats call it a political...


Donald Trump plans to hold 'tele-rally' for Youngkin Monday: reports
Former President Donald Trump will hold a tele-rally for Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin on Monday, the day before Election Day in the pivotal Virginia governor's race, according to reports. Terry McAuliffe, Youngkin's Democratic opponent, appeared to cheer the move...

COP26: Arnold Schwarzenegger angered by world leaders' climate policies
The Terminator actor also says reducing meat intake does not have to mean sacrificing something.


Manchin signals he’ll support $1.75T price tag for spending plan
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) signaled on Thursday that he could support the $1.75 trillion price tag for Democrats’ social spending plan, even as he hasn’t said if he supports the overall…


Key Trump allies granted postponements by January 6 committee | CNN Politics
Former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark will not testify Friday before the House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection, according to a committee aide and a source with knowledge of the matter.


Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema blocking Biden's climate agenda
As Joe Biden heads to a key climate summit, his green credentials are being undermined by two US senators.


Former lawmakers sign brief countering Trump’s claims of executive privilege in Jan. 6 investigation
A group of more than 60 former lawmakers have joined a legal brief that encourages a federal judge to dismiss former President Trump’s claims of executive privilege as they relate to the inves…


Biden wanted action on his agenda before jetting to Europe. Why progressives balked.
A confluence of deadlines — a climate change conference, Virginia's tight governor's race — contributed to a frenetic push that culminated in a framework announcement Thursday.


Yellen says "transformative" $1.75 trillion framework will help return Americans to workforce and drive inflation down
Yellen said President Biden's $1.75 trillion social policy and climate change package will help drive prices down.


Biden: We were clumsy over France submarine row
The US president meets his French counterpart in the wake of a diplomatic row over a submarine deal.


Dems’ drug pricing dreams crash into reality in social spending tumult
President Joe Biden’s Thursday pitch to Capitol Hill eliminates any effort to crack down on drug prices, a coup for the industry that has spent months pouring millions into lobbying and advertising campaigns.


Cuomo accused of groping woman, a misdemeanor sex crime
A sheriff’s officer has accused former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of groping a woman in an investigation stemming from the scandal that drove him from office earlier this year.


China’s revised climate pledge ‘casts shadow’ over Glasgow summit
Beijing vows its carbon dioxide emissions will peak before 2030, but experts say world’s top emitter needs to do more.

Forecasters predict one of the biggest tidal flood events of the past two decades | CNN
Over 20 million people are under alerts for coastal flooding, including residents of Baltimore and Washington, DC, as a large and powerful low pressure system shifts from the central US toward the Northeast.


State Dept. urges investigation of Myanmar military torture
The U.S. has expressed outrage and demanded an investigation after The Associated Press reported that Myanmar’s military has been torturing detainees in a systemic way across the country.


Iowa legislature approves redistricting proposal
Lawmakers in Iowa approved a new congressional map on Thursday.The new map seemingly maintains the current state of affairs in the Iowa, ensuring the state remains relevant…


Billionaires’ wealth has soared 70% in the pandemic. That’s one reason why Democrats wanted to tax them. | CNN Politics
Already massively wealthy, America’s billionaires saw their collective fortunes soar more than 70% to more than $5 trillion during the pandemic.


For tribes, 'good fire' a key to restoring nature and people
WEITCHPEC, Calif. (AP) — Elizabeth Azzuz stood in prayer on a Northern California mountainside, arms outstretched, grasping a handmade torch of dried wormwood branches, the fuel her Native American ancestors used for generations to burn underbrush in thick forest.


How Biden and Bernie switched roles on health care


Glasgow: The last best hope to fight climate change


Administration asks judge to order Florida to release funding to school districts with mask mandates
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) issued a “cease and desist complaint” to the Florida DOE after the latter department withheld funding from Florida public schools o…


House will not vote on infrastructure hours after Biden unveils revamped social spending plan
"No one got everything they wanted, including me," the president told the nation Thursday.


Exclusive: Derek Chauvin jurors speak out for the first time, recalling ‘traumatic experience’ | CNN
Months after convicting the former Minneapolis Police officer who murdered George Floyd, jurors describe the trial as a life-altering experience that still haunts them.


School sexual assault roils Virginia governor’s race
Republican Glenn Youngkin’s efforts to tap into suburban parent anger are being closely watched for their implications for the midterm elections.


Oil companies face 'big tobacco moment' in Congress over their climate policies
House Oversight Chair Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., called the CEOs of four oil companies to appear and answer questions about climate change. She said the companies have spread misinformation for decades.


Northam gives Ibram X. Kendi keynote speech as McAuliffe dismisses CRT concerns
Ibram X. Kendi, founder of the “anti-racism” movement, which critics say applies critical race theory, will deliver a “keynote plenary” speech at the Virginia Governor's Housing Conference.

Progressives win again: No infrastructure vote Thursday
House Democratic leaders abandoned a third attempt on Thursday to clear a Senate-passed bipartisan infrastructure bill, as progressives held firmly opposed without deeper assurances that a larger p…


Amazon to pay billions to prevent Christmas shortages
The online retailer hopes to minimise disruption; Apple says chip shortages cost it $6bn in sales


‘Alarming’: Violence against Brazilian Indigenous people surges
Land invasions in Brazilian Indigenous territories rose 137 percent last, a rights group reported.

Chicago passes budget with one of country’s largest universal basic income programs
Chicago will use $35 million to test a universal basic income program for one year.The city will send $500 to 5,000 low-income families as part of what Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) has sai…


Former lawmakers urge court to reject Trump effort to stymie Jan. 6 committee
Their brief contends that no possible argument about executive privilege could overcome Congress’ need for documents to probe the violent attack on the Capitol.

Assange lawyer urges British court to review Yahoo News story on CIA plans targeting WikiLeaks founder
Accusing the CIA of having an “obsession for vengeance” against Julian Assange, a lawyer for the WikiLeaks founder urged a British court on Thursday to conduct an independent investigation into the agency’s aggressive measures targeting his client.

Here’s where K Street scored victories in the reconciliation framework
The release of text ahead of a House Rules markup on the package is not the final word on the bill and will set off a new wave of lobbying to ensure clients’ priorities are added in or removed.


Biden framework includes $150B for affordable housing
President Biden’s proposed climate change and social services bill is expected to include $150 billion for affordable housing creation and financial assistance, elating supporters who feared it wou…


Baldwin shooting highlights risks of rushed film production
The fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin on a movie set has put a microscope on an often-unseen corner of the film industry where critics say the pursuit of profit can lead to unsafe working conditions.


Biden’s scaled-down spending bill has big upsides for climate fight
The $555 billion proposal for clean energy investments, incentives and tax credits comes days before world leaders meet to discuss climate change.


Pope urges 'radical' climate response in exclusive BBC message
In an exclusive message recorded for the BBC, Pope Francis addresses world leaders ahead of COP26.

Illinois Dems embrace gerrymandering in fight for US House
In the neck-and-neck fight to keep control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrats need help from the few places where state lawmakers can make 2022 difficult for Republicans. Illinois Democrats delivered Thursday, using their dominance in state government to advance new congressional...

Millions of Americans struggling without paid family leave
One of the last benefits cut from President Biden’s social spending bill is paid family leave, a huge blow to millions of Americans working in the private sector who don’t receive it. NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell speaks with two women who struggled to care for loved ones without paid family leave.


House extends highway funding to Dec. 3 amid delayed infrastructure vote
The House on Thursday passed yet another short-term extension of highway and transit construction programs that are set to expire on Sunday in order to avert thousands of worker furloughs and halte…


Oklahoma executes inmate who dies vomiting and convulsing
Oklahoma has executed a man who stabbed a prison cafeteria worker to death in 1998 in the state’s first lethal injection following a six-year moratorium.


Rep. Madison Cawthorn joins the House Freedom Caucus
Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., announced Thursday that he joined the House Freedom Caucus.
For some U.S. Catholics, Biden's pope visit brings hope of clarity on abortion
President Joe Biden's meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday is an opportunity to make progress on climate and poverty, as well as bring some clarity to the difficult issue of abortion, say some U.S. Catholics. A devout Roman Catholic who goes to weekly mass and keeps a photo of the...

Your updated guide to the huge Dem deal: 14 new policies and what could stop them
The House is pursuing a social spending plan of at least $1.75 trillion. But areas such as health care and immigration face massive Senate pitfalls.


Climate change: Major US oil companies face grilling by Congress
The hearing in Congress marks the first time top oil executives have answered questions under oath

Pence wades into school debate roiling Va governor's race
Former Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday hailed activist parents who are decrying school curriculums as un-American, equating instruction on the effects of institutional racism with “state-sponsored racism” and warning that such efforts might “indoctrinate” children. The fight over schools...

Biden appoints Sara Minkara as US special advisor on international disability rights
President Biden announced on Thursday that he has appointed Sara Minkara to serve as U.S. special advisor on international disability rights.The senior-level position, which is housed within the St…


In Afghanistan, a girls' school is the story of a village
SALAR, Afghanistan (AP) — Mina Ahmed smears a cement mixture to strengthen the walls of her war-ravaged home in rural Afghanistan.


Florida school board removes parent from meeting for reading out of sexually explicit book from HS library
A speaker at a Florida school board meeting was removed for using vulgar language after reading aloud from a highly sexualized book available at the high school’s public library.

US in talks to compensate families separated at border
The U.S. Justice Department is in talks to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to each child and parent who was separated under a Trump-era practice of splitting families at the border

Oil companies downplay early climate knowledge under fire from Dems
Leaders of the U.S. oil industry refused to concede that their companies had ever misled the public about the link between burning fossil fuels and global warming during a tense House hearing on Th…


Mark Meadows willing to bet all his money that Trump runs again: 'He's in'
Former chief of staff to former President Donald Trump Mark Meadows is willing to put “all his money” on the line on Trump making another bid for the White House.

In Virginia, McAuliffe brings big names, Youngkin goes solo
Democrat Terry McAuliffe has brought out the biggest names in Democratic politics as he’s tried to maintain his edge in Virginia’s hotly contested gubernatorial race.


Maloney to subpoena top oil companies over climate ‘disinformation campaign’
House Oversight Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) said Thursday that the panel will subpoena six oil companies and institutions for further financial information and internal communications,…


Liberals weigh their options: Settle for half a loaf, or fight
President Joe Biden and Democratic leaders are asking for their votes on a $1.75 trillion social spending blueprint. They're not totally sold yet.

House Dems pressure Manchin to voice BBB support to comfort progressives
The House whip operation is working to convince Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to issue a more forceful statement in support of President Biden’s $1.75 trillion social spending plan, people familiar with the matter tell Axios.Why it matters: Vote counters in the House need help to convince...

Wisconsin sheriff claims to have proof of election fraud - Washington Examiner
A Wisconsin sheriff claims to have found proof of election fraud in one of the most unusual places: a nursing home. The Sheriff's Office of Racine County held a press conference on Thursday to reveal a deceased resident at a nursing home voted absentee in the 2020 election. The Ridgewood Care...


Biden administration officials outline steps to tackle urgent cyber threats
Top Biden administration officials on Thursday outlined steps taken to confront the increase in cyber threats against the nation, including through strengthening key critical infrastructu…


Biden, pushing $1.75 trillion spending bill, dealt setback on infrastructure
U.S. President Joe Biden was dealt a setback on Thursday as the House of Representatives abandoned plans for a vote on an infrastructure bill with progressives seeking more time to consider his call for a separate $1.75 trillion plan for climate measures, preschool and other social initiatives.

Would the U.S. defend Taiwan if China invades? Biden said yes. But it's complicated
President Biden has said the U.S. is committed to defending Taiwan, but Washington has traditionally stayed strategically ambiguous. Here's why.


Pence delivers campaign-like speech on schools as 2024 speculation mounts
Appearing in Virginia, Pence made brief mention of the upcoming governor's race where Republican Glenn Youngkin has sought to keep national GOP figures at arm's length.


Battlefield Din Daeng: The Thai protesters with ‘nothing to lose’
After months of anti-government rallies, some are taking more extreme measures to pressure the administration.

Starbucks workers will vote on union at 3 Buffalo stores
Workers at three Starbucks stores in Buffalo, New York, will hold union elections next month after winning a case before the National Labor Relations Board
The US needs as many as 7 million homes to solve its housing crisis. Congress is offering about 1 million instead.
Biden's social-spending plan still includes $150 billion for housing. Yet that's down from $359 billion, and it likely won't meet the nationwide need.

Biden pick Elizabeth Prelogar confirmed by Senate to be US solicitor general
In a 53-36 vote on Thursday, the U.S. Senate confirmed nominee Elizabeth Prelogar to be U.S. solicitor general.

Sally Yates learned she had breast cancer days before Russia investigation testimony
As Yates prepared to be grilled by the Senate, she said she couldn't help but be "distracted" by her diagnosis.


Billionaire Leon Black sues rape accuser and law firm, alleging defamation and racketeering
Billionaire investor Leon Black has escalated his battle against a former model who accused him of rape, filing a lawsuit on Thursday accusing her and her law firm of defamation and racketeering conspiracy.
Progressives “bamboozled” by Biden meeting
President Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi huffed and puffed Thursday, but it was progressives who threatened to blow the whole House down if their demands weren't met.Why it matters: The old guard leading the White House and Congress has learned for the second time in a month their pressure...

David Perdue ponders primary bid to oust Georgia’s Brian Kemp - Washington Examiner
Former Sen. David Perdue is mulling a campaign to unseat Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in the 2022 Republican primary, sources confirmed to the Washington Examiner.Perdue was ousted in a Jan. 5 runoff, falling to now-Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, by a razor-thin margin. The Republican almost...


South Dakota official says meeting with Noem had no effect on daughter’s application
South Dakota’s labor secretary testified on Thursday that a meeting at Republican Gov. Kristi Noem’s home that raised questions of conflicts of interest had no bearing on the decisio…


Senate confirmation votes build out Biden’s Justice Department leadership team | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden saw the number of Senate-confirmed members of his Justice Department leadership team nearly double Thursday, with the upper chamber approving four nominees to critical positions.


Prisoner gives Guantanamo court first account of CIA abuse
A Guantanamo Bay prisoner who went through the brutal U.S. government interrogation program after the 9/11 attacks has described it openly for the first time

Rep. Cori Bush accuses oil executives of 'environmental racism'
Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., on Thursday claimed that fossil fuels kill “millions of people” and alleged that energy company executives who promote them exhibit “a striking example of White supremacy.”

Two US neo-Nazis from 'the Base' jailed for terrorist plot
The sentence comes as part of a federal government crackdown on violent white nationalists.


Death toll rises as Sudan’s capital rocked by more clashes
At least one anti-coup protester killed, medics say, on a fourth day of confrontations with soldiers in Khartoum.

Wyoming librarians won't be charged for making sex ed, LGBTQ-themed books available
Some patrons had complained to the Campbell County Sheriff's Office that the titles were in the youth sections..

Iowa approves new congressional map with 3 competitive districts
Former President Donald Trump narrowly carried each of the three swing seats under the new lines.

Democrat Hala Ayala seeks to be Virginia's first Latina, female lieutenant governor
Democrats hope Ayala, who made history as a state legislator, can boost voting in the high-stakes state elections, with the gubernatorial candidates in a dead heat.


McAuliffe team email says ‘kill this’ in response to Fox inquiry on election challenge - Washington Examiner
A member of Terry McAuliffe's campaign for Virginia governor emailed "kill this" to a Fox News reporter inquiring about the hiring of a high-profile attorney known for assisting Democrats in election-related legal challenges.A screenshot shows reporter Tyler O'Neil asking for a response to a...


Team McAuliffe emails reveal effort to 'kill this' Fox News story
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe's campaign raised eyebrows by spending nearly $60,000 to hire a high-profile attorney known for masterminding election-related legal challenges. When Fox News sent the campaign a request for comment, the McAuliffe campaign scrambled to...

Japan election: How the elderly keep the ruling party in power
As Sunday's polls approach, we look at why it is so difficult to defeat the ruling party.


China says its an 'imaginary enemy' of US, claims hypersonic missile test was 'routine'
China on Thursday attempted to dismiss U.S. concerns surrounding its launch of a hypersonic missile by describing it as "routine" and alleging the U.S. has concocted China as an "imaginary enemy."

Feds: Man used virus relief loan to buy $57,000 Pokemon card
Federal authorities say a Georgia man has pleaded guilty to illegally obtaining a coronavirus relief loan and using more than $57,000 of the money to buy a collectable Pokemon card
Linwood Holton Jr, 1st GOP Va governor of 20th century, dies
A. Linwood Holton Jr., Virginia’s first Republican governor since Reconstruction and a crusader against racial discrimination, died Thursday. Holton, who served from 1970 to 1974, declared an end to “Massive Resistance,” Virginia’s institutional defiance of federal orders to desegregate its...

Florida Panthers coach Joel Quenneville resigns amid Blackhawks scandal
An investigation found then-Blackhawks coach Quenneville did not prioritize addressing sexual assault allegations.


Analysis: Why the Wall Street Journal *never* should have published Donald Trump’s letter on the 2020 election | CNN Politics
On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal opinion’s section posted a lengthy letter from Donald Trump in which the former President repeatedly pushed conspiracy theories about the 2020 election in Pennsylvania.

Analysis: Biden faces liberal angst after under-delivering
Joe Biden set out to be a president who under-promised and over-delivered. As the White House tries to nail down a nearly $3 trillion domestic package that Biden frames as a historic investment in infrastructure and social spending, the moment is clouded by a sense among many on the left that...

For Biden, a meeting with Pope Francis is both personal and political
Friday's audience at the Vatican is unlike any before between a pope and a president, more of a reunion between two men who have developed a close bond.


California wins $3.5M payoff in illegal gambling lawsuit
A company that made and operated casino-style games used for illegal gambling will pay $3.5 million and permanently stop its California operations under a court settlement announced Thursday

Loudoun County sheriff investigating alleged incidents of inappropriate touching at middle school - Washington Examiner
Law enforcement officials in Loudoun County, Virginia, are investigating reports of sexual assault at a local middle school. "The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is investigating multiple incidents that occurred at Harmony Middle School this week involving a male student touching other students...


Guantanamo prisoner gives court first account of abuse at CIA 'black sites'
Majid Khan spoke on the first day in what is expected to be a two-day sentencing hearing at the U.S. base in Cuba.


Amazon slaps a $9.95 fee on Whole Foods deliveries. And Walmart pounces | CNN Business
Whole Foods shoppers may have received a shock this week if they noticed a new $9.95 delivery fee on orders placed through Amazon Prime.


Majority of Virginia parents support Youngkin, Fox News poll finds
A new Fox News poll found that a strong majority of Virginia parents support Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin, who has made education a key issue in the campaign against former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, D-Va.

Ohio school board president to resign after refusing to vote against anti-racism resolution
The state Senate made it clear it would not confirm her reappointment because of how she voted, Laura Kohler said Thursday.


Michigan to pay volunteers distributing water bottles in Benton Harbor amid water crisis
More than 100,000 cases of water have been distributed in the city to date, officials said.


California sees 'proliferation' of recall attempts as lawmakers look to reform system
“I am troubled by the fundamentally undemocratic nature of California’s current recall process,” said Assemblymember Marc Berman.


Biden administration debates paying 'hundreds of millions' to families separated at the border
President Biden's administration is considering whether to make payments to immigrants who were separated from their families at the border under former President Trump's administration, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

Michigan redistricting meeting delayed over death threat
A redistricting meeting in Michigan was delayed for several hours after a death threat against the commission was sent by email. NBC's Jane Timm has details.


Facebook wants to lean into the metaverse. Here's what it is and how it will work
It's a world of endless, interconnected virtual communities where people can meet, work and play, using virtual reality headsets, augmented reality glasses, smartphone apps or other devices.

U.S. senators propose adding boycott of China's Winter Olympics to defense bill
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Thursday proposed an amendment to an annual defense policy bill that would impose a diplomatic boycott of China's Winter Olympics – less than 100 days away – amid accusations of rights abuses by Beijing. The amendment, led by Republican Senator Mitt...

Sir David Attenborough polar ship makes its London debut
The UK's new £200m research vessel is in Greenwich ahead of its first ocean voyage to the Antarctic.


Jupiter's monster storm not just wide but surprisingly deep
Jupiter's Great Red Spot, a storm so big it could swallow Earth, extends surprisingly deep beneath the planet's cloud tops


US intel doesn't expect to determine origins of COVID-19
U.S. intelligence agencies say they likely won’t ever be able to conclude whether COVID-19 spread by animal-to-human transmission or leaked from a lab.


COVID-19 updates: White House press secretary Jen Psaki tests positive
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 4.9 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 735,000 Americans.

FDA paves way for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations in young kids
The Food and Drug Administration has paved the way for children ages 5 to 11 to get Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. The agency authorized the kid-size doses on Friday.


Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for children?
Pfizer’s vaccine has been authorized by U.S. regulators for younger children, and millions of teens have already safely received the shot.


Where NYC stands in COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city employees
After the deadline, 91% of New York City municipal employees had complied with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, city officials said.

Vaccinated just as likely to spread delta variant within household as unvaccinated: study
People who have received COVID-19 vaccinations are able to spread the delta variant within their household despite their vaccination status just as easily as unvaccinated individuals…


Iowa workers fired for refusing COVID vaccine still eligible for unemployment benefits under new bill
The legislation protects employees who do not get vaccinated against COVID-19.


Intelligence community releases spy agency’s ‘case’ for Wuhan lab leak COVID-19 hypothesis - Washington Examiner
The U.S. intelligence community released a declassified version of its assessment on the origins of COVID-19. The document, which includes a section titled “The Case for the Laboratory-Associated Incident Hypothesis,” offers insight into the one intelligence agency that assessed with “moderate...


Sanford Health says 97 percent in compliance with COVID-19 vaccine mandate
Sanford Health says 97 percent of its employees are in compliance with its COVID-19 vaccine mandate as of Friday.


Kemp, other GOP governors to sue Biden administration over vaccine mandate
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) will file a lawsuit in federal court challenging the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for federal contractors, his office announced Friday.Kemp and Attorney …


As vaccination mandate looms, New York prepares for shortage of firefighters, police
New York City officials on Friday were preparing for shortages of firefighters, police officers and other first responders as a showdown looms between the city and its unvaccinated uniformed workforce, who face a 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT) deadline to be immunized.

US Intelligence community releases full declassified report that does not determine origin of Covid-19 | CNN Politics
The US intelligence community released a declassified report on Friday that confirmed that it has not reached a conclusion on the origins of Covid-19, though it offered fresh details on how the intelligence community approached its 90-day investigation into the matter.


When can kids under 12 get their shots? Here's the timeline
There are a couple of big steps to get through before U.S. kids under 12 might be able to get the vaccine. Here's how the process works and when the shots could arrive.


West Virginia: First to worst in COVID-19 vaccine efforts
West Virginia was at the forefront of U.S. state rollouts when coronavirus vaccines became available in January

Biden to push schools to set up routine COVID testing for kids, staff
President Joe Biden is planning a new push for school surveillance testing for COVID-19.

What happens if Buffalo elects a socialist mayor? It's Democrat vs. Democrat in a local race reflecting national divides
Buffalo could soon be the first major U.S. city in six decades to elect a socialist mayor. But the incumbent who lost the Democratic primary is running a write-in campaign to stop that. Who will voters choose?


LA Sheriff Warns Of 'Mass Exodus' Of Deputies Because of Vaccine Mandate
Sheriff Alex Villanueva claims he could lose up to 44% of his workforce, which he says would cause an “imminent threat to public safety.”


Supreme Court declines to block Maine health care employee vaccine mandate | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court on Friday denied a request to block a Maine rule that requires certain health care employees to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.


Supreme Court declines to block Maine vaccine mandate
The Supreme Court has rejected an emergency appeal from health care workers in Maine to block a vaccine mandate that went into effect Friday.


VP Harris getting COVID-19 booster shot this weekend
The White House says Vice President Kamala Harris will receive a COVID-19 booster shot on Saturday. The Biden administration is encouraging eligible Americans to follow suit.


Education Department files cease and desist complaint against Florida over mask-related school funding | CNN Politics
The US Department of Education filed a complaint Thursday against Florida’s Education Department for its decision to reduce funding for certain school districts amid an ongoing battle over school mask mandate policies.


China offers few new climate targets ahead of UN conference
China is offering no significant new goals for reducing climate-changing emissions ahead of the UN climate summit set to start next week in Glasgow.


Covid: Call for rich nations to airlift millions of surplus vaccines
It would be unethical to waste doses while thousands are dying with Covid daily, former world leaders say.


New York City firefighters protest vaccine mandate outside mayor's residence as deadline nears
New York City firefighters and other city workers protested outside the mayor's residence Thursday, as a COVID-19 vaccination deadline quickly approaches.

Covid: Moscow shops and restaurants shut in partial lockdown
Russia closes non-essential services and sends workers home amid record Covid deaths.


America’s falling Covid case rate, in 3 charts
New cases have fallen 57 percent since early September, with experts attributing the fall to increased immunity.


Florida Gov. DeSantis sues Biden over vaccine mandate for federal contractors
The GOP governor, who has fought Covid-19 restrictions across the state, said the Biden administration overstepped its legal authority.


Covid: Double vaccinated can still spread virus at home
Vaccinated people are catching and then spreading the virus to those they live with, UK study finds.


New Zealand to start easing Covid-19 border restrictions | CNN
New Zealand said it would begin easing Covid-19 travel restrictions that have been in place on its national borders since March 2020.


A couple convicted of assaulting a Sesame Place worker after a mask dispute has been sentenced to prison | CNN
A New York couple has been sentenced to prison after being convicted in last summer’s assault of a Sesame Place employee that prosecutors said happened after the victim tried to enforce the theme park’s face mask policy.

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