(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
MOSCOW (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, facing a sharp spike in violence in and around territory held by Russia-backed rebels and increasingly dire warnings that Russia plans to invade, on Saturday called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet him and seek resolution to the crisis.
Ukraine's president urges sanctions against Russia before a possible invasion, not after
"You're telling me that it's 100% that the war will start in a couple of days. Then what [are you] waiting for?" said President Volodymyr Zelensky.
www.cbsnews.com
Ukraine will not respond to provocations, Zelensky says
But President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine is ready to defend itself, amid a deadly rise in fighting.
www.bbc.com
Dems, GOP set inflation, COVID mandates as election themes
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and Republicans each want to flash election-year signals that they are riding to the rescue of families struggling with rising costs and the 2-year-old coronavirus pandemic.
apnews.com
Canadian police appear to end protesters' siege of Ottawa
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Hundreds of police in riot gear swept through Canada’s capital Saturday, retaking control of the streets around the Parliament buildings and appearing to end the siege of Ottawa after three weeks of protests.
apnews.com
Why Donbas is at the heart of the Ukraine crisis
Even as Russian forces mass on Ukraine's border, the spotlight this week has swung back to the rumbling low-intensity war in eastern Ukraine and its possible role in setting the stage for a broader conflict.
Pelosi says Putin will pay even without Ukraine invasion: You can’t ‘bully the world and take a walk’
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., warned Russian President Vladimir Putin from the Munich Security Conference on Saturday that he will face consequences whether or not he invades Ukraine.
In new front of information war, U.S. repeatedly declassifies intelligence on Ukraine and Russia
With growing fears that Moscow is preparing for a full-scale invasion, the Biden administration has abandoned the U.S.’s normally tight-lipped attitude toward releasing intelligence information, and is pursuing a strategic — and according to former officials, unprecedented — declassification...
5 things to know today about the Russia-Ukraine crisis
President Biden on Friday said he’s “convinced” Russian President Vladimir Putin has made up his mind to move forward with an invasion of Ukraine.Russia has as…
thehill.com
Fringe Scheme to Reverse 2020 Election Splits Wisconsin GOP
MADISON, Wis. — First, Wisconsin Republicans ordered an audit of the 2020 election. Then they passed a raft of new restrictions on voting. And in June, they authorized the nation’s only special counsel investigation into 2020. Now, more than 15 months after then-President Donald Trump lost the...
EU chief: Russia could be cut off from markets, tech goods
MUNICH (AP) — Moscow would have its access to financial markets and high-tech goods limited under Western sanctions being prepared in case Russia attacks Ukraine, a top European Union official said Saturday.
apnews.com
Threat of Russia invasion looms, Congress divided on sanction strategy
Top U.S. and NATO officials have warned Russia may plan to invade Ukraine in the coming days, but U.S. lawmakers remain divided on whether the White House strategy to use severe sanctions as a deterrent is working.
Last Afghan refugees leave NJ base after chaotic evacuation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The last of thousands of Afghan refugees who awaited resettlement at eight U.S. military installations departed Saturday from a base in New Jersey, completing a journey that started with the chaotic evacuation from Kabul in August.
apnews.com
GOP senator faces challenge on Trump credentials
Correction: A previous version of this story misquoted Bequette. It has since been updated to clarify that he does not believe Jan. 6, 2021 was a violent insurrection.GOP Sen. John Boozma…
thehill.com
Despite years of preparation, Ukraine’s electric grid still an easy target for Russian hackers
Portions of Ukraine’s electric system went dark following two Russian cyberattacks in recent years. Efforts to strengthen the grid in the years since likely won’t be enough to fend off Russian hackers.
www.politico.com
Zelenskyy defiant that Ukraine will 'protect its borders' as Russia-backed separatist leaders order call to arms
The White House believes Russia will attack Ukraine in the coming days and use a fabricated pretext to justify an invasion.
www.usatoday.com
Trump golf courses could host events for controversial Saudi-funded league – report
Trump Organization has held discussions with Saudi-backed body, Washington Post reportsSaudi disruption plan spells trouble for golf’s main tours Golf courses in Doral, Florida, and Bedminster, New Jersey, could host events in the league, according to the Washington Post. Photograph...
Ukrainian Russian-backed rebels call to mobilize as Putin oversees nuclear drill
Leonid Pasechnik, leader of the self-proclaimed “Luhansk People’s Republic,” signed a decree calling for “full combat readiness.”
www.nbcnews.com
US defense chief: Russia 'uncoiling and poised to strike'
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin assured the three Baltic nations Saturday that they would not be on their own if faced with security threats from Russia, but he stopped short of promising a permanent deployment of American troops in the former Soviet republics.
apnews.com
Families of US troops killed in Kabul bombing question official Pentagon investigation findings: report
This month’s release of a U.S. military investigation examining the August 26th terrorist bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members in Kabul, Afghanistan has reportedly caused several of the victims family members to question the U.S. government’s official story.
Zelensky: Western leaders became Putin's 'accomplices,' war means 'millions of casualties'
MUNICH — Russia’s preparations for a major assault on Ukraine could result in a conflict with “millions of casualties” and lead to a third world war, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who accused the luminaries of the trans-Atlantic alliance of adopting an “appeasement” policy…
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Collins underscores need to reform Electoral Count Act: ‘Peaceful transfer of power shouldn’t require heroes’
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) underscored the need to reform a 1887 election law which details how the Electoral College vote is formally counted by Congress, saying that the “peaceful transfer of p…
thehill.com
Ukraine: Russia plans biggest war in Europe since 1945 - Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson tells BBC that intelligence suggests Russia intends to launch an invasion encircling Kyiv.
www.bbc.com
Trump's Truth Social Is Poised to Join a Crowded Field
For months, former President Donald Trump has promoted Truth Social, the soon-to-be-released flagship app of his fledging social media company, as a platform where free speech can thrive without the constraints imposed by Big Tech. At least seven other social media companies have promised to do...
Biden to convene National Security Council meeting on Ukraine
President Biden will be convening a National Security Council meeting on Ukraine on Sunday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement on Saturday.“President Biden continues to monit…
thehill.com
Harris on Ukraine: World at 'a decisive moment in history'
MUNICH (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris said Saturday that the world has arrived at “a decisive moment in history” as the Biden administration warns a Russian invasion of Ukraine in the coming days is highly likely.
apnews.com
CNN Executive Was Ousted After Discussing Interview Topics With Governor
On a Saturday in March 2020, as COVID-19 was invading the United States, Gov. Andrew Cuomo went on CNN for a live interview. Among other topics, he was asked about a possible government-enforced quarantine of New York that had been floated by President Donald Trump. It was a newsworthy topic...
European Commission president: Russia-Ukraine situation threatens ‘international order’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a speech Saturday said the “world has been watching in disbelief” as Russia has amassed troops at the Ukrainian border, a…
thehill.com
Ukraine's president criticizes Western "appeasement" of Putin's aggression
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a searing criticism of Western inaction against Russian aggression on Saturday, arguing that Ukraine has acted as a "shield" for the past eight years and that Europe's security architecture has utterly failed.Why it matters: Zelensky's closely...
USDA head: US farmers to help if Ukraine exports threatened
The U.S. secretary of agriculture says that a Russian invasion of Ukraine offers American farmers a chance to boost production and prevent supply chain problems
POLITICO Playbook: World braces for ‘decisive moment in history’
And a judge rejects Donald Trump’s Jan. 6 absolute immunity claim.
www.politico.com
G7 foreign ministers pledge ‘unwavering commitment’ to Ukrainian sovereignty in face of Russian buildup
The foreign ministers of the G7 countries -- including Secretary of State Antony Blinken -- on Saturday pledged their "unwavering commitment" to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of a Russian buildup of military force at its border.
Russian-backed separatists to evacuate civilians from eastern Ukraine, stoking invasion fears
The move comes amid a spike in shelling in the area, with tensions rising once again after the West disputed Moscow’s claims of a troop pullback.
www.nbcnews.com
Man survived freezing waters after falling off his boat. He swam for five hours to safety | CNN
An evening boat trip quickly turned life-threatening for one California man.
Los Angeles County district attorney backpedals on criminal justice reforms
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon reversed some of his more lenient positions regarding juveniles convicted of murder and violent sexual assault, according to leaked memos.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Biden lunches in DC, ignores questions on Ukraine as crisis with Russia escalates
President Biden on Saturday left the White House for lunch with his granddaughters at a nearby restaurant while ignoring shouted questions about the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Trump Organization holding discussions to host events for new Saudi golf league: report
The Trump Organization is holding discussions with officials working for the company hosting a new Saudi golf league in a bid to hold some of the tour’s events at the former president’s …
thehill.com
Squall over the place: Snow blankets four Northeastern states
Four states were hidden under snow squalls amid a flurry of intense storms hitting the Northeast on Saturday, prompting a warning from the National Weather Service.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
The Other Aide Entangled in Dem Rep’s Bribery Scandal
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/GettyRep. Marie Newman (D-IL) is already under investigation for allegedly inking an improper contract with a rival to keep him from running against her. But it turns out that rival isn’t the only one who scored a sweet deal with the freshman...
‘We’re in an economic war:’ White House, Congress weigh new oversight of U.S. investments in China
The proposals could mean unprecedented federal oversight of American businesses abroad. But supporters say they're needed to combat China's economic rise.
www.politico.com
Ocasio-Cortez claps back after Tucker Carlson refers to her as ‘entitled white lady’
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) rebuked Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Twitter after he referred to her as a “rich, entitled white lady” during a Friday segment on his show.
thehill.com
Larry Ellison pumps $15M into super PAC aligned with Tim Scott
The donation brings the Oracle chair's giving to the group, Opportunity Matters Fund, to $25 million.
www.politico.com
Harris on Ukraine: World at 'a decisive moment in history'
Vice President Kamala Harris says the world has arrived at “a decisive moment in history” as the Biden administration warns that a Russian invasion of Ukraine in the coming days is highly likely
Renewed opposition to Trump stirs among establishment Republicans
There are different constellations in the Never Trump firmament and it’s unclear if they can unite Mike Pence’s remark that the former president was simply ‘wrong’ about overturning the election surprised many observers. Photograph: Stephen M Dowell/AP As Joe Biden lurched from crisis to crisis...
Canada police use pepper spray, stun grenades to clear protesters
Officers say ‘assaultive and aggressive’ behaviour led them to use ‘chemical irritant’ to disperse demonstrators.
Zelensky: Ukraine wants ‘clear’ time frame for NATO membership
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday asked NATO and the European Union (EU) for a firm and “honest” answer on his country’s prospects for entry into t…
thehill.com
Drunk Democratic House hopeful verbally berated girls at party, parent says
A Valentine's Day weekend sleepover of 12- and 13-year-old girls in the Oklahoma City area took a turn for the worse when Democratic House candidate Abby Broyles got drunk and verbally berated several of them, parents say.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Pennsylvania man charged in killing of Uber driver who begged for her life
A dash cam inside Christina Spicuzza's car captured some of the final moments of her life and was "critical" to the case, authorities said.
www.nbcnews.com
AOC skips coach, flies first class back from Texas
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ditched the commoners in coach and cozied up to elites in first class on an American Airlines flight
How P.J. O’Rourke Became Republican
Over the years, I watched a fast-driving Maoist turn into his own kind of conservative icon.
www.politico.com
Harris says US 'stands with Ukraine' while warning Russia of 'swift, severe and united' consequences | CNN Politics
Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday vowed there would be a "swift, severe and united" response if Russia invades Ukraine and assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the US "stands with Ukraine."
Florida on track for 15-week abortion ban similar to one before Supreme Court
The Florida Legislature is poised to pass a ban on abortion after 15 weeks that does not make exceptions for cases of rape or incest, a measure that looks practically identical to the one currently under consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Seeking asylum, migrant encampment grows in Mexico amid uncertainty over US policy
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz spoke with ABC News about the humanitarian crisis on the border, including Biden's use of a controversial order.
Why polls may be underestimating Republicans | CNN Politics
Most polls you're looking at right now are likely underestimating Republicans' position heading into the midterm election cycle. It's not that the polls are "wrong." Rather, it's that most polls at this point are asking all registered voters who they're going to vote for in November, when it's...
The Oil Industry And Its GOP Allies Are Trying To Sink Biden’s Climate-Focused Fed Pick
Sarah Bloom Raskin's view that climate change poses major financial risks is widely shared. Except among some of the oil industry's top Republican donees.
China accused of failing to buy more Maine lobster
Maine’s congressional leaders say China has failed to live up to its promise to buy more Maine lobster under a deal that eased a trade war under former President Donald Trump
Olympic bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor becomes most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history
Meyers Taylor, 37, won bronze at Beijing 2022 on Saturday.
www.nbcnews.com
Vulnerable Afghans stranded in limbo six months after fall of Kabul
Six months after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, the thousands of Afghans left behind in the evacuation or scattered across the globe after the chaotic exit have little hope of reaching the U.S.W…
thehill.com
Australia accuses China of shining laser at warplane
The Australian defence ministry said the laser illuminated the plane, potentially endangering life.
www.bbc.com
Analysis-China would back Russia, diplomatically, if it moved on Ukraine
China would back Russia diplomatically and perhaps economically if it invades Ukraine, worsening Beijing's already strained relations with the West, but would stop short of providing military support, experts said. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday that Russia's Vladimir Putin had decided...
As Olympics close, Russia thwarts Biden's efforts to focus on China
President Joe Biden's push to turn U.S. attention toward China has been thwarted by Russia's aggressive posture toward Ukraine.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Prosecutor ran on changing Austin before police indictments
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Jose Garza ran for district attorney in Austin on promises to hold police accountable in Texas’ capital city. He got off to a fast start, charging at least seven officers during his first year on the job, including one charged with murder twice.
apnews.com
Conservative groups urge border states to use 'every legal means' to combat migrant crisis
Conservative groups are calling on states at the southern border to take matters into their own hands to combat the continuing migrant crisis amid discussions about whether the surge can be classified as an "invasion."
After $73M win, Sandy Hook families zero in on gun marketing
The $73 million settlement that some of the Sandy Hook shooting victims' families won against Remington is not the end of their efforts to hold the gun industry accountable
Eileen Gu and Kamila Valieva became the teenage faces of Beijing 2022 under wildly contrasting circumstances | CNN
Eileen Gu and Kamila Valieva became the teenage faces of the Winter Olympics, but their memories of Beijing 2022 are likely to be wildly different.
Baltimore prosecutor calls charges against her 'malicious'
Baltimore’s top prosecutor has asked a federal judge to dismiss an indictment against her, alleging that the prosecution has been driven by “malicious personal, political, and even racial animus.”
G-7 countries call on Russia to choose diplomacy, reduce troops
The foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G-7) countries on Saturday issued a joint statement urging Russia to choose the path of diplomacy and “substantively withdraw” its troops near the Ukr…
thehill.com
Kelly Clarkson files petition to change name to 'Kelly Brianne' amid divorce battle
When asked why she wanted to change her name, Clarkson wrote in legal documents that it “more fully reflects who I am.”
www.nbcnews.com
Flores hired to Steelers staff; lawsuit against NFL proceeds
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brian Flores is back in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers hired the former Miami Dolphins coach on Saturday to serve as a senior defensive assistant. Flores will specialize in working with Pittsburgh's linebackers, a group that includes NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J.
apnews.com
Actor Lindsey Pearlman found dead after going missing in LA
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor Lindsey Erin Pearlman, who had roles in “General Hospital,” “American Housewife” and other shows, was found dead days after she was reported missing in Los Angeles, authorities said.
apnews.com
'Rarest of rare' blue diamond expected to fetch nearly $50 million at auction
A rare blue diamond exceptional in both size and beauty is expected to fetch nearly $50 million when it heads to auction in Hong Kong in the spring.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
NATO staff in Kyiv moved to Lviv, Brussels
NATO staff in Kyiv have been relocated to both Lviv, Ukraine — situated in the western region of the country — and the Belgian capital of Brussels, a NATO official confirmed to The Hill. ̶…
thehill.com
Storm Eunice carves deadly trail across Europe
At least 16 people have died as high winds leave homes without power and transport systems in disarray.
www.bbc.com
Ted Cruz asks if civil liberties groups will support Canadian freedom truckers as they clash with police
Ted Cruz reacted to silence from civil rights groups Saturday as Canadian officials continue to clash with the Canadian trucker "Freedom Convoy" occupying the streets of Ottawa, Canada.
Snow squalls, freezing temperatures blanket Northeast this weekend
A burst of snow and wind is hitting the Northeast this weekend and will bring bitter cold temperatures on Sunday.
Tech giants recruit defenders among communities of color
Groups backed by the tech giants say proposals for tougher enforcement would harm Black- and Hispanic-owned businesses. The industry’s critics aren’t buying it.
www.politico.com
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants professors to lose tenure if they teach CRT
Texas college and university professors may soon lose tenure if they teach critical race theory (CRT) in their classrooms, according to the Lone Star state's lieutenant governor, who has vowed action by the state.
Henry Cuellar is a political institution in South Texas. An FBI raid and a second challenge by progressive Jessica Cisneros could topple him | CNN Politics
Rep. Henry Cuellar already faced a difficult rematch in the March 1 Democratic primary against the progressive challenger who nearly defeated him two years ago.
Russia-Ukraine live updates: EU takes bold steps to aid Ukraine forces
Live updates on the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
WATCH: Thieves raid military museum in Israel for decommissioned weapons
Israeli police officers arrested six suspects Saturday after they allegedly stole a number of decommissioned guns from the Golani Museum.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Founder of collapsed $1.7 billion mutual fund charged with fraud
In addition to securities fraud and obstruction of justice, James Velissaris has been charged with wire fraud and lying to auditors.
www.nbcnews.com
Norway leads the Winter Olympics medal table with a historic haul of golds
The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics continue with gold medal events in bobsled, ice hockey, and curling. Follow here for the latest news, results and updates.
Donald Trump's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week in court | CNN Politics
Former President Donald Trump was 0-3 in three high-profile legal battles this week, with new rulings that boosted significant cases his opponents have brought against him.
FDA issues warning after Family Dollar distribution center found infested with rodents
Federal inspectors say they found more than 1,000 rodents inside a Family Dollar distribution facility in Arkansas.
Do crime apps and viral videos stop bystanders from helping?
Popular use of mobile phone cameras and apps fans fears of a digitally charged "bystander effect".
www.bbc.com
Russian-backed separatist leaders declare full military mobilization
Tensions continued to mount in the east of Ukraine on Saturday after reports of increased shelling in the region overnight.
www.cbsnews.com
Blast at busy restaurant kills 15, wounds 20 in Somali city
Police say at least 15 people are dead after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest at a crowded restaurant during lunch hour in Beledweyne, the capital of Somalia’s Hiran region
Biden’s handling of the Russia Ukraine conflict 'contemptible': foreign policy analyst
A foreign policy expert slammed the Biden administration's handling of the Ukraine crisis, saying the White House's actions could "provoke" a Russian attack.
Ukraine leader seeks new security guarantees amid Russian threat
Volodymyr Zelenskyy extends olive branch to Putin as he demands stronger Western support in face of an invasion threat.
State officials: Bird flu found at 4th Indiana turkey farm
State officials say a strain of avian flu has been found at a fourth commercial turkey farm in southern Indiana
Beijing Winter Olympics: Live news and results on Feb. 20 2022
The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics continue with gold medal events in bobsled, ice hockey, and curling. Follow here for the latest news, results and updates.
The man who lived in a Singapore forest for 30 years
Mr Oh, who is now 79, lived in a makeshift shelter in woodland in the city-state of Singapore.
www.bbc.com
Modeling agent close to Epstein found dead in French jail
PARIS (AP) — A modeling agent who was close to disgraced U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein was found dead Saturday in his French jail cell, where he was being held in an investigation into the rape and sex trafficking of minors, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.
apnews.com
Panel denies US skaters' appeal to get Olympic silver medals
BEIJING (AP) — Arbitrators have rejected a last-ditch request by American figure skaters to have their silver medals awarded before the end of the Olympics. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said early Sunday in Beijing that it dismissed the appeal by the nine skaters, who finished second in...
apnews.com
Ukraine's Zelenskyy calls on Putin to meet as tensions soar
MOSCOW (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, facing a sharp spike in violence in and around territory held by Russia-backed rebels and increasingly dire warnings that Russia plans to invade, on Saturday called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet him and seek resolution to the...
apnews.com
A week of legal setbacks for Trump in Washington, New York
NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump faced one legal setback after another this week as a judge ruled he must sit for a deposition in New York to answer questions about his business practices, his accounting firm declared his financial statements unreliable, another judge rejected his...
apnews.com
AOC calls Tucker Carlson 'creep' over 'invitation to a booty call' book review
New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lashed out at Fox News host Tucker Carlson after he opened his show Friday deriding an upcoming book about the congresswoman and ascribing one section to sounding like a booty call.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
New mail voter ID rules sow confusion in Texas with thousands of ballots at risk of rejection
Voters can still fix ballots to have them counted in the March 1 primary, but county officials are concerned about the sky-high rate of errors due to confusion over the new election law.
www.nbcnews.com
Austin on potential Russian invasion into Ukraine: ‘I don’t believe it’s a bluff’
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he doesn’t think Russian President Vladimir Putin is bluffing.ABC News chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz asked Austin in an interview, an e…
thehill.com
Virginia's AG withdraws state from legal effort to have Equal Rights Amendment recognized | CNN Politics
Virginia's new Republican attorney general on Friday withdrew his state from a legal effort to have the Equal Rights Amendment recognized as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution.
RNC resolution citing Jan. 6 as 'legitimate political discourse' misconstrued: Pence
He said it refers to a "whole range of people" investigated by the House probe.
Squad politics backfire as Democrats struggle with party image
Progressive activism has pushed the party's image way left of where most voters are.
www.axios.com
EXPLAINER: Why half of Guantanamo's prisoners could get out
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has been quietly laying the groundwork to release prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay detention center and at least move closer to being able to shut it down.
apnews.com
Renewed opposition to Trump stirs among establishment Republicans
There are different constellations in the Never Trump firmament and it’s unclear if they can unite Mike Pence’s remark that the former president was simply ‘wrong’ about overturning the election surprised many observers. Photograph: Stephen M Dowell/AP As Joe Biden lurched from crisis to crisis...
Zelenskyy: Ukraine is Europe’s ‘shield’ against Russia
Russia-Ukraine news from February 18: President Zelenskyy says Ukraine deserves stronger international support.
Economist in running for Treasury job worked at secretive firm co-founded by Biden's secretary of State
An economist being considered for a role at the Biden Treasury Department worked for a secretive firm co-founded by Antony Blinken.
Bill Maher torches LeBron James, John Cena, Eileen Gu for 'kowtowing' to China
The "Real Time" host blasted those who refrain from criticizing China for what seems to be their own financial self-interest
Violent attack sabotages Canadian natural gas pipeline
A masked mob of ax-wielding vandals attacked a natural gas pipeline project in British Columbia, smashing vehicles and firing flare guns at workers after cutting fuel lines on Thursday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
'Not just about COVID': Lawmakers warn China bashing in Congress could spur new wave of anti-Asian hate
Advocates have logged 10,000 hate crimes against Asians from March 2020 to September, 2021. The Atlanta spa shooting last March added to fears.
www.usatoday.com
Durham Distances Himself From Furor in Right-Wing Media Over Filing (Published 2022)
The special counsel implicitly acknowledged that White House internet data he discussed, which conservative outlets have portrayed as proof of spying on the Trump White House, came from the Obama era.
Tucker Carlson Bizarrely Bashes Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez As 'Entitled White Lady'
Insult of insults, apparently. Trump once sneered about AOC working as a bartender, so ... which is it?
Political Rewind: Sonny Perdue closes in on chancellor seat; Evidence presented in hate crime trial
Friday on Political Rewind: Former Gov. Sonny Perdue is one step away from the top job overseeing Georgia's public universities and colleges. Meanwhile, the latest from the federal hate crimes trial in Brunswick. The prosecution presented evidence to proves racial animus led to the murder of...
Political affiliation may have swayed prescribing of ineffective COVID drugs
For immediate release: February 18, 2022 Boston, MA – Two treatments that have been shown to be ineffective against COVID-19—hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin—were more heavily prescribed in the la…
The ‘Freedom Convoy’ is ending, but issues ‘not going away’
Disinformation expert Carmen Celestini speaks to Al Jazeera about border blockades, occupation that paralysed Canada.
Unspooling the latest twists in special counsel John Durham's investigation | CNN Politics
Special counsel John Durham, who has been investigating the origins of the FBI's Trump-Russia probe, ignited a firestorm in right-wing circles last weekend with a cryptic court filing.
Former U.S. Senator Max Baucus shares insights on current political environment and growing inflation
MTN News visited with former Ambassador and U.S. Senator (D-Mont.) Baucus right before he started a legacy interview as part of Honors Presents, from the Honors College at Montana State University.
www.kbzk.com
U.S. judge denies Trump's request to toss Jan 6 incitement lawsuits
Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday lost a bid to dismiss lawsuits accusing him of inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
www.reuters.com
A bill in the Arizona House would punish banks that refuse business from gun firms
Bankers are resisting the bill, calling it government overreach and saying lawmakers are creating a problem with a non-issue in Arizona.
www.npr.org
White House accuses Noem of 'attacking LGBT youth' by signing women's sports law
White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre lashed out at South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Friday, saying she advanced “policies that attack trans youth” and funded “ads attacking LGBT youth.”
Mexican army moves in on drug lord's home town
Landmines planted by rival gangs in the area killed one and injured others in recent weeks.
www.bbc.com
How did a N.J. political consultant find a hit man? Was his brother the connection?
Sean Caddle's older brother was in the same prison at the same time as the man identified by prosecutors who Caddle allegedly paid to do the job.
Haiti remains in ‘acute political and institutional crisis’, Security Council hears
Despite some signs of progress in ending the political, economic and humanitarian crisis that has worsened across Haiti since the assassination of its president last year, the situation there remains “fraught and highly polarized”, the UN envoy to the country told the Security Council on Friday.
The Fed is going to hike rates regardless if Biden's nominees are confirmed, economists say
While there are reasons to confirm Biden's Fed nominees, economists say concern that the central bank won't act to rein in inflation shouldn't be among them.
AOC selling 'Abolish ICE' T-shirts in online store as border illegal immigrant encounters, drug seizures soar
The "new arrivals" section of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s online store features multiple items promoting the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as the crisis at the southern border continues to intensify.
UK court orders Airbus to delay Qatar Airways plane cancellations
Judge tells planemaker to halt any practical effects of a decision to revoke a $6bn jet order from the Gulf carrier.
How American cash for Canada protests could sway US politics
The Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Canadians who have disrupted travel and trade with the U.S. and occupied downtown Ottawa for nearly three weeks have been cheered and funded by American right-wing activists and conservative politicians who also oppose vaccine mandates and the country’s...
Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister laments ‘lack of political support from Israel’
Emine Dzhaparova calls for more Israeli involvement in crisis, as Jerusalem voices caution and seeks to balance its relationships with both Kyiv and Moscow
www.timesofisrael.com
Prosecutors elected to uphold death penalty cases make a pledge: to end executions
More than 50 elected prosecutors from over two dozen states signed an open letter Thursday pledging to do everything within their power to support systemic changes that effectively end the death penalty.
Storm Eunice batters Europe killing at least nine people
Storm Eunice and its powerful winds killed people with fallen trees, flying debris, and gusts that blew a man overboard.
Fox Reporter Shuts Down Colleague Who Linked Ukraine Crisis to Durham Report
via Fox NewsA Fox News host who brought up the Durham report to suggest that tensions between Ukraine and Russia are being exaggerated by Biden administration officials for political purposes was put in her place by the network’s national security correspondent.After hearing President Biden say...
US securities agency denies claims it's harassing Elon Musk
U.S. securities regulators responded to allegations that they are harassing Tesla CEO Elon Musk, writing in a letter that they’re following a judge’s instructions in trying to speak with Musk's lawyers about his posts on Twitter
Do crime apps and viral videos stop bystanders from helping?
Popular use of mobile phone cameras and apps fans fears of a digitally charged "bystander effect".
www.bbc.com
Mexico to Sen. Cruz: At least our candidates accept defeat
Cruz has accused Mexico of “undermining the rule of law."
spectrumlocalnews.com
Is this the year of the angry parent? The GOP hopes so.
Republicans want the midterm elections this fall to be the year of the angry parent, and they believe they can channel that frustration against Democrats and use it to retake control of Congress.
'A sad day for Canada': 100-plus arrested as police in Ottawa target Freedom Convoy
OTTAWA, ONTARIO — More than 100 protesters, including four organizers of the Freedom Convoy, have been arrested as law enforcement and tactical teams from multiple Canadian jurisdictions worked Friday to clear demonstrations in the capital city.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Videos hint at Russian information war targeting Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The videos posted online Friday by Russia-backed separatists announced an “immediate evacuation” due to what they claimed was a threat of imminent attack by Ukraine.
apnews.com
Sweeney calls legislative deal map 'political malpractice' - New Jersey Globe
Former Senate President Steve Sweeney today slammed the Democratic members on the Apportionment Commission for agreeing to a deal map, saying that they
newjerseyglobe.com
Virginia sheriff furious over surprise Biden plan to fly in thousands of Afghans
A Northern Virginia sheriff is furious with the Biden administration for springing plans on him to fly thousands more Afghan nationals into his county in an operation set to begin Saturday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Oregon City teens go from 'Outsiders' to political insiders
Inspired by reading 1967 coming-of-age novel, middle school students present ideas for vacant lot to city officials
Authorities consider reinstalling fence around Capitol ahead of possible convoy protest
The fence is the same barrier that remained around the Capitol for months after the Jan. 6 riot and during the “Justice for J6” rally.
www.nbcnews.com
American Airlines scales back international flights after Boeing fails to deliver promised planes
American Airlines is scaling down its international flights this summer due to delays in promised aircraft from Boeing. The airline announced Friday that it will temporarily suspend flights be…
thehill.com
GOP lawmakers are pushing high-tech 'fraud-proof' ballots. A Texas company could be the only supplier.
Holographic foil. Special ink designed to be sensitive to temperature changes. Nearly invisible "stealth numbers" that can be located only using special ultraviolet or infrared lights. Those are among the high-tech security features that would be required to be embedded on ballots under measures...
‘Listen to our pleas’: Beirut blast victims demand global support
Relatives call for international inquiry to help push forward a floundering local investigation into the explosion.
Bill Maher rails against school mask mandates for kids: 'Creating a generation of Howie Mandels'
The "Real Time" host argued children are the 'least vulnerable' to COVID.
Stop using these baby formulas, the FDA says, after 4 infants are hospitalized
Abbott Nutrition voluntarily recalled some powdered formulas sold under the Similac, Alimentum and EleCare brands. The FDA is investigating links to four bacterial infections, one of which was fatal.
www.npr.org
Canadian clergy rebuke Trudeau for invoking Emergencies Act, other 'tyrannical actions'
A group of Canadian clergy sent an open letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this week rebuking him for invoking the Emergencies Act to quell the Freedom Convoy and for other actions they described as “tyrannical.”
Family: Judge in Potter case swayed by 'white woman tears'
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The judge who sentenced white former Officer Kim Potter on Friday to two years in prison for killing Black motorist Daunte Wright cited the difficult job that police face — and Potter's remorse — as justification for giving her a light sentence.
apnews.com
China charges blogger with insulting Korean War dead
A popular figure on Chinese social media has been arrested on charges he made an insulting pun about Chinese soldiers who froze to death during a Korean War battle
Democratic Candidate Blames Deranged Slumber-Party Tirade on Sleep Meds
Photo Courtesy of KFORA Democrat running for Congress in Oklahoma is taking a wild stab at damage control after reports that she got drunk during a Valentine-themed slumber party for tweens, subjected the girls to a string of insults and curses, and vomited in a hamper.Abby Broyles, a former...
Arrested after a fatal stabbing, a Utah man told police he brought a gun to Capitol riot
“I was in the D.C. riots. You can look me up, OK?” John Emanuel Banuelos told police after he was arrested last July, according to newly obtained records.
www.nbcnews.com
Can London Breed bring back San Francisco?
San Francisco Mayor London Breed recently launched a law-and-order crusade in the famously progressive city.
Lindsey Pearlman, television actress, found dead after being reported missing | CNN
Lindsey Pearlman, an actress known for her work in television series like "Chicago Justice" and "Empire," was found dead in Los Angeles on Friday, days after she was reported missing, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
7-year-old girl fatally shot while in a vehicle with her mother and sister in Arizona | CNN
A 7-year-old girl was fatally shot while in a vehicle with her mother and 5-year-old sister in Glendale, Arizona, on Thursday morning, and Terriance D. Armstrong Jr., 29, has been arrested in connection with the shooting, according to Glendale Police.
MLB calls off first week of spring training games due to player lockout
Major League Baseball announced in a release on Friday that it would be calling off the first week of spring training games, citing the lack of a collective bargaining agreement with Major Lea…
thehill.com
Panel denies US skaters' appeal to get Olympic silver medals
BEIJING (AP) — Arbitrators have rejected a last-ditch request by American figure skaters to have their silver medals awarded before the end of the Olympics. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said early Sunday in Beijing that it dismissed the appeal by the nine skaters, who finished second in...
apnews.com
Republicans Invent Reasons to Blame Biden for Ukraine
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/GettyIt’s crunch time for leaders around the world to thwart a Russian attack on Ukraine. But Republicans in Washington seem to think the entire situation is President Joe Biden’s fault—at least, that’s what they’re trying to convince...
Dallas man arrested in 1984 killing of aspiring model
Authorities say they arrested a 60-year-old Dallas man on a capital murder charge in the 1984 killing of a 21-year-old woman after linking him to the crime through genealogical databases
Here's why a whole group of men is being overlooked in the workforce
The labor shortage has been a defining feature of the pandemic job market and it's not getting better any time soon. But there is a whole group of workers who are being overlooked even though they could be part of the solution.
Behind China's Olympics, the saga of a chained woman unfolds
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The post, on China's Weibo social platform, resembled many others posted by official media during these Olympics — an ode to freestyle skier Eileen Gu, known to Chinese as Gu Ailing.
apnews.com
Mexican army sends anti-mine squads to cartel turf war zone
Special squads of Mexican army troops equipped with metal detectors and bomb suits have been deployed to the western state of Michoacan, where warring drug cartels have planted land mines or improvised explosive devices
Las Vegas woman who pushed elderly man off bus, leading to his death, gets prison sentence | CNN
A Las Vegas woman who admitted to pushing an elderly man off a public transit bus in 2019 was sentenced to prison Friday as part of a plea bargain.
George Takei got reparations. He says they 'strengthen the integrity of America'
Eighty years ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed an executive order that sent thousands of Japanese Americans to internment camps. Actor George Takei was among them.
www.npr.org
A fourth Covid-19 shot might be recommended this fall, as officials 'continually' look at emerging data | CNN
As the world approaches the second anniversary of the declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic by the World Health Organization, on March 11, more nations are rolling out -- or are discussing the possibility of -- fourth doses of coronavirus vaccine for their most vulnerable. In the United States...
Climate change: Covid shutdown linked to record rainfall in China
An abrupt drop in emissions due to the pandemic played a key role in record rainfall in China in 2020.
www.bbc.com
Biden request for COVID-19 funds faces resistance from lawmakers
The Biden administration’s request for $30 billion in additional funds to fight COVID-19 is facing resistance from lawmakers.The administration, in talks with lawmakers this week, outlined th…
thehill.com
Bill Gates says there's a better way to fight Covid, future pandemics
In interview with POLITICO, the billionaire philanthropist lays out a battle plan that goes beyond responding to the coronavirus.
www.politico.com
U.S. FDA considers approving a second COVID-19 booster shot -WSJ
U.S. health regulators are looking at authorizing a potential fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the fall, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
www.reuters.com
Police arrest 47 of the remaining protesters in Ottawa | CNN
Police say they have made 47 arrests in Ottawa Saturday as they cleared downtown, a day after a weeks-long protest turned violent.
LA Mayor Eric Garcetti blows off mask controversy: 'This isn't a real story'
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti dismissed criticism he received for defying his city’s indoor mask mandate multiple times at NFL games by saying that the controversy “is not a real story.”
Controversial doctor group touts ivermectin as long COVID treatment: What to know
The Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance lists about 20 medications and therapies as part of its protocol for long COVID-19, with ivermectin at the top.
COVID updates: Hawaii is only state to not announce plans to lift mask mandates
Live updates on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Babies get Covid protection from mothers vaccinated during pregnancy, CDC says
Infants younger than 6 months are 61 percent less likely to be hospitalized from Covid if their mothers got vaccinated while pregnant, CDC data shows.
www.nbcnews.com
Ivermectin doesn't prevent severe disease from Covid-19, new study finds | CNN
The antiparasitic drug ivermectin doesn't prevent severe disease from Covid-19 any more effectively than symptom management and close observation by medical professionals, according to a study published Friday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.
A Nordic country has lifted all restrictions for all travelers | CNN
Norway is now letting in all travelers from all countries, with no testing, quarantine or vaccination requirement. Here's the latest travel news this week from CNN.
Hong Kong reports more than 6,000 new cases in virus surge
HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong reported 15 coronavirus deaths and more than 6,000 confirmed cases for a second day in a surge the Chinese territory’s leader says its overwhelming hospitals.
apnews.com
U.S. surgeon general says he and his family have all tested positive for COVID-19
The nation's top doctor says he and his wife have mild symptoms, while his son has a runny nose and low-grade fever. His daughter also recently tested positive for the virus.
www.npr.org
Shades of the early pandemic as Omicron tests Hong Kong
As hospitals struggle with surge of patients, experts wonder whether Zero COVID policy contributed to city’s problems.
Coronavirus FAQ: Is it a good idea to get COVID before I'm over 60 and at higher risk?
Say you're in your 50s. Maybe you're thinking, it's a good idea to catch SARS-CoV-2 now before you hit your 60s and would be at higher risk of severe illness? Or is that a very bad idea?
www.npr.org
Navajo Nation upholds masking as New Mexico lifts its mandate
While New Mexico’s governor earlier this week announced that the state was lifting its indoor mask mandate, the president of the Navajo Nation told members that the state’s decision did not apply t…
thehill.com
GOP Sen. Roger Wicker announces testing positive for COVID-19 a second time
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) announced on Friday evening that he had tested positive for COVID-19 a second time despite being fully vaccinated.“Today I received a positive test result for COVID-19. …
thehill.com
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