(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Like Hercules and his 12 labors, Democrats’ $1.85 trillion package of social and climate initiatives seems afflicted by a maddening parade of hurdles. Looming ahead is the Congressional Budget Office, which could cause problems that would be messy but probably surmountable.
Trump scores legal wins with one lawsuit dropped and another dismissed
Former President Donald Trump scored two big legal victories Friday and avoided having to sit for a deposition in a defamation lawsuit after former "Apprentice" contestant Summer Zervos agreed to drop her claims, according to a court filing, and a New York judge granted Trump's motion to dismiss...
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Yellen says the labor force participation is "quite depressed" compared to pre-pandemic levels
Yellen pointed to several reasons for an "abnormally low" supply of labor.
www.cbsnews.com
Analysis: Bannon's indictment may mark a turning point
The indictment of former President Donald Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon on charges of criminal contempt of Congress on Friday sent shock waves through Washington -- serving as a powerful warning to other potential witnesses that there will be consequences for defying the House select...
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CEO who threw chair inside Capitol on Jan. 6 gets jail time
The former chief executive of a tech company in suburban Chicago who lost his job after he threw a chair inside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot was sentenced Friday to 30 days imprisonment.
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Federal appeals court keeps on hold Biden's COVID-19 vaccine-or-testing rule for large companies
The legal fight over Biden's vaccine-or-testing mandate for large companies is being waged over whether OSHA's powers extend to battling a virus.
www.usatoday.com
Prove us wrong, activist tells leaders at UN climate talks
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — A Ugandan activist channeled the fears of many young people and vulnerable countries at Thursday's U.N.
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Money, denials and stalling: How Trump, the Mercers and the GOP beat the FEC
The Federal Election Commission has called off its probe into Cambridge Analytica after it was outmaneuvered by lawyers and struggled to gather evidence.
Michael Flynn says 'nothing there' in face of Capitol riot subpoena
Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn claims he has nothing to hide from lawmakers investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Republicans see Trump weakening as Democratic talking point
Republicans are growing increasingly confident that former President Trump won’t be the biggest factor in their effort to win back their House and Senate majorities next year. There’s little doubt …
thehill.com
Gov. Ron DeSantis Is Pushing Bill To Pay Workers Who Refuse To Get Vaccines
The Republican governor is pushing a bill to pay workers who refuse their companies’ requirements to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
COP26 in extra time, as climate negotiators struggle for deal
Thorny issues including funding, cutting gas emission pledges and phasing out coal were unresolved as deadline passed.
Police: Teens driven by racial hatred targeted BLM leader
Authorities say three teenagers driven by racial hatred were behind hoax calls that brought major police responses to the home of one of the leading Black Lives Matter activists in Los Angeles
Ron Klain's retweet of MSNBC anchor's 'ultimate work-around' post was an endorsement, court rules
A federal appeals court ruled that White House chief of staff Ron Klain’s retweet of an MSNBC journalist was an endorsement of her post about a vaccine mandate "work-around," according to a report.
Kinzinger says he hopes Bannon indictment for contempt of Congress 'sends a chilling message'
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, one of two Republicans on the House select committee investigating January 6, said Friday that he hopes a federal grand jury's indictment of Steve Bannon for contempt of Congress "sends a chilling message" to anyone considering not cooperating with the panel.
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Bannon expected to turn himself in, appear in court after indictment for contempt of Congress
Steve Bannon is expected to turn himself in and appear in court after being indicted by a federal grand jury for two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to testify before the January 6 select committee for their investigation into the Capitol riot.
www.nbcnews.com
Jon Gruden sues NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell
Former Raiders coach Jon Gruden alleges in a lawsuit that the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell sought to destroy his career and reputation through a malicious and orchestrated campaign.
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What we learned from the 2nd week of the Kyle Rittenhouse homicide trial
Several legal experts say putting Rittenhouse on the stand was effective for the defense and agree that prosecutors have struggled at times to make their case. Closing arguments are expected Monday.
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Teens charged in arson murder of five Senegalese immigrants targeted wrong Denver home
Five Senegalese immigrants killed in a 2020 arson house fire were targeted by one of the teenagers charged in the case because he mistakenly thought someone at the Denver home had stolen his mobile phone, court testimony showed on Friday.
20 people, 3 dogs rescued from Oregon RV park amid flooding
A storm supercharged by an atmospheric river of rain doused the Pacific Northwest on Friday.
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Former Cuomo aide denies report she was spotted 'making out' with governor
A former secretary for disgraced former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is denying a report that she was spotted “making out” with the governor and is accusing the New York state trooper who made the claim of extortion.
Sister told police that parents accused of murdering daughter, 6, kept girl in cage
The sister told officials she saw Isabella Kalua in a cage with duct tape over her nose and mouth.
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Is 'Free Joe Biden' the answer to Democrats' problems? | CNN Politics
In the wake of a disastrous 2021 election for Democrats, the man charged with keeping his party in the House majority had a very interesting prescription for how make that a reality.
As criticism of GOP infrastructure bill backers grows louder, McCarthy stays quiet
Amid the furor over Rep. Gosar’s violent tweet and threats to Republican lawmakers who backed the bill, some critics of the minority leader say he's been silenced by political ambition.
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Defense attorney in Ahmaud Arbery murder trial apologizes for comments about Black pastors
A defense attorney in the Ahmaud Arbery murder trial apologized a day after he said there shouldn't be "any more Black pastors" in the Glynn County, Georgia, courtroom.
US announces big hike in Medicare premiums
The federal government announced a large hike in Medicare premiums Friday night, blaming the pandemic but also what it called uncertainty over how much it may have to be forced to pay for a pricey and controversial new Alzheimer's drug.
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Western countries slam new Sudan army-led council
US and allies say coup leader’s appointment of ruling body undermines commitment to restore transition to democracy.
Alzheimer's drug cited as Medicare premium jumps by $21.60
WASHINGTON (AP) — Medicare's “Part B” outpatient premium will jump by $21.60 a month in 2022, one of the largest increases ever. Officials said Friday a new Alzheimer's drug is responsible for about half of that.
apnews.com
Vietnam reconsiders methane-emitting rice amid climate crisis
Country says it can no longer be ‘rice first’ as farmers urged to change planting techniques or consider alternatives.
Former 'Apprentice' contestant abruptly drops Trump defamation suit
Trump celebrated the voluntary withdrawal of the Summer Zervos suit, which he said included 'false accusations.'
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Businesswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is apparent winner of Florida primary for late Alcee Hastings' seat
By the narrowest of margins -- just five votes -- businesswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick appears to have won a South Florida Democratic primary to replace the late US Rep. Alcee Hastings in Washington, according to official results reported by the counties.
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Sasse demands answers from Kerry about his investment in fund linked to Chinese slave labor
Sen. Ben Sasse is demanding U.S. climate envoy John Kerry explain his investment in the top shareholder of a firm accused of profiting from Chinese slave labor
Police showed defendants video of Ahmaud Arbery before shooting, Georgia jury hears
Two white men on trial in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery were shown surveillance video of the Black man walking around a half-built house in their southern Georgia neighborhood 12 days before they chased and shot him, a jury heard on Friday.
Bannon indicted on contempt charges for defying 1/6 subpoena
WASHINGTON (AP) — Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, has been indicted on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress after he defied a subpoena from the House committee investigating the violent Jan.
apnews.com
Belarus border: Scrambling for facts in Europe's new crisis
Journalists and aid workers are kept away from the bleak spectacle of migrants on the Polish border.
www.bbc.com
Activist recalls 1971 Manila blast as Marcos Jr candidacy looms
Marcos-era activist longs to return to Philippines after decades in exile but new political changes could spell trouble.
Michigan activist who promoted the use of 'violent resistance' against Israelis announces run for Congress
Huwaida Arraf announced that she would be running for Michigan’s 10th congressional district as a Democrat, a seat currently held by Republican Rep. Lisa McClain.
Summer Zervos drops defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump
Trump had denied the claims he groped her.
Britney freed: Judge dissolves Spears' conservatorship
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Britney Spears is free. A Los Angeles judge on Friday ended the conservatorship that has controlled the pop singer's life and money for nearly 14 years.
apnews.com
Dontae Sharpe: US man wrongfully imprisoned for 26 years pardoned
Dontae Sharpe's pardon follows a BBC documentary on the miscarriage of justice in his case.
www.bbc.com
Staten Island Amazon workers withdraw attempt to unionize
Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, N.Y., have withdrawn their petition for a unionization vote, according to the group leading the effort.Organizers at the facility said late last mon…
thehill.com
Ship-load of 'toxic' Chinese fertilizer causes diplomatic stink
A ship carrying fertiliser from China to Sri Lanka is at the heart of a dispute between both allies.
www.bbc.com
South Dakota governor formally launches reelection campaign
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who's considered a rising star in the Republican Party, formally launched her reelection campaign Friday. “We have been through challenging times but have also accomplished great things together,” Noem said in the statement. “We’ve embraced fiscal responsibility...
How an investigation of the Washington Football Team led to the resignation of the Las Vegas Raiders' head coach
Jon Gruden, who resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders following reports of homophobic, racist and misogynistic emails, was not even a target of the NFL investigation which led to his rapid downfall.
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Yoga studies college professor orders students to use gender pronouns on assignments or grades take a hit
A professor at Loyola Marymount University allegedly warned students that points will be deducted from their grade if they don’t include gender pronouns in their blog posts.
500 Wisconsin National Guardsmen on standby as Rittenhouse trial comes to close
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) said Friday that over 500 Wisconsin Army National Guard troops are reporting for state active duty as the homicide trial for Kyle Rittenhouse comes to a close. In…
thehill.com
Mining the gap: Companies push to find raw materials for electric vehicle boom
KoBold, which hunts for minerals for batteries, is one of many companies founded in recent years to address the various bottlenecks in the broader push toward renewable energy.
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Insanely rare ‘cotton candy’ lobster caught in Maine
“It’s like if you were looking at a beautiful gem. Her shell is like the inside of an oyster — it’s pearlish,” Mark Murrell, founder, CEO and chief curator of Get Maine Lobster said.
thehill.com
Questions have long swirled around who is liable for tragedies at concerts
Organizers have a duty to protect the audience “against an unreasonably dangerous condition... ,” one legal expert said.
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Omar offers joint resolution to block $650M weapons sale to Saudis
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) on Friday introduced a joint resolution aimed at blocking a $650 million U.S. weapons contract to Saudi Arabia authorized by the Biden administration. The Minnesota l…
thehill.com
Lobbyist launches effort to send crypto-friendly politicians to Washington
Rulon & White’s Todd<b> </b>White has been among those at the forefront of the digital currency lobbying scene that exploded this summer.
www.politico.com
Free at last, Britney Spears calls end of conservatorship 'best day ever'
Pop star Britney Spears on Friday regained control of her personal life and her money when a judge ended a 13-year conservatorship that became a cause celebre for fans and critics of an arrangement typically meant to protect the elderly.
Former Chicago-area CEO sentenced to 30 days in prison for role in Jan. 6 attack
A Washington, D.C., federal judge sentenced a former Chicago-area CEO to 30 days in prison on Friday in connection to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, NBC News reported.Bradley Rukstales o…
thehill.com
Homer Plessy, of Supreme Court ruling that upheld segregation, is up for pardon
A Louisiana board has voted to posthumously clear Plessy's conviction for refusing to leave a whites-only train car in New Orleans in 1892. The governor will have the final say.
www.npr.org
A defense lawyer in Arbery's killing says he doesn't want Black pastors in court
An attorney for one of the white men standing trial in the death of Ahmaud Arbery told the judge he doesn't want "any more Black pastors" in court after the Rev. Al Sharpton sat with his family.
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Manchin says he has ‘no idea’ if he’ll run for reelection in 2024
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said on Friday that he has “no idea” if he’ll run for reelection to the Senate in 2024, predicting he’ll make a decision after next year’s midterm election.“I have no ide…
thehill.com
Their lands are oceans apart but are linked by rising, warming seas of climate change
Photographer Vlad Sokhin's latest work, Warm Waters, is an exploration of climate change traveling across 18 countries and off-the-map territories seen by seldom few.
www.npr.org
Taylor Swift fans revel in ‘All Too Well’ film lyrics, clues
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift's fans know how to look for careful clues and Easter eggs in her lyrics and music videos, so anticipation was high when the pop star dropped a short film going deeper into her romantic life on a fan favorite song.
apnews.com
A 105-year-old runner created a new age bracket for the 100m — and set the record
Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins crossed the finish line in 1:02:95. "It was wonderful to see so many family members and friends. But I wanted to do it in less than a minute," she said.
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Chicago closes schools for a day so students can get vaccinated
Students got the day off in Chicago Friday as part of a mass vaccination campaign.
Japan adding more hospital beds in plan for next virus surge
TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese government's preparations for the next virus surge include adding thousands more hospital beds to avoid a situation like last summer when many COVID-19 patients were forced to stay home, even while dependent on oxygen deliveries.
apnews.com
After J&J, more people opt for Pfizer or Moderna booster
More people who were originally vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson are "mixing and matching" for their booster.
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Europe and Russia battle a new wave of COVID-19
More lockdowns are in the offing, as Germany and Austria shatter daily case counts and Russia has become become the world leader in new COVID-19 deaths.
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Federal appeals court halts Biden's COVID-19 vaccine rule for large businesses
The decision is a victory for a group of states and businesses that say it's an overreach of the president's authority.
www.cbsnews.com
Vaccine holdouts are caving to mandates — then scrambling to 'undo' it
As mandates spread, anti-vaccine groups have been trafficking in pseudoscience treatments meant to remove or counteract the vaccines. Experts say it's like trying to "unring a bell."
www.nbcnews.com
Tennessee governor signs law restricting COVID-19 mandates
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) on Friday signed into law legislation limiting the power that schools, agencies and businesses in the state have to enforce COVID-19 restrictions.The law, whic…
thehill.com
COVID-19 hot spots offer sign of what could be ahead for US
The contagious delta variant is driving up COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Mountain West and fueling disruptive outbreaks in the North, a worrisome sign of what could be ahead this winter in the U.S.
apnews.com
Vienna brothel offers free entry to visitors willing to get Covid jab on-site
On Friday, the Austrian chancellor announced that the country would be imposing a lockdown for unvaccinated residents in two regions hit hardest by the latest surge.
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Messonnier, Birx detail political interference in last year's coronavirus response
WASHINGTON _ The Trump administration repeatedly interfered with efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year to issue warnings and guidance about the evolving coronavirus pandemic, six current and former health officials told congressional investigators in recent...
Nursing homes can now lift most COVID restrictions on visits
The federal government directed nursing homes to open their doors wide to visitors, easing many remaining pandemic restrictions.
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How Covid antiviral pills work and what that could mean for the pandemic
Oral antivirals show huge promise for treating Covid-19. Here’s what they do in the body to fight the virus.
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Coronavirus FAQ: I just got a booster. Can I go back to my pre-pandemic routines?
Does a booster shot mean that you can return to your old normal? Or is there still a newish kind of normal to face?
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California police officer dies of Covid while on leave for missing vaccination deadline
As of Friday, 97.2 percent of the San Francisco Police Department were in compliance with the city's vaccination mandate, a police department spokesperson said.
www.nbcnews.com
Disease center urges Germans to cancel or avoid big events
BERLIN (AP) — Germany's disease control center is calling for people to cancel or avoid large events and to reduce their contacts as the country's coronavirus infection rate hits the latest in a string of new highs.
apnews.com
VIRUS DIARY: Thwarted at the finish line, but finding luck
HADDONFIELD, N.J. (AP) — There it was, the finish line, beckoning me to cross it. There I was, running at top speed, eager to be over it. I'd been on my best behavior since March 2020, when the pandemic reached the United States.
apnews.com
Not out of the woods: COVID cases rising in Western Europe
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Santa won't be getting his traditional welcome in the Dutch city of Utrecht this year. The ceremonial head of Carnival celebrations in Germany's Cologne had to bow out because he tested positive for COVID-19.
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