(AP Photo/Abdullah Sahil)
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban on Saturday ruled out cooperation with the United States to contain extremist groups in Afghanistan, staking out an uncompromising position on a key issue ahead of the first direct talks between the former foes since America withdrew from the country in August.
Here's why Democrats should be worried about the next election | CNN Politics
American politics is in a state of high flux and both parties are searching, painfully, for balance.
www.cnn.com
Texas clinics cancel abortions after court reinstates ban
Texas abortion clinics are canceling appointments they had booked during a 48-hour reprieve from the nation’s most restrictive abortion law.
apnews.com
China's Xi calls for 'peaceful' reunification with Taiwan
Chinese leader Xi Jinping says reunification with Taiwan will happen peacefully, despite a recent ratcheting up of military threats against the self-governing island
Internal battles heat up over Biden agenda
Democrats are plotting their next moves on a massive social spending package that advances much of President Biden’s economic agenda, but they’ll also have to resolve several internal battles that …
thehill.com
McConnell seizes on debt standoff to undermine Biden agenda
During the recent standoff over the nation's debt limit, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell showed just how far he'll go to stop President Joe Biden’s agenda.
apnews.com
‘Battered on trust, doubted on leadership’: A ‘brutal’ poll for Biden shows no easy fix
If these polls and others like them are any indication, Team Biden needs to make some serious changes, and quickly.
thehill.com
Texas executions face delays over religious rights claims
Executions in the nation’s busiest capital punishment state face delays amid legal questions over Texas’ refusal to allow spiritual advisers to touch people as they are being put to death
The real debate among Democrats over Biden's agenda is just beginning
With a debt ceiling crisis punted until December, Democrats are turning their sights back to their own agenda, a move that will shake the party's resolve and test whether it can make hard choices and compromise a reality.
Dems fear Sinema's still not there on a prescription drug plan
The senator's office says she's 'carefully reviewing' the proposals. But time's running out.
www.politico.comBenefits for All or Just the Needy? Manchin's Demand Focuses Debate.
WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has a ready retort to fellow Democrats who say shrinking the party’s social safety net bill will mean depriving vulnerable populations of critical resources: Limit access to every program in the ambitious measure to only those Americans who need it most...
Pelosi and Pope Francis meet amid push for action on climate change
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Pope Francis met Saturday, the same day the pontiff gave a speech calling on lawmakers in countries around the world to act on climate change. “Hi…
thehill.com
U.S. and Taliban hold first talks since Afghanistan withdrawal
The two parties will be discussing containment of extremist groups in Afghanistan and easing evacuation of foreign citizens and Afghans from the country, officials from both sides said.
www.cbsnews.com
Banisadr, Iran’s first president after 1979 revolution, dies
Banisadr’s family said in a statement online Saturday that he died in a hospital in Paris after a long illness.
www.politico.com
Trump slams Biden's 'socialist' spending package, airs grievances at Iowa rally
Former President Donald Trump attacked President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion "socialist" spending "monstrosity" on all fronts, from economy to immigration to energy, while continuing his long-standing criticism of the 2020 election and attacks on political foes.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Growing number of Democrats endorse abolishing debt limit altogether
Congress is on the verge of narrowly averting a catastrophic debt default — and some Democrats want it to be for the last time.The calls for taking the near-annual fight out of lawmakers’ hands are…
thehill.com
Trump returns to Iowa to boost 2022 Republicans, but trip lays 2024 marker
The 2022 midterm elections will be front and center as former President Trump holds a rally in Iowa on Saturday – his first in the competitive central plains state since last year’s election. But in a state whose caucuses for half a century have kicked off the presidential nominating process...
Advocates frustrated by shrinking legal migration under Biden
With Democrats’ immigration plans sputtering in Congress, some advocates are increasingly frustrated the Biden administration isn’t taking advantage of existing legal pathways for t…
thehill.com
Mitch McConnell stiff-arms Trump as ex-president calls for his demotion
Sen. Mitch McConnell has stiff-armed Donald Trump at every turn since the former president exited the White House, ignoring his policy demands and disregarding attempts to oust him as the minority leader.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Largest Hispanic civil rights advocacy organization severs ties to Facebook
Whistleblower revelations from a Facebook ex-employee were the “breaking point" forcing UnidosUS to cut ties with the company and “protect the Latino communities we advocate for."
www.nbcnews.com
Pelosi meets pope as abortion debate rages back home
Pope Francis met on Saturday with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Catholic who has come under criticism from some bishops in the United States for her support for abortion rights.
Trump holds Iowa rally as poll in early voting state shows strong support
Former president stays quiet on possible 2024 White House runThe silence of Trump: how Twitter’s ban is cramping his style Donald Trump speaks in Des Moines, Iowa. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images Donald Trump returned to Iowa on Saturday for a campaign-style rally, on the heels of a poll...
Pilot union warns of staffing shortages if American Airlines refuses vaccination exemptions
The union representing pilots for American Airlines warned the company could face a staffing shortage ahead of the busy holiday travel season if it implements a stringent COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Pope to lawmakers: Climate change requires quick consensus
Pope Francis is urging lawmakers worldwide to overcome “the narrow confines” of partisan politics to quickly reach consensus on fighting climate change.
apnews.com
Lebanon left without power as grid shuts down
The two largest power stations shut down, leaving Lebanon without electricity nationwide.
www.bbc.com
A global fight looms over Kratom, a possible opioid alternative
The U.S. government has twice tried to classify kratom as a controlled substance, but public outcry and pushback from Congress thwarted those efforts.
www.politico.com
EXPLAINER: The Texas abortion law's swift impact, and future
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Most abortions in Texas are banned again after clinics that had raced to provide them during a two-day legal reprieve canceled appointments Saturday following a whiplash appeals court ruling
apnews.com
Ex-Trump aide Dan Scavino finally served Jan. 6 subpoena: report
Former Trump aide Dan Scavino has been served his subpoena from the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol after an extended struggle to find him, CNN reported on Satur…
thehill.com
Local school boards emerge as hot races in November election
Races for local school board seats have emerged as intense political battlegrounds in the upcoming Nov. 2 elections across the U.S.
apnews.com
Trump endorses re-election of Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley
Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday endorsed the re-election campaign of Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who is seeking an 8th term through the 2022 U.S. midterm election.
Xi vows Taiwan ‘reunification’, but holds off threat of force
Chinese leader’s latest statement comes amid repeated incursions of Taiwan’s air defence identification zone.
Garland son-in-law’s company recommends article calling Trump fans white supremacists
The left-wing education company co-founded by Merrick Garland’s son-in-law used a training session for teachers focused on “systemic racism," recommending an article that referred to Trump rally-goers as “examples of white supremacy” akin to the Ku Klux Klan.
www.washingtonexaminer.comJFK's secret weapon in the Cold War: James Bond
The pandemic has been tough on Her Majesty's most iconic secret agent. James Bond was primed to hit theaters with "No Time to Die" - the 25th installment in the franchise - way back in April 2020. But then a mysterious new virus known as SARS-CoV-2 put 007 out of commission. The release of "No...
'Dangerous times': 4 federal agents shot this week
'Dangerous times': 4 federal agents shot this week
U.S. appeals court temporarily reinstates enforcement of Texas' restrictive abortion law
A three-judge panel says the statute, known as Senate Bill 8, is back in effect while the full court considers the state's appeal.
www.nbcnews.com
China's president vows 'reunification' with Taiwan amid tensions
“The historical task of the complete reunification of the motherland must be fulfilled," President Xi Jinping said.
www.nbcnews.com
US, Chinese trade officials hold virtual meeting, discuss ‘Phase 1’ deal
U.S. and Chinese trade officials held a virtual meeting on Saturday where they discussed the “Phase 1” deal made between the countries when former President Trump was in office.China’s Commerc…
thehill.com
Taliban, US discuss opening ‘a new page’ in their ties
Humanitarian situation and the implementation of the 2020 US-Taliban agreement on agenda in talks held in Doha.
Sen. Blackburn tours border, says crisis ‘cannot continue’ as she calls on Biden admin to step up
MISSION, Texas — Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., saw firsthand the situation on the southern border on Friday, and called on the Biden administration to take action,
Police face a 'crisis of trust' with Black motorists. One state's surprising policy may help.
Seeking to end racially biased policing, Virginia banned officers from pulling people over for such infractions as broken taillights. Police chiefs aren't happy.
www.nbcnews.com
Texas abortion ban is back, for now. It's 'chaos' for patients, advocates say.
Abortion providers and advocates say while they were bracing for the latest step in the abortion rights battle, the whiplash has devastating effects.
www.usatoday.com
Ethiopian troops intensify strikes against Tigray forces: Reports
Air and ground bombardment against Tigrayan forces has intensified in Amhara region, TPLF spokesman says.
Democrats have a midterm turnout problem. Being more liberal won't help. | CNN Politics
Democrats are likely to have a turnout issue in 2022… Democrats should keep in mind that the Democratic voters likely to sit out 2022 are not the left-wing base. They’ll probably be more moderate and mainstream Democrats.
www.cnn.com
Kyrsten Sinema has rankled fellow Democrats, but will it matter in her home state of Arizona?
Democrats are angry with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema for her opposition to Biden's agenda, but experts say she campaigned on being a moderate.
Sebastian Kurz: Austrian leader resigns amid corruption inquiry
Sebastian Kurz denies allegations he used government money for party political purposes.
www.bbc.com
Rare canine that looks like a lion is the most expensive dog in the world
The Tibetan mastiff is known for its long, golden coats and flowing lion-like mane.
thehill.com
How 'Let's Go Brandon!' became a national social media sensation
Supporters of former President Trump have turned the chant “Let’s Go Brandon” into a massive social media viral trend that has shown up at sporting events, airports, memes, all the way to the former president’s Saturday rally in Iowa.
As stocks soar to historical highs, some experts say conditions ripe for correction
One overvaluation indicator is higher than it was on Black Tuesday.
Obama Center neighbors still waiting for housing protection
Despite aiming to benefit historically underprivileged communities of color, housing experts say without timely and robust housing protections, the center may become a catalyst for displacement.
www.nbcnews.com
Looming power ‘crisis’ in Indian capital amid coal shortages
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says major coal-fired power stations have barely a day’s stock left.
Army general who commanded in Iraq dies of cancer at age 67
The family of Raymond T. Odierno, a retired Army general who commanded American and coalition forces in Iraq at the height of the war, says he has died of cancer.
apnews.com
North Carolina lieutenant governor says he "will not back down" amid calls to resign for calling LGBTQ+ education "filth"
"There's no reason anybody anywhere in America should be telling any child about transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth," Robinson said in a recently resurfaced video.
www.cbsnews.com
Veteran NYPD officer chases down alleged teenage phone thief: 'You guys are f---ing fast'
A teenager accused of stealing a phone from an unsuspecting subway rider realized the hard way that he wasn’t fast enough to keep up with a nearby transit cop.
Lebanon's central electricity grid shuts down as fuel shortages continue
The stoppage of two major power plants leaves generators as the country's only power source, endangering hospital patients and the water supply. Officials expect the outages to last for several days.
www.npr.org
What abortion access looks like in America even before the Supreme Court reconsiders Roe v. Wade | CNN Politics
The blockbuster clash over Roe v. Wade now in front of the Supreme Court comes after a successful, decades-long guerrilla warfare campaign by the anti-abortion movement to attack access to the procedure around the edges.
www.cnn.com
Teacher accused of telling students they could be 'field slaves' resigns
"She had them raise their hand during a constitutional lesson and reminded them that if it wasn’t for the Constitution, they would be her slaves," one parent said.
www.nbcnews.com
South Korea can’t look away from the truths in ‘Squid Game’
“Koreans love to be No. 1, but No. 1 at the cost of kind of airing your dirty laundry is a somewhat different thing," said Professor CedarBough Saeji.
www.nbcnews.com
California woman who received $4.9M after police killed her son arrested for buying guns for other son, gang
A Fresno, California area woman who received a nearly $5 million settlement after the police killed her son has been arrested for using some of that money to buy guns for another son and gang members.
Suspect arrested in fatal shooting of officer outside police department in Georgia
Dylan Harrison, who leaves behind a wife and 6-month-old baby, working his first shift, authorities said.
AG Garland's son-in-law's company issues 'resource' claiming Trump supporters are White supremacists
An education company co-founded by Merrick Garland's son-in-law issued a "resource" for teachers this year which claimed supporters of former President Donald Trump are White supremacists.
Man who drove truck onto sidewalk gets beaten, dies near LA
Authorities say a man died after he tried to hit people on a sidewalk with his truck, crashed against a building and then was pulled out and beaten by the group near Los Angeles
Ruling party narrowly loses Czech vote; PM Babis may be out
Prime Minister Andrej Babis’s centrist party has narrowly lost the Czech Republic’s parliamentary election, a surprise development that could mean the end of the populist billionaire’s reign in power.
apnews.com
Czech elections: PM Andrej Babis looks set to lose power
Two opposition coalitions could oust Prime Minister Andrew Babis and his ruling party.
www.bbc.com
Kurz to quit as Austrian chancellor amid corruption probe
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says he will step down in a bid to defuse a government crisis triggered by prosecutors’ announcement that he is a target of a corruption investigation.
apnews.com
Key Iraq War strategist and former Army chief Raymond Odierno dies at 67
Retired Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, who commanded U.S. and coalition forces during the Iraq war, has died at the age of 67. “It is with deep regret that I can confirm the death of General Raymond…
thehill.com
Will industrial-scale bitcoin mining impact the environment?
The opportunity to make big money is attracting huge investments to industrial-scale bitcoin mining, with thousands of supercomputer mining machines and enormous energy demand.
www.cbsnews.com
Hunter Biden art pieces go for $75K each at LA show: report
Hunter Biden’s artwork reportedly sold for $75,000 apiece before his official New York City art show even opened.
FEC won’t take action against RNC for its spending on Trump’s Russia probe lawyers | CNN Politics
The Federal Election Commission won’t take action against the Republican National Committee for how it paid for the lawyers who represented then-President Donald Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr., in the various Russia investigations.
www.cnn.com
NFL condemns "appalling" racist comment coach Jon Gruden made in 2011 email
Gruden wrote about Smith in an email to Bruce Allen, who was the then-president of Washington's NFL team, 10 years ago.
www.cbsnews.com
Arizona's Ducey, accused of misusing COVID relief money, blasts Biden admin 'overreach'
Arizona's Gov. Doug Ducey accused the Biden administration of "federal overreach" this week after the Treasury Department said the state's educational grants specifically allocated for schools without mask mandates were an improper use of federal coronavirus relief money.
American Airlines flight deplanes on taxiway in NY due to ‘passenger behavior’
An American Airlines flight underwent an emergency evacuation on an airport taxiway Saturday in New York “in response to passenger behavior near the end of the flight,” according to Republic Airway…
thehill.com
On patrol with a real-life Robocop
Police are using a robot to fight crime in Los Angeles.
www.bbc.com
3-year-old boy who vanished near Texas home found alive, officials say
A 3-year-old boy in Texas who has been missing since Wednesday has been found alive, officials said Saturday.
Working for firms owned by private-equity moguls can mean lower wages
Workers at some fast-food chains owned by public firms are getting better wages now. It’s a different story at restaurants owned by private-equity firms.
www.nbcnews.com
Former Trump aide Dan Scavino served January 6 committee subpoena after struggle to locate him | CNN Politics
Former Trump aide Dan Scavino has been served a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, a source familiar with the matter told CNN, bringing an end to the panel’s struggle to physically locate him.
www.cnn.comPassenger detained at LaGuardia after flight evacuated
Authorities are interviewing a passenger who prompted the pilot of a Republic Airways flight to stop the aircraft short of its intended gate at New York's LaGuardia Airport
Photos from NASA's Perseverance rover indicate ancient flash floods on Mars
The floodwaters dragged giant boulders dozens of miles, from the mountains to the end of an ancient river delta.
www.cbsnews.com
Lawmakers push default threat into December, as Trump calls for McConnell's ouster
McConnell and President Biden spoke on Friday evening, a day after the Senate voted on a short-term extension of the debt ceiling.
www.cbsnews.comColombian nun kidnapped in Mali in 2017 is freed
Mali's presidency says a Colombian nun who was kidnapped more than four years ago by al-Qaida-linked extremists in Mali has been freed
Kamala Harris skips US-Mexico border-security meeting, goes to New Jersey instead
Several top members of the Biden administration were in Mexico City on Friday for a meeting with Mexican officials regarding security along the U.S.-Mexico border. But Vice President Kamala Harris wasn't among them.
UK eyes 'walk me home' phone-tracker to protect lone women
A top British government official is backing a phone company’s proposal for a new tracking service to help protect girls and women walking alone
Adele says new album will explain her divorce to her young son
The pop superstar gives her first interviews for five years, ahead of the release of her new album.
www.bbc.com
Son of Indian junior minister arrested after vehicle kills farmers
The son of an Indian junior minister was arrested on Saturday after farm leaders accused him of being in the car that killed several farmers earlier this week, The Associated Pr…
thehill.com
US reports highest weekly COVID-19 vaccinations since July 4
The United States has been facing a COVID-19 surge as the more contagious delta variant continues to spread.
Russians flock to Serbia for Western-made COVID-19 vaccines
Russians are flocking to Serbia to receive Western-approved COVID-19 shots. Although Russia has its own vaccine, known as Sputnik V, international health authorities haven't approved its use
apnews.com
Are COVID-19’s big waves over? Experts are split
Experts are split on whether the waning delta surge will be the last major COVID-19 wave to strike the U.S., as Americans grow eager for the pandemic to end after 19 months. The vaccination ra…
thehill.com
GOP doc dispenses sketchy medical advice on virus immunity
Roger Marshall won't let people forget he’s a doctor. That's clear because the obstetrician puts “Doc” in the letterhead of his U.S. Senate office news releases.
apnews.com
LSU will no longer require COVID-19 vaccine or negative test to enter Tiger Stadium
Life for Louisiana State University students just got a little easier, with the school announcing on Friday it will no longer require proof of vaccination or a negative test against COVID-19 to enter its stadium.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Covid vaccine: Why these US workers won't get jabbed
A teacher, a nurse and an IT worker say why they would rather lose their jobs than get jabbed.
www.bbc.com
Allen West, Texas GOP gubernatorial hopeful, has COVID-19
A tea party firebrand who is running for the Republican nomination for governor of Texas says he has received monoclonal antibody injections after being diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia.
apnews.com
Over 30,000 home health care workers miss vaccination deadline in New York
Over 30,000 home health care workers have missed a Thursday deadline to receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, The New York Times reported, citing preliminary data. The prelim…
thehill.comLocal school boards emerge as hot races in November election
Races for local school board seats have emerged as intense political battlegrounds in the upcoming Nov. 2 elections across the U.S.
apnews.com
Singapore to allow quarantine-free travel for UK and other nations
The island says it is easing Covid restrictions, and will allow vaccinated travellers from 11 countries.
www.bbc.com
EMS services warn of 'crippling labor shortage' undermining 911 system
“We’re not bleeding any longer — we’re hemorrhaging,” one ambulance service operator said of a decadelong worker shortage exacerbated by the pandemic.
www.nbcnews.com
