

“It's just a fact that the trifecta doesn't come around very often, and doesn't last very long ... whatever our window is,
we have to understand that it's fleeting,” said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

There's only a few legislating weeks left before year's end, the familiar point at which dealmaking typically hardens into gridlock before a midterm.

17 missionaries, including 5 children, kidnapped in Haiti, ministry says
Seventeen missionaries, including five children, have been kidnapped in Haiti, according to the ministry the group is affiliated with.

Gang with past abductions blamed for kidnapping missionaries
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A notorious Haitian gang known for brazen kidnappings and killings was accused by police Sunday of abducting 17 missionaries from a U.S.-based organization. Five children were believed to be among those kidnapped, including a 2-year-old.


Risky business: Some Capitol riot defendants forgo lawyers
Some of the defendants charged in the storming of the U.S. Capitol are turning away defense lawyers and electing to represent themselves, undeterred by their lack of legal training or repeated warnings from judges.


Policies at southern border pushing migrants to take greater risks, advocates say
Migrants are pushing the boundaries and deaths are rising.

The secret Supreme Court: Late nights, courtesy votes and the unwritten 6-vote rule | CNN Politics
Much of the US Supreme Court’s business occurs in private, but there are some customs everyone should know


Manchin lays down demands for child tax credit: report
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has reportedly laid down new red lines for the Democrats’ multitrillion-dollar reconciliation bill, this time making demands regarding the expanded child tax credit provi…


Analysis: In Build Back Better fight, progressives have to give a lot to get a little
Analysis: They will end up with less than what President Joe Biden proposed. The question is whether they will gain anything at all.


Jon Stewart warns more risks to the political system than Trump
“I don’t know if autocracy is purely the domain of Donald Trump,” he said.


China slams US, Canada for sending warships through Taiwan Strait
Beijing’s angry reaction comes after a US destroyer and Canadian frigate sailed through the narrow waterway.

Confronting his critics, Christopher Steele defends controversial dossier in first major interview
British ex-spy Christopher Steele is opening up about his bombshell 2016 dossier in the ABC News documentary "Out of the Shadows: The Man Behind the Steele Dossier."


Bill Clinton back home after hospitalization from infection
ORANGE, Calif. (AP) — Bill Clinton arrived Sunday at his home in New York to continue recovering from an infection that left him in treatment for six days at a Southern California hospital, officials said.


Pentagon, State Department square off on Afghanistan accountability
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say constant finger-pointing between the Pentagon and State Department is making it difficult to get a full accounting of the messy withdrawal from Afghanistan.…


Coast Guard: 1,200-foot ship dragged California oil pipeline
Investigators believe a 1,200-foot (366-meter) cargo ship dragging anchor in rough seas caught an underwater oil pipeline and pulled it across the seafloor, months before a leak from the line fouled the Southern California coastline with crude.


Kinzinger doesn't rule out January 6 committee subpoena for Trump | CNN Politics
A Republican on the House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol on Sunday did not rule out issuing a subpoena for former President Donald Trump as it seeks to obtain information from his allies.

With Biden Agenda in Limbo, Democrats Work to Sell an Unfinished Promise
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — When Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., accompanied first lady Jill Biden to the Learning Hub, a newly established early-education center whose walls were covered with vocabulary words in English and Spanish, on a recent Wednesday morning, Wild’s constituents were frank about the many...

Settler attacks wreak havoc on Palestinians during olive harvest
Israeli settlers are committing violent, daily attacks against Palestinians harvesting their olive trees for the season.

House of Representatives staffer faces child porn charges
A man who works for the sergeant-at-arms of the U.S. House of Representatives has been charged with possession of child pornography, according to police.

Why neither party has a sustainable political majority | CNN Politics
Now, there is talk of Democrats potentially being locked out of a Senate majority for a time to come because of trends in the electorate. I am skeptical of this – at least over the long term… leaving this to be a 50/50 country on average.


Facebook plans to hire 10,000 in EU to build 'metaverse'
Facebook says it plans to hire 10,000 workers in the European Union over the next five years to work on a new computing platform

Just-released satellite photos allegedly show Trump’s destruction of sensitive sand dunes despite promises to preserve them
“We will stabilize the dunes. They will be there forever,” Trump had said.


Robert Gates on Afghanistan, his disagreements with President Biden and polarization in the U.S.
Robert Gates, the only secretary of defense to serve under presidents from two different parties, offers Anderson Cooper his unique perspective on the threats facing the United States at home and abroad.


In Virginia, Republicans see education, curriculum fears as a path to victory
Citing both Martin Luther King Jr. and Fox News, Republican Glenn Youngkin has found an issue that animates his base without alienating moderates.


Texas GOP advances new maps that would tighten slipping grip
Texas Republicans on Saturday night closed in on redrawn U.S. House maps that would shore up their eroding dominance as voters peel away from the GOP in the state’s booming suburbs.

400 Mawozo gang kidnapped the missionaries: Haiti police
Gang known as 400 Mazowo said to have abducted 17 foreign missionaries amid increasing lawlessness in troubled nation.

Buttigieg says US supply chain issues will 'certainly' continue into 2022 | CNN Politics
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg predicted on Sunday that supply chain issues facing the US will continue into 2022, but stressed that Congress potentially passing President Joe Biden’s infrastructure proposal is the best way to help alleviate those problems.


China's economic growth weakens amid construction slowdown
BEIJING (AP) — China’s economic growth is sinking under pressure from a construction slowdown and power shortages, prompting warnings about a possible shock to its trading partners and global financial markets.


Harris to discuss drought, climate change at Lake Mead
Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday will visit Lake Mead in Nevada to highlight the problems caused by Western drought

Fauci misled Trump administration on gain-of-function research in Wuhan, book claims
A new book from an investigative Australian reporter dives into how Dr. Anthony Fauci reportedly misled the Trump administration on gain-of-function research in China.

Covid and critical race theory: Sleepy school board races are waking up
School board meetings became battlegrounds during the pandemic. Now, the influence of PACs and outside groups has put a spotlight on the November election.


Los Angeles startup to test hydrogen-powered passenger jet
A startup aiming for carbon-free aviation plans to hold an inaugural test flight powered by its hydrogen fuel cells next year.


Ex-intel official who created controversial Trump Russia dossier speaks out | CNN Politics
Former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, the man behind the “Steele Dossier” that claimed Russian officials held compromising information on former President Donald Trump, defended the claims made in the dossier in his first on-camera interview since it was revealed in 2017.


Belarus: French ambassador leaves Minsk after Minsk expels him
France, among other countries, does not recognise the president's claim to a sixth term.
www.bbc.com

Erdogan says Turkey in talks with US on sale of F-16 fighter jets
Turkish president says the US proposed the sale of F-16 fighter jets in return for its investment in the F-35 programme.
Grocery store shelves bare? These products may be hard to find amid supply chain disruptions
Shopping for groceries should be an easy task, but scarcity on some products are leaving customers frustrated. Here's a few items to watch out for.
www.usatoday.com

Americans among more than 350 passengers who departed Kabul on evacuation flight Sunday | CNN Politics
One of the largest evacuation flights departed Kabul on Sunday with an unknown number of Americans on board and is on its way to Doha, a senior Qatari government official tells CNN.


Volunteers in the sky watch over migrant rescues by sea
ABOARD THE SEABIRD (AP) — As dozens of African migrants traversed the Mediterranean Sea on a flimsy white rubber boat, a small aircraft circling 1,000 feet above closely monitored their attempt to reach Europe.


One dead, seven injured in second shooting at Louisiana university in a week
One person died and seven others were injured in a shooting at Grambling State University in Louisiana early on Sunday, the second such deadly incident on campus in less than a week, the school said.

Billionaire Marc Lore outlines how he will build the inclusive, Utopian desert city Telosa
Billionare Marc Lore wanted to be a farmer as a kid – growing something from nothing. Now, he's trying to do just that with a Utopian city of Telosa.
www.usatoday.com

Cassidy says he won’t vote for Trump if he runs in 2024
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said he will not vote for former President Trump if he wages a bid for the presidency in 2024.Cassidy, during an interview with “Axios on HBO” that aired on Sunday, also d…


Jeffrey Epstein abused and raped Russian woman in months before arrest, lawsuit says
An unidentified Russian woman says the late billionaire Jeffrey Epstein trafficked, abused, raped, and manipulated her in the months leading to his July 2019 arrest, according to a new legal filing.


Coast Guard investigates vessel owner, operator following California oil spill
The operator of the ship that allegedly caused a pipeline to leak thousands of gallons of oil into the Pacific Ocean will be questioned as part of another investigation.

Russia sets condition for return of BBC's Rainsford
Ambassador Andrei Kelin says the BBC reporter can return if Russian journalists gets UK visas.
www.bbc.com

Syrian government, opposition to start drafting constitution
A long-awaited agreement was reached in the UN-mandated talks between the two sides in Switzerland.

Venezuela halts talks after Maduro ally's extradition to U.S.
Venezuela said Saturday it would halt negotiations with its opponents in retaliation for the extradition to the U.S. of a close ally of President Nicolás Maduro.


Supply chain crisis has voters on edge
As the pandemic pushes people toward online shopping websites, consumption has increased dramatically — and supply chains can’t keep up.


How bad can it get? 4 reasons car prices, availability show no signs of improving
The chip shortage during the pandemic has constricted auto production, sending shoppers scrambling to find the new cars, SUVs and pickups they want.
www.usatoday.com

U.S. tells Supreme Court Guantanamo detainee can give limited testimony
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden informed the Supreme Court that a suspected high-ranking al Qaeda figure held at the American naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, could provide limited testimony about his torture at the hands of the CIA.

Fire crews make big gains against Southern California blaze
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — Fire crews made significant progress overnight against a wildfire burning for nearly a week in Southern California coastal mountains, officials said Sunday. More than 1,600 firefighters were battling the blaze in the Santa Ynez Mountains west of Santa Barbara on land...


Israel quietly advances settlements with little US pushback
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel is quietly advancing controversial settlement projects in and around Jerusalem without making major announcements that could anger the Biden administration. Critics say the latest moves, while incremental, pave the way for rapid growth once the political climate changes.


I get abuse and threats online - why can't it be stopped?
Online abuse against women is on the rise, but why aren't the police, government and social media sites doing more to stop it?
www.bbc.co.uk
Cory Booker's constituents leading drive to accomplish criminal justice reform in Congress
Cory Booker highlights how his neighborhood, constituents, and personal experiences fuel his passion to make changes in criminal and police reform.
www.usatoday.com

Stacey Abrams campaigns for McAuliffe in churches: 'Voting is an act of faith'
Voting rights activist Stacey Abrams campaigned for Democratic Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe at Black churches in Norfolk, Va., on Sunday.

How China ate America's lunch as a distracted U.S. focused on terrorism
In 2001, the Bush administration was focused on China and tensions had spiked. The 9/11 attacks were a "geopolitical gift to China,“ says one expert.


The Memo: Conservatives change their tune on big government
Old political orthodoxies are being scrambled by a combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, the influence of former President Trump and the deep current of polarization tearing through the nation.One …


Prince William announces Earthshot Prize awards winners, teases US 2022 award ceremony
Prince William hosted his inaugural awards ceremony, Earthshot Prize, in London on Sunday. He added that the U.S. will host next year's ceremony.
www.usatoday.com

Jill Biden surprises her South Carolina 'prayer partner'
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Jill Biden on Sunday returned to the South Carolina Baptist church where she says she began to repair her relationship with God following her son's death from brain cancer six years ago.


Harris to discuss drought, climate change at Lake Mead
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday will highlight the problems caused by Western drought as she visits Lake Mead in Nevada and makes the case for the Biden administration's infrastructure and climate change proposals that have stalled in Congress.


DC Metro pulling 60% of fleet for Blue Line derailment investigation
D.C. Metro is pulling more than half its fleet of railcars on Monday for an investigation into a derailment on the Blue Line last week.


Kerala floods: At least 26 killed as rescuers step up efforts
Heavy rains cause rivers to overflow in Kerala, washing away homes and trapping people under debris.
www.bbc.com

Hollywood film-crew union reaches tentative deal, averting strike
A union that represents about 60,000 behind-the-scenes workers in film and television reached a tentative deal with producers on Saturday, averting a strike that threatened to cause widespread disruption in Hollywood, negotiators said.

Whitmer vetoes election bills Michigan GOP says will restore faith in elections
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed two Republican-backed election bills, arguing they “fail to advance” secure elections.

Russian actress and director return to Earth after a movie shoot in space
Russians claim another space first with scenes from a movie film aboard the International Space Station.


Father of suspect in UK lawmaker's slaying is 'traumatized'
The father of a man held for the fatal stabbing of a British lawmaker during a meeting with local voters has told British media that he was shocked and “traumatized” by his son’s arrest, as police continue questioning the suspect under terrorism laws

Opinion | Ethiopia Is Plunging Into Chaos. It’s Time for a New Dayton Peace Process.
Millions are starving; atrocities abound. But there’s still time to turn things around — if we act now.


Synthetic chemical in consumer products linked to early death, study finds | CNN
Some synthetic chemicals called phthalates in consumer products may linked to early death, especially from heart disease, a new study has found.


After the Jan. 6 riot, police departments confront the mental health toll of the job
Jeffrey Smith died by suicide days after defending the Capitol on Jan. 6. His widow wants his death counted with those who died in the line of duty.


Schiff reveals assurance from FBI director under Trump
FBI Director Christopher Wray assured Rep. Adam Schiff he would resign before being pressured into "something that wasn't right" under former President Donald Trump, the congressman claims in a new book.


Heavy rains, landslides leave 18 dead in south India
At least 18 people have died a day after torrential rains swept through villages and flooded roads in the southern Indian state of Kerala

U.S. Coast Guard boards ship in connection with California oil spill
The U.S. Coast Guard boarded a container ship on Saturday in the Port of Long Beach that dragged its anchor close to a subsea pipeline found to be the source of an oil spill off Orange County, California, it said in a press release.

England's pubs look for post-pandemic rally
British pubs were on the decline before COVID-19 and the pandemic looked to be last call for these cornerstones of British community life. But as the pandemic winds down and England reopens, the British are realizing just how much they missed their locals.


NASA studying solar array issue with Lucy asteroid probe
One of the Lucy probe's two solar arrays may not have fully deployed and locked in place after launch Saturday.


Sicilian Catholic leaders ban baptismal godparents over abuse by mafia
A part of the Catholic Church in Sicily has issued a three-year ban on naming godparents during baptisms due to exploitation of the tradition by the mafia, among other concerns.


Sen. Ron Johnson hoping for Democratic ‘gridlock’ on reconciliation package
As Democrats continue to feud internally over the content and price tag of President Biden’s proposed $3.5 trillion reconciliation package, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said on Sunday he hopes t…


Supply chain woes are hitting school cafeterias, leaving administrators scrambling to put meals together
The supply chain shortages hitting the entire country are leaving school cafeterias short of items from utensils to syrup packets.


California faced with 'existential' dilemma as state tackles climate change, housing crisis
Trying to figure out how to house 40 million residents while protecting natural resources and dealing with climate change-fueled wildfires and drought.


A Ukrainian Oligarch Bought a Midwestern Factory and Let it Rot. What Was Really Going On?
U.S. prosecutors say the decaying plant was part of a broader scheme to hide millions in stolen dollars across the American Midwest.


FBI seeks information on New Zealand man who allegedly coerced women into making sexually explicit videos | CNN
Michael James Pratt is facing charges including production of child pornography and sex trafficking.


Three dead, including suspect, after man cuts throat of Arkansas officer
A woman was found stabbed to death, and an officer saw the suspect hitting his 15-year-old son in the head with a rock, police said.


'Souls to the polls': Virginia churches to air pro-McAuliffe ads featuring Kamala Harris
Hundreds of churches across Virginia are set to air a political ad starring Vice President Kamala Harris — a move that has raised eyebrows regarding the legality of bringing political campaigns into houses of worship.


1 dead, 7 hurt in shooting during Grambling State University homecoming event
It was the second shooting at the Louisiana school in a matter of days. Classes are canceled on Monday and Tuesday, university officials said.


Labor flexes its muscle as leverage tips from employers to workers | CNN Business
Workers are saying enough is enough.


Protester shot by Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha is now suing Wisconsin authorities
The lawsuit alleges that authorities in Kenosha not only knew that armed vigilantes planned to patrol the protest attended by Black Lives Matter supporters, but also encouraged their participation.


Buttigieg: ‘I’m not going to apologize to Tucker Carlson’
Pete Buttigieg says he’s “not going to apologize to Tucker Carlson” for going on paternity leave from the Transportation Department to care for his adopted two children. R…

Low-Income Voters Were Key To Toppling Trump, Study Finds
Low-income voters helped deliver Joe Biden victories, especially in battleground states, concludes a study by the Poor People's Campaign.

Statue of Robert E. Lee removed from Dallas park now on display at golf course
A statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that the city of Dallas removed from a public park is now on display at a golf course in West Texas, the Houston Chronicle reported.The statue, a 1935 scu…


Betty Lynn, who played Thelma Lou on 'The Andy Griffith Show,' dies at 95 | CNN
Betty Lynn, best known for playing Barney Fife’s girlfriend Thelma Lou on “The Andy Griffith Show,” died Saturday, the Andy Griffith Museum stated. She was 95 years old.


Gambian Toufah Jallow tells of surviving rape by dictator
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Toufah Jallow’s name resonates deeply in Gambia as one of the few women who has taken a public stand against sexual assault in the small West African state. She gained fame at the age of 18 when she won a university scholarship in a national talent competition for young women.



As cops, prison guards and airport workers resist vaccines, showdowns loom
From Chicago to Los Angeles, public-safety workers defy mandates even with COVID-19 a leading cause of duty-related deaths.


The Latest: Fauci dismayed by Texas' move to ban mandates
WASHNGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci is saying Sunday that it is “really unfortunate” that Gov. Greg Abbott has moved to ban vaccine mandates in the state of Texas. The nation’s leading infectious disease doctor, speaking on Fox News Sunday, said that the Republican governor’s decision to block...


J&J recipients should 'feel good' about booster recommendation: Fauci
Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared on ABC's "This Week" Sunday.

Fauci: People 'react against me' when 'truth becomes inconvenient'
Dr. Anthony Fauci has argued that he is an easy target during the coronavirus pandemic because he stands for "science, data and hard facts" rather than "conspiracy theories."

FDA delays Moderna vaccine for adolescents due to risk of rare heart condition
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday it would delay its decision on administration of the Moderna vaccine to adolescents, citing concerns the shot may lead to a heightened risk of a rare heart condition.


These Republicans torpedoed vaccine edicts — then slipped in the polls
New research shows governors in states without vaccine mandates — or where they’ve outright prohibited such a requirement — have “significantly lower” approval ratings for their handling of the coronavirus.


Fauci says FDA data shows J&J vaccine should have been two shots
President Biden’s chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci, said on Sunday that the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine likely should have been a two-dose shot instead of a single inoculation. …


Should COVID-19 vaccines be mandatory?
Experts say vaccines mandates for COVID-19 infringe on freedoms, but may be necessary to protect public health.

It’s time to check antibodies and take the guesswork out of this pandemic
Whether you got vaccinated back in the spring or got COVID-19 last year — or both — are you still protected from the virus?


Fauci tamps down concern about Covid-19 booster review process
The top infectious disease doctor said data gathered in the United States and elsewhere points toward the need for the booster shots.

Challenges mount to president's vaccine mandate
Even as the pandemic appears to be receding, a culture war over vaccine mandates is showing signs of only growing more intense.

The political fight over vaccine mandates deepens despite their effectiveness
Republicans in Texas and Florida are combatting COVID-19 mandates as a matter of personal liberty, even as the data show just how crucial vaccination — and mandates — are to beating the virus.


Tracking Covid-19 cases in the US
Track the spread of coronavirus in the United States with maps and updates on cases and deaths.

Bidens caught violating DC mask mandate at posh Georgetown restaurant
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden were caught violating Washington, D.C.'s indoor mask mandate by walking through a high-end restaurant in Georgetown without masks on Saturday.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker delays COVID vaccine deadline for some state workers
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has pushed back a deadline for some state employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as his office negotiates with the workers' labor unions.