(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection is asking Ivanka Trump, daughter of former President Donald Trump, to voluntarily cooperate as lawmakers make their first public attempt to arrange an interview with a Trump family member.
US escalates pressure on Russia, approving new arms and accusing it of plot against Ukraine
The U.S. on Thursday escalated pressure on Russia, approving new arms transfers and accusing it of a plot against Ukraine.
Georgia prosecutor requests special grand jury in probe of Trump's efforts to overturn election
A Georgia prosecutor has officially requested to seat a special grand jury in a criminal probe of Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Biden issues new warning to Russia over invading Ukraine
GENEVA (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday that any Russian troop movements across Ukraine’s border would constitute an invasion and that Moscow would “pay a heavy price” for such an action.
apnews.com
Trump campaign officials, led by Rudy Giuliani, oversaw fake electors plot in 7 states
Trump campaign officials, led by Rudy Giuliani, oversaw efforts in December 2020 to put forward illegitimate electors from seven states that Trump lost, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the scheme.
www.cnn.com
Supreme Court won't accelerate challenge to Texas abortion law
The move means the Texas ban is likely to remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
www.cbsnews.com
Trump documents will prompt 'very targeted, very specific questions' from House panel probing Jan. 6 attack on Capitol
Trump records including call logs and handwritten notes will provide detail to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
www.usatoday.com
Biden clarifies Ukraine comment that caused uproar: Russian troops crossing border would be 'invasion'
President Biden took time at the beginning of a meeting with his infrastructure task force Thursday to walk back comments he made about Russia at his Wednesday press conference.
Biden approval has sunk most with young Americans and independents - CBS News analysis
Their continued frustration could make Democrats' already tough path to holding Congress this year even more difficult.
www.cbsnews.com
One year in, Biden confronts the limits of his power
Democratic euphoria has faded as the president's ambitious goals have run headlong into the harsh realities of a 50-50 Senate, GOP opposition and a conservative Supreme Court.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden says any Russian troop movement into Ukraine will be seen as an invasion
The president also reiterated that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would be met with a "severe and coordinated economic response" from the U.S. and its allies.
www.nbcnews.com
White House says Biden 'not casting doubt' on 2022 midterms after saying elections could be 'illegitimate'
President Joe Biden said Wednesday the 2022 midterm elections could “easily be illegitimate” if Congress does not pass voting rights legislation.
www.usatoday.com
Joe Biden one year on: Has the United States become ungovernable?
A president who promised to unite the country is unable to bring his own party together.
www.bbc.com
Trump aides feared he would make Capitol riot worse with initial videos, Jan. 6 committee says
A letter from the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection shed new light on the frenzied scene at the White House as supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol.
As Biden predicts Russia will invade, U.S. rushes weapons into Ukraine with some — but not all — NATO allies
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is trying to keep NATO allies on the "same page" after Mr. Biden said it was his "guess" that Putin would order forces to "move in" to Ukraine.
www.cbsnews.com
Americans not hungering for Biden-Trump 2024 presidential election rematch: poll
A new poll indicates that that most Americans are not hoping to see a President Biden versus former President Donald Trump rematch in the 2024 election.
McCarthy open to Electoral Count Act reform
The House GOP leader joins Mitch McConnell in indicating openness to changing a 135-year-old law leveraged by Donald Trump allies.
www.politico.com
States move to front lines in battle over abortion rights with Supreme Court decision looming
Pro-abortion rights advocates are pursuing a multi-pronged offensive to protect access in states with divided governance, where the future of abortion care is less predictable.
www.cbsnews.com
US, Europe present united front before Blinken-Lavrov talks
Washington says any Russian aggression towards Ukraine will be met with a ‘severe, united’ response from the West.
Georgia DA asks for special grand jury in election probe
ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia prosecutor looking into possible attempts to interfere in the 2020 general election by former President Donald Trump and others has asked for a special grand jury to aid the investigation .
apnews.com
Anti-critical race theory activists have a new focus: Curriculum transparency
Conservative activists want schools to post lesson plans online, but free speech advocates warn such policies could lead to more censorship in K-12 schools.
www.nbcnews.com
Lawmakers skewer interim CIA report on Havana Syndrome
“I’m anxious to hear what CIA’s response is going to be," said Sen. Mark Warner.
www.politico.comHow the Hip Hop Caucus is mobilizing voters for 2022
Hip-hop, the most dominant music genre on the U.S. Billboard charts over the last four years, is now increasingly entering the political fray.
Revelations in New York court underscore Trump's legal peril on multiple fronts
Donald Trump is waging legal battles on multiple fronts as the New York attorney general discloses "significant additional evidence" in fraud inquiry.
'Not intending to cast doubt': Psaki cleans up Biden election comments
President Joe Biden wasn't trying to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2022 midterm elections, White House press secretary Jen Psaki clarified on Thursday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Ukraine tension: President Zelensky hits back at Biden comments
Its president bristles at suggestions a "minor" Russian attack may bring a weaker Western response.
www.bbc.com
US sanctions Ukrainian officials accused of helping Russia
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Treasury Department levied new sanctions Thursday against four Ukrainian officials, including two current members of parliament who administration officials say are part of a Russian influence effort to set the pretext for further invasion of Ukraine.
apnews.comDemocratic Senate candidates unite around reforming the filibuster
With the debate over the legislative filibuster raging in Washington, both Democratic Senate challengers and incumbents facing tough reelection efforts are supporting changing the rule.
CIA says 'Havana Syndrome' not result of sustained campaign by enemy
In about two dozen cases, however, the agency can’t rule out foreign involvement, including many of the cases that originated at the U.S. Embassy in Havana beginning in 2016.
www.nbcnews.com
China, Russia block US bid to sanction North Koreans at UN
US is seeking UN travel ban and asset freeze on individuals it says are involved in North Korea’s missile programme.
SEC blocks Anthony Scaramucci’s Bitcoin fund
The proposal would have let investors on the New York Stock Exchange buy shares in a fund backed by the Bitcoin digital currency.
www.politico.com
Black voters in South Carolina voice frustration with Biden's first year in office
Some say they’re disappointed, in particular, with the failure by Democrats to pass key voting rights legislation in the Senate.
www.nbcnews.com
McCarthy draws a K Street crowd
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy hauled in more than $9.5 million at a fundraiser downtown Wednesday night
www.politico.comWith climate change legislation stalled in Congress, states look to pick up the slack
With action to address climate change stalled in Congress, states across the country are ramping up efforts to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Glenn Youngkin cuts to the core of critical race theory
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has realized that the only way to win the battle against critical race theory is by exposing and debunking the ideological foundation upon which it has been built: the idea that equality is determined by outcome rather than opportunity.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Bipartisan senators turn to reforming Electoral Count Act now that voting rights standoff over
With the voting rights standoff over, a group of bipartisan senators is ramping up efforts to reform the old Electoral Count Act after efforts to exploit it on Jan. 6.
Supreme Court deals another setback to abortion providers in latest decision on Texas heartbeat law
The Supreme Court has declined to return Texas' abortion law to a federal court, instead returning it to a state court where it will face additional procedural determinations.
Twitter erupts over image of Fauci's home covered in Fauci paraphernalia
An image showing Dr. Anthony Fauci sitting in his home office surrounded by depictions of himself went viral on Twitter Thursday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Explosion in Ghana town kills 17, destroys hundreds of buildings
Road collision involving explosive-laden truck and motorcycle leaves at least 17 people dead and injures 59 others.
Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman says she almost declined to speak at Biden's inauguration | CNN Politics
Amanda Gorman, the nation's first youth poet laureate, recounted her fears ahead of President Joe Biden's inauguration in an op-ed published exactly one year later in The New York Times on Thursday.
www.cnn.com
Jan. 6 panel will target Ivanka Trump for questioning
Investigators want to know more about her intervention to try to convince former President Donald Trump to address the Capitol mob during the attack.
www.politico.comNew York Rep. Jamaal Bowman arrested outside US Capitol during voting rights protest
NY's Jamaal Bowman, who is serving his first term in Congress, was arrested at the Capitol Building on Thursday, according to his office.
POLITICO Playbook PM: Pelosi plays cleanup for Biden
And the White House cleans up Biden's comments on Russia.
www.politico.comAlaska Supreme Court upholds election changes ending party primaries
Alaska's Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a ballot measure that would institute a ranked-choice voting system for state and federal elections and do away with party primaries. The Anchorage Daily News reported the state's Supreme Court upheld a lower court's ruling on the ballot measure, which...
FBI raid jeopardizes Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar's reelection bid
House Republicans are spying a surprise opportunity to flip another Democratic-held district after the Laredo, Texas, home and campaign office of Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar were raided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Wednesday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
US jobless claims rise to 286,000, highest since October
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose to the highest level in three months as the fast-spreading omicron variant continued to disrupt the job market. Jobless claims rose for the third straight week — by 55,000 to 286,000, highest since mid-October, the...
apnews.com
FBI warns criminals are using fake QR codes to scam users
The FBI is warning Americans that cybercriminals are using fake QR codes to scam users.
No ‘minor’ blowback to Biden’s Ukraine gaffe
www.politico.com
Uyghur-American slams Biden donor, owner of Golden State Warriors over anti-Uyghur comment: 'Genocide denial'
FIRST ON FOX: Uyghur-American political activist and refugee Salih Hudayar condemned comments made by venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya, who claimed "no one cares" about the Uyghur genocide in China.
Amazon to open its first-ever clothing store at a California mall
Amazon used to compete with brick-and-mortar stores, and now it’s setting up shop.
Russia announces sweeping naval drills amid Ukraine tensions
Russia has announced sweeping naval drills in several parts of the world this month, and claims the West is plotting “provocations” in neighboring Ukraine where the Kremlin has been accused of planning aggressive military action
Bipartisan group of senators seeks common ground on changing Electoral Count Act | CNN Politics
A bipartisan effort in the Senate is underway to overhaul a 19th century law that has come under scrutiny in the wake of last year's January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
www.cnn.com
Dem Rep. Hank Johnson claims US has 'racist Senate,' accuses Rep. Roy of promoting 'White power'
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., claimed Thursday that "in some respects" the United States is presided over by a "racist Senate" and accused Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, of promoting "White privilege" and "White power" for objecting.
Some Democrats not ready to give up on child credit
A day after President Joe Biden appeared ready to concede it may fall by the wayside, some lawmakers said they are not giving up on the proposal, included in a spending package stalled in the Senate.
www.politico.com
Biden foibles offer fodder as House Republicans eye majority
Congressional Republicans had a wealth of topics to criticize as they commemorated the one-year anniversary of President Joe Biden’s inauguration with a festival of events, with energy bubbling as they eye taking back the House in 2022.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Derek Chauvin's presence to loom large in fed trial of former cops charged in George Floyd's death: Experts
The federal trial of three former police officers charged in the death of George Floyd is set to begin Thursday.
At 113, NAACP evolves for relevance on racial justice agenda
As the NAACP turns 113, look for its voice to grow louder on issues like climate change, the student debt crisis and the ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic — while keeping voting rights and criminal justice reform at the forefront of its priorities.
apnews.com
Rising inflation tightens squeeze on consumers
Retail sales took an unexpected dip in December in what could be a signal that persistently rising inflation is prompting a pullback in consumer spending
Greece receives ‘game-changer’ Rafale aircraft from France
A ceremony at the Tanagra Air Force Base marked the arrival, in which a Greek priest blessed the jets and their pilots.
Bitcoin is next climate fight for Democrats
Scrutiny from lawmakers is triggering lobbying on behalf of crypto miners who are using an escalating amount of computing and electricity to extract valuable digital tokens from the blockchain.
Florida AG Moody sounds alarm on fentanyl surge at border: 'Devastating effect'
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is sounding the alarm on the fentanyl surge at the U.S. southwest border, demanding President Biden and congressional leadership take "immediate and forceful action to regain control" of the border.
Jury in federal trial in Floyd killing appears mostly white
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A jury of 18 people who appeared mostly white was picked Thursday for the federal trial of three Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s killing, a case that the judge told potential jurors has “absolutely nothing” to do with race.
apnews.com
Suspect armed with 2 guns by San Francisco airport's BART station is 'neutralized' by police
An individual brought two guns to the San Francisco International Airport's Bay Area Rapid Transit station, temporarily delaying BART service Thursday morning.
Biden leaves Democrats hanging as midterms burst into full swing | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden spotted Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney on the White House campus last June and called out to the House Democratic campaign chair loudly enough for several others to hear: "I really want to talk to you about the races!" he shouted.
www.cnn.comPOLITICO Playbook: Biden breaks up with Bernie
And the Supreme Court allows for the release of Trump White House records related to Jan. 6.
www.politico.com
Arizona Democrat says some senators urging him to challenge Sinema with party at a 'breaking point' | CNN Politics
Rep. Ruben Gallego says his phone has been ringing a lot recently -- with many Democrats making a pitch to him: Run against Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema in 2024.
www.cnn.com
Florida National Guardsmen are caught in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
The Florida National Guard is paying close attention to whether Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to invade Ukraine — because it's there.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Dozens of House, Senate Republicans call for DHS Inspector General to review Biden border actions
FIRST ON FOX: Dozens of Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate are requesting the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) review the actions taken by the Biden administration in relation to the crisis at the southern border.
Major anti-Big Tech 'self-preferencing' bill headed to Senate floor
A bipartisan Senate antitrust bill aimed at reining in Big Tech's 'self-preferencing' behavior passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday and will head to the Senate floor.
www.washingtonexaminer.comJake Tapper Grills Jen Psaki Harder Than Fox News Did
CNNCNN anchor Jake Tapper on Thursday repeatedly confronted White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki over President Joe Biden’s voting-rights comments during the day prior’s White House briefing.The relentless grilling Psaki received on the airwaves of CNN—a network she once worked for as an on-air...
145 Things Donald Trump Did in His First Year as the Most Consequential Former President Ever
In ways both absurd and serious, the 45th president refused to let go of the spotlight or his party and redefined what it means to be a former leader of the free world.
www.politico.comBiden’s cybersecurity policies praised despite persistence of ransomware
When Joe Biden took office, he already had a laundry list of cybersecurity issues to address.
NYC's mayor invests first paycheck in cryptocurrency
New York City Mayor Eric Adams plans to convert his first paycheck this week into two cryptocurrencies
Sudanese judges, US denounce crackdown on anti-coup protesters
US diplomats try to boost UN efforts to cajole military in restoring transition to full civilian rule.
US charges Belarus with air piracy in reporter's arrest
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. prosecutors charged four Belarusian government officials on Thursday with aircraft piracy for diverting a Ryanair flight last year to arrest an opposition journalist, using a ruse that there was a bomb threat.
apnews.com
Supreme Court rejects another attempt to block Texas' six-week abortion ban | CNN Politics
Over the furious dissent of three liberal justices, the Supreme Court on Thursday rejected another attempt by abortion providers to block Texas' six-week abortion ban.
www.cnn.com
Biden's controversial nominee Holly Thomas confirmed as 9th Circuit federal judge
Holly Thomas was confirmed as judge for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday by a 48-40 vote in the Senate, despite objections from the Republican Party.
Report on sexual abuse in German diocese faults retired pope
BERLIN (AP) — A long-awaited report on sexual abuse in Germany's Munich diocese on Thursday faulted retired Pope Benedict XVI's handling of four cases when he was archbishop in the 1970s and 1980s. The law firm that drew up the report said Benedict strongly denies any wrongdoing.
apnews.com
Voting bill collapses, Democrats unable to change filibuster
WASHINGTON (AP) — Voting legislation that Democrats and civil rights leaders say is vital to protecting democracy collapsed when two senators refused to join their own party in changing Senate rules to overcome a Republican filibuster after a raw, emotional debate.
apnews.com
Dems' 'nuclear option' push fails, election bills dead after Sinema and Manchin vote to keep filibuster
Senate Democrats failed Wednesday to defang the chamber's 60-vote filibuster threshold.
Biden blasts Republicans, asks party to name what it stands for
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday accused Republicans of blocking his legislative agenda for political purposes, saying the party is more interested in defeating his presidency than doing things for the American people.
www.reuters.com
Biden blasts GOP as lacking a message heading into midterms
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing the potential of losing control of Congress, President Joe Biden entered the midterm election year on Wednesday pledging to connect more frequently with voters and present a starker contrast with Republicans aiming to blunt his agenda.
apnews.com
Biden approval hits new low at one-year mark: AP-NORC poll
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden ends his first year in the White House with a clear majority of Americans for the first time disapproving of his handling of the presidency in the face of an unrelenting pandemic and roaring inflation, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC...
apnews.com
Supreme Court ruling is a bitter legal and personal blow to Trump | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court’s refusal to block the release of Trump White House documents to the House January 6 committee represents a huge defeat for the ex-President’s frantic effort to cover up his 2021 coup attempt.
www.cnn.comHighlights from Biden's marathon 2-hour press conference
President Biden on Wednesday marked the end of his first year in office with a marathon press conference from the White House East Room, during which he defended his record in office and made headlines on several fronts. Why it matters: It was only Biden's second solo presser while in office...
EXPLAINER: What are US military options to help Ukraine?
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is not planning to answer a further Russian invasion of Ukraine by sending combat troops.
apnews.com
White House clarifies position on Ukraine after Biden press conference
The White House on Wednesday clarified President Biden’s position on Ukraine after an earlier press conference caused some confusion.
Attempt by Democrats to curb Senate filibuster falls short
Senate Democrats who hoped to curb the filibuster in order to pass two partisan election overhaul bills were thwarted by two centrists in their own party in an expected outcome that highlighted persistent intraparty divisions.
www.washingtonexaminer.comJoe Biden: 'What's Mitch for?'
While defending the White House’s track record during his first year in office, President Biden lamented Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s lack of a policy plan and former President Donald Trump’s influence on the Republican Party.
Oath Keepers stockpiled 30 days of supplies, rifles ahead of Jan. 6
Ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, the far-right group the Oath Keepers stockpiled a massive amount of weapons and ammunition and enough supplies to last 30 days, according to new co…
thehill.comTrump held secret meetings in days before Capitol attack, ex-press secretary tells panel
Stephanie Grisham gave more significant details than expected about what Trump was doing before 6 January, sources say Stephanie Grisham, the then White House press secretary, in October 2019, listens as Donald Trump speaks to the media on the South Lawn of the White House. Photograph: Andrew...
Senate Republicans block voting rights bills, join with two Democrats to prevent filibuster change
Senate Republicans blocked two voting rights bills, while Democrats Sinema and Manchin joined the GOP in opposing filibuster rule changes.
Biden questions if US midterm elections will be 'legit'
Mr Biden casts doubt on election integrity as party rebels doom his voting overhaul agenda.
www.bbc.com
AP FACT CHECK: Biden puffs up claims of virus, job gains
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a self-appraisal that didn't always fit with the facts, President Joe Biden on Wednesday made the dubious assertion that he's outperformed all expectations on the pandemic in his first year and inflated his contribution to COVID-era economic growth.
apnews.com
Biden, Schumer respond to major setback after filibuster vote fails in Senate
President Biden and Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, took to Twitter late Wednesday to express their disappointment after the Senate failed to pass two major election bills—which was all but certain.
U.S. Supreme Court spurns Trump bid to keep Capitol attack records secret
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected former President Donald Trump's request to block the release of White House records sought by the Democratic-led congressional panel investigating last year's deadly attack on the Capitol by a mob of his supporters.
www.reuters.com
Inside Biden's long and winding press conference
President Joe Biden fielded questions from reporters for nearly two hours at the White House on Wednesday — touching on a range of issues including coronavirus, tensions with Russia, and his own poll numbers — amid questions about his press access and transparency.
www.washingtonexaminer.comAnalysis-Biden must tighten focus on economy, pandemic before midterms, Democrats say
With his party splintered and Democrats across the coalition that elected him in 2020 unhappy, President Joe Biden has just a few months to try to chart a path out of the malaise or risk getting swamped in the looming midterm elections in which Republicans are seeking to regain control of...
Biden's news conference takes abrupt, lengthy turn
It started when CNN's Jeff Zeleny broke in with a question that referenced concerns many Americans hold about the competence of government, after the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal and the recent shortage of testing for COVID-19. Zeleny's question opened the floodgates. Biden took to calling...
Jon Stewart urges Congress to help vets exposed to burn pits
Appearing at a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee meeting Wednesday, the comedian and activist called on members of Congress to help Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans suffering from exposure to toxic burn pits.
Biden’s sense of reality is undercutting his own power
Over nearly two hours on Wednesday, President Biden admitted the GOP has effectively blocked his agenda, Vladimir Putin can invade Ukraine with impunity and the coronavirus moves faster than the public health apparatus.Why it matters: A big part of any president's mystique and leverage comes...
Rep. Henry Cuellar says he'll 'cooperate with any' probe amid reports of FBI raid at Texas home
The FBI said agents were "present in the vicinity" of Rep. Henry Cuellar's Laredo home "conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity."
www.nbcnews.com
Biden ‘profoundly disappointed’ after voting rights push fails in Senate
President Biden released a statement saying he was “profoundly disappointed” that the U.S. Senate “failed to stand up for democracy” shortly after Democr…
thehill.comWhite House eyes vaccine mandate for migrants crossing the border
The White House is considering requiring migrants aged 5 and older to receive a coronavirus vaccination as a condition for crossing the U.S.-Mexico border to await court hearings, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The Biden administration has been offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people in...
Pakistani court sentences woman to death for WhatsApp ‘blasphemy’
Muslim woman convicted for sharing images deemed to be insulting to Islam’s Prophet Muhammad and one of his wives.
US and UK start formal talks over Trump’s steel, aluminum tariffs
The United States and the United Kingdom announced an agreement on Wednesday to begin talks on lifting the steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by former President Trump in 2018.In a Wednesday press …
thehill.com
Why Schumer picked a filibuster fight he couldn't win
The Democratic leader, who'd used the Senate's 60-vote margin to his advantage in the past, took his time — and peeled off dozens of skeptics.
www.politico.com
Sinema and Manchin spurn Schumer, vote against nuking filibuster
Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema voted against nuking the Senate's 60-vote filibuster Wednesday, despite intense pressure from congressional leaders and the White House.
Schumer vows to keep fighting on voting rights after filibuster defeat
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) vowed that Democrats would keep trying to find a path forward for voting rights legislation after they failed to pass a rules change to exempt electi…
thehill.com
CIA "Havana Syndrome" task force rules out foreign attacks in most reported cases in interim report
Two dozen cases remain "unresolved" and will be the focus of "active and intense investigation," a senior CIA official said.
www.cbsnews.com
US Navy warship challenges Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea | CNN
A United States Navy guided missile destroyer challenged Chinese claims of sovereignty in and around islands in the South China Sea on Thursday, with a Navy statement saying such claims violate international law and “pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas.”
www.cnn.comBiden lists 3 things he plans to do differently in the coming year
President Biden on Wednesday listed three things he would do differently in his second year in office.
Biden refuses to back down on Build Back Better, believes most of the country supports it
President Biden said he will not give up on much of what is laid out in his Build Back Better legislation, expressing optimism that most Americans share the priorities laid out in the bill.
NBC not sending announcers to the Beijing 2022 Olympics
NBC Sports on Wednesday confirmed it will not be sending any announcing teams to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, citing COVID-19 concerns.“The announce teams for these Olympics, includi…
thehill.com
FBI says it's conducting a 'court-authorized' search of Rep. Henry Cuellar's Texas home | CNN Politics
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a statement Wednesday evening that it is doing a “court-authorized” search of the Texas home of Rep. Henry Cuellar, a moderate Democrat.
www.cnn.com
McCarthy raises $9.5M at major Washington fundraiser
The House minority leader and his party are aiming to win control of Congress in the fall.
www.politico.com
Manchin, Sinema join Senate GOP in rejecting filibuster rule change, dooming voting bills
Wednesday marked a tense showdown over national voting rights as Senate Republicans blocked the advancement of Democrats' election overhaul.
www.nbcnews.com
Martin Luther King Jr.'s son: Manchin and Sinema "have let down the United States of America"
Senate Republicans blocked voting legislation put forward by Democrats that combines key provisions of two bills: the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Follow here for the latest news.
Security scanners across Europe tied to China govt, military
At some of the world’s most sensitive spots, authorities have installed security screening devices made by a single Chinese company with deep ties to China’s military and the highest levels of the ruling Communist Party.
apnews.com
Biden says 2022 midterm elections 'could easily be illegitimate'
President Joe Biden is facing heat after he said during a rare press conference Wednesday that the 2022 midterm elections could be "illegitimate."
www.washingtonexaminer.comEXPLAINER: What are US military options to help Ukraine?
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is not planning to answer a further Russian invasion of Ukraine by sending combat troops.
apnews.com
Gavin Newsom's crime comments ripped by California DA: 'Either he's ignorant ... or he's a liar'
California Gov. Gavin Newsom faced some sharp criticism Wednesday after appearing to accuse police and prosecutors of not holding criminals to account.
Senate Democrats suffer defeat on voting rights after vote to change rules fails | CNN Politics
Senate Democrats suffered a major defeat Wednesday evening in their efforts to pass voting rights legislation – a key issue for the party, which is under pressure to take action ahead of the midterm elections just months away.
www.cnn.com
Ossoff and Collins clash over her past support for voting rights legislation
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), who has kept a low profile for much of his first year in office, spoke up Wednesday evening on the Senate floor to challenge Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) over what he …
thehill.com
Facial recognition taken to court in India’s surveillance hotspot
Suit claims facial recognition is unconstitutional in Telangana, the state using the most facial recognition systems.
Democrats' infighting worsens at Biden’s 1-year mark: The Note
The president is being measured -- harshly, according to recent polls -- against his own promises.
Jury in federal trial in Floyd killing appears mostly white
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A jury of 18 people who appeared mostly white was picked Thursday for the federal trial of three Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s killing, a case that the judge told potential jurors has “absolutely nothing” to do with race.
apnews.com
DeSantis' proposed election police force alarms voting rights advocates | CNN Politics
The proposal has concerned voting rights advocates, local election officials and Democrats, who fear the scope of this police force’s new mandate could lead to voter intimidation.
www.cnn.comSenate Democrats join Biden to pivot Build Back Better strategy
A growing number of Senate Democrats are urging their colleagues to begin paring back the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better agenda to salvage what they can, abandoning hopes of the transformational to achieve the possible.Why it matters: Democrats are desperate to notch a win. President Biden's...
Marines killed in a vehicle crash at Camp Lejeune identified | CNN
The US Defense Department on Friday released the names of two Marines killed this week when the military tactical vehicle they were riding in overturned near North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune.
www.cnn.com
DR Congo convicts sentenced to 15 years over jail rapes
Fifty-six women were repeatedly raped during a three-day mutiny at Kasapa jail in Lubumbashi in September 2020.
NYC subway station death of Michelle Go leaves Asian Americans reeling
"We see ourselves in these pictures,” said Sung Yeon Choimorrow, executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum.
www.nbcnews.comWinter of peril and impossibility: Biden faces hard truth at anniversary press conference
President touts accomplishments but acknowledges failure to foresee Trump’s grip on Republican party Joe Biden holds a press conference in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock Joe Biden spent decades in Washington, striving to reach the White House. When he...
Lebanon's poorest scavenge through trash to survive
BEIRUT (AP) — In the dark streets of a Beirut now often without electricity, sometimes the only light that shines is from headlamps worn by scavengers, searching through garbage for scrap to sell. Even trash has become a commodity fought over in Lebanon, mired in one of the world's worst...
apnews.com
Voting rights fight shifts back to statehouses as Senate Democrats fail to advance national protections | CNN Politics
Just weeks from the first primaries of the 2022 midterm elections, the fight over voting rights is unfolding again at the state level – with Republicans in several swing states proposing new measures that would make it harder to vote.
www.cnn.com
Jill Biden adds to communications team in lead-up to midterm elections
First lady Jill Biden is adding to her communications team as the East Wing prepares for November’s midterm elections.Michael LaRosa, the first lady’s spokesperson, confirmed to The Hill early Thur…
thehill.com
Tonga: First foreign aid planes arrive bearing crucial supplies
It comes after the Pacific nation was left devastated by a volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami.
www.bbc.com
Pentagon releases first video of botched Kabul airstrike
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon has declassified and publicly released video footage of a U.S. drone strike in Kabul that killed 10 civilians in the final hours of a chaotic American withdrawal that ended a 20-year war in Afghanistan.
apnews.com
Hackers steal Red Cross data on 515,000 vulnerable people
The International Committee of the Red Cross says the intruders and their motive for the hacking are unknown.
Suspect in Haiti president’s assassination extradited to US
U.S. authorities say a businessman accused in the July 7 killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was extradited to face criminal charges in Miami after he was detained in the Dominican Republic
Ghislaine Maxwell seeks retrial in sex abuse case
It comes after one of the jurors convicting her of sex abuse charges said he had influenced others.
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Florida bill to shield people from feeling 'discomfort' over historic actions by their race, nationality or gender approved by Senate committee | CNN
A bill backed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis that would prohibit Florida’s public schools and private businesses from making people feel “discomfort” or “guilt” based on their race, sex or national origin received first approval Tuesday by the state’s Senate Education Committee.
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GOP senator warns new CDC guidance against extracurricular activities will harm students
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., sent a letter to CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky Wednesday suggesting the agency's new guidance encouraging K-12 schools to shut down in-person extracurricular activities will harm the health of students.
UK's Johnson defies calls to quit as ouster bid gathers pace
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defied calls to resign in a feisty performance in Parliament
Britney Spears case drives California bid to limit conservatorships
“Conservatorships should be rare, and the last resort,” said Judy Mark, president of Disability Voices United, a Southern California advocacy group.
www.nbcnews.comArmy Corps to spend $732M on Mississippi River lock upgrade
The U.S. Army Corps said it will spend $732 million to expand a lock and dam system to help barges more efficiently transport millions of tons of corn, soybeans and other goods along the Mississippi River. The lock expansion was part of the Biden administration’s broader announcement Wednesday...
Kyle's Law: Tennessee self-defense bill presented in Rittenhouse’s honor
Tennessee state Rep. Bruce Griffey presented a self-defense bill, named Kyle’s Law, in honor of Kyle Rittenhouse on Wednesday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Hong Kong democracy activist Edward Leung is released from prison
Leung, who was jailed in 2018, first used a slogan that was popular during the 2019 pro-democracy demonstrations and has since been declared illegal.
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In Pictures: Aftermath of the Tonga eruption, tsunami
The images from Tonga show ashen buildings, toppled walls and streets littered with boulders, tree trunks and debris.
UN boss cites ‘demonstrable effort’ for Ethiopia peace after call
Antonio Guterres says delighted to hear of ‘a demonstrable effort to make peace’ in Ethiopia following AU envoy call.
Biden flashes anger at question over Bull Connor remark
President Biden got testy with a reporter on Wednesday in an exchange about his voting rights speech in Atlanta last week as he insisted that he did not liken senators who do not support election r…
thehill.comSecurity scanners across Europe tied to China govt, military
At some of the world’s most sensitive spots, authorities have installed security screening devices made by a single Chinese company with deep ties to China’s military and the highest levels of the ruling Communist Party.
apnews.com
Air Force member sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping, killing woman
Sasha Krause, a 27-year-old Mennonite woman, was kidnapped in New Mexico and murdered. Her body was found more than 270 miles away in Arizona.
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Controversial Teddy Roosevelt statue removed from outside New York City museum
The bronze sculpture of Roosevelt on horseback with Native American and African figures depicted subjugation and racial inferiority, the American Museum of Natural History said.
www.nbcnews.comSmall Vermont community rallies to keep post office outpost
A Vermont community is asking the U.S. Postal Service to renew a contract with a local store to retain an outpost where people can collect their packages and mail
North Korea hints it may resume testing nuclear weapons, long-range missiles
The country, which last conducted such tests in 2017, said it will consider restarting “all temporally-suspended activities” as it slammed “hostile moves” by the U.S.
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Britney Spears’ lawyer calls Jamie Spears’ attorney a liar in courtroom showdown
The fight between the pop star and her father persists, mainly centers on payment for ongoing attorney fees and allegations that the pop star was subjected to eavesdropping.
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NCAA adopts new policy for transgender athletes
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA has adopted a sport-by-sport approach for transgender athletes, bringing the organization in line with the U.S. and International Olympic Committees. Under the new guidelines, approved by the NCAA Board of Governors on Wednesday, transgender participation for each...
apnews.com
Peru oil spill after Tonga eruption an 'ecological disaster'
The "ecological disaster" occurred after high waves caused by the volcanic eruption in Tonga.
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Teen pilot one stop away from her record-breaking flight around the world
Zara Rutherford is due to land in Kortrijk, Belgium, on Thursday, the final stop in her bid to become the youngest woman to fly solo around the world.
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A68: 'Megaberg' dumped huge volume of fresh water
The melting monster iceberg A68 put 1.5 billion tonnes of fresh water into the ocean every day.
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Tunisian dies after protesting President Saied’s moves
Ridha Bouziane was among hundreds of demonstrators who commemorated the 11th anniversary of Tunisia’s revolution.
EXPLAINER: What does it mean for COVID-19 to be endemic?
Some European countries such as Spain are making tentative plans for when they might start treating COVID-19 as an “endemic” disease , but the World Health Organization and other officials have warned that the world is nowhere close to declaring the pandemic over .
apnews.com
Aiming to make CDC nimble, agency director has rankled many
NEW YORK (AP) — From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the top U.S. public health agency has been criticized as too slow to collect and act on new information. Now, increasingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also being criticized for moving too fast.
apnews.com
Many COVID-19 vaccine side effects caused by placebo effect: Study
Many continue to worry about experiencing side effects from COVID-19 vaccines, but a new study has found there is little to fear.
Florida’s long Omicron recovery
www.politico.com
Austrian parliament approves vaccine mandate for adults
VIENNA (AP) — Austria’s parliament voted Thursday to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for adults from Feb. 1, the first of its kind in Europe, with maximum potential fines of up to 3,600 euros ($4,000) for people who don't comply after a series of reminders.
apnews.comWhy Are States Sitting on Hundreds of Billions in Unspent COVID Relief Money?
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/GettyWith the Omicron variant disrupting schools and putting state and local governments nationwide on its heels once again, some lawmakers are talking about another round of pandemic relief. But before that discussion goes anywhere...
American Airlines flight to London returns to Miami after passenger refuses to wear mask
American Airlines Flight 38 was heading to London with 129 passengers on board when it had to turn back.
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1 police department loses 2 officers to COVID-19 within days
Two officers with the Aurora Police Department in Illinois -- both 51 years old -- have died of COVID-19 within days of each other.
Kentucky congressman against mandates says he has COVID-19
A Kentucky congressman who has been critical of pandemic mask and vaccine mandates said he has tested positive for COVID-19. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from northern Kentucky, tweeted Thursday that he is not vaccinated but his symptoms have been mild and he believes he is “over it.”...
Bankers told to return to desks as restrictions end
Standard Chartered and HSBC ask staff to come back as business groups welcome end of home working.
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COVID-19 updates: New Zealand imposes restrictions amid omicron outbreak
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.5 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 865,000 Americans.
‘Please, Daddy, no more Zoom school.’: California leaders reject distance learning
Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic leaders who allowed school shutdowns early in the pandemic are holding firm on keeping classrooms open.
www.politico.com
US drops case against MIT professor accused of ties to China
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department dropped charges Thursday against a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor accused of concealing ties to the Chinese government, a further setback to a federal initiative that was set up to prevent economic espionage and theft by Beijing of trade...
apnews.com
Europe considers new COVID-19 strategy: Accepting the virus
MADRID (AP) — When the coronavirus pandemic was first declared, Spaniards were ordered to stay home for more than three months. For weeks, they were not allowed outside even for exercise .
apnews.com
Past Covid infection protected against delta, but vaccines safest to prevent dire illness, CDC says
It's unclear, however, whether the findings apply to infections caused by the omicron variant of the virus.
www.nbcnews.comEurope considers new COVID-19 strategy: Accepting the virus
MADRID (AP) — When the coronavirus pandemic was first declared, Spaniards were ordered to stay home for more than three months. For weeks, they were not allowed outside even for exercise .
apnews.com
New Zealand says it won't use lockdowns when omicron spreads
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand is among the few remaining countries to have avoided any outbreaks of the omicron variant — but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Thursday an outbreak was inevitable and the nation would tighten restrictions as soon as one was detected.
apnews.com
Omicron: Is it too soon to lift the restrictions?
Masks, Covid passes and working from home are being scrapped in England. Is this the right decision?
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Novavax becomes Australia's 5th approved COVID-19 vaccine
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday became the fifth coronavirus vaccine approved for use in Australia. The country has ordered 51 million doses of the U.S.-manufactured vaccine, supplied under the brand Nuvaxovid, for its population of 26 million.
apnews.com
Inspectors say Covid test firm didn't put patient names on specimens
The Minnesota attorney general has sued Center for Covid Control, alleging it “failed to deliver test results, or delivered test results that were falsified or inaccurate.”
www.nbcnews.comBiden: We could have handled COVID-19 testing better
President Biden admitted on Wednesday that his administration should have put more of an emphasis on COVID-19 testing last year.
Tucker Goes on Bizarre Anti-Mask Rant: ‘Human Beings Need to See One Another’s Faces!’
Fox NewsTucker Carlson treated his viewers Wednesday night to a diatribe against wearing masks, rashly asserting that the pandemic-era practice is “useless” and always has been.Several times in his monologue, Carlson inaccurately framed news clips to try to prove his point, beginning with...
Biden says he pressed Xi Jinping on COVID-19 origins after all
President Joe Biden said Wednesday he pressed Chinese leader Xi Jinping about the origins of COVID-19 during their lengthy November phone call, a revelation that comes after two months of the White House refusing to say if Biden had raised the critical concern.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Vaccinated and boosted Democratic congressman tests positive for COVID-19
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., announced that he tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday after being vaccinated and boosted.
Florida man gets 5 years for COVID-19 relief, tax fraud
A Florida man convicted of fraudulently collecting more than $1.3 million in COVID-19 relief funds has been sentenced to five years in prison
Biden admits administration fell short on COVID-19 testing
President Biden admitted that his administration could have worked more quickly to ensure that COVID-19 tests were more readily available to the American people.
Millions are dying from drug-resistant infections, global report says
The death toll, worst in poorer countries and among the under-fives, needs urgent action, experts say.
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Canadian restaurant ordered to close after accepting dog photos instead of vaccination proof
Alberta Health Services issued the closure order after it investigated complaints about the Granary Kitchen in Red Deer.
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