(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden declared Thursday he had reached a “historic economic framework” with Democrats in Congress on his sweeping domestic policy package, a hard-fought yet dramatically scaled-back deal announced just before he departed for overseas summits.
Justice Department and Texas officials clash over abortion ban ahead of Supreme Court showdown
The Supreme Court will hear arguments Monday in two cases involving a Texas law that bans most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy.
www.cbsnews.com
What's in, and what's out, as Biden offers scaled-back plan
WASHINGTON (AP) — After months of talks with Democratic lawmakers, President Joe Biden outlined Thursday a $1.75 trillion framework to support families and education as well as protect against global warming.
apnews.com
Joe Manchin has made millions from coal. His ties are now facing examination as Democrats scramble for a climate and economic agreement | CNN Politics
Ethics watchdogs say Manchin's energy interests underscore need for tougher conflict-of-interest rules in Congress.
Liberals defy Pelosi, say they’ll block infrastructure bill
Liberals on Thursday vowed to block a popular infrastructure bill — a central piece of President Biden’s domestic agenda — just hours after the president urged their support and Speaker Nancy …
thehill.com
Florida sues Biden over contractor vaccine mandate
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The state of Florida on Thursday sued President Joe Biden's administration over its coronavirus vaccine mandate for federal contractors, opening yet another battleground between Republican Gov.
apnews.com
In the middle of a crisis, Facebook Inc. renames itself Meta
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Like many companies in trouble before it, Facebook is changing its name and logo. Facebook Inc. is now called Meta Platforms Inc., or Meta for short, to reflect what CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Thursday is its commitment to developing the new surround-yourself technology...
apnews.com
House Democrats again delay infrastructure vote amid party divisions
House Democratic leaders on Thursday were once again forced to push back the timeline for a vote on a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, a sign of ongoing divisions within the party and a major blow to President Joe Biden and party leaders eager to show they can deliver on their agenda.
Biden spending bill leaves Dems and GOP frustrated
President Biden pleaded with Democratic lawmakers Thursday to vote for his infrastructure bill and the Build Back Better social spending package – leaving both Republicans and Democrats frustrated.
How Texas Republicans are rigging the system against minority voters
Republicans currently have a 23-13 advantage over Democrats, and the new map gives them a good chance to pick up two extra seats – what might happen next? People rally to support voting rights at the Texas state capitol in Austin. Photograph: Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP/Getty Images Sign up for the...
Cheney calls out Fox over new Tucker Carlson promo
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wy.) is one of several Republicans blasting Fox News Media for a promotional video teasing an upcoming episode of leading host Tucker Carlson’s mini-series “Tuck…
thehill.com
As Democrats try to get a deal, McCarthy likens Biden to Charlie Brown and the football
As the White House urged congressional Democrats to support a scaled-back version of their social spending plan, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy compared the effort to a cartoon.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Biden's social spending framework gets a chilly reception from holdouts in Congress
President Biden unveiled a $1.75 trillion framework for his social spending bill. But it still may not be enough to win over key congressional holdouts.
NAACP calls on athletes not to sign with Texas teams over voting, abortion laws
Teams from the NBA, NHL, NFL, WNBA and MLB were sent the letter.
Supporters of paid family leave 'disappointed' after Democrats slash it from Biden’s plan
The exclusion leaves the U.S. as one of just six countries without any form of national paid leave.
www.nbcnews.com
Wall Street Journal criticized for Trump letter pushing election lie
Former president’s letter, written in response to an editorial on Pennsylvania voting laws, contains a list of disproved claims Trump’s letter claims, wrongly, that ‘the election was rigged, which you, unfortunately, still haven’t figured out’. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images The...
US to pay $88M to families, victims of SC church massacre
WASHINGTON (AP) — Families of nine victims killed in a racist attack at a Black South Carolina church have reached a settlement with the Justice Department over a faulty background check that allowed Dylann Roof to purchase the gun he used in the 2015 massacre.
apnews.com
Taiwan president confirms presence of US troops
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen confirmed the presence of U.S. troops on the island during an interview with CNN published on Thursday.Tsai was asked if U.S. military support included sending…
thehill.com
‘Almost schizophrenic’: Judge rips DOJ approach to Jan. 6 prosecutions
Chief District Court Judge Beryl Howell criticized “petty offense” plea deals for defendants who she said tarnished America’s reputation in the world.
www.politico.com
January 6 committee is losing patience with Trump's former chief of staff Mark Meadows
Members of the House select committee investigating January 6 are losing patience with the pace of talks with former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, and some are considering whether more aggressive steps are needed to force his compliance in the sweeping probe, multiple sources tell CNN.
Biden campaigned against Trump's Mexico border policy. Now he's relaunching it
President Joe Biden's administration is poised to bring back the "Remain in Mexico" policy that denies asylum seekers safety in the United States.
‘Inexcusable’: Democrats draw heat from paid leave advocates
President Biden and Democrats in Congress are catching heat from advocacy groups for dropping paid family and medical leave from a proposed framework for the party’s massive social s…
thehill.com
Diplomats Seethe at Getting Bumped by Senate Veterans and Widows
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Photos Getty ImagesThe historic freeze on confirmations for President Joe Biden’s ambassador nominees has finally begun to thaw—and diplomats are livid about it.“Frankly, we look ridiculous,” said one career diplomat.“Just absolutely infuriating,” one former...
Pelosi tries to push passage of infrastructure bill over finish line despite Democratic grumbling
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dodged questions about the timing of a vote on President Joe Biden’s infrastructure package as she scrambled to round up enough support from liberal holdouts.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
12 GOP 'Young Guns' embrace Trump's election falsehoods | CNN Politics
At least a dozen of the House GOP's most prized recruits for the midterms have sown doubts about the 2020 elections, embracing former president Donald Trump's deceitful battle cry as they seek to flip the chamber next year.
Democrats release text of massive social spending bill
Democrats have released the text of their massive social spending bill, outlining many of the priorities of President Biden's 'Build Back Better plan
Lawyer says paramedic seen kicking homeless man should be charged with felony
A homeless man’s attorney said a paramedic who repeatedly kicked his client should be arrested and face felony charges. Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot said he did not plan …
thehill.com
Iran has agreed to return to nuclear talks — but don't expect a deal anytime soon, experts say
The announcement came amid tensions between Iran and the West as Tehran ramps up nuclear activity in breach of the 2015 deal's parameters.
Most Americans say climate change is a crisis, new study shows
As the Biden administration prepares for COP26, the UN global climate summit, a new poll finds most Americans support the policies to combat climate change.
www.cbsnews.com
GOP Senator Toomey debuts bill to protect broker revenues, payment for order flow
Toomey's bill would prevent the SEC from banning on payment for order flow, a controversial practice and key revenue source for online brokerage Robinhood.
Dozens of U.S. House progressives oppose quick infrastructure vote, Jayapal says
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Dozens of progressive Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives oppose a quick vote on a $1 trillion infrastructure bill until agreement is reached on a larger social spending bill, their leader said on Thursday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier in the day had urged...
Oil giants deny spreading disinformation on climate change
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top executives of ExxonMobil and other oil giants denied spreading disinformation about climate change as they sparred Thursday with congressional Democrats over allegations that the industry concealed evidence about the dangers of global warming.
apnews.com
Biden pitches Democrats on $1.75T spending deal with climate measures but no paid leave
Calling the moment an "inflection point," the president urged his party to accept the compromise.
www.nbcnews.com
Most U.S. Catholics say Biden can take Communion despite abortion stance
Reproduced from Pew Research Center; Chart: Axios Visuals President Biden — the second Catholic U.S. president — will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday, as some church leaders debate whether to deny Holy Communion to politicians who support abortion rights.By the numbers: Overall...
Putin seeks Israel's help in easing U.S. sanctions on Syria
Russian President Vladimir Putin asked Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to encourage the Biden administration to ease some of its sanctions on Syria in order to allow Russian companies to take part in the reconstruction of the country, Israeli officials briefed on the talks tell me.The big...
US GDP growth slows sharply in Q3 as consumers downshift spending
COVID-19 cases, surging inflation and ebbing federal financial lifelines are weighing on the US economic recovery.
What would happen to abortion access if Roe v. Wade is overturned or weakened: Report
The Guttmacher Institute put out a new report on what would happen if Roe, which granted the federal right to abortion, were overturned or weakened.
Trump tease of Virginia rally temporarily rocks closely watched deadlocked governor’s race
Former President Donald Trump is unlikely to make a stop in Virginia ahead of Tuesday's election between Glenn Youngkin and Terry McAuliffe, sources tell Fox News.
Looking for affordable real estate? Zillow may have a seller for you
If you're looking to buy a house these days, you may want to turn to Zillow — and not just for window shopping.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Financial self-dealing is rotting our government
Official self-dealing has become such an expected part of American public life that TikTokers have taken to monitoring lawmakers’ stock trades.
thehill.com
New Illinois congressional map emerges after tension-fueled day
www.politico.com
A ‘deadly threat’ to Haiti
www.politico.com
Big Oil CEOs deny lying to the public about climate change
The heads of ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell and BP America testified before Congress about their companies’ role in climate disinformation.
www.nbcnews.com
Justice Department announces tougher enforcement for white-collar crime
Deputy attorney general reveals stricter policies on offenses committed by businesses and their leaders.
www.politico.com
Factbox: Biden to meet Macron, Erdogan, Pope Francis, on European trip
U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to hold a series of high-profile meetings with foreign leaders during his trip to the G20 in Rome and U.N. climate conference in Glasgow. Tricky issues are on the table, from close ally France's accusations of betrayal over an Australian submarine deal to...
For Black and Latino gun owners, being armed "evens the playing field"
Gun owners are growing more diverse as increasing numbers of underrepresented Americans arm up.
www.cbsnews.com
Michigan GOP is Installing Conspiracy Nuts in Critical Swing-State Election Posts
JEFF KOWALSKYAfter she voted to certify Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in Wayne County, Michigan, Republican election canvasser Monica Palmer received an alarming text message from a member of her own party.“You should quit all your GOP posts and never show your face at an event ever again,” read the...
Biden, Dems get low marks on spending talks: AP-NORC poll
WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Joe Biden and Democrats try to get a roughly $1.75 trillion package over the finish line, a new poll shows that fewer than half of Americans approve of how they have handled the spending bill.
apnews.com
Gun groups blitz McAuliffe, warn of bans and registration
Gun advocates are stepping up their criticism of Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe as the election enters its final weekend, warning that the Democrat is a Second Amendment critic who would ban some firearms and register others.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
New York judge's gun permit denials trigger big Supreme Court case
Justice Richard McNally Jr., a New York state trial court judge, knows he has a reputation among gun enthusiasts in the upstate county of Rensselaer where he presides as a tough sell on granting permits for people to carry concealed handguns without restrictions.
US court rules that Pablo Escobar’s ‘cocaine hippos’ are people
“This really is part of a bigger movement of advocating that animals’ interest be represented in court.”
thehill.com
Biden announces revamped $1.75 trillion social spending plan
The president said that his party was "on board" though the scaled-back plan's fate is uncertain.
www.bbc.com
Desperate Biden Spikes the Football on the 10-Yard Line
REUTERSLeap and the net will appear.That’s what Joe Biden is hoping for, at least. “I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that the House and Senate majorities and my presidency will be determined by what happens in the next week,” Biden reportedly told Democrats on Thursday.That was behind closed...
Bernie Sanders heads to New Jersey as gubernatorial showdown tightens
Progressive champion Sen. Bernie Sanders parachutes into New Jersey's tightening gubernatorial race with five days to go until the election
Russia ‘weaponising’ gas supply in Moldova dispute, EU says
Moldova has declared a state of emergency over gas crunch after Russian supplier Gazprom raised prices.
Paid leave falls out of Democratic package in urgent scramble to secure Manchin's support
Democrats are expected to scrap paid family and medical leave from their cornerstone economic and climate package, discarding one of the central planks of President Joe Biden's proposal as they scramble to strike a deal with holdout senators, according to multiple people familiar with the talks.
Sanders signals House should hold off on infrastructure vote
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Thursday said he’s not prepared to support a stripped-down $1.75 billion framework unveiled earlier in the day by the White House and signaled that progressives in th…
thehill.com
These key counties are telling the story of America's shifting political landscape
"Meet the Press Reports" gets on-the-ground looks at five key counties that will help determine the shape of the 2022 midterm elections and beyond.
www.nbcnews.com
The fate of an investigation into Trump's Scottish golf course rests on the decision of a judge that could come at any time
A legal hearing this week may decide the fate of a money-laundering inquiry into Trump's Scottish golf course. The ruling could come at any time.
U.S. panel approves Big Tech critic to head Justice Department Antitrust Division
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved on a voice vote the nomination of Google critic Jonathan Kanter, the third of three progressives named to top U.S. antitrust posts, to head the Justice Department's Antitrust Division.
Why the Second Amendment may be losing relevance in gun debate
The Second Amendment is often misplaced and overrated in the debate over guns in America, according to many experts on guns and the Constitution.
Consumer bureau chief goes after the heavyweights
Rohit Chopra, who served as the agency’s first student loan ombudsman during the Obama administration, made clear he intends to reinvigorate the bureau’s enforcement activity, particularly for large financial firms, and take a closer look at Big Tech.
www.politico.com
Cops on world-famous street arrest 80 Black people and 3 white
“If 2 percent of the residents of Beverly Hills are Black but almost 100 percent of the arrests are Black [people], that’s a pretty clear indication something’s wrong,” said Bradley Gage, civil rig…
thehill.com
Brett Favre repays $600,000 in welfare funds he accepted for speeches he never gave
The NFL legend says he never knew the money he received came from welfare funds. The Mississippi attorney general could still sue Favre if he doesn't pay interest owed on the amount.
www.npr.org
College students voted in record numbers in 2020 election: study
College students turned out to vote in record numbers during the 2020 presidential election, according to a new study.Sixty-six percent of college students voted in the 2020 presidential election, …
thehill.com
Sudan army sacks six envoys as coup condemnation grows
State media report ambassadors to the US, EU, China, Qatar, France and head of Geneva mission relieved of their posts.
U.S. Justice Dept. toughens on corporate crime, will pursue more individuals
The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday outlined policy changes aimed at rooting out repeated corporate misconduct and prioritizing prosecutions of individuals, signaling a shift to a tougher stance by the government toward white collar crime.
Biden says presidency "will be determined" by outcome of spending plans
President Biden told the House Democratic caucus Thursday "my presidency will be determined" by the votes he wants in the next week on his $1.75 trillion social safety net expansion and $1.2 trillion infrastructure package.Driving the news: Biden made the comment, according to a source in the...
McAuliffe tells Hispanic voters to 'get busy, get yourself to 11%' of population
Virginia is for lovers if you ask gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Former Justice Department official who backed unfounded voter fraud claims parts with lawyer | CNN Politics
Former Justice Department official Jeffery Clark, who had been scheduled to testify on Friday before the House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection, has parted ways with his attorney Robert Driscoll, according to a person familiar with his representation.
Virginia's deadlocked governor's race may not be decided on Election Day
Virginia's deadlocked gubernatorial race could go into overtime. We may not know on Election Night if former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe or GOP nominee Glenn Younking is the winner.
An Oath Keeper Was at the Capitol Riot. On Tuesday, He's on the Ballot.
Edward Durfee Jr. is many things: a former Marine, a libertarian who distrusts the Federal Reserve and an active member of the far-right Oath Keepers militia who leads the group’s northern New Jersey region and was outside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 attack. He is also running for the New...
Democratic chairmen say they are not giving up on adding drug pricing measure
Two Democratic committee chairmen said Thursday that they are not giving up on including provisions to lower prescription drug prices in President Biden’s social spending package after i…
thehill.com
Biden heads to Europe with his economic agenda -- and his presidency -- in the balance back home | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden left Thursday for his second trip abroad with his massive domestic agenda -- and, by his own admission, his entire presidency -- hanging in the balance on Capitol Hill.
Paid family leave falls out of Biden bill as tempers rise
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Democrats signaled a deal is within reach on President Joe Biden's big domestic bill but momentum fizzled and tempers flared late Wednesday as a paid family leave proposal fell out and a billionaires' tax appeared scrapped, mostly to satisfy a pivotal member of the 50-50...
apnews.com
Infrastructure and spending bill negotiations, Oct. 28. 2021
Democrats are racing to secure an agreement on the larger spending bill and pass a bipartisan infrastructure bill before President Biden leaves for a foreign trip. Follow here for the latest news.
Huawei paid Democratic powerbroker Podesta $1 million to lobby -sources
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Chinese telecoms giant Huawei paid Democratic lobbyist Tony Podesta $1 million to lobby the Biden administration on its behalf, double what the lobbyist has revealed publicly, according to two people familiar with the matter. This month, the prominent Washington lobbyist...
'Stupid' and 'insane': Some billionaires vent over tax plan
Elon Musk isn't happy. With a personal fortune that is flirting with $300 billion, the Tesla CEO — the richest person on earth — has been attacking a Democratic proposal to tax the assets of billionaires like him.
apnews.com
What's in Democrats' $1.75 trillion social spending and climate bill?
The White House unveiled a new framework for the legislation after protracted negotiation among Democrats.
www.cbsnews.com
UN calls on Sudan’s military to restore transitional government
UN Security Council expresses ‘serious concern’ over the military coup in Sudan but fails to take stronger action.
Obama calls Biden’s $1.75T framework ‘a giant leap forward’
Former President Obama on Thursday embraced the scaled-down framework for Democrats’ social spending package released by the Biden administration, calling it a “giant leap forward”…
thehill.com
Analysis: Prosecutors face tough test in trial of U.S. teenage protest shooter Rittenhouse
One of those fatally shot by Kyle Rittenhouse threw a plastic shopping bag containing socks and a deodorant stick at him before appearing to try and grab his rifle. Another struck the teenager with a skateboard. The third person shot was brandishing a handgun when Rittenhouse fired his final round.
New York AG Letitia James could announce run for governor soon
New York Attorney General Letitia James could be announcing that she will join the race to be the next governor of her state according to multiple sources. NBC's Mark Murray has details.
www.nbcnews.com
'Great model': Republicans see education issue as winner, no matter outcome in Virginia
Win or lose in Virginia, Republicans are convinced education is their ticket to recovering lost ground in the suburbs and reclaiming control of Congress in 2022.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Biden arrives in Rome as domestic agenda still unfulfilled
ROME (AP) — President Joe Biden promised to show the world that democracies can work to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
apnews.com
Senior US general warns China's military progress is 'stunning' as US is hampered by 'brutal' bureaucracy
In the wake of China's test of a hypersonic missile, the second most senior US general said Thursday that the pace at which China's military is developing capabilities is "stunning" while US development suffers from "brutal" bureaucracy.
Betsy DeVos' family claims $100 million con with investment in health care startup Theranos
Elizabeth Holmes allegedly defrauded and misled former U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' family with false information about Theranos' potential.
www.usatoday.com
Dem Rep. DeFazio caught on hot mic swearing amid GOP speech: 'Fu----- a-----'
Oregon Democrat Rep. Peter DeFazio, who is chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, uttered profanities during a heated debate Wednesday on airline-enforced vaccine mandates.
What do US job seekers want? Higher pay and remote work
Employers offering fatter paycheques and remote work opportunities are scoring points with US job seekers.
A Texas lawmaker is targeting 850 books that he says could make students feel uneasy
Republican Matt Krause is asking schools for an accounting of any book that "might make students feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress."
www.npr.org
McAuliffe supporters share their biggest fear under Youngkin governorship
Terry McAuliffe supporters tell Fox News what they think Virginia will look like if Glenn Youngkin becomes the next governor.
Human remains found in California desert confirmed to be missing New Jersey woman Lauren Cho
Cho disappeared during a cross-country trip in June.
www.cbsnews.com
Negotiating from the left, Pramila Jayapal now at the center of Joe Biden's agenda
As the U.S. Congress met in January 2017 to certify Donald Trump's presidential victory, a new lawmaker rose to object and was quickly gaveled to silence by Vice President Joe Biden, a fellow Democrat, who said, "It's over."
Progressives reeling after moderates inflict savage new blow to spending bill | CNN Politics
Another liberal dream was sacrificed in the cause of saving Joe Biden's presidency.
Democrats propose modified fee on methane from oil and gas as part of spending package
Democrats' latest version of their climate and social spending bill includes a fee on emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, imposed on oil and gas operators.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Lawsuit dislodges election dates from DeSantis
www.politico.com
A jury awards $17 million to the parents of a man killed by an LAPD officer in Costco
The officer was off duty and shopping with his son when he says Kenneth French struck or shoved him, and he opened fire believing he was in immediate danger. The officer was fired over the incident.
www.npr.org
Democrats hope victory of a spending deal will smooth over the division it exposed
First Read is your briefing from "Meet the Press" and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.
www.nbcnews.com
California school safety officer charged with murder after fatally shooting 18-year-old woman
Manuela Rodriguez, 18, was leaving the scene of a physical altercation when she was shot by school safety officer Eddie Gonzalez.
Jeffrey Clark splits with lawyer ahead of testimony before Jan. 6 panel: report
Former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark has split with his lawyer ahead of his expected Friday testimony before the select House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, …
thehill.com
Why is Israel labelling Palestinian rights groups ‘terrorists’?
Rights advocates say Israel’s move is a dangerous escalation in its campaign to silence Palestinian civil society.
Charleston church shooting victims, DOJ reach $88M settlement over white nationalist's gun
Families of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting in South Carolina said the FBI background check allowed the white nationalist shooter to get a gun.
www.usatoday.com
Myanmar military uses systematic torture across country
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The soldiers in rural Myanmar twisted the young man’s skin with pliers and kicked him in the chest until he couldn’t breathe. Then they taunted him about his family until his heart ached, too: “Your mom,” they jeered, “cannot save you anymore.”
apnews.com
Here are all of Biden's progressive campaign promises that got cut from his $1.75 trillion social-spending package
Biden released a social spending plan half the size of the original package. Paid leave and free community college are gone, among others.
Biden is getting dragged in the polls. That hasn’t stopped Dems from sticking by him.
The president has been welcomed on the campaign trail this fall, in part because he remains popular within his own party.
www.politico.com
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger allegedly attacks flight attendant in what CEO calls "one of the worst displays of unruly behavior we've ever witnessed"
The American Airlines flight from New York to Orange County, outside L.A., landed in Denver instead.
www.cbsnews.com
Biden, Dems get low marks on spending talks: AP-NORC poll
President Joe Biden and Democrats are getting low marks from the public as they try to get a roughly $1.75 trillion spending package over the finish line
DC mayor announces completion of permanent installation of Black Lives Matter Plaza
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the completion of Black Lives Matter Plaza's permanent installment in front of the White House on Thursday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Presidents and popes over the years: Gifts, gaffes, grief
WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Joe Biden meets with Pope Francis on Friday, he won’t kiss the ring. Biden, who has met with Francis three times and with two previous popes, has said he eschews the traditional sign of respect because his mother told him not to — that no one is “better” than him.
apnews.com
Why Halloween is 'gay Christmas' to many LGBTQ Americans
The contemporary excitement around the campy holiday has a long history within the queer community.
www.nbcnews.com
White House skeptical Iran ready to restart nuclear talks
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Wednesday responded skeptically after Iran's chief negotiator announced that Tehran was ready to return to nuclear negotiations in Vienna by the end of next month.
apnews.com
China reiterates firm opposition to US-Taiwan military contact in response to CNN interview | CNN Politics
The Chinese government on Thursday reiterated its long-standing opposition to any official and military contact between the United States and Taiwan in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's comments that US troops help train the island's military.
2 neo-Nazi group members sentenced to 9 years in prison
Two neo-Nazi group members have been sentenced to nine years in prison each in a case that highlighted a broader federal crackdown on far-right extremists
Schools debate: Gifted and talented, or racist and elitist?
NEW YORK (AP) — Communities across the United States are reconsidering their approach to gifted and talented programs in schools as vocal parents blame such elite programs for worsening racial segregation and inequities in the country’s education system.
apnews.com
Vatican abruptly cancels live broadcast of Biden meeting Pope Francis
The Vatican on Thursday canceled a planned live broadcast of the meeting between President Biden and Pope Francis.The meeting is slated for Friday and the Vatican press office did not provide an ex…
thehill.com
LA DA George Gascón Charges Ex-Long Beach School Safety Officer With The Murder Of 'Mona' Rodriguez
Eddie Gonzalez, the former Long Beach Unified School District school safety officer, shot and killed the 18-year-old Rodriguez last month near Millikan High.
laist.com
Minneapolis mayor faces voters with policing on their minds
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was the face of the city through some of its darkest days — the death of George Floyd under an officer's knee last year and rioting that marred the ensuing protests, including the burning of a police precinct after Frey ordered officers to...
apnews.com
Opinion | What It Means if Glenn Youngkin Wins
A Republican victory in the Virginia governor’s race would point a way forward for the GOP with independents and suburbanites.
www.politico.com
Facebook exec pushes back on whistleblower claims
Monika Bickert, Facebook’s head of global policy management, says the social media giant does not prioritize engagement and user growth over safety
EXPLAINER: Why Congress is looking closely at Jan. 6 rally
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection has focused some of its early work on the planning of the rally at which President Donald Trump told his supporters to “fight like hell.” The rally, held that morning and planned by former White House and campaign...
apnews.com
DeVos family was misled by Theranos founder before investing $100 million, rep says
The DeVos family office initially said it would invest $50 million but doubled it after a meeting with Elizabeth Holmes.
www.nbcnews.com
GM factory adding overtime shifts amid improvement in chip supply
General Motors Inc. factories are adding new overtime shifts as the semiconductor chip supply improves, The Dallas Morning News reported.Car prices in the United States have gone up in pa…
thehill.com
The U.S.-China COP26 cliffhanger
www.politico.com
Trump's 2020 fantasy is already influencing 2022 | CNN Politics
There are multiple major developments on stories we've spent a lot of time covering in What Matters. But I'll focus here on something else: how former President Donald Trump's effort to deny the 2020 election results has ricocheted in Washington and around the country.
India Walton beat Buffalo's mayor once. Can she do it again?
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — When India Walton beat Buffalo’s four-term mayor in a Democratic primary last June, New York’s second largest city looked like it was about to get a leader like no other in its history.
apnews.com
Virginia counties shift election procedures to head off conspiracy theorists
A field guide to how Virginia counts its ballots, how election officials are preparing and what that means for watching next week’s results.
www.politico.com
A ‘pancake’ on Jupiter: Juno probe reveals details of Great Red Spot
Two new studies of the gas giant’s biggest storm verify that it’s not so deep after all.
www.nbcnews.com
Stiffest charge stands for ex-cop who killed Daunte Wright
A Minnesota judge has denied a defense request to dismiss the most serious charge against a former suburban Minneapolis police officer who said she meant to use a Taser instead of a handgun when she fatally shot Black motorist Daunte Wright
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has no health issues despite weight loss, South Korea says
South Korea's Intelligence denies rumors about North Korean leader double.
Clyburn to rally support for McAuliffe in Virginia
House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) will campaign with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe in Virginia this week as Democrats in the Old Dominion seek to close the enthusiasm …
thehill.com
China limits construction of 'super high-rise buildings'
The decision is being seen as part of a larger bid to crackdown on vanity projects.
www.bbc.com
Actress Lori Loughlin pays $500K for college tuition of 2 students
Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, were among the most high-profile parents charged with paying fixers to get their children into elite schools.
www.nbcnews.com
Sitting Bull: DNA confirms great-grandson's identity
A sample of the Native American leader's hair confirms the identity of his great-grandson.
www.bbc.com
What's in Biden's latest budget offer: Climate programs and universal preschool, but no paid leave
Smaller than his original proposal, Biden touted his "framework" as one step that will help grow the economy while also confronting climate change.
France fines British boats as fishing dispute escalates
Britain says it will summon the French ambassador for a dressing-down, the latest move in a worsening dispute over fishing licenses that has stoked tensions following the U.K.’s departure from the European Union
TikTok, phony doctors to blame for dangerous DIY lip filler trend: Experts
Young people everywhere are giving themselves lip filler using DIY methods seen on TikTok, and medical professionals want it to stop.
Senate Democrats working on a Medicaid compromise to cover those in coverage gap through Obamacare plans | CNN Politics
The creation of a federal Medicaid expansion program is likely not going to be in the Democrats' sweeping social safety net package. Instead, lawmakers are discussing a plan to subsidize private insurance on the Affordable Care Act exchanges for those who are in the coverage gap, Democratic Sen...
US jobless claims drop to pandemic low of 281,000
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell to a pandemic low last week, another sign that the job market and economy continue to recover from last year’s coronavirus recession
DOJ pushes back against claims of mistreatment at DC jail where dozens of Capitol rioters are being held | CNN Politics
Federal prosecutors on Wednesday pushed back against claims of mistreatment at a Washington, DC, jail where dozens of US Capitol rioters are being held -- allegations that led a federal judge to refer the jail for an investigation into potential civil rights violations after holding its...
Laos makes Asia's largest ever drug bust
A truck was carrying 55 million amphethamine tablets and over 1.5 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine.
www.bbc.com
Prominent theologian and Trump critic Russell Moore warns that ex-president could win again | CNN Politics
Public theologian Russell Moore, a prominent evangelical leader who was an early critic of Donald Trump, says he doesn't see support for the former GOP president waning and warns that it is "entirely possible" that Trump could seek the White House again and win.
Hundreds of sea turtles wash up dead in Mexico
Scientists think the turtles may have become tangled in abandoned fishing nets and drowned.
www.bbc.com
As 100 ships idle offshore, California communities see rise in toxic pollutants
"We can’t forget that when we’re talking about air pollution and air quality, this comes down to people’s longevity.”
www.nbcnews.com
School board president curses at parent speaking against mask mandates
The moment was caught on video.
www.nbcnews.com
With holidays looming, scientists point to additional data showing value of vaccines against delta variant
Uncommon breakthrough cases resolve quicker, making people less contagious, new research shows.
Florida sues Biden, NASA over COVID vaccine mandates for federal contractors
EXCLUSIVE: The state of Florida is suing President Biden, NASA and a number of officials and agencies within the Biden administration over its "unlawful" COVID-19 vaccine mandates requiring government contractors to get vaccinated, saying the rule interferes with Florida’s employment policies...
Pandemic restrictions fuel recall efforts on fall ballots
MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Hospitals in Missouri were inundated with COVID-19 patients last summer when a group opposed to a mask mandate that had already expired gathered enough signatures to trigger a recall vote against the mayor who enacted it.
apnews.com
Poll: 5% of unvaccinated adults have left a job because of a vaccination requirement
As more businesses face vaccine requirements for COVID-19, a new survey shows few adults are leaving their jobs over such rules around coronavirus.
www.usatoday.com
Vaccine reluctance in Eastern Europe brings high COVID cost
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Truck driver Andriy Melnik never took the coronavirus seriously. With a friend, he bought a fake vaccination certificate so his travel documents would appear in order when he hauled cargo to other parts of Europe.
apnews.com
COVID-19 updates: White House press secretary Jen Psaki tests positive
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 4.9 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 735,000 Americans.
U.S. agency ramps up fines for travelers failing to wear masks
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said Thursday it has recently ramped up proposed fines for travelers failing to wear masks at airports and in other transit modes.
Citigroup to require all U.S. employees to be vaccinated
The bank will comply with the Biden administration policy requiring all workers supporting government contracts to be fully vaccinated, as the government remains a "large and important" client of Citi, said Sarah Wechter, head of human resources, in a LinkedIn post. Earlier this month, Bank of...
Newsom boosts the booster shot
But he warned that the coming winter months threaten to undo the state's gains against the coronavirus.
www.politico.com
Study finds common antidepressant can reduce COVID-19 hospitalization
“Its effectiveness is one of the most important discoveries we have made since the pandemic began,” one of the study’s authors said.
thehill.com
Exclusive: Tens of millions of J&J COVID-19 shots sit at Baltimore factory - sources
An estimated 30 million to 50 million doses of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine made early this year sits idle in Emergent BioSolutions Inc's plant in Baltimore awaiting a green light from U.S. regulators to ship, two sources familiar with the matter said.
Judge denies NYPD union's bid to halt COVID vaccine mandate
The COVID-19 vaccine mandate is set to take effect on November 1.
www.cbsnews.com
'Somebody needs to be blamed': Bolsonaro probe gives Covid families solace
In Brazil, a government report into the president's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic is helping bring validation to a nation with the world’s second highest death toll from the virus.
www.nbcnews.com
HIV activists have a history of outrageous energy. COVID protesters hope to match it
A small number of health workers are protesting for global vaccine equity. Their demonstrations echo the call for equal distribution of HIV medications decades ago — but there are key differences.
www.npr.org
Is your child afraid of needles? How you can calm them before their Covid shots
Yes, you should tell your child ahead of time that they’re getting a shot, experts say. Here are other ways to make the experience as smooth as possible.
www.nbcnews.com
