
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Republican states that have passed increasingly tough abortion restrictions only to see them blocked by the federal courts have a new template in an unusually written Texas law that represents the most far-reaching curb on abortions in nearly half a century.

Texas abortion: Biden vows 'whole-of-government' response to new law
The president called the decision not to block the law an "unprecedented assault" on women's rights.


Seeing danger, some in GOP leery of Texas abortion law
Almost instantly after most abortions were banned in Texas, Democrats were decrying the new law as unconstitutional, an assault on women’s health that must be challenged.


Manchin seeks 'strategic pause' on Biden bill, opposes $3.5T
Centrist Sen. Joe Manchin says Congress should hit a “strategic pause” on more spending. The West Virginia Democrat said Thursday he does not support President Joe Biden's plans for a sweeping $3.5 trillion effort to rebuild the economy.


More than 45 dead after Ida's remnants blindside Northeast
A stunned U.S. East Coast is facing a sobering death toll, surging rivers, tornado damage and continuing calls for rescue after the remnants of Hurricane Ida walloped the region with record-breaking rain.


Democrats promote Cheney to vice chairwoman of Jan. 6 panel
House Democrats have promoted Republican Rep. Liz Cheney to vice chairwoman of a committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.


Progressives hit Manchin after he calls for ‘pause’ on Biden’s $3.5T plan
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) faced swift criticism from progressives after he urged Democrats to “hit the pause button” on a $3.5 trillion spending package that would advance key parts of P…


Proud Boys and Oath Keepers expected at September 18 rally in D.C.
Capitol Police leadership plans to hold briefings on security plans with members of Congress next week.


Kevin McCarthy among GOP lawmakers whose phone records 1/6 select committee asks to be preserved
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is among a group of GOP lawmakers whose phone records are of interest to the select committee investigating the deadly January 6 riot on Capitol Hill, CNN has learned.


Jan. 6 riot defendant returned to jail for using internet
A federal judge is ordering a prominent participant in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol to return to jail, saying he violated his pretrial release conditions by accessing the internet to watch false conspiracies about the election.

Pelosi: House will vote to codify Roe v. Wade to counter Texas abortion ban
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) slammed the Supreme Court's "cowardly, dark-of-night decision" to allow Texas' ban on most abortions to remain in place on Thursday, vowing to pass the Women's Health Protection Act when the House returns from recess.Why it matters: The bill would "enshrine...

Texas abortion ban turns citizens into "bounty hunters"
Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor condemns law's "cash prizes" for citizens "prosecuting their neighbors' medical procedures."


Trump's summer at New Jersey golf course included meetings with loyalists and conspiracy theorists
Donald Trump is wrapping up his summer at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf course after meeting with loyalists and a group of conspiracy theorists.

9/11 victims' families seek probe of missing evidence
Relatives of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks are calling for the Justice Department’s inspector general to investigate the FBI’s failure to produce certain pieces of evidence from its investigation.


Trump on Nikki Haley: ‘Every time she criticizes me, she uncriticizes me about 15 minutes later’
In a newly published interview with Vanity Fair, former President Trump takes a jab at his former United Nations ambassador, Nikki Haley, a possible 2024 GOP presidential contender w…


What it was like to be stranded on subway stations and trains overnight during New York floods | CNN
Camilla Akbari boarded a 7:43 p.m. New Jersey Transit train on Wednesday night from New York Penn Station hoping to get to her mom’s place in Princeton, New Jersey. It’s a trip that generally takes about an hour.


"QAnon Shaman" Jacob Chansley pleads guilty in Capitol riot case
The bare-chested, face-painted man photographed in the Senate chamber on January 6 agreed to take a plea deal.


Some power restored to New Orleans after Hurricane Ida
Some power has been restored to New Orleans days after the area was battered by Hurricane Ida. Parts of the business district saw their power restored Thursday as the state scrambles to fix th…


Homes previously considered as less at risk of flooding face new danger due to climate change
“Where it can rain, it can flood."
The computer repairman with Hunter Biden's laptop lost his lawsuit against Twitter and has to pay the company's legal fees
The repairman gave Biden's information to Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who sent it to the NY Post. The judge dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice.

Ida deaths: Nursing home residents die after evacuation
Louisiana health officials say four nursing home residents died after being evacuated to a large warehouse during Hurricane Ida.


White House: Biden’s view on expanding Supreme Court ‘has not changed’ after Texas abortion law - Washington Examiner
The White House said on Thursday that President Joe Biden’s position on expanding the Supreme Court to add liberal justices hasn’t changed after the court declined to weigh in on a new Texas law banning most abortions.Biden, a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, kept his views on...


AOC, left-wing Democrats renew push to pack Supreme Court after Texas abortion ruling
Democrats are reiterating their calls to pack the Supreme Court, demanding action after the court declined to halt Texas' controversial abortion law on Wednesday.

FEMA has funds to cover disasters — for now
The Biden administration is sitting on enough emergency funding to cover the “immediate” aftermath of a recent scourge of natural disasters, including the path of destruction left by Hurricane Ida,…


Opinion | Don’t Be So Sure a Supreme Court Backlash Will Boost Democrats
Most Americans support abortion rights. But an attack on Roe v. Wade may not bring a surge of voters to the polls.


Biden launches federal effort to respond to Texas law as he faces pressure to protect abortion | CNN Politics
A new Texas law that effectively bans most abortions prompted President Joe Biden on Wednesday to use a word he'd entirely avoided as president: "Abortion."

EXPLAINER: How Ida can be so deadly 1000 miles from landfall
Meteorologists say natural and man-made forces made Ida deadly and devastating in the New York and New Jersey area even though the weakened storm made landfall more than 1,000 miles away

Progressives hit Manchin after he calls for ‘pause’ on Biden’s $3.5T plan
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) faced swift criticism from progressives after he urged Democrats to “hit the pause button” on a $3.5 trillion spending package that would advance key parts of P…


‘Channels of communication’ open with Taliban: Blinken
Top US diplomat to visit Qatar and Germany, says Washington in constant contact with Americans remaining in Afghanistan.

As Herschel Walker eyes Georgia US Senate seat, a newly revealed stalking claim brings his troubled history under scrutiny
A Texas woman told police in 2002 that Georgia US Senate candidate Herschel Walker had threatened and stalked her, according to a police report obtained by CNN.

Newsom, Elder sharpen their attacks after poll shows support for recall effort waning
Gov. Gavin Newsom and Republican recall replacement candidate Larry Elder traded accusations on Thursday after a new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California showed support for the recall effort decreasing. Elder is the front-runner among replacement candidates.

Texas abortion ban spawns look-alike laws but could be short-lived
Top Republicans in other states say they are examining how the Texas law’s unique “private right of action” enforcement structure could be used for similar abortion bans.


Texas abortion decision could be 'blueprint' for gutting Roe v. Wade, experts say
"Cases like this will make inroads that will lead to gutting the protections that Roe has provided,” said Joyce Vance, an NBC News and MSNBC legal analyst.


Democrats push Roe v. Wade abortion law in wake of Supreme Court Texas ruling
Democrats, including President Biden, are urging Congress to pass legislation codifying Roe V. Wade after the Supreme Court declined to take up a challenge to Texas’ new ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

California families relay harrowing escape from Afghanistan
Several families who live in the San Diego suburb of El Cajon describe their harrowing escape from Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power.


Texas abortion providers say they've been forced to turn away patients under new law
A day after the nation's most restrictive anti-abortion law went into effect, doctors and advocates reported a steep decline in abortions across Texas.

Trump predicts Herschel Walker will be an ‘even better’ senator in endorsement - Washington Examiner
Former President Donald Trump threw his support behind former college football star Herschel Walker, endorsing his longtime friend and political novice in the 2022 race for Senate in Georgia. Trump, who publicly urged Walker to run months before he announced his bid, called the former University...

Union Endorses Progressive House Challenger Odessa Kelly
Kelly hopes to unseat veteran Rep. Jim Cooper, a fiscally conservative Tennessee Democrat, in a primary.

Biden’s approval rating drops to 43 percent after Afghanistan fallout: poll
President Biden’s approval rating dropped to 43 percent amid the fallout of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, according to an NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll released Thursday. Biden’s new…


Republicans tout Clinton tie to Epstein as he fundraises for McAuliffe
Virginia Republicans are targeting former Gov. Terry McAuliffe as campaigns to lead the state again, highlighting ties between Jeffrey Epstein and former President Bill Clinton, who attended a fundraising event as the headline guest for McAuliffe on Thursday.

Afghan women report forced marriages to flee country amid Taliban takeover, sources say | CNN Politics
US officials processing Afghan refugees abroad recently alerted the State Department to instances in which women and girls were forced into marriage or arrived with male partners posing as their husbands to be eligible for evacuation and escape the Taliban, according to two sources familiar with...

Analysis-Texas' near-total abortion ban injects new urgency into U.S. election campaigns
After the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal to block https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/texas-six-week-abortion-ban-takes-effect-2021-09-01 a near-total ban on abortions by Texas, alarmed Democratic candidates and abortion rights advocates had a single, urgent message for...

UK announces new sanctions against Myanmar
United Kingdom alleges conglomerate Htoo Group and founder Tay Za are linked to arms deals on behalf of coup leaders.

Elon Musk declines to address Texas abortion law directly after Gov. Greg Abbott's comments
Elon Musk declined to directly weigh in on Texas' abortion law after Gov. Greg Abbott said the Tesla CEO supported his state's "social policies."

U.S. presses Pakistan as Afghan crisis spirals, leaked docs show
Pakistan’s ambassador questioned reports of Taliban reprisals as U.S. diplomats struggle with refugee arrivals.


New Texas abortion law pushes women to out-of-state clinics
A Texas law that bans most abortions has providers and advocates preparing for an increasing number of women traveling to other states to end their pregnancies.


CEO behind Tinder and OkCupid starts abortion fund for staff in Texas - Washington Examiner
The CEO of the company that owns some of the largest dating apps is personally creating a fund for employees in Texas who may need to seek abortions out of state. Shar Dubey, CEO of Dallas-based Match Group, told employees about the fund in an internal memo. Match Group owns the country’s most...


Supreme Court 'shadow docket' of emergency appeals means giving rulings without arguments
The U.S. Supreme Court's practice in handling emergency cases is drawing criticism from both outside the court and from within.
www.usatoday.com

Get the generals off TV


Austin-based Bumble creates relief fund as Texas abortion law takes hold
Bumble is starting a relief fund to help people access reproductive care and abortion as Texas's new abortion law takes effect.
www.usatoday.com
GOP race for Minnesota governor takes shape
Minnesota's GOP gubernatorial candidates are jockeying for attention and support as the field fills out ahead of the 2022 midterms.Driving the news: Michelle Benson, a GOP state senator from Ham Lake, announced her candidacy on Wednesday with a carefully orchestrated rollout that included a...

9/11 victims’ families urge watchdog to investigate FBI for Saudi Arabia cover-up - Washington Examiner
A group of families who lost loved ones on 9/11 urged a U.S. government watchdog to investigate whether the FBI intentionally tried to obscure Saudi Arabia’s role in the terrorist attacks.The families composed a letter to Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz on Thursday...


What Trump understood and Biden gets right about America’s new role in the world
Domestic initiatives are vital to containing China’s rise and mitigating the resurrection of Russian power.


9-month-old on flight carrying Afghan evacuees dies after landing in Philadelphia
This marks the first reported death of an evacuee from Afghanistan on U.S. soil.


Pelosi says House will vote on abortion access bill in response to Supreme Court decision on Texas law
The Women’s Health Protection Act would guarantee a pregnant person's right to access an abortion, along with providers being able to perform them.
www.usatoday.com

NYC's Subway Flooding Isn't A Fluke. It's The Reality For Cities In A Warming World
Underground trains are incredibly susceptible to flooding from climate-driven extreme rain and sea level rise. Cities around the world are racing to adapt their transit systems.


More than 45 dead after Ida's remnants blindside Northeast
A stunned U.S. East Coast is facing a sobering death toll, surging rivers, tornado damage and continuing calls for rescue after the remnants of Hurricane Ida walloped the region with record-breaking rain.

Beto O'Rourke launches "drive-to-you" voter registration tool
Former congressman and presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke is launching a new voter registration tool on Thursday, which will allow eligible Texans to register to vote right at home by deploying volunteers to their houses when requested.Why it matters: The announcement comes just two days after...

‘You’ve never faced those choices’: Psaki replies to questioning Biden support on abortion
"He believes that it's a woman's right. It's a woman's body and it's her choice," Press Secretary Jen Psaki said of Biden's support of abortion.
www.usatoday.com

With abortion curbed in Texas, medication abortion bill about to become law
The Texas Legislature this week advanced the bill, called Senate Bill 4, which would limit access to medication abortions for many.


Biden helps secure Tajikistan’s border amid US border crisis
The United States is helping Tajikistan secure a portion of its border with Afghanistan to help combat security threats in the region, despite the ongoing crisis at the U.S. border.

Afghan refugees at Wisconsin Army base lack complete vetting but can leave any time, House member says - Washington Examiner
A House Republican who toured an Afghan refugee camp at Fort McCoy Army base in Wisconsin has voiced his alarm after learning most of the inhabitants are not visa holders and can leave at any time.Rep. Tom Tiffany toured the base last week and told the Washington Examiner he was alarmed to...


Cryptocurrency promoter pleads guilty in $2 billion fraud
A Los Angeles man pleaded guilty Wednesday to participating in what prosecutors called a “textbook Ponzi scheme” that defrauded cryptocurrency investors worldwide of more than $2 billion

U.S. labor market powers ahead as weekly jobless claims fall, layoffs hit 24-year low
The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell last week, while layoffs dropped to their lowest level in more than 24 years in August, suggesting the labor market was charging ahead even as new COVID-19 infections surge.

Biden warns of 'unconstitutional chaos' due to Texas abortion ban
A Texas law imposing a near-total ban on abortion that the U.S. Supreme Court allowed to stand will cause "unconstitutional chaos" by infringing on a right that women have exercised for almost a half-century, President Joe Biden warned on Thursday.

US states to accept driver's licence on iPhones
Apple's new ID system for its Wallet will be rolled out at airports to start.


Leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Palestinian Authority meet in Cairo
Mahmoud Abbas says PA is ready to take ‘confidence-building steps’ and achieve calm in occupied Palestinian territories.

ISIS 'Beatles' member pleads guilty, faces life in prison
Alexanda Kotey, a member of the British ISIS terrorist cell known as the “Beatles,” plead guilty in a Virginia federal court on Thursday to various charges related to his role in the kidnapping and eventual murder of four Americans and other foreign nationals in Syria.

Larry Elder disclosed sexual harassment allegations on 2011 radio show, but implied one woman was too ugly for it to be true | CNN Politics
Larry Elder, a radio talk show host and the top Republican candidate in California's recall election, disclosed in 2011 episodes of his radio show that he had twice been accused of sexual harassment and forcefully denied the allegations.

Plane crashes into building in Connecticut
A plane crashed into a building in Connecticut, authorities said Thursday.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told The Hill in a statement that a Cessna Citation 560X business jet crashe…


Texas abortion law alarms reproductive justice advocates: 'We are forcing people into generational poverty'
Reproductive justice advocates who work to help low-income women of color get access to abortions are now targets themselves as new Texas law goes into effect.

After sexual assaults tripled, National Guard Bureau vows reform
Sexual assaults reported in the National Guard have increased every year over the last nine years, more than tripling from 2009 to 2020.
www.usatoday.com

Driver's Licenses Will Soon Be Coming To The iPhone And Apple Watch In These 8 States
Arizona and Georgia will be the first two states to introduce the new feature, which will allow users to add a license or state ID to their Apple devices.

Ousted Tennessee vaccine chief sues state officials for defamation over firing
Michelle Fiscus, Tennessee’s fired vaccine chief, filed a federal defamation lawsuit on Thursday, alleging state officials skewed facts and misled the public as part of a coordinated campaign to destroy her reputation.The backdrop: Fiscus was fired in July after facing criticism from Republican...

Capital One CEO slapped with fine after repeated violation of finance law - Washington Examiner
The Federal Trade Commission announced a $637,950 civil penalty against Richard Fairbank, the CEO of Capital One Financial Corps, for violating the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, which Fairbank has agreed to pay. Fairbank recently acquired 100,000 shares of his own company, Capital One, which brought...


Biden administration on alert for cyberattacks ahead of Labor Day weekend
A top White House official on Thursday underlined preparations the Biden administration is taking for any potential cyberattacks over the upcoming Labor Day weekend, urging companies to be on alert…


Biden says Ida, wildfires show 'climate crisis' has struck
President Joe Biden is pledging robust federal help for the Northeastern and Gulf states battered by Hurricane Ida and for Western states beset by wildfires.


Biden enlists White House counsel to fight Texas abortion law
President Joe Biden on Thursday said he is launching a "whole-of-government effort," including from the White House counsel, to combat a strict new Texas abortion law after an overnight Supreme Court decision let it stand.

General Robert E. Lee statue can be removed, Virginia Supreme Court rules
The nationally recognized statue became the epicenter of a protest movement in Virginia after George Floyd's death.


Key figure in NC ballot probe gets prison for benefit fraud
A key player in a North Carolina ballot probe that led to a new congressional election has been sentenced to six months in prison for Social Security fraud

California pension system invested more than $490 million in Chinese state-owned companies: report
California's public pension system (CalPERS) has more than $3 billion tied up in Chinese companies, including 14 state-owned enterprises blacklisted by the Trump administration because of their ties to the Chinese military, according to a report Thursday.

The Latest: Bidens visit wounded troops at Walter Reed
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden have visited injured U.S. troops at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.


POLITICO Playbook: SCOTUS ruling puts Roe v. Wade on the ropes
And Democrats are scrambling to resolve the House and Senate's reconciliation disputes.


Search still on for man attacked by gator in Ida floodwaters
Sheriff’s officials are still searching for a man whose arm was ripped off during an alligator attack in the floodwaters of Hurricane Ida

Louisiana delegation asks for additional relief funding after Ida
The Louisiana congressional delegation penned a letter to President Biden on Thursday alerting him of the need for additional disaster relief funding after Hurricane Ida, which barreled t…

White House dismisses question about conflict between Biden's Catholic faith and support for abortion rights
When a reporter asked at a White House press briefing on Thursday how President Biden reconciled his Catholic faith with his support for legal abortion, press secretary Jen Psaki discounted any notion of an ideological conflict.

Gavin Newsom recall election: More than a fifth of California voters have cast ballots so far
California's Secretary of State's office reports that 21% of registered voters in the Golden State have cast ballots in the recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom.

'Unconstitutional chaos': Biden vows 'whole-of-government' response after Texas abortion decision
Biden called the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling “an unprecedented assault on a woman’s constitutional rights under Roe v. Wade."


John Roberts has lost control of the Supreme Court | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court's dramatic 5-4 action leaving a Texas abortion ban in place at midnight Wednesday establishes that the Roberts Court no longer is Roberts' Court.

Climate change: Arctic warming linked to colder winters
A new study connects the heating of the Arctic region to extreme winter weather in the US.

Larry Elder dominates Republican recall field to replace Newsom, new poll shows
A new poll shows the effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom is struggling but that conservative talk show host Larry Elder is dominating the Republican field to replace him.

Our Future On A Hotter Planet Means More Climate Disasters Happening Simultaneously
Simultaneous disasters, like the wildfires in California and Hurricane Ida this week, are happening more often as the planet heats up. Emergency managers are preparing for that future.


Feds Are Reportedly Looking Into Why McDonald's Ice-Cream Machines Are Always Busted
It's well known among connoisseurs of the fast-food giant's frozen desserts that McDonald's ice-cream machines often break down. It can make McFlurries, shakes and other treats unattainable.


U.S. effort to resettle Afghan refugees faces major hurdles
The resettlement operation is grappling with issues ranging from the uncertain immigration status of many evacuees, to limited social resources and permanent housing for the new arrivals.


Ariz. state senator who saved Gabby Giffords’s life ends congressional bid due to COVID-19 surge
An Arizona state senator who saved the life of former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.) has ended his congressional bid due to the recent COVID-19 surge. Congressional candidate Randy Friese&…


British national pleads guilty to role in terror beheadings
A British national has admitted in federal court that he played a leadership role in an Islamic State scheme to torture, hold for ransom and eventually behead American hostages.

GOP senators, led by Tom Cotton, ask Biden to release details on Afghanistan withdrawal
A group of Senate Republicans gave President Joe Biden a Sept. 7 deadline to answer questions on citizens left behind, vetting of Afghans, more.

Pentagon restarts 16 advisory boards after 7-month pause
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has agreed to restart 16 defense advisory boards, after halting activity by all the Pentagon panels in February and essentially purging a number of members who were appointed in the final days of the Trump administration.


House Democrats needle Biden on Afghanistan plans, defense spending
The vote tallies for the NDAA don’t fit the neat partisan narratives drawn up in November 2020 concerning reductions in defense spending.

Reports: Hedge fund execs to pay billions in tax settlement
Executives at a New York hedge fund have agreed to pay as much as $7 billion to settle a long-running dispute with the U.S. tax authorities, according to reports Thursday. The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported that insiders at Renaissance Technologies agreed to the deal that...

Border agents slam Biden for securing Tajikistan's border while US border in crisis: 'Slap in the face'
President Biden's decision to help secure Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan has infuriated those on the front lines of the U.S. border crisis, who say that America's own southern border still isn't secure.

Analysis: In the shadows: Why the Supreme Court’s lack of transparency may cost it in the long run | CNN Politics
The entire ordeal has highlighted the Supreme Court’s secretive operations, particularly for scores of important cases handled outside of the usual pattern of scheduled oral arguments.


Kids In Illinois Will Soon Be Able To Take 5 Mental Health Days From School
Starting in January, students will be allowed to use their five mental health days without needing to provide a doctor's note for their absence.


'So scary': Survivors recount terrifying moments of catastrophic flooding in Northeast
Harrowing stories of survival, rescues and recovery are surfacing after a rain-drenched night of deadly storms in the northeastern United States.

Ex-prosecutor indicted for misconduct in Ahmaud Arbery death
A former Georgia prosecutor has been indicted on misconduct charges related to the killing of Ahmaud Arbery.


Feds responding to reports of oil, chemical spills after Ida
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal and state agencies say they are responding to reports of oil and chemical spills resulting from Hurricane Ida following the publication of aerial photos by The Associated Press.


US intelligence chief intervenes to block state secrets in Saudi Crown Prince’s feud with former Saudi official | CNN Politics
The US Director of National Intelligence has made an extraordinary intervention in a federal court case brought against a top former Saudi intelligence official, invoking the rarely used state secrets privilege to stop classified information from coming out that could cause “exceptionally grave”...


26 Republican senators ask Biden for info on vetting of Afghanistan evacuees, Americans left behind
Republican senators issued a letter Thursday demanding President Biden provide the exact number of Americans, green-card holders and special immigrant visa applicants who remain in Afghanistan as well as what type of vetting evacuees are undergoing before being granted entry to the United States.

Jan. 6 riot lawyer's illness throws wrench in several cases
A prominent conservative attorney representing more than a dozen defendants charged in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S.


EU pushes for more autonomy amid Afghanistan fallout
European Union ministers discussed Thursday their options to beef up the 27-nation bloc's strategic autonomy and improve its capacity to respond to future crises.


As Herschel Walker eyes Georgia US Senate seat, a newly revealed stalking claim brings his troubled history under scrutiny
A Texas woman told police in 2002 that Georgia US Senate candidate Herschel Walker had threatened and stalked her, according to a police report obtained by CNN.


FAA bans Virgin Galactic launches while probing Branson trip
The Federal Aviation Administration says Virgin Galactic can't launch anyone into space again until an investigation is complete into founder Richard Branson's off-course flight in July

NHTSA: Traffic deaths rise again as drivers take risks
The government’s road safety agency reported Thursday that U.S. traffic deaths in the first quarter of 2021 rose by 10.5% over last year, even as driving has declined

After voters embraced mail ballots, GOP states tighten rules
Texas has become the latest state where Republicans have rolled back access to voting methods that soared in popularity during last year’s pandemic presidential election.


Supreme Court refuses to block Texas abortion law on technical grounds
The Supreme Court has formally rejected a request by Texas abortion providers to block the state's new law restricting the procedure while legal challenges continue.

Biden blasts high court failure to block Texas abortion curb
President Joe Biden is denouncing the Supreme Court’s decision not to block a new Texas law banning most abortions in the state.


AP sources: Intel shows extremists to attend Capitol rally
Far right extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers are planning to attend a rally later this month at the U.S.


Liz Cheney says Madison Cawthorn's rhetoric on election fraud "seems intended to incite violence"
Cheney called on House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to condemn Cawthorn's remarks that there will be "bloodshed" if elections continue to be "rigged."


House panel backs requiring women to register for the draft
The House Armed Services Committee vote follows a similar vote in the Senate to expand the Selective Service System to include women.


'It looked apocalyptic': Crew describes Afghan departure
The U.S. military pilots and aircrew who made the final flights out of Afghanistan say the sky was lit up with fireworks and sporadic gunfire and the airfield littered with battered shells of airplanes and destroyed equipment.


Hundreds of U.S. citizens, Afghan commandos successfully evacuated through secret CIA base
The clandestine operation resulted in the successful evacuation of hundreds of American citizens and vulnerable Afghans.


Those left in Afghanistan complain of broken US promises
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Even in the final days of Washington’s chaotic airlift in Afghanistan, Javed Habibi was getting phone calls from the U.S. government promising that the green card holder from Richmond, Virginia, his wife and their four daughters would not be left behind.


Hundreds Of Thousands Are Still Without Power In Louisiana. Some Could Be For Weeks
Some progress is being made three days after Ida made landfall, but the region's utility company, Entergy, faces a slew of obstacles in restoring power throughout the region.


Democrats defeat GOP effort to declare ‘lost confidence’ in Biden after Afghanistan withdrawal
Republicans used a marathon markup of the annual defense policy bill to repeatedly hit President Biden on the messy withdrawal from Afghanistan, offering a slew of amendments related to the issue i…


These charts show which states will get the most money from Biden's infrastructure bill
CNBC used White House estimates to map which states could see the biggest infrastructure spending if President Joe Biden signs the legislation.

Trump Organization security chief Matthew Calamari Jr., son of top executive, to testify before Manhattan grand jury
Matthew Calamari Jr., son of the Trump Organization's chief operating officer, is expected to testify Thursday before a Manhattan grand jury, a source told CNBC.

'Everybody screwed up': Blame game begins over turbulent U.S. exit from Afghanistan
A week into the evacuation from Kabul, the U.S. military was forced to take a drastic step: stop all flights from Hamid Karzai International Airport for seven hours because there was nowhere for the evacuees to go.
Washington D.C. police brace for rally in support of Jan. 6 Capitol riot
The U.S. Capitol Police Department is "closely monitoring" a Sept. 18 rally planned in support of individuals arrested for storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, USCP chief Tom Manger said Wednesday in a written statement shared with reporters.Driving the news: The rally — spearheaded by former Donald...

Flights resume, some power restored in New Orleans after Ida
Commercial flights have resumed in New Orleans and power has returned to parts of the business district in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.


Merkel prepares to step down with legacy of tackling crises
Angela Merkel will leave office as one of modern Germany’s longest-serving leaders and as a global diplomatic heavyweight.


Detained Canadians accused of sharing Chinese military photos
China arrested Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig on espionage charges in December 2018.

Prosecutors say Jan. 6 rioters committed roughly 1,000 assaults on federal officers
Prosecutors say rioters committed roughly 1,000 assaults on federal officers during the Jan. 6 insurrection on the U.S. Capitol. In a court filing Wednesday, federal prosecutors in Washin…


U.S. relationship with Taliban unclear after end of Afghanistan War, senior defense and diplomatic officials say
The remarks from the highest levels of the Defense and State departments come one day after Biden defended his decision to withdraw from Afghanistan.

Protests in Texas over restrictive new abortion law
The new law — the most restrictive abortion law in the country — went into effect in Texas after the U.S. Supreme Court did not act on opponents’ request to block it.

Texas is tackling Roe v. Wade with a 'vigilante' economy, where rewards of $10,000 or more go to lawsuits against anyone thought to even aid an abortion
"Outrageously, it deputizes private citizens to bring lawsuits against anyone" who aids an abortion, President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Texans can now openly carry guns in public without a permit or training. Police say the new law makes it harder to do their jobs | CNN
A new pro-gun law in Texas that went into effect Wednesday allows most Texans who legally own a firearm to carry it openly in public without obtaining a permit or training, a measure that experts say will make it more challenging for law enforcement to protect the public from gun violence.


23,876 'at risk' Afghans have already arrived in the United States, State Department says
More than 23,000 Afghan refugees deemed to be "at risk" have arrived in the United States, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Wednesday.

Supreme Court denies request to stop Texas 6-week abortion ban, with John Roberts and liberals dissenting
The Supreme Court formally denied a request from Texas abortion providers to freeze a state law that bars abortions after six weeks. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the three liberal justices in dissent.


Robert Durst defense rests; testimony ends in murder case
Testimony has concluded in the Robert Durst murder case after the New York real estate heir defended himself for weeks on the witness stand

House panel advances $778B defense bill
The House Armed Services Committee late Wednesday approved its $778 billion defense policy bill after a more than 16-hour session to consider the measure.The panel voted 57-2 to advance its version…


Brazil Supreme Court weighs landmark Indigenous land rights case
Defeat in court for the Indigenous people could set a precedent for the rollback of native rights by Bolsonaro.

Communities in Louisiana and beyond rally to support Hurricane Ida victims
After the devastating Hurricane Ida tore across the state last weekend, communities in Louisiana and beyond are rallying to support their friends and neighbors.

Florida man Stephen Alford, reportedly involved in Gaetz family extortion plot, charged in $25 million scheme
Stephen Alford, who is linked to an alleged extortion plot involving Rep. Matt Gaetz, has been charged in a $25 million "presidential pardon" fraud scheme.
Biden says restrictive Texas abortion law will 'significantly impair women's access to the health care they need'
President Biden said on Wednesday that the newly implemented Texas law that restricts access to potentially lifesaving abortion procedures “blatantly violates the constitutional right” established under Roe v. Wade.

1 in 3 countries have no outdoor air quality requirements: UN report
One-third of countries worldwide have no standards in place for clean air in outdoor spaces, according to a report released Thursday by the United Nations.The analysis by the United Natio…


Feds warn organizations not to take a cyber vacation after high-profile hacking on holidays
In a joint advisory, the FBI and CISA said they "observed an increase in highly impactful ransomware attacks occurring on holidays and weekends — when offices are normally closed."


U.S. housing 20,000 Afghan evacuees in 5 states, with another 40,000 overseas
The Biden administration is using eight military bases and two facilities across the U.S. to house Afghan evacuees, including those who aided the U.S. war effort.


Russia to send arms, ‘maybe even S-400s’, to Belarus: Lukashenko
The authoritarian leader’s comments come ahead of large joint military exercises later this month.

You May Have Gotten Shortchanged By $125 On That COVID Rebate For Your Car
Auto insurers returned some premium payments to drivers last year when driving slowed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. But consumer groups say policyholders should have received a larger rebate.


Analysis: McCarthy threat offers dark preview of possible Republican House
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is offering a glimpse of the Donald Trump-inspired authoritarian streak likely to animate a Republican majority if the party triumphs in next year's midterm elections.


6 questions answered after SCOTUS declines block Texas abortion law
The law is considered the most restrictive abortion law in the nation.

'Haunted by the choices we had to make': U.S. official describes evacuation mayhem
U.S. sent electronic credentials to vetted Afghans so they could get past Taliban, but those passes were shared and went viral, scuttling the plan.
www.usatoday.com

Ida updates: Over 50 dead in Northeast after flooding as death toll continues to rise
A flash flood emergency was declared in New York City for the first time.

Medics mount emergency response from devastated Louisiana hospital's parking lot
Outside a hospital abandoned after Hurricane Ida tore its roof off and flooded the interior, emergency medical workers were ready for action.

Lake Tahoe wildfire seemed controllable, until winds flared
Last week, managers overseeing the fight against the massive wildfire scorching California’s Lake Tahoe region thought they could have it contained by the start of this week.


Putin says US achieved ‘zero’ in Afghanistan
Russian leader says 20-year occupation resulted in ‘sheer tragedies and losses’ for Washington and the Afghan people.

'We absolutely need this': Michigan lawmakers consider bipartisan push to end 'tampon tax'
Many states have either exempted feminine hygiene products from sales and use taxes or are considering the idea.
www.usatoday.com

U.S. civil rights museum gives Freedom Award to Michelle Obama, campaign group
Former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and The Poor People's Campaign will receive the Freedom Award from the National Civil Rights Museum in Tennessee, the museum said.

EXPLAINER: Congress asks tech companies for Jan. 6 records
A House committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection has requested that telecommunications and social media companies preserve the personal communications of hundreds of people who may have somehow been connected to the attack.


Hurricane Ida causes flooding and destruction
Hurricane Ida made landfall as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, then the remains of the storm left a path of destruction through the northeastern U.S.

House panel backs making women register for draft
The House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday night approved an amendment requiring women to register for the draft.The panel voted 35-24 to approve an amendment from Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.…


Texas abortion law: What women make of six-week abortion ban
Anti-abortion activists celebrate but a doctor who could be targeted by new law fears for the future.


New York and New Jersey declare states of emergency as remnants of Hurricane Ida hit Northeast
The downpours were being blamed for at least five deaths — four in New York City and a 70-year-old man the mayor of Passaic, New Jersey says was swept away by floodwaters.


India locks down Kashmir after top separatist leader's death
Indian authorities have restricted public movement and cut communications in disputed Kashmir after the death of top separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani.


U.S. about to hit unemployment benefits cliff as August hiring dramatically slows
Millions will be losing their pandemic-related and enhanced unemployment benefits over Labor Day weekend, as states opt to let them expire.


Social Security costs to exceed revenue for 1st time in 39 years
For the first time in 39 years, Social Security payments made to retired Americans this year, and every year after, will be greater than the payments it receives.

Fuel is in short supply in Louisiana, which is a critical problem for the Hurricane Ida recovery effort, governor says | CNN
Dwindling fuel supplies are hampering relief efforts in Louisiana, where many residents are relying on gas-powered generators in the wake of Hurricane Ida, Gov. John Bel Edwards said.


After Hurricane Ida, 12 hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning due to generator use
At least 12 people, including seven children, were hospitalized in New Orleans on Wednesday with carbon monoxide poisoning after using a generator indoors.

After Ida, small recovery signs amid daunting destruction
Residents of Louisiana communities hit hard by Hurricane Ida are seeing small signs of progress amid the need for a monumental recovery.


Canada federal election: How much trouble is Trudeau in?
Canada's leader called a snap election, but midway through the campaign his party is struggling.


Florida restaurant owner posts sign telling Biden supporters to 'take business elsewhere'
A Florida restaurant raised eyebrows after posting a sign outsider the front door telling Biden supporters to dine elsewhere citing his recent handling of the American military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

More than 45 dead after Ida's remnants blindside Northeast
A stunned U.S. East Coast is facing a sobering death toll, surging rivers, tornado damage and continuing calls for rescue after the remnants of Hurricane Ida walloped the region with record-breaking rain.


How Taliban return in Afghanistan triggered Islamophobia in India
India’s Muslim minority becomes the Hindu right wing’s target in a new hate campaign after the Taliban captures power.

Louisiana residents who didn't evacuate wait for power, water, communication to be restored
"I should not have [stayed], but I didn't really have a choice," one Louisiana resident said. "I couldn't really afford to drop everything and go."


Photos show black slick in water near Gulf oil rig after Ida
PORT FOURCHON, La. (AP) — Photos show what appears to be a miles-long oil slick near an offshore rig in the Gulf of Mexico after Hurricane Ida, according to aerial survey imagery released Wednesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and reviewed by The Associated Press.


Study finds 'sweet spot' of sleep needed to help prevent Alzheimer's disease
Too much and too little sleep can be bad for your health, research shows.

R. Kelly accuser says he kept gun nearby while berating her
One of R. Kelly’s accusers has told a jury that he kept a gun by his side while he berated her before forcing her to give him oral sex in a Los Angeles music studio.


Tokyo 2020: Anger after Paralympian is stripped of gold medal for being late
Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli won his shot put event but had his title revoked because he was three minutes late.


Nikole Hannah-Jones says her 1619 Freedom School in Iowa teaches Black history, not CRT
Nikole Hannah-Jones, lead author of the New York Times’ 1619 Project, is launching a free after-school program in Iowa that combines reading skills with Black history, according to reports.

Deputy SecDef vows to get at 'root causes' of racial disparities in military justice system
Hicks vowed to get to the bottom of what she claimed were racial disparities in the military justice system

Afghans create app that provides crisis alerts to Kabul residents amid Taliban takeover
The app, which is available on Android and Apple devices, sends streamlined and verified security notifications to users in Kabul.


Here’s what Black students have to say about 'critical race theory' bans
Black students across the country have a lot to say about policy changes that would bar educators from teaching about racism in schools.


McDonald’s hiring 14-year-olds in Oregon amid labour shortage
An Oregon branch sees flood of applications after failing to recruit older workers.



US hospitals hit with nurse staffing crisis amid COVID
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a nurse staffing crisis that is forcing many U.S. hospitals to pay top dollar to get the help they need to handle the crush of patients this summer.


COVID-19 updates: 345 children currently hospitalized with coronavirus in Texas
The United States is facing a COVID-19 surge this summer as the more contagious delta variant spreads.

Fauci: 'Mu' COVID variant not an 'immediate threat' to Americans
The new coronavirus variant “mu” is not an “immediate threat” to the United States as of now, according to White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Israeli coronavirus vaccine booster data gives the U.S. hope
Preliminary Israeli data shows that coronavirus booster shots quickly spike a person's protection against both severe disease and infection, suggesting that the additional shots could help blunt the virus' spread in the U.S. — although it's very unclear how much.Why it matters: The Biden...

China Is Imposing Strict Lockdowns To Contain New COVID Outbreaks. But There's A Cost
The severe restrictions on travel and movement are having a serious impact on citizens, international workers, students and more as China grapples with the pandemic.


Arizona's AG rebuffs Biden DOE's mask probe: Won't 'tolerate' efforts to undermine state sovereignty
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich forcefully responded to the Department of Education (DOE) Tuesday, telling Secretary Miguel Cardona he won't "tolerate" any federal overreach through the administration's masking investigation.
Vaccines Not an Option, Life for Families With Young Children
President Joe Biden has declared the current coronavirus surge a “pandemic of the unvaccinated.” But as the United States confronts its worst moment of the pandemic since the winter, there is a group of 48 million people who do not have the option of getting a vaccine: children younger than 12...

South Carolina Supreme Court strikes down city's school mask mandate
South Carolina's Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a school mask mandate in the state's capital city in the midst of its largest surge in COVID-19 cases since last winter.

Drug industry banks on its Covid clout to halt Dems’ push on prices
Major pharmaceutical companies are citing their role in fighting the pandemic as they lobby against Democrats' bid to overhaul prescription drug policy.


Judge in Theranos trial dismisses unvaccinated people in jury pool
A California judge on Thursday dismissed nine people in a jury pool because they were not vaccinated against COVID-19, Reuters reported.U.S. District Judge Edward Davila, who is presiding over…


Virus threatens to slam labor market as jobless aid expires
A weak jobs outlook could further erode Joe Biden's standing with the public.


Crowded U.S. Jails Drove Millions Of COVID-19 Cases, A New Study Says
The U.S. jail population has a 55% weekly turnover rate, raising the risk of infections passing between communities, according to the study.


An important lesson from the pandemic: Telehealth works
Building from the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers and insurers must expand coverage for telehealth services to make them more accessible to millions of Americans with communication d…


Theranos judge requires COVID shots for jurors, but will that skew the jury pool?
A U.S. judge this week dismissed from a jury pool nine people who were unvaccinated against COVID-19. He said his aim was to keep jurors and their families healthy but might his decision skew the jury pool?

Arizona ex-nurse pleads guilty in disabled woman’s rape
A former Arizona nurse pleaded guilty on Thursday in the 2018 sexual assault of a severely disabled woman at a long-term care facility, a crime that came to light only when she unexpectedly gave birth.

Biden administration announces $3B for coronavirus vaccine supply chain
The Biden administration is committing almost $3 billion to the coronavirus vaccine supply chain as the White House aims to expand U.S. manufacturing of the doses, federal officials announced on Th…


COVID-19 updates: 345 children currently hospitalized with coronavirus in Texas
The United States is facing a COVID-19 surge this summer as the more contagious delta variant spreads.

The Latest: Moderna, Japan partner recall 1.6 million doses
Moderna Inc. and its Japanese partner are recalling more than 1 million doses of the U.S. drug maker’s coronavirus vaccine after confirming contamination reported last week was tiny particles of stainless steel.


WHO urges countries to halt plans for COVID-19 booster shots through September
As booster vaccinations gain traction with waning immunity in the face of delta variant infections, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus doubled down on the a…


Coronavirus vaccines cut risk of long Covid, study finds
The study adds to growing evidence that vaccination helps protect against Covid in a number of ways.


FDA calls meeting of its advisers to discuss Covid vaccine boosters | CNN
The FDA said Wednesday it has called a meeting of its vaccine advisers for September 17 to discuss booster doses of coronavirus vaccine.


Study finds low rate of COVID-19 "breakthrough" infections, fewer symptoms in vaccinated people
Data on more than 1 million vaccinated people in Britain shows the vaccines not only help prevent infection, but sharply reduce the risk of serious illness or hospitalization.


Oregon school district fires superintendent without reason, after he upheld state’s mask mandate | CNN
Adrian School District Superintendent Kevin Purnell was terminated after 14 years working in the district, and three years as superintendent, in a 4-1 vote, with the board saying Purnell failed to follow the its directives. Board members met behind closed doors and did not give further...


Washington Nationals VP to resign over COVID-19 vaccine mandate: reports
Washington Nationals Vice President Bob Boone will resign over the team’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, according to multiple reports Wednesday. Boone informed the team that he will resign i…


Cincinnati hospital poll on COVID vaccine shows a third of nurses would quit rather than be forced to take it
Ohio nurses are pushing back against hospitals requiring them to take the coronavirus vaccine and a recent survey shows that at least 30% of nurses at one Cincinnati medical center would quit before taking the vaccine.
Last edited: