(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday rejected two Republicans tapped by House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy to sit on a committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, a decision the Republican denounced as “an egregious abuse of power.”
Infrastructure bill fails first vote; Senate to try again
Senate Republicans have rejected an effort to begin debate on a bipartisan infrastructure deal that senators brokered with President Joe Biden.
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Dems hit McConnell, who says GOP won't back debt limit boost
Senate Democrats are accusing Republicans of a cynical ploy that would damage the government’s credit rating and the economy.
apnews.com
Gen. Milley says Taliban appear to have 'strategic momentum'
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says the Taliban appear to have “strategic momentum” in the fight for control of Afghanistan. Gen.
apnews.com
CBS News analysis: What drives Republican and Trump voters' belief in widespread voter fraud?
CBS News Elections & Polling study on voting finds most Republicans think voter fraud happened in cities and communities that vote Democratic.
www.cbsnews.com
Ted Cruz is blocking diplomats from being confirmed, and it has nothing to do with their qualifications | CNN Politics
An extraordinary effort by Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz to block nominees from being confirmed to vital jobs in the State Department is creating hurdles for the Biden administration and hindering US diplomacy, according to Democrats and Republicans who spoke to CNN.
www.cnn.com
Texas Senate bill removes requirement to teach KKK as 'morally wrong'
The change was included in some two dozen curriculum requirements that were dropped in Senate Bill 3.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden claims GOP is 'lying' about Democrats wanting to defund police, says he's never supported it
President Biden said during a town hall event on Wednesday that Republicans are ‘lying’ when they say Democrats want to defund the police.
Voting machines in Pennsylvania's Fulton County decertified after audit
Voting machines in Pennsylvania's Fulton County were decertified after local officials complied with a GOP-backed ballot audit and allowed a third-party contractor to access data.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Republicans sink Schumer's test vote on bipartisan infrastructure plan, but talks continue
A key procedural vote on the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan failed to pass the full Senate after Republicans united in opposition.
Ukraine's president finally gets date for White House visit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose hopes for a White House meeting played a central part in former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment, will finally get his chance for an Oval Office sit down late next month.
apnews.com
Debt ceiling deadline: Here's when the government will no longer be able to pay its bills
U.S. will likely run out of cash to pay its bills in October or November if Congress doesn't act, Congressional Budget Office report says.
www.cbsnews.com
More than 100 Louisiana religious leaders sign letter opposing transgender sports ban
More than 100 religious leaders in Louisiana signed a letter opposing a bill passed by the state Legislature prohibiting transgender athletes from competing on public school teams.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Cheney backs Pelosi rejection of Republican Leader McCarthy choices for Jan. 6 panel
Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney once again broke from her party Wednesday to support Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s decision in vetoing two GOP nominees to sit on the Jan. 6 House panel.
McCarthy pulls all Republicans from January 6 Select Committee after Pelosi rejects two picks
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected Congressmen Jim Jordan and Jim Banks.
www.cbsnews.com
Ad hoc extremist groups come into focus in post-January 6 criminal charges | CNN Politics
When officers arrested Robert Morss of Pennsylvania on charges related to the January 6 Capitol riot, they found in his car a notebook with a page titled, “Step by Step to Create Hometown Militia.”
www.cnn.com
Biden questions parent 'honesty' about student vaccinations, says it's a matter of 'community responsibility'
President Biden said Wednesday that it was a matter of “community responsibility” for parents to be honest about whether their children aged 12 and older are vaccinated when schools reopen later this year.
US, Germany seal deal on contentious Russian gas pipeline
The United States and Germany have reached a deal that will allow the completion of a controversial Russian gas pipeline to Europe without the imposition of further U.S. sanctions.
apnews.com
Wildfires: Firefighters battle blaze from top of moving train
Officials in California are pulling out all the stops to contain the state's largest wildfire.
www.bbc.com
Biden to visit Ohio for third time during his presidency to push his economic agenda
President Joe Biden will travel to Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday after vote to begin debate on a bipartisan infrastructure bill failed in the senate.
Democratic mayors who called to defund the police spent millions on own security details
Democratic mayors in nearly two dozen major cities across the United States who have publicly called for defunding the police have received personal protection from a police detail at taxpayers' expense.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Trump meetings with Cheney opponents don't include Anthony Bouchard, top fundraiser with complicated past
Former President Donald Trump is meeting next week with multiple of the Republican candidates who are aiming to unseat Rep. Liz Cheney – but one of the most high-profile candidates in the race says that he wasn't invited.
5 things to watch during CNN's town hall with Joe Biden | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden is set to face key questions on how his administration will handle some of the most pressing issues facing the country when he takes part in a CNN town hall Wednesday night.
www.cnn.comDemocrats slam Mitch McConnell for taking economy 'hostage' by rallying GOP against extending US's ability to pay its bills on time
Republicans previously supported raising the debt ceiling under President Trump. Now they're opposing it under Biden.
Biden nominates Victoria Kennedy for Austria ambassadorship
President Joe Biden is nominating Victoria Kennedy, an attorney and the widow of Sen. Ted Kennedy, to serve as his ambassador to Austria.
apnews.com
Cruz spars with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on amnesty bill, call his answers 'fertilizer'
Sen. Cruz had a fiery exchange with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack over the border crisis and efforts to pass a farm reform bill that includes an amnesty for illegal immigrant workers.
Smoke from Western wildfires is harming air quality on the East Coast
Smoke from the Western wildfires was carried by the jet stream and cross-continental wind and triggered health alerts thousands of miles away.
McCarthy threatens to pull choices for Jan. 6 committee after Pelosi rejects Jordan, Banks
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday rejected Republican Reps. Jim Banks and Jim Jordan for the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol.
Monkeypox: More than 200 contacts tracked in US for rare disease
No instances of the rare disease had been recorded in the US since 2003.
www.bbc.com
FBI informants had bigger role in Whitmer kidnap plot than thought: report
Members of an anti-government group accused of hatching a plan to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer claim they were set up by more than a dozen FBI agents who had infiltrated the organization and played a key role in the plot, according to a new report.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
GOP congressman starts conservative climate caucus to take on global threat
Utah Rep. John Curtis has launched the conservative climate caucus to give a home to Republicans who believe in combating climate change and educating other conservatives on the global threat.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden predicts restaurants and businesses will be 'in a bind' for some time due to labor shortages | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden conceded during a CNN town hall on Wednesday that certain businesses will remain “in a bind for a little while” with labor shortages, part of a major set of problems that’s unfurling as his six-month-old presidency reaches a critical juncture.
www.cnn.com
Larry Elder cleared for California gubernatorial recall ballot after winning lawsuit
Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder told Fox News on Wednesday that California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his Democratic allies are “scared to death” after a judge overturned the state’s bid to block Elder’s name from appearing on the ballot in an upcoming recall election.
Former Detroit police chief says he's running for Michigan governor
James Craig joins seven other Republicans in bid to challenge Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
www.cbsnews.comBiden's DOJ Is Using A Ridiculous Argument To Defend A Controversial Trump-Era Arms Deal
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are both accused of human rights abuses — but Biden seems to believe that should only matter for the Saudis.
Why are Facebook and Amazon afraid of Lina Khan?
Here’s what you need to know about the brewing battle between Khan and some of the world’s biggest tech firms.
White House officials encourage states to get rental assistance out faster
Biden administration officials urged states and cities on Wednesday to move quickly to get rental assistance to households that have fallen behind.
Hunter Biden expected to meet with potential art buyers before anonymous sales
The art shows allow the president's son to meet potential collectors of his art, seemingly defying the spirit of a White House ethics agreement.
www.cbsnews.com
Biden says abolishing filibuster would 'throw entire Congress into chaos'
President Biden shot down calls to abolish the filibuster to clear the way for passage of the sweeping Democrat-backed elections overhaul, arguing that any effort to end use of the tactic despite a GOP outcry would jeopardize his entire legislative agenda.
Biden administration to prioritize Puerto Rico's recovery, not political status
"We want to spend our energy and focus on doing it right, or at least attempt to do it right, rather than to be bogged down by a debate on the status," a White House official said.
www.nbcnews.com
US extending ban on non-essential travel to Canada and Mexico
The United States is extending its ban on non-essential travel to Canada and Mexico until at least Aug. 21, officials say.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Man busted in 2020 Twitter hack, bitcoin scam of Biden, Obama, Musk, Buffett accounts
Twitter accounts in the hack included those of Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Kim Kardashian and Warren Buffett.
No. 2 US diplomat Sherman to visit China as tensions soar
Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will travel to China on a visit that comes as tensions between Washington and Beijing soar.
apnews.com
Biden to meet next month with private sector on cyber issues
A U.S. official says President Joe Biden plans to meet next month with business executives about cybersecurity.
apnews.comIndictment of Trump ally Tom Barrack could strain U.S.-UAE ties
The arrest on Tuesday of Tom Barrack, a business tycoon and close Trump ally, for allegedly acting as an unregistered Emirati agent could complicate relations between the Biden administration and the UAE.Driving the news: The indictment against Barrack, a real estate investor who chaired Trump’s...
Georgia House speaker proposes 1K bonus for police, deputies
Georgia's House speaker said Wednesday he will seek $75 million in the state budget to give each police officer and sheriff's deputy a $1,000 bonus, increase salaries for prosecutors and public defenders and bolster the capacity of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
UK demands new post-Brexit trade deal for Northern Ireland
UK seeks ‘standstill period’ for Northern Ireland protocol to re-negotiate post-Brexit trade rules agreed with EU.
Trump ally Sen. Ron Johnson says he hasn't been 'particularly successful' in Congress because the debt soared and Obamacare survived under GOP leadership
The Wisconsin Republican, who has been endorsed by Trump, says he hasn't yet decided whether to run for reelection next year.
Officer who hunted Bin Laden leads CIA's Havana Syndrome task force
An official said the intelligence veteran "will bring that same intensity" to the hunt for the source of the health incidents that have plagued diplomats.
www.nbcnews.com
Alabama council member who used racist slur faces calls to resign
An Alabama city council member is facing calls to resign after he used a racist slur while pointing toward a Black councilwoman during a meeting Monday night.
Kraken attorney's fundraising group gets Florida's approval
A group run by one of former President Donald Trump’s most prominent election conspiracy adherents, reacting to accusations it was illegally seeking donations in Florida, has registered with the state and says it will raise $7 million, documents released Wednesday show. The office of...
Federal judges block transgender restrictions in 2 states
Federal judges have temporarily blocked new laws in Arkansas and West Virginia restricting transgender people's rights.
apnews.comNews organizations lobby Biden administration for special visa program for Afghans who supported U.S. press
A coalition of more than 20 U.S. media companies delivered letters to Congress and the Biden administration, seeking assistance with the relocation of Afghan journalists and staff who worked for American outlets.Why it matters: Afghans who worked with the U.S. press “fear retaliation from the...
Myanmar women give birth in jungle as military lies in wait
Heavily pregnant women displaced by fighting risk their lives to give birth after being forced to flee their homes.
Senate procedural vote on bipartisan infrastructure bill fails after GOP opposition
The preliminary vote failed 49 to 51.
www.cbsnews.com
Taliban seek to cut off Afghan population centres: Top US general
Taliban fighters have encircled 17 provincial capitals, outcome of Afghanistan peace talks uncertain, Mark Milley says.
Biden to nominate widow of late Sen. Ted Kennedy as ambassador to Austria
President Joe Biden is nominating the widow of late Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy to serve as the United States Ambassador to Austria.
'Jurassic Pompeii' yields thousands of 'squiggly wiggly' fossils
Scientists are excavating one of the most important Jurassic sites ever discovered in the UK.
www.bbc.com
Violence escalates in water-shortage protests in Iran’s Khuzestan
Six nights of protests over water shortages have turned deadly, with three civilians and one police officer killed.
Priest resigns from top post amid Catholic newsletter linking his cellphone data to Grindr
Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, "has resigned, effective immediately," officials said.
www.nbcnews.comGOP will launch its own Jan. 6 investigation if Pelosi doesn't reverse course, McCarthy says
The GOP will pursue its own investigation into the Capitol insurrection if Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) doesn't reverse her rejection of the two Republicans named to the Jan. 6 select committee, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Wednesday.Why it matters: Pelosi on Wednesday...
Weinstein pleads not guilty to sexual assaults in California
Harvey Weinstein has pleaded not guilty in a Los Angeles courtroom to four counts of rape and seven other sexual assault counts.
apnews.com
Pegasus: Princess Latifa and Princess Haya numbers 'among leaks'
Numbers used by Princesses Latifa and Haya are reportedly found in a database at the heart of the leaks.
www.bbc.com
Republicans block vote on bipartisan infrastructure bill, pushing for more time to write it | CNN Politics
Senate Republicans blocked a vote Wednesday to start debate on a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, as they push for more time to strike a deal with Democrats and write the legislation.
www.cnn.com
Jill Biden in Tokyo for Olympic Games, meets prime minister
Jill Biden is in Tokyo on her first solo international trip as first lady. She's leading the U.S. delegation to the Olympic Games.
apnews.com
50-year war on drugs imprisoned millions of Black Americans
Landscaping was hardly his lifelong dream. As a teenager, Alton Lucas believed basketball or music would pluck him out of North Carolina and take him around the world.
apnews.comMinnesota House speaker won't act on Rep. Thompson allegations yet
Minnesota House Democrats appear unlikely to take immediate action to expel or punish embattled state Rep. John Thompson.Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for freeDriving the news: House Speaker Melissa Hortman indicated Wednesday that...
Man charged with hate crime in 'incel' plot to shoot sorority women
A 23-year-old Ohio man was arrested and charged with a hate crime Wednesday after he allegedly planned to shoot university sorority members, the Justice Department announced.
www.washingtonexaminer.comStill bullish on bipartisanship and filibuster, Biden sees infrastructure bill moving ahead on Monday
With much of his voting rights agenda stalled in Congress, the coronavirus pandemic entering a dangerous, politicized new phase and the fate of a much-needed plan to address the nation’s crumbling infrastructure still in doubt, President Biden on Wednesday stood by his support of the Senate...
Maria Taylor and ESPN part ways after leaked audio controversy
Taylor's departure follows a controversy surrounding leaked comments from reporter Rachel Nichols, who made disparaging comments about her.
www.cbsnews.com
Cuba starts handing out sentences following historic protests
Human rights activists say this is just the start of what they predict will be a wave of summary trials for hundreds who have been detained.
www.nbcnews.com
McCarthy vows to pull Jan. 6 panel choices after Pelosi rejects GOP Reps. Jordan and Banks
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has veto power over whom McCarthy selects to sit on the panel, and the committee can proceed in its work without those five members.
www.nbcnews.com
US, Germany threaten Russia with sanctions if Nord Stream 2 pipeline is used as a 'weapon'
The United States and Germany pledged Wednesday to hit Russia with sanctions if the Kremlin uses the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline as a weapon against Ukraine.
McConnell predicts no Republicans will support raising debt ceiling
A two-year suspension of the debt limit is set to expire July 31.
www.cbsnews.comWhat are ghost guns? In town hall, Biden brings up worries about the untraceable weapons
"There's also a thing called ghost guns that are being sold now and being used," Biden said in Cincinnati on Wednesday night.
U.S. Justice Dept issues new policy on communications with White House
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday handed down new policies governing the Justice Department's interactions with the White House aimed at minimizing political interference in law enforcement, the Justice Department said. Garland said in a statement that the new policies further...
Who's outbidding you by tens of thousands of dollars for that home of your dreams? A hedge fund
These buyers often come armed with the kind of financial firepower ordinary Americans can't hope to match, housing experts say.
www.nbcnews.com
White House weighs pushing masks as COVID cases increase
The Biden administration is reportedly weighing whether to formally urge vaccinated Americans to weigh masks as the country experiences a spike in the COVID-19 Delta variant.
Liverpool stripped of Unesco World Heritage status
The city is deleted from the much-coveted Unesco list because of developments on the waterfront.
www.bbc.com
Outraged pro-life Catholics call for protests over Biden appearance at a Catholic university
Catholics and pro-life advocates are speaking out against President Biden’s Wednesday night appearance at a Catholic university in Cincinnati, Ohio and urging protesters to show up at the event.
Bette Midler, Berry Gordy among new Kennedy Center honorees
The Kennedy Center Honors is returning in December. The honorees will be Motown Records creator Berry Gordy, “Saturday Night Live” mastermind Lorne Michaels, opera singer Justino Diaz, folk music legend Joni Mitchell and actress-singer Bette Midler.
apnews.com
Airlines keep losing and damaging wheelchairs at an alarming rate
U.S. airlines are losing and damaging wheelchairs at an alarming rate.
GOP AG celebrates Biden admin's reversal on critical race theory handbook as 'big win for parents'
The Biden administration claimed that it was an "error" when the Department of Education linked to a radical activist group’s handbook that pushes critical race theory in schools, distancing itself from the organization to the relief of South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Former informant 'White Boy Rick' sues FBI for $100m
The one-time teenage FBI informant says his work with the agency amounts to 'child abuse'
www.bbc.comInfrastructure bill fails first vote; Senate to try again
Senate Republicans have rejected an effort to begin debate on a bipartisan infrastructure deal that senators brokered with President Joe Biden.
apnews.com
Tom Barrack, Trump's inaugural committee chair, charged with acting as agent of UAE
Barrack, a longtime friend of Trump, is also charged with obstruction of justice and making multiple false statements to federal law enforcement agents.
www.nbcnews.com
Three states take half of FEMA's new disaster fund. Hundreds of communities receive nothing.
Three of the country's wealthiest states are on track to receive more than half of the money from a new program helping communities prepare for extreme weather.
www.nbcnews.com
Judge blocks Arkansas law banning most abortions
A federal judge blocked an Arkansas law that would ban nearly all abortions.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Texas House Republican introduces bill calling for forensic audit of 2020 election
"I don't know if these folks are aware of it, Trump actually did carry Texas," a leading state Democrat said of the review, which would target the most populous counties.
www.nbcnews.com
Pentagon review: What happens if 'nuclear football' is lost?
The Pentagon is taking a rare look at whether it is properly prepared for an emergency in which the portable communications system nicknamed the “nuclear football," which always accompanies the president, is lost or stolen.
apnews.comDEA agent arrested for participating in Jan. 6 Capitol riot by Trump supporters
A Drug Enforcement Administration agent has been arrested for allegedly participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot by supporters of then-President Donald Trump.
Seemingly safe GOP incumbents under attack from right wing
Republican U.S. Sen. James Lankford would seem to have all the conservative credentials he’d need to coast to reelection in deep-red Oklahoma.
apnews.com
Climate envoy says US, China must end world's 'suicide pact'
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry has called on China to join America in urgently cutting greenhouse gas emissions and described the international alliances that rebuilt Europe after World War II as a model for fighting climate change.
apnews.com
Senate Republicans poised to block vote on infrastructure bill Wednesday but negotiations will continue | CNN Politics
Senate Republicans are expected to block a vote Wednesday advancing a massive bipartisan infrastructure bill since they have not yet struck a deal with Democrats to draft the legislation.
www.cnn.comTexas border town sues Biden's DHS to stop busloads of illegal immigrants
City officials in Laredo, Texas are suing President Joe Biden’s Department of Homeland Security in order to stop the transfer of migrants from the Rio Grande Valley to their town for processing.
Democrats begrudgingly accept McCarthy’s picks for Jan. 6 committee
The GOP leader's choices to investigate the Capitol riot include conservative all-stars — and antagonists of the left — such as Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
www.politico.com
Fourth Oath Keeper in Capitol riot pleads guilty, cooperates with FBI
Caleb Berry, 20, of Tampa, Florida, admitted that he and other group members planned for Jan. 6 and entered the building in a single-file formation.
www.nbcnews.com
China floods: 12 dead in Zhengzhou train and thousands evacuated in Henan
Passengers describe how they climbed onto chairs to keep their heads above the floodwaters.
www.bbc.com
Democrat proposes boxing out Trump by limiting speaker to House members only
A House Democrat announced legislation that would deny former President Donald Trump the speaker's gavel.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
US Rep. Greene: Twitter timeout is 'Communist-style' attack
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says her 12-hour suspension from Twitter is "a Communist-style attack on free speech.”
apnews.com
U.S. Life Expectancy Fell By 1.5 Years In 2020, The Biggest Drop Since WWII
The CDC says COVID-19 was the largest factor, along with drug overdoses, homicides, diabetes and chronic liver disease. The decline was even greater for Hispanic men.
www.npr.org
'The clock is running': Biden and his White House sharpen their strategy to confront epic challenges | CNN Politics
Joe Biden’s presidency is only six months old, but the mood inside the White House can often feel like a race against time.
www.cnn.com
Covid: France rolls out health pass as cases soar
From Wednesday people will need proof of vaccination or a negative test to access some public places.
www.bbc.com
Biden's 3rd trip to reddish Ohio pushes his economic agenda
President Joe Biden just can’t quit Ohio — even if it rejected him in last year’s election. The president travels to Cincinnati on Wednesday to push his economic policies.
apnews.com
Schumer defends tight infrastructure deadline as GOP threatens to tank key vote
Schumer argued that an upcoming procedural vote to move forward with the infrastructure bill is merely a starting point and not a final deadline.
Missouri holds hearing on education and race, with no Black voices
The invite-only hearing was mostly critics of critical race theory. The state NAACP president called it "ridiculous."
www.nbcnews.com
White House reviewing Section 230 amid efforts to push social media giants to crack down on misinformation | CNN Politics
The White House is reviewing whether social media platforms should be held legally accountable for publishing misinformation via Section 230, a law that protects companies’ ability to moderate content, White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said Tuesday.
www.cnn.com
Kentucky lawmaker faces scrutiny for comparing Fauci to Jonestown cult leader
Kentucky state Rep. Regina Huff (R) sparked a wave of backlash after comparing President Biden’s chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci, to cult leader Jim Jones, infamous for causing hund…
thehill.com
Kamala Harris says she's speaking with GOP senators about voting rights legislation
"I have spoken to Republican senators — both elected Republicans and Republican leaders," Harris told CBS News.
www.cbsnews.com
US extends Covid-19 travel restrictions with Canada and Mexico through August 21 | CNN Politics
The Biden administration is extending non-essential travel restrictions for the US northern and southern borders until August 21.
www.cnn.com
Ben & Jerry's boycott puts ice cream maker on rocky road with Israel
Israel vows to "act aggressively" against the Cherry Garcia maker for decision to stop selling ice cream in occupied territories.
www.cbsnews.com
At six months, Biden convenes Cabinet but roadblocks loom
President Joe Biden marked six months in office on Tuesday with a full, crowded Cabinet meeting. The gathering was meant to symbolize both a return to normalcy due to vaccines and a display of the federal government doing the people’s business.
apnews.com
Thomas Barrack, Trump’s inaugural committee chair, will plead not guilty to federal charges
Thomas Barrack, the chairman of former President Donald Trump’s 2017 inaugural committee, will plead not guilty to federal charges. According to an unsealed indictment, Barrack is accused of acting as an agent for the United Arab Emirates and lying about it.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden faces key decision on whether to reappoint Federal Reserve Chair Powell | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden soon faces the same decision his most recent Democratic predecessors did: whether to reappoint a Federal Reserve chair put in that job by a Republican.
www.cnn.com
'They should be held accountable': White House reviews platforms' misinformation liability
The Biden administration says it is evaluating whether the law shields online platforms from liability for the spread of misinformation by third parties.
www.usatoday.com
Biden picks a third trustbuster for his administration, putting Big Tech on notice
The selection of Jonathan Kanter as DOJ assistant attorney general for antitrust adds to the perils for tech industry giants like Google and Apple.
www.politico.com
First on CNN: Ilhan Omar leads group calling for special envoy to combat Islamophobia | CNN Politics
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar is leading a group of Democratic lawmakers in calling on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to create a special envoy to combat Islamophobia, as instances of anti-Muslim hate crimes continue to rise worldwide.
www.cnn.com
Schumer feels pressure from all sides on spending strategy
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is nearing a decision point on how to move President Biden’s sweeping infrastructure package as he faces competing pressure points.The inflection poi…
thehill.com
Biden official: ‘We don’t know exactly why’ ransomware gang vanished from the web
The comments were the clearest yet to suggest that the United States did not play a direct role in taking down REvil’s sites.
www.politico.com
Federal court nixes Indiana's voter registration purge law
A federal appeals court has sided with opponents of an Indiana law aimed at having elections officials immediately purge voter registrations for people who appear to have registered in another state
California Gov hopeful Faulconer sues over ballot designation, accuses state Dem party of hiding information
Republican California gubernatorial candidate Kevin Faulconer’s team accused state Democrats of attempting to “hide important ballot information” on Tuesday after California Secretary of State Shirley Weber blocked use of his preferred ballot designation in the upcoming recall election.
Top Georgia official says GOP candidates' 2020 skepticism fueled by Trump endorsement hope
Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan said fellow Republicans are likely promoting skepticism about the outcome of the 2020 election to score an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
www.washingtonexaminer.com2024 election: Trump forces Republican field to sidestep direct challenge to Biden
Mike Pence, Mike Pompeo and Kristi Noem appear at a conservative Christian summit in Des Moines on Friday. They are just a few of the potential 2024 Republican candidates courting Iowa voters.
Tom Barrack charged with illegally lobbying then-President Trump on behalf of UAE
Thomas Barrack, who served as chairman of the 2017 inaugural fund for then-President Donald Trump, has been arrested and detained on federal charges.
Caitlyn Jenner to embark on statewide bus tour next month in bid for California governorship
California gubernatorial candidate Caitlyn Jenner announced Tuesday she will hit the road for a statewide bus tour Aug. 12 in her pursuit to remove Gov. Gavin Newsom from office.
Airbnb, Vrbo urged to close home elevators in rentals after child’s death
The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns about the dangers of home elevators.
thehill.com
Unscripted remarks start to haunt President Biden
President Biden has been more freewheeling with his remarks in the last few weeks, leading to slip-ups the White House has had to clean up.The most recent example came Friday, when Biden accused Fa…
thehill.com
Arizona set to outpace Colorado in marijuana sales
Arizona is on track to outpace Colorado in marijuana sales just months after it became legal for recreational use in the Copper State, with total annual sales expected to surpass $1 billion by the …
thehill.comTexas Republicans push to expand restrictions on racism education in public schools
Amid the absence of most Texas House Democrats, GOP state senators are pushing to expand restrictions on racism discussions in public grade-schools.
Reform of military's rules in handling of sexual assault claims clears committee
The measure has strong bipartisan support in the Senate but still faces some stiff opposition.
www.nbcnews.com
CBS News poll: Still more to learn about January 6, most Americans say
Majority of Americans continue to disapprove of actions that day.
www.cbsnews.com
U.S. urges Ukraine to stay quiet on Russian pipeline
The Biden administration is asking an unhappy Ukraine not to make waves, as it nears Russia-Germany pipeline agreement.
www.politico.com
Republicans poised to block Senate infrastructure 'framework' on Wednesday
Senate Republicans say they’ll vote Wednesday to block debate on a $1 trillion infrastructure framework because of unsolved differences and a lack of information about the package.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Quarterback tweak: Tom Brady makes Trump election joke at White House ceremony
"I think about 40 percent of people still don't think we won," Brady said of his Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
www.nbcnews.com
Belarus opposition leader seeks new US sanctions on country
The main leader of Belarus' embattled opposition has sought and apparently won U.S. support for increasing pressure on the country's authoritarian leader.
apnews.com
'Who Wants A Skittle?' And Other Things Overheard On Jeff Bezos' Trip To Space
From "Woo-hoo!" to "Who wants a Skittle?" here's what Jeff Bezos and his crew said on their 10-minute Blue Origin flight to the edge of space.
www.npr.org
California businessman indicted on lobbying charges has counted Trump among his 'closest friends' | CNN Politics
The illegal foreign lobbying charges brought against Tom Barrack on Tuesday punctuate a winding business and political career defined by his unique staying power in former President Donald Trump’s constantly shifting orbit of advisers.
www.cnn.com
Rubio contests claim that US embargo is destabilizing Cuba, says only 'blockade' is its government
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, turned back claims by Democrats who followed Black Lives Matter and blamed the decades-long U.S. embargo on Cuba for sparking the recent historic protests.
US won’t block completion of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline
The Biden administration won’t block the completion of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline and will announce an agreement with Germany on the natural gas line’s construction in the…
thehill.com
California synagogue shooter pleads guilty in deadly attack, will spend life in prison
John T. Earnest opened fire at Chabad of Poway in 2019, killing one person and wounding three other people in an anti-Jewish attack.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump says he is ‘paying close attention’ to ‘loser RINO Liz Cheney’
Former President Donald Trump is paying attention to the 2022 midterm elections, especially the races with fellow Republicans who voted to impeach his presidency, such as House Rep. Liz Cheney.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
U.S. in final talks to house Afghan interpreters at Qatar, Kuwait military bases
The arrangements are “basically done deals,” one source said.
www.politico.com
DeFazio warns he’s no rubber stamp for Senate infrastructure bill
The top House Democrat overseeing transportation policy is warning that he’ll reject the Senate infrastructure package — currently under negotiation by a bipartisan group of senators — withou…
thehill.com
Who's really paying for billionaires to go to space?
"I want to thank every Amazon employee and every Amazon customer — because you guys paid for all this," said Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos after his suborbital jaunt.
www.nbcnews.com
As friction mounts between US Catholics and Biden, a visit to Ohio's Mount St. Joseph University draws fire
The ire reflects growing friction between Biden and the broader Catholic church in the United States over abortion rights and Catholic identity.
www.usatoday.com
U.S. infrastructure deal teeters after Republicans reject IRS funding
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The White House and U.S. congressional negotiators are scrambling to salvage a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal after Republicans balked at funding to enforce existing tax laws - a key way to pay for the plan - leaving both sides searching for a way forward...
Dry thunderstorms stoke Bootleg Fire's flames, merging it with another nearby fire
The largest fire in the nation has grown powerful enough to affect the weather of surrounding areas.
www.cbsnews.com
Idaho lawmaker who shared rape accuser's name faces hearing
An Idaho lawmaker who publicized the name of an intern who accused another state lawmaker of rape will face a legislative ethics hearing next month.
apnews.com88 people say they were framed by corrupt former Chicago cop
Dozens of people are asking a court to throw out their convictions on drug charges because they say they were framed by the same former Chicago Police sergeant who judges have determined shook down dozens more
Student killed after taking car she mistook for Uber was victim of 'heinous' acts, prosecutor says
The man accused of slaying South Carolina college senior Samantha Josephson, a 2019 crime that brought national attention to ride-hail safety, is on trial.
www.nbcnews.com
Senate unanimously passes bill to strengthen crime victims fund
The Senate voted 100-0 on Tuesday to strengthen and provide a new revenue source for the Crime Victims Fund, which was established in 1984 and provides grants for victim services.The bill…
thehill.com
Eric Swalwell's campaign spent thousands on alcohol and limos, records show
Rep. Eric Swalwell's congressional campaign spent thousands of dollars on alcohol and limousine services, newly released campaign expenditures show.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
US welcomes efforts by Haiti after tapping new interim PM
Secretary of State Antony Blinken took to Twitter late Tuesday to announce that the U.S. welcomed the effort in Haitian to name a new interim prime minister and unity cabinet two weeks after the brazen assassination of the country's president at his home in Port-au-Prince.
Opinion | Why the GOP Made a Mistake Killing Off Biden’s IRS Plan
We ran the IRS under Republican presidents. Tax collection is unfair, and this plan actually gets the policy — and the politics — right.
www.politico.com
4 drug companies agree to pay $26 billion to resolve opioid lawsuits
The agreement still requires the approval of more than 40 states and hundreds of cities and counties.
www.nbcnews.com
Senate faces pivotal vote on bipartisan infrastructure deal as negotiations continue
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer set up a procedural vote Wednesday to begin debate on the bipartisan infrastructure deal.
www.cbsnews.com
Off-duty DEA agent brought his government-issued gun to the Capitol riot, prosecutors say
Mark Ibrahim of Orange County, California, was arrested and charged with four crimes that include making a false statement and carrying a firearm on restricted grounds.
www.cbsnews.com
Transgender activists threaten to 'beat, rape, assassinate and bomb' J.K. Rowling for women's bathroom comments
Transgender activists targeted Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling on Twitter with threats of rape and other violence for comments she made about transgender women using women's restrooms, she said Monday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Weinstein brought to California to face further rape charges
New York prison officials have handed convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein over to California to face more sexual assault charges.
apnews.com
Americans Will Soon Be Able To Go To Their 2nd Most Popular Travel Destination
After 16 months of closure, the Canadian government announced that vaccinated Americans will be able to travel north of the border, starting Aug. 9.
www.npr.org
Buttigieg cheers spaceflight, says he'd go 'in a heartbeat'
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says he was excited to see Jeff Bezos’ blastoff into space Tuesday. He describes space travel as a clear trend for the future.
apnews.comOpinion | Why the GOP Made a Mistake Killing Off Biden’s IRS Plan
We ran the IRS under Republican presidents. Tax collection is unfair, and this plan actually gets the policy — and the politics — right.
www.politico.com
Complaint alleges group funneled data from RNC to lawmakers
A complaint filed with the IRS alleges that a conservative group is violating its nonpartisan and nonprofit status by using a voter data system linked to the Republican party.
apnews.com
Haiti installs new leader as country mourns slain president
Haiti’s government has installed a new prime minister, while officials mourned assassinated President Jovenel Moïse and arrested at least three police officers implicated in his killing.
apnews.com
Bucks' 50-year wait ends with a title behind 50 from Giannis
Giannis Antetokounmpo capped one of the greatest NBA Finals ever with 50 points as the Milwaukee Bucks won their first championship in 50 years
An Olympics like no other, Tokyo perseveres to host Games
This year's Tokyo Games will be an Olympics like no other. Then again, this is an event that has persevered through wars, boycotts and now a pandemic in its 125-year modern history.
apnews.com
Size of Oregon wildfire underscores vastness of the US West
The monstrous wildfire burning in Oregon has grown to one-third the size of Rhode Island and spreads miles each day, but evacuations and property losses have been minimal compared to much smaller blazes in densely populated areas of California.
apnews.com
Public charter schools group blasts proposed Democratic cut
The leading national advocacy group for charter schools is condemning a provision included in House Democrats’ education budget proposal that they argue could put some charter schools at risk…
thehill.com
Guantanamo detainee Abdul Latif Nasser speaks out after release
Abdul Latif Nasser became the first inmate released from Guantanamo under the Biden administration, almost six years after he was recommended for transfer.
Duckworth pushes for paid leave for pregnancy loss
The Illinois senator discussed a miscarriage she suffered while she was running for Senate in 2016.
www.cbsnews.com
Michael Wolff's Third Strike At Trump White House Has Hits And Misses
The author has gifts as a writer: a novelistic eye for scene and detail, an ear for dramatic dialogue. His story keeps moving, free of constraints common to courtroom lawyers or newspaper reporters.
www.npr.org
Ocasio-Cortez chides Bezos after space launch: ‘Amazon workers did pay for this’
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday lashed out at Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, alluding to the poor conditions of his employees after he thanked workers and customers upon ret…
thehill.com
Unvaccinated staff eyed in rising nursing home cases, deaths
Lagging vaccination rates among nursing home staff are being linked to a national increase in COVID-19 infections and deaths at senior facilities, and are at the center of a federal investigation in a hard-hit Colorado location where disease detectives found many workers were not inoculated.
apnews.com
Rare 'breakthrough' COVID cases are causing alarm, confusion
While reports of athletes, lawmakers and others occasionally getting the coronavirus despite vaccination may sound alarming, top health experts point to overwhelming evidence that the shots dramatically reduce severe disease and death.
apnews.com
New COVID rule for New York City health workers: Get vaccinated or tested weekly
New York City health workers will be required to get vaccinated for COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Biden hints at coming CDC guidance recommending children younger than 12 to wear masks in school
President Joe Biden foreshadowed guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending children younger than 12 years old who are ineligible for a coronavirus vaccine to wear a face-covering in school.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, do you need another dose?
There's growing anxiety over the highly contagious delta variant in the U.S.
www.nbcnews.com
COVID patient in Louisiana says he'd opt for hospitalization again over vaccine
The hospital's chief medical officer said if people don't get vaccinated, "we are going to accept death."
www.cbsnews.comCDC will "probably" advise children under 12 to wear masks in school, Biden says
The Centers for Disease and Control Prevention will "probably" urge everyone under age 12 to wear masks in school, President Biden said in a CNN town hall on Wednesday evening.Why it matters: The latest surge in COVID cases fueled by the Delta variant has again raised concern about the spread of...
Who is the 'pizza king'? The secret language being used by anti-vaccine groups to skirt detection
The ban-evasion efforts on Facebook and Instagram are ratcheting up as the White House has increased pressure on the social media platforms to do more to contain vaccine misinformation.
www.nbcnews.com
US virus cases nearly triple in 2 weeks amid misinformation
COVID-19 cases have nearly tripled in the U.S. over two weeks amid an onslaught of vaccine misinformation.
apnews.com
Georgia boy who 'brought joy to everything' dies of Covid amid surge
"He loved everybody. He never met a stranger," said Wyatt Gibson's godmother. The boy's life was cut short by Covid-19 as cases are rising across the country.
www.nbcnews.com
Why breakthrough COVID-19 infections don't mean the vaccine isn't working
More than 99% of COVID-19 deaths are among people who are unvaccinated.
Justice Barrett rejects Indiana University students' vaccine mandate appeal
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett denied a bid by Indiana University students to stop their school from requiring all students to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
'It's too late': Alabama doctor shares final moments of Covid patients, urges vaccination
Dr. Brytney Cobia said patients dying from Covid-19 have begged for the vaccine. "I hold their hand and tell them that I'm sorry, but it's too late," she wrote.
www.nbcnews.comWhite House weighs pushing masks as COVID cases increase
The Biden administration is reportedly weighing whether to formally urge vaccinated Americans to weigh masks as the country experiences a spike in the COVID-19 Delta variant.
Olympics face heat from broiling Tokyo summer
Tokyo is notorious for being hot and humid in July and August raising concerns about the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Fauci blasts Rand Paul: 'You do not know what you're talking about'
"I want to say that officially," Fauci added.
www.nbcnews.com
Conservative media offers mixed messages on COVID-19 vaccine
Skepticism about the COVID-19 vaccination is a common theme in media appealing to conservatives, despite assurances from doctors and scientists that the vaccine is safe and effective.
apnews.com
New study suggests Johnson & Johnson less effective against variants
The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine may be less effective in battling coronavirus variants than other shots, a new study suggests.The results, published by bioRxiv but not yet peer revi…
thehill.com
Everyone Should Wear A Mask In Schools, Vaccinated Or Not, U.S. Pediatricians Say
The American Academy of Pediatrics released updated guidance for schools on Monday, recommending universal masking for students over the age of 2.
www.npr.org
3 GOP House members lose appeals over $500 fines for not wearing masks
The lawmakers argued that the requirement was out of sync with recent federal guidance on face coverings during the Covid-19 pandemic.
www.nbcnews.com
Amid fears over COVID-19 cases in Congress, White House, experts urge vaccinations
A GOP lawmaker, a White House official and an aide to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are among those who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
www.usatoday.com
Delta hits the White House
www.politico.com
COVID-19 hospitalizations in southwest Missouri surpass winter peak
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 in southwest Missouri have surpassed their winter peak, according to the health department.
Biden tiptoes around Fox News amid pushback on Covid vaccine disinfo
The White House hasn’t called out the network. Nor has it engaged it aggressively. Some supporters of the vaccine campaign say that’s a mistake.
www.politico.comHow to worry about the Delta variant
www.politico.com
McConnell urges Americans: 'Get vaccinated' as cases spike
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is imploring unvaccinated Americans to take the COVID-19 shot.
apnews.com
Cawthorn calls Fauci a 'punk' 'trying to further his own career'
Rep. Madison Cawthorn, a North Carolina Republican, called Dr. Anthony Fauci "a punk who is trying to further his own career" Tuesday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Viruses are landing kids in the ICU this summer, but it's not all Covid
Viruses typically seen in the winter, including respiratory syncytial virus and croup, are surging among children at the height of summer.
www.nbcnews.com
White House hasn't disclosed past breakthrough COVID-19 cases
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said none of the cases have been among commissioned officers.
www.cbsnews.com
Texas hospital reports its 1st case of lambda COVID-19 variant
Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas confirmed its first case of the lambda variant Monday as COVID-19 cases climb in the state.
Mask disputes fuel spike in air rage incidents
More than 85 TSA officers have been assaulted this year amid an air rage spike.
Delta variant detected on Capitol Hill prompting recommendation to mask up | CNN Politics
As the Delta variant emerges as the dominant strain of Covid across the country, the Capitol attending physician is warning Congress about the variant’s presence on Capitol Hill.
www.cnn.com
Rand Paul accused Anthony Fauci of lying to Congress about COVID-19 origins. Then, it got loud.
The argument began after the Kentucky senator claimed the NIH funded research in Wuhan, China, that made COVID-19 more transmissible and deadly.
www.usatoday.com
Nearly 120,000 children in US have lost a primary caregiver to COVID-19: Internal CDC data
More than 609,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S.
Schools confront more polarization with mask rules for fall
School districts across the country have an important decision to make before fall classes begin: Will students be required to wear masks?
apnews.com
'It's a nightmare': Covid Delta variant rocks a recovering Capitol complex
The variant's arrival on the Hill has shaken its slow return to normalcy.
www.politico.com
Researchers: Virus surge a 'raging forest fire' in Arkansas
Public health researchers are calling the rapid rise in coronavirus cases in Arkansas a raging forest fire, and the state's top health official says he expects significant outbreaks in schools.
apnews.com
Delta variant now accounts for more than 8 in 10 COVID-19 cases
The delta variant now accounts for 83% of new COVID-19 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Fauci: Paul doesn’t know what he’s talking about
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Tuesday escalated his ongoing feud with the nation’s top infectious diseases doctor Anthony Fauci about the role the National Institutes of Health (NIH) played in fu…
thehill.com
Vaccinated Pelosi staffer, WH official test positive for COVID-19 amid visit from infected Texas lawmakers
A fully vaccinated spokesperson for House Speaker Pelosi tested positive for COVID-19 this week.
Tokyo Olympics leader doesn't rule out canceling games at last minute
The Tokyo 2020 organizing committee said it will continue to monitor cases.
Covid outbreak sideswipes Texas lawmakers' D.C. tour
Six positive coronavirus tests and negotiations over infrastructure spending in Congress have slowed the lobbying efforts on voting rights.
www.politico.com
Fauci, Paul clash on virus origins, trade charges of lying
A recurring clash between the government’s top infectious disease doctor and a U.S. senator has erupted again on Capitol Hill, with each accusing the other of lying. Dr.
apnews.com
Fauci and Rand Paul call each other liars in debate over Wuhan lab
Sen. Rand Paul and Dr. Anthony Fauci clashed again during a Senate hearing, with the Kentucky Republican and the president's chief medical adviser both accusing the other of lying when it came to the thorny subject of gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Fauci, Rand Paul get in shouting match over Wuhan lab research
GOP Sen. Rand Paul stepped up his feud with Dr. Anthony Fauci at a Senate hearing Tuesday, suggesting Fauci has lied to Congress and setting off an angry shouting match.
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