
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh, Pool)

MADRID (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday the U.S. will significantly expand its military presence in Europe, the latest example of how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reshaped plans for the continent’s security and prompted a reinvestment in NATO.

Rep. Liz Cheney calls for top Trump White House lawyer to testify on his Jan. 6 concerns
Former White House counsel Pat Cipollone worried that if Trump went to the Capitol on Jan. 6, "We're going to get charged with every crime imaginable," ex-White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson told the Jan. 6 committee Tuesday.


Trump, Democrats both big winners in Illinois GOP gubernatorial primary
Conservative state Sen. Darren Bailey's convincing win in the Illinois Republican gubernatorial primary is significant for former President Donald Trump – and for Democrats.

Powell: 'No guarantee' Fed can tame inflation, spare jobs
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said there’s “no guarantee″ the central bank can tame runaway inflation without hurting the job market.


First on CNN: Cassidy Hutchinson stands by her testimony amid pushback | CNN Politics
Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide to former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, released a new statement Wednesday provided exclusively to CNN standing by her blockbuster testimony delivered in a hearing with the House select committee investigating January 6, in light of some pushback on...


R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in sex trafficking case
R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for using his R&B superstardom to subject young fans to systematic sexual abuse. The singer and songwriter was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking last year at a trial that gave voice to accusers who had once wondered if their stories...


NATO expansion is 'direct result' of Putin's 'colossal strategic mistake,' experts say
President Joe Biden earlier announced an increased U.S. military presence in Europe as the alliance began a summit in Madrid with a series of moves made with Russia in mind.


Russia calls NATO expansion deal 'destabilizing'; Ukraine releases footage of deadly mall strike
The NATO summit continues in Spain on Wednesday, with a historic deal over Sweden's and Finland's membership bids already under its belt.

1/6 hearings fuel the question: Did Trump commit a crime?
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Jan. 6 committee has heard dramatic testimony from former White House aides and others about Donald Trump’s relentless efforts to overturn the 2020 election — and his encouragement of supporters who stormed the U.S.


Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani deny asking for pardons
In sworn testimony before the House Jan. 6 committee, Cassidy Hutchinson, a former top aide to Meadows, alleged that both men had sought pardons.


Ketanji Brown Jackson to be sworn in as Supreme Court justice Thursday as Breyer officially retires
Jackson will be sworn in on Thursday at noon, when Justice Stephen Breyer's retirement becomes official.

Barr a 'RINO,' Ivanka 'checked out': Trump tries to explain the Jan. 6 testimony against him
Throughout the testimony presented in the Jan. 6 select committee hearings, former President Donald Trump, who may yet face criminal charges stemming from the emerging evidence, has sought to shape public perceptions about the Republican witnesses who have appeared.

Putin: Russia will respond if NATO sets up infrastructure in Finland, Sweden
President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia would respond in kind if NATO deployed troops and infrastructure in Finland and Sweden after they join the U.S.-led military alliance.


Secret Service pledges response to Trump motorcade allegations
The Secret Service said on Tuesday that it will have more to say about allegations that former President Trump tried to grab the steering wheel of his vehicle and then lunged at the head of his sec…


NATO backs military aid for 'heroic' Ukraine, Russia steps up attacks
NATO on Wednesday branded Russia the biggest "direct threat" to Western security after its invasion of Ukraine and agreed plans to modernise Kyiv's beleaguered armed forces, saying it stood fully behind Ukrainians' "heroic defence of their country".

Five takeaways from races in Colorado, Illinois, New York and more
Tuesday’s primaries and runoffs saw the downfall of at least three House incumbents, as well as the limits of top Republicans and Democrats to sway the results of key primary races. In Colorado, mo…


Russia threatens retaliation over Norway Arctic island goods ban
Russian foreign ministry says Norway’s restrictions on goods disrupted work of its consulate-general on Arctic islands.

Republicans dismiss Hutchinson testimony, pointing to factual disputes
Former President Trump’s most vocal defenders in the House are working to undercut former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson’s explosive testimony at Tuesday’s Jan. 6 select committee hearing, cal…


Cassidy Hutchinson reaction: January 6 committee again pushes former WH Counsel Pat Cipollone to testify
Rep. Liz Cheney is continuing to call for the testimony of White House counsel Pat Cipollone, who according to witness testimony, had grave concerns as the Jan. 6 riots unfolded.

How a ‘tsunami of disinformation’ helped Marcos Jr win back power
Ferdinand Marcos Jr was propelled to power on the back of a ‘well-oiled’ campaign that whitewashed his father’s crimes.

Kinzinger hits back at Boebert’s church and state remarks: ‘We must oppose the Christian Taliban’
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) on Wednesday criticized comments that Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) made on Sunday in which she called for ending the separation of church and state in the United State…


Donald Trump released from contempt order in New York civil probe
Donald Trump was formally released on Wednesday from an order finding him in contempt of court for having failed to comply with a subpoena from New York's attorney general, who is investigating the former U.S. president's business practices.


Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas sentenced to 20 months in prison for fraud and campaign finance crimes
Parnas was convicted of using the riches of a wealthy Russian to make illegal donations to politicians.


Democrats energized by tight race in GOP-leaning Nebraska
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A special election in Nebraska was supposed to be an easy win for House Republicans. It instead was the tightest race in decades in the GOP-dominated district, boosting confidence among Democrats hoping to energize voters by tapping into public outrage over the U.S.


Woman made to cook and eat human flesh, Congo group tells U.N.
A Congolese woman was kidnapped twice by militants in the Democratic Republic of Congo, repeatedly raped and forced to cook and eat human flesh, a Congolese rights group told the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday.


Meadows’s image takes a beating from Jan. 6 hearing
The House hearings on the Jan. 6 riots have cast an unflattering spotlight on Mark Meadows, dealing one blow after another to the former Republican congressman-turned-White House chief of staff. Ma…


Biden hits new low in polls
President Joe Biden dropped to a new low in terms of poll numbers.


Former Trump lawyer Eastman drops lawsuit to block Jan. 6 committee from getting his call logs
His decision came after he said in a separate court filing that federal agents had seized his phone.


Jan. 6 takeaways: 'Heated' Trump, Pence's near miss with mob
In its third public hearing, the House panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection has focused on former President Donald Trump’s pressure on his vice president to delay or reject the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory.


‘Dangerous times’: US Muslims organise after fall of Roe
Muslim advocacy groups in US are raising money and considering potential legal steps after abortion rights rollback.

What did Jan. 6 witness Cassidy Hutchinson say about Trump? How does it compare to other evidence?
Trump and allies are pushing back on Hutchinson's statements that could be used to make criminal charges against the former president and his aides.
www.usatoday.com

POLITICO Playbook: Jan. 6 panel may have found its 'smoking gun'
And more on last night's primaries

A President Untethered
WASHINGTON — He flung his lunch across the room, smashing the plate in a fit of anger as ketchup dripped down the wall. He appeared to endorse supporters who wanted to hang his own vice president. And in a scene laid out by a former aide that seemed more out of a movie than real life, he tried...

NATO establishes program to coordinate rapid response to cyberattacks
The U.S. will offer “robust national capabilities” to support this program, according to a fact sheet put out by the White House on Wednesday.


Where legal challenges to red-state abortion restrictions stand
The Supreme Court upended the abortion landscape on Friday when it overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.


Most say nation on wrong track, including Dems: AP-NORC poll
A new poll shows an overwhelming and growing majority of Americans say the U.S. is heading in the wrong direction, including nearly 8 in 10 Democrats.


Two more men charged in truck smuggling incident that killed 53 migrants in Texas
The suspected driver of a truck packed with dozens of migrants who died in sweltering heat during a smuggling attempt in Texas and an accused conspirator were charged in U.S. federal court on Wednesday with human trafficking offenses.


Two-thirds of those who believe Trump tried to overturn election results back prosecution: survey
Correction: A previous version of this poll report mischaracterized the respondents who said that they believe former President Trump should be prosecuted over his effort to overturn the 2020 elect…


Secret Service wasn’t contacted by Jan. 6 committee before Hutchinson testimony
The committee investigating the events surrounding the Capitol riot did not reach out to the Secret Service about some of the biggest allegations made by Cassidy Hutchinson about former President Donald Trump prior to her high-profile testimony on Tuesday, according to a person with knowledge of…


"We're going to the Capitol": New revelations from the sixth public Jan. 6 committee hearing
The sixth hearing featured a former top aide to Mark Meadows, Donald Trump's White House chief of staff.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls out Mark Meadows for allegedly seeking pardon: 'He knew that he was breaking the law'
Ocasio-Cortez said that Meadows, along with the several other Republicans who allegedly asked for pardons after Jan. 6, should face consequences.

DOJ says the U.S. and allies have frozen $30 billion of Russian elites' assets, $300 billion of Moscow bank funds
The Department of Justice said Wednesday that the U.S. and its allies have frozen more than $30 billion of Russian oligarch assets.

Jackson to be sworn in as Breyer retires from Supreme Court
The first Black woman confirmed for the Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson, is officially becoming a justice.


WHO chief: U.S. abortion ruling 'a setback,' will cost lives
The head of the World Health Organization has criticized the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.


Zelenskyy pushes for more artillery, funds in NATO summit address
Ukrainian president says Russian invasion was ‘a war for the right to dictate conditions in Europe’.

U.S. Supreme Court expands state power over Native American tribes
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday dramatically increased the power of states over Native American tribes and undercut its own 2020 ruling that had expanded tribal authority in Oklahoma, handing a victory to Republican officials in that state.


Who is Mark Meadows? Meet Trump's chief of staff who defied Jan. 6 committee subpoena
Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows is one of the Trump officials at the center of the Jan. 6 committee's work. What to know about Meadows.
www.usatoday.com

Arizona, Louisiana among states grappling over abortion bans
Arizona’s Republican attorney general says a total abortion ban that has been on the books since before statehood can be enforced, putting him at odds with that state's Republican governor.


How Mitch McConnell playing 'long game' shaped the Supreme Court and led to the end of abortion landmark Roe
Decisions made by then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell were key to a chain of events that resulted in the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

Secret Service: Jan. 6 panel didn’t reach out before Hutchinson’s explosive Trump testimony
The agency says it got no outreach for 10 days before the committee aired testimony about Donald Trump’s behavior in the presidential vehicle Jan. 6.


Trump to rally in Alaska to boost Palin and Murkowski challenger
Former President Trump will travel to Alaska this weekend to stump for former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s congressional bid and a GOP challenger to Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). The rally is set fo…


NATO deems Russia its 'most significant and direct threat'
NATO has declared Russia the “most significant and direct threat” to its members’ peace and security.


Trump chief of staff said the president thought Pence 'deserves' chants of 'hang Mike Pence' on Jan. 6, ex-aide testifies
The testimony came during a public hearing by the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol by a violent pro-Trump mob.

The Memo: Cassidy Hutchinson drops hammer on Donald Trump
A young woman previously unknown to most Americans delivered a searing indictment of former President Trump on Capitol Hill Tuesday. Cassidy Hutchinson, once a senior aide to Trump chief of s…


NotedDC — White House faces growing pressure over air travel
Democrats are pressuring the Biden administration to fine airlines amid pilot and staff shortages, with thousands of canceled flights heading into a busy travel season. Airlines are struggling to m…


Lone surviving attacker in Paris massacre guilty of murder
The only surviving attacker from the 2015 terrorist massacre at the Bataclan theater and other sites in Paris has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole.


Israeli prime minister not running in next election
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced on Wednesday that he will not seek reelection.


1955 warrant in Emmett Till case found, family seeks arrest
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A team searching a Mississippi courthouse basement for evidence about the lynching of Black teenager Emmett Till has found the unserved warrant charging a white woman in his 1955 kidnapping, and relatives of the victim want authorities to finally arrest her nearly 70 years...


Bernie Sanders calls on Buttigieg to take action amid flight delays, cancellations
He urged the transportation secretary to require airlines to refund passengers whose flights are delayed and cover their meals and lodging when needed.


FBI opens sweeping probe of clergy sex abuse in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The FBI has opened a widening investigation into sex abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in New Orleans going back decades, a rare federal foray into such cases looking specifically at whether priests took children across state lines to molest them, officials and others familiar wi


'If he does': Harris qualifies claim that Biden will seek reelection
After declaring Monday that President Joe Biden would seek reelection in 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris used more equivocal wording in rare on-the-record remarks.


Cheney amps up pressure for Cipollone to testify
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) on Wednesday renewed her calls for former White House counsel Pat Cipollone to testify before the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol foll…

Illinois GOP takes big right turn with primary victories
State Sen. Darren Bailey won the GOP nomination for governor, besting Richard Irvin, whose campaign received $50 million from megadonor Ken Griffin.


Judge lifts Trump's contempt order in New York civil probe
The contempt order was imposed after Trump was found to have failed to comply with a subpoena from New York Attorney General Letitia James' office.

More than 140 Ukrainians released in biggest prisoner swap of war
Prisoners swapped included 95 fighters who took part in defence of the besieged Azovstal steelworkers in Mariupol.

Jan. 6 live coverage: Meadows, Giuliani dispute testimony that they sought pardons
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol attack wants former White House counsel Pat Cipollone and others to testify in probe.
www.usatoday.com

Emails show State Department didn't cooperate, government watchdog says
A State Department spokesperson had said the watchdog, SIGAR, “did not request input" from the department when it drafted a May report on the Afghan military’s collapse.


Interactive map shows where abortion bans are in effect and where doctors face prison time
A new interactive map shows where abortion bans have gone into effect since the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in the U.S., and where doctors face prison time.
NATO formally invites Sweden, Finland; US will expand European military presence: June 29 recap
As NATO formally invited Sweden and Finland to its alliance, President Joe Biden said the U.S. would boost its military presence in eastern Europe.

Misfire: California AG publishes names and addresses of judges and police on gun website
California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office has publicly released the names, addresses, and birthdates of judges and police officers who carry concealed weapons.


Israel gets new PM as Netanyahu targets comeback
Yair Lapid takes over until polls in November, with Benjamin Netanyahu aiming to return to power.
www.bbc.com

Georgia poll shows Abrams, Kemp tied and Warnock leading in Senate race
In the highly watched Georgia gubernatorial race, incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp (R) finds himself tied with Democrat Stacey Abrams, a new Quinnipiac University poll finds. With both candidates pulling …


GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert scores crucial vote of confidence in Colorado primary election victory: 'Freedom wins'
Rep. Lauren Boebert won her primary election Tuesday night over state Rep. Don Coram. The pro-Trump Republican said she looks forward to Republicans winning big in November.

Biden pledges bigger US troop presence in eastern Europe, permanent presence in Poland – NATO recap
President Joe Biden said at a NATO summit in Madrid that the United States would send additional troops to eastern Europe.
www.usatoday.com

Opinion | How Democrats Can Win on a Culture-War Issue
It’s time to run again on same-sex marriage.


Reporter gunned down in latest attack on Mexican journalists
A Mexican reporter was killed Wednesday in one of the country's most violent northern border states, authorities and his employer said, the latest in a series of attacks in one of the world's most dangerous countries for journalists.


Biden sends more ships, fighter jets and troops to Europe
The president announced a significant addition of firepower and a deepened commitment to NATO’s eastern front countries.


EXPLAINER: Abortion ruling sparks wave of new legal issues
After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week that abortion is not a constitutional right, federal and state courts around the country saw a rush of activity as abortion rights advocates raised new legal challenges and states sought judges’ clearance to limit abortions.


Mali vows to defy U.N. call to allow peacekeepers to investigate abuses
Mali vowed on Wednesday to defy a United Nations Security Council call for the West African country to allow freedom of movement for peacekeepers to investigate human rights abuses.


Harris clarifies Biden’s reelection plans
Vice President Harris on Wednesday sought to clarify recent comments she made about President Biden’s reelection plans after she told CNN earlier this week that the president was definitively runni…


Bruce's Beach returned to family nearly a century after seizure
A prime beachfront space in Manhattan Beach is given back to its black owners after its 1924 seizure.
www.bbc.com

Clinics scramble to divert patients as states ban abortion
The Supreme Court's ruling allowing states to regulate abortion has set off a travel scramble in some parts of the U.S., as abortion providers redirect patients to states that still allow the procedure


These are the least independent states in the US: report
Story at a glance Kentucky was followed by Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska, and South Carolina, respectively. In comparison, Utah, Colorado, and Massachusetts ranked among the top five most independ…

Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas appears to violate a federal conflict-of-interest law with late disclosure of a mining stock sale
Gonzalez is one of 65 members of Congress who have violated the STOCK Act, a federal conflict-of-interest law.

Leaders of U.S., South Korea and Japan agree closer cooperation over North Korea threat
The leaders of the United States, South Korea and Japan on Wednesday expressed deep concern over North Korea's missile tests and said they would cooperate more closely to address the threat posed by Pyongyang.


Ukraine wants to win today, the West is looking at 2023
U.S. and allied leaders at the NATO summit in Madrid acknowledge Ukraine's urgent requests for weapons, but they aren’t biting on the timeline.


This 28-year-old spent $8,000 setting up an Airbnb tent near a Hawaiian volcano–now it earns her $28,000 per year
Kehau Hall set up an Airbnb tent outside of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park when she was 20. Now, it earns her $28,000 in revenue for 15 hours of work per week.

Catholic bishops speak out against Biden Title IX expansion, highlight 'sad irony' of proposal
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has been vocally opposed to the vast majority of Biden's gender-based and sexuality-based policies.

Canada’s national police force admits use of spyware to hack phones
The RCMP says it needs to use malware because encryption has made surveillance “exponentially more difficult.”


Jane Fonda wants to 'redefine vaginas as AK-47s'
Hollywood actress and outspoken leftist Jane Fonda wants to redefine female reproductive organs as AK-47s in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.


Nation braces for miserable travel weekend as canceled flights stack up
Americans are headed into an ugly Fourth of July travel weekend, with 1,800 flights canceled already this week with days left to go. Airlines are struggling to meet surging demand after pandemic lo…


Philippines starts new era of Marcos rule, decades after overthrow
Ferdinand Marcos, the son of the Philippine ruler overthrown in a popular uprising 36 years ago, was sworn in as the country's president on Thursday, promising to strive for unity and a better future while praising his late father's legacy.


Analysis: Flight delays, cancellations mar U.S. summer travel
Persistent staffing shortages, fewer flights and booming demand have cast a shadow on the busy July Fourth holiday weekend and the entire summer travel season.


Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson 'stands by all of the testimony she provided' to Jan. 6 committee
Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson is standing by her testimony that then-President Trump tried to grab a steering wheel to go to the Capitol on Jan. 6.
Scott Pruitt, Trump’s Disgraced Former EPA Chief, Gets Crushed In Senate Primary
The Republican had a history of electoral success in Oklahoma and widespread name recognition, but didn’t get out of single digits on Tuesday.

Spike in Google searches for abortion pills may lead to rise in unsafe abortions: Study
Google search trends that mentioned “abortion pill” or “abortion medications" spiked 162% in the 72 hours following the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion in May.

Roe jolts the midterms: 5 takeaways from the 2022 election midpoint
Trump isn’t beaten, but he’s beatable.


$30B from Russian oligarchs frozen under REPO seizure effort
A multinational task force designed to seize Russian oligarchs' wealth has blocked and frozen $30 billion in sanctioned individuals’ property and funds in its first 100 days.


Pot, meet kettle: Brits descend on New York Times to mock its article on electric kettles
The tea is hot as British people mock a story the New York Times did about electric kettles.


Emails show State Department didn't cooperate, government watchdog says
A State Department spokesperson had said the watchdog, SIGAR, “did not request input" from the department when it drafted a May report on the Afghan military’s collapse.


Supreme Court restores Oklahoma authority over crimes on reservations
The court said the state shares jurisdiction with the federal government for crimes committed on reservations by non-Native Americans against Native victims.


Abortion ruling prompts variety of reactions from states
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. The June 24 Dobbs v. Jackson ruling is expected to lead to bans or deep restrictions in about half the states.


New Jersey is losing residents to states like Florida, California and Texas
Story at a glance A new report from moveBuddha found that New Jersey has the highest proportion of residents moving away. The state with the second highest proportion is California. New Jerse…


Crisis pregnancy centers in Texas gave medical misinformation to NBC News producers
CPCs have long been accused of providing what experts have called “misleading or false” information to discourage women from getting abortions.

Biden administration holding its first onshore oil sales
The U.S. government this week is holding its first onshore oil and natural gas drilling lease auctions since President Joe Biden took office after a federal court blocked the administration’s attempt to suspend such sales because of climate change worries. The online auctions start Wednesday...

Ohio Democrat's dad on commission that drew district where she's running for Congress
Ohio state Senator Vernon Sykes, a Democrat, continued to serve on the Ohio Redistricting Commission after his daughter, Emilia Sykes, announced her candidacy for Congress.

Secret Service says January 6 Committee didn't reach out before Hutchinson testimony on Trump lunging at agent
The U.S. Secret Service said the January 6 Committee did not check an allegation against former President Trump with witnessing agents before a hearing.

1st Native American treasurer to push economic development
The nation’s first Native American U.S. treasurer comes from a line of chiefs who instilled the importance of keeping her tribe healthy and “leaving footprints” to follow for those who come behind.


Accuser Annie Farmer says Ghislaine Maxwell's 20-year prison sentence is a "tremendous relief"
Accuser Annie Farmer said she believed Ghislaine Maxwell's sentencing was "very fair."


Trump made 17 endorsements in recent primaries. Here are the winners.
The former president successfully intervened in a member-versus-member GOP primary in Illinois.


R. Kelly receives 30-year prison sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking
The "King of R&B" R. Kelly, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Wednesday by a Brooklyn court after he was found guilty last September in a federal sex trafficking case.


Japan swelters in its worst heatwave ever recorded
Unrelenting temperatures break records for June as officials warn of a looming power shortage.
www.bbc.com

Colorado GOP rejects candidates who back Trump election lie
Colorado Republicans have rejected two prominent election deniers in primaries Tuesday night. It's a setback for the movement to install backers of former President Donald Trump's election lies in positions with power over voting.


Reactions to verdicts in Paris attacks trial
The following are reactions from survivors, families of victims and leading politicians to the guilty verdicts by a French court on Wednesday for all 20 men judged at trial for the 2015 Paris attacks in which 130 people were killed by Islamist militants:


Trump proven unfit for power again
Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson’s Tuesday testimony ought to ring the death knell for former President Donald Trump’s political career. Trump is unfit to be anywhere near power ever again.


Ukraine war: Putin's cousin among inner circle hit by new UK sanctions
Sanctions against Anna Tsivileva will help weaken the Russian war machine, the UK's foreign office says.
www.bbc.com
Opinion | Why Are Democrats Letting Republicans Steamroll Them?
For too long, the GOP has busted norms with no consequences.

Biden unlikely to meet bold Democrat demands after abortion ruling, sources say
The White House is unlikely to take up the bold steps to protect women's right to have an abortion that Democratic lawmakers have called for in recent days, interviews with officials show.


60% of Americans say people can't switch genders, up from years past: poll
An increasing number of Americans believe a person’s gender is determined by their sex assigned at birth, according to a new Pew Research Center poll.

The Senate races that could be impacted by end of Roe v. Wade
Democrats and Republicans are split over how much impact the Supreme Court decision to strike down Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark case establishing a right to an abortion, will have on Senate races…


Takeaways from first primaries since Roe v. Wade overturned
A rare Republican who supports abortion rights found success in Colorado in the first primary elections held since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.


U.S. to boost military presence in Europe for Russia threat
President Joe Biden says the U.S. is enhancing its military presence in Europe for the long haul to bolster regional security after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.


Apple's iPhone turns 15 years old, with 13 versions to show for it
Wednesday was the Apple iPhone's 15th anniversary, marking the day the very first one went on sale to the public.


Gubernatorial candidates Stacey Abrams and Gov. Brian Kemp clash over how to handle high crime in Georgia
While incumbent Governor Brian Kemp claims Stacey Abrams wants to defund the police, Abrams says he is lying and that his policies are "dangerous."

Daughter of GOP lawmaker calls on female relatives to rally for abortion rights: 'Show them this affects their lives too'
The daughter of a Republican state senator called on women who have family members who are senators and representatives to "show them this affects their lives."

Republican Governors Association unveils new video series ‘Red State Recovery’
The Republican Governors Association is launching a new video series that argues that states led by GOP governors have fared better than their Democratic counterparts
Democratic Rep. Alan Lowenthal is one of Congress' most active stock traders, and he just violated a federal conflicts-of-interest law. Again.
Congress is actively debating whether to ban members of Congress from buying and selling individual stocks because of ethical and legal concerns.

Hard-line conservative Reps. Boebert, Miller win primaries
Two of Congress’ staunchest conservatives repelled more centrist challengers to lock up Republican nominations on Tuesday.


The newest content moderation minefield for tech platforms: abortion posts
In the wake of the Supreme Court's controversial decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, people have flooded social media platforms with information about how to access in-person or medication abortions to help those in states that have outlawed the procedure or could soon do so. But the situation...


Justice Stephen Breyer to officially retire Thursday at noon, swear in Ketanji Brown Jackson
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer said he will officially step down from the bench at noon on Thursday, then swear in Ketanji Brown Jackson.

States can prosecute non-tribal members who commit crimes on Native American reservations, Supreme Court says | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court said on Wednesday that states have the authority to prosecute non-tribal members who commit crimes against Native Americans on Indian territory.


Trump-backed Rep. Miller says her victory shows the former president's ‘still the leader’ of the GOP
Trump-endorsed Rep. Mary Miller says her Illinois GOP primary victory shows that the former president is "still the leader" of the nation's Republican Party.

NATO vastly expands troops at high readiness for long-term Russian threat
NATO agreed on Wednesday to put over 300,000 troops at high readiness from 2023, up from 40,000 previously, a new military line-up designed to better counter Russia, the country the alliance has designated as posing the greatest threat.


Justices limit 2020 ruling on tribal lands in Oklahoma
The Supreme Court has ruled that Oklahoma can prosecute non-Native Americans for crimes committed on tribal land when the victim is Native American.


Joe Rogan: DeSantis would be a ‘good president’
Podcaster Joe Rogan says he’s a fan of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), arguing the governor’s tenure in The Sunshine State would help boost a potential presidential bid. “I think Ron DeS…


Giuliani associate Lev Parnas sentenced to 20 months in prison for campaign finance, wire fraud conviction
Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in federal prison and $2.3 million in restitution payment for fraud and campaign finance crimes.

Toll now at 53 in San Antonio as families wait for answers
A Mexican immigration official says that in the chaotic minutes after dozens of migrants were found dead inside a tractor-trailer sweltering in the Texas heat, the driver tried to slip away by pretending to be one of the survivors.

Jan. 6 live: Potential final public hearing will focus on Trump's effort to overturn the 2020 election
The House select committee is investigating the Capitol riot and the role Donald Trump and his allies played in trying to overturn the 2020 election.

'Someone complained': Cornell University Library removes Lincoln bust and Gettysburg Address
The Cornell University Library has removed a bust of President Abraham Lincoln and a bronze plaque of the Gettysburg Address after reportedly receiving a complaint.


Republican 2024 hopefuls say Republicans are 'eager to show up' for midterms after SCOTUS abortion ruling
Republicans who have suggested they could launch 2024 presidential campaigns say the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will just mobilize GOP voters.

Biden praises Erdoğan for allowing Finland, Sweden to join NATO
President Biden praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday for dropping objections to the bids by Sweden and Finland to join NATO. “I want to particularly thank you for…


Former aide Cassidy Hutchinson testifies on Jan. 6 warnings, pardon requests, and Trump trying to grab the wheel
Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide to former chief of staff Mark Meadows, testified that Trump said about the crowd at the Ellipse "something to the effect of, 'I don't effing care that they have weapons.'"


Asia stocks mixed after Wall St down, China manufacturing up
Asian stock markets are mixed after the U.S. economy contracted and China reported stronger factory activity.


Gun rights group fires back at California AG's reported leak of firearm owners data: 'He should resign'
California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the private information of thousands of gun owners in the state, including their home addresses.

Stephanie Grisham ‘sickened’ Melania Trump declined to tweet message discouraging violence on Jan. 6
Stephanie Grisham, a former top aide to former first lady Melania Trump, said she was “sickened” after her boss declined to sign off on a statement discouraging the violence that took place on Jan.…


EXPLAINER: Years later, Flint water court fight drags on
DETROIT (AP) — Michigan authorities have long promised to hold key officials criminally responsible for lead contamination and health problems arising from a disastrous water switch in Flint in 2014.


Ukraine war: US to ramp up military presence across Europe
President Biden announces a strengthening by "land, air and sea" over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
www.bbc.com
Cassidy Hutchinson's Testimony Highlights Legal Risks for Trump
It was one of the most dramatic moments in a presentation filled with them: Just before President Donald Trump went onstage near the White House last year and urged his supporters to “fight like hell” and march on the Capitol, an aide testified on Tuesday, he was told that some of them were...

Live updates | Putin warns on NATO troops in Sweden, Finland
Russian President Vladimir Putin is warning Finland and Sweden that if they welcome NATO troops and military infrastructure onto their territory, Russia will respond in kind.


Ted Cruz just picked a fight with a Muppet. Again. | CNN Politics
On Tuesday, Elmo -- yes, the perennially joyful red Muppet who loves, literally, everyone -- got vaccinated against Covid-19.


Ukraine war: Johnson says if Putin were a woman he would not have invaded
Boris Johnson says President Putin's war in Ukraine is a "perfect example of toxic masculinity".
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Watchdog finds Granholm violated Hatch Act, issues warning
A government watchdog has found that Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm violated the Hatch Act after she made comments in support of the Democratic Party, but let her off with a warning because she…


Iran-US nuclear talks in Qatar end without making progress
Indirect negotiations between Iran and the U.S. over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers have ended after failing to make significant progress.


Alexandria City Council calls on Virginia lawmakers to protect abortion rights
City council members in Alexandria, Virginia, are urging the state government to protect abortion rights after Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked lawmakers to draft legislation that would ban the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy.


Iran nuclear deal talks in Doha end without progress | CNN Politics
Indirect talks between US and Iranian officials in Doha, Qatar, aimed at salvaging the Iran nuclear deal ended without any progress, a senior administration official said Wednesday.


Kamala Harris breaks silence on 53 Texas migrant deaths, says Abbott 'went straight to politics'
Vice President Kamala Harris chides Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's response to the deadly human smuggling incident and said he went 'straight to politics.'

Pelosi receives Communion in Vatican amid abortion debate
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has received Communion during a papal Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, despite her position in support of abortion rights.



The Democrats' deeply flawed Jan. 6 show
THE DEMOCRATS' DEEPLY FLAWED JAN. 6 SHOW. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's one-sided Jan. 6 committee had its greatest hit Tuesday — and also revealed its greatest weakness.


The next financial hammer to fall: Public pension funds
It’s a pattern we’ve seen over and over again. Public pension systems, often pressed by government employee unions, underfund their plans and overpromise their returns.


Taliban and US officials to meet amid quake relief efforts
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghan finance and central bank officials from the Taliban-led government departed for Qatar on Wednesday to meet with U.S. officials, the Taliban said.


FDA warns against baby neck floats after child dies, another hospitalized
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising parents and caregivers not to use neck floats for babies after one child died and another was hospitalized.


U.S. Capitol riot panel subpoenas White House counsel under Trump
A congressional panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol announced on Wednesday that it has subpoenaed former President Donald Trump's White House counsel, Pat Cipollone, to testify about Trump's activities on the day of the melee.

Biden commits to more U.S. forces in Europe as NATO invites Sweden and Finland to join
At a NATO gathering in Madrid, Biden reiterates that the alliance is committed to defending 'every inch' of territory under its charter.

WATCH: Megyn Kelly and Kristi Noem blast Democrats' ‘full meltdown’ on abortion
Media personality Megyn Kelly and Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) said the Left is in “full meltdown” following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, returning the fight over abortion rights to the states.


Rhode Island sets ambitious target for 100% renewable energy
Rhode Island’s governor signed legislation Wednesday setting the most ambitious target in the nation to require the state to be powered completely by renewable energy.


A "coin flip": Nearly half of U.S. murders go unsolved as cases rise
Murders are going unsolved at a historic pace, and police are far less likely to solve cases when the victim is Black or Hispanic, a CBS News investigation has found.


Yellen to participate in July 4 naturalization ceremony -Treasury
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on July 4 will participate in a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization ceremony for 52 people from 42 countries, including members of the U.S. military, the Treasury said on Wednesday.


Rice fields dry up as Italy's drought lingers on
The worst drought Italy has faced in 70 years is thirsting paddy fields in the river Po valley and jeopardizing the harvest of the premium rice used for risotto.

Was the Return of QAnon’s ‘Q’ Just a Republican Primary Play?
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/GettyQAnon believers have been thrilled by last week’s return of Q, the anonymous internet poster who launched the far-right conspiracy theory.In this week’s Fever Dreams podcast, host Will Sommer and guest host Sam Brodey talk about how Q’s...

Supreme Court rules in favor of burn pit veteran in wrongful termination case
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Le Roy Torres, a former Texas state trooper and Iraq veteran exposed to burn pits, amid his ongoing wrongful termination case.

Lone surviving attacker in Paris massacre guilty of murder
The only surviving attacker from the 2015 terrorist massacre at the Bataclan theater and other sites in Paris has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole

Most House Republicans who backed a Jan. 6 commission have won primaries so far
Of the 35 Republicans who backed the independent commission, 16 have won their primaries so far and just three have lost.


Justices say vet who lost job as Texas trooper can sue state
The Supreme Court has allowed a former state trooper to sue Texas over his claim that he was forced out of his job when he returned from Army service in Iraq.


Mystery remains over deaths of 21 teenagers at South African nightclub
The mysterious deaths of 21 teenagers at a popular nightclub in South Africa has swirled speculation and left many unanswered questions.

ISIS fanatic found guilty of murder and terrorism in 2015 Paris terrorist attacks
Salah Abdeslam, the chief suspect and only survivor of the 10-member team of extremists, faces up to life in prison without parole, the toughest sentence in France.


Strong ruble could hurt Russian businesses, official warns
As the ruble strengthens to levels not seen in seven years, Russia’s minister of economic development warns that the country’s businesses could suffer if the trend persists.

Secret Service Agents Denying Trump Freakout Claim Were His ‘Yes Men’: WaPo
MSNBCThe Secret Service agents who have reportedly pushed back on bombshell testimony about former President Donald Trump in a presidential SUV on Jan. 6 were “very close” to him and have even been described as “yes men,” according to a Washington Post reporter.In testimony before the House Jan...

Death risk soars with exposure to extreme heat and air pollution the same day: study
Story at a glance Researchers gathered data on more than 1.5 million deaths in California between 2014 and 2019 using death certificate information from California’s Department of Public Health and…


Germany's Scholz: No apology for reporter snubbed at G7
BERLIN (AP) — A spokeswoman for Olaf Scholz says the German Chancellor doesn't feel the need to apologize to a reporter for curtly dismissing her question at the end of the Group of Seven summit he hosted this week, prompting widespread criticism.


Biden announces permanent base in Poland, strengthening of NATO's eastern flank
President Joe Biden is strengthening the U.S. military's presence in Eastern Europe, as the threat from Russia remains at the forefront of the international community's mind.


R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in prison for federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges | CNN
Disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday following his conviction last year on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges stemming from his efforts over years to use his fame to ensnare victims he sexually abused.


Giuliani's former Ukraine fixer gets 20 months in prison
The judge also ordered Lev Parnas to pay $2.3 million in restitution.


Asian shares track Wall St drop as inflation fears drag on
Shares have retreated in Asia after another broad decline on Wall Street as markets remain gripped by uncertainty over inflation, rising interest rates and the potential for a recession.


Nipsey Hussle murder suspect attacked with razor in holding cell
Eric R. Holder was attacked by “multiple individuals” while he awaited transportation to the Los Angeles courthouse Tuesday morning.


Deborah James, UK cancer research campaigner, dies at 40
Deborah James, a British broadcaster who raised millions for cancer research and was recognized by Prince William for her work, has died. She was 40.


Arizona sheriff’s deputy fatally shot during theft call
Yavapai County sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Richard Lopez, 51, was shot Tuesday in Cordes Lakes while pursuing a man suspected of stealing, authorities said.


Europe adds visitor fee for US travel next year
US travelers will face a new fee to enter Europe next year.
Indicted and rebuked, Colorado secretary of state candidate pushes Trump's false election fraud claims
Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters continues to outraise her GOP rivals in secretary of state primary despite indictment on election fraud felony charges.
GOP Election Denier Tina Peters Loses Colorado Secretary Of State Primary
The Mesa County clerk who was under indictment for tampering with voting machines lost to a Republican who acknowledged the 2020 vote was legitimate.

Three men, including driver, arrested after deadly migrant smuggling event in Texas
AUSTIN, Texas — Three men have been arrested amid their alleged roles in a human smuggling conspiracy that led to the deaths of 51 migrants found inside an abandoned tractor-trailer that was meant to imitate a legitimate commercial truck, according to a local report.


Congress investigates portable generator manufacturers following carbon monoxide deaths
Many generators have not received potentially lifesaving safety upgrades. Citing an NBC News, ProPublica and Texas Tribune investigation, a House committee wants to know why.


Norway: Pride attack suspect still won't talk to police
Norwegian authorities say a man held over a suspected Islamist deadly weekend shooting ahead of an LGBTQ festival in Oslo is still refusing to talk to police, making it hard to establish whether he had any accomplices

New York state, city target ghost gun sellers in lawsuits
New York state and New York City sued 10 distributors of gun components to stop the sale of illegal, largely untraceable "ghost guns" that they say make the streets more violent.


John Wood, former January 6 committee investigator, launches independent Senate bid in Missouri | CNN Politics
John Wood, a former senior investigator for the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, launched on Wednesday a Senate campaign in Missouri as an independent, calling for a "commonsense alternative" to the field of Republican and Democratic candidates.


Rices Fire leads to evacuations in Nevada, 700 firefighters responding
The Rices Fire has affected approximately 355 homes and other buildings.

Uvalde school shooter's grandmother released from hospital
The grandmother of the Uvalde school shooter was released from a hospital on Tuesday, just over a month after her grandson shot her and later also killed 19 children and two teachers.


Pelosi visited with Pope Francis, received Communion during Vatican visit
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was offered a chance to receive Communion during her visit to the Vatican.


Another American woman just stood up to protect democracy from Trump | CNN Politics
A quintet of courageous American women are defending American democracy in its darkest hour, and effectively delivering a warning about the rage and tyranny that may await if Donald Trump gets back into the White House after 2024.


University of Cincinnati removes name of founder who owned enslaved people
Four campus spaces will be scrubbed of the name of Charles McMicken, a Cincinnati businessman who owned enslaved people in the 19th century.


Missing 8-year-old boy found alive after more than a week in sewers | CNN
An 8-year-old boy was found alive in a sewer eight days after he went missing in Oldenburg, northwestern Germany.


The first full-color photos from the James Webb Space Telescope are coming
NASA and its partners, the European and Canadian space agencies, will unveil the first full-color images from the Webb telescope in a much-anticipated event on July 12.


Ocasio-Cortez backs Fetterman, Barnes and Ryan for Senate
Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) endorsed Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) and Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes (D) in their respective battl…


Abortion pill maker plans multistate legal action to preserve drug access
The company is currently challenging a Mississippi law that effectively banned telehealth abortions by making patients see doctors in person.


Americans look north and south for abortion access in post-Roe world
Some Americans without access to safe local abortions in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling are looking to the country's northern and southern neighbors for access to reproductive care.


Jan. 6 committee hearing schedule: Here's when to expect next the Capitol riot hearing
The next Jan. 6 hearing will take place July 21 at 8 p.m. ET. The committee will examine the events of Jan. 6, 2021, 'minute by minute.'
www.usatoday.com
Republican Joe O'Dea, who supports some abortion rights, wins Colorado Senate primary
Businessman Joe O’Dea has won Colorado’s Republican nomination for the Senate, NBC News projects, giving his party a relatively moderate candidate supportive

Former White House lawyer claims Cassidy Hutchinson did not write note to Trump on Jan. 6: Report
Two former Trump White House officials are claiming authorship of the same handwritten note that was presented as evidence in Tuesday's Jan. 6 committee hearing, according to a report.

The most damning testimony heard yet linked Trump directly to January 6 violence: 'It ups his exposure'
Donald Trump's closest advisors worried about legal risk if he acted on his desire to go to the Capitol on January 6, 2021.


Fauci says he's taking 2nd course of Paxlovid after experiencing rebound with the antiviral treatment
Fauci, 81, said that when he first tested positive two weeks ago, he had very minimal symptoms.

South Korea approves first homemade COVID-19 vaccine
Health officials in South Korea have approved the country's first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine for people 18 years or older, adding another public health tool in the fight against a prolonged pandemic.


A viral reprise: When COVID-19 strikes again and again
For New York musician Erica Mancini, COVID-19 made repeat performances. March 2020. Last December. And again this May.


Pfizer signs new $3.2 billion COVID vaccine deal with U.S. government
Pfizer Inc and partner BioNTech SE said on Wednesday they signed a $3.2 billion deal with the U.S. government for 105 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine, which could be delivered as soon as later this summer.


In California, vaccines closed gap in Covid-related deaths for Latinos
“We really need to continue to keep that equity lens in mind,” said researcher Shannon McConville.


FDA advisers recommend updating COVID booster shots for fall
Advisers to the U.S. government are recommending that COVID-19 booster shots used this fall be modified to better match more recent variants of the coronavirus.


Defectors in Seoul send balloons carrying medicine to COVID-19-struck North Korea, defying law in South
A North Korean defector group in Seoul claims to have launched air balloons carrying medical supplies near the inter-Korean border on Tuesday.

Health officials plan for updated vaccines with an eye on COVID’s unpredictability
Updated COVID-19 vaccines that could better match the more recent variants are on the way.

Florida surgeon general tells lawmakers blocking orders to childhood vaccines could have led to delays
His comments are the latest development in the ongoing fight between Florida and the White House over Covid-19 vaccines for young children.


FDA advisers to weigh in on updated Covid booster shots for the fall
The FDA has said scientists need to determine what sorts of updates the shots would require by the end of June.


Sen. Ted Cruz is in a fight with Elmo about COVID-19 vaccines
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has demanded that Elmo show evidence for his claim that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for children under five years old during a Twitter spat on Tuesday.

FDA panel recommends redesigned Covid booster shots for the fall
The FDA must now decide which strains should be included in the next round of shots to offer the best protection for a fall wave.


Fauci says he is experiencing ‘rebound’ of COVID symptoms after Paxlovid treatment
Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases doctor, said he is experiencing a rebound of COVID-19 symptoms after taking Pfizer’s antiviral drug Paxlovid. Fauci, 81, contracted C…


Eli Lilly to supply additional doses of COVID antibody drug to U.S.
Eli Lilly and Co said on Wednesday it will supply additional doses of its COVID-19 antibody drug to the U.S. government in order to meet demand through late August.
