(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — NATO estimated on Wednesday that 7,000 to 15,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in four weeks of war in Ukraine, where fierce resistance from the country’s defenders has denied Moscow the lightning victory it sought.
Mark Meadows' wife appears to use invalid address on 2 North Carolina voter registration forms
The wife of former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows filled out two voter forms that note it's a felony to "fraudulently or falsely" complete it
www.cbsnews.com
US finds Russian troops have committed war crimes in Ukraine
Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the Biden administration has made a formal determination that Russian troops have committed war crimes in Ukraine.
apnews.com
Ex-prosecutor: Trump 'guilty of numerous felony violations'
A prosecutor who had led a criminal investigation into Donald Trump before quitting last month said in his resignation letter that he believes the former president is “guilty of numerous felony violations.”
apnews.com
Jackson heading for likely confirmation despite GOP darts
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson faced down a barrage of Republican questioning about her sentencing of criminal defendants on Wednesday, as her history-making bid to join the Supreme Court veered from lofty constitutional questions to attacks on her motivations as a judge.
apnews.com
Ukrainians have pushed Russian forces back to the east of Kyiv, US official says
Mariupol, once home to more than 450,000 people, is being "reduced to ashes," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Follow here for live news updates.
NATO tells Russia to quit 'nuclear saber rattling,' demands China stop 'lies' amid chemical attack threats
NATO looks to bolster its defenses against Russian threats of biological, chemical and nuclear attacks and warns China to stop spreading Moscow's misinformation.
Durbin cuts off Cruz as tempers flare: ‘You have to follow the rules’
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) cut off Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in the midst of a series of questions about Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s handling of child pornography case…
thehill.com
Mo Brooks says Trump asked him to help rescind 2020 election
Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) on Wednesday issued a blistering response to former President Trump’s decision to unendorse him in the Alabama Senate race, accusing Trump of asking him to r…
thehill.com
NATO to OK 'major increases' of troops; Ukraine appears to be retaking ground near Kyiv
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for more pressure on Russia as the war appears to be entering a stalemate.
Hackers around the world deluge Russia's internet with simple, effective cyberattacks
Distributed denial of service attacks aren't sophisticated, but they can still be effective for people looking to join the fight.
www.nbcnews.com
Manchin outlines energy policy objectives
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a key swing vote in the Senate, on Wednesday laid out some energy policies he supports. During a meeting of the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris, Manchin …
thehill.com
Biden requests Mehmet Oz and Herschel Walker resign from presidential council or be terminated | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden has formally asked two Trump-appointed members of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition to resign from their posts or be terminated.
www.cnn.com
Record-high gas prices pose surprising new problems for consumers at pump
With gas prices in the United States the highest they've been in 14 years, drivers are facing a new kind of pain at the pump: fueling limits that may deny them a full tank.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Takeaways: Joy, tears, culture wars dominate Jackson hearing
It’s not just Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson who is being watched as she makes history as the first Black woman to be considered for the job.
apnews.com
U.S. formally accuses Russian military of committing war crimes in Ukraine
Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement noted Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s role, but did not directly accuse the autocrat.
www.politico.com
Supreme Court blocks revised legislative map for Wisconsin that created a new Black voting district
The high court declined to block a new map for the state’s congressional districts, however, rejecting a challenge filed by state Republicans.
www.nbcnews.com
Close Putin ally warns of nuclear dystopia
A close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday accused the U.S. of seeking “the end of our motherland” and said escalating tensions could result in a nuclear disaster.Dmi…
thehill.com
Ukraine and Russia: What you need to know right now
Ukraine's leader called for solidarity on Thursday, a month after Russia's invasion began, warning he would see who sells out at summits in Europe, where plans to bolster sanctions and NATO are afoot but restrictions on energy could prove divisive.
Vetoes show lack of GOP lockstep on transgender sports bans
Republican governors in two states this week rejected legislation to ban transgender players from girls sports.
apnews.com
Idaho governor signs Texas-inspired bill banning abortion after six weeks
The law is set to take effect in 30 days, but court challenges are expected.
www.nbcnews.com
AP PHOTOS: Day 28: As bombs fall over Kyiv, some seek solace
The Ukrainian capital of Kyiv was the scene Wednesday of unrelenting bombardment, with firefighters battling to extinguish fires in residential buildings targeted across the city.
apnews.com
WHO says there were 64 instances of attacks on health care since Ukraine war started
The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday it had verified 64 instances of attacks on health care in Ukraine between Feb. 24 and March 21 resulting in 15 deaths and 37 injuries.
One month in, Russia’s war in Ukraine has no end in sight
Russian forces have faced fierce Ukrainian resistance in a war that has already caused huge death and destruction.
Newsom gas tax relief plan: $400 debit cards and no tax hike
The governor’s two-part proposal represents the latest development in negotiations with the Legislature over how to offset soaring fuel costs.
www.politico.comU.S. Supreme Court rebuffs Republicans in Wisconsin congressional map dispute
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the use of a map configuring Wisconsin's congressional districts for this year's elections drawn by Democratic Governor Tony Evers, giving a boost to efforts by President Joe Biden's party to retain control of the U.S. House of...
How Trump threw Mo Brooks under the bus
The Alabama congressman and MAGA loyalist learned he had lost Trump's endorsement through a reporter’s tweet.
www.politico.com
Albright predicted Putin's strategic disaster in Ukraine | CNN Politics
Madeleine Albright died just as the murderous historic forces that she had spent her career trying to quell are raging in Europe again, unleashed by a nemesis, Vladimir Putin, who she had consistently warned was a grave threat to peace.
www.cnn.com
Ketanji Brown Jackson: Key highlights from Day 3 of her Supreme Court hearings
Democrats assail "conspiracy theories," Lindsey Graham gets fired up, and "Law And Order" (the television variety, not the courtroom kind) makes an appearance.
www.nbcnews.com
Live updates: Russia to expel more American diplomats
The U.S. State Department says Russia has begun the process of expelling several more diplomats from the U.S. embassy in Moscow.
apnews.com
Biden brings more troops and sanctions to NATO amid rising fears of Russian chemical warfare
Preparing for the next phase of Putin's war against Ukraine is the centerpiece of Biden's NATO meeting this week, amid rising fears of Russian chemical weapons.
Israel urges Biden administration to sell F-15 fighter jets to Egypt
Israel is encouraging the Biden administration to approve a major arms deal with Egypt for the sale of F-15 fighter jets, two senior Israeli defense officials told Axios.Why it matters: The Israeli lobbying efforts show the depth of the Israeli-Egyptian relationship in recent years and the...
Russia's Putin gets Chinese backing to stay in G20
Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to attend the next G20 summit in Indonesia later this year and received valuable backing from Beijing on Wednesday in a pushback to suggestions by some members that Russia could be barred from the group.
www.reuters.com
Taliban orders girls’ high schools shut hours after re-opening
Backtracking by the Taliban means female students above the sixth grade will not be able to attend school.
Judging a Judge on Race and Crime, GOP Plays to Base and Fringe
WASHINGTON — After all of the entreaties from top Republicans to show respect at Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings, Sen. Ted Cruz on Tuesday afternoon chose to grill the first Black woman nominated for the Supreme Court on her views on critical race theory and insinuate that...
Jackson 'regrets' GOP senators' focus on 'small subset of my sentences'
Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson hit out at the line of questioning from Republicans during her Supreme Court confirmation hearing Wednesday, telling Sen. Josh Hawley she "regret[s]" that he and his Republican colleagues focused on a "small subset" of her child pornography…
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Ukraine’s military forces Russian troops east of Kyiv back 55 km from city center
Ukraine's military forces have pushed Russian forces east of Kyiv back 55 kilometers from the city center and Russian troops north of the capital are now "digging in".
Manhattan prosecutor who resigned says Trump guilty of felonies - New York Times
One of the prosecutors who had led a New York criminal probe into Donald Trump and his business practices said in a resignation letter last month that the former president was "guilty of numerous felony violations," the New York Times reported on Wednesday. Mark Pomerantz, who resigned on Feb...
NATO leaders set to OK 'major increases' of troops in response to Putin's war on Ukraine
Ukraine, which has sought NATO membership since 2002, is bordered by four NATO allies.
Former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort blocked from flight for invalid passport
Manafort was stopped from flying to Dubai, according to Miami-Dade police.
www.nbcnews.com
Worlds collide: Mitt Romney meets Ritt Momney
A special guest came to visit Utah GOP Sen. Mitt Romney at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Musician Ritt Momney and his band met the onetime presidential candidate, who shared a few photos of the encounter on social media.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Poland orders expulsion of 45 Russians suspected of spying
Poland has ordered the expulsion of 45 Russians whom the government identified as intelligence officers using their diplomatic status as cover to operate in the country.
apnews.com
Cursing senators, judicial philosophy and document demands: 5 takeaways from Jackson hearing
The Supreme Court nominee’s confidence grew as GOP attacks continued on day three.
www.politico.com
NATO to boost Ukraine’s chemical, nuclear defences
NATO chief says new aid will likely include equipment to fight chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.
Biden arrives in Europe for Ukraine war summits, NATO to bolster eastern flank
Russian forces bombed areas of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Wednesday and U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in Brussels for a series of summit meetings on the war while NATO's chief said the alliance was bolstering battle groups in Eastern Europe.
www.reuters.com
McCarthy draws contrast with McConnell over releasing GOP agenda
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Wednesday defended his push to release a policy agenda ahead of the November midterm elections, drawing a sharp contrast…
thehill.com
More than 60 tornadoes tear through 5 states in 2 days
A tornado damaged homes and knocked out power in the New Orleans area on Tuesday night.
Attorney asks Oklahoma court to stop US Senate election
Oklahoma's governor should not have scheduled a special election for a soon-to-be vacant U.S. Senate seat because Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe has not yet resigned, an attorney argued Wednesday before the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Enid attorney Stephen Jones, who gained national prominence as the...
West gives more support to Ukraine, raises stakes for Russia
NATO promised Kyiv new military support and assigned more troops to the alliance's eastern flank while London and Washington stepped up sanctions on Moscow during a trio of summits on Thursday aimed at showing Western unity against Russia's war in Ukraine.
www.reuters.com
Madeleine Albright, 1st female US secretary of state, dies
Madeleine Albright, a child refugee from Nazi- and then Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe who rose to become the first female secretary of state, has died at age 84.
apnews.com
U.S. Supreme Court rebuffs Republicans in Wisconsin congressional map dispute
The decision gives a boost to efforts by Democrats to retain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
www.reuters.comLindsey Graham Will Not Let Ketanji Brown Jackson Answer His Gross Questions
Several GOP senators' attacks on President Biden's Supreme Court nominee involve disturbing and misleading accusations relating to child abuse cases.
One of Putin’s top aides quits, reportedly in opposition to the Ukraine war
A high-ranking and long-standing aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin has quit his role due to his opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Russian forces 'taking more defensive positions' outside Kyiv: Pentagon
Ukrainian forces continue to hold Russian forces on the outskirts of the capital, Kyiv, including in some places pushing them further away from the city, according to the Pentagon.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
NATO members meet as Russian invasion of Ukraine tests alliance
The threat from Russian President Vladimir Putin may be the most tenuous moment for NATO in decades. As NATO members are set to meet in Brussels, there are new fears that Putin could push his invasion of Ukraine further into a NATO country.
www.nbcnews.com
China limits concerns on Ukraine to self-interest
While China will help Russia get around sanctions, it is more focused on problems closer to home.
'It's bulls---': Dems reject that Jackson's soft on crime
The Supreme Court nominee's backers have high hopes for a bipartisan confirmation. But she doesn't need a single GOP vote to get confirmed.
www.politico.com
Ukraine war: Ukrainian fightback gains ground west of Kyiv
Authorities in the town of Makariv, near the capital, say Ukrainian flags are flying there again.
www.bbc.com
Up to 40,000 Russian soldiers killed, wounded, captured or MIA in Ukraine, NATO estimates
The Pentagon has previously denied confirming any reported estimates on the number of Russian troops that have been removed from battle.
Jackson faces tight confirmation vote as Graham signals 'no' vote and GOP opposition stiffens
Sen. Lindsey Graham broke ranks in the Obama era, voting for President Barack Obama's two Supreme Court nominees. Under President Joe Biden, Graham has backed scores of lower court nominees -- including Ketanji Brown Jackson to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals just last year.
Kaine: Fighter jets to Ukraine not the admin’s ‘red line’
www.politico.comBiden's Supreme Court pick Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies for third day: LIVE UPDATES
Ketanji Brown Jackson is expected to face a third day of scrutiny in front of the Senate Wednesday after a hearing that lasted for more than 12 hours on Tuesday.
www.foxnews.com
Australia PM Morrison flags concerns over Putin's plans to attend G20 meeting
Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday said he has been raising concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin's plans to attend the next G20 summit in Indonesia this year.
www.reuters.com
Russia moves to expel American diplomats from Moscow; US accuses Russia of war crimes: March 23 recap
As many as 15,000 Russian troops have been killed since the invasion of Ukraine began four weeks ago. Read Wednesday's recap.
www.usatoday.com
West assails Russian 'barbarism' as Ukrainians shelter from bombardment
Western leaders piled on military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine on Thursday and denounced Moscow's invasion of its neighbour as "barbarism" as thousands in besieged cities sheltered underground from Russian bombardment.
www.reuters.com
Democrats manage expectations on quick consumer relief from China bill
The legislation is a central piece of Democrats' midterm messaging on fighting inflation, but the impact on prices for cars, computers and refrigerators won't be felt for years.
www.nbcnews.comU.S. to offer funds of $2.9 billion for major infrastructure projects
The White House will announce on Wednesday a funding opportunity of $2.9 billion earmarked by the Transportation Department for major infrastructure projects this year, as part of a $1-trillion law Congress approved in 2021. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and White House...
Germany sending anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine after delays
Following pressure from Ukraine to ramp up its assistance, Germany is set to deliver Soviet-era Strela surface-to-air missiles to aid in resistance efforts to fight Russia's invasion.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Ukraine war: Why is Russia encouraging foreign fighters to join?
Analysts say the Kremlin may have been inspired by Ukraine’s similar step and warn of ominous consequences.
Exclusive: Inside a rare US meeting with a Russian general in Moscow
A rare face-to-face meeting between Russian and US military officials last week led to an "outburst" of emotion from a normally stoic Russian general, a "revealing moment" that the Americans present believe hinted at larger morale problems in Russia's military, according to a closely held US...
www.cnn.com
Graham grills Jackson on overruled decision on Trump immigration policy: 'Exhibit A of activism'
Republicans promised that during Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing they would go after Jackson’s record, which is exactly what Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., did Wednesday when he accused Jackson of being an activist judge when she ruled against the Trump...
Supreme Court tosses Wisconsin state maps, keeps congressional maps
Both sets of maps were drawn by Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, and had been chosen by the state Supreme Court over those submitted by other groups.
Zelensky calls for global rallies to stand with Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday called for people around the world to turn out in squares, on streets and in schoolyards in support of Ukraine.Zelensky called for global rallies…
thehill.com
Tornado leaves New Orleans neighborhood in ruins, killing one
Crews were assessing the damage on Wednesday on the east side of New Orleans where a powerful tornado killed at least one person and injured eight others as it left a two-mile path of destroyed homes, uprooted power lines and overturned vehicles.
www.reuters.comSupreme Court grants GOP request to block new maps for Wisconsin's state legislature
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with Wisconsin's Republican-led legislature and struck down the state's redistricting plans drawn up by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Driving the news: In the unsigned order, the justices reversed an opinion by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which it noted is...
Russian investigative website says reporter killed in Kyiv shelling
Russian investigative website The Insider said on Wednesday that one of its reporters had been killed in Kyiv when Russian forces shelled a suburb where she had been filming damage from an earlier attack.
www.reuters.com
Russian journalist killed by shelling in Kyiv
Russian journalist Oksana Baulina was killed in Kyiv while filming the devastation from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the independent news site The Insider confirmed on Wednesday.The news outl…
thehill.com
Conservative employees fearing retaliation ask Disney for political neutrality
Conservative employees at Disney are asking the company to stop wading into politics as it draws nationwide attention for its response to controversial education legislation recently passed in Florida.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Confirmation turns nasty as GOP digs in on child porn cases
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s second day of questioning before senators took on a nastier, more partisan tone as Republicans grilled the Supreme Court nominee relentlessly on her handling of child …
thehill.com
Putin wants 'unfriendly countries' to pay rubles for gas
President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia will demand “unfriendly" countries pay for Russian natural gas exports only in rubles from now on.
apnews.com
U.S. farm groups urge sowing on protected land as war cuts off Ukraine supply
Farm groups are urging the U.S. Agriculture Department to allow farmers the ability to plant on acres set aside for conservation, to help fill the absence of Ukrainian corn, wheat and sunflower oil amid Russia's invasion of the country.
www.reuters.com
Trump Jr. news curating platform hits #1 in app store in 24 hours: ''Mainstream news without mainstream bias'
The news curating platform created by Donald Trump Jr. and Trump advisers that says it offers "mainstream news without mainstream bias" hit number one in the Apple App Store in its first 24 hours.
Russian move on Ukraine aid fails at U.N. Security Council
A Russian-drafted call for aid access and civilian protection in Ukraine that does not mention Moscow's role in the crisis failed at the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, with only Russia and China voting yes and the remaining 13 members abstaining.
www.reuters.com
Fellow member of Congress on trial is 'honest,' California lawmaker testifies
Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry is charged with lying to the FBI.
www.politico.com
Inept Russian invasion could force China to reconsider Taiwan plans, senator says
The ineptitude displayed by Russia’s military throughout the first four weeks of its invasion of Ukraine could lead China to reconsider its plans for Taiwan, Sen. Jack Reed, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, believes.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
IRS unit gets no funds to enforce sanctions on rich Russians
The IRS criminal investigation arm tasked with tracking down sanctioned Russian oligarchs' property failed to receive an infusion of money in the Ukraine aid package.
apnews.com
Russian regulator blocks Google News over “inauthentic” war info
Ban comes after Google said it would not help platforms sell ads alongside content that condones conflict in Ukraine.
US Senate candidate Mo Brooks blames Mitch McConnell after Trump pulls his endorsement
Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama blames Mitch McConnell over former President Donald Trump pulling his Senate race endorsement.
New Zealand to take 450 refugees from Australian processing centres
The New Zealand government said on Thursday it would take a total of 450 asylum seekers in Australia or its offshore detention centre on Nauru in the South Pacific over the next three year.
www.reuters.com
Senate Democrats blast GOP for 'vicious' and 'truly poisonous' attacks against Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats slammed Republicans for their "vicious" treatment of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson during her Supreme Court confirmation hearings.
AP PHOTOS: Day 28: As bombs fall over Kyiv, some seek solace
The Ukrainian capital of Kyiv was the scene Wednesday of unrelenting bombardment, with firefighters battling to extinguish fires in residential buildings targeted across the city.
apnews.com
UK to provide 6,000 missiles to Ukraine in new support
Britain will provide Ukraine with about 6,000 new defensive missiles and almost 30 million pounds ($40 million) to support the BBC's coverage in the region and pay Ukrainian soldiers and pilots.
www.reuters.com
Arrest made in mass shooting at Arkansas car show that killed 1, injured 26
Brandon Deandra Knight was arrested after being released from the hospital Wednesday morning and charged with battery and aggravated assault.
Senators grill Jackson over record on third day of confirmation hearing
Republicans continued lines of questioning on Wednesday regarding Jackson's handling of child pornography cases during her time as a federal judge.
www.cbsnews.com
LIVE COVERAGE: Emotions, tempers run high on day three of Jackson hearings
The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding the second day of questioning for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson on Wednesday.Jackson endured a long day of questioning Tuesday, but appeared …
thehill.com
Ukraine uses facial recognition to identify dead Russian soldiers, minister says
Ukraine is using facial recognition software to identify the bodies of Russian soldiers killed in combat and to trace their families to inform them of their deaths, Ukraine's vice prime minister told Reuters.
www.reuters.com
MacKenzie Scott donates a record $275 million to Planned Parenthood
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $275 million to women's healthcare provider Planned Parenthood, the largest gift from a single donor in the organization's more than 100-year history, Planned Parenthood said on Wednesday.
www.reuters.com
Border officials expect Biden to end Trump Title 42 border policy in April
Border officials are expecting and preparing for an April announcement of plans to end a pandemic policy implemented by the Trump administration that allows for immediately turning migrants back to Mexico, multiple government officials told the Washington Examiner.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Taliban break promise on higher education for Afghan girls
Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers won't reopen schools to girls above the sixth grade, reneging on a promise and opting to appease their hard-line base at the expense of further alienating the world.
apnews.com
Putin announces gas currency switch for ‘unfriendly countries’
Rouble firms after Putin announcent that Russia would start selling its gas to ‘unfriendly countries’ in roubles.
With Democrats' health agenda stalled, lawmakers turn to insulin
The push comes as many other Democratic proposals to lower health care costs remain on ice.
www.politico.com
U.S. Capitol to reopen for limited public tours after two years
The move marks Congress’ latest relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions as Washington, D.C., and the world struggle to return to normalcy with the omicron variant wave waning in the U.S.
www.nbcnews.com
US, Canada renew cross-border forum for cooperation on criminal investigations
U.S. and Canadian officials met in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to renew the Cross-Border Crime Forum and discuss data sharing for criminal investigations.The talks included U.S. Attorney Gene…
thehill.com
Sarah Palin seeks to disqualify judge after 'contaminated' NY Times defamation trial
Sarah Palin called on the judge who oversaw her unsuccessful defamation case against the New York Times to disqualify himself, and said his series of errors tainted the outcome and required a new trial.
www.reuters.com
Biden has a plan for Ukrainian refugees. Advocates want him to be bolder.
The president is opening avenues for those displaced by war to enter the country. But he’s not considering any major evacuation efforts.
www.politico.com
Senate panel to hold Supreme Court vote April 4
The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination on April 4.Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the chairman of the committee, announced as he was wrapping …
thehill.com
Democrats defend U.S. Supreme Court nominee Jackson from Republican attacks
Senate Democrats on Wednesday defended Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden's nominee to become the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, from Republican attacks painting her as a liberal activist as her confirmation hearing entered a third day.
www.reuters.com
Jeffrey Epstein's private US Virgin Islands locations up for sale
The late, disgraced financier owned two neighboring islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Kenosha officer accused of kneeling on girl's neck resigns from school district
An off-duty police officer in Kenosha resigned from his role in the school district amid an investigation into the tactics he used to restrain a 12 year-old girl.
Sen. King calls out Biden administration on drugs crossing southern border
Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) pressed senior Biden administration security officials on drugs crossing the southern border on Wednesday, calling its current response “inexcusable” and asking “who’s in …
thehill.com
Harris names new press secretary after staff exodus
Kirsten Allen will become Vice President Kamala Harris' new press secretary, Fox News has confirmed.
'The internet is feeding the beast': Graham directly addresses child porn offenders
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., directly addressed child porn offenders during Jude Jackson's confirmation hearing, saying "I hope your sentence is enhanced because the computer and the internet is feeding the beast."
www.nbcnews.com
GOP push against ballot drop boxes hits rural places, too
As Republicans question the security of ballot drop boxes, plenty of places stand to lose them, including small communities in Republican-leaning Kansas.
apnews.com
Trump rescinds Brooks endorsement in Senate race in Alabama
Former President Donald Trump has rescinded his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks in Alabama’s Republican primary for Senate, dealing a major blow to the congressman’s campaign.
apnews.com
Amid Russia's new crackdowns, small signs of defiance emerge
Russia has unleashed a harsh crackdown on dissent over the past year by imprisoning opposition leader Alexei Navalny and silencing his supporters and his organization.
apnews.com
Family of man killed by sheriff's deputy say he was in mental health crisis
The family of Irvin Moorer Charley, who was killed by sheriff's deputies in South Carolina, say he was having a mental health crisis.
These US industries are most at risk of Russian cyberattacks
If Russia lashes out at the United States over Ukraine-related sanctions by mounting aggressive cyberattacks, the most likely targets would be the financial sector, defense contractors, and unsuspecting but vulnerable small businesses, cybersecurity experts say.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Pelosi backs Cuellar, says ‘I don’t know what it is’ of FBI raid
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) reiterated her support for Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) as he faces a serious primary challenge from the left and said that she did not know why the FBI searched his…
thehill.com
Four teenagers arrested after woman, 73, is dragged to her death in carjacking, New Orleans police say
A 17-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl and two 15-year-old girls face charges of second-degree murder.
www.nbcnews.com
DNC mocked for 'four-figure digital ad buy' in swing states: 'Measly amount of money'
The Democratic National Committee is being mocked for their “Four-figure digital ad buy” in swing states
Biden remembers Albright as 'a force for goodness, grace, and decency' | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden paid tribute to former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Wednesday, calling the late former top diplomat “a force for goodness, grace, and decency – and for freedom.”
www.cnn.comExclusive: Inside a rare US meeting with a Russian general in Moscow
A rare face-to-face meeting between Russian and US military officials last week led to an "outburst" of emotion from a normally stoic Russian general, a "revealing moment" that the Americans present believe hinted at larger morale problems in Russia's military, according to a closely held US...
www.cnn.com
High court won't say whether Thomas remains hospitalized
The Supreme Court is declining to say whether 73-year-old Justice Clarence Thomas remains in the hospital. He had been expected to be released by Tuesday evening.
apnews.com
Girl on breathing machine saved after tornado moved her home
Authorities say the tornado that ripped through a suburb of New Orleans lifted one house into the air and dropped it onto the middle of a street with a family inside.
apnews.com
Biden administration eases some Trump-era tariffs on exports from UK and China | CNN Politics
The Biden administration eased some Trump-era tariffs this week in two separate moves, with one delivering relief to American businesses including whiskey distillers and Harley-Davidson and the other helping manufacturers that rely on inputs shipped from China.
www.cnn.comShocking aerial footage shows Ukrainian city 'reduced to ashes'
Stimulus checks for gas? Here's what could be coming your way.
A trio of bills in Congress would offer stimulus payments and rebates to help Americans cope with soaring gas prices.
www.cbsnews.com
Anna Sorokin says she's 'happy to hear' Psaki is enjoying Netflix's 'Inventing Anna' during COVID quarantine
Convicted fraudster Anna Sorokin revealed from prison that she's “happy to hear” that White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is enjoying the Netflix documentary, “Inventing Anna."
Russia-Ukraine war in maps and charts: Live Tracker
The Russian offensive enters its 83rd week, we track where battles are taking place and the human cost of war.
Russian veteran reformer Chubais quits job as Putin envoy
Anatoly Chubais, who was a special international envoy of the president, is said to have left Russia.
www.bbc.com
Kevin McCarthy not worried about Trump endorsements in GOP primaries
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he doesn’t see former President Donald Trump’s involvement in primary races as a problem for Republicans as they fight to take back the lower chamber in November.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Historic hearing takes turn into familiar territory on race and crime, experts say
Some senators' questioning of Ketanji Brown Jackson is an attempt to portray her as "soft on crime," legal experts said.
www.nbcnews.com
Who is Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Biden's Supreme Court nominee?
If confirmed, Jackson, 51, would become the high court's first Black female justice, capping a distinguished career that included a clerkship for Justice Stephen Breyer.
www.nbcnews.com
UN council defeats Russia humanitarian resolution on Ukraine
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday overwhelmingly defeated a Russian resolution that acknowledged Ukraine’s growing humanitarian needs -- but didn’t mention the Russian invasion that caused the escalating crisis which has left millions of Ukrainians in desperate need of foo
apnews.com
'You are worthy': Sen. Booker draws tears at Jackson hearing
Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey drew tears from Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson at her confirmation hearing with the words, “You are worthy,” and others like them.
apnews.com
NASA announces renewed competition for moon mission contracts
NASA on Wednesday said it will soon add another company to its moon mission roster, which currently only consists of a contract with SpaceX, The New York Times reports.NASA Administrator Bill Nelso…
thehill.comSen. Ernst places "hold" on Biden India nominee
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has placed a “hold” on Eric Garcetti’s nomination to be ambassador to India, demanding details about how the Los Angeles mayor handled allegations of sexual harassment by his staff — and whether he's been honest explaining them to the Senate.Why it matters: India has...
Albright fled the Nazis, climbed to the summit of diplomacy
Madeleine Albright fled the Nazis as a child and climbed to the summit of diplomacy and foreign policy in the United States.
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Ukrainians who fled Russian invasion struggle to reunite with family in the U.S.
Inna Kozyar was able to escape Ukraine with her daughters. But her elderly parents are stuck in Poland and can't join them in the U.S. because they don't have visas.
www.cbsnews.com
Five things to watch during Biden’s trip to Europe
President Biden has embarked on the most consequential trip of his presidency to meet with allies in Brussels and Warsaw four weeks into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in which the U.S. has dete…
thehill.com
Graham accuses Judge Jackson of 'activism' in previous ruling on expedited removal
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., questioned Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson about a previous ruling related to an expedited removal immigration policy, accusing her of "activism" in her interpretation of the law.
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LA police: Wearing expensive jewelry could make you a target
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles police are warning people that wearing expensive jewelry in public could make them a target for thieves — a note of caution as robberies are up citywide.
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Russia central banker tried to quit over Ukraine; Putin said no
Elvira Nabiullina is left to manage the fallout from a war that’s undone much of what’s she’s accomplished in 9 years.
‘A trailblazer’: political leaders pay tribute to Madeleine Albright
Obama, Bush, Blair and others hail first female secretary of state: ‘She lived out the American dream’ Tributes flooded in on Wednesday to Madeleine Albright, the first woman to hold the position of US secretary of state, who has died at the age of 84. “Madeleine Albright was a force,” said Joe...
Ex-principal stole over $25K from Pennsylvania Catholic school for rent, Amazon and bar tabs, officials say
John C. McGrath, the former principal of Mercy Regional Catholic School in Maple Glen, was charged with multiple felonies, including theft by deception.
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Obituary: Madeleine Albright, the first female US secretary of state
Originally born in Czechoslovakia, Albright became a trailblazer for women on the world stage.
www.bbc.com
Bird flu cases surge in the U.S. What we know so far.
The CDC said it's monitoring the worst avian influenza outbreak since 2015, which has devastated poultry farms along the East Coast and in the Midwest.
www.nbcnews.com
Jamaica PM tells royal couple island will seek independence
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness told Prince William and Kate on Wednesday that the British commonwealth intends to become fully independent in an unexpected announcement that comes as other countries consider cutting ties with the monarchy.
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6 students killed in Oklahoma crash were in car that seats 4
Six teenage girls on a high school lunch break were killed when their small car with only four seats collided with a large truck hauling rocks, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said Wednesday.
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Women's group CEO dissects Lia Thomas controversy: Not possible for 'trans woman to roll back male puberty'
Champion Women has become one of the first major advocacy groups to speak out on transgender athletes after Lia Thomas' sweep at the NCAA women's swimming championships.
Ketanji Brown Jackson hearing: 5 takeaways from Wednesday | CNN Politics
Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson finished her two days of questioning on Wednesday, having spent some 22 hours this week being grilled by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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‘We have one enemy’: The Belarusians who oppose the Ukraine war
Those who fled political violence in Belarus fear being associated with the actions of a government they do not support.
Greitens investigator pleads guilty to evidence tampering
The investigator who played a key role in former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens’ resignation in 2018 has pleaded guilty to evidence tampering.
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Blinken says U.S. assesses Russian forces committed "war crimes" in Ukraine
Blinken cited reports of several incidents in beseiged Mariupol.
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Sasse points to ‘jack-assery’ in Senate to oppose cameras at Supreme Court
Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) made the case against televising Supreme Court arguments, arguing the “jack-assery” seen in the Senate is a good reason to keep cameras out of the nation’s…
thehill.com
Ernst second senator to put ‘hold’ on Garcetti’s ambassadorial nomination
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) indicated that she will be the second senator to place a “hold” on Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s (D) nomination to be the U.S. ambassador to India, amid conc…
thehill.com
Biden seeks new sanctions, help for Ukrainians in Europe
As war rages on in Ukraine, President Joe Biden will huddle with key allies in Europe this week. They will talk through plans for imposing punishing new sanctions on Russia and dealing with an extraordinary humanitarian crisis.
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'She became our voice': Albright hailed by world leaders
As she pressed the Clinton administration into action against Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic over war crimes in the Balkans, Madeleine Albright would harken back to her own childhood as a refugee from Czechoslovakia who fled the Nazis in war-torn Europe.
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Ukraine war: Five challenges for Biden in Europe
Joe Biden is meeting allies at a moment of international crisis. Here are his most pressing concerns.
www.bbc.com
Russia to expel US diplomats in tit-for-tat move
TASS news agency reports that the move comes after the US expelled 12 Russian diplomats from the UN mission in New York.
Jackson touts US civil rights progress in 'short period of time,' says parents faced 'lawful segregation'
Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson Wednesday highlighted how far the U.S. came on civil rights in a "very short period of time."
High court nominee says she'd skip Harvard race case
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson says that if confirmed to the Supreme Court she’d sit out an affirmative action lawsuit over Harvard’s admission policies because she sits on the board of her college alma mater.
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AP-NORC poll: More support for Ukraine, concern about Russia
As Russia escalates its war in Ukraine and stories of civilian casualties and destruction in cities reach the United States, support has risen for a major American role.
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South Dakota governor signs law further restricting access to medication abortions | CNN Politics
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Wednesday signed a law that further restricts access to abortions through medication in the state, though the measure will not take effect immediately, pending a federal court case.
www.cnn.com
Detained Griner in 'good condition'
WNBA star Brittney Griner is said to be in "good condition" after being detained in Russia on drug charges.
www.bbc.com
5th worker charged with sex abuse at federal women's prison
A fifth worker at a federal women’s prison in California has been charged with sexually abusing an inmate, and prosecutors say more arrests are expected at the lockup.
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US plan aims to end racial, ethnic bias in home appraisals
Vice President Kamala Harris has announced a plan that's intended to end racial and ethnic discrimination in the appraisal of home values.
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Army eases fitness test standards for women, older troops
The Army has scrapped its move to have a physical fitness test that's gender- and age-neutral, and will now allow women and older soldiers to pass while meeting some reduced standards.
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Biden trip set to project US-Europe unity vs. Putin
President Biden arrives in Europe on Wednesday with the aim of projecting U.S. solidarity with Europe against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.The president is expected to announce…
thehill.com
Republicans criticize Durbin's handling of Jackson Supreme Court hearings as he defends 'chairman's time'
Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin said "chairman's time" is a committee tradition.
Lauren Pazienza, woman charged in death of 87-year-old singing coach Barbara Maier Gustern, hurled epithet before fatal shove, prosecutors say
Prosecutors said Pazienza deleted social media, as well as a web site for her upcoming wedding, and stopped using her cell phone.
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New York attorney general seeks documents from another accounting firm that worked for the Trump Organization
The request for tax documents from RSM US LLP was sent after another firm, Mazars USA, recanted financial statements from a decade of work for the Trump Organization.
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Whitmer kidnapping aimed to prevent Biden election win: Witness
Plan was to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer before 2020 US presidential vote, informant testifies at trial.
Afghanistan girls' tears over chaotic Taliban schools U-turn
Girls were in shock after high schools were abruptly shut after re-opening for the first time in months.
www.bbc.com
Nicaragua's OAS ambassador says own government dictatorship
NEW YORK (AP) — Nicaragua's ambassador to the Organization of the American States denounced his own government as a “dictatorship” on Wednesday in a dramatic break with the administration of President Daniel Ortega.
apnews.comOnetime top aide testifies against Netanyahu in graft trial
JERUSALEM (AP) — A onetime top aide to Benjamin Netanyahu took the stand for the first time Wednesday against the former Israeli prime minister engulfed in corruption charges over a scheme to generate positive news coverage.
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Biden heads to Belgium and Poland to address Russia's war on Ukraine
President Biden is expected to announce additional Russian sanctions during his trip.
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Under sweeping sanctions, Iran hawks its weapons in Qatar
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Iran, under sweeping economic sanctions, was hawking weapons on Wednesday at a Qatari defense exhibit, a surprising sight at the major conference also showcasing American companies and fighter jets.
apnews.comAl-Shabab gunmen attack airport in Somalia's capital
Gunfire rang out in the Somali capital as Islamic extremists attacked the international airport Wednesday, injuring at least three police officers.
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Former Boeing pilot acquitted of Max 737 fraud case
A former Boeing 737 Max technical pilot was acquitted in a fraud case brought on by the Justice Department, in its only criminal case against an individual linked to the troubled aircraft…
thehill.com
Thousands welcome home pardoned S. Korean ex-President Park
Former President Park Geun-hye went home three months after being pardoned for one of South Korea’s worst government-corruption scandals.
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Voice recorder found in wreckage of China Eastern plane
WUZHOU, China (AP) — Investigators have found what they believe to be the cockpit voice recorder in the wreckage of a China Eastern flight that crashed in the country's south with 132 people on board, a Chinese aviation official said Wednesday.
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Amid protests, Europe limited in curbing high energy prices
European governments are slashing fuel taxes and doling out tens of billions to help consumers, truckers, farmers and others cope with spiking energy prices made worse by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Biden administration warns second Covid-19 boosters won't be readily available to general public without congressional funding | CNN Politics
The Biden administration warned Wednesday that second Covid-19 vaccine booster shots – or a new type of vaccine, if needed – will not be free and readily available to the general public, if and when they are authorized, without additional funding from Congress.
www.cnn.com
New York City to let unvaccinated athletes play home games
New York city’s mayor will announce Thursday that he’s exempting athletes and performers from the city’s vaccine mandate for private workers.
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Covid hospitalizations: See the latest trend and current count
The weight of the pandemic can be measured in the count of hospital beds filled with Covid-positive patients.
www.nbcnews.comAs BA.2 spreads, Biden administration officials call on Congress to pass Covid-19 funding
The Biden administration is looking at approving a second booster shot for some adults within weeks, to improve older Americans’ immunity should infections rise due to the BA.2 subvariant.
WHO: COVID-19 cases rise for 2nd straight week, deaths fall
The World Health Organization says the number of new coronavirus cases globally increased by 7% in the last week, driven by rising infections in the Western Pacific.
apnews.comAdams to lift vaccine mandate for performers and athletes like Kyrie Irving ahead of MLB's Opening Day
Adams has been relaxing Covid-19 policies instituted by former Mayor Bill de Blasio since taking office Jan. 1, as he seeks to resume a sense of normalcy in the pandemic-ravaged city.
www.politico.comBiden administration eyeing booster shot recommendation within weeks
An additional dose for those 65 or older is under consideration. But there is concern about moving ahead of the normal FDA process.
www.politico.com
Airlines call on White House to lift mask mandate on travel
In a letter to President Joe Biden, the CEOs of several major airlines said "now is the time" to lift mask mandates and other Covid-19 restrictions for travelers.
www.nbcnews.com
As evidence favoring boosters mounts, half of eligible U.S. residents haven't gotten theirs
Several new studies show booster shots improve protection against Covid infection, hospitalization and death. But many eligible people have yet to get boosted.
www.nbcnews.com
Moderna says Covid vaccine for kids, 6 months to age 6, protects against severe disease
The shots didn't protect well against infection from the omicron variant in children, 6 months to age 6, although there were no cases of severe illness or deaths.
www.nbcnews.com
BA.2 version of omicron is rising in the U.S., but experts remain optimistic
The recent omicron wave may protect against another major Covid surge.
www.nbcnews.com
