(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Bill protecting same-sex, interracial unions clears Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House gave final approval Thursday to legislation protecting same-sex marriages, a monumental step in a decadeslong battle for nationwide recognition that reflects a stark turnaround in societal attitudes.
Griner freed: WNBA star swapped for Russian, heads home
American basketball star Brittney Griner is heading home, freed from Russian prison in exchange for the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
apnews.com
Judge declines DOJ request to hold Trump team in contempt over classified documents: Sources
A federal judge has declined a DOJ request to hold Trump's team in contempt over classified documents.
McCarthy creates House China Select Committee to confront CCP threats
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy on Thursday announced the creation of the China Select Committee and tapped Rep. Mike Gallagher to chair the panel that will focus and push back against threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party to U.S. national security.
Griner swap wasn't all US hoped for, but what it could get
The one-for-one swap involving Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout was not the one that U.S. officials had hoped to negotiate or were initially willing to accept.
apnews.com
Blinken confident in Finland, Sweden accession to NATO
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States is confident that Finland and Sweden will be approved soon for membership in NATO despite ratification delays in allies Turkey and Hungary.
apnews.com
Schumer reelected Senate leader after Democrats expand majority
Sen. Chuck Schumer has been elected for another term as Democratic leader in the Senate.
www.cbsnews.com
Seven more House Republicans threaten to oppose McCarthy without concessions on House rules
Seven more members of the House Freedom Caucus are threatening to oppose Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's ascension to speaker unless their demands are met.
Jan. 6 panel plans to release criminal referrals alongside final report
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol will release its list of criminal referrals alongside its final report on Dec. 21, the panel’s chair told reporters Thursda…
thehill.com
Yellen, Malerba become 1st female pair to sign US currency
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has helped mark a milestone in U.S. history by holding up a newly minted $5 bill signed for the first time ever by two women.
apnews.com
Former NYT columnist Bari Weiss releases ‘Twitter Files Part Two’
The first installment of the “Twitter Files” sparked outrage across right-wing outlets, but it seemed to fall flat otherwise, with some criticizing the release for failing to deliver groundbreaking…
thehill.com20 times Donald Trump's political committees promised worthless rewards for a donation
In his ongoing quest for political cash, Donald Trump keeps offering prospective donors trinkets, tchotchkes, and memberships that add up to nothing.
Incoming House Democrats want to abolish prisons: 'the world that we all deserve'
Democrats lost control of the House of Representatives but the party gained several new members headed to Washington with rather questionable policy stances.
Latest ‘Twitter Files’ release shows secret ‘blacklist’ label on conservative accounts - Washington Examiner
Twitter's practices of "shadowbanning" were revealed by a new release of Elon Musk's "Twitter Files." The latest batch of insider company information was released on Thursday evening by journalist Bari Weiss. The former New York Times columnist went into greater detail after the first Twitter...
www.washingtonexaminer.comAnti-Trump Republicans Grow Louder: 'He's Less Relevant All the Time'
ATLANTA — The Democrats’ capstone reelection victory of Sen. Raphael Warnock forced Republicans to reckon on Wednesday with the red wave that wasn’t, as they turned with trepidation to 2024 and the intensifying divisions in the party over former President Donald Trump. Warnock’s 2-1/2 percentage...
Black Georgia voters celebrate Warnock’s win and efforts to beat voter suppression
"They tried to make it hard for us to vote," said one voter, Selena White. "All that did was make us more determined to vote."
www.nbcnews.com
Fired Twitter cleaning staff 'treated like garbage'
One of them told the BBC a member of Elon Musk's team said their jobs would be replaced by robots.
www.bbc.com
Family of American prisoner Paul Whelan backs Griner deal
The brother of an American detained in Russia since 2018 says that his family fears he will not be released for years.
apnews.com
Trump allies aim to capture his philosophy in policy book
Donald Trump arrived in Washington with a hodgepodge of ideas developed over decades in business and television that were far outside the Republican mainstream.
apnews.com
U.S. House overwhelmingly approves bill backing record military spending
The approval paves the way for the defense budget to hit $45 billion more than proposed by Biden.
www.reuters.com
Judge formally dismisses Trump's case over Mar-a-Lago search after special master review ends
A federal judge in Florida has officially dismissed former President Donald Trump's lawsuit over the FBI's seizure of records from his Palm Beach resort.
www.cbsnews.com
Trump cash haul spiked after 2024 launch — but not as high as in the past
The former president's joint fundraising committee raised more than $4.1 million online in the weeks after his launch.
www.politico.com
SEC issues new guidance requiring companies to disclose cryptocurrency risks
Under the new SEC guidance, companies will have to include crypto asset holdings as well as their risk exposure to the FTX bankruptcy in their public filings.
The U.S. wants Iran off a U.N. panel. Other countries are wary.
Many countries loathe Iran’s treatment of women, but they’re uncomfortable with the U.S. dictating who’s deserving of U.N. panel memberships.
www.politico.com
Ukraine gets more U.S. aid as Russia-Iran ties worry West
Tehran and Moscow have denied accusations that Russia is using Iranian drones to attack targets in Ukraine.
www.reuters.com
Romney voices support for carbon tax to combat climate change - Washington Examiner
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) voiced his support for a carbon tax in order to help combat climate change. At a Washington Post webinar on Thursday, Romney spoke about the necessity of fighting climate change. In his view, the most useful tool would be a carbon tax, which would push the private sector...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
These 10 House Republicans flipped their votes on the same-sex marriage bill
The House has sent the Respect for Marriage Act to President Biden’s desk after all Democrats and 39 Republicans in the body voted to support the bill. The legislation, which passed in a 258-…
thehill.com
Family of Paul Whelan, American imprisoned in Russia, says it was warned about Brittney Griner's release
"That early warning meant that our family has been able to mentally prepare for what is now a public disappointment for us. And a catastrophe for Paul," the family said.
www.nbcnews.com
First Gen Z congressman-elect says he was denied DC apartment, noting ‘really bad’ credit
The congressman-elect who will become the first member of Generation Z to join Congress next month said on Thursday that he was denied an apartment in Washington, D.C., because of his “really bad” …
thehill.com
Who is the prince at the center of the far-right coup plot in Germany?
This is what we know about the man who would’ve been kaiser.
www.nbcnews.comBiden notches political, policy and diplomacy wins to cap year
The latest Biden win came Thursday, with the news that WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from a Russian penal colony in a high-profile prisoner swap.
Schumer reelected Senate leader after Dems expand majority
Sen. Chuck Schumer has been elected for another term as Democratic leader in the Senate. Democrats met behind closed doors Thursday at the Capitol to choose their leadership team.
apnews.com
Hakeem Jeffries called Trump's 2016 election victory a 'hoax,' referred to him as 'so-called' president
Incoming House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., denied the legitimacy of "so-called" President Donald Trump's 2016 election victory, calling it a “hoax."
Factbox: FACTBOX Paul Whelan, ex-U.S. Marine jailed in Russia on spying charges
Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine serving a 16-year sentence in a Russian penal colony on espionage charges, did not figure in a prisoner exchange on Thursday involving U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner, despite months of speculation that he would be included.
www.reuters.comHouse Republican support for same-sex marriage bill shrinks despite religious liberty amendment - Washington Examiner
Ten House Republicans who voted "yes" on the Respect for Marriage Act when it initially passed the lower chamber over the summer did not support the amended version Thursday.Seven GOP lawmakers who first supported the bill changed their votes from "yes" to "no," while two did not vote and one...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Investigators scouring online conspiracy theories for motive in N.C. substation attack
The FBI is assisting local authorities as they sift through online conspiracy theories to see if any served as a motivation for the "targeted attacks" on two Duke Energy substations.
www.nbcnews.com
Michael Flynn testifies in Georgia election probe
Former national security adviser Michael Flynn was at a downtown Atlanta courthouse Thursday to testify before a special grand jury that’s investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to influence the 2020 election in Georgia.
apnews.com
Saudi Arabia signs Huawei deal, deepening China ties on Xi visit
Saudi Arabia and China showcased deepening ties with a series of strategic deals on Thursday during a visit by President Xi Jinping, including one with tech giant Huawei, whose growing foray into the Gulf region has raised U.S. security concerns.
www.reuters.com
Biden deserves ‘incomplete’ grade on foreign relations, US must ‘outcompete’ China: Sen. Todd Young
GOP Sen. Todd Young says the U.S. must ramp up development of "strategic technologies" to outcompete China, and the Biden administration needs to be bolder on the world stage.
Brittney Griner packs bags, leaves jail and boards plane
Russian state media release footage showing the WNBA star's final moments in prison.
www.bbc.com
Iran executes 1st protester sentenced to death as regime intensifies crackdown on dissidents
Iran carried out its first execution of a protester, Mohsen Shekari, as the regime intensifies its crackdown on dissenters in the country.
Ukraine: Russia put rocket launchers at nuclear power plant
Ukrainian officials claim Russian forces have installed multiple rocket launchers at Ukraine’s shut-down Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
apnews.com
Respect for Marriage Act passes the House, heads to Biden's desk
The House passed the Respect for Marriage Act on Thursday to ensure the federal government respects marriage licenses from states that have legalized same-sex unions.
Colorado shooting suspect's previous case dismissed for lack of witnesses, records show
The man accused of killing five people at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado was arrested last year on charges of threatening violence, but a judge dismissed that case because the alleged victims declined to cooperate, a prosecutor said on Thursday.
www.reuters.comTrump’s push for a special master in Mar-a-Lago docs case comes to an end
The appeals court formalized its ruling Thursday afternoon.
www.politico.com
House passes annual defense funding bill
The House on Thursday passed the annual defense authorization bill, sending the mammoth, $847 billion measure to the Senate for consideration ahead of the year-end deadline. The National Defense Au…
thehill.com
Calls for Prince Harry and Meghan to lose titles grow after ‘unbelievable’ attacks in Netflix doc - Washington Examiner
A British lawmaker called for Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, to lose their royal titles on Thursday after a new Netflix documentary series lobbed fresh racial accusations at the royal family. Bob Seely, a Conservative member of Parliament, claimed he was tabling an...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Justice Department seeking to hold Trump in contempt over classified documents | CNN Politics
The Justice Department is asking a federal judge to hold Donald Trump in contempt of court for failing to comply with a subpoena issued this summer ordering the former president to turn over records marked classified, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
www.cnn.com
Christian advocate tells Congress of 2014 U.S. Supreme Court leak
An evangelical minister told a U.S congressional panel on Thursday that he ran a campaign to covertly influence the U.S. Supreme Court that "pushed the boundaries of Christian ethics" and allowed him to learn about a landmark 2014 ruling in advance.
www.reuters.com
Why the US was able to bring home Brittney Griner but not Paul Whelan
The release of WNBA star Brittney Griner in a prisoner swap with Russia has brought renewed attention to the case of former Marine Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia since 2018. Gri…
thehill.comTrump’s 2024 bid off to a rocky start, but campaign says it has a 'game plan'
With a string of scandals and stunning legal losses, along with declining support among Republican voters, former President Donald Trump’s campaign is off to a rocky start as he tries to convince voters they should return him to the White House.
Club shooter's 2021 bomb case dropped, family uncooperative
The Colorado Springs gay nightclub shooter had charges dropped in a 2021 bomb threat case after family members who were terrorized in the incident refused to cooperate.
apnews.com
House passes Respect for Marriage Act, sending landmark marriage equality bill to Biden
The measure is likely to be one of the last significant legislative accomplishments from the Democratic-led House.
www.cbsnews.com
‘MAGA Parsons’: Dallas Cowboys star blitzed over Brittney Griner release comments - Washington Examiner
Dallas Cowboys player Micah Parsons has come under fire after criticizing the recent release of WNBA player Brittney Griner from Russia. Griner's release from Russia was announced on Thursday in a prisoner exchange the Biden administration made one-for-one with Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Elon Musk and the (ahem) future of civilization
Military analyst John Robb warns of a new danger he sees to global stability: A “network swarm” of digitally connected Western institutions — wired together largely via Twitter — could escalate conflict with Russia in a way that is beyond the control of Western governments.
www.politico.com
Why Biden’s decision to make the Brittney Griner deal poses big political risks
President Biden made dramatic news Thursday when he announced that WNBA star Brittney Griner was on her way back to the United States. Griner, a center for the Phoenix Mercury, had been arrested on…
thehill.com
Mongolians brave bitter cold to protest ‘coal theft’ corruption
Protesters gathered in the capital in temperatures well below freezing to denounce perceived government corruption, even after the arrests of eight officials.
www.nbcnews.com
Pedro Castillo: Mexico considers asylum for Peru's impeached president
Pedro Castillo faces rebellion charges after he tried to dissolve the Peruvian Congress on Wednesday.
www.bbc.com
Trump Mar-a-Lago suit ends after former president declines to appeal ruling
The decision means Justice Department investigators can finally have access to the bulk of the documents seized in the search of Trump's home.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump does not plan to appeal dismissal of Mar-a-Lago special master | CNN Politics
Former President Donald Trump does not plan to appeal to the Supreme Court a lower court order that put an end to the special master review of documents seized from his Mar-a-Lago estate, a source familiar with the matter tells CNN.
www.cnn.comRomney on Trump's 2024 bid: 'Absolutely not'
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said Thursday that he would “absolutely not” support former President Donald Trump in his 2024 White House bid, even if Trump wins the Republican nomination.
House hearing airs ethics allegations against Supreme Court
Democrats showcased a former evangelical leader who led efforts to ‘wine and dine’ justices.
www.politico.com
Keystone pipeline shut after 14,000-barrel oil spill in Kansas
Canada's TC Energy shut its U.S. Keystone pipeline after more than 14,000 barrels of crude oil spilled into a creek in Kansas, in one of the largest crude spills in the United States in nearly a decade.
www.reuters.com
Ukraine war live updates: EU eyes new sanctions on Russia; Putin says war could be ‘lengthy’
The war shows no signs of slowing down with heavy missile attacks continuing overnight in the south and east of the country.
Russians ‘not working in good faith’ to release Paul Whelan, White House says
President Joe Biden is continuing to push for the release of Paul Whelan, as the White House says Russia is “not working in good faith” to release him.
www.usatoday.com
Peru president's power grab recalls country's dark past
At his initial court appearance in Lima, Peru on Thursday, Pedro Castillo gave only yes or no answers, looking on downcast as his attorney argued that he had been arbitrarily detained.
apnews.com
Twitter Files part two reveals 'visibility filtering' used at highest levels to 'suppress what people see'
Part two of the Twitter files, which were posted by The Free Press Founder and Editor Bari Weiss, focus on the social media platform's efforts to blacklist certain users.
Jan. 6 committee considering criminal referrals for four Trump allies - Washington Examiner
The Jan. 6 committee is reportedly considering criminal referrals for at least four of former President Donald Trump's close allies. Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, lawyer John Eastman, former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, and former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani are...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
For Black families in Phoenix, child welfare investigations are a constant threat
One in three Black children in Maricopa County, Arizona, faced a child welfare investigation over a five-year period, leaving many families in a state of dread. Some parents are pushing back.
www.nbcnews.comEx-Rep. Barney Frank, gay trailblazer, praises House passage of same-sex marriage bill
Former Rep. Barney Frank, the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out as gay, attended Thursday’s historic House vote to protect same-sex and interracial marriage and praised legislators for their work.
Accused Club Q shooter's bomb threat case hindered by family's refusal to testify: DA
The accused Club Q shooter was previously arrested for an alleged bomb threat, though the case was dismissed after family members refused to testify, the local DA said.
Biden releasing nearly $36B to aid pensions of union workers
President Joe Biden's administration is providing nearly $36 billion to shore up a financially troubled union pension plan.
apnews.com
South Koreans set to become younger as traditional way of counting age scrapped
South Korea on Thursday passed laws to scrap its traditional method of counting ages and adopt the international standard - a shift which will make its citizens either 1 or 2 years younger on official documents.
www.reuters.com
TikTok discovery: Landlord guilty in viral video murder case
The Seattle-area killings made headlines after TikTok refused to remove video of the victims' bodies.
www.bbc.com
Oil spill in rural Kansas creek shuts down Keystone pipeline
An oil spill in a creek in northeastern Kansas has shut down a major pipeline from Canada through the Plains and to the Texas Gulf Coast.
apnews.com
Who is Paul Whelan? Brittney Griner's freedom draws attention to U.S. Marine veteran still held in Russia
Paul Whelan, a 52-year-old retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has been imprisoned in Russia on espionage charges since his arrest at the end of 2018.
www.cbsnews.com
AOC ethics probe is NY Democrat's latest brush with scandal
The congressional ethics investigation into Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the New York Democrat's latest brush with scandal since being elected to the House.
House GOP’s help-wanted sign: One border funding chief
The sitting Republican who oversees funding for the Department of Homeland Security says he’s done with it. And it’s not clear who wants it next.
www.politico.comBorder barrier of shipping containers snakes across Arizona wilderness
It is a border barrier - but not the customary wall or fence. This is made up entirely of shipping containers stacked on top of each other. The improvised wall - topped with concertina wire - was ordered built by Republican Governor Doug Ducey in August in an attempt to fill gaps in the...
Inside the turbulent, doomed campaign of Herschel Walker
Money problems, micromanaging and a candidate who was evasive about his past all contributed to the problems on the Georgia Senate campaign.
www.nbcnews.com
Ex-Peruvian president charged with rebellion and conspiracy after failed coup - Washington Examiner
Ousted Peruvian President Pedro Castillo is facing charges of rebellion and conspiracy following a failed attempt to dissolve Peru's Congress on Wednesday. The disgraced president appeared in court on Thursday, his first public appearance since the dramatic events of Wednesday, when he failed to...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
China putting U.S. space assets at risk, senior U.S. officer says
China is building capabilities that put most U.S. space assets at risk, and China sees the domain as crucial to their military strategy, the head of the U.S. Space Command said on Friday.
www.reuters.com
White House responds to criticism of Griner prisoner deal
The White House stressed on Thursday that it is committed to bringing home former Marine Paul Whelan and will remain vigilant over Viktor Bout’s release amid a backlash of criticism over a prisoner…
thehill.com
House Democrats abruptly cancel Big Oil hearing where Elon Musk was scheduled to appear
Democrats canceled a House hearing scheduled for next week in which Twitter CEO Elon Musk was asked to testify about the spread of "climate disinformation" on social media.
What Brittney Griner likely faced in Russian penal colony
Like the Soviet gulag system they replaced, the prisons "were often harsh and life threatening,” a 2021 State Department report on Russian human rights abuses said.
www.nbcnews.com
Florida legislator who sponsored ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law resigns amid Covid-relief fraud charges
State Rep. Joseph Harding announced his resignation a day after authorities said he was indicted on charges of wire fraud, money laundering and other crimes.
www.nbcnews.com
'Still a hostage': Critics slam Biden over Griner prisoner swap that left Paul Whelan in Russia
Critics question why former Marine Paul Whelan wasn't included in prisoner swap that freed Brittney Griner from Russian prison.
www.usatoday.com
Oops! White House press secretary Jean-Pierre reads wrong script during briefing
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre answers reporter with wrong script before correcting herself and speaking about the Hatch Act.
DOJ: Barrack, Wynn losses won't derail foreign influence crackdown
The counterintelligence chief downplayed the impact of legal defeats on the department's willingness to pursue high-profile cases.
www.politico.com
U.S. Justice Dept asks judge to hold Trump team in contempt in documents probe -report
The U.S. Justice Department has asked a federal judge to hold Donald Trump's office in contempt of court for failing to fully comply with a subpoena to return all classified documents in the former president's possession, the Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the...
www.reuters.com
Mexico City warrant for opposition legislator draws anger
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico City prosecutors announced Thursday they have issued an arrest warrant for the top opposition legislator in the city’s assembly, drawing cries of political persecution.
apnews.comHere are the top 10 US cities where immigrants are thriving - Washington Examiner
More than 1 in 5 people residing in the United States have come from abroad to find opportunities in every corner of the country, but 10 cities stand out as the best places for newcomers to thrive.The George W. Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative in Dallas ranked every city across...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Top Republicans ask watchdog to look at economic assistance to Ukraine
The top Republicans with oversight of foreign affairs are calling on an independent congressional watchdog to provide detailed information on the Biden administration’s delivery of economic and hum…
thehill.com
Biden administration awards $36 billion to save the pensions of 357,000 union workers | CNN Politics
The Biden administration awarded $36 billion Thursday to prevent cuts to the pensions of roughly 357,000 union workers and retirees. It’s the largest federal award of its kind, according to the White House.
www.cnn.comPrisoner swap negotiations with Russia over Brittney Griner were 'painstaking, extraordinary'
Brittney Griner’s release followed months of negotiations between the Biden administration and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Here are the 39 House Republicans who backed the same-sex marriage bill
Thirty-nine House Republicans joined all Democrats in passing a bill on Thursday that enshrines protections for same-sex marriage on the federal level, sending the legislation to President Biden’s …
thehill.com
Brittney Griner's release celebrated by basketball world
Brittney Griner’s loved ones and extended basketball family were ecstatic when news broke about her release from a Russian prison and that she was on her way back to the United States.
apnews.com
Tillis, eyeing immigration deal, warns Border Patrol will 'lose control of the border' if Title 42 ends
Sen. Thom Tillis is warning of chaos at the southern border if the Title 42 public health order is allowed to expire, as he promotes a potential immigration deal.
Biden had a ‘painful’ decision to make to secure Griner’s release. He made it.
The U.S. pushed for a two-for-one deal, but Russia replied only Griner was headed home — or no one would be.
www.politico.com
Japanese billionaire Maezawa picks K-pop star TOP, DJ Steve Aoki to join SpaceX moon trip
Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa revealed on Friday that K-pop star TOP and DJ Steve Aoki will be among the eight crew members he plans to take on a trip around the moon as soon as next year, hitching a ride on one of Elon Musk's SpaceX rockets.
www.reuters.com
Spoiler alert: The one factor Democrats fear could put Trump back in the White House - Washington Examiner
Democrats are urging political groups not to create a third-party bipartisan presidential ticket for the 2024 ballot, warning outside competition could inadvertently hand Donald Trump the presidency. A group of centrist Democrats from the public policy think tank Third Way is warning against the...
www.washingtonexaminer.com
U.S. plans sanctions on Russia, China - officials
The United States plans to impose new sanctions against Russia and China on Friday that include punishing Moscow for its use of Iranian drones in its war against Ukraine, two U.S. officials said on Thursday.
www.reuters.com
Mexican authorities search for 'Ted Bundy'-like killer after 3 women found dead in Tijuana
Three women working in bars and strip clubs in Tijuana, Mexico, were found dead in hotel rooms last month, a Mexican state attorney general said on Thursday.
The 'only person' Biden could beat is Trump: Karl Rove doubts POTUS will be the Democrat nominee in 2024
The veteran Republican strategist believes the Democrats need a "traditional, sensible" Democrat as their nominee in 2024 in order to combat a Republican run next cycle.
First Gen Zer elected to Congress details his trouble getting an apartment in DC
Maxwell Frost, 25, the first member of Gen Z elected to Congress, wrote on Twitter on Thursday about his frustrations
Top Bernie Sanders adviser believes Sanders will give 2024 "a hard look" if Biden doesn't run
Faiz Shakir said of Sanders in an interview with CBS News that if it were an open field, "I'm confident he would take another look at it and say, 'Do I want to do this or not?'"
www.cbsnews.com
Frustration swirls in House GOP over McCarthy Speakership opposition
Frustration and anxiety are bubbling up among House Republicans over opposition to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) for Speaker from a small group of hard-line conservative GOP membe…
thehill.com
Brittney Griner appears apprehensively 'happy' during her release from Russian prison
Russian state media blurred some officials' faces during Brittney Griner's prisoner exchange at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi.
www.usatoday.com
Philly's slain 'Boy in Box': 66 years later we know his name
Nearly 66 years after the battered body of a young boy was found stuffed inside a cardboard box, Philadelphia police have revealed the identity of the victim in the city’s most notorious cold case.
apnews.com
Michael Flynn appears before Atlanta grand jury probe into Trump’s election subversion | CNN Politics
Former national security adviser Michael Flynn is appearing Thursday before an Atlanta-area special grand jury probing efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia.
www.cnn.com
Pentagon concerned Bout could return to arms trafficking after Griner exchange
Freeing the convicted Russian "is a deeply disturbing decision," added Sen. Bob Menendez.
www.politico.com
2022 was year the horror of war returned to Europe
This was the year war returned to Europe, and few facets of life were left untouched. Russia’s invasion of its neighbor Ukraine unleashed misery on millions of Ukrainians, shattered Europe’s sense of security, ripped up the geopolitical map and rocked the global economy.
apnews.com
U.S. citizen Sarah Krivanek deported from Russia
Sarah Krivanek, a U.S. citizen ordered deported by a Russian court over a domestic dispute, has left Russia, Krivanek said while aboard a plane about to leave Moscow's airport late on Thursday.
www.reuters.comThe GOP Is Refusing To Celebrate Brittney Griner's Release
The WNBA star "openly hates our Country," Donald Trump said in one of many Republican swipes at her participation in the 2020 racial justice protests.
A year only lasts 17.5 hours on the ‘hell planet’ | CNN
The exoplanet 55 Cancri e goes by several names, but the rocky world located 40 light-years from Earth is most known for its reputation as a “hell planet.” The world zips around its star every 17.5 hours.
www.cnn.com
Pope Francis breaks down and cries while mentioning Ukraine at public prayer
Pope Francis broke down and cried on Thursday as he mentioned the suffering of Ukrainians during a traditional prayer in central Rome.
www.reuters.com
DOJ subpoenas Michigan elections department regarding Trump
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson confirmed Thursday that her office has been served a subpoena in connection with special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation of former President Donald Trump.
apnews.com
Officers make 1st court appearance in Randy Cox case, man paralyzed in police custody
New Haven police officers make first court appearances in Randy Cox case, the man paralyzed in police custody.
Do prisoner swaps encourage hostage-taking? Brittney Griner's release resurfaces debate
Brittney Griner's release from a Russian prison reignited the debate over the effectiveness of prisoner swaps.
www.cbsnews.comVideo shows Griner walking past Bout in prisoner swap
New footage released by Russian state media showed WNBA star Brittney Griner walking past Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout during Thursday’s prisoner swap in Abu Dhabi, The Washington Post reported.…
thehill.com
Harry and Meghan slam British tabloids in new Netflix series
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, stick to a familiar script in a new Netflix series that chronicles the couple’s estrangement from the royal family, chastising Britain’s media and the societal racism they believe has fueled coverage of their relationship.
apnews.com
Pelosi rejoices over Respect for Marriage Act victory, calls it a tool to fight ‘right-wing extremists'
Pelosi rejoiced Thursday at the passage of the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, which she says will be used to "combat bigoted extremism."
Germany expects more arrests after coup plot swoop
German authorities on Thursday ordered 23 people to be held for questioning as they investigate a far-right group that prosecutors say wanted to overthrow the state and install a former member of a German royal family as national leader.
www.reuters.com
Parents of Michigan high school mass shooter Ethan Crumbley seek lower bail
The parents charged with involuntary manslaughter stemming from a high school mass shooting committed by their teenage son is asking a judge to lower their bail.
As same-sex marriage protections pass Congress, House GOP support decreases
Thirty-nine House Republicans supported a bill providing federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriage, despite 47 GOP lawmakers backing similar legislation in July.
www.politico.com
Bangladesh’s RAB received foreign intelligence training in the EU
Despite being accused of human rights abuses, the Rapid Action Battalion was hosted in Poland and the Netherlands.
Zelenskyy quip, Trump conspiracy top 2022 notable quote list
2022's most notable quotations include a tart retort by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a U.S. offer of help.
apnews.com
Hakeem Jeffries’ big decision: Picking a campaign chief with a majority in reach
One of the first big items on Jeffries' to-do list as Democratic leader is to choose a new Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair to retake the House in 2024.
www.nbcnews.com
Fired Amazon organizer loses bid to revive race bias lawsuit
A U.S. appeals court on Thursday declined to revive claims that Amazon.com Inc fired New York warehouse worker Christian Smalls, a pivotal figure in a campaign to unionize the company's workforce, because he is Black.
www.reuters.comGriner release is cause for relief but Viktor Bout transfer tough to stomach
Critics label Biden’s decision to release Russian arms dealer ‘deeply disturbing’ – even if Brittney Griner’s freedom is excellent news
Scrutiny of Ukraine church draws praise, fear of overreach
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is being praised and criticized for proposing legislation that could crack down on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for alleged ties to Moscow.
apnews.com
Chicago school at center of Project Veritas hit offers affinity groups for pre-K, says White kids can’t attend
Francis W. Parker School, which charges upwards of $40,000 in tuition, offers affinity groups for children as young as 4 that white students are not permitted to attend.
Dan Snyder tried to obstruct sexual misconduct investigation of Commanders, and NFL misled public about probe, House report says
The House Oversight Committee says that the Washington Commanders created a "toxic work culture" for more than two decades and downplayed sexual misconduct by men at the top levels of the organization.
www.cbsnews.com
South Dakota governor orders review of Chinese investments
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has called for a review of the state’s investments to determine if it has stakes in Chinese companies.
apnews.com
'Fake doctor' Dean Faiello sheds light on botched procedure that left New York woman dead nearly 20 years ago
Dean Faiello's stint as a fake doctor ground to a halt when Maria Cruz died during a procedure in 2003. After 17 years in prison, he's speaking exclusively to "20/20."
Five ways the Biden DOE is spending big on nuclear energy
The Department of Energy is spending big to keep America’s old nuclear reactors online while laying the foundations of the nuclear energy industry of the future. The investment into America’s…
thehill.com
Russia and Ukraine enter grim winter campaign as war losses mount
With neither side ready for talks, there are increasing suggestions the war will go on for a long time.
Norway acquits Putin ally’s son who flew drone
The son of a Russian businessman close to President Vladimir Putin has been acquitted in Norway of violating a law that bars Russians from flying drones.
apnews.com
U.S. lawmakers push for more oversight of Elon Musk's Neuralink
U.S. House Representatives Earl Francis Blumenauer and Adam Schiff want further U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scrutiny of Elon Musk's Neuralink following a Reuters report that outlined mistakes in the brain chip company's animal testing program, their offices said on Thursday.
www.reuters.com
Meta and FTC face off in court over virtual reality deal
The case will be a key test of the agency’s ability to police fast-moving tech markets.
www.politico.com
New details emerge about a vehicle at the scene of the grisly Idaho student stabbings | CNN
Investigators in the killings of four University of Idaho students are searching for at least one person they believe was inside a white sedan seen near the crime scene around the time of the deaths last month, police said Wednesday.
www.cnn.com
Oregon high court won't let voter gun control measure begin
Oregon's tough, voter-approved gun control law remains temporarily blocked. Oregon's Supreme Court declined to overturn a lower court judge’s decision preventing the measure from taking effect on Thursday.
apnews.com
David Whelan says he’s unsure ‘what the future holds’ for his brother still imprisoned in Russia
Paul Whelan’s brother said the White House informed him about Griner’s release on Wednesday.
www.politico.com
US: Russia looking to Iran to supply more drones, missiles
Struggling to maintain a steady supply of arms for its war in Ukraine, Moscow is looking to Iran once again to resupply the Russian military with drones and surface-to-surface missiles.
apnews.com
FTC moves to block $69 billion Microsoft-Activision deal
Federal regulators say the tech industry mega-merger could mean fewer games for 150 million Activision users.
www.cbsnews.com
Kentucky Gov. Beshear criticizes Trump, gently knocks Biden
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has criticized former President Donald Trump for dining with a white nationalist.
apnews.com
Americans detained in Russia: Paul Whelan, 2 others being held
President Biden announced on Thursday that the U.S. has secured the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner after she was detained in Russia for nearly 10 months. U.S. officials worked extensively beh…
thehill.com
Warren presses regulators to probe bank ties to crypto
Warren’s letter signals growing concern over how volatile digital assets could be integrated into traditional financial markets through new laws or regulations.
www.politico.com
New Mexico seeks tougher provisions for US nuclear dump
New Mexico officials are outlining new conditions for a proposed permit for the U.S. government to continue disposing of nuclear waste in the state's southeast corner.
apnews.com
FedEx driver charged in 7-year-old Athena Strand’s death delivered her Christmas present before abducting her, mother says | CNN
Athena Strand’s mother, Maitlyn Gandy, called for stricter screening policies for delivery drivers at a news conference Thursday. On an easel beside her was the package she said the FedEx driver had delivered: a box of “You can be anything” Barbie dolls.
www.cnn.com
Memphis nonprofit puts money behind drive to curb gun deaths
Memphis has long suffered from disproportionately high homicide rates. And like many other cities, it endured a surge in homicides in 2020 on the heels of the pandemic.
apnews.com
RNC Chair McDaniel says 'Twitter Files' release is 'tip of the iceberg,' calls for GOP unity ahead of 2024
RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel discusses Twitter's efforts to "suppress" information related to the 2020 presidential election and discusses the future of the GOP and winning elections.
How Estonia is helping Ukraine take on Russian cyber threats
Estonia is playing a leading role in providing cybersecurity and digital support for Ukraine, areas the Baltic nation dominates in.
www.politico.com
Who is Viktor Bout? Russian arms dealer known as the "Merchant of Death" swapped for Brittney Griner
The Russian arms dealer has been released from U.S. prison in a one-for-one swap to free WNBA star Brittney Griner, a U.S. official confirmed.
www.cbsnews.com
Biden approval, views of economy steady, sour: AP-NORC poll
President Joe Biden is facing consistent but critical assessments of his leadership and the national economy as his second year in the White House comes to a close.
apnews.com
White House counters Saudi claim on Brittney Griner negotiations, says talks were between US, Russia
The White House countered a joint statement released by the UAE and Saudi Arabia and said Brittney Griner's release was negotiated only by the U.S. and Russia.
Sioux City still trying to get paid $11,000 for Trump rally
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — After a fair amount of haggling, Sioux City officials were able to get the people planning a rally featuring former President Donald Trump to pay a $5,000 bill the day before last month's event, but the city is still waiting on the U.S.
apnews.com
Biden says Brittney Griner in "good spirits," vows to keep working for Paul Whelan's release
"Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones and she should have been there all along," the president said.
www.cbsnews.com
FTC sues to block Microsoft-Activision Blizzard $69B merger
The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday sued to block Microsoft’s planned $69 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard, saying it could suppress competitors to its Xbox game consoles and its growing games subscription business.
apnews.com
Former NYPD officer sentenced to 25 years to life for the death of his 8-year-old son | CNN
A former officer with the New York Police Department was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison Thursday after he was found guilty last month of murder in the second degree related to the death of his 8-year-old son, Thomas.
www.cnn.com
New York mayor pledges to boost city's housing by 500,000 units
New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday unveiled a plan to boost its housing supply by 500,000 dwellings over the next decade by easing regulations for home builders and cutting construction time in half.
www.reuters.com
What’s in and out of the House defense bill
NotedDC is a newsletter looking at the politics, policy and people behind the stories in Washington. Sign up here or in the box below. Lawmakers from both parties have wrangled over what to include…
thehill.com
SpaceX gives rival's internet satellites ride to orbit
SpaceX has launched a batch of internet satellites for a competitor. Elon Musk's company stepped in to help after the London-based OneWeb halted its flights with Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.
apnews.comOpe, sorry: Midwestern House Dems push for leaders between the coasts
Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell and her allies are done being polite about Democrats' lack of leadership in the Heartland.
www.politico.com
DOJ warns Supreme Court against ‘overly broad’ Section 230 reading in Google case
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is warning the Supreme Court against using an “overly broad” interpretation of a provision that provides tech companies a legal liability shield over content posted …
thehill.com
White House 'not going to apologize' for releasing 'Merchant of Death' as critics rail 'bad deal'
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says the Biden administration makes "no apologies" for exchanging "Merchant of Death" Viktor Bout for WNBA star Brittney Griner.
Trump blowback could carry less bite in 2024 for some in GOP
Donald Trump’s attacks on fellow Republican David McCormick contributed to the former hedge fund manager’s loss in Pennsylvania’s Senate primary in May.
apnews.com
White House disputes Saudi, UAE accounts of mediating Griner’s release
The White House on Thursday disputed a joint statement issued by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia that said the countries were involved in mediations efforts related to Brittney Griner’s r…
thehill.com
What is stiff-person syndrome? Céline Dion diagnosed with disorder that impacts her singing
Stiff-person syndrome comes with such violent muscle spasms that "they can dislocate joints and even break bones." Here's what to know about the rare neurological disorder.
www.cbsnews.com
Ukraine debt relief included in US defense bill approved by House
A bill passed by the House on Thursday instructs U.S. officials to begin looking for ways to delay Ukraine's debt service payments as it fights off Russia's invasion.
Indiana doctor who provided abortion services to 10-year-old rape victim drops lawsuit against state AG | CNN
Attorneys for Dr. Caitlin Bernard, the Indiana doctor who provided abortion services to a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio, and her medical partner dropped their lawsuit against the state attorney general Thursday.
www.cnn.com
Good news: 'Murder hornets' haven't been seen in Washington this year
The Washington State Department of Agriculture's (WSDA) Pest Program announced that it hasn't trapped or confirmed any sightings of the hornets this year.
Jan. 6 committee’s referrals may ‘stiffen the spine’ of prosecutors
Plans from the House Jan. 6 committee to imminently release its list of criminal referrals is raising questions over how far the panel will go in implicating former President Trump and his allies i…
thehill.com
World Cup 2022, day 20: It’s the quarter-finals
Croatia take on five-time World Cup winners Brazil before a Netherlands-Argentina bout in Qatar on December 9.
How Demographic Shifts Fueled by Covid Delivered Midterm Wins for Democrats
Republicans are still suffering from the pandemic’s fallout.
www.politico.com
Brittney Griner release: How the White House says it happened
The White House offered more details on Thursday about how President Joe Biden and U.S. officials were able to secure WNBA star Brittney Griner's return from Russia.
Gen. Petraeus on Griner release: Hate to 'reward' Russia for swap, Viktor Bout has 'blood on his hands'
Gen. Petraeus told Fox News Digital that although it's an "understandable imperative" for countries to bring citizens home, Viktor Bout who was exchanged with Russia for Brittney Griner is "reprehensible."
Delivery driver confessed to strangling Texas girl after accidentally hitting her with van, warrant says
The suspect told detectives he killed the girl because "she was going to tell her father about being hit by the FedEx truck," the warrant states.
www.cbsnews.com
Elon Musk’s release of Twitter documents on Hunter Biden has slowed. Here’s why.
Why Twitter was saving its Hunter Biden files — and why Musk’s promised revelations haven’t come out faster.
www.politico.com
John Kerry says green energy transition isn't happening fast enough: 'Everything has to accelerate'
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said that the world is falling behind in the transition to green energy from fossil fuel sources, during an event Thursday.
US citizen Anne Sacoolas handed suspended sentence for causing death of British teenager Harry Dunn | CNN
American citizen Anne Sacoolas was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, at the Old Bailey in London for causing the death of British teenager Harry Dunn in a fatal traffic collision in August 2019, meaning she will not have to go to jail.
www.cnn.com
Adams set to unveil sweeping plan to speed up development amid housing crunch
The changes would bring faster relief to developers — an oft-maligned industry that Adams has embraced in his political career — than to tenants.
www.politico.com
Russia-Ukraine war in maps and charts: Live Tracker
As the Russian offensive enters its 148th week, we track where battles are taking place and the human cost of the war.
Hospitals in the US are the fullest they’ve been throughout the pandemic – but it’s not just Covid | CNN
Hospitals are more full than they’ve been throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a CNN analysis of data from the US Department of Health and Human Services. But as respiratory virus season surges across the US, it’s much more than Covid that’s filling beds this year.
www.cnn.com
US military braces for impact of Covid vaccine mandate repeal | CNN Politics
As a repeal of the US military’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate took a step closer to becoming law on Thursday, military officials and experts are warning it’s a change that could have adverse ripple-effects on military readiness and the ability of service members to deploy around the world.
www.cnn.com
Fauci: 'Low-life trolls harass my wife and kids'
Dr Anthony Fauci speaks to Americast as he stands down as chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden.
www.bbc.com
New COVID booster authorization will sway parents to get young kids vaccinated, FDA vaccine chief hopes
The updated COVID bivalent booster that targets multiple newer strains of the virus, will likely be available early next week for the youngest children
House passes defense bill scrapping COVID vaccine mandate
A bill to rescind the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the U.S. military has passed the House.
apnews.com
Updated COVID vaccines cleared for younger kids, but some will have to wait
The FDA says it is waiting for data to be submitted next year to clear shots for some of the youngest Pfizer vaccine recipients.
www.cbsnews.com
Health Care — Toddlers and infants are now eligible for bivalent booster
You may be cool, but do you have a license to own a unicorn like this lucky Los Angeles girl? Today in health, the FDA has expanded its emergency use authorization for the COVID-19 bivale…
thehill.com
CDC report shows how infectious mpox is and how important vaccination was in stemming outbreak
A new CDC report published Thursday has showed how important mpox vaccination was with cases being 10 times as high among unvaccinated people.
FDA clears updated COVID-19 vaccines for kids under age 5
U.S. regulators have cleared doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccines for children younger than 5. Omicron-targeted booster shots made by both Moderna and Pfizer already are urged for everyone 5 and older.
apnews.com
Los Angeles County holds off on mask mandate even as it enters 'high' COVD transmission category
Los Angeles County officials said they are holding off on an indoor mask mandate even after the county moved into the "high" COVID-19 community transmission category.
China begins implementing relaxed anti-COVID-19 measures
China has begun implementing a more relaxed version of its strict “zero COVID” policy amid steps to restore normal life, but also trepidation over a possible broader outbreak once controls are eased.
apnews.com
Equilibrium — Arsenic exposure linked to kids’ antibiotic resistance
Equilibrium is a newsletter that tracks the growing global battle over the future of sustainability. Sign up here or in the box below. Drinking water contaminated with high levels of arsenic may be…
thehill.com
EXPLAINER: China's relaxed 'zero-COVID' brings big changes
In a move that caught many by surprise, China announced a potentially major easing of its rigid “zero-COVID" restrictions. But it didn't abandon the policy altogether.
apnews.com
Family blocks "urgent operation" for infant as authorities won't guarantee blood without COVID-19 vaccine
Authorities want to take partial custody of the child, leaving the parents in charge of non-medical care, but allowing the procedure to go ahead.
www.cbsnews.com
As COVID-19 becomes routine, Africa readies for next crisis
The World Health Organization’s Africa director said that the continent is preparing for the next health crisis by strengthening gaps in health systems found in the continent's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
apnews.comAdvocates for mentally ill try to halt NYC's removal plan
NEW YORK (AP) — Advocates for people with mental illnesses urged a federal judge Thursday to stop New York City Mayor Eric Adams' plan to force people from the streets and into mental health treatment.
apnews.com
Paxlovid has been free so far. Next year, sticker shock awaits.
The government soon will stop paying for the COVID drug that has proved to be the most effective at keeping patients alive and out of the hospital.
www.cbsnews.com
The White House is now tracking opioid overdoses that don't kill. Why that's important.
The data dashboard on nonfatal opioid overdoses will target specific regions to help fight the epidemic, which left 81,000 dead in the US this year.
www.usatoday.com
