AP Screen Capture
House approves impeachment inquiry into President Biden as Republicans rally behind investigation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday authorized the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, with every Republican rallying behind the politically charged process despite lingering concerns among some in the party that the investigation has yet to produce evidence of misconduct by the president.Judge pauses Trump’s 2020 election interference case while he appeals his immunity claim
The issue is of paramount significance to both sides given the potential for a protracted appeal to delay a trial beyond its currently scheduled start date of March 4.
apnews.comIt's a 'silly notion' that Trump's Georgia case should pause for the election, Willis tells the AP
The district attorney prosecuting Donald Trump over efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia says it’s a “silly notion” that the former president’s case should be paused just because he’s running for office.
apnews.com
Exclusive: Recordings describe 2020 Oval Office photo-op where Trump was briefed on fake electors and January 6 | CNN Politics
Before a group of supportive lawyers entered the Oval Office for a photo-op with then-President Donald Trump in December 2020, they were given a clear instruction, according to one attendee: Don’t get Trump’s hopes up about overturning the election.
www.cnn.comSome 2024 GOP hopefuls call for 'compassion' in Texas abortion case but don't say law should change
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have called for “compassion” in the case of a woman whose health deteriorated as she unsuccessfully sought an abortion in Texas, but they stopped short of criticizing the state’s law.
apnews.com
Hunter Biden faces backlash after defying subpoena with press conference 'stunt': 'Hold him in contempt!'
Critics lashed out at Hunter Biden following his Capitol Hill press conference in which he refused to appear for a deposition before Congress.
Israel-Gaza latest news: Minister says war will continue 'with or without' international support - BBC News
Israel's foreign minister says a ceasefire "at the current stage" would be a "gift" to Hamas.
www.bbc.comBiden considers new border and asylum restrictions as he tries to reach Senate deal for Ukraine aid
Top Biden administration officials are trying to reach a last-minute deal for wartime aid for Ukraine by agreeing to Senate Republican demands to bolster U.S.
apnews.com
Russia has lost 87% of troops it had prior to start of Ukraine war, according to US intelligence assessment | CNN Politics
Russia has lost a staggering 87 percent of the total number of active-duty ground troops it had prior to launching its invasion of Ukraine and two-thirds of its pre-invasion tanks, a source familiar with a declassified US intelligence assessment provided to Congress told CNN.
www.cnn.comSupreme Court will hear a case that could undo Capitol riot charge against hundreds, including Trump
The justices will review an appellate ruling that revived a charge against three defendants accused of obstruction.
apnews.com
In Giuliani defamation trial, Ruby Freeman says she received hundreds of racist messages after she was targeted online
A jury will decide how much Giuliani will have to pay Ruby Freeman and ArShaye Moss in damages after he falsely claimed they engaged in voter fraud in the 2020 election.
www.cbsnews.comHouse panel urges tougher trade rules for China, raising chance of more tariffs if Congress agrees
A special House committee focused on China is calling for altering the way the U.S. treats Chinese-made goods, possibly subjecting them to higher tariffs and risking increased economic tensions between the two economic superpowers.
apnews.com
Trump cannot assert presidential immunity in E Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit, appeals court rules
On Wednesday, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan made a ruling in writer E. Jean Carroll's defamation case against former President Donald Trump.
House Republicans formalize impeachment inquiry into President Biden
House Republicans passed a resolution formalizing their ongoing impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden
CBS News poll analysis: Some Democrats don't want Biden to run again. Why not?
Over a third of Democrats think President Biden shouldn't be running for reelection.
www.cbsnews.comThe Supreme Court will rule on limits on a commonly used abortion medication
The case over mifepristone is the court's first abortion case since it overturned Roe v. Wade last year.
apnews.com
Israel-Hamas war updates: Displaced ‘killed point-blank’ in Gaza school
These were the Israel-Hamas war updates for Wednesday, December 13.
Biden ignores reporter questions after son Hunter defies congressional subpoena
President Biden failed to address how his son, Hunter, skipped out on a GOP congressional deposition on Wednesday, ignoring reporter questions on the matter.
Israel-Gaza live updates: IDF says it's discovered one of Hamas' biggest tunnels under Gaza
Live updates on the Israel-Hamas war.
‘Long list of excuses’: Why the US and Chinese militaries still aren’t talking
It’s been almost a month since Joe Biden and Xi Jinping agreed that the defense chiefs should stay connected.
www.politico.com
Senate passes $886 billion defense spending bill with pay raises for troops, Ukraine aid
The National Defense Authorization Act provides funding each year for Pentagon priorities such as training and equipment.
www.usatoday.com
2 men charged in 'killing spree' of over 3,000 birds, including bald eagles, in Montana
Simon Paul and Travis John Branson were indicted for allegedly gunning down thousands of birds, including eagles protected by federal law, over the course of several years.
www.nbcnews.comGeorgia election worker tearfully describes fleeing her home after Giuliani's false claims of fraud
Lawyers for Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, rested their case after Freeman’s testimony.
apnews.com
Here’s what’s in the $886 billion defense bill | CNN Politics
The House and Senate have approved a $886.3 billion defense policy bill, which would provide the largest raise for service members in more than two decades, temporarily extend a controversial surveillance program and strengthen the US posture in the Indo-Pacific region to deter Chinese actions.
www.cnn.com
White House announces new state-based gun violence initiative
Vice President Kamala Harris hosted nearly 100 state legislators to offer up model legislation.
www.politico.com
Donald Trump loses appeal in E. Jean Carroll case, clearing way for defamation trial
Former President Donald Trump lost his bid to invoke an immunity defense to E. Jean Carroll's remaining defamation claim on Wednesday.
Trump says despite his polling lead, he needs Iowans to 'put big numbers up' and caucus for him
Donald Trump is making his third trip to Iowa this month as he increasingly turns his focus to the state where the first Republican presidential nomination voting starts next month.
apnews.com
Israel-Hamas war updates: Netanyahu thanks US for support, weapons
These were the Israel-Hamas war updates for Thursday, December 14.
Harvard, Penn, MIT formally rebuked over campus antisemitism after House resolution passes
Following an interrogation of three university presidents about campus antisemitism, a bipartisan group of House lawmakers condemned their testimony.
www.usatoday.com
Chuck Todd: Why this impeachment may be meaningless to voters
Analysis: Unlike the three modern presidential impeachments, the GOP’s targeting of Biden doesn’t include any proven accusations.
www.nbcnews.com
Supreme Court to take up abortion pill case that could impact access nationwide
The Supreme Court is set to take up abortion pill case that could impact access nationwide.
Trump considers overhauling his approach to North Korea if he wins in 2024
The idea, which has been considered in other forms during years of U.S.-led negotiations with North Korea, would be a shift in Washington’s overall approach to Pyongyang.
www.politico.com
Support for Biden impeachment inquiry grows with a notable level of Democrat backing: poll
Americans' support for an impeachment inquiry against President Biden is growing, with nearly a quarter of Democrats backing such action.
Hunter Biden defies Republican subpoena to testify before House panel
The president's son refused to give evidence behind closed doors to a panel on Capitol Hill.
www.bbc.comDeSantis goes after Trump on abortion, COVID-19 and the border wall in an Iowa town hall
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says Donald Trump “flip-flipped” on abortion, overreached in response to COVID-19 and failed to uphold his campaign pledge to get Mexico to pay for a wall on the southern U.S. border.
apnews.com
Inflation Reduction Act targets drug costs, emissions; not monthly subsidies | Fact check
The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law in 2022 and hasn't been updated to provide monthly subsidies to people earning below a certain income.
www.usatoday.com
Bridget Ziegler: Florida school board pushes member to resign amid sexual assault scandal
A school board tried to oust Bridget Ziegler, whose husband is accused of raping a woman they dated.
www.bbc.com
Letter accuses US security agency of turning ‘blind eye’ to Gaza suffering
Members of the Department of Homeland Security blast agency leadership for ‘minimising the ongoing atrocities’ in Gaza.
‘How evil’: Ruby Freeman describes violent threats after false Trump, Giuliani attacks
Freeman and her daughter are seeking between $14 million and $41 million from Giuliani for defamation and emotional distress.
www.politico.com
Families of Americans held hostage by Hamas praise Biden's commitment to their release
The families of people held hostage by Hamas terrorists praised their "terrific" meeting with President Joe Biden on Wednesday.
Hunter Biden lashes out at GOP investigators and says he'll only testify in public
Hunter Biden has lashed out at GOP investigators who have been digging into his business dealings. Biden on Wednesday insisted outside the U.S.
apnews.com
The U.S. is an outlier in voting against U.N.'s cease-fire resolution
The U.S. is increasingly isolated in the face of international condemnation over Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has created a humanitarian crisis.
www.nbcnews.com
GOP investigators say they will ‘initiate contempt’ proceedings after Hunter Biden flouts subpoena for closed-door testimony | CNN Politics
The Republican chairman behind the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden said Wednesday they will start contempt of Congress proceedings against Hunter Biden for not participating in his closed-door deposition on Wednesday, after he demanded to testify publicly.
www.cnn.comEvery single Republican voted to formalize an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden — including one who had long said he was against it
Rep. Buck wrote in an op-ed months ago that the GOP was "relying on an imagined history" as it pursued an impeachment inquiry. He voted for it anyway.
Sen. Jacky Rosen demands 'comprehensive review' of university harassment policies over antisemitism
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) is calling on the Biden administration to review university harassment policies during a period of rising antisemitism on college campuses stemming from the war between Israel and Hamas.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Former Obama adviser David Axelrod says poll showing Biden at record low approval is 'very, very dark'
Former Obama senior adviser David Axelrod commented on a recent poll showing Trump leading Biden, saying its “very, very dark" for his re-election campaign.
Argentina’s Milei starts shock therapy by devaluing peso by 50 percent
New president Milei warns of painful measures as currency value slashed, subsidies cut, public works tenders cancelled.
Judge in Trump's 2020 election case pauses proceedings amid dispute over immunity
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan largely granted former President Donald Trump's request to temporarily pause the proceedings while he pursues an appeal.
www.cbsnews.com
Brett Hankison, ex-officer in deadly Breonna Taylor raid, will face retrial on federal civil rights charges
The decision came a month after a judge declared a mistrial in Brett Hankison’s case when a jury deadlocked on both counts.
www.nbcnews.com
Poll identifies bipartisan border compromises as Congress seeks Ukraine deal
EXCLUSIVE — A majority of the public prioritizes securing the southern border over supporting Ukraine, according to a new poll, as Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse over providing more funding to the war-torn country amid Russia's invasion.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Senate passes sweeping defense policy bill | CNN Politics
The Senate voted on Wednesday to pass a critical defense policy bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act, which sets the policy agenda and authorizes funding for the Department of Defense annually.
www.cnn.com
Election worker Ruby Freeman sobs over death threats at Rudy Giuliani defamation trial
Georgia election worker Ruby Freeman told a jury about death threats she received after Rudy Giuliani falsely accused her of election fraud.
www.usatoday.com
9 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza City ambush in sign that Hamas resistance is still strong
Israeli forces continue to meet heavy resistance in an offensive against Hamas that has drawn international outrage and rare U.S. criticism over the killing of civilians.
apnews.com
Judge puts hold on Trump's federal election interference case while appeals process plays out
The judge overseeing former President Trump's federal election interference case has stayed proceedings in the case while the appeals process plays out.
How is the Gaza War seen beyond the US and the West?
Israel was isolated with a few allies in the UN General Assembly vote.
US lawmakers gather at the White House on easing gun violence. 'You're not in it alone,' Harris says
Lawmakers from 39 states came to the White House for a discussion with Biden administration officials about ways to better reduce gun violence.
apnews.com
Judge pauses Trump election interference case in ruling that could delay March trial start | CNN Politics
The federal judge overseeing Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case has temporarily paused all procedural deadlines while appeals over a major issue play out – which could lead to his March 2024 trial date being pushed back.
www.cnn.com
House votes to condemn college campus antisemitism following last week’s testimony and resignations
The nonbinding measure easily earned the two-thirds majority it needed for adoption.
www.politico.comUS credibility is on the line in Ukraine funding debate
President Joe Biden's pledge to restore American credibility around the globe is at risk during the congressional debate over support for Ukraine.
apnews.com
Biden officially a target of House impeachment inquiry after vote
The House voted Wednesday to authorize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, a move Republicans hope will assist them in enforcing their subpoenas and requests for documents.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Landmark fossil fuel agreement and other key takeaways from the COP28 climate conference
Nearly 200 nations have agreed to transition away from fossil fuels, in a landmark consensus touted to drastically accelerate climate action.
Senate overwhelmingly passes annual defense bill, sending measure to House
The Senate overwhelmingly approved its annual defense bill on Wednesday, just days before lawmakers head home for the Christmas recess.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Hunter Biden hits out at Republicans: 3 takeaways from the president's son's rare public comments
Defying a congressional subpoena, the president's son appeared outside the Capitol building to push back on the House GOP's impeachment effort
www.usatoday.com
How House Republicans got to yes on an impeachment inquiry
www.politico.com
COP28 Dubai is over: Four key highlights from the UN climate summit
A contentious fossil fuels agreement stirred up anger while states found to be falling behind on climate commitments.
White House pressed on Biden's proposed return to Trump-era immigration policies
The White House was questioned several times on Wednesday about plans that could bring back some Trump-era immigration policies.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Biden meets with families of Americans held hostage by Hamas
The U.S. says eight Americans are still "unaccounted for" since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel and are believed to have been taken hostage.
www.nbcnews.comGOP senators say Zelenskyy's attempts to convince them in person to keep supporting Ukraine did not work
GOP senators came out of a meeting with Zelenskyy unconvinced on supporting more aid to Ukraine. They called for more stringent immigration measures.
Biden reaffirms commitment to freeing American hostages held in Gaza
President Joe Biden has hosted family members of some of the eight Americans believed still held captive in Gaza, assuring them his administration won't stop working to get their loved ones home.
apnews.com
Federal Reserve signals interest rate cuts next year
The US central bank hints at lower rates, sending the Dow Jones share index to a new high.
www.bbc.com
US warship shoots down drone from Houthi territory while responding to commercial tanker attack | CNN Politics
A US warship shot down a drone that appeared to have been fired from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen on Wednesday morning local time, a US defense official said, adding that the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was “headed in the direction of the ship” and shot down in self-defense.
www.cnn.comKellyanne Conway to GOP: Focus on contraception
Former Trump confidante Kellyanne Conway and other strategists are citing poll data showing strong demand among GOP voters for birth control after the fall of Roe.
www.politico.com
Jewish protesters shut down LA freeway in call for Gaza ceasefire
A progressive Jewish activist group caused a miles-long traffic jam Wednesday morning in Los Angeles while calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
House Republicans authorize Joe Biden impeachment investigation in major escalation
House Republicans voted to formally authorize their ongoing impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
www.usatoday.com
Batang Kali: A British massacre in colonial Malaya and a fight for justice
Relatives search for justice 75 years after British soldiers carried out the Batang Kali massacre.
NY Times blasted for omitting key word from Hunter Biden quote saying father never 'financially' involved
Critics dinged The New York Times for misreporting a key word from a Hunter Biden quote insisting his father was not "financially" involved in business dealings.
If 2024 is a Biden vs. Trump rematch, will policy matter or will it be 'all vibes'?
In a likely 2024 rematch of Biden and Trump, strategists and voters were divided in conversations with ABC News about whether policy would make the big difference
Congress could punt Ukraine aid to 2024, snarl government funding talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a final plea for Congress to pass an aid package in a series of high-profile meetings in Washington D.C.
Congressional group demands probe into Beijing's role in violence against protesters on US soil
A congressional commission is asking the Justice Department to investigate the role of Beijing after protesters claimed they were beaten and harassed by Chinese government agents in November in San Francisco during an official visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
apnews.com
Man charged with murder in death of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll
Woll, a prominent Jewish leader who also worked with high-profile Democrats in Michigan, was fatally stabbed outside her home in October.
www.nbcnews.com
Hunter Biden defies House Republicans' subpoena for closed-door testimony
Hunter Biden appeared outside the U.S. Capitol to deliver a brief statement and slammed GOP lawmakers for targeting him and his father.
www.cbsnews.comBidens under a microscope
Republican lawmakers are pressing forward in an effort to open an impeachment investigation into President Joe Biden. It's Wednesday's news.
www.usatoday.com
Biden hosts families of American hostages held by Hamas as he navigates first breaks with Netanyahu | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden on Wednesday hosted family members of all eight Americans still held hostage from the Hamas attack on Israel more than two months ago, taking time during what is shaping up to be a key week for his first in-person meeting with the families.
www.cnn.com
Glenn Youngkin praises Trump on economy, downplays 'dictator' fears
The billionaire Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone, who was also on CNBC's program, expressed fear about how Trump might wield government power if elected again.
Even in time of genocide, Big Tech silences Palestinians
Social media platforms have been censoring pro-Palestinian content while allowing anti-Palestinian hate speech.
Day 3 trial highlights: Rudy Giuliani’s lawyer tries to undermine expert who said reputation repair could cost $47.8M
Latest news and live updates as Giuliani testifies at his defamation damages trial over comments he made about two Georgia election workers after the 2020 election.
www.nbcnews.com
Republicans cry foul as Hunter Biden ignores subpoena, citing Democrats' past outrage at Bannon, Navarro
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., former deputy independent counsel Solomon Wisenberg and former George W. Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer called out Hunter Biden's hypocrisy.
Testimony ends in Donald Trump's civil fraud trial, but the verdict isn't expected until next month
After more than 10 weeks, 40 witnesses and a few bursts of courtroom fireworks, testimony has wrapped up in former President Donald Trump’s civil business fraud trial.
apnews.com
House passes resolution condemning college presidents’ response to antisemitism on campus
House lawmakers condemned a trio of college presidents for their response to a rising trend of antisemitism on university campuses across the country, marking the latest backlash toward their testimony during a congressional hearing last week.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
White House agitates allies with major border concessions as it races to get Ukraine aid deal | CNN Politics
The White House’s growing urgency to get Ukraine aid passed is forcing Democrats to reckon with immigration policies they’ve previously tied to former President Donald Trump, agitating President Joe Biden’s allies and underscoring the unrelenting complexities of the immigration debate.
www.cnn.com
Stranger charged with break-in, murder in slaying of Detroit synagogue leader
Samantha Woll was killed in October.
www.politico.com
Israel admits viral photos of stripped detained Palestinian men 'should not have been taken': US
The Israeli government acknowledged its wrongdoing in the taking and publishing of photos that depicted Palestinian men stripped to their underwear after being detained by Israeli military personnel in Gaza.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Ukraine war: Dozens wounded in Russian missile strikes on Kyiv
A total of 53 people have been hurt in the attacks, including six children, the mayor of Kyiv says.
www.bbc.com
'Title 42 on steroids': Democrats consider expanding migrant detention and deportation in order to pass Ukraine aid
Immigration advocates are furious at the potential for the administration getting new powers to expel migrants from the country.
www.nbcnews.com
House votes to authorize Biden impeachment inquiry
The House voted on authorizing Republicans' impeachment inquiry into President Biden on Wednesday.
GOP presidential hopefuls grapple with Texas abortion case
The case involves a 31-year-old woman whose fetus is developing with a fatal abnormality but who was denied access to the procedure by the state supreme court.
www.politico.com
Texas Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn avoid questions about Kate Cox abortion case
Both Republican senators, who are fierce anti-abortion advocates, declined to comment on their state Supreme Court’s decision to deny Cox an abortion despite a fatal fetal diagnosis.
www.nbcnews.comAnalysis: At COP28, Sultan al-Jaber got what the UAE wanted. Others leave it wanting much more
As the United Nations COP28 climate summit ended Wednesday, Sultan al-Jaber walked out with what the United Arab Emirates wanted all along.
apnews.com
Former Obama advisor David Axelrod says 2024 poll is 'very dark' news for Joe Biden's reelection campaign
David Axelrod said a new poll showing former President Donald Trump leading in 2024 was “very, very dark” news for President Joe Biden's campaign.
www.usatoday.com
Supreme Court to hear dispute over obstruction law used to prosecute Jan. 6 defendants
The Supreme Court said it will hear a court fight involving a federal obstruction law that has been used to prosecute scores of Jan. 6 defendants.
www.cbsnews.com
Climate summit makes ‘historic progress’ — but the world still can’t quit oil
The contradictions in nations’ attitudes toward fossil fuels were at the forefront of the talks in Dubai.
www.politico.com
'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' star Andre Braugher dies at 61
"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" star Andre Braugher has died at 61.
Father of July 4 parade shooting suspect is released early from an Illinois jail
Robert Crimo Jr. was released Wednesday for good behavior after serving part of a 60-day sentence, according to authorities.
www.nbcnews.com
Appeals court rejects Trump’s use of presidential immunity in E. Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit | CNN Politics
A federal appeals court rejected Donald Trump’s use of presidential immunity in a bid to dismiss a civil defamation lawsuit brought by former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll.
www.cnn.comIn a first, delegates at UN climate talks agree to transition away from planet-warming fossil fuels
That transition would be in a way that gets the world to net zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050.
apnews.com
Pakistan court indicts jailed ex-PM Imran Khan in state secrets case
Case could result in up to 10 years in jail and reduces Khan’s chances of being released in time to campaign for polls.
Judge in Trump election case says she lacks jurisdiction while Supreme Court weighs immunity
The judge presiding over former President Donald Trump's 2020 election subversion case in Washington, D.C., says she now lacks jurisdiction over the case due to his presidential immunity claims pending at the Supreme Court.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
GOP lawmaker wants to crack down on climate change activists who deface historical artwork
Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, wants to increase the penalty for climate change activists who deface and damage historical artworks.
DOJ says companies can delay revealing cyber attacks when national security is at stake
New Justice Department rules show when publicly traded companies can delay reporting cyber attacks to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
www.usatoday.com
Charges in Beverly Hills attack on Jewish couple could amount to life in prison
The suspect yelled antisemitic remarks before attacking a man and trying to rob his wife, police said. He has pleaded not guilty.
www.nbcnews.comOpinion | This Is the World If Ukraine Loses
If the West doesn’t help Ukraine beat back Russia, your lives will not be the same.
www.politico.com
Judge orders Michael Cohen’s former attorney to explain citing cases the judge doesn’t believe exists | CNN Politics
A federal judge has ordered Michael Cohen’s former attorney to explain where he came up with the court cases cited in Cohen’s request for early termination of supervised release, saying as far as the judge can tell “none of these cases exist.”
www.cnn.comA Russian missile attack on Kyiv wounds at least 53 as Ukraine pleads for more European support
A barrage of Russian missiles has targeted Kyiv and wounded at least 53 people as Ukraine's president seeks more military support in Europe.
apnews.com
US brushes aside Netanyahu distaste for Palestinian Authority's role in post-war Gaza
The Biden administration expects the Palestinian Authority to rule the Gaza Strip following the destruction of Hamas despite Israel’s skepticism about that prospect.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Alan Dershowitz: 'Substantial chance' Trump conviction would be overturned on appeal
Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz joined "Mornings with Maria" Wednesday to discuss the special counsel wanting the Supreme Court to rule on Trump immunity.
The fight between Trump and DeSantis could spill far beyond 2024
Trump's anger at DeSantis could last long after the presidential primaries, potentially affecting his political plans.
www.nbcnews.com
Jordan says Hunter Biden made a 'huge change' by saying his father was 'not financially involved' in business
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan said Hunter Biden made a “huge change" by saying his father, President Biden, was “not financially involved" in his business dealings.
Andre Braugher's 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' co-stars, more react to his death
Andre Braugher's "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" co-stars and others are remembering him after the actor's death at the age of 61.
Teachers sue Florida over pronoun restrictions in schools
The lawsuit is the latest legal pushback against several key polices created by state GOP leaders.
www.politico.com
No connection between pro-Palestinian boycott and these Starbucks closures | Fact check
A Starbucks spokesperson said the chain is still operating in Morocco, and the closures in San Francisco predate the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
www.usatoday.com
Illinois NAACP leader pressured to resign after comparing immigrants to 'savages'
The president of the Illinois chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is facing heavy backlash for comparing immigrants to savages, and several people are calling for her to step down or apologize.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Israel-Gaza war in maps and charts: Live tracker
The latest death toll stands at 44,757 Palestinians and 1,139 people killed in Israel since October 7, 2023.
‘Whamageddon' is the viral game that has some turning down a Christmas classic
The challenge runs from Dec. 1 through the end of Christmas Eve. You’re considered out as soon as you hear and recognize the 1984 Wham! hit “Last Christmas.”
www.nbcnews.comEight years of conservative rule in Poland ends as Donald Tusk becomes prime minister
The new Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his Cabinet members have taken office after being sworn in by the country's president.
apnews.com
Analysis: Supreme Court action on mifepristone demonstrates abortion care is all about the courtroom | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court’s acceptance of an appeal from the Biden administration on Wednesday opens a new front in the national controversy over access to abortion as states, including Texas, have been moving aggressively against women since the high court overturned Roe v. Wade last year.
www.cnn.com
Speaker Johnson defends Biden impeachment inquiry: 'Evidence can't be ignored'
Speaker Mike Johnson defended the impeachment inquiry into President Biden in a op-ed, writing that evidence against the president "cannot be ignored."
China hawks’ trade crackdown hits resistance
The latest recommendation from the House China Select Committee has raised alarms from agriculture and other business groups.
www.politico.com
Biden administration staffers to call for ceasefire at vigil outside White House | CNN Politics
Political appointees and Biden administration staffers are expected to hold a vigil in front of the White House on Wednesday to call on President Joe Biden to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
www.cnn.com
Applause at UN as General Assembly votes to back Gaza ceasefire
The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza.
Court grants special counsel's request to expedite Trump's immunity appeal in election interference case
The decision comes after a federal judge this month ruled that Trump’s presidential immunity claims did not shield him from charges.
www.nbcnews.com
Megan Rapinoe calls USWNT 'worst job in the world'
Former U.S. Women's National Team soccer player Megan Rapinoe decried playing for the Stars and Stripes as the "worst job in the world" due to the significant criticism she garnered.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
'They have no shame.' Hunter Biden defies Republicans, calls impeachment inquiry 'lies'
Hunter Biden defied a subpoena to testify before a closed-door hearing. The president's son has offered to testify in an open hearing.
www.usatoday.com
'I feel trapped': Scores of underage Rohingya girls forced into abusive marriages in Malaysia
Scores of underage Rohingya girls fleeing violence and starvation in their homeland of Myanmar and in the refugee camps of neighboring Bangladesh are being forced into arranged marriages with older men in Malaysia who frequently abuse them.
apnews.com
Luke Combs responds to merch lawsuit, vows to help fan: 'Trying to make this right'
Luke Combs addresses a lawsuit filed against several online sellers who are selling homemade merchandise with the singer's image.
Nikki Haley says she shouldn’t be measured by how much she loves or hates Trump | CNN Politics
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on Wednesday said she shouldn’t be judged on her personal feelings toward Donald Trump as she attempts to appeal to voters as the best alternative to the former president.
www.cnn.comMissiles from rebel-held Yemen miss a ship loaded with jet fuel near the key Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Two missiles fired from territory held by Yemen’s Houthi rebels have missed a commercial tanker carrying jet fuel near the key Bab el-Mandeb Strait, That's according to two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.
apnews.com
EU holds up billions in aid for Hungary amid tug-of-war over Ukraine
PM Viktor Orban promises to veto proposal on Kyiv’s EU membership as EU chief urges support for ‘strong’ Ukraine.
'Rude awakening': Biden takes progressive fire in border talks
Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed hope that the president can unstick entrenched border negotiations. That's what progressives are afraid of.
www.politico.comAnalysis: What is criminal contempt of Congress? | CNN Politics
On the same day House Republicans were set to formalize an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, his son Hunter defied a subpoena from Congress, raising the possibility that he could be held in contempt of Congress.
www.cnn.com
Ex-Facebook diversity leader pleads guilty to stealing more than $4 million from company
Barbara Furlow-Smiles used the money “to fund a lavish lifestyle” in California and Georgia, prosecutors said.
www.nbcnews.com
Wife of American held hostage by the Taliban fears time is running out
In September, more than a year after he was imprisoned, the State Department determined that Ryan Corbett had been wrongfully detained by the Taliban.
www.cbsnews.com
Bernie Sanders urges Biden to cut $10 billion in aid to Israel
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Tuesday urging the administration to withhold $10.1 billion in military aid to Israel that lawmakers are currently negotiating as part of a national security spending bill, calling Israel’s military operations in Gaza a “mass…
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Elon Musk's Tesla recalls two million cars in US over Autopilot defect
It follows investigation into crashes which occurred when firm's Autopilot system was in use.
www.bbc.com
See full vote tally: US House advances Biden impeachment inquiry | CNN Politics
The US House on Wednesday voted to formalize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
www.cnn.comMillions infected with dengue this year in new record as hotter temperatures cause virus to flare
Dengue is sweeping across the Western Hemisphere in numbers not seen since record-keeping began in 1980 as experts warn that rising temperatures and rapid urbanization are accelerating the pace of infections.
apnews.com
Tunisian opposition leader Chaima Issa gets suspended jail term
Military court hands Issa one-year suspended sentence for insulting the president, inciting soldiers to disobey orders.
The Excerpt podcast: UN votes overwhelmingly for cease-fire in Gaza
The United Nations General Assembly voted in favor of a cease-fire in Gaza. AI could transform the government, plus more top stories.
www.usatoday.com
The NFL will play a regular season game in Brazil next season
The NFL played its first two regular-season games in Frankfurt, Germany, this year, with three more in London.
www.nbcnews.comMilking it: bill aims to bring dairy staple back to US schools
Bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is determined to let kids drink full-fat milk in school, although critics say Congress is wasting its time
‘He’s worried’: Hunter Biden’s legal woes take a heavy toll on his father
Behind closed doors, fears about the reelection campaign and his son’s potential criminal trial have become an ever-present weight on the president.
www.politico.com
Jonathan Majors opts not to testify as defense rests in domestic violence trial
Jonathan Majors opted not to testify against charges alleging he assaulted his former girlfriend, as his defense rested Wednesday after one day of presenting its case.
Progressives warn Biden against trading border reforms for Ukraine aid
Hispanic and progressive leaders in Congress urged President Joe Biden on Wednesday to reject GOP demands for stricter border enforcement as the White House negotiates a deal for further aid to Ukraine.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Pediatric ER doctor shares which gifts not to give to kids this holiday season
Pediatric emergency physician Dr. Meghan Martin shares the popular holiday gifts for children that can cause pediatric injuries.
Stranger charged with break-in and murder in slaying of Detroit synagogue leader
Authorities have filed a murder charge in the October fatal stabbing of a Detroit synagogue leader. They said Wednesday that 40-year-old Samantha Woll was killed by a stranger who broke into her home.
apnews.com
Country star Luke Combs apologizes to fan hit with $250K copyright fine, will pay her double the money frozen by lawsuit
Combs said on Instagram he spoke with Nicol Harness on Wednesday morning, saying, "It makes me sick, honestly, that this would happen."
www.nbcnews.com
Alabama's prison labor program amounts to "modern day slavery," lawsuit claims
The suit says inmates have to work for little pay - and sometimes no pay - in jobs that benefit government entities or private companies.
www.cbsnews.com
Supreme Court to decide whether to restrict abortion drug nationwide | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court said Wednesday it will consider whether to restrict access to a widely used abortion drug — even in states where the procedure is still allowed.
www.cnn.comTrump legal news brief: Supreme Court agrees to rule on scope of obstruction charge central to Jan. 6 cases, including Trump's
The Supreme Court’s ruling on the charge in question has the potential to invalidate hundreds of Jan. 6 obstruction charges — including Donald Trump’s.
Congo's presidential election spotlights the deadly crisis in the east that has displaced millions
Congo's presidential election is a week away, and the major issue is the deadly conflict in the nation's east that has forced millions of people to flee their homes.
apnews.comA high-ranking House Republican stopped appearing on 'Fox & Friends' because its host was critical of the Biden impeachment
Rep. James Comer, who's leading the investigation into President Joe Biden, is fed up with Fox host Steve Doocy.
Supreme Court agrees to hear from Jan. 6 defendant in a wrinkle for Trump prosecutors
The case has been closely watched because more than 200 people tied to Jan. 6, including Trump, have been charged with violating the law at issue.
www.usatoday.com
House votes to formalize impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden with floor vote | CNN Politics
House Republicans voted Wednesday to formalize an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden as their investigation reaches a critical juncture and right-wing pressure grows.
www.cnn.com
House votes to formalize Biden impeachment inquiry, escalating GOP probe
Republicans have said that formalizing the inquiry would give them leverage in court as they demand documents and witness testimony.
www.cbsnews.com
Allies raising pressure on Israel to halt Gaza bombardment
Calls for a ceasefire are growing after the UN passed a resolution and the US warned of deteriorating support.
MacKenzie Scott donates $6 million to Latino voter group
The Voto Latino Foundation, which aims to empower Latino voters, often aligns itself with progressive causes.
www.nbcnews.com
FBI and DHS warn of possible violence at public gatherings due to tension from Israel war
The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and National Counterterrorism Center issued a joint public service announcement on Tuesday, claiming the threat of violence from a variety of actors would remain heightened through the winter.
www.washingtonexaminer.comFederal Reserve keeps key interest rate unchanged and foresees 3 rate cuts next year
The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged, and signaled that they expect to make cuts to their benchmark rate next year.
apnews.comI showed up to a GOP congressman's 16-minute Christmas party. Here's what it was like to watch Democrats and Republicans rub shoulders in his cramped Capitol Hill office.
Where else can one find Marjorie Taylor Greene posing for a selfie with a House Democrat dressed up as Santa Claus?
Federal housing agency says it helped 94K households exit or avoid homelessness this year
The latest figures from the Department of Housing and Urban Development found that more than 582,000 people were homelessness at one point last year.
www.nbcnews.comSupreme Court to hear dispute over obstruction law used to prosecute Jan. 6 defendants
The Supreme Court said it will hear a court fight involving a federal obstruction law that has been used to prosecute scores of Jan. 6 defendants.
www.cbsnews.comWhy Jack Smith is Taking Trump’s Immunity Claim Straight to the Supreme Court
Jack Smith, the special counsel who has brought two cases against former President Donald Trump, made a bold move this week designed to undercut one of Trump’s chief defenses against accusations of plotting to overturn the 2020 election. Smith asked the Supreme Court to rule on Trump’s attempts...
Armed robber committed another armed robbery after compassionate release, authorities say
Markham David Bond, 60, who is serving 46 years in jail, was charged with allegedly robbing a courier at gunpoint on Aug. 18.
www.nbcnews.com
‘The crisis has arrived’: An elder statesman unpacks the battle over the West's water
Former Interior Secretary Babbitt talks about the big meeting in Las Vegas this week and the kind of concessions needed to save the crucial waterway.
www.politico.com
Takeaways from CNN’s Iowa town hall with Ron DeSantis | CNN Politics
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday showed new urgency in taking on Donald Trump, attacking the former president at every turn at a CNN town hall in Iowa with the state’s caucuses less than five weeks away.
www.cnn.com
Hiker who survived 1,000-foot fall, being stranded for 3 days at Hawaii waterfall: 'It’s a miracle'
Ian Snyder, a 34-year-old travel blogger, thanked rescuers for finding him last week and ending his harrowing ordeal below Oahu’s Koolau Summit Trail.
www.nbcnews.com
U.S. intelligence assesses Ukraine war has cost Russia 315,000 casualties - source
A declassified U.S. intelligence report assessed that the Ukraine war has cost Russia 315,000 dead and injured troops, or nearly 90% of the personnel it had when the conflict began, a source familiar with the intelligence said on Tuesday.
Dow hits a record as Wall Street rallies after the Fed signals rate cuts in 2024
Stocks rallied and Treasury yields fell sharply after the Fed indicated that the cuts to interest rates Wall Street craves so much may be coming next year.
apnews.com
Trump returns to Iowa as he ramps up campaigning in early nominating states | CNN Politics
Former President Donald Trump will make his case to Iowa voters on Wednesday as he ramps up his campaigning in the final few weeks before the state’s caucuses open the 2024 GOP nomination calendar in January.
www.cnn.comHunter Biden Shows Up On Capitol Hill, Defies Subpoena, Denounces GOP ‘Lies’
The president’s son is defying a Republican demand for private testimony, demanding a public hearing instead.
Hyperemesis: Scientists make pregnancy sickness cure breakthrough
Better treatments and even a cure for hyperemesis gravidarum could be on the horizon, researchers say.
www.bbc.comTesla recalls nearly all vehicles sold in US to fix system that monitors drivers using Autopilot
Tesla is recalling nearly all vehicles sold in the U.S., more than 2 million, to update software and fix a defective system when using Autopilot.
apnews.com
Four-star officer promotions still in limbo despite Tuberville relenting on Pentagon blockade
Even after Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) backed down on his more than 400 senior military holds last week, around a dozen generals and admirals up for four-star positions are still caught in the crosshairs of the senator’s blockade as a result of his ongoing protest of the Pentagon’s policy of…
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Boston mayor sends holiday party invite meant only for 'electeds of color,' dividing city councilors
Boston's progressive Mayor Michelle Wu faced criticism after her office sent out an invitation for a holiday party that excluded White city councilors.
Florida school board asks member Bridget Ziegler to quit amid sex assault probe of husband, the state GOP chairman
Bridget Ziegler is co-founder of the conservative Moms for Liberty group. Her husband, Christian Ziegler, is the state Republican chairman.
www.cbsnews.com
Woman fatally shot by California police after pointing gun at 3-year-old's head
San Bernardino police said they fired on the woman after she ignored multiple orders to drop her weapon.
www.nbcnews.com
Why a Las Vegas casino holds the key to Western water
The future of the West depends on whether these bureaucrats can strike a deal to rein in water use along the drought-shrunken waterway.
www.politico.comBerkshire can't use bribery allegations against Haslam in Pilot truck stop chain accounting dispute
A Delaware judge says Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway will not be allowed to use allegations that billionaire Jimmy Haslam tried to bribe employees at the Pilot truck stop chain as Berkshire defends itself in a trial over Pilot’s accounting practices.
apnews.com
Florida suspect brags about bail until informed about tough-on-crime sheriff; ‘Oh, my God! Not Grady Judd!'
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is known as a no-nonsense lawman with a blunt approach that has frequently won over the residents of Polk County
Virginia 4th graders fall ill after eating gummy bears contaminated with fentanyl
Seven elementary school students in Amherst, Virginia, ate gummy bears that were in a bag that later tested positive for fentanyl, police said.
www.cbsnews.comOhio Senate clears ban on gender-affirming care for minors, transgender athletes in girls sports
A Republican-backed proposal that would drastically affect how LGBTQ youth in Ohio live their everyday lives cleared the state Senate.
apnews.com
Jeffrey Foskett, longtime member of The Beach Boys, dies at 67
Foskett, who was deemed the “vice principal of the Beach Boys” by its core members, was the rare musician who found favor in all of that group’s sometimes competing camps over the decades.
www.nbcnews.com
Former Rep. George Santos appears in Long Island court as he negotiates possible plea deal
Santos faces a slew of federal charges related to alleged fraud and campaign finance violations, detailed in a pair of federal indictments handed down earlier this year.
www.cbsnews.com
California could vote on turning sewage into drinking water next week
The California State Water Resources Control Board is tentatively planning a vote next week to approve a landmark water regulation that would turn sewage into drinking water across California.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Closing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities
Benchmark U.S. crude oil for January delivery rose 86 cents to $69.47 per barrel Wednesday. Brent crude for February delivery rose $1.02 to $74.26 per barrel.
apnews.comPentagon chief heads to Middle East as attacks on US forces spike
Iran-backed militia groups have launched drones and rockets at U.S. positions in Iraq and Syria 94 times since Oct. 17.
www.politico.comHow major US stock indexes fared Wednesday, 12/13/2023
Stocks rallied and Treasury yields fell sharply after the Federal Reserve indicated that the cuts to interest rates Wall Street craves so much may be coming next year.
apnews.com
Judge pauses Jan. 6 case against Trump amid former president's appeal to dismiss
The judge presiding over the case against former President Donald Trump and his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election acknowledged she does not have jurisdiction over the matter while it is pending before the Supreme Court.
Somalia secures $4.5 billion debt relief deal with international creditors
Somalia has secured a $4.5 billion debt relief deal from its international creditors,. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank announced the deal Wednesday.
apnews.com
Could a little-known psychedelic drug treat opioid addiction? Kentucky wants to find out.
The state is considering funding research on ibogaine, a psychedelic that's growing in popularity as potential treatment for opioid use disorder.
www.nbcnews.com
Former Facebook diversity head pleads guilty to stealing millions in kickback scheme, DOJ says
Facebook's former DEI head pleaded guilty to stealing more than $4 million from the social media giant over several years to fund her lifestyle.
Amazon, Target and Walmart to stop selling potentially deadly water beads marketed to kids
Retailing giants move amid calls for a nationwide ban on the products hazardous to young kids and potentially deadly if swallowed.
www.cbsnews.comFederal housing agency says it helped 94K households exit or avoid homelessness this year
The latest figures from the Department of Housing and Urban Development found that more than 582,000 people were homelessness at one point last year.
www.nbcnews.com
‘A disservice to the American public’: Democrats rip Biden over weapons sale to Israel
The administration announced on Friday that it was bypassing Congress and selling tank shells directly to Israel.
www.politico.com
New tech becoming 'unplugged' could alienate people from society, expert warns
Artificial intelligence could soon become "unplugged" from the cloud and the internet, giving users a more personalized and private experience with the growing technology.
A $44 million lotto ticket in Florida expired after no one claimed it, sending most of the money to support education
The prize winnings will now go to a fund to support Florida public education and a 20% cut will return to the prize pool.
www.nbcnews.com
Another court rejects Trump’s bid to assert ‘presidential immunity’ from his many legal troubles
Trump waited too long to invoke the immunity defense in E. Jean Carroll's defamation law, a federal appeals court ruled.
www.politico.com
