Amid rush to confirm Barrett to court, two key Republican senators test positive for COVID-19

Two GOP Senators who sit on the Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings on President Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, announced Friday that they have tested positive for COVID-19.

Germany says it expects EU to impose sanctions against Russia over Navalny case

Germany expects the European Union to impose new sanctions against Russia over the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny with an internationally banned nerve agent, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Saturday. Navalny emerged from a coma in early September after suddenly falling ill during a flight in Siberia on Aug. 20 and later being airlifted to Berlin for treatment. German doctors say he was poisoned with Novichok, a Russian nerve agent.

For Trump, the Only Medical News Is Good Medical News

By BY ANNIE KARNI from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2SlIqrS

With Trump sidelined, his campaign promises MAGA as usual.

By BY MAGGIE HABERMAN AND ANNIE KARNI from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/33uajnO

Trump’s hospitalization starts to affect the campaign trail.

By BY MICHAEL LEVENSON from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/33q7yUC

Swiss Skydiver, With a Last-Minute Jockey, Wins the Preakness Stakes

By BY JOE DRAPE from NYT Sports https://ift.tt/3njngsS

‘Take it! Take it!’ Watch a man get violently carjacked in front of his Florida home

A terrifying carjacking went down for a Florida man right in front of his Windermere-area home Monday night.

The virus slams into a broken Washington

Most D.C. crises follow an expected pattern. Not this one.

Factbox: Coronavirus in U.S. Congress - 18 members have tested or been presumed positive

Lee's announcement came within hours of the bombshell news of Republican President Donald Trump's positive test. Lee was one of several prominent people who did not wear masks in a crowd at the White House on Sept. 26 as Trump introduced U.S. Appeals Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his Supreme Court nominee. Cassidy, 63, a Louisiana Republican, decided to self-quarantine for 14 days and contact those with whom he may have had contact after testing positive, according to a statement in August.

Texas AG Ken Paxton took bribes and abused office, top aides say in call for federal investigation

Top aides of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have asked federal authorities to investigate allegations of potential crimes.

Sen. Thom Tillis’ Opponent Confirms Extramarital Sexting

The U.S. Senate race in North Carolina has been thrown into turmoil: The incumbent, Thom Tillis, has COVID-19 and his opponent, Cal Cunningham, has been caught sending extramarital texts.The Democrat’s romantic messages to public relations strategist Arlene Guzman Todd were initially exposed by the National File, a right-wing website.But in a statement to the Raleigh News & Observer, Cunningham confirmed their accuracy.“I have hurt my family, disappointed my friends, and am deeply sorry. The first step in repairing those relationships is taking complete responsibility, which I do. I ask that my family’s privacy be respected in this personal matter,” he said.He also said he has no intention of dropping out of the race, where he has been leading Tillis in the polls.“I remain grateful and humbled by the ongoing support that North Carolinians have extended in this campaign, and in the remaining weeks before this election I will continue to work to earn the opportunity to fight for the people of our state,” he said.At Least 7 Who Attended Rose Garden Event Have COVIDMeanwhile, Tillis’ campaign has been upended by Friday night’s news that he has contracted the coronavirus. He is one of seven people who tested positive after attending last weekend’s Rose Garden ceremony for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. The others are President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former adviser Kellyanne Conway, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), the president of Notre Dame University, and a White House journalist.Cunningham said that because he recently shared a debate stage with Tillis, he planned to get tested for the virus, too.National File did not say how it obtained the text messages between Cunningham, a married father of two, and Guzman Todd, who is also married.By the standards of recent scandals, they are on the tame side, with Cunningham writing, “Would make my day to roll over and kiss you about now,” and Guzman Todd writing, “The only thing I want on my to-do list is you.”Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.

Twitter warned it will suspend users who wish for President Trump's death and then received a backlash claiming double standards

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Rashida Tlaib said they frequently faced death threats on Twitter.

'You know that your dream's ending': Flight attendants bid tearful goodbyes as they're furloughed

American Airlines flight attendants share their stories as the furloughs affecting the airline industry begin amid the coronavirus pandemic.

U.S. government appeals judge's ruling to block WeChat app store ban

White House physician walks back a confusing timeline of Trump's coronavirus infection that implied he was diagnosed days before announcing his test results

Dr. Sean Conley said Trump was "72 hours into the diagnosis," which would mean he was diagnosed on Wednesday while his test results were publicly disclosed Friday.

Five North Carolina police officers resign after Black man’s overdose death in custody

Harold Easter lay collapsed on the floor of an interview room for nearly eight minutes before an officer arrived

Melania Trump hits back at leaked tape of her downplaying row over children separated at border

‘The timing of this continues to be suspect’, says FLOTUS aide

Louisville cops repeatedly told Breonna Taylor was not receiving suspicious packages tied to drug investigation, report says

Louisville police officers carried out a no-knock raid at the home of Breonna Taylor despite the fact that they were repeatedly told there were no packages, "suspicious or otherwise," delivered to the residence that could be tied to their drug investigation, according to a new report. The 26-year-old EMT was fatally shot March 13 after three Louisville Metropolitan Police officers burst into ...

Germany says it expects EU to impose sanctions against Russia over Navalny case

Germany expects the European Union to impose new sanctions against Russia over the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny with an internationally banned nerve agent, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Saturday. Navalny emerged from a coma in early September after suddenly falling ill during a flight in Siberia on Aug. 20 and later being airlifted to Berlin for treatment. German doctors say he was poisoned with Novichok, a Russian nerve agent.

Pence negative for COVID-19, vice president's office says

Following the announcement that President Trump and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19, a spokesman for Vice President Mike Pence announced Friday that Pence and his wife, Karen, had tested negative.

Putin critic Navalny's approval rating surges in wake of poisoning

One-fifth of Russians now approve of poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, according to an opinion poll published on Friday, a figure more than twice as high as a year ago but one accompanied by a doubling of disapproval of his activities. A vocal opponent of President Vladimir Putin, Navalny, 44, fell ill on a domestic flight in August and was airlifted to a Berlin hospital. Russia says it has seen no evidence he was poisoned.

Here’s how markets are reacting to Trump testing positive for coronavirus

Fox News’ Sandra Smith and FOX Business’ Stuart Varney on President Trump testing positive for coronavirus and today's markets.

Amid rush to confirm Barrett to court, two key Republican senators test positive for COVID-19

Two GOP Senators who sit on the Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings on President Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, announced Friday that they have tested positive for COVID-19.

Religious group scrubs photos and mentions of SCOTUS nominee Amy Coney Barrett from website: report

Former members of People of Praise say wives were taught to always obey their husbands – and provide sex on demand

Winds intensifying as firefighters battle fire in California

Winds grew stronger Thursday in California's wine country, threatening to escalate a massive wildfire that has burned for days and destroyed hundreds of buildings. More fire crews and equipment were deployed in and around Calistoga, a town of 5,000 people known for hot springs, mud baths and wineries in the hills of Napa County about 70 miles (110 kilometers) north of San Francisco. Winds gusting to 30 mph were forecast to push through the hills Thursday night and Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Pompeo meets Vatican officials amid tension over China

Pompeo, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, Callista Gingrich, met Parolin and the Vatican's Foreign Minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.

The Vatican's two top diplomatic officials have accused him of trying to drag the Catholic Church into the U.S. presidential election by denouncing its relations with China.

The remarks came after Pompeo accused the Church in an article and a series of tweets this month of putting its "moral authority" at risk by renewing an agreement with China over the appointment of bishops.

Parolin and Gallagher said that Pope Francis had declined a request from Pompeo for an audience, as the pope avoids meeting politicians ahead of elections.

Lebanon and Israel agree to talks to end sea border dispute

Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a framework for U.S.-mediated talks aimed at ending a long-running dispute along the border between the two nations that have fought several conflicts. Israel said the talks would cover the sea border. Washington has mediated between the two sides.

Bannon to Trump: Less racial resentment, more economic populism in next debate

Steve Bannon believes Tuesday's debate was a missed opportunity for Trump to make the case to people who are not already committed supporters. But he concedes, “Would I have liked a little more populism? Maybe."

Trump Hospitalized With Coronavirus

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Charting a Coronavirus Infection

By BY KATHERINE J. WU AND JONATHAN CORUM from NYT Science https://ift.tt/3nbHrIY

The polls are falling behind the news.

By BY NATE COHN from NYT The Upshot https://ift.tt/3irWQ4a

As Trump’s Diagnosis Spooks G.O.P., Pelosi Projects Optimism on Stimulus Deal

By BY EMILY COCHRANE AND JIM TANKERSLEY from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/36s6P7f

Pence Tests Negative for Virus and Will Debate With Harris Next Week

By BY MICHAEL CROWLEY AND ANNIE KARNI from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/30uD3Lt

74 and Overweight, Trump Faces Extra Risks From ‘a Very Sneaky Virus’

By BY SHERYL GAY STOLBERG from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/33rwco6

Lincoln Has Another Lesson for Trump

By BY ROGER COHEN from NYT Opinion https://ift.tt/3jqyedn

Trump Administration Opens Investigation Into Vietnam’s Trade Practices

By BY ANA SWANSON from NYT Business https://ift.tt/3ngh2to

Trump Departs for Military Hospital After Positive Virus Test

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Steve Barnes, of Cellino & Barnes Law Firm, Dies in Plane Crash

By BY JULIANA KIM from NYT New York https://ift.tt/30KH6nd

Obama offers prayers for Trump, while the president’s campaign insults Obama in a fund-raising letter.

By BY LISA LERER from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/30uDHIT

Sportscaster who called Sen. Tim Scott ‘Uncle Tom’ is out of a job, CT station says

The reporter has apologized for the “deeply insensitive” remark.

Top White House staffers still not wearing masks

Hours after President Trump announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus, some of his top aides were still appearing in public without masks, including White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.

Wealthy Venezuelan brothers lose $1 million super-yacht battle in Miami

A couple of billionaire brothers from Venezuela won’t be getting back their $1 million super yacht anytime soon.

Louisville cops repeatedly told Breonna Taylor was not receiving suspicious packages tied to drug investigation, report says

Louisville police officers carried out a no-knock raid at the home of Breonna Taylor despite the fact that they were repeatedly told there were no packages, "suspicious or otherwise," delivered to the residence that could be tied to their drug investigation, according to a new report. The 26-year-old EMT was fatally shot March 13 after three Louisville Metropolitan Police officers burst into ...

Climate Point: Trump can't recall his environmental stance in debate

And another thing: Let's read some good news about cute animals.

President Trump says he and the first lady have 'tested positive for COVID-19'

President Trump announced on Twitter that he and first lady Melania Trump "tested positive for COVID-19." He added: "We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately."

The pros and cons of getting a flu shot and how the benefits outweigh the risks

Though getting a flu shot can come with some mild side effects, vaccination can save you money, prevent hospitalization, and protect your community.

The Irish Supreme Court ruled that Subway's sandwich rolls don't meet the legal definition of bread because they have too much sugar

The five-judge panel ruled that Subway's bread was too sugary to be considered a staple food that is exempt from value-added tax.

Marine Corps F-35 and C-130 Collide During Refueling Exercise, All Personnel Found Safe

All nine personnel -- one in the F-35B and eight in the KC-130J tanker -- are accounted for.

Police reportedly invited Border Patrol snipers to monitor George Floyd’s burial service

George Floyd's death in the hands of Minneapolis police led to nationwide protests and pledges from some police to cut back on heavy-handed crowd control tactics. But that message didn't make it to Floyd's burial service, where local and federal law enforcement forces were prepared to use "deadly force" if they encountered civil unrest, documents obtained by Vice News reveal."As a horse-drawn carriage took Floyd's body to its final resting place" earlier this year in Pearland, Texas, "at least six 'sniper teams' were in place on rooftops and authorized to open fire if the situation spiraled out of control," Vice reports via planning records. Pearland officials also brought in U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents to the city to monitor the situation. That included members of the tactical BORTAC unit equipped with "military-grade firepower," Vice writes.The documents spell out the conditions under which certain types of officers could take action. "Officers in soft uniforms" were ready to monitor to "large, peacefully assembling" crowds, while BORTAC was "geared up ready to deploy" if "verbal aggressive language and empty water bottles" were seen. "Deadly force is authorized anytime," the planning records concluded. All of this was done in anticipation of tens of thousands of mourners showing up to the service, the records show. Just a few hundred arrived.Ben Crump, an attorney for the Floyd family, said he and the family didn't know about the sniper teams and other oversight. Pearland police spokesperson contradicted the documents in saying the sniper teams were brought on in anticipation of "protests from Second Amendment groups or counter-protesters to those groups." Read more at Vice News.More stories from theweek.com 7 savagely funny cartoons about the Trump tax revelations Late night hosts have a pretty good idea why Trump shockingly refuses to condemn white supremacists Texas governor cuts the number of ballot drop-off boxes to 1 in each county

What is People of Praise? Trump SCOTUS nominee Barrett has ties to religious group

The group has been back in the spotlight following the president’s latest Supreme Court pick.

Conservative hoaxers face charges over false voter robocalls

Two conservative operatives were charged Thursday in connection with false robocalls that aimed to dissuade Black residents in Detroit and other Democratic-leaning U.S. cities from voting by mail, Michigan's attorney general announced. Jacob Wohl, 22, and Jack Burkman, 54, each face four felony counts in Detroit, including conspiring to intimidate voters in violation of election law and using a computer to commit crimes, Attorney General Dana Nessel said. The calls falsely warned residents in majority-Black Detroit and cities in at least four other states that if they vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election they could be subjected to arrest, debt collection and forced vaccination, Nessel said.