Lawmakers push Biden to extend August 31 Afghanistan withdrawal deadline
CNN
Lawmakers from both parties pressed top Biden national security officials at a classified briefing Tuesday to extend the August 31 deadline for the US military to evacuate Americans and vulnerable Afghans from Afghanistan.
During a briefing with President Joe Biden's top national security officials Tuesday -- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Tony Blinken, Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines -- lawmakers urged the officials to try to convince Biden that the evacuation efforts should extend beyond the end of the month. "There was strong, bipartisan support to extend the August 31 deadline," said Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat. "That was a major theme, a major comment, a major point we all tried to make, urging them to do more to advocate with the president to extend the deadline."
President-elect Donald Trump on Friday announced Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon as his pick to serve as the next secretary of the Department of Labor.
Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s pick to lead the intelligence community, was briefly placed on a Transportation Security Administration list that prompts additional security screening before flights after her overseas travel patterns and foreign connections triggered a government algorithm earlier this year, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
The Supreme Court agreed Friday to wade into a fight over Congress’ ability to delegate power to federal agencies — opening the next chapter in a decadeslong effort by conservatives and business interests to reduce the power of the federal government.
At least three professional sports leagues warned their teams this week that organized and skilled groups are targeting the homes of athletes for break-ins, including while the players are away at games. The warnings came after reports of burglaries at the homes of players in the NBA and the NFL.
The Nicaraguan parliament, dominated by the ruling Sandinista Front, on Friday approved a constitutional reform that hands more power to President Daniel Ortega as well as the Central American nation’s police and military.
A Norwegian man working as a security guard for the US Embassy in Oslo was arrested this week on allegations of spying for Russia and Iran.
Gorilla at Calgary Zoo died after worker mistakenly activated wrong door, zoo officials say
President-elect Donald Trump is expected to offer Kelly Loeffler the job as of secretary of the Department of Agriculture, two people familiar with the matter told CNN.
Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general on Thursday, said Friday he will not be returning to Congress next year.
Republican Dave McCormick will defeat Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, CNN projects, boosting the GOP majority in the Senate next year.
The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial has adjourned his sentencing which was set for next week.