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DOJ announces arrests in ‘high-end brothel network’ used by elected officials, military officers and others

CNN, WFXT By Holmes Lybrand, CNN (CNN) — Three individuals have been arrested on charges of operating a “high-end brothel network” in Massachusetts and Virginia with a clientele that included elected officials, military officers and government contractors with security clearances, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. “Pick a profession,” Joshua Levy, acting US attorney for Massachusetts,

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US carries out airstrikes in eastern Syria targeting IRGC and Iranian-backed groups’ weapons storage facility

By Haley Britzky and Natasha Bertrand, CNN (CNN) — Two US F-15 fighter jets conducted an airstrike on a weapons storage facility in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups, the Pentagon announced Wednesday. “This precision self-defense strike is a response to a series of attacks against U.S. personnel

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Minnesota Supreme Court won’t remove Trump from GOP primary ballot in 14th Amendment challenge

By Marshall Cohen, CNN (CNN) — The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected an attempt to block Donald Trump from the state’s GOP primary ballot next year based on the 14th Amendment’s “insurrectionist ban” but said the challengers can try again to block him from the general election ballot if the former president wins the Republican nomination. The 14th Amendment, ratified after

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Senate Republicans press DHS chief on attaching policy changes to border money

By Priscilla Alvarez and Lauren Fox, CNN Multiple Senate Republicans pressed Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday to attach policy changes to the White House border supplemental request. The exchanges during the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing underscored the uphill battle the Biden administration faces in getting its supplemental funding request passed as the Department of Homeland Security grapples with

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Biden campaign aiming to capitalize on Democratic Party’s momentum after a strong election night

CNN, WUSA By Betsy Klein, CNN Washington (CNN) — A strong election night for his party has left President Joe Biden and his campaign facing a key question over whether Democratic momentum will translate for his own reelection effort. The Biden campaign feels confident about the saliency of issues like abortion heading into 2024, suggesting that key Biden

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Ex-CIA officer pleads guilty to drugging, sexually abusing multiple women during overseas posts

By Colin McCollough and Holmes Lybrand, CNN (CNN) — Former CIA officer Brian Jeffrey Raymond pleaded guilty on Tuesday in federal court to drugging and sexually abusing multiple women during overseas postings, according to court documents and the Department of Justice. Raymond, 47, admitted to sexually assaulting several women at his embassy-leased housing in Mexico

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What to watch for when Ivanka Trump testifies in the Trump Org. fraud trial

CNN By Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell, CNN New York (CNN) — Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump is testifying Wednesday in the former president’s civil fraud trial as the final witness for the New York attorney general’s office. While Ivanka Trump is no longer a defendant in Attorney General Letitia James’ case after an appellate court removed her

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What to watch for when Ivanka Trump testifies in the Trump Org. fraud trial

CNN By Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell, CNN New York (CNN) — Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump is testifying Wednesday in the former president’s civil fraud trial as the final witness for the New York attorney general’s office. While Ivanka Trump is no longer a defendant in Attorney General Letitia James’ case after an appellate court removed her

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What to watch for when Ivanka Trump testifies in the Trump Org. fraud trial

By Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell, CNN New York (CNN) — Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump is testifying Wednesday in the former president’s civil fraud trial as the final witness for the New York attorney general’s office. While Ivanka Trump is no longer a defendant in Attorney General Letitia James’ case after an appellate court removed her as

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Democrats will win control of Virginia legislature, CNN projects, in blow to Gov. Youngkin

CNN By Gregory Krieg and Jack Forrest, CNN (CNN) — Democrats will win full control of the Virginia legislature, CNN projects, expanding their foothold in state government and effectively ending Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s hopes of governing with Republican majorities and enacting his conservative agenda. Virginia Democrats will flip the state House while retaining their majority

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Democrats will win control of Virginia legislature, CNN projects, in blow to Gov. Youngkin

By Gregory Krieg and Jack Forrest, CNN (CNN) — Democrats will win full control of the Virginia legislature, CNN projects, expanding their foothold in state government and effectively ending Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s hopes of governing with Republican majorities and enacting his conservative agenda. Virginia Democrats will flip the state House while retaining their majority in

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Ohio voters will approve constitutional right to an abortion, CNN projects

By Arit John, CNN (CNN) — Ohio will become the latest state to enshrine reproductive rights in its state constitution, CNN projects, continuing a winning trend for abortion rights advocates since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. With the passage of the ballot measure Issue 1, Ohio will be prevented from restricting abortion access before fetal viability, which doctors believe

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Takeaways from the Supreme Court oral arguments on the Second Amendment and domestic violence

By Ariane de Vogue, CNN (CNN) — The Supreme Court seemed poised Tuesday after oral arguments to rule in favor of a federal law that bars individuals subject to certain domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. The case – argued in the wake of a mass shooting in Maine that killed 18 last month – is the first substantive Second Amendment case to

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How a Republican victory in Virginia could lead to abortion restrictions in every Southern state

By Christopher Hickey, CNN In the 16 months since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, all states across the South have restricted or banned abortions except one: Virginia. On Tuesday, Virginia voters will decide who will control the state legislature, which is currently divided between Republicans and Democrats each controlling one chamber. If Republicans

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Yellen defends IRS, says Republican-proposed cuts would be ‘damaging’

By Katie Lobosco, CNN Washington (CNN) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen defended the Internal Revenue Service in a speech Tuesday against repeated threats from Republicans to cut the agency’s funding. “Playing politics with IRS funding is unacceptable. Cutting it would be damaging and irresponsible,” Yellen said. The IRS was allocated an influx of $80 billion

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Exclusive: Education secretary says federal funds are at stake if schools fail to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia

By Rene Marsh and Katie Lobosco, CNN Washington (CNN) — The Department of Education is reminding schools and colleges that they have a legal obligation to address incidents of discrimination – including against those who are Jewish, Israeli, Muslim, Arab or Palestinian – and that they could ultimately lose federal funding if they fail to

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Democrats concerned over Tlaib’s anti-Israel rhetoric, but are not backing new GOP censure efforts

By Melanie Zanona and Annie Grayer, CNN House Democrats are growing increasingly alarmed by Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s comments that are critical of Israel, but so far, have stopped short of saying the Michigan Democrat deserves to be censured over her rhetoric. Tlaib, the only Palestinian American member of Congress and an outspoken critic of Israel,

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Tuberville unmoved by GOP pressure campaign over blockade and dismisses Republican concerns over military readiness

By Manu Raju and Sam Fossum, CNN Republicans who have grown angry at Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s blockade of military nominees had hoped that their new public pressure campaign would force the Alabama Republican to back down. But Tuberville indicated Monday: He’s not caving. In an interview with CNN in his office, the former Auburn football

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Trump’s day in court paints a dark preview of the national ordeal ahead

CNN Analysis by Stephen Collinson, CNN (CNN) — The judge in Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial despairingly pressed the ex-president’s lawyer: “I beseech you to control him if you can.” Judge Arthur Engoron’s plea reflected his frustration at an incorrigible witness who boasted Monday about his piles of cash, aimed scathing political attacks and spouted uniquely illogical logic. But

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Trump’s day in court paints a dark preview of the national ordeal ahead

CNN Analysis by Stephen Collinson, CNN (CNN) — The judge in Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial despairingly pressed the ex-president’s lawyer: “I beseech you to control him if you can.” Judge Arthur Engoron’s plea reflected his frustration at an incorrigible witness who boasted Monday about his piles of cash, aimed scathing political attacks and spouted uniquely illogical logic. But

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Democrats are counting on abortion politics to help deliver wins in key races across the country this week

By Gregory Krieg, CNN (CNN) — In the 16 months since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, six states have held direct votes on the future of abortion rights within their borders. And on six occasions, the pro-abortion rights side has prevailed — including in traditionally conservative states like Kentucky. This calculus will be tested again

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Israel’s cyber defense chief tells CNN he’s concerned Iran could increase severity of its cyberattacks

By Sean Lyngaas, CNN (CNN) — After suspected Iranian hackers claimed a string of recent attacks on Israeli security cameras, Israel’s cyber defense chief told CNN he is “very concerned” that Iran could escalate its long-running covert battle with Israel in cyberspace with more serious attacks on infrastructure as the war between Israel and Hamas shows no

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In rare announcement, US says guided missile sub has arrived in Middle East, a message of deterrence to adversaries

By Oren Liebermann and Brad Lendon, CNN (CNN) — In a rare announcement, the US military said a guided missile submarine has arrived in the Middle East, a message of deterrence clearly directed at regional adversaries as the Biden administration tries to avoid a broader conflict amid the Israel-Hamas war. US Central Command said on

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As Trump’s legal and political schedules collide, his lawyers and campaign staff manage the chaos

By Kristen Holmes and Alayna Treene, CNN (CNN) — Between campaign stops and courtroom appearances, former President Donald Trump has been quietly preparing to take the witness stand in his civil fraud trial in New York, meeting with his lawyers ahead of his testimony Monday, sources familiar with the preparations tell CNN. It marks the first time

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Santos says 2023 has been ‘hell’ as he confronts criminal charges and ‘stupidity’ of missteps

By Clare Foran, Aaron Pellish and Manu Raju, CNN (CNN) — Embattled GOP Rep. George Santos refused to take off the table a potential plea deal with the federal government and acknowledged mistakes in his handling of key issues outlined in the criminal indictments against him even as he forcefully defended himself. In a wide-ranging interview

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McCormick wants the US to divest from China. As a hedge fund manager, he oversaw investments in Chinese companies

By Em Steck, CNN New York (CNN) — In Republican David McCormick’s second bid for US Senate in Pennsylvania, he has rebranded himself as a Trumpian-hardliner on China, sounding the warning bells on US economic ties with China. However, as the head of the world’s largest hedge fund, McCormick oversaw massive investments into US exchange

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Muslim Americans helped Biden win Michigan in 2020. Now, his Israel-Gaza response is throwing their support into question

CNN Arit John, Dianne Gallagher and Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Dearborn, Michigan (CNN) — In 2020, Eman Hammoud was one of thousands of Michigan Muslims who helped President Joe Biden beat Donald Trump. A month ago, the Palestinian American immigration lawyer had no doubts she would support his campaign again in 2024. But over the last few weeks, she’s

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Muslim Americans helped Biden win Michigan in 2020. Now, his Israel-Gaza response is throwing their support into question

Arit John, Dianne Gallagher and Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Dearborn, Michigan (CNN) — In 2020, Eman Hammoud was one of thousands of Michigan Muslims who helped President Joe Biden beat Donald Trump. A month ago, the Palestinian American immigration lawyer had no doubts she would support his campaign again in 2024. But over the last few weeks, she’s watched

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Fact check: Trump falsely claims California had ‘blackouts all over the place this summer’

By Daniel Dale and Ella Nilsen, CNN Washington (CNN) — Former President Donald Trump, now a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, falsely claimed in a Thursday speech in Texas that California had widespread blackouts this summer because the state didn’t have sufficient electricity to meet demand. “They want to go all electric,” Trump said while criticizing

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Special counsel Jack Smith opposes televising Trump federal election subversion trial

By Holmes Lybrand, CNN (CNN) — Special counsel Jack Smith opposes televising the federal election subversion trial of former President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, according to a filing late Friday. Prosecutors wrote that federal courts are expressly prohibited from allowing proceedings in a courtroom from being broadcast or even photographed and that although the

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Democratic Rep. Tlaib accuses Biden of supporting Palestinian ‘genocide’ and warns of political ramifications

By Rashard Rose, CNN (CNN) — Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan on Friday accused President Joe Biden of supporting a Palestinian “genocide” and warned that Americans will remember when he’s up for reelection next year how he responded to the Israel-Hamas war. In a video posted to X, Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman to serve

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Pentagon pulls Defense Department support for congressional travel to Israel, restricts official visits

By Oren Liebermann, CNN (CNN) — The Pentagon has pulled Defense Department support for congressional visits to Israel and restricted official visits nearly a month into the Israel-Hamas war, according to a memo obtained by CNN. The memo, written by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and dated October 31, discourages members of Congress and their staff

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What’s next in the Colorado trial to remove Trump from the ballot based on the 14th Amendment

By Marshall Cohen, CNN (CNN) — Witness testimony wrapped up Friday in former President Donald Trump’s 14th Amendment disqualification trial in Colorado, setting the stage for a historic ruling later this month. The weeklong trial featured testimony from legal scholars who explained the history of the amendment’s “insurrectionist ban,” US Capitol Police officers who were wounded while

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Appeals court freezes gag order against Trump in federal election subversion case and will hear oral arguments this month

By Devan Cole and Katelyn Polantz, CNN (CNN) — A federal appeals court on Friday temporarily froze the limited gag order issued against Donald Trump in the former president’s election subversion criminal case in Washington, DC, allowing him to again speak freely with criticism of possible witnesses in the case. In a brief order, a

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Supreme Court to hear NRA’s claim a New York agency coerced businesses to drop ties to gun rights group

By Ariane de Vogue, CNN (CNN) — The Supreme Court agreed Friday to hear an appeal from the National Rifle Association concerning the group’s allegations that the former head of New York’s Department of Financial Services tried to persuade banks and insurance companies to sever ties with the gun rights group. The New York Department

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Buttigieg says his family ‘deserves to be supported’ in response to House speaker’s previous comments on LGBTQ community

By Shania Shelton, CNN (CNN) — Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Friday his family “deserves to be supported just like every American family” in response to House Speaker Mike Johnson’s previous comments on gay marriage. “I will admit it’s a little bit difficult driving the family minivan to drop our kids off at daycare passing the

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