Trump wages war on our country and the rule of law one last time  —  In a move no less appalling for it being no surprise, President Trump has pardoned Michael Flynn, his disgraced former national security adviser.  Add him to the rogue's gallery — among them Joe Arpaio, Dinesh D'Souza …

Supreme Court relieves religious organizations from some covid-related restrictions  —  The Supreme Court's new conservative majority late Wednesday night sided with religious organizations in New York that said they were illegally targeted by pandemic-related restrictions imposed …

Stock Trades by Senator Perdue Said to Have Prompted Justice Dept. Inquiry  —  Investigators focused on a sale of at least $1 million of stock in Cardlytics, a financial firm whose board the senator once sat on.  They closed the case this summer without charges.

After warnings to avoid travel, Denver Mayor Hancock flies to visit family for Thanksgiving  —  Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has told people to avoid travel in order to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, which is at record levels in the city.  —  DENVER — Denver Mayor Michael Hancock boarded …

GOP effort to invalidate more than 2.5 million votes in Pennsylvania dealt another setback  —  Republicans faced another procedural setback in a Pennsylvania lawsuit seeking to invalidate more than 2.5 million votes, as a temporary order blocking further certification of election results …

Hackensack Board Member Who Opposed LGBTQ Curriculum Resigns After Embarrassing Zoom Incident  —  A Hackensack School Board member who made national headlines by opposing a LGBTC curriculum has resigned after an embarrassing incident during a Zoom meeting.  —  Frances Cogelja didn't realize she'd left …

Fox News staffers thought Newsmax was a joke.  But they're not laughing anymore  —  New York (CNN Business)Fox News is taking action to stave off newfound competition from Newsmax TV.  —  Producers on some Fox programs have been told to monitor Newsmax's guest bookings and throw some sand …

Biden soars as leader of the free world  —  While the Trump presidency ends with an ignominious conclusion, with Donald Trump desperately trying to cling to power, President-elect Joe Biden is, for all intents and purposes, the effective leader of the free world.

Brian Deese likely pick for top White House economic post  —  President-elect Joe Biden is leaning towards naming former senior Obama administration official and current investment executive Brian Deese his top economic adviser in the White House, although pushback from the progressive wing …

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon tests positive for coronavirus  —  Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has tested positive for COVID-19, his office announced Wednesday.  —  “Governor Mark Gordon received results today of a COVID-19 test that showed he is positive for the virus,” the governor's office said in a statement.

As Americans prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, the world watches with dread and disbelief  —  Foreign observers are watching with trepidation — and at times disbelief — as coronavirus cases surge across the United States, and scores of Americans are choosing to follow through with plans …

Sen. Rick Scott: We Need National Voter ID Requirements Now  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement calling for national Voter ID requirements, which he is urging his colleagues in Congress to pass alongside his Verifiable, Orderly, & Timely Election Results (VOTER) Act.

Sidney Powell promises ‘massive’ Georgia lawsuit by Wednesday that will ‘save’ Trump's presidency  —  Sidney Powell, the pro-Trump attorney who is reportedly working on compiling evidence to prove that manipulated voting software skewed the results of the 2020 election, vowed that a “massive” …

Trump agency head who often skips mask tests positive for coronavirus  —  The acting administrator of the United States Agency for International Development informed senior staff Wednesday he has tested positive for coronavirus, two sources familiar with the call tell Axios.

C.I.A. Officer Is Killed in Somalia  —  The officer's combat death came as President Trump considers pulling back on American operations in the region.  —  WASHINGTON — A veteran C.I.A. officer was killed in combat in Somalia in recent days, according to current and former U.S. officials …

Saudi Activist Who Fought For Women's Right to Drive Is Sent to Terrorism Court  —  Loujain al-Hathloul, one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent prisoners, has been accused of harming the kingdom's security.  Rights groups consider the prosecution a sham.  —  BEIRUT, Lebanon …

Biden leans toward Tom Donilon as CIA chief  —  President-elect Joe Biden is leaning toward naming former Obama administration national security adviser Tom Donilon as his CIA director, two people familiar with the situation said.  —  The choice for the spymaster role is one of the toughest facing Biden …

Amid Controversy, Biden Team Stands by Appointment of Palestinian-American Senior Aide  —  Reema Dodin faced immediate criticism from some conservative groups but is backed by veteran politicians and Jewish Democrats  —  The appointment of Reema Dodin, a Palestinian-American Senate staffer …

Covid Combat Fatigue: Doctors and Nurses Are Running on Empty  —  Doctors and nurses on the front lines are running on empty, under increasing duress as the pandemic surges and hospitals are overrun with patients.  —  About 2 a.m. on a sweltering summer night, Dr. Orlando Garner awoke …

NRA reports alleged misspending by current and former executives to IRS  —  After years of denying allegations of lax financial oversight, the National Rifle Association has made a stunning declaration in a new tax filing: Current and former executives used the nonprofit group's money for personal benefit and enrichment.

Kentucky coffee shop loses license over defying coronavirus order  —  The Kentucky Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) on Wednesday issued an emergency license suspension for a coffee shop after it refused to close down for violating COVID-19 restrictions.  —  Lexington coffee shop Brewed …

Pentagon Purges Leading Advisors From Defense Policy Board  —  It's unclear why the Trump administration waited until its final months to shake up the influential group of outside experts advising top Pentagon leaders.  —  Several members of the top federal advisory committee to the U.S. Department …

Mattis failed to disclose his role with global consultant tied to China in bombshell column  —  A media-celebrated Foreign Affairs column this week by former Defense Secretary James Mattis blasting President Trump's “America First” theme did not disclose that Mr. Mattis holds a senior position …

U.S. Unemployment Claims Jump for Second Straight Week  —  This briefing has ended.  Follow our latest coverage of markets, business and the economy.  —  Here's what you need to know:  —  Britain's economy is in the midst of its deepest recession in three centuries.