5 takeaways on Fauci's hostile Senate hearing, GOP contempt threats  —  Former chief White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci's Senate hearing Wednesday ended up being an hours-long opportunity for Republicans to vent criticisms, arguments and theories on the COVID-19 response …

Trump increasingly ‘exasperated’ on Iran as top officials can't agree on strategy  —  The president erupted at some of his top national security officials during a recent meeting, according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the discussion.  —  WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump weighs …

Potential roadblocks ahead for Graham-led Russia sanctions bill  —  Long-anticipated Russia sanctions legislation proposed by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham is heading toward passage in the Senate.  That doesn't mean the road ahead will be easy, and it certainly won't be quick.

White House levels new allegation that China swept up voter data  —  Add CBS News on Google  —  The Trump administration on Thursday reiterated its view that China's alleged efforts to collect millions of American voter registration files constituted election interference …

Todd Blanche won't get Thursday vote in Senate Judiciary Committee  —  The Senate Judiciary Committee has abandoned plans to advance Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general Thursday, a significant speed bump that will make it difficult for Republicans to confirm him before the chamber begins its August recess next week.

Exclusive: Musk plans massive push for GOP in midterms  —  Tech billionaire Elon Musk is jumping into the midterms with a huge investment in a plan to boost Republican voter turnout, Axios has learned. … - America PAC will focus on door-knocking, digital advertising and direct mail aimed …

Mamdani Derangement Syndrome: Murdoch Media Lets Its Islamophobic Flag Fly  —  From Fox to the NY Post and WSJ, the media's embrace of anti-Muslim rhetoric just got worse.  Plus, why CBS News staff are telling Zeteo its flagship news program is ‘so f***ed.’  —  ∙ Paid

Trump's support for Graham's sister stirs GOP backlash in South Carolina  —  A field of Republican challengers in the special Senate primary next month is setting up another test of the president's political clout.  —  Summary  —  President Donald Trump has put his weight behind …

Saudi defense minister holds urgent meeting with Vance after Iraq strikes  —  Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman told Vice President Vance at the White House Wednesday that despite the joint U.S.-Saudi strike on pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, Saudi Arabia still favors de-escalation with Iran …

Fox News Poll: Democratic enthusiasm shapes North Carolina Senate race  —  In North Carolina, more Democrats than Republicans say they are extremely interested in the midterm elections (51% vs. 42%), and more Democrats also say they are extremely motivated to vote (58% vs. 50%).

Trump Unveils $22.5 Billion Redesign of Dulles Airport  —  The project would make the airport easier to navigate and include a new United lounge, officials said.  It's part of the president's plans to remake the Washington area.  —  President Trump unveiled plans for a $22.5 billion redesign …

Uninsured Patients Rise Sharply, Hospitals Report, Citing Obamacare Cuts  —  More people who lost coverage after congressional Republicans ended enhanced federal subsidies are now seeking care in emergency rooms and unable to pay bills.  —  More and more uninsured patients are showing …

Scoop: GOP Rep. Ogles faces 11th-hour cash barrage in primary  —  A super PAC that has invested millions to unseat Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) is putting another $700,000 behind his GOP primary challenger in the final week of the campaign, Axios has learned. … But first he has to get the nomination, which is not a done deal.

Netanyahu confronts Vance over his criticism of Israeli government  —  Vice President Vance and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a “direct” conversation about their differences in a one-on-one meeting in Washington on Tuesday evening, Israeli and U.S. officials said.

Why Won't America's Aging Elite Retire?  —  How the elderly hoard the future.  —  Produced by Rochelle Widdowson  —  American leaders are staying in office past their prime.  Boomers are reluctant to relinquish control — from political offices to corner offices — to the detriment of their juniors.

Democrats Want to Avoid an Election Season Shutdown  —  Democrats only have one major leverage point left against the Trump administration — and they're not about to use it.  —  With Congress approaching a government funding cliff at the end of September, key Senate Democrats signaled …

Pro-Israel Democrats face major test in key Midwest races  —  The Democratic Party's fight over Israel is returning to where it began.  Jewish Democrats are warning the results could push them out of the party entirely.  —  In Michigan, where grassroots anger over the Biden administration's approach …

Trump Has Made Billions in Office.  Will His Party Pay Politically?  —  The president took in a staggering $2.2 billion last year while in office.  Democrats are hoping to make it a campaign issue in the midterm elections.  —  President Trump has made more money while in office than most of us can even conceive of.

Singer Humiliates Trump After White House Uses His Song  —  MUSICAL MUTINY  —  His co-writer got even more personal.  —  Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan is leading the latest charge of musicians firing back against the White House for stealing their songs.  —  The chart-topping folk-pop …

Iran war live: US attack kills Iranian couple, toddler on Qeshm Island  —  Add Al Jazeera on Google  — US forces have bombed Iran, striking a residential building on Qeshm Island and killing a couple and their two-year-old child.  — Explosions were also heard on Kish Island …

What Our Epstein Outrage Has Obscured  —  A woman showing the tattoo of one of her traffickers.Tamara Reynolds for The New York Times  —  Kanisha Hamilton became an expert on sex trafficking in the most unfortunate way, beginning at the age of 12.  So whenever she heard talk …

Infectious disease expert on Fauci's Senate hearing face off with lawmakers  —  NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Dr. Céline Gounder about lawmakers' contentious questioning of former top U.S. health official Dr. Anthony Fauci Wednesday.

Trump administration to dispense $600M for vaccines RFK Jr. held up … The departments of State and Health and Human Services confirmed Wednesday they are releasing $600 million Congress appropriated to an international partnership that helps developing countries buy and distribute vaccines.

Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement  —  For release at 2:00 p.m. EDT  —  The Federal Open Market Committee approved the following statement for release by a 9 - 3 vote:  —  The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent, in support of the Federal Reserve's dual mandate.

Senior Trump Official Using Government Account To Smear Sitting Federal Judges  —  This “puts a bullseye” on judges already facing a spike in violent threats, warned U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, whose son was killed by a disgruntled litigant.  —  WASHINGTON - A senior Trump administration official …