Today: October 07, 2024
Today: October 07, 2024

Latest From The Los Angeles Post

Political

Jan. 6 suspect arrested near Obama's Washington home had guns, machete in his van, feds say

A man arrested near former President Barack Obama’s Washington home on charges in the U.S. Capitol riot had two guns, 400 rounds of ammunition as well as a machete in his van, a federal prosecutor said Friday. Taylor Taranto, 37, was arrested Thursday after being spotted a few blocks from the former president’s home and chased by U.S. Secret Service agents. Court documents unsealed Friday show Taranto is charged with four misdemeanors related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, including disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds. The Justice Department, during a hearing

Jan. 6 suspect arrested near Obama's Washington home had guns, machete in his van, feds say
Political

Congress demands info on security clearance suspension of Iran envoy

The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee is demanding that the State Department produce more information about the suspension of the U.S. special envoy for Iran’s security clearance. Rep. Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican, said Friday the Biden administration owed Congress a full explanation for the suspension of envoy Rob Malley’s clearance and his being placed on unpaid leave. Malley had led administration efforts to revive the faltering Iran nuclear deal. But he has not been active in his main job for weeks and until Thursday the State Department had told journalists and lawmakers that he

Congress demands info on security clearance suspension of Iran envoy
Political

State Department failed to plan or respond fast enough in Afghanistan collapse, new US report finds

The State Department failed to do enough planning before the collapse of the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan, according to a Biden administration review of the department’s performance during the chaotic evacuation of Americans and Afghan allies. The review repeatedly blames the administrations of both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden for their efforts before and after the August 2021 departure of U.S. forces from Kabul. The U.S. evacuated an estimated 124,000 Afghans from the country. Republicans have in turn accused Biden of not taking responsibility for intelligence failures leading up to the Taliban’s seizure of

State Department failed to plan or respond fast enough in Afghanistan collapse, new US report finds
Political

Army combat veteran to take over key election security role working with state, local officials

An Army combat veteran with extensive cybersecurity and counterterrorism experience is taking over as one of the nation’s top election security officials, the director of the U.S. Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency announced Friday. In the position, Cait Conley will coordinate with federal, state and local officials responsible for ensuring elections are secure ahead of the 2024 presidential election. CISA Director Jen Easterly said Conley’s national security experience made her “ideally suited to help those state and local officials carrying out elections in every community in America.” Conley takes over duties from Kim Wyman, who will depart the agency at the

Army combat veteran to take over key election security role working with state, local officials
Political

“We the People” includes all Americans – but July 4 is a reminder that democracy remains a work in progress

When the Constitution was written, the term ‘We the People’ had a very limited application for voting rights. Antenna/Getty Images The United States’ founders firmly rejected King George III and the entire idea of monarchy 247 years ago, on July 4, 1776. Political power does not come from some absolute authority of a king over people, the founders argued. Rather, political power comes from the people themselves. And these people must agree to any authority governing their society. This is why the U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People,” and not “I, the ruler.” I am a historian,

“We the People” includes all Americans – but July 4 is a reminder that democracy remains a work in progress
Political

The US is considering providing cluster munitions to Ukraine, says America's top military officer

The United States is considering providing cluster munitions to Ukraine, the top American military officer said Friday. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the U.S. has been thinking about providing the munitions “for a long time.” He noted that Russian troops are using them on the battlefield in Ukraine and that Ukrainian forces have received cluster bombs from other allies and have deployed the arms. Milley said at the National Press Club that discussions are continuing. “The Ukrainians have asked for it, other European countries have provided some of that, the

The US is considering providing cluster munitions to Ukraine, says America's top military officer
Political

Russian general is believed to be detained in aftermath of Wagner mutiny, AP sources say

Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of the Russian group of forces fighting in Ukraine, is believed to have been detained days after mercenaries staged a revolt inside Russia, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Thursday, citing U.S. and Ukrainian intelligence assessments. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. It’s not clear whether Surovikin faces any charges or where he is being held, reflecting the opaque world of the Kremlin’s politics and uncertainty after the revolt. But his reported detention comes days

Russian general is believed to be detained in aftermath of Wagner mutiny, AP sources say
Political

Biden blames GOP for student loan ruling as 2024 political consequences loom

President Joe Biden insisted Friday that “this fight is not over” after the Supreme Court struck down his $400 billion student loan forgiveness plan. Biden blamed Republicans’ opposition, aiming to direct the ire of millions of borrowers toward them rather than his own party in next year’s elections. The president planned an afternoon address to lay out a series of actions to provide continued relief to 43 million student loan borrowers, and in the meantime tried to stay on the political offensive against the GOP. “The hypocrisy of Republican elected officials is stunning,” Biden said in a

Biden blames GOP for student loan ruling as 2024 political consequences loom
Political

The Supreme Court will decide if some judges have gone too far in striking down gun restrictions

A year after its sweeping gun rights ruling, the Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether judges are going too far in striking down restrictions on firearms. The justices will hear the Biden administration’s appeal of one such ruling that struck down as unconstitutional a federal law meant to keep guns away from people who have domestic violence restraining orders against them. Arguments will take place in the fall in the first case in which the court could define the limits on new standards for evaluating gun laws that its conservative majority set out last June. That

The Supreme Court will decide if some judges have gone too far in striking down gun restrictions
Political

The UN's scientific and education organization votes to readmit the United States

The United Nations’ scientific, educational and cultural organization has agreed to readmit the United States as a member. UNESCO’s governing board voted 132-10 on Friday to accept the U.S. proposal to rejoin the Paris-based agency. America’s membership will become official once Secretary of State Antony Blinken or a designee formally accepts the invitation, according to Biden administration officials. Russian, Palestinian and North Korean representatives had held up consideration of the U.S. proposal on Thursday with hours of procedural delays. That session was adjourned due to fatigue on the part of UNESCO interpreters. In addition to Russia, North

The UN's scientific and education organization votes to readmit the United States
Political

The Supreme Court rules for a designer who doesn't want to make wedding websites for gay couples

In a defeat for gay rights, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority ruled Friday that a Christian graphic artist who wants to design wedding websites can refuse to work with same-sex couples. The court ruled 6-3 for designer Lorie Smith despite a Colorado law that bars discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, gender and other characteristics. Smith had argued that the law violates her free speech rights. Smith’s opponents warned that a win for her would allow a range of businesses to discriminate, refusing to serve Black, Jewish or Muslim customers, interracial or interfaith couples or immigrants. But

The Supreme Court rules for a designer who doesn't want to make wedding websites for gay couples
Political

The Supreme Court rejects Biden's plan to wipe away $400 billion in student loans

A sharply divided Supreme Court ruled Friday that the Biden administration overstepped its authority in trying to cancel or reduce student loans for millions of Americans. The 6-3 decision, with conservative justices in the majority, effectively killed the $400 billion plan, announced by President Joe Biden last year, and left borrowers on the hook for repayments that are expected to resume by late summer. The court held that the administration needs Congress’ endorsement before undertaking so costly a program. The majority rejected arguments that a bipartisan 2003 law dealing with student loans provided the authority Biden claimed.

The Supreme Court rejects Biden's plan to wipe away $400 billion in student loans
Political

Visual misinformation is widespread on Facebook – and often undercounted by researchers

If your instincts say a lot of images on Facebook are misleading, you’re right. AP Photo/Jenny Kane How much misinformation is on Facebook? Several studies have found that the amount of misinformation on Facebook is low or that the problem has declined over time. This previous work, though, missed most of the story. We are a communications researcher, a media and public affairs researcher and a founder of a digital intelligence company. We conducted a study that shows that massive amounts of misinformation have been overlooked by other studies. The biggest source of misinformation on Facebook is not links to

Visual misinformation is widespread on Facebook – and often undercounted by researchers
Political

From Stonewall to Pride, the fight for equal rights has been rooted in resistance led by Black transwomen

An unidentified participant in a New York City Pride March during the 1980s. Mariett Pathy Allen/Getty Images Its unclear who threw the first brick at Stonewall Inn on that night in New York City that arguably launched the gay rights liberation movement. As part of queer lore, Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transwoman at the forefront of gay liberation, or Sylvia Rivera, a Latina transwoman, was the first. But based on their accounts of that night of June 28, 1969, neither threw that first brick. Johnson admitted to arriving after the riots had started, and Rivera explained in an interview:

From Stonewall to Pride, the fight for equal rights has been rooted in resistance led by Black transwomen
Political

What Beijing's muted response to Wagner mutiny tells us about China-Russia relations – and what it doesn't

Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping during happier times? Mikhail Tereshchenko/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP As mercenary troops bore down on Moscow on June 24, 2023, it likely wasn’t only Russian President Vladimir Putin and his governing elite in Russia who were looking on with concern. Over in China, too, there may have been some concerned faces. Throughout the war in Ukraine, Beijing has walked a balancing act of sorts – standing with Putin as an ally and providing an economic lifeline to Russia while trying to insulate China against the prospect of any instability in a neighboring country.

What Beijing's muted response to Wagner mutiny tells us about China-Russia relations – and what it doesn't
Political

Wall Street execs host Biden fundraisers as president closes out an end-of-quarter campaign blitz

President Joe Biden closed out an end-of-quarter campaign blitz Thursday with a pair of Manhattan fundraisers hosted by Wall Street power brokers, a funding push designed to put Biden on strong financial footing for a 2024 White House contest expected to set spending records. The pair of evening events are Biden’s ninth and 10th fundraising receptions of the past two weeks, numbers matched by Vice President Kamala Harris, first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff. The Biden campaign has been mum before the July 15 reporting date about how much he has raised at

Wall Street execs host Biden fundraisers as president closes out an end-of-quarter campaign blitz
Political

3 charged in insider trading case related to taking Trump media firm public, accused of making $22M

Three Florida men were charged Thursday with making more than $22 million through illegal insider trading before the public announcement that an acquisition firm was going to take former President Donald Trump’s media company public. The charges were outlined in an indictment unsealed in New York that did not in any way implicate Trump or Trump Media & Technology Group, which owns his Truth Social platform. The charges make it less likely that Trump Media will be able to pocket the $1.3 billion promised upon completion of a merger with the acquisition firm. The merger is

3 charged in insider trading case related to taking Trump media firm public, accused of making $22M
Political

In the Supreme Court chamber, the subject was race, the mood was somber, the criticism harsh

Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the Supreme Court ruling striking down race-based admissions in higher education, but it was the three justices who make the court the most diverse in its 233-year history who marked the stark, embittered battle lines over affirmative action. It was a moment heavy with history and emotion. Clarence Thomas, the longest serving justice and the court’s second Black justice, read a concurring opinion from the bench, pointedly rejecting the validity of using race as the basis for preferential consideration. He was followed by Sonia Sotomayor, its first Latina, whose dissenting opinion took

In the Supreme Court chamber, the subject was race, the mood was somber, the criticism harsh
Political

Man wanted on Jan. 6 charges arrested with weapons near Barack Obama's Washington home

A man armed with explosive materials and weapons, and wanted for crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, was arrested Thursday in the Washington neighborhood where former President Barack Obama lives, law enforcement officials said. Taylor Taranto, 37, was spotted by law enforcement a few blocks from the former president’s home and fled, though he was chased by U.S. Secret Service agents. Taranto has an open warrant on charges related to the insurrection, two law enforcement officials said. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly about an ongoing case and spoke

Man wanted on Jan. 6 charges arrested with weapons near Barack Obama's Washington home
Political

Police body camera ramp up started a decade ago. How well have they worked?

Body cameras have proliferated in law enforcement agencies in the U.S. over the past decade, amid mounting scrutiny over how officers and agents interact with the communities they serve. They’re forcing major changes in how policing is done, even as research is mixed on their effectiveness. The Associated Press on Thursday sat in on a discussion of the law-enforcement tool with representatives from more than 200 agencies nationwide, hosted by the think tank Police Executive Research Forum. New York City became one of the first large departments to adopt body cameras in 2013 after a federal court

Police body camera ramp up started a decade ago. How well have they worked?
Political

Biden talks Supreme Court and Russia but also media and McCain in rare network interview

President Joe Biden rarely gives network interviews, and when he sat down in the MSNBC studio on Thursday, it came at an especially busy time, with the Supreme Court having just overturned the use of affirmative action in college admissions and in the aftermath of a revolt in Russia. The nearly 20-minute conversation addressed those matters. But it also veered heavily into topics like criticism of the media and light-hearted discussion of the late Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, who was a friend of Biden’s. When Donald Trump was president, he was criticized for giving interviews to

Biden talks Supreme Court and Russia but also media and McCain in rare network interview
Political

Trump, DeSantis among 2024 GOP hopefuls set to appear at Moms for Liberty gathering

Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the main rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, are scheduled to speak Friday at the annual gathering of Moms for Liberty, a two-year-old group that has fiercely opposed instruction related to race and gender identity in the nation’s classroom. The group, which has quickly become a force in conservative politics, advocates “ parental rights ” in education, but an anti-hate watchdog has labeled it “ extremist ” for allegedly harassing community members, advancing anti-LGBTQ+ misinformation and fighting to scrub diverse and inclusive material from lesson plans. Former U.N.

Trump, DeSantis among 2024 GOP hopefuls set to appear at Moms for Liberty gathering
Political

Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling leaves colleges looking for new ways to promote diversity

The Supreme Court has sent shockwaves through higher education with a landmark decision that struck down affirmative action and left colleges across the nation searching for new ways to promote student diversity. Leaders of scores of universities said Thursday that they were disappointed by what they see as a blow to diversity. Yet many also voiced optimism that they would find new ways to admit more Black and Hispanic students, despite evidence that eliminating the practice often leads to steep enrollment decreases among them. President Joe Biden said he disagreed with the decision and asked the Education

Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling leaves colleges looking for new ways to promote diversity
Political

Georgia launches Medicaid expansion in closely watched test of work requirements

Georgia is offering a new bargain to some adults without health insurance beginning Saturday: Go to work or school and the state will cover you. But advocates decry the plan, which will insure far fewer people than a full expansion of the state-federal Medicaid program, as needlessly restrictive and expensive. The program is likely to be closely watched as Republicans in Congress push to let states require work from some current Medicaid enrollees. Madeline Guth, a senior policy analyst with the Kaiser Family Foundation, said Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration is unlikely to approve work requirements, but

Georgia launches Medicaid expansion in closely watched test of work requirements
Political

Yes, debates do help voters decide – and candidates are increasingly reluctant to participate

Republican nominee Donald Trump gestures as Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton looks on during the final presidential debate in 2016. Mark Ralston/ AFP via Getty Images Former President Donald Trump’s threat to skip the first Republican presidential debate, scheduled for Aug. 23, 2023, may be a sign that candidate debates will be the next casualty in the highly polarized political environment in the United States. For Trump, the leading contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, refusing to participate in a debate is nothing new. In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he skipped a general election debate because it was moved

Yes, debates do help voters decide – and candidates are increasingly reluctant to participate

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