U.S. Swimmers' Disputed Robbery Claim Fuels Tension in Brazil  —  RIO DE JANEIRO — Soon after the first news media reports surfaced Sunday morning of an armed assault on four American swimmers, the athletes were interviewed at the United States Olympic team's hospitality house by State Department officials …

Here's How NYers React To A Life-Size Naked Donald Trump Statue In Union Square  —  Someone has erected a statue of a naked Donald Trump in Union Square.  You can see it RIGHT NOW in real life.  [Update below, but it's gone now]  —  Anarchist collective INDECLINE appears to be behind the stunt …

Regretful Trump pivots 107 days late  —  Three and a half months after sealing the Republican nomination, Donald Trump pivoted to contest the general election on Thursday night, expressing regret for his past failures to “choose the right words” and delivering one of the most comprehensive …

Hillary Clinton Told F.B.I. Colin Powell Advised Her to Use Private Email  —  Pressed by the F.B.I. about her email practices at the State Department, Hillary Clinton told investigators that former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell had advised her to use a personal email account

Former Breitbart Staffer to Powerhouse Politics: Bannon Ran Meetings That Sounded Like White Supremacists Talking  —  A former Breitbart News spokesman slammed Donald Trump's new campaign chief executive, Stephen Bannon, for allegedly using racist rhetoric during editorial meetings at Breitbart …

Trump adviser accused of making anti-Semitic remarks  —  WASHINGTON  —  Allegations of anti-Semitism have surfaced against one of Donald Trump's foreign policy advisers, raising further questions about the guidance the Republican presidential nominee is receiving.

Gawker.com to End Operations Next Week  —  After nearly fourteen years of operation, Gawker.com will be shutting down next week.  The decision to close Gawker comes days after Univision successfully bid $135 million for Gawker Media's six other websites, and four months after the Silicon …

Our Views: Vacation or not, a hurting Louisiana needs you now, President Obama … Homes are surrounded by water in the Manchac Harbor subdivision off LA-42.  Aerials of severe weather flooding in Ascension Parish on Monday August 15, 2016.  —  President Barack Obama speaks during the third …

Cruz's Image Among Republicans Tanks After GOP Convention  —  PRINCETON, N.J. — Republicans' views of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz have gotten significantly worse since he refused to endorse Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention, with his favorable rating falling from 59% to 43%.

State Dept. confirms $400 million Iran payment conditioned on hostage release  —  Republicans are claiming vindication after the State Department confirmed on Thursday that the United States conditioned the release of a $400 million cash payment to Iran on the departure of American prisoners from Tehran.

Justice Department says it will end use of private prisons  —  The Justice Department plans to end its use of private prisons after officials concluded the facilities are both less safe and less effective at providing correctional services than those run by the government.

Trump spokeswoman claims Clinton has rare brain disease  —  has brain damage that impairs her ability to communicate.  —  Speaking on MSNBC, Katrina Pierson alleged that Clinton has a disorder called dysphasia, a condition brought on by brain trauma that erodes a person's ability to speak or comprehend language.

Republicans Worry a Falling Donald Trump Tide Will Lower All Boats  —  Donald J. Trump's struggling candidacy has now become a direct threat to Republican control of Congress, significantly increasing the likelihood that Democrats will take control of the Senate and cut substantially into the House Republican majority next year.

New Ways to Control Your Experience on Twitter  —  We're introducing some new features that will give you more control over what you see and who you interact with on Twitter, rolling out to everyone in the coming days.  Here's what's new: … Notifications Settings  —  Don't want to see notifications from everyone?

Darrell Issa Shows Down-Ballot Test Facing the GOP  —  Democrats believe Donald Trump's campaign makes the powerful California lawmaker vulnerable  —  WASHINGTON—GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of California has won eight elections to the House.  Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump could make his ninth a little tighter.

German asylum seekers refuse to work insisting 'We are Merkel's GUESTS'  —  ASYLUM seekers in Germany are refusing to undertake work to counteract boredom - using Chancellor Angela Merkel's generous hospitality as an excuse.  —  GETTY  —  Angela Merkel seemed tired when she attended an election campaign last night

1. Voters' general election preferences  —  Currently, 41% of registered voters say they would vote for Hillary Clinton if the general election were held today, while 37% say they would vote for Donald Trump, 10% say they would vote for Gary Johnson and 4% say they would vote for Jill Stein.

Why so shy?  Trump blasts M-4 rifle at targets before meeting police - and even hits two bullseyes - but refuses to release a photo of himself armed at the range  — Republican candidate meets with local law enforcement officers at campaign stop in Lake Norman, North Carolina

Koch network cancels Rubio ads  —  The powerful donor network helmed by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch is canceling more than half a million dollars in Florida advertising designed to help Republican Marco Rubio  —  in his Senate race, according to Koch network spokesman James Davis.