Putin Hints at U.S. Election Meddling by ‘Patriotically Minded’ Russians  —  MOSCOW — Shifting from his previous blanket denials, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said on Thursday that “patriotically minded” private Russian hackers could have been involved in cyberattacks last year …

Ex-DNC aide hits back hard at Clinton, says her campaign ignored data on Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin  —  Hillary Clinton has found plenty of non-Hillary Clinton things to blame for her 2016 loss, including Russia, James B. Comey, debate moderators and misogyny.

Trump Will Start Years-Long Process to Withdraw From Paris Climate Agreement  —  President Trump will announce Thursday that he will withdraw the United States from participation in the Paris climate accord, weakening global efforts to combat climate change and siding with conservatives …

Resorts World Manila: Explosions, gunfire reported in Philippines  —  (CNN)The popular Filipino tourist site Resorts World Manila is on lockdown after reports of gunfire and explosions.  —  A masked gunman was on the second floor of one hotel, firing at guests, hotel employees fleeing the scene told CNN Philippines.

White House Sources: Reince Priebus's Departure is Imminent  —  I think many conservatives have failed to appreciate having a committed Christian in the White House Chief of Staff's Office.  Reince Priebus was unappreciated as Chairman of the RNC by many on the right and often blamed for things not in his control.

Nigel Farage is ‘person of interest’ in FBI investigation into Trump and Russia  —  Exclusive: FBI interested in former Ukip leader's ties with people connected to US president and WikiLeaks' Julian Assange … Nigel Farage is a “person of interest” in the US counter-intelligence investigation …

First on CNN: Senators asked Comey to investigate AG Jeff Sessions for possible perjury  — CNN previously reported congressional investigators are seeking information on whether there were any encounters between now-Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Russia's ambassador at a Trump campaign event

Little-Known Law Is Key to Mike Flynn, Paul Manafort Probes  —  Federal investigations into two former associates of President Donald Trump center on a little-known statute that requires people to disclose when they are acting in the U.S. on behalf of a foreign power.  Critics say enforcement of the law has been ineffectual.

After Putin Visit, Tillerson Snubbed Top EU Official  —  Another day, another diplomatic blunder as U.S.-EU relations take a turn for the worse under Trump.  —  Trans-Atlantic relations hit new lows after President Donald Trump's gaffe-filled visit to Europe last week.

Business license required for teens to cut grass  —  Teenagers have been threatened by officials and other lawn services to show their city issued license before cutting a persons lawn for extra summer cash.  —  AA  —  Teens in Gardendale are in for a rude awakening this summer when it comes to cutting grass.

Massive crack in Antarctica ice shelf grows 11 miles in only 6 days  —  A massive crack in an Antarctic ice shelf grew by 11 miles in the past six days as one of the world's biggest icebergs ever is poised to break off.  —  Only eight miles remain until the crack in the Larsen C ice shelf cuts …

Comey Expected to Testify Before Senate, if He Isn't Blocked  —  Senators expect the former F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, to testify next week about his conversations with President Trump, congressional officials said on Wednesday, setting up a test of the White House's willingness …

‘We were used, abused and exploited’  —  As he built support for his signature political issue, Donald Trump formed a powerful partnership with a nonprofit group dedicated to families of those killed by undocumented immigrants, but now some of those families are alleging they were exploited …

Top Dem: Nunes violating Russia recusal with subpoenas  —  Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) is violating his recusal from the House Intelligence Committee's Russia investigation by issuing subpoenas related to the matter, the panel's top Democrat says.  —  “The Committee rules provide that the chair …

Samantha Power Unmasked  —  Why would a diplomat need to know the names of Trump officials?

This Farmer Won't Host Same-Sex Weddings at His Orchard.  Now a City Has Banned Him From Its Farmers Market.  —  A farmers market and Facebook posts have opened a new front in courtroom battles over religious freedom.  —  It started when Steve Tennes, who owns a 120-acre farm in Charlotte …

Methane takes the quick way out  —  Accounting for all the sources and sinks of methane is important for determining its concentration in the atmosphere.  Andreassen et al. found evidence of large craters embedded within methane-leaking subglacial sediments in the Barents Sea, Norway.

An open letter from Martina Navratilova to Margaret Court Arena  —  Sporting venues named for athletes, or any place, really, named for whoever, are so named for one reason.  That reason is their whole body of work.  In other words, it is not just for what this person did on the field …