Biden and Democratic Rivals Exchange Attacks Over His Remarks on Segregationists  —  Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Wednesday lashed out at his Democratic rivals who had assailed his fond recollections of working relationships with segregationists in the Senate, refusing to apologize and defending his record on civil rights.

Accusing the New York Times of ‘Treason,’ Trump Crosses a Line  —  The Founders considered it the gravest of crimes.  Tossing the charge around is irresponsible and wrong.  —  First it was the “the failing New York Times.”  Then “fake news.”  Then “enemy of the people.”

Iran says Revolutionary Guard shoots down US drone  —  TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's Revolutionary Guard said Thursday it shot down a U.S. drone amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over its collapsing nuclear deal.  The U.S. military declined to immediately comment.

18 Years Later, The House Finally Repeals The President's 9/11 War Authority  —  But how hard are Democrats willing to fight to actually prevent war?  —  WASHINGTON ― House Democrats passed a nearly $1 trillion appropriations bill on Wednesday, complete with funding for the military, health programs and the Energy Department.

Feds arrest Syrian refugee accused of plotting terrorist attack on Pittsburgh church  —  The Department of Justice announced the arrest of a Syrian refugee on Wednesday in connection with an Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack on a Christian church in Pittsburgh.

Trump: I wasn't going to live-tweet debates, but now I may  —  President Donald Trump said he hadn't thought about live-tweeting the first Democratic debates but now that the media has brought it up, he just might.  —  Several people close to the president told POLITICO and The Wall Street Journal …

CUOMO PRIME TIME  —  THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT.  THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.  —  [21:00:00] JOHN BERMAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR, NEW DAY: All right, friends.  Thank you very much for watching with - this with us and helping us understand it.  —  The news continues.

Deutsche Bank Faces Criminal Investigation for Potential Money-Laundering Lapses  —  Federal authorities are investigating whether Deutsche Bank complied with laws meant to stop money laundering and other crimes, the latest government examination of potential misconduct at one of the world's largest …

Trump Believes He Has the Authority to Replace Powell at Fed  — President is not planning to demote Fed chairman, for now  — Powell says he will serve his full term despite criticism  —  President Donald Trump has told confidants as recently as Wednesday that he believes …

Senators get classified briefing on UFO sightings  —  Three more U.S. senators received a classified Pentagon briefing on Wednesday about a series of reported encounters by the Navy with unidentified aircraft, according to congressional and government officials — part of a growing number …

State Department official didn't disclose ties to the boyfriend of Russian agent Maria Butina  —  The State Department official in charge of U.S. arms control negotiations with Moscow and her husband had a years-long friendship with GOP operative Paul Erickson, the former boyfriend …

Now, word of a mysterious third ‘scope memo’ for Robert Mueller  —  The 448-page Mueller report has been public for two months, so it might seem strange that the Justice Department's original instructions to special counsel Robert Mueller, outlining what he was assigned to investigate, are still a secret.

Saudis Called Khashoggi ‘Sacrificial Animal’ as They Waited to Kill Him  —  Key takeaways from the United Nations report on the killing of Jamal Khashoggi:  —  • Saudi officials carried out an extensive cover-up of Mr. Khashoggi's killing in a Saudi consulate in October, scrubbing down rooms …

The right answers to the New York Times candidate questionnaire  —  The New York Times made a wonderful piece of content asking 21 of the 2020 Democratic candidates 18 questions, all offering various degrees of illumination.  Everyone did a pretty good job on these questions …

Former Trump business partner Felix Sater set to testify Friday before House Intelligence Committee  —  Felix Sater, a Russian-born real estate developer, is set to testify Friday before the House Intelligence Committee about his experience working on a proposed Trump tower project in Moscow during …

Cracker Barrel turns away Grayson Fritts, detective who called for LGBTQ executions in Tennessee  —  CLEVELAND, Tenn. — A Cracker Barrel in Cleveland, Tennessee, refused to host Knox County Sheriff's Office Detective Grayson Fritts and his church group, citing the restaurant chain's zero-tolerance policy …

Steel industry begins to idle plants, shows signs of weakness — despite Trump's support  —  U.S. Steel announced it will temporarily halt production at two domestic plants despite the boost from the Trump administration's tariffs, as a steel industry singled out for federal support shows signs of weakening.

Biden Tops Electability Ratings  —  Most Dems interested in first debates, but not excited  —  West Long Branch, NJ - Former Vice President Joe Biden maintains his front-runner status among Democratic voters nationwide, but Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is now virtually tied with Vermont …

Meghan McCain Snaps and Calls Joy Behar a ‘Bitch’ on the Air  —  Things are tense on Splinter's fave gab-fest, The View.  After reports of behind-the-scenes bickering, the drama played out in front of the camera on Wednesday morning, as Meghan McCain finally snapped and called Joy Behar, her frequent nemesis and co-host, a “bitch.”

With Maduro entrenched in Venezuela, Trump loses patience and interest in issue, officials say  —  Last winter, the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro seemed a sure bet to President Trump, a quick foreign policy win at a time when other initiatives in Asia …

UK will be ‘diminished’ after Brexit, Rutte warns Tory leadership hopefuls  —  No U.K. prime minister would be able to mitigate the economic impact of Brexit on Britain or sustain its global power outside of the EU, especially after a no-deal exit, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned Conservative leadership candidates today.