White House eyes executive orders to upend virus negotiations  —  The White House is considering a trio of executive orders aimed at shaking up coronavirus relief negotiations with Democrats, a sign of frustration within the Trump administration at the sluggish pace of the talks …

US defense officials contradict Trump: No indication yet of attack in Beirut  —  (CNN)Three US Defense Department officials told CNN that as of Tuesday night there was no indication that the massive explosions that rocked Beirut on Tuesday were an “attack,” contradicting an earlier claim from President Donald Trump.

Progressive challenger Cori Bush beats Rep. Lacy Clay in primary  —  Liberal challenger Cori Bush defeated Rep. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) in a primary for his St. Louis-based House seat on Tuesday — a huge win for the left and a seismic loss for the Congressional Black Caucus, which has tried to snuff out challenges from younger candidates.

Exclusive: Gov. Ron DeSantis Acknowledges State's Unemployment System Was Built With ‘Pointless Roadblocks’ To Pay Out ‘Least Number Of Claims’  —  MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Gov. Ron DeSantis is acknowledging or the first time that the state unemployment system was deliberately designed to frustrate people …

Massive Beirut blast kills more than 70, injures thousands  —  BEIRUT (AP) — A massive explosion rocked Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the city's port, damaging buildings across the capital and sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky.  More than 70 people were killed and 3,000 injured …

The 9 Wildest Answers in Trump's Interview With Jonathan Swan  —  President Trump's campaign spent the past several weeks trying to center the presidential campaign on cogency.  His message has combined spreading baseless claims that Joe Biden is trying to get out of debating him and offering …

I Was Bloodied and Dazed.  Beirut Strangers Treated Me Like a Friend.  —  In a land conditioned by calamity, people knew what to do, including helping wounded people they didn't know.  —  BEIRUT — I was just about to look at a video a friend had sent me on Tuesday afternoon …

Kris Kobach Loses Kansas Senate Primary, Easing Republican Worries  —  Mr. Kobach, a polarizing figure in Kansas politics and an ally of President Trump's, was defeated by Roger Marshall, the preferred choice of many Washington Republicans.  —  Kansas Republicans on Tuesday rebuffed …

Chasm grows between Trump and government coronavirus experts  —  But as the crisis has spread to all reaches of the country, with escalating deaths and little sense of endgame, a chasm has widened between the president and the experts.  The result: daily delivery of a mixed message to the public …

Republicans Aid Kanye West's Bid to Get on the 2020 Ballot  —  At least three people involved in the effort to get Kanye West's name before voters in several states have G.O.P. connections, renewing questions about the aim of his campaign.  —  At least three people who have been active …

Republicans consider South Lawn of the White House for Donald Trump's convention speech  —  Republican National Convention planners are considering the White House South Lawn as the site of President Trump's nationally televised nomination acceptance speech later this month, according to a Republican familiar with the discussions.

German ambassador pick disparaged immigrants and refugees, called for martial law at US-Mexico border  —  (CNN)President Donald Trump's nominee to become the US ambassador to Germany has a history of making xenophobic and racist comments about immigrants and refugees in both Germany and the US.

Saudi Arabia, With China's Help, Expands Its Nuclear Program  —  Kingdom harbors hopes for a civilian nuclear power program, but U.S. critics worry about its ambitions for nuclear weapons  —  WASHINGTON—Saudi Arabia has constructed with Chinese help a facility for extracting uranium yellowcake …

Instead Of Saying ‘Hey, Guys!’  At Work, Try These Gender-Neutral Alternatives … “Hey, guys!”  It's the greeting that launched a thousand meetings and Zoom calls.  —  Etymologists trace the term “guys” to the historical figure Guy Fawkes.  It's evolved from the name of one man who attempted …

Karen Bass eulogized Communist Party USA leader  —  When Rep. Karen Bass' “friend and mentor” died three years ago, she eulogized the community organizer's passing in remarks she inserted into the Congressional Record.  —  The California Democrat described Oneil Marion Cannon as a one-man force …

CSU athletes, staff say athletic administration covering up COVID-19 health threat  —  CSU football players and university athletic department staff say coaches have told players not to report COVID-19 symptoms, threatened players with reduced playing time if they quarantine and claim CSU …

The Anonymous Professor Who Wasn't  —  A professor at Arizona State University does not exist.  —  An anonymous anthropology professor remained outspoken about fairness in academia even as she suffered for months with coronavirus.  —  “This person was a scientist who got Covid …

Aurora police detain Black family after mistaking their vehicle as stolen  —  AURORA, Colo. — Police detained and handcuffed a Black mother and several children after mistaking their SUV for a stolen motorcycle from another state.  —  It happened in the parking lot of a shopping center off …

N.Y.C. Health Commissioner Resigns After Clashes With Mayor Over Virus  —  The resignation of Dr. Oxiris Barbot, the commissioner since 2018, came after Mayor Bill de Blasio stripped her agency of a key virus tracing program.  —  New York City's health commissioner, Dr. Oxiris Barbot …

‘Never Trump’ Republicans team with progressives to convert the president's religious base  —  A left-leaning group focused on persuading religious Americans to vote out Donald Trump in November has recruited some of the president's leading Republican agitators to assist them.

Louisiana Supreme Court won't review life sentence for man convicted of attempting to steal hedge clippers  —  The Louisiana Supreme Court last week denied a request to review a life sentence handed down to Fair Wayne Bryant, a man convicted to life in prison for trying to steal hedge clippers …