Biden politely reads riot act to Putin  —  Modest goal of stabilising US relations with Russia conveys realism that eluded earlier presidents  —  Summitry, contrary to a former British prime minister, is nothing like tennis.  The outcome is rarely “game, set and match”.

House passes bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday … The House on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly in favor of making Juneteenth a national federal holiday with a 415-14 tally, and Democrats are hopeful President Joe Biden will sign the measure into law by Saturday.

GOP congressman refuses to shake hands with D.C. police officer who protected the Capitol on Jan. 6  —  Rep. Andrew S. Clyde (R-Ga.), who voted against awarding police officers the Congressional Gold Medal for their bravery in protecting the U.S. Capitol against violent, pro-Trump rioters on Jan. 6 …

Democrats Should Leap at the Chance to Take Joe Manchin's Deal  —  Sen. Joe Manchin, who thus far has opposed Democrats' big election reform bill, has finally made his counteroffer.  On Wednesday, the West Virginian proposed a series of changes to the “For the People Act” that could win his vote.

Senate Democrats weigh $6T infrastructure bill, without GOP  —  The bigger proposal doesn't necessarily mean, however, that the party has given up on bipartisan talks just as they gain steam.  —  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks to reporters about progress on an infrastructure bill and voting rights legislation.

In secret recording, Florida Republican threatens to send Russian-Ukrainian ‘hit squad’ after rival  —  MIAMI — A little-known GOP candidate in one of Florida's most competitive congressional seats was secretly recorded threatening to send “a Russian and Ukrainian hit squad” to a fellow Republican opponent to make her “disappear.”

Justice Dept. Ends Criminal Inquiry, Lawsuit on John Bolton's Book  —  President Donald J. Trump had pressured the department to use its legal powers to stop his former national security adviser from publishing embarrassing details about him.  —  The Justice Department has closed …

Pennsylvania's Conspiracy Kiss-Up Contest  —  To win Donald Trump's endorsement, candidates for the state's two major 2022 races embrace his big election lie.  —  Former President Donald Trump is watching Pennsylvania.  —  Like every other campaign observer, Trump knows …

Marjorie Taylor Greene's insincere apology  —  On Monday, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene apologized for comparing former mask mandates to the Holocaust.  —  “The Holocaust is — there's nothing comparable to it,” said the Georgia Republican following a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on Monday.

2 South Carolina executions halted until firing squad formed  —  COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday blocked the planned executions of two inmates by electrocution, saying they cannot be put to death until they truly have the choice of the firing squad option set …

On the Campaign Trail With Andrew Giuliani The Son of Rudy is working out his father issues on the road to Albany.  —  Andrew Giuliani was holding a silver spoon.  He just was.  There's no getting around it.  Sitting in a booth at Mansion Diner on 86th and York — about a thousand feet …

New Crime City  —  Progressive posturing in NYC creates a standard of savage permission. … The demonization of the police in New York City and the criminalization of normal police behavior accelerated under Mayor de Blasio.  Social media and cell phones have certainly amplified the tendency.

Earth is now trapping an ‘unprecedented’ amount of heat, NASA says  —  New research shows that the amount of heat the planet traps has roughly doubled since 2005, contributing to more rapidly warming oceans, air and land  —  The amount of heat Earth traps has roughly doubled since 2005 …

Jobless Claims Rose Last Week, Pausing Downward Trend  —  As Covid-19 restrictions continue to wane, new filings make biggest jump since late March  —  Worker filings for initial unemployment benefits rose by 37,000 to 412,000 last week, marking the first increase since late April and pausing …

EXCLUSIVE: ‘No yellow!’  Hunter Biden used slur to refer to Asians in 2019 texts with his cousin Caroline who asked if he preferred ‘foreign or domestic’ women - as he's already been blasted as racist for using the n-word  — Hunter Biden referred to Asians with the offensive term 'yellow …

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC): ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ Police Reform Can Get Done, Says Qualified Immunity For Officers ‘Cannot Be On The Table’  —  Listen To The Full Interview Below:  —  Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) joined Fox News Radio's Guy Benson Show to discuss his ongoing efforts to spearhead bipartisan police reform on Capitol hill.

Scoop: NRCC to accept cryptocurrency donations  —  The Republicans' House campaign arm will begin accepting contributions in cryptocurrency, Axios has learned.  —  Why it matters: The National Republican Congressional Committee is the first national party committee to solicit crypto donations.

Victoria's Secret Swaps Angels for ‘What Women Want.’ Will They Buy It?  —  The embattled lingerie giant is attempting the most extreme brand turnaround in recent memory: an effort not just to redefine itself but also the very idea of what “sexy” is.  —  The Victoria's Secret Angels …

CIA Names David Marlowe to Run Espionage Operations  —  Will oversee undercover officers who recruit foreign spies, from foreign government officials to members of terrorist networks  —  WASHINGTON—In his first major personnel move, CIA Director William Burns has tapped a 30-year agency veteran …

American College Student Freedom, Progress and Flourishing Survey  —  The American College Student Freedom, Progress and Flourishing Survey is an annual survey conducted by the Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth.  The survey assesses student perceptions …