Brittney Griner's sentence is a disgrace, but Viktor Bout must not be released  —  Russia's sentencing of WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison is an outrage.  This ruling shames Russian honor and crystallizes the utter rot of its justice system.

Sinema Agrees to Climate and Tax Deal, Clearing the Way for Votes  —  The Arizona Democrat had been her party's last remaining holdout on the package, now slated to move forward on Saturday and pass the Senate within days.  —  WASHINGTON — Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Democrat of Arizona …

China halts climate, military ties over Pelosi Taiwan visit  —  China on Friday said it is canceling or suspending dialogue with the United States on a range of issues from climate change to military relations and anti-drug efforts in retaliation for a visit this week to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Republicans Begin Adjusting to a Fierce Abortion Backlash  —  After Kansans voted to preserve abortion access, Republicans who once said the economy reigns supreme are acknowledging the issue will be a centerpiece in the fall campaigns.  —  Republican candidates, facing a stark reality check …

Alex Jones trial verdict: Jury awards $4.1 million in first phase of Sandy Hook case  —  Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones must pay the parents of Sandy Hook victim Jesse Lewis damage awards totaling $4.1 million, an Austin jury determined Thursday — far below the $150 million requested.

Exclusive: Trump lawyers in talks with Justice Department about January 6 criminal probe  —  (CNN)Former President Donald Trump's legal team is in direct communication with Justice Department officials, the first sign of talks between the two sides as the criminal probe into January 6, 2021 …

A Very Dangerous Place to Be Pregnant Is Getting Even Scarier  —  Once a week, Adrian Billings drives his white Chevy pickup from his home in Alpine, Texas, to Presidio, a city along the Mexican border.  This summer he's been taking his son Blake, who's home from college, with him.

U.S. Job Growth Unexpectedly Soared in July: Live Updates  —  Here's what you need to know:  —  U.S. jobs report shows a gain of 528,000 in July.  —  Monthly change in jobs  —  +600,000 jobs  —  +528,000  —  +400,000  —  +200,000  —  July  —  Oct.  —  Jan.  —  April  —  July

Lightning strikes near White House kills 2, injures 2 others  —  A couple from Janesville, Wisconsin, died after a lightning strike in Lafayette Square, the public park right next to the White House.  —  Two others were were left with critical injuries Thursday night.  —  D.C. police tell WTOP the couple died overnight.

The Leader of the Opposition  —  Will conservatives look back on the last two years and longer and recognize that DeSantis was their leader even while Trump was still in office?  —  By announcing the suspension of a state attorney who publicly pledged not to enforce state laws …

The New Right Finds a Home at the Intersection of Populism and Elitism  —  Rising stars of the new right publicly bash elites for being disconnected from ‘real America’ while privately maintaining exclusive social lives.  —  Georgetown cocktail parties have long been a quick and easy target on the right …

Trump PAC formed to push debunked voter fraud claims paid $60K to Melania Trump's fashion designer  —  The payments to Hervé Pierre Braillard offer a window into the many ways Trump, who is not a candidate for office, is allowed to use his PAC money.  —  The fund affiliated …

4,500 Tips About Kavanaugh Sexual Assault Were Punted to Trump White House, FBI Director Admits  —  Bama RushTok Is Back, Baby  —  Alex Jones Must Pay Sandy Hook Parents Over $4 Million, Jury Decides  —  Ron DeSantis Suspended a County Prosecutor Who Pledged Not to Go After Abortion Providers

Five House Rating Changes: Bacon Moves to Toss Up, MI-03 Moves to Lean Democrat  —  Kansas's emphatic rejection of an amendment to roll back abortion protections confirmed House Democrats' fall message: they'll use Dobbs to squeeze pro-life Republicans in Biden-won seats like Rep. Don Bacon …

The Billionaire's Dilemma  —  Usually when rich people rage against the possibility that someone less wealthy might become their neighbor, nobody bats an eye.  Why would they?  NIMBYism is the dominant fact of American urban geography.  But in recent years, a number of very rich people …

'There's Never Been Anybody Like Him in the United States Senate'  —  DALTON, Ga. — In the middle of a community center gym in the northwest corner of this state that is the epicenter of American politics stood the Reverend Senator Raphael Warnock.  Flanked by red, white and blue balloons …

How Republicans Are ‘Weaponizing’ Public Office Against Climate Action  —  A Times investigation revealed a coordinated effort by state treasurers to use government muscle and public funds to punish companies trying to reduce greenhouse gases.  —  Nearly two dozen Republican state treasurers around …

Viktor Orbán's racism not a deal breaker for the right in the U.S.  —  Viktor Orbán's recent racism offered Republicans an opportunity to distance themselves from the authoritarian Hungarian.  They've done the opposite.  —  Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's anti …