Putin overruled his top security service in prisoner swap with Ukraine  —  The prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine in late September was approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin over the objections of his top security service, the FSB, which had concerns about a public backlash in Russia …

Lawmakers Confront a Rise in Threats and Intimidation, and Fear Worse  —  Violent political speech has increasingly crossed into the realm of in-person confrontation for members of Congress in both parties, raising the prospect of a disastrous event.  —  WASHINGTON — In Bangor, Maine …

The Supreme Court Has a Crisis of Trust  —  The editorial board is a group of opinion journalists whose views are informed by expertise, research, debate and certain longstanding values.  It is separate from the newsroom.  —  The Supreme Court's authority within the American political system is both immense and fragile.

‘Women are in charge.  They are leading’: Iran protests continue despite crackdowns  —  People, determined to defy violence by security forces and online blackout, are resorting to old-fashioned methods to organise unrest  —  The messages, printed on scraps of paper, were thrown …

National Archives says it's still missing records from Trump officials  —  The National Archives has told the House Oversight Committee that it has not yet recovered all of the records from Trump administration officials that should have been transferred under the Presidential Records Act.

Trump's latest attack on McConnell sets a new standard of despicable  —  When you are dealing with someone for whom there is no bottom, it's not exactly surprising to seem him hit a new low.  Nonetheless, Donald Trump's latest social media broadside against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell …

Biden phones hero Coast Guard diver to congratulate him for rescuing lives of Florida residents - just days before he will FIRE him for being unvaccinated as 20,000 members of military face axe  — An heroic Coast Guard swimmer who saved the life of a disabled woman during Hurricane Ian …

Americans captured by Russia detail months of beatings, interrogation … TRINITY, Ala. — Alex Drueke and Andy Tai Huynh evaded Russian forces for hours, slogging through pine forests and marshes in Ukraine to avoid detection.  The U.S. military veterans were left behind — “abandoned,” …

Apocalypse now: Democrats embrace a dark midterm message  —  Biden and the Democrats planned to run mostly on their accomplishments.  But warnings of a Republican dystopia are becoming a bigger part of their message.  —  Democrat Max Frost, running for U.S. Congress in Florida …

Election officials brace for confrontational poll watchers  —  The situation with the poll watcher had gotten so bad that Anne Risku, the election director in North Carolina's Wayne County, had to intervene via speakerphone.  “You need to back off!”  Risku recalled hollering …

Anti-Vaccine Parents Go From Welcome to Ostracized in Marin County  —  The wealthy California county just north of San Francisco has one of the nation's highest Covid-19 vaccination rates after years of being known for parents who opposed shots for childhood diseases.

Liz Truss advised King Charles to stay away from Cop27 climate summit … The King, a passionate environmental campaigner, has abandoned plans to attend next month's Cop27 climate change summit after Liz Truss told him to stay away.  —  He had intended to deliver a speech at the meeting of world leaders in Egypt.

American Prisoners Are Released From Venezuela and Iran  —  Caracas let go seven Americans in a trade for two nephews of Venezuela's first lady who had been convicted on drug charges.  Separately, Tehran freed its longest-held American prisoner.  —  WASHINGTON — Seven Americans held …