BREAKING: First Trump RICO defendant takes plea agreement  —  X  —  Bail bondsman Scott Hall on Friday became the first defendant in the Fulton County election interference case to take a plea agreement with prosecutors.  —  During an impromptu hearing before Fulton Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee …

House Republicans cancel planned recess as government shutdown appears more likely  — House GOP leaders failed to pass a short-term spending bill with fewer than two days left to fund the federal government and avoid a shutdown.  — GOP Speaker Kevin McCarthy pitched the bill …

GOP senators say they won't stop Democrats from replacing Feinstein on Judiciary Committee  —  Sen. Dianne Feinstein's death creates a vacancy on the powerful panel that oversees President Biden's judicial nominees.  Without her, Democrats don't have a majority on it.

UPDATED: IRS consultant charged in massive leak of taxpayer data  —  DOJ said Charles Littlejohn stole the files while working as a government contractor and gave them to a news organization.  —  A consultant for the IRS has been charged with leaking to the news media private tax information …

Trump floats plan to attend New York trial on business fraud  —  The surprise move would bring Trump face-to-face with a Manhattan judge he has repeatedly derided.  —  Former President Donald Trump plans to show up in person for at least the first week of a civil trial set to open in New York …

Elon Musk attacked German support for migrants and promoted a call to support a far-right extremist political party  — Germany has responded to an attack from Elon Musk, saying it's “saving lives” by helping migrants.  — The billionaire had promoted the claim that Germany is facilitating “illegal” immigration to Europe.

Matt Gaetz is reaching out to Dems about a McCarthy ouster  —  Among the lawmakers he spoke to as he threatens the speaker's gavel: Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.).

Man tied to suspected shooter in Tupac Shakur's 1996 killing arrested in Las Vegas, AP sources say  —  One of the last living witnesses to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur has been arrested in the Las Vegas-area, a long-awaited breakthrough in a case that has frustrated investigators …

EXCLUSIVE: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Planning to Announce Independent Run  —  2024 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to announce he will run as an independent on October 9 in Pennsylvania, Mediaite has learned.  —  Kennedy's campaign machine is now planning “attack ads” …

Flooding in New York  —  A ‘Fire Hose of Moisture’ Inundates New York Streets and Subways  —  Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency and urged people to stay off roads during what one official described as “the wettest day we've had since Hurricane Ida.”  —  Friday's rainfall in New York broke records.

Ramaswamy fires back at Mexican president in border spat: ‘New daddy in town’  —  Obrador urged Mexican-Americans not to support the 38-year-old GOP hopeful during a recent press conference  —  FIRST ON FOX — Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is doubling …

Appeals court upholds Tennessee, Kentucky bans on transgender care for minors  —  A federal appeals court on Thursday allowed Tennessee and Kentucky to enforce laws banning gender-affirming medical care for minors, such as puberty blockers, hormones and surgery.

The Shame of Collaboration  —  France on Trial: The Case of Marshal Pétain  —  If any of us thought we could do our fellow creatures good by committing or, more probably, condoning an evil act, would we do so?  Would we even recognize the moment when it happened, or accept that it was evil?

Biden to convene his Cabinet early next week to discuss continuity of government  —  President Joe Biden is expected to convene his Cabinet early next week to discuss continuity of government after a potential shutdown begins Sunday, four administration officials familiar with the plans told CNN.

Melania Trump ‘quietly’ renegotiated prenup with Donald ahead of potential second presidential term, legal woes: sources  —  Sources tell Page Six that Melania Trump has “quietly” renegotiated her prenuptial agreement with Donald Trump in advance of his potentially serving a second term in the White House.