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- Reuters
Turkish, Greek foreign ministers trade accusations at news conference
The foreign ministers of Turkey and Greece clashed openly on Thursday at a joint news conference in Ankara that began with hopes of improved relations but quickly descended into acrimonious accusations from both sides. Seeking to ease months of tensions over territorial disputes in the eastern Mediterranean, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias met Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in the first visit by either side since their navies came close to fighting last year. However an initially cordial atmosphere at a media appearance following the meetings turned sour as Dendias said violations of Greek sovereignty would be met by sanctions and Cavusoglu rejected his comments as "unacceptable".
- Associated Press
Cincinnati hires UNC Greensboro basketball coach Wes Miller
Cincinnati has hired UNC Greensboro coach Wes Miller to replace the fired John Brannen. Miller, regarded as one of the top young coaches in college basketball, won 185 games in 10 seasons at UNC Greensboro. Over the last five years, the Spartans have five-straight 20-win seasons, two NCAA Tournament appearances, two NIT appearances and two Southern Conference tournament championships.
- Kansas City Star
Hawley, who voted to overturn election, claims court bill seeks to overturn elections
“It is a deliberate attempt to fundamentally change a core institution of American government and to overturn, effectively overturn the results of past elections,” said Hawley, who voted to overturn the 2020 election.
- INSIDER
Stellan Skarsgård spent 8 hours a day transforming into his 'Dune' character
"He's such a frightening presence where even if he doesn't say anything, I think you'll be afraid of him," the actor said of his character.
- The Daily Beast
The Matt Gaetz Problem That GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy Wishes Would Just Go Away
GettyDespite a seemingly daily string of new revelations, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) pressed ahead Thursday with his position that Rep. Matt Gaetz should retain his seats on the Armed Services and Judiciary Committees.“Matt Gaetz is the same as any American—he’s innocent until proven guilty,” McCarthy said Thursday. “There’s no charges against him yet. If a charge comes forward, that would be dealt with at that time.”Gaetz, who’s currently under federal investigation for his involvement with an alleged sex ring, also faces a probe from the House Ethics Committee for a litany of potential violations.“The Committee is aware of public allegations that Representative Matt Gaetz may have engaged in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds for personal use, and/or accepted a bribe/improper gratuity, or impermissible gift in violation of House rules,” the Ethics Committee wrote in a letter last week.But McCarthy continues to insist that everyone needs to “wait for the facts” before Gaetz faces any internal repercussions in Congress, even as he’s insisted that Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) should be stripped of committee assignments for having repeated contact with a woman who turned out to be a Chinese government operative. Swalwell cut off contact as soon as he became aware of the situation, and there are no allegations that he broke any law.Gaetz Paid Accused Sex Trafficker, Who Then Venmo’d TeenGaetz’s situation seems far more precarious. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, he has oversight responsibilities of the very same Justice Department that is investigating him—and which he has accused of fomenting a witch hunt against him under President Joe Biden.But McCarthy ignored that question Thursday. He repeated that Gaetz was innocent until proven guilty, that he had spoken with Gaetz and the Florida Republican said he was innocent, and that he would “let the investigation take care of itself.” (Gaetz has publicly denied wrongdoing.)The GOP leader’s continued punting on Gaetz comes as his party largely settles into a circumspect stance on the allegations—unless, or until, there are more developments. Most aides believe wider calls for his resignation, or disciplinary measures like a loss of committee assignments, will only come if Gaetz is indicted.On Wednesday, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), the second-ranking House Republican, told reporters that party leadership will “of course react and take action” if “something really formal” happens with the Department of Justice probe.Matt Gaetz’s Wingman Paid Dozens of Young Women—and a 17-Year-OldMeanwhile, rank-and-file Republicans aren’t exactly circling the wagons around the embattled congressman. Most don’t like Gaetz, and the congressman himself acknowledges he has few friends on Capitol Hill. Only close MAGA allies like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) have actively rallied to his defense—Judiciary Committee ranking Republican Jim Jordan (R-OH) to a lesser extent—but even fewer Republicans have tried to build pressure on him to resign. Only one Republican lawmaker, Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, has called on Gaetz to leave office over the allegations, and the two very different Republicans already had an acrimonious beef. Kinzinger’s final straw with Gaetz cited The Daily Beast’s reporting on the congressman’s payments to Joel Greenberg, the Florida official said to have facilitated his access to girls and young women.Through it all, Gaetz has been defiant. At first, he claimed that the allegations he paid for underage sex were part of a sweeping extortion plot against his family. He has since moved on to framing the rapidly mounting scandal as proof the “deep state” and mainstream media are out to get him.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
- Reuters
'Not afraid to shoot': Migration raises tension in Texas border town
More migrants are crossing the U.S.-Mexico border near Del Rio, Texas than Martinez recalls in his 13 years as Val Verde County Sheriff. Last month, he said, a resident fired his gun to scare a group of migrants walking on the outskirts of town; nearby schools were locked down in response. Tensions are rising in Del Rio, a city of 35,000, as the nation once again grapples with an increase in migrants seeking entry into the United States.
- The Independent
Ivanka Trump causes MAGA meltdown after sharing photograph getting vaccine
Trump supporters called Ivanka a ‘disappointment’ for getting the jab
- The Independent
Justin Trudeau claims UK is facing ‘very serious’ third Covid wave amid Canada’s slow vaccine rollout
Downing Street says UK’s case data ‘speaks for itself’ as infections continue to fall
- Business Insider
An Army sergeant who was filmed shoving a Black man has been charged with 3rd-degree assault
Jonathan Pentland's social-media accounts list him as a drill sergeant at the Fort Jackson garrison, the Associated Press reported.
- Associated Press
Beijing official in Hong Kong warns against foreign meddling
Beijing’s top official in Hong Kong on Thursday warned foreign forces not to interfere with the “bottom line” of national security in the city, threatening retaliation amid tensions between China and Western powers. The U.S., Britain and their allies have condemned China's tightening control over Hong Kong's freedoms, including the sweeping national security law and electoral reforms that have all but silenced the once-vibrant opposition in the semi-autonomous territory. “When it is time, actions must be taken in relation to any external or foreign forces that may interfere Hong Kong affairs or attempts to use Hong Kong as a pawn,” said Luo Huining, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong.
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Toddler found walking alone near highway while mom dined with friend, Texas police say
Police say they found the toddler’s two siblings, ages 3 and 8, alone in a hotel room with the door ajar.
- INSIDER
Photos show Ramadan festivities around the world as Muslims mark second pandemic-struck holiday
COVID-19 restrictions and the ongoing pandemic have once again tempered many of the usual customs and traditions.
- Business Insider
Walmart, Delta, and Coca-Cola refused to join hundreds of other companies in opposing restrictive voting laws - here's why
JPMorgan Chase, led by Jamie Dimon, and Home Depot also didn't sign the full-page ad that ran in the New York Times and Washington Post.
- INSIDER
9 Bachelor stars who identify as LGBTQ
Colton Underwood joins eight other Bachelor stars from around the world who identify as LGBTQ.
- The Independent
Ted Cruz among six Republicans to vote down bill to end anti-Asian hate crimes
The lawmakers voted with a majority of 92 against 6 in the Senate
- Business Insider
How Delta, Rangers, and the Green Berets' unique training would pay off in an Arctic war with Russia
Arctic warfare demands a special set of skills to survive and win - skills that Army special operators have long trained to master.
- Business Insider
NASA's InSight Mars lander is going into emergency hibernation. If it can't save its batteries, it could die.
The InSight lander is shutting down nonessential operations to save energy. An out-of-season dust storm could end its life on Mars.
- Business Insider
Cuba's Raul Castro is stepping down, ending more than half a century of Castro rule over the island
Though the change in leadership will not necessarily lead to drastic shifts in policy in Cuba, it's still a historic moment for the country.
- Miami Herald
Florida schools issue a health alert on hairy caterpillars. Here’s what to know
If you were a kid growing up in Florida — or have a child enrolled in school in the Sunshine State — you may remember playing with or touching fuzzy caterpillars in the recess yard. They looked and felt like little moving pipe cleaners.
- INSIDER
'I'm desperate': Experts unpack James Charles' excuse for his teen sexting scandal
Legal and psychological experts weighed in on James Charles' claim that desperation led to his sexting scandal.