Politics

Top Russian independent TV station branded a ‘foreign agent’

By Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press

The Dozhd (Rain) TV channel's head Natalya Sindeyeva denounced the move as unfair, saying the TV channel has been fully transparent about its funding and published its financial documents.

U.S. imposes limited sanctions over Russian gas pipeline

By Matthew Lee, Associated Press

The Biden administration has imposed new sanctions on three Russian ships and companies involved in constructing a controversial gas pipeline from Russia to Europe.

Merkel, Putin spar over Navalny but vow to maintain dialogue

By Vladimir Isachenkov, Geir Moulson, Associated Press

Merkel traveled to Moscow on Friday, which was the anniversary of Navalny's poisoning with what European officials later identified as a Soviet-developed nerve agent.

Democrats face new hurdles in legal fight over redistricting

By Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press

The fight over redrawing political maps is just ramping up in state legislatures and nonpartisan commissions around the country. But both Republicans and Democrats already are planning for major showdowns in the courts.

Biden postpones Friday plan to head to Delaware home

By Darlene Superville, Associated Press

The White House announced the schedule change hours before Biden was set to discuss the chaotic evacuation of American citizens and allies from Afghanistan.

WATCH: Pentagon to hold briefing amid evacuations in Afghanistan

By Associated Press

Thousands continued to flock to the airport, braving checkpoints manned by Taliban fighters as they seek desperately to get on evacuation flights out.

WATCH: Biden pledges to Americans in Kabul ‘we will get you home’

By Ellen Knickmeyer, Robert Burns, Matthew Lee, Zeke Miller, Associated Press

Biden’s comments at a White House news conference came as the U.S. government struggles to ramp up a massive airlift of Americans and other foreigners and vulnerable Afghans, rescuing them from a Taliban takeover of the country.

Texas Democrats return, end 38-day holdout over voting bill

By Paul J. Weber, Associated Press, Acacia Coronado, Associated Press/Report for America

Some Democrats who left Texas to block a GOP voting bill have ended a 38-day holdout. Enough Democrats returned to the state Capitol on Thursday to allow the Texas House to resume work for the first time since mid-July.

Lawsuits contend Iowa governor’s office violating open records law

By Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press

A pair of new lawsuits contend the office of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is illegally delaying the release of public records related to its $26 million, no-bid coronavirus testing contract.

GOP Sen. Wicker of Mississippi tests positive for COVID-19

By Associated Press

Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation. His communications director, Phillip Waller, says Wicker tested positive Thursday morning.