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More than 500 US Troops To Deploy to Iraq In Prep for Mosul Siege

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During a surprise visit to the Iraqi capital on Monday, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced the deployment of 560 more US troops to the country, ahead of what could be a critical battle against the Islamic State (ISIL). The new influx of soldiers will primarily take up position near the town of Qayyarah, at an airfield recently recaptured by Iraqi security forces. The base is roughly 40 miles south of Mosul—one of the largest cities held by ISIL, when it was captured in 2014. “These additional US…

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GOP Focuses on Clinton’s Lies During Comey Grilling

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Days after he recommended no charges against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, FBI Director James Comey was called before a House oversight panel on Thursday to defend his decision. House Republicans seized on the proceedings to highlight several inaccurate statements made by Clinton regarding her private email server—including false claims to Congress that may warrant another FBI investigation. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), the Chairman of the House Government and Government Reform Committee, mentioned Clinton’s testimony before the Benghazi investigatory committee last October. During her…

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Grassley: Pentagon Likely to Miss Long-Anticipated Transparency Deadline Due to “Same Old Garbage” Accounting

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Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) accused the Department of Defense of continuing to neglect proper accounting techniques, casting further doubt on whether the agency will pass a long-awaited oversight test next fall. Grassley questioned if Pentagon Chief Financial Officer Mike McCord has “a handle on the core problem,” which he described as a lack of accurate information. “If [McCord] did, why would he continue throwing money at solutions that don’t produce what is needed most, and that is reliable transaction data?” Grassley asked Thursday, in a…

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Senate Advances GM Food Labeling Bill That Would Actually Weaken State Rules, Exempt Key Products

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Legislation that would upend state laws mandating labels for genetically modified (GM) foods passed a key procedural vote in the Senate. The bill, which would create a nationwide system for identifying some GM foods, cleared a motion to end debate on Wednesday, by a 65-32 vote. A simple majority is now needed for the legislation to pass a full Senate vote, which is expected before the week is over. Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, and Alaska have all passed legislation in recent years forcing companies to overtly…

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Afghan Troop Withdrawal Slows Further: 8,400 to Remain Beyond Obama

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The number of US soldiers who will remain in Afghanistan by the year’s end was upwardly revised, once again, by President Obama, who warned that gains by the Taliban and terrorist organizations continue to threaten the stability of the country. In a statement issued from the Roosevelt Room on Wednesday, the President said he would leave 8,400 US troops in Afghanistan “into next year through the end of [his] administration.”  Obama said he made the decision based on recommendations from top military brass and his national security…

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Rep. Richmond Calls on DOJ to Investigate Alton Sterling Killing

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A congressman is calling on the Justice Department to investigate the fatal shooting by Baton Rouge, La. police of a black man who was on the ground, in the process of being arrested. Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) made the request, after a video of the slaying went viral Tuesday night, sparking outrage on social media and protests in Baton Rouge. Alton Sterling, 37, was killed by two cops early Tuesday morning, after they were called to a convenience store, having received an anonymous report about…

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FBI: Clinton “Extremely Careless” Handling Classified Info, But No Charges Recommended

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FBI Director James Comey stated on Tuesday his that agency is not recommending for any criminal charges to be brought against Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server while Secretary of State. Though sparing Clinton of formal charges, Comey did put forward a scathing rebuke of her email practices as the nation’s top diplomat. “Although we did not find clear evidence that Secretary Clinton or her colleagues intended to violate laws governing the handling of classified information, there is evidence…

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Voodoo Economics: GOP Tax Plan For the Rich Would Cost 92% Less Than Advertised, Think Tank Claims

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A measure that would significantly lower taxes for top income earners in the US would only cost the government $191 billion, a conservative group estimated, despite the official cost of the proposal being closer to $2.4 trillion. The conservative Tax Foundation issued its questionable analysis of the GOP’s tax proposal, which was part of the “Better Way” agenda unveiled last month by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). The plan would slash the top income tax rate to 33 percent from its current rate of 39.6…

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Annual Human Trafficking Report Released to Little Commotion, Year After Malaysia-TPP Manipulation Scandal

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The State Department on Thursday released an influential but embattled annual paper on human trafficking. The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report this year has thus far brought fewer points of contention than it eventually did in 2015. Notable changes in the latest report include an upgrade for Thailand and a downgrade for Myanmar. Thailand was moved to “tier 2” after its government promised to reform laws and crack down on forced labor in the seafood industry. Myanmar was moved to “tier 3” because of its…

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Report: Average Workplace Safety Fine Less Than Cost of Funeral For Dead Worker

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A report released on Thursday asserts that American workers face increased risks on the job because the federal government isn’t cracking down hard enough on employers who skirt safety regulations. More than 30,000 employees have died at work since President Obama took office in 2009, according to the study released by the non-profit Center for Progressive Reform (CPR). The group blamed the high number of deaths on the low cost of non-compliance, finding the median Occupational Safety and Health Administration penalty imposed on employers to be…

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Senate Approves of Puerto Rico Debt Technocracy Bill

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Legislation that would allow the government of Puerto Rico to restructure its debt cleared the final major hurdle before a critical deadline later this week. The bill passed a cloture motion in the Senate on Wednesday, by a 68-32 vote. The maneuver means the legislation, now, can not be delayed indefinitely. Though most Democrats voted for it, some blasted the legislation for creating an unelected board to oversee public finances on the island—a development that will likely encourage harsh austerity measures, with technocrats unaccountable to…

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