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| House Intel releases final Russia report | Faults both Trump, Clinton campaigns | 'No evidence' of collusion | Ryan defends decision to dismiss chaplain | Trump hails Korea breakthrough | Kim Jong Un to seek peace deal | Merkel visiting White House | What to know for WHCA dinner weekend | ABBA's first new songs since 1982 |
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| MAJOR PROGRESS IN NORTH KOREAN TALKS | |
OK, so at what point can we talk to Kim Jong Un about that haircut...?: |
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| Back story on the haircut situation: Men in North Korea are only permitted to get one of 15 state-approved haircuts. The list *does not* include Kim's own style: https://nyp.st/2r4inqZ Anyway... Via The New York Times's Choe Sang-Hun, North and South Korea have agreed to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. Oh and: The two countries have agreed to talks with the United States to officially end the Korean War -- which was fought from 1950–1953. How this happened: A historic meeting when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stepped into South Korea and vowed to negotiate a peace treaty. https://nyti.ms/2FllBfb Now what -- so, 'bout those nukes: President Trump "and his aides are expected to seek a quick timetable for the North to eliminate its nuclear weapons, mindful that it has failed to deliver on its promises in the past, including a pledge not to develop such weapons." I.e.: Don't get too excited yet. https://nyti.ms/2FllBfb Video of Kim Jong Un stepping into South Korea: It's pretty fascinating. Watch: https://nyti.ms/2r4Kbfb |
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| REACTION FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP: |
| The president tweeted: "KOREAN WAR TO END! The United States, and all of its GREAT people, should be very proud of what is now taking place in Korea!" http://bit.ly/2r5wcp5 |
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| Happy Friday! It's officially White House Correspondents' Association dinner weekend. I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com, @CateMartel and on Facebook. |
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| BREAKING LATE THIS MORNING | |
The gist of the House committee's Russia report: All of you acted poorly, but...
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| The House Intelligence Committee just released its final report on the 2016 presidential election, which found "no evidence" of ties between President Trump's campaign and Russia. Yeah, but: The report did criticize "poor judgment and ill-considered actions" by Trump's campaign -- as well as Hillary Clinton's campaign. http://bit.ly/2HvN43z Full report, if formerly top secret documents are your thing: http://bit.ly/2HBojyO If some of this news sounds familiar: It should. Last month, the committee released a one-page summary of these findings that concluded there was no collusion. But we're now learning the details. What else we learned: The report said Russia did carry out a "multi-faceted" campaign against the U.S. to "sow fear and division in American society." |
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| REACTION FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP -- THIS WHOLE 'DIRECT-LINE-TO-THE-PRESIDENT'S-THOUGHTS' THING IS CONVENIENT: |
| He tweeted, "Clinton Campaign paid for Opposition Research obtained from Russia- Wow! A total Witch Hunt! MUST END NOW!" http://bit.ly/2I68ukE |
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Paul Ryan: OK, hear me out: |
| Via The Hill's Melanie Zanona, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) explained to the House Republican Conference this morning why he fired Chaplain Patrick Conroy. The reason: Members felt like their "pastoral needs" were not being met, according to several Republicans inside the room. http://bit.ly/2r4uQLj |
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| BACK STORY: |
| Yesterday afternoon, The Hill's Melanie Zanona and Mike Lillis reported that Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) forced out Chaplain Patrick Conroy, who has been in the role for seven years. The news surprised many members of Congress. What a few Democratic lawmakers think was the real reason: Conroy was critical of the GOP tax-cut bill. Full story -- you can make up your mind: http://bit.ly/2HAwBaq |
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'Don's Hate Reads' is the new 'Oprah's Book Club': |
| Via The Hill's Amie Parnes, President Trump is fueling best-seller lists. How: Trump's presidency has been good for business and book sales -- and little evidence of an oversaturated market. Proof: Trump-related books have held the top spot on bestseller lists since January. The books: http://bit.ly/2FocGJA |
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Oh how times have changed -- throwback to 2001's WHCA Dinner: |
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An American gem: |
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He later tweeted: "*Spoiler Alert* The 'temporary restrooms' in Penn Station are Port o Potties out in the street." http://bit.ly/2HwlP4G |
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| The House was in this morning. The Senate is out. Both chambers will be out next week. 11:40 a.m. EDT: President Trump welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House. They have a meeting and a working lunch. 2:40 p.m. EDT: President Trump hosts the 2018 White House Correspondents' Association scholarship winners in the White House. It's closed press. Today: The Supreme Court will likely vote in private on President Trump's travel ban case. Yeah, but: Their decision likely won't come out until June. "Predictions based on oral arguments can be perilous. The justices will likely vote in a scheduled Friday meeting, which is private, and the decision is not expected for about two months. Much can happen behind the scenes during that period." Context from CNN: https://cnn.it/2FjPgFr Op-ed on the case: How the court's ruling could have a far-reaching impact. http://bit.ly/2I3Z9tR |
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| 10:30 a.m. EST: President Trump hosted Team USA Olympic athletes in the White House. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2vMKJM6 10 out of 10 would pet: 
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| 1:50 p.m. EDT: President Trump hosts a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the East Room of the White House. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2HxZ2FH 8 p.m. EDT Saturday: The annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2r4A1vD Parties: Here's a list of the events and parties surrounding the WHCA dinner: https://wapo.st/2HZ2JYM ^Meanwhile: Instead of attending the dinner, President Trump is holding a campaign rally in Washington, Mich. What to know: https://cbsloc.al/2HyfsxV |
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| NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...: | |
| Today is National Prime Rib Day. |
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'Dancing queen, young and sweet, [no longer] 17, ohhh yeaaah...': Please oh please bring back those hair styles
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| The pop group ABBA is releasing its first new music since 1982! The group posted on Instagram: "We all four felt that, after some 35 years, it could be fun to join forces again and go into the studio. And it was like time stood still." Details: https://bbc.in/2JxcoCL |
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Does Pepper make home visits? I could use a life assistant: |
| The Smithsonian has a new robot named Pepper who assists museum visitors. She also poses for selfies. Video of Pepper in action: http://bit.ly/2HVFf6s |
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The name really rolls off the tongue: |
| William and Kate, the duke and duchess of Cambridge, announced the name of their newborn son: Louis Arthur Charles. That's a long name, so for short: "The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge." Graphic of the British royal line of succession -- Louis is 5th: https://cnn.it/2KhfjAK |
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| And to get your weekend off to the right start, here's a puppy sitting in a watermelon having a snack: http://bit.ly/2r3ZSUF |
