Putin denies election hacking after Trump pressed him, Tillerson says
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who attended the lengthy meeting, said it did not focus on the United States moving to punish Russia for the allegations that it hacked and leaked information that would help Trump win the election. Instead, Tillerson said, the two presidents discussed “how do we move forward from what may be simply an in­trac­table disagreement at this point” regarding the election-hacking issue.
By Abby Phillip, David Filipov and Damian Paletta  •  Read more »
The Fix: Trump’s past comments make it difficult to believe that he confronted Putin with much vigor
The Russian foreign minister said President Trump accepted the explanation that Russia didn’t hack the U.S. elections. He also said Trump talked about how people in the United States were “exaggerating” the situation.
By Aaron Blake  •  Read more »
U.S., Russia agree to collaborate on cease-fire in Syria
The deal would mark the first joint operation between Washington and Moscow since they began backing opposing sides in Syria’s civil war that began more than six years ago.
By Karen DeYoung  •  Read more »
At G-20, world aligns against a range of Trump policies
The growing international isolation of the United States under President Trump was starkly apparent as the leaders of major global economies mounted a near-united opposition front against Washington on issues ranging from climate to free trade.
By Michael Birnbaum and Damian Paletta  •  Read more »
ADVERTISEMENT
The Fix: This is one of Trump’s most bizarre tweets yet — for 3 reasons
Trump’s tweet about John Podesta not turning over the DNC servers is downright confusing.
By Aaron Blake  •  Read more »
Merkel appears to roll her eyes at Putin. The Internet goes bonkers.
Cameras captured the German chancellor interacting with the Russian president.
By Thomas Johnson  •  Read more »
FBI investigated complaints that Bobby Knight groped women at U.S. spy agency
Four female employees accused the Hall of Fame basketball coach of touching them inappropriately before and after his speech at the NGA. Knight denied wrongdoing, and prosecutors decided not to bring charges, his attorney said.
By Craig Whitlock  •  Read more »
Perspective
After a reporter in a sleeveless dress was turned away, it’s time to acknowledge that no one knows what’s ‘appropriate’ on the Hill
Traditions involving dress code apply to lawmakers and their staff, as well as journalists — but apparently not to first ladies or first daughters.
By Robin Givhan  •  Read more »
ADVERTISEMENT
Cruz faces off with a ‘dirty’ liberal and seems to relish debating health care with critics
The senator from Texas supports a deeper rollback of the Affordable Care Act than most of his Republican colleagues. He’s also up for reelection next year — and has calculated that staying true to his conservative base is his best path to victory.
By Sean Sullivan  •  Read more »
KKK marchers say they will be armed Saturday at Virginia rally
The group is protesting the Charlottesville city council’s decision to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from a public park and rename that park.
By Joe Heim  •  Read more »
Illegal immigrant charged with murder in stabbing deaths of her 4 children and their father in Georgia
Immigration authorities said it is unclear when or where the suspect, who is a Mexican national, entered the United States.
By Lindsey Bever and J. Freedom du Lac  •  Read more »
The Fix | Analysis
A linguist studied Trump for two years: ‘He speaks like everybody else,’ not a politician
“We’re used to hearing somebody speak who sounds much more educated, much smarter, much more refined than your everyday American,” a Georgetown University academic said.
By Bastien Inzaurralde  •  Read more »
Analysis
The Trump economy looks a lot like the Obama economy so far
More people working is certainly good news. But if the president suggests that this month’s jobs report is uniquely good news, take it with a grain of salt.
By Philip Bump  •  Read more »