HHS Secy commits to free or affordable vaccines for all; 53 Florida ICU's at capacity despite Gov. downplaying surge; NFL to require fans to wear face coverings at games; Trump admits virus will get worse, finally endorses masks; Republicans split on plans for new stimulus package; WH counselor Kellyanne Conway says briefings are back because some states reopened "a little too quickly"; Cruz on GOP's coronavirus relief plan: "I'm a hell no"; Republicans split on plans for new stimulus package; Trump says he's sending "hundreds" of federal agents to Chicago; Trump admin abruptly orders Chinese  consulate in TX to close; Houston Fire Dept: crew "denied access" when called to fire at Chinese consulate's courtyard; China calls order to close consulate "political provocation"; Trump sends well wishes to Jeffrey Epstein associate 

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Death toll Tuesday topped 1,000 for first time in two weeks; U.S. signs $1.95 billion deal with Pfizer for vaccine; Dem mayors to Trump admin: no federal forces in our cities; Republicans split on pla

CNN's lead DC anchor and chief Washington correspondent, Jake Tapper, hosts this two-hour long weekday afternoon program, with headlines from around the country and the world, the top stories in national and international news, politics, health, money, the environment, sports and popular culture. The Lead also concentrates on bringing stories that aren't found on front pages—buried leads—to the forefront.

News

In the New York hush money trial, Donald Trump’s defense team is now cross-examining the prosecution’s first witness, former tabloid executive David Pecker. This is Pecker’s third day on the stand and today for the very first time he described the deal he helped broker with adult film star Stormy Daniels. A deal that is at the center of the case. 
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Trump’s Lawyers Cross-examine Former Tabloid Executive

Protests are underway across United States colleges and universities after weeks of tension over the Israel-Hamas war. Our reporters report live from campuses where protests continue. House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks at Columbia University amid the protests. 
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Tense Protests Rock major U.S. Colleges Over Israel-Hamas War

Former tabloid publisher David Pecker is under oath and on the record revealing just how far Donald Trump went allegedly to protect his 2016 presidential campaign. But, when it comes to whether Trump committed a felony in the process, how damaging was today’s testimony? Plus, what Pecker said went down in the room in the infamous meeting in August of 2015 that could hurt Donald Trump’s case nearly nine years later. 
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Pecker: Trump, Cohen asked me how I could “help the campaign”

The prosecution and defense sparred in opening statements during Donald Trump's hush money scheme. Did Trump violate a gag order? Crisis on college campuses; are Jewish students safe at School? Calls increase for Columbia University's President to resign over handling of antisemitism. Plus, the Supreme Court is set to decide if cities can punish people who are homeless, and a U.S. animation studio's work has been found on a North Korean server.
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The First Witness Takes the Stand in Trump Hush Money Case

A horrific scene outside of Trump’s New York City courthouse after a man lit himself on fire while inside the courthouse there was a major development in the hush money trial. How long can the prosecution hold out and keep its witness list outside of the hands of Donald Trump and his defense team? Also, in an extraordinary move, some 165 House Democrats came to the aid of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, drawing the ire of hard-line Republicans. 
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Death toll Tuesday topped 1,000 for first time in two weeks; U.S. signs $1.95 billion deal with Pfizer for vaccine; Dem mayors to Trump admin: no federal forces in our cities; Republicans split on pla

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