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AOC endorses Sen Ed Markey as incumbent faces Dem US Senate primary challenge from Rep Seth Moulton

August 21, 2026 9:50am EDT / Fox News

‘The toughest fights need the most inspiring leaders, and that’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,’ Markey said in a statement

By Alex Nitzberg Fox News

NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., endorsed Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., as the incumbent senator faces off against Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., in the Massachusetts Democratic U.S. Senate primary.

“At a time when powerful special interests are making life harder for everyday Americans, Massachusetts working families need a champion in the U.S. Senate to stand up for them and fight corporate greed,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement released by Markey’s campaign.

“Ed Markey has spent his career doing exactly that, from our partnership on the Green New Deal to running his campaign without accepting a dime of corporate PAC money. His work is an inspiration to many of us who are committed to building a better future for all, and that’s why I’m proud to endorse him,” the congresswoman added.

AOC DOCUMENTS EGG-FREEZING JOURNEY, TAKES AIM AT TRUMP ADMIN OVER WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attend a press conference to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the Green New Deal in front of the US Capitol Building in Washington D.C., on Feb. 6, 2024.(Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The House lawmaker previously backed Markey during his last election cycle.

“The toughest fights need the most inspiring leaders, and that’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She’s got vision, she knows what’s at stake, and she never backs down,” Markey said in a statement. “We introduced the Green New Deal to tackle the climate crisis, lower costs, and build an economy that works for working people, not corporations and billionaires. I am incredibly proud to have her endorsement and look forward to continuing to fight alongside her for the livable future we deserve.”

BOMB-THROWER DEM MAKES SHOCKING PROMISE TO KICK SCHUMER TO CURB DURING SENATE DEBATE

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Seth Moulton stand at lecterns ahead of their debate at WWLP-22News on July 8, 2026.(Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Markey, who turned 80 this year, has served in the Senate since mid-July 2013, but he had previously served in the House for more than 36 years.

Moulton, who is 47 and will turn 48 in October, has served in the House since 2015.

DEMOCRATIC SENATOR CLAIMS GOP ‘STOLE’ TWO SCOTUS SEATS IN 2016, 2020, CALLS FOR EXPANSION

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., hugs Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., as they speak at a news conference on the launch of the American Climate Corps outside the U.S. Capitol building on Sept. 20, 2023 in Washington, D.C.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The Massachusetts Democratic U.S. Senate primary is on Sept. 1, and early voting is Aug. 22–28.

Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.

贝森特促中国配合孤立伊朗经济 中方指制裁无助解决问题

2026年8月21日 22:03 / 联合早报

美国财长贝森特周四（8月20日）说，他将在24日举行记者会，公布针对伊朗经济措施的更多细节。 （路透社）

（华盛顿综合电）美国财长贝森特周四（8月20日）说，美国将对伊朗实施史上最严厉的制裁以击垮其政权，并呼吁北京与美国合作。他强调，华盛顿要盟友和竞争对手都加入针对伊朗的升级行动。不过中方已表明，制裁无助于解决问题。

贝森特接受美国消费者新闻与商业频道（CNBC）访问时说：“这将是世界历史上最大规模的协调经济孤立行动。我们会明确告诉他们（盟友）：要么与我们站在一起，要么站在我们的对立面。”

当被问及美国是否会向中国施压，贝森特答说，许多对话最好是私下进行，但他呼吁中国加入美国的这项行动。

贝森特说：“我们确信，大家都希望（霍尔木兹海峡）重新开放，能源价格回落。中国有50％的能源供应来自波斯湾地区。因此，配合这一行动对他们大有助益。”他称，重创伊朗经济的计划，可能使美国无须再对伊朗发动大规模军事行动。

贝森特说，他将于下周一（24日）举行记者会，公布针对伊朗经济措施的更多细节。

伊朗武装部队总参谋长阿卜杜拉希周五表明，德黑兰将对美国任何新威胁作出全面、果断和毁灭性的回应。他说：“凭借陆、海、空、防空和网络空间等领域的战备状态，伊朗武装力量将以压倒性、惩罚性和毁灭性的反击，来应对敌方的新威胁。”

在伊拉克访问的伊朗议会议长卡利巴夫则指出，美国和以色列已意识到无法在军事上击败伊朗和伊拉克，因此转向认知战和经济战。

他说，敌人为了掠夺资源而来，“我们必须制定计划应对制裁，以渡过这一难关”。

针对贝森特周四的谈话，中国驻华盛顿大使馆发言人受询时说，制裁和施压无助于解决伊朗问题。

中国外交部发言人林剑周五则在回答记者提问时表明：“中国呼吁有关各方采取负责任的措施，通过政治和外交手段解决问题。”

中国是伊朗石油的最大买家。根据船运分析公司Kpler的2025年数据，中国购买了伊朗80%以上的海运石油。

目前还不清楚，除了针对中国或对在其他国家与伊朗有业务往来的较小实体采取升级版的制裁之外，华盛顿还能采取哪些有实质意义的经济举措。

习特会前若实施对华制裁 或引发中国反制

国际危机组织副项目主任阿里说：“对于像伊朗这样在规避制裁方面经验丰富的国家，美国没有足够的精力实施滴水不漏的制裁制度……总统（特朗普）也没有足够耐心等待这种政策见效，因为这需要数月而非数周才能显现。”

彭博社的分析文章指出，任何针对中国的制裁举措都可能加剧紧张局势，更何况中国国家主席习近平将在下个月访问华盛顿。此举还可能引发中国的反制措施，从而在11月中期选举前给美国经济造成冲击。

除中国之外，伊朗其他主要贸易伙伴包括阿联酋、土耳其、俄罗斯、伊拉克、印度、德国、斯里兰卡、日本和菲律宾。

另一方面，美国财政部周四宣布对黎巴嫩真主党实施新一轮制裁，同时把真主党重新认定为是在伊朗伊斯兰革命卫队圣城旅（Quds Force）指挥下，为伊朗政权效力的武装组织。

美国国务院一名官员说，这明确了真主党是伊朗的代理组织，而非独立运作的实体。

美国于1997年把真主党列为“外国恐怖组织”，并于2001年进一步把它列为“特别指定全球恐怖分子”组织。

贝森特促中国配合孤立伊朗经济 中方指制裁无助解决问题

2026年8月21日 22:03 / 联合早报

美国财长贝森特周四（8月20日）说，他将在24日举行记者会，公布针对伊朗经济措施的更多细节。 （路透社）

[image_15]

（华盛顿综合电）美国财长贝森特周四（8月20日）说，美国将对伊朗实施史上最严厉的制裁以击垮其政权，并呼吁北京与美国合作。他强调，华盛顿要盟友和竞争对手都加入针对伊朗的升级行动。不过中方已表明，制裁无助于解决问题。

贝森特接受美国消费者新闻与商业频道（CNBC）访问时说：“这将是世界历史上最大规模的协调经济孤立行动。我们会明确告诉他们（盟友）：要么与我们站在一起，要么站在我们的对立面。”

当被问及美国是否会向中国施压，贝森特答说，许多对话最好是私下进行，但他呼吁中国加入美国的这项行动。

贝森特说：“我们确信，大家都希望（霍尔木兹海峡）重新开放，能源价格回落。中国有50％的能源供应来自波斯湾地区。因此，配合这一行动对他们大有助益。”他称，重创伊朗经济的计划，可能使美国无须再对伊朗发动大规模军事行动。

贝森特说，他将于下周一（24日）举行记者会，公布针对伊朗经济措施的更多细节。

伊朗武装部队总参谋长阿卜杜拉希周五表明，德黑兰将对美国任何新威胁作出全面、果断和毁灭性的回应。他说：“凭借陆、海、空、防空和网络空间等领域的战备状态，伊朗武装力量将以压倒性、惩罚性和毁灭性的反击，来应对敌方的新威胁。”

在伊拉克访问的伊朗议会议长卡利巴夫则指出，美国和以色列已意识到无法在军事上击败伊朗和伊拉克，因此转向认知战和经济战。

他说，敌人为了掠夺资源而来，“我们必须制定计划应对制裁，以渡过这一难关”。

针对贝森特周四的谈话，中国驻华盛顿大使馆发言人受询时说，制裁和施压无助于解决伊朗问题。

中国外交部发言人林剑周五则在回答记者提问时表明：“中国呼吁有关各方采取负责任的措施，通过政治和外交手段解决问题。”

中国是伊朗石油的最大买家。根据船运分析公司Kpler的2025年数据，中国购买了伊朗80%以上的海运石油。

目前还不清楚，除了针对中国或对在其他国家与伊朗有业务往来的较小实体采取升级版的制裁之外，华盛顿还能采取哪些有实质意义的经济举措。

习特会前若实施对华制裁 或引发中国反制

国际危机组织副项目主任阿里说：“对于像伊朗这样在规避制裁方面经验丰富的国家，美国没有足够的精力实施滴水不漏的制裁制度……总统（特朗普）也没有足够耐心等待这种政策见效，因为这需要数月而非数周才能显现。”

彭博社的分析文章指出，任何针对中国的制裁举措都可能加剧紧张局势，更何况中国国家主席习近平将在下个月访问华盛顿。此举还可能引发中国的反制措施，从而在11月中期选举前给美国经济造成冲击。

除中国之外，伊朗其他主要贸易伙伴包括阿联酋、土耳其、俄罗斯、伊拉克、印度、德国、斯里兰卡、日本和菲律宾。

另一方面，美国财政部周四宣布对黎巴嫩真主党实施新一轮制裁，同时把真主党重新认定为是在伊朗伊斯兰革命卫队圣城旅（Quds Force）指挥下，为伊朗政权效力的武装组织。

美国国务院一名官员说，这明确了真主党是伊朗的代理组织，而非独立运作的实体。

美国于1997年把真主党列为“外国恐怖组织”，并于2001年进一步把它列为“特别指定全球恐怖分子”组织。

Mom who struggled with postpartum psychosis describes intrusive thoughts “turning into voices”

August 21, 2026 / 11:14 AM EDT / CBS News

By Shanelle Kaul, Kerry Breen

As the trial of Lindsay Clancy brings renewed attention to postpartum psychosis, a mom of four is opening up to “CBS Mornings” about her own experience with the rare but dangerous condition.

Haley Ashcom had always dreamed of having a large family, and was thrilled to welcome her first son, Kane, in 2020. But she soon began to struggle with insomnia and anxiety. Then, her symptoms escalated, she said.

“What I believe were intrusive thoughts ended up turning into voices,” she said.

Ashcom said she was diagnosed with postpartum depression and prescribed Zoloft, the same anti-anxiety medication that Clancy was first prescribed. But the voices got louder, Ashcom said, and became violent.

“I’ve never in my life gone through a period where I thought it would be better not to be alive, and all of a sudden, it became the only option,” Ashcom said.

Ashcom said she went straight to a hospital, where she, like Clancy, was prescribed another anti-anxiety medication. Still, the voices “just continued to get worse,” she said. Ultimately, Ashcom checked herself into a psychiatric hospital, where she says she was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis — a condition she said she knew nothing about.

“I was so taken aback and thought that I was such a monster,” Ashcom said.

Postpartum psychosis is rare, affecting about one to two per 1,000 women after delivery. The condition is “a break from reality” where “the brain cannot properly process information,” leading to delusions, perinatal psychiatrist Dr. Uruj Kamal Haider told CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell in an episode of her podcast “Healthful.” Those delusions are “fixed false beliefs that tend to revolve around the baby,” Haider said.

Postpartum psychosis can happen to anyone after giving birth, but it is more likely in people with mental health conditions or a history of psychiatric problems. In severe cases, mothers with the condition may try to harm themselves or their children.

Dr. Catherine Birndorf, a reproductive psychiatrist and the co-founder and CEO of the Motherhood Center of New York, said she fears the condition is being underdiagnosed.

“It’s a very lethal and dangerous illness that when left untreated has tragic outcomes,” she said.

Birndorf said the Clancy trial feels like “a watershed moment” for awareness about the condition. Clancy’s defense says she was suffering from postpartum psychosis when she killed her three young children at their Massachusetts home in 2023. Clancy’s attorney also says she was overprescribed mental health medications.

Ashcom said that her diagnosis led to her receiving appropriate treatment for the condition, which led to her recovery. Since then, she has welcomed three more children. She never experienced postpartum psychosis again, she said.

Ashcom said she hopes that sharing her story encourages other parents to seek help if they need it.

“You’re not alone,” Ashcom said. “In seeking help, you’re actually doing a really good job both for yourself and for your baby.”

If you are struggling with postpartum mental illness or know someone who is, you can call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA.

Iran set to impose even harsher punishment for any contact with foreign media

August 21, 2026 / 9:54 AM EDT / CBS News

Iran’s parliament passed a resolution early this week that would increase punishments for Iranians who interact in any way with foreign media outlets, organizations or individuals.

If the legislation is approved by higher authorities as expected, any contact with U.S. media entities, foreign embassies or institutions — whether it takes place inside or outside Iran — could land an Iranian in prison for up to two years unless they first obtain explicit written permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to state media.

There are already very strict laws in Iran against sending information to exiled, foreign-backed Iranian media outlets, such as Iran International, or the U.S. and U.K. government-funded VOA Farsi and BBC Farsi. But the new legislation would go further, imposing extensive punishment on Iranians for any written or verbal contact with foreigners — especially foreign media.

The legislation would also ban educational and research activities linked to foreign entities, with a possible 10-year prison sentence for any person found to be involved in activities deemed “incompatible with Iranian culture.”

A woman walks next to a banner with a picture of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, on a street in Tehran, Iran, Aug. 13, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA/REUTERS

Iran’s Islamic Republic clerical leaders have, since rising to power in 1979, been extremely concerned about foreign infiltration and influence, especially by the U.S. and Israel.

After the 12-day war launched by Israel in June 2025, which the U.S. joined, the regime became even more paranoid, jailing dozens of people and executing some accused of sending video to outside entities, according to a May report by Amnesty International.

Marjan, a student working toward her political science master’s degree at Tehran University, who declined to give her full name, told CBS News in a phone interview that she used to work for some domestic news outlets before the June 2025 war, but that she now refrains from showing her face to any media organizations, and keeps all of her commentary anonymous.

“Iran under the new leadership of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is going toward North Koreanization,” she said, referring to the authoritarian regime led by Kim Jong Un. “I think Mojtaba is much more hard-line and closed-minded than his father, and the country will become a completely restricted and isolated country.”

Many people across Iranian society share her concerns, but few dare to voice them.

“The boundaries set by the new legislation are a serious concern for all Iranians,” a former government employee who asked for anonymity told CBS News. “Using basic applications like WhatsApp or other messaging apps could get you into trouble if stopped at mobile checkpoints, where phones are searched.”

“To avoid technical and security problems with governmental agencies, many Iranians are now switching to domestic alternatives like Rubika or Kasheef,” the man said, also speaking by phone, adding the caveat that such options make “it even easier for the security apparatus to spy on Iranians.”

Armed police men from a special unit stand on the corner of Revolution Square, March 28, 2026, in Tehran, Iran. Kaveh Kazemi/Getty

It is a deeply divided country, however, and the regime does have many supporters.

Professor Mohamadyaser Ershadmanesh, a scholar who works as an adviser to senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officer Yahya Rahimsafavi, told CBS News the legislation was a necessary “response to the country’s urgent need for consistency in legal monitoring tools to identify individuals and groups who work” against Iran’s interests.

He cited “the previous experience of foreign intelligence organizations’ interventions, including Mossad, CIA, MI6 and others,” and said the new law would “clearly define a good boundary for security and protection for our people and our institutions.”

“Criminalizing cooperation with foreigners will actually be a great help to Iran’s internal and national security,” he said.

Recently, photographer Yalda Moaiery was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted by Iran’s opaque judiciary system of providing photographs of areas targeted by U.S.-Israeli strikes to organizations linked to the U.S. and Israel, as well as giving interviews to media outlets deemed hostile to Iran, according to the Reuters news agency.

Under Iran’s constitution, all legislation passed by the parliament requires approval from the Guardian Council and review by the Expediency Discernment Council to become law.

The bill passed Sunday by the parliament is widely expected to gain final approval, however, as the ongoing war has bolstered support for such societal restrictions among Iran’s ruling clerics.

Omar Abdulkader contributed to this report.

金与正连续两夜讲话“温差”有别 朝鲜释放“绕韩直美”信号

2026年8月21日 22:10 / 联合早报 姜贵瑛 首尔通讯员

特朗普公开称朝鲜拥有57枚核武器，可能让平壤判断，美国愿意以朝鲜拥核为前提来重启谈判。图为2019年6月，特朗普与金正恩在板门店会面。 （路透社档案照片）

朝鲜对外事务主要负责人、劳动党中央委员会总务部长金与正连续两个夜晚发表谈话，一面对美国留下对话余地，一面对韩国猛烈抨击。值得注意的是，两次谈话都选择在华盛顿刚进入工作时段发布。韩国专家分析，朝鲜正释放“对美有条件对话、对韩排除介入”的信号，试图绕过首尔，直接与美国“一对一”谈判。

金与正在星期三（8月19日）晚上10时和星期四晚上9时先后发表谈话，也就是华盛顿上午9时和8时。朝鲜过去也曾选择这一时段发布重要对美信息。统一研究院高级研究员洪敏指出，韩国晚上9时既是首尔政府一天应对接近尾声之际，也是华盛顿新闻周期启动之时，连续两天在这一时段发声，显示平壤正主动掌握对美信息节奏。

更值得关注的是两篇谈话的“温差”。金与正星期三否认特朗普有关朝美已经接触的说法，并批评美国敌对政策没有改变，却特意强调金正恩“对特朗普怀有美好回忆和感情”，两名领导人“关系非常好”，为未来朝美接触留下空间。

批评李在明表里不一并直呼名字 刻意拉开与首尔距离

但在星期四的谈话中，金与正直接称韩国总统为“李在明”，不加职衔和敬称，并讽刺李在明一方面赞扬特朗普缩减韩美军演的“决断”，另一方面强调加强自主国防，批评他“表里不一”。这种称呼通常出现在韩朝关系严重恶化时期，被视为平壤刻意拉开与首尔距离。

朝鲜星期四又发射十多枚射程约300公里的短程弹道导弹，但没有像过去韩美军演期间那样，针对美国航母、核潜艇等战略资产展示武器。分析认为，这同样体现朝鲜当前“对美留门、对韩施压”的差别策略。

延伸阅读

援俄换取逾百亿新元资金与物资 朝鲜经济迎来罕见繁荣

朝美“暧昧期”：特朗普示好金正恩 朝鲜射导弹加码

庆南大学远东问题研究所教授林乙出指出，朝鲜当前战略对话对象只有美国，不愿接受韩国充当中介或协调者；平壤克制对特朗普的直接批评，却集中攻击李在明，清楚显示外交优先顺序。

尤其特朗普随后公开称朝鲜拥有“57枚核武器”，并回避是否讨论无核化，更可能让平壤判断，美国存在以朝鲜事实上拥核为前提重启谈判的空间。与2018年相比，如今朝鲜还有中国和俄罗斯提供外交与战略支撑，谈判底气更足。平壤的目标因此可能不仅是重启朝美对话，更是排除韩国介入，在更有利条件下重新塑造谈判格局。

Appeals court upholds block on US Justice Department subpoenas to NY AG James’ office

2026-08-21T13:36:38.314Z / Reuters

Summary

• 2nd Circuit says Trump ally unlawfully served as lead prosecutor on probe
• Subpoenas sought records on James’ lawsuits against Trump, family business and NRA
• Ruling marks third appeals court rejection of Trump efforts to bypass US Attorney appointment ​process

NEW YORK, Aug 21 (Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court ruled on Friday that the Justice Department could not enforce subpoenas seeking ‌information about cases pursued by New York Attorney General Letitia James because it had unlawfully installed an ally of President Donald Trump as a top prosecutor.

The case stems from subpoenas that the top federal prosecutor in Albany, Trump ally John Sarcone, issued to James’ office in August 2025 seeking records about civil lawsuits James filed against Trump and his family business ​and against the National Rifle Association gun rights group.

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The Manhattan-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld on Friday in a 2-1 ruling ​a lower court’s decision to bar Sarcone from investigating the case, finding he was unlawfully serving as the lead prosecutor ⁠on the probe.

That marked the third time a U.S. appeals court had rejected the Trump administration’s efforts to circumvent the appointment process for U.S. Attorneys, who ​serve as the top federal prosecutors in their districts and must be either confirmed by the U.S. Senate or approved by federal judges.

A Justice Department spokesperson ​said in a statement, “We disagree with the court’s decision, and intend to take this case to the Supreme Court.”

James’ office declined to comment.

CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION

Both Trump, a Republican, and the NRA were found liable following trials in cases brought by James, a Democrat. They said they were targeted for political purposes.

The subpoenas issued by Sarcone’s office were part ​of a criminal investigation into potential civil rights violations associated with those cases, Reuters reported at the time. No charges have been filed.

James has denied ​wrongdoing and argued that the investigations are payback for suing Trump’s family business.

In January, Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge Lorna Schofield found that a series of procedural maneuvers the Justice ‌Department used ⁠to keep Sarcone in place as acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York after the federal court in that district declined to extend his 120-day interim appointment were improper.

That ruling weakened the Justice Department’s efforts to pursue Trump’s political enemies.

James had previously been indicted in Virginia on accusations that she provided misleading information on mortgage documents. That case was dismissed after a judge found the federal prosecutor who secured that indictment was also unlawfully appointed.

‘POLITICAL STALEMATE’

Sarcone ​was named interim U.S. Attorney in ​Albany early in Trump’s term. When ⁠his 120-day interim term expired on July 14, the judges in the Northern District of New York declined to extend his term.

The Justice Department then appointed Sarcone to other roles in the U.S. Attorney’s office that he said ​gave him the authority to act as U.S. Attorney indefinitely.

Circuit Judges Guido Calabresi and Maria Kahn said that move ​circumvented the federal ⁠law governing how long presidential appointees can remain in their positions on a temporary basis. The judges were appointed by Democratic presidents Bill Clinton and Joe Biden, respectively.

Other U.S. appeals courts have similarly ruled that Trump-aligned U.S. Attorneys in Nevada and New Jersey had been unlawfully appointed.

In appealing Schofield’s order, the Justice Department said the ⁠federal government ​had followed the rules for appointing temporary lead prosecutors.

In a dissent, Circuit Judge Michael Park, ​a Trump appointee, agreed, writing that Senate Democrats had been slow to confirm Trump’s nominees for U.S. Attorney roles and that the law provided that the executive branch must be able to ​function during periods of “political stalwm.”

Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Additional reporting by Nate Raymond; Editing by Franklin Paul, Alex Richardson, Philippa Fletcher, Rod Nickel

金与正连续两夜讲话“温差”有别 朝鲜释放“绕韩直美”信号

2026年8月21日 22:10 / 联合早报 姜贵瑛 首尔通讯员

特朗普公开称朝鲜拥有57枚核武器，可能让平壤判断，美国愿意以朝鲜拥核为前提来重启谈判。图为2019年6月，特朗普与金正恩在板门店会面。 （路透社档案照片）

朝鲜对外事务主要负责人、劳动党中央委员会总务部长金与正连续两个夜晚发表谈话，一面对美国留下对话余地，一面对韩国猛烈抨击。值得注意的是，两次谈话都选择在华盛顿刚进入工作时段发布。韩国专家分析，朝鲜正释放“对美有条件对话、对韩排除介入”的信号，试图绕过首尔，直接与美国“一对一”谈判。

金与正在星期三（8月19日）晚上10时和星期四晚上9时先后发表谈话，也就是华盛顿上午9时和8时。朝鲜过去也曾选择这一时段发布重要对美信息。统一研究院高级研究员洪敏指出，韩国晚上9时既是首尔政府一天应对接近尾声之际，也是华盛顿新闻周期启动之时，连续两天在这一时段发声，显示平壤正主动掌握对美信息节奏。

更值得关注的是两篇谈话的“温差”。金与正星期三否认特朗普有关朝美已经接触的说法，并批评美国敌对政策没有改变，却特意强调金正恩“对特朗普怀有美好回忆和感情”，两名领导人“关系非常好”，为未来朝美接触留下空间。

批评李在明表里不一并直呼名字 刻意拉开与首尔距离

但在星期四的谈话中，金与正直接称韩国总统为“李在明”，不加职衔和敬称，并讽刺李在明一方面赞扬特朗普缩减韩美军演的“决断”，另一方面强调加强自主国防，批评他“表里不一”。这种称呼通常出现在韩朝关系严重恶化时期，被视为平壤刻意拉开与首尔距离。

朝鲜星期四又发射十多枚射程约300公里的短程弹道导弹，但没有像过去韩美军演期间那样，针对美国航母、核潜艇等战略资产展示武器。分析认为，这同样体现朝鲜当前“对美留门、对韩施压”的差别策略。

庆南大学远东问题研究所教授林乙出指出，朝鲜当前战略对话对象只有美国，不愿接受韩国充当中介或协调者；平壤克制对特朗普的直接批评，却集中攻击李在明，清楚显示外交优先顺序。

尤其特朗普随后公开称朝鲜拥有“57枚核武器”，并回避是否讨论无核化，更可能让平壤判断，美国存在以朝鲜事实上拥核为前提重启谈判的空间。与2018年相比，如今朝鲜还有中国和俄罗斯提供外交与战略支撑，谈判底气更足。平壤的目标因此可能不仅是重启朝美对话，更是排除韩国介入，在更有利条件下重新塑造谈判格局。

US health department seeks public feedback on vaccine guidelines after Trump order

August 21, 2026 3:03 PM UTC / Reuters

Federal employees arrive for work at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 13, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

Aug 21 (Reuters) – The U.S. health department said on Friday it was seeking public feedback on federal vaccine recommendations, including how they are categorized and ​communicated, after President Donald Trump’s executive order calling for fewer ‌childhood vaccinations.

The Department of Health and Human Services has posted a notice asking for comments on possible revamped categories, such as whether some vaccines should be recommended but ​not during infancy, or recommended with qualifications.

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It has also sought ​guidance on how recommendations should address timing and sequencing, including ⁠whether vaccines could be given within broader age windows or at separate ​visits.

Members of the public, including parents, doctors and health officials, have until ​September 20, to submit their comments to the health department.

Trump signed an executive order earlier this month to limit the inoculation schedule to 11 immunizations, saying it would give ​U.S. children “gold-standard” protection, and directed officials to review the timing and sequencing ​of vaccinations.

The order advances a long-standing goal of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., ‌an ⁠anti-vaccine activist who has promoted a link between vaccines and autism that scientists have repeatedly debunked.

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Currently, vaccines are categorized as routine for everyone, risk-based for specific groups, or left to shared decision-making between patients and doctors.

HHS ​is specifically seeking feedback ​on shared ⁠decision-making, including its potential risks such as confusion among patients and doctors, lower vaccination rates and added time for ​clinicians.

The agency noted that public trust in federal health ​authorities ⁠fell during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It cited concerns that some past recommendation processes were seen as rushed or overconfident, which hurt the overall ⁠credibility of ​the vaccine system.

The department said the feedback ​would help inform its consideration of whether the current framework adequately supports scientific rigor, informed ​choice and public trust.

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Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar

AOC blasted as too moderate by Maoist DSA faction as 2028 buzz grows

August 21, 2026 10:05am EDT / Fox News

The Marxist-Leninist-Maoist caucus called AOC an ‘opportunist dilettante’ over her stance on ‘Palestine’ and policing

By Hannah Brennan , Peter D’Abrosca

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The Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) Liberation Caucus is rejecting Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., as a potential candidate for Democrats in the 2028 presidential election, arguing she is too far removed from the socialist agenda.

“Liberation condemns Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s continued retreat from socialist politics and rejects any effort to present her as the future presidential standard-bearer for DSA, or for the broader socialist movement,” the DSA Liberation Caucus wrote in the statement.

DSA slammed Ocasio-Cortez as an “opportunist” and condemned her vote to defend Israel’s right to exist and for not holding firm as an anti-Zionist.

“In short, it was determined that she had failed to meet conditions concerning Palestine solidarity,” the statement said.

DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS ERUPT OVER 2028 ENDORSEMENT AS AOC SPECULATION GROWS: ‘DANGEROUS PATH’

The Democratic Socialists of America’s Liberation Caucus is condemning Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., with a statement announcing the organization will not endorse her as a 2028 presidential candidate as speculation among potential candidates grows.(Getty Images)

After withdrawing a conditional endorsement of the “Squad” Democrat in 2024, DSA’s National Political Committee “determined” that Ocasio-Cortez hosted a public panel with an alleged Zionist organization — the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.

She was also trashed for joining a group of House Democrats to co-sign a statement — after voting against providing Israel with supplemental weapon funding — that voiced support for Israel’s right to have defensive systems.

The statement continued to attack her, pivoting to her recent remarks in an interview with ABC, where Ocasio-Cortez walked back on her support for the movement to defund the police and the language used around policing in 2020, calling the 2020 “Woke 1” era for progressives “crazyyyyy.”

“She has dismissed the mass radicalization around policing and abolition as part of the supposed excesses of ‘Woke 1’, seeking to reduce the historic Black-led uprising of 2020 to an embarrassing political phase,” the statement reads.

It continues, “Ironically, her first electoral victory came in the heat of ‘Woke 1’, where she trafficked in the language of abolition. Now that she feels that she no longer needs it, she condemns it. This is the action of an opportunist dilettante, devoid of any principles whatsoever, not a socialist.”

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ SHRUGS OFF PAST ‘DEFUND THE POLICE’ COMMENTS, JOKING ‘WOKE 1 WAS CRAZY’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the New York Is Not For Sale rally on Oct. 26, 2025.(Neil Constantine/NurPhoto)

The DSA’s rejection of Ocasio-Cortez comes shortly after the organization recently announced its new program that calls for the complete elimination of the Senate, president and Supreme Court. The DSA said this program, “Workers Deserve More,” must be accepted and promoted by all candidates in order to receive a formal DSA endorsement.

“This is why the current rumblings for and prospects of an AOC presidential campaign should be met with a clear answer from the socialist left: No,” the group said in the statement. “We will not endorse or give succor to a campaign to put a social democrat at the head of an empire, where she will make even more capitulations to the imperialists, and drag our organization into antagonistic contradiction after antagonistic contradiction.”

While the national DSA does not endorse Ocasio-Cortez, and vehemently opposes her presidential bid, the New York City DSA chapter has routinely endorsed Ocasio-Cortez throughout her races. The statement claims that the NYC DSA chapter has hinted at “splitting away” from the DSA over disagreements similar to endorsing Ocasio-Cortez.

HASAN PIKER VOWS NEVER TO CRITICIZE MAO ZEDONG IN RESURFACED VIDEO, HAILS HIM AS ‘GREAT LEADER’

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“This is not the behavior of socialist cadres,” the Liberation Caucus said in the statement.

There has been widespread speculation that Ocasio-Cortez will run for president or Senate in 2028, and is polling as the leading choice among Democrats. But she has not yet formally announced if she will run.

Formed in 2025, the DSA Liberation Caucus openly describes itself as a “Marxist-Leninist-Maoist caucus in Democratic Socialists of America.” The group’s website has a page dedicated to a list defending Maoism that includes labeling the period of mass starvation and disaster as “misconception 4” on the list.

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Both the DSA Liberation Caucus and Ocasio-Cortez’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Hannah is a Production Assistant for the Politics team at Fox News Digital.