IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Wednesday's Mini-Report, 3.14.18

Today's edition of quick hits.

Today's edition of quick hits:

* Spy poisoning: "Britain is to expel 23 Russian diplomats allegedly operating as undeclared intelligence officers after Moscow ignored a midnight deadline to explain how its nerve weapon was used in the attempted assassination of a former double agent on U.K. soil."

* I wish her boss were as forceful on the issue: "U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Wednesday the United States believes Russia is responsible for the attempted assassination of a former Russian double agent and his daughter in Britain -- and the U.N. Security Council should hold the Kremlin 'accountable.'"

* House Intelligence Committee: "One day after the GOP announced they had completed a draft report concluding that the Trump campaign had not colluded with Russians in an effort to defeat Hillary Clinton, Democrats issued a 22-page document specifying unresolved issues they said the committee needed to continue exploring -- and that they would attempt to do so even without the GOP's cooperation."

* Hmm: "U.S. retail sales fell for a third straight month in February as households cut back on purchases of motor vehicles and other big-ticket items, pointing to a slowdown in economic growth in the first quarter."

* Minnesota: "Three men charged Tuesday with illegally possessing a machine gun are suspected of bombing a mosque in Minnesota and attempting to bomb an abortion clinic in Illinois last year, federal officials said."

* Everyone realizes how absurd this is, right? "Before House Republicans had even learned the details of a new White House proposal for a three-year renewal of DACA paired with three years of border wall funding, the White House had already walked back the idea."

* ICE: "A spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has resigned over what he described as 'false' and 'misleading' statements made by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and ICE acting director Thomas D. Homan."

* A "right-to-try" bill: "In a surprising twist, the House failed to pass a bill on Tuesday that would have given terminally ill patients more opportunities to try experimental treatments -- but that experts worried would actually expose them to more risk."

* The loss of a giant: "Stephen Hawking, the British theoretical physicist who beat the odds his entire life, has died. He was 76."

* I'm not saying Republicans would go berserk if a Democratic president misspelled "Marine Corps," as Donald Trump did last night, but ... wait, no, I am saying that.

* A case to keep an eye on: "The parents of slain DNC staffer Seth Rich sued Fox News on Tuesday, accusing the network of fabricating a conspiracy involving their son and Wikileaks in order to boost ratings."

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.