Republicans add two women to Senate Judiciary Committee

Joni Ernst (left) and Marsha Blackburn (right). Photos: Alex Wong via Getty Images

Senate Republicans announced on Thursday that Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) will be added to the Judiciary Committee for the 116th Congress.

Why it matters: There were previously no Republican women serving on the committee. This became a source of controversy during the confirmation hearings for now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, when Republicans were forced to hire a female prosecutor to question Christine Blasey Ford, who had accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her as a teenager.

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Dan Primack, author of Pro Rata
7 mins ago - Economy & Business

Leon Black says he "made a terrible mistake" doing business with Jeffrey Epstein

Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Rick Friedman/Corbis/Getty Images

Apollo Global Management CEO Leon Black on Wednesday said during an earnings call that he made a "terrible mistake" by employing Jeffrey Epstein to work on personal financial and philanthropic services.

Why it matters: Apollo is one of the world's largest private equity firms, and already has lost at least one major client over Black's involvement with Epstein.

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Shane Savitsky
1 hour ago - World

Jeremy Corbyn suspended by U.K. Labour Party over anti-Semitism report

Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The U.K. Labour Party has suspended its former leader, Jeremy Corbyn, after a watchdog report found that the party failed to properly take action against allegations of anti-Semitism during his time in charge.

Why it matters: It represents a strong break by Keir Starmer, Labour's current leader, from the Corbyn era and one of the party's most persistent scandals.

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Courtenay Brown, Felix Salmon
Updated 2 hours ago - Economy & Business

U.S. economy sees record growth in third quarter

The U.S. economy grew at a 33.1% annualized pace in the third quarter, the Commerce Department said on Thursday.

The state of play: The record growth follows easing of the coronavirus-driven lockdowns that pushed the economy to the worst-ever contraction — but GDP still remains well below its pre-pandemic level.

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