WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has announced criminal charges, the seizure of internet domains and sanctions related to Russian disinformation efforts to influence the U.S. presidential election. Attorney General Merrick Garland said Wednesday that the actions relate to Russia’s use of state media to enlist unwitting American influencers to spread propaganda and disinformation. Much of the concern around Russia centers on cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns designed to influence the November vote. The tactics include using state media like RT to advance anti-U.S. messages and content, as well as networks of fake websites and social media accounts that amplify the claims and inject them into American’s online conversations.

Palestinian health officials say Israeli strikes in the occupied West Bank killed six people, including the son of a prominent jailed militant. Israel said all of those killed were militants who had been involved in attacks.

A new study finds that every year people create 57 million tons of plastic pollution. The material winds up everywhere from the deepest oceans to the highest peak of Mount Everest to inside people's body. More than two-thirds of it is in the Global South. Researchers at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom examined waste produced at the local level in more than 50,000 cities and towns for the work published in Wednesday's journal Nature.

In other news:

• Republican Liz Cheney endorses Kamala Harris.
• Harris visits New Hampshire to tout her small business tax plan.
• Former aide to 2 New York governors is charged with being an agent of the Chinese government.
• California wildfires grow as heat wave creates worry; South Dakota conditions improve.
• Boeing will fly its empty capsule back to Earth soon. Two NASA astronauts will stay behind.
• Prosecutor asks judge to reconsider dropping charge against Alec Baldwin in 'Rust' case.
• Queen guitarist Brian May says he had a 'minor stroke' but can still play.
• ‘Fake heiress’ Anna Sorokin will compete on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ amid deportation battle.
• She made ‘very demure’ go viral. Now she wants to trademark its use.
• From attic to auction A Rembrandt painting sells for $1.4M in Maine.
• At the US Open, an American woman knocks off the world No. 1, baseball has its fourth no-hitter of the season and three rookie quarterbacks will be starters when the NFL opens its 2024 season.
• Commanders suspend employee after undercover video showed him disparaging players and fans.
• A judge dismisses a sexual assault lawsuit against ex-NFL kicker Brandon McManus and the Jaguars.
• Pope and imam of Southeast Asia's largest mosque make joint call to fight violence, protect planet.
• Grenfell Tower was a 'death trap' due to failures by UK government and industry, inquiry finds.

—The Associated Press

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.