What has our attention…

The “Twitter Files.” On Friday, Twitter CEO Elon Musk teased releasing the company's internal docs discussing a 2020 New York Post article about Hunter Biden. ICYMI, weeks before the 2020 election, Twitter blocked the Post's article on Hunter's laptop. The exclusive included emails on the younger Biden’s business dealings. Another article then revealed Hunter's business partner asked a Chinese energy company for 10% for “the big guy.” At the time, Twitter said it believed the emails were the result of a hack. And suppressed the story citing concerns about Russian disinformation. But since then, 22,000 emails — including the one about “the big guy” — have been verified. Now, Musk — who stumped for Republicans in the lead-up to the 2022 midterms seemed to have given journalist Matt Taibbi access to conversations that led to the decision. Taibbi says the docs show Old Twitter’s actions favored Democrats. 

• What we learned: Twitter employees debated whether to censor the story. That included a comms official saying he struggled to understand “the policy basis” for censorship. But Taibbi also dispelled rumors of FBI involvement, saying he’d seen “no evidence” of “any government involvement” in the company’s decision.

• What’s next: The FBI is investigating Hunter Biden for alleged tax crimes. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) promises to “get answers” when Republicans retake the House. Hunter and Joe Biden haven’t commented on the latest story — but the president has denied being involved in his son’s business dealings.

…Oh and amid all of this, former President Trump used the latest update to call for parts of the Constitution to be “terminated” and for him to be declared the “rightful winner” of the 2020 election. Some Republicans are distancing themselves from Trump’s comments. Others are not.

Why things could get heated…

Oil. Last week, the European Union, G7, and Australia agreed to set a cap on Russian oil at $60 a barrel. The goal: maintain pressure on Moscow as the war in Ukraine continues. But Russia — the world’s third-largest oil producer — said it rejects the cap and threatened to stop supplying oil to any country that supported the move…including the US. The limit is set to go into effect today. Meanwhile, gas prices in the US have gone back down to pre-Ukraine invasion prices (nearly $3 a gallon). But analysts aren’t sure if that price will stay down, saying any other big economic event could send prices back up.

What’s going on down South…

A runoff election. Tomorrow, Georgia voters will be deciding between former NFL star Herschel Walker (R) and incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock (D). The Peach State’s already seen record voter turnout during early voting. But it’s still looking like a tight race. And even though Dems kept their hold on the Senate, this will determine if Dems have 51 seats or just 50. And whether VP Kamala Harris will have to step in as the Senate tie-breaker.

While the US is out of the World Cup…

Others are heading to the quarterfinals. Yesterday, Kylian Mbappé scored two goals against Poland and is having the “competition” of his dreams. South Korea advanced to its first knockout round since 2010. Senegal’s dreams to bring the World Cup home have been dashed. Here’s to some more upsets during the knockout round.

Why it’s a no-bones day...

Noodle has died. The pug that went viral on TikTok for helping people predict how their days were going to go passed away last week at 14. His owner thanked his audience “for loving him.”

Who's setting the record straight…

Keke Palmer.

Who's missing from this reunion...

Coconut Head.