New U.S. sanctions aimed at choking off Russia’s war supplies

U.S. trying to determine fate of American soldier in NKorea

White House: Russia preparing for attacks on civilian ships in Black Sea

Biden cracks down on surprise renters’ fees

The Biden administration is taking steps to crack down on junk fees, including those charged by landlords. The president said the government is working with Zillow, Apartments-dot-com and AffordableHousing-dot-com to combat surprise fees faced by renters. The White House also proposed new guidelines for corporate mergers and launched a crackdown on price-gouging in the food industry.

Judge hears case against Biden administration’s asylum rule

GOP presidential hopeful releases list of possible top judicial appointments

One of the Republican presidential candidates is out with a list of possible top judicial appointments. Biotech entrepreneur and GOP presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy has released a list of 16 people he’d nominate to the U.S. Supreme Court or federal appellate courts if he wins the White House. The list includes Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah as possible nominees for the nation’s top court, as well as elevating federal judges who struck down the Biden administration’s airplane mask mandate and the FDA’s two-decade-long approval of the abortion pill. GC, Wash.

Ukraine war to top agenda at NATO summit this week

The Russian invasion of Ukraine will top the agenda at this week’s NATO summit. When NATO leaders gather in Lithuania, Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine will be top of mind, says White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan. NATO nations this week will agree to help modernize Ukraine’s armed forces and reaffirm that it will join their alliance one day. But membership talks are off the table while Ukraine is at war with Russia.

Some GOP presidential hopefuls are struggling to meet fundraising and polling requirements to make it on the debate stage

Some GOP presidential hopefuls are struggling to meet fundraising and polling requirements to make it on the debate stage

VERBATIM:

In order to participate in the Milwaukee debate next month, Republican candidates must have received contributions from at least 40-thousand individual donors. Last week, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said he only received contributions from “over” 5-thousand donors. Candidates also must earn at least 1% in the polls. The candidates who say they have qualified so far include Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy. GC, Wash.

In a controversial move, the United States announced it will send cluster munitions to Ukraine

In a controversial move, the United States announced it will send cluster munitions to Ukraine

VERBATIM:

A majority of NATO members have banned cluster munitions because they can cause civilian casualties. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the U-S carefully weighed the risks.

Sullivan said that scenario is “intolerable” to the U-S. GC, Wash.

The United States is working to win the release of a detained journalist and other Americans in Russia

The United States is working to win the release of a detained journalist and other Americans in Russia

VERBATIM:

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. has been in contact with Russian officials to press for the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

Last week, the U.S. ambassador to Moscow was allowed to visit Gershkovich for the first time since April. GC, Wash.

Some GOP presidential candidates struggle to qualify for debate

Some GOP presidential hopefuls are struggling to meet fundraising and polling requirements to make it on the debate stage. In order to participate in the Milwaukee debate next month, Republican candidates must have received contributions from at least 40-thousand individual donors. Last week, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said he only received contributions from “over” 5-thousand donors. Candidates also must earn at least 1% in the polls. The candidates who say they have qualified so far include Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy.

U.S. says sending cluster munitions to Ukraine is worth risk

White House presses Russia for release of detained journalist

FiveThirtyEight: Biden’s popularity at historically low level

President Biden’s popularity at this point in his term is historically low. As he runs for reelection, Joe Biden is facing the worst job approval rating of nearly every president since Harry Truman. A FiveThirtyEight-dot-com comprehensive poll analysis shows Biden with a 40-percent approval. That is slightly lower than Donald Trump’s rating at the same point during his administration, and sharply lower than both President Bushes. In fact, Biden trails every president –both Democratic and Republican– dating back to the 1940’s except for one — Jimmy Carter.

GOP candidates react to Trump’s threatened debate boycott

GOP presidential candidates are reacting to the possibility that Donald Trump might skip the first primary debate next month. Trump campaign officials say the former president has yet to make a final decision on his plans. But he has indicated both publicly and privately that he’s not inclined to participate in the Milwaukee debate. Chris Christie criticized the threatened boycott, telling CNN that Trump “owes it to the Republican Party and the voters … to stand up and defend his record.” In a Fox News interview, Ron DeSantis said he planned to participate in the debate “regardless” of Trump’s decision and called the debate “an important part of the process.”

Biden heads to Europe for 3-nation trip, including NATO summit

President Biden heads to Europe this weekend [SUN] for a three-country trip. The president will begin his travels in Britain for meetings with King Charles the Third and Prime Minister Sunak. He then goes to Lithuania for the main focus of the overseas trip — the annual NATO summit. Topping the agenda will be bolstering international support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Mr. Biden will also stop in Finland to mark that country’s recent membership in the NATO alliance.

U.S. in talks with Russia about detained reporter

The U-S has been in contact with Russian officials to press for the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. It’s been 100 days since Gershkovich was arrested and imprisoned on espionage charges. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan says the U-S is focused on winning the release of detained Americans. Sullivan said there have been U-S-Russian talks, but doesn’t want to give “false hope.” He said those discussions have not yet produced a clear pathway to a resolution.

U.S. to send controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter mark 77 years of marriage

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, are celebrating their 77th wedding anniversary.
At 77 years, the Carters hold the record as the longest-married first couple ever. This year comes with both of them facing significant health challenges. The 39th president is 98 and has been in home hospice care since February. The former first lady is 95 and has dementia. The Carter family hasn’t offered details of their conditions, but has said they both have enjoyed time with each other and family members, along with occasional visits from close friends.

Biden to crack down on “junk” health insurance plans

President Biden will roll out a new set of initiatives aimed at reducing health care costs. The initiatives include a crackdown on scam insurance plans, new guidance to prevent surprise medical bills, and an effort to reduce medical debt tied to credit cards. The Biden administration plans to limit what it calls “junk” insurance plans, such as short-term policies that can deny basic coverage as people transition between employers.

Trump aide pleads not guilty in classified documents arraignment

Donald Trump’s valet has entered a not guilty plea in the classified documents case. Walt Nauta was charged alongside the former president in a 38-count indictment alleging the mishandling of classified documents. The special counsel’s indictment accuses Nauta of conspiring with Trump to conceal records that the former president had taken with him from the White House. Specifically, he’s accused of moving boxes of documents bearing classification markings in an effort to hide them. Nauta has hired a Florida-based lawyer to represent him.

Powder found in White House’s West Wing lobby was cocaine

Laboratory tests confirm that a white powder found in the White House was cocaine. Officials found the powder in a small plastic envelope in a lobby area of the White House’s West Wing on Sunday. Its discovery prompted a brief evacuation. Sources say an analysis of the powder confirms it was cocaine. The West Wing lobby is a heavily trafficked area where many official visitors and staffers enter, and it’s open to staff-led tours on the weekends and evenings. The U.S. Secret Service is taking the lead on the investigation, consulting visitor logs and security footage.

Biden hosts Sweden’s PM in show of NATO solidarity

President Biden is hosting Sweden’s prime minister at the White House as the United States presses for the Nordic nation’s entry into NATO. This afternoon’s White House meeting comes a week before the NATO summit in Lithuania. The two leaders are expected to discuss their growing security cooperation and reaffirm their view Sweden should join NATO as soon as possible. Officials also say that Russia’s war in Ukraine and matters involving China will be on the agenda.

Judge restricts Biden admin contact with social media companies