Senate Republicans unveil $568 billion infrastructure counterproposal
Senate Republicans formally rolled out the framework for their $568 billion counterproposal to President Biden’s $2.5 trillion infrastructure plan on Thursday.
NATO
Satellite photos show increased Russian military build-up near Ukraine
Satellite photos show that Russia has deployed warplanes to Crimea and bases near Ukraine, bolstering its readiness for military action and political intimidation, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
US Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Boost Cooperation with Israel in Fighting Cyberattacks
As cybersecurity threats continue to rise, US senators have introduced legislation to boost technology cooperation with Israel and secure funding for up to $30 million to help thwart future malicious attacks.
Senate Democrats settling on 25% corporate tax rate
The universe of Democratic senators concerned about raising the corporate tax rate to 28% is broader than Sen. Joe Manchin, and the rate will likely land at 25%, parties close to the discussion tell Axios.
Global Concern Mount About Tensions In Eastern Ukraine
Pope Francis appealed for peace in eastern Ukraine, where growing violations of a ceasefire trigger rising tensions between Kyiv and Moscow agreed between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists. It comes while a massive Russian military buildup is underway near Ukraine’s borders and British warships preparing to sail for the Black Sea next month in support of Ukraine.
Russia, Czech Republic Expel Dozens Of Diplomats
Russia expelled 20 Czech diplomats after the Czech Republic ordered 18 Russian diplomats to leave on Saturday.
Ponzi Financier Bernie Madoff Dies At 82
Bernard L. Madoff, the financier who pleaded guilty and expressed remorse for orchestrating perhaps the largest Ponzi scheme in history, has died in federal prison, officials confirmed.
US intelligence chiefs: ‘We don’t know’ Putin’s reason for military buildup on Ukrainian border
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reason for a major military buildup on Ukrainian borders remains a mystery, U.S. intelligence officials told lawmakers.
Biden offers to have summit with Putin
US President Joe Biden has offered to have a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid rising tensions over Russia’s buildup of troops close to Ukraine’s eastern border and Crimea, the Washington Times reports. Moscow has acknowledged the offer of a summit.
Federal Court allows Ohio to ban Down syndrome abortions
The 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals has permitted to take effect an Ohio law that prohibits abortions requested because the fetus has Down syndrome, the Washington Times reports.
Biden seeks face-to-face meeting with Putin, urges Russia to ‘de-escalate tensions’
NATO leaders and Russia traded sharp threats Tuesday over a military standoff in Ukraine, with President Biden pressing the Kremlin to de-escalate the situation and suggesting it was time for him and Russian President Vladimir Putin to have a face-to-face talk about Russian provocations.
Russia says the US is an “Adversary”
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Tuesday that the US is an “adversary” which works to “undermine Russia’s position on the world stage,” Reuters reports. Ryabkov made his statement while two US warships prepare to sail into the Black Sea this week, an event which Russia says is “provocative.”
Amid Iran tensions, US defense chief to visit Israel
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will travel to Israel, Germany, Britain and the NATO headquarters in Belgium in the coming week for talks with government and military leaders, the Pentagon announced Thursday.
US President Biden Orders Gun Restrictions Amid Fresh Shootings
Saying there have been “enough prayers” and it was “time for some action,” U.S. President Joe Biden announced gun restrictions, words that were overshadowed by deadly shootings in Texas.
Federal Court: University in Michigan violated rights of Christian student group
A federal court ruled Monday that Michigan’s Wayne State University (WSU) officials violated the constitutional rights of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship student club in 2017: the officials revoked InterVarsity’s registered status saying it was “discriminatory” for the group to require its leaders to be Christian. The lawsuit was filed against the university’s board of governors, board members, and administrators.
Bulgaria’s Controversial Premier Wins Election But Future Uncertain
The party of Bulgaria’s longtime prime minister leading the European Union’s ranked “most corrupt nation” has won parliamentary elections but without enough votes to govern alone, initial official results showed.
U.S., Iran head to Vienna for indirect nuclear deal talks
Iran and the United States said on Friday they would hold indirect talks in Vienna from Tuesday as part of broader negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and global powers.
U.S. rushes to reassure Kyiv as tensions with Russia mount
The U.S. is expressing growing alarm over reports that Russian military forces are deploying along their border with Ukraine, as a largely frozen conflict has heated up again in recent months between the Kyiv government and separatist forces in the east strongly back by Moscow.
US and NATO meet to discuss ‘Russia’s recent large-scale military activities’ near Ukraine
The United States and European allies are “discussing concerns” about Russia’s reported military buildup on the border of Ukraine, a senior State Department official said in a warning to Moscow.
Texas Senate votes to ban abortion once heartbeat is detected
The Texas Senate has passed a ‘heartbeat’ bill that would ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, Lifesite News reports. Bill 8 is one of three right-to-life bills passed by the state Senate on Tuesday; all three bills are now headed to the Texas House for debate.