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☆ Alexander Smirnov told investigators he got Hunter Biden dirt from Russian intelligence officials
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Hannah Rabinowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The former FBI informant charged with lying about the Bidens’ dealings in Ukraine told investigators after his arrest that Russian intelligence officials were involved in passing information to him about Hunter Biden, prosecutors said Tuesday in a new court filing, noting that the information was false. They said he previously told the FBI that he has longstanding and extensive contacts with Russian spies, including individuals he said were high-level intelligence officers or command Russian assassins abroad. The story, prosecutors noted, matches the story Smirnov told his handler about Hunter Biden being recorded in a foreign hotel. And, prosecutors wrote, Smirnov claims to have met with Russian intelligence officials as recently as November and December 2023. “He is actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections after meeting with Russian intelligence officials in November.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Prosecutors, Alexander Smirnov, ” Smirnov, David Weiss ’, Smirnov, “ Smirnov, Joe Biden’s, Smirnov’s, Weiss, “ Mr, ”, “, CNN’s Holmes Lybrand, Cheri Mossburg Organizations: CNN, FBI, Prosecutors, House Republicans, ” Prosecutors Locations: Ukraine, Russia, United States, Kyiv, Russian

☆ Schism over Russia drives Republicans apart
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Zachary Wolf | Analysis Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —There are emerging signs of a deep schism in the Republican Party over how or even whether the US should stand up to authoritarianism in Russia. With a not-so-subtle nod to Trump’s failure to criticize Russia for Navalny’s death, she compared elections in democracies to those in autocracies. Compare it with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who, at Trump’s behest, is refusing to bow to pressure to allow a vote on US aid to Ukraine. If it is clear where Haley and Trump stand on opposing Russia and helping Ukraine, what’s in Johnson’s mind is a secret. “If there is a Mike Johnson plan, there aren’t any House Republicans that are aware of its existence.” Read their full report.

Persons: Donald Trump, It’s, Nikki Haley, Haley, Alexey Navalny, ” Haley, Trump, CNN Haley’s intransigence, Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, @realDonaldTrump Organizations: CNN, Republican Party, Republicans, United, Republican, “, Mar, Trump, Twitter, ’ Locations: Russia, Ukraine, South Carolina, Russian, autocracies ., Soviet

☆ Speaker Mike Johnson faces critical decision on Ukraine aid as international pressure grows to act
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Melanie Zanona | Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Speaker Mike Johnson is facing international criticism over his lack of swift action on Ukraine aid, which is ratcheting up pressure to make a critical decision that will not only have massive implications for his rookie speakership but also for Ukraine’s ongoing war effort against Russia. “If there is a Mike Johnson plan, there aren’t any House Republicans that are aware of its existence.”The pressure cooker Johnson is facing has exposed some frustration over how he has approached his speakership. At a time when House Republicans are looking to their leader to make a decisive choice, the speaker has instead elevated members to bring forward their own ideas without articulating his own preferences. “Ukraine is in desperate need of the US aid, passed by an overwhelming bipartisan vote on the floor of the United States Senate. “We’re looking at a number of options on our leadership team.”Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has repeatedly hammered Johnson over his inaction.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, –, Alexei Navalny, Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump, Sen, J.D, Vance, Johnson —, Warren Davidson, ” Davidson, Virginia Sen, Mark Warner, ”, Ben Cardin, “, ” Cardin, It’s, Brian Fitzpatrick, someone’s, Mitch McConnell, Vladimir Putin, ” Johnson, Steve Scalise, Trump, ” Scalise, Joe Biden, ” Biden, NATO … I’ve, Biden, Chuck Schumer, Putin “, Vladimir Putin’s, ” Schumer, it’s, There’s, Mike Turner, ” CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, Russia, Democratic, Congress, Global, Security, Republicans, Republican, NATO, GOP, Caucus, languishes, Senate Intelligence, United, United States Senate, Senate, NATO …, New, New York Democrat, House Intelligence, Ohio Republican, Press, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Warren Davidson of Ohio, “, Munich, United States, Russia, Pennsylvania, Baltic, Florida, New York, Washington

☆ A boomer moved back to Virginia after living in Florida for a decade. She said she would 'never own another home' in the Sunshine State and loves the slower pace of life.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Nancy, a 68-year-old retiree, moved back to Virginia from Florida due to escalating costs and the heat. “There’s so much you don’t know about living in Florida and owning a home in Florida until you’re actually living it,” Nancy said. The Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey found that between 2021 and 2022, nearly 23,800 people moved from Florida to Virginia, while almost 33,000 moved from Virginia to Florida. AdvertisementNancy moved with her husband to Cape Coral 11 years ago after four of her five kids moved there. They settled on Cape Coral for the beach access and warm weather, and for the first few years, they made the most of their time there.

Persons: Nancy, —, aren’t, Virginia —, “, you’re, ” Nancy, “ I’m, isn't, ”, Hurricane Ian, Virginia Nancy, it’s Organizations: Service, Sunshine State, Virginia Tech, Bureau, Survey, Florida —, Cape Coral, Coral, Insurance Information Institute, Hurricane, Radford University Locations: Virginia, Florida, Nancy, Cape Coral, Georgia, Texas, Northern Virginia, Fairfax County, Cape, New Hampshire, Virginia Tech, Coral

CNN —House Republicans were shocked by some of the recent high-profile retirements announced by their colleagues, which have included powerful committee chairs and rising stars inside the GOP. And on the Energy and Commerce Committee alone – a highly sought-after assignment – there are eight Republicans who are retiring. “So, yeah, I’m very worried about it.”Others, however, said the turnover is completely normal, especially since the House GOP has self-imposed term limits for chairs, which they argued allows them to inject new blood into the ranks. We probably need a few more retirements.”McCarthy – who resigned at the end of last year – suggested that was perhaps the goal of hard-liners like Good and GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida who voted to oust him. It’s just a number of things piling up,” said House Science Committee Chair Frank Lucas, reflecting on the retirements.

Persons: “ They’ve, we’re, ”, Ken Buck, Don Bacon of Nebraska, ” Bacon, Carlos Gimenez, Kevin McCarthy, “, it’s, –, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Mike Gallagher of, Alejandro Mayorkas, Greg Pence, Pfluger, Tom Cole, I’ve, I’m, Bob Good, ” Good, ” McCarthy –, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, ” McCarthy, Frank Lucas, Mark Green of, Debbie Lesko of, McCarthy, ” Lesko, can’t, Brian Fitzpatrick, Steve Womack, Donald, Trump, Kelly Armstrong of, ’, Erin Houchin, Patrick McHenry of, Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, CNN, GOP, Energy, impeaching Homeland, Commerce, Indiana, Republicans, Congress, Capitol, ”, House Homeland Security Committee, Representatives, Financial Locations: Ken Buck of Colorado, Carlos Gimenez of Florida, Washington, China, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Texas, Congress, Florida, Mark Green of Tennessee, Debbie Lesko of Arizona, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, New York, Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota, Erin Houchin of Indiana, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina

☆ House Republicans stand by their decision to oust George Santos even as it cost them a GOP seat: 'You have to have standards'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Several GOP lawmakers who voted to expel George Santos told Politico they stand by their votes. Last week, Democrat Tom Suozzi flipped Santos' former seat in a House special election. And even though Suozzi flipped the seat blue, the Republicans who backed Santos' ouster said they continue to stand behind their votes. Advertisement"I didn't shrink the Republican majority — George Santos shrunk it by his actions," Lawler told the outlet. Santos has criticized the New York Republicans who voted to remove him from Congress.

Persons: George Santos, Mike Lawler, Santos, Tom Suozzi, —, Republican Mazi Melesa Pilip, Suozzi, Lawler, Joe Biden's, Pilip, Donald Trump —, MAGA, John Curtis of, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Collins of, hasn't, Greene, Collins, Suozzi — Organizations: Politico, New York Rep, Service, Republican, New York's, GOP, Republicans, Legislature, Democrats, New York Republicans Locations: New York City, New York, Washington, Nassau, John Curtis of Utah, Mike Collins of Georgia

☆ Opinion: Alexey Navalny, one man who stood up to a dictatorship
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. “In his courageous and too short life,” wrote Russia scholar Daniel Treisman, “Navalny became a symbol of hope for the younger generations of his compatriots. “He never gave up on the prospect of what he called ‘the beautiful Russia of the future,’” Treisman noted. “For a ‘beautiful Russia of the future’ to emerge in coming years, Putin must lose the war he started. Navalny understood this.”“Navalny’s death represents the extinguishing of all hope for Russia’s turnaround,” wrote Sasha Vasilyuk.

Persons: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Joseph Stalin “, “, ”, you’ve, Alexey Navalny, Vladimir Putin’s, Navalny, fearlessly, Putin, Daniel Treisman, “ Navalny, Navalny’s, ’ ” Treisman, Sasha Vasilyuk, Alexey Navalny’s, Peter Bergen, Andrei Sakharov, ” Putin, Bergen, Nick Anderson, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, authoritarians, Bill Bramhall, James Mattis, ” Peter Bergen, Frida Ghitis, Fidel Castro’s playbook, Patrick Mahomes, Andy “, Amy Bass, New York Democrat Tom Suozzi, George Santos, ” Suozzi, CNN Suozzi didn’t, Biden, isn’t, Long, Max Burns, ” “, Alejandro Mayorkas, ” “ Suozzi, Burns, Robert Hur’s, Norm Eisen, Richard Painter, Joshua Kolb, Hur, ” Joel Pett, Lawrence C, Levy, Julian Zelizer, Dean Obeidallah, Mark Dent, Dent, Saw, Clay Jones, David Orentlicher, ” Orentlicher, Will Cooper, Fani, Willis, Nathan, Wade, ” “ Willis, Antony Blinken, Batniji, Blinken, Fatah, Hussein, Don’t, David Horsey, Agency Jill Filipovic, Lynda Gorov, Taylor Swift, Jim Parrott, Mark Zandi, Brigid Schulte, Yuliya, Kara Alaimo, Frankie de la, Jackie Robinson’s, Jon Stewart’s, Jon Stewart, Matt Wilson, Jon Stewart skewered Trump, Bill Carter, Stewart, ” “ Stewart Organizations: CNN, IK, Moscow Times, Kremlin, Twitter, Facebook, Soviet, Tribune, Agency, Republican, Senate, Agency Former US Defense, Trump, , Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, nab, New, New York Democrat, Democratic, GOP, Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church, Super Bowl, Kansas, West Bank Locations: Soviet, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, New York, Washington, Georgia, ,, York, Glen Cove, Joel Osteen’s, Houston, Kansas City, America, ”, Kansas, Gaza, San Francisco, Israel, Iran

☆ The Ukraine aid that House Republican leaders are blocking might actually be good for the US economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

House Speaker Mike Johnson is blocking a $95 billion emergency foreign aid bill, saying he's in "no rush" to take up the legislation the Senate overwhelmingly approved last week. While supporters of the legislation say it's needed urgently to help Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal also points out that the bill would benefit the US economy. Lael Brainard, the director of the White House National Economic Council, told the Journal in a recent interview that the impact on the US economy would be significant. AdvertisementIt remains unclear when or if the House will take up the Senate bill. Trump in recent weeks also helped tank a bipartisan bill that would have tightened the US asylum system, among other measures.

Persons: Mike Johnson, —, Russia's, Joe Biden's, Lael Brainard, Donald Trump, Trump Organizations: Business, Street, Pentagon, White, National Economic Council, The Locations: Mexico, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Taiwan

CNN —President Joe Biden, in a call Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, directly tied Ukraine’s withdrawal from the key town of Avdiivka to Congress’ inability to pass further aid for the country’s effort to fend off Russia’s invasion. “This morning, Ukraine’s military was forced to withdraw from Avdiivka after Ukrainian soldiers had to ration ammunition due to dwindling supplies as a result of congressional inaction, resulting in Russia’s first notable gains in months. President Biden emphasized the need for Congress to urgently pass the national security supplemental funding bill to resupply Ukrainian forces,” according to a White House readout of the call. Earlier this week, the Senate passed with bipartisan support a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill, which includes $60 billion to support Ukraine. The withdrawal from Avdiivka marks the biggest gain for Moscow since it captured the city of Bakhmut last year.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia’s, Biden, Alexey Navalny’s, Mike Johnson, Adrienne Watson, Kamala Harris, Zelensky, Harris, ” Harris, ”, ” Zelensky, “ Hatred, ” Biden, it’s, they’re Organizations: CNN, Ukraine, National Security, Munich, Representatives, White, Moscow Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, Germany, United States, Russia, Bakhmut

☆ After 35 years, he got $119,500 in student debt forgiven. Then the government refunded him $56,801
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Under the U.S. Department of Education's income-driven repayment plans, student loan borrowers are entitled to get any of their remaining debt forgiven after 20 years or 25 years. Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, a trade group for federal student loan servicers, refuted that the companies benefit by veering from the government's orders. Shortly after Fox heard that his student loans were forgiven, he received a payment from the government for $56,801. When he told people he was still paying off his student debt, they scratched their heads. Over the decades, based on Fox's records which CNBC reviewed, he paid around $200,000 to his federal student loans.

Persons: Marlon, George, servicers, Nadine Chabrier, Fox, he'd, Scott Buchanan, Buchanan, I've, Marlon Fox, overpayments, Biden, Debbie Organizations: Biden, U.S . Department, Center for, Lending, The Education, Student Loan, Alliance, Palmer College of Chiropractic, CNBC Locations: forbearances

☆ Democrats Are Trailing Everywhere But at the Ballot Box
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Susan Milligan | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

Democrats scored a big win in New York on Tuesday, and the numbers were extremely encouraging for the party. Across the country, Democrats are winning special elections and overperforming in elections they have predictably lost. And it's fueling optimism among Democrats looking at a challenging election year for both the White House and Congress. Last month, Democrats picked up a critical state House seat in Orlando, Florida – an important indicator of political mood in the I-4 corridor, home to many Hispanics. That doesn't necessarily translate into support for Biden, experts note, since the president often polls lower than Democrats running for lower office.

Persons: Joe Biden, Tom Suozzi, Republican Mazi Pilip, George Santos, Jim McGovern, they've, Donald Trump, Grant Reeher, Reeher, Tuesday's, Yemi Mobolade, Donna Deegan's, Jim Prokopiak, Republican Candace Cabanas, Trump, Biden, Suozzi, – Organizations: Democratic, Republican, GOP Rep, White House, Biden, Syracuse University, Republicans, Senate, GOP, Gallup, Democrats, New York, Siena, Trump, New, Democratic National Committee, Biden's, Palmetto State Locations: New York, Washington, Massachusetts, Colorado Springs , Colorado, Jacksonville , Florida, U.S, Virginia, New Jersey, Kentucky, Orlando , Florida, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, South Carolina, In Nevada

☆ A stunning indictment could doom Republican's effort to impeach Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Special counsel David Weiss blew through one of the key pieces of evidence House Republicans have held against Biden. AdvertisementA stunning indictment has undermined one of the key pieces of evidence some GOP lawmakers have cited in their impeachment push against President Joe Biden. Top House Republicans have cited the previously unknown informant's allegations for months as evidence for their views about the "Biden crime family." Some Republicans were already warning that their Biden impeachment push was going nowhere even before the latest setbacks. The outlet reported that roughly 20 Republicans were not convinced there was sufficient evidence to impeach Biden.

Persons: David Weiss, Weiss, Biden, Trump, —, Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, Obama, Alexander Smirnov, James Comer, Comer, Sen, Chuck Grassley, Hunter, Donald Trump's, Smirnov, George Santos, Mike Johnson, Alejandro Mayorkas, Mayorkas, Tom Suozzi, Santos, Ken Buck, Buck, Donald Trump, impeaching Biden, weaponizing Organizations: Republicans, Biden, FBI, Service, Prosecutors, Top, Iowa Republican, CNN, GOP, Homeland, Democratic, Colorado Republican, DOJ, DAs Locations: Ukrainian, Iowa, York, Colorado, South Carolina

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that the apparent death of Russian anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny brings new urgency to the need for Congress to approve tens of billions of dollars for Ukraine to stave off Moscow's invasion. Speaking at the White House, Biden said that no matter the cause, he holds Russian President Vladimir Putin responsible for Navalny's death. He added, “I hope to God it helps” push U.S. lawmakers to send more aid to Ukraine. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesThe president sharply criticized House Republicans for letting the chamber enter a two-week recess without moving on the Ukraine funding. “President Biden pledged ‘devastating’ consequences should Navalny die in prison; now he must follow through.

Persons: Joe Biden, Alexei Navalny, Biden, Vladimir Putin, hasn't, ” Biden, ”, Mike Johnson, “, Putin, ” Johnson, Donald Trump, Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, ” Jeffries, Vladimir Putin’s, Republican Sen, Tom Cotton of, Trump’s Putin, Illinois Sen, Dick Durbin, Carolina Sen, Thom Tillis, Navalny, ” Tillis, eyeing, Harry Truman Organizations: WASHINGTON, White, Republicans, Ukraine, GOP House, Democratic, Senate, Republican, America, ” Lawmakers, Trump, NATO Locations: Russian, Ukraine, U.S, United States, Baltic, Russia, Israel, Taiwan, Vladimir Putin’s Russia, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Illinois, ., Carolina, America

☆ The White House says it's tracking a new Russian space weapon that violates a nuclear arms treaty
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The White House has confirmed that Russia is building a new weapon to be put in space. The weapon is thought to be nuclear-related, with the White House saying it would violate the Outer Space Treaty. AdvertisementThe White House confirmed on Thursday that it is monitoring Russia's development of a new weapon to be stationed in space. But the spokesperson also said the weapon would violate the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, of which Russia is still a participant. The treaty specifically bans the stationing of weapons of mass destruction in space, including nuclear arms.

Persons: it's, —, It's, John Kirby, Kirby, we've, hasn't, Mike Turner, Hakeem Jeffries, Jake Sullivan, MANDEL NGAN, Jim Himes Organizations: Service, White House, The New York Times, CNN, Center for Strategic, International Studies, US, Intelligence, GOP House, intel, National Security, Getty, Democratic, House Intelligence Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Hill, Washington ,, AFP, Jim Himes of Connecticut

☆ Mayorkas defends his record on the southern border and slams House Republicans after historic impeachment
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Donald Judd | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Friday defended his record on the border, saying his impeachment by House Republicans has no basis in fact or law and he has no plans to slow down his work. Of course,” Mayorkas told Amanpour. As a member of the administration’s delegation to the conference, Mayorkas rebuffed the idea that Tuesday’s impeachment had compromised his standing with world leaders. Three Republicans – Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, and Tom McClintock of California – voted with Democrats against the measure. “I’ve interacted with the president countless times,” Mayorkas told Amanpour.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Mayorkas, “, ” Mayorkas, Amanpour, I’m, Alexey Navalny, Joe, Robert Hur’s, ”, –, Republicans – Ken Buck, Republicans – Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike Gallagher of, Tom McClintock, California –, Navalny’s, Vladimir Putin, Hur, Biden, “ I’ve Organizations: CNN, Homeland, House Republicans, Munich Security Conference, ” CNN, Republicans, United, Justice Locations: United States, Republicans – Ken Buck of, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, California, Ukraine

☆ Biden Condemns ‘Putin and His Thugs’ for Navalny’s Death as Allies ‘Panic’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden blamed President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia personally on Friday for the reported death of the imprisoned Russian dissident Aleksei A. Navalny, and cited the case in pressing House Republicans to approve military aid to Ukraine in its war with Moscow. “Make no mistake: Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death,” Mr. Biden said in a televised statement from the White House. “Putin is responsible. No one should be fooled, not in Russia, not at home, not anywhere in the world.”Asked if Mr. Navalny had been assassinated, Mr. Biden said the United States did not have a full understanding of the circumstances. “The answer is, we don’t know exactly what happened, but there is no doubt that the death of Navalny was a consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did.”

Persons: Biden, Vladimir V, Putin, Aleksei A, Navalny, ” Mr, “ Putin, Mr, ” Organizations: “ Locations: Russia, Russian, Ukraine, Moscow, United States

What makes the retirements particularly noteworthy is that none of the chairs were at risk of losing their position due to the term limits that House Republicans impose on their committee leaders. “They would clearly rather be home with their family than in Washington with a dysfunctional Congress,” said Republican strategist Doug Heye. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesThe second retirement announcement came from the new chair of a special committee focused on China. Lucas, who chairs the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, said he's not considering stepping down any time soon. Heye, the Republican strategist, said the retirements of McMorris Rodgers, Green and Gallagher wouldn't make sense in normal times.

Persons: ”, Doug Heye, “, ” McMorris Rodgers, Billy Tauzin, Henry Waxman, Gallagher, Alejandro Mayorkas, Green, ” Green, McMorris Rodgers, she's, I've, ” Gallagher, Frank Lucas, ” Lucas, “ It's, there's, they're, Lucas, he's, Don Young, ‘ Lucas, Byron Donalds, “ We're, ” Donalds, Pete Aguilar, Gallagher “, ” Aguilar, Richard Hudson, ” “ I'm, ” Hudson, Heye, ” Heye Organizations: WASHINGTON, GOP, Energy, Commerce, impeaching, Fox, Electoral, Wednesday, Homeland Security Committee, Science, Technology, Rep, House Democratic Caucus, Republicans, Republican, House Republican, Democratic, “ Locations: Washington, China, Wisconsin, Alaska

President Joe Biden laid the blame for Alexei Navalny's death squarely at the feet of Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday, saying what happened to the imprisoned opposition leader is "yet more proof of Putin's brutality." He was principled," Biden said at the White House. Navalny envisioned a different Russia – one where the rule of law is respected, and "he knew it was a cause worth fighting for – and even worth dying for," Biden said. "Make no mistake: Putin is responsible for Navalny's death. In Munich, at an international security conference, world leaders mourned the loss of Navalny and cast accusatory eyes at Putin.

Persons: Joe Biden, Alexei Navalny's, Vladimir Putin, Biden, Alexei Navalny, Putin, Navalny, Donald Trump –, Navalny –, ” Biden, Kamala Harris, Trump, Truman, Mike Pence, –, ” Pence, Mike Johnson, Navalny's, Yulia Navalnaya, ”, Alexei, he’d Organizations: GOP, White, NATO, Biden, Trump, Republican Party, House Republicans, Louisiana Republican, Republican, Senate, Republicans Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Russia, United States, Louisiana, Munich

☆ Biden rips the House for taking 2-week break as he presses for Ukraine funding
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Michael Williams | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden on Friday criticized the House for taking a two-week break amid a heated push for additional funding for Ukraine in its war against Russia. The Senate passed a bipartisan $95 billion bill that provided the Ukraine funding, along with support for Taiwan and Israel, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled he won’t bring the bill to the House floor. Democrats made some concessions for the Senate bill, but prospects of a funding bill passing the House were torpedoed after former President Donald Trump pushed Republicans to oppose it. And the prospects of additional funding after the election remains in question if Trump, the GOP frontrunner who recently signaled indifference to Russia invading a NATO ally, wins in the fall. Asked whether Navalny’s reported death would burgeon support for additional funding from members of Congress, Biden said “I hope to God it helps.”This story has been updated with additional reporting.

Persons: Joe Biden, Alexey Navalny’s, Biden, “, ” Biden, they’re, Mike Johnson, Nalvany’s, Johnson, ” Johnson, Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Navalny’s Organizations: Washington CNN, Ukraine, Russia, Congress, Republicans, NATO, Representatives Locations: Ukraine, United States, Taiwan, Israel, Baltic, Russia

☆ House Republicans seek to downplay FBI informant charges that undermine Biden impeachment inquiry
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —House Republicans leading the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden tried to downplay the importance of an FBI informant whose claims they once championed after he was charged with fabricating foreign bribery allegations involving the president and his son. Special counsel David Weiss charged the FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, with lying to the FBI and creating false records. The indictment is just the latest setback to House Republicans who are struggling to build momentum to impeach the president. In the wake of the charges, President Joe Biden called out the informant for lying and said Republicans should end their impeachment inquiry. In the wake of the charges, Republicans have seized on the idea that Smirnov was initially presented as a credible witness.

Persons: Joe Biden, David Weiss, Alexander Smirnov, Smirnov, Biden, Jim Jordan, Jordan, James Comer, Comer, Jason Smith, Joe Biden corruptly, Hunter, Donald Trump’s, Alejandro Mayorkas, ”, Jamie Raskin, “, Johnson, Scott Brady, Brady, ” Brady, Tony Bobulinski, ” Comer, Raskin, Hunter Biden, James, CNN’s Marshall Cohen Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, FBI, Republicans, CNN, Fox, of Homeland, House Republicans, Hunter Biden, CHS, GOP Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian

The House Judiciary Committee, chaired by conservative firebrand Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, will hold a hearing with special counsel Robert Hur on March 12, according to two people familiar with the plans who spoke anonymously to discuss the yet-to-be-announced hearing. The committee has spearheaded much of the House GOP's investigations into Biden, including the effort to impeach him. While that effort has floundered, Republicans want to hear from Hur after his report last week offered an unflattering assessment of Biden's competency and age. The hearing is sure to spill into a political spectacle as House Republicans have consistently sought to use hearings to punch holes in Biden's political weaknesses. Trump has bragged about his own memory, but at certain times in legal proceedings said he does not recall certain events.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Jim Jordan, Robert Hur, Biden, Hur, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, ” Trump, Trump Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republicans, Justice Department, firebrand Rep, Republican, Trump, Oval Locations: Ohio, U.S, Maryland

MUNICH (AP) — Long regarded as a celebration of the U.S.-led post-World War II international order, the Munich Security Conference this year will be more of a reflection of America’s political turmoil. And overshadowing it all will be Trump’s threat to not automatically come to the defense of European allies should they be attacked by Russia. That is a cornerstone of NATO’s founding treaty, which has taken on additional significance since Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine in 2022. Blinken, too, will be conveying that message in Munich, according to the top U.S. diplomat for Europe, James O’Brien. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz assailed Trump’s comments.

Persons: — Long, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken, Alejandro Mayorkas, Adolf Hitler, Harris, Blinken, laud, Trump, Joe Biden, Biden, Jake Sullivan, ”, James O’Brien, O’Brien, “, Olaf Scholz, Trump’s, Jens Stoltenberg Organizations: Munich Security, Homeland, Republican, Nazi Party, laud American, Republicans, NATO, Democratic Locations: MUNICH, U.S, Munich, Russia, Ukraine, Gaza, Bavarian, Europe, Congress, United States, Finland, Sweden

☆ Russia could 'blind' the US by taking out satellites using a nuclear space weapon, says ex-CIA chief
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Panetta told CNN the weapon could disable US satellites. AdvertisementFormer CIA Director Leon Panetta said that Russia could "blind" the US by using a nuclear-capable weapon to disable satellites in space. Multiple media reports, citing US officials, said the threat was Russia developing a nuclear weapon to be deployed against satellites. AdvertisementOther reports described it differently: PBS News reported its sources saying the satellite would be powered by a nuclear reactor but was not itself a nuclear weapon. Security experts have long believed that if the US and Russia were to go to war, attacks to disable satellites could be among the first moves.

Persons: Leon Panetta, Panetta, —, Barack Obama, Michael Turner of, Biden Organizations: CIA, CNN, Service, CNN Wednesday, Pentagon, Republican, House Intelligence Committee, ABC News, The New York Times, PBS News, Times, Soviet Union, Republicans Locations: Russian, Russia, Michael Turner of Ohio, Ukraine

☆ In Munich, Harris Aims to Reassure European Allies as Trump Disparages NATO
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As Air Force Two taxied for takeoff bound for Germany, Vice President Kamala Harris made her way through the plane handing out heart-shaped Valentine’s Day cookies. It was good practice for her trip to the Munich Security Conference, where her mission will be to reassure European allies that America still loves them. Arriving in Munich even as House Republicans block military aid to Ukraine and former President Donald J. Trump vows to encourage Russia to attack “delinquent” NATO allies, Ms. Harris has the unenviable task of telling European leaders not to worry too much about those things. And she faces the challenge of making the case that Mr. Trump and his backers are wrong about the value of alliances. While the meetings she and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will have in Munich will be aimed at calming European leaders, the speech she will deliver to the conference on Friday will be aimed as much at the American audience back home.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Donald J, Trump, Harris, Antony J, Blinken, Biden, Harris’s Organizations: Air Force, Munich Security Conference, Republicans, NATO Locations: Germany, America, Munich, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Ousting Kevin McCarthy has been a disaster for House Republicans
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewAfter four months of failed votes, retirements, and shrinking the party's already-narrow majority, House Republicans are feeling the harsh effects of ousting then-Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy from his leadership role in October 2023. Before obtaining the speakership, his highest leadership experience came from his nearly three years as the vice chair of the House Republican Conference, where he had scant experience raising money and campaigning for other Republicans. Because of this narrower majority, Johnson has an increasingly difficult job getting House Republicans to vote in lockstep — practically the only way the conference can pass legislation without relying on Democratic votes. McCarthy also had ample experience fundraising and propping up trailing candidates, attributes that could've helped New York special election candidate Mazi Pilip on Tuesday. AdvertisementOr as one House Republican put it bluntly earlier in February: "Getting rid of Speaker McCarthy has officially turned into an unmitigated disaster."

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