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☆ Forget politics, Biden urges Americans to embrace the Christmas spirit
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Nandita Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden urged Americans on Thursday to cast aside the partisan politics that have divided the nation and embrace the caring spirit of the holiday season. In a short holiday speech, Biden said Americans are emerging from a brutal couple of years where the COVID-19 pandemic robbed people of loved ones and new memories. U.S. President Joe Biden delivers a Christmas speech at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 22, 2022. REUTERS/Leah Millis"I sincerely hope that this holiday season will drain the poison that has affected our politics that has set us against one another. I hope this Christmas season marks a fresh start for our nation," Biden said.

☆ President Biden and first lady meet with patients at Children's National Hospital
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Nandita Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (Reuters) - U.S President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited the Children's National Hospital in Washington on Friday and met with pediatric patients, their families and hospital staff. Last year, President Biden made the trip, marking the first time a sitting president made a holiday visit to Children’s National. U.S. President Joe Biden delivers a Christmas speech at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 22, 2022. REUTERS/Leah MillisThe president and the first lady hosted a book reading of "The Snowy Day" with a group of pediatric patients, including some who participate virtually from their hospital room. Both the president and the first lady wore masks, as required by the hospital.

☆ Biden warns Americans: 'Leave now' if you plan Christmas travel
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - The United States faces "dangerous and threatening" storms in the days before Christmas, President Joe Biden warned Thursday from the White House, and Americans who plan to travel to visit family or friends should leave right away. "If you all have travel plans, leave now, not a joke. I’m sending my staff ... if they have plans to leave tomorrow, I’m telling them leave now." Biden, who plans to remain in Washington for the Christmas holiday on Sunday, said he will be briefed later by FEMA and the National Weather Service. The White House has already spoken to 26 state governors in afflicted regions, he said.

[1/2] U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy walk down the Colonnade to the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 21, 2022. The planning for Zelenskiy's speech began in October, according to a Pelosi aide, when she met with Ruslan Stefanchuk, chairman of Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. Zelenskiy, Fried said, "didn’t go to Berlin, Brussels, London or Paris" for his first trip abroad since the start of the war. The optics of Zelenskiy receiving a hero's welcome as a defender of democracy carries a message far deeper than military aid. In a Senate speech he described Zelenskiy as "a leader who is fighting for his life, fighting for his country's survival and fighting to preserve the very idea of democracy."

It is a grave federal offense, anchored in the Constitution itself," said Representative Jamie Raskin, a Democrat on the select committee member, as he announced the charges. "If we are to survive as a nation of laws and democracy, this can never happen again," said Representative Bennie Thompson, the select committee's chairperson, as the meeting began. SEVERAL INVESTIGATIONSThe select committee's work is one of a series of investigations into the riot. The select committee approved its report including the recommendation of charges unanimously, with all of its seven Democrats and two Republicans in favor. Trump was the first presidential candidate in decades to not release his tax returns during either of his campaigns for president.

☆ U.S. Capitol riot panel meets, to ask prosecutors to charge Trump
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Patricia Zengerle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] A mob of supporters of then-U.S. President Donald Trump climb through a window they broke as they storm the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. While potentially damaging to Trump's reputation as he starts a bid for the White House in 2024, any recommendations would be non-binding and the Justice Department itself will decide whether to pursue prosecutions. NBC reported on Monday that the committee believed it had sufficient evidence for criminal referrals against Eastman citing unnamed sources. Some prominent Republicans have urged the party to move on from Trump's focus on 2020 as they select a nominee for 2024. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in October found that two in five Republicans believed Trump was at least partly responsible for the attack.

☆ Trump a target as U.S. Capitol riot probe votes on criminal referrals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Patricia Zengerle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/3] A mob of supporters of then-U.S. President Donald Trump climb through a window they broke as they storm the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S., January 6, 2021. The committee is scheduled to meet Monday to consider referrals and vote on its final report, which it expects to release in full on Wednesday. It subpoenaed Trump in October, asking him to testify and provide documents, but he filed suit to block the action. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in October found that two in five Republicans believed Trump was at least partly responsible for the attack. Four of the committee's members, including both Republicans, leave Congress early next year.

☆ U.S. lawmaker Greene's Jan. 6 remarks a 'slap in the face' to police - White House
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"January 6 happened, and next thing you know, I organized the whole thing, along with Steve Bannon here. And I will tell you something, if Steve Bannon and I had organized that, we would have won. A bunch of conservatives, Second Amendment supporters, went in the Capitol without guns, and they think that we organized that? Greene in a statement to CNN on Monday said she was being sarcastic and denied any involvement in the Jan. 6 attack. Greene invited people on Twitter to attend the Jan. 6 event before it happened.

☆ U.S. Congress creeps toward deadline to pass $1.5 trillion funding bill
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] A man walks past the U.S. Capitol building as a government shutdown looms in Washington, U.S., September 30, 2021. Over the weekend, behind-the-scenes efforts made progress toward a deal on an "omnibus" spending bill. That prompted Senate Appropriations Chairman Patrick Leahy to pull back from a plan to introduce a Democratic-written funding bill this week. "Chairman Leahy feels that sufficient progress in negotiations took place over the weekend to delay the introduction of the omnibus appropriations bill for the time being. But it was promptly attacked by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

☆ The plight of Ukraine's civilians amid Russia's invasion
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Dave Lucas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Ludmila Syabro, 61, discusses what is has been like to sleep in the storage cellar of her and her husband’s land, despite the fact that their home was mostly destroyed by shelling in the summer and their garden was hit as recently as last week as the...moreLudmila Syabro, 61, discusses what is has been like to sleep in the storage cellar of her and her husband’s land, despite the fact that their home was mostly destroyed by shelling in the summer and their garden was hit as recently as last week as the town continues to receive shelling on a daily basis in Siversk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, November 28, 2022. Despite no power, water or services and daily shelling, Victor Syabro says they will not leave because it’s their land, where Victor was raised and where five generations have lived. REUTERS/Leah MillisClose

[1/2] U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks about the student loan forgiveness program from an auditorium on the White House campus in Washington, U.S., October 17, 2022. The investment is a big win for Biden after supply-chain issues disrupted the U.S. economy early in his presidency. They will attend a "tool-in" ceremony, which is the symbolic moving of the first equipment onto the shop floor of the new $12 billion facility. The $52.7 billion "Chips and Science" act, signed by Biden in August, is aimed at preventing a resurgence of supply-chain woes. Biden's victory in Arizona in the 2020 presidential election helped catapult him to the White House after Republican Donald Trump won the state in 2016.

☆ Zelenskiy urges residents to be strong as Ukraine races to restore power
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Nick Starkov | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Russia has been pounding Ukraine's power infrastructure since early October, causing blackouts and leaving millions without heating as temperatures plummet. RESTORING POWERIn Ukraine, officials have been resorting to scheduled blackouts as they race to restore power. In Kherson, left largely without power when Russian forces abandoned the southern city last month, the regional governor said 85% of customers now had electricity. On the battlefront, Zelenskiy said Ukrainian forces were holding positions along the front line, including near Bakhmut, viewed as Russia's next target in their advance through Donetsk. Russian forces trained tank and artillery fire on both cities and about eight other centres.

☆ Inside the war for Ukraine: Scenes from the frontlines
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Jeremy Schultz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Petro, 35, a member of the 68th Independent Jager Brigade of the Ukrainian Army sits for a portrait in the sleeping quarters for him and other members of his brigade in a dug out field position near the frontline in the Southern Donbas region in...morePetro, 35, a member of the 68th Independent Jager Brigade of the Ukrainian Army sits for a portrait in the sleeping quarters for him and other members of his brigade in a dug out field position near the frontline in the Southern Donbas region in Ukraine, November 29. REUTERS/Leah MillisClose

☆ Factbox: What are Russia and Ukraine's positions on talks to end the war?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

REUTERS/Leah MillisNov 30 (Reuters) - Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what President Vladimir Putin described as a "special military operation". UKRAINEKyiv says peace talks are possible only if Russia stops attacking Ukrainian territory and withdraws its troops from Ukrainian soil. TerritoryKyiv has ruled out conceding any land to Russia in return for peace, and publicly demands Russia relinquish all territory. Ukrainian peace plan:In his speech to the G20, Zelenskiy laid out what he described as a 10-point peace plan. TerritoryPutin denied holding territorial ambitions at the start of the war, saying: "It is not our plan to occupy Ukrainian territory.

[1/4] A Ukrainian serviceman arranges a dugout at a position in a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Mykolaiv region, Ukraine November 4, 2022. At a location in the southern part of the Donbas in southeastern Ukraine, soldiers showed Reuters around muddy positions where they are living. BATTLEFIELD SLOWDOWNUkraine's Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov told Reuters earlier this month that bad winter conditions would give both Kyiv and Moscow's forces a chance to recuperate. The winter weather will likely favour the Ukrainian military, Jack Watling, an analyst at the London-based Royal United Services Institute, wrote on Twitter. He said Ukrainian fighting positions tended to be well-kept, dry and warm, and soldiers had warm clothing.

He is the founder and leader of the Oath Keepers, which U.S. officials have described as an anti-government group. According to the indictment, Rhodes began encouraging his Oath Keepers followers in November 2020 to "oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power." Caldwell has denied he was a member of the Oath Keepers, but prosecutors have said he has strong ties to the group. KENNETH HARRELSONHarrelson, 41, of Titusville, Florida, helped Meggs organize the Florida Oath Keepers and was part of the militia group that stormed into the Capitol building, according to the indictment. JESSICA WATKINSWatkins, 40, of Woodstock, Ohio, led the Ohio team of Oath Keepers at the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to the indictment.

☆ Senators urge Pentagon to reconsider Gray Eagle drones for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Leah Millis/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of 16 U.S. senators pressed the Biden administration to carefully reconsider Ukraine's request for lethal Gray Eagle drones to fight Russia and asked the Pentagon to explain why it has not moved ahead, according to a copy of the letter. The Biden administration has so far rejected requests for the armable MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone, which has an operational ceiling of 29,000 feet and would represent a great technological leap forward for Ukraine. A Pentagon spokesman said, "As a matter of policy, we do not comment on our communication with elected officials." The letter and its contents were reported on by the Wall Street Journal earlier on Tuesday. Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Alexandra Alper and Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/2] U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) arrives as House Republicans gather for leadership elections at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., November 15, 2022. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - The top Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, on Tuesday called on Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to step down, warning that the House may try to impeach him when Republicans take the majority next year. "Our country may never recover from Secretary Mayorkas' dereliction of duty," McCarthy told reporters in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday after speaking with border officials. "If Secretary Mayorkas does not resign, House Republicans will investigate every order, every action and every failure (to) determine whether we can begin (an) impeachment inquiry," he said. He became the first Latino and foreign-born Homeland Security chief when he was confirmed to the role in February 2021.

They won a narrow House majority, having won the 218 seats needed, with eight still uncalled. McConnell and Scott both addressed the gathering, which included newly elected Trump-backed Senate Republicans, including J.D. [1/5] U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell walks to his office at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, U.S., November 15, 2022. In the House, conservative Republicans continued to bash party leader Kevin McCarthy, a day after he overcame a challenger for the chamber's top job of House speaker. While Senate Republicans met in the morning to vote for party leaders, House Republicans met later in the day to consider chamber rules for the next Congress.

Despite Republican hopes for a "red wave" of support in the Nov. 8 elections, they failed to reverse Democrats' razor-thin Senate majority. They appear to be on course to win a narrow House majority, having won 217 of the 218 seats they would need, with 10 still uncalled. McConnell and Scott both addressed the gathering, which included newly elected Trump-backed Senate Republicans, including J.D. [1/5] U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell walks to his office at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, U.S., November 15, 2022. While Senate Republicans met in the morning to vote for party leaders, House Republicans were due later in the day to consider chamber rules for the next Congress, assuming they succeed in capturing the House.

[1/5] U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell walks to his office at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, U.S., November 15, 2022. Trump, who launched his own 2024 White House candidacy on Tuesday, falsely claims he lost because of fraud. "The Democrats outmaneuver us in every election," Braun said as Republicans met to choose their leaders for the next two years. In the House, conservative Republicans continued to bash party leader Kevin McCarthy, a day after he overcame a challenger for the chamber's top job of House speaker. While Senate Republicans met in the morning to vote for party leaders, House Republicans were due later in the day to consider chamber rules for the next Congress, assuming they succeed in capturing the House.

Their defeats were a sign of voters rejecting anti-democratic tendencies in tight midterm elections. In swing states Arizona, Nevada and Michigan, "America First" candidates were nominated for secretary of state, the position that oversees elections. All of those candidates lost. Nevertheless, many Republican election deniers won other races around the country. Reuters/Ipsos polling has shown about two-thirds of Republican voters believe the election was stolen from Trump.

[1/2] U.S. President Joe Biden smiles during a rally with Democratic nominee for Maryland Governor Wes Moore, U.S. White House officials expressed a sense of vindication that Biden's fellow Democrats did better than expected. "Our intention is to run again, that's been our intention," Biden told reporters at the White House, his wife Jill sitting nearby. Biden said his family wanted him to run and he did not feel rushed to make a final decision. The White House has prepared for a host of investigations that may come from a Republican-controlled House, including over his son Hunter's business dealings.

☆ Trump and his far-right allies have stoked a dangerous climate that increases the likelihood of violence far beyond midterms, extremism experts warn
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Political violence experts warn that Trump and his allies are fomenting a dangerous climate. "Republican campaign ads have been riven with violent language and imagery," an expert on political violence said. Pelosi is one of the Democrats most vilified by former President Donald Trump and his far-right allies. Experts on extremism and political violence warn that Trump and his MAGA compatriots are fomenting a dangerous climate that increases the likelihood that opponents of the GOP will be targeted with violence, underscoring that the threat extends well beyond midterms. "This form of political violence is here to stay.

☆ Biden warns election deniers pose threat, blames Trump
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Jeff Mason | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Those were the very same words used by the mob when they stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6," Biden said. Biden said election deniers have been inspired by Trump, who is pondering a run for president in 2024 just as Biden works to decide if he wants to seek another four-year term. Biden said "American democracy is under attack" because Trump will not accept the results of the 2020 election that he lost to Biden. "He refuses to accept the will of the people, he refuses to accept that he lost," Biden said. Some 44% said they are concerned that the U.S. election is rigged, including 28% of Democrats and 62% of Republicans.

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