During a speech on Thursday, President Biden criticized certain Republicans, identifying them as “extreme MAGA” for supporting policies that could increase taxes and inflation for middle-class Americans. Additionally, he emphasized his own record on the economy. The speech came shortly after the release of new economic data, which indicated that the economy had grown at a rate that surpassed expectations during the fourth quarter.

President Biden spoke out against the Republican proposals, claiming they would increase gas prices, provide tax cuts for the wealthy, decrease Social Security and Medicare funding, and increase taxes for middle-class citizens. He also vowed to reject these proposals if they were to pass through Congress.

During his speech, President Biden specifically targeted the Fair Tax Act, a bill supported by Republicans. He warned that the proposed 30% national sales tax and eliminating most other taxes would ultimately lead to increased taxes for working and middle-class individuals. He also pointed out that the bill has a low chance of being passed, as the House Speaker, a Republican, has announced his opposition to it and the Senate, controlled by Democrats, is unlikely to approve it.

Democratic Party Concerns Over GOP-backed Legislation and Debt Ceiling Negotiations

Democratic Party representatives have argued that the legislation, supported by Republicans, that restricts the Biden government’s ability to trade oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) would increase gas prices. Furthermore, they have expressed concerns that in negotiations surrounding the debt ceiling, Republicans might push for reductions to the funding of Medicare and Social Security, despite the House Speaker, a Republican, reportedly agreeing to retain those programs.

President Biden connected the Republican Party to former President Donald Trump, stating that the national debt had risen more drastically during his four years in office than under any other president. He also specified that significant portions of Republicans, between 30-40%, are “MAGA Republicans” who aim to create chaos and devastation.

The U.S. President referenced several key pieces of economic legislation passed during his office. These include the American Rescue Plan Act, which provided $1.9 trillion in funding to aid in the economic recovery of the country from the Coronavirus pandemic, and the Inflation Reduction Act, which aimed to lower the federal deficit, decrease the cost of drugs, and decrease carbon emissions among other objectives.

The President also emphasized the “strongest years of job growth ever in American history” during his first two years in office, mentioning that nearly 11 million jobs have been created, including 75,000 in the manufacturing industry. The decrease in unemployment under Biden’s tenure and the increase in the federal deficit under Trump’s tenure can be partly attributed to the Coronavirus pandemic, with the government’s debt growing significantly in 2020 due to Covid-19 relief programs, while job growth surged as the unemployment rate returned to pre-pandemic levels under Biden.

Low Confidence amid GDP Rise and Layoff Concerns

Over the past year, the economy has displayed mixed signals, with low unemployment but high inflation and a negative perception among Americans, as reported by Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index. Despite an unexpected increase of 2.9% in GDP for the last quarter of the previous year, reports of increased layoffs, reduced household spending, and the Federal Reserve’s efforts to constrain inflation by increasing interest rates have led experts to predict a potential decline in the economy in the coming quarter.

President Biden said he genuinely believes the current news could not be any better. He highlighted that the economy is seeing growth at a higher rate than anticipated, with a 2.9% increase. Additionally, he noted that employment is at a record high, and wages are rising faster than inflation. Furthermore, he pointed out that inflation has decreased each month over the past half-year.

On Thursday, President Biden delivered his first significant speech on the economy for the year, as Democrats have intensified their criticisms of Republican financial strategies. The previous day, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, both Democrats from New York, strongly criticized the Fair Tax Act, asserting that it would result in higher taxes for the majority of Americans and lower taxes for high-income earners.

Simultaneously, discussions are ongoing regarding increasing the federal debt ceiling, which reached its limit of $31.4 trillion last week and must be increased by mid-year to avoid government default on its debt, a situation that would have severe economic ramifications. The Republicans are advocating for cuts in spending in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. However, the White House has stated that it will not enter into negotiations on the matter.

Legislation Prohibiting Oil Exports from Strategic Petroleum Reserve

On Thursday, legislation will be presented to the House for evaluation which aims to prevent the Department of Energy from exporting oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until a plan is created to expand fossil fuel production on government lands. With bipartisan support, a bill was passed earlier this month by the House that would prohibit the Department of Energy from selling crude oil from the reserve to companies linked to China.

The Democrats are opposing the bill being considered on Thursday, and it is unlikely to pass through the Democrat-controlled Senate and be signed into law by President Biden. The White House has also warned that the legislation would lead to oil shortages and higher gasoline prices during crises. The Biden Administration has been selling oil from the reserve to the highest bidder on the international market, including at least one company linked to China.

Read Also: Biden Names Jeff Zients as His Next Chief of Staff

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In a recent address, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude towards Western leaders for their decision to provide tanks to assist in the ongoing conflict but emphasized the need for swift delivery. Additionally, he called for the West to send additional military aid, such as long-range missiles and fighter jets. These statements were made following announcements from the United States and Germany that they would be sending Abrams and Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

Zelensky expressed gratitude towards Western nations for providing tanks to assist in the conflict with Russia. He stressed the importance of these resources being delivered expediently. He called on the West to also provide long-range missiles & fighter jets to aid in the war. pic.twitter.com/RjZpDB3Aan

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 26, 2023

Russia criticized the move, calling it a “blatant provocation” and claiming that any tanks supplied would be destroyed. President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, stated that the tanks would “burn like all the rest” and added that they were “very expensive.” President Zelensky emphasized the need for progress in defense cooperation during a conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He specifically highlighted Ukraine’s desire for long-range missiles, artillery, and a significant number of tanks.

Zelensky emphasized the importance of forming a powerful tank force to prevent tyranny from arising again. Although the Ukrainian leader may prioritize equipping the Ukrainian air force with advanced fighter jets after securing tanks, some Western governments are opposed to this move due to concerns about the potential use of the aircraft against targets inside Russia. During a speech in Berlin on Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz outlined a plan for tank deliveries to Ukraine, emphasizing that no fighter jets would be included.

Ukrainian Lobbying Efforts for Military Equipment Result in Western Allies’ Support

Ukraine has been advocating for Western allies to provide military equipment for months. The same day, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. would provide 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. The announcement of these tank deliveries came after Germany decided to send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and opened the opportunity for other European countries to contribute German-made tanks from their own inventory.

The recent announcements of tank deliveries were seen as a significant milestone by Ukraine, as it believed it would enable its military to regain its footing and reclaim occupied territory, which had been under Russian control for nearly a year. Additionally, Ukraine stated that the tanks would serve as a deterrent against a potential Russian offensive in the upcoming spring.

In announcing the decision to provide tanks to Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden stated that Putin had wrongly believed that Europe and the United States would falter in their resolve. He went on to say that the tanks, necessary parts, and equipment were being delivered to aid Ukraine in defending and protecting its own land and not as an offensive threat to Russia.

President Biden explained that the number of tanks being provided, 31, aligns with the typical size of a Ukrainian tank battalion. However, this decision marks a change in stance from the Biden administration, as it had previously expressed concern that the heavy M1 Abrams tanks would be difficult to transport, costly to maintain, and challenging for Ukrainian troops to use.

Challenges in Obtaining and Operating Modern US-made Tanks for Ukraine

The M1 Abrams tank, which is manufactured in the U.S., is considered one of the most advanced tanks in the world and requires extensive training to operate. The $400m package from the U.S. also includes eight recovery vehicles to tow the tanks if they become immobile, as well as ammunition, equipment, and funding for training and maintenance. However, it will likely take several months for the tanks to reach Ukraine.

Moreover, the White House national security spokesman John Kirby stated that there are no surplus Abrams tanks in the U.S. inventory. Thus they will have to be procured from private contractors or obtained from another country. The Leopard 2 tanks, manufactured in Germany, will be taken from existing stocks and are expected to arrive in two to three months. These tanks are widely considered among the most formidable in the market.

The decision to send these heavy weapons was made after weeks of diplomatic discussions. Germany came under increasing international pressure to send the tanks, and it has been reported that the final decision to do so was contingent on the U.S. taking similar action. When asked if the U.S. decision was intended to provide Germany with an opportunity to send tanks, Kirby stated, “I wouldn’t use the word cover. What this decision does do is show how unified we are with our allies.”

European Countries Send Leopard 2 Tanks to Ukraine

Kirby attributed the change in Washington’s stance to the current conditions on the ground and Russia’s tactics but did not provide further information. According to officials in Berlin, Ukrainian personnel will soon receive training on how to operate the Leopard tanks in Germany. While acquiring tanks from Western nations is viewed as a diplomatic victory for Zelensky, he has stated that his country needs at least 300 to defeat Russia.

Several European countries possess Leopard 2 tanks in their military inventory, and the German decision allowed some of these tanks to be sent to Ukraine. It is estimated that around 90 tanks will be delivered to the battlefield by Germany. Poland has expressed its intention to export 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Furthermore, Norway announced Wednesday that it plans to provide some of its armored vehicles to Ukraine without specifying the number. The United Kingdom was the first member of NATO to donate modern tanks to Ukraine when the government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that 14 Challenger 2 tanks, which are the British army’s primary battle tank, would be provided.

Read Also: Ukraine Grieves on Helicopter Crash Tragedy

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Last week, a lawyer for ex-Vice President Mike Pence came across a dozen classified documents at Pence’s residence in Indiana. He subsequently handed over these classified materials to the FBI, as per sources familiar with the matter. The FBI and the DOJ’s National Security Division have initiated an investigation to review the documents and how they ended up in Pens’ home.

A lawyer discovered classified documents at the residence of former Vice-President Mike Pence, marking yet another instance of confidential papers being found at the homes of high-level government officials. The FBI has now taken possession of the documents found.#PenceDocuments pic.twitter.com/61DCNVKJxn

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 25, 2023

The classified papers were found at the new residence of Pence in Carmel, Indiana, by a lawyer representing him, in light of the recent revelation of classified material found in President Joe Biden’s private office and home, according to the same sources. This discovery comes after Pence has repeatedly denied holding any classified documents. The nature and level of sensitivity of the documents in question and their classification still need to be discovered.

Out of caution, Pence requested his lawyer, who specializes in handling classified material, to search for his home. It is said that attorney Matt Morgan started examining four boxes stored at Pence’s house last week and found several documents with classified markings. His lawyer promptly notified the National Archives, as per the sources. Subsequently, the Archives alerted the Justice Department. Pence’s team informed leaders of Congress and the appropriate committees about the discovery on Tuesday.

FBI Secures Classified Documents from Pence’s Home

According to a lawyer for Pence, the FBI requested and was granted access to documents with classified markings from Vice President Pence’s home. The FBI’s field office in Indianapolis collected the documents. On Monday, Pence’s legal team delivered them to the National Archives in Washington, D.C., for review following the Presidential Records Act.

Greg Jacob, Pence’s representative, in a letter to the National Archives, stated that a small number of documents with classified markings were mistakenly included in the materials taken to Pence’s residence and that the Vice President needed to be made aware of their presence. He also stressed that Pence fully understands the importance of protecting classified information and is willing to cooperate with any necessary inquiries.

According to sources, the classified documents were stored in boxes initially placed at Pence’s temporary home in Virginia before moving to Indiana. The boxes were not in a secure location, but they were packed and were not believed to have been opened since they were taped up, as per Pence’s attorney. After being discovered, the classified documents were then placed in a safe in the house.

The Washington D.C. office of Pence’s advocacy group was also searched, but no classified materials or other records that fall under the Presidential Records Act were found. This news comes as special counsels probe the handling of classified material by sitting President Biden and former President Donald Trump and amid speculations that Pence is preparing for a run for the GOP Presidential nomination in 2024.

Pence Denies Retaining Classified Material After Leaving Office

Pence has publicly stated that he did not retain any classified material after leaving office in response to the FBI’s search of Trump’s Florida home for classified documents in August with a search warrant. He told The Associated Press in August, “No, not in his knowledge,” and when ABC News at his Indiana home in November asked if he had taken any classified material from the White House, he said, “he did not.”

He also added, “there’d be no reason to have classified documents, specifically if they were in an unsafe area” and that there could have been other ways to resolve the issue instead of executing a search warrant at the personal residence of Trump.

Classified Material Found in Boxes at Vice President’s Residence and White House

According to sources, while Pence’s vice presidential office generally took proper measures when he left office to identify and turn over any classified or unclassified materials covered by the Presidential Records Act, these classified documents seem to have been overlooked because they were packed separately from the Vice President’s residence along with his personal papers. Pence’s residence at the United States Naval Observatory in Washington has a safe facility for handling classified materials, and it is common for classified documents to be there for the Vice President to review.

Some of the boxes found at Pence’s Indiana home were packed from his residence, and some came from the White House during the final days of the Trump administration, which did not go through the same process as the rest of Pence’s documents. The finding of classified documents in Pence’s residence is the third instance where a president or vice president has been found to possess classified materials after leaving office. Separate special counsels for handling classified materials are investigating both Biden and Trump.

According to sources, the discovery of classified documents in Pence’s residence after the controversies surrounding Trump and Biden suggests a more comprehensive problem related to the handling of classified materials and compliance with the Presidential Records Act, which mandates that official records from the White House should be handed over to the National Archives at the end of an administration.

FBI Conducts Exceptional Search of Biden’s Wilmington Residence

On Friday, the FBI searched a sitting president’s home, Biden’s Wilmington residence, for more classified material and six additional items marked as classified material. This search was carried out after Biden’s legal team found classified material in Wilmington after the initial discovery of classified documents at Biden’s private think office in November. Biden’s lawyers have stated that they are fully cooperating with the Justice Department and making a distinction from the investigation of Trump.

Read Also: No Regrets on Documents Disclosure Case – Biden

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According to sources familiar with the decision, President Biden has chosen Jeff Zients as his next chief of staff. Zients, a management consultant, previously oversaw the administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and played a key role in the United States’ largest vaccination campaign. He left the White House in April but returned in the fall to assist with staff transitions after the midterm elections.

Joe Biden will likely appoint Jeff Zients as the next White House chief of staff. Previously, Zients led the Coronavirus task force to stop the spread of the virus. Ron Klain, the current chief of staff, will step down on 7th February after the State of the Union address.#Zients pic.twitter.com/y2R3Qjg8iW

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 24, 2023

However, a few senior staff members have ended up leaving the administration. Ron Klain, the current chief of staff, will likely resign in the coming weeks. Recently, according to sources familiar with the situation, Klain has been assigning various responsibilities to Jeff Zients, leading some to believe he was being groomed for the top role. These sources requested anonymity to discuss personnel matters.

As Jeff Zients assumes the chief of staff role, President Biden faces a difficult period in his presidency. Klain is expected to leave the position in weeks following the State of the Union 7th February address, marking the first significant departure from President Biden’s inner circle. BBC reached the White House spokesperson for comment, but he declined.

Republicans have initiated numerous investigations into the President’s son’s administration and business activities. Furthermore, Attorney General Merrick Garland has appointed a special counsel to probe the handling of classified documents discovered in Biden’s office and home in Wilmington, Delaware. Additionally, Biden is getting ready to start his re-election campaign.

Zients – Skilled Managers with Political and Campaign Experience

Unlike Ron Klain, Jeff Zients brings a distinct background to the chief of staff role. He first entered government service during the Obama administration and has primarily worked in the private sector. Zients has limited experience in both political and campaign work, having only ever worked in the executive branch. He does not have a personal Twitter account. Despite this, Zients has earned a reputation as a skilled manager, earning loyalty from those he manages.

Some members of the Democratic Party expressed their desire for President Biden to make a more historic selection for the chief of staff role by picking a woman, as a woman in White House history has never held the position. Former senator Ted Kaufman, a close confidant of the President and former chief of staff for Biden in the Senate, said that Jeff Zients is highly qualified for the job and President Biden has already seen him in action. According to Kaufman, Zients is one of the best managers he has ever worked with as chief of staff and manager.

As President Biden increases his political activity, his aides anticipate that the chief of staff’s responsibilities will evolve. Advisers such as Anita Dunn, Jen O’Malley Dillon, and Mike Donilon are likely to play a more significant role in the White House. Bruce Reed, one of the Deputy Chiefs of Staff, and Steve Ricchetti, Counselor to the President, is also expected to be heavily involved in shaping the President’s political agenda.

Chief of Staff Role to Mirror Obama Administration’s Political-operational Structure

White House aides had stated that the arrangement is similar to the one in the Obama Administration when Jack Lew, as the chief of staff, focused on overseeing the operations of the federal government, while David Plouffe, a political strategist, served as a senior advisor from 2011-2013 to manage the re-election campaign. Democrats have stated that Dunn, a senior advisor considered a potential replacement for Klain, and O’Malley Dillon will take on similar roles as Plouffe did. Other individuals considered for the chief of staff role included Steve Ricchetti, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Susan Rice, President Biden’s top domestic policy advisor.

Jeff Zients, who is 56 years old, has roots in Washington, D.C., where he was born and attended St. Albans School before completing his studies at Duke University. He has a successful management consultant background, during which he led the Advisory Board Company with David Bradley, taking the company public and earning significant financial returns. In the early 2000s, Zients attempted to form a group to buy the Washington Nationals baseball team, but the effort could have been more successful.

During the Obama administration, Zients had his first experience in government, where he held multiple senior roles, including heading the Office of Management and Budget and the National Economic Council. He earned a reputation as a problem solver due to his exceptional operational skills, particularly in resolving the troubled launch of the Obama administration’s healthcare website, healthcare.gov.

Read Also: House GOP Leaders Vote for Probe of Biden Presidency

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The White House announced Friday that the United States would label Russia’s Wagner group as a “transnational criminal organization.” This move is aimed at disrupting the financial and arms supply of this private military group, which has been actively participating in the war against Ukraine on behalf of President Putin, with a mix of convicted criminals and contractors.

The United States will be taking further steps to impose sanctions on the Wagner group and its network of support, which operates on multiple continents, announced John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council. Along with this designation, the Treasury Department will formalize these penalties in the coming week.

The White House announced that it would classify the Wagner Group, which aids Moscow’s war on Ukraine, as a Transnational Criminal Organization. This designation will be accompanied by sanctions that will hinder the group’s ability to conduct business globally.#WagnerGroup pic.twitter.com/ms6T6H2G43

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 21, 2023

Recognizing the Global Threat of Wagner Group’s Criminal Activities

During a White House news briefing, Kirby explained that this designation would provide the United States with more options to target the Wagner group’s business operations globally and encourage other countries and organizations to take similar actions. According to John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council, these actions are taken to acknowledge the threat that the Wagner group poses on a global scale, which includes their consistent engagement in severe criminal activities.

He highlighted that this Russian mercenary group has been responsible for committing “atrocities and human rights violations” in Ukraine and other parts of the world. The decision to take these actions comes a month after the Commerce Department imposed new limitations on the Wagner group by identifying them as a “Russian military end user” to obstruct their capability to acquire items that use U.S. technology.

During Friday’s press briefing, John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council, presented images that he claimed were of five Russian rail cars that traveled from Russia to North Korea on November 18th and returned the next day. He stated that these railcars carried a shipment of North Korean infantry rockets and missiles intended to be used by the Wagner fighters in Ukraine.

Arms Transfers in Violation of UNSC Resolutions, Shared with Sanctions Committee

John Kirby said these arms transfers violated United Nations Security Council resolutions. He added that on Friday, the United States shared information about this illicit activity with the Security Council’s North Korea sanctions committee panel of experts. The Biden administration had previously accused North Korea of supplying weapons to the Wagner group. Kirby dismissed the denials made by North Korea and pointed to the recently released imagery as evidence to back the U.S. accusation.

“We firmly condemn the actions of North Korea and call for an immediate stop to these deliveries to Wagner,” said John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council. He added that since its debut in Ukraine in 2014, the Wagner group has gained notoriety as a ruthless, covert tool of Russian influence and has been accused of committing human rights violations in Syria, Mali, Central African Republic, and Ukraine.

Prigozhin’s Involvement in State Contracts and Interference in Foreign Affairs

The founder of the Wagner group, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, has a criminal background, having served a nine-year prison sentence for robbery and other offenses. He later ventured into business, running a hot dog stand, casinos, and a restaurant on a boat in post-Soviet St. Petersburg. He established a connection with President Putin.

Yevgeniy Prigozhin’s Concord Catering company has secured contracts with various Russian state-owned and municipal entities. He also became involved in international affairs, financing the notorious St. Petersburg troll farm, the Internet Research Agency, which interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. He also supported the Wagner group, which rapidly grew into a significant fighting force in Ukraine after President Putin granted Prigozhin the authority to recruit convicts directly from Russian prisons.

Read Also: Russia Utilizing Obsolete Ukrainian Armaments for War

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On Thursday, President Biden stated that he had no remorse regarding the White House’s handling of the revelation that classified documents were discovered at a Washington private office and his Delaware residence. He further pledged to work with the Justice Department and expressed his belief that the situation would be resolved. He added, “I believe nothing is to be found in this matter.” It was his most extensive statement on the matter since last week, following new developments, including naming a special counsel to investigate.

During a visit to APTOS, Biden stated that he had no remorse about the White House’s handling of the revelation that classified documents were found in a private office in Washington & his Delaware residence. He pledged to fully cooperate with the DOJ#BidenClassifiedDocuments pic.twitter.com/DrQkbVABWX

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 20, 2023

President Biden stated that he had no remorse regarding the actions taken by him and his legal team in handling the situation of classified documents being found. He further emphasized that they were following the guidance of their legal team and that there was nothing to be found in the matter. After visiting flooded areas, interacting with small business owners, and inspecting affected sites, he made these comments. The President initially expressed frustration at being asked about the matter.

Company Takes Action to Resolve Misplaced Documents, Cooperates with Authorities

“I will respond to your inquiry, but allow me to express my frustration. It bothers me that we are discussing a significant issue. Yet, the general public does not comprehend why you are not posing inquiries about it,” Biden stated before requesting a moment to provide an answer. “Upon discovering a small number of documents that were mistakenly filed in the wrong location, we promptly submitted them to the appropriate authorities, including the Archives and the Justice Department,” he stated. “We are actively cooperating and eager to resolve this matter promptly.”

President Biden recently spoke in California about appointing a special counsel to investigate the matter. Robert K. Hur, a former senior official at the Justice Department during the Trump administration, has been chosen to lead the investigation by Attorney General Merrick Garland. In November, one of President Biden’s personal attorneys, Pat Moore, discovered a collection of classified documents while cleaning out his post-vice presidential office. These documents were instantly handed over to the National Archives for proper handling.

In late December, a second group of classified material was found at President Biden’s Wilmington, Delaware residence. The discovery of these documents and a third set found at the same location last week were just recently made public. The White House has confirmed that visitor logs are not kept at the Delaware residence.

As classified documents have been found in various locations linked to President Biden in recent weeks, such as the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington and his Wilmington home and garage, the President has made relatively few comments. These discoveries have caused a significant political upheaval, with the appointment of a special counsel, criticism from Republicans, and an investigation from the House Oversight Committee.

Biden’s Limited Response to Document Scandal Amid Ongoing Investigation

Biden’s supporters claim that the ongoing investigation by Robert K. Hur has limited the President’s ability to speak about the matter. On January 10, he stated that he was taken aback by the discovery of documents at the Penn Biden Center and that they fully cooperate with the review. He also expressed his hope that the investigation will be concluded soon and more information will be available.

President Biden’s allies contend that his situation is vastly different from the accusations against former President Trump and his handling of classified documents. They assert that while the documents found in Biden’s possession were mishandled accidentally and promptly returned, Trump has refused to return sensitive materials he obtained from the White House and, at one point, even suggested that he had mentally declassified them. Furthermore, they claim that Trump has been uncooperative and defiant toward investigators.

Despite the defense from his allies, the recent incident involving the mishandling of classified documents comes at an inconvenient time for President Biden. He is planning to announce his re-election campaign in the coming weeks and has been gaining momentum as the Republicans faced challenges in naming a speaker. However, the White House has been inundated with inquiries regarding the discovery of classified documents recently, and they have been unable to provide complete answers to them.

Read Also: House GOP Leaders Vote for Probe of Biden Presidency

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As Ukraine continues to deal with the tragic loss of its Interior Minister in a helicopter crash, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that he is confident in Moscow’s eventual victory in the ongoing war. During a visit to a St. Petersburg factory that produces air defense systems on Wednesday, Putin expressed his belief that despite recent military setbacks, Russia will ultimately prevail in the conflict that has been ongoing for nearly a year.

Putin added that the Russian people’s unity and solidarity, the fighters’ bravery, and the military-industrial complex’s work guaranteed victory in the ongoing conflict. Earlier, the Russian leader participated in an event with veterans to commemorate the eighty anniversary of lifting the World War II siege of St. Petersburg, which was blockaded by Nazi German forces for almost nine hundred days.

As Ukraine struggles with the aftermath of a fatal helicopter crash claiming the life of its interior minister, Putin has declared that Moscow’s victory in the war is inevitable. He stated that he had no doubt Russia would emerge victorious despite the series of military setbacks pic.twitter.com/45jlNmE6EG

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 19, 2023

Further, he said that Russia is engaged in the conflict in Ukraine to defend ethnic Russians and Russian speakers whom Moscow claims are facing systematic discrimination in Ukraine. On the other hand, the government of Ukraine denies this claim and argues that Moscow has used it as an excuse to carry out an aggressive land grab.

Deadly Helicopter Crash Killing Ukrainian Interior Minister

Just hours before Putin’s statement, the Ukrainian authorities reported that 14 people, including Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyy and other senior officials from the ministry, were killed in a helicopter crash on the outskirts of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian State Emergency Service, one child was among the casualties, and 25 others were injured in the incident that occurred on Wednesday in Brovary.

Denys Monastyrskyy, 42, who was in charge of the Ukrainian police and other emergency services and was among the casualties, is the highest-profile Ukrainian official to have been killed since the Russian attacks started last February. The cause of the helicopter crash, which was on its way to front-line positions in the eastern part of the country, is not yet known.

Officials from Ukraine have not mentioned any attack from Russia in the area, and an investigation has been launched. President Volodymyr Zelensky has referred to the crash as a dreadful tragedy that has caused terrifying pain. The President has directed the Security Service of Ukraine, in partnership with the National Police and other relevant agencies, to investigate the incident thoroughly.

Monastyrskyy received condolences from Ukraine’s allies in the West, with the United Kingdom’s Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, praising him as a strong supporter of the Ukrainian people during Russia’s illegal invasion. He shared this information through a Telegram post and also paid tribute to the Interior Ministry leadership team who passed away, describing them as “true patriots.” in response to the incident, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that national police chief Ihor Klymenko would be serving as the Acting Interior Minister.

A Sad Day for Ukraine

This helicopter crash occurred during a difficult time in the war for Ukraine, shortly after Russian forces attacked a residential building in the central city of Dnipro, resulting in 45 deaths, including six children. Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s first lady, expressed her sadness at the news while at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, saying, “Another very sad day today – new losses.”

The session began with a solemn tribute of 15 seconds of silence to commemorate the loss of life among Ukrainian officials. Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, who is facing growing calls to dispatch tanks to Ukraine, spoke of the crash and said it highlights the heavy toll being taken on Ukraine because of the ongoing conflict.

In the meantime, Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, stated that Moscow did not see any opportunities for peace negotiations and emphasized the Kremlin’s stance that talks cannot take place with President Zelensky’s administration. Russia maintains that negotiations can only occur if Ukraine acknowledges Russia’s territorial claims in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. Kyiv asserts that they will continue to fight until all Russian troops have been removed from the country.

Read Also: Russia Utilizing Obsolete Ukrainian Armaments for War

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As Senator Susan Collins of Maine tended to her Thanksgiving turkey, she received a call from Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina. He shared with her an update on their joint effort to secure support from other GOP senators for their bipartisan bill to safeguard the rights of same-sex couples who are married. “He never stops pushing for it,” Collins said of Tillis. Though her husband urged her to end the call and enjoy Thanksgiving, their hard work paid off less than a week later when the bill passed with the support of 12 Republican senators.

Sen. Susan Collins was busy basting her Thanksgiving turkey when she received a call from Sen. Thom Tillis, who had an important update to share. He had made significant strides in their efforts to convince more Senate Republicans to support their bipartisan bill.#ThomTillis pic.twitter.com/mukQv1EteH

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 17, 2023

Throughout the past year, Tillis has stealthily positioned himself at the center of several high-profile bipartisan initiatives in the Senate. Despite the chamber being evenly divided, he has been a driving force behind negotiations for legislation on contentious topics such as gay rights, firearms, and immigration, without drawing a lot of public notice. Collins credited Tillis’s dedication and ability to gauge the support of his colleagues for the bill’s success, calling him “a master at counting votes.

Tillis’s Willingness to Compromise in a Polarized Political Climate

Tackling legislation on gay rights, firearms and immigration is a delicate balancing act that many Republicans fear would result in primary challenges from the right. However, Tillis’s inclination towards finding common ground despite the potential political backlash is seen as vital by his colleagues. With a significant number of lawmakers who were open to compromise having retired, the chamber is in dire need of legislators like Tillis to bridge the gap with the narrow and divided House Republican majority, which recently had difficulty in electing a speaker.

“I see him filling a gap that was created by the retirement of several influential Republican senators,” Collins said, citing the loss of Republican senators Rob Portman of Ohio, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Richard C. Shelby of Alabama, and Richard Burr of North Carolina, who played a key role in forging compromise to keep the government running. A group of conservative House Republicans has obtained promises from newly elected Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California that increase the probability of conflicts over raising the debt ceiling and government funding next year, which puts more stress on the diminishing number of legislators like Tillis, who possess the ability to reach a compromise.

Tillis’s Approach to Bipartisanship: Conservative Principles and Frustration with Ineffective Collaboration

“The departure of senators like Rob Portman is a cause for concern,” said Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut. “I hope legislators such as Thom Tillis will step up and help the Senate function effectively.” But Tillis, an ex-management consultant who joined local politics twenty years ago and later quickly gained high positions in the North Carolina State Legislative Building to become its speaker, refutes the term “dealmaker” and instead accentuates the conservative principles he has instilled in the legislation he has been involved in.

He explains that his choice to negotiate compromise is motivated not by a desire for moderation but rather by disappointment with the failure of some of his colleagues to collaborate effectively. Moreover, Tillis selects the issues he engages with cautiously, considering the potential impact on his political career. “I don’t subscribe to the idea that we should all come together and be in harmony, the notion of being bipartisan at all costs,” Tillis stated in an interview with The Washington Post. “I believe in being bipartisan on a case-by-case basis. Constantly being bipartisan means you have abandoned your fundamental beliefs and values.”

Despite his views, Tillis has played a role in a majority of bipartisan legislation that has come out of the Senate in the past eighteen months. His involvement ranges from the $1 trillion infrastructure bill to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which expanded background checks for some gun buyers, passed after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Additionally, he was involved in the Electoral Count Act, which modernizes the presidential certification process to prevent a repetition of President Donald Trump’s pressure on his vice president, Mike Pence.

Tillis’s Skilled Negotiation and Understanding of Republican Senators’ Positions

Murphy, who collaborated with Tillis on the first major gun legislation passed by the chamber in 30 years, noted that Tillis had a natural understanding of what would persuade individual Republican senators to support the legislation, enabling the negotiation team to proceed swiftly. This ability was developed during his tenure as a speaker in North Carolina. “Thom was constantly in contact with his colleagues,” Murphy said. “During breaks in our negotiations, I observed him walking around the Senate floor, engaging in discussions with various Republican senators, assessing what proposals could secure sixty votes and what could not.”

When working on legislation, Tillis maintains an overview of his colleagues’ positions by jotting notes on a large index card that he carries in his pocket, Collins said. He makes a note of which votes are attainable and what is required to secure them. When working on the gun bill, Tillis quickly realized that a provision prohibiting the purchase of assault weapons by individuals under 21 would not receive the 10 Republican votes required for the bill to pass, enabling the negotiation team to focus on other elements.

Read Also: House GOP Leaders Vote for Probe of Biden Presidency

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The search for the remaining individuals from the fatal plane crash in Nepal has resumed. The crash, which resulted in the loss of many lives, is considered the deadliest in the past 30 years in the Himalayan nation. The nation has declared a day of mourning as rescue operations continue. Out of the 72 passengers on board the ATR 72 aircraft operated by Yeti Airlines, 68 bodies have been recovered.

On Monday, a search team located both the cockpit voice recorder & flight data recorder of a passenger flight that had crashed on Sunday, resulting in the death of at least 68 individuals, making it Nepal’s most fatal plane crash in the past 30 years, as reported by the officials pic.twitter.com/nBrzzL7r6C

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 16, 2023

The incident occurred in the tourist city of Pokhara, just moments before the plane was set to land on Sunday under clear weather conditions. The aircraft involved in the tragic incident was on a planned flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, a popular destination known for its beautiful Annapurna mountain range. In addition, the plane carried a diverse group of passengers, including fifty-seven Nepalis, five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, and one individual each from Australia, Argentina, France, and Ireland.

The plane was scheduled to take 27 minutes flight. However, the crash site was littered with debris from the aircraft, including twisted and broken passenger seats and the wreckage of the white-colored fuselage. Moreover, the rescue team faced challenging conditions, including low visibility and cloudy weather, as they searched the 300-meter-deep river gorge for any remaining passengers. The search continued more than 24 hours after the crash.

No Hopes of Survivors

As night fell, soldiers employed ropes and stretchers to retrieve the bodies from the ravine, and the operation resumed the following day. According to senior local official Tek Bahadur KC, sixty-eight bodies have been recovered, and the search for the remaining four continues. He stated that teams should continue until they get the bodies” Even though the chances of finding survivors are slim, the official added that they pray for a miracle.” The authorities said they would return bodies to the families after identification and examination.

The reason for the accident is yet to be determined. However, AFP and The Associated Press, which depicted the twin-engine aircraft making a sudden and steep turn to the left while approaching Pokhara airport, followed by a loud explosion, confirmed a video that surfaced on social media. According to an AP report, at least one observer claimed to have heard cries for help from the burning wreckage.

A local inhabitant, Bishnu Tiwari, who quickly went to the crash location near the Seti River to assist in the search for bodies, mentioned that dense smoke and an intense fire hindered the rescue operations. Tiwari stated, “The fire was so intense that we couldn’t get close to the wreckage. I heard someone crying for help, but we could not assist him and save his life due to the smoke and flames.

Search Team Found Black Boxes

On Monday, the search team located the flight data recorder & cockpit voice recorder. According to Teknath Sitaula, an official at Kathmandu airport, the recorders were found in good condition and will be sent for examination as suggested by the manufacturer. The information on these recorders could aid in determining the reason for the aircraft’s crash.

Following the crash on Sunday, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal immediately went to the airport. He also established a committee to investigate the accident and propose ways to prevent similar incidents in the future. In a statement on Sunday, ATR, the aircraft manufacturer based in France, expressed their condolences and stated, “Our first thoughts are with all those affected by this. ATR specialists are fully committed to backing both the investigation and our customers.

Since 2000, approximately 350 people have lost their lives in plane or helicopter accidents in Nepal. The Aviation Safety database from Flight Safety Foundation reports that there have been 42 fatal plane crashes in Nepal since 1946. Among the world’s fourteen highest peaks, eight of them are located here, including Mount Everest, which has unpredictable weather conditions that can make flying treacherous.

The Sunday crash is the most fatal in Nepal since 1992, where all 167 people on a Pakistan International Airlines flight were killed when it crashed into a hill while attempting to land in Kathmandu. According to an AP report, The European Union has prohibited airlines from Nepal from flying into the 27-nation bloc since 2013 due to inadequate safety standards. In 2017, International Civil Aviation Organisation recognized improvements in Nepal’s aviation industry, but the EU still insists on administrative reforms.

Read Also: China Eastern Airlines Carrying 132 People Crashed in Guangxi Region

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Iran has executed its former deputy defense minister, Alireza Akbari, a British-Iranian dual national on espionage charges for the United Kingdom. The judiciary’s official news agency confirmed on Saturday morning that He was executed by hanging after being convicted of “corruption on Earth” and committing acts against national security by working as a spy for British intelligence. Previously, he served as a senior defense official in Iran’s capital.

Alireza Akbari, a dual British-Iranian citizen who held a senior position in the defense ministry in Tehran, was executed by the Iranian government, which U.K. PM Rishi Sunak characterized as “a ruthless and spineless act, executed by a tyrannical government.”#alireza_akbari pic.twitter.com/rgYE7VwwTH

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 14, 2023

Iranian news service Mizan, affiliated with the judiciary, announced on Saturday morning that Akbari had been executed without specifying when the execution occurred. It had previously stated that Akbari was given the death penalty for engaging in spying activities as an agent of MI6, the United Kingdom Secret Intelligence Service. Iran has a reputation for leveling unfounded accusations of espionage when making arrests. In response to this recent execution, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly released a statement expressing that “this will not go unchallenged.”

He further announced that the British government would summon Tehran’s chief diplomat in London to convey their strong condemnation of Iran’s actions. The British Foreign Office had previously reported that it had made efforts to secure the release of Akbari by communicating with Tehran; however, it still needed to be granted access to him. Iran does not acknowledge dual nationality.

A Politically Motivated Move and Inhumane Act – U.S. State Department

On Friday, Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesman of the U.S. State Department, stated that the charges against Akbari were politically motivated and that his execution would be inhumane. Earlier this week, Akbari’s wife informed the BBC’s Persian Service that he had been transferred to solitary confinement and that family members were told that any visits to him would be their final opportunity. She also mentioned that he had been held in custody for three years.

Alireza Akbari, former deputy defense minister for Iran’s reformist President Mohammad Khatami in the 2000s, played a key role in the ceasefire that ended the eight-year-long war with Iraq in 1988, as reported by Associated Press. He also spent over a decade residing in the United Kingdom. This week, Iranian state-controlled media aired an alleged confession by Akbari. However, the BBC’s Persian Service released an audio recording of him from prison in which he stated that he had been threatened with death if he did not confess.

In the recording, he said his willpower had been broken and that he had been driven to insanity by torture and psychedelic drugs during over 3,500 hours of interrogations. He also pointed out that Iran had no evidence to back the allegations against him and had acted out of revenge against the U.K. The Iranian theocratic regime has launched a severe crackdown on protesters after a series of anti-government demonstrations began in September. Tehran has killed at least four individuals in connection to the protests and has made the unfounded assertion that Western nations and Israel instigated the demonstrations.

Iran’s Crackdown on Anti-government Protests

Under the theocratic regime, the Iranian government has taken a tough stance against demonstrators after a wave of anti-government protests began in September. Tehran has executed at least four people concerning the protests and claimed without evidence that Western countries and Israel instigated the demonstrations. As reported by Iranian state-controlled media in November, another individual who holds both British and Iranian citizenship was apprehended on charges of communicating with foreign news organizations, as per Reuters.

In recent years, dissidents residing abroad have also been targeted. In August 2020, Jamshid Sharmahd, a German Iranian citizen and California resident in his 60s, was allegedly abducted during a flight layover in Dubai and transferred to Iran, where he was charged with leading a “terrorist” organization, but he denies the accusation. His daughter reports that he is facing the death penalty after being charged with “corruption on earth.” In 2019, Ruhollah Zam, a well-known exiled journalist residing in France, was apprehended and sent back to Iran after being enticed to neighboring Iraq. Like Akbari, he was found guilty of “corruption on Earth” and was put to death in December 2020.

Read Also: Iran is Giving Unprecedented Military Support to Russia – US

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In response to a demonstration in Stockholm where an effigy of President Tayyip Erdogan was hung from its feet, Turkey has summoned Sweden’s Ambassador to Ankara, Staffan Herrstrom. The Ambassador was called to the foreign ministry on Thursday, where the Turkish government conveyed its reaction to the event, according to a source from the Turkish diplomatic corps.

In response to a demonstration held in Stockholm in which a puppet of President Tayyip Erdogan was hung from its feet, Turkey summoned the Swedish ambassador to Ankara on Thursday, a diplomatic source informed.#Turkey #Sweden #SwedishAmbassador #Ankara #summoned #TayyipErdogan pic.twitter.com/zi1Bin56oF

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 13, 2023

Sweden has been working to gain Turkey’s support for its application to join NATO, submitted following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the previous year. Turkey has stated that Sweden needs to adopt a more definitive position against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the People’s Protection Units (YPG), which Turkey considers an offshoot of the PKK operating in Syria.

Ankara has recognized the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as “terrorist” entities, whereas Sweden, as a member of the European Union, only deems the PKK as a “terrorist” group. In 2022, to overcome Turkey’s objections to their NATO membership, Finland and Sweden entered into a three-way agreement with Turkey.

The Turkish diplomatic source stated that the expectation is that the individuals responsible for the incident will be identified, the necessary processes will be carried out, and that Sweden will fulfill its promises. The foreign ministry of Sweden confirmed that the Ambassador was summoned to the FM in Turkey but did not disclose the details of the conversation.

Previous Summon and Turkish Objections to Protests in Stockholm

Previously in October, Ambassador Herrstrom was summoned by Turkish authorities over an airing of “insulting content” related to President Erdogan on Swedish public service television. Turkish authorities have raised concerns about protests in Stockholm, with President Erdogan stating that members of the PKK shouldn’t be allowed to parade in Sweden.

“Footage shared by pro-government Turkish media outlets on Thursday showed an alleged protest by PKK members in which they hung an effigy of President Erdogan outside Stockholm city hall, with a very low number of protesters visible. The Swedish Foreign Minister, Tobias Billstrom, condemned the incident but did not specify any country.” On Twitter, he said that the government upholds the right to open discussion and political choices, but it clearly distances itself from any threat or hateful actions toward political figures.

The Government safeguards an open debate on political choices, it strongly repudiates threats and hate directed towards political representatives. The portrayal of an executed elected President outside City Hall is deplorable.

— Tobias Billström (@TobiasBillstrom) January 12, 2023

Turkey will Approve its NATO Bid

The Prime Minister of Sweden said on Sunday that Stockholm is hopeful that Turkey will approve its bid to join NATO but will not meet all the conditions Ankara set. The Turkish Presidency’s Communications Director, Fahrettin Altun, stated on Twitter, “the fact that PKK terrorists can challenge the Sweden administration in the heart of Stockholm is proof that the Swedish authorities have not taken necessary steps against terrorism.

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party has been engaged in an armed rebellion against the Turkish government since 1984, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of individuals. On the other hand, the People’s Protection Units is the primary force in the Syrian Democratic Forces, supported by Western countries in fighting against Iraq and the Levant, causing tensions with Turkey.”

Read Also: NATO to Sign Accord Protocols for Finland & Sweden

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The Tu-160, affectionately known as the White Swan, is the world’s heaviest and fastest supersonic bomber. Designed by the Soviet Union, this aircraft can fly around the globe, reach heights of 20km above the earth, and carry a maximum payload of 45 tons, including a dozen Kh-55 nuclear missiles. The Russian military currently possesses 16 White Swans (Tu-160 supersonic bombers) and has employed them as a strategic advantage in escalating tensions with the West.

A general has revealed that Russia is repurposing missiles that were returned to them in the 1990s under a treaty meant to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and use them against Ukraine. These missiles have been found in the rubble.#Russia #Ukraine #missile pic.twitter.com/B9T9aJELGj

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 12, 2023

In recent years, these aircraft have been used for provocative acts such as flying over the North Pole to breach US and Canadian airspace, landing in Venezuela, and launching cruise missiles at Syria. Since last March, the White Swans have been causing chaos in Ukraine. They operate from an airbase near Saratov, a city located on the Volga River, and launch non-nuclear missiles without entering Ukraine’s airspace. An unexpected revelation is that half of Russia’s White Swans were once Kyiv’s – similar to the hundreds of missiles they can now carry.

Barack Obama’s Visit

“During my first trip abroad in 2005, I observed piles of conventional weapons being dismantled,” said Senator Barack Obama, then-newly elected United States senator from Illinois. As a senator, the future President visited the Eastern Ukrainian city that would later become a pro-Russian separatism hotbed and secured $48m to destroy a further 400,000 small arms, 1,000 portable anti-aircraft missiles, and 15,000 tons of ammunition.

Obama’s trip to Ukraine was included in Western efforts to either have Ukraine dismantle its Cold War-era weapon stockpiles or transfer them to Russia. Vaganov, who had fled a decade prior, escaped the Russian-backed separatist conflict in Donetsk and, in March, just narrowly survived the Russian siege of Mariupol. “I was expecting death to come; I had half-suicidal thoughts,” said Vaganov in an interview with Al Jazeera, explaining how Obama and his wife, Iryna, endured Russian air raids in their ice-cold apartment, with windows broken by shelling.

Western Pressure against Moscow

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 resulted in Kyiv inheriting a massive arsenal, including nuclear weapons, and 19 White Swans stationed at the Priluky Air Base in Northern Ukraine. Moscow had only two strategic bombers like this, but maintaining them was no longer necessary after Ukraine and other former Soviet republics, under Western pressure, “returned” thousands of nuclear warheads to Russia.

The United States was understandably worried about the nuclear weapons in the 15 new nations that emerged from the USSR, as they were undergoing challenging economic transitions and, in many cases, political uncertainty. “It’s important to remember the pressure the US exerted on post-Soviet nations to transfer all the carriers of nuclear weapons to Russia,” said Igar Tyshkevich, a Kyiv-based analyst, in an interview with Al Jazeera.

In 1991, Kyiv announced that it would dispose of all its heavy bombers, the missiles these planes could carry, and the airfield equipment used to maintain them within a decade. Washington provided the means for the elimination of 11 White Swans, 27 smaller Tu-95s, almost 500 air-launched cruise missiles, 130 SS-19 intercontinental ballistic missiles, silos, launch-control centers, and 7 million units of small arms, including AK-47 assault rifles and light weapons, which were located in various depots throughout Ukraine.

Read Also: Ukraine Rejects Putin Ceasefire Proposal Over Orthodox Christmas

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GOP leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives voted yesterday to launch a probe into President Joe Biden’s alleged weaponization of the federal government, a move that has been met with criticism from Democrats who view it as a partisan fishing expedition. With Republicans now in control of the majority, they had stated their intention to go after the US Justice Department, the FBI, and other federal agencies that had looked into the events of January 6th, 2021, when supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol.

Republicans-controlled House of Representatives voted on Tuesday in favor of an investigation into what they refer to as the weaponization of the federal government by the Biden administration. Democrats characterized the investigation as politically motivated.#Biden #Republican pic.twitter.com/xjMQHL0FNJ

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 11, 2023

On Tuesday, Republicans voted along party lines to establish a new subcommittee named the “Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.” Its purpose is to comprehensively investigate President Joe Biden’s administration, which Republicans have accused of utilizing the FBI to target former President Donald Trump. The Republican Party also aims to investigate claims that President Joe Biden’s administration has coerced big tech companies to censor views that contradict White House policy.

The bill establishing the panel also stated that legislators would probe into how the executive branch works with nonprofit groups, the private sector, and other agencies in taking action against American citizens. “We can’t wait any longer,” declared James Comer, the Republican chairman of the Oversight Committee, in a speech on the House floor. “We must bring to light the misuse of power by the unelected federal bureaucracy that is not held accountable to the public.”

Mar-a-Lago Resort Classified Documents

Investigations into Trump’s attempts to reverse his 2020 election defeat and his handling of classified materials have led authorities to focus on certain federal agencies. Trump has labeled these inquiries “witch hunts.” Republican Representative Elise Stefanik announced plans to conduct a probe into “Joe Biden and his administration’s utilization of the Department of Justice and FBI as political weapons” days after the classified material search at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.

The provision in question, which authorizes the committee to examine criminal investigations in progress, has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers. According to Jerrold Nadler, the Judiciary Committee’s ranking Democrat, ‘this provision undermines the separation of powers doctrine and represents a dangerous development.’ Moreover, Stefanik stated, “the raid of President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago by the FBI represents a grave abuse of power and overreach of authority.”

The White House reported that on Monday, attorneys for President Biden located classified documents at a think tank in Washington D.C. that had ties to the President. Biden’s team stated they immediately handed over the documents once they discovered them, unlike Trump, who defies calls to return the documents and now faces an investigation into obstruction of justice. Certain Republicans have compared it to the criminal investigation of the removal of classified documents by former President Trump, even though fewer papers are involved in this discovery.

Oversight of a Federal Investigation

Legal specialists have noted that it is almost a certainty that federal law enforcement agencies will reject any effort by a congressional committee to gain access to documents related to active investigations. Scott Perry, a Republican member of the Judiciary Committee, whose phone was seized as part of the federal investigation of the efforts to overturn the 2020 election, is among those in consideration for a subcommittee seat. It would create a scenario where he could seek oversight of a federal investigation into his own actions.”

Read Also: Biden Makes First Visit to US-Mexico Border Since Taking Oath

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On Monday, President Joe Biden’s attorneys acknowledged the discovery of classified documents from his time as Vice President in a private office last fall. CNN has learned from a source that the attorney general, Merrick Garland, has requested an investigation by the U.S. attorney in Chicago. This matter has also caught the attention of congressional Republicans.

According to a White House official, one of the White House’s lawyers discovered classified documents from Joe Biden’s time as vice president at a Washington think tank in November. Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy & Global Engagement found nearly ten documents in Biden’s office. pic.twitter.com/jOD89lBOlw

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 10, 2023

U.S. president’s attorneys found the government materials in November as they were shutting down an office in Washington, D.C., and the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, which the President used while he held the position of honorary professor at the University of Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2019. Federal officeholders are mandated by law to turn in official documents and classified records when their service in government ends.

A source has revealed that only a small number, less than a dozen, of classified documents were found at the President’s office. The context or the reason for their presence in his private office has yet to be discovered. In a statement, Richard Sauber, Special Counsel to President Biden, said that the White House is working closely with the National Archives and the Department of Justice regarding the discovery of documents that seem to be from the Obama-Biden Administration, including a small number of records marked as classified.

Biden Team Cooperated with NARA

Top-secret files marked with the “sensitive compartmented information” or SCI label, which is used for highly sensitive information obtained from intelligence sources, were located among the classified materials. After the discovery, Biden’s legal team promptly contacted the National Archives and Records Administration to initiate an investigation. The source indicated that the incident was perceived as an error due to the absence of safeguards for the documents by NARA, and Biden’s team assisted in the process.

In November, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) referred the matter to the DOJ for further investigation, according to a source familiar with the situation. U.S. Attorney John Lausch Jr. in Chicago, who was appointed by Trump in 2017 and confirmed by the Senate, leads the investigation. He is one of the few Trump-era holdovers who was not asked to quit after President Biden’s inauguration.

Political Consequences

The unearthing of these materials happens as the special counsel, Jack Smith, investigates former President Donald Trump for the possible mishandling of classified records at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Because of the investigation, federal investigators have recovered a minimum of 325 classified documents from Trump. Biden is already facing questions from Republicans, as GOP Representative James Comer of Kentucky, who will become the House Oversight Chairman, stated, “Biden has been highly critical of former President Trump for taking classified documents to his residence or somewhere else, and now it seems he may have done the same. How sarcastic.

Although Comer indicated that the National Archives were under his committee’s jurisdiction, NARA forwarded Republican inquiries regarding former President Trump to the Justice Department while Republicans were in the minority. Maybe they will answer our questions now since it involves two presidents,” said Comer, adding that he would contact the archives for additional information later in the week.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy did not state whether he believes the new GOP Congress should investigate Biden, but he said that the reaction to Trump’s retention of classified documents has been politically motivated. “The fact that they tried to harm Trump shows that they overplayed their hand,” McCarthy said.

Read Also: Dueling Probes into Biden & Trump could decide the 2024 Campaign

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President Biden’s visit to the US-Mexico border follows the announcement of a new policy addressing the increase in undocumented crossings. President Biden’s handling of the border crisis draws criticism from both sides, with Republicans claiming leniency and advocacy groups raising concerns about risks to asylum seekers. While en route to Mexico to meet with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a summit in Mexico City, President Biden made a stop in El Paso, Texas.

During his visit to Texas, President Biden met with border agents at the Bridge of the Americas in El Paso, which connects the city to Ciudad Juarez in Mexico and is one of the busiest ports of entry between the two countries. He assured reporters that the agents would be receiving the necessary resources for their work. “They need a lot of resources. We’re going to get it for them,” he said.

While in El Paso, U.S. President Biden observed border officers as they demonstrated their vehicle search procedures for drugs, money, and other contraband. He also inspected a portion of the border fencing between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez. Upon President Biden’s arrival in Texas, Republican Governor Greg Abbott presented him with a letter blaming the current “chaos” at the border on the President’s failure to enforce federal laws. The gesture reflects the ongoing political tensions surrounding immigration.

Asylum Policies Spark Controversy

During a press conference last week, Biden announced new immigration policies that he expects would significantly decrease the number of individuals attempting to cross the southern border. Under the new rules, a program has been established that allows up to thirty thousand Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan nationals to legally enter the US each month and receive two-year work permits if they have sponsors in the US and pass background checks.

Under the policy, U.S. authorities have the authority to expel individuals from these four countries who cross the border irregularly to Mexico and deny them access to the program. The Biden administration has stated that Mexico has agreed to accept thirty thousand expelled individuals from these countries each month. According to rights groups, this policy is harmful to individuals who have no other option but to cross the border irregularly to seek asylum.

They argue that the policy is an extension of the Title 42 measures implemented during the Trump administration, which allowed authorities to swiftly expel adult asylum seekers at the border citing Coronavirus health concerns. A federal judge in the US ordered an end to Title 42 in November after a lengthy legal battle, but the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case brought by Republican-led states challenging the decision, leaving the policy in place for the time being.

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The Kremlin announced that President Putin had ordered a 36-hour cease-fire from midday (10:00 GMT) on Friday in response to a call for a Christmas truce from Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Ukrainian government has rejected the truce offer and stated that no cease-fire negotiation would occur until Russia withdraws its forces from occupied territory.

At 12:00 Moscow time (09:00 GMT), Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a 36-hour ceasefire on the Ukrainian front line to coincide with the Russian Orthodox Christmas. The Ukrainian government quickly rejected Putin’s request for a reciprocal gesture.#VladimirPutin #Truce pic.twitter.com/0SMjELBSAC

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 6, 2023

On Thursday, Putin announced that a cease-fire would take effect along the entire line of contact in Ukraine between 12:00 on January 6, 2023, and 24:00 on January 7, 2023, at the request of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Ukraine to halt the fighting and allow Orthodox citizens to attend Christmas services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in areas affected by the conflict.

The Ukrainian Official Rejected the Putin Proposal

Zelensky indicated that Moscow was using a cease-fire as a cover to impede Ukrainian progress in Donbas and bring more equipment into the region. A top Ukrainian official quickly rejected the proposal and asserted that a cease-fire could only happen if Russian troops withdrew occupied territory in Ukraine. Russian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak recently tweeted that a “temporary agreement” cannot be discussed until the Russian army withdraws from occupied territory. He added that the Ukrainian military does not attack foreign land or kill civilians, instead targeting only “members of the occupation army on its territory.”

There’s an aggressor: the Kremlin. And a victim:the Ukrainian people. Withdrawal of Russian troops is only serious option to restore peace & security. Announcement of unilateral ceasefire is as bogus & hypocritical as the illegal & grotesque annexations and accompanying referenda

— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) January 5, 2023

Joe Biden responded to Putin’s call for a cease-fire by stating that it was simply an attempt to find a temporary pause in the military campaign. On December 25 and New Year’s Day, Biden pointed out that Putin was ready to bomb hospitals and nurseries as well as churches and suggested that he might be seeking oxygen.

A Sarcastic Trap

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, requested on Thursday that both sides of the conflict in Ukraine observe a Christmas agreement in order that “Orthodox people can attend services on Christmas Eve and on the day of the Nativity of Christ.” The Russian Orthodox Church, the largest in the Eastern Orthodox communion, has approximately a hundred million followers within Russia and a larger number outside of the country.

Kyiv, however, rejected this request made by Patriarch Kirill, who had previously justified the war as a means of preventing western liberal ideology from gaining influence in Russia. To this request, Podolyak stated that the Russian Orthodox Church was a “war propagandist” who had incited mass killings of Ukrainians and the militarization of Russia. The Russian Orthodox Church added that its statements about the Christmas Truce are cynical traps and propaganda.

A crackdown has been conducted on Moscow-linked churches in Ukraine since November. Homes that are suspected of being engaged in anti-Ukrainian activities and supporting Russia’s invasion have been raided. The Ukrainian government imposed punitive measures against seven senior Orthodox leaders who were known for their sympathy for Moscow December.

Negotiations Rejected

On Thursday, Russia and Ukraine both indicated that there will not be any negotiations between them soon, effectively rejecting an offer of mediation by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had separate conversations with both Putin and Ukraine’s Zelensky. It means that both sides are not interested in or willing to engage in talks with each other at this time.

The Kremlin announced that President Putin told Erdogan that Moscow is prepared for talks, but only on the condition that Ukraine “takes into account the new territorial realities,” which refers to recognizing Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territory. Podolyak stated that this demand is “fully unacceptable.” It means that Russia is willing to engage in discussions with Ukraine, but only if Ukraine acknowledges and accepts Russia’s claim to the disputed territory, while Ukraine considers this demand unacceptable and not open to negotiation.

President Putin, in offering “talks” with Ukraine and the rest of the world, is asking for recognition of “its right to seize foreign territories” and “to fix the absence of legal consequences for mass killings on foreign territory,” according to a tweet by Mykhailo Podolyak, a presidential adviser in Ukraine. So, Russia is seeking recognition and validation of its actions in invading and occupying a portion of Ukraine’s territory, as well as absolution for any alleged wrongdoing during the conflict. More than ten months have passed since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine and the seizure of its land, and Russia & Ukraine have entered the new year with entrenched and uncompromising diplomatic stances.

Read Also: Russia is Ready to Talk Over Ukraine War – Putin

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U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that he plans to visit the U.S.-Mexico border during his meeting with the leaders of Mexico and Canada in Mexico City. It will be his first trip to the border since becoming president. Biden told reporters that he wants to see “what’s going on” at the border and will make remarks about border security on Thursday.

A U.S. public health law that allows American authorities to turn away many asylum seekers has not prevented a significant increase in the number of migrants at the border. Republican leaders have criticized the president’s border security policies, arguing that they are ineffective, and have questioned why he has not visited the border yet. Biden’s renewed focus on the border comes as he gears up for a 2024 reelection campaign.

During his meeting next week in Mexico City with Mexico’s and Canada’s leaders, President Biden expects to make his first visit to the U.S-Mexico border under his administration, a trip which will be his first since becoming president.#PresidentBiden #MexicoUSBorder #Mexico pic.twitter.com/5TSf4VrrSY

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 5, 2023

His sole declared potential rival, Donald Trump, gained popularity among Republican voters with his tough stance on immigration. However, there was some positive reaction to the news on Wednesday. “I’m happy that President Biden will finally visit the southern border, which has been fully surrendered to cartels, smugglers, and human traffickers,” tweeted Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who has opposed the administration’s policies.

Republicans’ Concerns on Border Security

Fentanyl entering the U.S. from Mexico has been a source of complaints from Republicans over border security. A bipartisan federal commission report in 2022 found that fentanyl and similar drugs are manufactured in Mexico using chemicals shipped predominantly from China. Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids produced in labs are now causing an overdose crisis that is more deadly than any the U.S. has ever experienced.

However, drug control advocates and experts argue that an anti-drug policy that relies on increased border security is dangerous and likely ineffective. These drugs can be easily transported in small, hard-to-detect quantities. On Monday and Tuesday, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will host Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for an international summit on drug trafficking and immigration.

As one of his initial measures as president, Biden appointed Vice President Kamala Harris to oversee the White House’s efforts to address the migration crisis by collaborating with Central American nations to identify and address the underlying causes of the issue. Harris visited El Paso, Texas, in June 2021 but faced criticism for selecting a location too far from the areas of highest border crossings that are overburdening federal resources. Despite this, the number of migrants crossing the border has continued to grow.

Until further notice, the Supreme Court has sustained the restrictions imposed by the Trump administration, commonly referred to as Title 42 after a 1944 public health law that Biden attempted to repeal. Title 42 was invoked to prevent the Coronavirus spread, but there has been ongoing criticism that Trump used the restrictions as an excuse to seal off the border.

Bipartisan Immigration Bill

Biden has not yet outlined any sweeping changes to address the anticipated increase of migrants if the health restrictions are lifted. While president Biden is limited in what he can do without changes to immigration law, a bipartisan immigration bill was pushed aside shortly before GOPs took control of the House. Biden commented about the upcoming border visit during a stop in Kentucky at a highway bridge to receive federal dollars under the bipartisan infrastructure law.

Trump visited the U.S. side of the border as president several times, including one trip to McAllen, Texas, where he claimed Mexico would pay for the border wall. After Mexican leaders, including Enrique Peña Nieto, then Mexico’s president, who tweeted in May 2018, “There is no chance that Mexico will ever pay for a wall. Neither now nor ever. Sincerely, Mexico (we all),” rejected the idea that Trump insisted on early on, American taxpayers ended up covering the costs.

Read Also: Justice Department Sued Arizona for Building Container Mexico Border Wall

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The first significant winter storm hit the U.S. on Tuesday, bringing snow, freezing rain, and sleet to the Northern Plains and Upper Great Lakes region. In addition to this frosty mix, the storm system posed a risk of tornadoes and floods for a large area in the South. The National Weather Service forecasted intense snowfall with rates of one-three inches per hour in certain parts of Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota, along with thunder at times. Over a foot of snow was expected to accumulate in these regions.

The first significant winter storm of the year to affect the US brought snow, freezing rain, and sleet to the Northern Plains and Upper Great Lakes region on Tuesday. In addition, the storm system threatened tornadoes and flooding in many southern US.#winterstorm #USstorm #storm pic.twitter.com/EIrUmF3Eib

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 4, 2023

The National Weather Service predicted that solid and gusty winds would cause drifting and blowing snow, making road travel nearly impossible in some areas. In addition, snow, fog, mist, and freezing rain were expected to create dangerous driving conditions in other regions. The N.W.S. released ice storm warnings, winter storm warnings, & weather advisories for the St. Paul area in Minnesota and Minneapolis as freezing rain moved north through the region, followed by heavy snow bands.

The N.W.S. reported that around 6 inches of snow had fallen in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities and four inches at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport by Tuesday evening, according to meteorologist Richard Bann from the Weather Prediction Center in Maryland. The storm front arose from a low-pressure system situated over Iowa. The wintry blast was anticipated to reach New England by Wednesday as part of a larger weather front bringing severe thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, and heavy showers to the lower Mississippi Valley, Gulf Coast, Tennessee Valley, and southern Appalachians.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Several States

The N.W.S. issued severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado watches for a large area of Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama and posted flood watches along the southern fringe of this zone. As of Tuesday night, the N.W.S. had recorded eight tornado reports and numerous instances of high winds pushing damage to power lines, homes, and trees. According to N.W.S. meteorologist Allison Santorelli, these events were all part of the same system: heavy snowfall on the west to northern side and rainfall and severe weather in the southern region.

FlightAware reported that over two hundred flights at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport was cancelled on Tuesday. The West Coast also prepared for another “atmospheric river,” a dense moisture current at high altitude expected to bring drenching rains and possibly renewed flooding to central and northern California starting Wednesday. The Sierra Nevada mountains were forecast to receive heavy snow on Wednesday, with coastal rain and higher-elevation snow in the Pacific Northwest also expected.

Northern California was still dealing with the aftermath of a Pacific storm from the weekend that caused power outages, floods, road closures, and mudslides. N.W.S. meteorologist Allison Santorelli warned that the high winds accompanying the upcoming downpours could knock down tree limbs and uproot trees, leading to further blackouts. According to recent statistics from poweroutage.us, more than twenty-one thousand homes and businesses in northern California were without electricity as of early Tuesday.

U.N. to Convene ‘no-nonsense’ 2023 Climate Summit

Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, announced on Monday that he would hold a “no-nonsense” climate ambition summit in September 2023, stating that there will be zero tolerance for greenwashers, blame-shifters, back-sliders, or those who try to repackage old pledges. During a press conference to conclude 2022, Guterres also declared that he “will not relent in the quest for stability and peace in Ukraine in line with the United Nations Charter and international law.” One of the U.N. Charter’s founding principles is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In the interim, Guterres mentioned that he would concentrate on enhancing the efficiency of a U.N.-brokered agreement that resumed Ukraine’s Black Sea food and fertilizer shipments, continue trying, and restart Russian ammonia exports through Ukraine, and seek to accelerate the exchange of prisoners of war. He remarked, “We will continue trying to be useful, offering dialogue platforms for these aspects to minimize suffering.” Moreover, on Iran, Guterres denounced as “totally inappropriate” a crackdown by officials on protests over the death of a young woman in custody and said, “we are witnessing and strongly denouncing massive human rights violations.”

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On Tuesday, the United States House of Representatives witnessed a century’s worth of political drama as GOP leader Kevin McCarthy repeatedly failed to secure the votes needed to become Speaker of the U.S. House. As a result, the House adjourned without a speaker, which has not happened since 1923. This turn of events has left many lawmakers scrambling to find a suitable replacement candidate for the leadership role, causing chaos and uncertainty within the chamber.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy was unable to secure the 218 votes needed to become the next House speaker on Tuesday. This is the first time in nearly a century that the majority’s nominee has needed another vote. McCarthy’s bid was thwarted by 19 Republican defections. pic.twitter.com/RsCOElvXrq

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 4, 2023

The Republican Party anticipated a successful start to the new Congress with their control of the House, but McCarthy’s bid for Speaker was hindered by dissent within the party. He has lost three consecutive votes thus far, and it is still being determined how he will fare when the House reconvenes on Wednesday to vote again. The voting will continue until a majority winner is declared. If McCarthy can overcome the current obstacles and become Speaker, analysts predict that the infighting among moderate and right-wing GOPs in the House will result in a tumultuous two years.

Negotiations Made Him Look Weak

In his bid to become Speaker, McCarthy only had a few votes to spare due to the narrow Republican victory in the House in November. This left room for a group of hardline conservatives to unite in opposition to his nomination. According to Republican observers, this division has been a long time in the making. One Republican lobbyist, who requested anonymity, stated that McCarthy has not endeared himself to certain segments of the caucus and has made many enemies.

Some dislike him for political and personal reasons. McCarthy engaged in negotiations and made concessions to gain the votes of those who saw him as too moderate and power-hungry. One such concession was agreeing to change the House rules to facilitate the removal of a sitting Speaker, which effectively gave his opponents a significant check on his power. A Republican lobbyist stated that the fact that McCarthy was negotiating with the Republicans made him appear weak and desperate.

McCarthy Rivals Feel Emboldened

The ineffectiveness of McCarthy’s efforts was made clear on Tuesday as he failed to secure the necessary 218 votes in three consecutive votes. Despite the Republican Party holding 222 seats, a group of 19 hard-right Republicans had coalesced in opposition to McCarthy for ideological and personal reasons and the opportunity to exploit their narrow majority to extract further concessions from him. Representative Rob Good of Virginia stated that this group would “never back down.”

One of the day’s most intense moments came when Representative Jim Jordan was nominated to oppose Kevin McCarthy for the role of Speaker of the House shortly after McCarthy had been nominated himself. Despite Jordan – a key figure in the conservative Freedom Caucus – calling on Republicans to “rally around” McCarthy in the third round of voting, 20 Republicans voted for Jordan, leading to McCarthy’s failure to win the position.
Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the Democrats’ new leader, enjoyed his party’s support while some members couldn’t resist poking fun at the Republicans’ difficult afternoon. Representative Ruben Gallego of Arizona tweeted that Democrats were “breaking out the popcorn” and included a snack photo as evidence.

Current Options for McCarthy

Washington’s political observers offer various theories on how the current situation may end. Their predictions for the BBC range from the feasible (McCarthy holds out and wins but is significantly weakened) to the entirely possible (he bows out and backs Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana) to the far-fetched (five GOPs vote for Democratic Representative Hakeem Jeffries, giving him control of the House).

Political scientist Ruth Bloch Rubin of the University of Chicago, who studies partisanship, stated that McCarthy is currently “essentially hostage to one side of his party.” McCarthy has promised not to make any further concessions but may not have a choice. He may try to win over stubborn lawmakers with valuable committee assignments or leadership positions.

Aaron Cutler, a lobbyist who previously worked for ex-Congressman Eric Cantor, who was ousted by conservative opposition, said that McCarthy “has to give the people who are against him something to hang their hat on.” However, another Republican lobbyist believes there is “no path to victory at all, period.” The members will meet again on Wednesday, though it remains uncertain if the deadlock is resolved.

Read Also: Kevin McCarthy is Working to Solidify his Bid for Speaker

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According to Moscow, a devastating missile strike on New Year’s Day in Ukraine’s Donetsk region has reportedly left dozens of Russian soldiers dead. The attack could signal a significant shift in the conflict, as it is one of the most lethal assaults on Russian troops since the beginning of the invasion. Although they did not publicly take credit for the attack, Ukrainian military officials reported that at least 400 soldiers were killed and 300 others were injured in the strike in Makiivka, a city in eastern Ukraine under Russian control.

Russian nationalists and some members of parliament have demanded that commanders who they claim neglected dangers be punished, as anger increases over the killing of many Russian soldiers in one of the deadliest attacks of the Ukraine conflict.#UkraineRussiaWar #Russia #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/6uKgOlnpMt

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) January 3, 2023

On the other hand, Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that the death toll was only 63. In a Telegram message, the Ukrainian Department of Strategic Communications of the Armed Forces gave few specifics but sarcastically implied that the incident was caused by “the careless handling of heating devices, neglect of security measures and smoking.” Although Moscow authorities and pro-Kremlin social media influencers on Telegram admitted that the attack occurred, they offered conflicting and ambiguous reports on the number of casualties.

Ukrainian Missile Struck Vocational School

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian military was responsible for the strike, using four long-range missiles from United States-provided High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems. The ministry claims that two of these missiles were shot down. In a message on Telegram, Daniil Bezsonov, a high-ranking Moscow-supported official for the area, reported that a Ukrainian missile hit a vocational school in Makiivka, serving as temporary housing for soldiers, at around midnight on New Year’s Day.

Bezsonov reported that the vocational school suffered a significant impact from an American MLRS Himars missile. The extent of the damage and the number of dead and wounded remains unclear. Sladkov reported that the building struck was being used to accommodate recently mobilized Russian conscripts. The attack has reignited criticism of Russia’s military leadership, with prominent commentators citing it as the latest example of their incompetence.

Girkin, a controversial figure who played a leading role in the separatist movement in Donbas in 2014 and regularly voiced his critiques of Russia’s military strategy, reported that the building was severely damaged, with stored ammunition contributing to the destruction. “In a message on Telegram, Girkin reported that “many hundreds” had been killed or injured and that others were still unaccounted for under the rubble. He also stated that “almost all” of the military equipment had been destroyed, which was situated next to the building with no attempt at camouflage.

Ukrainian Artillery Wiped Out Russian Battalion

Social media was flooded with several photos & videos showing the wreckage of the building, with firefighters sifting through the debris. The Russian-supported administration reported that a minimum of twenty-five rockets were fired at the area during New Year’s Eve into the early morning hours. The attack in Makiivka represents a rare instance of Moscow openly admitting to significant losses. Last May, Ukraine’s military command and Western intelligence sources reported that a Russian battalion and numerous military vehicles were almost completely wiped out by Ukrainian artillery while trying to cross a pontoon bridge on the Donets River in eastern Ukraine.

Before/after photos of the school building in Makiivka where Russia had stationed mobilized troops from the Saratov region, Russian telegram channels report. At midnight on NY, Ukraine destroyed the building – killing an unknown number of Russian troops – with a volley or HIMARs. pic.twitter.com/44ZL1HigQ8

— Christo Grozev (@christogrozev) January 2, 2023

In August, Ukraine reported that it had hit a base in the southern, Russian-occupied city of Melitopol that was being used by mercenaries from Russia’s infamous Wagner paramilitary group. On December 11th, Serhiy Haidai, Ukraine’s governor for the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, stated that a hotel in the eastern town of Kadiivka was being used as a base for Wagner soldiers and was also targeted. Moscow did not publicly admit to any of the three alleged invasions.

The attack on Makiivka also follows a surge in reported attacks on targets deep inside Russia. On Sunday, a reconnoitering drone was said to have been shot down over Voronezh in southwest Russia, and the governor of the Belgorod region reported that the village of Vyazovoe had “come under fire” on Monday. In the past month, three separate drone attacks targeted a Russian military air base in Engels, three hundred miles from the Ukrainian border, with three Russian service members killed in one of the attacks.

Read Also: Russia Attacks Ukraine with Massive Missiles – Ukraine

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