The Biden administration has approved the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine, something Kyiv has long asked for and human rights organizations have spoken out against. The weapons "are banned by more than 100 countries because the submunitions spread out imprecisely, often fail to detonate and remain as explosive hazards for decades," The Hill's Brad Dress wrote. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl said, "We want to make sure that the Ukrainians have sufficient artillery to keep them in the fight in the context of the current counteroffensive, and because things are going a little slower than some had hoped." Kahl said the cluster munitions being transferred to Kyiv will have a low failure rate and that the countries are working together to minimize harm to civilians. President Biden has already defended the move, telling CNN that while it was a "difficult" decision, "the Ukrainians are running out of ammunition" and "they needed them" amid their counteroffensive. Sarah Yager, the Washington director at Human Rights Watch, said, "Legislators, policymakers and the Biden administration will probably think twice when the pictures start coming back of children who have been harmed by American-made cluster munitions." Although 123 countries have signed a pledge not to use cluster munition weapons, the U.S., Russia and Ukraine have not joined that pact. Read more on the move here |
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Welcome to Evening Report! I'm Amee LaTour, catching you up from the afternoon and what's coming tomorrow. Not on the list? Subscribe here. |
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- The Justice Department indicted a former Army Reserves major and financial counselor for an alleged fraud scheme targeting Gold Star families.
A preliminary report from the D.C. Bar Association recommends disbarring Rudy Giuliani, saying he sought "to change the result of the 2020 presidential election" through a lawsuit "when he had no factual basis, and consequently no legitimate legal grounds, to do so."
The United Nations' International Maritime Organization aims to reach net zero emissions from shipping among its 175 member countries by 2050.
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Ocasio-Cortez backs Biden's 2024 bid
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) says she'll support President Biden's reelection bid given the current primary field, adding another high-profile progressive to the president's endorser list. Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the 2020 Democratic primary. Asked in a Thursday podcast about the current primary field with Marianne Williamson and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and whether she'll support Biden, Ocasio-Cortez said, "I believe, given that field, yes." Sanders endorsed Biden in April. Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) has also endorsed the president, along with other progressive lawmakers. |
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White House confirms prisoner swap talks with Russia
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White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed Friday that the U.S. has been in talks with Russia about a potential prisoner swap for detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich but cautioned against "false hope." Sullivan said, "There have been discussions, but those discussions have not produced a clear pathway." Friday marks 100 days since Gershkovich's arrest in Russia. |
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Two more Oath Keepers to face trial |
Oath Keepers members James Beeks and Donovan Crowl face a stipulated bench trial beginning Monday on charges related to their alleged roles in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. The stipulated bench trial "requires agreement between the defendants and the Justice Department on certain facts," meaning Beeks and Crowl "could argue that a sentence reduction is warranted for acceptance of guilt if convicted," The Hill's Ella Lee explained. Crowl's attorney told The Hill the defendants will be tried on two felony counts — conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and civil disorder. Other counts would be dismissed at the end of the proceedings. More than 1,000 rioters have been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack. Read Lee's full report here |
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© AP Photo/John Bazemore, Pool, File |
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Carters celebrate 77th wedding anniversary |
Former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter celebrate their 77th wedding anniversary Friday. They've been married longer than the average life expectancy in the U.S. of 76.1 years. |
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Which industries added the most jobs last month?
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Yellen criticizes Chinese treatment of U.S. businesses during China trip
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Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen criticized China's treatment of U.S. businesses at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in China. Still, the overall goal of the trip — which includes meetings with Chinese officials — is conciliatory. "Yellen's trip is part of an effort from U.S. officials to ease what have been increasingly rising tensions with China in recent months," The Hill's Jared Gans wrote. "Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited last month with the same goal." Read more here |
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"Joe Biden's 'Bidenomics' tour a risky bet as jobs market cracks" — Liz Peek, a former partner of major bracket Wall Street firm Wertheim & Company. (Read here) "Conservative women are embracing extremism under the guise of motherhood" — Tom Mockaitis, a professor of history at DePaul University and the author of "Violent Extremists: Understanding the Domestic and International Terrorist Threat." (Read here) |
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47 days until the first GOP presidential debate. 487 days until the presidential election. |
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Saturday: Former President Trump speaks in Las Vegas at 4:30 p.m. PT. Sunday: President Biden arrives in London. Next week: Congress returns following the Fourth of July recess. |
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There a story you think should be getting more attention? Something people should be talking about? Drop me a line: ALaTour@thehill.com |
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