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War in Ukraine 'far from over', says Joe Biden
President Joe Biden announced new gun regulations on Monday to rein in so-called “ghost guns” – privately made firearms without serial numbers that have been used in several high-profile violent crimes.
Mr Biden also nominated Steve Dettlebach, an Obama-era US attorney, to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, making the announcement at an event in the grounds of the White House.
The ceremony was attended by survivors of and family members left bereaved by mass shootings including the Parkland school massacre and the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
Also on Monday, the president held a virtual bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The pair discussed a wide range of issues including touching on Ukraine and hinted at meeting in person in May at the Quad nations summit in Tokyo.
Mr Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have both tested negative for Covid-19, according to the White House, meaning they have so far escaped something of an outbreak among the DC political class. Among those recently testing positive are White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock.
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Key points Biden unveils regulations targeting ghost guns US presses India for hard line on Russia Biden nominates Obama-era US attorney to lead ATF Sullivan: US will continue expelling Russian agents Psaki accuses Republicans of holding Covid funding ‘hostage’ over immigration demand
Show latest update 1649727925 White House goes after ‘ghost guns’
President Joe Biden announced a series of actions to regulate so-called “ghost guns”, as congressional action to regulate firearms looks next to impossible.
The president announced the regulations in the Rose Garden at the White House when discussing the danger that the guns posed. Ghost guns are often ordered in kits that people have to assemble and lack serial numbers, making it difficult for law enforcement to track them.
Eric Garcia reports.
‘An especially grave threat’: White House goes after ‘ghost guns’ Comes as there is little likelihood of Congress acting on guns
Oliver O'Connell 12 April 2022 02:45
1649725225 Voices: Buttigieg’s old campaign manager knows how to turn red states blue. Will Democrats listen?
As demographics changed, the left focused too much on suburbanites and not enough on the working class. But as unions gain traction across the country, it’s clear the tide is turning — and members of the Democratic Party needs to listen, writes Skylar Baker-Jordan.
Buttigieg’s campaign manager knows how to turn red states blue. Will Dems listen? As demographics changed, the left focused too much on suburbanites and not enough on the working class. But as unions gain traction across the country, it’s clear the tide is turning — and members of the Democratic Party needs to listen
Oliver O'Connell 12 April 2022 02:00
1649722525 ICYMI: Pelosi tests negative for Covid
After testing positive for Covid-19 last week House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has now tested negative and will be ending her period of isolation tomorrow.
Oliver O'Connell 12 April 2022 01:15
1649719825 Pennsylvania man arrested for putting ‘I did that’ Biden stickers on gas pumps
A man from Pennsylvania has been arrested after he placed stickers on gas station pumps depicting Joe Biden along with the phrase “I did that” to protest his belief that the president is solely responsible for soaring fuel prices.
Thomas Richard Glazewski, 54, was arrested on 31 March after he was tackled by police at a convenience store in East Hempfield Township, according to Lancaster Online.
Graig Graziosi reports.
Man arrested for putting ‘I did that’ Biden stickers on gas pumps to protest prices The man was tackled by police after running from a gas pump
Oliver O'Connell 12 April 2022 00:30
1649717125 White House expects ‘extraordinarily elevated’ inflation data tomorrow
At today’s White House press briefing, Jen Psaki said they are expecting “extraordinarily elevated” monthly inflation data tomorrow.
The figures due tomorrow for March will include the large jump in oil prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Oliver O'Connell 11 April 2022 23:45
1649714425 Explainer: What are ghost guns?
Maroosha Muzaffar explains what ghost guns are and why the Biden administration has taken action against them.
What are ghost guns? Biden to unveil new rules on untraceable homemade firearms Biden’s latest proposed action comes over a year after he promised to implement new regulations on ghost guns
Oliver O'Connell 11 April 2022 23:00
1649711725 Biden urges Modi not to step up Indian use of Russian oil
President Joe Biden asked India's Narendra Modi on Monday not to accelerate the buying of Russian oil as the U.S. and other nations try to cut off Moscow's energy income following the invasion of Ukraine. The Indian prime minister made no public commitment to refrain from Russian oil, a source of tension with the U.S.
Meeting by video call, Biden told Modi that the U.S. could help India diversify its sources of energy, according to press secretary Jen Psaki. Even though India receives little of its oil from Russia, it stepped up recently with a major purchase as other democracies are trying to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The president also made clear that he doesn’t believe it’s in India’s interest to accelerate or increase imports of Russian energy or other commodities,” Psaki said.
While the two nations ended the meeting with Biden saying they committed to strengthening their relationship, White House officials could not say if India stood with them in fully condemning Putin, saying the choice ultimately rested with Modi's government. The two leaders will meet in person May 24 in Tokyo for a summit of the Quad, a coalition that also includes Australia and Japan.
India’s neutral stance in the war has raised concerns in Washington and earned praise from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who lauded India this month for judging “the situation in its entirety, not just in a one-sided way.”
Biden opened the video conversation by emphasizing the defense partnership between the two countries and by saying the U.S. and India are going to “continue our close consultation on how to manage the destabilizing effects of this Russian war" on food and other commodities.
“The root of our partnership is a deep connection between our people, ties of family, of friendship and of shared values,” the U.S. president said.
Modi on Monday called the situation in Ukraine “very worrying,” and he noted that an Indian student lost his life during the war. He said he has spoken with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, appealing to both of them for peace. India has condemned the killings uncovered in the city of Bucha and has called for an independent investigation.
A senior U.S. official described the Biden-Modi exchange as warm and productive, though the official stressed that India would make its own decisions on how to respond to Putin. The official insisted on anonymity to discuss the meeting.
Biden and Modi discussed how to manage the risks of global instability regarding food, humanitarian relief and climate change, and Modi candidly shared his views about some of the tight links between Russia and China that raise concerns, the official said.
Also Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met in person with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Austin appealed to India to act together with fellow democracies, a form of government based on the popular consent of the people that stands in contrast to autocracies such as China and Russia.
“Now more than ever, democracies must stand together to defend the values that we all share,” Austin said.
India has refrained from some efforts to hold Russia accountable for its invasion. India abstained when the U.N. General Assembly voted Thursday to suspend Russia from its seat on the 47-member Human Rights Council over allegations that Russian soldiers in Ukraine engaged in rights violations that the U.S. and Ukraine have called war crimes.
The vote was 93-24 with 58 abstentions.
India continues to purchase Russian energy supplies, despite pressure from Western countries to avoid buying Russian oil and gas. The U.S. has also considered sanctions on India for its recent purchase of advanced Russian air defense systems.
Last month, the state-run Indian Oil Corp. bought 3 million barrels of crude from Russia to secure its needs, resisting entreaties from the West to avoid such purchases. India isn’t alone in buying Russian energy, however. Several European allies such as Germany have continued to do so, despite public pressure to end these contracts.
Indian media reports said Russia was offering a discount on oil purchases of 20% below global benchmark prices.
Iraq is India’s top supplier, with a 27% share. Saudi Arabia is second at around 17%, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 13% and the U.S. at 9%, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.
The Associated Press
Oliver O'Connell 11 April 2022 22:15
1649709927 Sign up for The Independent’s US morning headlines newsletter
As the Biden administration scrambles to punish Russia for its assault on Ukraine, Congress confirms a new Supreme Court justice and the 6 January investigations steadily heat up, The Independent is launching a new US morning headlines newsletter to keep you in the know.
As the day begins US morning headlines will bring you up to date with the biggest stories, exclusives, explainers, and the big questions of the day.
How to sign up for The Independent’s US morning headlines newsletter The Independent is launching a new newsletter bringing the biggest stories, exclusives and explainers to your inbox
Oliver O'Connell 11 April 2022 21:45
1649708559 India to send medicine to Ukraine Modi tells Biden
Oliver O'Connell 11 April 2022 21:22
1649707225 Melissa Lucio: GOP lawmaker says even death penalty supporters see ‘major problem’ in case
A Republican lawmaker in Texas is rallying death penalty proponents within his own party, saying that even those who believe capital punishment is a “God-ordained institution” must see there are “major problems” with the impending execution of Melissa Lucio.
State Rep. Jeff Leach told Red Letter Christians in a live video interview on Monday morning that he was speaking “directly to any fellow Republicans, law and order Republicans, conservatives” who have always been in favour of the death penalty, saying they “ought to unbury our heads from the sand” and “ask the tough questions” about the system.
Rachel Sharp reports.
Even death penalty fans see this ‘major problem’ in Melissa Lucio case Texas State Reps Jeff Leach and Joe Moody were part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers who visited Melissa Lucio on death row last week as they call for her life to be spared
Oliver O'Connell 11 April 2022 21:00
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