Biden 'contemplating' steps to punish Moscow as world leaders blame 'monster' Putin for Navalny's death

Biden Asserts Executive Privilege Over Audio of Interview With Robert Hur

Biden Asserts Executive Privilege , Over Audio of Interview With Robert Hur. In February, Hur's yearlong investigation into whether President Biden mishandled classified documents ended without enough evidence to support criminal charges. In February, Hur's yearlong investigation into whether President Biden mishandled classified documents ended without enough evidence to support criminal charges. House Republicans were provided a transcript of Biden's interview with Hur, but they wanted the audio, which the DOJ denied. As a result, House Republicans were moving to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. On May 16, the Department of Justice told House Republicans that the president asserted executive privilege over audio from his interview with the special counsel. The move protects Garland from criminal exposure as GOP lawmakers seek to hold him accountable. Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte explained the DOJ's actions in a letter. The Attorney General must draw a line that safeguards the Department from improper political influence and protects our principles, our law enforcement work, and the people who carry out that work independently, without fear or favor, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte, via letter . The Committees seek to hold the Attorney General in contempt not for failing in his duties, but for upholding them, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte, via letter . With the information you now have, the Committees ought not to proceed with contempt and should instead avoid unnecessary and unwarranted conflict, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte, via letter . White House Counsel Ed Siskel also wrote a letter supporting the assertion of executive privilege. . The absence of a legitimate need for the audio recordings lays bare your likely goal—to chop them up, distort them, and use them for partisan political purposes, White House Counsel Ed Siskel, via letter

Putin’s Scare in Kharkiv Grows: Zelensky Signs New Law Allowing Prisoners to Join Military

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ratified a new law allowing certain prisoners to be paroled if they agree to enlist in the country's military. This legislation, aimed at bolstering Ukraine's military ranks, comes in response to the significant challenges the nation faces in its conflict with Russia. The details of the new law were published on the official website of the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. Initially submitted to the legislature in March, the bill is part of a broader effort by Ukraine to replenish its military forces. The legislation enables Ukrainian inmates to voluntarily enlist on a contractual basis and serve as long as martial law is in effect. The law specifically applies to convicts with three years or less remaining on their original prison sentences. #Zelensky #Ukraine #UkraineWar #RussiaUkraineConflict #Kharkiv #Putin #MilitaryRecruitment #PrisonerEnlistment #WarLaw #MartialLaw #UkraineDefense #Mobilization #ConflictNews #EasternEurope #GlobalNews ~PR.152~ED.103~

Ukraine braces for heavy battles as Putin says Russia carving out 'buffer zone''

Putin claims he isn't seeking to gain control over city of Kharkiv

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he has no plans to recapture the city of Kharkiv, during a visit to China on Friday. Putin clarified that Moscow's military action in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region is aimed at establishing a buffer zone.

Putin's Final Blow on Kharkiv with Renewed Russia’s Drone blitz; Ukraine’s Belgorod Retaliation

In a critical escalation on Ukraine's northeastern front, Russian troops have made significant advances in the Kharkiv region, expanding the combat zone by approximately 70 kilometers. Ukrainian Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi warned of imminent "heavy battles" as Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the establishment of a "buffer zone" to protect Russia's border regions. The offensive, which began last Friday, has strained Ukrainian defences, already stretched thin over a sprawling front. During a visit to China, Putin linked the offensive to ongoing Ukrainian shelling of Russian border areas, justifying the creation of the buffer zone. A recent Russian missile strike in Kharkiv killed two and injured 25, highlighting the conflict's toll. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Ukrainian forces have stabilized the front despite losing control of 12 villages. #Putin #Kharkiv #UkraineWar #DroneBlitz #Belgorod #UkraineRetaliation #RussiaUkraineConflict #BufferZone #MilitaryOffensive #KharkivAttack #WarUpdates #EasternFront #UkrainianDefense #RussiaInvasion #ConflictZone ~HT.99~PR.152~ED.194~

China-Russia relations: 'Vladimir Putin needs Xi Jinping's support'

Artists spray-paint portraits of Alexei Navalny behind a Soviet monument in Vienna

Austrian graffiti duo Joel Gamnou painted the portraits, receiving mostly positive feedback from the public, although criticism arose from certain groups alleging political misuse of the wall.

Alexei Navalny: Russian court rejects Navalny mother’s case alleging improper medical care| Oneindia

A lawsuit filed by the mother of the late Russian opposition figure, Alexei Navalny, alleging inadequate medical care during his time in the Arctic penal colony where he passed away, has been dismissed. The court in the town of Labytnangi, near the penal colony, rejected the suit, citing Navalny's absence as the plaintiff. Ivan Zhdanov, a former aide to Navalny, expressed dismay over the decision, highlighting Navalny's history of filing lawsuits regarding medical care in prisons. The dismissal, Zhdanov noted, comes with a tone of mockery, given Navalny's tragic demise. ~HT.178~PR.152~ED.194~

Russians 'don't have numbers for strategic breakthrough' in Ukraine: NATO

Moscow says it will keep pushing its offensive in Ukraine, though NATO doubts Russia has the resources to make a significant breakthrough.

Putin Claims Kharkiv: Zelensky's General's Startling Admission Shakes NATO and U.S

Ukraine's intelligence chief, Kirill Budanov, has openly acknowledged the worsening situation in the country, particularly in the north, where Moscow has seized multiple villages in the Kharkiv region. With a shortage of manpower and delays in Western military aid, Ukraine's military is facing a critical situation. Budanov warned that Russia's next incursion is imminent, putting further strain on Ukrainian forces. Despite efforts to redirect troops, the frontline remains precarious, with Budanov expressing concern about the country's defense capabilities. #RussiaKharkivAttack #KharkivInvasion #RussiaAttacksKharkiv #Ukraine #Kharkiv #Frontline #Intel #Putin #Zelensky #NATO #US #Military #Defense #Security #War #Russia #Admission #Crisis ~HT.178~PR.152~ED.103~GR.124~

Putin's 1,740 Troops Killed In 24 Hours: Ukraine Makes Shocking Claims Of Massive Blow To Russia

Amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukraine's military reports record casualties on the Russian side, with 1,740 troops lost in a day, totaling approximately 484,030 casualties since the invasion began. Equipment losses are significant, including 30 tanks and 42 armoured vehicles in 24 hours. Despite challenges in verifying figures, the war's impact is undeniable as it enters its third year, exacerbated by Russia's new offensive. Estimates vary, with the UK suggesting over 465,000 Russian casualties. Moscow remains tight-lipped on losses, while Ukraine's President cites 31,000 Ukrainian troops killed. Fluctuations in casualties occur, with a recent focus on the Kharkiv region. Urgent calls for a peaceful resolution and international intervention echo as civilians suffer amidst the conflict's brutality. #Putin #TroopsKilled #UkraineClaims #RussiaUkraineWar #WarImpact #MilitaryCasualties #RussianForces #KyivReports #ShockingClaims #MassiveBlow #ConflictUpdate #InternationalTensions #WarNews #MilitaryLosses #PutinRegime ~HT.178~PR.152~ED.155~GR.121~

Presidential run-off to take place in Lithuania with president in lead

Lithuanians voted in a presidential election on Sunday at a time when Russian gains on the battlefield in Ukraine are fuelling greater fears about Moscow’s intentions, particularly in the strategically important Baltic region.