Axios

Actor Jussie Smollett will be released from jail on bond while he appeals his conviction for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack.

Details: The appeals court document states that Smollett does not have to put money down to be released, but will need to come to court as required.

President Biden told reporters Wednesday that Vladimir Putin is a "war criminal," stating plainly what he had alluded to earlier in the day while condemning Russia's bombing of "apartment buildings, maternity wards, hospitals" and other civilian targets.

Why it matters: It's the first time Biden has used the term to describe the Russian president. Other senior officials had previously declined to go that far, instead expressing concern about alleged Russian atrocities and support for an international war crimes investigation.

Texas discarded and discounted roughly 13% of mail ballots submitted for its March 1 primary, a significantly higher rate than the typical 2%, according to an AP analysis.

Why it matters: Republicans enacted new voting restrictions in the state last year, claiming they would make elections more secure. But the "rejected ballots in Texas alone far exceeds the hundreds of even possible voter fraud cases the AP has previously identified in six battleground states that Trump disputed," AP notes.

President Biden announced Wednesday that the U.S. will provide Ukraine with an additional $800 million in military aid, including direct transfers of anti-aircraft systems and drones to help the Ukrainian military defend itself.

Why it matters: The announcement, which came just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered an emotional address to Congress pleading for more assistance, brings the total amount of military aid to Ukraine authorized in the past week to over $1 billion.

World War III "may have already started," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday in an interview with NBC News.

Why it matters: Despite Zelensky's plea for the U.S. to do more to stop Russia's invasion, President Biden has said he will not send fighter jets to Ukraine because "we will not fight a Third World War." The attacks have killed at least 691 civilians, according to the UN.

About 35% of Americans favor the U.S. taking military action in Ukraine, even if it risks sparking a nuclear conflict, a new Pew Research Center survey found.

Why it matters: The U.S. has categorically declined to commit to the establishment of a no-fly zone — a key request by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — for fear that it would potentially bring NATO and the U.S. into direct conflict with Russia, a nuclear power.

Secretary of State Tony Blinken is planning a possible trip to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and the occupied West Bank later this month, according to five U.S., Israeli and Palestinian sources.

Why it matters: This would be Blinken’s first trip as secretary of state to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It comes at a time of tensions between the Biden administration and two Gulf allies as it pushes them to increase oil production.

President Volodymyr Zelensky's impassioned pleas Wednesday rekindled congressional talk of supporting a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

Why it matters: While most members of Congress still maintain having the U.S. and NATO enforce such a zone would drag Americans into a superpower conflict with Russia, the openness of a few members to consider various options for air involvement represented a shift in tone from recent days.

Former President Trump signaled to the Washington Examiner that he will not choose Mike Pence as his running mate if he runs for president in 2024.

What he's saying: “I don’t think the people would accept it,” Trump said. "Mike and I had a great relationship except for the very important factor that took place at the end. We had a very good relationship. I haven’t spoken to him in a long time.”

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), chair of the House Oversight Committee, along with Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) are urging the Department of Health and Human Services to make abortion pills more accessible.

Driving the news: In a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, the lawmakers say the federal government must "ensure that medication abortion is accessible, affordable, and convenient for patients who seek it" as conservative states continue to make it harder for people to obtain abortion pills.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly urged Western leaders to impose a "no-fly zone" over Ukraine, but establishing one appears unlikely any time soon.

Why it matters: Imposing a no-fly zone (NFZ) would mark a significant escalation in the war — potentially bringing NATO, which Ukraine is not a member of, directly into a conventional conflict with a nuclear power.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke to the Russian Security Council on Wednesday and reiterated U.S. disapproval of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to the White House.

Why it matters: It's the first public disclosure of a high-level call between U.S. and Russian officials since Moscow's attack on Ukraine started in late February.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked President Biden to be "leader of the world" during his address to Congress, pleading for more assistance as Russia's unprovoked invasion of his country continues.

What he's saying: "Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace. Peace in your country doesn't depend anymore only on you and your people. It depends on those next to you, on those who are strong. Strong doesn't mean weak. Strong is brave and ready to fight for the life of his citizens and citizens of the world. For human rights, for freedom, for the right to live decently," Zelensky said in English, towards the end of his speech.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky summoned some of the darkest days in U.S. history in a virtual address to Congress, pleading for America to do more to stop Russia's assault on his country and calling on President Biden to “be the leader of the world.”

What he's saying: "Remember Pearl Harbor, the terrible morning of Dec. 7, 1941, when your sky was black from the planes attacking you,” Zelensky told a packed auditorium in the basement of the Capitol. “Remember Sept. 11, a terrible day in 2001 when evil tried to turn your cities, independent territories, into battlefields. When innocent people were attacked from the air.”

Afghans in the U.S. as of Tuesday can avoid deportation and obtain work permits for the next 18 months through Temporary Protected Status (TPS), the Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday.

Why it matters: The new designation will ensure Afghans in the U.S. without proper documentation, whose temporary visas may soon expire or who were recently brought to the U.S. on parole can continue living and working in the U.S. without fear of return to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan for at least the next year and a half.

The White House is unveiling an initiative aimed at bolstering campus security and mental health services at historically Black colleges and universities in the wake of dozens of bomb threats at many of the institutions earlier this year.

Driving the news: Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday will announce that HBCUs that recently experienced a bomb threat are eligible for grant funds for their "immediate needs," per the White House.

Last year's Atlanta spa shootings are "a stark reminder that anti-Asian violence and discrimination have deep roots in our nation," President Biden said Wednesday, commemorating the first anniversary of the attacks.

The big picture: The shootings, which left eight people dead, including six Asian women, put a new spotlight on a historically overlooked and vilified group, Axios' Hope King, Shawna Chen and Sophia Cai report.

With the GOP seizing on big-city crime as a top midterm issue, the Democratic think tank Third Way is trying to turn the tables with this provocative finding in a new report, "The Red State Murder Problem":

Driving the news: The six states with the highest per-capita murder rates all voted for President Trump in 2020 — as did eight of the top 10.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy is enlisting MIT to help his conference bone up on complex issues changing the world — drones, AI, hypersonic weapons — in hopes they'll be in charge next year.

Why it matters: McCarthy's alliance with MIT is designed to add a future-focused dimension to the GOP agenda if the party wins the House majority in midterms, and he becomes Speaker.

A year after the Atlanta spa shootings that resulted in the deaths of eight people, including six Asian women, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, vowed that Congress "will never forget about the victims."

Driving the news: The March 16, 2021, shootings led to a historic anti-Asian hate crimes legislation, known as the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, but the Asian community has continued to grieve high-profile violent attacks and murders throughout 2022.

With the GOP seizing on big-city crime as a top midterm issue, the Democratic think tank Third Way is trying to turn the tables with this provocative finding in a new report, "The Red State Murder Problem":

• The six states with the highest per-capita murder rates all voted for President Trump in 2020 — as did 8 of the top 10.

President Biden confessed in private that he didn't understand Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), who helped stymie his biggest legislative dreams, New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns write in the first major book about the Biden-Harris administration, coming May 3.

Sneak peek: "One person close to the president likened Biden's perplexity at Sinema to his difficulty grasping his grandchildren's use of ... TikTok. He wanted to relate, but he just didn’t quite get it," the authors write in "This Will Not Pass," about the 2020 election and President Biden's first year.

In the year since the shooting death of six Asian women in Atlanta-area spas, more people of Asian descent have been elevated across politics, sports and entertainment than ever before, while the larger community has continued to struggle with anti-Asian attacks.

Why it matters: The Atlanta shootings, which killed eight people in total, put a new spotlight on a historically overlooked and vilified group. But the tragedy also resulted in visibility that enabled Asians in America to make new strides.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday peace talks were beginning to "sound more realistic," as the war entered its third week with Russian forces intensifying attacks on Kyiv and Mariupol.

What they're saying: "Efforts are still needed, patience is needed," Zelensky said during a televised address. "Any war ends with an agreement," added Zelensky, who thanked the U.S. ahead of his congressional address later Wednesday for a $13.6 billion aid package.

A Republican running to replace Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) used racist tropes to talk about Asians on a podcast in 2013, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

Why it matters: One of the leading contenders in the race, entrepreneur Mike Gibbons made the remarks while citing "The Bell Curve," a controversial book that drew accusations of racism for claiming that racial differences in intelligence are driven by genes and the environment.

The New York State Health Department "misled the public" and failed to publicly account for the COVID-19 related deaths of over 4,000 N.Y. nursing home residents, according to an audit released on Tuesday by the state comptroller.

Why it matters: Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo had faced criticism over his administration's handling of COVID-19, particularly in nursing homes early in the pandemic.

Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, will remain jailed ahead of his pending trial related to his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, his lawyer said Tuesday.

Why it matters: Tarrio, who allegedly orchestrated the right-wing extremist group's movements during the breach of the U.S. Capitol, was denied bond by a federal judge. He poses a flight risk and is a possible danger to the community, according to federal prosecutors, the Washington Post reported.

Former President Trump told the Washington Examiner in an interview that he is "surprised" Russian President Vladimir Putin followed through on his threat to invade Ukraine.

Why it matters: Trump, who maintained a close working relationship with Putin during his presidency, has condemned the invasion as a "crime against humanity" but called Putin "very savvy" for recognizing two breakaway "republics" in eastern Ukraine as independent two days before Russian forces launched an attack on the entire country.

Democrats claim roughly twice as many female state legislators as their Republican counterparts, but the GOP has a significant advantage in local lawmaking: It maintains control of more state legislatures across the country.

Why it matters: From abortion rights to child care provisions, there's been heightened attention to the gender impact of legislation emanating from statehouses. It's likely to drive voter turnout in this year's crucial midterms.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the Canadian parliament Tuesday to envision waking at 4am to bombs dropping on Ottawa's airport or Toronto's CN Tower. "Justin, can you imagine?" he bluntly asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Why it matters: Zelensky's virtual address to Congress on Wednesday is expected to build on this signature blend of praising, chastising and pleading with his audience to understand the global stakes of Ukraine's resistance.

A private Italian dinner between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) did little to repair their differences over how Democrats can retain power in the Senate, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Schumer’s failure last month to convince Manchin to be more of a team player has implications for the leader’s ability to advance President Biden’s agenda, not to mention the fate of his nominees — as Fed hopeful Sarah Bloom Raskin discovered this week.

The Republican National Committee is suing its own email vendor, Salesforce, in a last-ditch effort to stop it from turning over extensive internal data to the Jan. 6 select committee, Axios has learned.

Driving the news: The RNC is seeking an emergency injunction to block the software giant from complying with a subpoena from the panel investigating the Capitol riot by a 10am ET Wednesday deadline.