President Biden on Tuesday accused Russia of committing genocide in Ukraine, saying "it’s become clearer and clearer" that Russian President Vladimir Putin "is just trying to wipe out even the idea of being Ukrainian."
The big picture: While Biden had accused Putin and Russian forces of committing war crimes, the U.S. had previously refrained from using the term "genocide" to describe Russia's actions in Ukraine.
New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigned on Tuesday after he was arrested for campaign finance-related federal bribery conspiracy charges, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said in a statement.
What they're saying: "While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as Lieutenant Governor," Hochul said.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) on Tuesday signed into law a bill that makes providing an abortion a felony.
Driving the news: The legislation bans all abortions unless they're necessary to save a pregnant person's life. A person found guilty of providing an abortion would face up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000.
GOP candidates from Nevada to Ohio are stepping up attacks on undocumented Latino immigrants despite warnings the strategy may backfire in some general election contests.
The big picture: The rhetoric aims to appeal to white voters aligned with former President Trump who are voting in GOP primaries. But some Republicans say it could alienate crucial Latino swing voters in November.
When it comes to financial regulation, or deregulation, branding can be everything. Or at least that's what some Senate Republicans are hoping.
Driving the news: GOP members of the Senate Banking Committee have introduced the "JOBS Act 4.0," a hodgepodge of old and new proposals aimed at encouraging capital formation for startups and encouraging IPOs.
The National Urban League's 2022 "State of Black America" report alleges that some lawmakers, consultants and violent extremists are plotting to "disenfranchise, delude, manipulate and intimidate American voters and establish a one-party rule" that works against the interests of Black and brown voters.
The big picture: The 46th edition of the group's annual report, released Tuesday morning, warns that voter suppression and growing income inequality could precipitate the collapse of democracy in the U.S. It warns that "political forces have launched an all-out assault on voting rights that disproportionately affects the communities that we serve."
A Christian Chinese national who spent 10 months in a Xinjiang detention camp has arrived in the United States after months of behind-the-scenes lobbying by U.S. lawmakers, human rights activists and international lawyers.
Why it matters: The man, Ovalbek Turdakun, will provide evidence that international human rights lawyers say is vital to the case they have submitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor arguing that China has committed crimes against humanity in Xinjiang.
Less than one in 10 Americans now describe COVID-19 as a crisis — with about three in four calling it a manageable problem and one in six saying it's no problem at all — according to the latest installment of the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index.
Why it matters: These sentiments — and the public's growing desire to be done with mask mandates and other restrictions — raise significant challenges for public health officials in managing new surges, and could create real political headwinds ahead of the midterms.
The Pentagon is closely monitoring social media reports claiming Russian forces deployed chemical weapons in Mariupol, Ukraine, Defense Department press secretary John Kirby said on Monday.
Why it matters: Moscow has a long history of using chemical weapons, and the White House has warned that Russian forces may be preparing to "use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine."
Utility Pacific Gas & Electric agreed Monday to pay $55 million in penalties and costs to settle civil cases over two massive wildfires that affected six Northern California counties.
Why it matters: Investigators found PG&E's ageing, faulty utility equipment sparked the 2019 Kincade Fire and the 2019 Kincade Fire. But the agreement means the nation's largest utility will avoid criminal prosecution for the blazes, per a statement from the company.
Reports of human trafficking, rape and other sexual violence perpetrated against fleeing women and children are increasing in Ukraine, Sima Bahous, the United Nations executive director for women, told the UN Security Council Monday.
The big picture: "The combination of mass displacement with the large presence of conscripts and mercenaries and the brutality displayed against Ukrainian civilians has raised all red flags," said Bahous, who recently met with Ukrainian refugees in Moldova.
The U.S. Department of State ordered all non-emergency government staff in Shanghai to leave on Monday, in response to surging COVID-19 cases and China's tightening pandemic restrictions.
What they're saying: The department's advisory also urged American citizens to reconsider travel to China "due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws" and pandemic-related restrictions.
The Republicans on the Senate Intelligence Committee are unanimously pressing the Biden administration to share more intelligence with Ukraine, not just in the Donbas but also Crimea, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Russia is preparing for a bloody eastern assault. While some Republican senators have previously called for more intelligence sharing, this is the first time every one of them on the committee is making an explicit request.
Nearly "two-thirds of all Ukrainian children have been displaced" in the six weeks since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine and at least 142 kids have been killed, the United Nations children's agency said Monday. The death toll is "likely much higher," UNICEF said.
The big picture: UNICEF Emergency Programs director Manuel Fontaine, who's just returned from Ukraine, told the U.N. Security Council that of the 3.2 million children estimated to have remained in their homes, "nearly half may be at risk of not having enough food."
U.S. Senate officials are flouting a federal law requiring the public disclosure of senators' official expenses, records show.
Why it matters: The lack of Senate expense disclosure has brought a key government transparency measure to a standstill, depriving the public of information about their representatives to which they're legally entitled. The disclosure details spending on staff salaries and other office expenses.
House Republicans are so confident of snagging easy seats en route to regaining the majority this November, their big-spending outside super PAC is now targeting congressional districts President Biden won by as much as 16 points, Axios has learned.
Driving the news: The Consumer Price Index report being issued at 8:30am ET Tuesday is expected to show annual inflation surging to 8.4% in March — the highest rate since December 1981. With Biden’s approval numbers already languishing in the negatives, Republicans are going for the kill.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Monday that the league is working with "everybody in our ecosystem" to bring WNBA star Brittney Griner home "as safely and quickly as we can."
Why it matters: Griner was arrested at an airport near Moscow and accused of smuggling significant amounts of a narcotic substance in early March after agents said they found cannabis oil in her luggage. The State Department has since warned that Kremlin security officials may "single out and detain U.S. citizens" in Russia and Ukraine.
