The U.S. has obtained a warrant to seize an aircraft owned by Russian oil and gas company PJSC LUKOIL, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.
Why it matters: It's one of severalRussian-ownedassets seized by the U.S. since the Biden administration began issuing sanctions in response to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
The UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner released a long-awaited report Wednesday detailing the Chinese government's "serious human rights violations" in Xinjiang, which the U.S. has deemed a genocide against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities.
Driving the news: The report, which was released minutes before UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet's tenure ended, states that the Chinese government's actions "may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity."
Americans are sick of the constant barrage of robotexts from political campaigns. So they're suing.
Staggering stat: Campaigns have already sent 90.5 million texts this election cycle, including some 68 million from Democrats and around 23 million from Republicans, Axios' Lachlan Markay reports from data by RoboKiller, a blocker app.
President Biden spoke with the mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, on Wednesday as the city entered its third day grappling with a water emergency.
Driving the news: Biden called Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba "to hear firsthand from the mayor about the urgent situation with access to clean and safe water," a White House aide told the Hill.
Florida is suing the Food and Drug Administration claiming that the agency is delaying the state's attempts at importing cheaper prescription medications from Canada, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday.
The big picture: The lawsuit comes even though the Biden administration has previously sided with states applying for the program and announced support for it.
Extreme partisanship from members of both political parties is the greatest threat currently facing the U.S., former Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Wednesday during an interview with Axios' Hans Nichols hosted by Florida's Forum Club of the Palm Beaches.
Why it matters: The past few years have seen a deepening political divide in the U.S. that, with the events of the Capitol riot, showed the propensity to spillover into violence.
Texas has spent more than $12 million to send migrants from the Lone Star state to New York and Washington, D.C., the Texas Division of Emergency Management confirmed to Axios.
The big picture: Texas has been sending thousands of migrants on buses to these two cities, and New York and D.C. officials said earlier this month they were overwhelmed by the influx.
The U.S. told Iran through EU mediators that linking the UN investigation of Iran's undeclared nuclear activity to the reimplementation of the 2015 nuclear deal could delay lifting U.S. sanctions, according to a U.S. official and a think tank expert briefed on the issue.
Why it matters: The issue of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) investigations is one of the two remaining stumbling blocks in returning to the 2015 nuclear agreement.
President Biden spoke on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Lapid Wednesday about the emerging deal to return to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement and stressed his commitment to Israel's security, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
Why it matters: Israeli officials said that Lapid wanted to try to influence U.S. policy on the gaps that remain between the U.S. and Iran in the emerging deal, which Israel is opposed to.
Rep. Charlie Crist, the Democratic nominee in Florida's gubernatorial election, is resigning from Congress, effective at the end of day Wednesday, his office announced.
Driving the news: Crist's resignation comes as his race against Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ramping up. His congressional seat will remain open until the November election.
For the first time, abortion rights are among the top five priorities for eligible Latino voters in Colorado, findings from a poll released Tuesday show.
Inflation was the leading concern, followed by crime and gun violence, jobs, health care and abortion rights.
As U.S. ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel's day job is to promote trade and harmony between the two countries. But given an opening, the famously combative former Chicago mayor and White House chief of staff is taking on China and Russia.
In the past few days, he has mixed it up with both Beijing and Moscow. After a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman hit back at Emanuel for his criticism of China, the American envoy didn't let diplomatic niceties get in the way.
Republican candidates around the country are trying to disappear the hardline anti-abortion stances they took during their primaries.
Why it matters: It's longstanding practice for candidates in both parties to modify their rhetoric for general-election audiences, but this year's messaging gymnastics are next-level.
A leading Democratic super PAC is looking to boost young voters' turnout in November through a public pressure campaign, explaining it's a matter of public record whether individuals cast a ballot or sit out the election.
The Justice Department asked a federal judge late Tuesday to refuse former President Trump's request for a "special master" to review the evidence the FBI seized from his Mar-a-Lago home, citing national security concerns.
Of note: The Department of Justice said in its filing that it has "evidence that government records were likely concealed and removed from the Storage Room and that efforts were likely taken to obstruct the government’s investigation."
The big picture: Biden has ramped up his rhetoric ahead of November's crucial midterm elections and he's due to attend another two events over the next week in Pennsylvania, a key congressional battleground state.
The U.S. Army grounded its entire Chinook helicopter fleet on Tuesday "out of an abundance of caution" after fuel leaks caused a "small number of engine fires" among several of the aircraft, Army spokesperson Cynthia Smith said.
Driving the news: The helicopters, which primarily serve to transport troops, artillery, equipment and fuel, will remain temporarily grounded while the Army works to resolve the issue, according to Smith. No deaths or injuries were reported.
Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said they met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Tuesday to "reaffirm the U.S. commitment" to the nation.
Why it matters: Last week marked six months since Russian forces invaded Ukraine. The meeting comes as Ukraine and its Western allies consider their strategy for the next phase of the war against Russia, which now occupies one-fifth of the country.
