Witkoff in Russia; 60 years of Voting Rights Act : NPR

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Immediately’s high tales

U.S. particular envoy to the Center East Steve Witkoff has arrived in Moscow and is assembly with Russian President Vladimir Putin at this time. His go to comes as President Trump’s deadline for the Kremlin to finish the conflict in Ukraine or face financial penalties was moved as much as the tip of this week.

🎧 Trump is threatening secondary sanctions and tariffs on Russian power exports, which might penalize international locations like China that buy their oil and fuel, NPR’s Charles Maynes tells Up First. Trump’s insurance policies and rhetoric towards Russia shifted when a ceasefire with Ukraine didn’t occur after a number of conferences between the U.S. and Moscow. Putin has expressed that his military has momentum on the battlefield and proven no indication that he plans to again down. With Witkoff’s newest assembly, Maynes says each side could also be in search of a compromise — not the complete speedy peace Trump calls for, however an answer that might maintain him from fulfilling his threats on Friday.

Distinguished supporters of the president have lately intensified their criticism of Israel due to the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. The Republican Social gathering has lengthy been aligned with Israel in its conflict towards Gaza, however now the rift throughout the celebration is making a political problem for Trump. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia final week known as Israel’s actions a genocide. Former White Home aide Steve Bannon warned of the long-term expense of this battle and Trump’s danger of dropping younger Republicans’ help.

🎧 Republican strategist Alex Conant says we are actually at first levels of the lame duck interval of Trump’s presidency. Conant tells NPR’s Franco Ordoñez that there’s a struggle brewing to find out what the Republican Social gathering will appear to be post-Trump, with a powerful push for an America First celebration. Republican strategist Sean Walsh says the president must concentrate on the midterm elections and interesting to the vast majority of his celebration, who help Israel, if he hopes to maintain management of the Home.

Legal professional Common Pam Bondi has reportedly initiated a grand jury investigation into how the Obama administration dealt with the probe of Russian interference within the 2016 presidential election. NPR has not independently verified this data, which was first reported by Fox Information and different shops. Bondi launching the inquiry suggests a pattern that blurs the road between the Justice Division, which has been principally impartial, and the White Home.

🎧 The president has responded to the stories of Bondi’s actions by deflecting accountability whereas praising her efficiency, NPR’s Domenico Montanaro says. Trump has had tensions with attorneys basic up to now and has proven a willingness to fireside them when disagreements come up. Bondi has taken a distinct method with the president. She has expressed outrage on Trump’s behalf earlier than Congress when his ethics had been questioned and has shielded him concerning the Jeffrey Epstein information. Many view her actions towards the Obama administration about Russia as a distraction from the Epstein battle.

Immediately marks the sixtieth anniversary of the landmark Voting Rights Act, which was signed into regulation by then-President Lyndon B. Johnson to guard towards racial discrimination. Nevertheless, the lawful efforts to struggle towards the dilution of Black voters’ collective energy on the poll field could also be ending quickly, as a brand new authorized argument progresses towards the U.S. Supreme Court docket.

Life recommendation

Conserving a journal helped author Suleika Jaouad navigate her battle with leukemia at 22, life after therapy and the pandemic. Now, she has launched The Guide of Alchemy: A Artistic Follow for an Impressed Life, which expands on her method to journaling. It is a assortment of essays and writing prompts from 100 writers and artists. Jaouad shares suggestions with Life Package on find out how to reignite your writing apply should you’re feeling caught, bored, or uninspired.

✏️ Set a length of time you propose to journal day by day. Being constant may also help you kind surprising and attention-grabbing writing.✏️ Attempt including journaling to a non-negotiable a part of your routine, like once you sit down to your morning espresso.✏️ There isn’t a proper or fallacious solution to journal. You need to use a telephone app; do not let expectations like needing a pen and paper hinder your enjoyment.✏️ Do this immediate to get you began: Write a day within the lifetime of your goals a few years out. However achieve this within the current tense.

For extra steering on find out how to begin journaling, hearken to this episode of NPR’s Life Package. Subscribe to the Life Package e-newsletter for knowledgeable recommendation on love, cash, relationships and extra.

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India is poised to take over the chess world, particularly after 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh’s latest victory on the FIDE Ladies’s Chess World Cup. This achievement marks India’s 88th grandmaster — a title awarded to the very best gamers globally. Because the pandemic, chess has skilled a big resurgence worldwide. With extra leisure time, folks started taking part in on-line and watching on YouTube. India has emerged as one of many largest beneficiaries of this increase. Historically, Indian mother and father do not encourage their kids to pursue sports activities severely. However chess, which mirrors tutorial pursuits, has gained acceptance. Now, India is ensuring its youth are poised to checkmate with a system created to show “from the grassroots” of the game, based on chess coach Venkat Saravanan. Check out how they’re making strategic strikes.

3 issues to know earlier than you go