All Politics
First LookPresident Biden to visit Europe for NATO summit on UkraineIn a bid to increase support for Ukraine, President Joe Biden will travel to Brussels to attend a NATO summit next week, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said聽Tuesday. Mr. Biden鈥檚 trip comes as Western nations present a largely united front in backing Ukraine.聽
First LookUS Senate votes to make daylight saving time permanentThe U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act by a unanimous voice vote on Tuesday. The bipartisan bill would make daylight saving time permanent in November of 2023. One poll suggests聽71% of Americans prefer to no longer switch their clocks twice a year.
First LookMind the gender pay gap: Disparity persists, but it's shrinkingPresident Biden expects to sign an executive order on Equal Pay Day, March 15, to discourage federal contractors from considering a聽hire鈥檚聽previous salary. In 2020, women on average earned 83 cents on the dollar compared to men doing the same work. The pay gap in the U.S. is at its smallest ever.
Gun sales: More diverse buyers shift firearm cultureThe view of gun owners as older, conservative, white, and male isn鈥檛 wrong, but it鈥檚 shifting. First-time gun buyers are more diverse, and they鈥檙e changing gun culture.聽
First LookGrand jury indicts Colorado election clerk for data breachTina Peters, a Republican election clerk, was indicted by a grand jury in Colorado for seven felony and three misdemeanor counts. The indictment alleges that Ms. Peters and a deputy clerk were involved in a security breach of confidential county voting data.聽
First LookHow risky is crypto? Biden signs executive order for discovery.As cryptocurrency gains momentum, the federal government is taking precautions. In a new executive order, President Joe Biden asked the Treasury Department and other agencies to study a central bank cryptocurrency to assess financial stability and national security.聽
Russia 鈥榗anceled鈥�: Is this an effective new way of waging war?The speed and breadth of sanctions have stunned Russia. Yet big questions remain about what they鈥檒l achieve, and about unintended consequences.
First LookBipartisan deal: Congress finalizes $1.5T bill, including Ukraine aidOn Wednesday, members of Congress agreed on the details of a bipartisan bill to send $13.6 billion to help Ukraine and other European countries. A vote on the total $1.5 trillion package to finance federal agencies is expected this week.
鈥楾hey seem so like us鈥�: How bias creeps into war reportingThe world has been stunned by Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine. But journalists鈥� shock has been accompanied by comments that media critics say reveal a Western bias.
First LookTrump engaged in 'criminal conspiracy', Jan. 6 panel saysA House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection suggested evidence of criminal activity by Donald Trump and his associates Wednesday.聽The panel alleged Mr. Trump spread false information about the election and pushed officials break federal laws to overturn results.聽
First LookThousands of ballots rejected in Texas' test of GOP voting lawsThe Texas primary on Tuesday gave a preview for the 2022 midterm elections as well the strict voting measures GOP lawmakers have put in place across the country. Under the new rules, Texas counties rejected thousands of ballots from voters of both parties.
Health agencies have lost public trust: Can that be fixed?As the pandemic enters its most hopeful phase in months, distrust in the public health system lingers 鈥� leaving work ahead for both agencies and Congress.聽
On Ukraine, Congress rediscovers bipartisan spirit 鈥� for nowCongress has rallied behind the president鈥檚 calls to help Ukraine. How long that unity can last remains to be seen.
First LookRussia, US inflation top priorities in Biden's State of the UnionRussian aggression, rising cost of living in the U.S., and the fading coronavirus were prime issues in President Biden鈥檚 first State of the Union address Tuesday evening. The polarized Congress showed unity in support of Ukraine.
FocusPolitics of pessimism: Why neither party is selling the American dreamEven before the crisis in Europe and the COVID-19 pandemic upended a sense of stability, U.S. political rhetoric had taken a dark turn.聽
First LookTexas crossroads: Primary offers preview of 2022 midtermsOn Tuesday, the 2022 midterm election season kicks off in Texas with primaries that will test the degree of loyalty to former President Donald Trump聽on the Republican side and the struggle between moderates and progressives on the Democratic side.
State of the Union: Can Biden meet the moment?Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine has created a point of unity behind which President Joe Biden can rally the nation, at a time of several major crises.
First LookFirst Jan. 6 criminal trial begins. Will the charges stick?The first trial of a Capitol riot case begins this week in a Washington courthouse, with jury selection starting Monday. The trial outcome could influence how the hundreds of other Capitol riot cases are prosecuted in the coming months.聽
Ukraine attack: Putin target may be democracy, near and farIt is a paradox of democracy that it can appear weak and threatening at the same time. Whatever challenges it is facing, a Ukraine version may have been undesirable for Putin.
Are Americans willing to sacrifice for Ukraine?Russia鈥檚 assault on Ukraine is unlike anything Europe has seen since World War II. As the U.S. and allies respond, which American trait will prove uppermost: a desire to protect democracy or a reluctance to wade into foreign fights?
