Russian troops have withdrawn from suburban Kyiv to focus on the eastern Donbas region. With Western weapons for Ukraine flowing in, a grinding war of attrition looms. For our French-election series we meet members of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, which has found success by shifting the focus away from its extremist image. And why a bid to rename Turkey will be so fraught. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer
We're talking about what some Ukrainians are finding after Russian troops leave and how others are preparing for the next big attack.
Also, who's responsible for gas prices: oil companies, Russia, or President Biden? That was the debate on Capitol Hill.
Plus, a possible new currency coming to social media, why all eyes are on Tiger Woods today, and a popular music festival lost its headliner: who Coachella got as last-minute fill-ins.
As gas and other energy prices continue to soar, Americans are desperate for relief. The question is, what does Congress plan to do about it?
Rep. Debbie Lesko, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has some answers on today’s edition of “The Daily Signal Podcast.”
Lesko, R-Ariz., pledges that if the GOP regains the majority in Congress, lawmakers will act swiftly to reduce gas prices and increase America’s energy independence.
“Republicans will introduce legislation to codify into law some of the rules and regulations that the Trump administration put forward … to reduce the time for permitting of new production facilities, reduce the time of permitting for new pipelines, and help Americans increase U.S. oil and gas production,” Lesko says.
“When Republicans come into control, we want to put America first,” she says.
Lesko discusses the Biden administration’s failure to manage gas prices, and what congressional Republicans see as the solutions.
We also cover these stories:
President Biden extends a freeze on federal student loan repayment until August 31.
The U.S. and over 30 allied nations impose a new round of sanctions on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Oklahoma is set to institute an almost total ban on abortion.
Many Americans haven't gotten an initial COVID-19 booster. A second one is authorized for some. Others are waiting to see if they can get one soon. Will everyone need them eventually? An FDA advisory committee met Wednesday to discuss what's next in America's booster strategy.
Dr. Anthony Fauci tells NPR the path forward is paved with uncertainties — about whether more variants will arise, how long booster protection lasts, and what kind of funding will be available for research. Fauci spoke to NPR's Rob Stein, who explains what's likely for booster guidance later this fall.
Whatever the future of the pandemic holds, public health officials are hoping to get early glimpses of it by monitoring waste water treatment plants. John Daley reports.
The U.S. says it has indicted Russian media tycoon Konstantin Malofeyev as the White House announces further sanctions, including on Russian leader Vladimir Putin's two adult daughters. Plus, Planet Money breaks down the logistics of getting weapons from the U.S. into Ukraine. It looks a lot like the supply chains we're already familiar with.
JPMorgan has launched two new monthly research reports on the crypto industry, including one on markets and one focused on bitcoin mining. In today’s episode, NLW breaks down the inaugural editions of each, and argues that they are another suggestion of the “post-narrative” phase of crypto institutionalization.
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Consensus 2022, the industry’s most influential event, is happening June 9–12 in Austin, Texas. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the fast-moving world of crypto, Web 3 and NFTs, this is the festival experience for you. Use code BREAKDOWN to get 15% off your pass at www.coindesk.com/consensus2022.
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“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell, research by Scott Hill and additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Adam B. Levine is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsor is “I Don't Know How To Explain It” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg via Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Brussels for NATO meetings today. State Department spokesman Ned Price talks to Leila Fadel about objectives that could include tougher sanctions on Russia. And in Ivano-Frankivsk, in the western part of Ukraine, a bakery that shuttered for two weeks during the war has resumed business. As Scott Detrow reports, it even employs Ukrainians displaced from other parts of the country.
New stories of horror emerge from Ukraine as the US prepares more sanctions. Deadly tornadoes in the south. Ed Sheeran's copyright win. CBS News Correspondent Steve Kathan has today's World News Roundup.
China’s zero-covid policy is being stretched to breaking point as the virus makes its way through the city. Supplies are low, residents are angry and there is no end in sight. The debate about air conditioning in America’s sweltering prisons will only heat up further. And how a dispute about time from exactly a century ago remains timely today. Additional audio provided courtesy of Matthew Florianz. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer
