March | 2021 | dovdiv

President BidenJoe BidenFeds investigating Cuomo’s handling of nursing home outbreaks Overnight Defense: One-third of service members decline coronavirus vaccine | Biden to take executive action in response to Solar Winds hack | US, Japan reach cost sharing agreement On The Money: Biden faces backlash from left on student loans | Where things stand on the COVID-19 relief measure | Retail sales rebound MORE spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE on Wednesday, marking the first conversation between the two leaders since Biden took office a month ago.

The White House said in a statement that Biden “affirmed his personal history of steadfast commitment to Israel’s security and conveyed his intent to strengthen all aspects of the U.S.-Israel partnership, including our strong defense cooperation.”

It added that the two discussed the security challenge posed by Iran and that Biden conveyed support for agreements between Israel and other countries in the Middle East to normalize relations, commonly known as the Abraham Accords, which were brokered by the previous Trump administration.

“[Biden] underscored the importance of working to advance peace throughout the region, including between Israelis and Palestinians,” the White House said. “Together, they affirmed their shared interest in continued strategic cooperation to confront the many challenges facing the region.”

Biden separately characterized the call as a “good conversation” when asked about the exchange by reporters in the Oval Office.

Netanyahu’s office, which first disclosed the call, said that the two spoke for about an hour and described the conversation as “very warm and friendly.”

“The two leaders noted their longstanding personal connection and said that they would work together to continue strengthening the steadfast alliance between Israel and the US,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement. “US President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed the future advancement of the peace accords, the Iranian threat and regional challenges, and agreed to continue their dialogue.”

The call was expected but highly anticipated, after questions were raised about why the conversation did not occur in the earlier weeks of the administration.

White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiOn The Money: Biden faces backlash from left on student loans | Where things stand on the COVID-19 relief measure | Retail sales rebound Overnight Health Care: Biden officials announce funding to track virus variants | Senate Dems unveil public option proposal | White House: Teacher vaccinations not required for schools to reopen Harris says teachers should be given priority for COVID-19 vaccine MORE had insisted that the new administration was not intentionally snubbing the Israelis by not including Netanyahu in Biden’s first round of calls to allies in Europe and Asia.

“Israel is, of course, an ally. Israel is a country where we have an important strategic security relationship and our team is fully engaged, not at the head-of-state level quite yet but very soon,” Psaki told reporters at a briefing Tuesday.

Netanyahu enjoyed a close relationship with former President TrumpDonald TrumpFederal prosecutors investigated Proud Boys ties to Roger Stone in 2019 case: CNN Overnight Defense: One-third of service members decline coronavirus vaccine | Biden to take executive action in response to Solar Winds hack | US, Japan reach cost sharing agreement Trump ‘won’t say yet’ if he’s running in 2024 MORE and waited several hours to congratulate Biden after he was declared the winner of the presidential election last November after other world leaders had done so. The relationship between Netanyahu and former President Obama was tense, in contrast, though the reaction of both Biden and Netanyahu on Wednesday seemed to indicate their new official relationship is off on strong footing.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon had last week tweeted a defunct number for Netanyahu and implored Biden to call the prime minister as the “closest ally of the U.S.”

Top Biden administration officials had already spoken with their counterparts in Israel.

Last month, national security adviser Jake SullivanJake SullivanBiden speaks to Netanyahu for first time since taking office White House says Netanyahu call will be Biden’s first to region Biden’s (mostly) straight talk on China MORE spoke with Israeli national security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, and Secretary of State Antony BlinkenAntony BlinkenBiden speaks to Netanyahu for first time since taking office A realistic approach to democracy and human rights in China begins at home US to deliver 0 million to WHO, fulfilling contributions MORE spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi. Secretary of Defense Lloyd AustinLloyd AustinOvernight Defense: One-third of service members decline coronavirus vaccine | Biden to take executive action in response to Solar Winds hack | US, Japan reach cost sharing agreement Biden speaks to Netanyahu for first time since taking office Female generals’ promotions held back over fears of Trump’s response: report MORE also spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz.

Administration officials committed to ensuring Israel’s security and reiterated statements of cooperation addressing regional security.

—Updated at 5:53 p.m.

Image: WWE

It will officially be Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 37.

On tonight’s episode of SmackDown, Belair declared that she’ll be challenging for Banks’ SmackDown Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 37. Belair got the title shot by winning last month’s women’s Royal Rumble match.

Before announcing her WrestleMania decision tonight, Belair was interrupted by Carmella’s sommelier Reginald. Reginald told Belair that she would leave WrestleMania as a loser if she chose to face Banks at WrestleMania. Banks then came to the ring and told Reginald not to speak for her.

Banks said that if Belair wants to make history and be the topic of conversation, she’ll face Banks at WrestleMania. Banks said Belair might call herself the EST of WWE, but Banks is the best. Banks said that makes Belair second best.’

Belair responded by saying she’ll make Banks eat her words on the grandest stage of them all. Belair said she’ll prove she’s the best by taking Banks’ title at WrestleMania 37. Belair told Banks that it’s on and then pointed to the WrestleMania sign.

Belair entered this year’s women’s Royal Rumble at number three and was in the match for nearly 57 minutes. She last eliminated Rhea Ripley to get the win.

Banks & Belair unsuccessfully challenged for Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler’s Women’s Tag Team titles at Elimination Chamber this past Sunday. Reginald, who is infatuated with Banks in storyline, tried to give Banks a bottle of champagne to use as a weapon during the match. Banks refused to use the champagne bottle but was distracted, which led to Jax pinning Banks.

WrestleMania 37 is a two-night event that’s taking place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11. Men’s Royal Rumble winner Edge challenging for Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship has also been confirmed for the show.

State governments plan to update their security systems as they prepare for a new round of enhanced unemployment payments in an attempt to barr fraudsters from around the world believed to have already obtained billions of dollars from pandemic jobless aid.

The Associated Press reports that the fraud involves delaying unemployment payments and stealing thousands of Americans’ identities. According to a review by the AP, many states have not been prepared to protect their systems.

The onslaught of scams is fueled by previous identity thefts from banks, credit rating agencies, health care systems and retailers, according to the AP. Fraudsters from countries like China, Nigeria and Russia buy stolen personal information online and then use it to make bogus claims on state unemployment systems.

The people whose information is being used to file these fraudulent unemployment claims are not aware that their data has been used until their tax statements arrive.

More than $63 billion has been improperly given out due to fraud or errors according to the the Labor Department inspector general’s office. That amounts for about 10 percent of the total unemployment payments given through pandemic programs, the AP reports.

“We’re all learning that there is an epidemic of fraud,” said Rep. Kevin BradyKevin Patrick BradyForeign perpetrators among fraudsters shamming state’s unemployment systems Biden nominee previews post-Trump trade agenda New CDC guidance ends up deepening debate over reopening schools MORE (R-Texas), the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees taxes. The congressman said that the estimated amount that has been stolen is “larger than the entire budget of the Department of Homeland Security.”

According to the AP, California has been targeted the most, losing an estimated $11 billion due to fraudulent claims.

In the U.S., the Department of Justice (DOJ) has arrested multiple people who reaped millions of dollars by filing fraudulent Payment Protection Program (PPP) claims. One Nevada man arrested in January allegedly defrauded banks out almost $2 million through the PPP, using the money to buy luxury cars and condos.

The widespread fraud has become so endemic that the DOJ has allotted money to hire more prosecutors, the AP reports.

The House passed a sweeping $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill late last week. The bill will now go to the Senate where amendments are expected to be made before it is sent back to the House.

The bill includes another round of stimulus payments as well as a $400 unemployment insurance boost. Unemployment insurance benefits are currently set to expire in March.

An American Airlines pilot reported an encounter with an unidentified object during a flight he had on Sunday.

“I hate to say this — looked like a long cylindrical object that almost looked like a cruise missile type of thing moving really fast. It went right over the top of us,” the pilot said in a radio transmission that was recorded by blogger Steve Douglass, the Arizona Republic reported.

The object was seen by the pilot of American Airlines Flight 2292 as it was traveling from Cincinnati to Phoenix while over New Mexico.

“Following a debrief with our Flight Crew and additional information received, we can confirm this radio transmission was from American Airlines Flight 2292 on Feb. 21,” American Airlines said in a statement to the Arizona Republic.

New Mexico has missile ranges in the state, and the pilot asked “Do you have any targets up here? We just had something go right over the top of us.”

“We never test in that area,” Scott Stearns, director of public affairs for White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, responded.

The FBI in Albuquerque, N.M., would not confirm to The Hill if they would launch an investigation into the incident.

“The FBI is aware of the reported incident. While our policy is to neither confirm nor deny investigations, the FBI works continuously with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to share intelligence and protect the public,” a spokesperson said.

Many UFO sightings are reported every year, with other pilots reporting similar incidents in previous years.

The Hill has reached out to American Airlines and White Sands Missile Range for comment.

A judge on Saturday shot down an appeal against Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s prison sentence despite calls for his release from hundreds of protesters and the European Court of Human Rights.

Navalny, who has been an avid critic of Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinBiden calls for creating ‘rules’ on cyber, tech to combat China and Russia threats Biden warns European allies that ‘democratic progress is under assault’ Jan. 6 and America’s support for democracy abroad MORE, appealed his 2 1/2 year sentence for violating parole while recovering from an assassination attempt. The Moscow City Court’s judge instead moved to reduce the sentence just slightly, ruling that Navalny’s month-long house arrest in 2015 would be deducted from his current sentence, according to The Associated Press.

Prior to receiving his verdict, Navalny made a verbal appeal to the judge and the prosecutor as well as the Russian public, stating that life in Russia could improve.

“Just imagine how wonderful life would be without constant lying,” he said, according to the AP. “Imagine how great it would be to work as a judge when no one would be able to call you and give you directions what verdicts to issue.”

Navalny also argued that he was unable to comply with his probation when he was poisoned in Germany, but he returned to Russia as soon as he could. He also expressed that his new-found faith in God helped him to face his challenges, stating that the Bible says that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, and he did not regret his decision to travel home, the AP reported.

“Even though our country is built on injustice and we all face it, we also see that millions of people want righteousness,” Navalny said in court, according to the AP. “They want the righteousness and sooner or later they will have it.”

On Tuesday, the European Court of Human Rights ordered the Russian government to release Navalny, citing a concern for “the nature and extent of risk to the applicant’s life,” the news outlet noted.

Navalny also faces a separate case on charges of defaming a World War II veteran on Saturday. He allegedly called the 94-year-old veteran and others “corrupt stooges” and “people without conscience.”

Navalny has rejected the slander charges, according to the AP.

Defense Secretary Lloyd AustinLloyd AustinAustin calls video claiming military allowed assailant to stay in uniform ‘disturbing’ Overnight Defense: New Defense chief’s first press conference Defense secretary to Taliban: ‘The violence must decrease now’ MORE on Friday addressed a viral video in which a distressed female Marine said a senior Marine Corps official allowed a fellow Marine to stay in the service after they sexually assaulted her.

Austin, addressing reporters for the first time at the Pentagon, said he watched the video and found it “deeply disturbing.”

“I’ve asked my staff for additional information, and I’ll leave it at that,” Austin said.

The widely shared, self-recorded video, posted to TikTok on Thursday, shows an emotional Marine from Camp Lejeune, N.C., claiming that a man who admitted guilt was allowed to remain in uniform after their commanding general stepped in.

Her perpetrator, she said, was initially meant to receive an honorable discharge, but would now be retained by the service, even after multiple recommendations from higher ups not to keep him in uniform.

“All the way up, across the board, everybody said that they would not retain him,” she said. “And the f—ing head honcho … with all of the proof and a . . . admission to guilt decided that they will retain him.”

She says the handling of her case “is exactly why . . . females in the military f—ing kill themselves. This is exactly why nobody f—— takes this seriously.”

The Marine Corps, in a statement posted to Twitter, said it is aware of the video, “has taken action to ensure the Marine is safe,” and is gathering information.

“The Marine Corps takes all allegations of misconduct seriously,” it said. “The current administrative separation process for the accused perpetrator mentioned in the video is ongoing.”

The video has surfaced following Austin’s pledge in January to work to eliminate sexual assault in the services, a long-time problem that has proved difficult to stamp out even after decades of efforts.

The Defense Department last year reported that sexual assaults had increased by 3 percent in 2019, with similarly persistent problems at the service academies.

In one of his first official acts, Austin called on the services to examine programs aimed at curtailing sexual assaults and harassment.

“I take this issue of sexual assault very, very seriously,” he said Friday. “We’ve been working at this for a long time in earnest but we haven’t gotten it right. We’re going to do everything in our power to get it right.”

He said the collection of data is a first step but the Pentagon will soon move to look “in detail at ourselves and what’s worked, what hasn’t worked and what measures we need to take going forward . . . .Any other approach is, in my view, irresponsible.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average shot up 603 points Monday, nearly 2 percent, as markets had their best daily rally since June.

The S&P 500 gained 90 points, or 2.4 percent.

Markets have been shaky in recent weeks, as bond yields have spiked, raising concerns that massive government stimulus could lead to inflation.

A spike in inflation could force the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates earlier than markets currently expect. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has sought to ease concerns that rates would rise, signaling that the central bank could stomach some inflation above its target in the short run.

Congress is moving fast toward passing President BidenJoe BidenSenate Democrats negotiating changes to coronavirus bill Rural Americans are the future of the clean energy economy — policymakers must to catch up WHO official says it’s ‘premature’ to think pandemic will be over by end of year MORE‘s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal. The House approved the measure early Saturday morning, and the Senate is set to vote on the measure this week before sending it back to the House with any changes.

Democrats have vowed to pass the legislation before emergency unemployment measures expire March 14.

President BidenJoe BidenDeath toll from winter weather rises to at least 40: AP On The Money: House panel spars over GameStop, Robinhood | Manchin meets with advocates for wage | Yellen says go big, GOP says hold off Top political donor sentenced to 12 years in prison for illegal campaign contributions MORE’s comprehensive immigration bill quickly exposed firm battle lines on Capitol Hill, raising questions about whether the White House might break the legislation into smaller bipartisan pieces if it hopes to pass any immigration reform.

Congressional Democrats rolled out Biden’s legislation with force, emphasizing there would be little room for compromise on a measure that would create a pathway for citizenship for some 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.

“The reason we have not gotten immigration reform over the finish line is not because of a lack of will. It is because time and time again, we have compromised too much and capitulated too quickly to fringe voices who have refused to accept the humanity and contributions of immigrants to our country,” said Sen. Bob MenendezRobert (Bob) MenendezBiden pushes expanded pathways to citizenship as immigration bill lands in Congress It’s time for Biden’s Cuba Five things to know about Biden’s Yemen move MORE (D-N.J.), who is sponsoring the Senate side version of the legislation.

“There are some in Congress, I’ll say from both parties, who argue against going big on immigration reform,” he added. “Pursuing narrow reforms that nibble at the edges and leave millions of people behind.”

But Democrats face razor thin margins in both the House and Senate, meaning they will need to secure some GOP support if they want to get the full measure through Congress and onto Biden’s desk.

The bill’s introduction also comes amid continued support among GOP voters for former President TrumpDonald TrumpThune: Trump allies partaking in ‘cancel culture’ by punishing senators who voted to convict Biden administration open to restarting nuclear talks with Iran Trump-McConnell rift divides GOP donors MORE, who made hardline immigration policies a centerpiece of his administration and campaign.

The White House on Thursday signaled a willingness to work across the aisle.

“There are negotiations that will need to happen,” said White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiOvernight Defense: NATO expanding troops in Iraq Biden immigration bill reveals hardened battle lines in post-Trump era Cruz takes hits at home for leaving during crisis MORE, who called the bill “a reset that was really needed to get an immigration bill discussed and negotiated, and that is what our effort is to do here.”

The comprehensive legislation provides a pathway to citizenship not just for Dreamers, who were brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents as children, but also for others already in the country, offering a maximum eight year track to gain citizenship.

It also increases numerous caps that limit legal immigration to the U.S. and sets aside $4 billion to address root causes of migration from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.

And while it invests in training and new technology at the border, it eschews past practices of pairing immigration reform with an increase in enforcement measures. The U.S. already spends more on border control than all other federal law enforcement combined.

Republicans immediately blasted the bill, zeroing in on border security.

“Senate Democrats have embraced the Biden-Harris immigration plan of amnesty and open borders. Granting amnesty to 11 million illegal immigrants, on a timeline quicker than any major legislation offered in recent history, without including any funding whatsoever to enhance border security is reckless and would fuel a never-ending cycle of illegal immigration,” Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said in his capacity as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Senate GOP’s campaign arm.

“This is an unserious proposal that reflects how far left Senate Democrats have gone on the issue of immigration. Senate Republicans will not hesitate to share with the American people exactly how the Democrats’ open borders, amnesty proposal will put their families at-risk,” he added.

Rep. John KatkoJohn Michael KatkoBiden immigration bill reveals hardened battle lines in post-Trump era Biden pushes expanded pathways to citizenship as immigration bill lands in Congress Pelosi says 9/11-style commission to investigate Capitol breach is ‘next step’ MORE (R-N.Y.), ranking member on the House Homeland Security Committee, called the bill “a compilation of immigration activists’ wish lists,” arguing that “immigration reform must go hand-in-hand with border security.”

The bill landed the same day that Biden rolled out new deportation guidelines for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, imposing temporary restrictions on causes for removing someone from the country. The agency is planning to release long-term guidelines later this year.

Jorge Loweree, policy director with the American Immigration Council, argued in favor of the Democrats’ approach, arguing they’re rejecting what didn’t work in the past.

“The thinking was, in order to get through Congress, the tradeoff is a significant investment in immigration enforcement. Those efforts have been unsuccessful,” he said. “This bill is sort of an acknowledgement of that.”

Congress has not passed major immigration reform since 1996, but Democrats believe this year will be different, pointing to the change in administration and the growing need for both parties to court Hispanic voters.

“There have been Republicans interested in doing this … but they’ve been gut punched by the previous administration every time they tried to do it,” Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharBiden immigration bill reveals hardened battle lines in post-Trump era Congress faces news showdown with Facebook, Google Congressional Democrats say Trump acquittal was foregone conclusion MORE (D-Minn.) said on a call Thursday rolling out the bill.

Klobuchar said the coronavirus pandemic has also brought front and center the degree to which the U.S. relies on immigrants.

“We’ve now seen a year of our immigrant community on the front line. They’re the ones driving the buses; they’re the ones holding people’s grandparents’ hands when they take their last breath in the hospital room; they’re the ones that are in the schools on the front line and working in the convenience stores. And if people were not grateful for our immigrant community before, they better be now,” she said.

Menendez said he aims to recruit Republicans who have expressed interest in various portions of the bill, like those from agriculture-heavy states or those with a major tech presence that often rely on outside labor.

“So, the question for them is: Yes, you want that part, but what are you willing to join in in order to get that with other elements that are needed for some broader reform?” he said.

Some Democrats have already signaled a willingness to break the bill up into smaller pieces, either to pass standalone portions that are able to get more bipartisan support, or to take aspects with a financial element and attempt to pass them through the reconciliation process, which only requires a simple majority vote.

“There are others who want to do piecemeal, and that may be a good approach too. That’s up to the Congress to decide,” Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiBiden immigration bill reveals hardened battle lines in post-Trump era Trump’s Slovenia Ambassador Lynda Blanchard jumps into Alabama Senate race A better way to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol attack MORE (D-Calif.) said at a press conference Thursday.

If some portions meet the fiscal-related requirements to use the reconciliation process, “that would be wonderful, because then we wouldn’t need the 60 votes,” she said.

Menendez expressed some openness to alternative pathways for the bill, whether through reconciliation or attaching portions of the bill onto other legislative packages.

“I think all of us would certainly say we want to see us attach significant elements to a moving vehicle that can make it happen,” he said. “In terms of reconciliation, I think there may be strong arguments to make that obviously this has very significant budget effects.”

But he rejected the idea of making any major compromises on the bill, saying that above all he seeks robust reform.

“I know there are some [for whom] 10 angels could come swearing from above that this is the best tailored legislation, that it will secure our border, regularize our system. And they would say, ‘No, it’s amnesty.’ They will never be satisfied, these politicians and pundits who preach xenophobia and hate,” he said.

“We know the path forward will demand negotiations with others. But we are not going to make concessions out of the gate. We’re not going to start with 2 million undocumented people instead of 11 million. We will never win an argument that we don’t have the courage to make.”

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Facebook is back in negotiations with the government after the tech platform decided to restrict users in Australia from sharing news content.

“What I’m pleased about is that Facebook’s back at the table. And that’s what we want to see,” Morrison said at a press conference Saturday morning local time. “We want to work through this issue. So I welcome the fact that they’re back engaging with the government, as they should.”

The company has “tentatively friended us again,” he quipped.

The comments mark the latest development in a back-and-forth between Sydney and Facebook over a proposed law that would make the platform pay publishers for content.

Facebook announced this week that it would curtail Australian publishers’ abilities to share or post content on its pages and limit Australian users from viewing or sharing international publishers’ links and posts.

Morrison came out swinging against the proposal, urging Facebook to reverse its decision.

“The idea of shutting down the sorts of sites they did yesterday, as some sort of threat — well, I know how Australians react to that and I thought that was not a good move on their part,” Morrison said Friday.

“Those actions were completely indefensible,” he added Saturday.

The law’s implications on Australia’s relations with major tech platforms are drawing attention from lawmakers in other countries who are mulling their own regulation measures.

While Facebook took a stern stance against the law, Google struck deals with News Corp and Australian-based Seven West Media for content.

Sen. Tammy DuckworthLadda (Tammy) Tammy DuckworthDuckworth calls for Russian bounties intelligence to be declassified Senate Democrats call on GAO to review child care access barriers for disabled parents, kids Biden signs supply chain order after ‘positive’ meeting with lawmakers MORE (D-Ill.) on Monday called for the Biden administration to declassify intelligence related to reports that the Kremlin offered bounties to Taliban forces for targeting U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

“While any intelligence assessment on this matter is understandably sensitive, the American public, and Gold Star Families in particular, have a pressing need to know if there is any truth to these claims,” Duckworth wrote in a letter to Director of National Intelligence Avril HainesAvril HainesDuckworth calls for Russian bounties intelligence to be declassified Intelligence official says Khashoggi report ‘obviously’ will challenge Saudi relationship Senate confirms former Michigan governor Granholm as Energy secretary MORE first obtained by Politico. “I believe such a finding may be presented while protecting classified information.”

The intelligence, first reported last year, was dismissed as a “hoax” by then-President TrumpDonald TrumpProsecutors focus Trump Organization probe on company’s financial officer: report WHO official says it’s ‘premature’ to think pandemic will be over by end of year Romney released from hospital after fall over the weekend MORE. Last September, Gen. Frank McKenzie, who oversees U.S. troops in Afghanistan, said the military was still investigating, adding that the report “has not been proved to a level of certainty that satisfies me.”

Haines has been tasked with reviewing intelligence on recent Russian activity, including the alleged bounty initiative. In her letter, Duckworth asked for Haines to publish an unclassified report to “provide urgently needed transparency on this grave matter.”

Duckworth, a veteran who lost both legs in Iraq, was one of the leading voices calling for action in response to the report last year. In July, she led a letter from Senate Democrats asking to see the then-president’s intelligence briefings relating to the alleged bounties.

“Despite my persistent attempts to bring transparency to these alarming reports, the Trump administration failed to provide an official response to basic questions: did the United States Government or our partners assess the likelihood of the existence of the GRU bounty payment activity, and did the United States Government find evidence indicating correlation or causation between GRU bounty payments and deadly attacks on U.S. troops by Taliban-linked militants?” Duckworth wrote in the letter on Monday, referring to Russia’s secretive military intelligence agency.

dovdiv

Monthly Archives: March 2021

Biden speaks to Netanyahu for first time since taking office

Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair official for WWE WrestleMania 37

Foreign perpetrators among fraudsters shamming state's unemployment systems

Pilot reports encounter with 'object that almost looked like' a missile

Putin critic Navalny loses prison sentence appeal

Austin calls video claiming military allowed assailant to stay in uniform 'disturbing'

Dow shoots up 600 points in March rally

Biden immigration bill reveals hardened battle lines in post-Trump era

Australia says Facebook in talks with government after news ban

Duckworth calls for Russian bounties intelligence to be declassified