No. 1Energy
Vance says administration will use wartime authority to boost Texas refinery output
Vice President JD Vance announced Tuesday that the Trump administration will use wartime authority to increase fuel production at a refinery in Texas. The move comes as high energy prices strain the economy and become a political liability ahead of the midterm elections. The initial report did not say which refinery is involved or how much added output to expect. Those details are the next thing to watch.
Why it mattersYou should watch whether this action lowers fuel prices, since they are weighing on both household budgets and the midterm campaign.
Full story at Just In News →No. 2Ukraine
Trump appears to defend Russian strikes a day after announcing energy ceasefire
President Trump on Tuesday appeared to defend Russia's continued strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. He had announced an "energy ceasefire" the day before and said Moscow had agreed to it. Russia nonetheless carried out missile and drone attacks on Monday. Asked about them, Trump said Ukraine had hit many sites the day before and that the two sides were "both a little bit" at fault. It is unclear what the ceasefire covers or whether either side is following it.
Why it mattersYou get an early sign that the announced energy ceasefire may not be holding, and of how Washington is describing each side's conduct.
Full story at Just In News →No. 3Personnel
Trump administration asks Guilfoyle to resign as ambassador to Greece
Press secretary Katie Zacharia said Kimberly Guilfoyle was "asked to resign" as U.S. ambassador to Greece, giving no further detail. Reports, first from The Wall Street Journal, allege she asked Trump donor Eric Deters to pay her credit card bill in exchange for access to the administration. They also allege she behaved inappropriately in Athens. Her lawyers dispute the authenticity of the messages and say she was seeking money owed for speeches and consulting work. Deters says he did not pay her and plans legal action. Trump said, "I didn't like what I read." Guilfoyle denies wrongdoing and says she will defend her name.
Why it mattersYou can see how quickly the White House will remove a political ally once reports of misconduct mount, and the Greece post is now open.
Full story at BBC News →No. 4Hungary
Hungarian parliament repeals anti-LGBTQ provisions of Orbán-era child protection law
Hungary's parliament voted Tuesday to amend child protection laws and scrap measures that stigmatized gay and transgender people. The 2021 law, passed under Viktor Orbán, banned the "portrayal or promotion of homosexuality or transgenderism." The Tisza government of Prime Minister Péter Magyar included the change in a package unwinding Fidesz-era legislation. Fidesz and the Christian Democrats voted against. Minutes after the vote, Budapest said the EU had agreed to release €4.2bn in frozen funds. Activists welcomed the repeal and still want same-sex marriage recognition, adoption rights and name changes for transgender people. Magyar says he is being "very cautious" on those issues.
Why it mattersYou can track how Hungary's new government is unwinding Orbán-era laws while moving to regain frozen EU money.
Full story at BBC News →No. 5Courts
FTC and seven states ask court to hold Martin Shkreli in contempt
The Federal Trade Commission and seven states asked a federal court on Tuesday to punish Martin Shkreli. They say he "flagrantly and repeatedly" violated a lifetime ban on involvement in the pharmaceutical industry. The request was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The court must now decide whether to grant it and what penalty, if any, to impose.
Why it mattersYou should note that regulators are pressing to enforce a lifetime industry ban, and a contempt finding would test how enforceable such bans are.
Full story at Just In News →No. 6Justice Dept.
Justice Department report examines school boards group's role in 2021 parent-protest memo
A new Justice Department report says the National School Boards Association coordinated with the Biden White House to prompt a federal investigation into parent protests. The events took place five years ago and are linked to a memo from then-Attorney General Merrick Garland. The summary available here does not detail the report's methods or any other findings.
Why it mattersYou get new official findings on a politically charged episode over how federal law enforcement was drawn into disputes at local school boards.
Full story at Just In News →