Biden news today: Jen Psaki slams Greg Abbott’s migrant bus ‘publicity stunt’ as Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmed to Supreme Court

Biden news today: Jen Psaki slams Greg Abbott’s migrant bus ‘publicity stunt’ as Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmed to Supreme Court

Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmed as first Black woman Supreme Court justice

President Joe Biden’s first Supreme Court nominee, Ketanji Brown Jackson, has been confirmed by a vote on the Senate floor. Having garnered the support of three Republican senators – Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitt Romney – she also received the support of all 50 Democrats, becoming the court’s first Black woman justice.

The vote comes after a seven-week nomination process that saw her heavily criticised by Republicans who focused on her supposed record of leniency towards sexual offenders who targeted children. That criticism was in turn widely rejected as a distortion of her past decisions.

Earlier, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced she has tested positive for Covid-19, this just having appeared next to President Biden, Chuck Schumer, and other senior figures at a bill signing.

Ms Pelosi’s diagnosis means that three of the top 10 people in the presidential line of succession are currently known to be infected with the virus. The speaker’s team say she is currently asymptomatic.

Meanwhile, in Thursday’s White House press briefing, Jen Psaki dismissed Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s plan to bus migrants from the southern border to Washington DC as a “publicity stunt”.

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Voices: The most ridiculous questions asked of Ketanji Brown Jackson during her confirmation hearings

Andrew Feinberg recalls some of the mystifyingly absurb questions asked in Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Senate hearings, including: “Do you think we should catch and imprison more or fewer murderers?”

Oliver O’Connell8 April 2022 02:30

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ICYMI: US will boycott G20 meetings if Russia allowed to attend

Ms Yellen raised questions about Russia’s future in the G20 at a US House Financial Services Committee hearing on Wednesday.

Maroosha Muzaffar reports.

Oliver O’Connell8 April 2022 01:45

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Congress votes to suspend trade relations with Russia and Belarus and ban energy imports

In a 420-3 vote, the House of Representatives passed legislation suspending permanent normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus amidst Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The Senate passed the bill unanimously 100-0 earlier on Thursday and it now heads to the desk of President Joe Biden, who plans to sign it.

The three no votes in the House were: Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga), Thomas Massie (R-Ky), and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla).

In addition, in a 413-9 vote, the House passed legislation to ban imports of Russian oil, gas, and other energy products to the US.

The Senate also unanimously passed the bill 100-0 earlier in the day and Mr Biden is likewise planning to sign it into law.

The nine no votes were Republicans Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, Matt Gaetz, Dan Bishop, Andy Biggs, Chip Roy, and Paul Gosar; and Democrats Ilhan Omar, and Cori Bush.

Oliver O’Connell8 April 2022 01:00

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US warns Xi Jinping of ‘what might come his way’ if China supports Russia

A top US state department official has warned president Xi Jinping of “what might come his way” if China supports Russia’s Ukraine invasion.

China could face sanctions similar to Russia if it supported Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion, said Wendy Sherman, the state deparment’s deputy secretary and second-most senior official, to the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday.

Maroosha Muzaffar reports.

Oliver O’Connell8 April 2022 00:15

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Voices: Democrats abandoned Ketanji Brown Jackson. Black women came to bear witness

“The absence of Kamala Harris was sorely felt during a vicious set of confirmation hearings,” writes Eric Garcia.

Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 23:30

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Senator Susan Collins tests positive for Covid

Senator Susan Collins of Maine has tested positive for Covid-19 shortly after casting her vote to confirm Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on the floor of the Senate.

Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 22:58

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Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 22:53

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Biden applauds UN kicking ‘international pariah’ Russia off Human Rights Council

The White House released the following statement from President Joe Biden after the vote by UN member states to remove Russian from the body’s Human Rights Council.

I applaud the overwhelming vote today in the General Assembly of the United Nations to kick Russia off the UN Human Rights Council. This is a meaningful step by the international community further demonstrating how Putin’s war has made Russia an international pariah.

The United States worked closely with our Allies and partners around the world to drive this vote because Russia is committing gross and systemic violations of human rights. Russian forces are committing war crimes. Russia has no place on the Human Rights Council. After today’s historic vote, Russia will not be able to participate in the Council’s work or spread its disinformation there as the Council’s Commission of Inquiry investigates Russia’s violations and abuses of human rights in Ukraine.

The images we are seeing out of Bucha and other areas of Ukraine as Russian troops withdraw are horrifying. The signs of people being raped, tortured, executed—in some cases having their bodies desecrated—are an outrage to our common humanity. Russia’s lies are no match for the undeniable evidence of what is happening in Ukraine. That’s why nations in every region condemn Russia’s unprovoked and brutal aggression against Ukraine and support the brave people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom. And we will continue to work with responsible nations around the world to gather evidence to hold Russia accountable for the atrocities being committed, increase the pressure on Russia’s economy, and isolate Russia on the international stage.

Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 22:45

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Alabama legislators pass nation’s first bill making gender-affirming care for trans youth a felony

Alabama’s state legislators gave final approval to a bill that could imprison doctors for up to to a decade for prescribing medical treatments to transgender youth.

The bill criminalising gender-affirming care for transgender people younger than 19 years old is the first in the US to make healthcare for young transgender patients punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 22:29

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Man accused of posing as federal agent mentioned ties to Pakistani intelligence

A man accused of impersonating a federal agent mentioned ties to Pakistani intelligence and had visas for Pakistan and Iran .

One of the two men arrested for allegedly impersonating federal officials and giving real Secret Service agents gifts and free apartments in Washington, DC claimed to have links to Pakistani intelligence.

He also had visas showing that he travelled to Pakistan and Iran, federal prosecutors announced on Thursday.

Gustaf Kilander has been following the story in Washington, DC.

Oliver O’Connell7 April 2022 22:15

Governors Newsom, Brown and Inslee Announce Updated Health Guidance

Governors Newsom, Brown and Inslee Announce Updated Health Guidance

SACRAMENTO – With declining scenario prices and hospitalizations across the West, California, Oregon and Washington are moving with each other to update their masking steerage. After 11:59 p.m. on March 11, California, Oregon and Washington will undertake new indoor mask guidelines and transfer from mask needs to mask suggestions in educational institutions.

Condition procedures do not modify federal needs, which even now include things like masks on general public transit.

Statement from California Governor Gavin Newsom: “California carries on to regulate our guidelines primarily based on the most recent data and science, implementing what we’ve figured out above the earlier two a long time to manual our response to the pandemic. Masks are an productive instrument to decrease distribute of the virus and future variants, in particular when transmission costs are large. We are unable to forecast the long run of the virus, but we are greater well prepared for it and will continue to take measures rooted in science to retain California relocating ahead.”

In California, beginning March 1, masks will no more time be required for unvaccinated folks, but will be strongly recommended for all individuals in most indoor configurations. After March 11, in schools and baby treatment amenities, masks will not be demanded but will be strongly proposed. Masks will still be demanded for everyone in high transmission settings like community transit, emergency shelters, health and fitness treatment options, correctional amenities, homeless shelters and lengthy-term treatment facilities. As generally, nearby jurisdictions may have supplemental necessities outside of the state advice.

Assertion from Oregon Governor Kate Brown: “Two several years back today, we determined Oregon’s very first situation of COVID-19. As has been made very clear time and all over again around the last two yrs, COVID-19 does not halt at state borders or county lines. On the West Coast, our communities and economies are joined. Collectively, as we carry on to recover from the Omicron surge, we will build resiliency and put together for the future variant and the future pandemic. As we discover to live with this virus, we will have to remain vigilant to defend every single other and reduce disruption to our universities, businesses, and communities––with a focus on protecting our most susceptible and the persons and communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”

In Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority principles requiring masks in indoor community sites and universities will be lifted after 11:59 p.m. on March 11. Other state and federal requirements, these as all those for wellbeing care configurations, public transit, and other specialized settings, will continue being in position for a time period of time.

Assertion from Washington Governor Jay Inslee: “We’ve continued to check knowledge from our condition Office of Wellbeing, and have determined we are able to regulate the timing of our statewide mask necessity. Whilst this represents a different action ahead for Washingtonians, we ought to still be mindful that a lot of within just our communities continue being susceptible. Several corporations and households will continue deciding on to don masks, simply because we have uncovered how productive they are at preserving 1 a different safe. As we changeover to this subsequent section, we will keep on to transfer forward alongside one another thoroughly and cautiously.”

In Washington, indoor mask specifications will be lifted as of 11:59 p.m. on March 11. This new date does not change any other aspect of the up-to-date mask prerequisites Inslee announced final week. Masks will even now be essential in sure settings including health treatment, corrections facilities and extensive-expression treatment services. The Washington Point out Department of Health and fitness will be issuing new direction for K-12 colleges up coming 7 days so educational facilities can get ready to apply current protection protocols.

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Antonio Brown leaves game, gets dumped by Buccaneers: What we know

Is Marquise Brown playing today vs. the Packers? Latest news on Ravens WR and his fantasy outlook

Baltimore Ravens star large receiver Marquise Brown is working with a non-COVID ailment. He did not participate in Thursday’s exercise in advance of returning to the group for a walkthrough on Friday. Brown has only skipped one game this period, failing to fit up in a Week 11 win versus the Chicago Bears although dealing with a thigh damage. Will Hollywood Brown perform for Baltimore this weekend, and what need to fantasy soccer administrators expect if he does not?

Marquise Brown’s production

Brown has been enjoying an exceptional time for Baltimore in 2021. He recorded 70 receptions for 866 yards and 6 touchdowns on 107 targets as a result of 12 game titles. He also posted a job-ideal 65.4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} catch amount with 12.4 yards for every reception so significantly.

Having said that, the previous initial-spherical decide is coming off of a person of his worst online games of the period. Brown hauled in only 5 receptions for 41 yards on 8 targets in a decline to the Cleveland Browns. With that said, Lamar Jackson was injured early in the match, and Tyler Huntley was pressured to get in excess of as the Ravens’ quarterback. Brown didn’t engage in in the only other game in which Huntley observed significant snaps this period.

In general, Hollywood ranks as the WR17 in PPR formats. He acquired off to a terrific get started early in the year, but he’s dropped off pretty a little bit because of to inconsistencies. He’s a WR1 on a for every-video game basis, though, ranking as the WR12 in fantasy details per game this period.

Baltimore must be throwing rather a bit throughout the match now, and Brown will have opportunities to go on to be a WR1 this year.

Is Brown actively playing right now?

Brown does not glimpse to genuinely be in hazard of lacking today’s video game in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. He practiced in whole on Wednesday and returned to Baltimore’s walkthrough on Friday. He only skipped Thursday with an sickness.

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Brown is not presently on the Ravens’ damage report, and it’s been described that the club entirely expects him to suit up at this position.

Who would reward from Brown’s absence?

If Brown have been to pass up this match, Baltimore would be down various key players. Jackson is not predicted to perform, and the Ravens now dominated Sammy Watkins out. The major beneficiary would likely be Mark Andrews, who would consider over as the focal issue of the offense. The veteran limited conclude posted 11 receptions for 115 yards and 1 touchdown on 11 targets with Huntley at quarterback final weekend.

Then, Rashod Bateman would just take over as the WR1 for Baltimore. In Week 14, he posted 100+ yards for the 1st time as a rookie. He’d most likely uncover a a little bit bigger purpose without having Brown in the lineup.

To a lesser extent, Devin Duvernay could see a little improve in his purpose. Miles Boykin is also returning from a finger personal injury and would possible decide up a couple of snaps if Brown can not go well with up.

Ultimately, this should not be an situation, as Brown is predicted to enjoy. The even bigger issue revolves all over Jackson, who would be a massive upgrade above Huntley, precisely for Brown’s deep-danger model of play.