Biden news: President calls Putin’s war on Ukraine ‘genocide’ in Iowa remarks on gas price

President Joe Biden has described the actions of Vladimir Putin’s army in Ukraine as “genocide” for the first time. In remarks in Iowa concerning gas prices, the president said: “Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank — none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide a half a world away.”

Mr Biden has used the phrase “war crimes” before, but the administration has until now steered away from the term “genocide” when talking about the actions of Russian troops on the ground in Ukraine.

The White House is managing the fallout from new data showing that consumer prices last year rose at their fastest clip since 1981, wiping out many of the pay rises Americans had received during the post-Covid recovery. The numbers come just as a new poll shows Mr Biden’s already low approval rating sinking to new depths.

His overall rating now stands in the low 40s, having plunged below the 50-point mark around the time of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The electorate apparently hold him in even lower esteem when it comes to his handling of specific issues like crime and immigration.

Key points

• Biden calls Putin’s invasion of Ukraine ‘genocide'

• US inflation hits 40-year high

• Biden unveils regulations targeting ghost guns

• Biden nominates Obama-era US attorney to lead ATF

Manchin slams Biden administration’s inflation response

Tuesday 12 April 2022 20:05 , Oliver O'Connell

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin released a statement on today’s record-high inflation numbers slamming the response of the Biden administration and the Federal Reserve and saying “it is a disservice to the American people to act as if inflation is a new phenomenon”.

The senator also used the news to push for his own energy policy plans to bring down high prices demanding immediate action.

Here is the statement in full:

“Let me be clear, inflation is a tax and today’s historic inflation data tells another chilling story about how these taxes on Americans are completely out of control. Hard earned wages and financial savings are disappearing faster every month as prices continue to climb, while the pain and frustration of spending more on everyday items lingers over us all, especially among those who can afford it the least. Americans are seeing some of the largest increases in goods such as gas up 48%, beef up 16%, chicken and milk up 13%, and staples like coffee and eggs are up 11%.

“When will this end? It is a disservice to the American people to act as if inflation is a new phenomenon. The Federal Reserve and the Administration failed to act fast enough, and today’s data is a snapshot in time of the consequences being felt across the country. Instead of acting boldly, our elected leaders and the Federal Reserve continue to respond with half-measures and rhetorical failures searching for where to lay the blame. The American people deserve the truth about why record inflation is happening and what must be done to control it.

“Here is the truth, we cannot spend our way to a balanced, healthy economy and continue adding to our $30 trillion national debt. Getting inflation under control will require more aggressive action by a Federal Reserve that waited too long to act. It demands the Administration and Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, support an all-the-above energy policy because that is the only way to bring down the high price of gas and energy while attacking climate change. The United States of America is equipped to be energy independent from Russia and other terror-sponsoring countries while also working to fight global climate change and break our dependence on the critical mineral supply change from China.

“The inflation number today is only the beginning unless we take immediate action to address the pain being felt across our nation. This is one problem facing the American people that one political party alone cannot fix. The American people cannot wait any longer.”

Parkland parent tells of touching moment Biden called his wife

Tuesday 12 April 2022 20:24 , Oliver O'Connell

Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was killed during the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in in Parkland, Florida, in 2018, has been a vocal gun control campaigner since her death.

On Monday he was at the White House for President Joe Biden’s announcement regarding ghost guns and the ATF and shared this touching moment.

“Truly cannot believe what @POTUS did today. After announcements by him on the ATF & ghost guns, we went into Oval Office for photos. When he learned it was my wedding anniversary, he picked up the phone & called my wife to wish her a Happy Anniversary. What an amazing person.”

Mr Guttenberg also appeared on MSNBC to talk about Mr Biden’s action on ghost guns. He said: “There’s not a single thing [Biden] did today that puts anybody’s rights — Second Amendment right — at risk, none of it. This is about protecting our rights to live, our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

White House condemns Oklahoma’s ‘disturbing’ abortion ban

Tuesday 12 April 2022 20:43 , Oliver O'Connell

An Oklahoma law criminalising abortion care as a felony with 10-year prison sentences and $100,000 fines for healthcare providers marks an “unconstitititional attack” on women’s health, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Alex Woodward reports.

White House condemns Oklahoma’s ‘disturbing’ law making abortion illegal

Can the US military really tackle the climate crisis with new strategy?

Tuesday 12 April 2022 21:02 , Oliver O'Connell

The Army has released its strategy to cut carbon; Navy and Air Force are in the works. But with most operations exempt from federal emissions targets and alternative fuels not yet viable, can the US military really tackle its self-described ‘urgent threat’, writes senior climate correspondent Louise Boyle.

The Catch-22 of the US military’s climate plans

Trump’s move to Florida may have been unexpected gift to Manhattan DA

Tuesday 12 April 2022 21:21 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s move to Florida may have given New York prosecutors extra time to carry out their flagging investigation into the former president under an obscure law.

Officials in New York usually have five years from the date of alleged crimes to file charges for most felonies, but Mr Trump’s move to Florida, made permanent in 2020, could give officials an extra five years.

And they need all the time they can get.

Josh Marcus reports.

Trump’s move to Florida may be unexpected gift to New York Trump Organization probe

Biden speaks about New York subway shooting

Tuesday 12 April 2022 21:27 , Oliver O'Connell

In Iowa, President Joe Biden remarks on this morning’s shooting on the New York subway in Brooklyn.

Jill and I — my wife and I are praying for those that are injured in all of those touched by the trauma. We are grateful for all of the first responders who jumped into action, including the civilians. Civilians who did not hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them. My team has been in touch with the New York police commissioner and the Department of Justice is working with the NYPD on the ground. They’re going to continue to stay in close contact with New York authorities as we learn more about the situation over the coming hours and days.

The perpetrator of the attack remains at large.

Here’s our latest coverage of the incident:

Gun found as hunt for Brooklyn subway shooting suspect in gas mask continues

Biden in Iowa: Filling up your tank shouldn’t hinge on dictator committing genocide

Tuesday 12 April 2022 21:47 , Oliver O'Connell

In further comments in Menlo, Iowa, President Joe Biden says: “Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank — none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide a half a world away.”

This is believed to be the first time Mr Biden has used the word genocide to describe the actions of Vladimir Putin in Ukraine.

Biden says EPA to issue waiver on ethanol levels in gasoline

Tuesday 12 April 2022 21:50 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden announced that the EPA plans to issue an emergency waiver to allow the sale of E15 gasoline — gasoline that uses more ethanol from home-grown crops, and is about 10 cents a gallon cheaper than other types of gas.

Fox News host complains about ‘ghost gun’ crackdown during Brooklyn subway shooting coverage

Tuesday 12 April 2022 22:01 , Oliver O'Connell

Fox Business linked its coverage of the Brooklyn subway mass shooting with efforts to regulate so-called “ghost guns”.

As a live stream of Brooklyn showed the massive police response to the shooting, anchor Stuart Varney called on Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade to discuss Joe Biden’s push against the untraceable firearms.

Justin Vallejo reports.

Fox complains about ‘ghost gun’ crackdown amid live stream of Brooklyn shooting

Biden says Putin, Russia committing ‘genocide’ in Ukraine

Tuesday 12 April 2022 22:20 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden ratcheted up his rhetoric against Vladimir Putin and accused Russia of committing a “genocide” in Ukraine for the first time on Tuesday.

John Bowden has the latest.

Biden says Putin, Russia committing ‘genocide’ in Ukraine

Biden praises civilian response to New York subway shooting

Tuesday 12 April 2022 22:39 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden praises civilian heroes in Brooklyn subway shooting attack

Tuesday 12 April 2022 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden praised first responders who responded to a gunman who opened fire on a crowded subway in New York City.

“Jill and I — my wife and I are praying for those that are injured in all of those touched by the trauma,” he said. “We are grateful for all of the first responders who jumped into action, including the civilians. Civilians who did not hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki had previously said the president “has been briefed on the latest developments” with respect to Tuesday’s shooting.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Biden praises civilian heroes in Brooklyn subway shooting attack

Bird poops on Biden during president’s speech

Tuesday 12 April 2022 22:48 , David Taintor

In some circles, it’s considered good luck. But during Mr Biden’s speech on energy prices today in Iowa, cameras picked up bird droppings falling on the president’s jacket. Watch below:

South Dakota attorney general impeached over fatal crash

Tuesday 12 April 2022 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The South Dakota House on Tuesday impeached state Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg over a 2020 car crash in which he killed a pedestrian but initially said he might have struck a deer or another large animal.

Ravnsborg, a Republican, is the first official to be impeached in South Dakota history. He will at least temporarily be removed from office pending the historic Senate trial, where it takes a two-thirds majority to convict on impeachment charges. The Senate must wait at least 20 days to hold its trial, but has not yet set a date.

Ravnsborg pleaded no contest last year to a pair of traffic misdemeanors in the crash, including making an illegal lane change. He has cast Joseph Boever’s death as a tragic accident.

In narrowly voting to impeach Ravnsborg, the Republican-controlled House charged him with committing crimes that caused someone’s death, making “numerous misrepresentations” to law enforcement officers after the crash and using his office to navigate the criminal investigation. A Senate conviction would mean Ravnsborg would be barred from holding any state office in the future.

“When we’re dealing with the life of one of your citizens, I think that weighed heavily on everyone,” said Republican Rep. Will Mortenson, who introduced the articles of impeachment.

AP

Why is Biden allowing more ethanol in gasoline?

Wednesday 13 April 2022 00:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The Biden administration says it will suspend a federal rule that bars higher levels of ethanol in gasoline during the summer. The move, which President Joe Biden announced during a Tuesday visit to Iowa, is intended to tamp down prices at the pump that have spiked during Russia’s war with Ukraine. Iowa is a key producer of the corn-based fuel additive.

EXPLAINER: Why Biden is allowing more ethanol in gasoline

Why is US inflation is so high, and when might it ease?

01:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Another month, another four-decade high for inflation.

For the 12 months that ended in March, consumer prices rocketed 8.5%. That was the fastest year-over-year jump since 1981, far surpassing February’s mark of 7.9%, itself a 40-year high.

Even if you toss out food and energy prices — which are notoriously volatile and have driven much of the price spike — so-called core inflation jumped 6.5% in the past 12 months. That was also the sharpest such jump in four decades.

EXPLAINER: Why US inflation is so high, and when it may ease

ICYMI: US consumer price inflation at four-decade high

01:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The news is out: inflation in the US jumped 8.5 per cent last year, a figure unseen since the deep economic malaise that still lingered in 1981.

Costs for food, gasoline, housing and other goods all surged, meaning that what pay rises people had received during the post-Covid economic revival were overriden.

Eric Garcia reports:

US Inflation rate jumps by 8.5 per cent in 40-year high in bad news for Joe Biden

Is Joe Biden the new Jimmy Carter?

02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The fact that inflation is at its highest since late 1981 is already drawing comparisons between Joe Biden and his Democratic predecessor Jimmy Carter, who presided over a period of economic malaise that turned around under Ronald Reagan.

But even if the comparison is apt, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all bad news for Democrats...

NY Lieutenant Governor arrested for bribery conspiracy

03:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The second-most-senior official in New York state, Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, has been arrested on a charge that he wrongfully directed state funds to a real estate investor in Harlem in exchange for pushing through thousands of dollars of illegal contributions to a failed political campaign of his own.

Gustaf Kilander reports:

New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin resigns after arrest in finance scheme

White House condemns ‘disturbing’ abortion ban in Oklahoma

04:00 , Oliver O'Connell

An Oklahoma law criminalising abortion care as a felony with 10-year prison sentences and $100,000 fines for healthcare providers marks an “unconstitititional attack” on women’s health, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Alex Woodward reports.

White House condemns Oklahoma’s ‘disturbing’ law making abortion illegal

Biden speaks about New York subway shooting

04:45 , Oliver O'Connell

In Iowa, President Joe Biden remarks on this morning’s shooting on the New York subway in Brooklyn.

Jill and I — my wife and I are praying for those that are injured in all of those touched by the trauma. We are grateful for all of the first responders who jumped into action, including the civilians. Civilians who did not hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them. My team has been in touch with the New York police commissioner and the Department of Justice is working with the NYPD on the ground. They’re going to continue to stay in close contact with New York authorities as we learn more about the situation over the coming hours and days.

The perpetrator of the attack remains at large.

Here’s our latest coverage of the incident:

Gun found as hunt for Brooklyn subway shooting suspect in gas mask continues

Biden ratchets up rhetoric, says Putin committing ‘genocide’ in Ukraine

05:30 , Stuti Mishra

President Joe Biden ratcheted up his rhetoric against Vladimir Putin and accused Russia of committing a “genocide” in Ukraine for the first time on Tuesday.

Mr Biden was speaking in Iowa about the continued effects of inflation, which the White House has pinned as an effect of Mr Putin’s invasion, and declared that American consumers should not pay the price for the actions of “a dictator” declaring war against a sovereign country and its people.

“Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of this should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide a half a world away,” declared the president on Tuesday.

“Yes, I called it genocide,” he told reporters. “It’s become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.”

John Bowden has the latest:

Biden says Putin, Russia committing ‘genocide’ in Ukraine

Biden may meet families of North Korea abductees in Japan

06:00 , Stuti Mishra

The Japanese government will work toward realising a meeting between US president Joe Biden and families of those abducted by North Korea during his planned visit to Japan, chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Wednesday.

Mr Biden is set to visit Japan at some point this year for a planned meeting of the so-called Quad security group that includes Australia, India, Japan and the US but no specific date has been announced for the meeting.

He alluded to the potential timing of the visit when he told Indian prime minister Narendra Modi this week that he looked forward to seeing him in Japan “on about 24 May”.

Previously, family members of those abducted by North Korea decades ago met with former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

Bird appears to poop on Joe Biden in Iowa

06:30 , Stuti Mishra

President Joe Biden’s day in Iowa took a colourful turn when he was pooped on by a bird while speaking to a crowd in a barn about his plan to help Americans struggling with soaring inflation.

Abe Asher has more:

Bird appears to poop on Joe Biden during president’s inflation speech in Iowa

Saudi TV mocks Biden and Harris

07:02 , Stuti Mishra

A state-owned TV channel in Saudi Arabia mocked Joe Biden and Kamala Harris with a Saturday Night Live style sketch, showing the president as a clueless old man falling asleep on the podium.

The video clip is from “Studio 22,” which was broadcast on the Saudi government-owned television conglomerate MBC and shows two actors playing President Biden and Kamala Harris.

While Mr Biden is shown struggling to give a statement on Russia as he fumbles and falls asleep, Ms Harris is seen often correcting the president, waking him up and bringing him back when he wanders off the stage.

Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear arguments on ballot boxes

07:33 , Stuti Mishra

Wisconsin’s Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on Wednesday in a case that will likely determine how extensively absentee ballot drop boxes can be used in the upcoming midterm election, where the battleground state’s Democratic governor and Republican senator are both on the ballot.

The fight is being closely watched as Republicans push to limit access to absentee ballots following president Joe Biden’s narrow win in Wisconsin over Donald Trump in 2020 by just under 21,000 votes.

Read more:

Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear arguments on ballot boxes

More needs to be done’ — WH environmental justice advisers

08:05 , Stuti Mishra

Key members of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council say one year into the Biden Administration’s commitment that 40 per cent of all benefits from climate investment go to disenfranchised communities, not enough has been done.

Speaking on Tuesday at a press briefing ahead of the HBCU Climate Change Conference in New Orleans, they say they’ve secured $14 million from the Bezos Earth Fund for a program called Engage, Enlighten and Empower to hold the Biden administration accountable for carrying out its Justice40 initiative.

Read more:

WH environmental justice advisors press for Justice40

EXPLAINER: Why Biden is allowing more ethanol in gasoline

08:45 , Stuti Mishra

The Biden administration says it will suspend a federal rule that bars higher levels of ethanol in gasoline during the summer. The move, which President Joe Biden announced during a Tuesday visit to Iowa, is intended to tamp down prices at the pump that have spiked during Russia’s war with Ukraine. Iowa is a key producer of the corn-based fuel additive.

EXPLAINER: Why Biden is allowing more ethanol in gasoline

Why is US inflation is so high, and when might it ease?

09:30 , Stuti Mishra

Another month, another four-decade high for inflation.

For the 12 months that ended in March, consumer prices rocketed 8.5%. That was the fastest year-over-year jump since 1981, far surpassing February’s mark of 7.9%, itself a 40-year high.

Even if you toss out food and energy prices — which are notoriously volatile and have driven much of the price spike — so-called core inflation jumped 6.5% in the past 12 months. That was also the sharpest such jump in four decades.

EXPLAINER: Why US inflation is so high, and when it may ease

Fox News misrepresents gas price rise in attack on Biden

10:00 , Andrew Naughtie

After the news of shockingly high inflation figures broke yesterday, Fox News host Sean Hannity showed viewers a graph describing how gas prices have risen since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, many sharp-eyed critics noticed that it was more than a little off...

Catch up: Inflation hits malaise-era levels

10:37 , Andrew Naughtie

Yesterday saw a piece of monumentally bad news for the Biden administration: last year saw consumer prices rise at their fastest rate since 1981, a date that many Republicans have seized on since it marked the transition from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan.

Worst-affected in the surge are the prices of shelter, food and gasoline, the last of which increased 18.3 per cent on the price index in just the last month. Joe Biden and the White House have pointed to Russia’s war in Ukraine as a major driver of rising prices.

Eric Garcia reports.

US Inflation rate jumps by 8.5 per cent in 40-year high in bad news for Joe Biden

Zelensky praises Biden’s “genocide” remarks

11:10 , Andrew Naughtie

As more stories of mass murder, torture and rape by Russian forces come to kight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has praised Joe Biden for describing Russian atrocities in Ukraine as “genocide”.

Read more below.

Biden says Putin, Russia committing ‘genocide’ in Ukraine

ICYMI: Biden’s statement on Brooklyn shooting

11:40 , Andrew Naughtie

As the authorities seek a person of interest in relation to yesterday’s shooting at a subway station in Brooklyn, Joe Biden has issued a statement on the incident:

Andrew Feinberg and Eric Garcia have more on the developing story:

Biden praises civilian heroes in Brooklyn subway shooting attack

Macron breaks with Biden on Russian “genocide” in Ukraine

12:19 , Andrew Naughtie

Speaking on TV station France 2, French President Emmanuel Macron has backed away from Joe Biden’s insistence that atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine constitute acts of “genocide”.

“I would be careful with such terms today,” he said, “because these two peoples [Russians and Ukrainians] are brothers.

“I want to continue to try, as much as I can, to stop this war and rebuild peace. I am not sure that an escalation of rhetoric serves that cause,” he added.

Mr Macron, who before the war began was in touch with Mr Putin more than any other western European leader, is now facing a presidential run-off election against far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen, who has historically shown an affinity with the Russian leader.

Biden calls Russian atrocities “genocide”: what can be done?

12:56 , Andrew Naughtie

As Joe Biden condemns Russian atrocities in Ukraine first as war crimes and now as genocide, efforts are already well underway to document as much as possible about what Russian troops have done to civilians in areas now recaptured by Ukrainian forces. The evidence collected will be crucial to any future prosecution of soldiers, officers or government figures who ordered or committed the crimes in question.

Here’s an explainer from Joe Sommerlad on how the process of bringing them to justice could actually work.

How are war crimes defined, investigated and punished?

ICYMI: Biden’s approval ratings crash to new low

13:40 , Andrew Naughtie

Before yesterday’s grim inflation figures were released, Joe Biden was already facing some dire news: his already-low approval rating appears to have hit a new nadir, with a new poll pegging the number at a mere 42 per cent.

The president’s popularity has never recovered from the precipitous drop it entered around the time of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and given the gridlock in Congress that’s preventing him from passing much of his ambitious agenda, it is unclear what Mr Biden can do to change things just yet.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar has more.

Joe Biden’s approval rating hits all-time low amid inflation and Ukraine crisis

Breaking: Brooklyn shooting “person of interest” now a suspect

14:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Frank R James, whom the NYPD yesterday said was a “person of interest” in the Brooklyn subway shooting, has now been confirmed as a suspect.

Megan Sheets has the news.

Frank R James now considered a suspect in Brooklyn subway shooting

Polling indicates Biden struggles to get credit for economy – among Democrats

14:50 , Andrew Naughtie

It’s not just the topline approval rating giving Joe Biden and the Democrats cause for concern as they head into the midterm elections. According to new polling outlined by Politico’s Sam Stein, the president is struggling to earn credit for what economic good news there is – and even his own voters aren’t showing major enthusiasm for his performance...