***BREAKING*** Three consequential stories pertaining to the Russia investigation: The Justice Department and FBI have opened investigations into Cambridge Analytica, the data firm used by the Trump campaign (The New York Times)...Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani says the president will use the one-year anniversary of the Mueller probe on Thursday to call for an end to the investigation (Bloomberg)...Judge rejects former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort's motion to dismiss charges (Reuters). INTERNATIONAL: North Korea: The Hill — A June 12 meeting in Singapore between Trump and Kim Jong Un was thrown into limbo on Wednesday after North Korea denounced military exercises between South Korea and the United States as a provocation and called off high-level talks with Seoul. The North's Korean Central News Agency said the Max Thunder drills between the South Korean and U.S. air forces are a rehearsal for invasion of the North. Reuters: North Korean official says country will rethink U.S. summit if pressured to abandon nuclear program. White House reaction: The Trump administration is continuing to prepare for a June meeting with Kim. "We are aware of the South Korean media report. The United States will look at what North Korea has said independently, and continue to coordinate closely with our allies," said press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. >Reuters: For North Korea, Trump national security adviser John Bolton — a known quantity in Pyongyang dating back to the Bush era — has become an issue. >Reuters: Separately on Tuesday, North Korea said it would join international "efforts for a total ban on nuclear tests." The government, which is believed to have tested six nuclear weapons, has said it will dismantle its only known nuclear test site this month ahead of the meeting with the United States on June 12. Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the U.S. defended Israel's decision to kill dozens of Palestinian demonstrators at the Gaza border as the U.S. opened its embassy in Jerusalem. >CBS News: Netanyahu defended the Israeli response to protests in Gaza and blamed Hamas for the deaths and violence. >The Hill: Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, lauded Israel for its "restraint." She blamed Hamas for making the "lives of Palestinians miserable." >The Hill: The U.S. blocked the adoption of a United Nations Security Council resolution drafted by Kuwait calling for a probe into the violence that broke out on the Gaza border. >The Hill: The Palestinians recalled their envoy from Washington to protest the move of the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Ben Shapiro — News media's anti-Trump, anti-Israel fervor. Dana Milbank — Nothing says 'peace' like 58 dead Palestinians. Iran: The Hill — The U.S. adds the head of Iran's central bank to a sanctions list. The Hill — Trump's decision to exit the nuclear deal with Iran could have broad economic consequences for U.S. allies as the administration reimposes sweeping sanctions on Iran, which were lifted in 2015. European nations are seeking to fend off U.S. penalties. Reuters: Europe and Iran sought a common front on Tuesday to save the nuclear deal without the United States, although some diplomats doubted privately it can survive the reimposition of U.S. sanctions ordered by Trump. CONGRESS: The president gave Republican senators a midterm elections pep talk at a closed door meeting on Tuesday, The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports. Trump expressed confidence in the face of daunting political headwinds. Takeaway: Senators have told the press that the White House should apologize for the official who disparaged ailing Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) but none raised the issue with him on Tuesday. Senate rules: The Hill — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who joined his conference in a meeting in the Capitol with the president on Tuesday, suggested he's not going to change filibuster rules as they apply to the president's nominees. "The attitude of the Democrats seems to be better. That's the best way to solve the problem, to get back to some degree of normalcy," he said. House leadership race: The Hill — Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has been talked about as a possible successor to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), although most GOP lawmakers don't believe the former Freedom Caucus chairman can amass the 218 votes needed. But if Republicans get wiped out in the November midterms, Jordan's fortunes with his colleagues could change. Tax lobbying: The Hill — The alcohol industry is pressing Congress to make permanent the excise tax relief the sector secured in the new tax law. Farm bill, puppies and animal welfare: Lawrence (Kansas) Journal World — A potential farm bill provision is under fire based on concerns about state preemption tied to agriculture products and even puppy mills. Humane Society of America lobbies Congress on farm bill issues, including puppy mills. |
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