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Thursday

Russia responds to Zelenskyy's visit by accusing the U.S. of a proxy war in Ukraine

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Harris hold up a Ukrainian flag while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to Congress on Wednesday evening. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine invasion — explained

Russia responds to Zelenskyy's visit by accusing the U.S. of a proxy war in Ukraine

The Kremlin said Thursday that the U.S. is fighting a proxy war with Russia "to the last Ukrainian." The U.S. is supplying Ukraine with another $1.85 billion in aid and an advanced air defense system.

Monday

As the Bidens mark Hanukkah, the White House gets its own menorah for the first time

The White House Menorah can be seen in Cross Hall and is part of this year's "We The People"-themed holiday display. The Bidens will add the menorah to the permanent White House collection at a Hanukkah reception Monday evening, The White House hide caption

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The White House

Religion

As the Bidens mark Hanukkah, the White House gets its own menorah for the first time

The menorah is made out of wood that was removed from the building during a Truman-era renovation, and becomes the first Jewish artifact to be added to the White House archives.

'It is the obvious thing.' The White House tries a new tack to combat homelessness

David Hernandez, 62, crawls into his bed made with cardboard boxes in Los Angeles last week. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has declared a state of emergency to grapple with the city's homeless crisis. Jae C. Hong/AP hide caption

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Jae C. Hong/AP

National

'It is the obvious thing.' The White House tries a new tack to combat homelessness

The Biden administration says to end the homelessness crisis, more must be done to keep people from losing housing in the first place. But identifying and reaching those most at risk is a challenge.

'It is the obvious thing.' The White House tries a new tack to combat homelessness

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Thursday

Biden vows to bring longtime detainee Paul Whelan home from Russia too

Paul Whelan holds a sign in protest as he awaits his verdict in Moscow in June 2020. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison on charges of espionage. Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images

World

Biden vows to bring longtime detainee Paul Whelan home from Russia too

The former U.S. Marine has been held in Russia since 2018. As supporters celebrate Brittney Griner's release, they — Whelan himself included — are wondering why he was left behind.

Tuesday

With student loan relief tied up in court, Biden extends repayment pause into 2023

President Joe Biden speaking about student loan debt relief at Delaware State University, Oct. 21, 2022, in Dover, Del. The Biden administration said it is extending the student loan repayment pause again. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

Education

With student loan relief tied up in court, Biden extends repayment pause into 2023

The president has extended the student loan repayment pause into 2023. Biden said he wants to give lawsuits against debt cancellation time to play out, and the Supreme Court time to weigh in.

Tuesday

Progressive Democrats withdraw letter calling for more diplomatic efforts with Russia

Rep. Pramila Jayapal and fellow members of the House Progressive Caucus hold a news conference ahead of the vote on the Inflation Reduction Act on Aug. 12, 2022. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Politics

Progressive Democrats withdraw letter calling for more diplomatic efforts with Russia

After pushback, the Congressional Progressive Caucus walked back a letter to the White House pressing for more direct negotiations with Ukraine.

Thursday

Biden calls on the country to unite against white supremacy at a summit on hate

President Biden arrives with Susan Bro, mother of Charlottesville victim Heather Heyer, to deliver a keynote speech at the "United We Stand" summit to counter the effects of hate-fueled violence in the East Room of the White House on Thursday. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

Biden calls on the country to unite against white supremacy at a summit on hate

The "United We Stand" summit brought together experts on hate-based violence and honored communities that have survived attacks.

Monday

Economists take on student loan forgiveness
Paul Morigi/Getty Images for We, The 45 Mill

The Indicator from Planet Money

Economists take on student loan forgiveness

Biden is canceling student loans for millions of Americans. Love it or hate it, one thing is for sure – many economists from the left and the right think that this plan is a not-so-good idea...

Economists take on student loan forgiveness

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Friday

Student loan forgiveness is politically popular. But not all Democrats are on board

President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Wednesday as Education Secretary Miguel Cardona listens at right. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

Politics

Student loan forgiveness is politically popular. But not all Democrats are on board

President Biden made a promise during his campaign to forgive student loan debt. Months before the midterm elections, he made the call, but how much will it benefit him and Democrats politically?

Student loan forgiveness is politically popular. But not all Democrats are on board

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Thursday

Paying for the Inflation Reduction Act
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

Paying for the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act has it all, from fighting climate change to cutting drug prices. But today, we're zooming in on one aspect of the bill. The changes to corporate taxes.

Paying for the Inflation Reduction Act

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Friday

Drugs, electric cars, taxes
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

Drugs, electric cars, taxes

We assess the Inflation Reduction Act: Will there be unintended consequences from taking on Big Pharma? Will electric vehicles become cheap? And does the tax department need more money?

Drugs, electric cars, taxes

Listen · 9:07
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Thursday

With Manchin deal, talk of Biden's climate emergency declaration may be dead

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is met by reporters outside the hearing room where he chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, at the Capitol in Washington, last week. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Climate

With Manchin deal, talk of Biden's climate emergency declaration may be dead

Some legal experts and environmentalists think such a declaration wouldn't have been that useful and would have exposed the president's climate agenda to further judicial and legislative scrutiny.

Friday

Heating up the weekend with three climate indicators

Farmers gather with their vehicles next to a Germany/Netherlands border sign during a protest on the A1 highway/ VINCENT JANNINK/ANP/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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VINCENT JANNINK/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

Heating up the weekend with three climate indicators

The sweltering heat has us wondering, how exactly are people responding to climate change? Today on The Indicator, we're going green with three environmental indicators. Stay tuned for a sliver of hope at the end.

Heating up the weekend with three climate indicators

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Monday

Here's why Black students are defaulting

Students attend their graduation ceremony at South Carolina State University. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

Here's why Black students are defaulting

Before, after, and during college, the cards are still stacked against Black students. Today, we look at how that reality translates into Black borrowers being more likely to default on their student loans.

Here's why Black students are defaulting

Listen · 9:33
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Wednesday

As calls grow to free Brittney Griner, Biden says he's spoken with her wife

A sign calls for Britney Griner's release at a game between Portland Thorns FC and Angel City FC in Los Angeles earlier this month. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images hide caption

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Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Politics

As calls grow to free Brittney Griner, Biden says he's spoken with her wife

The White House said President Biden and Vice President Harris spoke with Cherelle Griner on Wednesday, as more of the WNBA star's supporters publicly petition him to do more to secure her release.