Jim Justice in 2010. Photo: Scott Halleran/Getty ImagesWest Virginia will begin offering $100 savings bonds to people aged 16 to 35 who get vaccinated, Gov. Jim Justice (R) on Monday.Why it matters: The initiative is meant to incentivize people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Just last week Justice said the state had "hit a wall" with vaccinations, and was having particular difficulty convincing young people to get the shot, reported.The big picture: The initiative will be funded with money from the . The savings bonds will also be applied retroactively to people ages 16 to 35 who have already...…Jim Justice in 2010. Photo: Scott Halleran/Getty ImagesWest Virginia will begin offering $100 savings bonds to people aged 16 to 35 who get vaccinated, Gov. Jim Justice (R) on Monday.Why it matters: The initiative is meant to incentivize people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Just last week Justice said the state had "hit a wall" with vaccinations, and was having particular difficulty convincing young people to get the shot, reported.The big picture: The initiative will be funded with money from the . The savings bonds will also be applied retroactively to people ages 16 to 35 who have already...WW…

Alexey Navalny at a rally in 2019. Photo: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesA Moscow court is expected to ban opposition leader Alexei Navalny's political and anti-corruption networks on Monday, effectively labeling them as extremist organizations, the reports. Why it matters: Often described as "the man Putin fears most," Navalny has been a thorn in President Vladimir Putin's side for years. If all goes to plan, Monday's ruling at closed-door court hearing will be "he most sweeping attempt to crush the Kremlin's greatest political threat," per the Post. The big picture: Support for...…Alexey Navalny at a rally in 2019. Photo: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesA Moscow court is expected to ban opposition leader Alexei Navalny's political and anti-corruption networks on Monday, effectively labeling them as extremist organizations, the reports. Why it matters: Often described as "the man Putin fears most," Navalny has been a thorn in President Vladimir Putin's side for years. If all goes to plan, Monday's ruling at closed-door court hearing will be "he most sweeping attempt to crush the Kremlin's greatest political threat," per the Post. The big picture: Support for...WW…

Jamal Khashoggi in 2014. Photo: Mohammed Al-Shaikh/AFP via Getty ImagesThe House voted 350-71 Wednesday evening to pass legislation that would limit U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia as a consequence of the 2018 Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi forces.Why it matters: President Biden came into office promising a "recalibration" of the U.S.' relationship with the Kingdom, as the U.S. hasn't gone far enough to punish Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Flashback: Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) the bill in February, noting its intention is to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the killing of Khashoggi.The...…Jamal Khashoggi in 2014. Photo: Mohammed Al-Shaikh/AFP via Getty ImagesThe House voted 350-71 Wednesday evening to pass legislation that would limit U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia as a consequence of the 2018 Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi forces.Why it matters: President Biden came into office promising a "recalibration" of the U.S.' relationship with the Kingdom, as the U.S. hasn't gone far enough to punish Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Flashback: Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) the bill in February, noting its intention is to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the killing of Khashoggi.The...WW…

Gov. Ron DeSantis. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) Monday a that increases penalties for crimes committed during a "riot," which civil rights groups have denounced as unconstitutional. Why it matters: The bill, effective immediately, will increase penalties for crimes committed during a "riot" and would allow authorities to hold protesters arrested for misdemeanors without bail until their first court appearance, per the .The big picture: The law also establishes new felonies for organizing or participating in a violent demonstration and offers "civil legal...…Gov. Ron DeSantis. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) Monday a that increases penalties for crimes committed during a "riot," which civil rights groups have denounced as unconstitutional. Why it matters: The bill, effective immediately, will increase penalties for crimes committed during a "riot" and would allow authorities to hold protesters arrested for misdemeanors without bail until their first court appearance, per the .The big picture: The law also establishes new felonies for organizing or participating in a violent demonstration and offers "civil legal...WW…

The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. Photo: Al Drago/Getty ImagesThe Supreme Court won't take an appeal by Pennsylvania Republicans claiming that the state's secretary of state exceeded its authority when expanding deadlines for mail-in ballots last year due to the pandemic, according to . Why it matters: This is another refusal by the Supreme Court to take up litigation regarding the 2020 presidential election, despite the efforts of GOP leaders and supporters of former President Trump to push baseless claims of voter fraud.The big picture: The case was brought by former Republican...…The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. Photo: Al Drago/Getty ImagesThe Supreme Court won't take an appeal by Pennsylvania Republicans claiming that the state's secretary of state exceeded its authority when expanding deadlines for mail-in ballots last year due to the pandemic, according to . Why it matters: This is another refusal by the Supreme Court to take up litigation regarding the 2020 presidential election, despite the efforts of GOP leaders and supporters of former President Trump to push baseless claims of voter fraud.The big picture: The case was brought by former Republican...WW…

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/AxiosMore than 100 corporate executives and leaders gathered on a Zoom call Saturday to discuss ways to combat controversial voting bills being considered in states across the country that would restrict voting access, per the .Why it matters: American corporations flexed their advocacy muscles earlier this month when more than their opposition to , inciting the wrath of GOP leaders, including former President and Senate Minority Leader .Driving the news: During the call, executives from "major airlines, retailers and manufacturers — plus at least one NFL...…Illustration: Annelise Capossela/AxiosMore than 100 corporate executives and leaders gathered on a Zoom call Saturday to discuss ways to combat controversial voting bills being considered in states across the country that would restrict voting access, per the .Why it matters: American corporations flexed their advocacy muscles earlier this month when more than their opposition to , inciting the wrath of GOP leaders, including former President and Senate Minority Leader .Driving the news: During the call, executives from "major airlines, retailers and manufacturers — plus at least one NFL...WW…

Despite some progress, it will take women in North America approximately 61.5 years to have economic parity with men according to the World Economic Forum's . Why it matters: Women in the U.S. have made strides in political representation, but they still lag behind men in job market participation and income, according to the report.Details: The report took the North American region as an average of the U.S. and Canada but did provide U.S-specific data. But, but, but: The report states that there has been only "marginal improvement" when it comes to labor force participation and women's...…Despite some progress, it will take women in North America approximately 61.5 years to have economic parity with men according to the World Economic Forum's . Why it matters: Women in the U.S. have made strides in political representation, but they still lag behind men in job market participation and income, according to the report.Details: The report took the North American region as an average of the U.S. and Canada but did provide U.S-specific data. But, but, but: The report states that there has been only "marginal improvement" when it comes to labor force participation and women's...WW…

Ed Bastian. Photo: Stephanie Keith/Getty ImagesDelta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian condemned Georgia's new as "unacceptable" in a circulated to staff on Wednesday, claiming that the "entire rationale for this bill was based on a lie" about widespread voter fraud in 2020.Why it matters: The Atlanta-based airline is one of the largest employers in Georgia and was facing calls for a boycott over its stance on the Republican-crafted law, per the . What they're saying: "After having time to now fully understand all that is in the bill, coupled with discussions with leaders and employees in the Black...…Ed Bastian. Photo: Stephanie Keith/Getty ImagesDelta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian condemned Georgia's new as "unacceptable" in a circulated to staff on Wednesday, claiming that the "entire rationale for this bill was based on a lie" about widespread voter fraud in 2020.Why it matters: The Atlanta-based airline is one of the largest employers in Georgia and was facing calls for a boycott over its stance on the Republican-crafted law, per the . What they're saying: "After having time to now fully understand all that is in the bill, coupled with discussions with leaders and employees in the Black...WW…

President Biden walks alongside the West Wing Colonnade. Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty ImagesPresident Biden's handling of the coronavirus pandemic has a 72% approval rating among Americans, an indicates.The big picture: That number was 68% just before Congress approved Biden's . The increase may be at least partly be due to the law's passage.Details: Only 28% of Americans said they disapproved of Biden's coronavirus response. Yes, but: There are some gaps along party lines. Biden's approval ratings were also lower on the issues of gun violence and the at the U.S.-Mexico border. Centers...…President Biden walks alongside the West Wing Colonnade. Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty ImagesPresident Biden's handling of the coronavirus pandemic has a 72% approval rating among Americans, an indicates.The big picture: That number was 68% just before Congress approved Biden's . The increase may be at least partly be due to the law's passage.Details: Only 28% of Americans said they disapproved of Biden's coronavirus response. Yes, but: There are some gaps along party lines. Biden's approval ratings were also lower on the issues of gun violence and the at the U.S.-Mexico border. Centers...WW…

Secretary of State Antony Blinken evaded questions about whether the U.S. would seek retaliatory actions against China for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak during an interview on CNN's "" Sunday, instead saying that the focus should be on preventing another pandemic in the future.Why it matters: The diplomat said there should be "accountability for the past," positioning himself in contrast to his predecessor Mike Pompeo, who had called for China to be punished, per CNN.What they're saying: "I think the issue for us is to make sure that we do everything possible to prevent another...…Secretary of State Antony Blinken evaded questions about whether the U.S. would seek retaliatory actions against China for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak during an interview on CNN's "" Sunday, instead saying that the focus should be on preventing another pandemic in the future.Why it matters: The diplomat said there should be "accountability for the past," positioning himself in contrast to his predecessor Mike Pompeo, who had called for China to be punished, per CNN.What they're saying: "I think the issue for us is to make sure that we do everything possible to prevent another...WW…