The News Not Noise Letter: New Horrors in Mariupol?

Mariupol: The Mariupol city council says Russian mobile crematoria are now in the city to burn bodies and destroy evidence of atrocities committed during its weeks-long occupation. The city’s mayor says the town is "the new Auschwitz."

A Ukrainian MP tweeted this graphic image of a swastika burned into the “tortured body of a raped and killed woman.”

The Red Cross called it “impossible” to enter Mariupol and suspended evacuation efforts though at least 100,000 people are believed trapped there in unthinkable conditions. Around 500 people managed to escape on their own and were safely escorted to Zaporizhzhia.

Russian forces pulled back from Kyiv and Chernihiv, but ramped up attacks in the Donbas and other regions in eastern Ukraine. The government is urging residents there to evacuate now.

Britain’s PM Boris Johnson said the massacre in Bucha is "not far short of genocide."

In response to these atrocities, the US announced new sanctions on Russia’s biggest bank and on Putin’s daughters. The pressure is now on for Europe to ban Russian oil and gas, but some countries are still resisting.

In a novel enforcement of sanctions, Finland seized $46 million worth of Russian artwork passing through a Finnish port.

Student Loans: President Biden is extending the federal student loan payment pause through the end of August. The Department of Education says they’ll also put 7 million borrowers who’d fallen behind on payments or are in default back in good standing. So far, the federal loan pause has boosted borrowers’ credit ratings and helped them pay off other debts.

Jan 6: The House today voted to hold two more Trump aides — Peter Navarro and Dan Scavino — in contempt of Congress for ignoring subpoenas. In total, four Trump aides have been referred for contempt of the Jan 6 Committee. It’s up to the Department of Justice to decide whether to indict them.

Inflation: The Fed may take drastic steps to fight inflation. This includes steeper and more frequent interest rate increases. And plans to sell off assets they bought to stabilize financial markets. All this will make it more expensive to take out loans, including mortgages. Listen to this week’s podcast for tips on preparing for this volatile economy.

Amir Locke: Prosecutors declined to file charges in the killing of Amir Locke. A Minneapolis police officer entered Locke’s cousin’s residence with a no-knock warrant and killed Locke while he was asleep on the couch. Locke was holding an authorized gun while sleeping. Prosecutors said they could not prove the officer in question violated the state’s use of deadly force policy.

Tennessee Marriage Bill: A Tennessee bill to exclude same-sex couples from common law marriages sparked outrage when critics pointed out that the bill could eliminate age requirements for marriage. (Translation: it would OK adult-child unions.) Lawmakers have proposed amendments to reintroduce an age requirement, but they have not voted yet. Lawmakers will hold a first vote on the bill this week.

COVID-19: A number of high ranking DC officials tested positive for COVID-19 after the Gridiron Dinner, an annual insiders-only gathering of politicians and press. COVID-positive attendees include Attorney General Merrick Garland, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and Representatives Adam Schiff and Joaquin Castro.

Hugs are back at Disney! With new looser COVID rules, Disney characters can soon hug visitors to their amusement parks once again. Good news, if you're into that kind of thing.

The White House unveiled a new plan today to research and treat long COVID.

Senators introduced a bill that would create a no-fly list for “abusive passengers” banning those convicted of assaulting aircraft crew members from commercial flights. Now if they’d only ban people who take off their shoes and socks on planes… For laugh-out-loud video of in-flight insanity, check out @passengershaming on Instagram.