Biden pays tribute to former VP Walter Mondale – follow live

Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was appointed by Donald Trump last year, has signed a book deal securing a $2m (£1.4m) advance, according to a report.

Ms Barrett, whose rushed appointment following the death of liberal champion Ruth Bader Ginsberg gave conservatives a convincing 6-3 majority in America’s top court, raised concerns among progressives due to her views on abortion and healthcare, writes Stuti Mishra.

Now, Ms Barrett has signed a deal to write a book about how judges should not bring their personal feelings into their decision making. The contract includes an “eye-raising” $2m forward payment, according to Politico, whichquoted three sources with knowledge of the deal.

At least nine children were wounded in a shooting on Saturday, at a birthday party in Louisiana after a verbal duel between two groups of young boys, the police have said. Two out of nine are still in hospital on Monday while the rest were treated and released, writes Maroosha Muzaffar.

The birthday party of a 12-year old at Golfview Drive in LaPlace, Louisiana was taking place in a garage when neighbours heard gunshots around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. The authorities have said that more than one weapon was used.

Eight of the nine victims were all boys between the ages of 12 to 17. The two, aged 14 and 16, still undergoing treatment at a hospital were shot in the head and stomach respectively. Doctors have said that they are in stable condition, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

It comes amid a spate of mass shootings that will put pressure on Joe Biden to drive through reforms to gun rules. The president has already taken executive action on some peripheral issues – like so-called “ghost guns” – but is pushing for legislative measures.

“Gun violence in this country is an epidemic and an international embarrassment,” Mr Biden said earlier in April.

The US ambassador in Moscow has announced he is returning home for consultations with the Biden administration.

John Sullivan said he would go back this week to discuss US-Russian ties, but added that he planned to be back in Moscow within weeks.

“I believe it is important for me to speak directly with my new colleagues in the Biden administration in Washington about the current state of bilateral relations between the United States and Russia,” Mr Sullivan said in a statement.

“Also, I have not seen my family in well over a year, and that is another important reason for me to return home for a visit.”

His departure comes after Russia stopped short of asking hime to leave on Friday, but said it “suggested” that he follow the example of the Russian ambassador to Washington who was recalled for consultations last month after Joe Biden’s description of Vladimir Putin as a “killer”.

Russia has set no time frame for Anatoly Antonov’s return to Washington.

On Thursday, the Biden administration announced sanctions on Russia for interfering in the 2020 US presidential election and involvement in the SolarWind hack of federal agencies – activities Moscow has denied.

Washington ordered 10 Russian diplomats expelled, targeted dozens of companies and people and imposed new curbs on Russia’s ability to borrow money.

Russia said this was “absolutely unfriendly and unprovoked” and retaliated by ordering 10 US diplomats to leave, blacklisting eight current and former American officials and tightening rules on the US embassy operations.

Additional reporting by AP

The New York state attorney general has opened an investigation into governor Andrew Cuomo’s possible use of state resources for the “development and promotion” of his book on the coronavirus pandemic, writes Akshita Jain.

State comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office authorised New York attorney general Letitia James to investigate if the process of writing and promoting the book, American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic, violated state laws.

The referral letter asks Ms James to look at “any indictable offense” in violation of the law which relates to ”the use of property, services or resources of the state for personal purposes, private business purposes or other compensated non-governmental purposes by the Executive Chamber”, according to The Hill.

The US House of Representatives on Monday passed a near-unanimous resolution condemning China over the Hong Kong crackdown, with only one lawmaker against it, writes Mayank Aggarwal.

The resolution adopted by a 418-1 vote asks Hong Kong and the Chinese government to release pro-democracy activists and politicians who have arrested and imprisoned under the stringent national security law enacted by Beijing.

The House’s foreign affairs committee chairman Gregory Meeks said: “By passing this resolution, the House sends a strong bipartisan message demanding that the Chinese and Hong Kong governments respect the will of the people of Hong Kong,” according to The Hill.

Donald Trump has once again teased the idea of running for president in 2024, saying he is considering it “beyond seriously” as he is more popular now than he was during his four years in office, writes Shweta Sharma.

“I am looking at it very seriously, beyond seriously,” Mr Trump told Sean Hannity on the Fox News channel. “From a legal standpoint, I don’t want to really talk about it yet, it’s a little too soon.”

The former president said he was enjoying “more popularity” now than the day before the November election and hit out at Joe Biden’s decision making on immigration policies, gun regulations and tax changes.

In the last days of his life, former vice president Walter Mondale received a steady stream of phone calls of appreciation. Former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, president Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris all called to say goodbye and thank you.

It was a sign of respect for a man many Americans remember largely for his near-shutout defeat for the White House in 1984. But well after his bruising loss, Mondale remained a revered liberal elder — with a list of accomplishments that are still relevant today.

US immigration enforcement agencies will stop using words that advocacy groups and civil rights organisations have long argued are dehumanising terms used to justify discrimination against vulnerable groups, writes Alex Woodward.

In a pair of memos to Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as Customs and Border Protection, the agencies directed officers to use “noncitizen or migrant” in place of “alien”; “undocumented” instead of “illegal”; and “integration” instead of “assimilation.”

“As the nation’s premier law enforcement agency, we set a tone and example for our country and partners across the world,” wrote CBP chief Troy Miller. “We enforce our nation’s laws while also maintaining the dignity of every individual with whom we interact. The words we use matter and will serve to further confer that dignity to those in our custody.”

Joe Biden was among those paying tribute to Walter Mondale, the former vice president who has died aged 93.

The president described Mr Mondale as “unwavering in his pursuit of progress” and said he commanded “universal respect” on Capitol Hill.

Jimmy Carter, under whom Mr Mondale served as deputy, said: “Today I mourn the passing of my dear friend Walter Mondale, who I consider the best vice president in our country’s history.

“During our administration, Fritz used his political skill and personal integrity to transform the vice presidency into a dynamic, policy-driving force that had never been seen before and still exists today.

“He was an invaluable partner and an able servant of the people of Minnesota, the United States, and the world. Fritz Mondale provided us all with a model for public service and private behaviour.”

Here is our full story on Mr Mondale’s passing: