Biden's weird words  —  President Biden often uses old-timey expressions that confound even his own staff.  That happened again Friday when he ended a speech on gun violence with “God save the queen, man.”  — Even Olivia Dalton, the White House's principal deputy press secretary, didn't know what her boss meant.

Transcript: Former Attorney General William Barr on “Face the Nation,” June 18, 2023  —  The following is a transcript of an interview with former Attorney General William Barr that aired on “Face the Nation” on June 18, 2023.  —  ROBERT COSTA: We're joined now by William Barr.

Juneteenth holiday horror: Four people are shot dead and at least 42 others injured so far this weekend as gun violence erupts across the nation - from Illinois to Missouri  — At least 20 people were shot, one fatally, during a Juneteenth celebration early Sunday morning in Willowbrook, Illinois

Man, 71, charged with setting massive Yosemite park fire initially blamed on climate change  —  A 71-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly starting a devastating massive forest fire in Yosemite National Park that was previously thought to have been caused by climate change.

DeSantis Takes Clear Aim at Trump in Nevada, an Important Early State  —  Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida avoided mentioning Donald Trump at a G.O.P. fund-raiser in Nevada, but he took clear aim at the former president.  —  Reporting from Gardnerville, Nev.  —  In black boots …

Christie calls GOP presidential debate pledge a ‘useless idea’  —  Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie said Sunday it was a “useless idea” to force 2024 GOP contenders to sign a pledge to back the party's ultimate nominee in order to participate in primary debates.

Trump lacked power to declassify secret nuclear arms document, experts say  —  Even when he was president, Donald Trump lacked the legal authority to declassify a U.S. nuclear weapons-related document that he is charged with illegally possessing, security experts said, contrary to the former U.S. president's claim.

Pence: 'I'm still waiting for the rash of prosecutions of people involved in the BLM riots' of 2020  —  Former Vice President Mike Pence says “the vast majority of Republicans have lost confidence” in the DOJ in an exclusive interview with Meet the Press.

Tracing the power of Casey DeSantis  —  As Ron DeSantis pursues the presidency, his wife's role is limitless.  Casey, 42, isn't a typical political spouse.  Why does that inspire so much fear?  Her rise in TV and insular marriage tell the story.  —  Where's Casey?  —  Ron was asking.

Why the Pentagon Papers Leaker Tried to Get Prosecuted Near His Life's End  —  When Daniel Ellsberg was 42, a judge threw out Espionage Act charges against him.  At 90, he sought such charges again in hope of challenging their constitutionality.  —  Reporting from Washington

Bank of China halts transfers from Russia to EU, US, UK, and Swiss banks  —  The Bank of China has restricted transactions for Russian bank clients to banks located in the EU, US, Switzerland, and the UK, RBC reports, citing Modulbank and Finam representatives.  —  UniCredit and Akibank also reported the same limitations.

Blinken, Chinese senior officials pledge to continue talking, signaling a slight thaw  —  The top U.S. diplomat is on a two-day trip amid accusations from Beijing that Washington alone is to blame for the historic rupture in relations  —  BEIJING — Antony Blinken became the first U.S. secretary …

House GOP flirts with Jan. 6 extremism  —  Far-right conservatives have entertained false conspiracy theories about the Capitol attack — but so have some House GOP leaders and key committee chiefs, without outright embracing them.  —  House Republicans don't want to talk about Jan. 6.

Russia's Grim ‘Fashion Colony’: Americans Describe Harsh Life in Remote Labor Camp  —  IK-17 inmates struggle with hazardous work and meager medical care.  It could be the next destination for jailed WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich.  —  The Russian national anthem blares from loudspeakers each morning …

Israel moves to expedite West Bank settlement building ahead of U.S. official's visit … The resolution limits the amount of control the prime minister and the defense minister have over approving building plans in the settlements, effectively curbing the ability of the U.S. and other countries …

Why NYC Suburbs Increasingly Resent the City  —  Tension between the city and its surrounding areas over issues like crime, immigration and congestion pricing has grown since the pandemic.  —  Ed Day says he proudly remembers his days as a New York City police commander, fighting crime and helping to restore the city's luster.