A special counsel for Biden

Plus, Ukraine holds out in eastern mining town. Biden aides find more classified documents; Ukraine resists Russian advances in Soledar. Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin.   TOP NEWS Biden’s classified documents Nicholas Kamm /AFP via Getty Images - Attorney General Merrick Garland has appointed special counsel Robert Hur to investigate classified documents discovered at President Joe Biden’s home and a private office. [[CBS News / Melissa Quinn and Robert Legare](] - The documents, discovered in November and December 2022, are from Biden’s time as vice president. [[BBC / Anthony Zurcher](] - The first batch reportedly included 10 intelligence memos and briefings on Ukraine, Iran, and the UK that were found in a locked closet at Biden’s former office on November 2. [[CNN](] - White House attorneys also recovered a small number of classified items at Biden’s Delaware residence. Both discoveries were revealed this week. [[Washington Post / Adela Suliman and Devlin Barrett](] - Among major differences with the classified documents found in former President Donald Trump’s possession: Biden immediately returned the materials to the relevant agencies; all documents appeared to be kept under lock and key; and Biden is cooperating with the investigation. [[Vox / Andrew Prokop](]  [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( The battle for Soledar continues - Thursday, Ukrainian forces held onto control of Soledar despite Russian advances on the eastern Ukraine mining town. [[Guardian / Pjotr Sauer](] - At least 559 civilians — including 15 children — were unable to evacuate Soledar amid fierce fighting. [[Reuters / Pavel Polityuk and Vladyslav Smilianets](] - Weeks of intense battles have destroyed the town as Moscow attempts to capture its first new territory in months. [[BBC](] - If victorious, Russia could use Soledar to launch further attacks on the nearby city of Bakhmut. But both sides have suffered heavy losses. [[CBS News](]   Support our work Reader gifts help keep Vox and newsletters like Sentences free for all. Support our work with a gift today. [Give](   MISCELLANEOUS US inflation cooled to 6.5 percent in December compared to a year earlier amid declining energy and airline prices. [[Vox / Madeleine Ngo](] - Thursday, Europe’s largest deposit of rare earth metals — which are used to manufacture a range of electronics — was discovered in Sweden. [[Reuters](] - House Speaker Kevin McCarthy continues to back embattled Rep. George Santos (R-NY) despite growing calls to resign over making up his credentials. [[CNN / Clare Foran and Manu Raju](] - Egypt has accused three people of attempting to excavate and steal a 10-foot, 10-ton granite statue of Ramses II from the southern Aswan region. [[Washington Post / Leo Sands](] VERBATIM “People know I take classified documents seriously. I’m cooperating fully and completely with the Justice Department’s review.” [[President Biden on the documents investigation / NYT](]   LISTEN TO THIS The great American gerrymander While there are concerns about how hyperpartisan voting maps are becoming, there’s one state where grassroots organizers have changed the system. On today’s episode of The Weeds, we pass the mic to one of you and answer your burning questions about redistricting in this polarized era. [Listen now ▶](   Read more from Vox [5 unintended consequences of the EV revolution]( [Job interviews are a nightmare — and only getting worse]( [The House GOP’s questionable attempt to shut down congressional unions, explained]( [Virginia Democrats are fighting for a razor-thin edge on abortion rights]( [Quiet hiring and the endless quest to coin terms about work](  [Learn more about RevenueStripe...](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Manage your [email preferences]( or [unsubscribe](param=sentences). If you value Vox’s unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring [contribution](. View our [Privacy Notice]( and our [Terms of Service](. Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved.