Morning Must Reads: April 15

April 15, 2014 8:41 AM EDT

“The Ukrainian government announced the start of a staged counteroffensive Tuesday to reclaim control of the eastern part of the country, as Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned that Ukraine was descending into civil war.” [WashPost]

“[White House Press Secretary Jay] Carney said [Monday] the U.S. will consider next steps including a new round of sanctions against Russia in concert with European partners. European foreign ministers are meeting in Luxembourg Monday to weigh new sanctions against Russian officials because of Moscow’s annexation of Crimea. He also confirmed reports that CIA Director John Brennan was in Kiev this weekend as part of a broader trip to Europe.” [WashExaminer]

A Year Since Marathon Attacks, Many Survivors Still Struggle [Boston Globe]

“On April 15, 2013, their lives intersected at the Marathon. One year later, they returned to the scene for a historic photo shoot.” [Boston Globe]

Nonprofits Caught in Pension Crossfire Between Foundation, Unions [WSJ]

“A Nevada rancher who succeeded in reclaiming his seized cattle from federal land managers over the weekend by rallying armed supporters called on local sheriffs across the country on Monday to join his crusade against government overreach.” [Reuters]

“Two decades after Nevada’s founders proclaimed unswerving obedience to federal authority, Cliven Bundy’s family first settled the land where he and his supporters now make their heavily armed stand against federal power. ” [Atlantic]

“Global greenhouse emissions are skyrocketing. Emissions cuts required to avoid dangerous impacts of climate change are steep. And despite decades of talk, world governments have made paltry efforts to address the problem. That’s the grim picture painted by a major report on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions released [Sunday] by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).” [Science]

“Tom Steyer is betting that campaigning on climate change can win elections. Is the verdant billionaire right?” [Economist]

Ted Cruz is Beating Rand Paul in the Tea Party Primary [Atlantic]

“Rand Paul for President: Because what the GOP needs is a humbling landslide defeat” [WSJ/Bret Stephens]

The Second Coming of Scott Brown [Yahoo!]

Happy Tax Day [New Yorker]

“With federal returns due Tuesday, the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center says that a deal struck just months after President Obama’s re-election will force the top 0.1 percent—those making more than roughly $2.6 million a year—to pay an average of around $232,000 more in taxes for 2013.” [Hill]

“[White House Press Secretary Jay] Carney said [Monday] the U.S. will consider next steps including a new round of sanctions against Russia in concert with European partners. European foreign ministers are meeting in Luxembourg Monday to weigh new sanctions against Russian officials because of Moscow’s annexation of Crimea. He also confirmed reports that CIA Director John Brennan was in Kiev this weekend as part of a broader trip to Europe.” [WashExaminer]

“On April 15, 2013, their lives intersected at the Marathon. One year later, they returned to the scene for a historic photo shoot.” [Boston Globe]

“Two decades after Nevada’s founders proclaimed unswerving obedience to federal authority, Cliven Bundy’s family first settled the land where he and his supporters now make their heavily armed stand against federal power. ” [Atlantic]

“Tom Steyer is betting that campaigning on climate change can win elections. Is the verdant billionaire right?” [Economist]

“Rand Paul for President: Because what the GOP needs is a humbling landslide defeat” [WSJ/Bret Stephens]

“With federal returns due Tuesday, the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center says that a deal struck just months after President Obama’s re-election will force the top 0.1 percent—those making more than roughly $2.6 million a year—to pay an average of around $232,000 more in taxes for 2013.” [Hill]

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