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Al-Bursh was arrested along with 10 other medical workers in December during the Israeli military ground invasion of the Jabalya refugee camp, CNN previously reported. He was taken away while treating patients in Al-Awda Hospital, according to the statement. Earlier on Thursday, Israel released dozens of Gaza detainees via the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Israel. The seven-month bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 34,600 people, according to the Gaza health ministry. Concerns are also heightened over an anticipated Israeli military operation in southern Gaza’s Rafah, prompting renewed calls for a ceasefire.

Persons: Adnan Al, Bursh, Israel, Marwan Abu Saada, ”, “ Dr, Adnan, ” Saada, “, –, Ismail Khadr Organizations: CNN, Shifa, Palestinian Prisoners ’ Society, ’ Affairs, Al, Awda, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, United Nations Locations: Gaza, Al, Gaza City, ”, Israel, Gaza’s Rafah

☆ Senators blast Biden administration’s staffing plans for veterans’ healthcare
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Curt Devine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The top two senators on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs called the Biden administration’s plan to reduce veterans’ health care staffing a “mess” that could undercut the timing and quality of care. Their letter, obtained by CNN, called VA’s apparent “zero growth” policy a “drastic” and “shortsighted” decision. Though the VA told the committee that critical staff and some others would be exempt, Tester and Moran wrote that has not been the case. The VA has long been plagued by delays in health care. A decade ago, the Obama administration’s then-VA secretary, Eric Shinseki, resigned following revelations of sometimes deadly delays for veterans waiting for care at VA facilities.

Persons: Biden, Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, Sen, Jon Tester, Jerry Moran, Moran, “, …, Shereef Elnahal, Dr, Jason Crow, Helen H, Richardson, ” Elnahal, ”, Terrence Hayes, ” Hayes, McDonough, Joe Biden, Obama administration’s, Eric Shinseki Organizations: CNN, Veterans ’ Affairs, Veterans Affairs, Montana Democrat, Kansas Republican, VA, Health, U.S . Department of Veterans Affairs, Wheeling, Denver Post, PACT Locations: Montana, Kansas, ”, VA, Wheeling St, Aurora , Colorado

☆ Election Updates: Five states vote today. Here are the races to watch.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Chris Cameron | Jonathan Weisman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

In today’s newsletter, I’m going to tell you about some fascinating primary races that will shed light on some broader trends in U.S. politics. Mike Bost, a Republican and Marine Corps veteran, was first elected to the House in 2014. Don’t say ‘age’Democrats have their own issues that are captured in races in their stronghold of greater Chicago. But to the Democratic establishment, “age” is a word not spoken aloud, not with President Biden in the White House. But similar issues driving their primary fights will play out in swing House districts and swing states across the country.

Persons: Mike Bost, He’d, Darren Bailey, Donald J, J.B, Pritzker, Bailey, Bost, Mike, ”, Trump’s, Matt Gaetz, Trump, Danny Davis, he’s, Melissa Conyears, Ervin, Kina Collins, Biden, Davis, Davis’s, “, Jesús, García, Raymond Lopez of, Lopez, Jennifer Medina, Ruth Igielnik, Krystle Kaul, Jennifer Wexton, Eileen, Jennifer Boysko, Dan Helmer, Helmer, Kaul, Suhas, —, Kaul bristled Organizations: Illinois’s, Congressional, Republican, Marine Corps, State Legislature, Committee, Veterans ’ Affairs, Trump, Trump Republican, Democratic, House, The Chicago Tribune, Congressional District, American Democrats, Chicago, Mexican American, Republicans, Washington , D.C, Virginia, Army, Democrat Locations: Illinois, Lincoln, Washington, Chicago, Lake Michigan, Illinois’s, Chuy, Raymond Lopez of Chicago, García, Mexican, Virginia, exurbs, Washington ,, Virginia’s 10th, America

☆ The House Races That Tell a Bigger Story
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Jonathan Weisman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But three heated House primaries in the Land of Lincoln next week illustrate the broader vulnerabilities of both major political parties going into the general election: age, extremism and immigration. In today’s newsletter, I’m going to tell you about some fascinating primary races that will shed light on some broader trends in U.S. politics. Let’s start with Illinois’s 12th Congressional District, in the southern part of the state. Mike Bost, a Republican and Marine Corps veteran, was first elected to the House in 2014. Democrats tried to tar him as “Meltdown Mike,” highlighting his angry outbursts in the State Legislature and warning, “He’d make Washington worse.”Well, those were simpler times.

Persons: Mike Bost, He’d, Darren Bailey, Donald J, J.B, Pritzker Organizations: Illinois’s, Congressional, Republican, Marine Corps, State Legislature, Committee, Veterans ’ Affairs, Trump, Trump Republican, Democratic Locations: Illinois, Lincoln, Washington

☆ Advocates call on Senate to approve amendment giving Afghan evacuees path to legal residency
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

It is based on the bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act, which was reintroduced last year. The amendment was introduced Friday with a list of co-sponsors that included Republican Sens. Future conflicts that we go into will look back to how we handled the end of the Afghan war and what we did with our Afghan allies,” VanDiver said. While the amendment has bipartisan backing, at least one Republican is expected to object to it. Cotton supports helping our Afghan allies and partners, but this specific bill did little to address his concerns,” the person said.

Persons: Democratic Sen, Amy Klobuchar, Republican Sen, Jerry Moran, Republican Sens, Roger Wicker, Lindsey Graham, Thom Tillis, Democratic Sens, Richard Blumenthal, Chris Coons, Jeanne Shaheen, Klobuchar, “, ” Klobuchar, ” Shawn VanDiver, —, It’s, ” VanDiver, Sen, Tom Cotton, ”, “ Sen, Cotton, VanDiver, ” Moran, Patrick Murray Organizations: CNN, Senate, Democratic, Republican, intel, Army, Senate Armed Services Committee, Afghan, Veterans ’ Affairs, Veterans, Foreign, VFW Locations: Afghanistan, United States

Citizens of Thailand, the Philippines and Russia, who were freed through separate talks, also numbered among the hostages Hamas released. The New York Times compared the Israeli data with lists of the Palestinians released each day by the Palestinian Authority’s Commission for Prisoners’ Affairs. The Israeli data shows that three-quarters of the released Palestinians had not been convicted of a crime. More than half of the cases were being prosecuted in Israeli military courts, which try Palestinians in the occupied West Bank but not Israeli settlers who live there. Nearly all Palestinians tried in Israeli military courts are convicted, and those accused of security offenses can be imprisoned indefinitely without charge or trial.

Persons: Israel Organizations: New York Times, Palestinian, Commission, Prisoners ’ Affairs, West Bank Locations: Thailand, Philippines, Russia, Gaza, Israel

The Israeli government on Wednesday published a list of 300 Palestinian prisoners for possible release, as Israel is offering a potential second phase of exchanges. Mussa Qawasma/ReutersMost of the Palestinian prisoners listed as eligible for release are male teenagers aged 16 to 18 – children under the United Nations definition – although a handful are as young as 14. Around 8,300 Palestinian prisoners are currently held in Israeli jails, said Qadura Fares, head of the Palestinian Commission for Detainees and Ex-Prisoners’ Affairs. James Oatway/ReutersWednesday’s diplomatic breakthrough offers a glimmer of hope for the families of Palestinian prisoners, as well as those of Israeli hostages. Four hostages have been freed so far – two American women and two Israeli women.

Persons: Mussa Qawasma, Qadura, Israel, Fares, Mohammad Shtayyeh, ” Shtayyeh, James Oatway Organizations: CNN, Hamas, United, Palestinian, ’ Affairs, West Bank, Jerusalem, Palestinian Prisoner’s Society, Palestinian Authority, Reuters, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Israel, Gaza, Hebron, United Nations, Ramallah, Israeli

The Israeli military says Hamas is holding 239 hostages in Gaza, including foreign nationals from dozens of countries, who were taken during the October 7 attack. She would have turned nine on November 17 while in captivity, the single parent, whose wife died of cancer, previously told CNN. While reasonably hopeful that Emily might be among those that will be released, he told CNN on Wednesday that he has heard nothing from the government about her whereabouts or condition. Leon Neal/Getty ImagesAnother family told CNN they face a “terrible week” ahead as they wait to learn whether their loved one will be among the hostages released. Liz Hirsh Naftali, Edan’s great-aunt, told CNN about the “excruciating” wait to hear if her great-niece is coming home.

Persons: Hadas Kalderon, Nir Oz, Kalderon’s, Erez, Ofer, Thomas Hand, “, Emily, Weeks, they’re, Leon Neal, Roman, Yarden, Gat, Abigail Edan, Liz Hirsh Naftali, Edan’s, ”, Abigail, ” Liz Hirsh Naftali, Israel’s, Anat Moshe Shoshany, won’t, she’s, –, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Tel, Tel Aviv CNN, CNN, Palestinian Prisoner’s Society, Palestinian, ’ Affairs, Hamas Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Gaza

Tester entered the Senate after selling Montana voters on his authenticity, and the former high school band teacher's message hasn’t changed much. Tester chairs the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “I take my cues directly from the veterans of this state,” Tester told the assembly at Bigfork High School. There’s been an influx of newcomers from Arizona, Washington state, California and Texas. He currently ranks second with $407,000 in contributions from lobbyists, putting him just behind Washington state Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell, according to the research group OpenSecrets.

Persons: Jon Tester, Tester, Republican Donald Trump, hasn’t, you’ve, He's, ”, “ It’s, West Virginia Democratic Sen, Joe Manchin's, Mitch McConnell, Tim Sheehy, Matt Rosendale, Kevin McCarthy of, Trump, he’s, Israel, Noah Sohl, Lockheed Martin, Sohl, “, ” Sohl, ‘ I’m, I’m, ” Tester, Terry Baker, Baker, “ He’s, There’s, that's, Sid Daoud, Sen, Conrad Burns, ” Jack Abramoff, Abramoff, Burns, Democratic Sen, Maria Cantwell, he's, Big Sandy, Sharla Organizations: U.S . Senate, Veterans, Bigfork, Democrat, Republican, Montana, West Virginia Democratic, Montana , U.S . Navy, U.S . Rep, Democratic, Lockheed, . Census, Veterans ’ Affairs, Bigfork High, Senate, Republicans, Montana Libertarian, Washington Locations: Mont, U.S, Montana, Bigfork, Flathead, Washington, Pacific, Ky, Montana , U.S, Kevin McCarthy of California, Rosendale, Butte, Israel, Missoula, Vietnam, Kalispell, ” Montana, Arizona, California, Texas, Bozeman, Iraq, Big

☆ Biden signs stopgap spending bill, averting government shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Jalen Beckford | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —President Joe Biden on Thursday signed the stopgap spending bill into law, averting a shutdown for now and setting up a contentious fight over funding in the new year. The plan is not a full-year spending bill and only extends funding until January 19 for priorities including military construction, veterans’ affairs, transportation, housing and the Energy Department. Democrats have once again conceded aid for Ukraine after additional military assistance wasn’t included in the stopgap bill that passed in September. The measure passed with a vote of 336 to 95 in the House on Tuesday with more Democrats than Republicans voting in support. His predecessor, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, was ousted after putting the previous stopgap bill on the House floor at the end of September, though the move averted a shutdown.

Persons: Joe Biden, Mike Johnson, wasn’t, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy Organizations: CNN, Energy Department, Israel, Republicans Locations: Ukraine

☆ Opinion | Reason Prevailed in the House. For Just One Day.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( David Firestone | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The last speaker who prevented a shutdown, Kevin McCarthy, was booted from his position by Republican extremists for working with Democrats to pass a stopgap bill. Mr. Johnson might have tried to appease the howling kennel on the far right by throwing it a treat in exchange for support, as he did with the I.R.S. There were no policy riders or crazy demands for cuts, and as a result, all but two House Democrats voted for it. The far right never trusted Mr. McCarthy, but feels a kinship with Mr. Johnson’s fringe cultural positions. The stopgap bill is weird because it punts that fight to two dates.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Johnson, Johnson’s, that’s, McCarthy Organizations: Republican, Pentagon

☆ Senate passes stopgap bill to avert government shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Clare Foran | Ted | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The Senate on Wednesday passed a stopgap bill to keep the government open, averting a shutdown for now while setting up a contentious fight over funding in the new year. The bill was approved by the House on Tuesday and will now be sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 87 to 11. Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson will face another major leadership test as lawmakers navigate that challenge. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted after putting a stopgap bill on the House floor at the end of September.

Persons: Joe Biden, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy Organizations: Energy Department, Democrats, Republicans Locations: Israel, Ukraine

If the House passes the bill, the Senate will next need to approve the measure. Government funding is currently set to expire at the end of the week on Friday, November 17. In the first major test of his leadership, newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson is pursuing an unusual two-step plan that would set up two new shutdown deadlines in January and February. The conservative House Freedom Caucus, a group of roughly 30 hardliners, has taken an official position against Johnson’s two-part government funding plan. A number of conservatives oppose the stopgap bill because it would not implement the deep spending cuts they have demanded.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, CNN’s Kristin Wilson, Annie Grayer, Lauren Fox Organizations: Energy Department, Caucus, Republican, GOP, Freedom Caucus, Johnson’s Locations: Israel, Ukraine

☆ GOP lawmakers call for VA to slash reliance on China for medical supplies
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —A pair of Republicans leading powerful House committees are calling for the Department of Veterans Affairs to speed up efforts to decrease the agency’s reliance on China for medical supplies, CNN has learned. The Covid-19 pandemic laid bare a dangerous vulnerability in America’s medical supply chains that resulted in shortages of masks, respirators and other life-saving gear. “The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the national security and public health risks of failing to guarantee adequate medical supplies. As the biggest buyer of medical supplies among federal agencies, it has considerable influence. Congress has attempted to take steps to boost the resilience of the nation’s medical supply chain by easing dependence on goods from less friendly nations like China.

Persons: Mike Gallagher, Mike Bost, Denis McDonough, Bost, Gallagher, “, ” Terrence Hayes, Joe Biden, Health Richard Stone, ” Bost, McDonough, Democratic Sen, Tom Carper, Republican Sen, Thom Tillis, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Department of Veterans Affairs, CNN, Veterans ’, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Department of Veteran Affairs, Defense Department, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health, Human Services, Republicans, Health, World Trade Organization, Congress, Democratic, Republican Locations: New York, China, United States, America, Covid, Mexico, Malaysia

NEW YORK (AP) — A former U.S. congressman from Indiana was sentenced Tuesday to 22 months in prison for making illegal stock trades based on inside information while working as a consultant and lobbyist after he left office. Former U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer, 64, a House Republican from 1993 to 2011, was also ordered to forfeit $354,027, representing the amount of illegal gains, and to pay a $10,000 fine. Defense lawyers had requested home confinement and community service as a punishment while prosecutors urged a three-year prison sentence. The judge said Buyer lied when he testified at his trial about when he learned about mergers that he profited from. Buyer was ordered to report to prison on Nov. 28.

Persons: —, Steve Buyer, Bill Clinton’s, Navigant, Guidehouse, Richard M, Berman, “, I’ve, ” Organizations: U.S . Rep, Republican, Persian Gulf, Veterans ’ Affairs, Mobile, Sprint Locations: U.S, Indiana, Persian, Manhattan, New York City, Noblesville , Indiana

☆ Gabon coup: How France's neo-colonial empire in its former territories is disintegrating
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

A torn campaign billboard shows ousted Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba in Libreville on August 31, 2023. AFP/Getty ImagesPropping up ‘democratic dictators’Whilst the international community has condemned the coup in Gabon, it has not attracted the same vehement criticism that last month’s coup in Niger did. French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said France was watching the coup d’etat in Gabon “with the utmost attention.”It presents a challenge to France. Large crowds supporting the coup gathered Sunday near the French military base in Niamey, with demonstrators displaying signs demanding French troops withdraw. “The systems of government that former French colonies have, which were imposed by Paris are no longer fit for purpose.

Persons: Leon, Charles de Gaulle, Gaulle, Bongo, jubilation, General Brice Oligui Nguema –, Bongo’s, Nourredin Bongo Valentin, ”, Ali Bongo Ondimba, ’, Oluwole, Elisabeth Borne, Chris Ogunmodede, that’s, Paul Biya, Ogunmodede, ” Ogunmodede, …, ” Ojewale, “, Ndongo Samba Sylla, Emmanuel Macron, Macron Organizations: CNN, Military, Gabonese, Agence France, Presse, Gabon, Getty, Institute of Security Studies, autocrats, Central African, CFA, Banque de France, “, Macron Locations: Gabon, France, Gabon’s, Libreville, AFP, Niger, Gabonese, West, Central Africa, Mali, Senegal, Dakar, ”, Niamey, Paris, Congo Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Switzerland, Africa, Russia, Commonwealth, Togo, Macron France, Nigeria, “ Africa

Together, experts say, these efforts aim to enhance China’s military reach, which currently includes only one operational overseas naval base in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa. “It’s a question of when – not if – China will secure its next overseas military outpost,” he said. This photo taken on August 1, 2017, shows Chinese People's Liberation Army personnel attending the opening ceremony of China's new military base in Djibouti. The Hambantota commercial port in Sri Lanka has long been considered a prime candidate for a Chinese naval base. However, China’s path to developing permanent overseas bases, if indeed that is its aim, is not straightforward.

Persons: FDD, Craig Singleton, “, –, ”, Tea Banh, FDD’s Singleton, Tang Chhin Sothy, Singleton, Xi Jinping, Stringer, ” AidData, Stephen J, Townsend, ” Townsend, Bata, Ali Bongo Ondimba, Ken Ishii, ’, ” Singleton, China’s, Aaron Favila, Isaac Kardon, Kardon, ” Kardon, BlackSky Singleton, Rob Wittman, Fu Tian, Seth Moulton, ” Moulton, Martin Meiners Organizations: South Korea CNN, People’s Liberation Army Navy, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Ream, Base, CNN, China’s Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ream Naval Base, ” Cambodian Defense, Cambodian, Getty, Fleet, Communist Party, US, Liberation Army personnel, William & Mary University, Sri Lankan Navy, US Africa Command, Gabonese, of, Xinhua, Naval Research Academy, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, East China Seas, China, Control, Organization, Force, Strategic, International Studies, Defense Department, Chinese Communist Party, ”, Virginia Republican, The Defense Department, Qingdao Port, People's Liberation Army Navy, China News Service, America, Pentagon, US Defense Department Locations: Seoul, South Korea, China, Beijing, Washington, Cambodia, Argentina, Cuba, Djibouti, of Africa, Africa, West Asia, Gulf, Thailand, United States, Preah Sihanouk, AFP, Horn of Africa, “, South, Taiwan, Virginia, —, Sri Lanka, Bata , Equatorial Guinea, Gwadar, Pakistan, Kribi, Cameroon, Ream, Vanuatu, Nacala, Mozambique, Nouakchott, Mauritania, Colombo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, West Africa, South China, East Asia, East, Asia, Washington In Washington, Nanchang, Qingdao, Shandong province, Massachusetts

☆ Cambodia leader Hun Sen is set to win another one-sided election
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“The July 23 election is just a day for Hun Sen to impose (his choices) onto the Cambodian people,” she said. A former Khmer Rouge commander who switched sides, Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades. But in more recent years Hun Sen has turned increasingly autocratic – quashing dissent and jailing critics, forcing many to flee overseas. ‘Future prime minister’Political watchers say this Cambodian election will set the stage for Hun Sen’s transition of power to his son Hun Manet. Hun Manet walks past an honour guard during a military ceremony in Phnom Penh on June 18, 2020.

Persons: Cambodia’s, Hun Sen, –, crackdowns, Hun Sen’s, ”, Mu Sochua, “, …, Bridget Welsh, “ Hun Sen, ” Kenneth Roth, Hun Manet, Tang Chin Sothy, Welsh, ” Hun Manet, Markus Karbaum, ” Karbaum, Phil Robertson, Sam Rainsy, CHARLY TWO, Rainsy, Hun, ” Rainsy, “ I’ve Organizations: CNN, Voters, Cambodian People’s Party, “, Women, Veterans ’ Affairs, ” CNN, Human Rights, ‘, Cambodian, US Military Academy, West, New York University, University of Bristol, Getty, Cambodian People's Party, Cambodian National Rescue Party, Party, Human Rights Watch, Facebook, Reuters Locations: Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Cambodian, Cambodia, Khmer, China, Phnom Penh, AFP, ”, Sunday’s, Asia

☆ Opinion: A chilling insight into life for deported Ukrainian children
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( David A. Andelman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

She spoke with writer David A. Andelman about the remarkable mission to bring the Ukrainian children home. Here, Yana picks up the story from the moment the children and their grandmother crossed the border into Russia. The children went to a Russian school. David A. Andelman: Tell us about the school where the children went? They did not do anything to purposely hurt the Ukrainian children.

☆ Senate OKs enhanced benefits for vets exposed to burn pits
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-16 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday approved a sweeping expansion of health care and disability benefits for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in response to concerns about their exposure to toxic burn pits. The House in March approved similar legislation that would have cost more than $320 billion over 10 years. And, it would extend Agent Orange presumptions to veterans who served in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam and American Samoa. But lawmakers said that stories from constituents tell a different and more definitive tale, and they are reluctant to wait for an irrefutable link between veterans’ maladies and their exposure to toxic burn pits. The Senate version trimmed some of the costs early on by phasing in certain benefit enhancements.

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