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☆ Puerto Rico Governor Loses Primary to Former Ally
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Patricia Mazzei | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Pedro R. Pierluisi of Puerto Rico lost his bid for a second term on Sunday, suffering a rare defeat by a sitting governor on the island after a rancorous primary. Mr. Pierluisi was defeated by Jenniffer González-Colón, Puerto Rico’s nonvoting member of Congress, in the primary for the governing New Progressive Party, which supports Puerto Rican statehood, The Associated Press reported. But in challenging Mr. Pierluisi, her former ally, Ms. González-Colón cast his administration as out of touch and ineffective. Puerto Rican politics do not neatly align with partisan politics in the mainland. While Mr. Pierluisi and Ms. González-Colón both belong to the pro-statehood party, Mr. Pierluisi is a Democrat and Ms. González-Colón is a Republican.

Persons: Pedro R, Pierluisi, Jenniffer González, Colón Organizations: Puerto Rico, New Progressive Party, Associated Press, New Progressive, Republican Locations: Puerto, Puerto Rican

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, deadly Rafah strike sparks global outcry
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Helen Regan | Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Spain, Ireland and Norway are set to formally recognize a Palestinian state today — a move that will bolster the global Palestinian cause but has further strained relations between Europe and Israel. Nations that don't include staunch allies of Israel such as the United States and Germany. On May 10, a non-binding vote at the UN General Assembly showed overwhelming international support for an independent Palestinian state, leaving the US and a few of Israel’s allies isolated. Israel and the US maintain that a Palestinian state should only be established through a negotiated settlement. It comes after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to immediately halt its military operation in Rafah.

Persons: Israel Organizations: Palestinian, United Nations, European, UN, Assembly, US, International Court of Justice Locations: Spain, Ireland, Norway, Europe, Israel, United States, Germany, Palestinian, Gaza, Rafah

☆ Latest Israel, Gaza and Rafah News: 3 Countries to Formally Recognize Palestinian Statehood
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Top NewsThree European nations are formally recognizing an independent Palestinian state on Tuesday, drawing the ire of Israel as it continues to press its military offensive in Gaza. The previously announced moves by Spain, Norway and Ireland are largely symbolic, but serve as a rebuke to Israel in the face of mounting international frustration over the country’s military offensive in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories over the years. Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, on Tuesday accused Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, of complicity in incitement against Jews for his role in recognizing a Palestinian state. Image Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain announcing Spain’s recognition of a Palestinian state, in a bar in Madrid on Tuesday. The White House has flatly rejected unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, with Adrienne Watson, a National Security Council spokeswoman, saying that President Biden “believes a Palestinian state should be realized through direct negotiations between the parties.” Aaron Boxerman , Steven Erlanger and Emma Bubola contributed reporting.

Persons: Israel, Israel Katz, Spain’s, Pedro Sánchez, Sánchez, ”, Pedro Sanchez of Spain, Susana Vera, Jonas Gahr, Adrienne Watson, Biden “, ” Aaron Boxerman, Steven Erlanger, Emma Bubola Organizations: ., Reuters, Palestinian, Israel, National Security Council Locations: Gaza, Spain, Norway, Ireland, Israel, Rafah, Palestinian, Madrid, Palestine, United States, Europe

☆ Three European Countries Formally Recognize Palestinian Statehood
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Three European nations formally recognized an independent Palestinian state on Tuesday, drawing the ire of Israel as it continued to press its military offensive in Gaza. The previously announced moves by Spain, Norway and Ireland are largely symbolic, but serve as a rebuke to Israel in the face of mounting international frustration over the country’s military offensive in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories over the years. Growing concern over the civilian death toll could prompt more nations to follow suit, analysts say. Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, on Tuesday accused Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, of complicity in incitement against Jews for his role in recognizing a Palestinian state. “Furthermore, our decision reflects our absolute rejection of Hamas, a terrorist organization that is against a two-state solution.”

Persons: Israel, Israel Katz, Spain’s, Pedro Sánchez, Sánchez, ” Locations: Gaza, Spain, Norway, Ireland, Israel, Rafah, Palestinian, Palestine, Madrid

☆ Spain, Ireland and Norway have recognized Palestinian statehood. Where does Europe stand on the issue?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognized Palestinian statehood on Tuesday, cementing a joint move that further isolates Israel over its war against Hamas in Gaza. The move also highlights just how split Europe is on whether to recognize Palestinian statehood. Spain, Ireland and NorwayThe move by these three countries to recognize Palestinian statehood in tandem sent an impactful message to Israel, and other Western states. Western EuropeIn 2014, Sweden became the first major Western European nation to recognize Palestinian statehood. “The path of symbolic recognition of statehood is not the way forward.”Eastern EuropeOfficially, a number of countries that previously fell under the Soviet sphere of influence in eastern Europe recognize Palestinian statehood.

Persons: Simon Harris, “, Harris, Ireland “, ”, Netanyahu, Israel, ” Harris, Espen Barth Eide, Pedro Sánchez, Israel Katz, ” “, ” Katz, Margot Wallstrom, Olaf Scholz, ” Scholz, Robert Golob, Golob, Palestine ” Organizations: CNN —, Palestinian, Gaza . Irish, United, Ireland, CNN, Palestine, Swedish, UN, Assembly, Reuters, Europe Officially, Soviet Locations: CNN — Spain, Ireland, Norway, Israel, Gaza ., Europe, United Nations, Eastern, Spain, Palestine, Gaza, Norwegian, Madrid, Palestinian, Iran, Sweden, France, Belgium, Poland, Greece, Denmark, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, States, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ramallah, Argentina, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, United States

☆ Israel faces unprecedented challenges as legal and diplomatic pressure mounts
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Abbas Al Lawati | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Never before has the Jewish state come under such intense and sustained international pressure from multiple fronts for its policies towards the Palestinians. But the most significant of those may be the legal and diplomatic action taken against Israel this month. They have accused critics of antisemitism and vowed not to relent in the face of international pressure. Israel and the US maintain that a Palestinian state should only be established through a negotiated settlement. This week, Ireland, Spain and Norway announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state, saying they hope the move would prod other European nations to follow suit.

Persons: CNN — It’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Sudan’s Omar Al Bashir, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Libya’s, Israel’s, ” Netanyahu, Yolanda Díaz, Israel, Netanyahu, Bill Burns, Gallant, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Karim Khan, Putin, ”, Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, Antony Blinken, we’re, Lindsey Graham Organizations: CNN, Criminal Court, International Court of Justice, Hamas, United Nations, UN, Assembly, US, CIA, AFP, Getty, ICJ, ICC, Global Locations: Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Palestinian, Ireland, Spain, Norway, Palestine, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Germany, Nicaragua, United Kingdom, France

☆ Can European Recognition Bring Palestinian Statehood Any Closer?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Roger Cohen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The decision by Spain, Norway and Ireland to recognize an independent Palestinian state reflects growing exasperation with the Israel of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even from traditional friends, and suggests that international pressure on him will grow. It does not, however, make it inevitable that other larger European states will follow suit. This year President Emmanuel Macron of France has said such recognition is “not a taboo,” a position reiterated by the French Foreign Ministry on Wednesday. “This decision must be useful, that is to say allow a decisive step forward on the political level,” Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné said in a statement about potential recognition. “France does not consider that the conditions have been met to date for this decision to have a real impact on this process.”

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Emmanuel Macron, David Cameron, Stéphane Séjourné, “ Organizations: French Foreign Ministry Locations: Spain, Norway, Ireland, Israel, France, Palestinian, Europe, United States, “ France

☆ Three European Nations Recognized a Palestinian State
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Matthew Cullen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Leaders of Spain, Norway and Ireland said today that their governments would recognize an independent Palestinian state, despite vehement Israeli and American opposition. Well over 100 other countries have recognized a Palestinian state, but in Europe, Israel had enjoyed broad support. That dynamic has begun to shift as the war in Gaza has dragged on. The U.S. supports the eventual creation of a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, but a White House spokeswoman said today that statehood should be achieved through negotiations, not declarations. Israeli officials denounced the recognition as “a gold medal to Hamas terrorists,” and said they would withhold much-needed tax revenues from the Palestinian Authority.

Persons: Israel Organizations: Palestinian Authority Locations: Spain, Norway, Ireland, Israel, Palestinian, Europe, Gaza, U.S

CNN —Spain, Norway and Ireland have announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state, in a move that is likely to bolster the global Palestinian cause but strain relations with Israel. Palestinian statehood has been recognized by more than 130 out of 193 member states of the United Nations, according to the Palestine Liberation Organization. “Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision,” Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris told a news conference in Dublin on Wednesday. The landmark decision by three key European players sparked swift condemnation from Israel, with a senior lawmaker ordering the immediate recall of Israeli ambassadors to Ireland and Norway.

Persons: Simon Harris, Micheál Martin, Jonas Gahr Støre, ” “, ” Støre, Pedro Sánchez, “, ”, “ It’s, It’s, Israel Katz, Katz Organizations: CNN —, United Nations, Palestine Liberation Organization, “, Norway’s, Spain’s, Terrorism Locations: CNN — Spain, Norway, Ireland, Palestinian, Israel, Spain, Palestine, Dublin, Gaza, Iran

☆ Middle East Crisis Spain, Norway and Ireland Recognize a Palestinian State, Adding to Israel’s Isolation Over War
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Emma Bubola | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Spain, Norway and Ireland said on Wednesday that they would recognize an independent Palestinian state, a rebuke to Israel over its war in Gaza and its decades of occupation of Palestinian territories. More than 140 countries and the Holy See have recognized a Palestinian state, but most Western European countries and the United States have not. Israel strongly opposes international attempts to recognize a Palestinian state and maintains that Israel needs to negotiate directly with Palestinian leaders on a permanent solution. Mr. Netanyahu has said that establishing a Palestinian state would be an “existential danger” to Israel. Countries that are moving toward recognizing Palestinian statehood argue that doing so would preserve the possibility of a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians.

Persons: ” Jonas Gahr, Spain’s, Pedro Sánchez, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Mr, Sanchez, Simon Harris of, Netanyahu, Israel, ”, Israel Katz, ” Ziad Abu Amr, Aaron Boxerman, Henrik Pryser Libell, Adam Rasgon, Victoria Kim Organizations: Palestinian, West Bank Locations: Spain, Norway, Ireland, Israel, Gaza, Oslo, Palestine, Palestinian, United States

☆ Spain, Norway and Ireland’s recognition of a Palestinian state is likely to have little impact on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Europe has struggled over the Middle East for a very long time. The decision by Ireland, Spain and Norway to recognize a Palestinian state tells us more about the domestic politics of those countries than anything else. In Ireland, Spain and Norway, support for a Palestinian state chimes with the broader electorate and is unlikely to receive any political blowback. European countries simply do not have a huge amount of influence in this area. That isn’t to say Europeans didn’t care about the Middle East, specifically the Palestinian cause.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Israel – Organizations: CNN, Israel, European Union, European Commission, European, EU Locations: Europe, Ireland, Spain, Norway, Israel, Palestinian, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Palestine, Oslo, European Union

☆ What Does It Mean to Recognize a Palestinian State?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Matthew Mpoke Bigg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The decision by three European countries — Ireland, Norway and Spain — to recognize a Palestinian state fits into a long-term goal of Palestinian leaders to secure diplomatic acceptance, but it appears that the immediate practical impact will be limited. Broadly speaking, recognizing a state means declaring that it meets the conditions of statehood under international law. But the European countries appeared to be mostly concerned with expressing support for Palestinians and sending a message to Israel at a time of deepening international concern about its conduct of the war. He gave no date for this change but said it would enable Norway to enter into bilateral agreements. Recognition would also have some “domestic legal effects in Norway in areas where issues related to the state of Palestine arise,” he said.

Persons: Spain —, Espen Barth Eide, ” Organizations: Palestinian Authority, West Bank Locations: Ireland, Norway, Spain, Israel, Palestine

☆ Norway, Ireland and Spain to recognize Palestinian statehood
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Norway, Ireland and Spain will recognize an independent Palestinian state, the three countries' prime ministers said Wednesday, in the hope of bringing about a peaceful resolution to a conflict that has raged for more than 75 years. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on social media that his country will approve the recognition of a Palestinian state in the Council of Ministers on May 28, according to a CNBC translation. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris also confirmed the news in a press conference: "Today, Ireland, Norway, and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision." "I'm confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks," he said.

Persons: Jonas Gahr Stoere, Pedro Sanchez, Simon Harris, Harris Organizations: Reuters, Spain's, Ministers, CNBC, Irish Locations: Norway, Ireland, Spain, Palestinian, Palestine

☆ The War Is Shifting Europe’s Politics Away From Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Matina Stevis-Gridneff | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In Europe, long a vital source of support for Israel, the political center of gravity is moving away from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. And most European governments offered unequivocal support to the International Criminal Court this week, after it requested arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister and defense minister, along with leaders of Hamas. Israel still has staunch allies within the European Union, especially Hungary and the Czech Republic, and key players like Germany, despite growing discomfort with Israel’s conduct, have not shown any inclination to alter their stance. The growing fissures within Europe mean that the consensus-driven European Union will not change its positions any time soon. But European countries face rising international and domestic pressure to take a firmer stand against Israel’s handling of the Palestinian territories, and particularly the devastating war in Gaza.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s Organizations: Israel, Palestinian, International, European Union Locations: Europe, Spain, Ireland, Norway, Israel, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, Gaza

☆ Israel Responds to Move to Recognize Palestinian State by Withholding Funds
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Aaron Boxerman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israel will not transfer much-needed funds to the Palestinian Authority in the wake of the decision by three European countries to recognize a Palestinian state, the country’s finance minister said on Wednesday, as its foreign minister denounced the European moves as giving “a gold medal to Hamas terrorists.”The decision by the finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right leader who opposes Palestinian sovereignty, threatened to push the Palestinian government into a deeper fiscal crisis. He said in a statement that he had informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would no longer send tax revenues to the authority, which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank in close cooperation with Israel. Mr. Smotrich’s office signaled that the decision was at least partly a response to Spain, Norway and Ireland recognizing Palestinian statehood, and that the Palestinian leadership bore responsibility for campaigning for the move. “They are acting against Israel legally, diplomatically and for unilateral recognition,” said Eytan Fuld, a spokesman for Mr. Smotrich, referring to the authority. “When they act against the state of Israel, there must be a response.”

Persons: Bezalel Smotrich, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ”, Eytan Fuld Organizations: Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Palestinian Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Spain, Norway, Ireland

☆ Russia claims to have captured five border villages in Kharkiv amid fresh offensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( Radina Gigova | Josh Pennington | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, said it continued efforts to repel the stepped-up Russian attacks while hundreds of Ukrainian civilians have been evacuated from the northern Kharkiv region. Ukraine’s Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, disputed that the five villages in the Kharkiv Region had been captured in a statement on Saturday. The grey zone represents territory currently contested rather than under full Russian or Ukrainian control. At least three people died as a result of Russian strikes on Kharkiv region overnight, according to the head of the region’s military administration. Its forces attacked Kharkiv region after the full-scale invasion began in 2022 but were forced out in a Ukrainian counteroffensive later that year.

Persons: CNN —, Volodymyr Zelensky, Oleh, ” Syniehubov, “, Andrey Bocharov, ” Organizations: CNN, Russia’s Ministry of Defense, “, Sever Group of Forces, Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, The Defense Forces Locations: Kharkiv, Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, Keramik, Donetsk, Ukrainian, Kharkiv Region, Strilecha, Oliynykove, Volgograd

☆ U.N. General Assembly Adopts Resolution Supporting Palestinian Statehood
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Raja Abdulrahim | Bilal Shbair | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

The United States voted no. The 193-member General Assembly took on the issue of Palestinian membership after the United States in April vetoed a resolution before the Security Council to recognize full membership for a Palestinian state. The majority of Council members supported the move, but the United States said recognition of Palestinian statehood should be achieved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestinians are currently recognized by the United Nations as a nonmember observer state, a status granted in 2012 by the General Assembly. They do not have the right to vote on General Assembly resolutions or nominate any candidates to U.N. agencies.

Persons: ”, Richard Gowan, Riyad Mansour, Gilad Erdan, Nate Evans, Gilad, Israel’s, Yahya Sinwar, Mr, Mansour Organizations: United Nations General Assembly, United Nations, United, United Arab Emirates, . Arab, Security, Washington, Security Council, International Crisis, Palestinian, ”, U.S, General Locations: Israel, United States, Palestinian, France, Gaza, U.S, South Sudan, Taiwan, Kosovo, Palestine, United

United Nations CNN —A United Nations resolution in support of Palestinian membership passed with overwhelming support on Friday, and granted new privileges to the Palestinian Authority in its current capacity as a non-member observer state. Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour at the UN in New York City on May 10, 2024. Eduardo Munoz/ReutersIn remarks before the vote, Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour spoke passionately about the plight of Palestinians in wartorn Gaza. Only member states can vote, but the Palestinian Authority can now be seated among member states in alphabetical order; submit and introduce proposals and amendments; and co-sponsor proposals and amendments. In September 2011, the Palestinian Authority failed to win UN recognition as an independent member state.

Persons: “, ”, United Nations Riyad Mansour, Eduardo Munoz, Riyad Mansour, ” Mansour, Israel Katz, Mansour, United Nations Robert Wood, Wood, United Nations Gilad Erdan, Charly Triballeau, Gilad Erdan, ” Erdan, Farhan Haq, ” Haq Organizations: United Nations CNN, Nations, Palestinian Authority, United Arab, United Nations, Palestinian, UN, Reuters, Columbia University, Authority, Security, US, Assembly, Getty Locations: Hungary, Argentina, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Israel, United States, United Arab Emirates, The State, Palestine, United, New York City, Gaza, Rafah, AFP, New York

☆ China is untangling its economy from the West. It could be preparing for long-term tensions — and an invasion of Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

What's more, Xi Jinping has told the Chinese military to prepare for war and said that reunification with Taiwan is inevitable. But not everyone thinks a Chinese military move is necessarily imminent. If China was actively preparing for a near-term invasion of Taiwan, Kennedy said there are a few things he might expect to see first. AdvertisementIf China does invade, the global economic impact would be huge, and despite its efforts to secure its economy, China would likely be far from unscathed. "Any action against Taiwan would be disastrous for China's economy," Chilukuri said.

Persons: —, Vivek Chilukuri, Scott Kennedy, It's, Chilukuri, Xi Jinping, China's, Jinping, Kennedy, he'd Organizations: Service, Business, West, Center, New, New American Security, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: China, Southeast Asia, Europe, US, Taiwan, New American, United States, Russia, Ukraine, Hong Kong

☆ Ukraine lawmakers just passed a bill that'll allow the country to mimic Russia's tactic of drafting convicts to fight in the war
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The bill, if enacted, imitates the Russian approach of using prisoners to fuel its war efforts. AdvertisementLawmakers in Ukraine passed a bill on Wednesday that would allow the country's military to recruit prisoners to fight on the battlefield. The bill, which has yet to be signed into law by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will allow Ukraine to mimic the Russian tactic of drafting convicts for their war effort. Related storiesBut while Russia hasn't imposed many restrictions on which prisoners they conscript, the Ukrainian bill is a lot more particular on who gets selected. The passing of the bill comes at a precarious time for Ukraine, which has to reckon with what US officials are calling a reinvigorated Russian army.

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vsevolod Vukolov, Russia hasn't, Shulyak, Christopher Cavoli, didn't Organizations: Service, Lawmakers, Russian, Kommersant, Washington Post, Pravda, US, Armed, BI Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Russian

☆ Prisoners in Ukraine to be granted parole for military service
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Radina Gigova | Olga Voitovych | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Some Ukrainian prisoners will be able to apply for early parole and join the army under a new law aimed at boosting Kyiv’s manpower in its fight against the Russian invasion. The new law requires that convicts join the military of their own free will. Those who leave the military before their contract is up face additional prison terms of between five and 10 years. Shuliak said those released on parole to serve would have the status of “military personnel,” and therefore be subject to the same restrictions governing their behaviour. Contracts can be terminated in some circumstances, such as ill health or if the former prisoner commits a new crime.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Kostiantyn, ”, Olena Shuliak, Shuliak Organizations: CNN, Russian, Verkhovna Rada, Organization of State Power, Self, Government, Regional, Urban, National Guard Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Opinion | Israel and Saudi Arabia Are Trading Places
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Thomas L. Friedman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

But the other part of the deal, which is seen as critical to winning support in Congress, is for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel. There are a lot of “ifs” and “provided thats” in this equation that seem most unlikely today. As a result, the U.S. and the Saudis are considering finalizing the deal and taking it to Congress with the stated proviso that Saudi Arabia will normalize relations with Israel the minute Israel has a government ready to meet the Saudi-U.S. terms. Hopefully, though, if there can be a permanent end of fighting and a return of all Israelis taken hostage, Israel will hold new elections. And then — maybe, just maybe — the choice on the table for Israelis will not be Bibi or no Bibi, but Bibi or a credible pathway to peace with Saudi Arabia and the Palestinians.

Persons: Biden, Israel, “, Netanyahu, Bibi Organizations: U.S, West Bank, Palestinian, Saudi, New York, Facebook Locations: U.S, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, Gaza

☆ Arizona Senate to vote on repeal of 1864 near-total abortion ban
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Arit John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Arizona Senate on Wednesday will vote on legislation to repeal the state’s 160-year-old near-total abortion ban, three weeks after the state Supreme Court revived the law and thrust reproductive rights into the political spotlight. Katie Hobbs signs it, as expected, it would clear the way for the state’s 15-week limit to remain state law. On April 9, the state Supreme Court ruled that the ban should be the state law. Abortion rights advocates are also gathering signatures for a ballot initiative to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution. Several Arizona House members, including House Speaker Ben Toma, spoke out against the repeal last week.

Persons: Republican Sens, Shawnna, Shope, Katie Hobbs, Roe, Doug Ducey, Donald Trump, Kari Lake, Kris Mayes, Mayes, Court’s Roe, Wade, “, ”, Barrett Marson, Ben Toma, Rachel Jones, ” CNN’s Natasha Chen, Jason Kravarik Organizations: CNN, The Arizona Senate, Republican, Senate, Democratic, adjourns, Arizona Supreme, Republicans, ”, Democrats, Arizona House Locations: Wade, Arizona

☆ Democrats could go even further than before if they sweep the White House, Senate, and House again
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But there's a not-insignificant chance that not only does Trump lose again, but that Democrats find themselves once again in control of the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives at the beginning of 2025. Democrats are broadly seen as favored to retake the House, with nearly 20 House Republican incumbents fighting to hold on in districts won by Biden in 2020. Jon Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio will have to win in order for Democrats to maintain the Senate majority. Biden supports it, and House Democrats have already voted for it twice, once in 2021 and again in 2022. AdvertisementManchin and Sinema, two key obstacles to Biden's party-line agenda, won't be in the Senate next year.

Persons: Biden's, —, Donald Trump, It's, Sens, Kyrsten Sinema, Joe Manchin, Joe Biden's, Biden, Trump, Kamala Harris, Jon Tester, Sherrod Brown, Chip Somodevilla, Roe, Wade, Sinema, Manchin, Jabin, Progressive Caucus's, that's Organizations: Service, Trump, White, Senate, Democratic, Biden, Republican, Montana, Getty, House Democrats, Washington, Democrats, Progressive Locations: California, New York, Arizona, Ohio, Montana, Arizona , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington

CNN —The Arizona House of Representatives voted Wednesday to overturn the state’s 160-year-old abortion ban, setting the stage for a repeal that would leave the state’s 15-week restriction on the procedure in place. The vote comes after two failed attempts by state House lawmakers to bring the bill to the floor last week. If it succeeds, Arizona’s 15-week restriction on abortions will continue to be state law. That legislation stated explicitly that it did not overrule the 1864 law. Arizona state Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, left, hugs Arizona state Sen. Anna Hernandez after the state House voted to repeal the 1864 abortion law at the state Capitol in Phoenix on April 24, 2024.

Persons: Katie Hobbs, Roe, Wade, Doug Ducey, Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, Sen, Anna Hernandez, Rebecca Noble Organizations: CNN, Arizona, Arizona GOP, Democratic, Republican Gov, Reuters, Abortion, Arizona House, Republican Locations: Arizona, Phoenix

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