DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Donald Trump paid more than $2.3 million in donor money to law firms helping Ivanka Trump with her legal problems last year
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

In 2023, Save America disbursed a total of $1,303,667.11 to the law firm Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders, and $1,042,479 to the firm Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel, & Frederick. AdvertisementBoth firms represented Ivanka Trump in New York Attorney General Letitia James's sprawling lawsuit against the Trump Organization, Donald Trump, his three eldest children, and several executives over its finances. Clifford S. Robert and Michael Farina of Robert & Robert served as their local counsel while also defending Eric Trump and Donald Trump, Jr. in the litigation. Kellogg and Figel withdrew from representing Ivanka Trump the following month as the case moved closer to trial. Ivanka Trump didn't respond to a request for comment.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, Robert, — Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, Donald Trump , Jr, Trump, He's, Robert Maguire, Maguire, Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders, Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel, Frederick, Ivanka, Letitia James's, Michael K, Kellogg Hansen, Reid M, Clifford S, Michael Farina, Farina, Lev Radin, Troutman Pepper, Bennett S, Moskowitz, Jeffrey Epstein's, Ketan D, Bhirud, Trump's, Arthur Engoron, Jane Rosenberg, wasn't, Moskowitz —, general's, Michael Cohen, Jared Kushner, Amalija Knavs, Robert didn't, It's, Kushner Organizations: Service, Save America PAC, Commission, Business, PAC, Trump Organization, Save, Trump, Citizens, Election Defense Fund, Ivanka Trump, New York, Pacific Press, Getty, Ivanka Trump's, New, Trump's Save America PAC, Court, REUTERS, America, MAGA PAC, Republican Locations: Washington, New, New York, DC, Manhattan, New York City, U.S, Florida, Palm Beach , Florida

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Killer Mike says an “over-zealous” security guard contributed to the physical altercation that led to his arrest after the rapper and activist won three awards at the Grammys. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesIn his statement, Mike thanked the Grammys for recognizing his work. He won best rap album for “Michael.”Before Sunday, Mike’s last Grammy came in 2003 when he won for “The Whole World” for best rap performance by a duo or group. Atlanta, it’s a sweep!”As a member of Run the Jewels, Mike, along with producer El-P, pumped out four critically acclaimed albums. The Grammy-winner hosted Netflix’s “Trigger Warning with Killer Mike,” a 2019 documentary series about issues that affect the Black community.

Persons: Mike, ” Mike, “, ”, Michael, —, ” Mike’s, Andre, Eryn Allen Kane, “ Michael, Mike’s, El, Sen, Bernie Sanders ’, Netflix’s Organizations: ANGELES, Crypto.com, Police, “ Scientists & Engineers Locations: Los Angeles, Atlanta, it’s

☆ Medicare now negotiating price of drug that costs $7,100 in US vs. $900 in Canada
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The annual list price of Bristol Myers Squibb’s Eliquis, a blood thinner that reduces the risk of stroke, is $7,100 in the US. Johnson & Johnson’s arthritis drug Stelara carries an annual list price of $79,000 in the US. Johnson & Johnson declined to comment on Sanders’ report. Medicare launches drug price negotiationsOther nations typically pay far less for medications, in large part because their governments often determine the cost. Those who have yet to meet their deductible and the uninsured may have to pay the full list price.

Persons: CNN — Sen, Bernie Sanders, Bristol Myers, it’s, Johnson, Sanders, drugmakers, Biden, Donald Trump, Sanders ’, Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck Organizations: CNN, Bristol, Health, Education, Labor, Pensions, Johnson, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Medicare, Bristol Myers Locations: Japan, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Vermont

Fewer than 24 hours after a long-awaited, bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package was unveiled in the Senate, opposition is rapidly mounting in the chamber – making it increasingly possible the bill will not survive a key vote expected this week. The grim odds facing the bill in the Senate come as former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson have continued to attack the deal, ratcheting up pressure on Senate Republicans to oppose it or risk facing a conservative backlash. So far, 18 Republican senators have publicly criticized the bill, including Montana Sen. Steve Daines, a member of Senate GOP leadership. For all of these reasons I will vote no when the bill is brought to the Senate floor this week,” he said. It’s unclear, however, whether a foreign aid package would be able to pass on its own as many Senate Republicans have demanded tighter border security in exchange for aid to those allies.

Persons: Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Johnson, hasn’t, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy of, Sen, Kyrsten, James Lankford of, Montana Sen, Steve Daines, Texas Sen, John Cornyn, ”, New Jersey Sen, Bob Menendez, California Sen, Alex Padilla, Menendez, ” Padilla, Bernie Sanders, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Lankford, CNN’s Kristin Wilson Organizations: Republicans, Israel, West Bank, Democratic, GOP, Republican, National Republican Senatorial, House Republicans, California, Trump, ICE, Border Patrol Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Gaza, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Arizona, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Montana, Texas, New Jersey, America, Vermont, United States, Israel

☆ Biden’s balancing act with Iran aims for deterrence, not a wider war
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“I think it is a real strong deterrence,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat and Iraq War veteran. It was only about an hour after Biden departed Dover Air Force Base in Delaware that the first US strikes began in Iraq and Syria. Inside the Situation Room, Biden and his team assessed a set of options that each came with a certain degree of risk. And there are clear indications that Iran isn’t looking for a war with the United States — just as Washington insists it isn’t seeking a broader conflict. “There’s been no communications with Iran since the attack that killed our three soldiers in Jordan,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Friday night.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Biden, won’t, “, ”, Sen, Tammy Duckworth, ” Biden, Mark Esper, Donald Trump’s, ” Esper, he’d, William Jerome Rivers, Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, United States —, —, haven’t, Biden’s, “ There’s, John Kirby, Beth Sanner, Qasem, ” Sanner Organizations: CNN, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, Illinois Democrat, Iraq, Biden, Dover Air Force Base, US Army Reserve Command, Spc, Breonna, United, White, ” National Security Locations: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Red, Illinois, Jordan, Delaware, United States, Gaza, South Carolina, Tehran, Yemen, Washington, Iranian

The US said the attack lasted 30 minutes, hitting 85 targets across seven locations in Iraq and Syria. In 2016, the Iraqi parliament passed a bill recognizing the PMU as a government entity operating alongside the Iraqi military. A screengrab from a video, geolocated by CNN to the town of Qaim, Iraq, shows the aftermath of US military strikes in the area, according to the Iraqi Military. Iraq and Syria condemned the US attack as infringements on their sovereignty that risk fueling regional conflict. “The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world,” Biden said in a statement Friday, following the strikes on Iraq and Syria.

Persons: Joe Biden, –, Biden, Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Sanders, Matt Rourke, Qaim, Turki Al, John Kirby, Washington, ”, SANA, Kirby, Douglas Sims, “, Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, Jack Reed, Lloyd Austin, ” Biden, Charles Lister, ” Lister, Ebrahim Raisi Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Army, US Army, Dover Air Force Base, House, Hezbollah, Al, US National Security, Syrian, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iraq’s Armed Forces, United Nations Charter, Republican, Senate Armed, US, Coalition Forces, Austin, Middle East Institute, Iraq Locations: United States, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Iran, Gaza, Israel, Delaware, Iraqi, Al, ” Syria’s, Deir Ezzor, Gen, Qaim, ” Syria, Washington ,, Tehran

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden won the South Carolina primary on Saturday, the contest that revitalized his 2020 campaign and now has given him his first official victory in his bid for a second term. The Associated Press declared Biden the winner at 7:23 p.m. based on an analysis of initial vote results showing him with a decisive lead in key locations throughout the state. His only challengers on the ballot, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and self-help author Marianne Williamson, trailed far behind. South Carolina was Biden’s first victory that year, after placing fourth in Iowa, fifth in New Hampshire and a distant second in Nevada. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesBlack voters play a key role in Democratic primaries in the state.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson, Sen, Bernie Sanders of, Pete Buttigieg, Tom Steyer, Biden’s Organizations: WASHINGTON, South Carolina, Associated Press, U.S . Rep, Dean Phillips of Minnesota, Democratic Locations: U.S, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Bend, Indiana, South Carolina, Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South

The Bidens will attend a “dignified transfer” as the remains of the troops killed in the overnight assault Sunday return to U.S. soil. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will join the Bidens for the transfer in Dover, where such events take place when U.S. servicemembers are killed in action. Friday will be the second dignified transfer Biden attends as president. In August 2021, he took part in the ritual for the 13 servicemembers killed during the suicide bombing in Kabul. As vice president, Biden in 2016 attended a dignified transfer for two U.S. soldiers killed in a suicide blast at Bagram Airfield.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, servicemembers, Lloyd Austin, William Jerome Rivers, Kennedy Sanders, Waycross, Breonna Moffett, Moffett, ” Biden, Biden, Rivers, Sanders, Jerome, Tara Copp Organizations: Dover Air Force Base, U.S, Defense, Sunday, Navy, Capitol, Army, Army Reserves, Army Reserve, Defense Department, Pentagon, Hezbollah, White, Press Locations: WILMINGTON, Del, Jordan, U.S, Dover, Georgia, William Jerome Rivers of Carrollton, Sgt, Savannah, Sanders, Iran, Israel, Yemen, Moffett, Rivers, Fort Moore, New Jersey, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kabul, airport’s, Syria

Attacks The map shows five of the seven sites that the U.S. hit with military strikes in Syria and Iraq. The strikes hit more than 85 targets at different locations using more than 125 precision-guided munitions, according to a statement by U.S. Central Command. Two American officials said the United States also conducted cyberoperations against Iranian targets on Friday but declined to provide details. It is clear from statements from the White House, and from Tehran, that neither the United States nor Iran wants a wider war. Striking sites in the Mideast with aircraft launched from the United States and refueled midair is a muscular show of global reach and capability, the official said.

Persons: Biden, Biden’s, Mr, “, ”, John F, Kirby, Douglas, Sims, Yahya Rasool, That’s, Iran’s, Jordan, Roger Wicker of, William Jerome Rivers, Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, Moffett, Sanders, Sergeant Rivers Organizations: Iranian, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, U.S . Central Command, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, ”, Jordan . Middle, Revolutionary Guards, National Security Council, White House, Central Command, White, Pentagon, Dyess Air Force Base, U.S, military’s Joint Staff, Air Force, Iraq’s Armed Forces, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, Revolutionary Guards Corps, Administration, Capitol, Biden, Republican, Armed Services Committee, Dover Air Force Base, Army Reserve Locations: United States, Syria, Iraq, East, Jordan, Iran, U.S, Jordan ., Tehran, Texas, Yemen, Israel, Gen, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Delaware

He fought hard in state after state, even as the front-runner amassed a delegate advantage that would be virtually impossible to overcome. Haley decided to skip Nevada’s presidential caucuses next Thursday in favor of a state primary election two days earlier that does not award delegates. Trump could embarrass Haley in her home state of South Carolina later in the month, where the former president has a loyal following. In New Hampshire's recent primary, for example, Trump won a decisive victory against Haley backed by his popularity among traditional Republican voters. The Haley campaign has already rolled out leadership teams and “Women for Nikki” chapters in all 15 Super Tuesday states.

Persons: Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, Nikki Haley, she's, Donald Trump, Haley, Joe Biden, David Urban, Biden, ” Urban, she’s, ”, Sanders, Trump, “, “ Nikki Haley, “ birdbrain, HALEY, Nachama Soloveichik, She's, Soloveichik, Eric Levine, Betsy Ankney, Susie Wiles, Ken Griffin, Paul Singer, ” She's, “ He’s, He’s, Ronna McDaniel, Hopper, Trumper, ” Hopper, isn't, Nikki ”, Koch, Emily Seidel, Michael Palmer, Seidel, Palmer, Haley's, Republican pollster Neil Newhouse, ” ___ Organizations: COLUMBIA, Democratic, GOP, Republican, Trump, Washington Post, Monmouth University, Biden, New York, South, AP VoteCast, Capitol, Haley, Prosperity, AFP, ” ___ Peoples Locations: Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, South Carolina, New, York, Florida, South Carolina’s, Michigan, South Carolina , Michigan, Tennessee , North Carolina , Arkansas, Virginia, California, New York

☆ Analysis: What to make of the US retaliation strikes against pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —It was meant to sound devastating, and likely felt so to the pro-Iranian militias on the receiving end. The Biden administration faced a near-impossible task: Hit hard enough to show you mean it, but also ensure your opponent can absorb the blow without lashing out in return. Mistakes, or unanticipated successes, can lead to spirals, and that can lead to unavoidable, wider conflict. The Biden administration has elections looming, in which it does not need another costly foreign adventure, trouble over its Israel policy, or rising oil prices. There will likely follow criticism of the Biden administration for not using the same blunt and forceful approach of Trump in 2020.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Biden, Donald Trump, Qasem Soleimani, prima, Joe Biden, Defense Lloyd J, Austin III, William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders, Breonna Moffett, Joshua Roberts, Soleimani Organizations: CNN, US Central Command, US, Defense, Force, Hamas, Dover Air Force Base, UN, International Atomic Energy Agency, Trump Locations: Iraq, Syria, Israel, Gaza, Iran, United States, Moscow, Dover , Delaware, Tehran, Washington

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal lawsuit filed Friday says that a woman who died last February shouldn't have been discharged from a Tennessee hospital, forced to leave despite her pleas for more help and unassisted by security guards and police during a medical emergency. Security officers at the hospital called police Feb. 5, 2023, saying that Edwards had been evaluated and discharged, but she was refusing to leave. The lawsuit filed in Knoxville names three officers who were later disciplined by the city's police department, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. But she is rebuffed by officers and hospital security guards who become frustrated with her inability to step up into the van and tell her she is faking her incapacity. “This was an emergency medical condition that began and worsened on hospital property and that was unequivocally preventable and treatable,” the lawsuit states.

Persons: Lisa Edwards, Edwards, she’s, ” Edwards Organizations: —, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville News Sentinel, Covenant Health, Fort Sanders Regional Medical, Labor, Rehabilitation Locations: KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Tennessee, Knoxville, Knox, U.S

☆ A shorter workweek is gaining ground as another major pilot program prepares to kick off
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The four-day workweek has been successful elsewhereThe Dominican Republic will be the first Caribbean country to test a shorter workweek, according to the country's Ministry of Labor. Other lawmakers, like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, have also voiced support for a shorter workweek. AdvertisementMost four-day workweek programs are voluntary for companies, and many countries have no legislation that requires a shorter workweek. With continued positive data, it's possible that the US and other countries could see the shorter workweek implemented into law. Have you been a part of a four-day workweek pilot program or do you work at a company adopting the schedule?

Persons: —, What's, Mark Takano, Vermont Sen, Bernie Sanders Organizations: Employees, Service, International Labor Organization, country's Ministry of Labor, Economic, Revenue, Democratic, Education, Workforce, Labor Locations: Dominican Republic, Latin America, Claro, Caribbean, Australia, United Kingdom, Zealand, Chile, Colombia, Mexico's, Vermont

☆ Austin Says Iran Trains and Funds Militias Targeting U.S. Troops
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Helene Cooper | More About Helene Cooper | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III stopped short on Thursday of blaming Iran for attacks that killed three U.S. service members on Sunday in Jordan but said that Tehran trained and funded the militia groups that have targeted American troops and commercial shipping in the Middle East. Mr. Austin, in a rare show of bravado, continued the Biden administration’s promises of retribution. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Ga.; Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Ga.; and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Ga. The Pentagon says that 40 American troops were injured. Biden administration officials say that the drone strike crossed a red line and that there is no way the president will not respond.

Persons: Lloyd J, Austin III, Austin, Biden, “, William Jerome Rivers, Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Breonna Alexsondria Moffett Organizations: ”, Pentagon Locations: Iran, Jordan, Tehran, United States, Carrollton , Ga, Waycross, Savannah, Ga

☆ Trump meets with Teamsters as he looks to peel off union voters from Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Gregory Krieg | Kristen Holmes | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Story highlights Trump is looking to attract union members, who have traditionally voted Democratic. CNN —Former President Donald Trump Wednesday met with Teamsters union leaders and members in Washington as his campaign tries to drive a wedge between President Joe Biden and one of his most loyal constituencies: organized labor. The Teamsters have twice endorsed against Trump, backing Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Biden four years later. “We’re not ceding any territory, any group, any demographic to Joe Biden,” one senior Trump adviser said of the campaign’s outreach to working class voters. The group said Biden had been invited to its headquarters on the same day as Trump.

Persons: Trump, Biden, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Sean O’Brien, ”, John Palmer, “, ” Trump, Nikki Haley’s, ” Haley, Olivia Perez, Cubas, –, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Cornel West, Asa Hutchinson, Marianne Williamson, Dean Phillips, ” O’Brien, Shawn Fain, Sean O'Brien, Sara Nelson, Elizabeth Frantz, Reuters O’Brien, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, O’Brien, Mullin, Vermont Sen, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, “ We’re, Fain, Cole Scandaglia, ” Fain, ” Biden, Kara Deniz, CNN’s Arlette Saenz, MJ Lee Organizations: Democratic, Teamsters, United Auto Workers, CNN, Biden, Trump, United States Army Veteran, Republican, ” Former South Carolina Gov, GOP, UPS, Arkansas Gov, Teamsters Union, UAW, Capitol, Reuters, Oklahoma Republican, Drake Enterprises, Ford, General Motors, National Labor Relations Board, Department of Transportation, Auto Workers, Automobile Manufacturing Industry Locations: Washington, Michigan , Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Lago, United States, Arkansas, Minnesota, Washington ,, Oklahoma, Vermont, Detroit, Michigan

Many Trump supporters not only dislike DeSantis, but echo Trump's assertions that DeSantis betrayed him and say they would never consider him again. DeSantis' campaign against Trump had soured her on the governor, she said. “He backstabbed President Trump. DeSantis' allies believe the Florida governor has a clear path to another presidential bid should he want one. But he hasn’t yet offered an olive branch to angry Trump supporters.

Persons: DeSantis, “, Trump, ”, Pamela Shinkwin, Mary Sullivan, Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, Sullivan, President Trump, Trump’s, he’ll, Joe Biden, needled Trump, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio, Little Marco, Carly Fiorina’s, Ted Cruz’s, John F, Kennedy, —, Ron DeSanctimonious ”, Haley, Melissa Davis, “ DeSantis, ” Davis, What’s, Edward X . Young, diehard Trump, DeSantis “, ‘ Trump, ’ I’ll, ” Young, Jacob Morgan, Morgan, Steve Peoples, Michelle L, Price, Linley Sanders Organizations: Trump, Florida, Florida Republican, PAC, CNN, University of New, GOP, ABC, Republicans, Republican, DeSantis, Associated Press Locations: Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Manchester, Texas, University of New Hampshire, Iowa, Windsor Heights , Iowa, He’s, New Jersey, Rochester , New Hampshire, New York, Washington

Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesHere’s a look at what to expect on Saturday:PRIMARY NIGHTThe South Carolina Democratic presidential primary will be held on Saturday. DECISION NOTESBiden’s decisive victory in the 2020 South Carolina primary offers some useful benchmarks in determining the winner on Saturday night as votes are being counted. He was also the top choice among Democratic primary voters in the state’s Democratic and Republican strongholds, as well as in the more moderate areas in between. AP's VoteCast survey of 2020 South Carolina primary voters found that 64% of Black voters supported Biden, compared with 33% of white voters. In the 2020 South Carolina Democratic primary, the AP first reported results at 7:09 p.m.

Persons: Joe Biden’s foundering, Biden, Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson, Phillips, Williamson, Pee, AP's, Vermont Sen, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Sanders, it’s Organizations: WASHINGTON, Democratic, Democratic National Committee, New Hampshire, South, . Rep, Dean Phillips of Minnesota, South Carolina Democratic, Press, Biden, WHO, Republican, Carolina, Columbia, Palmetto State, AP, Voters, Democratic National Convention Locations: South Carolina, Iowa, New Hampshire, Carolina, Pee Dee, Waccamaw, Palmetto, Vermont, South Bend , Indiana, Chicago

☆ White House formally assigns blame for drone strike in Jordan that killed 3 American service members
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Kevin Liptak | Michael Williams | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —The US believes an umbrella group of militants called Islamic Resistance in Iraq was behind the drone attack in Jordan that killed three American service members, the White House said Wednesday, its first formal attribution for the incident. “We believe that the attack in Jordan was planned, resourced and facilitated by an umbrella group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which contains multiple groups including Kata’ib Hezbollah,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. He stopped short of assigning exact blame on Kata’ib Hezbollah, saying it was not the only group responsible for previous attacks on US bases. In addition to the three killed, more than 40 US troops were injured. Biden told reporters on Tuesday that he had decided how to respond to the strike, but remained vague on what exactly the response would be.

Persons: John Kirby, ”, servicemembers, William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders, Breonna Moffett, Sanders, Moffett, Biden, Kirby Organizations: Washington CNN, US, Hezbollah, ” National Security, Army Reserve, Dover Air Force Base Locations: Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Carrollton , Georgia, Waycross , Georgia, Savannah , Georgia, Germany

☆ Group of Democrats call on Blinken to provide answers on bypassing Congress to approve arms sales to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A group of 19 predominantly Democratic lawmakers is calling on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to provide answers about why he bypassed Congress last month to approve arms sales to Israel. The top US diplomat made two emergency determinations in December to immediately approve the transfer hundreds of millions of dollars in military equipment to Israel. In their letter, the lawmakers noted the rarity of administrations using emergency declarations to immediately approve arms sales without congressional approval. “Use of a national emergency waiver does not exempt the U.S. government from assessing whether arms sales are consistent with” those standards, they wrote. I would say that the process that the secretary followed and the process that we follow here at the State Department is the process that the law actually prescribed,” Miller said at a State Department briefing.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Joe Biden, Independent Sen, Bernie Sanders, Democratic Sens, Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley, Peter Welch, James McGovern, Earl Blumenauer, Joaquin Castro, Judy Chu, Raúl, Pramila Jayapal, Barbara Lee, Betty McCollum, Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Delia Ramirez, Jan Schakowsky, Jill Tokuda, Maxine Waters, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Leahy, credibly, “ Israel, ”, ’, “, Matt Miller, ” Miller Organizations: CNN, UN, Independent, Democratic, State Department, Leahy, ”, Department Locations: Israel, Gaza, Hamas

☆ Biden has to deal with a second war he didn’t want. His task is to contain it
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

— Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian group based in Lebanon, has been waging a low-grade war against Israel. — Iran has blamed Israel for an attack that killed a number of Revolutionary Guard officers in Damascus, Syria. Hawkish Republicans like South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham are demanding he attack Iran on Iranian soil. “The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran’s terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East. And on a purely strategic level, risking a major Middle East war that could cause massive US casualties to avenge the deaths of three soldiers, as terrible as their deaths are, would not represent a sound equation.

Persons: they're, Joe Biden —, Jordan Sunday –, Biden, haven’t, —, Israel, it’s, Antony Blinken, ” Aaron David Miller, CNN’s Jim Acosta, “, ”, William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders, Breonna Moffett, South Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, Nikki Haley, Biden’s, Donald Trump, Jim Himes, what’s, CNN’s Oren Liebermann, Natasha Bertrand, Katie Bo Lillis, Blinken, CNN’s Alex Marquardt, Joe Biden, Arkansas Sen, Tom Cotton, Haley, Qasem Soleimani, Trump, John Kirby, It’s Biden Organizations: Republicans, White House CNN, Jordan Sunday, Hezbollah, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Britain, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Revolutionary Guard, ”, GOP, Rep, Intelligence, Islamic, United Nations, –, Iran Locations: Washington, Tehran, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Jordan, United States, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, —, Syria, Baghdad, Beirut, Lebanon –, Damascus, East, South Carolina, Connecticut, Hamas, Qatar, Egypt, Islamic Republic, Arkansas, There’s

(AP) — Residents of an east Arkansas town have been without running water for the past two weeks after the state was hit by below-freezing temperatures, and the outage has forced them to line up for bottled water, fill up jugs or take showers at a truck brought in by the state. The town faced a similar crisis last summer, when the same part of the city was without water in June. The outages are affecting one of two water systems for Helena-West Helena, which was two separate cities until 2006. Each day, distribution sites for the water have seen a steady line of people filling up on water to use for their homes. He said citizens in general have been understanding of the emergency water distribution process.

Persons: ”, John Edwards, ” Russell Hall, ” Mack Williams, “ You’ve, ” Gerald Jennings, “ I’ve, “, ” Laprece, Pipes, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sanders, ” Hall, Edwards, “ We've, ___ DeMillo, Rebecca Reynolds Organizations: HELENA, WEST HELENA, — Residents, Emergency Management, National Guard, ”, Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, Associated Press Locations: Arkansas, Helena, West Helena, Memphis , Tennessee, Mississippi, Phillips, Tennessee, Mason, Kentucky, Virginia, Little, Louisville , Kentucky

Three names in the industry – Johnson & Johnson , Merck and Bristol Myers Squibb – face a pivotal few weeks ahead. They join Bristol Myers Squibb CEO Chris Boerner, who agreed to the panel's initial invitation to appear. But why is the committee targeting Merck, J&J and Bristol Myers Squibb in the first place? J&J, Merck and Bristol Myers Squib are all suing to halt the talks, which will establish new prices that will go into effect in 2026. Bristol Myers Squibb's Opdivo is an immunotherapy used to treat cancers, including melanoma and lung cancer.

Persons: Annika Kim Constantino, – Johnson, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Joaquin Duato, Robert Davis, Chris Boerner, Sanders, Eli Lilly's, Januvia, Bristol Myers, He's, Biden, Merck's, Myers, Eliquis, Mike Perrone, it's Organizations: CNBC.com, Johnson, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Bristol Myers, Medicare, Bristol, CNBC, pharma Locations: U.S, drugmakers

☆ Youngest US Soldier Killed in Jordan Drone Attack Was 23
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military on Monday released the names of the three Army Reserve soldiers killed in Sunday's drone attack by Iran-backed militants in Jordan, with the youngest victim just 23 years old. The attack on Sunday also wounded more than 40 troops when the drone slammed into the housing units early in the morning. The United States is trying to determine exactly why the nearly 350 troops at the base in Jordan, known as Tower 22, were unable to stop the drone. Two officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a U.S. drone was approaching the base around the same time the attack drone was incoming. One of the officials said the attack drone was also flying low, factors that may have contributed to it being missed by base defenses.

Persons: William Jerome Rivers, Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, Jody Daniels, Daniels, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Sandra Maler Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Monday, Army Reserve, U.S . Army Reserve Command, Sunday Locations: Iran, Jordan, Carrollton , Georgia, Waycross , Georgia, Savannah , Georgia, Israel, United States, U.S

☆ Defense Department Identifies 3 Soldiers Killed at Base in Jordan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Dave Philipps | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Department of Defense on Monday identified three Army Reserve soldiers who were killed at a U.S. base in Jordan on Sunday in what the Biden administration said was a drone attack from an Iran-backed militia. The department said at least 34 other service members were wounded in the attack. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Ga.; Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Ga.; and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Ga. “On behalf of the Army Reserve, I share in the sorrow felt by their friends, family and loved ones,” said the chief of the Army Reserve, Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels. “Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten, and we are committed to supporting those left behind in the wake of this tragedy.”

Persons: Biden, William Jerome Rivers, Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, ”, Jody Daniels, “ Organizations: of Defense, Reserve, 718th Engineer Company, Army Reserve Locations: U.S, Jordan, Iran, Carrollton , Ga, Waycross, Savannah, Ga, Fort Moore, —

☆ A Drone Mix-Up Was Cited in the Deaths of 3 U.S. Troops
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Matthew Cullen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. air defenses at a remote military outpost in Jordan failed to stop a deadly drone attack yesterday because it arrived at the same time that an American drone was returning to base, American officials said. Three U.S. service members died in the strike, the first known American military deaths in the conflict that has spilled over from the Israel-Hamas war. The returning American craft prompted confusion over whether the hostile drone — which U.S. officials said had the “footprints of Kataib Hezbollah,” an Iran-affiliated group in Iraq — was friendly, and air defenses were not immediately activated. The drone landed near the living quarters of Tower 22, an American resupply base in northeast Jordan near Syria and Iraq. President Biden, who has vowed to retaliate, could order strikes on Iran’s proxy forces, a major escalation of the attacks he has already conducted in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

Persons: William Jerome Rivers, Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Alexsondria Moffett, ”, Iraq —, Biden Organizations: U.S, Pentagon, Hezbollah Locations: Jordan, American, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen

Search resuls for: "sanders"

25 mentions found