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☆ Opinion | Israel, Hamas and the Rules of War
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

By placing military targets in and under civilian structures, it is Hamas that violates laws of war. Mr. Bartov is mute about Israel’s hundreds of phone calls to Gazans warning them to leave buildings in which Hamas fighters were located. To the Editor:In an urgent effort to prevent genocide, Omer Bartov writes about the horrific carnage committed by Israel in Gaza. But to live and die in a world that makes distinctions between crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide, proportionality, etc., you can lose sight how all of it is utter madness. Robert RothNew YorkTo the Editor:Re “Measuring Israel by the Yardstick of a ‘Just War,’” by A. Walter Dorn (Opinion guest essay, Nov. 13):Professor Dorn examines whether Israel is adhering to the moral framework of “just war” theory.

Persons: Omer Bartov, Bartov, ”, Israel, Norman J.W, Goda Jeffrey Herf Mr, Goda, Herf, Robert Roth, Walter Dorn, Dorn, David Westrich, Robert N, Cahn Organizations: Hamas, Center for Jewish Studies, University of Florida, University of Maryland, College, York, Congressional Locations: Israel, Gaza, David Westrich Teaneck, N.J, Creek, Calif

☆ A George Santos associate privately fretted over a bobblehead that depicted the congressman with a Pinocchio nose
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

An associate of Republican Rep. George Santos fretted about the congressman being made into a bobblehead. The private anxiety came to light among pages of text messages released by a House committee. One of the lighter moments in the damning House Ethics Committee report on Santos concerns an associate of Santos' fretting with a congressional staffer over a bobblehead. "If there was a single ounce of ETHICS in the "Ethics committee", they would have not released this biased report," Santos wrote on Twitter. And yes, if you want to, you can still buy a Santos bobblehead from the same company that has made ones depicting Anthony Fauci and Sen. Bernie Sanders sitting at President Joe Biden's inauguration.

Persons: George Santos, Santos, —, It's, Derek Myers, Arnold Schwarzenegger's, Mother Jones, Anthony Fauci, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden's Organizations: Republican Rep, Service, Yorker, Twitter, California Gov, The New York Times, Santos Locations: Vish Burra, Santos, California

☆ George Santos rode the meme stock wave, buying and selling Gamestop and AMC stocks like a WallStreetBets regular
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The House Ethics Committee released a report regarding its investigation into George Santos. Included in its hundreds of pages of evidence are documents showing stocks Santos once traded. It appears he bought and sold stocks of GameStop and AMC when it en vogue. Buried in "Exhibit 58" of the committee's "Appendix D Part 5" is a selection of tens of thousands of dollars worth of GameStop and AMC Entertainment stock trades Santos reported making in 2021. AdvertisementIn early 2021, hobby stock traders from the "WallStreetBets" subreddit purchased stocks in GameStop en masse after learning investors had begun to short it.

Persons: George Santos, —, Santos, It's, subreddit, Hermes Organizations: Santos, GameStop, AMC, Service, GOP Rep, House, AMC Entertainment Locations: Santos

WASHINGTON (AP) — Police in the nation's capital responded Wednesday night to a protest outside the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Video posted on social media showed protesters shoving police officers and trying to grab hold of metal barricades as the officers moved in to make arrests. Protester Dani Noble said the demonstrators came to the DNC on Wednesday night to peacefully call on Democratic Party leadership to support a cease-fire in Gaza. “It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and members of our community were met with violence tonight. By that time, most of the leadership team, including House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, had already left.

Persons: ”, Dani Noble, Noble, Joe Biden, Rashida Tlaib, Tlaib, Brad Sherman, Capitol police “, Hakeem Jeffries, Farnoush Amiri, Mary Clare Jalonick, Lisa Mascaro, Michael Balsamo Organizations: WASHINGTON, — Police, Democratic National Committee, U.S . Capitol Police, DNC, Protesters, Jewish, Peace, Democratic Party, Democratic, House Democrats, American, West Bank, Metropolitan Police Department, Associated Press, —, Capitol police, Capitol Police, Capitol, Press Locations: Israel, Washington, Gaza, Philadelphia, D

☆ Facing State Dept dissent over Gaza, Blinken tells staff: We're listening
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the media after participating in the so-called "2+2 Dialogue" in New Delhi, India, November 10, 2023. "I know that for many of you, the suffering caused by this crisis is taking a profound personal toll," Blinken said in the letter obtained by Reuters. "The anguish that comes with seeing the daily images of babies, children, elderly people, women, and other civilians suffering in this crisis is wrenching. While some sources say there has been "deep frustration" among members of working level staff at the State Department, several U.S. officials say, while the Department leadership welcomes a diverse set of voices, it is unlikely to profoundly change Biden's policy. It doesn’t mean that we’re going to change our policy based on their disagreements," Miller said.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, Blinken, I’ve, HuffPost, Matthew Miller, Miller, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, State Department, Biden, Israel, Hamas, Reuters, Department, Capitol, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, Israel, U.S, Gaza, Vietnam, Washington, East, Asia, United States

The party in 2024 is defending Democratic-held seats in West Virginia, Montana and Ohio — all states that Trump carried handily in 2020. They have very few pickup opportunities — their best being Republican-held seats in Texas and Florida, both states Trump won twice. Meanwhile, the White House issued a statement praising Manchin's dedication to the people of West Virginia and his accomplishments in Washington. Biden said the Manchin family "should feel proud of the Senator’s service to West Virginia and to our country. When asked about a prospective Manchin presidential run, Biden's campaign declined to comment.

Persons: Joe Biden's, ” Manchin, Utah Sen, Mitt Romney, Romney, Dan Winslow, “ Sen, ” Romney, Liz Johnson, Manchin, Cornel West, Robert Kennedy Jr, Joe Manchin, Donald Trump, ”, Rahna Epting, “ Joe Manchin, “, Matt Bennett, Bennett, he’s, ” Bennett, America’s, Biden, Trump, Sen, Kyrsten Sinema, David Bergstein, we’ve, Jim Justice, Will Weissert Organizations: Democratic, Federal, Commission, Progressive, White House, White, West, Republican, Senate Democrats, Republican Gov, Associated Press Locations: Boston, Manchin, Utah, Texas, Massachusetts, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Trump's, West Virginia , Montana, Ohio, Michigan, Nevada , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Florida, West, Washington

☆ Alaska man charged after threatening to kidnap and injure a US senator
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Rashard Rose | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An Alaska man was arrested on Monday after allegedly sending a threatening message to a US senator, writing that he planned to hunt down and physically harm the senator, according to court documents. Arther Charles Graham is charged with making interstate threats to kidnap and injure a current US senator, according to a statement from the Department of Justice. Court documents do not identify the senator, only referring to “she” and “her.” Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski is the only current female Alaska senator. Graham wrote that he was facing eviction and said that he had “nowhere else to live,” according to court documents. US Capitol Police are investigating with the FBI Anchorage Field Office, Kenai Police Department and Alaska State Troopers, according to the Justice Department.

Persons: Arther Charles Graham, Republican Sen, Lisa Murkowski, Graham, Graham “ Organizations: CNN, Department of Justice, Congressional, US Capitol Police, Republican, FBI, U.S . Capitol Police, Justice Department, Office, Kenai Police Department, Alaska State Troopers Locations: An Alaska, Washington, DC, Alaska, FBI Anchorage

☆ When the Justice Department Spied on Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The House Oversight Committee wants to see more than 5,000 emails Vice President Biden sent using a pseudonym, while a third bank memorandum details further allegations of payments to the Biden family and its business associates. Images: AP/Zuma Press Composite: Mark KellyThe Justice Department’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation is the fiasco that keeps on giving, and look no further than this week’s revelations of abuse of power. The latest news is that Justice snooped on the Congressional investigators who dared to conduct oversight of its snooping on the 2016 Trump campaign. Numerous current and former congressional staffers have learned that Justice subpoenaed their personal phone and email records in 2017, likely under the pretext of a leak investigation. The targets included Republican and Democratic staffers in the Senate and House.

Persons: Biden, Mark Kelly, snooped Organizations: Zuma, Trump, Republican, Democratic, House

☆ Bertie Bowman ran away from home at 13 to sweep the steps of Capitol Hill. He died at 92 as the the longest-serving African-American Congressional staffer.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Yoonji Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Herbert "Bertie" Bowman was the longest-serving African-American staffer on Capitol Hill in US history. AdvertisementAdvertisementBertie Bowman, the longest-serving African-American staffer on Capitol Hill in history, died at 92 years old on Wednesday morning. Sen. John Kerry hugs Bowman after his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for Secretary of State on January 24, 2013. AdvertisementAdvertisementBowman escorts Hillary Clinton at a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 2, 2011. Bowman had continued to work in the Capitol until his death, becoming the longest-serving African-American congressional staffer in US history.

Persons: Herbert, Bertie, Bowman, —, Bertie Bowman, Andrew Desiderio, Sen, Ben Cardin, Burnet Maybank, Maybank, Chris Dodd, Tom Williams, I'd, talkshow, Tavis Smiley, Lyndon Johnson, Strom Thurmond, John Kerry, Ken Cedeno, Jesse Helms of, J, William Fulbright of, Bill Clinton, Elvis, Clinton, Chip Somodevilla, he'd, Hillary Clinton, Alex Wong, Helms Organizations: Capitol, Senate, Service, Punchbowl News, Foreign, Station, Senate Foreign, State, William Fulbright of Arkansas, US, Foreign Relations, Washingtonian, Military Force, Islamic Locations: Washington , DC, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Summerton, South Carolina, Washington ,, Washington, Jesse Helms of North Carolina, Vietnam, Islamic State

☆ Anonymous numbers texted the wife of a GOP congressman, pressuring him to vote for Jim Jordan as speaker
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Rep. Don Bacon is a Republican representative opposed to Rep. Jim Jordan's speakership bid. Politico reported that he and his wife have received several anonymous messages in recent days. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAdvertisementThe wife of a Republican congressman opposing Rep. Jim Jordan's candidacy for speaker of the House received anonymous text messages in recent days urging her husband to vote for Jordan or else get voted out. "Talk to your husband tell him to step up and be a leader and help the Republican Party get a speaker," one message reads.

Persons: Don Bacon, Jim Jordan's speakership, Bacon, Jordan, —, Jim Jordan's, Don Bacon's, Angie, Olivia Beavers, Steve Bannon, Sean Hannity, Sean Hannity's Fox, Hannity Organizations: Republican, Politico, Service, GOP Rep, Republican Party, Sean Hannity's Fox News, Washington Post

☆ A South Carolina GOP lawmaker says he's a 'strong advocate' for family values. His wife says he's had multiple affairs and is filing for divorce.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Republican Rep. Jeff Duncan had multiple affairs, his wife says in a divorce filing. His wife said he also portrayed himself as a "dutiful husband" while being unfaithful. Duncan's wife, Melody Duncan, filed for divorce last week, citing her husband's multiple affairs. The divorce filing described Melody Duncan as a "dutiful wife" who "wholeheartedly supported" Duncan in his career. A request for comment made to Melody Duncan's attorney, Susan R. Strom, was not immediately returned on Sunday, nor was a request made to Duncan's office.

Persons: Jeff Duncan, Duncan, Duncan's, Melody Duncan, Melody Duncan's, Susan R, Strom Organizations: Service, Republican Locations: Wall, Silicon, South Carolina, Greenwood

WASHINGTON, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The looming U.S. government shutdown that some hardline Republicans, including Donald Trump, are cheering for could slow one of their other priorities: The recently launched impeachment inquiry of Democratic President Joe Biden. In 2018-2019 shutdown, the White House furloughed 1,100 of 1,800 staff in the Executive Office of the President. House Republicans alleged that the elder Biden benefited from his son's work but have produced no evidence of that. The White House says President Biden has done nothing wrong and that Republicans have no basis for the inquiry. House Republicans say they plan to seek personal and business records for Hunter Biden and James Biden, the president's brother, and to seek testimony from certain officials.

Persons: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Hunter Biden, McCarthy, " McCarthy, Hunter, Biden, James Biden, Troy Nehls, Darrell Issa, Makini Brice, Scott Malone, Alistair Bell Organizations: Democratic, Republican, White, Fox News, Republicans, Judiciary, Thomson Locations: U.S, House

“You have to prepare for the worst-case scenario,” Ms. Spanberger said. Speaker Kevin McCarthy sent members of Congress home Thursday afternoon after efforts to break a spending impasse with far-right members of his party failed. By the end of the week, lawmakers were in full prep mode and government agencies were dusting off their well-worn instructions for how to function amid the dysfunction. “We had lots of notes from the last time,” Mr. Beyer said in an interview. “Pretty much we’re not going to be able to do anything, because the agencies that we’d be talking to to help us solve it won’t be coming to work,” Mr. Beyer said.

Persons: Ms, Spanberger, Kevin McCarthy, Donald S, Beyer Jr, “, ” Mr, Beyer, “ We’re Locations: Virginia

If voters in the heavily-Democratic district cast their ballots for former congressional staffer Lindsay Powell, Democrats will keep the slight majority they previously had. The party has defended its majority in a series of special elections since November. With either outcome, Pennsylvania's government will remain divided with Democrat Josh Shapiro in the governor's office and Republicans holding a Senate majority. With control over the calendar, Democrats have advanced a number of their priorities on a one-vote margin. If Republicans gain control of the House, they can take some of these questions to voters through proposed constitutional amendments without Shapiro's approval.

Persons: Lindsay Powell, Erin Connolly Autenreith, Josh Shapiro, Powell, “, that’s Organizations: —, Pennsylvania’s, Pittsburgh, Democratic, Republicans, Republican, Senate Republicans Locations: HARRISBURG, Pa

☆ Rudy Giuliani 'may have been compromised' by the Kremlin, and FBI leaders didn't care, alleges special agent Johnathan Buma
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Mattathias Schwartz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Johnathan Buma says his FBI supervisors didn't care about his leads tying Giuliani to Russian intelligence. They are also investigating Hunter Biden for the firearm-related charges that he was indicted for this week. FBI didn't care about Giuliani's possible Kremlin ties, Buma says"Rudy Giuliani may have been compromised by individuals suspected of being involved in Russian counterintelligence influence operations," Buma told Insider. According to Buma's disclosure, an FBI Intelligence Information Report asserted that Fuks was "a co-opted asset of the RIS" or the Russian intelligence services. Hunter Biden left his laptop at a computer repair store in April 2019.

Persons: Johnathan Buma, Giuliani, Hunter Biden, Robert Mueller's Trump, Donald Trump's, Buma, Biden, Trump, Rudy Giuliani, Pavel Fuks, Fuks, Burisma, Hunter's, George Soros, Hunter Biden's, Bill Barr's, Geoffrey Berman, Bill Barr, Barr, Berman, he's, Amelia Kosciulek, we're, aren't, Mattathias Schwartz Organizations: FBI, Service, Los Angeles Field Office, Trump, GOP, of Justice, New York Post, Southern, of New, Washington Field Office, New York Field Office Locations: Russian, Wall, Silicon, Russia, Mar, Lago, Ukrainian, Moscow, Washington, Ukraine, Ukraine —, Delaware, of New York, Buma, schwartz79@protonmail.com

The district is a Democratic stronghold Democratic strategists predict their party will be able to retain. A previous special election in which the Republican candidate lost by a wide margin may be why the GOP hasn’t drained its coffers to try to flip the seat, said Trevor Southerland, House Democratic campaign strategist. Several Democrat-led initiatives, such as whole home repair and broader protections for LGBTQ+ people, were critical pieces of legislation that didn’t move until Democrats reclaimed control of the state House earlier this year, she said. But the Legislature remains politically divided, with a firm Republican majority in the Senate that has sought to advance its own priorities, including school vouchers and constitutional amendments. She previously ran for the state House in 2000 but lost to the Democrat seeking reelection.

Persons: Lindsay Powell, Republican Erin Connolly Autenreith, Sara Innamorato, Trevor Southerland, ”, “ We’re, “, Sam DeMarco, ” Powell, Sen, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Powell, Josh Shapiro, that’s, Autenreith, it’s, Innamorato, Joseph Rockey, John Galloway, ___ Brooke Schultz Organizations: Pennsylvania, Republican, Democratic, House Democratic, Republicans, U.S . Rep, New York Democrats, Pittsburgh, Democrat, Democrats, Gov, Senate, Capitol, Republican Party, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: HARRISBURG, Pa, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Harrisburg, McKees, Shaler, Bucks County

☆ Republicans hired way more ex-lobbyists as congressional staffers in the last year than Democrats, analysis finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In Washington, people often move between jobs as Capitol Hill staffers and as lobbyists. Per a new analysis, Republicans have hired way more former lobbyists than Democrats in the last year. But it's an issue for both parties — roughly even numbers of Democrats and Republicans became lobbyists. Congressional staff often develop expertise and connections from their time serving on Capitol Hill — assets that make them attractive hires for lobbying firms hoping to influence public policy. Additionally, the employment of ex-lobbyists as staffers raises the prospect that those staffers may be biased towards their former employers when formulating policy and drafting legislation.

Persons: Legistorm —, —, Legistorm, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz of Organizations: Capitol Hill, Republicans, Service, Capitol, —, Congressional, Democratic Rep, Republican, Twitter Locations: Washington, Wall, Silicon, Alexandria, Cortez of New York, Ted Cruz of Texas

☆ Bill Richardson, U.S. diplomat and troubleshooter, dead at 75
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Will Dunham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

As a congressman in 1994, Richardson visited reclusive communist-ruled North Korea to discuss a nuclear accord struck by Clinton. As Richardson was traveling to the country, North Korea shot down a U.S. military helicopter that had entered its territory, killing one pilot and capturing the other. Richardson stayed for weeks to negotiate, flying home with the dead pilot's remains while the surviving pilot was released soon thereafter. In 1996, Richardson negotiated the release of an American named Evan Hunziker, jailed on spy charges in North Korea. Richardson later attended a prep school in Massachusetts, where he became a star baseball pitcher with dreams of a professional career.

Persons: New Mexico Bill Richardson, Gus Ruelas, Bill Richardson, Richardson, Mickey Bergman, Bergman, Bill Clinton, you've, You've, Barack Obama, Obama, Danny Fenster, Clinton, Evan Hunziker, Saddam Hussein, Fidel Castro, William Blaine Richardson, Will Dunham, Lucia Mutikani, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: University of Southern California's Schwarzenegger Institute for State, Global, REUTERS, Rights, New, Richardson Center, U.S, Richardson, Democratic, U.S . House, Representatives, United Nations, Foreign Policy, Cuban, Citibank, Tufts University, State Department, Thomson Locations: New Mexico, Los Angeles , California, U.S, Chatham , Massachusetts, Mexican, American, United States, North Korea, Myanmar, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Cuba, New Hampshire, Iowa, Korean, Kuwait, Iraqi, Miami, Pasadena , California, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Massachusetts, Washington

Aug 16 (Reuters) - A campaign aide to embattled Republican U.S. Representative George Santos was charged with identity theft and wire fraud in federal court for impersonating a top congressional staffer in fundraising appeals, court documents unsealed on Wednesday showed. Miele reached out to over a dozen contributors through the email account and phone calls, the indictment said, receiving a commission of 15% of the contributions he solicited to Santos' campaign. Miele could not be immediately reached for comment. According to the indictment, Miele admitted to Santos in August 2021 that he faked his identity "to a big donor," adding "that he was 'high risk, high reward in everything I do.'" He was indicted in May on federal charges including fraud, money laundering and theft of public funds.

Persons: Representative George Santos, Samuel Miele, Kevin McCarthy, Miele, Santos, Moira Warburton, Andy Sullivan Organizations: Republican U.S, Representative, Thomson Locations: Brooklyn , New York, Washington

☆ White House downplays CNN poll showing majority of Americans oppose more US aid for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Nikki Carvajal | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The White House on Wednesday downplayed CNN polling showing most Americans oppose Congress providing additional funding to support Ukraine in its war with Russia ahead of a reported administration request for more aid. Last week, a CNN poll showed that overall, 55% say Congress should not authorize additional funding to support Ukraine vs. 45% who say Congress should authorize such funding. And 51% say that the US has already done enough to help Ukraine while 48% say it should do more. The administration requested this kind of additional funding to help support Ukraine four times last year, in March, May, September and December. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday called for continued support for Ukraine during an event in Louisville, Kentucky.

Persons: Strategic Communications John Kirby, “ It’s, ” Kirby, Putin, Biden, Doug Bush, ”, Mitch McConnell, Republicans –, haven’t, ” McConnell, it’s, Sen, Josh Hawley, you’ve, “ There’s, Xi, ’ ” McConnell Organizations: CNN, Wednesday, National Security, Strategic Communications, NATO, Republicans, Management, White, Pentagon, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Louisville , Kentucky, American, China, Asia, Japan

☆ Ron DeSantis has been described as having the 'personality of a piece of paper.' That can be fixed, etiquette and dating experts say.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Ron DeSantis may say he can talk at length about the issues he's most passionate about. But on the campaign trail, DeSantis has been repeatedly snubbed for what critics describe as his "lack of personality." "Etiquette really is a set of skills that you can choose to use when and where you'd like," Maggie Oldham, who has taught etiquette for more than ten years, told Insider. The DeSantis campaign team did not respond to a request for comment on this story sent outside of business hours. The DeSantis campaign is over.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Critics, couldn't, Megyn Kelly, DeSantis, Robert F, Donald Trump, Julia Esteve Boyd, Esteve Boyd, Maggie Oldham, you’re, Oldham, it's, Andrew Lichtenstein, Blaine Anderson, Anderson, Iowa, Jesse Watters, Roy Rochlin, Ron, he's, He's Organizations: Florida Gov, Service, Gov, Florida, Getty, Daily, GOP, mater, Yale University, New Locations: Florida, Wall, Silicon, Manchester , New Hampshire, Iowa, Wolfeboro , New Hampshire

☆ Southwest Airlines endorses plan to boost Washington Reagan flights
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 18 (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) said on Tuesday it will support legislation to add seven new round trip flights a day at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, an issue that has been fiercely contested by major U.S. airlines. American Airlines (AAL.O), United Airlines (UAL.O) and Alaska Airlines (ALK.N) have strongly opposed adding flights to airport arguing to it would boost congestion and lead to more delays, while Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) strongly supports adding more flights to boost competition. In the 1960s, the federal government restricted flights at Reagan National to manage congestion and delays at the airport and direct longer flights to Dulles. The so-called “perimeter rule” limits most non-stop flights serving Reagan National to a distance of 1,250 miles. Congress previously exempted 20 round-trip flights to airports more than 1,250 miles from Reagan National (DCA).

Persons: Ronald Reagan, Regan, Republican Burgess Owens, Owens, Reagan, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, David Shepardson, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Southwest Airlines, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, U.S, American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S . House, Southwest, Republican, FAA, Reagan National, Reagan, Thomson Locations: Ronald Reagan Washington, U.S, Capitol, Dulles, Virginia

CNN —The Pentagon announced Tuesday that the accounting error revealed last month was significantly more than previously stated and aid provided to Ukraine was overvalued by $6.2 billion rather than $3 billion. The final calculation of the accounting error is far higher than the Pentagon previously estimated in May, when it first revealed the miscalculation as $3 billion. “We have confirmed that for FY23, the final calculation is $3.6 billion, and for FY22 it is $2.6 billion, for a combined total of $6.2 billion,” Singh said. “These valuation errors in no way limit or restricted the size of any of our PDAs or impacted the provision of support to Ukraine,” she added. The first accounting error of $3 billion revealed last month triggered frustration from Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees, who believe the mistake reduced the amount of US support that went to Ukraine leading up to the counteroffensive.

Persons: Sabrina Singh, ” Singh, ”, Michael McCaul, Mike Rogers Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, ”, White House, House Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, House Foreign, House Armed Locations: Ukraine

☆ An ex-DeSantis staffer said the onetime congressman used to call Trump an 'idiot': report
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

An ex-DeSantis House staffer said the then-congressman used to joke about Trump, per a WaPo report. "Ron always said this guy was just an idiot," the former staffer told the newspaper. Now, both men are facing off for the 2024 GOP presidential nod. A former congressional staffer for the now-governor told the newspaper that the two of them used to joke about the then-president — with DeSantis reportedly slamming Trump's intelligence. While Trump remains the frontrunner for the GOP nomination, DeSantis is now the biggest threat to the former president becoming the party's standard-bearer next year.

Persons: Trump, Ron, DeSantis, —, Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump Organizations: DeSantis, Service, Gov, GOP, Trump, The Washington Post, US Navy, Republican Locations: Florida, Tallahassee

☆ The new star in Congress is quite fake
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Sam Fellman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Capitol Hill staffers encountered an outsized attraction in an institution increasingly known for them. Loading Something is loading. The stuffed animal is now the main attraction, of sorts, for a celebration of New Hampshire alongside maple syrup and the state's entrepreneurial spirit. Aides guided Marty through the Hart Senate office building. Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesThe aides rolled him into Shaheen's office in Hart Senate office building where he was planted in a prominent spot near staffers' desks.

Persons: Marty, —, Hampshire's Sen, Jeanne Shaheen, Kevin Dietsch, Marty isn't, Shaheen, He's Organizations: Capitol Hill, Service, Hart Senate, Granite, New, Kodak Locations: New Hampshire, Hart

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