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CNN —Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to shut down news network Al Jazeera following the passage Monday of a sweeping law allowing the government to ban foreign networks perceived as posing a threat to national security. Rights groups condemned the move to shutter Al Jazeera and the law’s potential implications. In a statement the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was “deeply concerned” by the new legislation. The White House also called reports of the move to shutter Al Jazeera “concerning.”“The United States supports the critically important work journalists around the world do. Fighting between Israel and Hamas began on October 7 when Hamas carried out a deadly attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostages, according to Israel.

Persons: CNN —, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ”, Jazeera, Monday, –, Al, “, ” Al, Carlos Martínez de la Serna, Omar Shakir, Karine Jean, Pierre Organizations: CNN, CNN — Israel’s, Al, Qatari, IDF, Israeli Defense Forces, Protect Journalists, Jazeera, United States, Hamas, Ministry of Health Locations: Al Jazeera, Gaza, Israel, ” Al Jazeera, Qatari, Jazeera, Palestine

The video was broadcast earlier this week by the Al Jazeera television network. Al Jazeera said at least two of the three men seen in the blurry videos were waving white flags before being shot at. Al Jazeera said both shootings took place close to each other on a beachfront southwest of Gaza City. Palestinians and human rights groups say the Israeli military has used disproportionate or indiscriminate force in its Gaza offensive, leading to heavy civilian casualties. They say that even when such killings are caught on video, military investigations rarely result in indictments of the soldiers involved.

Persons: Al Jazeera Organizations: JERUSALEM, Al, Health Ministry, Hamas Locations: Al Jazeera, Gaza, Israeli, Al, Gaza City, Israel, israel

☆ Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks are ‘stuck but ongoing,’ sources tell CNN
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Alex Marquardt | Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Talks over a hostage deal and a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas have reached another stalemate but are not over, according to three people familiar with the negotiations. Burns put forward a proposal that was accepted by Israel and sent back to Hamas, the second person and an Israeli official told CNN. “The negotiations are not only centric around the prisoner exchange deal,” Hamas senior official Basem Naeim told CNN on Monday. Those releases would take place during the first phase of a ceasefire, which would be expected to last around six weeks. The senior US officials and Gallant did not reach any agreements on how Israel will move forward with an operation in Rafah in southern Gaza, US and Israeli officials told CNN.

Persons: “, ”, Bill Burns, Burns, Israel, David Barnea, Basem Naeim, “ Israel, Amir Levy, Yahya Sinwar, Matthew Miller, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, William Burns, Anna Moneymaker, ” Miller, Biden, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, CNN’s Natasha Bertrand Organizations: Hamas, CIA, Doha, Qatari, CNN, Hamas didn’t, National Security, United Nations Security, Central Intelligence Agency, House Intelligence, Cannon, US, Biden Locations: Gaza, Israel, Doha, Qatar, Tel Aviv, Washington , DC, Rafah, Washington, US

☆ Qatari royal reportedly invested $50 million in pro-Trump news channel Newsmax
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Right-wing news outlet Newsmax received an investment of roughly $50 million from a Qatari royal between 2019 and 2020, the Washington Post reported, citing documents seen by the paper and confirmations from representatives of both Newsmax and the royal investment firm. Former Qatari government official Sheikh Sultan bin Jassim Al Thani invested in Newsmax through Heritage Advisors, a London-based investment fund that he owned, according to the report. According to the Post's reporting on Tuesday, Newsmax was looking for investors to compete with the likes of Fox News. In a statement cited by The Hill, a Newsmax spokesperson said: "In 2019 Newsmax received a minority investment from a UK-based fund with a Qatari investor that also invested in a company associated with the current Washington Post publisher. The Qatari royal "transferred his stake to a Cayman Islands-based corporate structure," the Post reported, adding that the $50 million investment represented a "significant minority stake."

Persons: George R, Newsmax, Sultan bin Jassim Al Thani, Donald Trump's Organizations: National Rifle Association, Brown Convention, Washington Post, Former Qatari, Heritage Advisors, United Arab, Doha stringently, Fox News, CNBC, Qatari, Dominion Voting Systems Locations: Houston , Texas, Newsmax, London, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatari, Cayman Islands

☆ Israeli police arrest relatives of Gaza hostages during Tel Aviv protest
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Lauren Izso | Niamh Kennedy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Two relatives of Israeli hostages abducted on October 7 were arrested during a protest outside the defense ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv Tuesday evening, according to one of the groups that participated. Israeli police in a statement said they cleared the protesters from Tel Aviv’s Ayalon Highway where they were blocking traffic. A representative from the Israeli Pro-Democracy Protest Movement that was involved in the demonstrations said in an update that two of the four arrested were relatives of hostages. CNN has reached out to the Hostage Families Forum, which represents the captives’ families and has held protests at the site. A man sits in a cage with portraits of 47-year-old Israeli hostage Elad Katzir, in Tel Aviv, Israel on March 26, 2024.

Persons: Kan, Elad Katzir, Jack Guez Organizations: CNN, Protesters, Israeli Pro, Hostage, Getty, “ Times, United Nations Security Locations: Tel Aviv, Qatar, Tel, Gaza, Hamas, Israel, AFP, Qatari, Doha

☆ Israeli Negotiators Head to Qatar for Cease-Fire Talks, Officials Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Adam Rasgon | More About Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israeli negotiators were traveling to Qatar on Monday to participate in a new round of in-person talks aimed at achieving a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants, according to a senior Israeli official and another official briefed on the negotiations. The Israeli delegation’s trip to Doha, Qatar, comes after Israel and Hamas failed to reach an agreement ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began last week. The Israeli delegation includes the head of Mossad, the foreign intelligence agency; the director of the Shin Bet, the internal security service; and a representative of the Israeli Army, said the Israeli official. For months, Hamas leaders have been publicly calling for a comprehensive cease-fire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israeli officials have repeatedly rejected the demands and indicated that they would be open to only a temporary pause.

Persons: Shin, Israel Organizations: Palestinian, Israeli Army, Hamas Locations: Qatar, Gaza, Israeli, Doha, Israel

☆ Aid Reaches Northern Gaza as Israel and Hamas Consider Truce Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( March | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Nidal al-MughrabiCAIRO (Reuters) - Trucks of flour have reached northern Gaza for distribution to areas that have had no aid in four months, Palestinian media reported on Sunday, with famine looming in the enclave and truce talks between Israel and Hamas due to resume in Qatar. A Hamas source said the route was secured by Hamas security personnel. War in Israel and Gaza View All 222 ImagesAid agencies have warned that pockets of Gaza already face famine, with hospitals in the north reporting children dying of malnutrition and dehydration. Hamas killed around 1,200 people in its attack and seized 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's military campaign in Gaza has now killed more than 31,500 Palestinians according to health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza.

Persons: Nidal, Beit Hanoun, Israel's, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Olaf Scholz, King Abdullah, Netanyahu, Nidal al, Angus McDowall, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Hamas, Reuters, Qatari, Sunday, Palestinian Locations: CAIRO, Gaza, Israel, Qatar, Gaza City, Beit Lahiya, Israeli, Deir al, Rafah, Egypt, Jordan, QATAR, Doha

☆ Middle East Crisis U.N. Trucks Get Food Aid Directly Into Northern Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Lars Dolder | Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

“We are not near a deal, meaning that we are not seeing both sides converging on language that can resolve the current disagreements,” Mr. al-Ansari said, without going into detail. Hamas has demanded a comprehensive cease-fire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Mr. Mardawi said Hamas also wanted a “just deal” that would result in the exchange of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons for hostages held by militants in Gaza. The Israeli government has said it must wipe out Hamas’s military and administrative capabilities in Gaza before agreeing to end the war. “If not, Hamas will regroup, rearm and reconquer Gaza, and then we’re back to square one.

Persons: ” Israel, Majed al, Ansari, “, ” Mr, Mahmoud Mardawi, Mr, Mardawi, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, William J, Burns, ” Organizations: Qatari, United, Hamas, The New York Times, CNN, Senate Locations: Israel, Gaza, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Gazan, Rafah, rearm

☆ US not anticipating Israeli forces to enter Rafah at the start of Ramadan
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Mj Lee | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Biden administration is not anticipating that Israeli forces will imminently expand their military operations into Rafah, two US officials told CNN, with the holy month of Ramadan set to begin Monday for most Muslims. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that regardless of a deal, he plans to send the military into Rafah. “Once we begin the intense action of eradicating the Hamas terrorist battalions in Rafah, it’s a matter of weeks, if not months. Families are already living with severe shortages of food, water, medicine and shelter, and the daily risk of being killed. CIA Director Bill Burns, who has led US efforts, was back in the Middle East last week meeting with Qatari, Egyptian and Israeli counterparts.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Benny Gantz, Ramadan, Benjamin Netanyahu, “ We’ll, We’re, ” Netanyahu, Axel Springer, “, Joe Biden, ” Biden, Netanyahu, ”, Bill Burns, –, John Kirby, CNN’s Mitchell McCluskey, Michelle Shen Organizations: CNN, Hamas, MSNBC, Politico, United Nations, CIA, Biden White, National Security, House Locations: Rafah, Washington, Gaza, “, it’s, Israel

Ryder also said the construction of the pier and causeway will likely require as many as 1,000 US military personnel to complete. The initiative will aim to augment a maritime corridor that the US, the European Commission, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, and the UK, have been working to open to deliver assistance directly. The pier will allow ships to offload aid, which will then be transported across a causeway into Gaza that will also be constructed by the US military, officials said. “We are committed to supporting the maritime corridor which is planned by Fogbow,” the official said. The US president and vice president each said Israel had “no excuses” not to ramp up the aid allowed into Gaza.

Persons: Patrick Ryder, Ryder, Biden, Joe Biden, Sigrid Kaag, “ We’re, ” Ryder, Fogbow, “ I’m, ” Biden, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ” Kaag, ” Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, European Commission, United Arab, US, United Nations, United States Air Force, UN, Navy, Army, military’s, 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary, Base Langley, USAID, CIA, Blue, Qatari, European Union, Administration, “ Locations: Gaza, United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, United, Base Langley Eustis, Virginia, American, Qatar, Israel

☆ Congress demands MIT submit trove of documents in antisemitism probe
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The letter from Rep. Virginia Foxx, the Republican chairwoman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, gives MIT until 5 pm ET on March 22 to help the investigation by turning over the trove of documents. Foxx has accused Harvard of obstructing her investigation and said the university “absolutely failed” to comply with the committee’s unprecedented subpoena for documents. MIT spokesperson Sarah McDonnell said the university received the letter and is examining it. Last week, MIT spokesperson Kimberly Allen detailed efforts MIT has taken to protect Jewish students, including disciplinary action and educational steps such as required antisemitism awareness training. “At MIT, intolerance and bigotry toward Jewish members of our community are an affront to our shared values,” the MIT spokesperson said.

Persons: Virginia Foxx, Foxx, Sarah McDonnell, ” McDonnell, Kimberly Allen, Talia Khan, “, ” Khan Organizations: New, New York CNN, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rep, House Education, Workforce Committee, MIT, Ivy League, Education, Harvard University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, “ Locations: New York

CNN —Hamas said Tuesday there could be no “exchange of prisoners” before a ceasefire in Gaza, as it responded to proposals from Egyptian and Qatari mediators. “Any prisoner exchange will not be completed except after the completion of all this.”Hamdan also accused Israel of stalling on reaching an agreement and warned that the negotiations would not be “open-ended” as Israel continues its offensive in Gaza. The response came just hours after US President Joe Biden said a potential ceasefire was “in the hands of Hamas” as he boarded Air Force One at Hagerstown airport. Biden said the “Israelis have been cooperating” and that a ceasefire is necessary. “We need a ceasefire,” he said, calling the deal on the table a “rational offer” and saying the Israelis had agreed to it.

Persons: ”, Osama Hamdan, ” Hamdan, Hamdan’s, Joe Biden, Biden, Mandel Ngan, Ramadan, Benjamin Netanyahu, it’s, Israel, Kamala Harris Organizations: CNN, Air Force, Hagerstown Regional Airport, Getty, Israel, Hamas, Israeli, Nations, Crisis Locations: Gaza, Beirut, “, Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Hagerstown, Hagerstown , Maryland, AFP, Jerusalem, Cairo

☆ AC Milan: How this soccer team became a style success story
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Daniel-Yaw Miller | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The Pleasures tie-up may have been a surprise to traditional soccer fans, but it was by no means an accident. AC Milan has pursued a number of partnerships — including tapping Off-White as its official “style and culture curator” — since its $1.2 billion acquisition by US investment firm RedBird Capital Partners in August 2022. AC Milan’s infiltration of fashion has gone further than any soccer team before, even France’s Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which not so long ago was the favored sports collaborator of brands like Dior, Stüssy and Jordan. This gray varsity with Off White and AC Milan branding is sold out. Courtesy AC MilanUnlike PSG, AC Milan does not have the same kind of international stardom in its squad that automatically comes with cultural caché.

Persons: Kylie Jenner, Ib Kamara, ”, Germain, Stüssy, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Kylian, Lauren Cochrane, “ It’s Organizations: The, Fashion, CNN, Milan, Napoli, Milanese, Los, Vogue Italia, RedBird Capital Partners, Saint, PSG, Dior, White, Milan AC Milan’s, Puma, Guardian Locations: Los Angeles, thoughtfully, Jordan, Italy

☆ Sen. Bob Menendez faces new obstruction of justice charges
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is seen after the senate luncheons in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. New obstruction of justice crimes were added Tuesday to charges against Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife that allege they accepted gold bars, cash and a luxury car in return for favors the senator carried out to assist three businessmen. New charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice were added against Menendez and his wife, Nadine. Attorneys for Bob and Nadine Menendez and the other defendants in the case didn't immediately respond to emails requesting comment. Prosecutors allege that Menendez also caused his lawyer to say in the September meeting that Menendez in 2022 had learned that the payments were loans.

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Nadine, Bob, Nadine Menendez, Prosecutors Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, Menendez's, Benz, Prosecutors Locations: Manhattan, New Jersey, Egypt, Jersey

CNN —The Israelis have “basically accepted” a six-week ceasefire proposal in Gaza, a senior Biden administration official told reporters Saturday. On Thursday, a Hamas official warned, however, that the negotiations could be affected. Negotiators from the US, Israel, Egypt and Hamas are expected to attend, a diplomatic source familiar with the discussions said. Discussions between Israel and Hamas would be indirect, in separate rooms. Israel has asked Hamas for a list of the hostages, including who is living and who is dead.

Persons: “, Ramadan –, –, Joe Biden, ” Biden, Giorgia Meloni, It’s, Kamala Harris, Benny Gantz, Harris, Gantz, Jake Sullivan, Biden, there’d, it’s, CNN’s MJ Lee, Oren Liebermann Organizations: CNN, Biden, Hamas, White, Italian, Gaza, Command Locations: Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, Paris, Doha, Qatar, Egypt, Cairo, Qatari

☆ Oil prices rise as Gaza deaths complicate ceasefire talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices rose on Friday and were set to end the week modestly higher as talks over a potential ceasefire in Gaza were further complicated by the deaths of more than 100 Palestinians waiting for an aid delivery. Oil prices rose on Friday and were set to end the week modestly higher as talks over a potential ceasefire in Gaza were further complicated by the deaths of more than 100 Palestinians waiting for an aid delivery. President Joe Biden said the U.S. was checking reports of Israeli troops firing on people waiting for food aid in Gaza, saying he believed the deadly incident would complicate talks of a ceasefire. Israel has blamed the deaths on crowds surrounding the aid trucks, saying victims were trampled or run over. On the supply side, a Reuters survey showed the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, pumped 26.42 million barrels per day (bpd) this month, up 90,000 bpd from January.

Persons: Brent, Joe Biden Organizations: U.S, West Texas, U.S . Federal, of, Petroleum, Reuters Locations: Gaza, WTI, Red, U.S, Israel, Qatar, Beijing, U.S ., Libyan

☆ Why Motaz Azaiza, the Palestinian photographer who captured the war, chose to leave Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Zeena Saifi | Don Riddell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —For 108 days, Palestinian photographer Motaz Azaiza risked his life in Gaza to tell the story of the war to millions of followers on Instagram, as friends and family members were killed around him. “I want to capture the beauty of Gaza, not the war on Gaza. “I don’t call myself a journalist, I call myself a photographer,” Azaiza told CNN. After getting rejected twice by the Israeli government to leave, Azaiza told CNN that he managed to flee to Qatar with his family after much difficulty. He told CNN what struck with him the most was the “thousands of babies’ bodies” he saw.

Persons: Motaz Azaiza, ”, CNN’s Becky Anderson, ’, Azaiza, ” Azaiza, …, who’ve, he’s, CNN can’t, Mohammed Abed, “ ’, ’ ”, “, ” He’s Organizations: CNN, Ministry of Health, UNICEF, Getty, Qatari, Doha, Israel Defense Forces, Egypt’s El Arish Airport Locations: Gaza, Israel, AFP, Rafah, Egypt, Qatar, Egypt’s El Arish, Palestinian

☆ Anesthetics, crutches, dates. Inside Israel’s ghost list of items arbitrarily denied entry into Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Tamara Qiblawi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

In a January 13 press conference, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boasted about permitting “minimal humanitarian aid” to enter Gaza. “We provide minimal humanitarian aid,” Netanyahu said. Other trucks carrying dates have been allowed into Gaza, according to UN data. Over 1,000 children have undergone leg amputations in Gaza, according to UNICEF, some without anesthesia. “An Israeli tank missile hit her when she was on the sixth floor of our building,” Bseiso told CNN.

Persons: Jordan, Joe Biden, Tamim al, Chris Murphy, Abed Zagout, ”, “, ” COGAT, COGAT, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, Israel, Clodagh Kilcoyne, “ I’ve, Janti Soeripto, we’ve, ” Soeripto, Chris Van Hollen, Jeff Merkley, ” Van Hollen, they’d, Van Hollen, ” Tania Hary, GISHA, Ahed Bseiso, Hani Bseiso, ” Bseiso, ” Ahed, Bseiso, Ghassan Abu, Sittah, ” Abu, Dr Ghassan Abu, Alex Platt, Um Adel, Khan Younis, Jamie McGoldrick, Marwan al, Mary Rogers Organizations: Jordan —, CNN, United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, Getty, Children, UN, “, Bseiso Medicines, World Health Organization, Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization Locations: Gaza, Gaza City, Thani, ”, Anadolu, Arish, Rafah, Gazan, there’s, Territories, COGAT, ” Israel, Israel, Egypt, Nitzana, Palestinian, London, Abu, British, Khan, Jordanian, Jordan, Al

☆ Talks on an Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal appear on track after killings at Gaza aid site, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Alex Marquardt | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN has reached out to several Hamas officials about the potential deal but has not gotten a response. In the immediate aftermath of the deaths of dozens of Palestinian civilians in Gaza on Thursday, US officials said the chaotic scenes injected added urgency into the hostage and ceasefire talks. On Thursday, Biden said the deaths at the aid site could make the ceasefire talks more difficult. Technical teams have been working on the key components of a potential deal this week in Doha, officials familiar with the talks say. During a truce, negotiations would take place over more sensitive topics like the release of Israeli soldiers who are hostages, Palestinian prisoners serving longer sentences, the withdrawal of IDF forces and bringing a permanent end to the war alongside the so-called “day after” issues.

Persons: Ramadan, Joe Biden, “, ” Biden, Giorgia Meloni, Ramadan –, Biden, Majed al, Ansari, ” It’s, Barak Ravid, Sameh Shukri, ” Organizations: CNN, Doha, Italian, Israel, CNN Foreign Affairs, Axios, Antalya Diplomacy, Hamas Locations: Israel, Gaza, Gaza City, Paris, Qatar, Egypt, Rafah, Doha, Antalya, Turkey

☆ Middle East Crisis Death Toll in Gaza Surpasses 30,000, Health Ministry Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The death toll in Gaza passed a somber milestone on Thursday as the local health ministry reported that more than 30,000 people had been killed in the war since Oct. 7. Still, the reported figure is staggering — roughly one person killed for every 73 Palestinians in Gaza, whose population is about 2.2 million. The figures provided by the Gazan health ministry do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. In addition to bearing the risk of being killed in strikes or fighting, Palestinians are living with the growing specter of famine and disease. The health ministry has said infants have died from dehydration and malnutrition in recent days.

Persons: Farouk, Israel, “, ”, Biden, CBS’s, Adhanom Ghebreyesus Organizations: Hamas, World Health Organization Locations: Al, Rafah, Gaza, Israel, ” Israel, U.S, Jerusalem

☆ Death Toll in Gaza Passes 30,000
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Victoria Kim | More About Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Persons: Israel, “, ”, Biden, CBS’s, Adhanom Ghebreyesus Organizations: Hamas, World Health Organization Locations: Gaza, Israel, ” Israel, U.S, Jerusalem

☆ Oil prices ease, U.S. crude stock build fuels demand fears
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices eased early on Thursday after a larger-than-expected build in U.S. crude stockpiles stoked worries about slow demand, while signs that U.S. interest rates could remain elevated for longer also added to pressure. Oil prices eased early on Thursday after a larger-than-expected build in U.S. crude stockpiles stoked worries about slow demand, while signs that U.S. interest rates could remain elevated for longer also added to pressure. "The anticipation of delayed U.S. rate cuts also weighed on the market sentiment as it could undermine oil demand," he said. Traders have already dialed back expectations for U.S. interest rate cuts after a slew of strong data, including hot consumer price index and producer price index readings. Still, the conflict in the Middle East is expected to keep a floor under oil prices, Rakuten's Yoshida said.

Persons: refiners, Satoru Yoshida, Rakuten's Yoshida, Jerusalem's Al, Joe Biden Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, Energy Information Administration, EIA, Rakuten Securities, Traders, U.S, Hamas Locations: U.S, Aqsa, Gaza, Israel

☆ Parties to Cease-Fire Talks Offer Mixed Signals
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Vivian Yee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

The prediction matched that of President Biden, who said that a deal could come as soon as next week. In public, however, Hamas and Israel are sticking with their longstanding positions and not signaling any breakthrough. The two sides have not met face to face, instead negotiating through mediators in Doha, Cairo and Paris. Qatar’s foreign ministry said this week that talks were ongoing and it was too early to speculate about a resolution. Mr. Haniyeh met on Monday with the emir of Qatar and accused Israel of dragging its feet in the talks, according to a Hamas statement.

Persons: Israel, ”, Ismail Haniyeh, Abdel Fattah el, “ God, Biden, Haniyeh, Basem Naim, —, Rawan Sheikh Ahmad, Nada Rashwan, Adam Sella Organizations: West Bank, West Bank Palestinians, New York Times Locations: Gaza, Egypt, Israel, Qatar, United States, Doha, Cairo, Paris, Jerusalem, Islam

Basem Naim, a Hamas spokesman, said in a text message that the militant group had yet to formally receive “any new proposals” since senior Israeli officials met with Qatari, Egyptian and U.S. mediators in Paris last week to advance a possible deal. Another Hamas official, Ahmad Abdelhadi, said that the group was sticking to its demand that Israel agree to a long-term cease-fire and that leaks about the talks were designed to pressure Hamas to soften its position. Qatar, a key mediator in the talks, also expressed caution on Tuesday, saying it could not comment on Mr. Biden’s view that negotiators were nearing an agreement. “The efforts are ongoing; all the parties are conducting regular meetings,” Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for the Qatari foreign ministry, told reporters in Doha. “But for now, while we certainly hope it will be achieved as soon as possible, we don’t have anything in our hands so as to comment on that deadline.”

Persons: Israel, Biden, Basem Naim, Ahmad Abdelhadi, ” Mr, Abdelhadi, ” Majed al, Ansari, ” Organizations: Hamas, Qatari Locations: Gaza, Paris, Israel, Lebanese, Qatar, Doha

☆ Biden says Israel-Hamas ceasefire could come as soon as next week
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

President Joe Biden said a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas is "close." Biden said a peace deal could be in place as soon as next week. AdvertisementPresident Joe Biden said a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas is imminent as negotiators work this week to hammer out the details of a potential deal. During a trip to New York on Monday, Biden told reporters that a cease-fire could be in place as soon as next week. The Biden Administration has doubled down on efforts to secure a cease-fire this month ahead of the start of Ramadan in two weeks.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, —, We're, we'll, Shin, Israel, Antony Blinken Organizations: Service, Israel Defense Forces, Shin Bet, Egyptian, Biden Administration Locations: Israel, New York, Gaza, Doha

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