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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel vowed anew on Tuesday to launch an invasion into the southern Gaza Strip, even as a renewed push for a cease-fire agreement was showing glimmers of a potential breakthrough. After seven months of an Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the United States, Qatar and several other countries have been hoping to broker a cease-fire, and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is visiting the Middle East to press for an agreement. But with Hamas arguing that any agreement should include an end to the war, and with right-wing politicians in Israel threatening to leave the government coalition if the long-planned incursion into the southern Gazan city of Rafah is delayed, Mr. Netanyahu said that Israel reserved the right to keep fighting.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Antony J, Blinken, Netanyahu Locations: Gaza, Israel, United States, Qatar, Gazan, Rafah

☆ Gangs forced out Haiti’s government. This FBI ‘Most Wanted’ gang leader claims they’re liberating the country
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Caitlin Stephen Hu | David Culver | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +22 min

Port-au-Prince, Haiti CNN —Vitel’homme Innocent’s picture on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” list of fugitives suggests a crazed man – eyes wide and wild, teeth bared. But the man on the gold sofa preferred to talk about a brighter future – one that he claims Haiti’s gangs are prepared to usher in. Abandoned cars on the road between the US Embassy and the Kraze Baryé stronghold in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on April 28, 2024. Kraze Baryé employs around 100 men and women, according to Innocent’s lieutenant and cousin, the bleach-blond Dezod Augustin, 34. But Haiti’s gangs maintain they deserve a seat at the negotiating table.

Persons: Haiti CNN —, Innocent, Evelio Contreras, “, ” Innocent, de, –, Kraze Baryé, ”, Viv Ansanm, Ariel Henry, Henry, Kraze, “ It’s, ’ Marie, Lucie Bonhomme Opont, Pierre, Louis Opont, territoire perdue, Opont, ’, Jimmy Chérizier, Robin Hood, Sanjou, Dezod Augustin, Gedeon Jean, Prince, Baryé, Delmas, Antony Blinken, Haiti Dennis Hankins, Rick Barton, Haiti’s, CNN Jean, Henry’s, Jean, CNN’s Rachel Clarke Organizations: Haiti CNN, CNN, Haiti’s, Prince, de Mars, United Nations, Haitian National Police, ”, Kenya, Haiti’s National Police, CARICOM, US Embassy, Security, “, Washington, US, UN, Fund, Federal Bureau of, State Department Locations: Prince, Haiti, Tabarre, Haiti’s, Port, balaclavas, Haitian Creole, Haitian, Nairobi, “, Canada, United States, Kraze Baryé, American, France, Kenya, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad, Jamaica, it’s, Atlanta

Israeli negotiators, offering a hint of hope for negotiations over a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, have reduced the number of hostages they want Hamas to release during the first phase of a truce, three Israeli officials said on Monday. For weeks, cease-fire talks have been at a standstill. Hamas did not respond to a request for comment about whether it would send representatives to Cairo. A senior Hamas official said on social media on Monday that the group was studying a new Israeli proposal. The American secretary of state, Antony J. Blinken, who was meeting in Saudi Arabia on Monday with Arab diplomats, said the onus was now on Hamas.

Persons: Antony J, Blinken Organizations: Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, Cairo, Saudi Arabia

☆ Trump is reportedly annoyed by Kari Lake's frequent Mar-a-Lago jaunts
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Kari Lake is the all-but-certain GOP nominee in Arizona, a key battleground state this cycle. AdvertisementDemocrats have long pointed out Arizona GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake's frequent out-of-state travel. According to the Washington Post, the former president is annoyed by Lake's frequent jaunts to Mar-a-Lago, Trump's resort and political home base in Palm Beach, Florida. While not the most important Senate race this cycle — Republicans have generally focused more on unseating incumbent Democratic senators in Ohio and Montana — Lake's race still matters. On a semi-regular basis, the Arizona Democratic Party has sent out newsletters entitled "Where In The World Is Kari Lake?"

Persons: Kari Lake, she's, Trump, —, Kari Lake's, Donald Trump, Lake's, Ruben Gallego, Lake, backtrack Organizations: GOP, Service, Arizona GOP, Washington Post, Democratic, Republicans, Trump, Lake, Fearless, WIN, Post, Senate, Arizona Democratic Party, Republican Locations: Arizona, Mar, Palm Beach , Florida, Ohio, Montana, Idaho, Lake

☆ Israel Softened Its Demands in Cease-Fire Negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Matthew Cullen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israeli officials said today that they had reduced the number of hostages they were asking Hamas to free in exchange for a temporary cease-fire in the war in Gaza. For months, cease-fire talks have been at a standstill as Israel had demanded that Hamas release at least 40 hostages. Now Israeli officials say they are prepared to settle for only 33, in part because they believe that some of the 40 have died in captivity. Israel’s new offer included a 40-day cease-fire and the release of potentially thousands of Palestinian prisoners, according to Britain’s foreign minister. A mid-ranking delegation from Israel is planning to fly to Cairo tomorrow to resume talks if Hamas agrees to attend.

Persons: Antony Blinken Organizations: Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, U.S, Cairo

☆ Bernie Sanders: From small-town mayor to godfather of the progressive left
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

He got his start in government as a small-town mayor, decades before his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. Here's everything to know about the Democratic socialist senator. AdvertisementBernie Sanders is known today as perhaps the most important leader on the American left. In 2020, Sanders ran again, ultimately coming in second to now-President Joe Biden in the primary. Who Sanders is today — and what he's fighting forSince his 2020 campaign, Sanders has assumed a more institutional role in the United States Senate.

Persons: Bernie Sanders, —, Long, Sanders, Chuck Schumer, Donna Light, Douglas Graham, Hillary Clinton, Alexandria Ocasio, Clinton, Joe Biden, Who Sanders, Biden's, — Sanders, He's, Republican Sen, Chuck Grassley, Becca Balint Organizations: Democratic, Service, Democratic Party leftward, James Madison High School, University of Chicago, Liberty Union, Burlington City Hall, Newsday, Getty, Congressional, Senate, Democratic Party, United States Senate, Health, Education, Labor, Pensions, Israel, New York Times, Republican Locations: Vermont, Soviet Union, Brooklyn , New York, Poland, Chicago, Burlington, Burlington —, Alexandria, Cortez, Iowa

☆ Germany far-right trial: Nine accused of plotting to overthrow government go on trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Inke Kappeler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Nine suspected members of a German far-right group accused of plotting to overthrow the government and install a minor royal as leader went on trial at a high-security courtroom in Stuttgart on Monday. The plot to overthrow the government and install martial law was exposed in 2022. Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss is a descendant of the House of Reuss, the former ruling family of parts of eastern Germany. Two of the defendants are accused of violating the Weapons and War Weapons Control Act. “One of these two defendants is also accused of attempted murder, dangerous bodily harm, resisting and assaulting law enforcement officers,“ according to the court.

Persons: Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, —, Frank, Walter Steinmeier, of Reuss, “, General Organizations: CNN, Monday, Prosecutors, Bundestag —, Stuttgart Higher, Federal Public, Control Locations: Stuttgart, Germany, Frankfurt, Munich, German

☆ Biden Team Sees Narrow Window for Deal on Cease-Fire and Hostages in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden and his national security team see a narrow window to finally seal an agreement that would at least temporarily halt the war in Gaza and possibly end it for good even as they deflect pressure from college campus protests to abandon Israel in its fight against Hamas. Several factors converging at once have renewed the administration’s hopes that it can break through the stalemate in the next week or two. Mr. Biden’s team wants to capitalize on the successful defense of Israel from Iranian attack, rising public pressure in Israel to free the hostages and Saudi eagerness for a new diplomatic and security initiative. The president’s advisers are pressing for a cease-fire deal before Israel can begin its long-threatened assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, an operation with the potential for many civilian casualties that could thwart any short-term chances of peace. But administration officials have gone down this road before over the last several months, repeatedly expressing optimism only to see the chances for a deal collapse.

Persons: Biden, Biden’s, Antony J, Blinken Organizations: Hamas, Israel Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Saudi Arabia

☆ Blinken's China visit went 'well and predictably,' says professor
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBlinken's China visit went 'well and predictably,' says professorGraham Allison, Douglas Dillon professor of government at Harvard University and former assistant secretary of defense for policy and plans under the first Clinton administration, discusses U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China and says "we're in a period of fairly intense conversations between the parties, and the relationship is becoming slightly more stable, even though fundamentally it remains a struggle between competition on the one hand and cooperation on the other."

Persons: Graham Allison, Douglas Dillon, Clinton, Antony Blinken's Organizations: Harvard University, U.S Locations: China

☆ Oil prices fall as Secretary of State Blinken pushes for Gaza cease-fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A view of the damaged buildings and streets after months of Israeli bombardment which have turned the city into piles of rubble and ash in Khan Yunis, Gaza on April 19, 2024. Crude oil futures fell Monday as the U.S. Secretary of State made a renewed diplomatic push in the Middle East to secure a cease-fire in Gaza and head off an Israeli offensive against Rafah. A successful cease-fire agreement would likely further ease the geopolitical risk premium factored into oil prices on fears that the war in Gaza could trigger a broader conflict in the Middle East that disrupts crude supplies. Here are today's energy prices:Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia on Monday. He will travel to Israel and Jordan on Tuesday.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jordan Organizations: U.S, State, Rafah Locations: Khan Yunis, Gaza, Saudi Arabia, Israel

☆ Hunter Biden demands that Fox News remove ‘intimate’ images from its platforms
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Holmes Lybrand | Dana Bash | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hunter Biden’s legal team has undertaken an aggressive legal and public relations strategy for several months. His lawyers have fired off letters demanding investigations into Hunter Biden’s opponents and filed a series of lawsuits against his detractors. Hunter Biden’s lawyers say they “anticipate” suing Fox but have not yet done so. This stepped-up strategy by Hunter Biden to defend himself against the onslaught of attacks initially stoked anxiety among some of President Biden’s political advisers. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to those criminal charges.

Persons: CNN — Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s, Hunter Biden, “, Biden, Hunter Biden’s, Hunter, ”, Biden’s, Fox, ” Hunter, Alexander Smirnov, Fox News “, Sean Hannity, Maria Bartiromo, Jesse Watters “, don’t Organizations: CNN, Fox, Fox News, FOX Corp, FOX, FBI, Republican Locations: Delaware, California

☆ US determines 5 Israeli security units committed human rights violations before outbreak of Gaza war
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The US State Department has determined that five Israeli security units committed gross violations of human rights prior to the outbreak of the war with Hamas in Gaza, but is still deciding whether to restrict military assistance to one of the units under US law. The other four “have effectively remediated these violations,” deputy State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said Monday. The US is still deciding whether to restrict assistance to the remaining unit – reported to be the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion. They have submitted additional information as it pertains to that unit, and we’re continuing to have those conversations,” Patel said. Patel also declined to detail the units or speak about specifics of the remediation process.

Persons: Vedant Patel, Netzah Yehuda, ” Patel, they’ve, ”, Antony Blinken, Leahy, Patel, Israel, “, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, US State Department, Government, Leahy Law, State Locations: Gaza, Israel, United States

Why Elon Musk went to ChinaJust days after Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing and warned China about unfair trade practices, Elon Musk landed in the Chinese capital. 2 official may have paid off: Musk reportedly cleared two obstacles to introducing a fully autonomous driving system in the world’s biggest car market. Musk is betting big on self-driving, and China is key. Tesla last week reported its worst quarter in two years as a price war hurts profit. Fully autonomous driving is also crucial.

Persons: Elon Musk, Antony Blinken, Tesla, China’s, they’ve, Musk, ” Organizations: Elon Locations: China, Beijing

☆ NBA stars are scoring big in the fashion world
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Nick Remsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Basketball players’ style — largely in the men’s league, but increasingly the women’s too — has become a bonafide pillar in fashion media and consumption. Basketball players’ style has more eyes on it than any other sport, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Mitchell S. Jackson told CNN. “(The league) was the first to embrace it,” Jackson, author of the recently released photobook “Fly: The Big Book of Basketball Fashion,” explained. “Basketball players are so much a part of American culture. Bettman/Getty Images/Courtesy Workman“We talk a lot about current NBA tunnel style, but the league has been America’s most stylish for decades,” Schube continued.

Persons: Tyrese Haliburton, Pepper Robinson, Ron Hoskins, NBAE, — Tyrese Haliburton, —, Pharrell Williams, Birkin, it’s, Shai Gilgeous, Alexander, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Josh Giddey, Tyler Herro, “, Marcus Paul, Luka Dončic, ” There’s, Caitlin Clark, Prada, Sam Schube, Thom Browne, AJ Mast, Tyler Ross, Workman, Virgil Abloh, Louis Vuitton, Williams, Kim Kardashian’s, Donovan Clingan, Caleb Love, Hunter Dickinson, Jared McCain, Duke, Robert Dillingham, Paxson Wojcik, Mitchell S, Jackson, ” Jackson, ”, LeBron, Michael Jordan, Jordan, Jackson’s, Peggy Sirota, who’ve, Stephen “ Steph ” Curry, Curry, Steph Curry, Jed Jacobsohn “, ’ ” Curry, ” Curry, “ I’m, Kyle Kuzma, Timothée, Johnson, Andrew D, Bernstein, Walt Frazier, Bettman, ” Schube, “ Allen Iverson, Phil Jackson, Pat Riley, Armani, Walt Fraziers, Wilt Chamberlain’s, Fatih Aktas, ‘, ’ ”, …, they’d, ” Gilgeous, Alexander —, haven’t Organizations: Indiana Pacers, Basketball, Gilgeous, CNN, GQ, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Times, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, UConn, UNC, “ Basketball, Golden State Warriors, Fashion Council, Savant, State, GQ Sports, ’, Workman New York Knicks, Royce, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Civil, Nike Locations: Haliburton, Arizona, Kansas, Robert Dillingham ( Kentucky, Chicago , Illinois, Gilgeous

☆ Hamas to consider ceasefire-hostage release proposal that Israeli sources say could avert Rafah invasion
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Becky Anderson | Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

A working-level Israeli delegation of Mossad, Shin Bet and the Israeli military officials is expected to travel to Cairo on Tuesday, the Israeli source and another Israeli official said. Hamas has insisted that a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza should be part of the agreement. But Israeli sources have characterized the latest Egyptian effort to broker a deal as the last chance to avert that offensive. “The only chance to stop Rafah is a deal,” the Israeli source familiar with the negotiations said. Twenty people, including at least one infant and a toddler, died following an Israeli airstrike over Rafah, Gaza, overnight into Monday, according to hospital officials.

Persons: Shin Bet, Yahya Sinwar, Antony Blinken, ”, Børge Brende, “, Sameh Shoukry, Israel, ” Shoukry, Blinken, John Kirby, Biden, we’ve, “ They’ve, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Mahmmoud Basal, Hijazi Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, CNN, Mossad, Hamas, Economic, White, National Security Council, US, ABC, Israeli, Gaza Civil Locations: Riyadh, Jerusalem, Egypt, Israel, Gaza, Rafah, United States, Cairo, Saudi, “, Israeli, Rafah “, Gaza City

☆ Oil prices drop as reports say Israel and Hamas could soon head for cease-fire talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Yuheng Zhan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices fell as reports on Monday indicated that Israel and Hamas could engage in cease-fire talks this week. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementOil prices dropped Monday with energy markets eyeing fading geopolitical risks as Israel and Hamas reportedly move toward cease-fire talks. Cease-fire discussions could begin as soon as Tuesday if both parties agree to meet Cairo, the report said. Analysts say they see as much as a 20% surge for stocks in the sector as conflict and supply disruptions keep prices elevated.

Persons: Antony Blinken, —, Brent, Israel, David Rosenberg Organizations: Service, Hamas, West Texas Intermediate, The New York Times, United, Reuters, Bank Locations: Israel, Cairo, United States, Saudi Arabia, Rafah, Russia, Ukraine, OPEC

☆ Middle East Crisis Blinken Is Set to Meet With Top Middle East Diplomats on War
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Edward Wong | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, three weeks after telling him that he could rethink U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza. An administration official said that about three-quarters of Mr. Biden’s nearly hourlong call to Mr. Netanyahu focused on the possible cease-fire and hostages deal. The two leaders also discussed hostage videos released by Hamas last week, including those showing two hostages with American citizenship. Israel, heeding pleas by Mr. Biden for restraint, fired back only a token counterattack, and both sides have indicated they want to avoid further escalation. With the immediate threat of a wider war seemingly fading, Mr. Biden and his team could shift their attention back to Gaza.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony J, Blinken, “ That’s, John F, Kirby, Biden’s, Netanyahu, Israel, Mr, Biden “, “, Bernie Sanders, ”, Yahya Sinwar, ” Edward Wong Organizations: Israel, Hamas, State Department, Mr, Economic, White, ABC, Biden, American, ”, CNN, “, U.S Locations: Gaza, Rafah, Washington, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Jordan, Israel, ”, U.S, Vermont, “ State, Iran

☆ Elon Musk wins official praise for Tesla during surprise visit to China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Autopilot is available in China, but not the full FSD feature, which needs to comply with the country’s data security rules. “The economies of China and the United States are deeply integrated,” he said, according to an official readout of the meeting with the Tesla CEO. “Tesla is willing to further deepen cooperation with China and achieve more win-win results,” Musk told Li. Musk first met Li in 2018, when Tesla signed a deal with the Shanghai government to open a plant there. Since then, Musk has met with Li publicly at least five times, according to state media reports and government statements.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Elon Musk, Premier Li Qiang, Tesla, Musk, ”, Dan Ives, that’s, Ives, Antony Blinken, Xi Jinping, Li, China’s BYD, “, ” Musk, Tesla’s, Ren Hongbin, Li Qiang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Premier, China Association of Auto Manufacturers, Baidu, Bloomberg, CNN, Beijing Auto, EV, Wedbush Securities, China Council, Promotion of International Trade Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Shanghai, Weibo

☆ Some in State Department don’t believe Israel is using US weapons in accordance with international law, source says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | Jack Forrest | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The State Department is divided over whether Israel is using American-provided weapons in accordance with international law ahead of a fast-approaching deadline next week for Secretary of State Antony Blinken to make a determination to Congress. Human rights groups have accused Israel of committing war crimes and abuses during the war in Gaza. The State Department official Sunday did not give further details about which parts of the department are in favor of accepting Israel’s assurances, which are in favor of rejecting them, and which took no position. “We don’t comment on leaked documents, especially those purporting to contain classified information,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. While the report does not represent the US government’s own conclusions, Blinken said last week that the State Department was looking at the incidents.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Israel, Joe Biden, Blinken, International Organization Affairs –, Matthew Miller, ”, Biden, Joe, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “, Lloyd Austin, Israel “ meritless, ” CNN’s Michael Conte, Kayla Tausche, MJ Lee Organizations: CNN, The State Department, ”, Hamas, Reuters, –, Human Rights, Labor, Justice, International Organization Affairs, Department, National, Israel, Foreign, Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Progressives, Sunday, Central, State, State Department, Armed Services Locations: Israel, Gaza, Western

☆ US buys 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Russia's ally for less than $20,000 each, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewThe US has acquired 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Kazakhstan, the Kyiv Post reported. The motive behind the US purchase remains undisclosed, said the Post, fueling speculation about potential use in Ukraine, where similar aircraft are in service. Kazakhstan, formerly part of the Soviet Union, has maintained close ties to Russia and historically was one of its strongest allies. Some of Russia's outspoken propagandists have suggested that Russia should look to Kazakhstan next following its invasion of Ukraine.

Persons: —, Kassym, David Cameron, Antony Blinken, Olivier Douliery, Vladimir Solovyov Organizations: Service, Kyiv Post, Business, Mikoyan MiG, Soviet, Airforce Technology, Russian Defense Ministry, Russian Aerospace Forces, Ukrainian Air Force, Russia, Foreign, Ak, AP, AFP Locations: Kazakhstan, Kyiv, Ukraine, Soviet, Afghan, Soviet Union, Russia, Moscow, Germany, Astana, Russian, Western, China, Afghanistan, Iran

☆ Biden to Confer With Netanyahu on a Possible Cease-Fire and Hostage Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Peter Baker | More About Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden plans to speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Sunday to discuss the prospects of a possible cease-fire deal to obtain the release of some of the remaining hostages held since the Hamas-led terrorist attack of Oct. 7, according to two officials with direct knowledge of the plan. Mr. Biden’s call with the prime minister is set to come just hours after Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken left Washington for his latest trip to the Middle East. Mr. Blinken will start in Saudi Arabia, where he will see Egyptian and Qatari officials who have served as intermediaries with Hamas in the cease-fire and hostage talks, which have stalled in recent weeks. The call also comes three weeks after Mr. Biden told Mr. Netanyahu that he would rethink his support for Israel’s war unless the country did more to facilitate the delivery of food and other supplies to Gaza and limit civilian casualties. Since then, humanitarian aid to Gaza has increased substantially, and Biden advisers credit Israel with responding to the president’s demands, though U.S. officials acknowledge that the aid is still not as much as is needed.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony J, Blinken, Netanyahu Organizations: Israel, State Department, Saudi, Economic Locations: Washington, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Gaza, U.S

☆ With Israel Poised to Invade Rafah, Negotiators Try Again for Cease-Fire Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Isabel Kershner | Edward Wong | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As international diplomats converged in the Middle East on Sunday seeking a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, Israel wrestled with whether to go forward with a ground invasion of Rafah, Hamas’s last bastion in the enclave, according to Israeli officials and analysts. Israeli officials have said repeatedly that they plan to move into Rafah, but over the weekend, they made clear they were open to holding off if it meant they could secure the release of Israeli hostages taken when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet, said Sunday that while “entering Rafah is important for the long battle against Hamas,” freeing the remaining hostages, whose number is estimated at about 100, “is urgent and much more important.”As Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken headed for Saudi Arabia on Sunday to meet with officials from a half-dozen Arab nations, an American official said Mr. Blinken’s top priority was a cease-fire deal that would include the release of all hostages.

Persons: Benny Gantz, Antony J, Blinken Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Hamas’s, Saudi Arabia

☆ Biden swipes at Trump at White House correspondents' dinner
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Megan Lebowitz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

US President Joe Biden speaks during the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner in Washington, DC, US on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The president said later that age was the only thing he and Trump had in common, adding, "My vice president actually endorses me," a reference to former Vice President Mike Pence's refusal to say he'll back his former running mate in 2024. President Joe Biden on Saturday used his White House correspondents' dinner speech to swipe at former President Donald Trump , taking shots at the presumptive GOP nominee while highlighting the stakes of the election. US President Joe Biden speaks during the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner at the Washington Hilton, in Washington, DC, on April 27, 2024. NBC News Senior White House Correspondent Kelly O'Donnell is serving as the White House Correspondents Association's 2023-24 president and presided over the dinner.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Trump, Mike Pence's, Donald Trump, Evan Gershkovich, Vladimir Putin, Gershkovich, Austin Tice, Paul Whelan, Gershkovich's, Steve Kornacki, We're, Scarlett Johansson, Jost, Rachel Brosnahan, Antony Blinken, Chuck Schumer, Sen, John Fetterman, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, Kelly O'Donnell, Association's, Colin Jost Organizations: White, Correspondents ' Association, Washington Hilton, Street, U.S, NBC News, Biden, Penn, NBC, Air Force Locations: Washington , DC, Washington ,, Russia, United States, Israel, Gaza

☆ US buys 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Russia's ally costing on average less than $20,000 each, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewThe US has acquired 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Kazakhstan, the Kyiv Post reported. The US purchased 81 of the aged warplanes, said the Ukrainian Telegram channel Insider UA, per the Post. AdvertisementDerived from the MiG-23, the MiG-27 was a ground-attack aircraft and saw action in conflicts like the Soviet-Afghan War. Some of Russia's outspoken propagandists have suggested that Russia should look to Kazakhstan following its invasion of Ukraine.

Persons: —, Mikoyan, Antony Blinken, Kassym, Olivier Douliery, Vladimir Solovyov Organizations: Service, Kyiv Post, Business, US, Ukrainian Telegram, UA, Mikoyan MiG, Soviet, Airforce Technology, Russian Aerospace Forces, Ukrainian Air Force, Russian Defense Ministry Kazakhstan, Ak, AP, AFP Locations: Kazakhstan, Kyiv, Ukraine, Russian, Soviet, Afghan, Soviet Union, Russia, Moscow, Astana, Western, China, Afghanistan, Iran

☆ Mark Meadows asked the Supreme Court to recognize his 'just following orders' defense. A right-wing justice wasn't buying it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Mark Meadows has requested Supreme Court to recognize immunity for president's subordinates. One of Trump's own Supreme Court appointees seemed to draw the opposite conclusion. AdvertisementBefore the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in former President Donald Trump's immunity case, Mark Meadows tried to get his foot in the door. AdvertisementJudges have denied Meadows's attempts to move his criminal case to federal court, which could be more favorable legal territory. AdvertisementA Trump appointee had the opposite approachIn Thursday's hearings, the Supreme Court didn't directly take up the issue.

Persons: Mark Meadows, Trump's, —, Donald Trump's, Trump, Joe Biden's, Meadows, doesn't, didn't, Neil Gorsuch —, John Sauer, Gorsuch, Sauer, we've, they're, Anthony Michael Kreis, George Terwilliger, Michael Dreeben, Amy Coney Barrett, Barrett, Donald Trump, Neil Gorsuch, Carolyn Kaster, Samuel Alito, Alito, Kreis, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, That's, it's Organizations: Trump, Service, Republican, Attorney's, Supreme, Constitutional Convention, Georgia State University, Justice Department, Department of Justice, Kreis Locations: Georgia, Meadows, Fulton County, Atlanta, Fulton

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