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☆ US Supreme Court seeks Biden administration view on US Soccer antitrust case
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Mike Scarcella | Companies Need To Integrate Climate Reporting Across Functions To Comply With California S New Law | Henry Engler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The justices are considering whether to hear U.S. Soccer's appeal of a lower court's decision to allow the lawsuit by New York-based Relevent Sports to proceed. The lawsuit, filed in 2019 in Manhattan federal court against U.S. Soccer and FIFA, claimed the ban violated American antitrust law and sought to stop the two organizations from implementing it. U.S. Soccer is a member of FIFA, soccer's international governing body. The United States hosts "friendly" games involving foreign professional teams, but the games do not count in league standings. U.S. soccer has argued that it had no role as a FIFA member in forming the international organization's 2018 policy banning foreign clubs from holding competitive matches outside the teams' home countries.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Relevent's, Mike Scarcella, Will Dunham Organizations: U.S, Supreme, U.S . Soccer, FIFA, Soccer, soccer's, United States, Circuit, Appeals, Thomson Locations: United States, New York, Manhattan, U.S, York

☆ US government aims to free up more wireless spectrum
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's administration on Monday announced steps aimed at freeing up additional wireless spectrum for advanced technology needs and soaring U.S. wireless demand including by repurposing spectrum currently set aside for parts of the federal government. The White House said it was releasing a National Spectrum Strategy and a presidential memorandum to modernize U.S. spectrum policy that "includes new actions to improve spectrum management and spectrum access - including a study of more than 2,700 megahertz of spectrum for potential repurposing." The White House has said additional spectrum is key to next-generation wireless service and a variety of advanced technology, infrastructure and government needs. Key issues include working to free up government-owned spectrum that agencies no longer need to use, establishing processes for resolving spectrum-related conflicts and developing dynamic spectrum-sharing capability, the White House said. Biden's administration plans within 12 to 18 months to "advance research, create investment incentives and set forth measurable goals to advance spectrum access technology" including establishing spectrum test beds, the White House said.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, David Shepardson, Will Dunham Organizations: United States Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Mobile U.S, White, Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Federal Communications Commission, U.S ., FCC, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S

Eight Republicans joined with 201 Democrats to vote in favor of referring the articles back to the House Homeland Security Committee, which is carrying out its own investigation into Mayorkas' alleged dereliction of duty. Mia Ehrenberg, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, accused Republicans of "wasting time" on the impeachment. "Secretary Mayorkas continues to be laser-focused on the safety and security of our nation," Ehrenberg said in a statement. The impeachment allegations stem from a Republican assertion that the Biden administration could better manage border security, rather than any criminal offense. House Republicans have also launched an impeachment inquiry into Biden.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Julia Nikhinson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Joe Biden, Mayorkas, Greene, Mia Ehrenberg, Ehrenberg, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, Hunter Biden, Moira Warburton, Ted Hesson, Scott Malone, Jonathan Oatis, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Homeland, U.S, Congress, REUTERS, U.S . House, Republican, Democratic, Eight Republicans, House Homeland Security Committee, Department of Homeland Security, Republicans, Biden, Trump, White, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, WASHINGTON, Mexico, Ukraine, U.S, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping have no shortage of difficult issues to discuss when they sit down for their first talks in a year, even if expectations are low that their meeting will lead to major breakthroughs. Beijing’s demands were made clear last November when Xi and Biden met in Bali, Indonesia, during the Group of 20 summit. That was a rejoinder to the Biden administration mantra that the two nations should compete vigorously while not looking for conflict. Beijing has bristled at export controls and other measures imposed by the Biden administration, perceiving them as designed to stifle China's economic growth. But Xi, this time, is likely to seek assurance from Biden that the U.S. will not pile new ones onto China.

Persons: Joe Biden, China’s Xi, what’s, Biden, Xi, Janet Yellen, “, ”, Nancy Pelosi, Newt Gingrich, Xie Feng, Wang Wenbin, Zhu Feng, Zhu, Kanis Leung, Ken Moritsugu, Yu Bing Organizations: WASHINGTON, Economic Cooperation, BIDEN, U.S ., U.S, American, School of International Studies of Nanjing University, Trump, Biden, ”, Associated Press Locations: Asia, Taiwan, East, Europe, U.S, China, Francisco, Beijing, United States, Taiwan . Washington, Iran, Tehran, Israel, American, Hong Kong, Bali , Indonesia, Bali, Washington, ” Beijing, San Francisco

Manchin never defended the remark but was criticized by West Virginia Republicans for what his party’s nominee said. By 2022, coal mining employees in West Virginia made up nearly 30% of all coal employees in the country. John Deskins, director of the West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research, said 75% of West Virginia’s coal jobs were disappearing before coal production dropped because of mechanization. West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin said Trump never fulfilled his promise. He said the state Democratic Party was branded “anti-jobs and anti-coal” because of environmental policies coming from the national party.

Persons: Joe Manchin’s, Robert C, Byrd, Jennings Randolph, Jay Rockefeller, Manchin, Joe Biden's, Jim Justice, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Trump, Hillary Clinton, John Deskins, ”, Mike Pushkin, “ Donald Trump, Robert Rupp, " Rupp, ” Rupp, Rupp, “, “ He’s, Biden, Jim Crow, William Hal Gorby, you’re, ” Manchin, Pat McGinley, ” McGinley, Democratic Sen, Mike Caputo, Kavish Harjai Organizations: U.S, Senate, West Virginia's, Democratic, Mountain State, Republican Gov, Biden, Senate Energy, Natural Resources Committee, West Virginia Republicans, West Virginia University, of Business, Economic Research, West Virginia Democratic, Democrats, Retired West Virginia Wesleyan, New, Democrat, Immigrants, Black, West Virginians, ” West Virginia University, Big Branch, Big, Mine Safety Administration, Massey Energy, West Virginia Democrats, United Mine Workers, America, Democratic Party, Press Locations: CHARLESTON, W.Va, Washington, Manchin, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, West, Towns, Europe, ”, Randolph, Los Angeles

☆ Trump backs requests for TV coverage of his federal criminal trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a legal motion backing media requests for live television coverage of his federal trial on charges he conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Trump is facing four criminal proceedings, including the federal court trial set for March in which he faces charges of attempting to defraud the federal government and obstructing Congress by knowingly spreading false claims of election fraud. In his latest filing by his lawyers, John Lauro and Todd Blanche, Trump endorsed requests by media organizations that U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan allow live television coverage of the trial. "Every person in America, and beyond, should have the opportunity to study this case firsthand and watch as, if there is a trial, President Trump exonerates himself of these baseless and politically motivated charges," said the filing. Smith earlier this month opposed the media requests, citing a decades-old federal court rule barring broadcasts of criminal proceedings.

Persons: Donald Trump, Shannon Stapleton, Trump, Joe Biden's, Biden, John Lauro, Todd Blanche, Tanya Chutkan, Trump exonerates, Jack Smith's, Smith, Jonathan Landay, Alistair Bell Organizations: U.S, Trump Organization, Court, REUTERS, Rights, Former U.S, Democratic, Capitol, Thomson Locations: New York, Manhattan, New York City, U.S, Former, America

Moody's is the last of the three major rating agencies to maintain a top rating for the U.S. government. Fitch changed its rating from triple-A to AA+ in August, joining S&P which has had an AA+ rating since 2011. “While the statement by Moody’s maintains the United States’ AAA rating, we disagree with the shift to a negative outlook. The sharp rise in Treasury yields "has increased pre-existing pressure on US debt affordability," Moody's said. “Moody’s just downgraded our credit rating outlook to negative because of our out-of-control government spending and deficits," hardline Republican Representative Andy Harris said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, Joe Biden's, Fitch, Moody's, Karine Jean, Pierre, Moody’s, Wally Adeyemo, Adeyemo, Biden, Quincy Krosby, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, “ Moody’s, Andy Harris, ”, Richard Rohan Francis, Davide Barbuscia, Andrea Shalal, David Morgan, Caroline Valetkevitch, Ira Iosebashvili, Megan Davies, Shilpi Majumdar, Shounak Dasgupta, David Gregorio, Chris Reese Organizations: REUTERS, . House, U.S ., Aaa, White, Republican, States ’ AAA, Treasury, Reserve, LPL, New York Times, Republicans, Democratic, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, WASHINGTON, American, Siena, Nevada , Georgia, Arizona , Michigan, Pennsylvania, Trump, Wisconsin

Washington in mid-October issued a general license lifting through April sanctions on the country's oil production and exports. POLICY SHIFTThe U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry to try to oust President Nicolas Maduro, whose 2018 re-election it considers a sham. In the last three weeks, PDVSA has signed new term deals to sell products, including fuel oil and asphalt cement with little known firms. LINING UPShortly after sanctions were eased last month, Trafigura chartered a vessel to pick up a fuel oil cargo at a Venezuelan port. The firm that won the offer is Romania-registered Ke Lo Ke Mgmt, PDVSA documents seen by Reuters showed.

Persons: Marco Bello, Nicolas Maduro's, PDVSA, Nicolas Maduro, Joe Biden's, Trafigura, Lo, Ke Lo Ke, Gunvor, Marianna Parraga, Gary McWilliams, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Gunvor, Reuters, Bloomberg, Thomson Locations: Puerto Cabello, Carabobo, HOUSTON, Washington, U.S, Venezuela, PDVSA, Venezuelan, Romania

Political Cartoons View All 1237 ImagesEarlier this year, the Federal Election Commission began a process to potentially regulate AI-generated deepfakes in political ads before the 2024 election. AI-generated political ads have already made an appearance in the U.S. In April, the Republican National Committee released an entirely AI-generated ad meant to show the future of the United States if Biden, a Democrat, is reelected. Google announced a similar AI labeling policy for political ads in September. Under that rule, political ads that play on YouTube or other Google platforms will have to disclose the use of AI-altered voices or imagery.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Biden, Ron DeSantis ’, Donald Trump, Anthony Fauci, “ It’s, ”, Vince Lynch, IV.AI, Lynch, ” Lynch Organizations: WASHINGTON, Facebook, Meta, Inc, Commission, Republican National Committee, Democrat, Florida Gov, GOP, Google, YouTube Locations: Europe, United States, U.S, Mexico, South Africa, Ukraine, Taiwan, Pakistan, Florida, Menlo Park , California

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — A woman accused of threatening to kill a federal judge in Texas who suspended approval of the abortion drug mifepristone earlier this year was arrested Wednesday in Florida, court records. Alice Marie Pence made her initial appearance in Fort Myers federal court after her arrest, according to court records. Her next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 22 in Dallas federal court. According to an indictment, Pence called the chambers of a federal judge in Amarillo, Texas, in March and threatened to kill him. The indictment doesn't name the judge, but the only federal judge in Amarillo is U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk.

Persons: —, Alice Marie Pence, Pence, Matthew Kacsmaryk, Donald Trump, Roe, Wade, Joe Biden's Organizations: District, U.S, Supreme Locations: MYERS, Fla, Texas, Florida, Fort Myers federal, Dallas, Amarillo , Texas, Amarillo, U.S, Kacsmaryk

Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that the measure failed a stringent test set by the Supreme Court in a 2022 ruling that required gun laws to be "consistent with the nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation" in order to survive a Second Amendment challenge. Violating the law initially was punishable by up to 10 years in prison but has since been raised to 15 years. A federal judge rejected Rahimi's Second Amendment challenge and sentenced him to more than six years in prison. Biden's administration has said the law should survive because of the long tradition in the United States of taking guns from people deemed dangerous. Supporters of Rahimi have argued that judges too easily issue restraining orders in an unfair process that results in the deprivation of the constitutional gun rights of accused abusers.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Joe Biden's, Bruen, Zackey, Rahimi, Andrew Chung, Will Dunham Organizations: U.S, White, REUTERS, Rights, Supreme, Circuit, Appeals, New York State, Police, Thomson Locations: Washington U.S, Orleans, New York, Texas, Bruen, United States

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Tuesday imposed sanctions on 13 members of Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel and four Sonora, Mexico-based firms accused of trafficking fentanyl and other drugs into the United States. The latest action follows a series of measures taken this year against members of the Sinaloa cartel, cash couriers and cartel fraud schemes. Included in the sanctions are a manager of cartel operations in Nogales who oversaw the trafficking of multi-ton quantities of drugs, authorities said, as well as members of his family and his associates. More than 100,000 deaths a year have been linked to drug overdoses since 2020, and about two-thirds of those are related to fentanyl. Mexico and China are the primary sources for fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked directly into the U.S., according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, which is tasked with combating illicit drug trafficking.

Persons: —, Biden, Brian Nelson, “, ” Nelson, Joe Biden's, isn’t Organizations: WASHINGTON, Treasury, Disease Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, Democratic Locations: Sinaloa, Sonora, Mexico, United States, Nogales, U.S, China

Both Israel and Hamas have rebuffed mounting calls for a halt in fighting. Hamas says it will not free them nor stop fighting while Gaza is under assault. "We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. [1/8]Flares are dropped by Israeli forces, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Gaza City November 6, 2023. Diplomats said a key obstacle is whether to call for a ceasefire, cessation of hostilities or humanitarian pauses to allow aid access in Gaza.

Persons: Netanyahu, Israel, Biden, White, Benjamin Netanyahu, we've, Joe Biden, It's, Human Rights Volker Turk, Adhanom, Martin Griffiths, Mohammed Al, Masri, Daniel Hagari, Hagari, U.N, General Antonio Guterres, Guterres, Robert Wood, we're, Joe Biden's, Nidal al, Emily Rose, Patricia Zengerle, Michelle Nichols, Daphne Psaledakis, Rami Ayyub, Cynthia Osterman, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: ABC News, ., Human Rights, Health Organization, Hamas, REUTERS, Israel Defense Forces, . Security, Diplomats, United Nations, U.S, U.S . Congress, Thomson Locations: White House, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Gaza, Israel, United States, Washington, Nations, Palestinian, Gaza City, Lebanon, Iran, Lebanese, Haifa

☆ US plans precision bombs transfer to Israel -source
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's administration has informed the U.S. Congress that it is planning a $320 million transfer of precision bombs for Israel, a source familiar with the plan said on Monday. The Wall Street Journal first reported that the administration sent formal notification on Oct. 31 to congressional leaders of the planned transfer of Spice Family Gliding Bomb Assemblies, a type of precision guided weapon fired by warplanes. Citing correspondence it viewed, the Journal said weapons manufacturer Rafael USA would transfer the bombs to its Israeli parent company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems for use by the Israeli defense ministry. Earlier on Monday, the United Nations said Gaza is becoming a "graveyard for children," amplifying demands for a ceasefire as Palestinian health authorities said the death toll from Israel strikes had exceeded 10,000. Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, editing by Deepa BabingtonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ronen, Joe Biden's, Rafael, Patricia Zengerle, Deepa Babington Organizations: U.S, Israeli, White, Consulate, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Congress, Street Journal, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, United, Thomson Locations: U.S, Israeli, Tel Aviv, Israel, United Nations, Gaza

WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - A trade program that grants exports from qualifying African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market should be extended by 16 years, said Democratic Senator Chris Coons, a leading voice on U.S.-Africa policy. African countries want a 10-year renewal of the pact ahead of the 2024 U.S. election. President Joe Biden's administration is also seeking the program's reauthorization but has called for certain reforms. "My AGOA Renewal Act would extend this program, incentivizing investments that will create jobs, bolster economic development, and strengthen our standing in the region," Coons said in a statement. Ben Cardin, the committee's chairman, supports the program's reauthorization, but believes there should be changes to how eligibility criteria is applied, an aide said.

Persons: Chris Coons, Joe Biden's, Coons, Ben Cardin, James Risch, Katherine Tai, Makini Brice, Paul Simao, Josie Kao Organizations: Senate Foreign Relations, Continental Free Trade, Reuters, Biden, United, . Trade, Thomson Locations: U.S, Africa, United States, Washington

☆ US Plans Precision Bombs Transfer to Israel -Source
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's administration has informed the U.S. Congress that it is planning a $320 million transfer of precision bombs for Israel, a source familiar with the plan said on Monday. The Wall Street Journal first reported that the administration sent formal notification on Oct. 31 to congressional leaders of the planned transfer of Spice Family Gliding Bomb Assemblies, a type of precision guided weapon fired by warplanes. Citing correspondence it viewed, the Journal said weapons manufacturer Rafael USA would transfer the bombs to its Israeli parent company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems for use by the Israeli defense ministry. Earlier on Monday, the United Nations said Gaza is becoming a "graveyard for children," amplifying demands for a ceasefire as Palestinian health authorities said the death toll from Israel strikes had exceeded 10,000. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, editing by Deepa Babington)

Persons: Joe Biden's, Rafael, Patricia Zengerle, Deepa Babington Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S . Congress, Street Journal, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, United Locations: Israel, United Nations, Gaza

☆ Guns rights and domestic violence protections collide at US Supreme Court
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Andrew Chung | Companies Need To Integrate Climate Reporting Across Functions To Comply With California S New Law | Henry Engler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

A group among hundreds of supporters of gun control laws rally in front of the US Supreme Court as the justices hear the first major gun rights case since 2010, in Washington, U.S. December 2, 2019. The law at issue makes it a crime for a person under a domestic violence restraining order to have a gun. And in this case, many gun rights groups and conservative or libertarian legal scholars support Rahimi's challenge, while many liberal and gun safety organizations oppose it. The Supreme Court will hear an appeal by President Joe Biden's administration of a ruling by the 5th U.S. It also emphasized that a gun's presence gun substantially increases the chances that a domestic violence incident turn deadly.

Persons: Andrew Chung, Phil Sorrells, they're, Sorrells, Zackey Rahimi, George Mocsary, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump's, Rahimi, Eve Brensike Primus, Primus, Will Dunham Organizations: US, Court, REUTERS, U.S, Supreme, Republican, University of Wyoming, Circuit, Appeals, New York, University of Michigan Law, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, New Orleans, Tarrant County, Texas, United States, New York, Republican Texas

First launched in 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) grants exports from qualifying African countries duty-free access to the United States - the world's largest consumer market. African countries are pushing for an early 10-year extension without changes to reassure businesses and investors. A recent push in the U.S. Senate is aiming to pass a quick AGOA renewal. 'FORWARD-LOOKING VISION'Over $10 billion worth of African exports entered the United States duty free last year under the programme. More than 80% of duty-free non-petroleum AGOA exports, for example, have come from just five countries - South Africa, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar and Ethiopia - in recent years.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, Biden, Blinken, Katherine Tai, Cyril Ramaphosa, Harriet Ntabazi, We've, Ntabazi, Carien du, Tannur Anders, Alexander Winning, Nick Macfie Organizations: Hamas, Joint Base Andrews, REUTERS, U.S . Senate, United States Congress, United, U.S . International Trade Commission, U.S . Trade, U.S ., Central African, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Washington, East, Asia, Joint Base Andrews , Maryland, U.S, JOHANNESBURG, United States, Africa, China, Johannesburg, South Africa, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Gabon, Niger, Uganda, Central African Republic, AGOA, Carien du Plessis

☆ US Supreme Court to decide legality of federal ban on gun 'bump stocks'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Andrew Chung | Companies Need To Integrate Climate Reporting Across Functions To Comply With California S New Law | Henry Engler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Bump stocks use a semiautomatic's recoil to allow it to slide back and forth while "bumping" the shooter's trigger finger, resulting in rapid fire. The Supreme Court previously had turned away some challenges to the bump stocks prohibition. Cargill sued to challenge the rule, which required him to surrender his two bump stocks. That decision "threatens significant harm to public safety," the Justice Department said in a filing to the Supreme Court. "Bump stocks allow a shooter to fire hundreds of bullets a minute by a single pull of the trigger.

Persons: George Frey, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Michael Cargill, Cargill, Richard Samp, Samp, Biden, Andrew Chung, Will Dunham Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Supreme, Trump, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, U.S . Justice Department, National Firearms Act, New Civil Liberties Alliance, Cargill, ATF, U.S . Justice, Circuit, Justice Department, National Rifle Association, Thomson Locations: Orem , Utah, U.S, Austin , Texas, Las Vegas, New Orleans, United States, New York

The justices are set to hear arguments in the agency's appeal of a lower court's decision that reversed its denial of attorney Steve Elster's trademark application for "Trump Too Small" - an irreverent criticism of former President Donald Trump - to use on T-shirts. Elster applied for the trademark in 2018, invoking an exchange between Trump and U.S. Elster said that "Trump Too Small" expressed his opinion about "the smallness of Donald Trump's overall approach to governing." The trademark office rejected Elster's application based on a 1946 federal law that bans the use of a person's name in a trademark without their permission. The Supreme Court in recent years has struck down two trademark laws, citing free speech concerns.

Persons: Donald Trump, Scott Morgan, Steve Elster's, Elster, Marco Rubio, Trump, Rubio, Marco, Donald Trump's, Joe Biden, Erik Brunetti, Joe, Hillary, Blake Brittain, Will Dunham Organizations: U.S, Republican, REUTERS, Rights, Supreme, U.S . Patent, Trump, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Sioux City , Iowa, U.S, California, America, Washington

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, crisis in Gaza, Netanyahu rejects ceasefire calls
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Officials with US President Joe Biden's administration have been calling on Israel to consider so-called “humanitarian pauses” that can allow for civilians in Gaza, including hostages, to exit and for aid to get in. One source familiar with the discussions said the talks have centered on freeing hostages in exchange for prisoners being held by Israel. Al-Ansari, the Qatari spokesperson, also said there have been active discussions about a “prisoner exchange” for the hostages. The source added the negotiations also include getting Hamas to open the Rafah gates for dual nationals to leave Gaza. “We are optimistic that the talks are headed more towards all civilian hostages,” al-Ansari said.

Persons: Joe Biden's, ”, —, Majed Al, Ansari, Israel, Jake Sullivan, we’ve, ” Sullivan, Al, ” al, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatari, US Locations: Gaza, Israel, Qatar, Egypt, Doha

[1/2] Airplane model is placed on displayed Spirit Airlines and jetBlue Airways logos in this illustration taken, June 21, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustrations/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBOSTON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice heads to trial on Tuesday to urge a federal judge to block JetBlue Airways' (JBLU.O) planned $3.8 billion acquisition of ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines. The trial will take place without a jury over about three weeks before U.S. District Judge William Young. A merger between JetBlue and Spirit, the sixth and seventh largest U.S. carriers, respectively, would mark the first major U.S. airline combination since Alaska Airlines bought Virgin America in 2016. The Justice Department alleges the merger would eliminate the pressure larger airlines, including JetBlue, face to lower their fares in response to competition from Spirit and cost consumers over $2 billion in higher fares annually.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Joe Biden's, William Young, Young, Biden, Leo Sorokin, Nate Raymond, Alexia Garamfalvi, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Airlines, jetBlue Airways, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Department of Justice, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, U.S, JetBlue, Spirit, Alaska Airlines, Virgin America, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Justice Department, Department, Democratic, District of Columbia, The, Big, American, Thomson Locations: Boston, U.S, New York City, Newark, Fort Lauderdale

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — A power company's plans for an enormous offshore wind farm off Virginia's coast gained key federal approval Tuesday after the Biden Administration evaluated the project's potential impact on the environment. The utility will still need federal approval of its construction and operation plans before more pilings rise above the Atlantic Ocean. Dominion said its project will be the largest offshore wind farm under development in the United States. The administration said it wants to build 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 — enough to power more than 10 million homes. The Southern Environmental Law Center cited the importance of offshore wind for cutting carbon pollution, which fuels climate change.

Persons: what's, “, Deb Haaland, Joe Biden's, Glenn Youngkin, Will Cleveland, Michael Town, ” Organizations: Biden Administration, Dominion Energy, of Ocean Energy Management, Dominion, Interior Department, Republican Gov, Southern Environmental, Virginia League of Conservation Voters Locations: VIRGINIA BEACH, Va, Virginia's, Atlantic, Virginia Beach, United States, Virginia

The Authority of Law statue is seen outside the U.S. Supreme Court at the start of the new term in Washington, U.S., October 2, 2023. The Supreme Court is tasked with deciding whether the public officials engaged in a "state action" in blocking critics from social media accounts or were merely acting in their personal capacity. The justices also are due to decide other important cases involving speech on social media during their current nine-month term. One involves a challenge to Republican-backed state laws limiting the ability of social media platforms to remove or moderate content deemed objectionable or misinformation. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed, ruling that Zane and O'Connor-Ratcliff had presented their social media accounts as "channels of communication with the public" about school board business.

Persons: Evelyn Hockstein, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump's, Michelle O'Connor, Ratcliff, T.J, Zane, Christopher, Kimberly Garnier, O'Connor, Kevin Lindke, James Freed, Lindke, Freed, John Kruzel, Andrew Chung, Will Dunham Organizations: U.S, Supreme, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Twitter, Facebook, Meta, Republican, Poway Unified School District, Circuit, Appeals, City, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, California, Michigan, Poway , California, Port Huron, Francisco, Cincinnati, New York

Blocking users is a function often employed on social media to stifle critics. The justices, hearing about three hours of arguments, focused on spelling out the circumstances for deciding whether public officials were acting in their personal capacity when blocking critics or engaged in a "state action." Conservative Justice Samuel Alito cited a hypothetical town manager who puts a municipal seal on his own social media page and tells citizens to express their views. Under this test, Mooppan argued, the social media activity of his clients was not governmental. Some justices asked whether requiring public officials to include disclaimers on their personal pages making clear their social media activity is not governmental would help disentangle their private and public capacities.

Persons: Samuel Alito, Alito, Hashim Mooppan, Mooppan, Elena Kagan, Donald Trump, " Kagan, Evelyn Hockstein, Trump, Joe Biden's, Michelle O'Connor, Ratcliff, T.J, Zane, Christopher, Kimberly Garnier, Kevin Lindke, James Freed, Freed, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Brett Kavanaugh, Victoria Ferres, Ferres, John Kruzel, Andrew Chung, Will Dunham Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Supreme, Twitter, Facebook, Conservative, Liberal, REUTERS, Poway Unified School District, Circuit, Appeals, City, Thomson Locations: California, Michigan, Poway , California, Port Huron, Washington , U.S, San Francisco, Cincinnati, New York

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