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Hogan's political ascendency resulted in large part from his criticism of tax increases that resonated with a tax-weary electorate in his upset victory in 2014. And Hogan, who was originally elected governor by railing against tax increases endorsed by the Maryland General Assembly, has already made the Maryland race unusually competitive in the heavily Democratic state. The Maryland Senate this month largely kept his budget plan intact, despite a drop in revenue estimates announced after the governor submitted his plan. The Senate has been mostly unreceptive to the House plan, with Ferguson ruling out the corporate tax component. He's also ruled out legalizing internet gambling this year, another part of the House plan.

Persons: Larry Hogan’s, Baltimore's, Francis Scott Key, Republican hasn’t, Hogan, Bill Ferguson, ” Hogan, Del, Ben Barnes, “ I’m, Larry Hogan, ” Barnes, “, ” Ferguson, David Trone, Angela Alsobrooks, Wes Moore, Ferguson, He's, Moore, haven't Organizations: Republican, Gov, U.S . Senate, Baltimore Democrat, Associated Press, Governor, Maryland General Assembly, Democratic, Washington Post, University of Maryland, Republicans, Maryland, Democratic U.S . Senate, U.S, Senate, Transportation Trust Fund, state's, ”, Maryland Democrats, GOP, Maryland Republican, U.S . Rep, Maryland Senate Locations: ANNAPOLIS, Md, Maryland, Baltimore, U.S, Senate, Prince George's

☆ U.S. Intelligence Warning to Moscow Named Specific Target of Attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Julian E. Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The U.S. warning to Russia ahead of a terrorist attack near Moscow was highly specific: Crocus City Hall was a potential target of the Islamic State, according to U.S. officials. The warning had the right venue but imprecise timing, suggesting that the attack could come within days. Indeed, the public warning by the United States Embassy on March 7 warned of potential terrorist attacks in the next two days. Gunmen stormed the hall on March 22, killing 144 people, the deadliest attack in Russia in nearly 20 years. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, and Russia charged four men from Tajikistan, accusing them of carrying out the massacre.

Persons: Vladimir V, Putin Organizations: Islamic, United States Embassy, Gunmen, Islamic State Locations: Russia, Moscow, Crocus, Islamic State, Tajikistan, Ukraine

☆ For Disney, Small Shareholders Loom Large in Boardroom Fight
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Brooks Barnes | Lauren Hirsch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Gavin Doyle used allowance money in 2009, when he was 11, to buy a few shares of Disney stock. He now owns a little over 400 shares — barely enough to be a speck of dust in the Disney investor galaxy. “I guess every vote matters,” said Mr. Doyle, 26, who runs MickeyVisit, a blog unaffiliated with Disney that focuses on theme park vacation planning. Powerful institutional investors like mutual funds and index funds typically run the show. But Disney finds itself in an atypical situation as it scrambles to thwart Nelson Peltz, an activist investor who is seeking two board seats, including one for himself.

Persons: Gavin Doyle, ”, Doyle, Nelson Peltz Organizations: Disney

☆ A 500-Year Old Chapel, 438 Solar Panels and an Architectural Squabble
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Mark Landler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Clambering across the sloped roof of King’s College Chapel with the agility of an undergraduate, Toby Lucas, 56, pointed to where his craftsmen had welded solar panels to an expanse of newly installed lead. It was the scariest part of the project, he said, because an errant spark could have ignited the 500-year-old timbers underneath, which hold up the roof of this English Gothic masterpiece. “It’s an iconic landmark in Cambridge, and it’s part and parcel of where I live,” said Mr. Lucas, whose firm, Barnes Construction, did the restoration. “You don’t want to be the person who is responsible for burning part of it down.”The chapel came through the project unscorched and now stands at the heart of Cambridge University, no longer just a glorious relic of the late-medieval period but also a cutting-edge symbol of the green-energy future. Its 438 photovoltaic panels, along with solar panels on the roofs of two nearby buildings, will supply a shade over five percent of the college’s electricity.

Persons: Toby Lucas, ”, Lucas Organizations: Barnes, Cambridge University Locations: Cambridge

DETROIT (AP) — Dalton Knecht had 24 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals, and Tennessee moved within a victory of its first trip to the Final Four, beating Creighton 82-75 in a Midwest Region semifinal on Friday night. When Tennessee lost last year in the regional semifinals for the second straight season, Knecht was at Northern Colorado and Zeigler was out with a torn knee ligament. The Bluejays advanced to the second weekend of the tournament with a rout of Akron and a double-overtime win over Oregon. Tennessee: Barnes had his team prepared and made sound adjustments, but he needs another win to quiet his critics. UP NEXTThe Vols will play in front of a pro-Boilermakers crowd when Purdue tries to make its first Final Four since 1980.

Persons: — Dalton Knecht, Creighton, Zakai Zeigler, Knecht, Zeigler, Rick Barnes, Baylor Scheierman, Steven Ashworth, Ryan Kalkbrenner, . Tennessee, Greg McDermott, Scheierman, Tobe Awaka, Saint Peter’s, Larry Johnson, pesky, didn’t, Barnes Organizations: DETROIT, Volunteers, Tennessee, Northern Colorado, Vols, Michigan State, Purdue, Gonzaga, Midwest, Baylor, America, Oregon, Northeastern Junior College, San, Boilermakers, ___ Locations: Tennessee, ., . Tennessee, Texas, Akron, Northern, San Diego State

Tottenham moved to fourth place, level on points with Aston Villa, which hosted Wolves later. Palmer's brace at Stamford Bridge could help Chelsea only draw 2-2 with 10-man Burnley. Chelsea was wasteful in the first half and had a goal ruled out after 20 minutes. The Blues took the lead from the spot when Palmer scored with a Panenka kick, chipping the ball down the middle. In a spectacular game that was goalless at the break, Sheffield United and Fulham drew 3-3 after the host blew a 3-1 lead.

Persons: Son Heung, Tahith Chong, Issa Kabore, Timo Werner, Kabore, PALMER’S PANENKA, Cole Palmer, Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk, Vincent Kompany fuming, Kompany, Lorenz Assignon, Josh Cullen volleyed, Raheem Sterling’s backheel, Dara O’Shea, Djordje Petrovic, James ’, Harvey Barnes, Lukasz Fabianski, “, ” Barnes, “ It’s, I’ve, Alexander Isak, Mohammed Kudus, Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, Crystal Organizations: Tottenham, Luton, English Premier League, Aston Villa, Spurs, South, Wolves, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Brighton, LETHARGIC SPURS Tottenham, PALMER’S PANENKA Chelsea, Premier League, Stamford, Chelsea, Burnley, Blues, Newcastle, West, Sheffield United, Fulham, Nottingham Forest Locations: South Korea, West Ham, St, London, Newcastle

☆ Russia Amps Up Online Campaign Against Ukraine Before U.S. Elections
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Julian E. Barnes | David E. Sanger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Russia has intensified its online efforts to derail military funding for Ukraine in the United States and Europe, largely by using harder-to-trace technologies to amplify arguments for isolationism ahead of the U.S. elections, according to disinformation experts and intelligence assessments. In recent days, intelligence agencies have warned that Russia has found better ways to hide its influence operations, and the Treasury Department issued sanctions last week against two Russian companies that it said supported the Kremlin’s campaign. The stepped-up operations, run by aides to President Vladimir V. Putin and Russian military intelligence agencies, come at a critical moment in the debate in the United States over support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. While opposition to additional aid may have started without Russian influence, the Kremlin now sees an opportunity. Russian operatives are laying the groundwork for what could be a stronger push to support candidates who oppose aiding Ukraine, or who call for pulling the United States back from NATO and other alliances, U.S. officials and independent researchers say.

Persons: Vladimir V, Putin Organizations: Ukraine, Treasury Department, Russia, Kremlin, NATO Locations: Russia, United States, Europe, Russian, Ukraine

The Walt Disney Company and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida have reached a settlement over control of a special tax district that includes the Disney World theme park in Orlando, the company said on Wednesday. “We are pleased to put an end to all litigation pending in state court in Florida,” Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World, said in a statement. Disney and Mr. DeSantis have been fighting for two years over Disney World, the 25,000-acre theme park and resort complex south of Orlando and one of the state’s largest employers. In response to Disney’s criticism of a Florida education law that opponents called “Don’t Say Gay,” Mr. DeSantis took over the tax district, appointing a new board and ending the company’s long-held ability to self-govern Disney World as if it were a county.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, “, ” Jeff Vahle, DeSantis, ” Mr Organizations: Walt Disney Company, Gov, Disney, Walt Disney Locations: Florida, Orlando

☆ Fire extinguished on Carnival Freedom cruise ship near Bahamas after possible lightning strike
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( David Williams | Ashley Williams | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Heath Barnes opened his book on the upper decks of the Bahamas-bound Carnival Freedom cruise ship in between bouts of rain. Cruise ship officials reported the fire broke out on the port side of the ship’s exhaust funnel around 3:15 p.m. local time, according to a news release from Carnival Cruise Line. Witnesses reported the ship may have been struck by lightning, but that has not been confirmed and the cause is still being investigated, according to the cruise line. The ship visited Freeport on Sunday, Carnival said, adding there were no operational issues with the ship’s systems. This was his 18th Carnival Cruise trip.

Persons: CNN — Heath Barnes, ”, Barnes, Carnival, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Cruise, Carnival Cruise, Port Canaveral, US Coast Guard Locations: Bahamas, Woodsboro , Maryland, Freeport, Sunday, Port

The United States collected intelligence in March that Islamic State-Khorasan, known as ISIS-K, the branch of the group based in Afghanistan, had been planning an attack on Moscow, according to officials. In addition to publicly warning on March 7 about a possible attack, U.S. officials said they had privately told Russian officials about the intelligence pointing to an impending attack. It is not clear how much information the United States gave Russian officials beyond what was in the public warning. Western intelligence agencies had collected intelligence about possible planning by ISIS-K to bomb the service. As in Russia, ISIS-K claimed responsibility for that attack.

Persons: ”, Vladimir V, Putin, Colin P, Clarke, Qassim Suleimani Organizations: Islamic State, United, ISIS, Soufan, Kremlin, United States Locations: Moscow, United States, State, Khorasan, Afghanistan, Russia, Europe, New York, Chechnya, Syria, Iran, U.S, United

The warning was related to the attack on Friday, according to people briefed on the matter. Pro-Kremlin voices immediately seized on the U.S. Embassy’s warning to paint America as trying to scare Russians. And he has been quick to accuse Ukraine of acts of terrorism to justify his invasion of the country. But I would disabuse you at this early hour of any connection to Ukraine.”“Our thoughts obviously are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack,” he also said. Mykhailo Podolyak, a top adviser to Ukraine’s presidential office, said in a video statement that “Ukraine has absolutely nothing to do” with the attack.

Persons: Vladimir V, Putin, Mr, ”, John Kirby, Maria Zakharova, Washington, Mykhailo Podolyak, Aishvarya Kavi Organizations: U.S, Embassy, State Department, Kyiv, Biden’s National Security Council, White, Reuters, “ Locations: Moscow, America, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, U.S, Washington

☆ Book Tok drives demand for immersive fantasy events among younger users
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Sometimes events are simply fantasy themed, without reference to specific books or fantasy worlds. Dreams shattered.”She attributes the growing demand for fantasy events to the commercial success of fantasy romance books, especially among Millennial women. The past year has also seen a spike in the popularity of “romantasy,” or romance fantasy books. “You know, work dredges on for a lot of people,” said Brittany Proctor, a Michigan-based entrepreneur who’s been hosting fantasy balls in the Midwest since 2022. In fact, Proctor is considering scaling back some of her events due to the sheer number of these fantasy balls that have been cropping up in recent years.

Persons: San Diego Comic Con, Con, Harry Potter, ”, Katherine Stinson, Eric Atticus, Stinson, Dana John, “, she’s, Alexander Chernev, Matt Harris, Sarah J, Maas, Patti McConville, Juliette Sureau, Sureau, Sophie Valfroy, “ romantasy ”, “ They’re, ” Juliette Sureau, Shaun Wada, Ariana Smoak Holly Simone, Tok, Simone, Shawn Strider, ” Stinson, Brittany Proctor, who’s, ” Maja Djikic, you’re, ” Djikic, Proctor, “ I’ve, I’m Organizations: New, New York CNN, Social, Allied, Research, Disney, Universal, San Diego Comic, TikTok, CNN, Stinson, Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, Barnes, Noble Booksellers, Times, Google, “, University of Toronto Locations: New York, Canada, Houston, Houston , Texas, Texas, New York City, USA, TikTok, Columbia , South Carolina, London, Los Angeles, Michigan, ”, Bahamas

☆ AMC Theaters, Looking for Movies, Turns to Blumhouse
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For five days starting on March 29, people who buy tickets to certain movies at certain AMC Theaters will see video messages starring … Jason Blum? It’s a long way from Nicole Kidman, whose breathy “We come to this place for magic” branding spot has become legend. But Mr. Blum, a horror film producer, has been working to build his entertainment company, Blumhouse, into more of a consumer-facing brand. AMC and Blumhouse, which has made more than 200 horror movies and shows, are teaming up for what they are calling the Halfway to Halloween Film Festival. Previously released Blumhouse horror movies, including “Split,” “Ouija: Origin of Evil,” “The Purge,” “The Invisible Man” and “Insidious,” which will have its 13th anniversary on April 1, will be on offer in 100 AMC theaters in 40 cities.

Persons: … Jason Blum, It’s, Nicole Kidman, Blum, ”, James Wan, Mike Flanagan Organizations: AMC, Marvel, ”

☆ I grew up in foster care and lacked close relationships. I wanted to give my daughter a different childhood.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Tammy Rabideau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I was placed in foster care and found it hard to create close relationships. AdvertisementAs I browsed the crowded self-help aisle at Barnes & Noble, I looked down to find my two-year-old daughter, Kristil, on the ground kicking and screaming. I was safe in foster care, but I didn't develop emotional bondsBeing put into foster care because of what I experienced gave me a deep understanding of how domestic violence affects children. Tammy Rabideau was in foster care as a child, and her experience influenced how she parented her daughter, Kristil. Courtesy Tammy RabideauDespite the challenges I faced in my childhood and foster care, I am grateful for how they shaped my perspective on motherhood.

Persons: —, Barnes & Noble, Kristil, Tammy Rabideau, Thomas W, Phelan Organizations: Service, Barnes &

The Kremlin has fired its top naval commander, the biggest fallout yet from a series of devastating attacks by Ukraine on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, according to a Ukrainian and a Western official. Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov, the head of the Russian Navy for the past five years, was removed from command and replaced by the head of the Russia’s Northern Fleet. Russian publications, citing anonymous sources, reported on Sunday that Admiral Yevmenov had been fired. The Financial Times, citing Ukrainian officials, reported the development on Monday. U.S. officials have assessed that while Kyiv’s counteroffensive last year in eastern and southern Ukraine largely failed, its strikes on the Crimean Peninsula and attacks on the Black Sea Fleet were unexpectedly effective.

Persons: Adm, Nikolai Yevmenov, Yevmenov Organizations: Russian Navy, Fleet, Financial, Black Locations: Ukraine, Russia’s, Ukrainian, Crimean

“Queen!”It was a Friday night in January, and Snoop Dogg had just rolled into a cocktail party hosted by Donna Langley, NBCUniversal’s chief content officer and studios chairwoman. His shouted greeting, paired with a jaunty deferential dance, seemed to leave her a bit embarrassed. “We’re here to celebrate filmmakers and films,” Langley told the room a few minutes later. Like it or not, this moment in Hollywood history is very much about her. Nolan started his acceptance speech for best director by saying, “Donna Langley — thank you for seeing the potential in this.”

Persons: Snoop Dogg, Donna Langley, “, ” Langley, Langley, Christopher Nolan, “ Oppenheimer, Nolan, “ Donna Langley —, ” Organizations: ”

☆ Netanyahu’s Coalition ‘May Be in Jeopardy,’ Intelligence Report Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Julian E. Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A new American intelligence assessment released on Monday raised doubts about whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel could stay in power, as the C.I.A. director said a hostage deal was the most practical way to halt, at least temporarily, the war in Gaza. The 2024 Annual Threat Assessment expressed concerns about Israel’s vision for the end of the war and said that Mr. Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition “may be in jeopardy.”“Distrust of Netanyahu’s ability to rule has deepened and broadened across the public from its already high levels before the war, and we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections,” the report said. “A different, more moderate government is a possibility.”The report predicted that Israel would struggle to achieve its goal of “destroying Hamas.”“Israel probably will face lingering armed resistance from Hamas for years to come, and the military will struggle to neutralize Hamas’s underground infrastructure, which allows insurgents to hide, regain strength and surprise Israeli forces,” the report said.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu’s, “, ” “ Locations: Gaza, Israel, ” “ Israel

☆ Intelligence Officials Warn of Losses for Ukraine Without More U.S. Aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( David E. Sanger | Julian E. Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Senior intelligence officials warned on Monday that without additional American aid, Ukraine faced the prospect of continued battlefield losses as Russia relies on a network of critical arms suppliers and drastically increases its supply of technology from China. In public testimony during the annual survey of worldwide threats facing the United States, the officials predicted that any continued delay of U.S. aid to Ukraine would lead to additional territorial gains by Russia over the next year, the consequences of which would be felt not only in Europe but also in the Pacific. “If we’re seen to be walking away from support for Ukraine, not only is that going to feed doubts amongst our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific; it’s going to stoke the ambitions of the Chinese leadership in contingencies ranging from Taiwan to the South China Sea,” William J. Burns, the C.I.A. director, told Congress. The assessment marked a sharp turn from just a year ago, when Ukraine’s military appeared on the march and the Russians seemed to be in retreat.

Persons: ” William J, Burns Organizations: stoke Locations: Ukraine, Russia, China, United States, Europe, Taiwan, South China

☆ The Oscars Now Have D.E.I. Rules, but Some Say It’s Just a Performance
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Jeremy W. Peters | Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After years of criticism for overlooking female directors and actors of color, the academy announced a torrent of diversity-oriented changes. One high-profile move involved the academy’s most coveted trophy: To qualify for the best picture Oscar, films had to fulfill a new set of diversity and inclusion standards. A checklist of four categories and nine subcategories cover almost every aspect of the filmmaking pipeline. Diversity in hiring — actors, directors, makeup artists, publicists, interns — is considered. To qualify, films must show that they meet two of the four main categories of representation: onscreen (actors, plot), offscreen leadership (set designers, makeup artists), training programs and marketing.

Persons: George Floyd, — Organizations: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

☆ Who’s Too ‘Sweaty’ for an Oscar?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

An Oscar nomination for acting acknowledges an exceptional performance in front of a movie camera. Looking “sweaty” is not a great look. The term, used lately by Hollywood’s cattier contingent, comes from gaming culture, where it describes players who compete with such intensity that their controller becomes slick with sweat. “Sweaty is a cousin of thirsty, but thirsty is less pejorative,” she continued. “Sweaty is associated with anxiousness — you seem more desperate.”

Persons: Hollywood’s, ”, Linda Ong

☆ Entrepreneurs without business or finance backgrounds share 3 non-business-related tactics that are helping them bring in millions in revenue
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewAs entrepreneurs and small-business owners have shown, a traditional business or finance background isn't a prerequisite for success. The owner of two bustling Brooklyn locations told Business Insider: "I didn't go to business school. Advertisement"I think we both have strong entrepreneurial instincts, but we don't come from a finance or a business background," said La Tejana cofounder Gus May. Each of these entrepreneurs has evolved alongside their businesses and become more and more business savvy through trial and error.

Persons: —, Jon Neeter, Adah Fitzgerald, Cosmetologist Martha Ellen Mabry, Gus May, Ana, Maria Jaramillo, Fitzgerald, Noble, We've, Jaramillo, It's, Martha Ellen Mabry, Headchop, Samuel Robert Bullen Mabry, " Jaramillo, Neeter, everybody's Organizations: Service, Independent, Business, Barnes Locations: Los Angeles, New York City, Brooklyn, La, Pleasant

☆ ‘Dune: Part Two’ Draws Large Audiences
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Brooks Barnes | More About Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“Dune: Part Two” and its A-list cast jump-started moviegoing in North America after a dismal start to the year. The science-fiction sequel sold an estimated $81.5 million in tickets in the United States and Canada from Thursday night to Sunday, the biggest opening for a Hollywood film since “Barbie” in July. (Taylor Swift’s concert documentary arrived to $93 million in October.) “Dune: Part Two,” directed by Denis Villeneuve, collected an additional $97 million overseas. But Legendary also needed to sell the film’s more delicate story — a boy becoming a man, a guy falling in love — which would be more difficult without cast interviews.

Persons: Barbie ”, Taylor, ”, Denis Villeneuve, Timothée Chalamet, Austin Butler, Anya, Taylor Joy, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Florence Pugh, baring Organizations: Legendary Entertainment, Warner Bros, London Locations: North America, United States, Canada, Mexico City, London, New York

☆ Disney Heirs Line Up Against Activist Investors
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Brooks Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It’s a classic Disney movie plot: A family comes together to fight an enemy. Only this time it is happening in real life, with the grandchildren of Walt and Roy Disney, who founded the company in 1923, joining forces to oppose Nelson Peltz, the activist investor who is waging a proxy battle for board seats. The heirs — nine in total, including Abigail E. Disney, who has at times been a harsh critic of Robert A. Iger, Disney’s chief executive — publicly lined up behind Mr. Iger and the current Disney board on Thursday. “These activists must be defeated,” Roy P. Disney, 66, said by telephone. Trian invests in great companies like Disney and helps them grow and thrive for the long term — and we have the track record to prove it at companies like P&G, Heinz and Mondelez.”

Persons: Walt, Roy Disney, Nelson Peltz, Abigail E, Robert A, —, Iger, “, ” Roy P, Peltz, Disney, Trian, Heinz, Mondelez, ” Organizations: Disney, Trian Partners

☆ Middle East Crisis Israel Is Said to Change Strategy in Cease-Fire Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Ronen Bergman | Patrick Kingsley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Families and supporters of Israeli hostages held since the Oct. 7 attacks gathered Saturday in Tel Aviv to call for their return. International efforts to reach a truce had stalled over Israel’s refusal to release Palestinians convicted of murder and to commit to a permanent cease-fire, two of the measures that Hamas is holding out for. They include five female Israeli soldiers and civilians, including sick, wounded and older people. It does not include male Israeli soldiers, whose release will be the subject of a separate negotiation, one of the officials said. For each of the five female Israeli soldiers in captivity, Israel would release three “heavy” prisoners — those believed responsible for major attacks — and 15 others.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Yahya Sinwar, Israel, —, Gilad Shalit, Julian E, Barnes Organizations: Hamas Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Gaza, U.S, Egypt, Qatar, United States, Paris, Washington

Iran has made a concerted effort to rein in militias in Iraq and Syria after the United States retaliated with a series of airstrikes for the killing of three U.S. Army reservists this month. Initially, there were regional concerns that the tit-for-tat violence would lead to an escalation of the Middle East conflict. But since the Feb. 2 U.S. strikes, American officials say, there have been no attacks by Iran-backed militias on American bases in Iraq and only two minor ones in Syria. Before then, the U.S. military logged at least 170 attacks against American troops in four months, Pentagon officials said. The relative quiet reflects decisions by both sides and suggests that Iran does have some level of control over the militias.

Organizations: U.S . Army, U.S, Pentagon Locations: Iran, Iraq, Syria

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