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For much of this year central banks have successfully pushed back against rate cut bets. "I believe the Fed will act rationally and begin to cut rates by the end of next year, but we can't rule out the scenario that the Fed is not going to cut rates and just let the ramifications of recession do what they do." Reuters GraphicsSHIFT NEARINGMarkets now fully price in a 25 basis point U.S. rate cut in May, having seen a 65% chance earlier this week. "There are now committee members in all three (banks) willing to talk about rate cuts next year," said Chris Jeffery, head of rates and inflation strategy at LGIM. "The ECB should begin to ease policy as soon as April 2024, with risks that a more sinister downturn in growth could warrant a rate cut as soon as March," he said.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, ramping, It's, Nate Thooft, Goldman, Christopher Waller, Huw Pill, Yannis Stournaras, Chris Jeffery, we'd, Dario Perkins, Simon Harvey, Yoruk, Naomi Rovnick, Harry Roberston, Davide Barbuscia, Ira Iosebasvili, Saqib Iqbal Ahmed, Dhara Ranasinghe, Catherine Evans Organizations: . Federal, REUTERS, ECB, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Manulife Investment Management, Treasury, Graphics, Bank of England, Deutsche, Lombard, Traders, Yoruk Bahceli, Thomson Locations: Washington, United States, Europe, Goldman Sachs, Greek, Amsterdam, London

☆ Reaction to the death of US diplomat Henry Kissinger
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger addresses the House Committee on International Relations in a hearing about the Middle East peace process on Capitol Hill, Washington, U.S. on February 10, 2005. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 30 (Reuters) - Here are reactions to the death of Henry Kissinger, a controversial Nobel Peace Prize winner who left an indelible mark on U.S. foreign policy:WINSTON LORD, FORMER U.S. DIPLOMAT AND WIFE OF LATE SEN JOHN MCCAIN:"Henry Kissinger was ever present in my late husband’s life. FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH:"America has lost one of the most dependable and distinctive voices on foreign affairs with the passing of Henry Kissinger. And we will always be thankful for the contributions of Henry Kissinger."

Persons: Henry Kissinger, Jonathan Ernst, WINSTON, Henry, CINDY MCCAIN, SEN JOHN MCCAIN, John, McCain, MARTIN INDYK, HENRY KISSINGER, Kissinger, GEORGE W, Laura, XIE FENG, Kissinger's, centenarian, Edwina Gibbs, Tom Hogue, Clarence Fernandez, Sonali Paul Organizations: U.S, Committee, International Relations, REUTERS, AMBASSADOR, SPECIAL, Nazis, United States Army, UNITED STATES, Reuters bureaux, Thomson Locations: Hill, Washington , U.S, U.S, CHINA, European, Nancy, China

☆ Biden backers rev up write-in campaign in New Hampshire to avoid loss
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Jarrett Renshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

For an incumbent president, primary races -- the state-by-state competitions that nominate a political party's official presidential candidate -- are normally a perfunctory affair. Pro-Biden Democrats' volunteer-focused effort, with just a $100,000 budget, will encourage primary voters to put Biden's name on the New Hampshire ballot. Lyndon B. Johnson, then the Democratic incumbent, shunned the New Hampshire primary in 1968 due to over-confidence, only to see an insurgent campaign from Minnesota, U.S. Biden write-in organizers have largely settled on asking voters to write in "Joe Biden," but believe that other names like "President Biden" and "President Biden and Vice President Harris" satisfy a state law that says to count the vote if the reasonable intent of the voter is clear. "They're gonna use this as a way to say, look, we are good Democrats and organized this to protect President Biden," Smith said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, Ro Khanna, Dean Phillips, Phillips, Khanna, it's, Biden, Andrew Smith, Lyndon B, Johnson, Eugene McCarthy, PHILLIPS, Marianne Williamson, Jeff Weaver, Bernie Sanders, Mickey Mouse, Harris, Dave Watters, Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Barack Obama, Smith, Jarrett Renshaw, Heather Timmons, Alistair Bell Organizations: Portsmouth Port Authority, REUTERS, Biden Democrats, New, Democratic Party, Biden doesn't, The University of New, Democratic, U.S, Thomson Locations: Portsmouth, Portsmouth , New Hampshire, U.S, California, Minnesota, New Hampshire, The University of New Hampshire, Vietnam, South Carolina, United States

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - U.S. budget wrangling could further delay funding approval for new agreements with Pacific island nations meant to counter Chinese influence, creating an opportunity for Beijing in the strategically vital region, congressional and other sources say. But congressional sources say this looks impossible as lawmakers argue over spending priorities, raising concerns that a further delay could create an opening for China, which has been wooing financially strapped Pacific economies. "It's feeling pretty dead in the NDAA context," the source said, adding that focus had turned to finding other legislation to secure the COFA funding. "It is really incomprehensible given the amount we're talking about ... why Congress cannot get its act together," Yun said. "What we risk is China getting in where we really don't want them – in places like Palau, RMI, FSM.

Persons: Mike Pompeo, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Mike Johnson's, Joseph Yun, Yun, David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina, Patricia Zengerle, Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis Organizations: U.S, Pohnpei International, REUTERS, Rights, Federated, Marshall, RMI, Washington, Free Association, National Defense, Reuters, Republicans, Natural Resources, Foreign Affairs, New Republican, Biden, State Department, White House National Security Council, Thomson Locations: Pohnpei, Kolonia, States, Micronesia, Pacific, Beijing, Federated States, Palau, China, Ukraine, U.S, Hawaii, Philippines, Washington

☆ Hunter Biden Says He Will Testify in Public Before Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( C. Ryan Barber | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

House Republicans subpoenaed Hunter Biden earlier this month. Photo: jonathan ernst/ReutersWASHINGTON— Hunter Biden is willing to testify publicly before Congress, his lawyer said in a letter Tuesday, responding to a subpoena demanding that he appear as part of the House Republicans’ impeachment inquiry into his father, President Biden. The three-page letter from the younger Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, marked the latest escalation in the monthslong standoff between the president’s son and GOP lawmakers. The more aggressive approach seeks to ward off the prospect of a closed-door hearing after which Republican committee members could cherry-pick parts of Hunter Biden’s testimony, but it also augurs a more public phase of his travails.

Persons: Hunter Biden, jonathan ernst, Reuters WASHINGTON — Hunter Biden, Biden, Abbe Lowell, Hunter Biden’s Organizations: Reuters WASHINGTON, House Republicans

☆ Nikki Haley Begins Presidential Bid, Asks GOP to Trust 'New Generation'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Nikki Haley Begins Presidential Bid, Asks GOP to Trust 'New Generation'Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced her bid for the Republican presidential nomination in February. In a speech to launch her campaign, Haley said her party hadn't won the confidence of the majority of Americans and called on the GOP to embrace a "new generation." Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Persons: Nikki Haley, Haley, hadn't, Jonathan Ernst Organizations: GOP, Trust, Former South Carolina Gov, Republican

☆ Fed's Cook says economic risks two-sided, 'soft landing' possible
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I believe that a 'soft landing' is possible, with continued disinflation and a strong labor market, but it is not assured," Cook said in remarks prepared for delivery to a San Francisco Fed conference on Asian economic policy. "I see risks as two-sided, requiring us to balance the risk of not tightening enough against the risk of tightening too much." Meanwhile, Cook noted, other global central banks have also tightened policy rapidly. "But in a world of uncertainty it is hard to judge the exact size of these spillovers." Reporting by Ann Saphir; Editing by Paul SimaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lisa Cook, Jonathan Ernst, Cook, bank's, there's, Ann Saphir, Paul Simao Organizations: Federal Reserve, of Governors, Capitol, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, Federal, San Francisco Fed, U.S, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S

Some 50% of Biden supporters in the poll described their vote as being "against Donald Trump and his policies," compared to 38% who said they would be voting "to support Joe Biden and his policies." Twelve percent of Biden's supporters said they were unsure which reason better explained their pick. Among Trump's supporters, 40% said they would be voting against Biden and 42% said they would vote for Trump to support the Republican and his policies. The new Reuters/Ipsos poll showed significant support for independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr, an anti-vaccine activist and scion of a storied political family. In a hypothetical three-way contest, 30% of poll respondents picked Biden, 32% picked Trump and 20% selected Kennedy.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, Republican Trump, Biden's, Michael Ceraso, Barack Obama's, Jesse Ferguson, Democratic Hillary Clinton's, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kennedy, Jason Lange, James Oliphant, Nandita Bose, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Reuters, Republican, Biden, Trump, Democrats, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Tioga, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, U.S, Georgia, North Carolina

☆ Exclusive: GM snatches key Tesla gigacasting supplier
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Norihiko Shirouzu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Tesla and TEI President Oliver Johnson did not respond to requests for comment. The specialists use sand casting in a process called rapid prototyping to help validate Tesla's designs and engineering specifications for its giant molds quickly and cheaply. According to all four sources, TEI began helping Tesla around 2017 to develop the Model Y and is considered in the industry to be one of the world's top sand casting specialists. "TEI will remain its own business entity with GM as its parent company," GM said. Reuters was unable to determine whether Tesla was one of the several companies that bid for TEI.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Tesla, TEI, Oliver Johnson, Ford F.N, Elon Musk, TEI's Johnson, James Womack, Womack, David Clarke Organizations: Motors, REUTERS, Equipment, General Motors, GM, Ford, Hyundai, Toyota, Chief, Tesla's, Celestiq, American Foundry Society, GM's Global Manufacturing, Reuters, SEAT, Tesla, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Thomson Locations: Detroit , Michigan, U.S, , Texas, Britain, Germany, Japan, TEI, Livonia, Detroit

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

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

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

The Rules Committee voted 9-7 - along party lines - to send the resolution for a vote in the full Senate. The resolution would temporarily sidestep Tuberville's holds by allowing many promotions to be considered by the Senate simultaneously. Under Senate rules, one lawmaker can hold up nominations even if the other 99 all want them to move quickly. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, a member of the Rules Committee, said productive discussions with Tuberville about reaching a deal to ease his holds were under way. Just last week, the senator objected to quick approval of the promotions of 364 officers.

Persons: Tommy Tuberville, Jonathan Ernst, Tommy Tuberville's, Donald Trump, Roe, Wade, sidestep Tuberville's, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Tuberville, Schumer, Patricia Zengerle, Jonathan Oatis, Bill Berkrot Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Republican, Democrats, Pentagon, Senate, Marine Corps, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S

☆ North Korea criticises G7 as 'remnant of the Cold War'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An official adjusts the flags before G7 foreign ministers gather for a family photo during their meetings in Tokyo, Japan, November 8, 2023. "G7, which has caused and fomented the recent international crisis, says this or that to find fault with independent sovereign states," Jo said, according to KCNA. "G7, the remnant of the Cold War, should be dismantled immediately, and this will be the first step toward defusing the present international crisis and restoring global peace." The North Korean statement coincides with South Korea hosting representatives of 17 member states of the U.N. Command (UNC) enforcing the Korean War armistice. The talks on Tuesday where expected to renew a pledge to respond to any aggression by North Korea.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, KCNA, Jo Chol Su, Jo, Hyonhee Shin, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Department of International, Ukraine, South, . Command, UNC, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, Israel, Russia, North, United States, Ukraine, Europe, Washington, Gaza, South Korea

People walk across the plaza of the U.S. Supreme Court building on the first day of the court's new term in Washington, U.S. October 3, 2022. The court takes up appeals when at least four of its nine justices agree to hear a case. Jackson described Johnson's solitary confinement as "unusually severe," noting that "prison officials completely deprived Johnson of exercise for nearly all of his incarceration" at Pontiac Correctional Center. Johnson has a history of mental illness, including depression and bipolar disorder, and suicide attempts, according to his lawyers. Johnson sought monetary damages, medical treatment and other relief in the lawsuit accusing prison officials of violating the Eighth Amendment by denying him exercise for a prolonged period.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, Michael Johnson's, Johnson, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Jackson, Kwame Raoul, Daniel Greenfield, compulsively, Johnson's, John Kruzel, Andrew Chung, Will Dunham Organizations: U.S, Supreme, REUTERS, Rights, Pontiac Correctional Center, Illinois Democratic, Circuit, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Illinois, Chicago, Washington, New 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

☆ Blinken, new UK foreign minister discuss Israel, Ukraine and China
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/2] U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken looks on, as he begins to board his plane to travel home to Washington from Palam Air Base in New Delhi, India, November 10, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/Pool/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 13 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and newly appointed British foreign minister David Cameron discussed the Israel-Hamas conflict, relations with China and help for Ukraine during a telephone call on Monday, the State Department said. "Secretary Blinken and Lord Cameron underscored continuity in the U.S.-UK special relationship and its importance to regional and global security," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a readout of the conversation. Reporting by Jasper Ward; writing by Costas Pitas; Editing by Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jonathan Ernst, David Cameron, Blinken, Lord Cameron, Matthew Miller, Jasper Ward, Costas Pitas, Leslie Adler Organizations: Palam Air Base, REUTERS, Ukraine, State Department, U.S ., Department, Thomson Locations: Washington, New Delhi, India, Israel, China, U.S

☆ Emails reveal how Amazon and Google tap friends in government to influence policies. Critics say there's too much 'coziness' with Big Tech.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

When you work as a Big Tech lobbyist, there's a good chance you're already friends with someone in government. In 2022, 82.4% of Amazon lobbyists and 81.3% of Alphabet lobbyists previously held government jobs, according to data from OpenSecrets. "Big Tech uses its special revolving door access to furtively push for rigged trade policies," Warren wrote. The emails are limited to correspondence with Amazon and Google lobbyists and do not include communications with representatives of other tech companies. Big Tech critics say this access to policymakers is not granted to the public or civil-society groups, and that's why Warren and others have called for more transparency.

Persons: there's, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Katherine Tai —, Warren, Tai, Andrea Boron, Mary Thornton, Karan Bhatia, Google's, Byun, Jillian DeLuna, Thornton, Bhatia, Kate Kalutkiewicz, USTR, Maria Langholz, Trump, Biden, Amazon's Thornton, Ethan Holmes, Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, That's, José Castañeda Organizations: Big Tech, United States Trade Representative, Google, Amazon, Amazon Web Services, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Spotify, Canada's, Demand, Prosperity, Reuters Locations: Big, Asia, China, Bali, Tokyo

☆ Blinken says 'far too many' Palestinians killed as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the media after participating in the so-called "2+2 Dialogue" in New Delhi, India, November 10, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/Pool Acquire Licensing RightsNov 10 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday denounced the soaring number of Palestinians killed as Israel pushed ahead with its war against Hamas in Gaza, saying more needs to be done to protect the civilians. In his strongest comments to date on civilians bearing the brunt of the war, Blinken welcomed the four-hour humanitarian Israeli pauses the White House announced on Thursday but said further action was required to protect Gaza's civilians. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi as he wrapped up a nine-day trip to the Middle East and Asia, he said: "Far too many Palestinians have been killed; far too many have suffered these past weeks. Palestinian officials say more than 10,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its military campaign, and Gaza's hospitals are struggling to cope, with medical supplies, clean water and fuel to power generators running out.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jonathan Ernst, Blinken, Israel, it’s, Humeyra Pamuk, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, Israel, Gaza, East, Asia, Washington, United States

☆ House Republicans Subpoena Biden’s Son, Brother for Business Probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( C. Ryan Barber | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Hunter Biden faces allegations that he traded on the family name. Photo: Jonathan Ernst/ReutersHouse Republicans subpoenaed Hunter and James Biden on Wednesday, demanding their testimony as lawmakers seek to tie President Biden to his family’s business dealings. The subpoenas to the president’s son and brother came as Republicans pushed to rekindle an impeachment inquiry that faced delays during the jockeying to select a new House speaker, a race that exposed fissures within the GOP conference. In the buildup to Wednesday’s subpoenas, lawmakers focused a spotlight on Hunter and James Biden as they alleged that the president’s relatives traded on the family name as they made millions of dollars.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Hunter, James Biden, Biden Organizations: Reuters, GOP

[1/2] U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he arrives ahead of meetings in Seoul, at Osan Air Base, South Korea, November 8, 2023. Blinken arrived in South Korea late on Wednesday after attending a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Tokyo. They will discuss a response to the growing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow and North Korea's suspected supply of arms to Russia for use against Ukraine. North Korea is preparing to launch a spy satellite after having failed twice this year to put one in orbit. South Korea's spy agency said last week North Korea was in the final stages of preparations for the launch after apparently receiving technical assistance from Russia.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jonathan Ernst, Blinken, Yoon Suk, Jin, Jack Kim, Soo, Choi, Ed Davies, Lincoln Organizations: Osan Air Base, REUTERS, Rights, South, Foreign, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, Russia, Israel, Gaza, Tokyo, Blinken's, Asia, India, East . Washington, U.S, Pyongyang, Moscow, North, United States, Japan, Russia's, Washington, Ukraine, Korea, South

☆ US House Republicans will subpoena president's son, brother to appear
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, arrives at federal court to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., July 26, 2023. House Republicans launched an impeachment inquiry in September, following months of probes. Neither Hunter Biden nor James Biden could immediately be reached for comment. In addition to the subpoenas to Hunter Biden and James Biden, the committee is issuing a subpoena to Rob Walker, a former business partner of Hunter Biden. Hunter Biden, 53, has publicly discussed his past substance abuse and never held a position in the White House or on his father's campaign.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, James Biden, Biden, Barack Obama's, Devon Archer, Archer's, Karine Jean, Pierre, Donald Trump, Rob Walker, Tony Bobulinski, Trump, Mike Johnson, Makini Brice, Steve Holland, Chris Reese, Scott Malone, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Republican, Democrat, House Republicans, White, Biden, Senate, Thomson Locations: Wilmington , Delaware, U.S, Washington

Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) speaks with reporters at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. September 27, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - U.S. Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville said on Tuesday he would continue his blockade of hundreds of military promotions over the Defense Department's abortion policy, but was nearing some compromises including allowing promotions of essential nominees. Tuberville, a first-term senator closely aligned with former Republican President Donald Trump, has been blocking quick confirmation of high-level military promotions since February to protest the Pentagon's policy of covering travel costs for abortions for service members and their dependents. Tuberville said Republicans planned to meet again and consider options including unspecified lawsuits and overturning the Pentagon policy in a larger defense bill. Tuberville's blockade ended decades in which the Senate has routinely approved large numbers of military promotions at once.

Persons: Tommy Tuberville, Jonathan Ernst, Donald Trump, Tuberville, Joe Biden, Roe, Wade, Patricia Zengerle, Scott Malone, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Republican, Defense, Democratic, Pentagon, Military, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S

☆ US House censures lone Palestinian-American lawmaker over Israel comments
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Moira Warburton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. House voted on Tuesday to censure Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib, Congress's lone Palestinian-American lawmaker, for comments she made regarding Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. Twenty-two Democrats joined with most Republicans in the chamber to censure Tlaib for allegedly "promoting false narratives" on Hamas' Oct. 7 gun rampage in Israel and "calling for the destruction of the state of Israel." The motion was sponsored by Republican Representative Richard McCormick. The idea that criticizing the government of Israel is antisemitic sets a very dangerous precedent," Tlaib said. 2 Democrat in the House, told reporters on Tuesday that while he "strenuously disagreed" with Tlaib's remarks about Biden, he believed the censure motion was not productive.

Persons: Rashida Tlaib, Jonathan Ernst, Congress's, Tlaib, Richard McCormick, Hamas's, Joe Biden, Israel, Benjamin, Netanyahu's, Pete Aguilar, Biden, Paul Gosar, Alexandria Ocasio, Adam Schiff, Donald Trump, Moira Warburton Organizations: Trump, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, U.S ., Democratic, Republican, American, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Palestinian, Gaza, Israel, Cortez, Washington

☆ American forces in the Middle East are constantly under attack, but they aren't really retaliating. Here's why the US holds its fire.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Iran-backed groups have launched dozens of attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria since October 17. Middle East security experts say there are a number of reasons why the US is holding its fire. Attacks on US forces by Iran-backed groups in the region are not a new phenomenon. The Pentagon has only publicly confirmed a single incident of retaliation against the Iran-backed militias. Right now, US officials stress that deterrence — signaled by the massive movement of American combat power into the region — is working, and the Iran-backed attacks on American forces have been unsuccessful.

Persons: there's, —, Jonathan Lord, Joe Biden's, Biden, Thaier, Sabrina Singh, What's, Lloyd Austin, Singh, it's, you've, we'd, Michael Knights, Baderkhan Ahmad, Weirdly, we're, Knights, doesn't, Washington isn't, Antony Blinken, Mohammed Shia, Al Sudani, Jonathan Ernst, Lord Organizations: Service, Pentagon, US Central Command, Hamas, Israel, US, Washington Institute for Near East, Institute for, REUTERS, Defense, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Militia, Washington Institute, Syrian Democratic Forces, AP, Knights, Middle East Security, Center, New, New American Security, Islamic, ISIS Locations: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Washington, Gaza, Baghdad, East, Deir Ezzor, Yemen, Iranian, New American, Islamic State

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference after participating in G7 ministerial meetings in Tokyo, Japan, November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/Pool Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI/WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will hold talks with India this week that officials say will focus on security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and concerns over China, rather than the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. U.S. officials were moving swiftly to deepen ties with India while pledging support for an investigation into the June killing on Canadian soil, an American official aware of the Indo-Pacific policy said. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media. India's ties with the U.S. have grown steadily stronger on several fronts, and it has close strategic links with Israel.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jonathan Ernst, Lloyd Austin, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Rajnath Singh, Narendra Modi's, Joe Biden's, Xi Jinping, Rick Rossow, Rossow, Krishn Kaushik, David Brunnstrom, Trevor Hunnicutt, YP Rajesh, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Officials, Ottawa, Indian, Economic Cooperation, Asia Society, South, U.S, Washington’s Center, Strategic, International Studies, Biden, YP, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, DELHI, WASHINGTON, India, China, Gaza, Ukraine, New Delhi, Canada, Washington, Asia, San Francisco, South Asia, Israel, Delhi, Russia, Washington and New Delhi, Myanmar, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal

Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, arrives at federal court to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., July 26, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - The Republican-controlled U.S. House Oversight Committee said on Wednesday it has subpoenaed President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, and brother, James Biden, to appear for depositions, in an escalation of its impeachment inquiry into the Democrat. In addition to the subpoenas to Hunter Biden and James Biden, the committee has issued a subpoena to Rob Walker, a former business partner of Hunter Biden. The committee has also asked four other members of Biden's family to appear, as well as another former business partner, Tony Bobulinski. Hunter Biden, 53, has publicly discussed his past substance abuse and never held a position in the White House or on his father's campaign.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, James Biden, Biden, Barack Obama's, Abbe Lowell, Hunter, Lowell, Devon Archer, Karine Jean, Pierre, Donald Trump, Rob Walker, Tony Bobulinski, Trump, Mike Johnson, Makini Brice, Steve Holland, Scott Malone, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Republican, Democrat, House Republicans, White, Wednesday, Biden, Senate, Thomson Locations: Wilmington , Delaware, U.S, Washington

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