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☆ RFK Jr. declares independent 2024 presidential run, raises millions more
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Jarrett Renshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Robert F. Kennedy Jr. arrives on stage to announce his entry to the 2024 presidential race as an independent candidate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. October 9, 2023. I'm here today I'm here to declare myself an independent candidate," Kennedy told a crowd of several hundred gathered in front of the National Constitution Center. It’s sort of a disgrace,” said Ken Martin, head of Minnesota’s Democratic Party. We can’t go into this election with rose-colored glasses,” said Charles Wilson, chair of Washington DC’s Democratic Party. He is so engaged in a Kennedy run that he drove from Alabama to attend the announcement on Monday.

Persons: Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Mark Makela, Kennedy, Tony Lyons, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Kennedy's, Kerry Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, Joseph Kennedy II, Bobby, Biden, Trump, ”, Ken Martin, Charles Wilson, Diane Sare, Brian Noble, Barack Obama, “, ” Noble, Jarrett Renshaw, Heather Timmons, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Party, National Constitution Center, Reuters, Democrat, Republican, BIDEN, TRUMP, Trump, Biden, U.S, Democratic National Committee, St Louis, Minnesota’s Democratic Party, Washington DC’s Democratic Party, Senate, Republican National Committee, Army, Thomson Locations: Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, U.S, Philadelphia, United States, St, New York, Iraq, Alabama

☆ Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expected to announce independent run for president
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivers his political speech at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. August 12, 2023. REUTERS/Scott Morgan/File Photo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 9(Reuters) - Robert F. Kennedy Jr, an environmental lawyer, anti-vaccine activist and son of the former senator, is expected to announce Monday in Philadelphia that he is dropping his Democratic Party bid for president and will run as an independent. At a Democratic National Committee gathering in St Louis last week, party faithful were both dismissive and concerned. It’s sort of a disgrace,” said Ken Martin, head of Minnesota’s Democratic Party. We can’t go into this election with rose-colored glasses,” said Charles Wilson, chair of Washington DC’s Democratic Party.

Persons: Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Scott Morgan, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, ”, Ken Martin, Charles Wilson, Jarrett Renshaw, Heather Timmons, Diane Craft Organizations: Fair, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Party, YouTube, Democratic, Reuters, Biden, Democratic National Committee, St Louis, Minnesota’s Democratic Party, Washington DC’s Democratic Party, Thomson Locations: Iowa, Des Moines , Iowa, U.S, Philadelphia, St

The Hamas terrorist attack on Israel is reprehensible. Israel is under heavy attack right now by Hamas and taking action to defend itself and its people. Israel has every right to defend itself.”Sen. Jon Tester, Montana Democrat“I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas against our ally Israel. I will continue to closely monitor the situation.”Sen. Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire Democrat“Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel is nothing short of horrifying. Israel has every right to defend itself from this unjust war.”Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Democrat“The terrorist attack on Israel is appalling.

Persons: Hakeem Jeffries, “, Steve Scalise, ” Kevin McCarthy, ” Chuck Schumer, –, Herzog –, ” Mitch McConnell, ” Tom Emmer, ” Katherine Clarke, ” Dick Durbin, ” John Thune, ” Sen, Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Democrat “, Israel, Amy Klobuchar, Mark Warner, Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democrat “, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Cory Booker , New Jersey Democrat “, Joe Manchin, West Virginia Democrat “, Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin Democrat “, Gary Peters, Gary Peters , Michigan Democrat “, Catherine Cortez Masto, Brian Schatz, Hawaii Democrat “, Jeff Merkley, Oregon Democrat “, John Barrasso, Joni Ernst, Iowa Republican “, Sen, Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia Republican “, Steve Daines, Montana Republican “, Mike Lee, Mike Crapo, Chuck Grassley, Tommy Tuberville, Katie Britt, Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, Kyrsten, Mark Kelly, John Boozman, Tom Cotton, Arkansas Republican “, Alex Padilla, Laphonza Butler, California Democrat “, today’s, Michael Bennet, Colorado Democrat “, John Hickenlooper, Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Democrat “, Chris Murphy, Tom Carper, Delaware Democrat “, Chris Coons, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, Jon Ossoff, Georgia Democrat “, Anat Sultan, Raphael Warnock, “ I’m, Mazie, Tammy Duckworth, Todd Young, Mike Braun, Jerry Moran, Kansas Republican “, Hamas’s, Roger Marshall, Netanyahu, Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican “, Bill Cassidy, John Kennedy, Susan Collins, Maine Republican “, Ben Cardin, Maryland Democrat “, Chris Van Hollen, Ed Markey, Tina Smith, Minnesota Democrat “, Roger Wicker ,, Roger Wicker , Mississippi Republican “, Cindy Hyde, Josh Hawley, Eric Schmitt, Jon Tester, Montana Democrat “, Deb Fischer, Nebraska Republican “, Pete Ricketts, Jacky Rosen, Nevada Democrat “, Jeanne Shaheen, Jeanne Shaheen , New Hampshire Democrat “, Maggie Hassan, Maggie Hassan , New Hampshire Democrat “, Bob Menendez, Bob Menendez , New Jersey Democrat “, Martin Heinrich, New Mexico Democrat “, Biden, Ben Ray Lujan, Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Democrat “ I'm, Thom Tillis, Ted Budd, North Carolina Republican “, John Hoeven, John Hoeven , North Dakota Republican “, Kevin Cramer, Sherrod Brown, Ohio Democrat “, J.D, ”, Vance, James Lankford, Markwayne Mullin, Israel –, Ron Wyden, Bob Casey, John Fetterman, craven, Jack Reed, Sheldon Whitehouse, Lindsey Graham, Tim Scott, South Carolina Republican “ I’m, Mike Rounds, South Dakota Republican “ Shocked, Marsha Blackburn, Marsha Blackburn , Tennessee Republican “ Israel, Bill Haggerty, Tennessee Republican “, John Cornyn, John Cornyn , Texas Republican “, Ted Cruz, Mitt, Vile, Peter Welch, Vermont Democrat “, Tim Kaine, Patty Murray, Washington Democrat “, Maria Cantwell, Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republican “ Israel, Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming Republican “, Jim Jordan, Jared Moskowitz, Abigail Spanberger, Elissa Slotkin, Don Bacon, perpetrating, Cori Bush, Missouri Democrat “, Kevin Hern, Kevin Hern , Oklahoma Republican “, ” Rep, Ritchie Torres, Ritchie Torres , New York Democrat “, Michael McCaul, Michael McCaul , Texas Republican “ I, Ilhan Omar Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Biden, House, Michigan Democrat, Minnesota Democrat, Virginia Democrat “, Senate Intelligence, Massachusetts Democrat, Islamic, Cory Booker , New, Cory Booker , New Jersey Democrat, West Virginia Democrat, Wisconsin Democrat, Gary Peters , Michigan Democrat, Nevada Democrat, Hawaii Democrat, State, Oregon Democrat, John Barrasso , Wyoming Republican, Iowa Republican, West Virginia Republican, Montana Republican, Utah Republican, Idaho Republican, Alabama Republican, Alaska Republican, Alaska Republican “, Arizona Democrat, John Boozman , Arkansas Republican “, Jewish, Arkansas Republican, California Democrat, Colorado Democrat, Connecticut Democrat, Delaware Democrat, Israel, Florida Republican, Georgia Democrat, Hawaii Democrat “, Indiana Republican, Indiana Republican “, Kansas Republican, Kentucky Republican, Louisiana Republican, Maine Republican, Maryland Democrat, Roger Wicker , Mississippi Republican, Smith , Mississippi Republican, Josh Hawley , Missouri Republican, Missouri Republican, Montana Democrat, Nebraska Republican, Jeanne Shaheen , New, Jeanne Shaheen , New Hampshire Democrat, Maggie Hassan , New Hampshire Democrat, Bob Menendez , New, Bob Menendez , New Jersey Democrat, New Mexico Democrat, New, New York Democrat, United, North Carolina Republican, John Hoeven , North Dakota Republican, Kevin Cramer , North Dakota Republican “, Ohio Democrat, Vance , Ohio Republican, James Lankford , Oklahoma Republican, Oklahoma Republican, “ Hamas, Rhode, Lindsey Graham , South Carolina Republican, South Carolina Republican, South Dakota Republican, Marsha Blackburn , Tennessee Republican, Tennessee Republican, John Cornyn , Texas Republican, Ted Cruz , Texas Republican, Vermont Democrat, Washington Democrat, Wisconsin Republican, Wyoming Republican, ”, Ohio Republican “, Missouri Democrat, Kevin Hern , Oklahoma Republican, Ritchie Torres , New, Ritchie Torres , New York Democrat, Jewish State, Michael McCaul , Texas Republican Locations: Israel, United States, Tehran, The United States, Iran, Michigan, U.S, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Vermont, Cory Booker ,, Cory Booker , New Jersey, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Gary Peters , Michigan, Nevada, Hawaii, Oregon, John Barrasso , Wyoming, America, Iowa, West, Montana, Iranian, Utah, Idaho, Alabama, Alaska, Alaska Republican “ America, @Israel, Kyrsten Sinema, Arizona, John Boozman , Arkansas, Jewish State, Arkansas, Saudi Arabia, California, Gaza, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Mazie Hirono, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Palestine, Roger Wicker , Mississippi, Smith , Mississippi, Josh Hawley , Missouri, Missouri, Nebraska, Jeanne Shaheen ,, Jeanne Shaheen , New Hampshire, Maggie Hassan , New Hampshire, Bob Menendez ,, Bob Menendez , New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North, John Hoeven , North, Kevin Cramer , North, Ohio, Vance , Ohio, James Lankford , Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Lindsey Graham , South, South, States, Marsha Blackburn , Tennessee, Tennessee, John Cornyn , Texas, Ted Cruz , Texas, Mitt Romney, Virginia, “ Hamas, Washington, Wyoming, Ohio Republican “ America, Kevin Hern , Oklahoma, Ritchie Torres ,, Ritchie Torres , New York, Michael McCaul , Texas

☆ Israel-Hamas war ratchets up pressure on Republicans to select House speaker in coming days
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

A senior Biden administration official indicated to reporters on Saturday that the paralysis in the House could complicate U.S. efforts to support Israel. McCarthy, of California, was ousted by conservative Republicans last week, the first time a House speaker was deposed in a no-confidence vote in U.S. history. McCarthy told Fox News on Saturday that there is nothing the House can do until the body elects a speaker: "I don't know if that happens quickly," McCarthy said. House Republicans are expected to vote for a candidate to replace McCarthy on Wednesday morning. The Florida Republican said House Republicans will coalesce around Scalise or Jordan this week: "I reject the premise that this is going to drag on for weeks," Gaetz said.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan of, Jordan, Scalise, Hakeem Jeffries, Michael McCaul, McCaul, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Gerald R, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy's speakership, Gaetz Organizations: United, United States Capitol, Washington D.C, Biden, Republicans, Israel, Hamas, Fox News, House Republicans, GOP, Rep, House Foreign Affairs, CNN, NBC News Sunday, Ford, Pentagon . Defense, Sunday, Israel Defense Forces, Florida Republican, NBC News Locations: United States, Washington, Israel, California, Louisiana, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Gaza, New York, Texas, Ohio, U.S, Florida, Scalise, Jordan

☆ Oil price spikes on Israel war. Here’s what a wider conflict might mean
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

London CNN —Global oil prices climbed 4% Monday over fears that the unprecedented weekend attack on Israel by Hamas could escalate into a regional conflict embroiling oil-producing nations. The [attack] itself has no effect on the oil market directly,” Homayoun Falakshahi, a senior oil analyst at data provider Kpler, told CNN. Tighter oil sanctions? Should Washington decide to tighten the sanctions screw once more, “current flows to the global oil market might be compromised,” he added. “That would be a complete game-changer for the oil market,” Falakshahi said.

Persons: Brent, Israel, ” Homayoun, ”, Jon, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, Oded, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Simone Tagliapietra, Bruegel, —, Tehran —, ” Falakshahi, “ it’s, Tobias Borck, Borck, Artemis Moshtaghian Organizations: London CNN —, Global, CNN, National, United Nations, Hamas, Washington, United Arab, Royal United Services Institute for Defence, Security Locations: Israel, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, Washington, United States, Palestine, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Brussels, Ukraine, Hong Kong, China, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Gulf, Hormuz, Lebanese, Tehran, Shebaa Farms, Lebanon, “

☆ What Is the Gaza Strip and Who Lives There
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

What Is the Gaza Strip and Who Lives ThereIsraeli army soldiers positioned with their Merkava tanks near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel. (Jack Guez/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)The Gaza Strip is a sliver of land bordering Israel and Egypt that is around the size of Washington D.C. with a population about three times the size. It is part of the area that, together with the West Bank, makes up the Palestinian territories. Its population of over two million is largely made up of Palestinians living in one of the most densely packed pieces of land in the world.

Persons: Jack Guez Organizations: Agence France, Washington D.C, West Bank Locations: Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Washington

☆ Russian parliament bosses to discuss revoking ratification of nuclear test ban treaty
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Russian lawmakers attend a session of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, in Moscow, Russia January 16, 2020. The Kremlin chief said Russia could look at revoking ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) as the United States had signed, but not ratified, it. On Friday, Russia's envoy to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) said Moscow would revoke its ratification of the pact, a move that Washington denounced as endangering "the global norm" against nuclear test blasts. Last month CNN said satellite images showed growing activity at nuclear test sites in Russia, China and the United States. In 2020, the Washington Post said the then-Trump administration had discussed whether to hold a nuclear test.

Persons: Evgenia, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Russia's, Vyacheslav Volodin, Washington, Lidia Kelly, Guy Faulconbridge, Gerry Doyle, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: State Duma, REUTERS, Putin, Kremlin, Comprehensive, Duma, Treaty Organization, Cuban Missile, United, The Soviet Union, CNN, Washington Post, Trump, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, States, MOSCOW, Russian, United States, China, Soviet, Ukraine, Washington, Egypt, Iran, Israel, India, North Korea, Pakistan, Melbourne

CNN —President Joe Biden over the last two days participated in a voluntary interview with special counsel Robert Hur as a part of his classified documents investigation, the White House announced Monday. A spokesperson for Hur, who oversees the Justice Department’s probe into classified documents found at Biden’s home and former private office, declined to comment to CNN. Hur was appointed in January to investigate incidents of classified documents being found at Biden’s former Washington, DC, office and his Wilmington, Delaware, home. While Biden has not often commented on the case, he said in January that he was surprised to learn that classified documents were found in his former office. “People know I take classified documents, classified information seriously,” Biden added, saying that the documents were found in “a box, locked cabinet – or at least a closet.”After documents were found in his Wilmington home later in January, Biden said he was cooperating fully with the Justice Department.

Persons: Joe Biden, Robert Hur, “, ”, Ian Sams, ” Sams, Donald Trump, Robert Mueller, Trump, Biden, Hur, Justice Department’s, General Merrick Garland, Garland, John Lausch, Lausch, ” Biden, Biden didn’t, didn’t Organizations: CNN, White, White House, Justice Department, Justice, National Archives, The Archives, FBI, Wilmington, “ Locations: Israel, Washington, DC, Wilmington , Delaware, Rehoboth Beach , Delaware, Mexico City, Mexico, Canada, Ukraine, Iran, United Kingdom, “, Wilmington

☆ Israel looks to be gearing up for an invasion to crush Hamas, but another enemy is stirring up trouble
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Israel appears to be gearing up for a ground invasion of Gaza after Hamas staged a brutal attack. In response to the massacre, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fighter jets immediately began a widespread bombing campaign of what it said were Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip. AdvertisementAdvertisement"Strengthening our joint force posture, in addition to the material support that we will rapidly provide to Israel, underscores the United States' ironclad support for the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli people," Austin said on Sunday. Meanwhile, as Israel gathers its ground forces, IDF fighter jets continue to bombard the Gaza Strip for a third consecutive day, striking what the military said are thousands of Hamas targets. —Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 9, 2023It remains to be seen how an invasion might play out, should the IDF carry one out, although it is likely to be a costly campaign in brutal environment with intense urban combat.

Persons: Israel, —, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Axios, Yoav Gallant, US State Department —, Gen Lázaro, Hamas —, Lloyd Austin, Gerald R, Austin Organizations: Hamas, Service, Israel Defense Forces, Sunday, US State Department, United Nations Interim Force, IDF, UNIFIL, & Force, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Pentagon, US, Ford Carrier Strike, Gaza's Ministry of Health Locations: Gaza, Lebanon, Israel, Israeli, Iran, Washington, Israel's, States

☆ California caste bill veto a setback for advocates; opponents say stigma averted
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Kanishka Singh | Thomson Reuters | Kanishka Singh Is A Breaking News Reporter For Reuters In Washington Dc | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Opponents of caste discrimination say it is no different from other forms of discrimination like racism and hence should be outlawed. In vetoing the bill, officially called Senate Bill 403 or SB 403, Newsom cited existing laws that already prohibit ancestry discrimination, which he said made the bill "unnecessary." U.S. discrimination laws ban ancestry discrimination but do not explicitly mention a ban on casteism. The caste system is among the world's oldest forms of rigid social stratification. The Dalit community is on the lowest rung of the Hindu caste system and members have been treated as "untouchables."

Persons: Carlos Barria, Gavin Newsom's, Newsom, Suhag Shukla, Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Soundararajan, Samir Kalra, Kanishka Singh, Mary Milliken, Grant McCool, Mark Porter Organizations: REUTERS, Activists, University of California, Hindu American Foundation, American Foundation, Equality Labs, Migration Policy Institute, American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, Amnesty, MeToo International, Thomson Locations: San Francisco, California, U.S, Berkeley, United States, South, India, Orange County, Washington

☆ Advocates of California bill to ban caste discrimination find veto heartbreaking
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Kanishka Singh | Thomson Reuters | Kanishka Singh Is A Breaking News Reporter For Reuters In Washington Dc | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

In vetoing the bill, officially called Senate Bill 403 or SB 403, Newsom cited existing laws that already prohibit ancestry discrimination, which he said made the bill "unnecessary." U.S. discrimination laws ban ancestry discrimination but do not explicitly mention a ban on casteism. The Dalit community is on the lowest rung of the Hindu caste system and members have been treated as "untouchables." India outlawed caste discrimination over 70 years ago. Opponents of caste discrimination say it is no different from other forms of discrimination like racism and hence should be outlawed.

Persons: Carlos Barria, Gavin Newsom's, Angana, Newsom, Suhag Shukla, Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Soundararajan, Samir Kalra, Kanishka Singh, Mary Milliken, Grant McCool, Mark Porter Organizations: REUTERS, University of California, Hindu American Foundation, American Foundation, Equality Labs, Migration Policy Institute, American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, Amnesty, MeToo International, Thomson Locations: San Francisco, California, U.S, United States, Berkeley, South, India, Orange County, Washington

REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said part of the motivation for Hamas' latest attack on Israel may have been disrupting a potential normalizing of Israel-Saudi Arabia ties and said Washington will announce new assistance for Israel on Sunday. The United said on Sunday that Saudi-Israel normalization efforts should continue despite the latest attack. The secretary of state said details of new U.S. assistance for Israel will be made public later, as he labeled the attack on Israel as a "terrorist attack by a terrorist organization." I think you're likely to hear more about that later today," Blinken told CNN. He added that there was not yet any evidence seen by the United States of Iran being behind the latest attack in Israel but he noted the long-standing ties between Iran and Hamas, which governs Gaza.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Frantz, Washington, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jon, We're, Kanishka Singh, Susan Heavey, Joey Roulette, Heather Timmons, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Hamas, White, REUTERS, Rights, Israel, Sunday, CNN, U.S, Deputy National, Fox News Sunday, Thomson Locations: Israel, Washington , U.S, Saudi Arabia, Gaza, Egypt, Syria, Yom, East, Saudi, GAZA, United States, Washington, Israeli, Iran

Israel battered Palestinians with air strikes in Gaza on Sunday, with hundreds reportedly killed on both sides. Austin also added that the United States will provide munitions to Israel, and that its security assistance will begin moving on Sunday. Austin said he ordered moving a carrier strike group closer to Israel, which includes the Ford carrier and ships that support it. The United States on Sunday said that Saudi-Israel normalization efforts should continue despite the latest attack. Blinken labeled the attack on Israel as a "terrorist attack by a terrorist organization."

Persons: Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Frantz, Lloyd Austin, Israel, Austin, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gerald R, Ismail Haniyeh, Jerusalem's Al, Netanyahu, Jon, We're, Blinken, Kanishka Singh, Idrees Ali, Steve Holland, Susan Heavey, Joey Roulette, Heather Timmons, Lisa Shumaker, Mark Porter Organizations: Hamas, White, REUTERS, Rights, Defense, Pentagon, Israeli Defense Forces, Ford, Ford Carrier Strike Group, CNN, Saturday, West Bank, U.S, Deputy National, Fox News Sunday, Thomson Locations: Israel, Washington , U.S, United States, Washington, Saudi Arabia, Gaza, Egypt, Syria, Yom, Jerusalem, Aqsa, East, Saudi, GAZA, Israeli, Iran

REUTERS/Carlos Barriaof Acquire Licensing RightsOct 7 (Reuters) - California Governor Gavin Newsom on Saturday vetoed a bill passed recently by the state legislature to explicitly ban caste discrimination, citing exiting laws that already prohibit ancestry discrimination, which made the bill "unnecessary." Had Newsom signed the bill, officially called Senate Bill 403 or SB 403, California would have become the first ever U.S. state to explicitly ban caste discrimination. U.S. discrimination laws ban ancestry discrimination though they do not explicitly mention a prohibition on casteism. Activists opposing caste discrimination said it is no different from other forms of discrimination like racism and hence should be outlawed. In California itself, last month, Fresno became only the second U.S. city to ban caste discrimination after a unanimous city council vote.

Persons: Carlos Barriaof, Gavin Newsom, Newsom, Aisha Wahab, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Arvind Krishna, Kanishka Singh, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Democratic, Seattle, U.S, Microsoft, IBM, Thomson Locations: Francisco's, San Francisco , California, U.S, California, South, Afghan American, North America, Canada, Fresno, Silicon Valley, India, Washington

Oct 7 (Reuters) - State Senator Aisha Wahab authored the bill vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom that would have made California the first U.S. state to explicitly ban caste discrimination. In vetoing the bill, Newsom called it "unnecessary," arguing that since existing laws already banned ancestry discrimination, a separate legislation was not needed explicitly for caste discrimination. U.S. discrimination laws ban ancestry discrimination but do not explicitly ban casteism. Wahab's bill passed in California that Newsom vetoed added caste as a protected class to the state's existing anti-discrimination laws. Activists opposing caste discrimination say it is no different from other forms of discrimination like racism.

Persons: Aisha Wahab, Gavin Newsom, Wahab, Newsom, Kanishka Singh, Leslie Adler Organizations: California Senate, Hayward City, U.S, Thomson Locations: California, U.S, Hayward, Afghan, American, United States, India, Valley . U.S, Washington

Oct 7 (Reuters) - State Senator Aisha Wahab authored the bill vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom that would have made California the first U.S. state to explicitly ban caste discrimination. In vetoing the bill, Newsom called it "unnecessary," arguing that since existing laws already banned ancestry discrimination, a separate legislation was not needed explicitly for caste discrimination. The veto from Newsom marks a setback for her and for U.S. activists fighting caste discrimination. India outlawed caste discrimination over 70 years ago. Activists opposing caste discrimination say it is no different from other forms of discrimination like racism.

☆ How $6 billion in Ukraine aid collapsed in a government funding bill despite big support in Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The collapse of Ukraine aid in Congress was months in the making, and exactly what Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell had feared. "But I know there are a majority of members in the House and Senate — both parties — who have said that they support funding Ukraine." But the GOP senators left McConnell with the understanding the support for Ukraine funding overall would be lacking. The next day, McCarthy was ousted from the office over long-simmering complaints about his leadership, leaving any fix for Ukraine funding uncertain. Biden's speech about Ukraine aid is coming.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Vladimir Putin's, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, —, Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Washington regroups, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Biden's, Jake Sullivan, McCarthy, Republicans —, South Dakota Sen, John Thune, Thune, John Barrasso of Organizations: United, United States Capitol, Washington D.C, Ukraine, Russia, White, Republican, Senate, White House, Trump, U.S, Capitol, GOP, Democratic, Republicans Locations: United States, Washington, Ukraine, Kyiv, U.S, Mexico, Ky, South Dakota, John Barrasso of Wyoming

Newsom's veto marked a rare but consequential setback in the movement against caste discrimination that had picked up momentum this year in North America. Had the bill been signed into law, California would have become the first U.S. state to explicitly ban caste discrimination. Here are some examples of recent policy steps across North America to fight caste discrimination:SEATTLEIn February, Seattle became the first U.S. city to outlaw caste discrimination after its local council voted to add caste to the city's anti-discrimination laws. FRESNOIn September, Fresno, California, became only the second U.S. city to ban caste discrimination after a unanimous city council vote. CALIFORNIAA bill to ban caste discrimination in California was introduced and authored by Democratic state Senator Aisha Wahab, an Afghan American, in March.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Aisha Wahab, Newsom, Kanishka Singh, Jamie Freed Organizations: California State University, Brown University, Ivy League, Harvard University, Democratic, Thomson Locations: California, North America, U.S, SEATTLE, Seattle, TORONTO, Canada, FRESNO, Fresno , California, CALIFORNIA, Afghan American, Washington

☆ US faces pushback on plan to bolster IMF funding without shareholding changes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. Doing so, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said on Thursday, would "increase the voice and agency of member countries who are the most vulnerable" at the Fund. Martin Muhleisen, a former IMF strategy chief, said the plan "puts the Chinese on the spot to agree". A delay would be a major disappointment for the IMF after contentious 2019 negotiations left quota resources and shareholding untouched. "The Fund's not tight," said Mark Plant, a former IMF official now with the Center for Global Development.

Persons: Yuri Gripas, Joe Biden, Janet Yellen, Alassane Ouattara, Mark Sobel, Martin Muhleisen, Mark Plant, David Lawder, Andrea Shalal, Marcela Ayres, Peter Graff Organizations: Monetary Fund, REUTERS, Rights, International Monetary Fund, IMF, World Bank, Reuters, U.S . Congress, U.S, Treasury, U.S . Treasury, Brazilian, Center for Global Development, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, China, India, Brazil, Marrakech, Morocco, Ukraine, Saharan Africa, Coast, Washington, Beijing, Brasilia

☆ Strike by 75,000 Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers enters third day
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Steve Gorman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Healthcare workers strike in front of Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, as more than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers go on strike from October 4 to 7 across the United States, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. October 4, 2023. Kaiser has said its hospitals and emergency departments have remained open despite the walkout, staffed by doctors, managers and "contingency workers." In any case, Lucas said the striking workers will all return to their jobs by 6 a.m. on Saturday, 72 hours after the strike began, because healthcare workers by law must give advance notice of 10 days of any intent to go on strike. However, the union on Friday warned of another strike if "Kaiser executives continue to commit unfair labor practices and bargain in bad faith." The Kaiser strike has idled more than 75,000 employees, union officials said.

Persons: Kaiser, Julie Su, Caroline Lucas, Lucas, Steve Gorman, Ahmed Aboulenein, Bhanvi, Bill Berkrot, Robert Birsel, Anil D'Silva Organizations: Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Permanente, REUTERS, Kaiser Permanente, District of Columbia, Labor, Coalition, Kaiser Permanente Unions, Kaiser, Union, Unions, U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington D.C, Thomson Locations: United States, Los Angeles , California, U.S, Kaiser, California , Oregon, Washington, , Colorado, Virginia, California, Las Vegas, California , Colorado , Oregon, Hawaii , Georgia, Los Angeles, Bengaluru

"The goal truly is channels of communication and ensuring we don't veer into conflict - simple as that," said a senior Biden administration official. The Biden administration wants to counter the country's growing military without provoking a conflict and to push back on what it considers unfair business practices while avoiding an all-out trade war. "The criticism we get from some on (Capitol) Hill and some in the academic community, of course, is that competing means you can't talk to China," said the administration official. NO DELAY IN CHINA POLICIESAdministration officials acknowledge China may see the U.S. push to engage as a chance to weaken or slow Washington's policies targeting China, particularly on exports in strategic industries such as semiconductors, but deny that this is happening. The administration official denied the delays were to avoid upsetting China but were about "getting the technical pieces right, and balancing economic impact on our own domestic competitiveness."

Persons: Antony Blinken, Leah Millis, Biden, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Ivan Kanapathy, Travis King, China –, Xi, San Francisco – doesn't, Mike Gallagher, Michael Martina, Humeyra Pamuk, Don Durfee Organizations: U.S, State Department, REUTERS, Rights, Biden, China, gaslight, White House National Security, Economic Cooperation, Republicans, China's Communist Party, CCP, Democratic, Inspur, Diplomats, Blinken, Thomson Locations: Mexico, Washington , U.S, United States, China, Beijing, U.S, stonewall, Asia, North Korea, San Francisco, CHINA, South China, Lincoln

☆ US restricts trade with 42 Chinese entities over Russia military support
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday added 42 Chinese companies to a government export control list over support for Moscow's military and defense industrial base, including supplying the Russian sector U.S.-origin integrated circuits. Another seven entities from Finland, Germany, India, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom were also added to the trade export control list. Entity List when Washington deems them a threat to U.S. national security or foreign policy. Suppliers must then be granted generally hard-to-get licenses before shipping goods to entities on the list. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Mark Schiefelbein, Export Enforcement Matthew Axelrod, David Shepardson, Karen Freifeld, Mike Stone, Susan Heavey, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Rights, U.S . Commerce Department, United Arab Emirates, Commerce Department, U.S, Export Enforcement, Washington, Thomson Locations: United States, Diaoyutai, Beijing, China, U.S, Finland, Germany, India, Turkey, United Arab, United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Washington

☆ Former U.S. Army sergeant charged with offering classified information to China
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — A former U.S. Army sergeant was arrested on Friday for allegedly attempting to provide classified national security information to China, the Department of Justice said. Schmidt allegedly initiated efforts to provide Chinese intelligence with U.S. defense information after separating from the military in January 2020, the department said. He was part of the 109th Military Intelligence Battalion, where he had access to information classified "Secret" and "Top Secret," the DOJ said. He also is accused of reaching out to both the Chinese Consulate in Turkey and the Chinese security services via email to offer the information. "Individuals entrusted with national defense information have a continuing duty to protect that information beyond their government service and certainly beyond our borders," said Matthew Olsen, assistant Attorney General for National Security, in a statement.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Joseph Daniel Schmidt, Schmidt, Schmidt's, Matthew Olsen, Tessa Gorman, Gorman Organizations: Defense, Pentagon, Washington D.C, U.S . Army, Department of Justice, DOJ, Joint, Lewis, McChord, 109th Military Intelligence Battalion, Consulate, National Security, Attorney, Western, of, of Defense Locations: Washington, United States, China, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Seattle, U.S, Turkey, of Washington

Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) carries a box as he leaves the office of the Speaker of the House and heads out of the U.S. Capitol several hours after being ousted from the position of Speaker by a vote of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. October 3, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreWASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Friday he will finish his congressional term and run for re-election, denying media reports that suggested the Republican would resign from Congress before the end of his term. THE TAKEMcCarthy's future has been the subject of speculation since he became the first House speaker in U.S. history to be ousted from that position, after angering hardline critics in his party. I'm staying, so don't worry," McCarthy told reporters on Friday when asked about the report. I'm going to help the people I got here, and we're going to expand it."

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Jonathan, McCarthy, I'm, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Donald Trump, Kevin Hern, Kanishka Singh, David Morgan, Rami Ayyub, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Representatives, REUTERS, Former U.S . House, Republican, CNN, Republicans, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, WASHINGTON, Former, Washington

☆ US restricts trade with 42 Chinese entities over support for Russia's military
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday added 42 Chinese companies to a government export control list over their support for Moscow's military and defense industrial base - support that includes the supply of U.S.-origin integrated circuits. Another seven entities from Finland, Germany, India, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom were also added to the trade export control list. The circuits include microelectronics that Russia uses for precision guidance systems in missiles and drones launched against civilian targets in Ukraine, the Commerce Department said in a statement. "The United States should immediately correct its wrong practices and stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies," China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. Suppliers must then be granted generally hard-to-get licenses before shipping goods to entities on the list.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Mark Schiefelbein, Export Enforcement Matthew Axelrod, David Shepardson, Karen Freifeld, Mike Stone, Susan Heavey, Andrea Ricci, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Rights, U.S . Commerce Department, United Arab Emirates, Commerce Department, U.S, Export Enforcement, Ministry of Commerce, Washington, Thomson Locations: United States, Diaoyutai, Beijing, China, U.S, Finland, Germany, India, Turkey, United Arab, United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Russian

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