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☆ A top Democrat's indictment could be a game-changer for 2 troublesome allies seeking US fighter jets
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Menendez's removal could be a game-changer for two countries who have long sought US fighter jets. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . His removal could be a game-changer for Egypt and Turkey — two important but vexing US allies — when it comes to buying modern US-made fighter jets to upgrade their air forces. Turkey's F-16 prospectsA Turkish F-16 during a NATO Air Policing mission out of Poland in August 2021. It has ordered 54 French-made Rafale multirole jets in a bid to, at least partially, diversify its overwhelmingly American-made fighter arsenal.

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez, —, Bob Menendez's, Turkey's, Cuneyt, Getty Images Menendez, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, Ben Cardin, Getty Images Cardin, Cardin, Ryan Bohl, RANE, Bohl, Frank McKenzie, Derek Seifert Cairo, Su, Paul Iddon Organizations: Foreign, Service, New, New Jersey Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, NATO Air Policing, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, Turkish, NATO, Turkish Air Force, East, Business, US Air Force KC, 135R, US Air Force, Getty, US Central Command, State Department, Air Force Locations: New Jersey, Egypt, Turkey, Turkish, Poland, NATO, coziness, Russia, Malbork, North Africa, Israel, Cairo, China, Dubai, United States, France

Democratic Senator Ben Cardin wrote to Biden to push for immediate freedom for Mark Swidan, Kai Li and David Lin, whom the U.S. government has classified as wrongfully detained in China. Families of Americans the U.S. government has classified as wrongfully detained in China have also repeatedly urged the government to prioritize the release of their loved ones in talks with Chinese officials. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns about her son Mark over the weekend, but called the conversation "disappointing" because Burns would not say whether Biden would raise Mark’s name with Xi. A State Department spokesperson commented that the department has no greater priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens and noted that it continually raises wrongfully detained U.S. nationals during engagements with senior Chinese officials. Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Michael Martina; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ben Cardin, Craig Hudson, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Mark Swidan, Kai Li, David Lin, Xi, Cardin, Katherine Swidan, China Nicholas Burns, Mark, Burns, Patricia Zengerle, Michael Martina, Stephen Coates Organizations: Senate Foreign, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Senate Foreign, Reuters, Democratic, Economic Cooperation, State, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, China, Asia, San Francisco, United, United States, U.S

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

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

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be the next U.S. ambassador to Israel on Capitol Hill, Washington, U.S., October 18, 2023. The Senate voted 53 to 43, largely along party lines, with Biden's fellow Democrats backing Lew and most Republicans opposing him. Republicans sharply criticized Lew over the 2015 Iran nuclear deal sealed during former Democratic President Barack Obama's administration. Supporting Lew, Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, who chairs the foreign relations panel, noted Lew's qualifications and said Israel had welcomed his nomination. Washington has not had an ambassador to Israel since July, when Tom Nides left the post.

Persons: Jack Lew, Leah Millis, Joe Biden's, Lew, Barack Obama's, Ben Cardin, Israel, Cardin, Jim Risch, Donald Trump, Tom Nides, Biden, Patricia Zengerle, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S, Treasury, Foreign, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Senate, Democratic, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, Thomson Locations: Israel, Capitol Hill, Washington , U.S, Iran, Gaza, America, Washington

☆ Bertie Bowman ran away from home at 13 to sweep the steps of Capitol Hill. He died at 92 as the the longest-serving African-American Congressional staffer.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Yoonji Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Herbert "Bertie" Bowman was the longest-serving African-American staffer on Capitol Hill in US history. AdvertisementAdvertisementBertie Bowman, the longest-serving African-American staffer on Capitol Hill in history, died at 92 years old on Wednesday morning. Sen. John Kerry hugs Bowman after his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for Secretary of State on January 24, 2013. AdvertisementAdvertisementBowman escorts Hillary Clinton at a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 2, 2011. Bowman had continued to work in the Capitol until his death, becoming the longest-serving African-American congressional staffer in US history.

Persons: Herbert, Bertie, Bowman, —, Bertie Bowman, Andrew Desiderio, Sen, Ben Cardin, Burnet Maybank, Maybank, Chris Dodd, Tom Williams, I'd, talkshow, Tavis Smiley, Lyndon Johnson, Strom Thurmond, John Kerry, Ken Cedeno, Jesse Helms of, J, William Fulbright of, Bill Clinton, Elvis, Clinton, Chip Somodevilla, he'd, Hillary Clinton, Alex Wong, Helms Organizations: Capitol, Senate, Service, Punchbowl News, Foreign, Station, Senate Foreign, State, William Fulbright of Arkansas, US, Foreign Relations, Washingtonian, Military Force, Islamic Locations: Washington , DC, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Summerton, South Carolina, Washington ,, Washington, Jesse Helms of North Carolina, Vietnam, Islamic State

The request to Congress would cover a year, according to another person familiar with the administration’s expected request. Lew, a Treasury Secretary under former President Barack Obama, was nominated by Biden last month after former Ambassador Tom Nides left the post in July. Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesThe White House could make a formal request for the foreign war aid as soon as this week. Some Republicans have criticized Lew for his role in the Obama White House as it negotiated the Iran nuclear agreement in 2015, among other foreign policy moves under Obama, and that opposition could slow his nomination. “Our ability to support Israel at this pivotal moment is significantly hamstrung by the fact that we don’t have a U.S. ambassador on the ground," Murphy said.

Persons: Jacob Lew, Joe Biden, Lew, Barack Obama, Biden, Tom Nides, —, Obama —, Ben Cardin, Jack, ”, Cardin, Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Obama, Donald Trump, Republican Sen, Tom Cotton of, Jack Lew, ” Cotton, Jack Lew’s, ” Lew, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy of, Murphy, Seung Min Kim Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Israel, Hamas, Foreign, White, Management, Republicans, Republican, Hamas ’, “ Fox, Democratic, Foreign Relations, Associated Press Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, China, D, Congress, U.S, Iran, Tehran, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Gaza

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden may consider a supplemental request of about $100 billion that would include defense aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, multiple sources familiar with the request told Reuters on Tuesday. Two of the sources said the request was for a full year of funding, explaining the large size. Bloomberg first reported that Biden was considering making a $100 billion request. Senator Mitch McConnell, the chamber's top Republican, said he expected the request to include assistance for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, and said Republicans want it to include "something serious" for the border. Top Biden administration officials will hold a classified briefing on Wednesday for the Senate on the situation in Israel and Gaza.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Ben Cardin, Cardin, " Cardin, ISRAEL, Kevin McCarthy, Israel, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Schumer, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Trevor Hunnicutt, David Ljunggren, Dan Whitcomb, Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: White, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Tel, Israel, Senate, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations, Republicans, Republican, Hamas, Bloomberg, Biden, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, Washington, Tel Aviv, Amman, Jordan, Egypt, Gaza, U.S, Iran, United States

☆ Democrats Want Quick Confirmation of Jack Lew as Israel Ambassador
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

), who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said America needs a confirmed ambassador to Israel as soon as possible. President Biden's nominee, Jack Lew, a former Treasury secretary and White House chief of staff during the Obama administration, is set for a confirmation hearing on Wednesday. "I will do everything I can not only to have a hearing but to move him out of committee on the floor of the United States Senate because we do need a confirmed ambassador of Israel," Cardin said Tuesday. He said he wants to "make sure that's a reality as soon as possible." Some Republicans have expressed opposition to Lew and could try to slow walk the nomination.

Persons: Sen, Ben Cardin, Biden's, Jack Lew, Obama, Cardin, Lew Organizations: Foreign Relations, White House, United States Senate Locations: Md, America, Israel

☆ Republicans face crucial vote in House speaker race that could shape Israel aid, government funding
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Scalise and Jordan will address the House GOP during a candidate forum at 5 p.m. this evening. Republican lawmakers will hold a vote Wednesday morning to select a candidate for speaker, which will then face a full floor vote. It is unclear whether Scalise or Jordan can secure the 217 votes needed to win the speakership on the House floor. Scalise said Monday that House Republicans needed to "get back on track" after McCarthy's ouster exposed deep divisions between hard-right Republicans led by Gaetz and more centrist members. Paul Ryan, a former speaker of the House, told CNBC he doesn't see a path forward for McCarthy.

Persons: Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Powell, Graeme Jennings, Scalise, Jordan, Kevin McCarthy of, McCarthy, Sen, Ben Cardin, Claudia Tenney, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Steve Womack, Womack, Paul Ryan, Ryan Organizations: Republican, Washington , D.C, U.S, Washington Examiner, Bloomberg, Getty Images, GOP, Republicans, Biden, Israel's, Israel, Rep, California Republican, Fox News, CNBC Locations: Louisiana, Ohio, Washington ,, Jordan, Kevin McCarthy of California, Israel, Gaza, Washington, D, Maryland, New York, The U.S, Florida, Arkansas

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

But should the vote drag on in the intensely divided chamber, some lawmakers warn that efforts to provide assistance to Israel amid the conflict would be stymied. Since McCarthy’s ouster, two candidates have formally announced their bid for the speakership – House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. Accordingly, questions about the role of Rep. Patrick McHenry, who stepped in as “speaker pro tempore” after McCarthy’s historic ouster, have begun circulating. The position is widely considered to be a placeholder with the primary function of helping the chamber to elect a new speaker. But some experts have argued the House can vote on resolutions, like one condemning Hamas, without a speaker.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy’s, “, Mike Lawler, McCarthy, what’s, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan of, Patrick McHenry, ”, Michael McCaul, ” McCaul, Dan Goldman, Chuck Schumer, Jacob J, Lew, Joe Biden, ” Sen, Ben Cardin Organizations: U.S ., Republicans, ”, New, New York Republican, CNN, Texas Republican, House Foreign Affairs, Israel, New York Democrat, Congress, State Department, Democrats, Maryland Democrat, Foreign Relations Locations: Israel, U.S, New York, Louisiana, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Texas, China, Maryland

☆ Controversial Egypt aid held by new Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s new chairman is going to block a controversial tranche of military aid for Egypt, he announced Saturday. Sen. Ben Cardin’s last-minute decision on the day of the September 30 deadline followed backlash over the State Department’s recent decision to use a national security waiver to bypass human rights-related restrictions imposed on $235 million in aid. The block comes after the committee’s previous chairman, Sen. Bob Menendez, was indicted on corruption charges over accusations that he accepted bribes to help Egypt obtain military aid. Critics, including Cardin, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken should not have released the $235 million balance on the $320 million tranche of military aid. The White House referred questions to the State Department, which did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

Persons: Sen, Ben Cardin’s, Bob Menendez, ” Cardin, Cardin, ”, Antony Blinken, Cardin’s, Abdel Fattah el Organizations: CNN, Relations, State, New, New Jersey Democrat, Maryland Democrat, Biden, State Department Locations: Egypt, New Jersey, Maryland, Taiwan, Lebanon

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) speaks at a committee meeting after assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the U.S. Capitol on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., September 28, 2023. REUTERS/Craig Hudson/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee vowed on Saturday to block military aid and arms sales to Egypt if it does not take concrete steps to improve human rights in the country. Much of the aid has been withheld in recent years over concerns about human rights abuses under the government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. But President Joe Biden's administration announced this month it had decided to waive human rights restrictions on $235 million of the aid, citing security benefits to the U.S. It is currently withholding $85 million of the aid, a fraction of the $1.3 billion a year allocated for Egypt.

Persons: Ben Cardin, Craig Hudson, Gregory Meeks, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Cardin, Abdel Fattah al, Joe Biden's, Matt Spetalnick, Patricia Zengerle, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Senate Foreign, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Senate Foreign, Democratic U.S, Representatives Foreign, State Department, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Democratic, Washington, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Egypt, Washington, Israel

☆ Senior Senate Democrat Threatens to Block Military Aid to Egypt on Human Rights Grounds
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Matt Spetalnick and Patricia ZengerleWASHINGTON (Reuters) -The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee vowed on Saturday to block military aid and arms sales to Egypt if it does not take concrete steps to improve human rights in the country. Senator Ben Cardin issued the threat in a statement, saying "it is imperative that we continue to hold the government of Egypt, and all governments, accountable for their human rights violations." Much of the aid has been withheld in recent years over concerns about human rights abuses under the government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. But President Joe Biden's administration announced this month it had decided to waive human rights restrictions on $235 million of the aid, citing security benefits to the U.S. It is currently withholding $85 million of the aid, a fraction of the $1.3 billion a year allocated for Egypt.

Persons: Matt Spetalnick, Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Ben Cardin, Gregory Meeks, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Cardin, Abdel Fattah al, Joe Biden's, Patricia Zengerle, Daniel Wallis Organizations: U.S . Senate Foreign, Democratic U.S, U.S, Representatives Foreign, State Department, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Democratic, Washington, Egypt Locations: Egypt, Washington, Israel

☆ UBS says reports of DOJ probe into Russia sanctions evasion are wrong
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

“The recent reporting on an alleged probe by the US Department of Justice into sanctions-related compliance failures at Credit Suisse and UBS is inaccurate. We’re not aware of such a probe,” UBS told CNN in a statement. “UBS and CS have significantly and proactively reduced their Russia-related exposure.”According to a person familiar with the matter, UBS has been in touch with the DOJ regarding the reported probe. The bank’s reaction comes on the heels of a Bloomberg report, which cited anonymous people familiar with the matter and asserted the Justice Department had briefed lawyers for UBS (UBS) about Credit Suisse’s alleged involvement in sanctions violations. CNN reached out to the Justice Department for comment but has not received a response.

Persons: “, Suisse’s, Drew Sullivan, ”, ” Sen, Ben Cardin Organizations: CNN, UBS, US Department of Justice, Credit Suisse, “ UBS, CS, DOJ, Bloomberg, Department, Justice Department, Swiss Bankers Association, Security, Cooperation, US, US Helsinki Commission, “, Swiss Stock Exchange Locations: Swiss, Russia, Europe, US Helsinki, Ukraine, Maryland, Switzerland

☆ Republicans sure don't sound like they're about to block Democrats from filling Dianne Feinstein's Judiciary Committee seat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Dianne Feinstein's seat on the Judiciary committee is now empty in the wake of her death. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn the wake of Sen. Dianne Feinstein's death, questions are swirling over how the California Democrat's now-empty seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee will be filled. In order to change the membership of any Senate committee, the chamber has to pass a resolution to make that change official. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer can do so via a simple voice vote if no Republicans object to the change. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio said it was up to Republicans on the Judiciary Committee and that he would "probably support" whatever decision they made.

Persons: Dianne Feinstein's, —, Sen, Joe Biden's, Josh Hawley, Chuck Schumer, Republican Sen, Ron Johnson, Johnson, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Mike Braun, JD Vance, Ohio, Todd Young, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Paul, Ben Cardin, Bob Menendez, Feinstein, Mitch McConnell, Sheldon Whitehouse, Whitehouse, Hawley, I'm, She's Organizations: Service, Republicans, Democratic, GOP, Republican, Indiana, Committee, Senate Foreign Relations, Bob Menendez of New, Judiciary, Twitter, Democrats Locations: California, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Marco Rubio of Florida, Ted Cruz of Texas, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Bob Menendez of, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Rhode

WASHINGTON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee's new chairman on Thursday said he would look at Turkey's $20 billion Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) F-16 fighter jet deal and that more issues than Sweden's ascension to NATO would affect the decision on lifting his predecessor's longstanding hold. Cardin said he had discussed Sweden's NATO accession with Turkish officials at a NATO ambassador's meeting on Wednesday. Leaders of the U.S. Senate and House foreign affairs panels review every major foreign arms sale. "Menendez being out of the picture is an advantage," Erdogan was quoted as telling reporters by Turkish media. The top Republican on the Senate panel, Senator Jim Risch, has put a hold on arms sales to Hungary over the issue.

Persons: Lockheed Martin, Ben Cardin, Cardin, Bob Menendez, Tayyip Erdogan's, Menendez, Nadine Menendez, Erdogan, Sweden's, Jim Risch, Patricia Zengerle, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Relations, Lockheed, Turkish, NATO, U.S . Senate, Kurdistan Workers Party, Republican, Thomson Locations: NATO, Sweden, Greece, Ankara, Stockholm, Turkey, Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Budapest

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on "Accountability for Russian Atrocities in Ukraine", on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 31, 2023. It is the second time Cardin, a senior senator known for human rights advocacy, replaces fellow Democrat Menendez in committee leadership. Cardin also stepped in from April 2015 to February 2018 after Menendez faced federal corruption charges that were later dropped. Less hawkish than Menendez, Cardin has focused on human rights throughout his career, notably by authoring the Magnitsky Act, named for a lawyer who exposed corruption in Russia before dying in prison. Passed in 2012 and expanded globally in 2016, the act allowed the U.S. government to sanction individuals involved in human rights violations, not just governments.

Persons: Ben Cardin, Julia Nikhinson, Bob Menendez, Menendez, Cardin, Barack Obama's, Joe Biden's, Patricia Zengerle, Timothy Gardner Organizations: Foreign, Russian Atrocities, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Senate Foreign Relations, Democratic, Communist, Obama's, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Washington , U.S, Russia, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, Egypt

[1/5] Models present creations by the creative studio of Pierre Cardin fashion house for their Spring/Summer 2024 Women's ready-to-wear collection show during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, September 25, 2023. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Paris Fashion Week kicked off on Monday with a Pierre Cardin show in the headquarters of France's Communist Party, which was bathed in blue light to conjure up the colour of the ocean. It was the French label's second show at Paris Fashion Week since founder Pierre Cardin died in 2020, building on its space-age catwalk in March after a gap of more than two decades. Fashion Week, which runs until Oct. 3, will feature more than 100 designers, including Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Hermes, dozens of new international designers, as well as French fashion house Balmain whose show will go ahead despite the theft of part of its collection. Thieves seized the vehicle carrying some 50 items between a Paris airport and the label's headquarters in the French capital.

Persons: Pierre Cardin, Stephanie Lecocq, Rodrigo Basilicati Cardin, Oscar Niemeyer, Fabien Roussel, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Dior, Saint Laurent, Van Noten, Lanvin, Sandra Auger, Elizabeth Pineau, Geert De Clercq, Alison Williams Organizations: Paris, REUTERS, Rights, France's Communist Party, Paris Fashion, French Communist Party, Espace Niemeyer, Balmain, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, French, Givenchy

☆ A Tale of Family Intrigue and Inheritance
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Dana Thomas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The French fashion designer Pierre Cardin liked to brag about all he had accomplished since he started his brand in 1950. “All the couturiers were influenced by me,” he said. “Everyone knows Pierre Cardin.”What he didn’t like to talk about was what would become of his company after he was gone. Indeed, three months before Mr. Cardin died in December 2020, at 98, after a bout of Covid-19, he told a Paris Match reporter: “After my death? His longtime business and life partner, André Oliver, died in 1993.

Persons: Pierre Cardin, Cardin, ”, Cardin’s, grandnephews, André Oliver Locations: Marigny, France, Paris

"The alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state," Murphy - who would appoint a temporary replacement for Menendez should he resign - said in a statement. "Behind the scenes, Senator Menendez was doing those things for certain people - the people that were bribing him and his wife," Williams said. A lawyer for Nadine Menendez, 56, who has been married to the senator since 2020, said she denied wrongdoing and would "vigorously defend" against the allegations in court. MENENDEZ HAS FACED OTHER PROBESThe investigation marks the third time Menendez has been investigated by federal prosecutors, although he has never been convicted. Bob and Nadine Menendez also each face one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right.

Persons: Bob Menendez, Menendez, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, Phil Murphy, Murphy, Prosecutors, Damian Williams, Williams, Nadine Menendez, MENENDEZ, Robert Menedez, Jonathan Ernst, Ben Cardin, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Ted Stevens, Larry Craig, Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, Fred Daibes, Bob, Hana, Washington, Uribe, Daibes, Luc Cohen, Jonathan Stempel, Patricia Zengerle, Matt Spetalnick, Simon Lewis, Makini Brice, Andrew Goudsward, Tom Hals, Mark Porter, Daniel Wallis, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: U.S, Jersey businessmen, U.S . Senate, Foreign, Democratic, U.S . House, Representatives, Benz, Capitol, REUTERS, Republican, U.S . Department of Agriculture, New, Menendez, Daibes, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, Jersey, U.S, Manhattan, Egypt, Ukraine, China . New Jersey, New Jersey, Washington , U.S, Cuban American, Cuba, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Alaska, Idaho, United States, Washington, New York

Menendez said he decided to step down temporarily as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Menendez has been a crucial partner for Biden on these and other foreign policy priorities. "Like him or dislike him, Menendez has played an incredibly influential role when it comes to shaping U.S. foreign policy," said Daniel Vajdich, a Republican former Foreign Relations Committee staffer. Vajdich noted that Menendez's departure adds to uncertainty on Capitol Hill about foreign policy, given sharp divisions among Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, on issues like aid to Ukraine. Under Senate Democratic Conference rules, any member charged with a felony must give up his or her committee leadership position.

Persons: Bob Menendez, Elizabeth Frantz, Joe Biden, Menendez, Biden, Daniel Vajdich, Vajdich, Ben Cardin, Karine Jean, Pierre, Suzanne Wrasse, Jim Risch, Risch, Barack Obama's, Patricia Zengerle, Don Durfee, Timothy Gardner Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations, Justice Department, Russian, Senate, Ukraine, Republican, Foreign Relations, Hill, Republicans, White House, Senate Democratic Conference, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Ukraine, China . U.S, New Jersey, China, United States, UKRAINE, Kyiv, Iran

Menendez serves as the powerful chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. And as chairman, he had unique influence over foreign military sales and foreign military financing. The State Department typically seeks the input of the chairperson and top minority senator on the Foreign Relations panel when it comes to foreign military financing and foreign military sales, and the department generally will not go forward if one of the two senators objects. Hana is a friend of Nadine Menendez and the Egyptian-American founder of a business that certifies beef imported into Egypt meets Islamic religious standards. “Congratulations mon amour de la vie, we are the proud owners of a 2019 Mercedes,” Nadine Menendez texted her husband, along with a heart emoji.

Persons: — Democratic U.S . Sen, Bob Menendez, Egypt —, Menendez, ”, Nadine, “, Prosecutors, Nadine Arslania, David Schertler, Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, Fred Daibes, Nadine Menendez, He's, Hana, Uribe, ” Nadine Menendez, Hana's, Salomon Melgen, Melgen, Donald Trump, Chuck Schumer, Sen, Ben Cardin, Schumer, Phil Murphy Organizations: WASHINGTON, — Democratic U.S ., Senate Foreign Relations, U.S, Embassy, The State Department, Foreign Relations, U.S . House, Strategic International Business Consultants LLC, -, New, Daibes, Senate, New Jersey voters, Republican, NEXT, Democratic, While New, While New Jersey Gov Locations: Egypt, New Jersey, Jersey, U.S, Cairo, Union City , New Jersey, Edgewater , New Jersey, Florida, Dominican Republic, Paris, Washington, D, While, While New Jersey

☆ What could happen if the government shuts down
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle are hoping to pass a short-term funding extension to keep the lights on and avert a shutdown. What could happen during a shutdownIn the event of a shutdown, many government operations would come to a halt, but some services deemed “essential” would continue. Once a shutdown is over, federal employees who were required to work and those who were furloughed will receive backpay. Employees deemed “essential” and required to work were already guaranteed backpay after a shutdown prior to the passage of that legislation. And federal employees aren’t the only ones who can feel the effects of a shutdown.

Persons: it’s, furloughed, Sen, Ben Cardin, Trump, you’re, ”, Maya MacGuineas, It’s, White Organizations: CNN, Congressional, Federal, Maryland Democrat, Employees, Park Service, Senate, Democrats, Republicans, White House, Department of Health, Human Services, TSA, Food and Drug Administration Locations: Ukraine, Maryland, shutdowns

☆ Family of Henrietta Lacks finally settles lawsuit against biotech company accused of profiting billions of dollars from collecting the Black woman's cancer cells without her consent
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Lea Skene | Sarah Brumfield | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Henrietta Lacks changed modern medicine when doctors took her cells without her consent in 1951. Despite that incalculable impact, the Lacks family had never been compensated. Henrietta Lacks' cells have been part of many medical breakthroughs. "The exploitation of Henrietta Lacks represents the unfortunately common struggle experienced by Black people throughout history," the complaint reads. "It was a long fight — over 70 years — and Henrietta Lacks gets her day."

Persons: Henrietta, HeLa, Ben Crump, Crump, didn't, Rebecca Skloot, Oprah Winfrey, Johns Hopkins, Fisher, George Floyd's, Alfred, Carter Jr, Chris Van Hollen, Ben Cardin, Van Hollen Organizations: Service, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Fisher Scientific Inc, Associated Press, HBO, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Maryland Democrats Locations: Wall, Silicon, Waltham , Massachusetts, Baltimore, Virginia, United States, Baltimore's

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