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☆ Iraqi, Jordanian Foreign Ministers Hold Call After Attack on U.S. Outpost in Jordan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, in a phone call with his Jordanian counterpart on Tuesday, condemned an attack on a U.S. military outpost on Jordanian territory near the border with Syria, state media reported. Hussein and Ayman Safadi stressed the need to distance the two countries and the region from military threats by any side, Iraqi state media added. That attack killed three U.S. soldiers and wounded more than 40 troops. Iraq's government is backed by parties and militias close to Iran, though not directly by the hardline groups that have been firing on U.S. forces, Western and Iraqi officials say. Baghdad has condemned the attacks while also saying regional escalation would continue as long as the Gaza war went on.

Persons: Fuad Hussein, Hussein, Ayman Safadi, Israel, Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden's, Timour Azhari, Enas, Mark Heinrich Organizations: Reuters, Iraqi, Jordanian, Sunday, U.S, U.S . Defense Locations: Syria, Iran, U.S, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Hamas, Jordan, Israel, Western, Baghdad, Gaza

☆ Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah Suspends Military Operations on US Forces -Statement
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah announced the suspension of all its military operations against U.S. troops in the region, in a decision aimed at preventing "embarrassment" to the Iraqi government, the group said in a statement. The decision follows the killing of three U.S. troops in a drone attack near the Jordan-Syria border - an attack that the Pentagon said bore the "footprints" of Kataib Hezbollah, though a final assessment had not yet been made. Founded in the aftermath of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Kataib Hezbollah is one of the elite Iraqi armed factions closest to Iran. Iraq's government is backed by parties and militias close to Iran, though not directly by the hardline groups that have been firing on U.S. forces, Western and Iraqi officials say. Baghdad has condemned the attacks while also saying regional escalation would continue as long as the Gaza war went on.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden's, Timour Azhari, Chris Reese, Sandra Maler Organizations: Hezbollah, U.S, Pentagon, U.S . Defense Locations: BAGHDAD, Iran, Jordan, Syria, U.S, Iraq, Gaza, Iraq's, Western, Baghdad

☆ Pentagon says it is not seeking war with Iran after Jordan attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"We certainly don't seek a war and frankly we don't see Iran wanting to seek a war with the United States," Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters. She added that the Pentagon believed Iran did not want a war either. Two officials said a U.S. drone was approaching the base around the same time the attack drone was incoming. One of the officials said the attack drone was also flying low, factors that may have contributed to it being missed by base defenses. "Iran continues to destabilize the region, this includes backing terrorists who attack our ships in the Red Sea," Stoltenberg said.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden's, Austin, Biden, Sabrina Singh, John Kirby, Breonna Alexsondria, Stoltenberg Organizations: NATO, U.S, State Department, U.S . Defense, Monday, Sunday, Pentagon, House, Army Reserve, Austin Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Jordan, Iran, Israel, United States, Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Red

☆ Israeli PM's Office Says 'Gaps' Remain After Meeting on Hostage Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Talks held on Sunday initiated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt to broker a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas were "constructive" but meaningful gaps remain, the Israeli prime minister's office said. "There are still significant gaps in which the parties will continue to discuss this week in additional mutual meetings," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns and the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence service, David Barnea, met with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, along with the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, the statement said. Some 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted, according to Israeli officials. The U.S. and Israeli intelligence chiefs have previously met with Qatari and Egyptian officials, helping to broker a short-lived truce in November that saw more than 100 hostages freed.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu's, William Burns, David Barnea, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Abbas Kamel, Joe Biden's, Emily RoseEditing, Jane Merriman, Frances Kerry Organizations: . Central Intelligence Agency, Qatari Prime, Hamas Locations: JERUSALEM, Qatar, United States, Egypt, Israel, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Europe, Gaza, U.S

☆ U.S. Energy Secretary Granholm on LNG export pause: A 'temporary' pause so we can have an assessment
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailU.S. Energy Secretary Granholm on LNG export pause: A 'temporary' pause so we can have an assessmentU.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the Biden's administration's decision to temporarily pause pending decisions on the export of liquified natural gas (LNG), what it means for current exports and projects under construction, and more.

Persons: Jennifer Granholm Organizations: U.S . Energy, Energy

He said shots suddenly hit the back of the truck, striking Abdel Jabbar. Hafeth Abdel Jabbar said that when he arrived, he found his son’s lifeless body in the pickup, amid shattered glass and blood stains. They jumped in the family truck and headed out, he said, but realized they'd forgotten charcoal. Later Tuesday, investigators took the truck, Abdel Jabbar said. Also Tuesday, Abdel Jabbar said, he accompanied Salameh to provide witness testimony to Israeli investigators.

Persons: Mohammed Salameh's, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, “, ” Salameh, Abdel Jabbar, Salameh —, Abdel Jabbar's, Hafeth, Mazra’a, Sharquiya —, Salameh, Hafeth Abdel Jabbar, —, wasn't, ” Hafeth, Abdel Jabbar family's, Tawfic, Yesh Din, Rami, Mona, Joe Biden's, ” Mona Abdel Jabbar, ” Organizations: West Bank, Associated Press, Bank, Police, AP, U.S, West Locations: American, Louisiana, Al, Israel, Ramallah, Mona, Gretna , Louisiana, West Bank

NEW YORK (AP) — The White House’s chief diversity and inclusion officer is departing the White House after three years in the position. Michael Leach served as the first ever diversity officer in a presidential administration and led efforts to build the most racially diverse and women-majority White House staff in history. Leach’s departure from President Joe Biden's White House comes at a moment of backlash against diversity and inclusion efforts in government, education and business. The White House has not immediately replaced Leach in his position but has launched a job search for the role. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Persons: White, Michael Leach, Joe Biden's, Leach Organizations: White House, Associated Press

☆ Turkey’s parliament approves Sweden’s NATO membership, lifting key a hurdle
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Turkish legislators on Tuesday endorsed Sweden's membership in NATO, lifting a major hurdle on the previously nonaligned country's entry into the military alliance. The legislators ratified Sweden's accession protocol by 287 votes to 55, with four abstentions. Hungary then becomes the only NATO ally not to have ratified Sweden's accession. Turkey's main opposition party also supported Sweden's membership in the alliance but a center-right party and the country's pro-Kurdish party declared they would oppose it. U.S. President Joe Biden's administration never formally tied the sale of the F-16s to Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership.

Persons: Tayyip Erdogan, Ulf Kristersson, Jens Stoltenberg, Sweden's, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Burak Akcapar, Erdogan, Koray Aydin, Joe Biden's, John Kirby, Viktor Orbán Organizations: Swedish, NATO, Official Gazette, Ankara, Kurdistan Workers ' Party, Good Party, U.S . Congress, Administration, Turkey, National Security, Nordic Locations: Vilnius, Hungary, Turkey, Ankara, Stockholm, Kurdistan, Sweden, Turkey's, Canada, Washington, NATO, Finland, Ukraine, Budapest

☆ Trump's proposed 10% tariff plan would 'shake up every asset class,' strategist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Mike Segar | ReutersMarkets need to begin thinking about the structural impact of Donald Trump's proposed 10% tariff increase, which "shakes up every asset class," according to Michael Every, global strategist at Rabobank. He suggested one of investors' top concerns would be the 10% tariff on all U.S. imports. Trump floated the 10% tariff during an interview last year with Fox Business' Larry Kudlow, his former White House economic advisor, saying "it's a massive amount of money." China responded with its own tariffs on U.S. goods, and Trump also imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from most countries, including many of Washington's biggest allies. He noted Trump's tendency to "change his mind" so frequently on geopolitical issues that "people won't know where his thinking is at."

Persons: Donald Trump, Mike Segar, Donald Trump's, Michael Every, Janet Yellen, Ron DeSantis, CNBC's, Trump, Tom Lee, Larry Kudlow, it's, Keen, Joe Biden's, Dan Boardman Organizations: U.S, Republican, New, Reuters, Rabobank, The, Foundation, Forum, GOP, Trump, Fox Business, White, AAF, BRI Wealth Management Locations: New Hampshire, Rochester , New Hampshire, U.S, America, China, Beijing, Weston

☆ 74,000 student-loan borrowers are getting $5 billion debt wiped out in Biden's latest batch of repayment reforms
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The relief is going to public servants and those on income-driven repayment who made their qualifying payments. AdvertisementMore student-loan borrowers are on track to get debt relief following President Joe Biden's repayment reforms. On Friday, Biden announced that his administration approved another 74,000 borrowers for $5 billion in debt relief. In December, for example, the department approved another $5 billion in relief for 80,000 borrowers on PSLF and income-driven repayment plans. Advertisement"This level of debt relief is unparalleled, and we have no intention of slowing down," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a December statement.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Biden, servicers, Biden's, Miguel Cardona Organizations: Service, Public, Department, Education Department Locations: forbearance

☆ US Launches Disaster Relief Reforms as Climate-Driven Events Rise
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's administration on Friday said it was launching the most major reforms to disaster management relief in two decades as climate change-driven extreme weather events, such as floods and fires, increase. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reforms of its federal assistance policies and expanded benefits for disaster survivors aim to cut red tape that victims have said makes it difficult for them to access resources after a disaster. FEMA said the reforms follow feedback from disaster survivors. Previously, the payment was assessed on a disaster-to-disaster basis. FEMA said the changes will take effect for new disasters declared on, or after March 22, 2024.

Persons: Joe Biden's, ”, Deanne, Valerie Volcovici, Sharon Singleton Organizations: WASHINGTON, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, U.S, Small Business Administration Locations: U.S, Maui, California

The complaint came a little more than a year after Biden's administration informed hospitals that they must provide abortion services if the mother’s life is at risk. At the time, President Joe Biden's administration said EMTALA supersedes state abortion bans that don’t have adequate exceptions for medical emergencies. It also underscores the uphill legal battle reproductive rights advocates when pushing back against state abortion bans. According to the complaint, Statton learned she was pregnant in early 2023 and soon began experiencing severe pain and nausea. The Supreme Court earlier this month allowed Idaho to enforce its strict abortion ban, even in medical emergencies, while a separate legal fight continues.

Persons: Jaci Statton, Statton, Joe Biden's, Biden, Roe, Wade, Jaci, “, “ EMTALA, ”, Rabia Muqaddam Organizations: U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Republican, Department of Health, Labor, Centers, Medicare, Services, Health, Reproductive Rights, Associated Press Locations: Oklahoma, Idaho , Tennessee, Texas, Idaho, New Orleans

☆ Ukraine dismisses Trump-Putin relationship, brushes off U.S. election fears
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Vicky Mckeever | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba attends a joint briefing with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Hanke Bruins Slot. Kuleba said: "So do I believe there is a potential for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and Trump to agree on something behind Ukraine's back if Trump becomes president? He added that Trump was also the "first to sell lethal weapons to the Ukraine." The U.S. administration continues to push for further funding in Congress to support Ukraine in its war with Russia, which began in Feb. 2022. The U.S. has been a staunch ally of Ukraine throughout the war, supplying more than $75 billion in humanitarian, military and financial support.

Persons: Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, Dmytro Kuleba, Donald Trump, Kuleba, Vladimir, Putin, Trump, Ukraine's, Steve Sedgwick, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden, Washington's, Joe Biden's Organizations: Foreign Affairs, Netherlands, Bruins, Publishing, Ukraine's, CNBC, Economic, Trump, Republican Party, Ukraine, House Republicans Locations: Ukraine, Davos, Russia, Europe, America, U.S

☆ Trump is a 'transactional president' but may not rock the boat on China, Standard Chartered CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Bill Winters, chief executive officer of Standard Chartered, said the U.S. Federal Reserve looks set to pause its interest rate cycle in June get a better read on the latest inflation data. Former U.S. President Donald Trump would be a "transactional president" if he returns to power, but is unlikely to blow up the Biden administration's rebuilding of relations with China, according to Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters. During his last term in office, Trump took a combative stance toward Beijing and triggered a trade war with a slew of tariffs on Chinese goods and constant threats of more economically punitive measures. President Joe Biden's administration has sought to repair the fragile relationship. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo visited China last summer, and Biden met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting in San Francisco in November.

Persons: Bill Winters, Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden's, Janet Yellen, Gina Raimondo, Biden, Xi Jinping Organizations: Standard Chartered, U.S . Federal, Former U.S, Biden, Republican, Treasury, China, Economic Cooperation Locations: China, Beijing, Asia, San Francisco

☆ Explainer-What's the Israel-Palestinian Conflict About and How Did It Start?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +8 min

The conflict pits Israeli demands for security in what it has long regarded as a hostile Middle East against Palestinians' unmet aspirations for a state of their own. In 1979, Egypt became the first Arab state to sign a peace treaty with Israel. Two-state solution: An agreement that would create a state for the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip alongside Israel. Israel has said a Palestinian state must be demilitarised so as not to threaten its security. Jerusalem: Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which includes the walled Old City's sites sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians alike, to be the capital of their state.

Persons: David Ben, Gurion, Israel, Yasser Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin, Arafat, Bill Clinton, Ehud Barak, Donald Trump's, Joe Biden's, Trump, Edmund Blair, Timothy Heritage Organizations: United Nations General Assembly, Arab League, West Bank, Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO, Palestinian, European Union, U.S, Israel Locations: Israel, East, Palestine, British, Jerusalem, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, East Jerusalem, Egypt, Israeli, Suez, Golan, Lebanon's Iran, United States, Oslo, Arab, Palestinian, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, U.S

☆ White House says U.S. Ukraine assistance has 'ground to a halt'; UK announces increased drone funding
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. military assistance to Ukraine has "ground to a halt," with Congress yet to authorize the emergency spending requested by President Joe Biden's administration in late October. In a White House press briefing on Thursday, National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said Washington had "issued the last drawdown package that we had funding to support." "And that's why it's critical that Congress move on that national security supplemental request and we get more funding. The assistance that we provided has now ground to a halt," he said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday thanked Estonia and Latvia after meeting with leaders of the two Baltic nations to discuss further military aid and Ukraine's path toward EU and NATO membership.

Persons: Joe Biden's, John Kirby, Washington, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: White House, National Security, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Baltic

☆ Hospitalized defense secretary didn't tell the White House about his cancer for a month
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was quietly hospitalized without informing the White House. According to a new statement from officials, Lloyd hid his prostate cancer diagnosis for a month. AdvertisementDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin had been diagnosed with prostate cancer for a month before informing the White House, officials confirmed Tuesday. Prostate cancer is second to lung cancer as the most deadly form of cancer facing American men, per the American Cancer Society, with 1 in 43 men dying from the disease. However, when caught early, prostate cancer is treatable and has a 99% survival rate over five years, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Lloyd, —, Austin, Patrick S, Ryder, John Kirby, Kathleen Hicks, Walter Reed, Jake Sullivan, Biden Organizations: White, Service, Defense Department, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Defense, National Security, American Cancer Society, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Business, Critics, Pentagon, Department of Defense Locations: US, Israel, Ukraine

Warner Bros. Discovery and rival Paramount Global are in early merger talks, sources familiar with the matter told CNBC. Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Warner Bros.

Persons: David Zaslav, Bob Bakish, Shari Redstone, David Ellison's Skydance, Gerry Cardinale's, Liberty Media's John Malone, Joe Biden's, There's, Axios, — CNBC's Drew Richardson Organizations: Warner Bros . Discovery, Paramount Global, CNBC, Warner Bros, Discovery, Paramount, Redstone, Amusements, CBS, Warner Media, Netflix, Liberty, Media, Morris Trust, Comcast, CNBC PRO

☆ What the COP28 deal means for the U.S. as oil and gas production hits record levels
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-13 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The agreement, known as the global stocktake, was hailed as "historic" by COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber during his closing speech. Samuel Corum | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesU.S. climate envoy John Kerry said Wednesday that the COP28 agreement "sends very strong messages to the world." The fight to end oil, gas and coal must now be taken up at the country level with the United States leading the way. Fossil fuels and climate financeUnder Biden, the U.S. passed the most aggressive climate investment ever taken by Congress, a bill known as the Inflation Reduction Act. Nonetheless, the White House has frequently received sharp criticism over its plans to expand oil and gas production.

Persons: Joe Biden, Cyril Ramaphosa, Joe Biden's, Sultan al, Jaber, Samuel Corum, John Kerry, Kerry, Jean Su, Jason Bordoff, Su, Nikki Reisch, Reisch, Biden, Jennifer Granholm, Brandon Bell Organizations: White, Washington , D.C, Bloomberg, Getty, European Union, Washington Hilton, United, Center for Biological, . Energy, Administration, Russia, Center, Global Energy, Columbia University, CNBC, Center for Biological Diversity, Center for International Environmental, U.S, Biden, Marathon El Locations: South, Washington ,, Connecticut, Washington , DC, United States, China, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, America, Marathon El Paso Refinery, El Paso , Texas, The U.S

[1/4] Ukrainian servicemen take part in anti-sabotage drills, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Chernihiv region, Ukraine December 5, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON/KYIV, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff said on Tuesday that the postponement of U.S. assistance for Kyiv being debated in Congress would create a "big risk" of Ukraine losing the war with Russia. If the aid is postponed, "it gives the big risk that we can be in the same position to which we're located now," he said, addressing the audience in English. "And of course, it makes this very high possibility impossible to continually liberate and give the big risk to lose this war." On Monday, White House officials said the U.S. was running out of time and money to help Ukraine fight its war against Russia.

Persons: Valentyn, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Andriy Yermak, Joe Biden's, Yermak, Jonathan Landay, Tom Balmforth, Christina Fincher, Angus MacSwan, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, White, Russia, Kyiv, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Chernihiv region, WASHINGTON, KYIV, Russia, U.S, Israel, Washington

U.S. District Judge William Young told a JetBlue lawyer that he expected airline fares would rise if no-frills, ultra-low-cost Spirit no longer was around to "undercut everyone else" and drive down prices. The four largest U.S. carriers - United Airlines (UAL.O), American Airlines (AAL.O), Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) - control 80% of the domestic market. JetBlue and Spirit combined control about 8%, according to their lawyers. Duffy said allowing JetBlue's, the sixth-largest U.S. airline, and Spirit, the seventh-largest, to merge would result in higher prices and fewer flights once lower-cost Spirit was no longer competing. Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Will DUnhma, Mark Porter and Alexia GaramfalviOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Department's, William Young, Young, Edward Duffy, Duffy, Ryan Shores, Joe Biden's, Shores, JetBlue's, Nate Raymond, Will DUnhma, Mark Porter, Alexia Garamfalvi Organizations: BOSTON, ., JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Justice Department, District of Columbia, Justice, U.S, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit, U.S ., Thomson Locations: U.S, Boston, New York City, Newark , New Jersey, Fort Lauderdale , Florida

☆ OpenAI is paying out $51 million to a chip startup that Sam Altman personally invested in, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

OpenAI agreed to pay startup company Rain AI $51 million for when its chips are released, per Wired. OpenAI chief Sam Altman reportedly invested $1 million of his own money in the company. Saudi Aramco's VC firm Prosperity7 also invested but sold its sell shares, Bloomberg reported. AdvertisementOpenAI signed a letter of intent to spend $51 million on chip startup Rain AI, Wired reported. Saudi Aramco's investment vehicle Prosperity7 led a funding round last year that saw Rain raise $25 million , Bloomberg recently reported.

Persons: OpenAI, Sam Altman, Prosperity7, —, Gordon Wilson, Wilson, Daniel Gross, Altman, Joe Biden's, didn't Organizations: OpenAI, Saudi Aramco's VC, Bloomberg, Service, Wired, Foreign Investment, Business Locations: San Francisco, Saudi, United States

☆ White House says it is nearly out of money to help Ukraine fight war with Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - White House budget director Shalanda Young warned in a letter to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and other congressional leaders on Monday that the United States was running out of time and money to help Ukraine fight its war with Russia. President Joe Biden's administration in October asked Congress for nearly $106 billion to fund ambitious plans for Ukraine, Israel and U.S. border security. Republicans control the House of Representatives with a slim majority, and funding for Ukraine has become politically controversial with some right-leaning lawmakers. Young said in a letter released by the White House that cutting off funding and a flow of weapons to Ukraine would increase the likelihood of Russian victories. We are out of money — and nearly out of time."

Persons: Shalanda Young, Mike Johnson, Joe Biden's, Young, —, Jeff Mason, Jamie Freed Organizations: White House, Republican, Republicans, White, Thomson Locations: United States, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, U.S

At issue is whether U.S. bankruptcy law allows Purdue's restructuring to include legal protections for the members of the Sackler family, who have not filed for personal bankruptcy. Members of the Sackler family have denied wrongdoing but expressed regret that OxyContin "unexpectedly became part of an opioid crisis." They said in May that the bankruptcy settlement would provide "substantial resources for people and communities in need." The administration told the Supreme Court that Purdue's settlement is an abuse of bankruptcy protections meant for debtors in "financial distress," not people like the Sacklers. The administration has also alleged that the Sackler family members withdrew $11 billion from Purdue before agreeing to contribute $6 billion to its opioid settlement.

Persons: painkiller, George Frey, Joe Biden's, Sackler, Biden, OxyContin, John Kruzel, Andrew Chung, Will Dunham Organizations: Purdue Pharma L.D, REUTERS, Rights, Purdue Pharma, WASHINGTON, U.S, Supreme, Purdue, Circuit, Thomson Locations: Provo , Utah, U.S, Stamford , Connecticut, Manhattan

☆ Explainer: How will the Supreme Court reshape US opioid epidemic relief?
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( John Kruzel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The settlement also would shield the Stamford, Connecticut-based pharmaceutical company's wealthy Sackler family owners from lawsuits brought by opioid victims. A U.S. bankruptcy court approved that restructuring plan in 2021. Lawsuits against Purdue and Sackler family members accuse them of fueling the opioid epidemic through deceptive marketing of its pain medication. They said in May that the bankruptcy settlement would provide "substantial resources for people and communities in need." The administration also has said Sackler family members withdrew $11 billion from Purdue before agreeing to contribute $6 billion to the opioid settlement.

Persons: OxyContin, Sackler, Department's, Joshua Silverstein, Silverstein, Joe Biden's, John Kruzel, Dietrich Knauth, Will Dunham Organizations: Purdue Pharma, WASHINGTON, U.S, Supreme, Purdue, U.S ., District of Columbia, University of Arkansas, Justice Department, Thomson Locations: Stamford , Connecticut, United States, U.S, Little, New York

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