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☆ Ukraine, Israel funding request should be split: House speaker
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

He met Biden on Thursday and said he told White House staff "our consensus among House Republicans is we need to bifurcate those issues." Johnson said of Ukraine funding: "We want to know what the object is there, what is the end game in Ukraine. Biden is betting that including money for Israel and immigration will help convince House Republicans wary of sending additional money to Ukraine to support the measure. "Israel is a separate matter – we are going to bring forward a standalone Israel funding measure (of) over $14 billion,” Johnson said in the interview. He said House Republicans will look for other areas to cut in the budget in order to finance the funding for Israel.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Elizabeth Frantz, Joe Biden's, Johnson, Biden, ” Johnson, Eric Beech, Chris Sanders, Jamie Freed, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Fox News, White House, Republicans, Israel, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Ukraine, Israel

☆ New US House speaker says Ukraine, Israel funding request should be split
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

There were also "frank exchanges" between Blinken and Wang over the erupting conflict in the Middle East. The key area that appeared to show some positive momentum was toward an expected meeting between Biden and Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next month in San Francisco. "We are making preparations for such a meeting," said one of the senior administration officials briefing reporters on condition of anonymity. "China attaches importance to the U.S. side's hopes of stabilizing and improving U.S. ties with China," Wang was quoted as saying in his meeting with Biden. On Thursday, Wang told Blinken that the two countries have disagreements and need "in-depth" and "comprehensive" dialogue to reduce misunderstandings and stabilize ties.

Persons: Wang Yi, Antony Blinken, Elizabeth Frantz, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Jake Sullivan, Wang, Xi, Blinken, Sullivan, side's, Janet Yellen, Gina Raimondo, Yellen, Raimondo, Thomas Shoal, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Martina, Steve Holland, Jonathan Oatis, Navaratnam, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Foreign, U.S, State Department, REUTERS, Rights, Economic Cooperation, Blinken, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, China, Washington, East, South China Sea, Taiwan, Asia, San Francisco, Francisco, Beijing, China . U.S, Israel, Iran, South, East China, Philippine

☆ New Speaker Mike Johnson’s To-Do List: A Looming Funding Deadline and Israel, Ukraine Aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Kristina Peterson | Lindsay Wise | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

House Republicans elected Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana as speaker of the House on Wednesday, more than three weeks after Kevin McCarthy was ousted. Photo: Reuters/Elizabeth FrantzWASHINGTON—The House is back open for business. But getting legislation through it—much less agreeing with the Democratic Senate and President Biden—won’t be easy for brand-new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson , with major deadlines less than a month away. After 22 days of GOP infighting, the Louisiana Republican secured his post Wednesday without any opposition from his fellow House Republicans. That unity will be tested soon, with lawmakers facing a slew of policy and political challenges, including a government funding deadline in three weeks, aid requests for Israel and Ukraine and a farm bill that has already expired.

Persons: Mike Johnson of, Kevin McCarthy, Elizabeth Frantz WASHINGTON, Biden — won’t, Mike Johnson Organizations: Republicans, Reuters, Democratic Senate, Louisiana Republican Locations: Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Louisiana, Israel, Ukraine

LEWISTON, Maine—Authorities carried out a massive search for an Army reservist wanted for murder in connection with the U.S.’s deadliest mass shooting this year, a rampage that sent shock waves through Maine and left part of the state on lockdown. Eighteen people were killed and 13 people injured in the attacks Wednesday night, Maine Gov. Janet Mills said. The shootings took place separately at a bowling alley and restaurant about 4 miles apart in Lewiston, a city of 38,500 people 36 miles north of Portland.

Persons: Janet Mills Organizations: Maine —, U.S, Maine Gov Locations: LEWISTON, Maine, Lewiston, Portland

☆ Rep. Mike Johnson Chosen as Speaker After McCarthy's Ouster
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Rep. Mike Johnson Chosen as Speaker After McCarthy's OusterHouse Republicans elected Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana as speaker of the House on Wednesday, more than three weeks after Kevin McCarthy was ousted. Photo: Reuters/Elizabeth Frantz

Persons: Mike Johnson, Mike Johnson of, Kevin McCarthy, Elizabeth Frantz Organizations: Reuters Locations: Mike Johnson of Louisiana

☆ New York Republican moves to expel George Santos from Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - A New York state Republican on Thursday made a privileged motion in the U.S. House of Representatives to expel indicted fellow Republican George Santos from Congress, a move that forces the chamber to hold a vote on the question. "George Santos is not fit to serve his constituents as a United States representative," said Representative Anthony D'Esposito, who stood on the House floor flanked by fellow New York Republicans Nick LaLota, Marc Molinaro and Mike Lawler. With a narrow 221-212 majority, the House's Republican leadership has not taken action against Santos. D'Esposito and his fellow New York Republicans announced plans to seek Santos' expulsion on Oct 11. Democrats have repeatedly called for Santos to be expelled, and over a dozen Republicans have done the same.

Persons: George Santos, Elizabeth Frantz, Republican George Santos, Anthony D'Esposito, New York Republicans Nick LaLota, Marc Molinaro, Mike Lawler, Santos, I'm, Mike Johnson, D'Esposito, Kevin McCarthy, LaLota, David Morgan, Stephen Coates Organizations: U.S . Rep, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Republican, U.S . House, Congress, United, New York Republicans, Santos, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, York, U.S, United States, New York City

TRUMP ELECTION FIGHTFollowing Trump's defeat, Johnson crafted a legal brief, signed by 125 other House Republicans, that sought to persuade the Supreme Court to reject election results from several contested states Trump had lost to Biden. Johnson stuck with those arguments even after the Supreme Court rejected the case. Hours later, Johnson and 138 other House Republicans voted against certifying Biden's victory. Foley said a House speaker could, in theory, refuse to follow the law or even declare themselves acting president. A House speaker also would have the ability to influence proceedings if it had to declare a winner if no candidate won a majority of electoral votes.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Elizabeth Frantz, Donald Trump's, Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, Trump, Biden, Edward Foley, Johnson, Michael Thorning, Foley, Jan, Andy Sullivan, Andrew Goudesward, Alistair Bell Organizations: U.S . House, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, . House, Republican, Democratic, Senate Democratic, Electoral, Senate, Ohio State University . Democratic, Supreme, TRUMP, Republicans, Biden, Trump, Congress, Center, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, New, Louisiana, Kentucky

☆ 6 troubling questions about the Corizon bankruptcy deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Dakin Campbell | Nicole Einbinder | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

The bankruptcy of prison health provider Corizon has faced pressure from senators and a federal regulator in recent weeks. Other troubling questions surrounding the bankruptcy involve payments to insiders, "dishonest" testimony, and a secret data breach. The other company, Tehum, was saddled with most of Corizon's liabilities and, in February, filed for bankruptcy. AdvertisementAdvertisementNine US senators have written to Corizon successor companies Tehum Care Services and YesCare demanding answers about Corizon's efforts to "manipulate bankruptcy law." AdvertisementAdvertisementLefkowitz repeatedly said under oath during a June creditor call that he didn't know who owned Geneva Consulting — the company Corizon paid $5.5 million.

Persons: Corizon, —, Christopher Lopez, David Jones, Elizabeth Freeman, YesCare, Jones, Tehum, Judge Jones, Freeman, Ian Cross, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Dick Durbin, Lopez, they're, Kevin Eckhardt, Hector Garcia Jr, Hector Garcia, Belen Lowery, Garcia's, Jeff Sholey, Isaac Lefkowitz, Lefkowitz, Sara Tirschwell, Jeffrey Scott King, Ayodeji, Michelle Rice, Jennifer Finger, Sholey, Edward Janger, Janger, he's, didn't, Geneva, Russell Perry, Baker, Hostetler, Tehum's, Tracey Grissom, Grissom, Julia Tutwiler, Roman, Sannikov, CISA, Tehum hadn't, What's, it's Organizations: Service, Tehum Care Services, Justice Department, Corizon, Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, Geneva Consulting, Tehum, University of Missouri Health Care, Brooklyn Law School, Geneva, Genesis Healthcare, Department, US, Court, Southern, Southern District of, Baker, FBI, Infrastructure Security Agency, of Health, Human, CISA, HHS, HIPAA, Women Locations: Houston, Texas, YesCare, Reorg, New Mexico, Corizon, Geneva, Southern District, Southern District of Texas, Alabama, Wetumpka , Alabama, Rivers, bitcoin, Tehum

☆ Biden officials set $3 bln bank deposit, procurement goals to boost minority firms
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards Dinner at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, U.S., September 23, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Wednesday urged big companies to deposit another $2 billion into U.S. community lenders to boost loans to minority and underserved businesses, and asked them to devote 15% of their procurement budgets to such firms. Alphabet Inc's Google (GOOGL.O) will commit to spending at least $1 billion annually with "diverse-owned suppliers" in the United States, the Treasury said. The Treasury had previously invested nearly $9 billion into Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and minority-owned banking firms to make more capital available to minority firms. "In order for these minority owned banks and CDFIs to lend that money, they need deposits," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told reporters.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Walter E, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden, Harris, Wally Adeyemo, David Lawder, Sonali Paul Organizations: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Washington Convention Center, REUTERS, Rights, Wednesday, Micron Technology, Air Products, Xcel Energy, Treasury Department, Treasury, Freedman's Bank, Community Development Financial, Management, Internal Revenue Service, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States

☆ US budget gap soars to $1.7 trillion, largest outside COVID era
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The Treasury Department said the deficit was the largest since a COVID-fueled $2.78 trillion gap in 2021. For September, the final month of the fiscal year, the deficit fell to $171 billion from $430 billion in September 2022. The fiscal 2023 deficit would have been $321 billion larger, but was reduced by this amount because the Supreme Court struck down Biden's student loan forgiveness program as unconstitutional. Reuters GraphicsRECORD INTEREST COSTSThe 2023 deficit marks an abrupt end to two years of falling deficits for Biden as COVID-19 spending faded. Fiscal 2023 outlays fell $137 billion, or 2% from the prior year to $6.134 trillion.

Persons: Elizabeth Frantz, Joe Biden's, Biden, Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy, Biden's, Janet Yellen, Shalanda Young, outlays, Gross, David Lawder, Dan Burns, Andrea Ricci Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Social Security, Treasury Department, Representatives, . House, Management, Treasury, Reuters Graphics, Federal, Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Ukraine, Israel, U.S

☆ U.S. budget deficit jumps 23% to nearly $1.7 trillion as Social Security, health costs rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. Capitol building is seen in Washington, U.S., April 6, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. government on Friday posted a $1.695 trillion budget deficit in fiscal 2023, a 23% jump from the prior year as revenues fell and outlays for Social Security, Medicare and interest costs on the federal debt rose significantly. The Treasury Department said the deficit was the largest since a COVID-fueled $2.78 trillion gap in 2021 and marks a major return to ballooning deficits after back-to-back declines during President Joe Biden's first two years in office. The deficit comes as Biden is asking Congress for $100 billion in new foreign aid and security spending, including $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel, along with funding for U.S. border security and the Indo-Pacific region. Reporting by David Lawder and Dan Burns; Editing by Andrea RicciOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Elizabeth Frantz, Joe Biden's, Biden, Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy, David Lawder, Dan Burns, Andrea Ricci Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Social Security, Treasury Department, Representatives, . House, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Ukraine, Israel, U.S

☆ Federal judge hits the brakes on Corizon bankruptcy deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Dakin Campbell | Nicole Einbinder | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A Texas judge has slowed down a bankruptcy deal involving Tehum, formerly Corizon, a leading prison health provider. The judge on the case, Christopher Lopez, raised other concerns, saying "the fundamental deal has to be reconsidered." A federal judge has declined to consider expedited approval of the plan's disclosures, saying far too many questions remained unanswered. "We're not going forward today," Judge Christopher Lopez said at a hearing on Tuesday in the Southern District of Texas bankruptcy court in Houston. The settlement deal would resolve hundreds of the malpractice suits for just $5,000 each — even those from families suing on behalf of loved ones who they say died due to Corizon's neglect.

Persons: David Jones, Christopher Lopez, —, We're, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Corizon, Lopez, it's, I've, Jason S, Lopez's, Jones, Elizabeth Freeman, Freeman, Ha Nguyen, Hector Garcia, Hector Garcia Jr Organizations: Tehum, US, Service, Southern District of, Houston, Justice Department Locations: Texas, Southern District, Southern District of Texas, Houston, YesCare, Corizon, New Mexico

☆ Social Security gains came back to earth. What that means for the economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

That’s why it’s a big deal when Social Security recipients receive their annual cost-of-living adjustment. Starting in January they’ll see a 3.2% increase in their Social Security checks, that’s a much smaller increase than the inflation-fueled boosts of the past two years, the Social Security Administration announced last week. David Certner: The Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is based on the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners. The amount of GDP that’s generated by Social Security checks is actually larger than the total amount of Social Security money going out in the first place. Before the Bell: Could an increase in Social Security possibly add to inflation since that money is bolstering the economy?

Persons: they’ll, Bell, David Certner, There’s, we’ve, David Goldman, —, ”, Neil Saunders, GlobalData, ” Taylor, Taylor, “ Taylor Swift, ” Elizabeth Frank Organizations: New, New York CNN — Social Security, Social, Security, Social Security Administration, AARP, Consumer, Bell, Social Security, Medicare, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, Costco, US Securities and Exchange Commission, ”, Aid, Rite Aid, AMC Locations: New York, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, Germany, Philippines, Brazil, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong

☆ Top US bankruptcy judge resigns following revelation of undisclosed romantic relationship
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Nicole Einbinder | Dakin Campbell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Insider recently revealed that prominent bankruptcy judge David Jones was in a romantic relationship with a bankruptcy attorney. Both Jones and the attorney had involvement with the bankruptcy case of the prison healthcare company Corizon. Jones oversaw the settlement talks in Tehum's bankruptcy; Freeman represented YesCare — and signed off on Jones' appointment as mediator in May. "Judge Jones did not disclose his relationship with Ms. Freeman to the parties, to their counsel or to the bankruptcy judge who appointed Judge Jones," the misconduct complaint says. Already, the disclosure of Jones' relationship has encouraged the US Trustee to intervene.

Persons: David Jones, Jones, —, –, Elizabeth Freeman, Jackson Walker, Freeman, Corizon, Tehum, YesCare —, Michael Van Deelen, Priscilla Richman, Richman, Judge Jones, Christopher Lopez, " Jones Organizations: Fifth, Service, Southern, Southern District of Texas, Corizon Health, Tehum Care Services, Wall Street Journal, Appeals, Circuit, Fifth Circuit, Bloomberg Locations: Southern District, Texas, Corizon, Tehum's

The unparalleled enthusiasm helped propel “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” to a massive, first place debut between $95 million and $97 million in North America, AMC Theatres said Sunday. The two superstars posed together at the premiere of “The Eras Tour” earlier this week in Los Angeles. Political Cartoons View All 1211 Images“The Eras Tour,” directed by Sam Wrench, is not just playing on AMC screens either. Elizabeth Frank, the executive vice president of worldwide programming and chief content officer for AMC Theatres, said in a statement that they are grateful to Taylor Swift. The concert film offered fans both better seats and a much more affordable way to see the show for the first or fifth time.

Persons: Swifties, “ Taylor Swift, It’s, Justin Bieber, showtimes, “, Swift, Beyoncé, ”, Sam Wrench, Elizabeth Frank, Taylor Swift, ” Frank, ‘ Taylor Swift Organizations: AMC Theatres, Star Wars, Southern, Hollywood, AMC, Trafalgar Locations: North America, United States, Los Angeles, Leawood , Kansas, U.S

☆ Taylor Swift's Eras tour movie brought in about $96 million at the box office
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In its opening weekend, the pop singer’s concert film, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” raked in between $95 and $97 million in the box office in the United States and Canada, movie theater chain AMC said Sunday. “I thought I had seen everything with the Barbenheimer phenomenon,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, which tracks box office numbers. Teenagers trade bracelets while waiting for the beginning of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concert movie in a cinema in Mexico City, Mexico October 13, 2023. Discovery, and “Oppenheimer.” Together, the two hits brought in nearly $2.4 billion in global box office sales this year, according to tracking site Box Office Mojo. Barbenheimer and Swift’s concert film “puts movie theaters at the epicenter of the culture as the hub of cultural influence,” said Dergarabedian.

Persons: New York CNN — Taylor Swift, “ Taylor Swift, ”, “ Justin Bieber, ” Elizabeth Frank, Taylor Swift, Chris Day, Swift, Swiftie Clara, seismologist, Sam Wrench, Taylor, Paul Dergarabedian, ” Swift, Alexandre Meneghini, Beyoncé, “ Barbie, “ Oppenheimer, Michael O’Leary, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, AMC, USA, Ticketmaster, ” AMC, it’s, Twitter, Warner Bros, National Association of Theater Owners, CNN Locations: New York, United States, Canada, Memphis, Tenn, Santa Clara, Northern California, Seattle, Los Angeles, AMC’s, Mexico City, Mexico, The

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David Jones, who oversees more major Chapter 11 cases than any other U.S. judge, is seen in a screenshot from video shot during a virtual interview with Reuters done from Houston, Texas, U.S. December 11, 2020. Jones had already stepped back from overseeing large bankruptcy cases and began reassigning them to two other judges on the court. Until December 2022, Freeman had been a partner at Jackson Walker, a local law firm that filed many cases in Jones' Houston courthouse. Ethics experts have said the undisclosed relationship casts doubt on the integrity of Jones' court. "From the time we first learned of this allegation Ms. Freeman was instructed not to work or bill on any cases before Judge Jones.

Persons: David Jones, Randy Crane, Jones, Elizabeth Freeman, Freeman, Jackson Walker, Judge Jones, Shubhendu Deshmukh, Bill Berkrot, Alexia Garamfalvi Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Staff, U.S . Chief U.S, District, Southern, Southern District of Texas, Circuit, McDermott International, Tehum Care Services, U.S . Trustee, Department of, Thomson Locations: Houston , Texas, U.S, Houston, Southern District, New Orleans, Jones ' Houston, Debtwire, Bengaluru

☆ Prominent bankruptcy judge David Jones recused from cases, under investigation after exposure of undisclosed romantic relationship
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Nicole Einbinder | Dakin Campbell | Esther Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Last week, Insider revealed that prominent bankruptcy judge David Jones was in a romantic relationship with a bankruptcy attorney. The Office of the US Trustee, the bankruptcy regulator, has filed an objection in the Corizon bankruptcy case, citing Jones' "admissions." The Office of the US Trustee intervenesToday the Office of the US Trustee, the federal regulator that oversees bankruptcy cases, took the unusual step of intervening in the bankruptcy case. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe office filed multiple objections to the proposed settlement plan overseen by Judge Jones, including concerns about Jones' role as mediator. The bankruptcy plan breaks creditors down into several classes.

Persons: David Jones, Jones, —, Elizabeth Freeman, Freeman, Corizon, Tehum, Michael Van Deelen, didn't, he'd, Harris, Marvin Isgur, Christopher Lopez, Lopez, Judge Jones, Hector Garcia Jr, Hector Garcia, they're, Lila Hassan Organizations: Fifth Circuit, Service, Southern, Southern District of, Court, Fifth, Tehum Care, Wall Street Journal, Houston, Corizon Locations: Southern District, Southern District of Texas, Texas, YesCare, New Mexico

☆ Blinken to Israel on Middle East mission to prevent a wider war
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to Israel on Wednesday on a Middle East mission to prevent a wider war from erupting after an attack and hostage-taking by Palestinian Hamas militants and an Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. In a show of solidarity with Washington's closest Middle East ally, Blinken was due to meet senior Israeli officials, possibly including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss further boosting military support. At least 22 Americans were killed during the attack, Blinken said. Biden has stopped short of an overt plea to Israel to show restraint to avoid Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza. It was unclear whether Blinken might make such an appeal when he meets Israeli officials behind closed doors.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Frantz, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Washington, Alex Vatanka, Biden, Mahmoud Abbas, Humeyra Pamuk, Matt Spetalnick, Simon Lewis, Michelle Nichols, Howard Goller Organizations: Hamas, White, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . State Department, Health Ministry, BANK, United, United Arab Emirates, United Arab Emirates . U.S, Middle East Institute, Wednesday, Israel, West Bank, Palestinian Authority, Thomson Locations: Israel, Washington , U.S, Gaza, East, United States, U.S, Iran, Lebanese, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, United Arab, United Arab Emirates .

☆ Yellen says World Bank needs 'cultural change' to better mobilize private capital
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEN GUERIR, Morocco, Oct 10 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Tuesday the World Bank had made progress in reforming its operations to better address climate change and other global challenges, but still needed "cultural change" to mobilize private sector capital. But more efforts were needed to equip World Bank staff to deliver the desired results, Yellen said. The reforms of the World Bank and other multilateral development banks (MDBs) are a key topic at this week's annual meetings in Morocco of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. But government funding would never suffice, Yellen added, calling on the MDBs to establish concrete private capital mobilization targets and incentives for staff to meet them. She said the World Bank's International Finance Corp and MIGA divisions should expand their lending, guarantee and insurance instruments, and find new ways to smartly manage foreign exchange risk.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Elizabeth Frantz, BEN GUERIR, Ajay Banga, Yellen, Banga, Andrea Shalal, Catherine Evans Organizations: Treasury, Treasury Department, REUTERS, . Treasury, Bank, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Bank's International Finance Corp, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Morocco, Ben Guerir

The surprise Hamas attack has dealt a blow to U.S. efforts to broker a landmark normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia and complicated Washington's approach toward Iran, Hamas' longtime benefactor. “Quite simply, all efforts at normalization are on hold for the foreseeable future,” said Jon Alterman, head of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, contradicting the official U.S. government line. Khaled Elgindy, a former Palestinian negotiations adviser, accused the Biden administration of leading an Israeli-Saudi normalization process that mostly bypassed the Palestinians and their hopes of ending Israeli occupation. “That sort of neglect is part of why we're seeing what we're seeing,” said Elgindy, now at the Middle East Institute. The immediate challenge is preventing the war from spiraling into a broader conflict, administration officials say, especially preventing the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah from opening a second front on Israel's northern border.

Persons: Joe Biden, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Israel, ”, Jon Alterman, John Kirby, “, ” Jonathan Panikoff, government’s, Khaled Elgindy, Elgindy, Panikoff, –, Netanyahu, Jake Sullivan, Biden’s, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, David Brunnstrom, Steve Holland, Alexander Cornwell, Parisa, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Heather Timmons, Howard Goller Organizations: Hamas, White, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Center for Strategic, International, White House National Security Council, Middle East Institute, Saudi, The Atlantic, Hezbollah, West Bank, Reuters, Atlantic Council, Thomson Locations: Israel, Washington , U.S, Saudi, Gaza, Ukraine, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Hamas, Tehran, Israeli, Riyadh, Washington, Lebanese, IRAN, Dubai

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/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

☆ Moderate US job growth slowdown expected in September
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The Labor Department's closely watched employment report on Friday is also expected to show wage gains remaining elevated. Eighteen months after the Federal Reserve started raising interest rates, the labor market is only gradually easing. Labor market resilience, which is underpinning demand in the economy, raises the risk that the U.S. central bank could hike rates again by year end. Nonfarm payrolls likely increased by 170,000 jobs last month after rising 187,000 in August. Wage growth likely remained solid, with average hourly earnings forecast to have risen 0.3% after climbing 0.2% in August.

Persons: Elizabeth Frantz, Nick Bunker, Nonfarm, payrolls, Veronica Clark, Clark, Megan Way, Lucia Mutikani, Andrea Ricci Organizations: REUTERS, Labor, Federal Reserve, Citigroup, United Auto Workers, UAW, General Motors, Ford Motor, Chrysler, Hollywood, Babson College, Thomson Locations: Arlington , Virginia, U.S, y WASHINGTON, Tampa , Florida, Payrolls, New York, Washington ., Wellesley , Massachusetts

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