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☆ Hundreds of trucks full of aid sit idle near border with Gaza as crisis deepens
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Charlene Gubash | Doha Madani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Israeli officials have been imposing an opaque and cumbersome process and worsening the dire humanitarian crisis in the strip, Nossair and other aid officials charge. Israeli officials have repeatedly denied obstructing aid from entering Gaza, and instead blame the U.N. for acute shortages of lifesaving supplies in the strip — particularly the north. (Aid agencies and the U.N. say Gaza needs between 500 and 600 trucks a day carrying both humanitarian aid and commercial goods.) COGAT has said it places "no limit" on the amount of aid entering Gaza but subjects some items to higher security scrutiny. Israeli officials have also blamed the U.N.'s Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) for a failure to distribute aid.

Persons: Mohamed Nossair, Nossair, COGAT, Kerem, Israel Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, NBC News, United Nations, NBC, UNRWA Locations: Israeli, Kerem, Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Ismailia, Territories, Kerem Shalom, Egypt, COGAT

☆ Qatari royal reportedly invested $50 million in pro-Trump news channel Newsmax
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Right-wing news outlet Newsmax received an investment of roughly $50 million from a Qatari royal between 2019 and 2020, the Washington Post reported, citing documents seen by the paper and confirmations from representatives of both Newsmax and the royal investment firm. Former Qatari government official Sheikh Sultan bin Jassim Al Thani invested in Newsmax through Heritage Advisors, a London-based investment fund that he owned, according to the report. According to the Post's reporting on Tuesday, Newsmax was looking for investors to compete with the likes of Fox News. In a statement cited by The Hill, a Newsmax spokesperson said: "In 2019 Newsmax received a minority investment from a UK-based fund with a Qatari investor that also invested in a company associated with the current Washington Post publisher. The Qatari royal "transferred his stake to a Cayman Islands-based corporate structure," the Post reported, adding that the $50 million investment represented a "significant minority stake."

Persons: George R, Newsmax, Sultan bin Jassim Al Thani, Donald Trump's Organizations: National Rifle Association, Brown Convention, Washington Post, Former Qatari, Heritage Advisors, United Arab, Doha stringently, Fox News, CNBC, Qatari, Dominion Voting Systems Locations: Houston , Texas, Newsmax, London, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatari, Cayman Islands

☆ Baltimore port bridge collapse: Global ocean carriers declare 'force majeure,' leaving U.S. companies on hook for urgent cargo pickup
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

"The impact of the Baltimore port stoppage on construction and contractor supply chains may be significant," said William George, director of research for ImportGenius. "For cargo already on water, we will omit the port, and will discharge cargo set for Baltimore, in nearby ports. COSCO announced Wednesday morning that its services would "be concluded" once the diverted container arrives at the alternate port. Out of the diverted ports, New York/New Jersey and Savannah, are included. One of the biggest concerns among logistics companies is availability of chassis for both truck and rail to handle the diverted cargo.

Persons: Dali, Francis Scott Key, William George, ImportGenius, Maersk, COSCO, majeure, CGM, Paul Brashier, Brashier, Matt Castle, Robinson, Val Noel, Mike Wilson, Noel, Alan Baer, Baer, Stephen Edwards, Edwards Organizations: Francis Scott Key Bridge, Logistics, CNBC, Baltimore, Evergreen, CMA, ITS Logistics, U.S Department of Transportation, Home Depot, Nike, Walmart, Union Pacific, BNSF, Robinson, DHL, FedEx, Port, DOT's, Rail, TRAC, Freight, Consolidated Chassis Management, USA, Norfolk . Our Midwest Locations: Baltimore , Maryland, Baltimore, The Port, U.S, Port of Baltimore, Target, East, , New York, New Jersey, Savannah, Chicago, Brunswick, Virginia, Charleston, New York, Philadelphia, Norfolk, Wilmington , Savannah, Jacksonville, UAE, Saudi, Doha, India, Bangladesh, NY, Montreal, Port of Virginia, Port

☆ Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks are ‘stuck but ongoing,’ sources tell CNN
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Alex Marquardt | Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Talks over a hostage deal and a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas have reached another stalemate but are not over, according to three people familiar with the negotiations. Burns put forward a proposal that was accepted by Israel and sent back to Hamas, the second person and an Israeli official told CNN. “The negotiations are not only centric around the prisoner exchange deal,” Hamas senior official Basem Naeim told CNN on Monday. Those releases would take place during the first phase of a ceasefire, which would be expected to last around six weeks. The senior US officials and Gallant did not reach any agreements on how Israel will move forward with an operation in Rafah in southern Gaza, US and Israeli officials told CNN.

Persons: “, ”, Bill Burns, Burns, Israel, David Barnea, Basem Naeim, “ Israel, Amir Levy, Yahya Sinwar, Matthew Miller, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, William Burns, Anna Moneymaker, ” Miller, Biden, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, CNN’s Natasha Bertrand Organizations: Hamas, CIA, Doha, Qatari, CNN, Hamas didn’t, National Security, United Nations Security, Central Intelligence Agency, House Intelligence, Cannon, US, Biden Locations: Gaza, Israel, Doha, Qatar, Tel Aviv, Washington , DC, Rafah, Washington, US

☆ Israeli police arrest relatives of Gaza hostages during Tel Aviv protest
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Lauren Izso | Niamh Kennedy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Two relatives of Israeli hostages abducted on October 7 were arrested during a protest outside the defense ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv Tuesday evening, according to one of the groups that participated. Israeli police in a statement said they cleared the protesters from Tel Aviv’s Ayalon Highway where they were blocking traffic. A representative from the Israeli Pro-Democracy Protest Movement that was involved in the demonstrations said in an update that two of the four arrested were relatives of hostages. CNN has reached out to the Hostage Families Forum, which represents the captives’ families and has held protests at the site. A man sits in a cage with portraits of 47-year-old Israeli hostage Elad Katzir, in Tel Aviv, Israel on March 26, 2024.

Persons: Kan, Elad Katzir, Jack Guez Organizations: CNN, Protesters, Israeli Pro, Hostage, Getty, “ Times, United Nations Security Locations: Tel Aviv, Qatar, Tel, Gaza, Hamas, Israel, AFP, Qatari, Doha

CNN —Tensions between the US and Israel were exposed on Monday when Washington stood aside and allowed the UN Security Council to pass a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Its position evolved last week when on Friday, it put forward a ceasefire resolution tied tied to the release of hostages. The US abstention on Monday’s vote allowed the latest resolution to pass, when the other 14 members of the 15-strong council voted yes. While resolutions made by the UN Security Council are legally binding, they can be – and have been in the past – ignored, as the UN enforcement mechanisms are limited. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said a failure to implement the resolution would be “unforgivable.”“The Security Council just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

Persons: Washington, Benjamin Netanyahu, United Nations Linda Thomas, Greenfield, “, António Guterres, ”, ” Guterres, Tzachi Hanegbi, Ron Dermer, Netanyahu, John Kirby, “ We’re, Israel, Barak Ravid’s, Basem Naeim, “ Israel, ” Naeim Organizations: CNN, UN Security Council, Israel’s, US, United Nations, Security, UN, Twitter, National Security Locations: Israel, Gaza, Russia, China, Washington, Gaza’s, Rafah, ”, Doha

CNN —Israel agreed to a US proposal on a prisoner-hostage exchange that would release around 700 Palestinian prisoners, among them 100 serving life sentences for killing Israeli nationals, in exchange for the release of 40 Israeli hostages, CNN affiliate Kan News reported Sunday, citing a senior Israeli official. Earlier in the weekend, CNN analyst Barak Ravid, citing an unnamed Israeli official, tweeted that Israel agreed to a US “bridging proposal” on the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released for every hostage held by Hamas. Israel agreed to the proposal put forth by CIA Director Bill Burns, according to Ravid. Burns was in Doha, Qatar, where Hamas and Israel are engaged in talks through mediators. The latest proposal by Hamas this month demanded that some 700 to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners be released.

Persons: CNN — Israel, Barak Ravid, Israel, Bill Burns, Burns, Ravid, ” Kan, David Barnea, CNN’s Abel Alvarado Organizations: CNN, Kan News, Hamas, CIA, ” Kan News, Doha Locations: Doha, Qatar, Israel, Gaza, ”

☆ Iran is selling a drone called 'Gaza' that it says can carry 13 bombs and travel 1,200 miles
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Iran debuted its new "Gaza" drone at an international arms fair in Doha earlier this month. The new drone can fly over 1,200 miles at 35,000 feet and carry 13 precision-guided bombs, Iran says. AdvertisementIran is selling a new drone on the international market that it's calling "Gaza." Iran unveiled the drone at an arms expo in Doha earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported. The "Gaza" drone can carry up to 13 bombs and travel more than 1,200 miles at 35,000 feet, according to the report.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Street Journal, UN, Business Locations: Iran, Gaza, Doha

☆ Israeli Negotiators Head to Qatar for Cease-Fire Talks, Officials Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Adam Rasgon | More About Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israeli negotiators were traveling to Qatar on Monday to participate in a new round of in-person talks aimed at achieving a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants, according to a senior Israeli official and another official briefed on the negotiations. The Israeli delegation’s trip to Doha, Qatar, comes after Israel and Hamas failed to reach an agreement ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began last week. The Israeli delegation includes the head of Mossad, the foreign intelligence agency; the director of the Shin Bet, the internal security service; and a representative of the Israeli Army, said the Israeli official. For months, Hamas leaders have been publicly calling for a comprehensive cease-fire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israeli officials have repeatedly rejected the demands and indicated that they would be open to only a temporary pause.

Persons: Shin, Israel Organizations: Palestinian, Israeli Army, Hamas Locations: Qatar, Gaza, Israeli, Doha, Israel

☆ Aid Reaches Northern Gaza as Israel and Hamas Consider Truce Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( March | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Nidal al-MughrabiCAIRO (Reuters) - Trucks of flour have reached northern Gaza for distribution to areas that have had no aid in four months, Palestinian media reported on Sunday, with famine looming in the enclave and truce talks between Israel and Hamas due to resume in Qatar. A Hamas source said the route was secured by Hamas security personnel. War in Israel and Gaza View All 222 ImagesAid agencies have warned that pockets of Gaza already face famine, with hospitals in the north reporting children dying of malnutrition and dehydration. Hamas killed around 1,200 people in its attack and seized 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's military campaign in Gaza has now killed more than 31,500 Palestinians according to health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza.

Persons: Nidal, Beit Hanoun, Israel's, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Olaf Scholz, King Abdullah, Netanyahu, Nidal al, Angus McDowall, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Hamas, Reuters, Qatari, Sunday, Palestinian Locations: CAIRO, Gaza, Israel, Qatar, Gaza City, Beit Lahiya, Israeli, Deir al, Rafah, Egypt, Jordan, QATAR, Doha

☆ Netanyahu tells CNN Schumer’s call for Israel election was ‘totally inappropriate’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Radina Gigova | Sophie Tanno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

But in his interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union,” Netanyahu hit back. It’s inappropriate to go to a sister democracy and try to replace the elected leadership there,” Netanyahu told CNN. Instead, efforts should be focused on “bringing down the Hamas tyranny,” Netanyahu said. The comments come after Netanyahu confirmed his plans to press on with an operation, despite mounting international concern. This will take several weeks, and it will happen,” Netanyahu said at the beginning of a government meeting.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Chuck Schumer, Schumer —, Israel —, Netanyahu, CNN’s Dana, ” Netanyahu, “, ”, Joe Biden, David Barnea, CNN’s Jeremy Diamond, Abeer Salman Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Union, Hamas, Democratic, Israel, CNN Israel, Reuters Locations: Israel, “ State, Gaza, Doha, Rafah

☆ Israel to Attend New Ceasefire Talks as UN Says Gaza Hunger Crisis Worsens
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( March | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

DOHA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The main U.N. aid agency operating in Gaza said on Saturday that acute malnutrition is rising more quickly in the north of the enclave as Israel prepared to send a delegation to Qatar for new ceasefire talks. Israel said on Friday it would send a delegation to Qatar for more talks with mediators after its enemy Hamas presented a new proposal for a ceasefire with an exchange of hostages and prisoners. Israel's ground and air campaign has killed more than 31,500 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. Israel says it puts no limit on humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and blames slow aid delivery on incapacity or inefficiency among U.N. agencies. Air and sea relief deliveries into Gaza have started, but aid agencies say these are no substitute for bringing in supplies by land.

Persons: David Barnea, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ramadan, Olaf Scholz, Jordan, Andrew Mills, Angus McDowall, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: The United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Hamas, Air, Maayan Locations: DOHA, JERUSALEM, Gaza, Israel, Qatar, Rafah, Cyprus, United States, Doha, Jerusalem

☆ Senior Hamas official says he ‘cannot reassure anyone’ that hostages in Gaza are safe
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Jeremy Diamond | Abeer Salman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

During the interview, Naim rejected defining Hamas’ attacks as terrorism, falsely claiming that his organization does not target civilians. Hamas has denied international organizations any access to those hostages still in captivity to assess their wellbeing. While Naim denied the allegations of sexual violence, he said Hamas was unable to account for the wellbeing of the hostages because of the continued bombardment of Gaza. In recent weeks, many civilians in Gaza have increasingly blamed Hamas for the mounting starvation. This year, it comes against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza, Israeli crackdowns on Palestinian militant groups in the occupied West Bank and Hamas’ calls for more attacks.

Persons: Jerusalem CNN —, “, ”, Basem Naim, Naim, Israel, Pramila Patten, ” Naim, hasn’t, ” Patten’s, Netanyahu’s, West Bank “, Ramadan, CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, CNN, United, Hamas, Israel, United Nations, UN, Hamas ’, Reuters, “, Gaza, West Bank Locations: Jerusalem, Gaza, United Nations, Istanbul, Turkey, Israel, Hamas, Doha, Qatar, Aqsa

☆ Israel slams Hamas’ latest Gaza ceasefire proposal as ‘ridiculous’ but says it will send negotiators to latest talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The response from Hamas was long-awaited after discussions over a proposed six-week pause in the fighting appeared to stall. Hamas communicated their latest proposal via mediators Qatar and Egypt on Thursday, two sources familiar with the negotiations told CNN. On Friday, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “Hamas is continuing to hold to unrealistic demands” but announced that an Israeli team would soon be traveling to Doha to further talks. The Hamas proposal included 100 prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli prisons, the diplomat said. Even if both Hamas and Israel are participating in the talks, the two sides would not be in the same room.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, ”, Antony Blinken, Israel, ” Blinken, Bill Burns, David Barnea, John Kirby, we’ve, ” Kirby, CNN’s MJ Lee, Ireland’s, Biden nodded, ” Basem Naim, CNN’s Amir Tal, MJ Lee, Betsy Klein, Abeer Salman Organizations: CNN, Qatar, Hamas, Reuters, CIA, Biden, National Security, White House Locations: CNN — Israel, Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Israeli, Doha, Rafah, Qatar, Jordan

☆ Your Grilled Cheese Needs Toum
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Sam Sifton | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

I’m embracing nostalgia today, luxuriating in memories of a Brooklyn I never experienced, even though I’m borough-raised. And for dinner beforehand, maybe Chinese roast pork on garlic bread? For Ham El-Waylly, nostalgia is a grilled cheese sandwich slathered with toum (above), a sauce made by combining garlic, lemon juice, salt and oil. The mixture is one that recalls the akkawi cheese manakeesh sandwiches he used to consume as a teenager in Doha, Qatar. The toum packs a wallop, as if you’d stuffed garlic bread with Muenster.

Persons: Ham Locations: Brooklyn, I’m, Coney, Ebinger’s, Doha, Qatar

☆ Xcel Energy says its facilities may have started largest wildfire in Texas history
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Doha Madani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Xcel Energy facilities "appear to have been involved in an ignition" of a giant wildfire that's been blazing across the Texas Panhandle since last month, the company said in a statement Thursday. The cause of the Smokehouse Creek Fire — the biggest in state history, burning well over 1 million acres — is still under investigation by Texas officials, but the utility company said it is also conducting its own review. "Xcel Energy disputes claims that it acted negligently in maintaining and operating its infrastructure; however, we encourage people who had property destroyed by or livestock lost in the Smokehouse Creek fire to submit a claim to Xcel Energy through our claims process," the statement said. Claims filed to the company will be handled expeditiously, prioritizing those who lost their homes in the fire, the company said. The Texas A&M Forest Service said the ongoing Smokehouse Creek Fire is the largest blaze in state history, burning more than 1,059,570 acres.

Organizations: Xcel Energy, Texas Panhandle, Energy, Texas, M Forest Service Locations: Texas

☆ Social media firms reject ‘shadow banning’ allegations on Palestinian-related content
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Emma Graham | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Social media firms have responded to allegations of "shadow banning" their users for Palestinian-related content amid the conflict in Gaza, saying that the implication that Big Tech "deliberately and systemically suppress a particular voice" is false. They have been accused of blocking certain content or users from their online communities since the onset of the war between Israel and Hamas which started in October. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, for example, criticized major platforms for allegedly limiting Palestinian-related content about the war. Yet, it is hard for users to trust platforms that control their content from the shadows, based on vague standards," Queen Rania told the Web Summit in Doha. Hussein Freijeh, the vice president of MENA for Snapchat, told CNBC's Dan Murphy at Web Summit Qatar last week that these firms have "a really important role to play in the region."

Persons: Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Queen Rania, Hussein Freijeh, CNBC's Dan Murphy, Freijeh, Israel Organizations: Tech, Hamas, Human Rights, Snapchat, Web Summit Qatar, Meta, Facebook, Journalists Locations: Gaza, Israel, Doha, Palestine

CNN —The Israelis have “basically accepted” a six-week ceasefire proposal in Gaza, a senior Biden administration official told reporters Saturday. On Thursday, a Hamas official warned, however, that the negotiations could be affected. Negotiators from the US, Israel, Egypt and Hamas are expected to attend, a diplomatic source familiar with the discussions said. Discussions between Israel and Hamas would be indirect, in separate rooms. Israel has asked Hamas for a list of the hostages, including who is living and who is dead.

Persons: “, Ramadan –, –, Joe Biden, ” Biden, Giorgia Meloni, It’s, Kamala Harris, Benny Gantz, Harris, Gantz, Jake Sullivan, Biden, there’d, it’s, CNN’s MJ Lee, Oren Liebermann Organizations: CNN, Biden, Hamas, White, Italian, Gaza, Command Locations: Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, Paris, Doha, Qatar, Egypt, Cairo, Qatari

☆ Why Motaz Azaiza, the Palestinian photographer who captured the war, chose to leave Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Zeena Saifi | Don Riddell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —For 108 days, Palestinian photographer Motaz Azaiza risked his life in Gaza to tell the story of the war to millions of followers on Instagram, as friends and family members were killed around him. “I want to capture the beauty of Gaza, not the war on Gaza. “I don’t call myself a journalist, I call myself a photographer,” Azaiza told CNN. After getting rejected twice by the Israeli government to leave, Azaiza told CNN that he managed to flee to Qatar with his family after much difficulty. He told CNN what struck with him the most was the “thousands of babies’ bodies” he saw.

Persons: Motaz Azaiza, ”, CNN’s Becky Anderson, ’, Azaiza, ” Azaiza, …, who’ve, he’s, CNN can’t, Mohammed Abed, “ ’, ’ ”, “, ” He’s Organizations: CNN, Ministry of Health, UNICEF, Getty, Qatari, Doha, Israel Defense Forces, Egypt’s El Arish Airport Locations: Gaza, Israel, AFP, Rafah, Egypt, Qatar, Egypt’s El Arish, Palestinian

☆ Talks on an Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal appear on track after killings at Gaza aid site, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Alex Marquardt | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN has reached out to several Hamas officials about the potential deal but has not gotten a response. In the immediate aftermath of the deaths of dozens of Palestinian civilians in Gaza on Thursday, US officials said the chaotic scenes injected added urgency into the hostage and ceasefire talks. On Thursday, Biden said the deaths at the aid site could make the ceasefire talks more difficult. Technical teams have been working on the key components of a potential deal this week in Doha, officials familiar with the talks say. During a truce, negotiations would take place over more sensitive topics like the release of Israeli soldiers who are hostages, Palestinian prisoners serving longer sentences, the withdrawal of IDF forces and bringing a permanent end to the war alongside the so-called “day after” issues.

Persons: Ramadan, Joe Biden, “, ” Biden, Giorgia Meloni, Ramadan –, Biden, Majed al, Ansari, ” It’s, Barak Ravid, Sameh Shukri, ” Organizations: CNN, Doha, Italian, Israel, CNN Foreign Affairs, Axios, Antalya Diplomacy, Hamas Locations: Israel, Gaza, Gaza City, Paris, Qatar, Egypt, Rafah, Doha, Antalya, Turkey

☆ Qatar’s Lusail Towers: Norman Foster on how to ‘reinvent the tall building’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Rochelle Beighton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Lord Norman Foster, renowned as one of the world’s foremost architects, has dedicated decades to redefining the concept of tall buildings. Currently nearing completion and set to reach a height of 301 meters (988 feet), Foster’s Lusail Towers are poised to claim the title of Qatar’s tallest buildings, surpassing the current record holder, The Torch Doha. Breaking ground in January 2020, the Lusail Towers stand amidst a plethora of new developments in the area, including Lusail Stadium, also designed by Foster + Partners for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Building from the ground upWhile the towers are poised to become a recognizable landmark for Lusail, Foster believes that a city’s skyline reflects what lies beneath the surface. The Lusail Towers are set to be completed in phases over the next 12 months.

Persons: Norman Foster, St Mary Axe, he’s, Foster, ” Foster, “ We’ve, “ It’s, Luke Fox, ” Fox Organizations: CNN, St, HSBC, Foster + Partners, Lusail, Foster, Partners, AFC Asian Locations: Hong Kong, Qatar, Doha, Lusail

☆ Parties to Cease-Fire Talks Offer Mixed Signals
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Vivian Yee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

The prediction matched that of President Biden, who said that a deal could come as soon as next week. In public, however, Hamas and Israel are sticking with their longstanding positions and not signaling any breakthrough. The two sides have not met face to face, instead negotiating through mediators in Doha, Cairo and Paris. Qatar’s foreign ministry said this week that talks were ongoing and it was too early to speculate about a resolution. Mr. Haniyeh met on Monday with the emir of Qatar and accused Israel of dragging its feet in the talks, according to a Hamas statement.

Persons: Israel, ”, Ismail Haniyeh, Abdel Fattah el, “ God, Biden, Haniyeh, Basem Naim, —, Rawan Sheikh Ahmad, Nada Rashwan, Adam Sella Organizations: West Bank, West Bank Palestinians, New York Times Locations: Gaza, Egypt, Israel, Qatar, United States, Doha, Cairo, Paris, Jerusalem, Islam

☆ Biden says Israel-Hamas ceasefire could come as soon as next week
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

President Joe Biden said a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas is "close." Biden said a peace deal could be in place as soon as next week. AdvertisementPresident Joe Biden said a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas is imminent as negotiators work this week to hammer out the details of a potential deal. During a trip to New York on Monday, Biden told reporters that a cease-fire could be in place as soon as next week. The Biden Administration has doubled down on efforts to secure a cease-fire this month ahead of the start of Ramadan in two weeks.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, —, We're, we'll, Shin, Israel, Antony Blinken Organizations: Service, Israel Defense Forces, Shin Bet, Egyptian, Biden Administration Locations: Israel, New York, Gaza, Doha

☆ Bill May: Excluded from the Olympics for his whole career, artistic swimmer set for ‘beautiful’ debut at this year’s Games
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Amanda Davies | George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Precisely 20 years ago, with men still banned from artistic swimming, May watched from the side of the pool as the US team won bronze in Athens. Bill May is set to compete at his first Olympics later this year at the age of 45. But like in classic dance, also in artistic swimming, there are men.”When artistic swimming was first added to the Olympics in 1984, only women were allowed to compete. The New York native has been involved in artistic swimming since the age of 10, when, after persuasion from his mom, he ended up joining his sister’s classes. In his mind, artistic swimming is one of, if not the most physically demanding sport on the Olympic program.

Persons: Bill May, It’s, “, Nick Didlick, Christina Jones, I’ve, ”, Nicolò Ogliari, it’s, Quinn Rooney, Giorgio Minisini, “ There’s Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, US, Aquatics, Paris, Olympic, Games Locations: Paris, Athens, United States, Italian, Doha, Qatar, New York, California

Basem Naim, a Hamas spokesman, said in a text message that the militant group had yet to formally receive “any new proposals” since senior Israeli officials met with Qatari, Egyptian and U.S. mediators in Paris last week to advance a possible deal. Another Hamas official, Ahmad Abdelhadi, said that the group was sticking to its demand that Israel agree to a long-term cease-fire and that leaks about the talks were designed to pressure Hamas to soften its position. Qatar, a key mediator in the talks, also expressed caution on Tuesday, saying it could not comment on Mr. Biden’s view that negotiators were nearing an agreement. “The efforts are ongoing; all the parties are conducting regular meetings,” Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for the Qatari foreign ministry, told reporters in Doha. “But for now, while we certainly hope it will be achieved as soon as possible, we don’t have anything in our hands so as to comment on that deadline.”

Persons: Israel, Biden, Basem Naim, Ahmad Abdelhadi, ” Mr, Abdelhadi, ” Majed al, Ansari, ” Organizations: Hamas, Qatari Locations: Gaza, Paris, Israel, Lebanese, Qatar, Doha

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