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☆ Joe Biden growing more frustrated with Netanyahu as Gaza campaign rages on
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Kevin Liptak | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But he has become increasingly critical of Israel’s tactics, saying last week he believes the campaign in Gaza is “over the top,” one of his sharpest condemnations to date of the military effort against Hamas. Some officials now wonder how much longer Biden will withhold public criticism of Netanyahu as the war rages on. The president’s comments last week on Israel’s tactics reflected sentiments he has been voicing behind the scenes for a while, one person familiar with the matter said. The majority of a 45-minute phone call between Biden and Netanyahu on Sunday was about the hostages deal, according to an official. Netanyahu, meanwhile, offered Biden praise over the weekend as the president was combatting questions about his age and mental acuity.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, “ Bibi, ” Biden, Robert Hur’s, he’s, “, ” Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, Sunday, United, ABC News Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, United States

☆ Israel’s repudiation of a deal with Hamas draws fury from hostages’ families
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Survivors of the October 7 terror attack and the families of hostages were furious at the uncompromising repudiation of a deal that – ultimately – could have resulted in the return of all the remaining hostages in Gaza. Moshe’s words carried power – she was kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz and held hostage in Gaza for seven weeks. The families of the hostages held in Gaza have emerged as a leading voice and they attract huge support among Israelis. Protesters demand a hostage deal amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel, on February 1, 2024. These anti-government protests are still strictly separate from the hostage families’ events, which tend to take place just down the road at what has become known as the Hostage Plaza.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, “, ” Netanyahu, –, Adina Moshe, Netanyahu, Sahar Kalderon, Aviva Siegel, Nili Margalit, Sharon Aloni Cunio, Susana Vera, I’m, ” Moshe, Nir Oz, David, Sa’id, Moshe, Lital Shochat, Shochat, ‘, Shochat Chertow, Shiva, ”, Doron Shabtai, Shabtai, Ivana Kottasova, Yair Lapid, ” “, Bibi ”, Evyatar Cohen, … Organizations: Tel, Tel Aviv CNN, State, Wednesday, Reuters, Protesters, Israel Democracy HQ, Hamas, CNN, Israeli, Yesh Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Gaza, Sderot, Jerusalem, Israel’s, Lebanon

☆ This index will beat the S&P 500, with inflation set to be among 2024's 'biggest risks,' BofA says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Investors should prefer the Canadian TSX Composite benchmark index in 2024 to the S & P 500 , according to Bank of America. Last year, while inflation was moderating, the TSX underperformed the S & P 500 by 16 percentage points. However, the Canadian index beat the S & P 500 in 2022 when inflation was investors' prime concern. According to FactSet, the P/E currently stands at 15.75x, lower than the 20.28x of the S & P 500. Canadian investors can access the index through the near-identical iShares Core S & P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF and BMO S & P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF .

Persons: Ohsung Kwon, FactSet, Kwon, SPX Organizations: Canadian, Bank of America, TSX, of America's, BMO, U.S Locations: of America's Canada, 15.75x, United States, Canada, Yom Kippur, Vietnam

Conservatives have looked to country music over the decades to voice political beliefs and react to social change. Maines called Keith’s song “ignorant,” while Keith began performing in front of a doctored photo of Maines with Saddam Hussein. KEITH WAS A FAN OF THE MILITARY, AND VICE VERSAIn the years following “Courtesy,” Keith participated in 18 USO tours, performing for more than 250,000 service members in his lifetime. Lucas says he and others sent CDs with Keith’s song, “American Soldier,” to the wives of the men serving with his son. Keith “emboldened others in country music to think viewpoints that might be perceived as angry and conservative were okay to express,” Willman says.

Persons: — Toby Keith’s, Keith, We’ll, Jason Aldean, Jason Isbell, ”, Chris Willman, “, Willman, Willie Nelson, Amanda Marie Martinez, Jim Crow America, ” Martinez, Merle Haggard, “ Okie, Haggard, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama’s, “ Let's, George W, Bush, Obama, Donald Trump, it’s, Joseph M, Thompson, Alan Jackson, Jackson, Darryl Worley’s “, Clint Black’s “, Natalie Maines, Maines, Saddam Hussein, KEITH, ” Keith, John A, Lucas, ” Lucas, ’ ” Lucas, Aldean, Oliver Anthony’s “ Rich, Keith “, ” Willman, Pat Finnerty, Toby Keith, Hogan, ” Finnerty, ‘, Finnerty, Jude ’, it’d, Maria Sherman Organizations: Country Music, Variety, Pentagon, Dixie Chicks, U.S . Army, Army, North Locations: NORFOLK, Va, U.S, Afghanistan, Iraq, America, Vietnam, Muskogee, Iran, Clint Black’s “ Iraq, Richmond , Virginia, Tennessee, Richmond, ”, Philadelphia, Los Angeles

BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pushed for further U.S. and European aid for Ukraine as he set off Wednesday for a visit to Washington, declaring it was time to send Russian President Vladimir Putin a “very clear signal” that the West won't let up on supporting Kyiv. Scholz is to meet members of the Congress later in the day and President Joe Biden on Friday. Scholz didn't mention that directly in a statement to reporters before his departure, and took no questions. Berlin is making “a very big contribution, but it won't be enough on its own if sufficient support doesn't come together everywhere,” Scholz said. But officials have stressed that the priorities are for all in Europe to step up and for the U.S. to continue its aid.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Vladimir Putin, Scholz, Joe Biden, ”, ” Scholz, “ Organizations: BERLIN, —, Senate, Ukraine, American Congress, European Union Locations: Ukraine, Washington, Europe, United States, ”, Germany, Berlin, Russian

But Republicans are divided about how to proceed, and GOP leaders were still scrambling to find a plan that their senators could back. It left Senate Republicans fractured and frustrated just as Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is trying to find a way to squeeze the assistance for Ukraine through Congress. Ukraine supporters say the drop-off in U.S. support is already being felt on the battlefield and by civilians. “My priority is border security. It’s always been border security.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell of, Mike Johnson, ”, Sen, Thom Tillis, It’s, Roger Marshall, — Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, GOP, Republicans, Republican, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, United States, Kyiv, Russia

☆ Zelenskyy replaces Ukraine’s top general in shake-up of military leadership
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Yuliya Talmazan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

He added that he had appointed Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine's ground forces, to lead the army. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that he had replaced his top general, a dramatic shake-up of the country's military at a crucial moment in its war against Russia . A popular figure who came to embody Ukraine's fighting spirit, Zaluzhnyi is widely respected both at home and abroad. Zelenskyy appeared to have been caught off guard by Zaluzhnyi's comments and denied that the war was, in fact, at a stalemate. A career soldier, Zaluzhnyi, 50, and Zelenskyy have emerged as the top leaders in wartime Ukraine.

Persons: Zaluzhnyi, he'd, Gen, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Zelenskyy, Zaluzhny, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Kyiv's, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian Armed Forces Valerii, quagmire, Zaluzhnyi's Organizations: Armed Forces, Russia, Ukraine's, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Kyiv International Institute of Sociology Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Dnipro, United States, Russia, West

☆ Russia's wartime economy is flush with resources and is weathering Western sanctions, European economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Economists have said Russia's economy is in rapid decline, evidenced by the plunge in the ruble and soaring inflation. Russia's only problem appears to be its worker shortage, Santi says. AdvertisementEconomists are divided over whether Western sanctions have successfully crimped Russia's economy, or if Moscow has managed to sidestep most of the consequences. Russia, for its part, has put up a show of defiance against Western sanctions, with Putin repeatedly emphasizing the resilience of the economy. In January, the Kremlin's budget deficit was five times smaller than it was last year, Russia's finance ministry said on Wednesday.

Persons: —, Michael Santi, Santi, Putin Organizations: Service, Business, Gallup, Bloomberg, Carnegie Endowment Locations: Moscow, Ukraine, European, Russia, Switzerland, Armenia, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Europe

First, for a long-negotiated $118 billion package with border enforcement measures that collapsed this week after Republicans rejected it; then, for a modified package with the border portion stripped out. “We still believe Ukraine, Israel, humanitarian aid to the Middle East and helping Indo-China, as well as strengthening our military, is vitally important,” Schumer told reporters Wednesday. “First Republicans said they would only do Ukraine and Israel, humanitarian aid with border. House Republicans are still insisting on a border plan, even though they rejected the deal negotiated in the Senate as insufficient. It would invest in domestic defense manufacturing, send funding to allies in Asia, and provide $10 billion for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and other places.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, “, ” Schumer, Mitch McConnell, —, Republicans —, Mike Johnson, Mike Rogers, ”, Donald Trump, Johnson, Trump, Vladimir Putin, Hakeem Jeffries, Seung Min Kim Organizations: WASHINGTON, Ukraine, New York Democrat, Republicans, Republican, House Republicans, Armed Services, Israel, Democratic, Press Locations: Israel, Ukraine, East, China, Russia, America, Gaza, Asia

☆ Khan Younis: Inside the underground compound where Israel says hostages were held
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Khan Younis CNN —The stale, damp air inside the tunnel smells of sewage. Inside this maze of tunnels under Khan Younis, there is a narrow room with an arched ceiling, divided in half by a barred metal gate. Any hostages held here would have had limited sense of time or place. The southern city of Khan Younis, which Israel considers one of the “main strongholds” of the group, is the current epicenter of fighting. Israel believes 132 hostages are still being held in Gaza in compounds like the one CNN was escorted to under Khan Younis.

Persons: Khan Younis, CNN Israel, Dan Goldfuss, Goldfuss, “, ”, Israel, Ivana Kottasová, – Sahar Calderon, Yaakov, Sapir Cohen, Nir Oz, ’, Yahya Sinwar, ” Goldfuss Organizations: Khan Younis CNN, CNN, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Gaza, of Health, Hamas, United Nations Locations: Gaza, Khan, Israel, Israeli, Israel’s, ”

☆ Ukraine’s railways are still running after two years of war. Here’s how
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Ben Jones | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Ukraine’s rail network, known as Ukrzaliznytsia or UZ for short, has always been a source of pride and practicality in the eastern European nation, even before the war. ‘Constant threat’Ukraine's rail network, known as Ukrzaliznytsia or UZ for short, has always been a source of pride and practicality in the eastern European nation. UZ says a further $9 billlon is likely required to repair and modernize the existing UZ network, which at 19,700 kilometers is one of the world’s longest. “Our responsibility is to be a stable partner.”Indeed, despite the war, UZ says it has repaired and renewed 289 kilometers of track in 2023, rebuilt 15 bridges, built 528 new freight cars and repaired around 9,000 others. Britain’s Network Rail and Swiss Federal Railways are providing engineering support to help rebuild damaged infrastructure, while the Global Ukraine Rail Task Force (GURTF) was established in 2022 to raise funds to support Ukrainian rail workers and their families.

Persons: UZ, – UZ, ”, Jeff J Mitchell, Yarema Dul, “, ” UZ, it’s, Ukraine’s, Olena Zelenska, Dul, Transport Network Mykola Panov, Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, Yevhen Liaschenko, ” Liaschenko, GURTF, Andy Bagnall Organizations: CNN, UNICEF, Russia, UZ’s, Transformation Department, Transport Network Mykola, CNN Travel, “, ” Railway, Publishing, Transport Network, Britain’s, Rail, Swiss Federal Railways, Global Ukraine Rail Task Force, Rail Partners Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Lviv, Warsaw, Vienna, Panama7, Odesa, Kharkiv, Russian, Poland, Germany, Soviet Union, Budapest, Prague, Berlin, Hungary

The House had already gone on the record in support of an Israel aid package. The vote for more Israel aid was 250-180, well short of the two-thirds threshold necessary for passage. “Leveraging Israel aid as it fights for survival is wrong,” Johnson said. Democrats said presidential politics played into the route House Republicans took in going ahead solely with aid for Israel. “Trump doesn't want to support Ukraine, and he also doesn't want a border deal because it hurts him politically.

Persons: Mike Johnson's, Alejandro Mayorkas, Johnson, Israel, Joe Biden's, Hakeem Jeffries, There’s, ” Johnson, “ Trump, Donald Trump's, Adam Smith, Lois Frankel of, embolden, ” Frankel, Trump, Donald Trump, ”, Chuck Schumer Organizations: WASHINGTON, House Republican, Homeland, Republicans, Internal Revenue Service, Democratic, Republican, White, House Republicans, Israel, House Armed Services Committee, Rep, Ukraine, Putin Locations: Israel, Ukraine, U.S, Mexico, Lois Frankel of Florida, Gaza

Or simply shut down the U.S.-Mexico border. Congressional Republicans argue that President Joe Biden already has all the authority he needs to halt the flow of migrants through the U.S.-Mexico border. “President Biden needs Congress to be able to address the situation at the border,” said Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a lawyer and policy analyst at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Biden has the power to end the border crisis without Congress. There's simply not enough asylum officers," said Taylor Levy, a longtime immigration attorney who has spent years at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, “, ”, Kathleen Bush, Joseph, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, Elise Stefanik, “ Biden, Taylor Levy, they're, Anna Cabot, he'd “, Donald Trump Organizations: WASHINGTON, Trump, Congressional, U.S, Institute, Republican, New York Republican, Migration Policy Institute, Congress, Supreme, University of Houston Law Center, Centers for Disease Control, Border Patrol, Republicans Locations: U.S, Mexico, Southern, Ukraine, Israel

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan Senate deal intended to curb illegal crossings at the U.S. border with Mexico faced almost certain defeat Tuesday as Senate Republicans signaled their opposition, stranding President Joe Biden with no clear way to advance aid for Ukraine through Congress. He offered to delay a key test vote on the package until Thursday, but dared them to vote against border security — an issue they have long championed. He made no mention of the need for border security — a piece of the supplemental package that he last year insisted on including. The longtime Republican leader has not been able to convince his conference to warm to the compromises on border security after Trump, the likely Republican presidential nominee, has excoriated it. Even GOP senators who had been supportive of the border policies under discussion came out against the bill on Tuesday.

Persons: Joe Biden, Sen, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, —, Donald Trump —, Schumer, “, Leader McConnell, ” Schumer, Vladimir Putin's, McConnell, Biden, ” McConnell, Mayorkas, Thom Tillis, Mike Johnson, ”, Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, Pete Aguilar, MAGA Organizations: WASHINGTON, Senate, Republicans, Democratic, Republican, United States Senate, Russia, Kentucky Republican, Trump, North Carolina Republican, House Democratic Locations: U.S, Mexico, Ukraine, Israel, Asia, Gaza, New York, Europe, Russia, Kentucky, East

WASHINGTON (AP) — The massive $118 billion Senate border bill not only contains once-in-a-decade border security legislation and wartime aid to Israel and Ukraine, but also offers a chance for the U.S. to keep its promise to Afghans who worked alongside U.S. soldiers in America’s longest war. Tucked inside the sprawling package is a measure that would provide a long-awaited pathway to residency for tens of thousands of Afghan refugees who arrived in the U.S. on military planes after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Conservatives have said the package does not go far enough in limiting the number of daily migrant crossings at the southern border. Both Republican and Democratic senators and their staff worked to bridge the divide and produce legislative text that both sides could support. Republican leaders in the House have declared the bill a non-starter, and even passage through the Senate, where the deal was negotiated, is an uphill climb.

Persons: there’s, Democratic Sen, Chris Coons, ”, they’ve, Shawn VanDiver Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Republican, Democratic, Associated Press, Allies, Navy, Senate, State Department Locations: Israel, Ukraine, America’s, U.S, Afghanistan, Kabul, Cuba, Vietnam, Iraq, Chris Coons of Delaware, United States

A bipartisan coalition of senators over the weekend released a long-awaited and highly anticipated bill that spans border security and international aid for Ukraine and Israel in their wartime efforts. The proposed deal would substantially change immigration laws and also provide $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel. Some Republicans have grown skeptical of additional funding for Ukraine, which President Joe Biden proposed in a supplemental spending package. But GOP hard-liners insisted on border reforms before any consideration of Ukraine aid – which is how the border bill originated. Additionally, it includes $14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel and some pockets of money for humanitarian aid in war-torn regions.

Persons: Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, Johnson, Don’t, Chuck Schumer, MSNBC’s, Joe ”, ”, Here’s, Joe Biden Organizations: Israel, of Homeland Security, International, Ukraine, Russia, United Nations Relief, Agency, Asylum Locations: Ukraine, Israel, U.S

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators on Sunday raced to release a highly-anticipated bill that pairs border enforcement policy with wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies as part of a long-shot effort to push the package through heavy skepticism from Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson. With Congress stalled on approving tens of billions of dollars in Ukraine aid, the U.S. has halted shipments of ammunition and missiles to Kyiv, leaving Ukrainian soldiers outgunned as they try to beat back Russia's invasion. In a bid to overcome opposition from House Republicans, McConnell had insisted last year that border policy changes be included in the national security funding package. However, in an election-year shift on immigration, Biden and many Democrats have embraced the idea of strict border enforcement, while Donald Trump and his allies have both criticized the proposed measures as insufficient. Biden, referencing the authority, has said he would use it to “shut down the border” as soon as the bill is signed into law.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Joe Biden, Sen, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Biden, Donald Trump, Johnson, ”, ” Johnson, —, Trump, Israel —, Kyrsten, Hakeem Jeffries, Senate appropriators Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Sunday, Republican, House Republicans, Senate, Israel, Republicans, CBS, Border Patrol, Migrants, Capitol . House Democratic, Washington , D.C, Senators Locations: Ukraine, Israel, U.S, Kyiv, Louisiana, Arizona, Mexico, Washington ,, Gaza

☆ Senators race to release their package of border policies and aid for Ukraine and Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Senators on Sunday raced to release a highly-anticipated bill that pairs border enforcement policy with wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies as part of a long-shot effort to push the package through heavy skepticism from Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson. With Congress stalled on approving tens of billions of dollars in Ukraine aid, the U.S. has halted shipments of ammunition and missiles to Kyiv, leaving Ukrainian soldiers outgunned as they try to beat back Russia's invasion. However, in an election-year shift on immigration, Biden and many Democrats have embraced the idea of strict border enforcement, while Donald Trump and his allies have both criticized the proposed measures as insufficient. Johnson, a Republican of Louisiana, in an interview Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" said he was unaware of the bill's details, but pointed to a House proposal of hardline immigration measures. The border proposal, which took months to negotiate, is aimed at gaining control of an asylum system that has been overwhelmed by historic numbers of migrants coming to the border.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Mike Johnson, Joe Biden, Sen, McConnell, Biden, Donald Trump, Johnson, —, Trump, Israel —, Kyrsten, Hakeem Jeffries, Senate appropriators Organizations: U.S, Senators, Capitol, Sunday, Republican, House Republicans, Senate, Israel, Republicans, CBS, Border Patrol, Migrants, Capitol . House Democratic, Washington , D.C Locations: Ky, Ukraine, Israel, U.S, Kyiv, Louisiana, Arizona, Mexico, Washington ,, Gaza

☆ Kinzinger blasts Republican efforts to link border security with Ukraine funding: 'The whole party has become a joke'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger blasted the GOP for its attempt to tie Ukraine aid to border security. "It's not a serious party," the former congressman told CNN's Christiane Amanpour. AdvertisementFormer Rep. Adam Kinzinger on Thursday blasted congressional Republicans over their attempt to link wartime Ukraine aid with border security, arguing that the GOP isn't a "serious" political party. "It's not a serious party," he continued. Donald Trump has been vocal in his distaste for the bipartisan border security plan, remarking that he would gladly take credit should it fall apart.

Persons: Adam Kinzinger, CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Mike Johnson, —, Kinzinger, Biden, you've, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson of Organizations: GOP, Saturday, Service, Republican, Democratic Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Mike Johnson of Louisiana

☆ Hamas deploys police, distributes funds in sign of resurgence in Gaza areas Israeli troops have left
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A Hamas fighter aims an RPG, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Gaza City, Gaza, in this still image taken from video released on Jan. 31, 2024. Israel has said it's determined to crush Hamas militarily and prevent it from returning to power in Gaza, an enclave it has ruled since 2007. In recent days, Israeli forces renewed strikes in the western and northwestern parts of Gaza City, including in areas where some of the salary distributions were reported to have taken place. Four Gaza City residents told The Associated Press that in recent days, uniformed and plainclothes police officers deployed near police headquarters and other government offices, including near Shifa Hospital, the territory's largest. Ahmed Abu Hadrous, a Gaza City resident, said Israeli warplanes struck the area where the makeshift office is located multiple times earlier this week, including Saturday morning.

Persons: Israel, Saeed Abdel, Ahmed Abu Hadrous, Hijazi, Abu Yousef al, Khan Younis, Qatar — Organizations: Hamas, Associated Press, AP, Health Ministry, United Nations, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Gaza City, Gaza, Shifa, Gaza's, Rafah, Egypt, Jeneina, Hams, United States, Qatar, Iraq, Syria, Iranian, Jordan

Now Marwan Barghouti's freedom is at stake in cease-fire negotiations between Hamas and Israel. Hamas leaders demanded Friday that Israel release Barghouti, a leader of the militant group’s main political rival, as part of any deal to end the fighting in Gaza. Israel is seeking the release of more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. With the lives of over 100 hostages now hanging in the balance, there is more pressure than ever on Israel to release Palestinian prisoners. That may make conditions ripe for a deal that could simultaneously win Barghouti’s release and bolster Hamas’ standing among Palestinians.

Persons: — He's, Nelson Mandela, He's, Marwan Barghouti's, Barghouti, “, ”, Qadoura, Osama Hamdan, Benjamin Netanyahu, HaMoked, Hamdan, — Barghouti, Ahmad Saadat, Saadat, Mahmoud Abbas ’ Fatah, Abbas, Fatah, Ismail Haniyeh, Yehya Sinwar, Fares Organizations: JERUSALEM, Israel, Palestinian Ministry of Prisoner Affairs, West Bank, Hamas, Palestinian Authority, West, Bir Zeit University Locations: Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, Hamas, West Bank, Jerusalem —, Kobar, Bir, Jordan

Senators are preparing for a key test vote on the package next week, but it already faces a steep climb through Congress. Republicans in both chambers have balked at compromises on border security policy. Senate Republicans had initially demanded that the package include border policy changes, but Donald Trump, the GOP's likely presidential nominee, has become a vocal opponent of the legislation. “Republicans said the border is a priority and we should craft a bipartisan bill to help control the border. But I’m just telling people right now we do not need a border policy.

Persons: Sen, Chris Murphy, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, ” Murphy, ” Sen, Kyrsten, Biden, Mike Johnson, Tommy Tuberville, Steve Bannon's, I’m, Lisa Mascaro Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Democratic, Republican Senate, Senators, Republicans, Democrats, Trump, Republican, U.S, ___ Associated Locations: U.S, Mexico, Ukraine, Israel, Arizona, Alabama

☆ What You Can Still Complain About in Russia: A Cat Thrown From a Train
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Anatoly Kurmanaev | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The tragedy gripped Russia for days. Federal lawmakers convened a special committee and an investigation was launched, as hundreds of volunteers searched for the victim in subzero temperatures, and state news media ran live updates on the fallout. Eventually, the victim — Twix the cat — was found dead. A national outcry over the demise of a pet who was mistakenly thrown from a long-distance train by an attendant has highlighted both the limits of and the demand for an emotional outlet in wartime Russia. A combination of propaganda, a crackdown on dissent and public fatigue with the inconclusive war has turned internet curiosities into a focus of national attention for days, even weeks.

Persons: Denis Volkov Organizations: Levada Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Russian

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate will hold a crucial test vote next week on legislation that would pair new policies at the southern border with wartime aid for Ukraine and other American allies, leaders pressing ahead despite heavy skepticism from Republicans and some Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he will set in motion a test vote on the national security package for Wednesday. “Our southern border is in urgent need, in urgent need, of fixing,” Schumer said in a floor speech. The Senate readied to proceed towards a vote next week, but widespread support from Republicans, especially House Speaker Mike Johnson, remained doubtful. Many Senate Republicans have declined to offer support for the bill until they can dig into its details.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, ” Schumer, toiling, Joe Biden's, — buttressing, Mike Johnson, ” Biden, Donald Trump, Sen, James Lankford of, “ I’ve, ” Lankford, “, Johnson, Kyrsten, Sinema, Lankford, Biden, ”, Robyn Barnard, Chris Murphy, Donald Trump doesn’t, Seung Min Kim Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Capitol, Johnson, Republicans, Republican, Trump, Migrants, Human, Border Patrol, Connecticut Democrat, Associated Press Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Asia, Russian, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Southern, Arizona, U.S, Connecticut

BRUSSELS (AP) — Convoys with hundreds of angry farmers driving heavy-duty tractors advanced toward European Union headquarters, bent on getting their complaints about excessive costs, rules and bureaucracy heard by EU leaders at a summit Thursday. Even if the EU summit was supposed to be laser-focused on providing Ukraine financial aid for its war against invading Russia, the farmers were likely to squeeze their plight onto the informal agenda of the 27 leaders too. Jean-Francois Ricker, a farmer from southern Belgium, braved the winter night close to EU headquarters and said he expected 1,000 to 1,400 vehicles. Farmers coming to Brussels on Thursday have been insisting their protest will be peaceful and security forces have handled the protests lightly so far. I think we are addressing two very important (concerns) of them right now,” European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič said.

Persons: Jean, Francois Ricker, Maroš Šefčovič, Sylvain Plazy, Mark Carlson Organizations: —, European Union, EU, Farmers, police, European Commission Locations: BRUSSELS, Belgian, Ukraine, Russia, Belgium, France, Italy, Rungis, Brussels, “

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