Border deal, international aid agreement could take a while
It is now mid-January. And there is no deal on potential legislation to secure the border. That also means there is no agreement on an international aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. That is not an indictment. It’s just that realists on Capitol Hill knew this was going to take a while – even though negotiators began hammering away at a possible border accord in early December and worked through the holidays. CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS STRIKED DEAL TO PUNT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN DEADLINES The top GOP negotiator in the talks, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., suggested on “Fox News Sunday” last weekend that his aim was to have bill text ready sometime this week. But that never materialized. Lankford says nothing changed for the worse. “I think we just didn’t make progress as fast as I’d hoped we would,” said Lankford. “I was thinking, ‘I think we’re close.’ But in all of our meetings [Sunday] night and [Monday] we’re not going to be able to get there.” A source close to the talks told Fox that negotiators didn’t lose momentum or hit an unexpected pothole. “There are a thousand small things to work out,” said the source, noting the complexity of the talks. But there is concern about speed. Fox is told that senators are aware of the need to ship aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Soon. Moreover, there is concern that any struggle with funding the government later this month could undercut everything the sides are trying to do with the border. “That takes precedent,” said a source about government funding. “That’s a hard deadline.” Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said Lankford “actually surprised me with some of the progress he has made” on the border deal. Marshall observed that lawmakers have “a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure the border. And if we have that opportunity, if we have a good deal on the table, if we’re getting 80 or 90% of what we want,” than GOPers should take the deal. UK TO INCREASE UKRAINE AID TO $3.2B, ITS LARGEST ANNUAL FUNDING SINCE RUSSIA’S INVASION Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., said “the amount of progress that the negotiators have made is substantial and encouraging.” But when Capitol Hill devolved into the Hunter Biden circus Wednesday, few paid close attention to the border talks. Lankford briefed fellow GOP senators and some House members on his negotiations. And the week ended without the production of bill text as the sides wrangled over parole for those illegally entering the U.S. The lack of bill text may actually help the negotiations. If something is printed to paper on Capitol Hill, the details inevitably spill out. That’s when some lawmakers and interest groups may try to undercut the proposal. So negotiators elected to keep their cards close to the vest. But the lack of specificity make it a challenge to judge progress. “It’s hard to evaluate because there’s no text,” said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. “There’s nothing written down.” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., echoed his colleague. “It’s not in writing so I can’t be comfortable – and no one can – until they read it,” said Rubio. The same thing bothered Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. “This has been a very secretive process,” said Schmitt. “I am skeptical that we might be giving up way too much here.” ZELENSKYY SAYS UKRAINE CAN BEAT PUTIN’S TROOPS BUT NEEDS WESTERN HIGH-TECH HELP But here’s where things stand. Negotiators worked feverishly since December. They talked repeatedly over the holidays. And now we’re moving into the third week of January without an accord. In the meantime, the war in Israel rages. Ukraine says it’s unable to match Russia’s firepower. China is keeping an eye on Taiwan. Money for Taiwan could become increasingly urgent if China reacts adversely to the election of Lai Ching-te as president of Taiwan. Don’t forget that Republicans insisted on making assistance to Ukraine contingent on a border security pact. So the international aid package languishes while negotiators forge ahead. This is the type of timeline which yours truly suggested in December. Some thought that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., would try to jam members with a floor vote on a border package just before Christmas. That never happened – mostly because the negotiations are real and the sides were making progress. A show vote to score political points would have been counterproductive. And this is why the true, realistic timeline to finish this legislation was probably February or beyond for the Senate alone. If they are able to finish it at all. We haven’t even talked about the House. Many House Republicans don’t want to touch a still shapeless, hazy measure which is wafting around the Senate. For years, congressional Republicans argued that they needed to reassert their Article I powers vested in the Constitution and legislation – not cede authority to the administration. But since Congress has struggled to craft a legislative solution on border security and immigration, some GOPers are now punting to the White House. Republicans don’t think President Biden can accomplish much. But now they argue he’s the one to address the border crisis. WAPO SLAPS BIDEN WH WITH ‘THREE PINOCCHIOS,’ KNOCKS ‘SPIN’ THAT HOUSE GOP VOTED TO CUT BORDER PATROL AGENTS “Joe Biden doesn’t want to fix it. He could do it with his own executive order,” said Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Tex. But that doesn’t comport with what was the longtime mantra by congressional GOPers, who insisted that the Clinton/Obama/Biden administrations were out of control and needed to be reined in on a host of subjects. “How did President Trump secure the southern border?” asked Nehls. “He did it through 21 executive orders and 25 presidential memorandums.” This is why a legislative fix to border security remains so elusive. And it may continue to be so for at least a few more weeks. Nothing of this magnitude on immigration and border security – which has been a radioactive subject for decades – could possibly come together this quickly. And
DeSantis reveals his prediction for Iowa as voters prepare for caucuses
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis predicted that he would “do well” when Iowa Republicans participate in the state’s caucuses on Monday. DeSantis joined “Fox News Sunday” with host Shannon Bream, arguing that he and his campaign have put in more work than any other candidate. Recent polls show DeSantis trailing in third behind former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former President Trump. “Do you need to finish second here in Iowa?” Bream asked. “We’re gonna do well,” DeSantis responded. “I appreciate being the underdog… I do better in those situations, and I think I have a record of doing well as the underdog. We’re gonna do well, and we look forward to doing the next contest.” BLIZZARD DERAILS IOWA CAMAPIGN EVENTS, WILL BELOW ZERO TEMPS DEPRESS CAUCUS TURNOUT? “We’ve been working hard. We’ve been doing a great job, and I think Monday is going to be the pivot point where, now that people start to actually vote, I think it’s gonna help change the landscape,” he added. “There has not been a candidate that has worked harder… Iowans notice that. You’re not entitled to just be nominated. You don’t just swoop in and get coronated. You’ve gotta earn it, and we’ve earned it.” Iowa voters will have to brave bitter cold weather to participate in Monday’s caucuses, however, with forecasts saying much of the state will see temperatures well below zero. TRUMP TAKES NO CHANCES AS THE IOWA CAUCUSES APPROACH Trump maintained his dominant lead in the Republican field in the most recent polling, which shows him beating his nearest competitor, Haley, by nearly 30 points. Support for DeSantis has appeared to slip in recent weeks as Haley has crept up to replace him in second place, according to multiple polls. Nevertheless, DeSantis and his campaign invested immense resources in Iowa, and DeSantis himself traveled to every county in the state.
BSEB 2024: Bihar Board Class 10th Admit Card released, check how to download
As per the schedule, for the BSEB Class 10, the practical examination will be conducted from January 18 to January 20, 2024. While the theory examination for Class 10 will be held from February 15 to February 23, 2024.
Israel’s war on Gaza: 100 days of death and suffering
Over the past 100 days, Israel’s relentless bombardment and ground assault of Gaza has killed nearly 24,000 Palestinians – roughly one percent of the besieged strip’s population of 2.3 million. The brutal assaults have uprooted almost the entire population, with most people now squeezed into the territory’s far south, while a lack of basic necessities including food is pushing the enclave to the brink of famine. In the north, which was Israel’s first target, mountains of rubble fill the landscape. Much of Gaza City and surrounding districts have been flattened. Many residents who fled fear they will never be allowed to return, or if they are, their neighbourhoods will be uninhabitable. In parts of southern Gaza, where Israel advised people to evacuate, rescuers dig through smouldering piles of concrete, stone and dust, looking for survivors of non-stop air strikes and shelling. At least 60,000 people have been injured in Gaza, including at least 8,663 children and 6,327 women, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the Palestine Red Crescent Society and Save the Children. Tent camps have sprawled over any empty piece of land. Hungry Palestinians line up at distribution sites for food, under Israel’s siege of the territory. Nine out of 10 people are going for 24 hours or more without food, according to data released by the World Food Programme. On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the International Court of Justice, which has begun hearing a genocide case against Israel filed by South Africa, cannot end the war in Gaza. South Africa is seeking a court intervention to halt the war. Israel says it wants to eradicate Hamas fighters, who carried out a deadly attack on October 7 in which about 1,100 people were killed in Israel. Adblock test (Why?)
Taiwan elects ruling party candidate that China disapproves of
NewsFeed Taiwan has elected William Lai Ching-te, a candidate Beijing sees as a ‘dangerous separatist’, to lead the self-governing island. In his victory speech, he said his ruling Democratic Progressive Party has always sought good relations with China. Published On 14 Jan 202414 Jan 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
Rahul Gandhi kickstarts Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur, vows for peace and harmony
After starting the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Manipur, Rahul Gandhi assured that the Congress is committed to restoring “peace and harmony” in the troubled northeastern state.
Why are antidepressants so popular in Iceland?
Mindset travels to Iceland to explore why it has the highest rate of antidepressant use in Europe. Iceland is known for its stunning landscapes, sparse population, long winters – and high use of antidepressants. Pills are about seven times cheaper than therapy and easier to access, contributing to the country having Europe’s highest rate of antidepressant use. But locals say medication isn’t a panacea, with deeper issues within Iceland’s society and mental health system remaining unresolved. In this special series on mental health approaches around the world, Mindset meets Icelanders to understand the impact of antidepressants and those turning to community, self-enrichment, and old traditions in search of relief. Adblock test (Why?)
Global pro-Palestinian protests call for Gaza ceasefire
NewsFeed Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched in major world cities to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. Rallies were held the day after Israel defended its 100-day war against genocide charges at the ICJ. Published On 14 Jan 202414 Jan 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
Who is Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te?
William Lai Ching-te from the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who is seen as a “dangerous separatist” by China, has won Taiwan’s presidential election. Lai, the current vice president, who has asserted the self-ruled island’s sovereignty, beat his nearest rival Hou Yu-ih of the conservative Kuomintang (KMT) by more than 900,000 votes in Saturday’s elections. With Lai’s win, the DPP secured an unprecedented third consecutive term in power, signifying that the majority of Taiwanese stand behind the party’s values of preserving democracy. The DPP does not represent the mainstream public opinion on the island, Beijing said after Lai was named the winner of Saturday’s vote, adding that the vote “will not impede the inevitable trend of China’s reunification”. In his victory speech, the 64-year-old Lai congratulated voters for refusing to be swayed by “external forces” trying to influence the election in an apparent reference to China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory. He said he wanted to cooperate with China – Taiwan’s biggest trade partner – and maintain peace and stability, but pledged not to be “intimidated” by Beijing. Here’s more about the president-elect that China has vocally opposed: Steering Taiwan as vice president In his most recent role as vice president, Lai helped promote Taiwan’s interests internationally. Last August, he made a diplomatic mission to Paraguay, a move criticised by Beijing. The Latin American country is one of a dozen that still maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Taiwan, however, has trade ties with countries around the world. Lai has also drawn a line between Taiwan and Ukraine and the rise of authoritarianism globally, saying the phenomenon has “awakened the international community to the fragility of democracy”. During his and outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen’s tenure, Taiwan increased arms acquisitions from the United States, which is bound by law to provide the island with weapons needed to protect itself. Washington does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in line with its “one China” policy. As such, during his run as VP, Lai talked about the need to build up Taiwan’s military deterrence capabilities, strengthen its economic security, and forge partnerships with democracies worldwide. “We are telling the international community that between democracy and authoritarianism, we will stand on the side of democracy,” Lai told his supporters on Saturday night. Relations with China China has been vocal about its opposition to Lai, calling him a dangerous separatist. Beijing had, in fact, called the poll a choice between war and peace. The new president-elect, however, has repeatedly said during the campaign that he wanted to keep the status quo with China and has on numerous occasions offered to talk to Beijing. Lai once said the head of state he would most like to have dinner with is Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he said needs to “chill out a little”. With the leader now elected, what is at stake is peace, social stability and prosperity on the island, as Beijing builds up military activity around the island, which it has said could be retaken by force if necessary. Taiwan is home to the world’s leading semiconductor industry, producing tiny chips used in everything from Bluetooth headphones to missile systems. These silicon wafers are the lifeblood of the modern global economy, placing great responsibility on Lai to maintain a careful balance on tensions as the United States and China tussle over technology exports. In running for president, Lai advocated for domestic issues such as reviving the sluggish economy and housing affordability. From humble origins to Harvard-educated Lai grew up in northern Taiwan and hails from a humble background as the son of a coal miner who died when the president-elect was a small child. He left his medical career as a physician specialising in spinal cord injuries to pursue politics. Before becoming president-elect, Lai held several prominent jobs including vice president, premier, legislator and mayor of the southern city of Tainan. The new leader of Taiwan has a master’s degree in public health from Harvard University in the US. Adblock test (Why?)
Maldives asks India to withdraw troops by 15 March
In a press briefing, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, the public policy secretary at the President’s Office, said that President Muizzu has formally asked India to withdraw its military personnel by 15 March.