Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Northern evacuees question whether a ceasefire deal is enough to see them home

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/northern-evacuees-question-whether-a-ceasefire-deal-is-enough-to-see-them-home/

While some residents in the north welcome the possibility of returning to their homes and prewar routines, northern officials have expressed concern about a ceasefire deal that they say won’t guarantee security to the region.

Tech forum names seasonal airline, reveals fares for NY route, to launch in January

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/tech-forum-names-seasonal-airline-reveals-fares-for-ny-route-to-launch-in-january/

Round-trip ticket prices with TechAir will run from $800 to $1,800 in economy class, including luggage, seating, and meals, and $4,500 to $5,500 in business class. Round-trip fares with Israel’s flagship carrier, the only airline currently offering direct routes to New York cost between around $1,300 and $2,400 in economy class, when booking at the end of January.


Birth parents of baby conceived in IVF treatment appeal court's decision

 https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-830783

The birth parents of two-year-old Sofia will appeal a Rishon Lezion family court’s decision to place her in the custody of her genetic parents, Israeli media reported on Sunday. 

"The benefit of transferring the child to her biological parents and living with them outweighs the harm caused by separating her from her foster parents,” Judge Oved Elias said, adding, “The benefits of living with the biological parents include, among other things, the development of future identity, connection to the family lineage, a shared family story, physiological resemblance, and shared family values.” 

Trump Betrays the Truckers With Chavez-DeRemer

 https://www.wsj.com/opinion/trump-betrays-the-truckers-with-chavez-deremer-5291d59a?mod=hp_opin_pos_6#cxrecs_s

The American Trucking Associations issued a statement Monday pointing out that Ms. Chavez-DeRemer’s “anti-trucking policies undermine our essential workforce, threaten the right of independent truckers to choose their own career path, and impede the efficiency of the supply chain.”

Hezbollah’s Cease-Fire Is a Victory for Israel

 https://www.wsj.com/opinion/hezbollahs-cease-fire-is-a-victory-for-israel-2605457d?mod=hp_opin_pos_2#cxrecs_s

Israeli hard power has secured what 11 months of soft words from Biden envoys could not: Hezbollah’s agreement to abandon Hamas. Iran’s terrorist proxy in Lebanon resumed firing rockets at Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, and it had pledged to continue until Israel conceded to Hamas’s demands. Tuesday’s cease-fire deal marks Hezbollah and Iran’s retreat under fire from that pledge.

The deal is no panacea, and it may prove fragile. Some fighting could restart as Hezbollah tries to rearm in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Armed Forces have agreed to prevent that, with a U.S.-led committee adjudicating compliance. But behind these polite fictions and paper commitments lies the real achievement of the war: a change in the balance of power.

Cease-fire in Lebanon set to begin at 4 a.m.: These are the 13 provisions of the agreement, and the US guarantees

 https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hyxzuh7qkl#autoplay

Agreement will end fighting in the north after almost 14 months; But the dissolution of Hezbollah does not appear in the agreement; Biden spoke with Netanyahu who confirmed that 'Israel maintains freedom of action in enforcing it'  

Hezbollah Says Israel 'Defeated' as Netanyahu Seeks Ceasefire

 https://www.newsweek.com/hezbollah-israel-defeated-netanyahu-ceasefire-1992023

"The length of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon," Netanyahu said during his remarks on Tuesday. "We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. We will continue united until victory."

He offered three main reasons for seeking a ceasefire agreement, the first being to "focus on the Iranian threat," the second to "give our forces a breather and replenish stocks" and the third, to "separate the fronts and isolate Hamas."

Israel-Lebanon ceasefire: A fragile peace with future war risks - analysis

 https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-830869

The part of this war between Israel and Hezbollah has just about come to an end, with Israel managing to alter its narrative since mid-September – from a tie to close to a knockout.

And yet, the terms of the ceasefire and the status of Hezbollah maintaining many of the sources of its power make it clear that another Lebanon war may be closer than many would like to hope.

Israel has agreed to a Lebanon ceasefire. Here’s what that means

 https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/26/middleeast/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-ceasefire-explainer-intl-latam/index.html

 Israel and Lebanon have accepted a US-backed proposal to end the 13-month border conflict that spiraled into an all-out war in September with Hezbollah.

From the White House’s Rose Garden, US President Joe Biden said the deal “is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities” and will go into effect early Wednesday morning, at 4 a.m. local time (9 p.m. ET on Tuesday).

The ceasefire “will create the conditions to restore lasting calm and allow residents in both countries to return safely to their homes on both sides of the Blue Line,” according to a joint statement from Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, referring to the de facto border between Lebanon and Israel.

Cabinet approves: Lebanon ceasefire to take effect at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/399818

Agreement brings to an end the current round of conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah terrorist organization.

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Trump Wants Revenge. Biden’s Best Weapon: Get Pardoning

 https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-wants-revenge-bidens-best-weapon-get-pardoning/

Destroying his enemies is the point. Hounding them with baseless lawsuits ruins their lives as they struggle to find the means, financially and otherwise, to defend themselves.

Whatever philosophical discussions there are will take place as the Biden presidency winds down, and the case is made to Biden that preemptive pardons will enhance his legacy. They are the right thing to do. The alternative is to allow Trump free rein, which is not the message Biden should leave for history.

'No Debate' That Charges Against Trump 'Constitute Crimes': Ex-Trump Lawyer

 https://www.newsweek.com/ty-cobb-jack-smith-january-6-charges-trump-1991603

He added: "What the debate has always been, in Trump's mind, is 'No, no, no, you can't get me.' And that proved to be true, that they ran out of time and the American people bestowed upon him the presidency, which puts him in a constitutional position that he can no longer be pursued."

Republicans in North Carolina try to destroy Democracy

As Trump pushes to consolidate power, he is being met with a push for democracy