White House seeks extension of Israel-Hamas cease-fire

President Biden said the U-S and other negotiators are working hard to extend the Israel-Hamas cease-fire. At a weekend news conference, the president described the negotiations as a day-by-day, hour-by-hour process and said he would continue working until all hostages were free. Mr. Biden noted, however, that “nothing is guaranteed.” He welcomed the release of four-year-old Abigail Edan, the first U.S. hostage to be released under terms of the cease-fire.

Biden welcomes release of 4-year-old American hostage

President Biden welcomed the release of a 4-year-old American girl held hostage by Hamas. After Abigail Edan was safely back in Israel, the president said, “Thank God she’s home.” The four-year-old, whose parents were killed in the October 7th Hamas attack, has dual Israeli-U.S. citizenship. She was the first U.S. hostage to be released under terms of the cease-fire. At a news conference, Mr. Biden said what Abigail endured the last few weeks is “unthinkable.” The White House said later that the president spoke by telephone with members of the girl’s family in the United States and Israel.

Texas, Virginia, Utah to host 2024 presidential debates

Three presidential debates have been announced for next year’s general election. In the run-up to the 2024 election, Texas, Virginia, and Utah will host presidential debates. Texas State University will host the first one in September, followed by debates at Virginia State University and the University of Utah in October. There will be one vice presidential debate in Pennsylvania. The nonpartisan, nonprofit Commission on Presidential Debates says all debates will run for 90 minutes. Details about the format and moderators will be announced later.

Americans divided over amount of U.S. aid to Ukraine

Americans are divided over the amount of aid the U-S is sending to Ukraine. Forty five percent of those surveyed think the U-S government is spending too much on aid to Ukraine in the war against Russia. According to the AP-NORC poll, more than one-third of adults say the current spending is “about the right amount.” In Congress, conservative Republicans are rebuffing efforts from President Biden to approve additional assistance for Ukraine. Since last month, the White House has been asking lawmakers to pass more than 61 billion dollars in new aid for the Ukrainians. GC, Wash.

Influential Iowa Christian leader endorses DeSantis for president

Ron DeSantis received the endorsement of an influential Christian leader in Iowa this week. Bob Vander Plaats, who heads the Family Leader organization, threw his support behind the Florida governor. Vander Plaats is a well-known, pro-life evangelical and has endorsed the eventual winner in every GOP Iowa caucus since 2008. But none of those candidates became the Republican party’s presidential nominee. DeSantis also won the recent endorsement of Iowa’s popular governor. In response, Donald Trump’s campaign said neither endorsement will save DeSantis.

Biden administration proposes more pay for Head Start teachers

The Biden administration is proposing higher salaries for low-paid early childhood teachers. Head Start programs that care for the country’s poorest children are struggling nationwide with staffing shortages. On average, the teachers make about 39-thousand dollars a year — far less than educators with similar credentials. A new plan from the Health and Human Services Department would require Head Start programs to offer teachers salaries and benefits comparable to local public school teachers. However, the number of kids in classrooms could shrink, if teacher salaries are raised and Congress doesn’t grant more money for the program.

Neither party has committed to attending next year’s presidential debates

It remains to be seen whether either party’s candidate will participate in next year’s three presidential debates. The Commission on Presidential Debates this week announced that college towns in Texas, Virginia, and Utah will host general election debates. Donald Trump has made clear he wants to debate Joe Biden if he’s the nominee. However, the Republican National Committee is considering a boycott of any debates sponsored by the CPD. National Democrats, meanwhile, expressed frustration with the commission in 2020 over what they called its failure to enforce the rules, and the Biden reelection campaign has not said whether he would debate Trump.

Both sides appeal judge’s ruling about Trump staying on Colorado ballot

In Colorado, both sides are appealing a judge’s ruling Donald Trump can stay on the ballot after inciting the January 6th attacks. The judge in the case ruled that Trump “engaged in insurrection,” but can stay on the ballot in Colorado. That prompted not one, but two appeals. The liberal group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics argued that the judge was wrong in ruling that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is not clear that the insurrection provision was intended to apply to presidents. Meanwhile, Trump lawyers appealed the judge’s finding that he did engage in insurrection. The case now goes to the state supreme court.

Biden says “very close” to a hostage deal in Israel-Hamas war

President Biden says Israel and Hamas are “very close” to reaching a deal to release hostages. The president says he and other U-S officials have been involved in negotiations to free the hostages being held in the Israel-Hamas war. He tells reporters that things are “looking good at the moment.” Mr. Biden declined to offer any other details about a possible agreement, saying “nothing is done until it’s done.”

2024 General Election presidential and vp debates announced

The presidential and vice presidential debates have been announced for next year’s general election.The nonpartisan, nonprofit Commission on Presidential Debates has released the sites and dates for three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate next fall. Texas State University will host the first presidential debate in September, followed by debates at Virginia State University and the University of Utah in October. Vice presidential candidates will face each other at Lafayette College in September. The commission says all debates will run for 90 minutes. Details about the format and moderators will be announced later.

Funeral arrangements announced for former First Lady Rosalyn Carter

Funeral arrangements have been announced for former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, who died Sunday at age 96. The Carter Center says several ceremonies are planned for next week to celebrate the life of Mrs. Carter, the late wife of former President Jimmy Carter. On Monday, there will be a wreath-laying at Georgia Southwestern State University, and later, she will lie in repose at the Carter Presidential Library where the public can pay their respects. On Tuesday, a tribute service will be held at Emory University. Then on Wednesday, a funeral service for family and invited friends before a private burial at the Carter family residence.

Biden’s 81st birthday is a reminder of voter concerns about his age

Joe Biden’s 81st birthday [MON] is another reminder of voter concerns about the president’s re-election campaign. In a recent New York Times/Siena College poll of battleground states, 7 in 10 respondents said Mr. Biden was “too old” to be president. And it’s a bipartisan concern. More than half of the president’s own supporters think he’s too old for the office. The White House insists Mr. Biden is physically and mentally fit, but some prominent Democrats and supporters have openly questioned whether the president should be seeking a second term because of his age.

Former First Lady Rosalyn Carter dies at 96

Trump still leads in New Hampshire, but Haley is rising

Donald Trump continues to lead the GOP presidential field in New Hampshire, but Nikki Haley is gaining. A new CNN poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire shows Trump with 42 percent of the vote. He’s followed by Haley at 20 percent, moving her into second place ahead of other GOP rivals. Chris Christie is at 14 percent, then Ron DeSantis at 9 percent. Haley’s support in New Hampshire has climbed 8 percentage points from the last CNN/UNH poll in September. The state will hold its presidential primaries on January 23rd.

Biden-Xi meeting reduces tensions, but serious challenges remain

President Biden’s recent meeting with China’s Xi Jinping helped reduce tensions between the U-S and China, but serious challenges remain. The president said the U-S has “real differences” with Beijing about a level economic playing field and protecting intellectual property. He told leaders at the APEC summit in San Francisco why it’s important for the U-S and China to be on good terms.

Biden voters more motivated to stop Trump than support president

Likely Joe Biden voters are more motivated to stop Donald Trump than to support the president. The findings of a new Reuters/Ipsos poll point to voter unhappiness with a likely Biden versus Trump rematch in 2024. In fact, Americans inclined to vote for Mr. Biden next November say their primary motivation is stopping Trump. About half of Biden supporters in the poll described their vote as being against Trump and his policies, compared to just 38 percent who said they would be voting to support President Biden and his policies.

New Hampshire defies Biden’s primary calendar wishes

New Hampshire is defying President Biden’s wishes by scheduling its presidential primaries before South Carolina. The president wanted South Carolina to be the first voting state in the Democrats’ 2024 primary season. However, New Hampshire refused to give up its long-running position as the traditional leadoff primary state. Officials there announced the presidential primaries will be held on January 23rd. New Hampshire law requires the state’s primaries be held at least seven days before any similar contest. The primaries will take place about a week about the Iowa caucuses.

Biden, Xi agree to improve high-level communication

President Biden and Chinese President Xi’s face-to-face meeting appears to have helped ease tensions between their two nations. After months of sparring between the U-S and China, the two presidents finally met in person again — shaking hands, sitting down together, and lowering the temperature. Mr. Biden said they agreed to keep open the lines of communication. Serious challenges remain, but President Biden said he was hopeful their meeting laid the groundwork for cooperation rather than conflict.

Congress averts shutdown, sends temporary budget bill to Biden

Congress has sent a temporary government funding package to President Biden for his signature. The Senate followed the House in approving the stopgap budget bill that will fund the government into early next year. By passing the measure, lawmakers ended the threat of a government shutdown before the holidays. The spending package funds the government at current levels for roughly two more months while a long-term package is negotiated.

Biden voters more motivated to stop Trump than support Biden

Likely Joe Biden voters are more motivated to stop Donald Trump than to support the president. The findings of a new Reuters/Ipsos poll point to voter unhappiness with a likely Biden versus Trump rematch in 2024. In fact, Americans inclined to vote for Mr. Biden next November say their primary motivation is stopping Trump. About half of Biden supporters in the poll described their vote as being against Trump and his policies, compared to just 38 percent who said they would be voting to support President Biden and his policies.

Biden announces new batch of diverse judicial nominees

President Biden has announced another batch of judicial nominations. In his push to diversify federal judgeships, the president announced five nominees, including the first Muslim-American on any circuit court. Another judicial nominee is Service Employees International Union general counsel Nicole Berner. If confirmed by the Senate, Berner would be the the first openly LGBTQ judge on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The president also nominated judges who would serve in Indiana and Oregon.

White House pushes for spy program reauthorization

The Biden administration is urging Congress to reauthorize a spy program. Time is running out to keep Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act going before it expires at the end of December. The White House says the spy program is vital to preventing terrorism, catching spies and disrupting cyberattacks. Administration officials warn lawmakers that without the program, the government won’t be able to collect crucial intelligence overseas. But civil liberties advocates insist that changes are needed before the program is reauthorized.

Biden and China’s Xi to hold face-to-face talks in California

President Biden will have face-to-face talks with China’s Xi Jinping for the first time in a year. The meeting in Northern California is aimed at improving tense relations between the U-S and China. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the best way to avoid conflict is through “intense diplomacy.” Sullivan says Mr. Biden believes there is no substitute for face-to-face diplomacy to manage the complex relationship between Washington and Beijing.

Former Fox News reporter could be held in contempt of court

A former Fox News reporter could be held in contempt of court. A federal judge is weighing whether to hold in contempt veteran journalist Catherine Herridge. She refuses to identify her sources for stories about a Chinese scientist who was investigated by the FBI but never charged. The lawsuit seeks to force Herridge to reveal her sources for a series of Fox News stories in 2017. Herridge now works at CBS. Press freedom groups are closely watching the case and say forcing a reporter to reveal sources would have a chilling effect.