Alaska sues Biden administration over canceled oil, gas leases

Alaska is suing the Biden administration over canceled Arctic oil and gas leases. The lawsuit brought by an Alaska state agency, challenges the Biden administration’s decision in September to scrap seven oil and gas leases in Alaska’s 19 million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Officials in Alaska are asking a federal court in Washington, DC to restore the leases. They argue the federal government’s decision violates a clear congressional mandate in a 2017 tax bill to open up the Arctic to drilling.

Biden: Israel agrees to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza

President Biden says Israel will allow humanitarian assistance into Gaza from Egypt. The president told Israeli officials in Tel Aviv that people in Gaza need food, water, medicine, and shelter. He said Israel agreed to allow the flow of humanitarian aid with the understanding that inspections must be allowed and that the aid should go to civilians and not Hamas. He said “if Hamas diverts or steals the assistance, they will have demonstrated once again that they have no concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people.”

Biden pledges American solidarity during visit to Israel

President Biden used his visit to Israel to show U-S solidarity with the Jewish state in its war against Hamas. After arriving in Tel Aviv, the president met one on one with Prime Minister Netanyahu before gathering with Israel’s war cabinet. The president expressed horror over the atrocities carried out by Hamas terrorists, even as he spoke of the need to help innocent Palestinians caught in the middle of the conflict.

In Tel Aviv, Biden says Gaza hospital blast not done by Israel

President Biden is defending Israel following a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital that killed hundreds of people. During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, the president said that deadly explosion apparently was not carried out by the Israeli military. Hamas blamed Israel for the hospital blast, while the Israelis accused the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The president is using his visit to Tel Aviv to reinforce America’s solidarity with the Jewish state.

Biden leaves for Israel, but meeting with Arab leaders postponed

President Biden’s meeting with Arab leaders following his visit to Israel has been called off. Shortly before the president boarded Air Force One for the flight to Tel Aviv, a planned summit with Arab leaders was canceled. Palestinian leader Abbas withdrew from the scheduled meetings after a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital killed hundreds. A White House official said the president decided to postpone his travel to Amman, Jordan, and the Arab summit after consulting with Jordan’s King Abdullah.

Trump appeals partial gag order in federal 2020 election case

Donald Trump is appealing a partial gag order in the case charging him with trying to subvert the 2020 presidential election. A day after the federal judge in the case barred Trump from making statements attacking prosecutors, potential witnesses, and court staff, his lawyers said they will challenge the order. The former president’s team argues the order amounts to censorship, but the judge said defendants cannot mount a “smear campaign.” Meanwhile, Trump returned to a New York court on Tuesday for his civil fraud trial.

U.S. cracks down on computer chip exports to China

The Biden administration is taking new steps to stop China from acquiring advanced computer chips. The Commerce Department has expanded its export controls aimed at stopping Beijing from getting cutting-edge U.S. technologies to strengthen its military. The update also introduces new requirements that make it more difficult for China to manufacture advanced chips abroad. The administration first took action a year ago to counter China’s use of the chips for military applications that include the development of hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence.

Biden to visit Israel on Wednesday in show of solidarity

President Biden will travel to Israel this week in a show of solidarity. The Wednesday visit to Israel will be a powerful symbol of sympathy and support, but there are risks involved. Mr. Biden’s travel to the Mideast comes as Israeli forces prepare for a possible ground attack against Gaza aimed at Hamas terrorists. After meeting with Israeli leadership, the president will go on to Jordan for talks with King Abdullah, as well as the Egyptian and Palestinian presidents, in a bid to prevent the war from becoming a larger regional conflict.

Biden huddles with national security team on Mideast

President Biden spent the day focused on the Israeli-Hamas conflict. After canceling a day trip to Colorado to promote his economic message, the president met with his national security team here at the White House. He also spoke by phone with his counterparts in Egypt and Germany. Mr. Biden continues to offer Israel his full support following the Hamas attack, but he and administration officials are working to protect civilians in Gaza from ongoing Israeli air strikes and an expected ground invasion.

Judge imposes partial gag order in Trump 2020 election case

A limited gag order has been imposed on Donald Trump in his 2020 election subversion case. The federal judge overseeing the case said she was barring the former president from making statements targeting prosecutors, possible witnesses, and the judge’s staff. U-S District Judge Tanya Chutkan said there would be no restrictions on statements criticizing the Justice Department generally or statements about Trump’s belief that the case is politically motivated. But she said he can’t mount a “smear campaign” against prosecutors and court personnel. The former president’s lawyer strongly opposed the gag order.

Biden postpones Colorado visit to focus on Mideast conflict

President Biden postponed a day trip to Colorado to focus on the Middle East conflict. Instead of traveling to Colorado to discuss his economic agenda, the president remains here at the White House “to participate in national security meetings” concerning the Israel-Hamas war. The domestic trip was called off at the last minute, a rare move by the White House given the security and logistics involved in planning. Meanwhile, Mr. Biden is said to be weighing a decision to visit the Mideast in a sign of support for Israel.

Poll indicates ethical uncertainty hanging over Biden

Americans have ethical concerns about President Biden and his son, Hunter. A new poll points to a cloud of ethical uncertainty hanging over the president as he runs for re-election. Thirty-five percent of U-S adults believe Mr. Biden has done something illegal, according to a new AP-NORC survey. Another third thinks the president behaved unethically, but not illegally. The findings come amid investigations into the president’s son, Hunter, and a Republican-led impeachment inquiry in Congress.

Biden supports Israel’s defense, but opposes Gaza occupation

President Biden is urging Israel not to occupy Gaza. The president has been steadfast in his support of Israel since the surprise Hamas attack more than a week ago. He has denounced the terrorists and supported Israel’s right to defend. But Mr. Biden told CBS’s 60 Minutes that it would “be a big mistake” if Israeli troops occupied Gaza. He also called on Israel, Egypt, and other nations to allow for humanitarian aid and supplies into the worsening conflict zone.

Recent Trump comments could alienate some supporters

Donald Trump is testing some of his supporters with recent comments about abortion and Israel. The former president holds a commanding lead in the Republican race for the nomination, but it appears he’s running the risk of alienating some supporters. He came under fire from pro-life leaders recently after calling Florida’s six-week abortion ban a “terrible mistake.” Last week, he publicly criticized Israel’s prime minister following a terrorist attack on the Jewish state, and Trump described Hezbollah militants as “very smart.” Comments that were condemned by his GOP rivals. GC, Wash.

Pence to skip Nevada GOP caucus, run in state primary

Former Vice President Pence will skip the Nevada GOP caucus and run in the state primary instead.  Nevada’s Republican party has decided to run its own caucuses two days after a state-run primary in early February. The party has barred candidates from competing in both. Critics say the move favors Donald Trump. Pence is the first major GOP contender to announce he’ll skip the caucus. By skipping, Pence gives up a chance to try to win Nevada’s relatively small number of delegates. Instead, he’s hoping a primary win will demonstrate electability with a wider group of voters.

$6 billion in Iranian funds temporarily frozen after Hamas attack

Steps are being taken to temporarily re-freeze Iranian assets after the Hamas attack on Israel. The U-S and Qatar have reached an agreement that blocks Iran’s government from accessing 6-billion dollars in Iranian funds that were unblocked as part of a prisoner swap last month. It stops short of fully refreezing the Iranian money. Republicans have criticized the Biden administration’s deal with Iran, which is a major sponsor of Hamas. However, U-S officials have strenuously pushed back, noting that the money had yet to be spent by Iran and can only be used for humanitarian needs.

Biden speaks with family members of Americans missing in Israel

U.S. to begin evacuation flights for Americans in Israel

The U.S. government will begin operating evacuation flights to help Americans leave Israel. Responding to a sharp reduction in commercial flights out of Israel, the U-S will help Americans leave as Israel prepares to escalate military action against Hamas militants. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby also confirmed that the death toll in the fighting now includes at least 27 Americans. Fourteen remain unaccounted for.

Trump criticizes Israel, calls terrorists “very smart”

Donald Trump has angered both the White House and his GOP presidential rivals with his comments about Israel. At a Florida rally this week, Trump criticized Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, called Israel’s defense chief a “jerk,” and described the Hezbollah militant group as “very smart.” A White House spokesman said that a former U-S president calling terrorists smart is “unhinged and sickening.” Trump’s campaign rivals also spoke out. Ron DeSantis said it’s “absurd…to attack our friend and ally, Israel.” And Mike Pence responded, saying “Hezbollah aren’t smart, they’re evil.”

U.S. discussing safe passage plans for Gaza civilians

The White House says discussions are taking place about ways to protect innocent Palestinians in Gaza.
National Security Council spokeswoman John Kirby said the United States is exploring ways to arrange safe passage for Gaza’s civilians. Meanwhile, Kirby said the U-S has no specific evidence of direct involvement by Iranians in the planning or execution of the Hamas attack, even though Iran is a main sponsor of Hamas.

American death toll in Israel-Hamas war rises to 22

The American death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has risen to at least 22. The White House said in addition to the number of American deaths, at least 17 U.S. citizens remain unaccounted for. National Security spokesman John Kirby said a number of them are being held hostage by Hamas. Kirby also said the administration was exploring options to assist Americans who want to leave Israel, leaving open the possibility of a U.S.-assisted evacuation.

Biden takes aim at hidden junk fees added to bills

President Biden is taking aim at so-called junk fees that often surprise consumers. The president says hidden fees on concert tickets, hotel rooms, and utility bills are taking real money out of the pockets of American families. And that’s why he’s backing a plan by the Federal Trade Commission to end those charges and hold violators accountable. The president insisted it’s a matter of fairness.

At least 20 American citizens “unaccounted for” in Israel

Biden pledges U.S. solidarity with Israel after attacks