Macron..

 

Israel must stop killing babies and women in Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron has told the BBC.

In an exclusive interview at the Élysée Palace, he said there was "no justification" for the bombing, saying a ceasefire would benefit Israel.

While recognising Israel's right to protect itself, "we do urge them to stop this bombing" in Gaza, he said.

But he also stressed that France "clearly condemns" the "terrorist" actions of Hamas.
On the other hand

Acknowledging that “these conflicts can seem far away,” Biden insisted in a rare Oval Office address that the conflict in the Middle East remains “vital for America's national security” as he prepared to ask Congress for billions of dollars in military assistance.

Wink..

 

Corruption..

 

But corruption in Ukraine is an impediment to better U.S.-Ukraine relations.

“The jury is still out, the questions are still being asked,about real reform when it comes to corruption,” Durbin said. “The people of Ukraine are still looking for modernization and reform when it comes to this issue.”

“With weak rule of law, with a system rife with corruption, with a judiciary that is not independent and reliable, it is very difficult to build an economy going forward,” Warren said. A former law professor at Harvard Law School, Warren said that reducing corruption should be a priority in Ukraine.

Story..

 

A top aide to the commander of Ukraine's military was killed by a grenade given to him as a birthday gift and not in a targeted attack, the interior minister said.

Maj. Hennadii Chastiakov died in the tragic accident Monday that badly injured his 13-year-old son, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on Telegram.

colleague presented six new grenades as a gift to Chastiakov, who was a top aide and close friend to Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, for his 39th birthday, Klymenko said.

Chastiakov was showing off the grenades to his family at home when his son took one and began twisting the ring.

“The serviceman then took the grenade from the child and pulled the ring, leading to a tragic explosion,” Klymenko said.

This is a a difficult story to understand.!!!!!!

Progressive..

 

In announcing his move from Seattle to Miami, Jeff Bezos has become the latest of a long procession of prominent business icons and celebrities to abandon blue state for red state America. As the man who built the trillion dollar tech behemoth Amazon, he is now the wealthiest American to flee to a low tax state. 

Washington state was, until recently, the only blue state with no income tax. For many years it also had no inheritance or capital gains tax. This light taxation on business investment and income contributed to Washington becoming one of the fastest growing states and a mecca for world-class businesses a list that includes Microsoft, Amazon, Costco and Starbucks.

But that’s all ended. Progressives in Seattle took charge and started their relentless "soak the rich" campaign.  This started with the state adopting a death tax that can reach 19% for millionaires and billionaires.  That’s one of the highest rates in the nation - all for the privilege of dying in Washington.  That is something Jeff Bezos has decided he will not do. 

Journalist..

 

Israel’s assault on Gaza has resulted in a mounting death toll among journalists and their families in the region.
According to tracking from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 31 reporters have been confirmed dead since the fighting began on Oct. 7. Twenty-six Palestinian journalists have been killed, as well as four Israelis and one Lebanese member.

“CPJ emphasizes that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties,” said Sherif Mansour, the CPJ Middle East and North Africa program coordinator, in a statement to Yahoo News. “Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heartbreaking conflict. Those in Gaza, in particular, have paid, and continue to pay, an unprecedented toll and face exponential threats. Many have lost colleagues, families and media facilities, and have fled seeking safety when there is no safe haven or exit.”Israel’s assault on Gaza has resulted in a mounting death toll among journalists and their families in the region.

According to tracking from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 31 reporters have been confirmed dead since the fighting began on Oct. 7. Twenty-six Palestinian journalists have been killed, as well as four Israelis and one Lebanese member.

“CPJ emphasizes that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties,” said Sherif Mansour, the CPJ Middle East and North Africa program coordinator, in a statement to Yahoo News. “Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heartbreaking conflict. 

Those in Gaza, in particular, have paid, and continue to pay, an unprecedented toll and face exponential threats. Many have lost colleagues, families and media facilities, and have fled seeking safety when there is no safe haven or exit.”
Biden" Israel has the right to..."

Stalemate..

 

Igor Zhovka, the deputy head of Zelensky’s office, on Saturday condemned an assessment by Ukraine’s military chief that the war with Russia is at a “stalemate,” deepening a feud in Kyiv which has heightened nerves about Western support for the conflict.

He was responding to an interview with military chief Valery Zaluzhny, who told The Economist that “we have reached the level of technology that puts us into a stalemate” and “there will most likely be no deep and beautiful breakthrough” in the war.

The tensions come at a pivotal moment in the war, with Kyiv’s slow-moving counter-offensive and the outbreak of violence in the Middle East sparking fears that Western financial and military aid could begin to flag.

The overall characterization of the conflict raised eyebrows in Ukraine and made international headlines.  Just a thought.

Deterent..

 

Soul..

 

 President Joe Biden says he believes Russian leader Vladimir Putin is a killer with no soul, and vowed that Putin soon “will pay a price”  ........

On the other hand, in Gaza..

Air action alone cannot eliminate Hamas and it will certainly kill many civilians. 

Cutting off supplies of food, water and electricity is an inhumane tactic that harms innocent people. 

Sending in troops, though, will result in vicious street-to-street fighting that will claim the lives of Israeli soldiers and militants as well as civilians caught in the crossfire.

Right..