Cease-fire: President Biden says he anticipates that a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas could come as early as next Monday. Biden said that there also could be a release of hostages held by Hamas. Biden made the comment while in an ice cream shop next to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan where NBC has its studios. Biden had been at NBC to appear on the Seth Meyers show.. Representatives of both Israel and Hamas said this morning that they don’t believe a cease-fire is imminent.
Changes at Macy’s: Macy’s announced this morning that it is closing 150 stores, with 50 of the closings to take place by the end if the current fiscal year. At the same time, Macy’s said it will be opening 15 new Bloomingdale’s stores and 30 new Bluemercury stores over the next three years. Macy’s said it is introducing a new strategy to strengthen the Macy’s brand, become more efficient in its operations and enhance the shopping experience for customers. The company said it expects the changes will enhance its financial position.
Michigan primaries: Republican and Democratic presidential primaries are taking place today in Michigan. On the GOP ballot, Donald Trump is opposed by Nikki Haley. On the Democratic ballot, President Biden is facing opposition from a group called Listen to Michigan that wants people to stay away from voting for Biden as a protest of his support for Israel. They want voters to say they are uncommitted rather than support Biden. The group represents Arab-Americans, Muslims and younger voters.
Toyota recall: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said this morning that Toyota is recalling just over 280,.000 vehicles because they can move on their own when they are shifted into neutral and the brakes are not applied. Toyota believes that the problem can be fixed with a software update for the transmission electronic control unit. Tundra, Tundra hybrid, Lexus LX600 and Sequoia SUV models are included in the recall.
Government shutdown: Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson says that Republicans are working in good faith to reach agreement that would avoid a partial government shutdown on Friday. Johnson claims that Democrats have been making new funding demands. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says that extremist Republicans are blocking the deal that he believed had been reached. Among the departments that would run out of money as of March 1 are energy, education, agriculture, transportation and Housing and Urban Development.
Russian activist: A Russian activist who criticized the war in Ukraine that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin started was sentenced today to two-and-one-half years in prison. Oleg Orlov was convicted of discrediting the Russian military. He is co-chairman of an organization named Memorial, which promotes human rights. The organization won a Nobel Peace Prize. U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy said she was alarmed by the conviction and that Orlov had been a champion of human rights for more than 45 years.
