American hostage release
The last American held hostage by Hamas was due to be released at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time today according to an announcement by Hamas. He’s Idan Alexander, who is from New Jersey. Hamas characterizes the release as a sign of good faith that it wants to achieve a ceasefire, open crossings into Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to reach the people of Gaza. Israel ordered a halt to its strikes on Gaza to set the stage for the release. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that its temporary cessation of hostilities is only to allow safe passage of Alexander.
Trump’s new Air Force One
Donald Trump says his administration will accept a gift from the government of Qatar of a Boeing 747 airliner equipped as a luxury jet for the use as Trump’s new Air Force One. The airplane is valued at $400 million. Airplanes used as Air Force One traditionally have been especially built for the purpose according to military and other government specifications including those covering physical security and the need for secrecy. The plan according to Trump calls for the airplane to be donated to Trump’s presidential library foundation just before Trump leaves office.
U.S. and China each deal on tariffs
The U.S. and China have reached an agreement to lower the tariffs being imposed as a result of the trade war that Donald Trump started. The deal calls for the U.S. tariffs imposed by the U..S on goods from China to be lowered from 145% to 30%. China is reducing the tariffs on goods from the U.S. to 10% from 125%. A final deal on tariffs is expected to be negotiated between the U.S. and China while the temporary reductions remain in effect. The stock market reacted positively to the deal, with the DowJones Industrial Stock Average up more than 1,000 points at the opening on Monday.
Duffy says U.S. airspace is safe despite aging air traffic control equipment
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on the NBC News program “Meet the Press” yesterday said that U.S. airspace is the safest in the world despite the aging equipment in the air traffic control system. Duffy said that the Trump Administration plans to overhaul the entire system and have the job completed by 2028. He said that the plan includes building six new air traffic control centers and replacing voice and data communications at all of its facilities across the country, replacing radars, and replacing software.
Republicans reveal plan to cut Medicaid
After having denied that they plan to slash funding for Medicaid, Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House of Representative yesterday revealed their legislation that would cut up to $880 billion from Medicaid, eliminating health care for millions of Americans. The Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees funding for Medicaid, was required to come up with the savings in a resolution passed by the House that outlined the Republican budget plan. In addition to making cuts, the plan would impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients.
Combs trial opens
The trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs got underway in New York City today. Combs is facing charges that include sex trafficking, narcotics abuses and racketeering. Opening arguments from the prosecution and defense attorneys were scheduled for today. The first witness was expected to be Casandra Ventura, a former girlfriend who accuses him of abusing her over several years. Combs has denied the charges and refused a plea deal.
