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Senate Passes $95 Billion Foreign Aid Package

Senate Passes $95 Billion , Foreign Aid Package. On April 23, the U.S. Senate voted 79-18 to approve foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, 'The Guardian' reports. . Today the Senate sends a unified message to the entire world: America will always defend democracy in its hour of need, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement. Make no mistake, America will deliver on its promise to act like a leader on the world stage, to hold the line against autocratic thugs like Vladimir Putin. , Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement. The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine, $26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan. The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine, $26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan. The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine, $26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan. A provision to ban TikTok after the election if ByteDance refuses to sell the platform is also included. The legislation will now head to President Biden, who told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 23 that he will "move quickly" to provide aid. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, . Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, . with whom he worked "hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder to get this bill done.". A lot of people inside and outside the Congress wanted this package to fail. But today those in Congress who stand on the side of democracy are winning the day, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell also issued a statement. Today’s action is overdue, but our work does not end here. Trust in American resolve is not rebuilt overnight. Expanding and restocking the arsenal of democracy doesn’t just happen by magic, Senate Majority Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, via statement

House GOP Advances Aid Bills for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan

House GOP Advances Aid Bills , for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. The foreign aid bills were advanced by a 9-3 vote, thanks to the help of four Democrats on the committee, CBS News reports. . Those Democrats are Jim McGovern, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Neguse and Teresa Leger Fernández. Those Democrats are Jim McGovern, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Neguse and Teresa Leger Fernández. Those Democrats are Jim McGovern, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Neguse and Teresa Leger Fernández. Those Democrats are Jim McGovern, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Neguse and Teresa Leger Fernández. Conservatives who voted against the bills, because border security wasn't lumped in, include Tom Massie, Ralph Norman and Chip Roy. . Conservatives who voted against the bills, because border security wasn't lumped in, include Tom Massie, Ralph Norman and Chip Roy. . A final vote on the foreign aid package will take place on April 20. . The three bills would support Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan with $26.4 billion, $60.8 billion and $8.1 billion, respectively. . The three bills would support Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan with $26.4 billion, $60.8 billion and $8.1 billion, respectively. . The three bills would support Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan with $26.4 billion, $60.8 billion and $8.1 billion, respectively. . $9.1 billion of the Israel package would go toward Palestinian humanitarian efforts. . A fourth bill seeks to allow the sale of Russian oligarchs' assets that have been frozen in order to continue funding Ukraine. possibly "force the sale of TikTok and authorize stricter sanctions on Russia, China and Iran," CBS News reports. . possibly "force the sale of TikTok and authorize stricter sanctions on Russia, China and Iran," CBS News reports. . Some far-right Republicans have threatened to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson from his position for supporting additional Ukraine funding. Johnson defended his actions, calling lethal aid for Ukraine "critically important.". If I operated out of fear over a motion to vacate, I would never be able to do my job, House Speaker Mike Johnson, via statement. Look, history judges us for what we do. This is a critical time right now critical time on the world stage. , House Speaker Mike Johnson, via statement. I could make a, you know I can make a selfish decision and do something that, that's different. But I'm doing here what I believe to be the right thing, House Speaker Mike Johnson, via statement

Zelensky Says Ukraine ‘Will Lose the War’ if US Doesn’t Approve More Aid

Zelensky Says Ukraine ‘Will Lose the War’ , if US Doesn’t Approve More Aid. The president of Ukraine made the remarks on April 7 during a video meeting with UNITED24, a Ukrainian fundraising group, CNN reports. . It’s important to specifically address the Congress: if the Congress doesn’t help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war, Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine, via video meeting with UNITED24. If Ukraine loses this war, other countries will be attacked. This is a fact, Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine, via video meeting with UNITED24. Zelensky's statement comes as Congress has failed to pass an aid package for the war-torn nation in months, CNN reports. . A $95.3 billion foreign aid bill, which contained aid for both Ukraine and Israel, was passed by the Senate in February. but House Speaker Mike Johnson has not yet held a vote on it. According to Franz-Stefan Gady of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Ukraine has entered a "transitional phase" of the war. Russia is conducting probing attacks along the front line. It is trying to advance where it can. And it is preparing what seems to be a future offensive down the road, Franz-Stefan Gady, an associate fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, to CNN. This year, Ukraine really needs U.S. support. There’s certain weapons systems, certain logistical support which the European countries simply cannot provide to Ukraine, Franz-Stefan Gady, an associate fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, to CNN

Warnock Calls GOP’s Criticism of Trans Visibility Day ‘Opposite of Christian Faith’

Warnock Calls GOP’s Criticism , of Trans Visibility Day , ‘Opposite of Christian Faith’. This year, Trans Day of Visibility coincidentally fell on Easter Sunday. President Joe Biden was attacked by Conservatives for making a declaration about the day, as he does every year, because it fell on the Christian holiday. One of Biden's critics, Speaker Mike Johnson, called Biden's declaration an "outrageous and abhorrent" attack on the religion. . One of Biden's critics, Speaker Mike Johnson, called Biden's declaration an "outrageous and abhorrent" attack on the religion. . Senator Raphael Warnock, a reverend, has denounced GOP criticism, calling it the "opposite of the Christian faith," 'The Hill' reports. . Apparently, the Speaker finds trans people abhorrent, and I think he ought to think about that, Sen. Warnock, via interview with CNN's Dana Bash. This is just one more instance of folks who do not know how to lead us trying to divide us, Sen. Warnock, via interview with CNN's Dana Bash. This is the opposite of the Christian faith. Jesus centered the marginalized. He centered the poor, Sen. Warnock, via interview with CNN's Dana Bash. And in a moment like this, we need voices, particularly voices of faith, who would use our faith not as a weapon to beat other people down but as a bridge to bring all of us together, Sen. Warnock, via interview with CNN's Dana Bash. The White House also issued a statement. As a Christian who celebrates Easter with Family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, via statement. Sadly, it’s unsurprising politicians are seeking to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful, and dishonest rhetoric. President Biden will never abuse his faith for political purposes or for profit, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, via statement

Officials Say US Is Preparing Another Military Aid Package for Ukraine

Officials Say US Is, Preparing Another Military, Aid Package for Ukraine. Reuters reports that the United States is getting ready to send another military aid package to Ukraine with an estimated value as high as $400 million. . Reuters reports that the United States is getting ready to send another military aid package to Ukraine with an estimated value as high as $400 million. . According to two anonymous U.S. officials, an official announcement for the aid package is expected later on March 12. . One of the unnamed officials claim that the package is expected to contain more artillery. . One of the unnamed officials claim that the package is expected to contain more artillery. . Reuters reports that the news comes as the U.S. military has been making massive purchases of munitions and vehicles to replenish stockpiles. Reuters reports that the news comes as the U.S. military has been making massive purchases of munitions and vehicles to replenish stockpiles. At the same time, the Biden administration has been scrambling to find a way to send more military assistance to Ukraine amid Republican hardline resistance. . Mike Johnson, the Republican House of Representatives Speaker, has refused to call a vote on a bill aimed at providing an additional $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. Mike Johnson, the Republican House of Representatives Speaker, has refused to call a vote on a bill aimed at providing an additional $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. On March 11, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Russian troops have stopped advancing after capturing the eastern city of Avdiivka last month. On March 11, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Russian troops have stopped advancing after capturing the eastern city of Avdiivka last month. In an interview with France's BFM television, Zelenskiy said that despite weapon shortages, Ukraine has improved its strategic position. The Ukrainian leader went on to warn that Russia is preparing a new offensive expected to begin in late May or early summer. . The Ukrainian leader went on to warn that Russia is preparing a new offensive expected to begin in late May or early summer. . Other countries have continued to fund Ukraine's military efforts, including Denmark, who will provide an aid package that includes Caesar artillery systems. . Other countries have continued to fund Ukraine's military efforts, including Denmark, who will provide an aid package that includes Caesar artillery systems. . The military aid package will also include ammunition with an estimated value of around $336.6 million, according to the Danish Defense Ministry.

Biden calls for release of journalist at Correspondents' dinner

At a media dinner in Washington on Saturday night, US President Joe Biden used his opportunity at the podium to to call on foreign governments to release detained journalists and roast his presumptive Republican running-mate Donald Trump over his age and literary tastes.

U.S. Correspondents' Dinner: Biden Roasts Trump, Protest Outside White House & More| Oneindia News

Watch as President Biden delivers a humorous election-year roast, taking playful jabs at his Republican rival, Donald Trump, during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Amidst political banter, Biden's remarks offer a lighthearted moment in the midst of the campaign season. Tune in for the best moments from the event! #WhiteHouse #CorrespondentsDinner #USNews #JoeBiden #DonaldTrump #BidenvsTrump #BidenvsTrump #ProPalestineProtestUS #IsraelHamasWar #Oneindia ~HT.97~ED.103~ED.102~

Tennessee Passes Bill Allowing Teachers to Carry Guns

Tennessee Passes Bill , Allowing Teachers to Carry Guns. The Tennessee House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 68-28 on April 23, CBS News reports. The legislation would grant some teachers and staff the right to carry concealed handguns at public schools. The bill will now be sent to Republican Gov. Bill Lee to either sign or veto. . If signed into law, the legislation would represent the largest expansion of gun access in Tennessee since the deadly shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville last year. Teachers and staff carrying guns would only be known to administrators and police. Teachers and staff carrying guns would only be known to administrators and police. Other teachers and students' parents would not be privy to the information. . If a school worker wants to carry a handgun, they'd have to have a "permit and written authorization from the school's principal and local law enforcement," CBS News reports. . If a school worker wants to carry a handgun, they'd have to have a "permit and written authorization from the school's principal and local law enforcement," CBS News reports. . School districts would need to grant permission as well. A background check and 40 hours of training would also be mandatory. However, school staff would be prohibited from carrying their guns during events at stadiums, gymnasiums or auditoriums. . Protesters shouted "Blood on your hands" after the bill was passed by the House on April 23

Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine’s ‘Harry Potter castle’ in Odesa hit in Russian missile attack| Oneindia

A Russian missile strike has claimed the lives of at least four individuals in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, targeting a Gothic-style building known locally as the "Harry Potter Castle''. Even as night fell, the distinctive turrets of the structure continued to burn, with emergency services assessing the blaze as severe. Reports indicate that residents were caught off guard, as air raid alerts sounded only minutes before the strike, leaving them with insufficient time to seek shelter. #RussiaUkraineWar #OdesaAttack #MissileStrike #HarryPotterCastle #UkraineUnderAttack #WarCrimes #InternationalConflict #MilitaryEscalation #HumanitarianCrisis #GlobalSecurity ~HT.99~PR.152~ED.155~

Russian missile hits educational institution, kills five in Ukraine's Odesa

Ukraine war: Odesa’s 'Harry Potter Castle' hit in Russian missile attack

Ukrainian authorities called Moscow's strike on the architectural landmark in Odesa a "war crime".