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- UN Ceasefire plan
International relations… They’re a delicate dance, and sometimes moves that seem innocuous from the outside, have the potential to set into motion vast ripple effects, felt around the world. Yesterday, the United States made the seemingly small move of abstaining from a vote in the United Nations… But we all knew, this would cause the motion for a ceasefire to advance, to pass. And that simple move, caused Israeli to cancel their delegates’ plans to come to D.C. and build a strategy around Rafah, etc. The UN resolution called for a ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, without any preconditions, such as the release of hostages.
And for the record, I have seen influencers online suggesting that the release of hostages is by definition, part of a ceasefire, and that is ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE. Hamas will probably NOT release these hostages unless it is specifically negotiated as part of a deal… You have to keep in mind who we are dealing with when it comes to Hamas… They do not play by the rules, and the hostages are their only bargaining chip at the moment as they are backs are up against a corner… Ceasefire does NOT necessarily equal release of hostages, which is why it has to be specified. They are not part and parcel. Hamas could very well keep the hostages after Israel’s offensive is over… That is, if there is any Hamas left after Netanyahu is done.
So why did the United States make this move, at this time?
Well, as we have been reporting, tensions are HIGH right now between President Biden and Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. And Netanyahu has been making statements that would suggest they plan to invade Rafah no matter what the United States says or does… And that is because they feel it is the only way to truly defeat Hamas, as the remaining Hamas militants are likely hiding out there amongst so many civilians. But the United States has said, in multiple formats and venues, that an invasion of Rafah would almost certainly violate many of the rules we have around funding foreign offensives… Basically, we don’t see a way to make an invasion of Rafah work, from a logistical and human rights standpoint. And that doing so, could cost Israel US support.
So, as of the time I am recording this, I am not sure what this will mean for US / Israeli diplomatic relations going forward… But the moment is certainly feeling very biblical with the prediction that “Israel will stand alone” and whatnot… But regardless, it seems like Democrats in the US will continue to call for elections in Israel to replace Netanyahu, and refuse to participate in an invasion of Rafah, so long as 1.5 million civilians are sheltering there… desperately in need of basic life sustaining supplies… We will definitely keep you guys posted.
- Trump trials kick off
So there were two major hearings in two different Trump cases in New York, just yesterday. And it was a mixed bag – one went Trump’s way, the other did not. Let’s get into the details.
+So in the first hearing to play out yesterday, Trump gets help with bond. If you guys remember, he owed about HALF A BILLION DOLLARS in bond for his civil fraud case in New York. He had to pay that amount in full, if we was going to appeal his case, and not pay interest on that giant sum. But his attorneys were pleading with the courts, saying that he simply was not able to find an institution willing to work with him on such a high amount. So instead, the court ruled yesterday that Trump simply needs to find $175 million, rather than the $485 million, in order to secure bond and not have to pay interest. Seems like a good compromise on the one hand, but on the other, it is still a LOT of money, and Trump may still be in need of a partner to achieve that sum in cash. We shall see.
+During Trump’s second hearing yesterday, the judge decided that the DA going up against Trump had made good faith efforts to provide the documents in a timely fashion, and that Trump’s team had enough time to review them… So the judge ruled against Trump and decided that the trial would proceed as scheduled, beginning on April the 15th. As a reminder, this is the case to do with Trump allegedly paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels, in order to conceal their sexual relationship he had while married to Melania.
And speaking of, Stormy Daniels actually just came out with a documentary or maybe even a short series on Peacock, where she is finally telling her own story… I am definitely planning to watch for you guys and I will report back if its worth watching!
- A mass shooting in Russia feels… murky
So there was a mass shooting in Russia’s Capitol city of Moscow, and it’s been a little confusing, to say the least. Here’s what we KNOW:
- Over 145 people were wounded including 5 children, and more than 60 killed according to the AP.
- Based on video footage, there were believed to be 4-5 different attackers who used both bullets and bombs against the crowd… Certainly a pre-planned, coordinated effort.
- Lastly, this group set the building on fire.
Here’s what a little confusing…
- An Islamic State group immediately claimed accountability for the attack… But why a Russian concert hall? They have hit religious sites abroad typically. So this was a bit strange. But US intelligence actually backs up this claim.
- But Russian officials, on the other hand, were quick to blame Ukraine for the attack…
- However, when the assailants were brought into court, according to experts for NPR, the suspects were BADLY beaten… One was barely conscious, another was missing part of his ear, bruised, things like that… It definitely seemed that tactics used to extract confessions from these men, may not have been above board. We all know, in this day and age, that false confessions are a very real and somewhat common thing… So hopefully these men are the real perpetrators, and not another round of victims in this tragedy.
Our heart goes out anyone affected by this attack.
And that, is the News Du Jour!
Today, I wanted to leave you guys with the quote:
“Confidence is quiet, insecurities are loud.”