Senate advances $95.3 billion Ukraine-Israel aid bill
The Senate’s standalone $95.3 billion foreign aid bill that would send funds to Israel, Ukraine, and other allies has passed a critical step. Senators voted during a rare Sunday, Feb. 12, session 67-27 to advance the bill, with 18 Republicans, including Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., joining Democrats.
“Today it’s no exaggeration to say that the eyes of the world are on the United States Senate,” McConnell said. “Our allies and partners are hoping that the indispensable nation, the leader of the free world, has the resolve to continue.”
The choice facing the Senate is simple: Will we recommit to the American strength our allies crave and our adversaries fear? Or will we give those who wish us harm one more reason to question our resolve? We cannot afford to get this wrong.
“From this point forward, are you listening U.S. Senate (?),” Trump wrote. “No money in the form of foreign aid should be given to any country unless it is done as a loan, not just a giveaway.”
The bill would then go to the Republican-led House, where the GOP has said any legislation would also need to address the migrant crisis at the U.S. southern border.
2 Israeli hostages rescued in Gaza raid; dozens of Palestinians reportedly killed: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 12, 2024
Israeli forces rescue two hostages during a raid in a Gaza town where over a million displaced Palestinians have relocated. And Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin transfers his duties after being admitted into a military hospital. The stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Feb. 12, 2024.
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The IDF said the “complex rescue operation” at an apartment building was based on “very sensitive and high-quality intelligence.” As part of the operation, the Israeli army launched airstrikes on the area near the apartment in the city of Rafah, where 1.4 million Palestinians have fled to escape Israel’s operation against Hamas.
According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, 28,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ABC News on Sunday, Feb. 11, that Israel is working out a “detailed plan” to evacuate those living in Rafah and move them to areas north of the city as Israel looks at sending more troops into the town.
In a phone call on Sunday, Feb. 11, President Joe Biden warned Netanyahu that Israel should only target Hamas terrorists in Rafah if it has a “credible and executable” plan to protect civilians. The war is expected to be among the topics discussed on Monday, Feb. 12, when the president hosts King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hospitalized, transfers power to deputy
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was taken to the critical care unit at a military hospital in Washington on Sunday night, Feb. 11, after being hospitalized for symptoms related to a bladder issue. The Pentagon issued a series of statements describing Austin’s condition following widespread scrutiny over the secrecy surrounding a hospital stay in January due to complications from prostate cancer surgery.
Austin has transferred his duties to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks. The Pentagon said it is not clear how long Austin will remain hospitalized this time, adding his cancer prognosis remains excellent.
Senate advances $95.3 billion Ukraine-Israel aid bill
The Senate’s standalone $95.3 billion foreign aid bill that would send funds to Israel, Ukraine, and other allies has passed a critical step. Senators voted during a rare Sunday, Feb. 12, session 67-27 to advance the bill, with 18 Republicans joining Democrats.
The bill would see $60 billion go to Ukraine, $14 billion to Israel, $8 billion to Taiwan and Indo-Pacific partners, and nearly $10 billion for humanitarian aid for Gaza. A final vote in the Senate could come by midweek.
The bill would then go to the Republican-led House, where the GOP has said any legislation would also need to address the migrant crisis at the U.S. southern border.
Woman killed after opening fire inside Joel Osteen’s megachurch
Two off-duty officers working security shot back, killing the suspect. A 5-year-old boy who was with the woman was critically injured in the incident. A man was also shot in the leg.
In a statement posted to X, Osteen wrote in part, “Our community is devastated by today’s events and grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement.” Police said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Marathon world record holder dies in crash in Kenya
According to officials, Kiptum, a Kenyan native, was driving when his vehicle veered off the road into a ditch and hit a tree. Kiptum and his coach were pronounced dead at the scene; another passenger, a 24-year-old woman, is said to have survived with serious injuries.
Kiptum currently holds the world record for the fastest marathon after he breezed through the Chicago race with a time of 2:00.35. That record was ratified last week by the International Track Federation World Athletics.
Kansas City Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions
Super Bowl LVIII is in the books, and for the first time in nearly two decades, a team went back-to-back. Yes, for the second year in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl Champions.
It was only the second time in history the Super Bowl went into overtime. The Big Game also saw the longest field goal in Super Bowl history, twice, as the 49ers’ Jake Moody’s 55-yard field goal in the second quarter was topped by the Chiefs’ Harrison Butker’s 57-yarder a quarter later. The Super Bowl MVP went to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, his third time winning the honor.
Two Navy sailors charged with sending military information to China
The Justice Department announced the arrests of two Navy sailors accused of “transmitting sensitive military information” to China. While the sailors were charged in separate cases, they are accused of similar crimes.
“These individuals stand accused of violating the commitments they made to protect the United States and betraying the public trust, to the benefit of the PRC government,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew Olsen said in a statement released Thursday, Aug. 3. “The Department of Justice will continue to use every tool in our arsenal to counter threats from China and to deter those who aid them in breaking our laws and threatening our national security.”
Patrick Wei, a 22-year-old sailor assigned to the San Diego-based USS Essex, was born in China. Prosecutors said he was approached by a Chinese intelligence officer in February 2022, while he was applying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.
“According to our indictment, Wei provided China with photographs of military hardware, including guns, vehicles and planes,” Randy Grossman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, said Thursday. “He delivered information about U.S. Marines involved in an upcoming international maritime warfare exercise, and he sold scores of technical and mechanical manuals related to the operation and power structures of amphibious assault ships.”
Meanwhile, Thomas Zhao has been based at Naval Base Ventura County, north of San Diego. He was charged with conspiring to collect nearly $15,000 in bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for U.S. naval exercise plans, operational orders and photos and videos of electrical systems at Navy facilities between August 2021 through at least this May.
“Among other things, the indictment charges that Mr. Zhao transmitted operational plans for a large-scale U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, which details specific location and timing of naval force movements, amphibious landings, maritime operations and logistical support,” Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, said. “The scheme alleged here is just one more example of the People’s Republic of China’s ongoing and brazen campaign to target U.S. officials with access to sensitive military secrets.”
Both Navy sailors charged with sending military information to China pleaded not guilty in federal courts in San Diego and Los Angeles. They were ordered to be held until their detention hearings, which will take place Tuesday, Aug. 8.