Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 Israel and Hezbollah Agree to US-Brokered Ceasefire
At 9 pm Eastern time last night, a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon went into effect. The announcement of the deal came just after Israel carried out the most intense wave of strikes on Beirut since the fighting began. President Joe Biden announced the deal yesterday, which was jointly negotiated by the US and France. The terms of the ceasefire deal include: A 60-day halt to fighting, Hezbollah will end its armed presence in southern Lebanon, Israel will withdraw its troops back across the border. From October 8th through yesterday, it’s estimated that 3,768 people were killed in Lebanon, while over a hundred Israeli soldiers and civilians were killed. During his announcement of the ceasefire, President Biden said that neither Israel nor the people of Lebanon wanted the war, a comment that seemed to be born out by the celebrations by the Lebanese people that erupted when news of the deal reached them. Biden also had remarks about Hamas, the organization that started the current Middle East conflicts with their October 7th attack on Israel. Biden said that Hamas has only one way out now, to release the hostages and bring an end to the fighting, which the president said would allow “a flood” of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
2 Biden Administration Proposes Weight Loss Drug Coverage For Medicare And Medicaid
he Biden administration announced new plans for Medicare and Medicaid that would help more people get access to weight loss medications. The proposed new rule would expand access to drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. Currently, Medicare has been blocked from paying for weight loss drugs unless they’re used to treat conditions like diabetes. The decision of whether Medicaid can cover the drugs is in the hands of the states, but so far the majority haven’t allowed the coverage. The administration is making a simple change to make this possible; obesity drugs would be classified as a treatment for a “chronic disease” under the proposed rule. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure told reporters yesterday that “The medical community today agrees that obesity is a chronic disease.” A month’s supply of weight loss drugs can currently cost around $1,000; under the proposed change, the federal government would pick up the majority of that cost, and it’s estimated that the move won’t increase out-of-pocket premiums for patients.
3 Rudy Giuliani Draws Rebuke From Judge After Angrily Complaining In Court That He Can't Pay His Bills
Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani can’t call a cab. In a hearing on the defamation judgment against him in federal court yesterday, US District Judge Lewis Liman chastised Giuliani after the former mayor launched into complaints during the hearing, saying “I have no car, no credit card, no cash, everything I have is tied up,” then complained he “can’t pay my bills.” The Georgia election workers Giuliani was found guilty of defaming have alleged that Giuliani hasn’t turned over all his assets to help pay the $146-million judgment against him. After the hearing, Giuliani told reporters that Liman, who was nominated for his seat by President Trump during his administration, was a “serious left-wing Democrat.” When asked if he regretted defaming the two Georgia women, Giuliani said, “I do not regret it for a minute. I regret the persecution I have been put through.”