BlackMask Breaking News

On Thursday, United States President Joe Biden accidentally introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin” at a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) event. “And now I want to hand it over to the President of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination. Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin,” Biden misspoke as he turned to introduce Zelensky. “I’m so focused on beating Putin, we got to worry about it,” he said quickly after making the blunder, in an effort to recover. “I’m better [than Putin]” Zelensky replied jokingly, shrugging off the slip.

Trump: Joe has a case of Trump Derangement Syndrome

Former United States President Donald Trump took to Truth Social after US President Joe Biden mistakenly referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump” at a press briefing. It didn’t take Trump long to pounce, taking the opportunity to mock Biden’s blunder by stating that “Crooked Joe has a case of Trump Derangement Syndrome!” He also posted a short video of Biden making the! mistake, with the caption reading “Great job, Joe!”

NN: SAD

President Joe Biden’s news conference at the NATO summit amounts to a make-or-break moment in his quest to quiet a drumbeat of concerns at home and abroad about his 2024 presidential campaign. Biden was dealt fresh blows Thursday, as the New York Times reported that some of the president’s advisers had discussed ways to persuade him to step down as the nominee and that his campaign was polling voters on a hypothetical head-to-head matchup between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Those developments will only intensify persistent doubts from party members about his ability to defeat Trump in November and serve another four years, despite a weeks-long effort to shore up support. Biden’s top political advisers are headed to Capitol Hill Thursday afternoon before the president’s remarks, a bid to calm senators who have spent recent days all but pushing Biden to consider dropping out of the race. The Biden campaign released a cheery memo downplaying polls showing him trailing Trump, calling the contest “a margin-of-error race” in battleground states and saying there is “no indication” another Democrat would run better against the Republican. Ultimately, Biden will need to dramatically turn around perceptions when he steps before the assembled media at the conclusion of the NATO summit.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on Thursday he is “committed” to the negotiations about a new ceasefire deal with Hamas and returning the hostages but that the organization makes it impossible with the “demands that contradict it.” Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the country’s new combat officers, Netanyahu stressed that “[w]e will not stop the war until we achieve all its goals … The campaign will continue until victory, even if it takes time.” He also expressed his belief a deal that benefits and courts the requests of both sides can be achieved. In a statement released earlier this week, Netanyahu said that the negotiations will not come to fruition if Israel’s “red lines” are not respected.

Sullivan says ‘still miles to go’ on ceasefire deal

United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Thursday that a lot of details need to be agreed upon before Israel and Hamas come to a ceasefire and hostage agreement. “There’s still miles to go before we close if we are able to close. So I don’t want to say that it’s immediately around the corner, but it does not have to be far out in the distance if everyone comes in this with the will to get it done,” Sullivan stated during a press briefing. In addition, the official noted that US President Joe Biden will soon reveal more details on the latest developments in the ceasefire negotiations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated on Thursday that the team tasked with negotiating a new ceasefire agreement with Hamas is leaving for Cairo tonight. The office’s statement also revealed that a delegation engaged in the talks with Qatari mediators returned from Doha earlier in the day. It added that Netanyahu had meetings with both teams. The news came after Hamas claimed that the mediators did not provide any recent updates on the negotiations and blamed that on Israel.

Gallant talks to US envoy on ‘critical munition’ deliveries

The office of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Thursday that he had a meeting with the White House Mideast envoy Brett McGurk in Tel Aviv where both talked about the ongoing ceasefire negotiations and military cooperation from the US. In a statement, the Israeli office noted that the discussion on the ceasefire talks was mainly focused on the security measures that Israel needs to implement to avoid weapons arriving illegally in Gaza which could be used to reinforce Hamas operations in the area. Furthermore, McGurk provided Gallant with updates regarding “the delivery of critical munitions, some of which will be sent to Israel in the coming days.”

The United States government seems to be nearing a ceasefire agreement in Gaza to stop offensive operations, facilitate the release of hostages and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid, according to a US official to the journalist David Ignatius from The Washington Post on Thursday. According to the journalist, the source stated that “the framework is agreed” and negotiations on how to implement the agreement are underway. The plan, detailed by US officials to Ignatius on Wednesday proposes a three-phase solution to the conflict. Initially, there would be a six-week ceasefire during which Hamas would free 33 Israeli hostages, including all women, men over 50, and the injured. In return, Israel would release “hundreds” of Palestinian prisoners and pull its troops back from densely populated areas to the eastern Gaza border. Humanitarian aid would be allowed in, hospitals would be fixed, and rubble clearance would start.

Gallant: Israel opens short ‘window’ for hostage deal with Hamas

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated on Wednesday that its military created a “limited window of opportunity” for Israel to pursue the hostage deal with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which would secure the return of 120 captives held in the Gaza Strip. “The conditions that will be created as a result of the deal will advance our national and security interests, and regarding the risks that may arise – the IDF and security forces know how to overcome them,” Gallant said at a graduation ceremony at the Israel National Defense College, stressing that it is Israel’s “moral” and “ethical” duty to facilitate the return of hostages. Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah previously noted that the Lebanese militant group would cease its attacks on Israel in case Hamas and Israel agree to a ceasefire. NN: Info i have suggests their is defiantly  a deal in the works. Biden is desperate for  win before he locks up reading his lines off of  Q cards.

 

Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Mike Herzog claimed on Wednesday that US President Joe Biden is pushing for a ceasefire and hostage agreement between Hamas and Israel to be reached in order to strengthen his position and gain political credit if his efforts result in a successful outcome. “Biden will see it as an achievement and will want to take credit. It is not the main reason, but of course, there is a political dimension to it,” Herzog told Israel’s Army Radio. Furthermore, the envoy admitted that there are disagreements between the US and Israel over the war in Gaza, but went on to stress that relations between the two countries remain “strong.” NN: The world is sleeping

Oil fell as Hurricane Beryl looked less likely to pose major disruptions to crude infrastructure in Texas.  West Texas Intermediate as of this posting is trading. Around $81 a barrel at key support levels after four straight weekly gains. Concerns that Hurricane Beryl would impede oil operations in the Gulf of Mexico and Texas helped drive up futures last week. Still, weakening product spreads indicate the storm has been less disruptive to infrastructure than expected.  Still, exports may face delays after the Port of Houston and Port of Corpus Christi were shut down — the Port of Houston will remain closed, but the Port of Corpus Christi has reopened. About 85% of Houston has lost power, forcing oil companies to adjust operations. In addition to Hurricane Beryl, wildfires in Canada have started to threaten output. Oil touched the highest since late April last week, with money managers increasing their net-long positions on Brent for a fourth week, on expectations for higher demand and lower stockpiles over the summer months. Still, the rally has faced resistance from signs of weakness in China. The push and pull have limited the number of big moves in prices and sent a gauge of volatility to the lowest level since 2019 on Friday.  Traders are in line for multiple reports this week that will shed light on global crude balances. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries — which has been choking off output to bolster prices — delivers its monthly outlook Wednesday, and the International Energy Agency releases forecasts Thursday. There will be a snapshot from the US Energy Information Administration as well.

United States President Joe Biden insisted in a letter he sent to the Democratic members of Congress and published on Monday that he is “firmly committed to staying in this race,” referring to this year’s election for head of state, “to the end, and to beating [his predecessor and the presumptive Republican nominee] Donald Trump.” “I have heard the concerns that people have … I am not blind to them,” Biden wrote. “I can respond to all this by saying clearly and unequivocally: I wouldn’t be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024. … Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us.” Biden’s letter came in response to concerns about his health and, therefore, ability to run in the election and resume his presidency following his performance in the first debate against Trump. NN: Only 2 people can get Biden out of the race…. GOD and Biden.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Monday that his country must continue with the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip “until victory” is achieved. “Hamas is collapsing and begging for a ceasefire. This is the moment to squeeze the neck until we crush and break the enemy,” Smotrich posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. He pointed out that it would be “senseless” to halt the fighting now, “before the end” and let Hamas “recover to fight us again.” Smotrich’s comments come following reports claiming that Hamas gave initial approval to the ceasefire and hostage deal presented by United States President Joe Biden.