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White House: Prisoner deal with Iran ‘is not a ransom’ on September 13, 2023 at 6:15 pm

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The White House on Wednesday defended a deal with Iran to unfreeze billions of dollars in Iranian funds in exchange for U.S. prisoners, insisting it was not a ransom payment in the face of GOP criticism.

“This is not a payment of any kind. This is not a ransom. These aren’t US taxpayer dollars. And we haven’t listed a single one of our sanctions on Iran. Iran will be getting no sanctions relief,” John Kirby, a White House spokesperson on national security issues, said in a briefing with reporters.

“We will continue to counter the Iran regime’s human rights abuses. We’ll continue to counter its destabilizing actions abroad,” Kirby added.

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The U.S. earlier this week reached a deal to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian oil funds that was being held by South Korea, as well as release five Iranians were being held in U.S. custody in exchange for five American citizens being detained in Iran.

Kirby stressed that the unfrozen funds were not U.S. taxpayer dollars, but Iranian money that will still be subject to U.S. oversight.

The arrangement has been widely panned by Republicans

“I am always glad when Americans are released from captivity,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.) said. “However, this agreement will entice rogue regimes, like Iran, to take even more Americans hostage. The ayatollah and his henchmen are terrorists and truly represent a terrorist state.”

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“If we’re paying a billion dollars per kidnapped individual, then you’re going to see more kidnappings. That’s why you don’t negotiate with terrorists, that’s why you don’t negotiate with kidnappers. The idea of basically paying to release, in this effect, a hostage is a terrible idea,” Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said.   

Kirby pushed back on that idea during Wednesday’s briefing, arguing that bad actors like those in Iran do not need additional incentive to detain Americans.

“This isn’t going to change their calculus necessarily of what they’ve been doing,” Kirby said.

“This is the deal that we were able to strike to secure the release of five Americans. It would be great, wonderful, if we could just pick up the phone, call the Mullahs, and say, ‘Hey, we want our Americans back. Send them back on the next plane,’” Kirby added. “But you and I both know that’s not going to happen, particularly with Iran. And getting Americans home requires decisions. Sometimes really tough decisions.”

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​ The White House on Wednesday defended a deal with Iran to unfreeze billions of dollars in Iranian funds in exchange for U.S. prisoners, insisting it was not a ransom payment in the face of GOP criticism. “This is not a payment of any kind. This is not a ransom. These aren’t US taxpayer dollars. And… 

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Electric Hydrogen is the green hydrogen industry’s first unicorn on October 3, 2023 at 9:37 pm

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Investors have historically been skeptical of green hydrogen. High production costs, expensive infrastructure builds, competition with batteries and minimal government support have made the green hydrogen sector a risky bet. But at least one company, Electric Hydrogen, seems to have found a way to convince investors that its tech is a bet they should take. […]

​ Investors have historically been skeptical of green hydrogen. High production costs, expensive infrastructure builds, competition with batteries and minimal government support have made the green hydrogen sector a risky bet. But at least one company, Electric Hydrogen, seems to have found a way to convince investors that its tech is a bet they should take. 

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New chair holds back military aid to Egypt after Menendez steps down on October 3, 2023 at 10:37 pm

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Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the new chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday announced that he would hold back $235 million in U.S. military financing to Egypt.

The move comes after the committee’s former chair, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), was forced to step down from the leadership position following his indictment in a New York federal court, where is alleged to have taken bribes in exchange for using his position to help Egypt’s government.

Cardin said he exercised his authority to hold the military financing for Egypt until Cairo takes meaningful steps to improve human rights conditions in the country. 

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“Congress has been clear, through the law, that the government of Egypt’s record on a range of critical human rights issues, good governance, and the rule of law must improve if our bilateral relationship is to be sustained,” Cardin said in a statement.

The chairman said that the U.S. and Egypt share strategic, long-standing interests and that the country’s stability is important to American national security interests, but improving its human rights record also must be a priority. 

Cardin called for Egypt to deliver on reforming and improving its pre-trial detention practices, to accelerate the pardon and release of political prisoners, including thousands imprisoned for their speech and association, and to provide space for human rights defenders, civil society advocates, political opposition, and independent media in Egypt.

“My hold on current funds will remain until specific human rights progress is made,” he said.

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Cardin’s move puts him in conflict with the Biden administration, which had issued a waiver to deliver the $235 million in foreign military financing to Egypt, saying it was imperative to national security. The administration withheld $85 million to express its concerns on human rights.

Cardin said he spoke with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and said he intends to work with the Biden administration “on our shared goal of protecting and expanding human rights in Egypt.”

​ Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the new chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday announced that he would hold back $235 million in U.S. military financing to Egypt. The move comes after the committee’s former chair, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), was forced to step down from the leadership position following his indictment in a… 

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Electric Hydrogen is the green hydrogen industry’s first unicorn on October 3, 2023 at 9:37 pm

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Investors have historically been skeptical of green hydrogen. High production costs, expensive infrastructure builds, competition with batteries and minimal government support have made the green hydrogen sector a risky bet. But at least one company, Electric Hydrogen, seems to have found a way to convince investors that its tech is a bet they should take. […]

​ Investors have historically been skeptical of green hydrogen. High production costs, expensive infrastructure builds, competition with batteries and minimal government support have made the green hydrogen sector a risky bet. But at least one company, Electric Hydrogen, seems to have found a way to convince investors that its tech is a bet they should take. 

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