Today’s edition of quick hits.
* The White House’s concerns: “The Biden administration is concerned that Israel lacks achievable military objectives in Gaza, and that the Israel Defense Forces are not yet ready to launch a ground invasion with a plan that can work, senior administration officials said.”
* Just in case: “The White House said Tuesday that ‘prudent contingency planning’ is underway to evacuate Americans from the Middle East in case the Israel-Hamas war spreads into a broad regional conflict. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stressed there are currently no ‘active efforts’ to evacuate Americans from the region beyond charter flights the U.S government began operating earlier this month out of Israel.”
* Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the United Nations: “Blinken, speaking to the U.N. Security Council this morning, confirmed that 33 Americans have been killed in Israel amid the country’s war with Hamas.”
* In the Trump Organization case: “Michael Cohen has been called to the stand. On his way in, he made no eye contact with Trump, who’s sitting with his arms crossed. It’s the first time Cohen and his former boss have been face to face in five years.”
* On a related note: “While recounting the crimes he pleaded guilty to, Cohen noted that one of the charges was lying to Congress about Trump’s efforts to land a property in Russia. ‘I did that at the direction and benefit of Mr. Trump,’ Cohen said.”
* In Nigeria: “Seventy-six people were arrested for attending a birthday party for gay people in northern Nigeria, the country’s paramilitary agency said on Monday, adding that the organizer had also planned to hold a same-sex wedding, which is illegal.” * Litigation worth watching: “A bipartisan group of 33 attorneys general is suing Meta over addictive features aimed at kids and teens, according to a complaint filed Tuesday in a federal court in California. The support from so many state attorneys general of different political backgrounds indicates a significant legal challenge to Meta’s business.” * Tech hubs: “The Biden administration on Monday designated 31 technology hubs spread across 32 states and Puerto Rico to help spur innovation and create jobs in the industries that are concentrated in these areas. … The tech hubs are the result of a process that the Commerce Department launched in May to distribute a total of $500 million in grants to cities.” See you tomorrow.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past."
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