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What recent developments have occurred in Israeli-Lebanese relations?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he's ordered his cabinet to open direct negotiations with Lebanon. The two countries have no diplomatic relations, and the possibility of them communicating comes after the deadliest day in the ongoing Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
More than 300 people were killed Wednesday, according to Lebanese authorities. NPR's Lauren Frayer reports from Beirut.
Israel and Lebanon have fought several wars. They treat each other as enemy states. Anyone who's ever set foot in Israel is technically not allowed to enter Lebanon. So direct negotiations between these two countries would be historic. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says they'll focus on disarming Hezbollah and arranging peaceful relations.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaz Salam has pledged to restrict weapons to, quote, legitimate forces only. And Netanyahu said he appreciates that. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun says he wants a ceasefire first, followed by direct negotiations. A person briefed on the matter but not authorized to speak publicly tells NPR the talks will take place between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington.
Lauren Freyer, NPR News, Beirut.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte struck a conciliatory tone during a press conference today after President Trump threatened to withdraw from the alliance. He says allies are not whistling past the graveyard and understand the need for some changes demanded by Trump. He also said allies were caught off guard because Trump did not notify them about the Iran war in advance.
When it came time to provide the logistical and other support the United States needed in Iran, some allies were a bit slow, to say the least. In fairness, they were also a bit surprised. To maintain the element of surprise for the initial strikes, President Trump opted not to inform allies ahead of time. And I understand that.
Ruta has been called a Trump whisperer, but he's struggling to keep Trump engaged in NATO. He has praised Trump for successes in the war and for boosting defense spending, but he still insists NATO will not join the war. Across the country, people are trading lower monthly insurance premiums for higher health costs. Jackie Fortier with KFF Health News has more.
After some financial help from the government ended in January, many found the only Affordable Care Act plans they could swing each month came with steep deductibles. That means higher costs before insurance pays. Some people are skipping care altogether. Thomas Lehman, a dog walker in Atlanta, saw his deductible jump to $7,500 this year.
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