A WRECKED RUSSIAN TANK (Shutterstock).

The U.S, Senate overcame an attempted filibuster and with bipartisan support approved military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Tuesday night. The vote was 79 in favor and 18 against.

The legislation now goes to President Joe Biden, who has promised to sign it immediately.

Democrats were joined by Republicans as 80 senators ended the filibuster and moved the long-delayed funding of $95 billion – $61 billion of it for Ukraine – to a final vote.

The appropriation of aid was considered especially crucial for Ukraine, which is reported to be running low on ammunition and other crucial items – including air defense items – to resist Russian invaders.

Israel will receive $26.4 billion and another $8.1 billion for the “Indo-Pacific region,” including Taiwan.

Tennessee will arm some teachers

A bill that will allow some teachers and staff  to carry concealed firearms at public schools was approved by the Tennessee House of Representatives on Tuesday on a 68-28 vote.

TENNESSEE teachers may be armed on campus (Flickr/Don Waddington).

The bill has already passed the state Senate and goes on to Gov. Bill Lee for his signature. In addition to allowing educators to be armed on school grounds, information on who is carrying firearms won’t be available to the general public.

Protesters opposed to the bill chanted “Blood on your hands!” from the gallery, which was ordered cleared. To go into effect there would have to be agreement from the school district, the local law enforcement agency and the school principal.

Supporters of the bill called it a “deterrent.” Opponents say its’ a way of appealing to donors in the gun industry.

Protests over Gaza spread across nation

PROTEST at Columbia University (Wikipedia).

Turmoil has spread on some colleges and universities in protest against Israel’s war with Hamas, as demonstrators have set up camps. 

Columbia University in New York City was the first campus to see the activity. Last week, over 100 demonstrators supporting Palestine camping out were arrested by police.

In reaction to the disturbances, the university will pivot to “hybrid” classes conducted at least in part by computer until the end of the semester next week.

At New York University, 133 protesters were arrested on Monday for disorderly conduct. Police report that bottles and other items were thrown at them. 

Trump in contempt over gag order?

Judge Juan Merchan said he would “reserve a decision” on whether to hold former president Donald Trump in contempt for allegedly violating gag orders.

DONALD TRUMP

He had been ordered to stop criticizing witnesses, jurors or anyone else involved in his trial over alleged falsification of business records.

Attorneys for New York State argued that Trump “willfully” ignored the “gag order” on 10 occasions and should be fined $1,000 for each instance.

Also, the former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified that he “had a great relationship” with Trump and later considered agreeing to suppress stories critical of Trump, especially those alleging sexual misconduct.

Weather: Things still looking coolish

Our West Orange County weather continues to have cool and cloudy conditions although there is a slight warming trend toward the weekend. Wednesday should be mostly sunny with a daytime high of 66 and an overnight low of 56. Partly cloudy skies will follow with a high of 68 (56) on Thursday, followed by 66 (54) on Friday and 69 (53) on Saturday.