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☆ Kate, Princess of Wales conspiracies peddled by Russian disinformation group, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The motive of such campaigns, Innes said, is to “destabilize” Russia’s Western antagonists and “undermine trust” in their institutions. The pattern of behavior was one his team recognized from a group of Russian actors his team had studied before. It is a commercial firm contracted to run disinformation campaigns, Innes said. Aaron Chown/Press Association/APMeta said it disrupted the group, but its disinformation campaigns have since grown more sophisticated. The timing of the Kate conspiracies was also propitious for the Kremlin – coming just as Putin secured a fifth term in power in a stage-managed election devoid of credible opposition.

Persons: Catherine, Princess of Wales, Kate, “, ” Martin Innes, ” Innes, Emmanuel Macron, Innes, Princess, Wales, ”, Instagram –, Doppelganger, Aaron Chown, King Charles III, Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, ” Anna George, Timothy Snyder, Vladimir Putin’s, Henry Nicholls, Prince William, ’ ”, Putin Organizations: CNN, Cardiff University, –, Soviet, Meta, Facebook, Press Association, AP Meta, US Treasury, British Embassy, Reuters Institute for, Journalism, Oxford University, Oxford Internet Institute, Yale, Russian Foreign, ” Police, London Clinic, Getty, CNN’s Royal, Kremlin Locations: Wales, Ukraine, ”, Russia, Soviet Union, London, Moscow, Cardiff, Russian, United States, Europe, British, Kensington, Britain, AFP, Windsor

☆ Marion Barter mystery: The conman, his lovers and the mother who vanished
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +22 min

At the time, Australian police dismissed her concerns, insisting that her mother, Marion Barter, had disappeared by choice, and wanted nothing to do with her family. Ric Blum told the NSW Coroner's court that he last saw Barter in June 1997, just before she left Australia. Blum told the court Cornelius had lied about their relationship, which was platonic, he said. Several years later, Ghislaine Danlois-Dubois met Blum in 2006 through an advertisement she posted in a newspaper seeking companionship. O’Sullivan concluded by reading Leydon’s own words about her mother, Marion Barter, read from her submission.

Persons: Sally Leydon, Marion, ”, Teresa O’Sullivan, Ric Blum –, conman, –, Leydon, she’d, Leydon’s, Owen, Sally, Natalia Marion Remakel, Blum, “, Willy Coppenolle, Ric Blum, Bryan Seymour, – Wouters, Willy Wouters, Frederick de Hedervary, United Kingdom –, Frederick, Diane de Hedervary, F, Monique Cornelius, Cornelius, ” Ric Blum's, Ginette Gaffney, Bowan, Frederick De Hedervary, Gaffney, Met Blum, Janet Oldenburg, Andree Flamme, Marie Landrieu, Blum belittled, Rick ”, Rich ”, ” Blum, Oldenburg, he’d, Ghislaine Danlois, Dubois, Joni, de Hedervary, didn’t, “ couldn’t, Flamme, ” Andree Flamme, ” Flamme, “ Willy, Landrieu, O’Sullivan, mispresenting, ” Ric Blum O’Sullivan, hadn’t, Fernand Remakel, Blum “, Mr, Angus Watson, ” O’Sullivan, ” Leydon, we’ve, Blum’s, Matthew White, CNN’s, ” White Organizations: Australia CNN, CNN, Police, NSW Coroner's, British Embassy, NSW Police, New, NSW, SC Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Sydney, United States, Canada, New Zealand, Europe, United Kingdom, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, Byron Bay, Luxembourg, Australian, New South Wales, Ballina, Tournai, Belgium, France, Paris, Dubois, Bali, Lille, Brussels, Danlois, Indonesian, Portugal, Indonesia, ”, Marion, South Korea

☆ My wife and I are raising 2 kids in Japan. Our marriage is not recognized here — but it still feels easier than back home.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Carey Finn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

When my kids are old enough, my wife and I plan to get them into judo gear. AdvertisementHaving kids in Japan, as a same-sex couple, has been hard. We started talking seriously about building a family early on, given that we were both already in our mid-30s and worried that waiting would diminish our chances of success. AdvertisementDespite the acceptance of our medical team, however, the Japanese birth certificates that we received list each of us as a single mom. For now, we're comfortably settledHer partner Ali and two kids playing in the fall leaves in Japan.

Persons: —, Ali, Finn, Carey Finn, we're, we'll, we've Organizations: Service, Japan Exchange, Teaching, JET, boro Locations: Japan, Cape Town , South Africa, Canada, Tokyo, South Africa

☆ British BASE jumper falls to his death from condominium in Thailand after parachute fails
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Kocha Olarn | Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —A British BASE jumper has died in Thailand after his parachute failed to open when he launched off an apartment building, local police told CNN. The victim was identified as Nathy Odinson, a 33-year-old British male citizen, he added. Odinson was believed to have been involved in a business selling parachute kits for about 10 years, Sinthurat said. Police confirmed that a parachute backpack was still attached to Odinson’s body and said the parachute kit likely malfunctioned. CNN has reached out to the British Foreign Office as well as the British Embassy in Bangkok for further comment.

Persons: Thailand CNN —, Nawin Sinthurat, Instagram, Odinson, Sinthurat, ” Sinthurat, “, ” Organizations: Thailand CNN, CNN, Authorities, Facebook, Police, British, Office, British Embassy Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, British, Pattaya

☆ Three Firefighters Among Six Killed in Gas Truck Explosion in Mongolia - Officials
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - At least six people were killed including three firefighters after a truck carrying 60 tons of liquefied natural gas exploded in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday, according to Mongolia's emergency officials. At least 11 people were injured in the fire near the Dunjingarav market, Mongolia's Emergency Management Office said in a post on Facebook. More than 600 firefighters 100 vehicles were involved in putting the fire out, which was eventually extinguished. According to local online news outlets, the fire quickly engulfed several nearby buildings, including a residential building. "Our thoughts are with the families of all those affected and we wish a fast recovery to those injured in this tragic event."

Persons: Fiona Blyth, Lidia Kelly, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Emergency Management, Facebook, 63rd, Unit, National Fire Service Locations: Mongolian, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Melbourne

Russia has increasingly had to turn to a so-called "ghost fleet" of aging tankers to ship oil and avoid the cap. Panama, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Liberia have allowed some of those ships to carry their flags, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence and oil analysts. Lloyd's List Intelligence has said nearly 40% of the about 535 dark-fleet tankers have registered ownership via companies incorporated in the Marshall Islands. It also seeks to give leverage to countries buying oil outside the price-cap coalition to get discounted oil from Russia. The group is asking Liberia and the Marshall Islands to increase awareness among those in the trade that its flag should not be used for tankers transporting oil priced above the cap.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Lindsey Whyte, John Berrigan, Brian Nelson, Timothy Gardner, Simon Webb, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Marshall, Intelligence, Britain's Treasury, U.S . Treasury, Reuters, EU, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, Moscow, Ukraine, Russia, China, India, Republic, Marshall, Washington, British

☆ Vietnam's plan for spending $15.5 billion for its clean energy transition to be announced at COP28
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A plan for how Vietnam will spend $15.5 billion to transition to cleaner energy has been finalized and will be announced at the COP28 climate conference, which begins in Dubai next week. George gave no details of the plan. The United Kingdom is co-chair of a group of nine, rich industrialized nations that have agreed to provide the $15.5 billion to help Vietnam end its reliance on dirty coal power and more quickly switch to renewable energy as a part of a Just Energy Transition Partnership, or JETP. Earlier this year, Vietnam released a national energy plan that aimed to more than double the maximum power Vietnam can generate to some 150 gigawatts by 2030. It called for a drastic shift away from heavily polluting coal and pledges that no new coal-fired plants will be built after 2030.

Persons: Mark George, George, Tang Organizations: British, Economic, Trade, Britain, Energy, Sustainable Development Locations: Vietnam, Dubai, Hanoi, United Kingdom, Asia, Pacific, Japan

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — More than 200 conservative Muslims marched in Indonesia's capital on Wednesday, calling for the cancellation of a Coldplay concert that night over the British band's support for the LGBTQ+ community. Coldplay is renowned for interlacing its values with its shows, such as the band’s push for environmental sustainability. The Asian leg of Coldplay’s “Music Of The Spheres World Tour” includes Wednesday's concert at Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta. Jakarta is one of the band’s top streaming hubs, with 1.6 million fans in the city. ___Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.

Persons: Chris Martin, Lady Gaga, Niniek Karmini Organizations: Coldplay, British Embassy, ___ Associated Press Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Indonesia's, Jakarta, British, Southeast Asia, Taipei, Malaysian, ___

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Dozens of conservative Muslims marched in Indonesia’s capital on Friday, calling for the cancellation of Coldplay’s upcoming concert over the British band’s support for the LGBTQ+ community. Lead singer Chris Martin has been known to wear rainbow colors and wave gay pride flags during performances. The Asian leg of Coldplay's “Music Of The Spheres World Tour” includes a Nov. 15 concert at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno stadium. Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno assured Coldplay fans there would be no disruptions to the concert. ___Associated Press writer Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.

Persons: Chris Martin, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama —, Coldplay, ”, Hery Susanto, ” Bamukmin, ” Martin, Sandiaga Uno, ” Uno, Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber, Peter Harjani, Lady Gaga, Edna Tarigan Organizations: Coldplay, Creative Economy, Indonesian Ulema Council, Entertainment, Boys, Associated Press Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Indonesia’s, Jakarta, “, West Java’s, Bandung, Indonesian, British, Taipei, Malaysian

☆ Ahmed Sabra: British doctor flees Gaza but is sent back to war zone
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Catherine Nicholls | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —A British doctor who escaped Gaza with his family has been sent back to the war zone after Egyptian officials told him his name wasn’t on the list of evacuees, according to a British Member of Parliament. But Davies said while Sabra’s family was allowed through, he was not on the approved list of foreign nationals. “I’m calling for the British government to do their duty and evacuate myself and other British nationals to safety to go back home,” he added. He said Sabra told him he was in “daily contact” with the British Foreign Office and British embassy in Egypt before he was sent back to Gaza. The British Islamic Medical Association said in a statement on Thursday they “demand urgent evacuation of Dr Sabra and other British nationals trapped in Gaza.”More than 150 British nationals have left Gaza for Egypt via the Rafah crossing, according to British Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell.

Persons: London CNN —, Ahmed Sabra, Geraint Davies, Sabra, Davies, ” Sabra, “, ” Davies, ”, Dr Sabra, Andrew Mitchell Organizations: London CNN, Swansea West, National Health Service, CNN, UK, Commonwealth & Development, British Foreign Office, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, British Nationals, British Embassy, Islamic Medical Association, British Foreign Locations: Gaza, Israel, Wales, Rafah, Egypt, British, ”

☆ Britain temporarily withdraws some embassy staff from Lebanon
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Britain's Foreign Office said on Monday it was temporarily withdrawing some British embassy staff from Lebanon. It had already advised Britons against all travel to Lebanon due to the conflict between neighbouring Israel and Gaza, and encouraged any Britons still in the country to leave while commercial flights remain. Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Kate HoltonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kylie MacLellan, Kate Holton Organizations: Thomson Locations: Lebanon, Israel, Gaza

CNN —The United Nations says it is “deeply concerned” by reports that civilians, including women and children, were killed and injured in a bombing at a camp for internally displaced people in Myanmar. The bombing on Monday took place near the town of Laiza, in northern Kachin state. Laiza is home to the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Army, which has been locked in a conflict with Myanmar’s military for decades. The British embassy in Myanmar also said it was “appalled by” the reports of innocent civilians being killed. Calling the attack “unacceptable”, he added, “We reiterate that the Myanmar military must stop its brutal campaign against the Myanmar people.”Myanmar’s military seized power in February 2021 after detaining civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and numerous top government figures, dashing hopes for a more democratic future for the country.

Persons: Min Aung Hlaing, Zaw Min Tun, “, ”, Ken O’Flaherty, Aung San, Kyi, Suu Kyi Organizations: CNN, United Nations, National Unity Government, Kachin Independence Army, Unity, UN, British Locations: Myanmar, China, Laiza, Kachin

[1/2] British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attend a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China August 30, 2023. "We are clear-eyed about the areas where we have fundamental disagreements with China and we raise those issues when we meet," he told broadcasters. China Vice President Han Zheng told Cleverly at their meeting that he hoped the two countries could make new advances in their relations. Cleverly's visit to China comes as other countries in the West also try to improve their relations with the country. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is on a four-day visit in China but warned that U.S. companies have complained to her that China has become "uninvestible".

Persons: James, Han Zheng, Florence Lo, Wang Yi, Liz Truss, Conservative Alicia Kearns, Gina Raimondo, Han, Sarah Young, Laurie Chen, Kate Holton, Elizabeth Piper, Conor Humphries Organizations: of, People, REUTERS, Rights, Conservative Party, China, British, Conservative, . Commerce, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, London, British, CHINA, Taiwan, Taipei, West

☆ A British spy chief who goes by the code name 'C' says MI6 channels 'more resources to China than any other mission'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

MI6 chief Richard Moore told Politico that the British spy agency views China as a key concern. "We now devote more resources to China than any other mission," Moore told Politico. The spy chief previously said that the "rise of China is the single greatest priority for MI6." Moore, officially codenamed "C," made these remarks to Politico after delivering his second public speech as MI6 chief at the British embassy in Prague. During his first public speech as MI6 chief, Moore said the "rise of China is the single greatest priority for MI6."

Persons: Richard Moore, Moore, Politico's Anne McElvoy, Alex Younger Organizations: Politico, Service, Privacy, BBC, UK Security Service MI5, Street Journal Locations: China, Wall, Silicon, Prague, Russia, Ukraine, Cuba

☆ British spies are using AI to disrupt Russia's shipments of critical weapons, but the technology will never replace real agents, UK spy chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

British spies are using AI to disrupt the supply of weapons to Russia, the UK MI6 chief said. Moore said the UK and its allies are racing to "master the ethical and safe use of AI." But he also acknowledged the experimental technology won't ever replace human agents. Will AI replace spies? "However swift and all-encompassing the advance of AI, some relationships are going to stay uniquely, stubbornly human."

Persons: Moore, Richard Moore, Stefan Rousseau Organizations: MI6, Service, Privacy, British, Ukraine Locations: Russia, Wall, Silicon, Prague, Ukraine, China

☆ UK intel chief invites Russians 'silently appalled' by the Ukraine war to share their secrets and spy for MI6
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Britain's intelligence chief invited Russians who are upset with the Ukraine war to spy for MI6. Espionage has been a feature of the war, and the CIA even tried earlier this year to recruit spies. Get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in business, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley — delivered daily. Their secrets will always be safe with us, and together we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end. Espionage and intelligence gathering has long been a feature of Russia's war in Ukraine, and MI6 is not the first Western intelligence agency to try and recruit Russians.

Persons: Richard Moore, you'll, Richard Moore ,, Moore, Vladimir Putin's, Putin, Kyiv, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner Organizations: CIA, Service, Intelligence Service, Soviet, Western, NATO, Wagner Group Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Moscow, Prague, Soviet Union, Soviet, Russia

But Mr. Sunak is not expected to press for a free-trade agreement between the two nations. Earlier this year, with Mr. Biden’s urging, Mr. Sunak resolved a trade dispute with Northern Ireland, a move seen as positive by Mr. Biden’s administration. But British officials stressed ahead of Thursday’s meeting that Mr. Sunak intends to focus on expanding the economic connections between the two countries. Asked whether this was now a broken promise, Mr. Sunak rejected that assertion, telling Sky News that it reflected a changed macro economic situation after 2019. In reality, any prospect of a comprehensive deal faded some time ago, but political opponents seized on Mr. Sunak’s words on Thursday.

Persons: Biden, Rishi Sunak, Sunak, “, ”, Karine Jean, Pierre, Biden’s, ” Mr, we’ve, We’ve, Keir Starmer Organizations: British, White House, Trade, Union, Washington, Airbus, Boeing, Thursday, Sunak’s Conservative Party, Sky, United, Mr, Labour Party Locations: Britain, United States, Northern Ireland, “, Ukraine

☆ Two strangers met on the River Nile. They’ve been married for 25 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +22 min

Since meeting as colleagues on a Nile tour boat, Christina, from the UK, and Wahid, from Egypt, had spent every moment they could together. Christina KandilOn her first night in Egypt, Christina introduced herself to the Kimo’s crew. On her second evening in Egypt, Christina found herself sitting next to Wahid outside one of the Kimo’s cabins. “And then Christina came, and I fell for her.”At first, Wahid didn’t tell Christina about this very recent ex-girlfriend. It’s now over 25 years since Christina and Wahid fell in love as twentysomethings on the River Nile.

☆ Iranian Insider and British Spy: How a Double Life Ended on the Gallows
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Farnaz Fassihi | Ronen Bergman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

But later, in an audio message broadcast by BBC Persian — it had been obtained through his family, according to Mr. Akbari’s brother — Mr. Akbari said the confessions were coerced. Iran says Mr. Akbari betrayed the country and traded state secrets for money. In the videos, Mr. Akbari said he was recruited in 2004 and told he and his family would be given visas for Britain. Iran has said that MI6 paid Mr. Akbari nearly 2 million pounds, currently about $2.4 million. Mr. Akbari met with the British ambassador in Tehran as part of his official job, and traveled to Europe often for business, Mehdi Akbari said.

☆ Indian police open investigation into London embassy protest - media
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW DELHI, March 24 (Reuters) - Indian police have opened an investigation into a protest this week outside its High Commission in London, Reuters partner ANI reported on Friday, pursuing action on an incident that has raised tension in relations with Britain. Protesters with "Khalistan" banners took an Indian flag down from a first-floor balcony of the High Commission in the British capital on Sunday to denounce recent police action in India's Punjab state, British and Indian media reported. Khalistan is the name of an independent Sikh homeland that some members of that community aspire to, both at home in India and in countries where Sikhs have settled. British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said acts of violence towards staff at the High Commission in London were unacceptable and British police were investigating. Police officials and the British embassy in New Delhi did not immediately respond to calls and messages seeking comment.

Two lawmakers with knowledge of the exports and two former officials said the approvals reflected Britain’s increased willingness to support Taiwan. One of the lawmakers, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, said authorising the export licences amounted to giving a "green light" to better equip Taiwan. It shows the government authorised 25 export licences to Taiwan during the first nine months of 2022 under the categories "components for submarines" and "technology for submarines." Taiwan has for decades been unable to buy conventional submarines from other countries because of their concerns of angering China. Asked about the decision to approve the increase in export licences, the official said: "You just don't do something like this without thinking through the implications very carefully."

☆ 'A thin existence': man stranded in Turkey after being refused entry to Britain
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Ali Kucukgocmen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Twala holds South African citizenship, has lived in the UK since 2004 and is father to a British son. The UK Home Office has not responded to a request for comment Reuters made on Saturday. 'BAD DREAM'Twala said his son, Mason, was in shock when he heard that his father could not board the plane. After receiving a family court order for the part-time custody of his son, Twala said he believed he could travel outside the country. "It just feels like I'm in a bad, bad dream," Twala said, adding that he's had "dark" thoughts throughout his time stranded in Turkey.

☆ British embassy guard who spied for Russia filmed "secret" letter to PM, London court told
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Sam Tobin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Morgan said Smith sent a letter containing "highly sensitive information about the British embassy and those who worked within it" to General Major Sergey Chukhrov, the Russian military attaché to Berlin, in November 2020. She added that the discovery of Smith's letter to Chukhrov prompted a joint investigation between British and German authorities. Covertly recorded footage was played in court showing Smith filming CCTV footage of "Dmitry" from within the embassy's security kiosk. Smith was later approached by "Irina", who told him that she needed assistance as someone had "passed information to the British and the information could be damaging to Russia". In hidden camera footage played to the court, "Irina" asks if Smith can help and he replies: "Well, like what?"

☆ Iran and Britain's history of strained relations
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

DUBAI, Jan 14 (Reuters) - British-Iranian relations, which have been strained for decades, were back in the spotlight after Iranian authorities executed British-Iranian national Alireza Akbari for spying, charges he had denied. 1988 - Britain restores full diplomatic relations with Iran. 1994 - Britain accuses Iran of contacts with the outlawed Irish Republican Army, a charge Iran denies but relations worsen. 1999 - Iran says relations between Tehran and Britain have been upgraded to ambassadorial level. The same year, Iran accuses Britain of being behind bombings that killed six people in Iran.

The Amazon Fund, started under leftist Lula's first administration from 2003-2010, bankrolled conservation projects and counts Norway and Germany as its biggest donors. Right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro froze the fund, citing unspecified spending irregularities among fund-backed projects run by nongovernmental organizations, without providing evidence. The British embassy said its government was studying the invitation to join the Amazon Fund. Izabella Teixeira, Lula's former environment minister and current climate change adviser, told Reuters she had met with Norwegian and German officials on Monday about restarting the fund. Deforestation soared to a 15-year high under Bolsonaro, who called for more farming and mining in the Amazon region.

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