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☆ U.S.-China fentanyl talks get off to a 'productive' start, security advisor says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong (C) announces the launch of the U.S.-China Counternarcotics Working Group next to U.S. Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Jen Daskal (center L) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on January 30, 2024. Ng Han Guan | Afp | Getty ImagesBEIJING — The U.S. and China had a "productive" first day of talks in Beijing about the fentanyl crisis, Jennifer Daskal, a deputy homeland security advisor, told NBC News' Janis Mackey Frayer in an exclusive interview Tuesday. "We're looking for results and we had a productive step forward," Daskal said, while acknowledging the risk that China could use its sway over the fentanyl supply chain as a bargaining chip. Daskal, leader of the White House delegation for this week's high-level talks, said the diversity of representatives from both sides "showed a real commitment." "We will know if it works if we start seeing the supply of precursor drugs diminish, if we start seeing the supply of pill presses and other equipment diminish," Daskal said.

Persons: of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, Jen Daskal, Ng, Guan, Jennifer Daskal, Janis Mackey Frayer, Daskal, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Wang Xiaohong, Wang, Biden, Hua Zhendong, Mackey, Hua, Yu Haibin, Yu, NBC's Mackey Frayer Organizations: of Public Security, U.S ., Homeland, Getty, NBC News, National Narcotics Control Commission, Public Security, Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science, China -, Counternarcotics, White House, International Narcotics Control Locations: U.S, China, Diaoyutai, Beijing, Afp, BEIJING, The U.S, Mexico, Washington, San Francisco

One focus of the talks was fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that is ravaging America, and in particular ingredients for the drug that are made in China. The U.S. wants China to do more to curb the export of chemicals that it says are processed into fentanyl, largely in Mexico, before the final product is smuggled into the United States. But China refused to discuss cooperation unless the U.S. lifted sanctions on the Public Security Ministry's Institute of Forensic Science. The U.S. quietly agreed to lift the sanctions to get cooperation on fentanyl. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called it “an appropriate step to take” given what China was willing to do on the trafficking of fentanyl precursors.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Wang Xiaohong, ”, Jen Daskal, Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Wang Yi, Matthew Miller Organizations: BEIJING, Chinese Public Security, U.S ., U.S, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, ., Biden, Senate, Public Security Ministry's Institute of Forensic Science, The Commerce Department, State Department Locations: U.S, America, China, San Francisco, Taiwan, Mexico, United States, Beijing, China’s Xinjiang, The U.S

☆ Biden removes sanctions from Chinese institute in push for fentanyl help
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Washington put the institute on the list in 2020 over alleged abuses against Uyghurs and other minority groups, effectively barring it from receiving most goods from U.S. suppliers. Former Chinese ambassador to the U.S. Qin Gang in an interview last year described it as "shocking" the U.S. would sanction the institute, which he described as essential to controlling fentanyl. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. As part of the meeting, the men agreed to cooperate on addressing the source of the opioid fentanyl, with China promising to go directly after specific chemical companies that make fentanyl precursors. Reporting by Paul Grant and Alexandra Alper; Editing by Doina Chiacu, Chizu Nomiyama and Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joshua Roberts, Biden, U.S . Qin Gang, Xi Jinping, Paul Grant, Alexandra Alper, Doina Chiacu, Chizu Nomiyama, Josie Kao Organizations: of Commerce, REUTERS, Rights, Ministry of Public Security’s Institute of Forensic Science, U.S . Qin, Reuters, Economic Cooperation, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Federal Register, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Treasury, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Beijing, United States, Washington, U.S, San Francisco, Asia, China, State

These are then smuggled into the United States, the officials say. Last month, the United States imposed sanctions on 28 people and entities involved with the international proliferation of illicit drugs, including a large China-based network. Biden is also due to meet with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in San Francisco. In San Francisco, state and local officials have tried to clean up drugs from the city's streets, with limited success. "We know San Francisco - and cities across the United States - will benefit from more targeting of the trafficking and production of fentanyl worldwide," a spokesperson for Breed said in a statement.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, Mike Odeh, Jake Sullivan, Washington, General Merrick Garland, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Alicia Barcena, Brooke Jenkins, Mayor London Breed, Breed, Michael Martina, Sayantani Ghosh, Michelle Nichols, Josie Kao Organizations: Customs, Port, U.S . Customs, FRANCISCO, U.S, Economic Cooperation, United, city's, APEC, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, . National, Washington, Biden, Institute of Forensic Science, China's Ministry of Public Security, Commerce, San Francisco . Mexican Foreign, Mayor London, Thomson Locations: Arizona, Mexico, Nogales , Arizona, U.S, Asia, Pacific, San Francisco, United States, China, CHINA, MEXICO, Washington, San Francisco . Mexican, Francisco's

☆ US set to take action to win China's cooperation on fentanyl
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Michael Martina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Biden will discuss the issue with China's President Xi Jinping on Wednesday in San Francisco at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that Washington hoped the summit would result in action to help combat the fentanyl trade. China has long questioned why the U.S. would expect cooperation on fentanyl while targeting the institute. China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the fentanyl issue. Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and is increasingly mixed with other illicit drugs, often with lethal results.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Karine Jean, Pierre, Leah Millis, Joe Biden's, Bejing, Biden, Xi Jinping, Washington, Marsha Blackburn, Blackburn, Michael Martina, Michelle Nichols, Jonathan Oatis, Bill Berkrot Organizations: National, White House Press, White, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, China's Institute of Forensic Science, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, China's, Economic Cooperation, . National, Washington, Institute of Forensic Science, China's Ministry of Public Security, Commerce, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, Washington, San Francisco, Asia, U.S, China, America, China's

“In this instance, the grand jury of the 228th District Court of Harris County found that no crime did occur, that no single individual was criminally responsible,” Ogg said. But a tragedy isn’t always a crime, and not every death is a homicide,” Ogg also said. He’s looking forward to getting back home after being cleared by the grand jury,” Schaffer told CNN. The grand jury met for six hours and homicide detectives testified, according to Schaffer. It was unclear at the time what Scott saw from the stage and whether he was aware of the conditions in the crowd.

Persons: Travis Scott –, Kim Ogg, John Junnell, Brett Silberstein, ” Ogg, isn’t, “, Scott, Travis Scott, ”, Ted Anastasiou, Kent Schaffer, Schaffer, ” Schaffer, Troy Finner, Mike Barrow Organizations: CNN, Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, District, Schaffer . Houston Police Department, Houston Fire Department, Houston Police Locations: Harris County, Harris

☆ US will 'make every effort' to boost cooperation with China on fentanyl
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The United States has said the institute was complicit in human rights abuses toward Uyghurs and other Chinese ethnic minorities. But Robinson said blocking the flow of fentanyl and precursors to the United States and securing China's cooperation on the issue was a top priority. And it's an issue I think is very likely going to be raised directly with the Secretary's Chinese counterpart, PRC (People's Republic of China) counterpart. And depending on the response, I think everything is on the table in terms of getting some kind of global cooperation on this issue," Robinson said. Robinson said he did not find it "that unusual" that China would seek to extract concessions from Washington in exchange for help on fentanyl.

Persons: Biden, Antony Blinken, Todd Robinson, Robinson, Joe Biden, Qin Gang, Gang, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Martina, Kristina Cooke, Don Durfee, Angus MacSwan Organizations: U.S, China's Ministry, Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science, Commerce, Bureau of International Narcotics, Law, Affairs, State Department, People's, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Qin, Reuters, Thomson Locations: China, United States, U.S, Beijing, People's Republic of China, Washington, San Francisco

☆ Human remains found in 45 bags are missing call center staff, Mexico confirms
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Bertha Ramos | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Human remains found in 45 bags discovered in a suburb of Guadalajara belong to call center workers who went missing in May, Mexican authorities have confirmed. The Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences (IJCF) said Tuesday its tests had confirmed the remains belonged to the missing workers and said the next of kin had been informed. However, it did not specify whether remains from all seven of the missing workers were in the bags. The seven workers disappeared from the metropolitan area of Guadalajara sometime after May 20. Mexico has been troubled by an epidemic of disappearances with more than 100,000 Mexicans and migrants still missing.

Persons: Security Rosa Icela Rodriguez Velazquez, Andrés Manuel López Obrador Organizations: CNN, Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences, Security Locations: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Zapopan, Mexico’s, Mexico, United States

☆ Mexico police found 45 bags containing body parts "matching characteristics" of missing call center staff
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Juan Carlos Paz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Forty-five bags containing human remains with characteristics matching seven missing call center staff has been discovered in a ravine in a suburb of Guadalajara, according to the state prosecutor’s office in Jalisco. Luis Joaquín Méndez Ruíz, a Jalisco prosecutor, said they found the human remains inside bags thrown on a lot with a very steep slope. The Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences is working with the families of those missing to determine the identification of the human remains. The country has been troubled by an epidemic of disappearances with more than 100,000 Mexicans and migrants still missing. Kidnapping and human trafficking are also not unusual in parts of Mexico, particularly in border areas and Mexico’s overall homicide rate is among the highest in the world.

Persons: Luis Joaquín Méndez, Andrés Manuel López Obrador Organizations: CNN, Prosecutor’s Office, Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences Locations: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico, United States

☆ Texas taqueria customer fatally shoots masked robber and returns money to patrons, police say
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Marlene Lenthang Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

An armed masked robber who stormed a Texas taqueria demanding money was stopped by a patron who brandished his own gun, fatally shot the suspect, and handed the cash back to shaken diners, police said. Houston police are seeking to speak with that patron who foiled the robbery on Thursday. Texas police want to speak to the man who fatally shot a masked robbery suspect at the Houston taqueria. Houston Police DepartmentWitnesses told officers that the suspect had barged into the restaurant and pointed a pistol at diners demanding their money. The patron then collected the stolen money from the suspect, and returned it to the other diners, police said.

Puerto Rican singer and musician Lalo Rodríguez, best known for his salsa megahit "Ven devórame otra vez" (Come devour me again) has died. As fellow musicians and fans grapple with the uncertain circumstances surrounding his death, they're remembering Rodríguez as a talented artist who helped lift salsa music to new heights. Light and progress Lalo," salsa music icon Willie Colón, who is also credited for helping popularize the genre, lamented in Spanish on Twitter. Salsa music enthusiast Juana Peña described Rodríguez as a "versatile singer, capable of getting into any rhythm and doing it well" in a tweet. Puerto Rican writer Sandra Guzmán mourned the singer's passing with a touching post saying, "A virtuoso goes to music heaven to join Puerto Rican salsa Gods.

☆ Migos rapper Takeoff to be honored by as many as 20,000 at memorial service
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Chantal Da Silva | Chantal Da Silva Is A Breaking News Editor For Nbc News Digital Based In London. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

As many as 20,000 people are expected to gather Friday for a celebration of the life of Migos rapper Takeoff, who was fatally shot outside a Houston bowling alley earlier this month. Tickets for the memorial service at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, quickly sold out shortly after going on sale Tuesday. Venue officials said the event had reached capacity, meaning as many as 20,000 people could be in attendance. The service is expected to be a star-studded event, with Canadian rapper Drake among those expected to attend. The public memorial is expected to follow a strict no photo or video policy, with media barred from entry to cover the event, according to the event page.

☆ Rapper Takeoff was killed by gunshot wounds to the head and chest, autopsy shows
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

HOUSTON — Rapper Takeoff died from gunshot wounds to the head and torso following a shooting outside a private party at a downtown Houston bowling alley, authorities announced Wednesday. Takeoff’s primary cause of death was listed as “penetrating gunshot wounds of head and torso into arm” and his manner of death was called homicide. The 28-year-old rapper was killed around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday when gunfire erupted outside of 810 Billiards & Bowling following a private party. Investigators are looking to speak with the 40 people who attended the party and fled after the gunfire, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said. They put out a trilogy of albums called “Culture,” “Culture II” and “Culture III,” with the first two hitting No.

President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Puerto Rico as it reels from Hurricane Fiona, Gov. The administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Deanne Criswell, began touring affected communities in Puerto Rico on Tuesday, conducting initial damage assessments to support the governor's request. A man on Tuesday collects donated water bottles for drinking after Hurricane Fiona damaged water supplies in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. Hurricane Fiona is the first major hurricane to directly hit Puerto Rico since it was ravaged by Hurricane Maria five years ago. "With regard to Hurricane Maria, the people of Puerto Rico, we believe, were treated in a manner inconsistent with the mandate toward equality, fairness and impartiality," Yaki said.

☆ Hurricane Fiona heads to Bermuda, up to eight dead in Puerto Rico
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Ivelisse Rivera | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A woman removes rubble from her destroyed house in the rural zone of Cuey, in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, in El Seibo, Dominican Republic, September 20, 2022. REUTERS/Ricardo RojasSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Hurricane Fiona strengthened to a powerful Category 4 storm on Wednesday as it headed toward Bermuda after carving a destructive path through the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, where most were without power and up to eight people may have died. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has so far attributed four deaths to the storm in Puerto Rico. An estimated 1.2 million homes and businesses remained without power in Puerto Rico on Wednesday morning, according to Poweroutages.com. U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a public health emergency for Puerto Rico on Tuesday night, freeing up federal funds and equipment to assist the island.

☆ Hurricane Fiona heads to Bermuda, up to 8 dead in Puerto Rico
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

People walk on a street affected by the passing of Hurricane Fiona in Penuelas, Puerto Rico September 19, 2022. After making landfall in Puerto Rico on Sunday, Fiona caused devastating flooding and landslides on the island. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency has so far attributed four deaths to the storm in Puerto Rico. For many Puerto Rico residents, the memory of Hurricane Maria in 2017 is still fresh. "Bermuda residents are very well practiced in preparing for storms," she said.

Up to 29 inches of rain have fallen in Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricane Fiona, overflowing rivers and small streams. “More significant rains are expected, further increasing the risk of landslides,” Puerto Rico Gov. Oliver Lopez’s family is among the many Puerto Ricans still without power or water as a result of Hurricane Fiona. Four deaths have been reported in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. A woman clears debris on her property flooded by Hurricane Fiona in Salinas, Puerto Rico, on Monday.

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