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☆ Vietnam reportedly forfeits billions of dollars in foreign aid amid anti-graft freeze
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Vietnam forfeited at least $2.5 billion in foreign aid over the last three years and may lose another $1 billion because of administrative paralysis, the United Nations, the World Bank and Western donors told the government in a letter seen by Reuters. Vietnam forfeited at least $2.5 billion in foreign aid over the last three years and may lose another $1 billion because of administrative paralysis, the United Nations, the World Bank and Western donors told the government in a letter seen by Reuters. Two senior foreign officials interviewed by Reuters directly linked the administrative hurdles to the "blazing furnace" anti-graft drive, echoing similar comments from other diplomats and officials in recent months. The anti-graft drive has created a sort of paralysis, in which bureaucrats are slow to approve or advance initiatives because they fear accidentally violating complex regulations. The U.N. and the World Bank said they kept working closely with the government on projects, with the U.N. acknowledging in a statement to Reuters that there were "challenges" for the use of funding.

Persons: Pham Minh Chinh Organizations: United Nations, World Bank, Reuters, European Union, Japan, Asian Development Bank Locations: Vietnam, Communist, United States

☆ Modi's strongman rule raises questions about India's 'democratic decline' as he seeks a third term
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Narendra Modi, India's prime minister, center, during a campaign rally in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Photographer: Prakash Singh/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesA decade into power, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears set to secure a rare third term, with the general elections now underway. Opposition 'witch hunt'Ahead of the elections, India's main opposition — the National Congress party — accused the Modi government of freezing its bank accounts. "This is a criminal action on the Congress party done by the prime minister and the home minister," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a fiery attack. "During Manmohan Singh's time, India was also growing very fast," he added, referring to the economic reforms under the former prime minister in the 1990s.

Persons: Narendra Modi, India's, Modi, Prakash Singh, Asim Ali, Ali, Milan, Modi's, —, Rahul Gandhi, Chietigj Bajpaee, Arvind Kejriwal, consecrating, Ronojoy Sen, Neelanjan Sircar, Manmohan Singh's, Sircar Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty Images Bloomberg, Getty, India's, East, CNBC, Dem, Freedom House, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Newsweek, Bharatiya Janata Party, National Congress, South Asia, Chatham House, Aam Aadmi Party, Modi's BJP, BJP, Institute of South Asian Studies, Centre for Policy Research Locations: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, East Asia, New Delhi, Sweden, U.S, Milan Vaishnav, South Asia, Gujarat, Ali, Delhi, Lok, Ayodhya, Ayodhya —, BJP

☆ ‘We have to do what we have to do’: Israel’s Netanyahu stands firm on Rafah offensive despite U.S. tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged tensions with historical ally the U.S. over the military offensive in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, but stood firm that the operation is required to protect Israeli security. But we have to do what we have to do," Netanyahu said Wednesday, in an interview with CNBC's Sara Eisen. Over 1,200 people have been killed in Israel since October, according to Israel's prime minister's office. Meanwhile, more than 35,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian health ministry's latest official count. Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed that Washington could not endorse a Rafah military incursion in the absence of a "credible" plan to safeguard civilians.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, CNBC's Sara Eisen, Israel, Antony Blinken, Josep Borrell Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, NBC's, U.S . State Department Locations: U.S, Rafah, Gaza, Israel, United States, Washington, Hamas, Kerem Shalom

☆ Israel's war cabinet is locked between restraint and revenge
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A Monday meeting of Israel's five-person war cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, concluded without comment on whether the Jewish state will honor its pledge to "exact a price" from Tehran or concede to calls for a measured response from international leaders. The prolonged deliberation came after the Israeli military said that Iran on Saturday fired more than 300 drones and missiles at its soil. It claimed that it and international allies eliminated 99% of these attacks as part of its now-dubbed "Iron Shield" operation. The Israeli war cabinet is set to meet again on Tuesday, according to Reuters. Concerns are mounting that the conflict — rooted in the Oct. 7 terror attack undertaken by Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel's retaliatory war campaign in the Gaza Strip — will seep into the broader Middle East region.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Jordan, —, Bashar Assad's Organizations: Saturday, Reuters, CNBC, Washington, NBC, Palestinian, Hamas, Yemeni Locations: Israel, Iran, Tehran, U.S, France, Iranian, Damascus, Syria, Gaza

☆ Israel’s military chief says that Israel will respond to Iran’s weekend missile attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at Israel in the attack. Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said Monday that Israel is considering its next steps but that the Iranian strike "will be met with a response." Both men spoke at the Nevatim air base in southern Israel, which Hagari said suffered only light damage in the Iranian attack. The Iranian weapons also flew through Saudi skies, according to a map released by the Israeli military. Throughout the war, Israel has traded fire across its northern border with Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group, while Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Yemen have also attacked Israel.

Persons: Herzi Halevi, Israel, Halevi, Daniel Hagari, Hagari, Benjamin Netanyahu, Steve Scalise, Netanyahu, Jordan —, Halevia, Rishi Sunak, Emmanuel Macron, John Kirby, Kirby, Antony Blinken Organizations: Staff, Palestinian, Hamas, U.S, Seven, U.S . Central Command, Islamic, Hezbollah, Washington , U.S . National Security Locations: Gaza, Syrian, Damascus, Iran, Israel, U.S, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Britain, American, France, Saudi, Iranian, Iraq, Yemen, British, Paris, Washington , U.S

☆ Singapore's new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will take office on May 15
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Singapore's new prime minister Lawrence Wong will be sworn in on May 15, 2024. SINGAPORE — Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will step down on May 15 and hand over the power to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, the Prime Minister's Office said on Monday. Wong, who will be sworn in at 8 p.m. local time that day, will be Singapore's fourth prime minister since its independence in 1965. Lee has served as prime minister since 2004. Wong, who is 51, entered politics after being elected a member of parliament during the 2011 General Election.

Persons: Lawrence Wong, Lee Hsien Loong, Wong, Lee Organizations: SINGAPORE — Singapore's, Minister's, Action Party, Finance, Monetary Authority of Locations: SINGAPORE, Monetary Authority of Singapore

☆ Biden tells Netanyahu US will not support counter-strike against Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Mj Lee | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

In a conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Saturday, Biden sought to frame Israel’s successful interception of the Iranian onslaught as a major victory — with the suggestion that further Israeli response was unnecessary. Biden told the Israeli prime minister in his phone call that he should consider Saturday a win because Iran’s attacks had been largely unsuccessful and demonstrated Israel’s superior military capability, a senior administration official said. Even as American officials stressed to their counterparts that the final decision on how to respond to Iran is up to Israel, Biden has sought to prevent a wider escalation of the conflict. In this handout photo, released early Sunday local time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talks on the phone with US President Joe Biden. “I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks — sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel,” Biden said in a statement following his conversation with Netanyahu.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, John Kirby, ” Kirby, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, “, Israel, ” Biden, Netanyahu, Kirby, Israel —, ”, Tapper, Gallant, Hossein, CNN’s Catherine Nicholls, Tamar Michaelis Organizations: CNN, White House, Union . ”, Seven, Sunday, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Locations: Israel, Iran, “ State, Gaza, Tehran

☆ Trump criticizes Israel for releasing photos and videos of its devastating war in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In an interview Monday, the presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee called on Israel to "finish up" its war in Gaza, saying the country is "losing a lot of support" around the world. Trump has only voiced his opinion on the war in Gaza fairly recently. Back in early March, he called into the "Fox & Friends" show on Super Tuesday, urging Israel to "finish the problem." In the interview Monday, Trump criticized Israel for making "a very big mistake" with photos showing its widespread air raids and bombing campaigns on the strip. AdvertisementSince Israel began its full-scale war against Hamas in Gaza, it has killed more than 32,000 people, mainly women and children, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, Israel, that's, Trump, would've, Jack Guez, MAHMUD HAMS, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Netanyahu, Linda Thomas Greenfield, John Lamparski, John Kirby, Kirby Organizations: Service, Israeli, United Nations, Business, Republican, Fox, Hamas, AFP, Getty Images Trump, Israel, Gallup, UN Security, White, UN, Security, Biden, US National Security Locations: Gaza, Israel, Sderot, AFP, Gaza City, China, Russia, Rafah, United States, New York City, Washington

☆ Tension between the US and Israel boil as UN ceasefire vote passes and Netanyahu vows to push ahead with Rafah offensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The UN passed a vote calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, with the US abstaining for the first time. AdvertisementThe divide between the US and Israel is deepening after the United Nations passed a ceasefire vote, a first for the international body after multiple failed attempts. Tensions began to boil over Sunday night, when Netanyahu publicly threatened to cancel the White House meetings before the UN vote, demanding the US veto the ceasefire resolution. Later the next morning, the UN Security Council passed the resolution, calling for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza. Israel continues to deploy soldiers, tanks and armored vehicles near the Gaza border in Sderot, Israel on October 14, 2023.

Persons: Netanyahu, —, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Mostafa Alkharouf, John Kirby, Kirby, we've, Kamala Harris, Israel, Biden, they've Organizations: UN, Biden, Service, United Nations, White, UN Security, Washington DC, GPO, Getty, UN Security Council, US, Security, US National Security, AFP, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Israeli, Tel Aviv, Anadolu, United States, China, Russia, Sderot, Washington

☆ Devastation in Gaza as Israel wages war on Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Brad Lendon | Andrew Raine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

A ship belonging to the Open Arms aid group approaches the shores of Gaza towing a barge with 200 tons of humanitarian aid on Friday, March 15. Mohammed Hajjar/APIsrael will review the latest response from Hamas in the talks for a ceasefire and hostage release, Israel's Prime Minister's Office said Friday, and a delegation is likely to travel to Qatar early next week for further talks. A diplomat familiar with the discussions told CNN it's "not going to be easy to convince Israelis" to agree to Hamas' terms in the latest proposal, while another diplomatic source said mediation efforts are moving in a positive direction "but are not there yet." Relatives of hostages gathered in protest outside the Israeli military headquarters on Friday, calling on the government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "make a decision that will save our beloved ones." Here's what else you need to know:

Persons: Mohammed Hajjar, CNN it's, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Arms, AP Israel, Minister's, CNN Locations: Gaza, Qatar

☆ The 'special relationship' under pressure: Are Biden and Netanyahu on a collision course over Gaza?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

US President Joe Biden (L) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meet in Tel Aviv, Israel on October 18, 2023. "The relationship [between Biden and Netanyahu] is absolutely terrible." A report by Politico in early February cited unnamed Biden administration officials describing the president calling Netanyahu a "bad f—ng guy." Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz (L) meets US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, at the US Capitol on March 05, 2024. Gantz reportedly faced a barrage of harsh questions and critiques from the administration over Israel's handling of the Gaza war.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Israel's, Yasser Qudih, Netanyahu, Hussein Ibish, Benny Gantz, Chuck Schumer, Roberto Schmidt, Axios, Gantz, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Mostafa Bassim, Nimrod Novik, Novik, Ashraf Amra, I've, Ibish, Yonatan Freeman, Israel, Freeman Organizations: GPO, Getty Images, Anadolu Agency, Getty, White, Israeli, Biden, Palestinian, United Nations, Israel, Anadolu, West Bank, U.S, Gulf States Institute, CNBC, Politico, Capitol, AFP, Prime, Islamic Center of Detroit, Defense, Israel Policy Forum, Bank, Israel's Hebrew University, Christian Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Anadolu, Gaza, Rafah, Gaza's, Washington, New York, Michigan, United States, Palestinian, Gaza City, Jerusalem, U.S, Saudi Arabia

☆ Malaysia halves jail sentence of ex-prime minister Najib
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Najib Razak, Malaysia's former prime minister, gestures as he leaves the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in Malaysia, on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. The board, chaired by Malaysia's king, did not give a reason for halving Najib's sentence. It said if Najib failed to pay the fine given, an additional year would be imposed on his jail term. Malaysia's king plays a largely ceremonial role but can pardon convicted people among discretionary powers granted by the federal constitution. The pardons board, which advises the king, includes the attorney-general and government officials.

Persons: Najib Razak, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Najib, Malaysia's, Jho Low, Al, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, Sultan Abdullah, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar Organizations: United National Malays Organisation, 1Malaysia Development, Saudi Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Johor .

☆ Israeli PM's Office Says 'Gaps' Remain After Meeting on Hostage Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Talks held on Sunday initiated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt to broker a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas were "constructive" but meaningful gaps remain, the Israeli prime minister's office said. "There are still significant gaps in which the parties will continue to discuss this week in additional mutual meetings," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns and the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence service, David Barnea, met with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, along with the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, the statement said. Some 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted, according to Israeli officials. The U.S. and Israeli intelligence chiefs have previously met with Qatari and Egyptian officials, helping to broker a short-lived truce in November that saw more than 100 hostages freed.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu's, William Burns, David Barnea, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Abbas Kamel, Joe Biden's, Emily RoseEditing, Jane Merriman, Frances Kerry Organizations: . Central Intelligence Agency, Qatari Prime, Hamas Locations: JERUSALEM, Qatar, United States, Egypt, Israel, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Europe, Gaza, U.S

☆ UK Issues Statement From 24 Nations on Strikes on Yemen's Houthis
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said in a joint statement on Tuesday that 24 countries, including the United States, Germany and Australia, conducted additional strikes on Monday against eight targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. "In response to continued illegal and reckless Houthi attacks against vessels transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waterways, the armed forces of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted additional strikes against eight targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen," a joint statement issued by the British prime minister's office said. "These strikes were designed to disrupt and degrade the capability of the Houthis to continue their attacks on global trade and innocent mariners from around the world, while avoiding escalation." (Reporting by Farouq Suleiman; Editing by Leslie Adler)

Persons: Farouq Suleiman, Leslie Adler Locations: Britain, United States, Germany, Australia, Houthi, Yemen, United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand

☆ Israel’s Netanyahu rejects any Palestinian sovereignty in post-war Gaza, rebuffing Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

US President Joe Biden (L) meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. The families want the government to take bold steps to free the hostages, fearing that Israel's military activity in Gaza further endangers their lives. Health authorities in Hamas-ruled Gaza say Israel's offensive has killed nearly 25,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. As part of its search for the hostages, Israel's military dropped leaflets on Gaza's southernmost town of Rafah. Israel's military didn't immediately comment.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden's, Netanyahu, Biden, Gaza hasn't, Israel, Antonio Guterres, Gadi Eisenkot, We've, Yuval Bar, Keith Siegel, Eli Shtivi, Majd, Khan Younis, Halima Abdel, Rahman, Tawfiq, Hafez Ajaq Organizations: Israel's, Palestinian, Hamas, U.S, Israel, Health, United Nations, Police, Iranian, Revolutionary Guard, National News Agency, Associated Press, West Bank, . Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Gaza, United States, Uganda, Israeli, Caesarea, pita, Haifa, Rafah, Iranian, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, Lebanese, Tyre, Jabaliya, Bani Suheila, Khan, Ramallah

☆ Netanyahu Told Biden Gaza Plans Clash With 'Palestinian Sovereignty', Statement Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on Saturday to push back against U.S. President Joe Biden's remarks about Palestinian statehood after the war against Hamas in Gaza ends. Biden on Friday said he spoke with Netanyahu about possible solutions for creation of an independent Palestinian state, suggesting one path could involve a non-militarized government. Asked to clarify whether Netanyahu is opposed to any kind of Palestinian statehood, his office did not immediately respond. Asked if a two-state solution was "impossible" while Netanyahu was in office, Biden said, "No, it's not." Netanyahu has stopped short of outright and explicit rejection of Palestinian statehood.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden's, Biden, Netanyahu, Matthew Miller, Miller, Israel, Maayan Lubell, Dan Williams Organizations: U.S, West Bank, . State Department Locations: JERUSALEM, Gaza, Israel, Jordan, That's, U.S, Palestinian, East Jerusalem

☆ Hezbollah Rejected US Overtures, Still Open to Diplomacy to Avoid Wider War
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +9 min

U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein has been leading a diplomatic outreach to restore security at the Israel-Lebanon frontier as the wider region teeters dangerously towards a major escalation of the conflict ignited by the Gaza war. Israel has also said it wants to avoid war, but both sides say they are ready to fight if necessary. Branded a terrorist organisation by Washington, Hezbollah has not been directly involved in talks, three Lebanese officials and a European diplomat said. Hezbollah has dismissed both ideas as unrealistic, the Lebanese officials and the diplomat said. Iran's foreign minister on Wednesday said attacks against Israel and its interests by the "Axis of Resistance" will stop if the Gaza war ends.

Persons: Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily, Amos Hochstein, Hochstein, Israel, Spokespeople, Eylon Levy, Najib Mikati, Mikati, Hamas, Mohanad Hage Ali, Hage Ali, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Nasrallah, Gebeily, Dan Williams, Tom Perry, Steve Holland, Edtiing, Frank Jack Daniel Organizations: U.S, Yemen's, Reuters, Hezbollah, Lebanese, Iran's, Guards, Carnegie Middle East Center Locations: Maya, Maya Gebeily BEIRUT, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen's Iran, Red Sea, U.S, Lebanese, Beirut, Jan, Washington, European, Hochstein, United States, IRAN, Syria, Iraq, Tehran, France, Jerusalem

☆ Germany leaps to the defense of Israel at the International Court of Justice, rejects South Africa's accusation of Gaza genocide
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The German government rejected South Africa's genocide allegations against Israel at the ICJ. Germany is set to intervene on Israel's behalf at the international court. "The German government decisively and expressly rejects the accusation of genocide brought against Israel before the International Court of Justice," Hebestreit said. Germany will be allowed to present its own case disputing South Africa's allegation of genocide against Israel, according to reports. The Israeli defense called South Africa's accusations of genocide "baseless, arguing that the stated aim of Israel was the destruction of the Hamas terrorist organization and liberating the hostages that remained imprisoned in Gaza.

Persons: Israel, Israel's, Netanyahu, Olaf Scholz, —, Steffen Hebestreit, Adolf Hitler's Nazi, Hebestreit, Benjamin Netanyahu, Scholz, Adila, Al Jazeera Organizations: ICJ, Service, Hague, International Court of Justice, Federal Government, Genocide, Israel, Getty, Israel's, Minister's Locations: South, Germany, South Africa, Hague's, Israel, Hamas, Be'eri, Gaza

☆ Papua New Guinea to recruit Australia police in security deal - minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape will travel to Canberra on Thursday to sign the security agreement, his office said. "The security arrangement is in the best interest of Papua New Guinea and also for Australia and its regional security interests," Marape said in a statement on Tuesday. The Australian Federal Police and the defence minister's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the security agreement. "Its a big issue and Australia can help us out considerably," said Tkatchenko, who began negotiations with Australia on the deal last year. They will be contracted officers reporting directly to the police commissioner of Papua New Guinea and they will be under all the laws of PNG.

Persons: James Marape, Lillian Suwanrumpha, Marape, Justin Tkatchenko, Tkatchenko, Kirsty Needham, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Guinea's, APEC, APEC Business, Economic Cooperation, Rights, Papua New Guinea, Australia, U.S, Reuters, Defence, Australian Federal Police, PNG Royal Constabulary, CID, Australian, Thomson Locations: Papua, Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, biosecurity, Papua New, Canberra, United States, China, Solomon Islands, Australia, France

☆ Little food, a beating and lice: What freed Israeli hostages are saying about being held by Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Rachel Clarke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The details below have been compiled from comments by freed hostages to their families, their carers and sometimes to reporters. Under the terms of the deal between Israel and Hamas, most of those released are women, children and foreign workers. Ruth Munder, a released Israeli hostage, walks with an Israeli soldier shortly after her arrival in Israel on November 24. Emily Hand told her father that they always had breakfast and sometimes lunch or an evening meal. Emily Hand said she was not hit and her father said he believed harsh voices were enough to make her do what was wanted.

Persons: –, It’s, Adina Moshe, Eyal Nouri, “, ” Moshe, Nouri, keener, ” Nouri, Yocheved, Emily, Thomas Hand, Hand, “ It’s, ”, Hila Rotem, Raaya Rotem, ” Hand, “ She’d, Hila, bedclothes, Ruth Munder, Eitan Yahalomi, Deborah Cohen, Omer Lubaton Granot, ” Granot, Lifshitz, Grandmother Ruth Munder, Israel’s vise, ” Munder, ” Adina Moshe, Emily Hand, she’s, Uthai Saengnuan, Eitan, Yair Rotem, it’s, Yar Rotem, ” Chumpron Jirachart, Manee Jirachart, I’ve, Elma Avraham, Hagai Levine, ” Eitan Yahalomi, Efrat Bron, Harlev, ” Bron, ” Israel, CNN’s Rachel Clarke, Joseph Ataman, Wolf Blitzer, Kate Bolduan, Bianna Golodryga, Jessie Gretener, Poppy Harlow, Jacqueline Howard, Lauren Izso, Ed Lavandera, Phil Mattingly, Kocha OIarn, Clarissa Ward Organizations: CNN, Rotem, United Nations ’ Office, Humanitarian Affairs, BFMTV, Israel’s, UN, Sourasky Medical, Israeli Defense Forces, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Atlanta

According to three regional sources, Israel related its plans to its neighbours Egypt and Jordan, along with the United Arab Emirates, which normalised ties with Israel in 2020. He declined to offer details when asked whether those plans had been raised with international partners, including Arab states. A U.S. official, who declined to be identified, said Israel had "floated" the buffer zone idea without saying to whom. The regional sources compared the Gaza buffer zone plan to the "security zone" Israel once had in south Lebanon. "The buffer zone could make (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's forces a target also in the zone," he said.

Persons: Ronen, Israel, Abu Dhabi, Ophir Falk, Benjamin Netanyahu, Lebanon's, it's, Mohammad Dahlan, Benjamin, Netanyahu's, Samia Nakhoul, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Jonathan Saul, Dan Williams, Aidan Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk, Steve Holland, Edmund Blair, Daniel Flynn Organizations: REUTERS, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Saudi, Reuters, U.S, Lebanon's Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO, Palestinian Fatah, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Gaza Israel, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, U.S, DUBAI, CAIRO, LONDON, Israel, Riyadh, Arab Turkey, Qatar, Qatari, Turkish, Palestinian, Cairo, Lebanon, PLO, Dubai, London, Jerusalem, Washington

Media affiliated to Hamas said explosions and gunfire could be head in the northern part of the Gaza Strip ahead of the truce deadline. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report and there was no immediate comment from Israel or Hamas. Mark Regev, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel was open to continuing the ceasefire if Hamas committed to further hostage releases. Israel had previously set the release of 10 hostages a day as the minimum it would accept to pause its assault. [1/5]A helicopter carrying hostages released amid a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel arrives at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv district, Israel, December 1, 2023.

Persons: Israel's Kan, Israel, Mark Regev, Benjamin Netanyahu, we're, Athit, Qatar's, Abdullah Al Sulaiti, I've, Mia Schem, Schem, Aisha al, BLINKEN, Jordan's King Abdullah, U.N, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Netanyahu, Nidal al, Mohammed Salem, Humeyra Pamuk, Ari Rabinovich, Emily Rose, Andrew Mills, Cynthia Osterman, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Gaza Hamas, Hamas, Media, Street, CNN, United Nations, Sheba Medical, REUTERS, Reuters, Palestinian Red Crescent Society, U.S, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Gaza GAZA, TEL AVIV, Qatari, Palestinian, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv district, ISRAEL, Amman, United States, Tel Aviv, Cairo, Jerusalem, Doha

☆ Tearful reunions for Israelis and Palestinians amid hostage-prisoner swap
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[6/30]Merav Tal, 53, who was taken hostage during the October 7 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas, embraces her loved ones shortly after her arrival at the Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 28. Her partner Yair is still being held hostage in Gaza and his children Yagil and Or were released the day before Merav. via Prime Minister's OfficeTEL AVIV, ISRAEL

Persons: Merav Tal, Yair, Yagil, ISRAEL Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Sourasky Medical, Merav, Minister's Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Gaza, TEL AVIV

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne attends the questions to the government session at the National Assembly in Paris, France, November 22, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Nov 29 (Reuters) - France's prime minister asked her cabinet to stop using widespread instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram and install widely unknown Olvid, a product of Paris's start-up scene presenting itself as a more secure alternative. In a ministerial circular, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne urged ministers and their top staff to deploy the Olvid app on phones and computers, her office told Reuters on Wednesday, confirming French media reports. Messaging apps like Meta's WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal have increasingly become the go-to tool of communication in the inner circles of French politics, and government officials also use the apps when talking to journalists. President Emmanuel Macron is said to be an avid user of messaging apps himself.

Persons: Elisabeth Borne, Sarah Meyssonnier, Emmanuel Macron, Olvid, Tassilo Hummel, Josie Kao Organizations: French, National Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, French

Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the retreat session of the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 5, 2023. The document, known as Resource Mobilisation Plan, has to be agreed with investors ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) which begins on Thursday in Dubai. Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will attend the COP28 from Nov 30 to Dec 3, the government portal said, raising expectations that the plan could be announced there. A second foreign official said there was no major issue pending, and approval of the final version "is very nearly there." There is no certainty that Vietnam would actually take the loans on offer, and the communist government has been reluctant to take foreign loans in the past.

Persons: Pham Minh Chinh, Mast, Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio, Khanh Vu, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Vietnam's, 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Rights, Change, Reuters, of, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights HANOI, Vietnam, Dubai, Hanoi

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