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☆ In India’s 2024 election, BJP’s main opposition appears increasingly weak in face of Modi juggernaut
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Helen Regan | Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +21 min

Supporters of India's opposition party, Indian National Congress, during an election rally in Puducherry on April 15, 2024 R. Satish Babu/AFP/Getty ImagesDemocracy under threat? Dipam Bhachech/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Modi worked his way through the ranks of the BJP, establishing himself as a respected politician. Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images Modi hugs French President Emmanuel Macron after a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, on June 3, 2017. Brent Lewin/Bloomberg/Getty Images India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on June 22, 2023. Pedro Ugarte/AFP/Getty Images Modi offers a toast during a State Dinner with President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington, on June 22, 2023.

Persons: ”, Narendra Modi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Indira Gandhi, Gandhi, ” Hazari Lal Rajput, Satish Babu, Modi, Modi’s, Matthew Abbott, Hiraben, Damodardas, Dipam Bhachech, Lal Krishna Advani, Subhas Chandra Bose, Kalpit Bhachech, Kalpit, Negi Yasbant, Amit Dave, Ajit Solanki, Kevin Frayer, Saurabh Das, AP Modi, Manish Swarup, Lucas Jackson, Barack Obama, Adrien Helou, Reuters Modi, Adnan Abidi, Stringer, Mark Zuckerberg, David Paul Morris, Marco Longari, Angela Merkel, Tobias Schwarz, Emmanuel Macron, Charles Platiau, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, India's, Jair Bolsonaro, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Amit Shah, Money Sharma, Boris Johnson, Phil Noble, Anthony Albanese, Brent Lewin, Pedro Ugarte, Joe Biden, Doug Mills, Paul Mashatile, Jacoline, Imtiyaz Khan, Amr Alfiky, Arati Jerath, “, it’s, Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Indira, India’s, Jawaharlal Nehru, gunning, ” Modi, shouldn’t, Mohammad Irfan, —, Arvind Kejriwal, Altaf Qadri, Kejriwal, Atishi, you’re, Jerath, Gandhi ‘, ’ Modi, Christophe Jaffrelot, CNN Modi, Rasheed Kidwai, Rahul, Diptendu Dutta, Mamata Banerjee, Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, ” Kidwai, ” Jerath Organizations: CNN, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Indian National Congress, Getty, Democracy, Modi’s BJP, Pew, New York Times, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Modi, Hospital, Narendra, India Today, AP, India's, Madison, Garden, Reuters, Washington , D.C, French National Space Agency, of Yoga, Meta, Facebook, Bloomberg, European, Saudi Arabia's Crown, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kyodo, British, Summit, Qudos Bank, White, Anadolu Agency, Anadolu, United, United Arab Emirates, Developmental Inclusive Alliance, Indian, Aadmi Party, Delhi, AAP, Aam Aadmi Party, All, Trinamool, West, All India, Congress, “, “ Democracy Locations: India, Uttar Pradesh, Ramlila, Puducherry, Modi’s, Sydney, Australia, Gujarat, Ahmedabad, Ahmadabad, Varanasi, New Delhi, United States, Washington, Washington ,, Toulouse, France, Xian, AFP, Menlo Park , California, U.S, Pretoria, South Africa, China, Berlin, Paris, Rashtrapati, Russian, Brasilia, Glasgow, Red, Ayodhya, Abu Dhabi, United Arab, INDIA, Delhi, India’s, Lok Sabha, Atishi, ”, Manipur, Siliguri, West Bengal, Tamil

☆ Zaha Hadid Architects unveil Muscat waterfront development
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Rym Bendimerad | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Oman’s capital of Muscat is set to get an expansive $1.3 billion waterfront development, designed by globally renowned Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). The 3.3 million square-meter Al Khuwair Muscat Downtown and Waterfront development will include a residential complex, a marina, a cultural district, numerous canal walkways and a ministerial campus. ZHA’s associate director, architect Paolo Zilli, told CNN he spent around a year finalizing the model he presented to Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. In Muscat, the population is projected to increase from 1.5 million to 2.7 million by that year. “There are a lot of changes,” Dr. Khalfan bin Saeed bin Mubarak al-Shueili, Oman’s Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, told CNN.

Persons: CNN —, Zaha Hadid, Paolo Zilli, ”, ZHA, Khalfan bin Saeed bin Mubarak, “ Organizations: CNN, Oman’s Ministry of Housing, Urban Planning, Oman Ministry of Housing, Urban, Oman’s, Housing, ”, Zaha Hadid Architects, Guangzhou Opera House, United, United Arab Emirates Locations: Muscat, Khuwair Muscat Downtown, Oman, “, Guangzhou, China, Wolfsburg, Germany, Sharjah, United Arab

☆ Oil gains as market buffeted by supply worries
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil wells are seen at an oil facility by the Highway 5 near Bakersfield in California, U.S. on Nov. 27, 2022. Oil prices extended gains on Wednesday as a larger than expected fall in U.S. crude inventories and escalating geopolitical tensions raised investor worries about tighter supplies. U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 2.3 million barrels last week, higher than the 1.5 million barrel drop forecast by analysts in a Reuters poll. Russia, among the top three global oil producers and one of the largest exporters of oil products, has been contending with Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries and has also attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The U.S. dollar also edged down against a basket of currencies on Wednesday, helping support demand for dollar-denominated commodities like oil.

Persons: Brent, WTI, Israel, Pemex Organizations: U.S, West Texas, Reuters, The U.S Locations: Bakersfield, California, U.S, Brent, Ukrainian, Russia, Iran, Damascus, Dos Bocas

☆ Oil holds to gains as market monitors OPEC+ policy, geopolitical tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Crude oil futures on Wednesday clung to recent gains as mounting geopolitical tensions and OPEC+ policy lift prices. The West Texas Intermediate contract for May delivery gained 28 cents, or 0.33%, to settle at $85.43 a barrel. Crude futures are at their highest level since late October. Some members of OPEC and allies led by Russia, called OPEC+, are voluntarily cutting 2.2 million barrels per day of production through at least the second quarter. The group's Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee concluded a meeting Wednesday without recommending changes to OPEC+ current production policy, according to two delegates.

Persons: Brent Organizations: West Texas Intermediate, Energy Information Administration Locations: Midland, Odessa, Texas, U.S, Russia

☆ Oil gains on upbeat manufacturing data, escalating Middle East tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The May contract for U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 32 cents to $84.03 a barrel. Stronger than expected U.S. and Chinese manufacturing data is lifting prices, Tony Sycamore, a market analyst with IG, wrote in a note. U.S. futures could rise as high as the mid-$90s if they break a technical resistance level of $84.00 a barrel, Sycamore said. The last time the prompt-month WTI contract reached the $95 per barrel level was in August 2022. Iran's involvement could see its oil supply under threat," ANZ analysts wrote in a note.

Persons: Brent, Tony Sycamore, Sycamore Organizations: U.S . West Texas, IG, ANZ, of Petroleum, Ministerial Locations: China, U.S, Syria

☆ Oil prices fall for a second day as U.S. crude inventories increase
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Oil prices fell for a second day on Wednesday after a report that crude stockpiles in the U.S., the world's biggest oil user, surged and on signs major producers are unlikely to change their output policy at a technical meeting next week. Brent crude futures for May dropped 74 cents, or 0.9%, to $85.51 a barrel at 0420 GMT. U.S. crude oil inventories rose by 9.3 million barrels in the week ended March 22, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Earlier this month, OPEC+ members agreed to extend their output cuts of about 2.2 million barrels per day to the end of June. Highlighting that Iraq is among the OPEC+ members that have admitted to overproducing in recent months, analysts at ANZ said in a report on Wednesday, "traders are also watching OPEC members for any sign they may be altering their stance on production quotas."

Persons: Rong Yeap, overproducing Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, IG, American Petroleum Institute, of, Petroleum, Ministerial, Reuters, ANZ Locations: U.S, Singapore . U.S, Russia, OPEC, Iraq

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Members of a transitional presidential council who will be responsible for selecting a new prime minister issued their first official statement on Wednesday, pledging to restore “public and democratic order” in Haiti. Photos You Should See View All 60 ImagesIn recent days, the violence has been largely focused on downtown Port-au-Prince. Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who remains locked out of Haiti, has said he would resign once the council is formally established. It is imperative that the entire nation comes together to overcome this crisis for the well-being of all and a future better for our country,” the council members said. Smith recently replaced former nominee, Dominique Dupuy, a UNESCO ambassador, who announced Sunday that she was resigning following political attacks and death threats.

Persons: “, ”, Ariel Henry, Fritz Alphonse Jean, Leslie Voltaire, Fanmi Lavalas, Louis Gérald Gilles, Henry, Laurent Saint, Cyr, Edgard Leblanc Fils, Emmanuel Vertilaire, Augustin Smith, Frinel Joseph, Smith, Dominique Dupuy Organizations: PORT, —, Montana Accord, EDE, UNESCO Locations: Haiti, Port

☆ Only Henry can sign off on Haiti’s transitional council, embattled PM’s office tells CNN
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Anneclaire Stapleton | Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Haiti’s embattled Prime Minister Ariel Henry says his country’s constitution states that only he and his cabinet can appoint a council for the transition of power, Henry’s office told CNN exclusively on Wednesday. But Henry’s office told CNN that only he and his cabinet can appoint the transitional council and will not simply “deliver the country” to new leaders without following constitutional procedures. “According to the Haitian constitution, only the prime minister with the cabinet can appoint the presenting council. Simon Maina/AFP/Getty ImagesThe United Nations secretary-general’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday that the transitional council under the CARICOM agreement for Haiti is the path forward. While Henry was out of the country, gangs laid siege to Haiti’s main airport to prevent his safe return.

Persons: CNN —, Ariel Henry, Henry, Jean Junior Joseph, “, Simon Maina, Stephane Dujarric, Dujarric, “ It’s, we’ve, that’s, ” Henry, Haiti’s, Jovenel Moïse, Jimmy “, Viv Ansanm, Jean, Martin Bauer, Bauer Organizations: CNN, Haitian, United States International University Africa, Getty, United Nations, UN, Caribbean, International Organization for Migration, Dominican, Food Program, Bauer . Food Locations: Caribbean, Haiti, Kenya, Nairobi, AFP, Puerto Rico, Haiti’s, Dominican Republic, Hispaniola, Dominican, Port

BEIJING (AP) — China’s national congress is wrapping up its annual session Monday with the usual show of near-unanimous support for plans designed to carry out ruling Communist Party leader Xi Jinping's vision for the nation. This year's weeklong event, replete with meetings carefully scripted to allow no surprises, has highlighted how China’s politics have become ever more calibrated to elevate Xi. A key item due to be put for a ritual vote on Monday are revisions of the “Organic Law of the State Council,” China's version of a cabinet, that direct it to follow Xi's vision. The Organic Law of the State Council is being revised for the first time since it was adopted in 1982. The revision calls for the State Council, above all, to “uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China."

Persons: Xi, —, Li Qiang, ” Neil Thomas, ” Thomas, Wang Yi, Qin Gang, Mao Zedong, ” Organizations: BEIJING, —, Communist Party, State Council, Asia Society Policy Institute, Communist Party of China Locations: China, China's, U.S

☆ Australia and Vietnam upgrade relations, to begin talks on critical minerals
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife Tran (R) stand with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (2nd L) and his fiancee Jodie Haydon (L) during an official welcoming ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra on March 7, 2024. "Elevating our ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership today places Australia and Vietnam among each other's significant partners," Albanese told a news conference in Canberra. Albanese and Chinh on Thursday also witnessed the exchanges of 12 cooperation documents on areas including energy, minerals, agriculture, banking and finance, according to the Vietnamese government. Australia is a major producer of critical minerals that are used in everything from smartphones to automobiles, while Vietnam has some of the largest untapped deposits in the world. "An annual ministerial dialogue on energy and minerals will drive cooperation in our energy and resources sectors, including critical minerals supply chains," the statement said.

Persons: Pham Minh Chinh, Tran, Anthony Albanese, Jodie Haydon, Albanese, Chinh Organizations: Vietnam, Australian, House, Communist, Mutual, Vietnam News Agency Locations: Canberra, Vietnam, China, Australia

☆ CNBC Daily Open: U.S. manufacturing struggles to recover
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Workers assemble printed circuit boards at the Intervala manufacturing facility in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. The CSI 300 was lower as investors focused on China's annual meetings and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index also fell. "Those names are being driven by earnings," Niles told CNBC last week.

Persons: Hong, Dow, Energy's, Jorge Leon, Jeremy Hunt, Dan Niles, Niles Organizations: US, Bureau, CNBC, Nikkei, CSI, Nasdaq, Budget, Conservative, Labour, Nvidia, Meta, Microsoft Locations: Mount Pleasant , Pennsylvania, U.S, China, Beijing, Angola

☆ India and South Africa block major investment deal at WTO talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Delegates attend the 13th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi of Feb. 26, 2024. India and South Africa have filed a formal objection against an investment agreement at a World Trade Organization meeting in Abu Dhabi, blocking its adoption in a move that observers say could block hundreds of billions of dollars in investment. India and South Africa have filed a formal objection against an investment agreement at a World Trade Organization meeting in Abu Dhabi, blocking its adoption in a move that observers say could block hundreds of billions of dollars in investment. The deal agreed by some 125 countries, or about three-quarters of the WTO's members, aims to simplify red tape, improve the investment environment and encourage foreign direct investment. A Western trade delegate at the talks called it "ironic that India and South Africa stand in the way of something with such manifest benefits for developing countries."

Persons: Alan Yanovich, Akin Gump Strauss Organizations: World Trade Organization Ministerial, World Trade Organization, South Locations: Abu Dhabi, India, South Africa

☆ 2024 is already straining the seams of China and Russia's 'no limits' partnership
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementRussia's finance ministry has been discussing yuan loans with its China counterparts — but a delayed decision suggests the two countries' "no limits" partnership may be under strain. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told RIA state news agency in an interview published on Monday that Russia is discussing the issue with Chinese authorities. Russia's finance ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. However, two years after Russia started its ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia and China appear to be continuing to conduct business as usual. Three of China's Big Four state banks have halted payments from sanctioned Russian financial institutions, Russia's Izvestia news outlet reported on February 21.

Persons: Anton Siluanov, Siluanov, Vladimir Putin, Dong Jinyue, SCMP Organizations: China, Russian, Business, Beijing, Street, China Morning Post, BBVA Research, Russia Locations: Russia, China, Moscow, Ukraine, Madrid, Russian

☆ UK nuclear missile test fails for second time in eight years
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Lauren Kent | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —A British nuclear missile test launch failed at a site off the coast of Florida, marking the second time in eight years that the country’s Trident 2 ballistic missiles have malfunctioned during trials. The fault was specific to the test kit and that the launch would have likely been successful if it had occurred out on a patrol, using a real nuclear warhead, according to the source. “The UK’s nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective,” The Ministry of Defense spokesperson added. “The test has reaffirmed the effectiveness of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, in which we have absolute confidence.”A Trident II missile is launched by the US navy during a test in 1989. Phil Sandlin/AP/FileShapps is expected to present a written ministerial statement on Britain’s nuclear deterrent to Parliament on Wednesday, according to the House of Commons order paper.

Persons: London CNN —, of Defense Grant Shapps, Sir Ben Key, Phil Sandlin, ”, John Healey Organizations: London CNN, HMS Vanguard, Ministry of Defense, Trident, CNN, The Sun, of Defense, “, Vanguard, US, Labour Party, Royal Navy Locations: British, Florida, United States, Georgia

☆ U.S. 'very concerned' about China's dominance as a critical minerals supplier, energy chief says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Sam Meredith | Www.Linkedin.Com In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Wednesday said the country is "very concerned" about China's grip on the global supply chain for critical minerals. China is the undisputed leader in the critical minerals supply chain, accounting for roughly 60% of the world's production of rare earth minerals and materials. "It's one of the pieces of the supply chain that we're very concerned about in the United States. We do not want to be over reliant on countries whose values we may not share," Granholm told CNBC's Silvia Amaro on Wednesday when asked about China's dominance as a critical minerals supplier. "We know all countries want to ensure that we have a critical stockpile of critical minerals and that we are allowed to diversify the supplies of those stockpiles.

Persons: Jennifer Granholm, Granholm, CNBC's Silvia Amaro Organizations: Energy, Wednesday, International Energy, International Energy Agency Locations: China, United States, Paris, France, U.S, Australia, Canada

☆ Thaksin Shinawatra: Thailand’s jailed former prime minister to be freed
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Thailand’s jailed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will soon walk free from detention after his parole was approved, according to Thailand’s justice minister, just six months after his dramatic return to the kingdom. The announcement caps an extraordinary decades-long political saga that will see the return of one of Thailand’s most controversial political figures to everyday life. On Tuesday, Thailand’s Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong confirmed to CNN Thaksin is one of 930 inmates who have been granted parole this month. The party’s candidate Strettha Thavisin became Thailand’s 30th prime minister in August, just hours after Thaksin’s return to the country. Last week, Reuters reported that Thaksin faces possible lese majeste charges under Thailand’s royal insult law, but it’s unclear whether prosecutors will move forward with the complaint.

Persons: Thailand CNN — Thailand’s, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Tawee Sodsong, Thaksin —, Strettha Thavisin, Thaksin’s, Pita Limjaroenrat Organizations: Thailand CNN, Manchester City, Thailand’s, CNN Thaksin, The Corrections Department, Thai Corrections Department, Reuters Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, New York, Thai

☆ What's Next in Pakistan Election Deadlock
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Gibran Naiyyar PeshimamISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's national election ended with no party winning a majority in parliament, in polls marred by militant violence, political turmoil and questions of transparency. The two, along with other smaller parties, form a coalition government in which Sharif or his brother is prime minister and important positions are given to other parties. The two parties were in government together for 16 months till August, with Bhutto Zardari as foreign minister and Sharif's brother Shehbaz as prime minister. BHUTTO ZARDARI PUSHES TO HEAD COALITION GOVERNMENTWhile Sharif and Khan's candidates won the most seats, no party can form government without the PPP. With both looking to keep the other out of power, the PPP strikes a deal to make the young Bhutto Zardari prime minister.

Persons: Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam, Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, SHARIF, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Benazir Bhutto, Bhutto Zardari, Shehbaz, Khan, BHUTTO ZARDARI, Sharif's, Gibran Peshimam, Sonali Paul Organizations: Monetary Fund, National Assembly, Pakistan Peoples Party Locations: Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam ISLAMABAD, Sharif, Pakistan

☆ Finland's New President Sees No Limit to NATO Ties, Ukraine Support
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

He said he agreed with his predecessor Sauli Niinisto "who said that we need a more European NATO". He would be "a Western president in many ways" and lean towards the United States, Britain and Nordic neighbours when it came to setting the tone of foreign policy, he told Reuters. "My starting point is, paraphrasing (European Central Bank President) Mario Draghi, whatever it takes," Stubb said. During his election campaign Stubb said Finland should be an active NATO member and seek to have some NATO troops stationed on its territory. Stubb is a keen amateur athlete and triathlon champion - though he has said he will cut down on sport once he becomes Finland's 13th president.

Persons: Anne Kauranen, Alexander Stubb, Sauli Niinisto, Mario Draghi, Stubb, Johanna Vuorelma, Vuorelma, Markku Jokisipila, Suzanne Innes, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Anne Kauranen HELSINKI, NATO, Reuters, European Investment Bank, European University Institute, Nordic, Ukraine, Central Bank, Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Finland's Centre, Parliamentary Studies, National Coalition Party Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Finland, Europe, Florence, United States, Britain, British

☆ Macron Replaces Embattled Education Minister With Former Justice Minister Belloubet
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - France announced a second batch of ministerial nominations on Thursday, with embattled Amelie Oudea-Castera stepping down as Education Minister and being replaced by former justice minister Nicole Belloubet. Oudea-Castera, a former high-flying tennis player, retains her role as Sports and Olympic Games Minister, the French Presidency said. Belloubet was justice minister from June 2017 until July 2020, when she was replaced by Eric Dupond-Moretti. She initially said she had taken her children off state schools to place them in a private Catholic institution because the state school had too often failed to replace missing teachers. The nominations come after Macron reshuffled his government in January.

Persons: Amelie Oudea, Nicole Belloubet, Belloubet, Eric Dupond, Moretti, Oudea, Castera, Gabriel Attal's, Macron, Dominique Vidalon, Michel Rose, Benoit Van Overstraeten Organizations: PARIS, Sports, Olympic Games Minister, Olympics Locations: France

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Nine members of the United Nations Security Council condemned “indiscriminate” airstrikes by Myanmar's military against civilians before an envoy briefed the council Monday as part of regional efforts to implement a peace plan that has so far been largely ineffective. Before the council meeting, nine of the 15 council members stood before reporters to support a statement read by Britain’s U.N. The United States pushed for an enforceable Security Council resolution to prevent Myanmar from getting jet fuel, the council diplomat said. According to the council diplomat, China, which has close ties to Myanmar, emphasized the need to give ASEAN's efforts time and space. Russia, which also has links to Myanmar, reiterated that the council shouldn’t be interfering in the country’s internal affairs.

Persons: Alounkeo Kittikhoun, —, Kittikhoun, Britain’s U.N, Barbara Woodward, Myanmar’s, Aung, Suu Kyi, United States —, Saleumxay Kommasith, Win Myint, U.N, Kyaw Moe Tun, Suu Kyi’s Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, United Nations Security Council, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Lao, Arakan Army, Bangladesh, Myanmar’s Border Guard Police, Democratic, Amnesty Locations: Myanmar, ASEAN, Laos, Suu, China, Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, South Korea, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Thailand, Rakhine, Bangladesh, Arakan, U.S, Union, Vietnam, Russia

☆ Italy's Junior Culture Minister Quits After Stolen Painting Scandal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

ROME (Reuters) - Italian junior culture minister and art critic Vittorio Sgarbi, under investigation over possession of a stolen painting, said on Friday he was quitting because Rome's antitrust body was trying to curb his unofficial duties. Sgarbi, 71, is a long-serving parliamentarian and outspoken TV personality who was close to former primer minister Silvio Berlusconi who died last year. Sgarbi said the antitrust authority, which is investigating him over a possible conflict of interest, had informed him he should not attend an art conference. "According to the antitrust notice, I should not talk about art, I should not deal with art. I should be a junior minister dealing with administrative duties, and limited ones," he said.

Persons: Vittorio Sgarbi, Sgarbi, Silvio Berlusconi, Michelangelo, Gennaro Sangiuliano, Alessandro Parodi, Christina Fincher Organizations: Prosecutors Locations: ROME, Milan, Turin

☆ Costs, Crackdown Put a Damper on Pakistan's Election Campaigns
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Ariba ShahidKARACHI (Reuters) - Higher living costs and political uncertainty have muted Pakistan's once boisterous election campaigns, with both candidates and those who supply them with materials bemoaning the need to do more with much less. Syed Arsalan Haider, a Karachi printer, said the cost of a square foot of banner was up by 130% since the last election. Khan, whose party won the last election, says the military wants to keep him from power, which the military denies. Meherbano Qureshi, a PTI candidate and daughter of the party's jailed vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, said people were scared to show their support and hang campaign material. (Reporting by Ariba Shahid in Karachi and Mubasher Bukhari in Lahore; Editing by YP Rajesh and Miral Fahmy)

Persons: Shahid, Imran Khan, Jawad Jiwani, Syed Arsalan Haider, Abdul Aziz, Taj Haider, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Faisal Subzwari, Khan, Meherbano Qureshi, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Khurram Sher Zaman, They're, Ariba Shahid, Mubasher Bukhari, YP Rajesh, Miral Organizations: Monetary Fund, Pakistan People's Party, PTI, Mubasher, YP Locations: Shahid KARACHI, Pakistan, Karachi, festooned, Lahore

☆ S.Korea Defence Minister Heads to Middle East for Talks, Arms Expo
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's defence minister Shin Won-sik departs on Thursday for a seven-day trip to the Middle East to hold ministerial talks and attend an arms exhibition in Saudi Arabia, the ministry said. He will also travel to Saudi Arabia on Saturday for the World Defense Show in Riyadh before heading to Qatar to meet Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, the country's defence minister. South Korea has emerged in recent years as one of the world's biggest arms exporters with sales jumping to $17 billion in 2022 from $7.25 billion the year before, data from the defence ministry showed. The country's arms exports to the Middle East grew nearly tenfold between 2013 and 2022, according to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 ImagesExperts say arms sales have been buoyed by South Korea's price competitiveness and ability to ensure speedy delivery.

Persons: Shin Won, sik, Shin, Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Hyunsu Yim, Ed Davies Organizations: United Arab Emirates, South, Akh Unit, World Defense, Korea Chamber of Commerce, Industry Locations: SEOUL, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Qatar, Korea, Israel, Gaza

☆ Thai court orders election-winning party to end its royal reform campaign in blow to voters who backed change
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“This would effectively mean that the lese majeste law would become untouchable,” said Munin Pongsapan, associate professor at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Law. Sentences for those convicted under lese majeste can be decades long and hundreds of people have been prosecuted in recent years. Anyone – including ordinary citizens – can bring lese majeste charges on behalf of the king, even if they are not directly involved with the case. Protesters demanding royal reform wanted to abolish the lese majeste law, and to ensure the king is answerable to the constitution, with protesters scrutinizing Vajiralongkorn’s immense wealth and power. Move Forward’s predecessor, the Future Forward Party, came out of nowhere to win the third most seats in the 2019 election.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, lese, ”, Munin Pongsapan, “, Munin, Parit Wacharasindhu, Stringer, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, ’, Thitinan, ” Thitinan, lese majeste, Thais, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Anusak, turfing, Pita, Wednesday’s Organizations: Thailand CNN, Wednesday, Party, University’s, of Law, CNN, Anadolu Agency, Chulalongkorn University, Forward Party, Legal, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Lawmakers Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Thai

☆ U.S. and China are working to make the business environment less volatile, Beijing says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Aly Song | ReutersBEIJING — China and the U.S. are working toward creating a more stable and predictable environment for businesses, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said Friday. U.S. and other foreign businesses in China have long complained of challenges to doing business in the Asian country, such as unequal treatment of foreign companies compared to local players. The move was widely seen as an improvement for foreign businesses, but no official policy has yet followed. When asked Friday for an update on data rules, Wang only said the "primary ministry is stepping up efforts to release them." When Raimondo visited China last year, she called for more action to improve predictability for U.S. businesses in China.

Persons: Aly Song, Wang Wentao, Gina Raimondo's, Wang, Raimondo, Biden Organizations: Chinese Communist Party, Reuters, Commerce, CNBC, Cyberspace Administration of China, CAC, of Commerce Locations: China, U.S, Yiwu, Zhejiang province, Reuters BEIJING, Washington, France

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