DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Air Defences Down 16 Airborne Targets in Russia's Belgorod, Local Governor Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

(Reuters) - Russian air defence units on Wednesday downed 16 airborne targets around the city of Belgorod in southern Russia, with no injuries reported on the ground, regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Gladkov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said the attacks broke windows and caused other damage to several sites in the town, including two schools and four educational institutions. Pictures posted on social media showed a car bursting into flames and a fire in a courtyard. Ukraine has in recent weeks regularly launched air attacks on Belgorod, and two nearby Russian regions, Bryansk and Voronezh. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 96 ImagesPhotos You Should See View All 60 Images(Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Persons: Vyacheslav Gladkov, Gladkov, Ron Popeski, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, Wednesday Locations: Belgorod, Russia, Ukraine, Bryansk, Voronezh

☆ US Has Intelligence Confirming Islamic State Responsibility for Russia Attack, Official Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-22 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Steve Holland(Reuters) - The United States has intelligence confirming Islamic State's claim of responsibility for a deadly shooting at a concert near Moscow, a U.S. official said on Friday. The official said the United States had warned Russia in recent weeks about the possibility of an attack. War in Israel and Gaza View All 222 Images"We did warn the Russians appropriately," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, without providing any additional details. At least 40 people were killed and 145 wounded on Friday when camouflage-clad gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons on concertgoers near Moscow in one of the deadliest attacks on Russia in decades. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 96 ImagesIslamic State, the militant group that once sought control over swathes of Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the attack, the group's Amaq agency said on Telegram.

Persons: Steve Holland, Andrea Shalal, Sandra Maler Organizations: United, Islamic, U.S Locations: United States, Moscow, Russia, Israel, Gaza, Iraq, Syria

☆ US 'Replicator' Drone Program to Cost $500 Million Per Year, Pentagon Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

By Mike StoneWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks on Monday said the Pentagon plans to spend about $500 million annually on the plan to network and task thousands of cheap, smart combat drones for any future conflict. The Pentagon's "Replicator" program, announced last year, is an ambitious effort to quickly muster and deploy large numbers of cheap drones within 18 to 24 months. Hicks told reporters at the Pentagon that in fiscal 2024 the Pentagon anticipated spending $500 million and in fiscal 2025 also "it's around $500 million. That's sort of the sum total of what we anticipate. (Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; editing by Susan Heavey and Sandra Maler)

Persons: Mike Stone WASHINGTON, Kathleen Hicks, Monday, Hicks, Mike Stone, Susan Heavey, Sandra Maler Organizations: . Deputy, Pentagon Locations: Washington

☆ Netanyahu Says at Least 13,000 'Terrorists' Among Palestinians Killed
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The Gaza health ministry does not break down the death toll between civilians and Hamas militants but has said that 72% of those killed were women and children. So there's no red line (in which) I'm going to cut off all weapons so they don't have the Iron Dome to protect them." Politico quoted Netanyahu as saying on Sunday that Israeli forces would push into Rafah, adding: "You know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is, that October 7 doesn't happen again. Three quarters of Hamas battalions had been destroyed and halting the offensive now would only allow them to regroup, Bild quoted Netanyahu as saying.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Axel Springer, Biden, I'm, Politico, Bild, Ludwig Burger, Michelle Nichols, Giles Elgood, Sandra Maler Organizations: Hamas, Welt, Bild, MSNBC Locations: FRANKFURT, Gaza, U.S, Israel, German, Rafah

☆ At Least 126 Activists Killed in Latin America in 2023 -Report
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - At least 126 human rights and environmental defenders were murdered in Latin America in 2023, according to data from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) published on Tuesday, matching the previous year's figure. The IACHR, an autonomous organ of the Washington-based Organization of American States, expressed alarm over "high rates of violence" against human rights defenders in the region, where 54 assassinations were reported just in the year's final three months. Colombia was the deadliest country for environmental and human rights activists, with murders rising to 34 last year from 26 in 2022. Brazil was second with 10 murders, followed by Mexico with four, and Guatemala, Honduras and Peru with three, two and one assassination respectively. The IACHR congratulated Mexico's budget increase aimed at bolstering a government program for the protection of human rights defenders and journalists, while expressing concern over the killings of four human rights defenders.

Persons: IACHR, Aida Pelaez, Fernandez, Sandra Maler Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Inter, American, of Human Rights Locations: MEXICO, America, Washington, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru

☆ Ukraine's Military: Russian Forces Stopped Near Avdiivka, but Reinforcing Elsewhere
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Ukraine's military said on Monday its forces had contained a Russian advance outside the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka captured last month, but Moscow's troops were regrouping in an area further south. Ukrainian military spokesperson Dmytro Lykhoviy, speaking on national television, acknowledged that Russian forces were in partial control of two more villages -- but their advance had been halted. An account of the fighting by the Russian defence ministry said Moscow's forces had "as a result of coordinated action continued to occupy more advantageous positions" near Avdiivka. Russian forces have focused on securing control of eastern Ukraine in the two-year-old war after their initial attempt to advance on Kyiv failed. Ukraine's Emergency Services reported that two firefighters had been killed near the eastern Ukrainian town of Kramatorsk -- north of Avdiivka -- when they came under Russian shelling while battling a blaze.

Persons: Avdiivka, Vladimir Putin, Dmytro Lykhoviy, Lykhoviy, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, Radio Liberty, Emergency Services Locations: Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Russia, Donetsk, Novomykhailivka, Ukraine, Kramatorsk

☆ UK's Cameron Raises Red Sea, Human Rights Issues With Chinese Counterpart
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

(Reuters) - British foreign minister David Cameron met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, the Foreign Office said in a statement. Cameron told his counterpart that China should use its influence on Iran to pressure the Houthi militants over their actions in the Red Sea, the statement on Saturday said. Cameron also set out Britain's position on human rights issues in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, raised the case of British parliamentarians sanctioned by China, and again called for the release of media tycoon Jimmy Lai. War in Israel and Gaza View All 209 Images(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra Maler)Photos You Should See View All 33 Images

Persons: David Cameron, Wang Yi, Cameron, Jimmy Lai, Rishabh, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, Foreign, Munich, China Locations: China, Iran, Red, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Israel, Gaza, Bengaluru

☆ Striking Truck Drivers Block Key Mexican Highways Over Lawlessness
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Striking truck drivers blocked key Mexican transport arteries on Thursday, jamming vital highways to protest lawlessness on the roads that has led to a rise in robberies and extortion. Traffic on at least nine highways was affected by the protests, according to local media reports. Rafael Ortiz, leader of transport group Amotac, told local media that more strikes could be called if the government does not meet their demands. Ortiz urged the government to boost security, noting that between one and two truck drivers are killed every month on the roads due to the lack of safety. The road blockades erected by the striking drivers are "unfounded and unjustified," Mexico's government said in a statement on Thursday, adding that Amotac representatives decided to stop negotiations on Wednesday even as progress was being made.

Persons: Rafael Ortiz, Ortiz, Amotac, Valentine Hilaire, Sandra Maler Organizations: MEXICO CITY, National Guard Locations: MEXICO

☆ US 'Very Confident' Australia and Britain Will Be Eligible for AUKUS Exemptions
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By David BrunnstromWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top U.S. official for arms control said on Wednesday she is "very confident" the United States will certify Australia and Britain as eligible for exemptions from export-control regulations under the AUKUS submarine project. The AUKUS project unveiled by the three countries in 2023 involves Australia acquiring nuclear-powered attack submarines as part of efforts by the allies to push back against China's growing power in the Indo-Pacific region. This is provided for in the 2024 U.S. National Defense Authorization Act passed in December, but requires Biden's final signoff by mid-April. "We have to keep showing that we're all-in and ... people are watching what's happening with the supplemental," she said. "We need to pass a supplemental because of all the things in here, including AUKUS, that shows the U.S. wants to continue to be a leader."

Persons: David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Bonnie Jenkins, Jenkins, Mike Johnson, David Brunnstrom, Sandra Maler Organizations: U.S, Arms, U.S . International, . National Defense, Foreign Affairs, Senate, Republican, Republican U.S . House Locations: United States, Australia, Britain, U.S, Mexico

☆ Israeli Offensive on Rafah Would Be a Humanitarian Catastrophe, Says Germany
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - An Israeli offensive on the Gaza city of Rafah where 1.3 million people have sought refuge would be a humanitarian catastrophe, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Wednesday. Speaking at a news conference in Jerusalem, Baerbock said: "1.3 million people are waiting there in a very small space. If the Israeli army were to launch an offensive on Rafah under these conditions, it would be a humanitarian catastrophe." War in Israel and Gaza View All 206 Images"Let's agree on sanctions together in Europe. Photos You Should See View All 22 Images(Reporting by Riham Alkousaa in Berlin; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Persons: Annalena Baerbock, Baerbock, Riham Alkousaa, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, German, European Union, West Bank Locations: Gaza, Rafah, Jerusalem, Germany, France, Washington, Britain, Israel, Europe, Berlin

☆ US Reviewing Reports of Civilian Harm by Israel, State Dept Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

"We do seek to thoroughly assess reports of civilian harm by authorized recipients of U.S.-provided defense articles around the world," Miller said at a press briefing, adding that a process under the State Department's Civilian Harm Incident Response Guidance (CHIRG) was assessing incidents in the current conflict. Israel's ensuing assault on Gaza has killed more than 28,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 68,000, according to Gaza health officials. The guidance sets out a process by which State Department officials investigate specific incidents where civilians may have been harmed by U.S. weapons. But a source familiar with the process said the department was looking at least 50 reported incidents of civilian harm. The process is separate from assessments the State Department sometimes undertakes to determine whether atrocities, including crimes against humanity or even genocide, have been committed in a conflict.

Persons: Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis WASHINGTON, Israel, Matthew Miller, Biden, Miller, Joe Biden, Simon Lewis, Sandra Maler Organizations: State, U.S, State Department's, State Department, Department, Reuters, Washington, Defense Locations: United States, Gaza, Israel, Washington

☆ US Conducts More Strikes on Houthi Targets in Yemen
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Kanishka SinghWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Central Command forces on Thursday conducted seven "self-defense" strikes against four Houthi unmanned surface vessels and seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to be launched against ships in the Red Sea, the U.S. military said. The Houthi campaign has disrupted international shipping. The United States and Britain have recently launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and returned the militia to a list of "terrorist groups." U.S. President Joe Biden said in January that strikes on Houthi targets would continue even as he acknowledged they may not be halting their attacks. The Gaza health ministry says over 27,000 people have been killed in the densely populated enclave since.

Persons: Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, CENTCOM, Joe Biden, Kanishka Singh, Sandra Maler, Leslie Adler Organizations: U.S . Central Command, U.S, U.S . Navy, Hamas Locations: Red, Iran, Yemen, Gulf of Aden, Gaza, United States, Britain, Israel, Houthi, Asia, Europe

☆ UN Chief Concerned by Violence, Communication Restriction on Pakistan Election Day
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Michelle Nichols and Kanishka SinghUNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday expressed concern about violence in Pakistan and the suspension of mobile communications services on election day in the South Asian nation, his spokesperson said in an emailed statement. CONTEXTThousands of troops were deployed on the streets in Pakistan and at polling stations across the country. Despite the heightened security, nine people, including two children, were killed on Thursday in bomb blasts, grenade attacks and shootings. At least another 26 were killed on Wednesday in two explosions near electoral candidates' offices in the southwestern province of Balochistan. Earlier on Thursday, the U.S. State Department also said it was concerned about steps taken to "restrict freedom of expression" in Pakistan, especially related to phone and internet access.

Persons: Michelle Nichols, Kanishka Singh, Antonio Guterres, Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif, Stephane Dujarric, Sandra Maler Organizations: NATIONS, Reuters, United Nations, Mobile, Interior Ministry, Amnesty, Pakistan Muslim League, Islamic State, U.S . State Department Locations: Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Balochistan, Islamic

☆ Biden Says Gaza Fighting 'Over the Top,' Pushing for Pause
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Jeff Mason and Trevor HunnicuttWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday suggested that Israel's military response in Gaza has been "over the top," adding that he is working to achieve a sustained pause in fighting. He added that he has been pushing for increased humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians and to get a temporary pause in place to allow the release of hostages taken by Hamas. "I'm pushing very hard now to deal with this hostage ceasefire," Biden said. War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 ImagesIsrael began its military offensive after Hamas militants from Gaza killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages in southern Israel on Oct. 7. (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Sandra Maler and Diane Craft)

Persons: Jeff Mason, Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, it's, Trevor Hunnicutt, Sandra Maler, Diane Craft Organizations: White, Israeli, Israel Locations: Gaza, Israel

☆ Ecuador Top Court Recognizes Right to Euthanasia
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Alexandra ValenciaQUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador's Constitutional Court on Wednesday approved a request from a terminally ill patient to decriminalize euthanasia and ordered the National Assembly to approve a law regulating the procedure within a year. Paola Roldan, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2020, petitioned Ecuador's top court in August last year to recognize her right to euthanasia, given her deterioration and pain caused by the illness. The resolution is immediately applicable and Roldan can choose to be euthanized whenever she decides, her lawyers told journalists. Ecuador is the latest country in the region to authorize euthanasia, following Cuba - which gave it the green light in December - and neighboring Colombia, which allows euthanasia in certain instances. "This has been a very special moment for me," Roldan told journalists, adding she will now take time to assimilate what this means alongside her lawyers.

Persons: Alexandra Valencia, Paola Roldan, Ecuador's, Roldan, Oliver Griffin, Sandra Maler Organizations: Alexandra Valencia QUITO, National Assembly, Ministry of Health Locations: Ecuador, Cuba, Colombia

☆ January Was World's Warmest on Record, EU Scientists Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Kate AbnettBRUSSELS (Reuters) - The world just experienced its hottest January on record, continuing a run of exceptional heat fuelled by climate change, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said on Thursday. Last month surpassed the previous warmest January, which occurred in 2020, in C3S's records going back to 1950. Every month since June has been the world's hottest on record, compared with the corresponding month in previous years. "Rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are the only way to stop global temperatures increasing," she said. Still, average global sea surface temperatures last month were the highest for any January on record.

Persons: Kate Abnett BRUSSELS, Samantha Burgess, Kate Abnett, Sandra Maler Organizations: El, Nina Locations: U.S, Paris

☆ Chilean Vet Helps Dogs, Cats and Rabbits Injured in Wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

VINA DEL MAR, Chile (Reuters) - Among the mountains of debris left over from raging wildfires that have killed more than 120 people in Chile are lost dogs and cats, wandering the streets covered in ash and burns. Christopher Romero, 22, was out buying groceries when the fire struck his home in Vina del Mar on Friday. He says his father was able to get his family to safety but their two dogs, Black and Kiara, fled into the night. Nicolas Escobar, the university's veterinary director, said the clinic has attended to more 100 dogs, cats and rabbits since Friday, treating burns, giving oxygen and even reviving some of them. He said the clinic has also been helping track down owners of lost pets through social media or by scanning microchips.

Persons: Christopher Romero, Romero, " Romero, Nicolas Escobar, Escobar, I've, Alexander Villegas, Sandra Maler Organizations: VINA DEL, Vina del Mar, Americas University Locations: Chile, Vina del, Akita

☆ Argentina Lower Chamber Approves Milei's 'Omnibus' Reform Bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's lower chamber of deputies gave overall approval to libertarian President Javier Milei's sweeping "omnibus" reform bill in a vote on Friday after days of debate, paving the way for a decisive vote in the Senate. The controversial reform package was approved on a vote of 144 votes in favor, and 109 against. The mammoth bill is a key plank of Milei's reforms plans for Argentina's embattled economy, which is grappling with inflation above 200%, depleted foreign currency reserves and a time-bomb of debt repayments owned to creditors and investors. Milei's Libertad Avanza party only holds a small number of seats in the 257-seat chamber, but was still able to muster enough support from likeminded allies to advance the bill. (Reporting by Nicolas Misculin and Eliana Raszewski; Editing by Diane Craft and Sandra Maler)

Persons: Javier Milei's, Milei's, Nicolas Misculin, Diane Craft, Sandra Maler Organizations: BUENOS AIRES, Reuters, Senate Locations: BUENOS

☆ Chile's Capital Faces Heat Wave, Experts Warn of More to Come
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's capital and other regions are facing a heat wave, as meteorologists warn that extremely hot weather will become increasingly frequent in the country's austral summer. Over six million inhabitants of Chile's capital Santiago have been enduring days of hot, dry temperatures made worse by the surrounding mountains blocking fresh hair to the city. Scientists have warned that climate change and El Nino are major drivers of extreme heat. Amid the high temperatures in Santiago, many have escaped to the country's coastal areas, which are already filled with vacationers and summertime visitors from abroad. An Argentine tourist said he escaped to a Chilean coastal area to avoid the high temperatures that were also being recorded in parts of neighboring Argentina.

Persons: Marcela Rodriguez, Andres Moncada, El, Nicolas Cortes, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, Ocean, El Nino Locations: SANTIAGO, Chile's, Santiago, Argentine, Chilean, Argentina

☆ North Korea's Kim Jong Un Inspects Shipyard -KCNA
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a shipyard and underscored the importance of a strong naval force in "war preparations", state media KCNA said on Friday. "Strengthening naval force is the most important issue in pushing ahead with war preparations", KCNA cited Kim as saying during his visit to Nampho dockyard, a military shipbuilding base also referred to as Nampo. Kim was briefed on various warship constructions for a new "huge plan" decided by the North Korean leadership, KCNA said, without elaborating. KCNA said on Monday that Kim had inspected the construction of a nuclear submarine and discussed issues related to the manufacturing of other types of new warships, but gave no details. (Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Persons: Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Kim's, Kim, Joyce Lee, Sandra Maler Organizations: North Korean Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, Nampho

☆ Colombia's Petro Denies Calling for Cabinet Resignations
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

Colombian presidents frequently request mass, 'protocol' cabinet resignations in order to make changes to the government, though these are not guaranteed. The three government sources said had Petro asked for the resignations of his ministers during a meeting on Wednesday evening. Rather than the president demanding their resignations, ministers offered to resign, Agriculture Minister Jhenifer Mojica said during a presentation near capital Bogota. Petro last called for ministers' resignations in April after a debate on a health reform was abandoned by the lower house of congress. (Reporting by Oliver Griffin and Luis Jaime Acosta; Additional reporting by Carlos Vargas; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Persons: Oliver Griffin, Luis Jaime Acosta BOGOTA, Gustavo Petro, Petro, Jhenifer Mojica, Jorge Ivan Gonzalez, Ricardo Bonilla, Jose Antonio Ocampo, Luis Jaime Acosta, Carlos Vargas, Sandra Maler Organizations: Finance Locations: Bogota

☆ 'Everything Is Melting': Argentines Seek Cool as Heat Wave Strikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentines sought shade and tried to cool off in public fountains on Thursday as a heat wave hitting the country saw temperatures rise towards 40 degrees Celsius (104°F). "Everything is melting, everything is melting," said Diego Gatti, a 34-year-old merchant in Buenos Aires, adding that at least near the coast there was some access to water and a breeze. The South American country is home to some 45 million people and an important grains producer of soy, corn and wheat. "The heat spreads from the roof through the house, you just can't stay there. (Reporting by Miguel Lo Bianco and Horacio Soria; Writing by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Persons: Diego Gatti, Sergio Pavon, Miguel Lo Bianco, Horacio Soria, Adam Jourdan, Sandra Maler Organizations: BUENOS AIRES, Reuters Locations: BUENOS, Buenos Aires

☆ Commission to Discuss New Russia Sanctions Proposal With EU Countries
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Julia PayneBRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission will start informal high-level meetings with member states on Saturday on the details of a proposed new set of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, three diplomatic sources said on Wednesday. The EU is keen to put a 13th package of measures together to mark the second anniversary of the war on Feb. 24. The discussions that begin on Saturday are a final step before the Commission officially delivers a new package to be debated and voted on by EU countries in the Council. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesOne source added that some minor sectoral measures such as new import bans were also likely. Poland and the Baltic states have been calling for import bans on Russian aluminium and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Persons: Julia Payne BRUSSELS, Julia Payne, Sandra Maler Organizations: European, Russia, EU, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Poland, Baltic

☆ Nine Injured in London Incident Involving 'Corrosive Substance', Police Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) -Nine people, including two children, were injured on Wednesday in an incident involving a "corrosive substance" in Clapham, in south London, the Metropolitan Police said. Three police officers were also taken to hospital with minor injuries, the statement said. "Firefighters were called to a chemical incident on Lessar Avenue in Clapham this evening," the London Fire Brigade said in an emailed statement to Reuters. Crews used specialist equipment to detect a corrosive substance that is believed to have been used in the incident, it added, without giving any further details. (Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan and Kanjyik Ghosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Sandra Maler)

Persons: Crews, Gnaneshwar Rajan, Kanjyik Ghosh, Daniel Wallis, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, Metropolitan Police, Firefighters, London Fire Brigade Locations: Clapham, London, Bengaluru

☆ Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah Suspends Military Operations on US Forces -Statement
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah announced the suspension of all its military operations against U.S. troops in the region, in a decision aimed at preventing "embarrassment" to the Iraqi government, the group said in a statement. The decision follows the killing of three U.S. troops in a drone attack near the Jordan-Syria border - an attack that the Pentagon said bore the "footprints" of Kataib Hezbollah, though a final assessment had not yet been made. Founded in the aftermath of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Kataib Hezbollah is one of the elite Iraqi armed factions closest to Iran. Iraq's government is backed by parties and militias close to Iran, though not directly by the hardline groups that have been firing on U.S. forces, Western and Iraqi officials say. Baghdad has condemned the attacks while also saying regional escalation would continue as long as the Gaza war went on.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden's, Timour Azhari, Chris Reese, Sandra Maler Organizations: Hezbollah, U.S, Pentagon, U.S . Defense Locations: BAGHDAD, Iran, Jordan, Syria, U.S, Iraq, Gaza, Iraq's, Western, Baghdad

Search resuls for: "Sandra Maler"

25 mentions found