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☆ US soldier arrested in Russia to be detained for two months
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Caitlin Danaher | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An American soldier arrested in Russia on suspicion of theft will be detained for two months, a Russian district court said Tuesday. A Russian Foreign Ministry representative told Russian state media TASS on Tuesday that the case is “not related to politics or espionage.”“As far as we understand, this is a purely domestic crime. The arrest comes at a time of huge tension between the US and Russia as the war with Ukraine continues. The soldier was stationed in South Korea when he took leave to travel to Russia on his own, according to another US official. “I am deeply concerned by reports that a US Army officer has been detained in Russia,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul said Monday.

Persons: –, Gordon Black, Evan Gershkovich, Marine Paul Whelan, Michael McCaul, “ Putin, —, ” CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, Oren Liebermann, Kylie Atwood Organizations: CNN, Russian Foreign Ministry, TASS, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US State Department, Street, Marine, US Army, ”, Foreign, State Department Locations: American, Russia, Russian, Pervomaisky, Vladivostok, Ukraine, South Korea, Cavazos, Texas

☆ Thousands of Ukrainians have been sent to Russian prisons. Ukraine says they’re being held as bargaining chips
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +22 min

The Ukrainian government says there are thousands of people like Dima, civilians arrested by Russia who have been held in arbitrary detention for years. In the early weeks of the war, Russian troops took over their home, parking their tank in the garden and stealing anything of value. Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia opened a second pre-trial detention facility in Simferopol, SIZO No. Detained civilians, however, are stuck in limbo. Mariana Checheliuk's photos were among those displayed by relatives of detained civilians at a recent protest in Kyiv.

Persons: Ukraine CNN — “, ”, Vasyl Khyliuk, Dmytro Khyliuk, Dima, –, Ivana Kottasova, Dmytro Lubinets, Lubinets, ” Achille Després, Cross, it’s, Vasyl, ” Vasyl, Halyna, “, Dmytro Khyliuk’s, Russia —, Khyliuk, Anastasiia, MIHR, Pantielieieva, CNN “ We’ve, ” Pantielieieva, Yulia Khrypun, Serhii, ’, Serhii Khrypun, Yulia, ” Yulia, Mariana Checheliuk, Mariana, Natalia Checheliuk, ” Natalia, ’ ” Natalia, Alexander Ermochenko, Mariana –, Mila, Natalia, Volodymyr, Zelensky, Mariana Checheliuk's Organizations: Ukraine CNN, Ukrainian Independent, Agency, Kyiv, CNN, Russian Federation, International Committee, Ukrainian, Organization for Security, Getty, Media Initiative, Human Rights, Penal, Russian Investigative Committee, Russian Prison Service, ICRC, Russian Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, Russian Federal Security Service, Russian National Guard, Directorate, General Staff, Serhii, Crimean Human Rights, Maxar Technologies, Volunteers, Russia, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Security Service of Ukraine, Ukraine’s, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Information Bureau, Ministry, “, Headquarters Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Dima, Ukrainian, Kozarovychi, Russia, Geneva, Europe, Novozybkov, Russia’s Bryansk, Russia’s Vladimir, Mordovia, Russian, Moscow, Bryansk, Nove, Tokmak, Melitopol, Olenivka, Kursk, Crimea, Kamensk, Russia’s Rostov, Yulia Khrypun Russia, Chonhar, Kherson, Crimean, Crimean Tatars, Simferopol, SIZO, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, ‘, Mariupol, Zaporizhzhia, Bezimenne, Donetsk People’s Republic, Azovstal, Donetsk, Taganrog, Kamyshin, Russia’s Volgograd, Qatar

☆ Giant Pandas Are Returning to San Diego, China Announces
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Alan Rappeport | More About Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The United States and China may be at odds these days over Russia’s war in Ukraine, cheap Chinese exports, tensions with Taiwan and matters of human rights. But when it comes to giant pandas, diplomacy is back. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China confirmed this week that two giant pandas — Yun Chuan and Xin Bao — would be sent from the China Conservation and Research Center to the San Diego Zoo. The zoo has a longstanding partnership with China on panda conservation research, and a ministry spokesman said the upcoming exchange would focus on prevention and treatment of major diseases and habitat protection. It is not clear when the new pandas will arrive, but the agreement should allay concerns that the recent tensions between the United States and China would threaten the beloved tradition of panda diplomacy.

Persons: Yun Chuan, Xin Bao —, Lin Jian Organizations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China Conservation and Research Center, San Diego Zoo Locations: States, China, Ukraine, Taiwan, U.S, United States

☆ Leaders Urge Restraint as Israel Considers Retaliation Against Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Mr. Netanyahu now must make a choice. Will he respond to Iran with a forceful counterattack and potentially entangle Israel and other countries in a broader war? No Israeli leader has warned about Iran so consistently as Mr. Netanyahu or, for that matter, has spent so long in office. Since his first year in office in 1996, Mr. Netanyahu warned that a nuclear Iran would be catastrophic and that time was running out. It was never clear if Mr. Netanyahu was bluffing, and the prospect of an imminent strike receded.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ”, Mazal Mualem, “, ” Ms, Mualem, Efraim Halevy, Netanyahu’s, Jeremy Issacharoff, Obama, Barack Obama, bluffing, Donald J, Trump, Mr, Issacharoff, Israel, “ Bibi Organizations: Al, Mr, United Nations General Assembly, Munich Security Conference, of Foreign Affairs, United Locations: Israel, Iran, East, Iranian Embassy, Damascus, Gaza, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, United States, Iranian, Israeli, Germany, U.S, States, Washington, United Arab Emirates

NTSB crews used the ship’s voyage data recorder, or VDR, to piece together a rough timeline of events leading up to the collision. But it will take months for them to gather the piles of physical evidence, maintenance records, ship data and witness interviews required to deliver a full report, Homendy said. • 01:24:59 a.m.: Numerous audible alarms were recorded on the ship’s bridge audio. • 01:26:39 a.m.: The ship’s pilot made a general very high frequency (VHF) radio call for tugboats in the vicinity to assist the vessel. • Around 01:27:04 a.m.: The pilot ordered that the ship’s port anchor be dropped and issued additional steering commands.

Persons: Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key, Jennifer Homendy, Marcel Muise, Investigators, Homendy, “, who’ve, ” Homendy, James Wallace, Peter Gautier, Divers, Roland L, Butler Jr, Pete Buttigieg, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Butler, ”, Miguel Luna, Maynor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, CNN’s Tori B, Powell, Sarah Engel, Elise Hammond, Curt Devine, Casey Tolan, Isabelle Chapman, Daniel Medina, Sahar Akbarzai, Melissa Alonso, Hande Atay Alam, Lucas Lilieholm Organizations: CNN, Transportation, NTSB, Port, Fort McHenry, Maryland Transportation Authority, •, US Coast Guard, Maritime, Port Authority, Baltimore City Fire, Coast Guard, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Seagirt, Port of Boston, Maryland, Singapore, Baltimore, Patapsco, Mexico, Guatemala, Camotán, Mexican

☆ Baltimore key bridge collapse: Recovery efforts continue for 6 presumed dead after Baltimore bridge collapse as investigation gets underway
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | Yahya Abou-Ghazala | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Recovery efforts are now underway for the missing people, who are presumed dead. People from El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico among the missing: Miguel Luna, an immigrant from El Salvador, has been identified as one of the missing, according to the nonprofit Miguel Luna, an immigrant from El Salvador, has been identified as one of the missing, according to the nonprofit CASA . Ship blacked out before crash: Just minutes before impact, there was a “total blackout” of engine and electrical power on the ship, according to Clay Diamond, executive director of the American Pilots Association. Eight construction workers were believed to be mending potholes on the bridge when it fell, according to officials. A specialized team will also determine who was controlling the vessel and who was on the ship’s bridge at the time of the crash, she said.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, James Wallace, Wes Moore, “ We’re, Jennifer Homendy, Richard Worley, Miguel Luna, Petén, Clay Diamond, Diamond, “ It’s, ”, Pete Buttigieg, Joe Biden, US Sen, Chris Van Hollen, Buttigieg, Luna, DALI, “, ” Moore, Dali, Tasos Katopodis, Moore, CNN’s Melissa Alonso, Flora Charner, Sarah Engel, Jack Forrest, Allison Gordon, Elise Hammond, Jennifer Henderson, Betsy Klein, Jamiel Lynch, Sean Lyngaas, Mary Kay Mallonee, Lauren Mascarenhas, Pete Muntean, Tori B, Powell, Rachel Ramirez, Amy Simonson, Aditi Sangal, Michael Williams Organizations: CNN, US Coast Guard, Baltimore City Fire, Divers, Maryland Gov, Guard, Transportation Safety, National Transportation Safety, Baltimore Police, CASA, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexican Embassy, American Pilots Association, Reconstruction, Vital, Transportation, El, Maritime, Port Authority of, Infrastructure Security Agency, Coast Guard, for Disease Control, Gov, Association of Maryland Pilots, ”, NTSB Locations: Baltimore, ”, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, San Luis, Camotán, Washington, US, Patapsco, El Salvadoran, Maryland, Port Authority of Singapore

☆ US religious freedom delegation cuts short Saudi Arabia visit after rabbi is asked to remove his kippah
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Celine Alkhaldi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An American delegation on religious freedom cut short its visit to Saudi Arabia after one of its members was asked to remove his Jewish head covering, or kippah. The delegation from the US Commission on International Freedom (USCIRF) was on an official visit to the UNESCO heritage site of Diriyah, the original home of the Saudi royal family, when Saudi officials asked its chairman Rabbi Abraham Cooper to remove his kippah, the commission said in a statement Monday. It added that the Saudi government had invited the group to tour the site and that the visit had been approved by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. CNN has reached out to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi embassy in Washington. “Saudi officials’ request for Chair Cooper to remove his kippah was stunning and painful.

Persons: Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Cooper “, Cooper, ”, Frederick A, Davie, “, ” Davie, ” Cooper Organizations: CNN, An American, US, UNESCO, Saudi, Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Human Rights Commission Locations: Saudi Arabia, Diriyah, Saudi, Washington, Kingdom

☆ Kenya Plans to Bypass Court Order in Haiti Deployment
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Kenya’s government will not await a court of appeal ruling before deploying its forces to Haiti, a senior government official said, further underscoring the government’s determination to move ahead with the proposed multinational force aimed at bringing stability to the gang-ravaged Caribbean nation. Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, the principal secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told The New York Times in an interview that Kenya and Haiti were working to finalize a bilateral agreement in the next two weeks and that, once in place, Kenyan forces would immediately deploy. The declaration from Mr. Sing’Oei comes just a week after the country’s High Court blocked the deployment of 1,000 police officers, saying it could go ahead only if there was a “reciprocal arrangement” detailing the framework under which Kenyan forces can operate in Haiti. Mr. Sing’Oei said the High Court provided a legal pathway for the deployment, namely the bilateral reciprocal arrangement with Haiti. But he said the government was appealing the decision to a higher court anyway to seek clarifications on some findings the government “finds problematic.”

Persons: Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, Sing’Oei, Kenya’s Organizations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, New York Times, Kenyan Locations: Haiti, Caribbean, Kenya

☆ Pakistan launches strikes inside Iran against militant targets
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Pakistan said on January 18 it had carried out strikes against militant targets in Iran, after Tehran launched attacks on Pakistani territory earlier this week. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)Pakistan conducted strikes inside Iran on Thursday, targeting separatist militants, the Pakistani foreign ministry said, two days after Tehran said it attacked Israel-linked militant bases inside Pakistani territory. "Our forces have conducted strikes to target Baloch militants inside Iran," the intelligence official in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, said. Iran said on Tuesday it had targeted Israel-linked militant bases inside Pakistan. Pakistan and Iran have in the past had rocky relations, but the strikes are the highest-profile cross-border intrusion in recent years.

Persons: Aamir QURESHI, AAMIR QURESHI, hideouts Organizations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AFP, Getty Images, Reuters, Pakistan's, Wednesday Locations: Islamabad, Pakistan, Iran, Tehran, Israel, Sistan, Baluchistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Balochistan, Pakistan's Balochistan

☆ Satellite photos of earthquakes in Japan in 2024 and 2011 show the destruction each left in its aftermath
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-04 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Satellite image ©2024 Maxar TechnologiesDuring the 2024 earthquake, buildings and homes were leveled in Wajima. Satellite image ©2024 Maxar TechnologiesBoats capsized off the coast of Suzu City when the 2024 earthquake hit. Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies. Satellite image ©2024 Maxar TechnologiesRoads cracked open as a result of the 2024 earthquake. ASSOCIATED PRESS (left) / Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies (right)The total death toll and overall destruction from the 2024 quake are still unclear as rescuers scramble to save people trapped under rubble.

Persons: —, it's, Suzu's, Masuhiro Izumiya Organizations: Service, Japan Meteorological Agency, Fukushima, International Tsunami Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, BBC, Guardian, Technologies, Washington Post, Japan Times, AP News Locations: Japan, Noto Peninsula, Sendai, Ishinomaki, Natori Port, Fukushima, Wajima, Suzu City, Noto, Suzu, Turkey

☆ China says visa-free travel policy has boosted tourism
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, Dec 5 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday its visa-free travel policy has produced a clear effect, making things easier for travellers. "Going forward, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to adjust visa policies to create more favourable conditions and further facilitate cross-border travel," spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a press briefing when asked for an update on tourism after China announced the policy, which covers several European countries and Malaysia. Travellers walk past an installation in the shape of five stars, at Beijing Daxing International Airport in Beijing, China April 24, 2023. Germany's ambassador to China had expressed hope that China would extend the measures to all European Union members. Reporting by Andrew Hayley; Writing by Liz Lee and Bernard Orr; Editing by Tom Hogue and Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Wang Wenbin, Tingshu Wang, Wang, Andrew Hayley, Liz Lee, Bernard Orr, Tom Hogue Organizations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China, Beijing Daxing International, REUTERS, European Union, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Malaysia, Beijing, China, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain

☆ Biden hopes for extension of Israel-Hamas truce as more hostages released
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( James Mackenzie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Thirty-nine teenage Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel on Sunday, taking the total since the truce began to 117. The four-day truce agreed last week is the first halt in fighting in the seven weeks since Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages back into Gaza. Some 14,800 Palestinians have been killed, Gaza health authorities say, and hundreds of thousands displaced. The latest three Thai hostages released were in good health, Thailand's prime minister said. Hamas released 24 hostages on Friday, the first day of the truce.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Abigail Edan, Abigail, Carmel Edan, he's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Omar Abdullah Al Hajj, he'd, Thais, Sunday's, Israel, gaunt, children's agency's James Elder, Elder, Raphael Satter, Diane Craft, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Sunday, International Committee, Red Cross, Reuters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saturday, Palestinian, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, Ramallah, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Palestinian, Gaza's, Qatari, Gaza City

☆ Three Thai hostages released from Gaza in good health, Thai PM says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Thai citizens who were released from the Gaza Strip after being taken hostage by gunmen from Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas during the deadly October 7 attack on Israel, stand together during a visit by Ambassador of Thailand in Israel Pannabha Chandraramya to Shamir Medical Center... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreBANGKOK, Nov 27 (Reuters) - The latest three Thai hostages released from Gaza after being held by Hamas militants were in good health, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted on the social media platform X on Monday. "I'm happy," Srettha said, adding the three were healthy and not in need of urgent medical attention. So far, 17 Thai hostages have been released after being kidnapped during Hamas raids into Israel in early October and would be brought back to Thailand as soon as possible, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. "For the remaining 15 Thai hostages, the Royal Thai Government continues to exert all efforts towards their safe release at the earliest opportunity," the statement said. Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Tom Hogue and Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Israel Pannabha Chandraramya, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Chayut Setboonsarng, Tom Hogue Organizations: Hamas, Shamir, Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Thai Government, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Thailand, BANGKOK, Lincoln

☆ 'I'm not dead,' Thai hostage says after 'miracle' release in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Chayut Setboonsarng | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"He told me not to cry, to tell mother I’m coming back," Roongarun Wichagern told Reuters of her younger brother after an emotional reunion on a video call. "He said, ‘I’m not dead, I’m not dead,’" Roongarun said, calling his survival a "miracle". The freed Thai hostages will return home after 48 hours in hospital, Thailand’s foreign ministry said in a statement. He called for the release of the remaining "innocent Thai hostages as soon as possible". Photographs from the Thai foreign ministry showed them meeting doctors at a medical centre in Israel.

Persons: I’m, Roongarun Wichagern, ‘ I’m, Roongarun, Srettha Thavisin, Vetoon, Thais, Thongkoon Onkaew, Natthaporn, Chayut Setboonsarng, Napat Wesshasartar, Poppy McPherson, William Mallard Organizations: Hamas, Foreign Affairs, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Reuters, Shamir Medical, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thai, International Committee, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Tel Aviv, Foreign Affairs Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Thai, Gaza, Thailand, Egypt, Qatar, Iran, Malaysia

☆ Israel and Hamas reach deal to release 50 civilian women and children held in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a humanitarian pause, allowing 50 civilian hostages in the Gaza Strip to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, according to the government of Qatar. "The agreement includes the release of 50 civilian women and children hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons," the ministry said. The major diplomatic breakthrough comes after weeks of conversations between the U.S., Qatar, Israel, Egypt and Palestinian militant group Hamas. Hamas infiltrated southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people, including foreigners, and taking about 240 hostages into Gaza. Separately, Hamas said in a statement that Israel had agreed to release 150 Palestinian women and child prisoners.

Persons: Israel, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, —, Joanna Tan Organizations: Hamas, U.S Locations: Tel Aviv, Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Qatar, U.S, Egypt, Jerusalem

☆ India, US begin talks to boost partnership amid 'global challenges'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Defence remains one of the most important pillars of our bilateral relationship," Singh said in opening remarks at the meeting. "In spite of various emerging geopolitical challenges, we need to keep our focus on important and long-term issues." Austin said it was more important than ever that the world's two largest democracies exchange views, find common goals, and deliver for our people, "in the face of urgent global challenges". "Together we have been taking very concrete steps to deliver on the vision that our two leaders put forward," Blinken said. Jaishankar said the dialogue would help build "a forward-looking partnership while we construct a shared global agenda".

Persons: Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Rajnath Singh, Friday's, Singh, Austin, Narendra Modi's, Joe Biden's, Blinken, Jaishankar, Biden's, Xi Jinping, YP Rajesh, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: India's, Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Swaraj Bhavan, Indian, Defence, Economic Cooperation, YP, Thomson Locations: DELHI, India, United States, Washington, Gaza, Ukraine, South Asia, New Delhi, Japan, Australia, China, Asia, San Francisco . India, Delhi, Russia

☆ In Turkey, Blinken discusses efforts to expand aid in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Simon Lewis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

ANKARA, Nov 6 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara on Monday to discuss efforts to expand humanitarian aid in Gaza, and to prevent the war between Israel and militant Palestinian group Hamas from spreading. The meeting between Blinken and Fidan lasted two and a half hours, a U.S. State Department official said. No talks took place between Blinken and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who has criticised Washington over its "unlimited support to Israel". Blinken said at the airport that the United States has made some good progress on humanitarian assistance to Gaza. As Blinken met Fidan in Ankara, dozens of people gathered outside the foreign ministry building to protest U.S. support for Israel.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Hakan Fidan, Blinken, Fidan, Tayyip Erdogan, Jonathan Ernst, Israel, Zeynel Abidin Ozkan, Simon Lewis, Huseyin Hayatsever, Daren Butler, Gareth Jones, Jonathan Spicer, Sharon Singleton Organizations: U.S . State Department, Turkish, Hamas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, REUTERS, NATO, Israel, Police, Toksabay, Thomson Locations: ANKARA, Turkish, Ankara, Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Blinken, U.S, Washington, United States, Turkey, Fidan, Europe, America, Palestine, State, Syria, Iraq

☆ UAE warns against risk of regional spillover from Gaza war
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Alexander Cornwell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Israeli soldiers drive in military vehicles by Israel's border with Gaza in southern Israel, October 10, 2023. "The risk of regional spillover and further escalation is real, as well as the risk that extremist groups will take advantage of the situation to advance ideologies that will keep us locked in cycles of violence." The UAE supported Egypt's current leader, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, when he toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013. The UAE has said it planned to treat 1,000 Palestinian children from Gaza, but did not clarify how they would leave the besieged enclave. The latest war in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict began when Hamas militants broke through the border on Oct. 7 and went on a rampage.

Persons: Ronen, Abraham, ABU, Al Kaabi, Abdel Fattah al, Mohamed Mursi, Kaabi, Alexander Cornwell, Maha El, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, UAE, Abraham Accords, United, Emirates, Brotherhood, Hamas, U.S . Fifth, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, East, UAE, ABU DHABI, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Manama, Gulf

☆ Dagestan riot: Anti-Jewish protest in Russia’s Dagestan shows risks of Putin’s balancing act on Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Nathan Hodge | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“Threats to exterminate the Jews are the result of the work of Russian state propaganda, which for decades cultivated feelings of hatred towards other peoples among Russians,” he noted. Kadyrov has also provided footsoldiers for Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Gaza war adds one more match to the fire. Additionally, Russia’s war in Ukraine has impacted Dagestan heavily, with significant casualties. But an anti-Jewish riot in the southern region of Dagestan shows how quickly that model can backfire, particularly for those trapped inside the echo of Russian state propaganda.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, –, Matthew Miller, Israel, ”, Putin, ” Putin, “, Bashar al, Assad, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Benjamin Netanyahu, Strategic Communications John Kirby, “ we’ve, ” Kirby, Volodymyr Zelensky, Oleh Nikolenko, Ramzan Kadyrov, – Kadyrov, Kadyrov, Harold Chambers, Riddle, Yevgenia Albats Organizations: CNN, multiconfessional, Ukraine –, Kremlin, Red Wings Airlines, Tel Aviv –, Jewish, Authorities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hamas, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sunday, Saudi, Israeli, National Security, Strategic Communications, ” Observers, Criminal Court, ICC, Russian National Guard, AFP, Getty, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Global Locations: Russia, Dagestan, Makhachkala Uytash, Ukraine, Gaza, Tel Aviv, ”, Russian, Makhachkala, Palestine, Beijing, China, Israel, Jerusalem, Moscow, Iran, United States, Chechnya, Chechen, Russia’s, Kremlin, East

A Hamas spokesman denied that a commander had been in the targeted area. The Jabaliya camp is in northern Gaza, an area for which the Israeli military has issued evacuation orders. “Giving warning does not absolve parties from the requirement to protect civilians,” said Omar Shakir, the Israel and Palestine director for Human Rights Watch. Experts say that Israel’s bombardment of densely populated areas raises concerns under international humanitarian law. “International law prohibits attacks in which the expected harm to civilians and civilian properties is disproportionate to the anticipated military gain,” Mr. Shakir said.

Persons: “, Ibrahim Biari, ”, Omar Shakir, Marc Garlasco, Mr, Shakir, Ainara Tiefenthäler, Abeer Pamuk Organizations: Human Rights Watch, “, PAX Protection, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Times, Direct Attack Munitions Locations: Israel, Gaza, Palestine, Dutch, Netherlands

A crowds gathers at the Makhachkala Uytash Airport (MCX) in Dagestan, southern Russia, on October 29. Crowds stormed the runway at Makhachkala Uytash Airport (MCX) on October 29. “Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alex Ben Zvi is working with the Russian authorities to secure the well-being of Jews and Israelis at the site,” it added. “The United States vigorously condemns the antisemitic protests in Dagestan, Russia,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson wrote on social media. We call on Russian authorities to ensure their safety,” Lipstadt said.

Persons: ”, Israel, Russia Alex Ben Zvi, Adrienne Watson, Amb, Deborah E, Lipstadt, ” Lipstadt, Sergey Melikov, ” Melikov Organizations: CNN, Dagestan Health Ministry, TASS, Makhachkala Uytash, Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, Red Wing Airlines, Sunday, Jewish, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ” National Security, US Locations: Russia’s, Dagestan, Israel, Makhachkala, Tel Aviv, Russia, ”, Gaza, Ramallah, United States, Dagestan Republic

☆ These are the fastest growing destinations for digital nomads—9 of them are in Asia
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

1 fastest-growing remote work hub: Tokyo, JapanTokyo took the top spot as the fastest-growing destination for digital nomads. The city saw a 67% increase in digital nomads from 2018 to 2022, according to Nomad List. Tokyo, Japan ranked as the fastest growing destination for digital nomads. Da Nang saw a growth of 99% over the last five years and a 107% growth in 2023 so far of digital nomads. Seoul, South Korea ranked in the top three of the fastest growing destination for digital nomads.

Persons: Marco Bottigelli, Japan doesn't, Linh Pham, Vietnam Ho Chi, Da Nang Organizations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Bloomberg, Fortune, New York's, Afp, Getty Images Locations: Tokyo, Japan Tokyo, Japan, New York, Ba Na, Da Nang, Getty Images Tokyo, Japan Da Nang , Vietnam Seoul, South Korea Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Penang, Malaysia Montevideo, Uruguay Manila, Philippines Hanoi, Vietnam, Vietnam Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Delhi, India, Nang, U.S, Da, Seoul, South Korea

☆ Kyiv brushes off US, Slovakia wobbles as EU ministers come to town
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Olena Harmash | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell shake hands before EU-Ukraine foreign ministers meeting, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 2, 2023. Monday's meeting in Kyiv was touted by Borrell as an historic first, and provided striking photo opportunities for a succession of ministers in front of EU flags in the war-time capital. Several high profile right-wing Trump supporters in Congress have called for a halt to Ukraine aid. President Joe Biden's administration says it expects the House to pass a measure to keep aid to Ukraine flowing. In Europe, pro-Russian former prime minister Fico won the most votes in an election in Slovakia on Sunday and will get a first chance to form a government.

Persons: Dmytro Kuleba, Josep Borrell, Robert Fico, Kuleba, Annalena Baerbock, Dmitry Peskov, Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden's, Biden, Fico, Russia's Peskov, Peter Graff, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Ukrainian Foreign, Union Foreign, EU, Press, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of, REUTERS Acquire, Russian, U.S . Congress, U.S, Congressional, Borrell, Kyiv, German, Republican, Trump, Congress, Republicans, Democrats, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Handout, Germany, Russia, KYIV, Slovakia, United States, Russian Slovakian, Moscow, Washington, America, Europe, Russian, NATO

☆ Singapore is the world's 6th Blue Zone — and a look at its urban planning helps explain why
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Singapore is the world's sixth Blue Zone, according to Dan Buettner, a journalist who popularized the term. In the Netflix series "Live to 100," Buettner shows how the country is designed to encourage its residents to live healthier. Policies on housing, transportation, and hawker centers come together to create what he calls a "Blue Zone 2.0." The original five Blue Zone regions include Okinawa in Japan, Ikaria in Greece, Sardinia in Italy, Nicoya in Costa Rica, as well as Loma Linda in California. "You share tables and you're interacting with the stall user, interacting with the person next to you," Buettner told Fortune.

Persons: Dan Buettner, Buettner, Amanda Goh, Chan Heng Chee, Chan Organizations: Netflix, Service, World Bank, Housing Development Board, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Transportation, Singapore, Hawker Locations: Singapore, Wall, Silicon, Okinawa, Japan, Ikaria, Greece, Sardinia, Italy, Nicoya, Costa Rica, California

☆ Romania summons Russian charge d'affaires over drone fragments -Agerpres
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A crater visible at the presumed crash site of a Russian army drone, close to charred tree trunks and a blast area, near Plauru, Tulcea county, Romania, September 7, 2023. Inquam Photos/Ovidiu Micsik via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 10 (Reuters) - Romania's foreign ministry summoned the Russian charge d'affaires after the discovery on Romanian soil of new fragments of a drone similar to those used by the Russian military, the Agerpres website reported on Sunday. On Saturday, Romanian authorities found the second set of drone fragments to have crashed in the NATO member state in a week, amid Russian attacks on Ukraine's river ports, just hundreds of metres from the Romanian border. On Saturday, President Klaus Iohannis said the discovery of the fragments pointed to an unacceptable breach of Romania's air space. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russian strikes near the border were "destabilising" even if there was no indication Russia intended to hit Romania, a NATO member state.

Persons: Micsik, Strategic Affairs Iulian Fota, Klaus Iohannis, Jens Stoltenberg, Alan Charlish, Elaine Hardcastle, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS, NATO, Embassy of, Russian Federation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Strategic Affairs, Thomson Locations: Russian, Plauru, Tulcea county, Romania, Romanian, Bucharest, Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, Ukraine's, Constanta, Warsaw

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