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☆ Same-sex couples face up to 15 years in prison in Iraq’s LGBTQ crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Nechirvan Mando | Eyad Kourdi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Iraq has passed a new law that penalizes same-sex relations with up to 15 years in prison, a move condemned by rights advocates as the latest attack on the country’s LGBTQ community. Samar called on the US and other countries to put diplomatic pressure on the Iraqi government to revoke the law. He warned that international business coalitions have already signaled that such discriminatory practices could negatively impact Iraq’s economic growth. “Respect for human rights and political and economic inclusion is essential for Iraq’s security, stability, and prosperity. This legislation is inconsistent with these values and undermines the government’s political and economic reform efforts,” Miller said on Saturday.

Persons: ” –, Raad al, Mohsen Al, ” Al, Mandalawi, ‘, I’ve, ” Samar, Samar, Mohammed Shia, Joe Biden, “, ” Matthew Miller, ” Miller, Sarah Sanbar, ” “, ” Organizations: CNN, Iraq, Maliki, Iraqi, US Department of State Locations: Iraq, Iraq Samar, Samar, Al

☆ AI could lead to human extinction, says report commissioned by US State Department
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The US State Department commissioned a risk assessment that found AI could lead to human extinction. The State Department commissioned AI startup Gladstone to conduct an AI risk assessment in October 2022, about a month before ChatGPT came out. AdvertisementSome of the risks could "lead to human extinction," the report said. He believes there's a 10% chance AI will lead to total human extinction within the next 30 years. "Oh it's absolutely real and I think there's a conversation to have in terms of practical human extinction," Kiulian said.

Persons: —, Gladstone, ChatGPT, Jeremie Harris, Edouard Harris, Robert Ghrist, Ghrist, Geoff Hinton, there's, Lina Khan, Elon Musk, Lorenzo Thione, Thione, Artur Kiulian, Kiulian, David Krueger, Krueger, Aaron Mok Organizations: US State Department, Service, US Department of State, The State Department, United States, Google, Publicly, Penn Engineering, PlayStation, Cambridge University Locations: United, Iran

☆ Article 23: Hong Kong unveils its second national security law, aligning city more closely with mainland China
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Hong Kong’s government unveiled a new suite of powerful national security laws on Friday that critics and foreign governments warn could deepen the ongoing crackdown in the city and further undermine its reputation as an international business hub. They point to the application of national security laws in mainland China as well as in Hong Kong where a Beijing-imposed national security law has already transformed the once outspoken city since 2020, silencing almost all dissent and jailing dozens of political opponents. The new draft Hong Kong law – known locally as Article 23 – is aimed at “filling the loopholes” left by the Beijing-imposed version enacted in 2020, according to the Hong Kong government. But the atmosphere in Hong Kong this time around is very different. Many of the city’s leading pro-democracy figures are in jail either convicted or facing charges under the 2020 national security law.

Persons: ”, Hong Kong’s, –, John Lee –, “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong, China’s Communist Party, Chinese Communist Party, Authorities, Security, US Department of State Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Hong, United States

☆ More Americans are moving to Tuscany, where their money goes further, the pace is slower, and the wine flows freely
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Jordan Pandy | Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

More Americans are moving to Tuscany, a part of Italy known for medieval walled cities and wine. Some locals say it's keeping their economy alive, but others are starting to grumble. The influx of Americans, locals said, can be at once a booster of fortunes and an irritating imposition. "A lot of locals say that a place like Montepulciano cannot handle all those tourists because it's a small city," said Tudor, the jeweler. Americans, Ercolani said, "spend money and they appreciate the quality of the food and the wine that we have."

Persons: —, Leanne Davis, Davis, Jon Chewning, Chewning, It's, Georgette Jupe, Knight Frank, Florence ., they're, we've, Frances Mayer's, it's, Michele Capecchi, Capecchi, Erin Lewis, Lewis, Danilo Romolini, Luca Tudor, AJ Tuscany, Tudor, who's, Sam D'Avanzo, dell'Anfiteatro, Frank Bienewald, they've, lockdowns, Jupe, Bendetta, Cantina Ercolani, Ercolani Organizations: Service, Business, Associated Press, US Department of State, Italian National Institute of Statistics, away.com, Christie's, Estate, Locals, International School of Florence Locations: Tuscany, Italy, California, Romano, Sacramento, Montepulciano, Florence, Boccheggiano, Lucca, Siena, American, Europe, Rome, Venice, Chiusi, Austin , Texas, Houston , Texas, Italian, Switzerland, Albanian

☆ Gulmarg: Snow has returned to Asia’s highest ski resort. Here’s what visitors going there now can expect
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Ramaa Reddy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —In early January, anyone who visited the ski resort village of Gulmarg in Indian-administered Kashmir with hopes of actually skiing was out of luck. A severe snow shortage, blamed on dry weather, threatened to derail the entire winter season, leaving both travelers and tourism operators disappointed. Regardless of whether you’re a full-time athlete or someone who enjoys skiing and snowboarding for fun, Gulmarg offers a winter experience like no other. Today, travelers headed for Asia’s highest ski resort can enjoy over 1,330 vertical meters (4,363 feet) of skiable terrain, with lifts offering access to four separate skiing zones on Mount Apharwat. Many of those visitors don’t ski but just ride up the gondola to play in the snow and take in the views at the top.

Persons: Mukhtar Ahmad, Nanga Parbat, ”, Brian Newman, Newman, “, ” Mehmood Ahmad Lone, –, nans, Kababs, Rogan Josh, Kati, It’s, Mount Apharwat, Colonel Mirza Zahid Baig, Gulmarg, Javedh Ahmad Reshi Organizations: CNN, El, El Nino, Adventure, Hindustan Times, Newman’s, US Department of State, Warfare, USA Locations: Gulmarg, Kashmir, India, Mount Apharwat, British, Apharwat, Nanga, Colorado, Europe, North America, Pakistan, Khyber, Highland, Hilltop, Kashmir’s, Srinagar, Mount

☆ Is your passport too damaged for travel? Here are 11 reasons it could be, and how to avoid them.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Determining if a passport is too damaged for travel often comes down to the opinion of a border authority. "Some tourist attractions will have their own 'passport stamp,' but since these are not official government agencies, they could invalidate your passport," Diehl said. Loose bindings and frayed edges are common reasons a passport is deemed too damaged for travel. "Authorities may question the authenticity of a damaged passport," he said, which could cause them to "detain you or send you home." Keeping your passport in good condition is keyDiehl said that the easiest way to avoid being turned away at the airport for having a damaged passport is to keep it safe.

Persons: —, that's, Business Insider's Monica Humphries, Jake Burton's, Eve, Steve Diehl, Diehl Organizations: Service, Business, US Department of State's, Consular Affairs Locations: Alicante, Spain

☆ I traveled to over 7 countries in 2023. Here are 4 of the most affordable cities I visited.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Dominique Mills | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I traveled to over seven countries in 2023, and some places stood out for being budget-friendly. Porto, Portugal, and Chiang Mai, Thailand, offered affordable accommodations and fun activities. Here are the four most affordable places I visited in 2023. Chiang Mai, Thailand, was culture-rich and inexpensiveChiang Mai, Thailand, was inexpensive but beautiful. Dominique MillsNestled in the lush greenery of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is one of my favorite cities to visit.

Persons: Chiang, —, Dominique Mills, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Dominique Mills I've Organizations: Service, UNESCO, US Department of State Locations: Porto, Portugal, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Hanoi, Vietnam, Douro, Northern Thailand, Bangkok, Old City, Soi, Prabang, Laos, Luang Prabang, Asia, Vientiane, Indochina

☆ With crises brewing around the world, the US's diplomatic 'special agents' are sharpening old skills and learning some new ones
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The State Department relies on its Diplomatic Security Service to protect diplomats around the world. To protect those diplomats, the State Department relies on a little-known but highly capable agency — the Diplomatic Security Service. US State DepartmentAs the State Department's law-enforcement and security arm, the Diplomatic Security Service has been protecting US diplomats at home and abroad since 1916. "Through the council, the State Department can exchange information in real-time with hundreds of private businesses, faith-based organizations, and other US entities," a State Department spokesperson told Insider. Diplomatic Security ServiceFollowing a string of high-profile cyberattacks against government agencies and private businesses, US national-security officials are increasingly focused on cybersecurity.

Persons: —, Anatolii Organizations: Diplomatic Security Service, DSS, Service, UN, Assembly, US State Department As, State, State Department, Mobile Security, Mobile, Foreign Affairs Security Training Center, US Department of State Regional, US, Overseas Security Advisory Council, Publishing, Getty, Operations Command, Foreign Affairs Counter, APEC, Diplomatic Security, State Department's, Department of Homeland Security, Management, Budget Locations: Ukraine, China, Taiwan, State, Virginia, Kyiv, Russia, San Francisco

☆ Ukrainian grandma says she's too old to fight Russians in the infantry so learned to pilot drones instead
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Ukrainian grandma described joining the Ukrainian military. The 54-year-old grandma of six said she was too old for infantry service, so became a drone pilot. AdvertisementA Ukrainian grandmother said she joined the Ukrainian military as a drone pilot as a way to fight, despite being unable to join the infantry. A female Ukrainian soldier learning to use a drone control during training at a drone school on October 26, 2023 in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine. Ukrainian women have contributed to the war effort in and out of the battlefield.

Persons: —, Natalia, Anton Gerashchenko, Yevheniia Kravchuk Organizations: Ukrainian, Service, Getty, US Department of State, BBC, Daily Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Dnipro

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, crisis in Gaza, crowds gather at Rafah crossing
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

A Palestinian-American man stuck inside Gaza has urged the United States to intervene in the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to a social media post by a US congresswoman. “The voices of those who on the ground in Gaza need to be heard now more than ever,” congresswoman Tlaib’s Instagram post said. Paul Sancya/APFirst evacuees: On Wednesday, injured Palestinians and hundreds of foreign nationals started crossing from Gaza into Egypt through the Rafah crossing. They included more than 360 foreign passport holders, many of them Palestinian dual nationals, an Egyptian government official told CNN. US citizens are were among the initial group of foreign nationals to leave, the US State Department said, without giving details on the numbers.

Persons: Zakaria Alarayshi, Rashida, “, Joe, Biden, ” Alarayshi, That's, Laila Alarayshi, ”, Tlaib’s Instagram, Rashida Tlaib, Paul Sancya Organizations: CNN, US Department of State, US Department of Defense, AP, US State Department Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, Michigan, Dearborn , Michigan, Rafah, Detroit , Michigan, Egypt

☆ Pentagon says there are no limits on how Israel uses US weapons as death toll climbs amid airstrikes in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Pentagon says there are no limits on how Israel uses US-provided weapons in their attacks in Gaza. A spokesperson said it's up to the IDF how it uses the weapons. Israeli airstrikes have devastated the Gaza Strip, and a new ground offensive could do further damage. On Monday, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told that "we are not putting any limits on how Israel uses weapons that [are] provided," Voice of America National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin reported. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn the wake of the Hamas attacks on Israel and during the subsequent war against the militants in Gaza, the US has repeatedly said that it supports Israel's right to defend itself.

Persons: it's, —, Sabrina Singh, Jeff Seldin, Singh, Israel, Khan Yunis, MAHMUD HAMS, John Kirby, Josh Paul, Biden, Leahy Organizations: Pentagon, Israel, Service, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, of America National Security, Israeli Defense Force, Gaza Health Ministry, US, Palestinian, Getty, National Security, Congressional, Public Affairs, Political, Military Affairs, US Department of State, PBS Locations: Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, Khan, AFP

☆ A man was shoved out of campaign event after asking John Fetterman why he doesn't support a ceasefire in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The man is a human rights attorney who also writes op-eds for a Russian state news outlet. AdvertisementAdvertisementA man was forcibly removed from a campaign event on Sunday after he approached Sen. John Fetterman and asked why he's opposed to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. According to his website, Kovalik is a "lawyer and human rights advocate" who "currently" teaches courses on international human rights law at the University of Pittsburgh's Law School. A man off-camera who said he worked for the senator told Kovalik he could direct his questions to him. After Kovalik told Fetterman "this is important," another man told the human rights attorney he needed to leave.

Persons: Sen, John Fetterman, —, he's, Dan Kovalik, Kovalik, Sara Innamorato, Fetterman, I'm, John Organizations: Service, University of Pittsburgh's Law, Russia Today, US Department of State, UN, Gaza Health Ministry Locations: Gaza, Russian, West Homestead , Pennsylvania, Israel

☆ Google Maps and Waze suspend live traffic updates in Israel and Gaza in effort that could help prevent live-tracking troop movements
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Haley Tenore | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Google has suspended live traffic updates in Israel and Gaza amid the war. Google Maps also suspended live traffic updates in Ukraine in 2022 amid Russia's invasion. It turned off live traffic updates in Ukraine, reportedly because the apps were being used to track military movements. Google Maps' live traffic updates work by getting data from smartphones that have the app installed. Those in the area will still be able to use Google Maps and Waze to help with navigation.

Persons: — Organizations: Google, Service, Israel Defense Forces, Bloomberg, Hamas, US Department of State, West Bank Locations: Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, North America

☆ Israeli doctors saved the life of Hamas leader, whom they now blame for the October 7 terrorist attacks, when he was in prison, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Yahya Sinwar has been Hamas's leader in Gaza and a member of its political bureau since 2017. Sinwar has spent 24 years in prison and has been arrested by Israel multiple times, per the report. Israeli doctors reportedly saved his life after operating on a brain tumor during one prison stint. AdvertisementAdvertisementIsraeli doctors saved the life of Hamas' Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar when he was in prison in the country, Orit Adato, Israel's former prison commissioner, said, The Times of Israel reported. He has spent 24 years in prison and has been arrested by Israel multiple times, per the think tank.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Sinwar, —, Hamas, Orit, Adato, Avi Issacharoff, Al, Gilad Shalit, Din, Hatem Ali, Richard Hecht, Deif, Michael Milshtein, Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar, Khan Younis, Gazans Organizations: Service, The, Hamas, European Council, Foreign Relations, Brigades, Kfar, AP, Wall Street, IDF, Jewish Virtual Library, Islamic, of, US Department of State Locations: Gaza, Israel, Al Jazeera, Kfar Azza, of Gaza

☆ From Russia to the Middle East: Why China can’t afford another big conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Now, as Israel’s war against Palestinian militant group Hamas threatens to spiral into a broader conflict that could shatter stability in the Middle East, China has called for a ceasefire while criticizing Israel’s actions. It also highlights China’s deep economic interests in both Russia and the Middle East, which it wants to safeguard at all cost. The world’s second largest economy depends on Russia and the Middle East for much of its energy needs. The Middle East is also a cornerstone in the Belt and Road Initiative. “Regional conflagration means long instability and long instability means no business for China in the Middle East,” he added.

Persons: ”, Eswar Prasad, refiners, Vladimir Putin, Xi, Sergei Guneyev, Russia’s, Putin, Russia —, Wang Yi, Jean, Loup Samaan, Joe Biden, QatarEnergy, Ahmed Aboudouh, Antony Blinken, Blinken, “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Moscow, Palestinian, Cornell University, Getty, Initiative, Shanghai’s Fudan University, United, China’s, Middle East Institute of, National University of Singapore, Wednesday, Jihad, Energy, China Petroleum & Chemical Co, Sinopec, Fudan University, Chatham House, US Department of State Locations: China, Hong Kong, Hong Kong CNN — Beijing, Ukraine, East, Palestine, Israel, United States, Russia, Beijing, Moscow, Saudi Arabia, Russian, AFP, Pakistan, Iran, Hamas, Tehran, Gaza, Qatar, China’s, Qatari, London, “, Persian, ”

Having seen several previous Israeli strikes, Shawa told CNN they were certain it would be targeted. Born in Seattle to an American mother and Palestinian father, Shawa is one of an estimated 500-600 Palestinian-Americans in Gaza. It’s an impossible situation to be in.”Trapped with no way outEven if Shawa decided to leave Gaza, he can’t right now. “We anticipate that the situation at the Rafah crossing will remain fluid and unpredictable,” the US State Department advised US citizens. Despite the dire situation the Palestinian-Americans face, they at least have some hope of being able to leave Gaza soon – a remote prospect for those without alternative passports.

Persons: Jason Shawa, Shawa, Zainab, Malak, Najla, we’re, Abdulla Okal, Haneen, –, Nabil Alshurafa, Naela Elshorafa, Nabil Alshurafa “, ” Alshurafa, “, haven’t, ”, Ahmad Hasaballah, I’ve, Lena Beseiso, Beseiso –, Haneen Okal, Abdulla, ” Shawa, aren’t, Shawa’s, Jason Shawa's, Jason Shawa “, Alshurafa Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, US Embassy, US State Department, Palestinian Ministry of Interior, US, Department’s, State Department Locations: Gaza City, Palestinian, Gaza, Seattle, American, Rafah, United States, New Jersey, Kuwait, Camarillo , California, Egypt, Jerusalem, Salt Lake City, Israel, U.S

☆ Israel's No.1 Hamas kill target is Yahya Sinwar, the 'Butcher from Khan Younis'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Yahya Sinwar was nicknamed "the Butcher from Khan Younis" for killing Palestinian collaborators. AdvertisementAdvertisementA military spokesman said the Israel Defense Forces are particularly intent on killing Yahya Sinwar, a top Hamas official, The New York Times reports. The 'new face of evil'Palestinian militants march with their weapons in Khan Younis refugee camp south of the Gaza Strip March 27, 2005. That's how he became known as the butcher of Khan Younis," said Col. Hecht, per LBC News. A 2022 security analysis determined that the Palestinian Authority's weakness and Israel's inaction on undermining Hamas' control strengthened Sinwar and Hamas' leadership.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Butcher, Khan Younis, —, Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, Abu Mustafa AJ, JJ Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar, Gazans, Yair Lapid, Richard Hecht, Hecht, Din, Israel, Gilad Shalit, Daniel Hagari, Hagari Organizations: Service, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, The New York Times, The Telegraph, Israel, REUTERS, Jewish Virtual Library, Islamic, of, US Department of State, IDF, Israeli, New York Times, LBC, Brigades, European Council, Foreign Relations, European Council of Foreign Relations, Institute for National Security, Tel, Aviv University Locations: Gaza, Qatar, Gaza City, Israel, Khan Younis, of Gaza, The

☆ See inside the lavish reception rooms at the US State Department
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Piper Hudspeth Blackburn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

"America's Collection: The Art and Architecture of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the US Department of State." Durston Saylor/Courtesy Rizzoli The Thomas Jefferson State Reception Room. Durston Saylor/Courtesy Rizzoli The James Monroe State Reception Room, which was designed by Walter M. Macomber. Durston Saylor/Courtesy Rizzoli The James Monroe State Reception Room. Durston Saylor/Courtesy Rizzoli The design of diplomacy: See inside the lavish reception rooms at the US State Department Prev NextRooms that take you back in time“America’s Collection” gives those without diplomatic credentials a chance to experience that moment.

Persons: Harry S, John Kerry, Obama, Kerry, Truman, Oz, Durston Saylor, Benjamin Franklin, John Blatteau, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Walter M, John Quincy Adams, Childe Hassam, Edmund C, Martin Van Buren, Henry Clay, George Washington, , Francis Scott Key, Paul Revere, John Adams, Clement Conger, Edward Vason Jones, Benjamin West's, John Jay, Henry Laurens, William Temple Franklin, Bruce M, Jones, King George III, Mark Alan Hewitt, Adams, Louisa Catherine, Martha Washington, Alexandra Kirtley, ” Kirtley, Kirtley, ”, Betsy Kornhauser, Kornhauser, “, Joshua Shaw, Thomas Cole, Cole, Virginia Hart, ” —, Walter Thurston Gentlemen's, we’re, ” Hart Organizations: DC CNN, US, Truman, US Department of State, State Department, Benjamin, Thomas, James, James Madison, Henry, American, Department, Powel, York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, Winterthur Museum, Library, Philadelphia Museum of Art, CNN, Metropolitan Museum of Art, River School, “, ”, Department of State, Rizzoli Electa Locations: Washington, United States, Virginia, Mount Vernon, Paris, Great Britain, Philadelphia, British, Delaware, China, American, Europe

Hanoi, Vietnam CNN —President Joe Biden will arrive at Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s doorstep on Sunday with a deal in hand to draw yet another one of China’s neighbors closer to the United States. “It’s not going to be easy for Vietnam, because they’re under enormous pressure from China,” the official went on. In Vietnam, it’s not only China whose influence Biden is competing with. On Monday, Biden plans to announce steps to help Vietnam diversify away from an over-reliance on Russian arms, a senior administration official said. “I think that’s a deliberate design by the Biden administration,” said Yun Sun, the China program director at the Stimson Center.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping’s, Biden, ”, It’s, playbook, Xi Jinping, Evelyn Hockstein, ” Biden, Modi, Xi, States ’, it’s, ratchets, aggressions, Didier Marti, “ We’re, “, Biden’s, Mao Ning, Vietnam’s, Antony J, Blinken, Trung, Patricia Kim, Le Hoai, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, ” –, General Secreatary Nguyen, Trong, Yun Sun, ’ Organizations: Vietnam CNN, White House, Korean, Getty, Saturday, Communist Party, Xinhua, China’s, Monday, Communist Party of Vietnam's, Department of State . US Department of State, Biden, Brookings Institution, Communist, NATO, Wing, Stimson Locations: Hanoi, Vietnam, United States, Philippines, China, Beijing, New Delhi, AFP, Asia, States, Russia, Moscow, India, Brazil, South Africa, –, That’s, South China, Washington, South Korea, Helsinki, Japan, Korea, Australia, United Kingdom

With Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince largely controlled by gangs infamous for kidnapping and murder, experts warn that the deportations could amount to death sentences. Migrants, mostly from Haiti, collect clothes donated by a group of volunteers, at the Giordano Bruno in Mexico City, Mexico, April 6, 2023. Blinken added he looks forward to advancing the process of Kenya’s involvement through a UN Security Council resolution authorizing a multinational force in Haiti. Migrants, mostly from Haiti, take part in a protest with a banner that reads "Mexicans and Haitians are brothers" in Mexico City, Mexico May 29, 2023. From October 2022 to July 2023, more than 5,000 Haitians were interdicted at sea by the US Coast Guard.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, ” Guerline Jozef, “, Harris, Mayorkas, Jovenel Moise, Ariel Henry, ”, Giordano Bruno, Henry Romero, Henry, Antonio Guterres, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Jake Sullivan, wouldn’t, ’, ” “ Organizations: CNN, United, Customs Enforcement, Haitian Bridge Alliance, UN, Biden, White, National Security, of State, Homeland Security, Migrants, Reuters, United Nations, House, Haitian National Police, Kenyan, US Department of State, National Security Council, UN Security, US Coast Guard Locations: Haiti, Caribbean, United Nations, American, Port, United States, Mexico City, Mexico, Kenya, States, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba, Panama, Colombia, Darien

☆ Israel says US approved record-breaking Arrow missile defense deal to Germany
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Benjamin Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The US has approved Israel’s request to sell the Arrow-3 missile system to Germany, the Israeli defense ministry said Thursday, in what will become Israel’s largest ever defense deal. The approval paves the way for Israel and Germany to sign a landmark $3.5 billion defense agreement, according to the Israeli defense ministry. Israel will sell the Arrow-3 missile system to Germany, which is designed to intercept ballistic missiles that can travel outside the atmosphere. Israel Ministry of Defense/Xinhua/Getty ImagesIsrael and the United States have been jointly developing the multi-billion-dollar Arrow missile defense system since 1986. Senior Israeli and German officials will sign a letter of commitment worth $600 million to enable immediate work on the project, the Israeli ministry spokesperson said.

Persons: Yoav Gallant, ” Gallant, ” Organizations: CNN, US Department of State, Israel’s Ministry of Defense, Israel Ministry of Defense, Xinhua, Getty Images Israel, Arrow, Senior Locations: Germany, Israel, United States

☆ Harrison Ford gets a new snake species named for him
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jackie Wattles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But the highlight of the trip to South America was discovering a species of snake new to science, which the team named for action icon Harrison Ford — a moment of levity in an otherwise dramatic excursion, noted Dr. Edgar Lehr, the lead author of a scientific paper describing the snake species. At the time, Lehr, who is a professor of biology at Illinois Wesleyan University, thought: “Wouldn’t this be cool to dedicate this new species to Harrison Ford? The national park is near “the VRAEM (Valley of Rivers Apurímac, Ene, Mantaro) area, which is the center of Peru‘s coca production and narco-trafficking,” according to the study. Otishi is considered “Peru‘s least scientifically surveyed national park,” according to the study. “This is very important (work), because we can only protect what is known,” Lehr said of documenting species new to scientists.

Persons: Harrison Ford —, Edgar Lehr, Lehr, Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones ’, Harrison, — Juan Carlos Cusi, Ricardo Vera, Maura Fernandez, Otishi, ” Lehr, “, ”, Ford, Indiana Jones, Tachymenoides, ” Ford Organizations: CNN, Illinois Wesleyan University, Historia, US Department of State, Embassy, Conservation, “ Locations: South America, Peruvian, Peru, Lima —, Peru’s Junín, Cusco, Rivers Apurímac, Mantaro, Embassy of Peru, Washington , DC

☆ A US tourist crossed the border into North Korea, UN says. South Korean media reports he's a US soldier.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A US national crossed the border from South Korea into North Korea on Tuesday, the UN said. South Korean media is reporting that he was a US soldier. South Korean media has described it as a defection, though it is currently unclear if this is the case. Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are extremely rare, while North Koreans crossing into South Korea are more common. More than 30,000 North Koreans have fled south since the 1950-1953 Korean War, according to the Associated Press.

Persons: Travis King Organizations: UN, Service, United Nations, The United Nations Command, Security Area, — United Nations Command, The Korea Herald, Ilbo, US Army, South, US Department of State, Associated Press Locations: South Korea, North Korea, US, North, Wall, Silicon, Seoul, South Korea's

☆ BMW taps abstract artist Julie Mehretu to paint its latest Art Car
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Now, Ethiopian American artist Julie Mehretu, known for her work in abstract painting, has been chosen to create the company’s next Art Car. The first BMW Art Car was painted in 1975 by the American sculptor Alexander Calder after French racing driver Hervé Poulain brought the idea to BMW. The first woman to take on a BMW Art Car was South African artist Esther Mahlangu, who in 1991 painted a 525i sedan. Esther Mahlangu's Art Car featured the bold colors and geometric patterns used in the traditional arts and crafts of the Southern Ndebele people. Enes Kucevic/BMWMehretu’s will be the 20th BMW Art Car.

Persons: Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Jenny Holzer, Robert Rauschenberg, Julie Mehretu, Alexander Calder, Hervé Poulain, Poulain, Calder, Roy Lichtenstein, Warhol, Esther Mahlangu, Holzer, Esther Mahlangu's, Enes, Marian Goodman, Josefina Santos, BMW Mehretu, Madeleine Grynsztejn, ”, Julie, ” Grynsztejn, ” Mehretu, I've, ” Julian Kroehl, City’s Solomon R, hasn’t, Mehretu, “ Organizations: CNN, BMW, Ethiopian, Le, CSL, BMW Le, Fine Arts, Rhode Island School of Design, MacArthur, US Department of State, of, Pritzker, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Daytona, Guggenheim Museum Locations: Ethiopian American, American, African, Southern, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, United States, New York, Daytona Beach , Florida, New

☆ Chinese ambassador to US makes ‘strong protests’ to White House over Biden comments
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

That’s what’s a great embarrassment for dictators, when they didn’t know what happened,” Biden said. The US President’s comments came mere days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Beijing for meetings with key officials, including Xi. “The nature and impact are very negative,” the Chinese Embassy statement said. On Wednesday, the US State Department sought to downplay the potential impact of Biden’s comments, with State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel saying the remarks had “absolutely not at all” diminished the progress. And all of this is in our interests to do that,” Patel said at a State Department briefing.

Persons: Xie Feng “, Joe Biden’s, Xi Jinping, Biden, “, Xi, ”, what’s, ” Biden, Antony Blinken, Blinken, ” Blinken, “ We’re, Vedant Patel, ” Patel Organizations: CNN, White, US Department of State, Embassy, US State Department, State Department Locations: United States, California, Beijing, China

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