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☆ China claims married couple working for government spied for UK’s MI6
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —China on Monday accused Britain of recruiting a married couple employed by the Chinese central government to spy for its MI6 intelligence service, as the two countries trade allegations of espionage. Those charges in the United Kingdom came after China’s MSS said in January it had detained the head of a foreign consultancy who had allegedly spied for MI6. Under Xi Jinping, China’s most authoritarian leader in decades, the country’s notoriously secretive spy agency has drastically raised its public profile and broadened its remit. In its latest statement Monday, the MSS detailed its allegations against the married couple. According to the MSS, foreign spies are omnipresent and infiltrating everything – from mapping apps to weather stations.

Persons: Hong, Xi, Wang, “, –, Zhou, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Ministry of State Security, Conservative Party, China’s, ”, CNN, Britain’s Foreign, Secret Intelligence Service, CIA Locations: Hong Kong, China, British, United Kingdom, Britain

☆ Israeli Troops Keep Up Assault on Rafah After Condemnation of Deadly Strike
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Lauren Leatherby | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

The strike was conducted using two munitions with small warheads suited for this targeted strike. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military’s spokesman, insisted that their munitions alone, used in a strike in Rafah, could not have ignited the deadly fire that killed dozens of people at a camp. Those statements, however, did little to quell a chorus of voices demanding accountability and a halt to the fighting, which came amid reports of another deadly strike in nearby Al-Mawasi on Tuesday. Credit... Hatem Khaled/Reuters Still, he gave no indication that the Israeli military’s operation in Rafah would be interrupted. Israeli officials have argued that the ruling allowed it to continue fighting in Rafah because the military would not inflict such conditions.

Persons: Daniel Hagari, —, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Mawasi, David Cameron, Admiral Hagari, Hatem Khaled, China “, ”, “, Mao Ning, ” —, Alexandra Stevenson Organizations: Credit, Israel Defense Forces Israel’s, ., Reuters, International Court, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Blaze, Rafah, Al, Israeli, Gaza, Rafah’s, China, Israel, “

☆ Can European Recognition Bring Palestinian Statehood Any Closer?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Roger Cohen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The decision by Spain, Norway and Ireland to recognize an independent Palestinian state reflects growing exasperation with the Israel of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even from traditional friends, and suggests that international pressure on him will grow. It does not, however, make it inevitable that other larger European states will follow suit. This year President Emmanuel Macron of France has said such recognition is “not a taboo,” a position reiterated by the French Foreign Ministry on Wednesday. “This decision must be useful, that is to say allow a decisive step forward on the political level,” Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné said in a statement about potential recognition. “France does not consider that the conditions have been met to date for this decision to have a real impact on this process.”

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Emmanuel Macron, David Cameron, Stéphane Séjourné, “ Organizations: French Foreign Ministry Locations: Spain, Norway, Ireland, Israel, France, Palestinian, Europe, United States, “ France

☆ Israel Softened Its Demands in Cease-Fire Negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Matthew Cullen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israeli officials said today that they had reduced the number of hostages they were asking Hamas to free in exchange for a temporary cease-fire in the war in Gaza. For months, cease-fire talks have been at a standstill as Israel had demanded that Hamas release at least 40 hostages. Now Israeli officials say they are prepared to settle for only 33, in part because they believe that some of the 40 have died in captivity. Israel’s new offer included a 40-day cease-fire and the release of potentially thousands of Palestinian prisoners, according to Britain’s foreign minister. A mid-ranking delegation from Israel is planning to fly to Cairo tomorrow to resume talks if Hamas agrees to attend.

Persons: Antony Blinken Organizations: Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, U.S, Cairo

☆ Live Updates: Iran State-Run Media Reports Explosions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Farnaz Fassihi | Patrick Kingsley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

The next year, Palestine was granted the lesser status of observer at the United Nations, a level shared by the Holy See. With the war raging in Gaza, the Palestinian Authority asked the United Nations to take up its bid a second time. The Vatican has also recognized Palestinian statehood. But as the death toll has climbed in Gaza, the push for Palestinian statehood has intensified. But some have in recent months suggested that they might recognize a Palestinian state sooner.

Persons: Mahmoud Abbas, Timothy A, Clary, Riyad Mansour, ”, Israel —, Lynsey Addario, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Biden, David Cameron, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, “ Organizations: West Bank, . Security, Palestinian, Security, United Nations, United Nations Palestine, UNESCO, Observers, General, International Court of Justice, Organization for, Chemical Weapons, General Assembly, Agence France, Palestinian Authority, Union, The New York Times Locations: Hebron, West, United, Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, Palestine, United States, Russia, China, Ramallah, Canada, France, Britain, Spain, Ireland, Malta, Slovenia

☆ Israel Signaled That It Would Retaliate Against Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Matthew Cullen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, emerged today from talks with European diplomats resolute that his country would not bow to outside pressure in responding to the recent attack by Iran. Britain’s foreign secretary acknowledged after the meeting that an Israeli reprisal seemed inevitable. “It is clear that the Israelis are making a decision to act,” David Cameron, the British foreign secretary, said. A spokesman for the State Department said today that the U.S. was pushing for a “unified diplomatic response” to the Iranian attack. But the spokesman added, “These decisions are for Israel to make as a sovereign, democratic country.”

Persons: Israel’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” David Cameron, Netanyahu, ” Organizations: State Department Locations: Iran, British, Israel, U.S, Germany

☆ Israeli Response to Iran Attack Seems Inevitable, Despite Allies’ Pleas
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Matthew Mpoke Bigg | Michael Levenson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

European diplomats traveled to Israel on Wednesday to make one more plea for restraint in response to the aerial attack that Iran launched this weekend, but Britain’s foreign secretary acknowledged that an Israeli reprisal seemed inevitable. “It is clear that the Israelis are making a decision to act,” the British foreign secretary, David Cameron, told the BBC, just before he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But Mr. Netanyahu, after meeting with Mr. Cameron and Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said that Israel would “do everything necessary to defend itself.”He thanked Israel’s allies for their “support in words and support in actions” in remarks before a cabinet meeting, according to his office. But, he added: “They also have all kinds of suggestions and advice. But I want to make it clear — we will make our own decisions.”

Persons: David Cameron, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, ”, Netanyahu, Tehran’s, Cameron, Annalena Baerbock, Israel, Israel’s Organizations: BBC Locations: Israel, Iran, United States, Britain, Germany

☆ Middle East Crisis Global Leaders Press Iran and Israel to Avoid Escalation
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

“When rockets fly in Israel, the whole world writes about it,” said Amil Nasirov, a 29-year-old singer. “And it’s like some devaluation of Ukrainian lives.”Ukraine has begged since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 for more tools to close its sky to Russian missiles. Ukrainian officials noted the role that fighter jets played in defending Israel as a sign of their importance in air defense. “That would be a danger of escalation.”The United States remains the chief supplier of the munitions for Ukraine’s best air defense systems. In the intervening months, Ukraine’s air defenses have been critically depleted, while Russia has greater success in using air power to advance on the front line, attack Ukraine’s energy grid and inflict more casualties against civilians.

Persons: Sergiy, “, ”, Amil Nasirov, Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, ” Mr, Zelensky, David Cameron, Cameron, Britain’s, Liubov Sholudko Organizations: United Nations, Patriot, NATO, Britain’s LBC, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Israel, United States, Britain, France, Iran, Washington, Russian, Moscow, Ukrainian, Kharkiv, Germany, Europe

☆ For Many Western Allies, Sending Weapons to Israel Gets Dicey
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Lara Jakes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For months, Western governments have provided military support for Israel while fending off accusations that their weapons were being used to commit war crimes in Gaza. But as a global outcry over the growing death toll in Gaza mounts, maintaining that balance is becoming increasingly difficult, as was clear on a single day this past week. On Tuesday, in a United Nations court, Germany found itself having to defend against accusations that it was complicit in genocide against Palestinians in Gaza by exporting weapons to Israel. A few hours later, in Washington, a top Democrat and Biden administration ally, Representative Gregory W. Meeks of New York, said he might block an $18 billion deal to sell F-15 fighter jets to Israel unless he was assured that Palestinian civilians would not be indiscriminately bombed. And two miles away, at a media briefing at the State Department, Britain’s foreign minister, David Cameron, was pressed on what his government had concluded after weeks of internal review about whether Israel has breached international humanitarian law during its offensive in Gaza.

Persons: Gregory W, Meeks, David Cameron Organizations: Israel, United Nations, Biden, State Department Locations: Gaza, Germany, Israel, Washington, New York

☆ Cameron, on U.S. Trip, Takes a Risk and Meets With Trump
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Mark Landler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Britain’s foreign secretary, David Cameron, went to Washington on Tuesday, he made all the usual stops, from the State Department to Capitol Hill. But it was his pilgrimage to Palm Beach, Fla., where he met former President Donald J. Trump for dinner on Monday evening at Mar-a-Lago, that grabbed most of the attention. Mr. Cameron is the first top British government official to meet with Mr. Trump since he left the White House. His visit — ostensibly to cajole Mr. Trump into backing additional American military aid to Ukraine — attests to Mr. Trump’s influence over a far-right faction of House Republicans who have been holding up a vote. Mr. Cameron, a onetime prime minister, has emerged as almost a shadow British leader abroad, standing in for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is busy with a looming general election at home.

Persons: David Cameron, Donald J, Trump, Cameron, —, Ukraine —, Rishi Sunak Organizations: State Department, Capitol, British, Mr, White, House Republicans Locations: Washington, Palm Beach, Fla, Ukraine

☆ Many Aid Deliveries for Gaza Are Rejected for ‘Dual-Use’ Items, Groups Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

COGAT, the Israeli agency overseeing aid deliveries into Gaza, accused Mr. Lazzarini of lying, saying that it was in constant contact with the United Nations and had not been notified of the denial. The agency said 1.5 percent of aid trucks trying to enter the territory had been turned away. Mr. Lazzarini is the latest official to say that the Israeli military’s inspections are keeping aid from getting to Gaza’s 2.2 million people. A member of the British Parliament said this month that Israel had turned away 1,350 water filters and 2,560 solar lights provided by the British government because they were considered a threat. Many items that have been turned away aren’t explicitly listed, she said.

Persons: Philippe Lazzarini, Mr, Lazzarini, David Cameron, Israel, Miriam Marmur, aren’t Organizations: UNRWA, United Nations Locations: Gaza

☆ A Popular Israeli Leader’s Meeting in London Sends a Message to Netanyahu
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Mark Landler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, met David Cameron, Britain’s foreign secretary, in London on Wednesday, he got a sharp message that Israel must do more to allow humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza. It was the kind of minister-level meeting that would normally draw modest attention amid the flurry of high-level diplomacy that has enveloped the Israel-Hamas war. But Mr. Gantz and Mr. Cameron are no mere functionaries. Mr. Gantz, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, is a popular political rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Mr. Netanyahu expressed deep displeasure at what he viewed as an unsanctioned trip by a would-be Israeli leader. Mr. Cameron, a former prime minister, has enjoyed uncommon latitude as foreign secretary, speaking out forcefully on issues like Gaza and the war in Ukraine on international trips, where he is often treated as though he were still in his old job.

Persons: Benny Gantz, David Cameron, Gantz, Cameron, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Mr Organizations: Israel Defense Forces Locations: London, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron says recognizing a Palestinian state is not a ‘’taboo’’ for France, as international frustration grows with Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories. France and the EU have long supported a two-state solution in the Mideast, but as part of a negotiated settlement. With talks long stalled and Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza deepening, some European countries are voicing support for recognizing a Palestinian state sooner. ‘’Recognizing a Palestinian state is not a taboo for France,’’ Macron said Friday at a meeting in Paris with Jordan’s King Abdullah. A move by some of Israel’s key allies to recognize a Palestinian state could put pressure on Israel to resume negotiations.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, ’ ’ Macron, Jordan’s King Abdullah, ‘, ”, David Cameron, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: PARIS, —, EU, Hamas, . Security, “, Security, ” Britain’s Locations: France, Palestinian, Gaza, Paris, Jordan, Europe, Rafah, Egypt, Israeli, Israel

☆ Britain’s Foreign Secretary Signals Willingness to Recognize Palestinian State Sooner
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Megan Specia | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

David Cameron, Britain’s foreign secretary, has signaled that Britain is willing to move up conversations about formally recognizing a Palestinian state, saying that his country and other allies should show Palestinians “irreversible progress” toward that long-sought goal. A top priority “is to give the Palestinian people a political horizon so that they can see that there is going to be irreversible progress to a two-state solution and crucially the establishment of a Palestinian state,” Mr. Cameron said, according to the BBC, which reported his remarks. On Tuesday, a spokesman for the prime minister said that Mr. Cameron’s comments were not a departure from the government’s longstanding position about a Palestinian state. “Our position has not changed on recognition of a Palestinian state: We would do so at a time that best serves the cause of peace,” the spokesman said. “The U.K. for its part, and I think along with its allies, continues to believe that a two-state solution protects the peace and security of both Israelis and Palestinians.”

Persons: David Cameron, Cameron, ”, Cameron’s, Mr Organizations: Conservative Middle East Council, Conservative Party Locations: Britain, Palestinian, Israel, London

☆ Britain Is Lobbying U.S. Republicans on Ukraine. Here’s Why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Mark Landler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When David Cameron, Britain’s foreign secretary and onetime prime minister, visited Washington last month, he took time out to press the case for backing Ukraine with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, the far-right Georgia Republican who stridently opposes further American military aid to the country. Last week, Boris Johnson, another former prime minister, argued that the re-election of Donald J. Trump to the White House would not be such a bad thing, so long as Mr. Trump comes around on helping Ukraine. “I simply cannot believe that Trump will ditch the Ukrainians,” Mr. Johnson wrote in a Daily Mail column that read like a personal appeal to the candidate. British diplomats said Mr. Cameron and other senior officials had made it a priority to reach out to Republicans who were hostile to further aid. For reasons of history and geography, Britain recognized that support is not as “instinctive” for Americans as it for the British, according to a senior diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the diplomatic sensitivity of the matter.

Persons: David Cameron, Marjorie Taylor Greene, stridently, Boris Johnson, Donald J, Trump, “, ” Mr, Johnson, Cameron Organizations: Georgia Republican, Mail Locations: Washington, Ukraine, Britain, United States

☆ Uganda: Manhunt launched as newlyweds killed on honeymoon
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni says security forces are on the trail of an ISIS-linked rebel group blamed for the killing of two foreign newlyweds celebrating their honeymoon at a popular tourist destination in the country. The couple was killed Tuesday alongside their local safari guide at the Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwestern Uganda, police said, adding that the victims’ vehicle was also set ablaze by their killers. It added that the national park was “safe and secure” for visitors despite the tragedy. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni Abubaker Lubowa/ReutersFollowing the killing, Britain’s foreign office warned UK nationals to avoid nonessential travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. According to Museveni, Uganda’s security forces are on the verge of “wiping out” the ADF despite attempts by the group to “commit some random terrorist acts.”

Persons: CNN —, Yoweri Museveni, Museveni, ” Museveni, Yoweri Museveni Abubaker Lubowa, Queen Elizabeth, ” Kasese, ” Organizations: CNN, Queen Elizabeth National, Uganda’s Wildlife Authority, South, ADF, Commission, Reuters, Uganda “, Sunday, United Nations Locations: Uganda, Ugandan, Kasese, Uganda’s Butambala, United States

BANGKOK (AP) — The younger son of ousted Myanmar leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi says he has always avoided talking to the media, but this time is different. He’s increasingly worried about his imprisoned 78-year-old mother’s health and about Myanmar's violent political crisis, which he calls desperate. But the situation in Burma at the moment is absolutely desperate,” he said, referring to Myanmar by its former name. “She was suffering from bouts of dizziness and vomiting and couldn’t walk at one stage.”Aris said his information comes from independent Myanmar media and social media. They wouldn’t even answer the door to me.”It’s not the first time Suu Kyi has faced confinement.

Persons: Aung, Suu Kyi, He’s, “ I’d, ” Kim Aris, She’s, “, I’ve, ”, ” Aris, ” It’s Organizations: Associated Press, Aris, Myanmar, National League for Democracy Locations: BANGKOK, Myanmar, London, Burma, Yangon

More than two weeks later, the Kremlin disclosed that Mr. Prigozhin and other Wagner leaders had met with Mr. Putin for three hours in the days after the rebellion ended. “I think he probably feels under some pressure,” Mr. Moore said of Mr. Putin, speaking at the British ambassador’s residence in the Czech capital. Mr. Prigozhin is known to have spent several days in Russia afterward, and video posted on the Telegram messaging app on Wednesday appears to show him in Belarus. “He is clearly under pressure,” Mr. Moore said of Mr. Putin. Mr. Cleverly said the rebellion underscored the falsity of Mr. Putin’s assertions that Russia would be more committed to a long war in Ukraine than the West would be.

Persons: Richard Moore, Vladimir V, Putin, Yevgeny V, Wagner, Prigozhin’s, Prigozhin, “, Mr, Moore, “ Prigozhin, ” Mr, ’, James, ”, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Politico, Kremlin, Mr, Prigozhin, The New York Times, ”, Russian Army, British, Aspen Security Locations: London, Prague, Russia, British, Czech, “, Belarus, Moscow, Belarusian, Minsk, Ukraine, Rostov, Afghanistan, Russian

☆ MI6 chief makes open plea to Russians to spy for UK
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Prague CNN —The head of Britain’s foreign intelligence service used a rare speech Wednesday to issue a plea to disaffected Russians to spy for the UK. They know in their hearts that Putin’s case for attacking a fellow Slavic nation is fraudulent,” he added. The MI6 chief told CNN that Prighozin is alive and at liberty following the group’s 24-hour mutiny against the Kremlin, and that Putin is clearly under pressure. Over the years they have developed a particularly gruesome reputation and have been linked to various human rights abuses. A CNN investigation in April found that Wagner has been supplying Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces with missiles to aid their fight against the country’s army.

Persons: Richard Moore, ”, Vladimir Putin’s, ” Moore, Moore, “, Putin, Wagner, Yevgeny Prighozin, Belarus –, Prighozin, Putin “ didn’t, –, ” Putin Organizations: Prague CNN, Kyiv, Russian, CNN, Kremlin, Prighozhin, Wagner Group, Central African, Rapid Support Forces Locations: Prague, Ukraine, Russian, Odesa, Belarus, Moscow, Denmark, Central African Republic, Sudan, Libya, Mozambique, Syria

☆ Fact Check-UK has not advised citizens not to travel to France as of July 6, 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The UK foreign office issued guidance for people travelling to France in response to unrest there, but it had not warned UK citizens not to travel to the country at the time of writing, contrary to online posts. Social media accounts sharing copy-and-pasted paragraphs of text about riots in France included the line: “Britain’s foreign office is now warning UK citizens not to travel to France.”Examples can be seen on Facebook here and here . However, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) had not told UK citizens not to travel to France at the time of publication. There may be disruptions to road travel and local transport provision may be reduced. At the time of writing, the UK foreign office had not issued advice to UK citizens not to travel to France in response to the ongoing riots in the country of June and July 2023 following the shooting of teenager Nahel.

Persons: Nahel, Read Organizations: Facebook, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development, Reuters Locations: France, North, Nanterre, Paris

☆ Russia Denounces West Over Drone Strike on Moscow
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Anatoly Kurmanaev | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

A day after a drone strike on Moscow, Kremlin officials jumped on the refusal of Ukrainian allies to denounce the attack as proof that Russia’s real war was with the West. The Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, said Russia “would have preferred to hear at least some words of condemnation” from Western capitals. “We will calmly and deliberately think how to deal with this,” he said. While none of Ukraine’s allies went so far as to endorse the drone attack, Britain’s foreign secretary said on Tuesday that Kyiv had “the right to project force beyond its borders.”The U.S. response was more circumspect, but it stopped short of criticizing the first military strike to hit civilian areas in the Russian capital since the start of the war. Ukraine officials have said they were not “directly involved” in the drone strike.

Persons: Dmitri S, Peskov, Russia “, ”, Ukraine’s Organizations: Kremlin, West, Kyiv Locations: Moscow, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Iran plotted to kidnap or kill at least 10 people in the U.K., British domestic spy chief says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Dan De Luce | Dan De Luce Is A Reporter For The Nbc News Investigative Unit. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Iran has plotted to kidnap or kill at least 10 British nationals or U.K.-based individuals perceived as enemies of the regime this year, Britain’s domestic spy chief said Wednesday. Iran’s “aggressive intelligence services” are prepared to take reckless action and pose a direct threat to Britain, McCallum said. “At its sharpest this includes ambitions to kidnap or even kill British or U.K.-based individuals perceived as enemies of the regime. The MI5 chief also outlined other threats to the U.K., citing Russia and China in particular. “The Chinese authorities use all the means at their disposal to monitor — and where they deem necessary intimidate — the Chinese diaspora.

☆ Egypt human rights record under fire as it hosts COP27 climate conference
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Hyder Abbasi | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

When world leaders, diplomats, campaigners and scientists from nearly 200 countries arrive for the United Nations climate change conference in Egypt Monday, their focus will be on curbing global warming. They have called for the world leaders attending the event, known as COP27, to confront the Egyptian government over its alleged human-rights abuses, particularly its treatment of political prisoners. In 2019, he was jailed for “joining a terrorist group” and “spreading false news” to undermine national security. It said that Fattah, 40, a British national, was being prosecuted because of his activism and social media posts highlighting human rights violations allegedly committed by the Egyptian government. Amnesty’s head, Agnes Callamard, warned Sunday that Egypt had no more than 72 hours to save the jailed dissident's life.

☆ U.K. Considers Further Action Over Beating of Protester at Chinese Consulate
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Selina Cheng | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Wednesday that the government was considering whether to take further action after Chinese consular staff in Manchester, England, were filmed pulling a protester onto its grounds and beating him. A pro-democracy Hong Kong protester, Bob Chan, has said he sought hospital treatment after being beaten by a group of men who emerged from the consulate to rip down protest placards critical of China’s leader, Xi Jinping , and then dragged him inside. Greater Manchester police have said they are investigating the case as an assault.

☆ China claims right to protect consulate as Britain decries assault
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Britain’s foreign secretary summoned China’s second-most senior diplomat in the U.K. on Tuesday to express the U.K.’s “deep concern” about the assault allegations and to demand an explanation for the actions of the Chinese consulate staff. The protesters had gathered at the consulate as the Chinese Communist Party opened its weeklong congress in Beijing on Sunday. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin rejected the accounts of the protester and Manchester police. Video on the BBC website showed a scuffle breaking out in front of the consulate after masked men tore down the protesters’ placards. The Chinese Consulate in Manchester did not respond to a request for comment.

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