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☆ US, partners target North Korea with sanctions following satellite launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The list includes senior officials from the National Aerospace Technology Administration, which oversaw the satellite launch, and the munitions industry department. Since the launch of the satellite, North Korea said that its leader, Kim Jong Un, has reviewed spy satellite photos of the White House, Pentagon and U.S. aircraft carriers at the naval base of Norfolk. Kimsuky's hacking operation has been historically focused on South Korea, Japan and the United States. The RGB is a North Korean intelligence agency that is involved in cyber warfare activities, according to analysts, and is under U.S. sanctions. Two Russia-based representatives of North Korean banks and one China-based representative were also hit with sanctions, among others.

Persons: Kim Jong, Brian Nelson, Nelson, Kimsuky, Daphne Psaledakis, David Brunnstrom, Christopher Bing, Hyonhee Shin, Sandra Maler, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS, U.S . Treasury Department, North, Terrorism, Financial Intelligence, Democratic People's, National Aerospace Technology Administration, United Nations, White House, Pentagon, U.S, North Korea sparred, Security Council, Treasury, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Agency, Security, U.S . National Security Agency, Korea's, Bureau, UN, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, SEOUL, United States, Korea, U.S, Australia, Japan, North Korea, Korean, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, South, New York, Norfolk, South Korea, Guam, Italy, Washington, Europe, Russia, North Korean, Iran, China, North, Seoul

☆ US sanctions cryptocurrency mixer Sinbad over alleged North Korea ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on a virtual currency mixer the Treasury Department said has processed millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency from major heists carried out by North Korea-linked hackers. Lazarus, which has been sanctioned by the U.S., has been accused of carrying out some of the largest virtual currency heists to date. In March 2022, for example, it allegedly stole about $620 million in virtual currency from a blockchain project linked to the online game Axie Infinity. A virtual currency mixer is a software tool that pools and scrambles cryptocurrencies from thousands of addresses. Those that engage in certain transactions with the mixer also risk being hit with sanctions.

Persons: Lazarus, Wally Adeyemo, Sinbad, Daphne Psaledakis, Kanishka Singh, Paul Grant, Chizu Nomiyama, Paul Simao Organizations: Treasury Department, North, Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, United Nations, Blender, Treasury, Thomson Locations: United States, North Korea, heists, U.S, Finland, Netherlands

[1/2] U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken disembarks from his airplane upon arrival at Brussels Airport in Brussels, Belgium, on November 27, 2023, as he travels to a NATO foreign ministers' meeting. "We've always said that this is a matter for Ukraine to decide," O'Brien said. At a press conference in Brussels on Monday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he expected alliance foreign ministers to "reaffirm NATO’s long-term support" for Ukraine. Turkey has informed NATO that its parliament will not complete ratification of the bid ahead of the meetings, sources told Reuters last week. Blinken will also represent the United States at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Skopje, North Macedonia, this week, O'Brien said.

Persons: Antony Blinken disembarks, SAUL LOEB, Antony Blinken, James O'Brien, Blinken, we've, O'Brien, Biden, We've, Jens Stoltenberg, O, Brien, Stoltenberg, Simon Lewis, Daphne Psaledakis, Andrew Gray, Lisa Shumaker, Chizu Nomiyama, Deepa Babington Organizations: Brussels, NATO, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Ukraine, State Department, Biden, State, Eurasian, U.S . Congress, Germany's, Reuters, Washington, Organization for Security, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Russia, Europe, Gaza, Israel, Washington, Ukraine, United States, Taiwan, Germany, Kyiv, Moscow, Belgian, Turkey, Hungary, U.S, Western Balkans, Kosovo, Skopje, North Macedonia

☆ Vehicle explodes at Niagara Falls, forcing US-Canada border closings
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Police officers view the scene after an incident at the Rainbow Bridge U.S. border crossing with Canada, in Niagara Falls, New York, U.S. November 22, 2023 in a still image from video. Two people in the vehicle were killed in the blast and one border patrol official was injured, the Fox News Channel reported, citing unnamed sources. The three U.S.-Canada crossings along the Niagara River separating southern Ontario and New York state are among the busiest in the world. "The FBI is coordinating with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation," the FBI statement said. Representatives for the U.S. State Department also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported border closures.

Persons: Kathy Hochul, Dominic LeBlanc, LeBlanc, Hochul, Doug Ford, Ismail Shakil, Katharine Jackson, Daphne Psaledakis, Susan Heavey, Caitlin Webber Organizations: Police, Rainbow Bridge, REUTERS, Reuters, Rights, FBI, Terrorism, Force, New, Fox News Channel, CNN, Niagara Gazette, Whirlpool, Niagara - Frontier Transit Authority, Public, Ontario, ., Canadian, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Canada, Niagara Falls , New York, U.S, United States, Niagara Falls, New York, Lewiston, Queenston, York, Ontario, Ottawa, Buffalo , New York

Hours later, federal and state authorities said investigators had found no evidence of an act of terrorism, though circumstances surrounding the crash on the Rainbow Bridge remained murky, leaving it to be determined whether it was accidental or intentional. [1/15]A vehicle burns at the Rainbow Bridge U.S. border crossing with Canada, in Niagara Falls, New York, U.S. November 22, 2023 in a still image from video. The Rainbow Bridge and all three other border crossings along the Niagara River between western New York and the Canadian province of Ontario - the Peace Bridge, the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and the Whirlpool Bridge - were shut for several hours as a precaution. The three bridges that were not involved were reopened early Wednesday evening, but the Rainbow crossing remained closed during the investigation and as officials assessed the crossing's safety. He said the vehicle, which he described as a luxury sedan, was "fish-tailing" out of control before it crashed.

Persons: Kathy Hochul, Paul Stanley, Hochul, Mike Guenther, Guenther, ”, Ted Hesson, Jonathan Landay, Ismail Shakil, Katharine Jackson, Daphne Psaledakis, Susan Heavey, Daniel Trotta, Andrew Hay, Ward Jasper, Makini Brice, Gabriella Borter, Joseph Ax, Richard Cowan, Daniel Whitcomb, Steve Gorman, David Gregorio, Leslie Adler Organizations: FBI, Twitter, U.S . Customs, Border Protection, Authorities, CNN, Bentley, Wednesday, U.S . Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Buffalo Niagara International, Rainbow Bridge, REUTERS, Whirlpool, Niagara - Frontier Transit Authority, Buffalo, Thomson Locations: New York, Ontario, Niagara Falls, U.S, Toronto, Canada, Niagara Falls , New York, Niagara, Canadian, Lewiston, Queenston, New York City, Kitchener , Ontario, Washington

[1/3] A redacted online resume of a North Korean IT worker is shown in this screenshot of a report obtained by Reuters on November 20, 2023. The documents contain dozens of fraudulent resumes, online profiles, interview notes, and forged identities that North Korean workers used to apply for jobs in software development. Some of the scripts, designed to prepare the workers for interview questions, contain excuses for the need to work remotely. North Korean developers working at U.S. companies had hidden behind pseudonymous email and social media accounts and generated millions of dollars a year on behalf of sanctioned North Korean entities through the scheme, the DOJ said. The researchers, part of Palo Alto's Unit 42 cyber research division, made the discovery when examining a campaign by North Korean hackers that targeted software developers.

Persons: Richard, Covid, Richard Lee, “, James Pearson, Ted Hesson, Daphne Psaledakis, Chris Sanders, Anna Driver Organizations: North, Reuters, Palo Alto Networks, REUTERS Acquire, Palo Alto, United Nations, United, United Arab Emirates, U.S . Justice Department, DOJ, Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, North Korean, U.S, of Liberty, Palo Alto's, Constella Intelligence, U.S . Department of Homeland Security, Thomson Locations: North Korean, Korean, North Korea, United States, South Korea, U.S, Chile, New Zealand, Uzbekistan, United Arab, Singapore, Los Angeles, LA, China, Russia, Africa, Southeast Asia, Pyongyang, Palo, Britain, Japan, Spain, Australia, Washington

☆ US to Provide Over $4 Million in Aid for Those Affected by Nagorno-Karabakh Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Daphne PsaledakisWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will provide over $4.1 million in aid for people affected by the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the United States Agency for International Development said in a statement, after Azerbaijan's recapture of the region prompted a mass exodus of Armenians. USAID said the additional aid, which has not been previously reported, will support efforts to provide assistance for almost 74,000 refugees and displaced people from the region who are sheltering in Armenia. The aid will increase food assistance and provide humanitarian protection and emergency shelter, according to the statement. The additional aid will bring the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Nagorno-Karabakh response to nearly $28 million since 2020, according to the statement. "The U.S. stands with civilians affected by Azerbaijan’s military operation and supports the Armenian government’s efforts to help those in need," the statement read.

Persons: Daphne Psaledakis WASHINGTON, Samantha Power, Power, Daphne Psaledakis, Matthew Lewis Organizations: United States Agency for International Development, USAID Locations: United States, Nagorno, Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenia, U.S, Baku, Soviet, Soviet Union, Washington

☆ Seized Galaxy Leader ship in Yemen's Hodeidah port area -owner
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] The Galaxy Leader cargo ship is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea in this photo released November 20, 2023. Houthi Military Media/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - The Galaxy Leader commercial ship was "illegally boarded by military personnel via a helicopter" on Nov. 19 and is now in the Hodeidah port area in Yemen, the vessel’s owner said on Monday. "All communications were subsequently lost with the vessel," Isle of Man registered Galaxy Maritime Ltd, owner of the pure car carrier Galaxy Leader, said in a statement. "The Houthi seizure of the motor vessel Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea is a flagrant violation of international law," U.S. State Department spokeman Matthew Miller told a briefing. The Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader's crew is made up of nationals from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico and Romania, Galaxy Maritime said.

Persons: Houthis, Matthew Miller, Jonathan Saul, Jonathan Landay, Daphne Psaledakis, Christina Fincher, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Galaxy Leader, Houthi Military, REUTERS Acquire, Galaxy Maritime Ltd, Galaxy, U.S . State Department, Galaxy Maritime, Japan's Nippon, Maritime, Thomson Locations: Red, Yemen, Iran, States, U.S, Bahamas, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Philippines, Mexico, Romania, Washington

☆ U.S. targets maritime companies, vessels for shipping oil above Russian price cap
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Daphne Psaledakis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The seized Russian-flagged oil tanker Pegas is seen anchored off the shore of Karystos, on the Island of Evia, Greece, April 19, 2022. REUTERS/Vassilis Triandafyllou/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 16 (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on maritime companies and vessels for shipping oil sold above the G7's price cap, as Washington seeks to close loopholes in the mechanism designed to punish Moscow for its war in Ukraine. It said the vessels used U.S.-person services while transporting the Russian-origin crude oil. The cap bans Western companies from providing maritime services, including insurance, finance and shipping, for Russian seaborne oil exports sold above $60 a barrel, while seeking to keep oil flowing to markets. “Shipping companies and vessels participating in the Russian oil trade while using Price Cap Coalition service providers should fully understand that we will hold them accountable for compliance,” Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in the statement.

Persons: Vassilis, Wally Adeyemo, Daphne Psaledakis, Laura Sanicola, Ismail Shakil, Susan Heavey, Chizu Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, The U.S . Treasury Department, United, “ Shipping, Coalition, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Russian, Karystos, Evia, Greece, United States, Washington, Moscow, Ukraine, The U.S, United Arab Emirates, U.S, Australia, Price

The United States, Russia and Britain, who are council veto-powers, abstained from Wednesday's vote on the resolution drafted by Malta. The United States has backed pauses, while Russia has pushed for a ceasefire. The Security Council attempted four times in two weeks in October to act. Russia failed twice to get the minimum votes needed, the United States vetoed a Brazilian-drafted resolution and Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-drafted resolution. It also calls on all parties not to deprive civilians in Gaza of basic services and humanitarian aid needed for their survival, welcomes the initial, limited deliveries of aid, but calls for that to be increased.

Persons: David, Dee, Vassily Nebenzia, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Barbara Woodward, Thomas, U.N, Michelle Nichols, Paul Grant, Emelia, Grant McCool, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Hamas, United Nations Security Council, REUTERS, UNITED NATIONS, United Nations Security, United, U.S, United Nations, Security, Gaza, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, U.N, New York, U.S, Gaza, United States, Russia, Britain, Malta, China

☆ Demonstrators in Washington back Israel, denounce antisemitism
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Jonathan Landay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/4] Israeli Americans and supporters of Israel gather in solidarity with Israel and protest against antisemitism, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, during a rally on the National Mall in Washington, U.S, November 14, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington on Tuesday for a "March for Israel" to show solidarity with Israel in its war with Hamas and condemn rising antisemitism. We will fight for Israel. Underscoring support in the U.S. Congress for Israel, busloads of senators and members of the House of Representatives attended the pro-Israel rally. Those perpetrating the poison of antisemitism and bigotry around the world are trying to scare us," Schumer said.

Persons: Israel, Leah Millis, Marco Abbou, Israel —, ” Natan Sharansky, We'll, Sharansky, ”, Ariel Ben, Chitrit, Biden, busloads, Charles Schumer, Schumer, Erica Taxin, “ didn’t, Isaac Herzog, Herzog, Neturei, Jonathan Landay, Patricia Zengerle, Simon Lewis, Daphne Psaledakis, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, Israel, Jewish Agency, Soviet Union, U.S ., U.S, Congress, Representatives, Democratic, Authorities, Arms, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Israel, Washington , U.S, Washington, U.S, Hackensack , New Jersey, Gaza, United States, Soviet, rearm, Herndon , Virginia, Philadelphia, America

☆ US Treasury's Adeyemo Sees More Actions Against Hamas in Coming Days, Weeks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

"We're going to see actions taken by our allies and partners," Adeyemo said. Since the Palestinian militant group's deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Washington has imposed two rounds of sanctions on Hamas. Nelson "pledged continued engagement with those who have taken proactive steps to investigate, identify, and disrupt Hamas-related activity," the Treasury said. Such transactions combining pools of assets or delaying transaction processing can hide the beneficial ownership of crypto assets, Adeyemo said. (Reporting by Andea Shalal in New York and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington; Writing by David Lawder, Editing by Howard Goller)

Persons: Andrea Shalal, Daphne Psaledakis NEW, Wally Adeyemo, Adeyemo, Brian Nelson, Nelson, doesn't, Andea Shalal, Daphne Psaledakis, David Lawder, Howard Goller Organizations: WASHINGTON, ., Reuters NEXT, Treasury, Terrorism, Financial Intelligence, FOCUS, USA Locations: Israel, Washington, Europe, New York

The Israeli military said it had not agreed to a ceasefire and would continue its operations outside of localized humanitarian pauses. Patel said those fleeing their homes should have the ability to return, but said Washington does not have control or jurisdiction over the areas in question. "Those now in the south must have every ability to return to the north when that is safe to do." Hamas gunmen from Gaza burst through the border to Israel on Oct. 7 and killed 1,400 people, Israel says. Since then, more than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed in a relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip - home to 2.3 million - by Israeli forces, say Palestinian health officials in Gaza.

Persons: Evelyn Hockstein, Vedant Patel, Patel, David Satterfield, Antony Blinken, Satterfield, Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk, Daphne Psaledakis, Daniel Wallis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, United, State Department, Middle East, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, U.S, Washington, Gaza . U.S

Both Israel and Hamas have rebuffed mounting calls for a halt in fighting. Hamas says it will not free them nor stop fighting while Gaza is under assault. "We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. [1/8]Flares are dropped by Israeli forces, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Gaza City November 6, 2023. Diplomats said a key obstacle is whether to call for a ceasefire, cessation of hostilities or humanitarian pauses to allow aid access in Gaza.

Persons: Netanyahu, Israel, Biden, White, Benjamin Netanyahu, we've, Joe Biden, It's, Human Rights Volker Turk, Adhanom, Martin Griffiths, Mohammed Al, Masri, Daniel Hagari, Hagari, U.N, General Antonio Guterres, Guterres, Robert Wood, we're, Joe Biden's, Nidal al, Emily Rose, Patricia Zengerle, Michelle Nichols, Daphne Psaledakis, Rami Ayyub, Cynthia Osterman, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: ABC News, ., Human Rights, Health Organization, Hamas, REUTERS, Israel Defense Forces, . Security, Diplomats, United Nations, U.S, U.S . Congress, Thomson Locations: White House, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Gaza, Israel, United States, Washington, Nations, Palestinian, Gaza City, Lebanon, Iran, Lebanese, Haifa

☆ More than 400 US citizens, residents have left Gaza -spokesperson
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We continue to work in partnership with ... Egypt and Israel towards safe passage for more US citizens, their immediate family members and US lawful permanent residents," State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said. The number of U.S. citizens who will be able to leave is expected to increase, he said. Patel said that as of Tuesday, 526 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies had entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing. The U.S. is working with Israel to develop inspection mechanisms that would allow trucks to move into Gaza quickly, he said. Hamas says it will not free them or stop fighting while Gaza is under attack.

Persons: Abu Mustafa, Israel, Vedant Patel, Antony Blinken, Patel, Humeyra Pamuk, Daphne Psaledakis, Paul Grant, Grant McCool Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, United, State Department, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Rafah, Egypt, United States, U.S, Washington

☆ US, Arab Leaders to Meet Over Gaza as Palestinian Deaths Mount
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

Civilians in the area are repeatedly called upon to evacuate southwards for their own safety," the military said. Israel has accused Hamas of concealing command centres and tunnel entrances in al-Shifa, something Hamas and the hospital denies. Food is scarce, residents have resorted to drinking salty water, medical services are collapsing and Gaza health officials say more than 9,250 Palestinians have been killed. "Whoever wants to prevent a regional war, and I am talking to the Americans, must quickly halt the aggression on Gaza." Hezbollah and other state and non-state actors should not try to take advantage of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the spokesperson said.

Persons: Nidal, Simon Lewis, Suleiman Al, Khalidi, Ashraf al, Qidra, Izzat El Reshiq, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Israel, Blinken, Washington, Jordan, Lebanon's, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Nasrallah, Nidal al, Daphne Psaledakis, Rami Ayyub, Diane Craft Organizations: Reuters, Israeli, Saudi, Israel, State Department, West Bank, Washington, White House National Security Council, Hamas Locations: Khalidi GAZA, AMMAN, Gaza, Jordan, Gaza's, Israel, al, Gaza City, U.S, Amman, Jordanian, Washington, Lebanon's Iran, United States, Iran, Lebanon, Tehran, Iraq, Syria, In Washington, Khalidi

Palestinians pull an ambulance after a convoy of ambulances was hit, at the entrance of Shifa hospital in Gaza City, November 3, 2023. Israel has accused Hamas of concealing command centres and tunnel entrances in al-Shifa, something Hamas and the hospital denies. Blinken on Saturday will meet with the Saudi, Qatari, Emirati and Egyptian foreign ministers as well as Palestinian representatives in Amman, the Jordanian foreign ministry said. "Whoever wants to prevent a regional war, and I am talking to the Americans, must quickly halt the aggression on Gaza." Hezbollah and other state and non-state actors should not try to take advantage of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the spokesperson said.

Persons: Anas, Israel, Antony Blinken, Jordan Lebanon's, Ashraf al, Qidra, Izzat El Reshiq, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Blinken, Washington, Jordan, Lebanon's, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Nasrallah, Nidal al, Simon Lewis, Suleiman Al, Daphne Psaledakis, Rami Ayyub, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Saudi, U.S, Reuters, Israeli, Israel, State Department, West Bank, Washington, White House National Security Council, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Gaza City, Gaza, Jordan, Israel, GAZA, AMMAN, Gaza's, al, U.S, Amman, Jordanian, Washington, Lebanon's Iran, United States, Iran, Lebanon, Tehran, Iraq, Syria, In Washington, Khalidi

Arctic-2 LNG has been expecting to start exporting soon and it is uncertain how much Russian LNG would be blocked by the new measures. The largest Russian LNG producer Novatek (NVTK.MM) said in September it would start shipments from Arctic-2 LNG early next year. The State Department said Zakharov is the creator and designer of the drones. "And every sanctions decision must work in full, so that there is no chance for Russia to bypass them." The State Department also imposed sanctions on multiple defense-related entities and procurement companies in the UAE.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Joe Biden, Doug Mills, Biden, Vladimir Putin, Antony Blinken, Aleksandr Zakharov, Zakharov, Andriy Yermak, Yermak, Daphne Psaledakis, Timothy Gardner, Alexandra Alper Mike Stone, Karen Freifeld, Yuliia Dysa, Ron Popeski, Nick Zieminski, Diane Craft Organizations: U.S, White, Rights, Moscow, State Department, Commerce Department, United Arab, Treasury Department, Systems, Treasury, Russian LNG, European, ZALA Aero, Russian Ministry of Defense, The State Department, Russian Federation, Washington, Turkish, UAE . Construction, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, Ukraine, Siberia, Washington, Russian, U.S, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, China, Russia, Moscow, Crimea, Europe, European Union, Ukrainian, ZALA, UAE, New York, Gdansk, Beijing

☆ Blinken to Reassert in Israel Its Right to Act but Need to Minimize Civilian Casualties
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Humeyra PamukWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Israel on Friday to voice solidarity with its retaliation against Hamas in Gaza but also to reassert the need to minimize Palestinian civilian casualties, his spokesperson said on Wednesday. Blinken's trip, which includes a stop in Jordan, is his second to the Middle East in less than a month. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Blinken will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials and receive an update on Israel's military objectives and its plans to achieve those goals. He will pursue talks led by Egypt and Qatar on securing the release of more than 200 hostages held by Hamas, Miller said. Turkish diplomatic sources said Blinken would also visit Turkey but Miller did not confirm the additional stop.

Persons: Humeyra Pamuk, Antony Blinken, Matthew Miller, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Miller, Israel, Joe Biden's, John Kirby, Jasper Ward, Daphne Psaledakis, Howard Goller Organizations: Israel, State Department, Hamas, White House, Washington Locations: Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, Gaza, Jordan, Israel, Palestinian, Egypt, Qatar, Turkish, Turkey, Washington

☆ How the Nigerian military fatally shot a young captive
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +19 min

The Nigerian government and military – including the presidency, Ministry of Defence, defence headquarters and army leaders – did not respond to detailed questions for this story. Various entities have accused Nigerian security forces of other abuses in connection with killings of civilians and captives. Two security force members told Reuters they saw multiple prisoners brought out of the barracks and shot after the fighting ceased. Tweets from Nigerian defence headquarters in Abuja show the military declared the hostilities over shortly after 11 a.m. Nine shots fired A uniformed security force member shot nine rounds at the young captive, pulling the trigger at least seven times, according to forensic audio experts who listened to the recording at Reuters’ request.

Persons: Melanie O’Brien, –, Ocampo, Christopher Musa, Musa, ” Musa, “, extrajudicially, Michael Oluoha Agi, ’ ”, ”, Boko, ‘ Allahu akbar ’, Yahaya, Haram, Biu, Bellingcat, Belllingcat, Chris Olukolade, Emmanuel Emeka, Emeka, Reade Levinson, David Lewis, Tim Cocks, Carlos Gonzales, Paul Carsten, Daphne Psaledakis, Stephanie van den Berg, Youri van, Adolfo Arranz, Sam Hart, Feilding, Julie Marquis, Alexandra Zavis Organizations: Reuters, International Association of, Nigerian, Ministry of Defence, ICC, Islamic, Human Rights Commission, United Nations, Twitter, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, U.S . State Department, U.S, Boko, Civilian, Task Force, Defence, Facebook, 231, Battalion, 331 Artillery Regiment Locations: Geneva, Nigeria, Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, Nigerian, United States, Britain, U.S, Biu, Boko Haram, Abuja, Largema

Palestinians conduct search and rescue operations at the site of Israeli strikes on a residential building, in the central Gaza Strip October 31, 2023. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The United States has made "real progress" in the last few hours in negotiations to secure a safe passage for Americans and other foreigners who wish to depart the Gaza Strip, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday. So far, traffic at Rafah has reopened one way allowing aid trucks to go slowly into Gaza. "We would hope that any agreement to get any individuals out would also unlock the possibility of American citizens or their families and other foreign nationals coming out," Miller said. "We're working with various parties to try to facilitate their departure from Gaza.

Persons: Ahmed Zakot, Matthew Miller, Miller, Qataris, Israel, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk, Daphne Psaledakis, Jasper Ward, Chris Reese, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, United, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Gaza, United States, U.S, Rafah, Egypt, Jasper

We continue to encourage all countries to take tangible measures to halt the flow of arms, aviation fuel, and revenue to the military regime," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a separate statement. Canada imposed sanctions against 39 individuals and 22 entities for supporting Myanmar's military regime. The U.N. human rights expert for Myanmar in September called on the United States to further tighten sanctions on the country's military rulers to include the state oil and gas enterprise. Human rights advocates have repeatedly called for sanctions on MOGE, but Washington had so far held back. Myanmar military officials have played down the impact of sanctions.

Persons: Stringer, Washington, Antony Blinken, Brian Nelson, Simon Lewis, Daphne Psaledakis, Tim Gardner, Sarah Young, Ismail Shakil, Chizu Nomiyama, Rod Nickel Organizations: Army, Bank, REUTERS, Rights, Myanma, Gas Enterprise, U.S . Treasury Department, Reuters, Treasury, Financial, United Nations, Terrorism, Financial Intelligence, Chevron Corp, Chevron, Washington, Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank, Myanma Investment, Commercial Bank, Sky Royal Hero Company, General Staff, Myanmar's Army, Navy, Air Force, Thomson Locations: Yangon, Myanmar, United States, Washington, U.S, United Kingdom, Canada, Britain

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference, in Tel Aviv, Israel October 12, 2023. The question of Iranian access to the funds has been in the spotlight since Iran-backed Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel on Saturday, killing more than 1,300 people and taking scores of hostages back to the Palestinian Gaza Strip. "Iran will not be able to access the funds for the foreseeable future," a senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters. Several U.S. media outlets reported on Thursday that the United States and Qatar had agreed to stop Iran from accessing the money. It did not respond to a request for comment on whether Iran had yet tried to access the funds.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jacquelyn Martin, Blinken, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's U.N, Donald Trump, John Kirby, Kirby, Parisa Hafezi, Andrew Mills, Michelle Nichols, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, TEL, United, Washington, Reuters, U.S, U.S . Treasury, U.S ., Government, United Nations, Qatar's, Media, White House, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, TEL AVIV, WASHINGTON, United States, Iran, Qatar, Palestinian, U.S, Tehran, South Korea, Seoul after Washington, Islamic Republic of Iran, New York, Qatari

☆ Blinken says Israeli government shared images of Hamas atrocities
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Humeyra Pamuk | Thomson Reuters | Humeyra Pamuk Is A Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent Based In Washington Dc. She Covers The U.S. State Department | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference, in Tel Aviv, Israel October 12, 2023. It almost defies comprehension," Blinken told a news briefing in Tel Aviv, where he traveled after hundreds of Hamas gunmen poured across the barrier fence and rampaged through Israeli towns on Saturday. He carefully described the disturbing contents of the images he was shown in meetings with Israeli officials earlier on Thursday. The atrocities depicted in the images he had seen "harkens back to ISIS," Blinken said. Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in Tel Aviv; Writing by Doina Chiacu, Simon Lewis and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington; Editing by Lisa ShumakerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jacquelyn Martin, Blinken, Humeyra Pamuk, Doina Chiacu, Simon Lewis, Daphne Psaledakis, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, ISIS, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, TEL AVIV, Washington

On Saturday, Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip rampaged through parts of southern Israel, killing hundreds of people in the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel's history. Israel's embassy in Washington said the death toll from the weekend Hamas attacks had surpassed 1,000. U.S. officials say they do not have evidence Iran orchestrated the attacks, but point to Iran's longterm support for Hamas. Biden called the Hamas attacks "an act of sheer evil" and said Washington was rushing additional military assistance to Israel, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish the Iron Dome aerial defense system. Israeli soldiers went from house to house to take away the dead.

Persons: Ronen, Israel, Biden, Joe Biden, Israel's, Yoav Gallant, ", Washington, Antony Blinken, Matthew Miller, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, Gaza's Khan Younis, Ala Abu Tair, Abassan Al, Jawad Abu Shammala, Zakaria Abu Maamar, Khan Younis, Abu Shammala, Human Rights Volker Turk, Elad Hakim, Aza, Itai Veruv, Dan Williams, Emily Rose, Henriette Chacar, Ari Rabinovitch, Nidal, Maayan, Steve Holland, Nandita Bose, Rami Ayyub, Daphne Psaledakis, Simon Lewis, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS, Rockets, Hamas, U.S, Israel, Israeli, White, United, Department, Defence, The United Nations, Palestinian Foreign Ministry, Human Rights, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Ashkelon, Lebanon, Syria, U.S, JERUSALEM, GAZA, WASHINGTON, Palestinian, Israel's, Washington, United States, Iran, Gaza's, U.N, East Jerusalem, Be'eri, stretchers, Europe, Jerusalem, Kfar Aza

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