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☆ The US Navy's turning to its third carrier strike group as its warships react to Middle East conflicts with no end in sight
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is currently in South Korea, but it will soon depart for the US Central Command area of responsibility. US Navy photo via APA carrier strike group is a naval formation that includes a carrier, its air wing, and several other warships such as cruisers and destroyers. Eisenhower strike groupThe Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group first deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean in October, bringing in more firepower alongside the Ford. Roosevelt strike groupSlated to replace the Eisenhower is the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group. As for the other crises, the incoming Roosevelt carrier strike group has its work cut out for it.

Persons: —, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier, Gerald R, Ford refuels, Arleigh Burke, Thomas Hudner, Ramage, USS Carney, Roosevelt, Carney, Eisenhower, Dwight D, Ike, Theodore Roosevelt, Kyung, Maj, Pat Ryder, Ryder, Israel Organizations: Service, US Navy, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike, US Central Command, CSG, Business, Pentagon, Ford Carrier Strike Group, AP, Ford, Ticonderoga, Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, Eisenhower, British, European Command Locations: —, Gaza, South Korea, Gulf of Aden, Israel, Lebanon, Laramie, Normandy, Iran, Persian, Gulf, Aden, Yemen, Busan

☆ China employing 'gray zone tactics' at contested Second Thomas Shoal, Lowy Institute's Yaacob says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons towards a Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 on its way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, March 5, 2024. China said the United States must refrain from "stirring up trouble" or taking sides on the South China Sea issue, after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said a security deal with the Manila extended to attacks on the Philippine coast guard. China is employing "gray zone tactics" against the Philippines at the contested Second Thomas Shoal reef, a move likely aimed at avoiding U.S. intervention in the region, according to Lowy Institute's Rahman Yaacob. Last week, Philippine officials said Chinese forces damaged the country's boats and injured several sailors near the Second Thomas Shoal — claimed by both Beijing and Manila — in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea. Gray zone tactics refer to "coercive actions that are shy of armed conflict but beyond normal diplomatic, economic, and other activities," according to Rand Corporation.

Persons: Shoal, Antony Blinken, Lowy Institute's Rahman Yaacob, Thomas Shoal —, Yaacob Organizations: Guard, U.S, Manila —, Asia Program, Lowy Institute, Rand Corporation, Philippine Locations: Philippine, South China, China, United States, Manila, Philippines, Beijing, Spratly Islands, Yaacob, Asia, India

☆ ‘Intense phase of war with Hamas about to end,’ focus to shift to Lebanon border, Netanyahu says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-23 | by ( Lauren Izso | Mohammed Tawfeeq | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the “intense phase of the war with Hamas (in Gaza) is about to end,” and that the military’s focus could then shift to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. “It doesn’t mean that the war is going to end, but the war in its current stage is going to end in Rafah. Netanyahu was also asked in the interview if his solution to ending the conflict with Hezbollah was via agreement or war. Our terms are not ending the war, leaving Gaza, and leaving Hamas intact. We need to eliminate them.”Israel launched its war in Gaza following the Hamas attacks of October 7, when militants killed about 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, “ I’m, Netanyahu, ”, ” Israel Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Sunday, Hamas, Channel, Television Locations: Gaza, Lebanon, Rafah, ”, Iran, Israel

☆ How China could take Taiwan without even needing to invade
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“China has significantly increased pressure on Taiwan in recent years, stoking fears that tensions could erupt into outright conflict. China’s escalating gray zone tactics were on stark display this week as China Coast Guard vessels clashed with Philippine Navy boats in the South China Sea. In the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. Friday, 36 Chinese military aircraft crossed into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry says. Meanwhile, a quarantine, rather than a blockade, would not require China to close or restrict access to the Taiwan Strait, the CSIS report notes. Under its claims that Taiwan is Chinese territory, Beijing could require customs declarations to be filed before vessels can call in Taiwan.

Persons: CNN —, Beijing’s, Xi Jinping’s, Bonny Lin, Brian Hart, Matthew Funaiole, Samantha Lu, Tinsley, stoking, Adm, Dong Jun, ”, Dong, China’s, “, Joe Biden, Rong Xu, Carl Schuster, ” Schuster, Alessio Patalano, Sidharth Kaushal, Patalano Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, Center for Strategic, International Studies, China Coast Guard, CSIS, TAIWAN, GUARD, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Chinese Defense, Philippine Navy, Taiwan Relations, White, PLA Navy, Maritime Safety Agency, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, Bloomberg, Getty, “, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, Taipei, King’s College, Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Imports, Royal United Services Institute Locations: Taiwan, Ukraine, China, Washington, United States, Pengjia, Beijing, Singapore, South China, Manila, Second, Philippines, Taiwan’s, Taiwan Strait, Port, Taichung, Kaohsiung, London, Covid

☆ Why Hezbollah is threatening this tiny European country
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

An island in the Eastern Mediterranean located on a geopolitical fault line between the Middle East and southern Europe, Cyprus is geographically much closer to the conflicts in the Middle East than it is to European power centers. The island has previously been caught in the crossfire of regional conflicts, a reminder of its proximity to the volatile Middle East. It would mean that an EU country is, for the first time, directly involved in an expanded Gaza war. “It is normal for both Israel and Hezbollah to have military plans in place for handling a potential escalation. “The US also does not want to find itself in another Middle East quagmire, especially with presidential elections looming.”

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, ”, Nikos Christodoulides, Israel, Constantinos Kombos, Eli Cohen, Stavros Ioannides, PIO, Christodoulides, “, Yiannis Kourtoglou, ” Mohammad Ali Shabani, Amwaj.media, ” Lina Khatib, ” Khatib, Biden Organizations: CNN, Lebanese, Union, Israel, The, NATO, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Cypriot, Reuters, Spanish, European Union, North Africa, Chatham House Locations: Cyprus, Israel, “ Cyprus, Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, East, Europe, European, Delaware, Republic of Cyprus, Turkish, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, The Republic of Cyprus, Nicosia, Tel Aviv, Larnaca, ”, EU, UAE, Russian, Syria, London, Haifa, “

☆ Hezbollah leader warns Israel of war with 'no red lines,' threatens Cyprus
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The leader of Hezbollah has vowed a fight with "no rules and with no red lines" if full-out war erupts between the Lebanese militant group and Israel, warning Cyprus against getting mired in the conflict. Lebanon and Israel have regularly traded cross-border fire since the start of the Jewish state's war against Palestinian militant group Hamas — which, like Hezbollah, is backed by Iran — in the Gaza Strip. The Hezbollah leader also threatened war against the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, if the European Union member permits Israel to launch military operations from its territory. Nasrallah accused Israel of "conducting maneuvers in preparation for the Lebanon war" in Cyprus, without disclosing his sources. In response to Nasrallah, Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides on Wednesday stressed that his country is not involved in the conflict and is, in fact, part of the solution, according to the Cyprus News Agency.

Persons: Iran —, Taleb Sami Abdullah, General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Seth Frantzman, Nasrallah, Israel, Manar, Nikos Christodoulides Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Hezbollah, Foundation, Defense, Democracies, Associated Press, European Union, Cyprus News Agency, CNBC, Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Israel, Cyprus, Lebanon, Iran, Gaza, U.S, Cypriot

☆ Israel-Hamas war: Why Hezbollah is threatening Cyprus
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

While experts say war between Israel and Hezbollah remains unlikely, the very mention of Cyprus adds a new dimension to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Stavros Ioannides/PIO/ReutersWhat has Cyprus’ role been in the Gaza war? Cyprus has been keen to dispel any suggestions that it is implicated in the Gaza war, noting its humanitarian efforts that helped bring some aid into Gaza. It would mean that an EU country is, for the first time, directly involved in an expanded Gaza war. “The US also does not want to find itself in another Middle East quagmire, especially with presidential elections looming.”

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, ”, Nikos Christodoulides, ” Peter Stano, Abdallah Bou Habib, Constantinos Kombos, Lebanon’s, Israel, “, Eli Cohen, Stavros Ioannides, PIO, Christodoulides, Yiannis Kourtoglou, ” Mohammad Ali Shabani, Amwaj.media, ” Lina Khatib, ” Khatib, Biden Organizations: CNN, Lebanese, European Union, EU, United Nations, Lebanon’s, Cypriot, Israel, The, NATO, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Reuters, Spanish, North Africa, Chatham House Locations: Cyprus, Israel, “ Cyprus, Iran, Lebanon, EU, Greece, Gaza, East, Europe, European, Delaware, Republic of Cyprus, Turkish, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Turkey, The Republic of Cyprus, Nicosia, Tel Aviv, Larnaca, ”, UAE, Russian, Syria, London, Haifa, “

Beirut CNN —Israel warned Hezbollah on Tuesday of the prospect of “all-out war” after the Lebanese militant group published a 9-minute video, purportedly taken by a drone, showing Israeli military and civilian locations in several Israeli cities. “In an all-out war, Hezbollah will be destroyed, and Lebanon severely beaten,” he added. Those locations include a number of sensitive areas, including at least two military installations: a base in northern Haifa and the port of Haifa. The drone also flew over the oil tanks that sit north of Haifa, the Haifa airport and several residential areas. Hezbollah has said in the past that it will only stop firing on Israel if Israel stops the war in Gaza.

Persons: Beirut CNN — Israel, Israel Katz, ”, Rafael –, Katz, Hassan, Nasrallah, Wim Zwijnenburg, AlMayadeenNews, Yona Yahav, ” Yahav, ” Ibrahim Mousawi, Israel, Amos Hochstein Organizations: Beirut CNN, Hezbollah, Iron, Israel Defense Forces, CNN, PAX, Reshet Bet, Haifa “, Haifa ”, Northern Command, US Locations: Beirut, Lebanese, Lebanon, Haifa, Israel, Gaza, “, China, India, Iran, Haifa Port

☆ The Sticking Points That Kept Russia and Ukraine Apart
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-15 | by ( Anton Troianovski | Michael Schwirtz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

The Sticking Points That Kept Russia and Ukraine ApartRussia and Ukraine failed to agree on a range of critical issues when they held peace talks in the spring of 2022. Russia’s Position Russia demanded that Ukraine never join NATO or other alliances; host foreign military bases or weapons; or conduct military exercises with other countries without its consent. Russia’s Position Russia agreed to much of Ukraine’s security guarantees proposal but with key exceptions. Russia’s Position Russia’s stance has also fluctuated. Russia’s Position But Russia’s definition of “denazification” shifted quickly after its initial invasion failed.

Persons: Vladimir V, Putin, —, Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia’s, ” Organizations: The New York Times, NATO, European Union, Ukraine’s, Crimea ”, Ukraine, Mr, Russia’s, ” International, United Nations Locations: Russia, Ukraine, United States, France, China, guarantors, Belarus, Turkey, Territory, Crimea, Moscow, Ukrainian, Russian

☆ Travel news: The Tank Museum in England has a bigger YouTube following than MoMA
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-08 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Editor’s Note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. CNN —In this week’s roundup of travel news, we bring you the world’s best restaurants for 2024, Disneyland’s epic expansion plans and the little museum in rural England that’s become a YouTube hit. World’s best restaurants1. This famed Barcelona eatery was one of five restaurants in Spain to make this year's World's 50 Best Restaurants list. Dubai has more “best” restaurants than any other destination in the Middle East, according to the 50 Best group.

Persons: England that’s, He’s, that’s, AirlineRatings.com, Disney World’s, Peter Pan, Francesc Guillamet Ferran, Asador, Bruno Verjus, Philippe Vaures Santamaria, Dabiz Muñoz, Diverxo, Diverxo Maido, Maido, Atomix, Evan Sung, Søren Gammelmark, Gaggan Anand, Don Julio, Pablo Domina World's Organizations: CNN, Canada House, American Airlines, Disney, Aberdeen Angus, Multicultural, CNN Travel, Finland Locations: England, New York, Paris, Normandy, Canada, Philippines, Bataan, Florida, Texas, Gulf, Asia, Pacific, Southern California, Japan, Tokyo, Disfrutar, Barcelona, Spain, Basque, Madrid, Spanish, Lima, Peru, New York City, Koreatown, Manhattan, Quintonil, Mexico, Copenhagen, Denmark, Bangkok, Thailand, Kolkata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Hereford, Dubai, British, Soviet Union

☆ Tensions ramp up on Israel-Lebanon border as IDF warns decision is approaching on fresh offensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | Mike Schwartz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Israel attributed the blaze to rocket fire from southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah said it had launched a “swarm of drones” at Israeli military sites. On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the northern city of Kiryat Shmona near the Lebanese border, saying that Israel is prepared for “very intense action” in the north. Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have been trading fire since the start of Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza in October. In April, the IDF said it is “preparing to move from defense to attack,” referring to operations on the northern border. Ten Israeli civilians and 18 soldiers have also been killed on the border, the Israeli military said.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Staff Herzi Halevi, ” Halevi, Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s, Al, Kiryat Shmona, ” Amos Harel, of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Benny Gantz, Jack Guez, Gantz, that’s, ” Harel Organizations: Abu Dhabi CNN, Hezbollah, Israel Defense Forces, Staff, Lebanese, Gaza, GPO, IDF, Reuters, Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, CNN, Haaretz, of National Security, “, ”, Getty, Israel Locations: Jerusalem, Abu Dhabi, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Kiryat Shmona, Lebanese, “, Gaza, Al Jazeera, Israeli, Alma, Golan, Syria, AFP, An Iran, East, United States

☆ Houthi rebel footage appears to show a downed US Reaper drone worth $30 million. It marked the third loss in a month, a report said.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewAnother US MQ-9 Reaper drone came down in Yemen, images appear to show, marking the third loss during the conflict with Houthi rebels in the last month, an Associated Press report said. pic.twitter.com/pNeRJ5Kkei — Megatron (@Megatron_ron) May 29, 2024Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed his fighters shot dow the US Reaper drone in northern Yemen. AP said it was the third report of a downing of an expensive Reaper drone in the last month. The news agency also approached the CIA regarding the downing of the Reaper drone, but it declined to comment. "The MQ-9 Reaper may not be survivable in an environment characterized by large-scale combat operations."

Persons: —, Houthis, Hou, tod, Rea, Ros Organizations: Service, Associated Press, US Navy, Business, dow, Uni, kr Locations: Yemen, Israel, Gaza

☆ China’s military shows off rifle-toting robot dogs
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Brad Lendon | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

During recent military drills with Cambodia, China’s military showed off a robot dog with an automatic rifle mounted on its back, essentially turning man’s best (electronic) friend into a killing machine. The latter part of the video also shows an automatic rifle mounted under a six-rotor aerial drone, illustrating what the video says is China’s “variety of intelligent unmanned equipment.”Military use of robot dogs – and of course small aerial drones – is nothing new. And the dogs have been popping up on China’s heavily regulated social media for at least a year. According to the state-run Global Times, the presence of the robotic dogs at exercises with foreign militaries indicates an advanced stage of development. “Usually, a new equipment will not be brought into a joint exercise with another country, so the robot dogs must have reached a certain level of technical maturity,” Global Times quoted an unnamed expert as saying.

Persons: Chen Wei Organizations: CNN, US Air Force, Management, Commerce Ministry, People’s Liberation Army, Times, Global Times Locations: Cambodia, China, Lao, Malaysian, Thai, Ukraine

☆ US lawmakers vow to bolster Taiwan’s defense with bipartisan visit days after China’s ‘punishment’ military drills
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —US lawmakers vowed to bolster Taiwan’s deterrence against China on Monday during a bipartisan congressional visit to the self-governing democracy just days after Beijing surrounded the island with massive military exercises. US Representative Michael McCaul, Republican-Texas, has vowed to bolster Taiwan's deterrence against China. China’s military drills, he said, were “to express their displeasure with President Lai, a president democratically elected by the people of Taiwan.”But he added they had another objective. The delegation also met with Lai, Taiwan’s new leader, on Monday morning. China responded with a show of military force and later imposed sanctions on McCaul.

Persons: Lai Ching, Michael McCaul, ”, McCaul, Lai, ” McCaul, China’s, Xi Jinping, Xi, “, Mao Ning, Michael Brochstein, Lin Chia, ” “ It’s, ” Lin, Taiwan’s, “ Taiwan’s, ” Lai, Ronald Reagan’s, Tsai Ing, Nancy Pelosi’s Organizations: CNN, China, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Taiwan, US, Party, Republican, Ministry, Taiwan’s Locations: Beijing, China, Taiwan, Taipei, Ukraine, Taiwan Strait, Texas, United States, America, People’s Republic of China

☆ America’s military has the edge in space. China and Russia are in a counterspace race to disrupt it
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

Direct-ascent anti-satellite missiles are fired from Earth to take out a satellite target in space. Since then, China is believed by analysts to have conducted multiple, nondestructive missile tests that could advance its ability to target satellites. Illustration by CNNThat’s because the US has done extensive non-offensive testing of technologies to approach and rendezvous with satellites, including close approaches of its own military satellites and several Russian and Chinese military satellites, SWF says. Chance Saltzman explained why the US felt it needed to be able to counter other countries’ space capabilities. Its tenets may be more relevant now than ever – but potentially under greater threat amid a new focus on military and space.

Persons: –, Russia’s, ”, Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, Zang Jihui, Chance Saltzman, ” Saltzman, Juliana Suess, Kamala Harris, Etienne Laurent, SpaceX’s, Tong Zhao, ” Zhao, doesn’t, RUSI’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Russian, CNN, Getty, Sputnik, Center for Security, Strategy, Technology, Observer Research, Foundation, China, US Space Force, Liberation Army, PLA, Space Force, Washington, CNN That’s, Space, China’s PLA, US Space Command, Vandenberg Space Force, Bloomberg, Union of Concerned, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Modern Defense Technology ”, United Nations Security, US Locations: Hong Kong, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Europe, United States, China, Moscow, North Korea, Iran, Beijing, AFP, Soviet, Soviet Union, America, New Delhi, India, CNN China, Washington, Japan, Guam, France, Australia, Israel, Gaza, London, California, Honolulu, Hawaii, powerlines

☆ Russia's pulling combat forces from another continent to fuel its latest offensive push in Ukraine, Western intel says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewRussia has moved some combat forces from Africa to help support its latest offensive efforts in northeastern Ukraine, according to a new Western intelligence assessment. The Russian defense ministry created the Africa Corps last year as a way to expand its footprint on the continent and also in the Middle East. Photo by Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty ImagesRussia's defense ministry "almost certainly redeployed detachments from the Africa Corps to the Ukrainian border during April 2024 in preparation for this offensive," the defense ministry said. Other Africa Corps detachments are believed to have deployed to Syria, Libya, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the UK said. French Army via APThe recent deployment of certain Africa Corps units to the Kharkiv region appears to underscore Russia's commitment to its new offensive.

Persons: —, Wagner, Kostiantyn Liberov, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: Service, Africa Corps, Business, Nazi, French Army, AP, Libkos, Staff of, Armed Forces, Facebook Locations: Russia, Africa, Ukraine, Moscow, Vovchansk, Ukraine's Kharkiv, Kharkiv, Ukrainian, Syria, Libya, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali

☆ Far-Right E.U. Lawmakers Remove Germany’s AfD Party Before Elections
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Christopher F. Schuetze | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A far-right group in the European Union’s Parliament announced on Thursday that it had ousted the Alternative for Germany party from its coalition, dealing a severe blow to a key alliance just two weeks before E.U. In a statement on its official X account, the Identity and Democracy Group wrote that it had decided to exclude Alternative for Germany, or AfD, because of comments made by Maximilian Krah, the AfD’s lead candidate in the upcoming elections. In an interview last week, Mr. Krah appeared to minimize the crimes carried out by the SS, the Nazi paramilitary force that killed millions of people during the Holocaust. “One million soldiers wore the SS uniform,” Mr. Krah said to La Repubblica and The Financial Times in a joint interview. You have to establish individual guilt.”In its statement, Identity and Democracy wrote that it “no longer wants to be associated with the incidents involving Maximilian Krah, head of the AfD list for the European elections.”

Persons: Maximilian Krah, Krah, Mr, ” Organizations: Union’s, Democracy Group, SS, Nazi, Repubblica, Financial Times, Waffen, Democracy Locations: Germany

☆ US embassy in London refuses to pay $18.6 million in congestion charge fees
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Louis Mian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The US embassy in London is refusing to pay more than $18.6 million in charges from unpaid congestion fees, according to Transport for London (TfL), which oversees the city’s vast transport network. The congestion charge was introduced in 2003 in order to stem traffic and pollution in central London. However, TfL is insisting that in agreement with the UK government, London’s congestion charge constitutes a service and not tax. As of December 31, 2023, a total of 161 embassies, high commissions and consulates owed more than $182 million combined in unpaid congestion charge fees, according to TfL data. According to TfL’s figures, the Japanese embassy owes the second highest amount from unpaid congestion charge fees, at around $12.8 million.

Persons: ”, Dominic Raab Organizations: CNN, Transport, London, Drivers, TfL, International Court of Justice, Diplomatic Relations, U.S . Government, CNN “, of, Embassy, Foreign Office Locations: London, Vienna, of Japan

☆ China military forces getting closer to Taiwan could lead to 'miscalculation,' analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailChina military forces getting closer to Taiwan could lead to 'miscalculation,' analyst saysRaymond Kuo, Taiwan Policy Initiative director at Rand Corporation, says "at some point, Taiwan has to respond, whether it's 24 nautical miles, whether it's 12 nautical miles."

Persons: Raymond Kuo Organizations: China, Taiwan Policy Initiative, Rand Corporation Locations: Taiwan

☆ US reaches agreement with Niger to withdraw military forces by September 15
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Oren Liebermann | Anneclaire Stapleton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US has reached an agreement with Niger to withdraw its military forces from the African nation by September 15, according to the US Defense Department and the Nigerien Ministry of National Defense. Niger’s military government announced in March that it had ended an accord with the US that allowed military personnel and civilian staff from the Department of Defense to operate in the country. The US delegation met with Niger’s ruling military junta last week to try to reach an agreement that would allow for the secure withdrawal of US forces and for clearances for military flights. The delegations also established procedures to facilitate the entry and exit of U.S. personnel, including overflight and landing clearances for military flights,” the joint statement said. Rebuffing the calls, the military junta instead began partnering more with Russia, whose forces are now operating at the same base from which US forces are withdrawing.

Persons: Balima, Chris Meier, Mamane Sani Kiaou, Biden, ” Organizations: CNN, US Defense Department, Nigerien Ministry of National Defense, Department of Defense, Getty, Nigerien Locations: Niger, Niamey, Anadolu, Russia, US, United States

☆ Venezuela expands military buildup at Guyana border in ‘dangerous game,’ says report
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Tara John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Venezuela continues to build up military infrastructure and hardware close to the border with Guyana as President Nicolas Maduro and his supporters scale up their threats to annex an oil-rich piece of Guyanese land. Guyana had called the move a step towards annexation and an “existential” threat as the specter of armed conflict loomed over the region. Using satellite imagery and social media, CSIS found that the expansion of Anacoco Island’s military base has continued. Maduro could ‘fall victim to own rhetoric’The threats to Guyana have concerned its partners. “Thus, one of the most concerning possibilities is that Maduro will fall victim to his own rhetoric.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, “, ” Ryan Berg Organizations: CNN, Strategic, International Studies, Venezuelan, US Navy, Americas, CSIS Locations: Venezuela, Guyana, Washington, Venezuelan, Essequibo, Punta Barima, arm’s, Essequibo ”, Guyanese, Georgetown, Idaho

☆ ‘We give birth only to lose them’: Injured Palestinian mothers grieve for babies killed in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Sarah Sirgany | Jomana Karadsheh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Hijazi tells her story in a faint voice lying in a hospital bed in Doha, Qatar’s capital. Hijazi was evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment a month after her injury. Doctors Hasan Abuhejleh and Ahmed AlSaadi inspect Gaza patients at the Hamad hospital in Doha, Qatar. Like many patients coming out of Gaza, she has a drug-resistant infection picked up in the territory’s struggling hospitals. Despite the different outcome of their pregnancies, Alqutati and Hijazi describe a similar despair that shackles them to the horrors of the war in Gaza.

Persons: Raneem Hijazi, Azzouz, ”, Khan Younis, “, Mariam, cesarian, Hijazi, ‘, ’ ” Hijazi, hasn’t, I’ve, Hasan Abuhejleh, Ahmed AlSaadi, Hamad, Sanjiv Talreja, Ola, Darren Bull, Shaimaa Al, Ghoul, Hothaifa, Mohamed, Abdullah, Shahed Alqutati, Ali, ‘ Ali, ’, ‘ Shahed, Sham, Alqutati, I’ll, ” Hijazi Organizations: Doha CNN, CNN, Hamad Hospital, United Nations, Shifa Locations: Qatar, Doha, Gaza, Qatar’s, Egypt, orthopedics, Israel, Rafah, Territories, Sabha, Al, Gaza City

☆ Facing an Endless Barrage, Ukraine’s Air Defenses Are Withering
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Josh Holder | Constant Méheut | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

Facing an Endless Barrage, Ukraine’s Air Defenses Are WitheringThis is what a year of Russian missile strikes on Ukraine looks like. Ukrainian air defenses used to intercept most missiles, but in recent months, more and more have made it through. Ukraine has made increasingly desperate pleas for more air defenses from its Western allies. But it could be months before enough weapons arrive to significantly bolster Ukrainian air defenses. Ukrainian air defenses downed the first seven — but had no choice but to let the next four pass, he said.

Persons: Jan, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, ”, Tom Karako, Maj, Ilya Yevlash, Konrad Muzyka, Odesa, Yevlash, Justin Bronk, Mr, Bronk, Barber Organizations: Russian, New York Times, Ukrainian Air Force, Patriot, United, Kremlin, PBS, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Ukrainian Air, Patriots, Rochan Consulting, Kyiv Kharkiv Dnipro Odesa, Kyiv Kharkiv Dnipro Odesa Kyiv, Kyiv Kharkiv Dnipro Kyiv, Royal United Services Institute Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Russia, United States, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Washington, Poland, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Texas, London

☆ Kidnapped in Mexico: I Am One of the Missing Who Survived - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Manuel Bayo Gisbert | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +11 min

Scroll In June 2020 I was kidnapped by armed men and heldfor ransom. Photographs and text by Manuel Bayo Gisbert I was kidnapped by armed menand held for ransom. In Mexico we say that when you see or experience something painful it can make us sick with horror. I turned to the families of the missing people of Mexico. In Mexico, We Harvest Pain and DeathOn Aug. 19, 2023, three years after I was kidnapped, my uncle Fernando Bayo was taken by four armed men in Acapulco.

Persons: Manuel Bayo Gisbert, Manuel Bayo, Ivonne’s, Hilda, Cheli’s, Rafael, Miguel Ángel, Justina’s, Abelardo, Lucio Cabañas, Cirino, “, ”, Práxedes Giner Durán, Álvarez, Juárez, —, Felipe Calderón, Calderón's, she’s, …, Pachuca … It’s, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, López Obrador, Fernando Bayo Organizations: Mexico City, Mexican Army, Mexican, …, Pachuca …, National, Brigade, Residents, Inter, American, Human, Signals, National Search Brigade Locations: Leer, español, Mexico, Parres, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, El Conchero, El Ticuí, Ciudad Madera, Chihuahua, Atoyac, Ciudad Juarez, Texas, …, Pachuca, Veracruz, of Mexico, Ayotzinapa, U.S, Yecapixtla, Acapulco, Tihuatlán, Santiago, Mexico City

☆ Israel and Hamas Face Growing Pressure for a Cease-Fire Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Aaron Boxerman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Husam Badran, a senior Hamas official, said in a text message that the group’s representatives were arriving in Cairo “with great positivity” toward the proposed deal. “If there is no agreement, it will be because of Netanyahu alone,” he said, referring to Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. Mr. Sinwar is one of the presumed architects of Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which left 1,200 dead and roughly 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli officials. In Israel, Mr. Netanyahu faces substantial opposition within his own governing coalition to the proposed framework. Agreeing to the deal would be “humiliating surrender,” Bezalel Smotrich, the country’s finance minister, wrote on Facebook late last month.

Persons: Haitham Imad, United States —, Antony J, Blinken, ”, ” Mr, William J, Burns, Husam, Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yahya Sinwar, Sinwar, ” Bezalel Smotrich, Biden, “ Organizations: United, McCain Institute, Central Intelligence Agency, Qatari, Hamas, Hamas’s, Facebook, Biden Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Shutterstock, Cairo, Palestinian, Israel, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Arizona, Cairo “, Washington

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