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☆ Lawmakers from both parties urge Biden to secure the release of Americans imprisoned in China
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Dan De Luce | Dan De Luce Is A Reporter For The Nbc News Investigative Unit. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Lawmakers are appealing to President Joe Biden to use the remaining time in his term to work for the release of Americans who are “wrongfully detained” in China, saying U.S. officials need to do more to help secure their freedom. “There are more Americans wrongfully detained in China than in any other country. They deserve tenacious advocacy to gain their release,” said Smith and Merkley, co-chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. China has denied the allegations and says it has treated detained Americans properly and respected their legal rights. Dui Hua, a rights group that advocates for detainees in China, estimates there are more than 200 Americans “under coercive measures” in China.

Persons: Joe Biden, ”, Chris Smith of, Democratic Sen, Jeff Merkley, Smith, David Lin, Kai Li, Mark Swidan, Hua, Li, Biden, Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, Xi Jinping, “, Li’s, Harrison Li Organizations: ” Republican, Democratic, Congressional, Commission, State Department, White, and State Department Locations: China, Chris Smith of New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, Long Island , New York, Texas, Russia, People’s Republic of China, United States

Senior Biden administration officials told reporters ahead of the meeting that the leaders would announce plans to expand an Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, launched two years ago to include the Indian Ocean region. Analysts said the expected outcomes would mostly build on work that has already been done within the Quad, which Biden elevated to summit level in 2021. It is true in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, South China, South Asia and the Taiwan Strait,” Biden continued. “But I think China’s recent maritime aggression could be changing the equation for India and could be prompting India to become a bit more open to the idea of Quad security cooperation,” she said. Albanese told reporters on Thursday that Canberra and Washington share concerns about China’s security ambitions in Pacific islands countries where Beijing is seeking a growing policing role.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Anthony Albanese, Narendra Modi, Fumio Kishida, Saturday’s, “, ”, Antony Blinken, he’s, ” Biden, Xi Jinping, Jake Sullivan’s, Sullivan, ” Sullivan, “ It’s, Lisa Curtis, Kishida, “ We’re, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Albanese, “ We’ll Organizations: United States, Australian, Anthony Albanese , Indian, Japanese, Biden, Pacific Partnership, Maritime, Indian, U.S . Coast Guard, Journalists, China’s, People’s Republic of China, Analysts, East China Seas, Center, New, New American Security, White House, CIA, State Department, congressional Locations: Australia, India, Japan, China, Anthony Albanese ,, Wilmington , Delaware, Southeast Asia, South China, East China, South Asia, Taiwan Strait, People’s Republic of, South, East, Beijing, Asia, New American, U.S, Canberra, Washington, Pacific

☆ US unveils major tranche of sanctions targeting Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The United States on Friday unveiled a massive tranche of sanctions in the latest effort to target Russia’s war machine as the war with Ukraine continues. The sanctions from the US Treasury and State Departments hit nearly 400 people and entities both in and outside Russia, including China, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, according to a press release from the Treasury Department. The sanctions – unveiled ahead of Ukrainian Independence Day – specifically target those supporting the Russian supply chain and defense base, as well as those helping Moscow to evade current sanctions. They come as Ukraine has launched an audacious incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. This story is breaking and will be updated.

Persons: ‘ Organizations: CNN, US Treasury, State, United Arab Emirates, Treasury Department, –, Ukrainian, Treasury, State Department, State Atomic Energy Corporation Locations: United States, Ukraine, Russia, China, Switzerland, Turkey, Moscow, Russia’s Kursk, Russian

☆ The US has announced new sanctions targeting Russia's war machine — and says more are coming
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The US Treasury and State Department has issued new sanctions against entities still helping Russia. The Treasury warned that secondary sanctions could target nations hosting Russian bank branches. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! AdvertisementThe US has taken fresh aim at Russia's wartime economy with another wide-sweeping sanctions package, targeting sources that help sustain Moscow's fight in Ukraine. On Friday, The Treasury and State Department announced restrictions against 400 individuals and entities worldwide, including in China, Turkey, and Switzerland.

Persons: —, Wally Adeyemo Organizations: US Treasury, State Department, Treasury, Service, Business Locations: Russia, Ukraine, China, Turkey, Switzerland

☆ Joint Base Andrews: Three freed Americans back on US soil in Maryland after historic prisoner swap
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Elizabeth Whelan hugs her brother Paul Whelan at Joint Base Andrews following his release from a Russian prison. Alex Brandon/APPresident Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris walk with family members of the returning Americans to greet them at Joint Base Andrews. Today, their agony is over,” said Biden, who hosted the families of Gershkovich, Whelan, Kurmasheva and Kara-Murza at the White House. Whelan, Gershkovich and Kurmasheva flew roughly 10 hours from Ankara, Turkey, on top of a three hour and 45 minute flight from Moscow to Ankara. This is typical protocol for wrongfully detained Americans who return home.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Whelan, Gershkovich, Harris, Biden, Kurmasheva, “, ”, ” Biden, Feedback Biden, CNN Whelan, Vladimir Kara, Murza, –, Vadim Krasikov, Elizabeth Whelan, Joint Base Andrews, Alex Brandon, Base Andrews, Brittney Griner Organizations: CNN, Wall Street, Joint Base Andrews, Street Journal, US State Department, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Washington Post, Joint Base, Base, AP, White, National Security Council, State Department, Brooke Army Medical Center, Defense Department Locations: American, United States, Russia, Maryland, Moscow, Radio Free Europe, Germany, Poland, Norway, Slovenia, Gershkovich, Kara, Ankara, Turkey, San Antonio, PISA

☆ Fact-checking night 3 of the Republican National Convention
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-17 | by ( Cnn Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Night three of the Republican National Convention has kicked off in Milwaukee. From CNN’s Haley BritzkyRep. Ronny Jackson’s false claim of ‘record-high inflation’Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas claimed in his Republican National Convention speech on Wednesday that there has been “record-high inflation” under the Biden administration. From CNN’s Haley BritzkyRNC video falsely claims there was peace in the Middle East under TrumpA video played early in the Republican National Convention proceedings on Wednesday night claimed that the “strength” of President Donald Trump kept “the Middle East at peace.” Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley had similarly claimed in his convention speech on Monday that the Middle East was “at peace” four years ago under Trump. Dana El Kurd, senior nonresident fellow at the Arab Center Washington DC think tank, also called that claim “false” when Trump made it. She said in a November email: “The Abraham Accords did not achieve peace in the Middle East.

Persons: Newt Gingrich, Trump, Biden, –, Jennifer Hansler, Richard Grenell, Joe Biden “, ”, Joe Biden, ” Grenell, Donald Trump’s, “, CNN’s Haley Britzky, Ronny Jackson’s, Ronny Jackson, Jackson, Biden –, Daniel Dale, Michael Whatley, “ They’ve, Charlie Dietz, Donald Trump, Abraham, Aaron David Miller, ” Miller, Dana El Kurd, Joe Biden’s Organizations: CNN, Republican National Convention, Trump Former Republican, Defense, Trump intel, National Intelligence, ISIS, United, Taliban, Afghanistan Reconstruction, Russian, Russian Navy, Pentagon, State Department, NATO, Trump, Republican, ” Republican National, Abraham Accords, United Arab Emirates, West Bank, Hezbollah, Carnegie Endowment, International, Arab Center Washington DC, The Defense News, Heritage Foundation Locations: Milwaukee, Afghanistan, United States, ”, Doha, Texas, Cuba, Russia, Ukraine, Havana , Cuba, Russian, Kazan, Havana, Bahrain, Israel, Morocco, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, China, “, America

The plea deal allows Assange to avoid prison in the US and return to his native Australia. “That never came up in our conversations,” said David Stilwell, the State Department assistant secretary for the Pacific region during the Trump administration. Sessions’ focus on national security-related leaks was “probably one of the reasons why the [Assange] case had more traction,” Hickey told CNN. Hickey said he was not involved in the Assange case when he was a senior official at DOJ’s National Security Division from 2016 to 2023. Stilwell, the former State Department official under the Trump administration, pushed back on the Assange plea deal.

Persons: Julian Assange, Assange, Biden, Trump, ”, David Stilwell, Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden, General Merrick Garland, Chelsea Manning, Manning, Barack Obama, Obama, Trump’s, Jeff Sessions, Adam Hickey, ” Hickey, Hickey, “ Assange, who’s, Mayer Brown, Garland, Andrew McCabe, “, it’s, ” McCabe, Stilwell, ” Stilwell, Bradley Moss, would’ve, ” Moss, ” CNN’s Zachary Cohen, Marshall Cohen, Kevin Liptak Organizations: CNN, United, Wikileaks, State Department, Australian, Justice Department, FBI, Northern, London’s, US Justice Department, White, Pentagon, Army, Assange ., Department, Obama, Biden, DOJ’s National Security Division, Protect Journalists, Amnesty International, American Civil Liberties Union, Computer, Ecuadorian Locations: United States, Washington, London, Stockholm, Quito, Ecuador, Australia, Pacific, Virginia, London’s, Northern Mariana Islands, Iraq, Guantanamo, Washington ,

☆ Ukraine moved to top of list to receive US air defense capabilities
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A senior White House official described the action as a “rather extraordinary” policy adjustment at a critical moment for Ukraine. “If we didn’t do this for Ukraine, they would not have been able to maintain their critical air defense stockpile heading into the winter, period,” the official said. Ukraine is expected to get its first exports of the air defense capabilities this summer and the policy change will stay in place for 16 months, the official said. The White House official would not share the list of affected countries, other than to say that air defense exports to Taiwan would not be impacted. The move is being done in parallel with Biden administration efforts to get Ukraine more air defense systems as well, a second White House official said.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden, “, @POTUS, ” Zelensky, Zelensky, –, Donald Trump, Jake Sullivan, they’re, ” Biden, Daria Tarasova, Caitlin Danaher Organizations: CNN, White House, State Department, Pentagon, White, NATO, Republican, Ukraine, Congress, Russian Locations: Ukraine, Russia, United States, Taiwan, Kyiv, Italy

CNN —A group of Russian Navy ships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, arrived in Cuba on Wednesday morning in a sign of strengthening ties between the two Cold War allies. The four Russian ships are now docked in berths usually occupied by cruise ships. The US has also deployed air assets, including a P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance plane, to circle overhead the Russian vessels. The rescue and tugboat Nicolay Chiker, part of the Russian naval detachment visiting Cuba, arrives at Havana's harbour, June 12, 2024. According to a Cuban Armed Forces Ministry statement, none of the Russian ships are armed with nuclear weapons.

Persons: Gorshkov –, Gorshkov, Adalberto Roque, Donald Cook, Joe Biden, Nicolay Chiker, ”, weathers Organizations: CNN, Russian Navy, Military, Kazan, Getty Images, Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian MOD, US Navy, Coast Guard, US, Pentagon, State Department, Russian, Cuba’s Foreign, Cuban Armed Forces Ministry, Soviet Union, Cuban Missile Locations: Cuba, Russian, Havana, Spanish, Kazan, Florida, Russia, Ukraine, Havana's, AFP, Caribbean, Canada, Washington, Moscow

☆ Factory Farming and Bird Flu Are a Troublesome Mix - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( David Quammen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

A dairy worker in Texas contracts H5N1 bird flu after contact with infected cows, and suffers eye inflammation. Weeks later, a dairy worker in Michigan begins to cough and then tests positive for the virus. These data and other recent cases of H5N1 suggest that the virus might be evolving to spread more easily to — and among — people. One implication is that while U.S. health authorities say the risk to the general public remains low, that risk could increase quickly. For instance, why isn’t blood testing for signs of the virus among dairy workers now mandatory in all U.S. dairy operations?

Persons: Weeks, petri, It’s Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control Locations: Texas, Michigan

The bombs used in the Israeli strike that killed dozens of Palestinians in a camp for displaced people near Rafah on Sunday were made in the United States, according to weapons experts and visual evidence reviewed by The New York Times. U.S. officials have been encouraging the Israeli military for months to increase the use of GBU-39 bombs in Gaza because they are generally more precise and better suited to urban environments than larger bombs, including U.S.-made 2,000-pound bombs that Israel routinely uses. “This is the smallest munition that our jets can use.”In response to questions from The Times, the Israeli military declined to specify the munition used. Image A fire raging after an Israeli strike on a camp for displaced people northwest of Rafah in southern Gaza on Sunday night. Credit... Reuters“The Israelis have said they used 37-pound bombs,” John Kirby, a White House spokesman said at a briefing on Tuesday.

Persons: Trevor Ball, Ball, Alam Sadeq, Woodward, Alam, Salam, Biden, ”, Daniel Hagari, Admiral Hagari, ” John Kirby, Larry Lewis, Mr, Lewis, “, Wes J, Bryant, —, ” Mr, ” Neil Collier, Eric Schmitt, Aaron Boxerman, Ainara Tiefenthäler, Shawn Paik Organizations: The New York Times, The Times, U.S . Army, U.S, Credit, New York Times, Kuwaiti Al, Israel, Reuters, Pentagon, State Department, American Air Force, Times Locations: Rafah, United States, U.S, Israel, Palestinian, Colorado, Kuwaiti, Gaza

☆ Putin orders tactical nuclear weapons drills in response to Western ‘threats’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Anna Chernova | Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian forces to rehearse deploying tactical nuclear weapons, as part of military drills to respond to what he called “threats” by the West. Since invading Ukraine in 2022, Putin has repeatedly made veiled threats to use tactical nuclear weapons against the West, but Monday marked the first time Russia has publicly announced drills. “During the exercises, a set of measures will be carried out to practice the issues of preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons,” Russia’s defense ministry said. Non-strategic, or “tactical,” nuclear weapons can be used in battlefield situations, carrying less power than strategic nuclear weapons, which have the potential to level entire cities. Putin said Russia would not be the first to test nuclear weapons, but would do so in the event of a US test.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Dmitry Peskov, Emmanuel Macron, I’m, ” Macron, Ludovic Marin, David Cameron, ” Cameron, Macron, “, Joe Biden, ” Organizations: CNN, Russia, Economist, Getty, United, Ukraine, Kyiv, State Department, US, military’s, Staff, Southern Military District Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Western, Europe, AFP, United Kingdom, United States, Moscow, Hiroshima, Nagasaki

☆ Planned US arms transfer to Israel of 2,000-pound block-busting bombs branded 'obscene' hypocrisy by Bernie Sanders as criticism builds
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Bernie Sanders said the US could not "beg" Israel to stop bombing civilians and then continue to supply arms. The Biden Administration has authorized a new package worth billions in fighter jets and bombs for Israel. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA new US arms package for Israel worth billions of dollars in fighter jets and bombs is facing major criticism from some politicians. The Biden Administration has authorized the transfer of more than 1,800 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, The Washington Post reported, citing unnamed Pentagon and State Department officials familiar with the matter.

Persons: Bernie Sanders, Biden, —, Vermont Sen, Netanyahu Organizations: Biden Administration, Service, The Washington Post, Pentagon, State Department, Business Locations: Israel, The, Vermont

☆ U.S. to Impose Sanctions on More Than 500 Russian Targets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Alan Rappeport | More About Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The United States plans to impose sanctions on more than 500 targets on Friday in its response to Russia over the death of the opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny, the largest single package in a flurry of economic restrictions since the country’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago, according to a Treasury Department spokeswoman. It is not clear which sectors or individuals the Biden administration plans to target, a crucial variable in the sanctions’ ultimate expansiveness and effectiveness. The United States has been closely coordinating with Europe in its efforts to cut Russia off from the global economy. This week, the European Union unveiled its 13th tranche of sanctions on Russia, banning nearly 200 people and entities that have been helping Russia procure weapons from traveling or doing business within the bloc. Britain also announced sanctions this week on companies linked to Russia’s ammunition supply chain, as well as on six Russians accused of running the Arctic prison where Mr. Navalny died.

Persons: Aleksei A, Navalny, Biden Organizations: United, Treasury Department, Treasury, State, Biden, Europe, European Union Locations: United States, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Britain

Here are some key findings from an Associated Press investigation into Rocha's alleged betrayal and the missed red flags that could have helped him avoid scrutiny for decades. Rodríguez told AP he believed at the time he received from the Cuban defector in 2006 was an attempt to discredit a fellow anti-communist crusader. It wasn’t just Rodríguez’s tipster — whom he refused to identify to the AP but says was recently interviewed by the FBI. Officials told the AP that as early 1987, the CIA was aware Castro had a “super mole” burrowed deep inside the U.S. government. The FBI and CIA declined to comment, and the State Department didn’t respond to requests.

Persons: Manuel Rocha, Félix Rodríguez, Rocha, “, ” Rodríguez, MANUEL ROCHA, ”, Fidel Castro’s, Fidel Castro, “ El, Liliana Ayalde, Castro, Evo Morales, Ayalde, retracing, “ Che ” Guevara, Rodríguez, tipster, Peter Romero Organizations: MIAMI, Ivy League, CIA, Cuban, Miami, FBI, State Department, Associated Press, WHO, Yale, of Intelligence, Authorities, The Taft School, Prosecutors, U.S, AP, Officials, . Locations: America, Cuban, Cuba, Chile, Colombia, New York City, Connecticut, Bolivia, U.S, Paraguay, Brazil, Latin America, Investigative@ap.org

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and U.K. on Thursday imposed sanctions on four leaders of Yemen's Houthi rebel group who have supported the militant group's recent attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Houthi leaders Mohamed al-Atifi, Muhammad Fadl Abd al-Nabi, Muhammad Ali al-Qadiri and Muhammad Ahmad al-Talibi are all accused of assisting or sponsoring acts of terrorism, according to U.S. Treasury. The sanctions block access to U.S. property and bank accounts and prevent the targeted people and companies from doing business with Americans. Members of a former rebel group originally from the remote mountains of northwest Yemen, Houthi leaders are generally seen as having few assets within reach of U.S. authorities to be affected by the sanctions. The U.S. and the United Kingdom have launched multiple rounds of airstrikes seeking to stop the attacks.

Persons: Yemen's, Mohamed al, Muhammad Fadl Abd al, Nabi, Muhammad Ali al, Muhammad Ahmad al, Abdel Malek al, Matthew Miller, “, ”, Miller, Houthi, Brian E, Nelson, Thursday's, Ellen Knickmeyer, Jon Gambrell, Jack Jeffrey Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S . Treasury, Department, U.S . Defense, State, U.S . Navy, Associated Press Locations: U.S, Gulf of Aden, Red, Gaza, Israel, Yemen, Yemeni, Aden, United Kingdom, London

SAVANNAH, N.Y. (AP) — A man on a hunting trip was shot and killed in western New York on Saturday, the first day of the state's regular deer and bear hunting seasons, authorities said. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office said it responded at about 7 a.m. to a report that a hunter had been shot in Savannah, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Rochester. When deputies arrived, they found the man was fatally wounded during a hunting excursion, police said. The sheriff's office did not say how the man was shot and had not released his name as of late Saturday afternoon. Political Cartoons View All 1256 ImagesThe sheriff's office and state Department of Environmental Conservation police were investigating.

Organizations: Sheriff's, Audubon, of Environmental Conservation Locations: SAVANNAH, N.Y, New York, Wayne, Savannah, Rochester

Israel is preventing some Palestinian Americans from entering the country from the West Bank, an apparent violation of a recent agreement in which citizens from the United States and Israel can travel to the other nation without a visa. The Homeland Security and State Departments, which manage the program, said American officials were trying to resolve the issue. At the time, President Biden was making a push to broker a diplomatic deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Under the visa waiver program, Israel would lift restrictions on Palestinian Americans and other Americans of Arab or Muslim descent, easing the way for them to travel to and from Palestinian territories. For decades, Palestinian Americans have faced difficulties traveling to the Israeli-occupied West Bank to see family and friends or to do humanitarian work.

Persons: ”, Erin Heeter, Biden Organizations: West Bank, Homeland Security, State, Department of Homeland Security, Palestinian, Queen Alia International Locations: Israel, United States, Ben, Gurion, Saudi Arabia, Palestinian, Jordan, Amman, Tel Aviv

Hamas on Monday freed two Israeli women among the more than 200 hostages taken during its Oct. 7 assault. "The path is a path of unrelenting attacks, damaging Hamas everywhere and in every way. "We are well prepared for the ground operations in the south," he added, referring to southern Israel, which abuts Gaza. "Any Israeli military strategy that ignores the human costs could ultimately backfire. At least 5,087 Palestinians have been killed in two weeks of strikes, including 2,055 children, the health ministry said.

Persons: Israel, Barack Obama, General Herzi Halevi, Halevi, Joe Biden, OBAMA, ISRAEL, Obama, Biden, Antony Blinken, Gazans, Nidal al, Ari Rabinovitch, Matt Spetalnick, Steve Holland, Rami Ayyub, Humeyra Pamuk, Dan Williams, Emily Rose, Moaz Abd, Arshad Mohammed, Howard Goller, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S, Security Council, Troops, House, Pentagon, State Department, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical, REUTERS, Reuters, Israel, Hamas, Security, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Gaza, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Israel, Palestinian, United States, U.S, retaliating, Ichilov, Tel Aviv, China, Russia, Gaza's Al, Jerusalem, Washington, Cairo

After Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and killed some 1,400 people, the United States stood by its ally and stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself. The priority is on working to get the hostages out step-by-step," said a source briefed on the hostage negotiations. The first U.S. official said that along with the hostage negotiations, advising Israel to hold off on its invasion could also give more time for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza. U.S. officials have urged Israel to follow the laws of war in any invasion of Gaza, which is home to 2.3 million people. Israel would have a difficult time fighting a war on two fronts simultaneously if Hezbollah launches a full-scale fight in the north, U.S. officials say.

Persons: Israel, Joe Biden, John Kirby, Lloyd Austin, Washington Eliav Benjamin, Lebanon's, Antony Blinken, Yoav Gallant, Washington, Matt Spetalnick Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk, Dan Williams, Andrew Mills, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Trevor Hunnicutt, Simon Lewis, Michelle Nichols, Grant McCool Organizations: United, Palestinian, Washington, House, Pentagon, State Department, Friday, U.S, United Nations, White House, Israel's Army, Hamas, NBC, Sunday, Sunday . Washington, Hezbollah, Thomson Locations: United States, Gaza, Qatar, Israel, U.S, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Egypt, White, Washington, Iran, Sunday ., Jerusalem, Doha

☆ US Advises Israel Hold off on Gaza Invasion, Keeps Hamas Mediator Qatar in Loop -Sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

After Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and killed some 1,400 people, the United States stood by its ally and stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself. The priority is on working to get the hostages out step-by-step," said a source briefed on the hostage negotiations. The first U.S. official said that along with the hostage negotiations, advising Israel to hold off on its invasion could also give more time for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza. U.S. officials have urged Israel to follow the laws of war in any invasion of Gaza, which is home to 2.3 million people. US DEFENSEIsraeli officials have increasingly signaled in public that a Gaza invasion could be imminent.

Persons: Matt Spetalnick, Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk, Israel, Joe Biden, John Kirby, Lloyd Austin, Washington Eliav Benjamin, Lebanon's, Antony Blinken, Yoav Gallant, Washington, Matt Spetalnick Steve Holland, Dan Williams, Andrew Mills, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Trevor Hunnicutt, Simon Lewis, Michelle Nichols, Grant McCool Organizations: United, Palestinian, Washington, House, Pentagon, State Department, Friday, U.S, United Nations, White House, Israel's Army, Hamas, NBC, Sunday, Sunday . Washington, Hezbollah Locations: Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, United States, Gaza, Qatar, Israel, U.S, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Egypt, White, Washington, Iran, Sunday ., Jerusalem, Doha

WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department said Monday that at least nine American citizens have been killed in the weekend Hamas attacks on Israel, raising the toll from four. It was not clear whether the missing had been taken hostage, were killed or were in hiding. The attack by Hamas and Israel's response have left more than 1,100 dead and thousands wounded on both sides. The White House has received assurances that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will push forward hearings for Lew, the official added. But the Israeli government formally declared war Sunday and gave the green light for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas.

Persons: ”, Matthew Miller, Joe Biden’s, Obama, Jack Lew, Lew, Tom Nides, Biden, Lloyd Austin, Gerald R, Ford, Thomas Hudner, Ramage, USS Carney, Roosevelt, ” Austin, Chuck Schumer, Israel Organizations: WASHINGTON, State Department, White, White House, U.S, Foreign, Sunday, Ford, Air Force, Pentagon Locations: Israel, U.S, Normandy, Norfolk, Virginia, Italy, United States

☆ US preparing to officially designate military takeover in Niger as a coup d'etat after months of delay, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Natasha Bertrand Oren Liebermann Alex Marquardt | Natasha Bertrand | Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The US embassy can continue to operate and the US military will be able to legally keep forces in Niger if a coup designation is made, US officials said. But the Pentagon is still assessing how the change will impact the approximately 1,000 US forces stationed in the country, officials said. The administration could continue with life-saving and other kinds of assistance that are important for US security interests while simultaneously suspending other assistance to the government, including economic and security assistance. Nigerien military leaders overthrew the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, in July. Senior Pentagon officials believe that keeping a presence in Niger is vital to efforts to tackle terrorism in the region and believe that it’s feasible even amid the domestic political turmoil there.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, ”, Defense Lloyd Austin, haven’t, “, Sabrina Singh Organizations: CNN, US State Department, Pentagon, State Department, Nigerien, France, Congress, Defense, DOD, Congressional Research Service, Senior Pentagon Locations: Niger, ”, Africa’s Sahel, Niamey, Saharan Africa, Djibouti, United States

REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Microsoft Corp FollowWASHINGTON, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Chinese hackers who breached Microsoft's (MSFT.O) email platform this year managed to steal tens of thousands of emails from U.S. State Department accounts, a Senate staffer told Reuters on Wednesday. The staffer, who attended a briefing by State Department IT officials, said the officials told lawmakers that 60,000 emails were stolen from 10 State Department accounts. U.S. officials and Microsoft said in July that Chinese state-linked hackers since May had accessed email accounts at around 25 organizations, including the U.S. Commerce and State Departments. The hackers compromised a Microsoft engineer's device, which allowed them to breach the State Department's email accounts, according to the briefing. The State Department did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Wednesday, and Schmitt wasn't available for an interview.

Persons: Kacper, Eric Schmitt, Microsoft's, Schmitt, Raphael Satter, Zeba Siddiqui, Leslie Adler Organizations: REUTERS, Microsoft Corp, WASHINGTON, U.S . State Department, State Department IT, Department, East, Microsoft, U.S . Commerce, State, State Department, ., The State Department, U.S . State, Commerce, Reuters, Thomson Locations: East Asia, Europe, China, Beijing

☆ US Treasury launches US-China economic, financial working groups
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday said it was formally launching two new U.S.-China working groups on economic and financial issues aimed at providing a regular policy communications forum between the world's two largest economies. In a statement, the Treasury said the two groups would "meet on a regular cadence" and report to Yellen and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. China's Ministry of Finance will be Treasury's counterpart for the Economic Working Group, while the People's Bank of China will be its counterpart for the Financial Working Group. China's Finance Ministry and central bank both issued statements confirming the establishment of the economic and financial working groups but gave few details beyond saying they were aimed at strengthening communication and collaboration on these issues. Establishment of the two working groups also follows Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's agreement with Chinese officials in August to establish a working group on U.S. export controls aimed at explaining U.S. policies.

Persons: Yellen, Gina Raimondo's, Donald Trump, David Lawder, Christina Fincher Organizations: U.S . Treasury Department, Treasury, China's Ministry, Finance, Economic, People's Bank of, Financial, China's Finance Ministry, State, Thomson Locations: China, China's, People's Bank of China, Beijing, U.S, Washington

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