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☆ Thailand’s lower house passes bill to legalize same-sex marriage
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Kocha Olarn | Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Thailand’s House of Representatives voted to legalize same-sex marriage on Wednesday, bringing the Southeast Asian nation a step closer to becoming the third territory in Asia to guarantee equal marital rights. The lower house of parliament passed the bill following a third and final reading, with 400 representatives voting in favor. It would also make the country only the third place in Asia to allow for marriage equality after Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in 2019 and Nepal in 2023. Previous attempts to legalize marriage equality over the past decade have stalled. Nonetheless Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, of the Pheu Thai Party, had also promised to bring the marriage equality bill to parliament.

Persons: CNN —, Pita Limjaroenrat, Srettha Thavisin Organizations: CNN, CNN — Thailand’s, Party, Thailand’s, Pheu Thai Party Locations: Asia, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Nepal

☆ Live updates: Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses after ship collision
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott says he is "aware of and en route to the incident at the Key Bridge." "I have been in contact with @BaltimoreFire Chief Wallace, @GovWesMoore @JohnnyOJr, and @AACoExec. Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway," he posted on X Tuesday.

Persons: Baltimore Mayor Brandon M, Scott, Wallace, @GovWesMoore @JohnnyOJr Organizations: Baltimore Mayor

☆ Famine in northern Gaza is imminent as more than 1 million people face ‘catastrophic’ levels of hunger, new report warns
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Mousa Salem/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Palestinians transport bags of flour on the back of trucks as humanitarian aid arrives in Gaza City on March 6. Omar Qattaa/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Palestinians wait to receive food at a refugee camp in Rafah on January 27. Omar Qattaa/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Humanitarian aid packages are dropped from the air by Jordanian army planes in Gaza City on March 1. Abed Zagout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images A funeral prayer is performed for Yazan al-Kafarneh, the 10-year-old Palestinian child who died of malnutrition, on March 4. Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Children suffering from malnutrition receive treatment at a health-care center in Rafah on March 5.

Persons: Israel, Antonio Guterres, ”, Cindy McCain, it’s, Josep Borrell, Israel “, Trucks, ” Borrell, Loay, Fadi, Kamal Adwan, Omar Qattaa, Saher, Ahmed Qannan, Mohammed Salem, Said Khatib, Dawoud Abo, Jehad, crouches, Abed Zagout, Yazan, Rabie Abu Noqaira, Mohammed Abed, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Yasser Qudih, Fatima Shbair, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, Stringer, Khan Younis, “, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Sullivan Organizations: CNN, Integrated, IPC, United Nations, Ministry of Health, Food, UN, Washington Post, Kamal, Anadolu Agency, Getty, AFP, Reuters, US Air Force, UPI, Dawoud Abo Alkas, Aid, ”, Gaza, National Locations: Gaza, UN, ”, Israel, Rafah, Mousa Salem, Gaza City, AFP, Jordanian, Territories, Deir, Egypt, United States

☆ World’s worst polluted cities are in Asia - India’s Begusarai topping IQAir report
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“We see that in every part of our lives that air pollution has an impact,” said IQAir Global CEO Frank Hammes. “And it typically, in some of the most polluted countries, is likely shaving off anywhere between three to six years of people’s lives. Central and South Asia were the worst performing regions globally, home to all four of the most polluted countries last year: Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Tajikistan. South Asia is of particular concern, with 29 of the 30 most polluted cities in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh. One bright spot is increasing pressure and civic engagement from communities, NGOs, companies, and scientists to monitor air quality.

Persons: ”, Frank Hammes, Hammes, “ What’s, IQAir, Chiang Mai, that’s, ” Hammes Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Health, IQAir, WHO, Dhaka, CNN, America, Reuters Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, India, India’s Bihar, Guwahati, Assam, Delhi, Mullanpur, Punjab, South Asia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Lahore, New Delhi, Finland, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, French Polynesia, Canada, Alberta, United States, Minneapolis, Detroit, Columbus , Ohio, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, China, Beijing, Hotan, Southeast Asia, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangkok, Africa, South America, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Chad

CNN —The Senate on Thursday confirmed career foreign service member Dennis Hankins to be US ambassador to Haiti, where widespread violence has brought social order to the brink of collapse. The unrest has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes and prompted United States, Germany and European Union embassies in Haiti to evacuate personnel. Hankins’ confirmation comes after Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced on Monday that he would resign following weeks of chaos. The former ambassador to Mali and to Guinea has worked for the State Department for nearly four decades. He served in Haiti earlier in his foreign service career.

Persons: Dennis Hankins, Hankins, Ariel Henry, Joe Biden, Michele Sison, CNN’s Colin McCullough, Caitlin Stephen Hu, Helen Regan Organizations: CNN, European Union, US Marine, Haitian, Southern Command, Haiti’s, State Department Locations: Haiti, Caribbean, Port, United States, Germany, Mali, Guinea

☆ Putin says he’s ready to use nuclear weapons if Russian state at stake, but ‘there has never been such a need’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Helen Regan | Josh Pennington | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Moscow is ready to use nuclear weapons if there is a threat to the existence of the Russian state but “there has never been such a need,” President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with state media published Wednesday. Putin said that from a military and technical standpoint, Russia is ready for a nuclear war, though he didn’t say one was imminent. He warned that if US troops were deployed to Ukraine, Russia would treat them as interventionists. So I don’t think that everything is going to go head-on here, but we are ready for it,” Putin said. In his interview with state media, Putin said Russia would be willing to negotiate on Ukraine, but only if based on reality.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Joe, Biden, ” Putin, Dmitry Medvedev, It’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, ” Zelensky, ” Organizations: CNN —, RIA Novosti, “, CNN, US, Russian, Russia’s, NATO, Kremlin Locations: CNN — Moscow, Ukraine, Russia, United States, Belarus, Europe

☆ US, Germany and EU embassies begin evacuating staff as violence spirals in gang-plagued Haiti
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Caitlin Stephen Hu | Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Dajabon, Dominican Republic CNN —The United States and other diplomatic missions have begun evacuating personnel from Haiti, as gang violence in the Caribbean nation’s capital Port-au-Prince continues to spiral. US Southern Command said the move was consistent with “standard practice for Embassy security augmentation worldwide.” No Haitians were on board the military aircraft, it added. Another source with knowledge of the operations told CNN there have been at least 12 helicopter evacuation flights into Port-au-Prince over the past three days, all evacuating diplomatic and humanitarian staff. However, shots fired nearby after the last flight’s take off on Sunday have called into question the viability of continuing the evacuation flights, the source said. The World Food Programme suspended its maritime transport services in Port-au-Prince from distributing aid across Haiti due to the instability.

Persons: Dajabon, ”, Joe Biden, Peter Sauer, Stefano Gatto, —, Prince, Gang, Jimmy Cherizier, Ariel Henry, Stephane Dujarric, Henry Organizations: Dominican Republic CNN, CNN, US State Department, US Southern Command, Southern Command, National Security Council, CNN Helicopter, European Union, EU, Caribbean Port Services, Dominican, United Nations, US Department of Treasury, Food, UN, OCHA, Kenya, Kenyan, Caribbean Locations: Dominican Republic, United States, Haiti, Caribbean, Port, Dominican, Haitian, Santo Domingo, Petionville, Haiti’s, Puerto Rico, CARICOM, Kingston

☆ Australia: Mass coral bleaching event underway at Great Barrier Reef
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

This is the seventh mass bleaching event to hit the vast, ecologically important but fragile site and the fifth in only eight years. Covering nearly 133,000 square miles (345,000 square kilometers), the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef, home to more than 1,500 species of fish and 411 species of hard corals. Severe mass bleaching at the Great Barrier Reef had previously been observed in 1998, 2002, 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2022. Sunrise over the Great Barrier Reef at Lady Elliot island on October 10, 2019. Jonas Gratzer/LightRocket/Getty Images/FileBy continuing on the current pathway, “we risk losing the Great Barrier Reef and the $6 billion sustainable tourism industry,” said Schindler.

Persons: CNN —, El Niño, ”, Tanya Plibersek, Anthony Albanese, Dr, Lissa Schindler, Lady Elliot, Jonas Gratzer, Schindler, “, David Ritter, Derek Manzello Organizations: CNN, Park Authority, Australian Institute of Marine Science, El, Australian Marine Conservation Society, Australian, Australia, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Labor, Oceanic, NOAA, Reuters, Reef Watch Locations: Australia, Lady, Southern, Pacific

☆ Maldives signs China military pact in further shift away from India
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

In January, Muizzu set a deadline of March 15 for the complete withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the archipelago nation, according to the president’s office. India has also given Maldives two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft, which are mainly used for marine surveillance, search and rescue operations and medical evacuations, Reuters reported. The new deal with China marks a significant shift in Maldives’ foreign policy from Muizzu’s pro-India predecessor, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. But Maldives has long found itself in the middle of a geopolitical tussle with both India and China vying for influence. China has increasingly expanded its footprint in Maldives, most visibly through large-scale infrastructure projects such as the $200 million China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.

Persons: Mohamed Muizzu, Muizzu, “, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, ”, Mao Ning Organizations: CNN, Ocean, Maldivian Defense Ministry, Beijing, Reuters, Dornier, Maldives ’, Analysts, Foreign Locations: Maldives, China, India, Delhi, Beijing

☆ Children starve to death in Gaza as Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal sticking points remain
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

However, a high-ranking Hamas official did not immediately respond to a CNN question about whether the militant group had responded to Israel’s conditions. Children starving to deathIn northern Gaza, children are starving to death and others fighting for their lives as critical supplies are held up from reaching those in need. One recent incident exposed the particularly desperate situation in northern Gaza. “Humanitarian aid agencies like UNICEF must be enabled to reverse the humanitarian crisis, prevent a famine, and save children’s lives,” UNICEF’s Adele Khodr said in a statement Sunday. UNICEF said it was aware of at least 10 children dying due to dehydration and malnutrition in recent days at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.

Persons: Israel, Kamala Harris, ”, ” Harris, Harris, Benny Gantz, Kamal Adwan, Dr, Ashraf Al, ” UNICEF’s Adele Khodr, Khodr Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Nations, Crisis, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Kamal, UN, United Nations, UNICEF Locations: Gaza, Cairo, Israel, United States, Washington

☆ Australia’s Great Barrier Reef suffers ‘extensive’ coral bleaching, as scientists fear seventh mass bleaching event
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The southern Great Barrier Reef is suffering from extensive coral bleaching due to heat stress, the reef’s managers said Wednesday, raising fears that a seventh mass bleaching event could be unfolding across the vast, ecologically important site. Jonas Gratzer/LightRocket/Getty ImagesThe Great Barrier Reef’s managers plan to extend aerial and in-water surveys across the entire reef over the coming weeks. Hotter ocean temperatures caused severe mass bleaching at the Great Barrier Reef in 2016, 2017 and 2020. Last year, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided not to add the Great Barrier Reef to its list of sites “in danger,” despite scientific evidence suggesting the risk of another mass bleaching event. Greenpeace’s Ritter said that following the decision, “the Australian government promised to do everything it can to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Persons: Mark Read, Elliot, Jonas Gratzer, ”, Neal Cantin, Maya Srinivasan, ” Srinivasan, ” David Ritter, “, ” Ove Hoegh, Greenpeace’s Ritter Organizations: CNN, Park Authority, Australian Institute of Marine Science, El, James Cook University, Marine Park Authority, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Foundation, Oceanic, UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Labor Locations: Keppel, Gladstone, Queensland, Australia, Cairns, Florida, Caribbean

☆ North Korean factories making arms for Russia are ‘operating at full capacity,’ South Korea says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Yoonjung Seo | Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korea’s munitions factories are “operating at full capacity” to produce weapons and shells for Russia, according to South Korea’s defense minister, as Moscow’s devastating war in Ukraine grinds into a third year. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits a munitions factory at an undisclosed location on January 10, 2024. CNN has reached out to South Korea’s defense ministry for comment on the US’ estimate but has not yet received a response. The White House confirmed last month that Russia has been firing North Korean missiles at Ukrainian cities. The US and its allies are also concerned about the technology North Korea is seeking from Russia in return for weaponry.

Persons: Korean Defense Minister Shin Won, sik, Kim Jong Un, ” Shin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Avdiivka, Zelensky, Joe Biden’s, Vladimir Putin Organizations: South Korea CNN, South, Korean Defense Minister, KCNA, Reuters, US State Department, CNN, Ukraine, Kyiv, West, North, Intelligence, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, White House, Korean Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Russia, South, Ukraine, Korea, Washington, Pyongyang, North, Russian, North Korea, Avdiivka, Moscow, Russia’s

☆ Myanmar military conscription law sparks panic and fear as youth prepare to flee
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Helen Regan | Angus Watson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

It’s a terrifying prospect that could become a reality for Anna and millions of her peers across Myanmar after the military junta activated a mandatory conscription law for all young men and women. “While wounded and increasingly desperate, the Myanmar military junta remains extremely dangerous,” Tom Andrews, United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar, said in a statement. “People know for sure that no matter what is written in the conscription law, they will have to go to the front lines. “In Myanmar, young people are not safe anymore,” said Maung Nyein, who also requested to use a pseudonym for safety reasons. “Our villagers won’t join the military forces or leave the country, instead we will join our resistance forces.

Persons: Anna, ”, “, ” Tom Andrews, — “, Aung, —, Ting Aung, Zaw Min Tun, Young, Kyaw Naing, Sen, Min Aung Hlaing, Kyaw, doesn’t, ” Anna, he’s, he’ll, Khin Ohmar, Stringer, Maung, Maung Nyein, terrifies, Ko, Maung Aye, he’d Organizations: CNN, Thai Embassy, Getty, Analysts, United Nations, People’s Defense Forces, National Unity Government, United, CNN Defense, Armed Forces, Reuters, Facebook, Foreign Ministry, Myanmar, Mandalay People's Defense Forces, Immigration, International Labour Locations: Myanmar, Myanmar’s, Yangon, AFP, United States, Naypyidaw, Thailand, Rakhine, Mandalay, Shan State, “, Shwebo, Sagaing

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Israel prepares for Rafah offensive despite warnings
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Tuesday urged Israel to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches Gaza, warning that it would be in breach of international law if it doesn't. "As they are the occupying power in Gaza... they have to make sure that humanitarian aid, that food and water and shelter are available to people in Gaza," Cameron said during questions time in the House of Lords. Limited aid: Only a trickle of aid is getting into Gaza since Israel placed the territory under a complete siege after Hamas' October 7 attacks, halting the supply of electricity, food and water to the enclave. Israel has since begun allowing some aid to enter, but aid workers and the UN say it's a long and arduous process. Nowhere to go: Cameron also urged Israel to "stop and think before going ahead with any operations in Rafah," where more than 1.3 million displaced Palestinians are believed to be crammed into makeshift shelters.

Persons: David Cameron, Israel, Cameron, Martin Griffiths Organizations: British, Lords, UN, United Nations, Humanitarian Affairs, Emergency Relief, Palestinian Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah

☆ Israeli strikes deepen panic in Rafah as UN aid chief warns a ground offensive could result in ‘slaughter’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

It remains unclear how or when a ground offensive would unfold, and that uncertainty is adding to anxiety among Palestinians in Rafah about where to go and what to do. Israeli military action in Rafah “has already led to and will result in further large scale killing, harm and destruction,” the government said in its request to the World Court. “We cannot afford an Israeli attack on Rafah… We cannot stand by and let this continue,” he said. Palestinians inspect damaged buildings after Israeli airstrikes on Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on February 12, 2024. They told us this area was safe… they told us Rafah was safe.

Persons: Leo Varadkar, Peter Lerner, ”, “ We’re, … We’re, We’ve, Mo’men, Martin Griffiths, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Lerner, Gaza ”, UN’s Griffiths, Ashraf Amra, Antonio Tajani, King Abdullah II, Israel “, Varadkar, Karim Khan, Daniel Hagari, Abed Rahim Khatib, Khan Younis, We’re, Jarwan, ” Nahla, Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, United Nations, International Court, Reuters, ” United, Israel Defense Forces, Residents, Getty, Criminal, European Union, Foreign Ministry, Criminal Court, ICC, Palestine Red Crescent Society, Israeli Air Force, World Health Organization Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Israel, Gazan, ” Israel, Palestinian, ” United Nations, Hamas’s, South Africa, Rafah “, Deir, Balah, Deir al, Anadolu, European, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, China, Italian, ”, Palestine, Al

☆ Thaksin Shinawatra: Thailand’s jailed former prime minister to be freed
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Thailand’s jailed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will soon walk free from detention after his parole was approved, according to Thailand’s justice minister, just six months after his dramatic return to the kingdom. The announcement caps an extraordinary decades-long political saga that will see the return of one of Thailand’s most controversial political figures to everyday life. On Tuesday, Thailand’s Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong confirmed to CNN Thaksin is one of 930 inmates who have been granted parole this month. The party’s candidate Strettha Thavisin became Thailand’s 30th prime minister in August, just hours after Thaksin’s return to the country. Last week, Reuters reported that Thaksin faces possible lese majeste charges under Thailand’s royal insult law, but it’s unclear whether prosecutors will move forward with the complaint.

Persons: Thailand CNN — Thailand’s, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Tawee Sodsong, Thaksin —, Strettha Thavisin, Thaksin’s, Pita Limjaroenrat Organizations: Thailand CNN, Manchester City, Thailand’s, CNN Thaksin, The Corrections Department, Thai Corrections Department, Reuters Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, New York, Thai

☆ Rafah airstrikes: Israeli attacks kill more than 100 in Rafah as international alarm mounts over anticipated ground offensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Smoke billows during Israeli bombardment over Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on February 12, 2024. In a statement Monday, Hamas condemned what it said was a “horrific massacre” by Israel against civilians in Rafah. ‘The dead are better than us’For the more than one million Palestinians in the southern city, the expected push into Rafah is causing alarm and fear. Rafah is the last major population center in Gaza not occupied by the Israeli military. Olfat Hamdan said she had witnessed dead bodies on the streets of Gaza City, noting that “nobody was able to drag them or move them.”“What have I seen?

Persons: Abu Yousef Al, Rafah’s, Fernando Simon Marman, Louis Har, Nir Yitzhak, Smoke, Said Khatib, Danial Hagari, …, Jens Laerke, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Stéphane Dujarric, Israel’s, Netanyahu, Joe Biden “, Israel, ” Netanyahu, We’re, ”, ‘, ” Mohammad Jamal Abu, Khan Younis, El, ” Mahmoud Khalil Amer, Al, Tal, ” Abdul Kareem Al, Qaseer, Olfat Hamdan Organizations: CNN, Palestine Red Crescent Society, Najjar Hospital, Israel Defense Forces, Israel Security Agency Shin Bet, Police, Getty, UN Office, Humanitarian Affairs, Human Rights, United Nations, UN, United Kingdom, Sunday, UN’s Security, Maxar Technologies, ABC News, IDF, “, Hamas, of Health Locations: Palestine, Gazan, Rafah, Shaboura, Gaza, AFP, Sheba Tel Hashomer, Israel, Israeli, Hamas’s, ”, Aqsa, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United, Saudi, Gaza City, Al Shati, “, People, Tal El Hawa, Khan

☆ Putin gets a propaganda opportunity as Congress dithers over Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Zachary Wolf | Analysis Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

► Russian President Vladimir Putin was about to be isolated worldwide as a pariah. They also fact-check Carlson on his assertion that US media organizations have not tried to interview Putin. From their report:In fact, journalists have repeatedly been requesting interviews with Putin, but the Russian president had declined to grant access. Ukraine funding has run dryThe Pentagon has essentially exhausted the money Congress allocated for Ukraine over the past two years. In the Senate, there is support for Ukraine aid.

Persons: Tucker Carlson, Vladimir Putin, ► Elon Musk, Donald Trump, ► Putin, Carlson, Trump, Joe Biden, Putin, X Carlson, CNN’s Oliver Darcy, ”, Darcy, Alexei Navalny, Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Vadim Krasikov, CNN’s Nathan Hodge, Katharina Krebs, Helen Regan, Tucker Carlson's, CNN Putin, Webster, Volodymyr Zelensky, Valerii, Zelensky, Biden, autocrats, Sen, Rand Paul of, Mitch McConnell, Mike Johnson, Johnson Organizations: CNN, Fox News, unflappable, Twitter, Republicans, Republican, Pentagon, SpaceX, Putin, Street, Big Tech, Trump, Biden, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, bewilderment, US, Chechen, Berlin, Russian, West, Ukrainian, Mariupol, Merriam, Israel, Rand Paul of Kentucky

☆ Putin references Russian hitman in German jail as he suggests ‘agreement can be reached’ on detained US reporter Gershkovich
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Nathan Hodge | Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested “an agreement can be reached” with the United States to release detained American journalist Evan Gershkovich, as he brought up the conviction of a “patriotic” Russian hitman in Germany. Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested last March while on a reporting trip in the country. When Putin said Gershkovich was working with US special services, Carlson did push the Russian president, saying: “This guy is obviously not a spy, he’s a kid. In fact, journalists have repeatedly been requesting interviews with Putin, but the Russian President had declined to grant access. The Russian President suggested that the path to ending the war in Ukraine was through direct negotiations between Washington and Moscow.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Evan Gershkovich, Tucker Carlson, Putin’s, Carlson, Putin, “, ” Putin, ”, Natalia Kolesnikova, Gershkovich’s, “ He’s, Evan, ” Danielle Gershkovich, Biden, Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, He’s, Vadim Krasikov, Krasikov, Viktor Bout, Brittney Griner, Whelan, “ Evan, ” “ Evan, “ We’re, Viktor Orbán, Javier Milei, Volodymyr Zelensky, “ Putin, railroaded Tucker Carlson, Jill Dougherty, Dougherty, Armin Wolf, Joe Biden, Dmitry Medvedev Organizations: CNN, Fox News, Street Journal, Federal Security Service, Novosti, US State Department, Getty, White, Russian, Street, Big Tech, International Criminal Court, Rights Watch, Russia’s, Kremlin, NATO, Republicans Locations: United States, American, Russian, Germany, Ukraine, Moscow, Europe, Russia, US, AFP, Berlin, Chechen, Ukrainian, Mariupol, Austrian, Washington, Poland, Belarus, Israel

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Gaza hostage release and sustained cessation proposal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

Antony Blinken arrives at Ben Gurion International airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, late Tuesday, on February 6. Mark Schiefelbein/APUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel for high-stakes talks with top officials about a proposal for a sustained cessation in Gaza fighting in exchange for Hamas' release of hostages held since October 7. Hamas gave a “positive” reply to the proposal, according to Qatar's prime minister, but he offered few details. Blinken said the United States is reviewing Hamas' response, as is Israel's foreign intelligence service, according to Israeli authorities. It does not include two of its most prominent and public demands: that Israeli soldiers leave Gaza or for a deal to end the war.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Mark Schiefelbein, Blinken, ’ Organizations: Ben, Hamas, CNN Locations: Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv, Israel, Gaza, United States

☆ Where is Hind? Calls for answers more than a week after rescuers go missing trying to save trapped 6-year-old
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Demands for answers are mounting over the fate of 6-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, who became trapped in a car with her dead relatives after it came under Israeli fire in Gaza more than a week ago. “We need to know what has happened to Hind and the PRCS ambulance team,” the PRCS said in their latest statement on X early Tuesday. “So many wonderful things can happen in a week, but for those waiting for news or for information a week is anguish. We’re in the car, the tank is right next to us,” Layan screams, amid intense gunfire in the background. Alone, terrified and trapped in the car with the bodies of her relatives around her, Hind made a desperate call for help.

Persons: Hind Rajab, Hind, ”, ” Hind, “, ” Layan, Layan, Jaafar Ashtiyeh, PRCS, Yousef Zieno, Ahmed Almadhoun –, Rana Al, I’m, Yousef, Ahmed, Hind’s, Wissam Hamada, …, ” Wissam, Hind Hamada, Wissam Organizations: CNN, Palestine Red Crescent Society, ” CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Red, Getty, Health Ministry, Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IDF, of Health, “ Locations: Gaza, Palestine, Israeli, AFP, Rana, Al, Israel

☆ Thai court orders election-winning party to end its royal reform campaign in blow to voters who backed change
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“This would effectively mean that the lese majeste law would become untouchable,” said Munin Pongsapan, associate professor at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Law. Sentences for those convicted under lese majeste can be decades long and hundreds of people have been prosecuted in recent years. Anyone – including ordinary citizens – can bring lese majeste charges on behalf of the king, even if they are not directly involved with the case. Protesters demanding royal reform wanted to abolish the lese majeste law, and to ensure the king is answerable to the constitution, with protesters scrutinizing Vajiralongkorn’s immense wealth and power. Move Forward’s predecessor, the Future Forward Party, came out of nowhere to win the third most seats in the 2019 election.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, lese, ”, Munin Pongsapan, “, Munin, Parit Wacharasindhu, Stringer, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, ’, Thitinan, ” Thitinan, lese majeste, Thais, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Anusak, turfing, Pita, Wednesday’s Organizations: Thailand CNN, Wednesday, Party, University’s, of Law, CNN, Anadolu Agency, Chulalongkorn University, Forward Party, Legal, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Lawmakers Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Thai

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Gaza crisis, US troops killed in Jordan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

US President Joe Biden delivers remarks as he attends a "Sunday Lunch" at the Brookland Baptist Banquet Center in West Columbia, South Carolina, on January 28. Kent Nishimura/AFP/Getty ImagesUS President Joe Biden vowed to hold "to account" those responsible for a drone attack on a US outpost in Jordan, which killed three US Army soldiers and injured at least 34, marking the first time US troops have been killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the beginning of the Gaza war. US Central Command confirmed the deaths and said eight personnel had to be medically evacuated from Jordan. US officials have said the drone that killed the US service members at Tower 22 was launched by Iran-backed militants and appeared to come from Syria. The US government has not yet named a specific militia they hold responsible.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kent Nishimura Organizations: Center, Getty, Army, US Central Command Locations: West Columbia, South Carolina, AFP, Jordan, Gaza, Iraq, Iran, Syria

☆ Palestinian soccer team claims emotional first Asian Cup win to reach knockouts as war rages in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The historic sporting moment for Palestinians comes as Israel’s war against Hamas following the group’s October 7 attacks rages in Gaza, causing widespread destruction and a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Some Palestinian players have reportedly lost family members, or have relatives trapped in Gaza, and have spoken about the difficulties of playing while not knowing what’s happening at home. Many of those in the stands in Qatar waved Palestinian flags or held up keffiyeh scarves to show support for the team. Thaier Al-Sudani/ReutersStarvation, bombing at homeAs the Palestinian team progresses to the knockout stage in Qatar, back home the Israeli military campaign is intensifying in southern Gaza. On Monday, the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza said the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since October 7 has risen to 25,295, with at least 63,000 injuries recorded.

Persons: Dabbagh, Abdullah, Zeid Qunbar, Mohammed Saleh, Thaier, Makram Daboub, ” “, ” Daboub, Hector Cuper, Hong, Everton Camargo, Khan Younis Organizations: CNN, Palestinian, soccer team, AFC Asian, Hong, Hamas, West Bank, Reuters, ”, India, United Nations Relief, Works Agency Locations: Hong Kong, Qatar, Doha, Gaza, Israel, Palestine, Reuters Palestine, Syria, Iran, Hamas

☆ Pita Limjaroenrat: Thai court dismisses media shares case against popular progressive politician
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Thailand’s Constitutional Court dismissed a case against Pita Limjaroenrat, 43, that alleged he violated election rules by running for office while holding shares in a media company – the long-defunct broadcaster iTV. Thai law bans members of parliament from owning or holding shares in media companies. Ahead of Wednesday’s verdict, Pita expressed confidence outside the court in Bangkok. Move Forward won the most seats and the largest share of the popular vote in the May election. And most recently, Move Forward’s predecessor, the Future Forward Party, won the third most seats in the 2019 election.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, ”, “, Thais, turfing, Srettha Thavisin, Samak Sundaravej, Thaksin Shinawatra, – Organizations: Thailand CNN, Constitutional, iTV, Party, Thai Stock Exchange, CNN, National Institute of Development Administration, Reuters, Lawmakers, Forward Party Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, “

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