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☆ Death of shipping CEO Angela Chao under 'criminal investigation,' Texas sheriff says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The death earlier this month of Foremost Group CEO Angela Chao, the sister-in-law of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, is currently under "criminal investigation," a Texas sheriff's office said Thursday. "This incident was not a typical accident," the Blanco County Sheriff's Office wrote in a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday. "Releasing the reports, videos and other information prior to the completion of the investigation would interfere with the investigation and possible prosecution of this matter," the sheriff's office wrote. The sheriff's office in that Feb. 16 statement had said, "EMS attempted emergency measures on Ms. Chao but she succumbed from being under the water." Chao was the sister of McConnell's wife, Elaine Chao, who has served as secretary of both the U.S. Labor and Transportation departments.

Persons: Angela A, Chao, Angela Chao, Mitch McConnell, Ken Paxton, Jim Breyer, Austin . Chao, Elaine Chao Organizations: New York City Opera, Blanco County Sheriff's, CNBC, U.S . Labor, Transportation Locations: New York City, Texas, Johnson City , Texas, Austin, Blanco County

☆ Opinion: Mitch McConnell’s unconditional surrender
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Julian Zelizer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Mitch McConnell has bowed to political reality and announced that he is relinquishing his role as leader of Senate Republicans. (Chao served as transportation secretary under former President Donald Trump, before quitting the post following the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.) The anti-Trump coalition within the Republican Party is small and hanging on by a thread, and there is little chance of that changing in the short term. Now, one of Haley’s most generous benefactors, the conservative political action committee Americans for Prosperity, funded by the Koch network, has withdrawn its funds. And now, like other Trump opponents, Romney finds himself heading for the exit at the end of his current term.

Persons: Julian Zelizer, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Elaine Chao, Chao, Donald Trump, ”, It’s, he’s, invectives, MAGA, Trump, Merrick Garland, Barack Obama’s, — McConnell, SCOTUS, Roe, Wade, Dobbs, Lindsey Graham, Sen, Dick Durbin, —, that’s, Gingrich’s, Nikki Haley, Haley, couldn’t, Koch, Mitt Romney, Romney, convicting Trump, Trump’s, Romney’s Organizations: CNN, Princeton University, The New York Times, America, Republicans, Julian Zelizer CNN, Trump, Ukraine, GOP, Republican Party, Republican, NATO, Tea Party, MAGA, UN, Prosperity, Old Party Locations: Washington, life’s, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Kentucky, South Carolina, Utah

☆ Mitch McConnell to step down as Republican Senate leader in November
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Wednesday that he will step down as Republican leader in the Senate in November. McConnell, 82, revealed his plans in an address to the Senate, where he currently serves as minority leader. McConnell, who is the longest-serving Senate caucus leader in history, plans to keep his seat in the chamber, which he took in 1985. "To serve Kentucky, has been the honor of my life, to lead my Republican colleagues has the highest privilege," McConnell said. "When you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age, there's a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process," McConnell said.

Persons: Sen, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Elaine Chao, Angela, Chao's, Angela Chao, Jim Breyer Organizations: Kentucky, Senate, Republican Locations: Kentucky, life's, Austin , Texas

☆ Joe Biden might end up missing Mitch McConnell
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewPresident Joe Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell are not friends — at least not in the sense of how any normal person would use the word. Even Obama couldn't help roll his eyes at the narrative of Biden and McConnell's relationship after the 2020 presidential election. "I'm enjoying reading now about how Joe Biden and Mitch have been friends for a long time," Obama told The Atlantic. The Kentucky Republican has also defended NATO, a major defense alliance that Trump has repeatedly questioned over his life. Biden will miss the Kentucky Republican at times.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell, Biden, Barack Obama's, Antonin Scalia, Obama, Mitch, McConnell, he's, We've, Trump, Mike Johnson, McConnell's, Ronald Reagan, Reagan, haven't, It's, Johns, Sen, John Cornyn of, Cornyn, John Thune of, John Barrasso of, Barrasso, browbeaten McConnell, Elaine Chao, Trump's Organizations: Service, Kentucky Republican, Business, GOP, Russia, Biden, Ukraine, NATO, Capitol, Republican Party, Cabinet, The New York Times, Trump, Republican Locations: Washington, Kentucky, villainy, Ukraine, ungovernable, John Cornyn of Texas, John Thune of South Dakota, John Barrasso of Wyoming, Israel, Taiwan

☆ Mitch McConnell to step down from GOP leadership position in the Senate
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Clare Foran | Ted | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will step down as GOP leader in November, the Kentucky Republican announced on the Senate floor Wednesday, marking the end of an era on Capitol Hill and setting up a high-stakes race for his successor. He will continue to serve in the US Senate but will allow “the next generation of leadership” to take the helm of the Senate Republican Conference. In 2023, McConnell became the longest-serving Senate party leader in history. McConnell on Wednesday said his decision to step down came following the death of his wife Elaine Chao’s youngest sister, Angela, in a traffic accident earlier this month. Mitch McConnell speaks on the Senate floor on Wednesday.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, ”, McConnell, ” McConnell, “, Chuck Schumer, Republican Sen, Lisa Murkowski, Elaine Chao’s, Angela, they’ve, CNN’s Dana Bash, Kristin Wilson Organizations: Kentucky Republican, Capitol, Senate Republican Conference, Senate, Republican, Kentucky Locations: Washington ,, New York, Alaska

☆ Foremost Group CEO Angela Chao died after car went into Texas pond, sheriff says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Angela A. Chao hosts The New York City Opera Pre-Gala Celebration at a private residence in New York City on Oct. 21, 2010. Angela Chao, CEO of Foremost Group and the sister-in-law of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, died after her car went into a pond on a private ranch about 40 miles west of Austin, Texas, authorities said Friday. On Friday, the Blanco County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that on Saturday, it "responded to a possible water rescue on a private ranch located in Blanco County, TX." "On arrival Blanco County deputies along with Blanco County EMS and Fire recovered the body of Angela Chao from a pond on the ranch," the statement said. "EMS attempted emergency measures on Ms. Chao but she succumbed from being under the water," the statement said.

Persons: Angela A, Chao, Angela Chao, Mitch McConnell, Chao's, Jim Breyer, Elaine Chao, McConnell, Donald Trump's, George W, Bush, Ben Oakley, Oakley Organizations: New York City Opera, Foremost, Wednesday, Blanco County Sheriff's, Blanco County EMS, Fire, Harvard, National Basketball, Boston Celtics, Bank of, China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Transportation, Labor, CNBC Locations: New York City, Austin , Texas, Blanco County, Blanco County , TX, Blanco, Johnson City, Austin, Bank of China

☆ Angela Chao, CEO of Foremost Group and wife of VC Jim Breyer, dies in a car crash at age 50
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Angela Chao, CEO of Foremost Group, died in a car accident in Texas, the company said. Chao was married to venture capitalist Jim Breyer and was the sister of Elaine Chao. AdvertisementAngela Chao, 50, chair and CEO of the shipping company the Foremost Group, died in a car crash in Texas on Sunday, the company said. Angela Chao was also the sister of Elaine Chao, who is married to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Elaine Chao served as labor secretary under former President George W. Bush and transportation secretary under former President Donald Trump.

Persons: Angela Chao, Chao, James S.C, Jim Breyer, Elaine Chao, —, Mitch McConnell, George W, Donald Trump Organizations: Foremost, Service, Breyer Capital, Business Locations: Texas

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Angela Chao, a shipping industry CEO and sister-in-law to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, has died in a car accident, her family says. Chao, 50, died Sunday in Texas, according to a family statement that did not provide any additional details about what happened. Chao was the chair and CEO of her family's shipping business, the Foremost Group, and the president of her father's philanthropic organization, the Foremost Foundation. Chao was the youngest of six sisters to immigrant parents who moved to the U.S. from China in the late 1950s. “Angela’s name in Chinese sounds like the characters for peace and prosperity," her father, James S.C. Chao, said in the family statement.

Persons: — Angela Chao, Mitch McConnell, Chao, Elaine Chao, Donald Trump, George W, Bush, “, James S.C, Michael Lee Organizations: Foremost Locations: AUSTIN, Texas, Blanco, Austin, Blanco County, China

☆ Shipping CEO Angela Chao, sister of former Cabinet member Elaine Chao, dies in car crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Angela Chao, CEO of the shipping company the Foremost Group and sister of former US cabinet secretary Elaine Chao, was killed in a car crash in Texas on Sunday, according to a spokesperson for her company. Angela Chao, 50, had been CEO of the shipping company since 2018, assuming the role from her father, James S.C. Chao, who had founded it in 1964. “Angela Chao was a formidable executive and shipping industry leader, as well as a proud and loving daughter, sister, aunt, wife and mother. She was also a precocious youngster, learning about the shipping industry at an early age,” said the companies’ statement. Elaine Chao is the wife of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Persons: Angela Chao, Elaine Chao, James S.C, Chao, Michael Lee, Smith Barney, Morgan Stanley, “ Angela Chao, ”, TradeWinds, “ Angela, Presisdent George W, Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell Organizations: New, New York CNN, Foremost, Harvard, American Bureau of Shipping Council, Harvard Business School’s, Dean’s Advisors, Metropolitan Opera, Chairman’s, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art, Shanghai Mulan Education, Asian American Foundation, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders Locations: New York, Texas, Austin , Texas, Los Angeles, Shanghai

☆ Angela Chao, C.E.O. of Family’s Big Shipping Company, Dies at 50
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Keith Bradsher | Michael Forsythe | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Angela Chao, the chief executive of a shipping company and part of a family prominent in American politics and business deals with China, died in a car crash on Sunday, in Texas. Ms. Chao had since 2018 been the chair and chief executive of the Chao family’s Foremost Group, which operates a global fleet of bulk carrier ships. Elaine Chao is married to Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate Republican leader. The Chao family, led by Angela and Elaine Chao’s father, James S.C. Chao, stands out because of its deep political and commercial ties in both the United States and China. He moved to the United States in 1958 and helped found the Foremost Group in 1964.

Persons: Angela Chao, Chao, Elaine Chao, Donald J, Trump, George W, Bush, Mitch McConnell of, Angela, Elaine Chao’s, James S.C, . Chao, Jiang Zemin Organizations: Republican, Nationalists Locations: China, Texas, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, United States, Taiwan, Shanghai

☆ Having too many options can paralyze investors. Here's how you can overcome 'choice overload'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Humans get overwhelmed by too many options, a behavioral finance concept known as "choice overload." How investors encounter choice overloadChristopher Ames | E+ | Getty ImagesIt's not just investing: The choice paradox can extend to things like ice cream flavors and apparel, for example. Given these behavioral biases, retailers and others have evolved, making it less likely consumers will experience choice overload "in the wild" today, said Dan Egan, vice president of behavioral finance and investing at Betterment. Do-it-yourselfers may have about one to two dozen investment options, at most, from which to choose, reducing the choice friction. If you don't give people an easy choice, "it's really hard for them," Blanchett said.

Persons: Philip Chao, Brian Scholl, David Blanchett, Samantha Lamas, Christopher Ames, Sheena Iyengar, Mark Lepper, Dan Egan, Egan, that's, Blanchett Organizations: Sdi, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Investor, Morningstar, Finance Locations: John , Maryland

☆ Trump poses dilemma for Senate GOP leaders after years of battling with McConnell
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Manu Raju | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Watch CNN’s coverage of Senate GOP leadership and Donald Trump on ‘Inside Politics Sunday with Manu Raju’ at 11 a.m. Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell hasn’t spoken to Trump in more than three years and tries to avoid uttering his name in public. As Trump steamrolls to the nomination, there are ample questions in GOP circles about how – and whether – Trump can rebuild Senate alliances that were critical in his first term but are nonexistent now. But Mullin said that the next Senate GOP leader and Trump need to move past the bad blood if they take back the majority and the White House. Asked last week if he could work with Trump as president, Thune said: “We can work with everybody.”Pressed again if he could do so as GOP leader, Thune said: “Well, that’s a hypothetical.”And the elevator doors closed.

Persons: Donald Trump, Manu Raju ’, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump ., Mitch McConnell hasn’t, John Thune of, hasn’t, Trump, “, ”, Texas Sen, John Cornyn –, McConnell, – Sen, John Barrasso, Kari Lake, Bernie Moreno, – Trump, –, there’s, Sen, J.D, Vance, Mitch McConnell, Chip Somodevilla, Johns, he’s, Rick Scott, Scott, —, Markwayne Mullin, Mullin, ” Mullin, they’re, ” Sen, Marco Rubio, Nikki Haley, Haley, Kevin Cramer, Mitch, Thom Tillis, Tillis, Josh Hawley, ” Hawley, Trump’s, Elaine Chao, ” McConnell, John Thune, John Cornyn, J, Scott Applewhite, Cornyn, Joe Biden, ” Cornyn, Barrasso, Joe Biden …, ” Thune, Thune –, Tim Scott of, Thune, CNN’s Morgan Rimmer, Lauren Fox, Christine Park Organizations: GOP, Trump, Team Trump, Republican, Capitol, Trump -, Republicans, Ohio Republican, CNN, Oklahoma Republican, White, Kentucky Republican, North Dakota Republican, North Carolina Republican, New, New Hampshire, Texas, Wyoming –, Thune Locations: New Hampshire, John Thune of South Dakota, Wyoming, Iowa, Arizona, Ohio, Ukraine, Washington ,, Florida, Oklahoma, Marco Rubio of Florida, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Washington, Tim Scott of South Carolina

☆ Chinese stocks are starting to turn around. How to play it
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Chinese stocks ended the week with four straight days of gains — a rare upswing after a dismal start to the year. "Investing in China, you have to have an active strategy," he said, emphasizing the need to focus on industries that receive policy support. All three are listed on mainland Chinese stock exchanges. In the past six months, foreign investors have pulled around $30 billion from mainland Chinese A shares, the report said. Citi analysts also include adidas and Kone in their basket of European stocks with China exposure.

Persons: David Chao, Chao, Pan Gongsheng, Edward Chan, Schelling Xie, Xie, CRRC, —, Peter Alexander, Alexander, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Asia Pacific, People's Bank of China, PBOC, . Federal Reserve, Financial Regulatory Administration, CNBC, HSBC, Hong, Citi, adidas, Kone Locations: Asia, Japan, Invesco, China, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, U.S

☆ China is ramping up stimulus to boost market confidence — but is it enough?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Starting Feb. 5, the People's Bank of China will allow banks to hold smaller cash reserves, central bank governor Pan Gongsheng said at a press conference, his first in the role. Cutting the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) by 50 basis points is set to release 1 trillion yuan ($139.8 billion) in long-term capital, the central bank said. A 2 trillion yuan boost? Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday called for much stronger measures to boost market stability and confidence, according to an official readout. Chinese authorities in October already announced the issuance of 1 trillion yuan in government bonds, alongside a rare increase in the deficit.

Persons: Gongsheng, Pan Gongsheng, Tao Wang, Ting Lu, a, Lu, Wang, Stocks, Winnie Wu, That's, Li Qiang, Pan, Philip Yin, David Chao, Pan's Organizations: People's Bank of China, State Administration of Foreign Exchange, Financial, Getty, Visual China, People's Bank of, UBS Investment Bank, Wednesday, National Financial Regulatory Administration, UBS, Bank of America's, Bloomberg, PBOC, Citi, U.S, Asia Pacific, CNBC Locations: BEIJING, CHINA, Beijing, China, People's Bank of China, Asia, Hong Kong, capitulating, Japan, Invesco

☆ Our CEO survey shows China remains the 'second choice' investment destination, PwC says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | 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 EmailOur CEO survey shows China remains the 'second choice' investment destination, PwC saysRaymund Chao, Asia and China chairman of the professional services firm, says "that hasn't changed — U.S. has been the No. 1 and China has been No. 2 for over the last decade."

Persons: Raymund Chao Locations: China, Asia

☆ Trump is turning to racism to mock Nikki Haley's Indian name. Experts say it could backfire.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Donald Trump is reaching for racism against his political opponent — this time, against former South Carolina Gov. "I know President Trump well," Haley recently told CNN's Jake Tapper in response to Trump's insults. Among the nicknames Trump has reportedly brainstormed for DeSantis, one of the names he thought of for the Florida governor, according to a New York Times report, was "Meatball Ron." Name-calling can backfireSome political consultants have argued that Trump's name-calling is an effective campaign tactic. "Whatever effect we found was all focused on the actual attacker," Dusso told BI in an interview.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Haley, Nimrata Nikki Randhawa, He's, Trump, CNN's Jake Tapper, Trump's, Steven Cheung, — Hussein, Kamala Harris's, Elaine Chao, Coco Chow, Chao, DeSantis, Ron, They're, Brad Bannon, Aaron Dusso, Dusso, Dusso's Organizations: Service, South Carolina Gov, Business, Republican Party, Trump, GOP, Florida, New York Times, Times, Democratic, Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis, Republican Locations: Iowa, South Carolina, New Hampshire, China, Florida, Italian American

☆ 17 Trump Cabinet-Level Appointees Criticizing Trump - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Sarah Longwell | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

Mr. Trump churned through cabinet-level appointees so fast that at times it seemed like he was still on “The Apprentice” and had to fire one official every week. Not only are they people whom Mr. Trump chose — he claimed he would hire the “best people” — they are people who thought Mr. Trump was worth working for. Judging only by the words of many former high-level appointees, a second Trump term would be catastrophic for the country. BlamedTrump forJan. 6 CriticizedTrump duringhis term CriticizedTrump afterhis term HighlightedTrump’s legalissues Ruled outvoting Trumpin 2024 Moron,” Mr. Tillerson reportedly said of Mr. Trump. He wrote an op-ed published just after the 2020 election claiming that Mr. Trump would “concede gracefully” if he lost.

Persons: them.They, Donald Trump, Trump’s, ’ Said, Donald Trump’s, Trump, didn’t, —, Mr, Richard Nixon, Mark Milley, Milley, ” Richard Spencer, Eddie Gallagher’s, ” H.R, McMaster, ” James Mattis, ” Mark, George Floyd, ” John Kelly White, autocrats, Loyalists Elaine Chao, George W, Bush, ” Alex Azar, Rex Tillerson, “, ” Mr, Tillerson, Dan Coats, ” Betsy DeVos, Mick Mulvaney, ’, William Barr, George H.W, George H.W . Bush, ” John Bolton, Ronald Reagan, …, Mike Pompeo, ” Mike Pence, Mike Pence ”, Pence, ” Organizations: Mr, Republican, Trump, Army, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Jan, Marines, Navy, White House, Defense, Marine, ISIL, ” John Kelly White House, Homeland, Marine Corps, The, Loyalists, Transportation, Labor, Capitol, Health, Human Services, State, ExxonMobil, National Intelligence, Mar, Education, Republican Party of Michigan, Management, ” John Bolton White House, U.S, United Nations, White Locations: Iowa, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Jan, United States, America, Moron, Germany, Mar, South Carolina, George H.W ., Kansas, Indiana

☆ My family ate at Fogo de Chão for the first time for $230. The steak house's unlimited salad bar and excessive meat service weren't our thing.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Terri Peters | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

My husband and I visited Fogo de Chão steak house with our teenage daughter for the first time. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementMy family has never cared much for chain restaurants, but in the last year, my husband and I have visited more with our teenagers. But we'd yet to try a Brazilian churrasco meal like the one offered at Fogo de Chão. AdvertisementMy family recently visited the chain in Orlando, Florida, for dinner.

Persons: —, Chris, we've Organizations: Service Locations: Fogo, Brazilian, Chão, Orlando , Florida

☆ Taiwan Reports First Major Chinese Military Activity After Election
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Ben Blanchard and Michael MartinaTAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan's defence ministry said it detected 18 Chinese air force planes operating around Taiwan and carrying out "joint combat readiness patrols" with Chinese warships on Wednesday, the first large-scale military activity after the Taiwanese election. Taiwan's defence ministry said that starting around 7:50 p.m. (1150 GMT) on Wednesday it had detected 18 aircraft including Su-30 fighters operating off northern and central Taiwan and to the island's southwest. Eleven of those aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line, or areas close by, working with Chinese warships to carry out "joint combat readiness patrols", the ministry added. Taiwan sent its own forces to monitor, its defence ministry said. There was no immediate response from China's defence ministry.

Persons: Ben Blanchard, Michael Martina TAIPEI, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai Ching, Biden, Lai, Vincent Chao, Xi Jinping, Chao, We're, David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina, Gareth Jones, Mark Potter, Jamie Freed Organizations: Taiwan, Democratic Progressive, China's Taiwan Affairs Office, U.S . State Department, U.S . Institute of Peace, U.S Locations: Taiwan, China, Taipei, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, U.S, United States, Washington

☆ Israel Pushes Ahead With War Against Hamas Despite Growing Pressure Over Hostages
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Chao Deng | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Iran-backed groups form a land bridge across the Middle East and connect in an alliance that Tehran calls the “Axis of Resistance.” Here’s what to know about the alliance that includes Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Photo Illustration: Eve HartleyTEL AVIV—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to continue the war in Gaza despite mounting international pressure to wrap up the conflict, now stretching into its 100th day, and persistent demands at home for him to give priority to the return of hostages still held by Hamas. “Nobody will stop us—not The Hague, not the axis of evil and not anybody else,” he said from the Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, referencing an alliance of Iran-backed armed groups in the region and a United Nations court case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians.

Persons: ”, Hartley, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Israel Organizations: United Locations: Iran, Tehran, Gaza, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Yemen, AVIV, Hague, Tel Aviv, United Nations, South Africa

The first call came at 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 8. The recorded voice instructed doctor Hussam Abuouda, his wife and five children to get out. Leave Beit Hanoun, the city at the Israeli border in northern Gaza, Abuouda recalls the unidentified man saying in Arabic.

Persons: Hussam Abuouda, Abuouda Locations: Gaza

☆ Israeli Families Push for Deal to Free Men Still Held Hostage in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Chao Deng | Isabel Coles | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Yuval Haran was among the family members of those held hostage by Hamas speaking at a demonstration outside the Israeli prime minister’s office last month. Photo: Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty ImagesTEL AVIV—Renewed fighting between Israel and Hamas is sparking heightened concern among families of the roughly 140 Israelis still held captive—the majority of them men—after the end of a weeklong truce. The pause in fighting had led to the release of dozens of hostages, most of them women and children. Many families hoped Israel and Hamas could strike a similar deal to release men, but the militant group regards fighting-age men as soldiers and the hostages it still holds as valuable leverage.

Persons: Yuval Haran, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, — Organizations: Getty, TEL Locations: TEL AVIV, Israel

☆ Exclusive: China lures hundreds of Taiwan politicians with cheap trips before election
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Yimou Lee | Thomson Reuters | Yimou Lee Is A Senior Correspondent For Reuters Covering Everything Taiwan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Across Taiwan security agencies are looking into more than 400 visits to China in the past month, most led by local opinion leaders such as borough chiefs and village heads, a Taiwan security official looking into China's activities told Reuters. He said it was "self-evident" Beijing was trying to sway Taiwan elections through means including free trips for politicians. More than 300 borough chiefs or village heads from populous central Taiwan alone have participated in such trips to China in the past few months, this person said. "Certain borough chiefs have become the window of contacts in Taiwan for some Chinese units." Chinese officials allegedly asked participants to support certain political parties and "oppose Taiwan independence", the prosecutors said in a statement.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Chiu Tai, Hsing Tai, chao, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, William Mallard Organizations: Beijing, Reuters, China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Mainland Affairs Council, Chinese Communist Party, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Beijing, China, Taiwan, Taipei, Shanghai, New Taipei City, Kaohsiung

TEL AVIV—Their Hamas captors told 13-year-old Hila Rotem Shoshani and 9-year-old Emily Hand to keep their voices low when speaking. A day after the close friends’ release, safe in the arms of family and doctors, Hila was still whispering to Emily. Yair Rotem, Hila’s uncle, is now her primary guardian, as his sister Raaya remains a Hamas hostage. He said his niece doesn’t show emotion when talking about her time in captivity, held in the dark for 50 days with little food and no showers. He is reluctant to press her for details of what happened when Hamas’s bloody Oct. 7 attack on Israel interrupted a sleepover she was having with Emily at Hila’s house in Kibbutz Be’eri.

Persons: Hila Rotem Shoshani, Emily Hand, Hila, Emily, Yair Rotem, Hila’s Organizations: TEL AVIV — Locations: TEL AVIV, Israel, Hila’s, Kibbutz Be’eri

TEL AVIV—Neta Heiman Mina awoke Wednesday morning to news that Israel had reached a deal to release hostages held by Hamas, bringing some small measure of relief and hope that her 84-year-old mother might be among those freed. By the evening, she was tempering her expectations as media outlets started reporting that the deal might be delayed. A call from a military liaison officer, who is assigned to give her updates, confirmed her fear.

Persons: Heiman Mina, Israel Locations: TEL AVIV

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