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☆ Explainer-Embattled Ukraine Moves to Tighten Army Mobilisation Rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

(Reuters) - Ukraine's government has submitted an amended draft bill that would tighten the rules on army mobilisation for debate in parliament. Ukraine began mobilising civilians after declaring martial law in February 2022 when Russia invaded. MOBILISATION AGEThe amended bill proposes lowering the age people can be mobilised for combat duty to 25 from 27. Receiving consular services for things like passports would require citizens to present their military registration documents. The Defence Ministry introduced this change to make military registration fair and equal for all.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Zelenskiy, Yuliia Dysa, Tom Balmforth Organizations: Reuters, Army, Convicts, Defence Ministry Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia

“The group participants remain detained at the immigration center in a shared cell with 80 people,” the post said. The seven band members were arrested last Thursday after playing a concert on the southern resort island of Phuket, reportedly for not having proper working papers. After paying a fine, the band members were sent to the Immigration Detention Center in Bangkok. The detained musicians “include Russia citizens as well as dual nationals of Russia and other countries, including Israel and Australia,” the group Human Rights Watch said in a statement Tuesday. Andrei Lugovoi, a member of the lower house of Russia's parliament, called the band members “scum” for their criticism of Russia's military operations in Ukraine.

Persons: Ilya Ilyin, “, ”, Elaine Pearson, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Gudkov, Gudkov, Andrei Lugovoi, ” Lugovoi, Alexander Litvinenko Organizations: —, Facebook, RIA Novosti, Immigration Detention, Human Rights Watch, Rights Watch, AP, Kremlin, Russian Foreign Ministry, YouTube, Spotify Locations: BANGKOK, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Russian, Phuket, Bangkok, Australia, Asia, ”, Britain, London

☆ Is your passport too damaged for travel? Here are 11 reasons it could be, and how to avoid them.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Determining if a passport is too damaged for travel often comes down to the opinion of a border authority. "Some tourist attractions will have their own 'passport stamp,' but since these are not official government agencies, they could invalidate your passport," Diehl said. Loose bindings and frayed edges are common reasons a passport is deemed too damaged for travel. "Authorities may question the authenticity of a damaged passport," he said, which could cause them to "detain you or send you home." Keeping your passport in good condition is keyDiehl said that the easiest way to avoid being turned away at the airport for having a damaged passport is to keep it safe.

Persons: —, that's, Business Insider's Monica Humphries, Jake Burton's, Eve, Steve Diehl, Diehl Organizations: Service, Business, US Department of State's, Consular Affairs Locations: Alicante, Spain

☆ Americans are canceling trips that are thousands of miles from Gaza. Here's why
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Jonathan Delise | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Israel-Hamas war is affecting travel across the Middle East and beyond. Canceling plans a continent awayYet, the war's effect on travelers extends far beyond the Middle East, according to a survey from Morning Consult. Respondents said these plans included visits to the Middle East (12%) and North Africa (7%), as well as Western Europe (14%), according to the survey. Cancelations were high for domestic trips because most Americans travel within the 50 states, thus "there are simply more trips on the table to disrupt," the report stated. Some 52% of respondents with knowledge of the war said they viewed traveling to the Middle East as "very unsafe," compared to 29% of those who had not heard about it.

Persons: Saudi Arabia —, —, Olivier Ponti, Cancelations, Ponti Organizations: Middle East, United, United Arab Emirates, U.S . State Department, U.S, Department of State, Travel, Consular Affairs Locations: Israel, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, North Africa, Western Europe, United States, Cyprus, Lebanon, Kuwait, Malaysia, Colombia, Oman, South Africa, United Kingdom, Poland, Denmark

☆ How to Open a Savings Account
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Kerri Anne Renzulli | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +9 min

If you’re ready to get the most out of your spare dollars, take these steps to open a new savings account. Compare savings account optionsIf you plan to open a savings account online, there are hundreds to choose from. Banks may also require you to deposit a certain amount to open or maintain a savings account with them. If you want to open a savings account that will be shared with another person, like a spouse or partner, you should opt for a joint account rather than a single account. Fund the accountIf your chosen bank or credit union requires a minimum deposit to open a new savings account, you’ll need to fund it with a check, cash, credit or debit card payment, or transfer from another checking or savings account.

Persons: Kerri Anne Renzulli, Banks, You’ll Organizations: Insurance, U.S, government’s Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, National Credit Union Administration, Federal Reserve, Consumer Financial, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Social, ABA Locations: government’s, U.S

☆ Russian court extends pre-trial detention of U.S. journalist until Feb. 5
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Alexey Nasyrov Acquire Licensing RightsKAZAN, Russia, Dec 1 (Reuters) - A Russia court extended the detention of Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva on Friday as she awaits trial for failing to register as a "foreign agent". The court in the city of Kazan prolonged her detention untilFeb. 5. Kurmasheva holds both U.S. and Russian passports, and entered Russia on May 20 to deal with a family emergency, RFE/RL said. According to court documents, Kurmasheva was fined 10,000 roubles ($103) on Oct. 11 for failing to register her U.S. passport with Russian authorities. Kurmasheva is the second U.S. journalist detained in Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Persons: Alsu Kurmasheva, Alexey Nasyrov, Jeffrey Gedmin, Alsu, Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, Gershkovich, Joe Biden, Felix Light, Mark Trevelyan Organizations: Radio Free, Radio Liberty, RFE, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Congress, Wall, U.S, Reuters, Thomson Locations: American, Radio Free Europe, Kazan, Russia, Prague, Ukraine, U.S, Moscow

☆ China's Xi Urges Stronger Rule of Law Overseas Amid 'External Risks'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - President Xi Jinping has called for stronger rule of law related to foreign affairs given "external risks and challenges" as China opens up to the outside world, state media reported on Tuesday. Xi, speaking during a study session of the Communist's Party's powerful political bureau, said that to protect its overseas citizens and interests, it was necessary to deepen international cooperation on law enforcement, strengthen consular protection and assistance, and build strong rule of law. To facilitate economic and trade exchanges, authorities say Chinese law firms have set up 180 overseas offices in 35 countries and regions, an increase of nearly 50% since 2018. China needs to actively develop foreign-related legal services and cultivate world-class arbitration institutions and law firms, Xi said. China says such centres are meant to help its citizens renew expired driving licences, and are run by Chinese volunteers, not law enforcement officers.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Xi, Ryan Woo, Robert Birsel Organizations: Tencent Holdings, Alibaba Locations: BEIJING, China, Nepal, U.S, Canada, Britain, Netherlands, Beijing, Ukraine, Sudan

☆ Chinese court rejects Canadian pop star Kris Wu's appeal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Nov 24 (Reuters) - A court in China's capital Beijing on Friday denied the appeal of Canadian pop star Kris Wu, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison for crimes including rape, it said in a statement. Wu's close relatives and officials from the Canadian embassy in China attended the verdict announcement. Reuters did not have access to his relatives or his legal representatives for comment, while the Canadian embassy did not respond immediately to a request for comment. The Canadian government said in July that its diplomats were denied access to the start of Wu's appeal trial. Beijing said it notified the embassy of the appeal trial in advance, but it was not open to the public to protect the privacy of the victims.

Persons: Kris Wu, Wu, Kris, Wu's, Xander Cage, Louis Vuitton, Ella Cao, Ryan Woo, Jamie Freed Organizations: Friday, People's, Canadian, Hollywood, Porsche, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China's, Beijing, China, Canadian, Lancome

Washington CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu grabbed Brett McGurk’s arm as he walked out of a tense meeting of the Israeli Cabinet over securing the release of hostages Hamas was holding in Gaza. Hamas – after refusing for days – had relented in offering identifying information about several dozen hostages, such as their age, gender and nationalities. It laid out how women and children would leave in the first phase, as well as incentives for Hamas to release more hostages beyond that. On October 24, Hamas appeared to agree to the parameters of a deal to release women and children hostages. Hamas would only guarantee 50 and refused to produce identifying information about the hostages.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Brett McGurk’s, ” Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Hamas –, –, – couldn’t, Biden –, Xi Jinping –, Biden, McGurk, Bill Burns, Natalie, Judith Raanan, Jake Sullivan, Jon, Stephanie Hallett, Natalie Raanan’s, Burns, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel wasn’t, Israel, Blinken, David Barnea, ”, Matt Miller, John Kirby, Kirby, CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: Washington CNN, Israeli, White, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, Al, CIA, Qatari, White House, State Department, CNN, State, National Security, US State Department Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, San Francisco, Qatar, Doha, Cairo, Hamas

☆ Help Wanted: Cuba's government turns to growing diaspora for investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

This migration wave includes many young people and "is having the greatest impact in history in terms of demographics, because of its composition," said Ernesto Soberon, director of Consular Affairs for the Cuban Foreign Ministry. Cuban expats have already invested in bed-and-breakfasts, eateries and other activities on the island, but Cuba would like to see more capital flow, he said. The conference is expected to attract Cubans living off island but with favorable views of their home country, including businesspeople, economists, and members of foreign resident associations. Around 2.5 million Cubans and their descendents now live off the island, Soberon said. "That will ultimately raise their standard of living so that they want to spend their lives here in Cuba and not abroad," he said.

Persons: Marco Bello, Ernesto Soberon, Soberon, Fidel Castro, Castro, Joe Biden, Dave Sherwood, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Consular Affairs, Cuban Foreign Ministry, U.S, Cuban, Thomson Locations: Cuban, Cuba, Miami , Florida, U.S, Rights HAVANA, Caribbean, Havana

☆ Journalist's Husband Urges US State Dept to Recognise Her as Wrongfully Detained in Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

"I believe Alsu was detained wrongfully. I hope the United States can use every avenue available to it to secure her speedy release, including her designation as a wrongfully detained person," Butorin told a news briefing. When Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia in March on spying charges that he, his paper and the Biden administration all deny, the State Department declared him wrongfully detained just 12 days later. Jeffrey Gedmin, acting president of RFE/RL, said the news outlet was working with the State Department in a bid to secure the designation. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, asked about Kurmasheva's case at a daily news briefing, said no one should read anything into the amount of time taken to reach a decision.

Persons: Mark Trevelyan, ”, Alsu, Pavel Butorin, Butorin, Evan Gershkovich, Biden, Gershkovich, Kurmasheva, Jeffrey Gedmin, Matthew Miller, Simon Lewis, David Gregorio Organizations: Mark Trevelyan LONDON, U.S, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, RFE, U.S . Congress, State Department, Kremlin Locations: American, Radio Free Europe, Russia, United States, U.S, Moscow, Washington

Kurmasheva was detained on Oct 18, becoming the second U.S. journalist detained in Russia this year, after Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges in March. She is being held in a detention center, awaiting a trial that could sentence her to up to five years in prison. “Alsu was well aware of the risks that were associated with a possible trip to Russia,” Butorin added. Independent media and journalists in Russia have faced immense pressure after the Kremlin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022. through passing her notes censored by Russian authorities.

Persons: Pavel Butorin, Alsu Kurmasheva —, —, ” “, ” Butorin, “, ”, Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu, “ Alsu, ” Kurmasheva, Brittney, U.S . Russia hasn't, Butorin, she’s Organizations: U.S, Free, Associated Press, Wall Street, Kazan International Airport, Protect Journalists, Radio Free Europe, Independent, Kremlin, Analysts, U.S . State Locations: PRAGUE, American, Russia, Prague, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Ukraine, Moscow, U.S . Russia, U.S ., United States, Litvinova, Tallinn, Estonia

In a second Trump presidency, the visas of foreign students who participated in anti-Israel or pro-Palestinian protests would be canceled. People who were granted temporary protected status because they are from certain countries deemed unsafe, allowing them to lawfully live and work in the United States, would have that status revoked. That policy’s legal legitimacy, like nearly all of Mr. Trump’s plans, would be virtually certain to end up before the Supreme Court. In interviews with The New York Times, several Trump advisers gave the most expansive and detailed description yet of Mr. Trump’s immigration agenda in a potential second term. In particular, Mr. Trump’s campaign referred questions for this article to Stephen Miller, an architect of Mr. Trump’s first-term immigration policies who remains close to him and is expected to serve in a senior role in a second administration.

Persons: Trump, Trump’s, Stephen Miller, Miller Organizations: Trump, Social, New York Times Locations: Israel, United States, U.S

☆ North Korea's closure of Africa embassies a sign of economic hardships - South's ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The North Korean flag flutters at the North Korea consular office in Dandong, Liaoning province, China April 20, 2021. Both Angola and Uganda have forged friendly ties with North Korea since the 1970s, maintaining military cooperation and providing rare sources of foreign currency such as statue-building projects. Seoul's unification ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said the pullout reflected the impact of international sanctions aimed at curbing funding for the North's nuclear and missile programs. "This can be a sign of North Korea's difficult economic situation, where it is difficult to maintain even minimal diplomatic relations with traditionally friendly countries." Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported last week, citing unnamed sources, that North Korea was planning to shut down at least 10 diplomatic missions, including a consulate in Hong Kong, largely because of economic difficulties.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Hyonhee Shin, Hyunsu Yim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, REUTERS, Rights, Yomiuri Shimbun, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Dandong, Liaoning province, China, Rights SEOUL, Angola, Uganda, Korea, Hong Kong

☆ North Korea closes multiple embassies around the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The North Korean flag flutters at the North Korea consular office in Dandong, Liaoning province, China April 20, 2021. Both Angola and Uganda have forged friendly ties with North Korea since the 1970s, maintaining military cooperation and providing rare sources of foreign currency such as statue-building projects. "This can be a sign of North Korea's difficult economic situation, where it is difficult to maintain even minimal diplomatic relations with traditionally friendly countries." North Korea has formal relations with 159 countries, but had 53 diplomatic missions overseas, including three consulates and three representative offices, until it pulled out of Angola and Uganda, according to the ministry. Correspondence with the Spanish Communist Party released on the party's website showed the North Korean embassy announcing the closing in a letter dated Oct. 26.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, KCNA, Chad O'Carroll, Kim Jong, Hyonhee Shin, Hyunsu Yim, hyang Choi, Josh Smith, Gerry Doyle, Ed Davies Organizations: North, REUTERS, Rights, NK Pro, Spanish Communist Party, North Korean, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Dandong, Liaoning province, China, Rights SEOUL, Spain, Hong Kong, Africa, Korean, Angola, Uganda, Korea, Italy, Madrid, Pyongyang, United States

[1/3] A scientist drives his snowmobile across an icefield of the arctic near Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norway, April 10, 2023. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the opening of the station, in Tromsoe, northern Norway, in June, as a means for the US to have a "diplomatic footprint above the Arctic Circle", he said. Tromsoe is the largest city in Arctic Norway, located about 400km (250 miles) to the west of Russia. Tromsoe is also the seat of the Arctic Council, a polar body comprising the eight Arctic states of Russia, the US, Canada, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden and Denmark. Cooperation within the Arctic Council between Moscow and the Western Arctic states was put on hold after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Persons: Lisi Niesner, Antony Blinken, Andreas Oesthagen, Washington, Tromsoe, Gwladys Fouche, Terje Solsvik, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Reuters, Arctic Council, Cooperation, Thomson Locations: Ny, Alesund, Svalbard, Norway, Rights OSLO, United States, Washington, Ukraine, Tromsoe, Oslo, Arctic Norway, Russia, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Moscow

☆ U.S. Opens Its Northernmost Diplomatic Station, in Arctic Norway
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the opening of the station, in Tromsoe, northern Norway, in June, as a means for the US to have a "diplomatic footprint above the Arctic Circle", he said. Tromsoe is the largest city in Arctic Norway, located about 400km (250 miles) to the west of Russia. Norway and Russia share a border in the Arctic. Tromsoe is also the seat of the Arctic Council, a polar body comprising the eight Arctic states of Russia, the US, Canada, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden and Denmark. Cooperation within the Arctic Council between Moscow and the Western Arctic states was put on hold after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Andreas Oesthagen, Washington, Tromsoe, Gwladys Fouche, Terje Solsvik, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Reuters, Arctic Council, Cooperation Locations: Fouche OSLO, United States, Washington, Ukraine, Tromsoe, Norway, Oslo, Arctic Norway, Russia, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Moscow

☆ Canada cuts some consular services in India amid murder row
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Yp Rajesh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A man on a bicycle passes by the Canadian High-Commision in New Delhi, India, September 20, 2023. The announcements affecting consulates in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai came hours after Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Canada has withdrawn 41 diplomats from India. Despite the dispute, two senior Indian government sources told Reuters the uproar would not spill into a trade dispute or impact investment, with imports from Canada continuing to flow. India has dismissed as absurd Trudeau's suspicions that its agents were linked to the murder of Nijjar, 45, a Canadian citizen whom New Delhi had labelled a terrorist. The Indian foreign ministry defended its downsizing of Canada's diplomatic presence and rejected Joly's statement that it violated the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations.

Persons: Anushree, Melanie Joly, Justin Trudeau, Hardeep Singh, Nijjar, YP Rajesh, Neha Arora, Nikunj, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Canadian, REUTERS, Reuters, Canada, Canadian High Commission, Immigration, Citizenship Canada, YP, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, Canada, British Columbia, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Ottawa, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian, Vienna

Having seen several previous Israeli strikes, Shawa told CNN they were certain it would be targeted. Born in Seattle to an American mother and Palestinian father, Shawa is one of an estimated 500-600 Palestinian-Americans in Gaza. It’s an impossible situation to be in.”Trapped with no way outEven if Shawa decided to leave Gaza, he can’t right now. “We anticipate that the situation at the Rafah crossing will remain fluid and unpredictable,” the US State Department advised US citizens. Despite the dire situation the Palestinian-Americans face, they at least have some hope of being able to leave Gaza soon – a remote prospect for those without alternative passports.

Persons: Jason Shawa, Shawa, Zainab, Malak, Najla, we’re, Abdulla Okal, Haneen, –, Nabil Alshurafa, Naela Elshorafa, Nabil Alshurafa “, ” Alshurafa, “, haven’t, ”, Ahmad Hasaballah, I’ve, Lena Beseiso, Beseiso –, Haneen Okal, Abdulla, ” Shawa, aren’t, Shawa’s, Jason Shawa's, Jason Shawa “, Alshurafa Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, US Embassy, US State Department, Palestinian Ministry of Interior, US, Department’s, State Department Locations: Gaza City, Palestinian, Gaza, Seattle, American, Rafah, United States, New Jersey, Kuwait, Camarillo , California, Egypt, Jerusalem, Salt Lake City, Israel, U.S

QUITO/GUAYAQUIL, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Business heir Daniel Noboa on Sunday won Ecuador's presidential election, vowing to rebuild the South American country, which is struggling with a weak economy and rising crime and violence. "From tomorrow Daniel Noboa starts work as your new president," he added. "Daniel Noboa, our profound congratulations, because this is democracy," Gonzalez told supporters in Quito, calling on Noboa to fulfill his promises to students and the elderly. [1/16]Ecuadorian presidential candidate Daniel Noboa and his wife Lavinia Valbonesi celebrate his win in the presidential election, in Santa Elena, Ecuador. Analysts have said a Noboa victory initially could be perceived as positive by investors, but longer-term outlook will depend on his cabinet appointments.

Persons: Daniel Noboa, Noboa, Fernando Villavicencio, Alvaro, Luisa Gonzalez, Gonzalez, Rafael Correa, Lavinia Valbonesi, Santiago Arcos, Eduardo Chavez, Diana Atamaint, Correa, Guillermo Lasso, Alexandra Valencia, Yury Garcia, Tito Correa, Rodrigo Campos, Julia Symmes Cobb, Diane Craft, Bill Berkrot, Deepa Babington, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Sunday, Ecuadorian, Santiago, National Democratic, Thomson Locations: QUITO, GUAYAQUIL, American, Ecuador, Olon, Quito, Santa Elena, Guayaquil, Sucumbios, Nicaragua, Russia, Belarus, Israel, Canuto, New York

CNN —Australian TV anchor Cheng Lei has been released by China and returned home to her family, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Wednesday, more than three years after she was detained on opaque espionage charges. “We are pleased to confirm that Australian citizen Ms Cheng Lei has arrived safely home in Australia and has been reunited with her family,” Albanese said in a statement. Cheng had been on her way to work on the morning of August 13, 2020, when she was taken by China’s Ministry of State Security, according to her partner Nick Coyle. Her release follows the completion of legal process in China, according to the Australian statement. Shortly afterwards, China’s Ministry of State Security said in a statement that Cheng was deported Wednesday after completing her sentence.

Persons: Cheng Lei, Anthony Albanese, Ms Cheng Lei, ” Albanese, “, Cheng, CGTN, Nick Coyle, –, Wang Wenbin, Wang, ” Wang, Coyle, Cheng “, ”, ” “ Organizations: CNN, China’s Ministry of State Security, ”, China’s Foreign, Tullamarine, of Foreign Affairs, Trade Australian, Canberra, Observers, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Sky News Locations: China, Australia, Beijing, Melbourne, Australian, Sky News Australia, FreeChengLei

Most foreign airlines have suspended or curtailed services, leaving passengers uncertain how to leave or reach the country and consular services struggling to keep up with demand for assistance, with priority given to those with missing relatives. Israel's parliamentary finance committee said late on Tuesday it would debate authorising state guarantees for providing war risk insurance for Israeli airlines. British Airways said it would suspend flights to Tel Aviv after diverting a flight from London back to Britain shortly before it was due to reach Tel Aviv, citing security concerns. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Washington remains in talks with U.S. airlines about flights to Israel. Passengers have complained of mounting costs especially for leaving Israel, but airlines deny driving up prices.

Persons: Yiannis, El Al, Sun Dor, Israel, ” Neil Roberts, Jan Lipavsky, Lipavsky, couldn't, Annalena Baerbock, Carsten Spohr, Pete Buttigieg, flydubai, Steven Scheer, Carolyn Cohn, Jacob Gronholt, Pedersen, Michael Kahn, Victoria Klesty, Joanna Plucinska, Tim Hepher, Huseyin Hayatsever, David Shepardson, Alexander Cornwell, Mark Potter, Lincoln Organizations: Larnaca International Airport, REUTERS, El, Hamas, Association, British Airways, Lufthansa, German, . Transportation, U.S, Nordic, Dubai's Emirates, Etihad Airways, Thomson Locations: Israel, Larnaca, Cyprus, Israeli, Athens, Rome, Madrid, Bucharest, New York, Paris, Istanbul, El, Tel Aviv, London, Britain, Czech, Oman, Prague, Lipavsky, Denmark, Carsten Spohr ., Washington, Norwegian, Oslo, Abu Dhabi, United States, COVID

"Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed—many of whom made a second home in Israel," Biden said in a statement released by the White House. Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed—many of whom made a second home in Israel. While we are still working to confirm, we believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas. For American citizens who are currently in Israel, the State Department is providing consular assistance as well as updated security alerts. The ties between Israel and the United States run deep.

Persons: Joe Biden, —, Biden, Netanyahu Organizations: White, United, American Citizens, Hamas, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation Locations: Israel, United States

☆ Palestinian-Americans stuck in Gaza say they feel trapped, abandoned by US Embassy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Yahya Abou-Ghazala | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“This is not secure because along the way there is a chance that you will be targeted,” given the constant barrage of Israeli airstrikes. Erik Marmor/AP Six-month-old Sama Alwadia is rescued from the rubble in Gaza City on October 9. Ramez Mahmoud/AP A plume of smoke rises in the sky over Gaza City during an Israeli airstrike on October 9. Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times/Redux Fire and smoke rise from Gaza City following an Israeli airstrike on October 8. Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 8.

Persons: Said Shaath, ‘, “, Shaath, Lena Beseiso, Beseiso –, –, ”, Beseiso, ” Beseiso, Eden Guez, Violeta Santos Moura, Mohammed Salem, Mohammed Soboh, Said, Fatima Shbair, Belal Khaled, Amir Cohen, Ilai Bar Sade, Erik Marmor, Ali Jadallah, Mohammed Abed, Oren Ziv, Mohammed Saber, Ronen Zvulun, Majdi, Ilia Yefimovich, Ramez Mahmoud, Mahmud Hams, Roi Levy, Alleruzzo, Tali Touito, Tamir Kalifa, Khan, Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Jalaa Marey, Oded, Khan Younis, Ahmad Hasballah, Samar Abu, Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa, Tsafrir, Ahmad Gharabli, Baz Ratner, Mustafa Hassona, Ilan Rosenberg, Eyad Baba, Itai Ron, Hadas Parush, Abdulla Okal, Haneen, ” Okal, Okal, Joe Biden, ” Biden Organizations: CNN, US Embassy, Nova Festival, Reuters, Anadolu Agency, Getty, West Bank, New York Times, Rockets, Israel's, United Nations, Palestinian, Reuters Police, AP, Reuters Rockets, State Department, Embassy, National Security Council Locations: Gaza, Palestinian, “ U.S, Rafah, Egypt, Jerusalem, Fresno , California, Rimal, Salt Lake City, Israel, Ashkelon, Gaza City, Israeli, Tel Aviv, AFP, Beitar Ilit, Mount Herzl, Sderot, Ramat Gan, Khan Younis, Kiryat Shmona, Samar, Samar Abu Elouf, Itai, Beit Hanun, Rishon Lezion, ”, New Jersey

☆ At least 11 American citizens killed in Israel, Biden says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 9 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Monday that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed in Israel following the weekend's attacks by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. Washington believes it is likely U.S. citizens are also among those being held hostage by Hamas, he said in a statement. Biden said the United States was working with Israeli officials to obtain more information as to the whereabouts of U.S. citizens who are still unaccounted for. "For American citizens who are currently in Israel, the State Department is providing consular assistance as well as updated security alerts. Reporting by Jasper Ward and Kanishka Singh; editing by Dan Whitcomb and Rosalba O'BrienOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Jasper Ward, Kanishka Singh, Dan Whitcomb, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, State Department, U.S ., Police, Thomson Locations: Israel, Washington, United States, Gaza

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