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☆ Biden celebrates prisoner deal and importance of allies in key moment for his legacy
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Jeremy Herb | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Biden also had multiple conversations about the deal with his German counterpart Olaf Scholz, including when the chancellor visited the Oval Office in February. Convicted Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov, who was jailed in Germany, was critical to getting Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a deal. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, will do that for me, but not for anyone else, and WE WILL BE PAYING NOTHING!” Trump said. “Why didn’t he do it when he was president?” Biden said before turning to leave the room. A senior administration official defended the release of Krasikov as part of the deal.

Persons: Russia –, Joe Biden, Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Kamala Harris, Biden, Donald Trump’s, Harris, “, ” Biden, ” Trump, ”, They’re, Olaf Scholz, Vadim Krasikov, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Ohio Sen, JD Vance, CNN’s Steve Contorno, Trump, Gershkovich, Whelan, Scholz, Krasikov, Paul, Evan, Alsu, Vladimir, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Alsu Kurmasheva, CNN’s MJ Lee, Jennifer Hansler, Kylie Atwood, Ivana Kottasova, Alex Marquardt, Betsy Klein, Donald Judd, Sam Fossum, Steve Contorno, Kit Maher, Jeff Zeleny Organizations: CNN, Russia, Wall Street, NATO, Slovenian, HOME, WE, White, Munich, Conference, “ Locations: United States of America, Russia, Israel, Ukraine, Germany, Ohio, Berlin, American, Russian

☆ Who was freed in major prisoner swap between Russia and the West?
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The German court that convicted Krasikov in 2021 said he acted on behalf of the Russian state, shooting Khangoshvili “execution style” in broad daylight. Vadim Konoshchenok, 48An undated photo of Vadim Konoshchenok included in a 2022 court document. He was arrested in February 2022, according to the Polish state news agency PAP. Lilia Chanysheva, 42Lilia Chanysheva stands is seen during a hearing at the Kirovskiy District Court in Ufa, Russia, on June 14, 2023. He was sentenced to four years in a penal colony in July 2022, according to Amnesty International.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Vadim Krasikov, Vadim Krasikov Berlin Police Krasikov, Krasikov, Zelimkhan, Khangoshvili, Ramzan Kadyrov, Putin, Viktor Bout, Whelan, Brittney, Biden, Alexey Navalny, Vadim Konoshchenok, Konoshchenok, Vladislav Klyushin, Klyushin, Roman Seleznev, US Department of Justice Roman Seleznev, Seleznev, Artem Dultsev, Ludvig Gish, Anna Dultseva, Dultsev, Maria Rosa Mayer Munos, Mikhail Mikushin, Pavel Rubtsov, Pablo Gonzalez, Oihana Goiriena, Vincent West, Pablo Gonzales, Natalia Kolesnikova, Kirill Kudryavtsev, US Marine Whelan, Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, Liberty Alsu Kurmasheva, Alexey Nasyrov, Kurmasheva, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Kara, Vladimir Putin’s “, ”, Rico Krieger, Krieger, Alexander Lukashenko, Kevin Lik, Lick, Dieter, Voronin, Ivan Safronov, Roscosmos, Demuri Voronin, Safronov, Herman Moyzhes, Moyzhes, Patrick Schoebel, Schoebel, Ilya Yashin, Yuri Kochetkov, ” Alexandra Skochilenko, Alexandra Skochilenko, Anton Vaganov, Skochilenko, “, ” Oleg Orlov, Oleg Orlov, Lilia Chanysheva, Chanysheva, Ksenia Fadeeva, Maxim Shemetov, Fadeeva, Vadim Ostanin, Alexei Navalny’s, Ostanin, Andrei Pivovarov, Pivovarov Organizations: CNN, Vadim Krasikov Berlin Police, Chechen, Russian, Krasikov, US Department of Justice, US, Office, Eastern, of, Attorney's, University of Tromsø, Reuters, Court, Getty, Street, US Marine, US State Department, Radio Free, Liberty, AP, Belarusian TV, Belteleradio, Human Rights, German Red Cross, TASS, German Federal Intelligence Service, Pulkovo, Ukraine, Amnesty International Locations: American, Russia, Moscow, Berlin’s Kleiner, Russian, Georgia, Estonia, of New York, Boston, Sion , Switzerland, United States, Maldives, Slovenia, Ljubljana, Norway, Brazilian, Nabarniz, Spain, Poland, Spanish, Sverdlovsk, AFP, Irish, Radio Free Europe, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Belarusian, German, Belarus, Berlin, Germany, Europe, St . Petersburg, St, Petersburg, Meshansky, Bucha, Kyiv, Saint Petersburg, Kirovskiy, Ufa, Bashkortostan, Tomsk, Krasnodar

☆ What a historic prisoner swap means for Vladimir Putin’s Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Nathan Hodge | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Among those headed back to Russia are convicted hackers and several Russian nationals detained in the West for spying. And the biggest prize for Russia was the return of Vadim Krasikov, a convicted hitman whose release had been publicly sought by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Anna Chapman, one of 10 Russian sleeper agents deported from the US in a 2010 prisoner swap, was also feted on her return to Russia. Britain blamed the poisoning on Russia; Russia has consistently denied involvement, although Putin referred to Skripal as a “scumbag” and a “traitor,” his contempt suggesting that Skripal had gotten his just desserts. The release of Russians in the swap means that Russia’s political climate is no less repressive.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Vladimir Kara, John le, Vadim Krasikov, Vladimir Putin, Krasikov, Zelimkhan, Tucker Carlson, Putin, Khangoshvili, ” Krasikov, Viktor Bout, Brittney, US Department of Justice –, Bout, Anna Chapman, Chapman, ”, Sergei Skripal, Skripal, Yulia, Novichok, Frank Augstein, Alexander Litvinenko, Litvinenko, Andrei Lugovoi, Dmitri Kovtun –, Lugovoi, Alexey Navalny, Navalny, Roman Abramovich, Hillary Clinton, Murza –, –, Alexandra Skochilenko Organizations: CNN, Wall Street, Russia, Berlin Police, US Department of Justice, Hollywood, St ., Economic, Russian, Kremlin, European, of Human Rights Locations: American, Ukraine, Russia, Chechen, Berlin, Russian, St, St . Petersburg, United Kingdom, English, Salisbury, Britain, England, British, Moscow, Washington, United States

☆ Southport stabbings: Far-right disinformation fuels riots across UK
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Kara Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Far-right demonstrators chanted anti-migrant, anti-Muslim slogans at the London rally that turned violent on Wednesday. He added that, while the algorithm played a part, there was also a “huge amount of organizing happening” in a variety of different places that are not algorithmically oriented – for example in far-right groups on the instant-messaging platform Telegram. Like what was being shared on X and other platforms, the Telegram group “Southport Wake Up,” also posted false information about the alleged suspect. Hours after the attack, the group’s creator sent out the details for the first protest: Meet near a Southport mosque on Tuesday. The “Southport Wake Up” group is still active, and on Thursday, posted calls for similar disruptions at Muslim centers in other cities across England.

Persons: Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, Keir Starmer, Benjamin Cremel, Neil Holyoak, Axel Rudakubana, Tim Squirrell, “, who’s, ”, Squirrell, ’, ” Squirrell, Starmer, Downing, ” CNN’s Jessie Gretener, Duarte Mendonça, Ivana Kottasová, Radina Gigova Organizations: CNN, England, ”, city’s Metropolitan Police, London, Getty Images Met, Southport stabbings, Institute for Strategic, Communications, Intelligence Service, Telegram, Southport, Southport Wake Locations: Southport, London , Manchester, Hartlepool, Downing, Manchester, London, AFP, Banks , Lancashire, Cardiff , Wales, England

☆ WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, ex-Marine Whelan released in U.S., Russia prisoner swap
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowWall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan were released Thursday by Russia as part of a major, multi-nation swap of two dozen prisoners. "All four have been imprisoned unjustly in Russia," President Joe Biden said in a televised address from the White House, where he was flanked by their family members. Eight Russians, including the spy and convicted hitman Vadim Krasikov, are being returned to Russia from the United States, Slovenia, Norway, Poland and Germany. "The deal that secured their freedom was a feat of diplomacy," Biden said in a statement released by the White House, where Biden planned to meet family members of the released Americans. U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about the release of Americans detained in Russia during brief remarks from the White House in Washington, U.S., August 1, 2024.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, U.S . Marine Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Joe Biden, Vadim Krasikov, Paul Whelan, Krasikov, Gershkovich, Whelan, Kurmasheva, Kara, Biden, we've, Jake Sullivan, " Sullivan, Nathan Howard, Reuters Gershkovich, Dieter Voronin, Kevin Lick, Rico Krieger, Patrick Schoebel, Herman Moyzhes, Ilya Yashin, Liliya, Kseniya Fadeyeva, Vadim Ostanin, Andrey Pivovarov, Oleg Orlov, Sasha Skochilenko, Artem Viktorovich Dultsev, Anna Valerevna Dultseva, Mikhail Valeryevich Mikushin, Pavel Alekseyevich Rubtsov, Roman Seleznev, Vladislav Klyushin, Vadim Konoshchenock Organizations: Wall Street, U.S . Marine, White, Biden, National, Reuters Locations: Russia, American, Russian, Turkey, United States, Slovenia, Norway, Poland, Germany, Chechen, Berlin, Washington , U.S, Moscow

☆ North Korea is looking for medicine overseas to treat Kim Jong Un's obesity, spy agency says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Mikhaila Friel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

North Korea is seeking medicine for Kim Jong Un's obesity, a South Korean spy agency said. Kim, 40, is said to weigh 308 pounds and have high blood pressure and diabetes. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementNorth Korean officials are looking to find new drugs to treat Kim Jong Un's obesity-related health issues, South Korea's spy agency said.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim, —, Kim —, Lee Seong Kweun Organizations: Service, National Intelligence Service, AP News, Business Locations: Korea, South Korean

CNN —France is still facing travel disruption a day after saboteurs targeted high-speed railway lines in an attack coinciding with the start of the Olympics. They recovered an “amount of evidence” following the operation, Darmanin told CNN affiliate France 2. Authorities should not rule out industrial espionage, Persson told CNN on Friday, saying that a railway staffer, or someone who built the tracks including construction workers, could also be to blame. Railway staff and police work to repair one of several sites where vandals targeted France's high-speed train network, in the northern villege of Croisilles, on Friday. CNN has previously reported on a host of suspected Russian attacks across Europe.

Persons: Gabriel Attal, Gerald Darmanin, Darmanin, Axel Persson, Persson, ”, Jean, Pierre Farandou, “ don’t, Brian Snyder, Emmanuel Macron, Dmitry Peskov, Dale Buckner Organizations: CNN —, French, CNN, France, Olympic, CGT, Employees, SNCF, Environmental, Railway, Police, Kremlin, Games, Global Guardian, CNN France Locations: CNN — France, French, France, Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Russian, Paris, Europe

☆ Ukraine's IT army is a 'world first' in cyberwarfare — but it's a major gamble for the government, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementIn Russia, however, "they have the expertise but not necessarily the service providers who sit in front of organisations to detect and deflect DDoS attacks," Woodward added. AdvertisementSuch attacks may also help "support defensive movements of the Ukrainian army," said Vasileios Karagiannopoulos, an associate professor in cybercrime and cybersecurity at the University of Portsmouth. Advertisement"The IT Army is managed by the SBU and the Ukrainian MoD," Soesanto said, adding that they receive support from Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation. Ted told BI that "the MoD does not run the IT army, but there is collaboration to ensure efforts are synchronized." Ukraine's Ministry of Defense did not respond to a request for comment from BI on the nature of its relationship with the IT army.

Persons: —, Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's, Eager, Ted, Ted said, Alan Woodward, Woodward, Ukraine's cyberdefense, Stefan Soesanto, Vasileios Karagiannopoulos, Karagiannopoulos, Soesanto Organizations: Service, Business, Transformation Ministry, IT Army, Surrey Centre, Cyber Security, University of Surrey, Visa, Mastercard, Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich, Kommersant, University of Portsmouth, country's Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian MoD, Ukraine's Ministry of Digital, MoD, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine's, cybercrime, Ukrainian

☆ What We Know About the Attacks on France’s Rail Network
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Lynsey Chutel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Just hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, France was rocked by a series of arson attacks on its rail network on Friday, stoking fears over security during the Games. No one was killed or reported injured, but the damage to France’s high-speed train lines caused major delays as thousands of local and international travelers were expected to converge on Paris for the ceremony and the Games. The arson attacks, which authorities have described as “criminal,” come amid heightened security concerns, when France is the center of a global spectacle. Here’s what we know about the attacks and the resulting disruptions:Is this a terrorist attack? That is not clear yet, but France’s prime minister, Gabriel Attal, has described the fires as “acts of sabotage that were carried out in a prepared and coordinated way.” The police and intelligence services are investigating these “criminal acts,” he added in a post on social media.

Persons: stoking, ”, Gabriel Attal Organizations: Paris Olympics, Games Locations: France, Paris

☆ French rail network hit by 'acts of sabotage' in latest transport woes for Paris during the Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewFrance's rail network has been hit by a series of "malicious acts" that have damaged transport routes leading to the capital, causing cancellations and disruption just hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. AdvertisementThough several Olympic events are being held outside Paris, Attal highlighted the impact on French families leaving for vacation this weekend rather than on the Olympics. Michel Euler/ APThe attacks also add more pressure to concerns over whether Paris' transport infrastructure can manage the Olympic crowds. Officials promised to reinvigorate the transport system after Paris won the Olympic bid. But, in November 2023, the mayor of Paris said there were parts of the city where "transport will not be ready and there will not be enough trains," according to French radio network RFI.

Persons: —, Gabriel Attal, Attal, Brian Snyder, Michel Euler, Jimmy Brun, France24 Organizations: Service, SNCF, Business, South, Lille, Railway, Reuters, Eurostar, Paris, RFI, Paris Metro, Paris's Metro, Bloomberg Locations: Atlantique, Northern, Paris, Bordeaux, France, Strasbourg, Germany, London, Seine, Paris's

☆ Apple's no longer among top 5 smartphone vendors in China as domestic brands dominate market
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Sheila Chiang | In Sheilachiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Apple was edged out of the top five smartphone vendors' list in China in the second quarter, as competition from domestic brands such as Huawei intensifies, according to a Canalys report. Apple's market share in China shrank to 14% in the second quarter, the report released Thursday showed, from 15% in the first quarter and 16% in the same period a year ago. The iPhone maker, which was the third-largest smartphone vendor in the second quarter last year, dropped to the sixth spot with about 9.7 million in shipments, according to CNBC calculations. "It is the first quarter in history that domestic vendors dominate all the top five positions," said Lucas Zhong, research analyst at Canalys. Apple's shipments have been declining since the first quarter when they dropped 25% year on year to 10 million units.

Persons: Lucas Zhong, Zhong, Canalys Organizations: Apple Smart Products, Apple, Huawei, CNBC, Canalys, Apple Intelligence Locations: Nanjing, Shanghai, China

☆ Israeli former national security officials and business leaders blast Netanyahu ahead of his speech to Congress
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A group of senior Israeli figures including former national security officials, academics and business leaders have sent US congressional leadership a blistering letter accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is set to speak to Congress on Wednesday, of threatening both Israeli and American national security. “Netanyahu severely harms the US national security interests through his approach to this war, which adversely impacts American policy in the Middle East and beyond and further endangers Israel,” it continues. The Obama White House had been blindsided by Netanyahu’s decision to address Congress after another invitation from a Republican House speaker, John Boehner. Typically, a vice president, in their role as president of the Senate, would attend and sit prominently on the dais. However, Vice President Kamala Harris will also miss Netanyahu’s Wednesday speech due to travel, which Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Friday he did not expect to be a repeat of 2015.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, he’s, Tamir Pardo, Aaron Ciechanover, Avishay, Carmi, Morris Kahn, Jeremy Levin, “ Netanyahu, Mike Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Pardo, disinvite Netanyahu, ”, Alon Pinkas, “, Biden, –, Pinkas, ” Benjamin Netanyahu, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Schumer, Joe Biden, Biden’s, Obama, John Boehner, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, they’re, ” Sullivan, ’ Organizations: CNN, Israeli, American, Ben Gurion University, Republican, ”, Obama White, Aspen Security, White, Gaza . Senior, Gallup Locations: Gaza, Israel, New York, Washington, Iran, Gaza .

CNN —A prominent North Korea expert and former CIA analyst has been indicted by a New York grand jury on charges of secretly working for the South Korean government in exchange for designer goods, Michelin star meals and $37,000 for a fund that she controlled. The indictment alleges Terry acted as a “valuable source” of information for the South Korean government. She has authored reports for both American and South Korean news outlets. South Korea is a key US ally in the Asia-Pacific, though Terry’s indictment is not the first case of alleged collusion to test the two countries’ friendship. Internal Pentagon documents leaked last year described, in remarkable detail, private conversations between two senior South Korean national security officials, whom the US had allegedly wiretapped.

Persons: Sue Mi Terry, ”, “, Terry, Louis Vuitton, Iva Zorić, ” Zorić, Antony Blinken, Lee Wolosky, ” Wolosky, emptively, George W, Bush, Barack Obama Organizations: CNN, CIA, New, South Korean, Michelin, US National Security Council, ROK, South, Council, Foreign Relations, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, Foreign, Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East, FBI, Oceanic, National Security Council, Pentagon Locations: North Korea, New York, Republic of Korea, ROK, Korean, Korea, South Korea, United States, Seoul, Japan, Asia

On Sunday, the Israeli military claimed to have targeted Hamas’ military chief and killed a Hamas brigade commander in an airstrike in Khan Younis. The Israeli military said its air force struck the location where “a number of terrorists” were operating. Palestinians and UN workers examine the destroyed UNRWA school in Nuseirat refugee camp of Deir al-Balah, Gaza on July 15, 2024. Meanwhile, the latest Israeli strikes have put new pressure on the success of ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations, which hit yet another roadblock last week. The Israeli military is verifying whether he was killed while Netanyahu acknowledged it is uncertain whether he died.

Persons: Israel, amputees, ”, “, Ruwaida Issa, Khan Younis, Nasser, Scott Anderson, Abed Rahim Khatib, Abu, ” Mary Al Sammouna, ” Samir Tafesh, Tal, Philippe Lazzarini, Antonio Guterres, Guterres, Benjamin Netanyahu –, –, Mohammed Deif, Deif, Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, United Nations, UN, Gaza Health Ministry, UNRWA Affairs, Anadolu, Getty, UNRWA, Gaza Ministry, Health, Civil Defense, Humanitarian Affairs, Al, Israel’s Locations: Gaza, Khan, Israel, Al, Deir, Nuseirat, Gaza City

CNN —Israel has announced that a Hamas commander was killed in Saturday’s strike on southern Gaza, but the fate of the major target, Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, remains uncertain. The Israeli military is verifying whether he was killed while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also acknowledged it is uncertain whether he died. The Ministry of Health in Gaza said the strike killed at least 90 Palestinians and injured 300 others in Al-Mawasi, a designated humanitarian zone. If his death is confirmed, Deif would be the highest profile Hamas leader killed since the war in Gaza began nine months ago. Israeli intelligence services said this past week they killed a total of 25 Hamas operatives involved in the October 7 attacks.

Persons: CNN — Israel, Mohammed Deif, Rafe Salama, Khan Younis, ”, Salama, Deif, Benjamin Netanyahu, Scott Anderson, Ronen, Shin, Bet’s “ Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Health, Shin Bet, IDF’s Southern Command, UN, Sunday, Ministry of Health, Israeli Air Force Locations: Gaza, Al, Israel, Rafah, Nuseirat

☆ U.S., Germany foil alleged Russian plot to assassinate CEO of German arms firm sending weapons to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Dan De Luce | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. intelligence agencies discovered the plan to go after Papperger earlier this year and informed the German government, the sources said. We have also been clear that Russia's actions will not deter Allies from continuing to support Ukraine." The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the CIA and the German embassy in Washington all declined to comment. The Intelligence Committee is closely following these threats, which only strengthen our resolve to support Ukraine." And in February, the company signed a memorandum with Ukraine to set up a joint production plant for artillery ammunition.

Persons: Rheinmetall AG Armin Papperger, Ronny HARTMANN, RONNY HARTMANN, Armin Papperger, Papperger, Adrienne Watson, Biden, Watson, Oliver Hoffman, Putin, Jens Stoltenberg, Stoltenberg, Vladimir Putin, Rheinmetall's Papperger Organizations: Rheinmetall AG, Rheinmetall, AFP, Getty Images, U.S, Lynx, CNN, White House National Security, NATO Allies, National Intelligence, CIA, Democratic, House Intelligence, NATO, Intelligence, NBC News, Royal United Services Institute Locations: Unterluess, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, Moscow, Russian, United States, Washington, cyberattacks, Kyiv, United Kingdom, London

For more than six months, Russia has been carrying out a sabotage campaign across Europe, largely by proxy. “We’re seeing sabotage, we’re seeing assassination plots, we’re seeing arson. Russia’s sabotage campaign has, at times, smacked of a shotgun approach carried out by amateurs. In London in March, several men were charged with working with Russian intelligence services to set fire to a Ukrainian-linked warehouse. And French authorities last month detained a Russian-Ukrainian man who was allegedly building bombs as part of a sabotage campaign orchestrated by Moscow.

Persons: Armin Papperger, Olaf Scholz, Boris Pistorius, Fabian Bimmer, “, ”, Adrienne Watson, “ Russia’s, Oliver Hoffman, ” Hoffman, Donald Tusk, Papperger, Dariusz Borowicz, Agencja Wyborcza.pl, Reuters “, ” CNN’s Zachary Cohen Organizations: CNN, Kyiv, Rheinmetall, NATO, National Security, NATO Allies, Embassy, intel, US, Reuters, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Kyiv, Germany, Berlin, Russia, West, Moscow, Papperger, Unterluess, United States, Washington, Russian, Polish, Lithuania, Poland, Ukrainian, London, Warsaw

The NATO official said they had observed “an unprecedented escalation and spread of Russia’s hybrid warfare” over the past six months, which included “physical sabotage” on the supply line of NATO weapons intended for Ukraine. “It is everything from point of production and origin, to storage, to those who are making decisions, to the actual delivery,” the senior NATO official said. Recent high-profile arrests have revealed the ad-hoc, clumsy nature of how the Kremlin’s intelligence operations have evolved since the start of the war in Ukraine. Russia is big enough to have resources to fight a war against Ukraine and also maintain its security operations against European countries… against us. There are people who take part in the war against Ukraine, and then they are rotated to some other region or area.

Persons: Blunt, ”, Donald Tusk, Dariusz Borowicz, Agencja Wyborcza.pl, Maxim, Andrzej, Jaroslaw, “, Don’t, ” Andrzej, I’d, Wagner, Volodymyr Zelensky, Sean Gallup, Paris Charles de, Vladimir Putin’s, Harrys Organizations: CNN, NATO, Polish, Reuters, Ukraine, Getty, London’s Metropolitan Police Service, Kremlin, EU, Estonian Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Europe, “, Reuters Russia, Washington , DC, Moscow, Poland, Russian, Lublin, Medyka, Ukrainian, Biala Podlaska, Warsaw, Polish, surveilling Rzeszow Jasionka, Kyiv, Berlin, Germany, Russian Ukrainian, Paris Charles, Paris Charles de Gaulle, East London, Estonia, Russia’s

☆ Intelligence on Russian sabotage threat prompted increase in security at US military bases in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

In April, two German-Russian nationals were arrested for allegedly plotting bomb and arson attacks on targets including US military facilities on behalf of Russia. In London in March, several men were charged with working with Russian intelligence services to set fire to a Ukrainian-linked warehouse. And French authorities last month detained a Russian-Ukrainian man who was allegedly building bombs as part of a sabotage campaign orchestrated by Moscow. But a senior NATO official said the sabotage campaign is getting increasingly brazen and aggressive. “We’re seeing sabotage, assassination plots, arson — real things that have cost human lives.”This story has been updated with additional information.

Persons: Dan Day, we’ve, “, Katie Bo Lillis Organizations: CNN, US, US Army, NATO, Command Locations: Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Riga, Latvia, London, Warsaw, Poland, Prague, Czech Republic, Paris, Ukrainian, Russian, Moscow

☆ Talks on Gaza Cease-Fire Revive After Weeks of Deadlock
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Aaron Boxerman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israeli negotiators traveled to the Gulf nation of Qatar on Friday for the first time in weeks to restart contacts over a cease-fire deal that would end the war in Gaza, following weeks of deadlock in the negotiations. An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the meeting as a preliminary discussion with more substantive talks to follow. David Barnea, the head of Israel’s Mossad foreign intelligence service, led the Israeli delegation to Doha, the Qatari capital, where he was set to meet with Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Qatari prime minister. Cease-fire negotiations had been stalled for weeks until Wednesday, when Hamas announced that it had exchanged some ideas with mediators on a new way forward. Both U.S. and Israeli officials said the revised Hamas position could allow for an agreement, but cautioned that a protracted and difficult series of deliberations lay ahead nonetheless.

Persons: David Barnea, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Organizations: Doha, Hamas, U.S Locations: Gulf, Qatar, Gaza, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani

☆ Israel and Hamas appear on brink of framework agreement for ceasefire and hostage deal, Israeli source says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Jerusalem CNN —Israeli officials believe Hamas’ latest response will enable the two parties to enter detailed negotiations to reach an agreement, the source said. Israel and Hamas appear to be on the brink of a framework agreement for a ceasefire and hostage release deal, an Israeli source familiar with the negotiations said. Hamas has confirmed that they passed their response on an Israeli proposal to mediators Qatar and Egypt, repeating their demand for a complete ceasefire. “We have put forward some demands that achieve securing access to a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces,” Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, told CNN on Wednesday. “Israel is evaluating the remarks and will convey its reply to the mediators,” the Mossad statement said without providing any additional details.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ” Basem Naim, ”, “, Abeer Salman, Ibrahim Dahman Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Hamas, CNN, Wednesday Locations: Jerusalem, Israel, Qatar, Egypt, “ Israel

☆ America’s Antivax Disinformation Campaign in the Philippines - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( David Wallace-Wells | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Typically, Americans learn about the clandestine depravities undertaken abroad by their government only decades after the offenses were committed. When the Pentagon was confronted with the report, its spokeswoman didn’t just acknowledge the existence of these sorts of programs; she appeared to defend them. The Reuters report is very much worth reading in full, a showcase of American recklessness in what may already be a new age of Spy vs. Spy psyops. But we’ve had very little reporting, or reckoning, with what the American side of that information war might look like. ), to counter adversary malign influence”; that “this process is deliberate, methodical and comprehensive”; and that this work employs “a variety of platforms, including social media, to counter those malign influence attacks.” The Chinese have been, predictably, more hyperbolic: An editorial in the Chinese Communist Party-run Global Times called the social media campaign simply “brainwashing.”

Persons: Chris Bing, Joel Schectman, didn’t, we’ve, ” Organizations: Reuters, Department of Defense, Pentagon, Chinese Communist Party, Times Locations: Philippines, Central Asia, China, Russia

Amazon will double the value of credits it offers some startups to use its cloud infrastructure, CNBC has learned, as the company faces heightened competition from Microsoft in artificial intelligence services. Seed-stage startups will still be eligible for $100,000 in credits, AWS said. But Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud are growing more quickly, and are benefiting from rapidly advancing AI models. During Selipsky's time at the helm, Microsoft and Google increased their share of the cloud infrastructure market. Participants will be able to access up to $1 million in cloud credits, according to the website.

Persons: Matt Garman, Garman, Garman's, OpenAI, Anthropic, Adam Selipsky, Grant, Amazon's, Rohit Prasad, David Luan Organizations: Amazon Web, CNBC, Microsoft, AWS, Google, Gemini Locations: Las Vegas, Silicon, Silicon Valley

☆ Abu Dhabi wants to be an AI leader. Aligning with the US is just the start
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Amy Gunia | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The world’s first minister dedicated to developing artificial intelligence (AI) strategy is already becoming embroiled in a global power struggle for tech supremacy. The UAE is one of the world’s largest producers of fossil fuels, and Abu Dhabi sees its AI push as crucial for diversifying away from oil. Christopher Pike/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesWashington has also limited the sale of sophisticated US chips to ensure China doesn’t use Middle Eastern nations as a back door to access the newest AI technology, according to Reuters. By opening up the technology, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as an ally to developing nations that don’t have the resources to build their own AI tools. In March, a report commissioned by the US State Department warned that the most advanced AI systems could, in a worst-case scenario, “pose an extinction-level threat to the human species.”Olama has some specific concerns.

Persons: Biden, Omar Al Olama, “, Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, ”, ” Olama, Al Olama, ’ ”, Christopher Pike, Olama, Abu Dhabi’s, ” James Lewis, Abu Dhabi’s Mohamed bin, Gifty Sahany, Lewis, ” He’s Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, United Arab Emirates, UAE, PwC, Commerce Department, Huawei, Etihad, United, Bloomberg, Getty, Washington, Reuters, Nvidia, Apple, Technology Innovation Institute, Google, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Washington DC, University of Artificial Intelligence, Systems, US State Department Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, China, United States, Dubai, Gulf, United Arab Emirates, Beijing, Washington, University, Valley

☆ Israel-Gaza war: He saved the life of Hamas’s leader. Then they murdered his nephew
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Sophie Tanno | Tal Alroy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“I know the person who planned and conceived and initiated this criminal attack,” Bitton told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. Bitton blames Sinwar for the murder of his nephew, who was killed after Hamas militants raided his home on October 7. In 1989, he was sentenced to four life sentences in Israel for the abduction and killing of two Israeli soldiers. Nir Oz was one of several kibbutzim that bore the brunt of Hamas’ attack on October 7, with many residents murdered or taken hostage. He doesn’t care.”With this in mind, Bitton believes that Israel made a mistake by not creating an alternative to Hamas’s rule, which could have undermined Sinwar’s power.

Persons: CNN — Hamas’s, Israel, Yuval Bitton, “, ” Bitton, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, –, – Yahya Sinwar, Bitton, Sinwar, Tamir Adar, Yuval Bitton “, ” Sinwar, Khan, ”, Gilad Shalit, Gilad, Nir Oz, Tamir, Bitton –, Bitton's Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Israel, IDF Locations: Gaza, Nafha, Israel

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