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☆ What We Know About the Helicopter Crash That Killed Iran’s President
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | Farnaz Fassihi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The deaths of Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi, and foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, in a helicopter crash have left one of the Middle East’s most powerful and disruptive nations at a critical moment. Here’s a look at what we know about the crash and its potential implications. Mr. Raisi, 63, and Mr. Amir Abdollahian were traveling back from Iran’s border with Azerbaijan after inaugurating a joint dam project when their helicopter went down in a remote and mountainous area around 1 p.m. local time on Sunday, according to state media. Search and rescue teams battled rain and heavy fog to scour the mountains and dense forest for more than 10 hours, looking for the crash site. The authorities called off the aerial search at one point because of the weather, dispatching elite commandos of the Revolutionary Guards and others on foot.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Raisi, Amir Abdollahian Organizations: Revolutionary Guards Locations: Iran’s, Azerbaijan

☆ Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi dies in helicopter crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewIranian President Ebrahim Raisi has died after a helicopter crash in northwestern Iran, multiple news agencies reported, citing Iranian state media. Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi told IRNA, Iran's state-run news agency, that a helicopter carrying Raisi and other senior Iranian officials was forced to make a "hard landing" on Sunday, without providing further details. Related storiesIran's foreign minister, the governor of Iran's East Azerbaijan province, and other officials were also on board the helicopter. Raisi is considered a "hard-liner" and a "protégé" of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Raisi has led Iran through heightened tensions in the region, including the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Persons: —, Ebrahim Raisi, Ahmed Vahidi, IRNA, Mohammad Mokhber, Al, Mokhber, Raisi, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Organizations: Service, Business, Raisi, Associated Press, Iranian, United, United States Institute of Peace Locations: Iran, Iran's, Iran's East Azerbaijan province, Azerbaijan's, Al Jazeera, Israel, Gaza, Iranian, Damascus, United States, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Brent oil gains after Iran's President dies, Saudi flags issue with King's health
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Brent crude futures extended gains on Monday, inching up amid political uncertainty in major producing countries after Iran's president died in a helicopter crash and the Saudi crown prince cancelled a Japan trip, citing health issues with the king. Brent gained 10 cents, or 0.1%, to $84.08 a barrel by 0454GMT, after rising to $84.30 earlier, its highest since May 10. He added that WTI prices may rebound further toward $83.50 after rising above the 200-day moving average of $80.02. Despite the volatility in the region, oil prices moved only slightly. "Continuity in Saudi strategy is expected regardless of this health issue," he added.

Persons: Brent, Ebrahim Raisi, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Tony Sycamore, Sycamore, Warren Patterson, Patterson, Saul Kavonic, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, Saudi, Saudi Arabian Crown, Iranian, IG, ING, The, of, Petroleum, Petroleum Reserve Locations: Fort Stockton , Texas, Saudi, Japan, East Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabian, China, U.S, United States, Washington

Iran sought to project a sense of order and control on Monday by quickly naming an acting president and foreign minister a day after a helicopter crash killed both leaders. The change in leadership came at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East and domestic discontent in Iran, where many residents have called for an end to decades of repressive clerical rule. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announced five days of mourning for the president, Ebrahim Raisi, 63, and the foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, 60, who died when their helicopter plunged into a mountainous area near the Iranian city of Jolfa. The men had been returning from Iran’s border with Azerbaijan after inaugurating a joint dam project. He had been widely viewed as a possible successor to Ayatollah Khamenei, 85.

Persons: Iran’s, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ebrahim Raisi, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Mr, Raisi, Ayatollah Khamenei Organizations: Iran’s Armed Forces Locations: Iran, Iranian, Jolfa, Iran’s, Azerbaijan

An aide to Mayor Eric Adams who served as his longtime liaison to the Turkish community and whose home was searched by the F.B.I. has been cooperating with the corruption investigation into the mayor and his 2021 campaign, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. Originally from Azerbaijan, Ms. Abbasova, 41, had worked for Mr. Adams for about four years in the Brooklyn borough president’s office before he became mayor. agents and federal prosecutors conducting the corruption investigation in the weeks after her home was searched on Nov. 2. On the same day, agents also searched the homes of the mayor’s chief fund-raiser and a former Turkish Airlines executive.

Persons: Eric Adams, Rana Abbasova, Adams’s, Adams, Abbasova Organizations: —, Fire Department, International Affairs, Mr, Turkish Airlines Locations: Turkish, New York, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Brooklyn

☆ Oil little changed after Iran's president dies in helicopter crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi looks on during a TV interview, in Tehran, Iran May 7, 2024. Policy in OPEC's third-largest producer is not expected to change, with Vice President Mohammad Mokhber taking over as interim president as the country prepares for new elections within 50 days. President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian perished in the crash in Iran's East Azerbaijan province in poor weather. Crude oil futures were little changed Monday after Iran's president and foreign minister died in a helicopter crash. A coalition of OPEC+ members are voluntarily cutting output by 2.2 million barrels per day to support prices.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Mohammad Mokhber, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Brent Organizations: OPEC Locations: Tehran, Iran, Iran's East Azerbaijan, Russia

☆ Iran's President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian killed in helicopter crash, state media says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during a meeting with the cabinet in Tehran, Iran, October 8, 2023. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian died in a helicopter crash, state media reported Monday. Iranian state television reported there was "no sign of life" at the crash site of the helicopter that carried Raisi, Amirabdollahian, and others. "All the passengers of the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister were martyred," semi-official news agency Mehr News reported. "The overall outline of Iranian foreign policy is not likely to change significantly."

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Ali Ahmadi, CNBC's, Raisi, Malik Rahmati, Affairs Mohsen Mansouri, Pirhossein Koulivand, Ayatollah Khamenei Organizations: Mehr News, FARS News Agency, Geneva Center for Security, Communication, Affairs, Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps Locations: Tehran, Iran, FARS, Azerbaijan Republic, Iran's, East Azerbaijan's, Tabriz, Turkey, Russia

☆ Aggression or Caution: The Choice Facing Iran’s Next Leaders
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( David E. Sanger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In their three years in power, President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran and his equally hard-line foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, did everything they could to consolidate the “Axis of Resistance” against the United States and Israel. They armed the Houthis, feeding the militia intelligence that fueled attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea. But for all those aggressive moves, the two men, both killed in a helicopter crash in the mountains near Azerbaijan on Sunday, were also careful. Last week, days before their deaths, they approved talks with the United States through intermediaries aimed at making sure the war in Gaza was not the prelude to a wider war in the Middle East. And they stopped just short of making those bombs, at least as far as American intelligence agencies and international inspectors can determine.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Israel Organizations: Hezbollah Locations: Iran, United States, Israel, Red, Azerbaijan, Gaza

☆ Flying a helicopter in fog can be a recipe for disaster — Kobe Bryant and now Iran's president add to a string of deaths
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash on Sunday in foggy conditions. Kobe Bryant and other officials have died in helicopter and plane crashes after flying in heavy fog. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementFlying a helicopter in fog can be a recipe for disaster, with Kobe Bryant and now Iran's president adding to a string of deaths. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage died after his plane crashed on Sunday in a remote and mountainous area of north-west Iran.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Kobe Bryant, — Organizations: Service, Kobe, Business Locations: Iran, Azerbaijan's, Iran's East Azerbaijan, Al Jazeera

☆ Iran's President Raisi is dead. What does the leadership void mean for the country and the world?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The President of Islamic Republic of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi during the meeting with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres UN Headquarters. Lev Radin | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesThe sudden death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash plunges Tehran into fresh uncertainty at a time when it already faces deep economic decline, popular discontent, and war. The helicopter carrying President Raisi suffered a hard landing on Sunday while returning from Azerbaijan in poor weather conditions, Iranian state media reported on Monday. "That interim presidency ... [is] going to potentially pave the way for even more IRGC control over policies." "When it comes to the relationship with the U.S., and likely [with] Israel, nothing is really going to change there.

Persons: Islamic Republic of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, Antonio Guterres, Lev Radin, Lightrocket, Ebrahim Raisi, Raisi, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Yemen's, Ayatollah Khamenei, Mohammed Mokhber, Nader Itayim, Itayim, Joe Biden Organizations: Islamic, Antonio Guterres UN, Iran's, Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian, Guardian Council, Argus Media, U.S, Palestinian Locations: Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Azerbaijan, Lebanese, Iran, Mideast, Israel, U.S, Gaza

☆ Helicopter carrying Iran’s president suffers a ‘crash,’ state TV says without further details
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Mithil Aggarwal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A helicopter with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on board "crashed upon landing" on Sunday, state media reported, with weather conditions complicating rescue efforts. "President Raisi was returning from a ceremony to open a dam on Iran's border with Azerbaijan when his helicopter crashed upon landing in Varzaqan region," it said. Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, was also traveling in the helicopter, along with East Azerbaijan's governor, Malik Rahmati, and Raisi's security detail, it said. State TV IRIB said the helicopter belonged to the Iranian Red Crescent, which Iran's interior minister Ahmad Vahidi said was part of a convoy. Under Raisi, Iran now enriches uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels and hampers international inspections.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, IRNA, Raisi, Hossein Amir, Malik Rahmati, IRIB, Ahmad Vahidi, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Yemen's Organizations: United Nations General Assembly, East, East Azerbaijan province —, Iran's, Hamas, Hezbollah Locations: New York City, U.S, East Azerbaijan province, Tehran —, Azerbaijan, Varzaqan, Iran, Tehran, Iraq, Raisi, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza

☆ Helicopter Carrying Iran’s President Has Crashed, State Media Reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Farnaz Fassihi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

ETA helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi crashed on Sunday, according to Iran’s state media and the country’s mission to the United Nations, but has yet to be found by search-and-rescue workers because of heavy fog. State media has yet to report on casualties or confirm the whereabouts or condition of the president. A delegation of ministers traveled with him in a convoy of three helicopters, state media reported, adding that the two other aircraft had reached their destinations. Here are the latest developments: The government canceled a planned cabinet meeting and instead convened an emergency meeting with the country’s crisis management committee, state media reported. Iran’s law stipulates that if the president dies, power is transferred to the first vice president and that an election must be called within six months.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, IRNA, “, ” Ahmad Vahidi, Raisi, Mohammad Mokhber Organizations: United Nations Locations: Western Azerbaijan, Iran

CNN —A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed while visiting a northern region and his condition is currently unknown, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported Sunday. IRNA also reported, citing locals, the helicopter crashed in the Dizmar Forest area between the villages of Ozi and Pir Davood. Residents in northern Varzeqan, East Azerbaijan Province, said they heard noises from the area, it added. Iran’s interior minister Ahmad Vahidi said one of the helicopters was forced to make a hard landing due to foggy weather conditions. Correction: This story has been updated to correct that the reported incident took place in East Azerbaijan Province of Iran.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, IRNA, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, “, ”, ” IRNA, Pir Davood, Ahmad Vahidi, Tasnim Organizations: CNN, IRNA, Red Crescent Relief Forces, Central Headquarters Locations: East Azerbaijan Province, Azerbaijan, Varzaqan, Dizmar, Ozi, Varzeqan, Iran

☆ Helicopter carrying Iran's president 'crashed upon landing,' state media reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewA helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior Iranian officials "crashed upon landing" on Sunday, Iranian state media reported, without providing further details. The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said President Raisi was returning from a ceremony to open a dam on Iran's border with Azerbaijan when his helicopter crashed upon landing. Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of Iran's East Azerbaijan province, Malik Rahmati, and other officials were on board the helicopter, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Video footage from the crash site reveals the state of the weather conditions. AdvertisementUPDATE - First images of #Iran president's helicopter's area of crash landing, weather conditions unfavourable for flying, search and rescue efforts underway.

Persons: —, Ebrahim Raisi, Raisi, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Malik Rahmati, IRNA, UMQ1tVZzw0, Ali Khamenei Organizations: Service, Republic News Agency, Business, Iranian, Associated Press, Nagorno Karabakh Observer, Iran's Locations: Azerbaijan, Jolfa, Tehran, Iran's, Iran's East Azerbaijan, Iran, Nagorno, Iran's East Azerbaijan province, Iraq, Israel

Tbilisi, Georgia CNN —Georgia’s parliament has passed a controversial “foreign agents” bill despite widespread domestic opposition and warnings from the European Union that its enactment would imperil the country’s chances of joining the bloc. Many Georgians fear their foreign agents bill will be used the same way in their country. Georgia’s parliament now has 10 days to send the bill to President Salome Zourabichvili, who has already vowed to veto it. However, EU leaders have made it clear that the foreign agents bill’s passage would jeopardize Georgia’s chances of accession. Georgian law enforcement officers detain a demonstrator near the parliament in Tbilisi on May 14.

Persons: Georgia CNN —, Salome Zourabichvili, Zourabichvili, Giorgi Arjevanidze, Bidzina Ivanishvili, they’ve, Putin, ” Zourabichvili, Shakh, Levan Khabeishvili, “, ” Khabeishvili, ” Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin’s, Irakli, CNN’s Christian Edwards, Anna Chernova, Vasco Cotovio Organizations: Georgia CNN, European Union, EU, United, Getty, Soviet Union, Georgian, CNN, European Locations: Tbilisi, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, Soviet, United States, Caucasus, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, AFP, Russian, Moscow

☆ The US military isn't ready for the coming drone war
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +18 min

The Department of Defense is working on initiatives to face the drone threat, but the US military doesn't yet appear ready to confront this ever-evolving challenge, especially on the scale seen in Ukraine. AdvertisementA US military MQ-9 Reaper drone waits for take-off at Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan on March 9, 2018. US military leaders have repeatedly stressed there's no silver bullet to defeat small drones in battle. Shellie HallStudents there spend several weeks learning how to identify, engage, and defeat small drones. The drone threat draws certain parallels to fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, where hidden bombs posed a tremendous threat.

Persons: GENYA SAVILOV, Mick Ryan, hasn't, you've, Franz J, Marty, Samuel Bendett, Paul Scharre, that's, Mike Parent, Mark Schauer, Parent, Paul Butcher, Cpl, Doug Bush, Amber Osei, Moseph Sauda, doesn't, Sauda, America's, Bram Janssen, Scharre, Justin Bronk, Jack Watling, Ryan Organizations: Business, Troops, of Defense, Department of Defense, Getty, Australian Army, Islamic State, Kandahar Air Base, Defense Ministry, Karabakh . Defense Ministry, Azerbaijan, AP, Pentagon, US Army, Aircraft Systems, Solutions, 71st Jaeger Brigade, US Army Yuma, Technology, Army, sUAS University, US Marine Corps, Force, Central Command, Shellie, National Training Center, US Army Air Defense Artillery, Center, New, New American Security, Base, London's Royal United Services Institute Locations: Russian, Ukrainian, Ukraine, prowling, Jordan, Chasiv Yar, Donetsk, AFP, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Nagorno, Karabakh, Avdiivka, Yuma, East, Oklahoma's Fort Sill, California, Fort Sill, China, Luhansk Region, Europe, Iran, New American, Iraq, Washington, Bagram, Kabul, Australian

☆ Eurovision is back, but will Baby Lasagne or Nemo triumph? Your complete guide
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

“People are like ‘OK, Sweden is the spiritual home of Eurovision’ – I see Eurovision as this moving entity,” she tells CNN. “The whole product, ABBA, is a vibe, isn’t it?”ABBA sing "Waterloo" at Eurovision 50 years ago. But ABBA are the past; Baby Lasagne, Windows95Man and Nemo – a person, not a fish – are very much the present. This year’s slim favorite is Baby Lasagne, whose arena-pounding anthem “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” describes a brain drain affecting Croatian towns. He credits his fiancée with helping him launch his career – “She’s the lasagne, and I’m just the baby,” he tells CNN.

Persons: Paul Anka, Abba –, Loreen, –, “, Loreen –, they’ve, ” Loreen, Olle Lindeborg, Lasagne, Nemo, Sarah Bonnici, aga, you’d, Music ”, Dominic Lipinski, Marcus, Martinus, ”, – “, I’m, Switzerland’s Nemo, ” Nemo, ” Joost Klein's, Jens Büttner, Joost Klein, Teemu Keisteri, he’s, Windows95Man, it’s, Belgium’s Mustii, Bonnie Tyler’s, Sanjin, Marina Satti, Hera Bjork, ” Saba, Slimane, who’s, ” Poland’s Luna, Jeff Spicer, ” we’re, Luna “, doesn’t, we’re, ” Portugal’s, … “, Alyona Alyona, Jerry Heil, Jens Bittner, ” Joost Klein, bro, airdropped, Angelina, Greta Thunberg, Eden Golan, audibly, they’ll, oddballs gunning Organizations: CNN, Waterloo, Malmo, Eurovision, Getty, Pulitzer, aga … aaa, aaa, United, Music, MAG, San, ” “ Hurricanes, Israel, European Broadcasting Union Locations: Sweden, AFP, Malmo, Europe, Armenia, wail, Gaza, Israel

☆ Two political operatives struck plea deals in Rep. Henry Cuellar's bribery case
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Zoë Richards | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A pair of political operatives tied to Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, have agreed to plead guilty and cooperate with the Justice Department's bribery case against Cuellar, according to court documents unsealed this week. A pair of political operatives tied to Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, have agreed to plead guilty and cooperate with the Justice Department's bribery case against Cuellar, according to court documents unsealed this week. They devised a "sham consulting contract" with the bank and a plan for Rendon to funnel a majority of its proceeds to Cuellar's wife, according to court documents. Strother used the money to make $10,000 payments every month to Cuellar's wife, totaling $214,890, authorities say. In a statement last week before the charges were unsealed, Cuellar denied any wrongdoing and said he had "proactively sought legal advice" from the House Ethics Committee.

Persons: Henry Cuellar, Cuellar, Mina Colin Strother, Cuellar's, Florencio, Lencho, Imelda, Strother, Rendon, we're, Chris Flood Organizations: Department, Azerbaijan, NBC, Justice Locations: Texas, Mexican, U.S, South Texas

☆ Two former associates of Rep. Henry Cuellar agree to plea deal related to bribery case
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Hannah Rabinowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Most of the money was eventually sent to the Cuellars, prosecutors allege, but Rendon didn’t think it was a good idea to send money directly to Imelda. From March 2016 to February 2018, Strother transferred nearly $215,000 to Cuellar’s wife, according to court filings. The Cuellars are not named in Strother’s and Rendon’s plea deal agreements, but both of their case numbers are listed as related cases to Cuellar’s in court records. Specific details laid out in the plea agreements also exactly match details in the indictment against Cuellar. Cuellar’s attorney, Chris Flood, told CNN in a statement, “As long as Strother and Rendon tell the truth, we are not worried.

Persons: Henry Cuellar’s, Department’s, Mina Colin Strother, Cuellar’s, Florencio “ Lencho, Cuellar, Imelda, Rendon, Strother, Imelda Cuellar, Chris Flood, ” Organizations: CNN —, Texas, CNN, ” CNN, Rendon Locations: San Antonio, Mexico City, Azerbaijan, South Texas, United States, Strother’s

☆ Israel could win Eurovision. That would cause major headaches for the song contest’s organizers
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

But this year, “the presence of Israel has become such a big issue (that) I think it’s going to overshadow the event,” he said. And they are leading perhaps the tensest three minutes in the contest’s history, when Israel’s competitor, Eden Golan, performs live. It doesn’t make sense,” Bambie Thug, Ireland’s participant, told CNN of extensive rules restricting any form of pro-Palestinian statement during the event. Ireland's Bambie Thug told CNN they disagreed with Israel's involvement in the competition. Long-standing rules preventing flags of non-competing countries and territories mean that Palestinian flags are banned from the crowd, which Bambie Thug told CNN they “100%” disagreed with.

Persons: Eden Golan, Benjamin Netanyahu, Golan, ”, Jessica Gow, ” Paul Jordan, Weeks, Johan Nilsson, Israel, Noel Curran, KAN, Bambie Thug, Patricia J, Garcinuno, ” Curran, “, Fredrik Persson, –, ” Jordan, SuRie, Karin Karlsson, Karlsson, ” Elina Pahnke, Saturday’s, Mohammad Ghannam, ” Lara Yosef, ” Yosef, ” Bambie Thug, Alyona Alyona Organizations: CNN, Music, Malmo, Eurovision, European Broadcasting Union, EBU, Getty, TT, Agency, Reuters, Israel, RAI, United, AFP, Malmo Arena, Artists, Aftonbladet, Israel’s National Security Council Locations: Swedish, Malmo, Israel, Gaza, Israel's, AFP, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Azerbaijan, Russia, Stockholm, Sweden's, seeping, Sweden’s Palestinian, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, “

☆ Rep. Henry Cuellar's indictment has the GOP comparing him to George Santos. Here's what to know about the Texas Democrat's bribery scandal.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The growing scandal is drawing some comparisons on the right to George Santos. AdvertisementRep. Henry Cuellar is in the midst of a growing bribery scandal involving Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank. Cuellar is the third sitting lawmaker to be indicted this Congress, following former Republican Rep. George Santos of New York and Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New York. AdvertisementThe George Santos comparisonIt's only been a few days, but so far, Democrats have largely held off on calling for Cuellar to resign. Former Rep. George Santos at the State of the Union in March.

Persons: Henry Cuellar, George Santos, —, Cuellar, Democratic Sen, Bob Menendez, Santos, Cuellar's, Jessica Cisneros, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Bernie Sanders, That's, Hakeem Jeffries, Matt McClain, Getty Images Santos, don't, Donald Trump, Joe Biden Organizations: Democratic, Service, Justice, Texas Democrat, Republican Rep, George Santos of New, New, State Oil Company, Banco Azteca, Democrat, National Rifle Association, Rep, FBI, Republicans, State, Union, Washington, Getty Images, Botox Locations: Henry Cuellar of Texas, Azerbaijan, Mexican, George Santos of, George Santos of New York, New York, Texas, Azerbaijan Republic, Alexandria

☆ Eurovision braces for its most tense contest yet, as protesters and artists bristle at Israel’s presence
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The competition – which tries desperately to retain its “apolitical” tag – has become the largest cultural event so far to be rocked by the repercussions of Israel’s war in Gaza. Those protesting or boycotting the song contest claim it is “artwashing” the conflict; others defend Israel’s inclusion, insisting the contest should not be dragged into geopolitics. It doesn’t make sense,” Bambie Thug, Ireland’s participant, told CNN of extensive rules restricting any form of pro-Palestinian statement during the event. Ireland's Bambie Thug told CNN they disagreed with Israel's involvement in the competition. Long-standing rules preventing flags of non-competing countries and territories mean that Palestinian flags are banned from the crowd, which Bambie Thug told CNN they “100%” disagreed with.

Persons: ” Paul Jordan, ”, Weeks, Eden Golan, ” Jordan, “, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Bambie Thug, Patricia J, Garcinuno, Noel Curran, KAN, ” Curran, Golan, Fredrik Persson, –, SuRie, Karin Karlsson, Karlsson, ” Elina Pahnke, Johan Nilsson, Saturday’s, Mohammad Ghannam, ” Lara Yosef, ” Yosef, ” Bambie Thug, Alyona Alyona Organizations: CNN, Music, Malmo, Eurovision, European Broadcasting Union, EBU, TT, Agency, AFP, Getty, Malmo Arena, Artists, Aftonbladet, Israel’s National Security Council Locations: Swedish, Gaza, Israel, Malmo, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Stockholm, Sweden's, seeping, Sweden’s Palestinian, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, “

☆ Charges Against a Congressman Lay Bare Foreign Government Influence Attempts
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Kenneth P. Vogel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As tensions flared over disputed territory in the Caucasus region in the summer of 2020, Azerbaijan’s squadron of high-priced Washington lobbyists scrambled to pin the blame on neighboring Armenia and highlight its connections to Russia. Unbeknown to members of Congress, Azerbaijan had an inside man who was working closely with the Azerbaijani ambassador to Washington at the time on a parallel line of attack, according to text messages released by federal prosecutors. Azerbaijan’s ambassador responded enthusiastically. “Your amendment is more timely than ever,” the ambassador, Elin Suleymanov, wrote to Mr. Cuellar. “It is all about Russian presence there,” added Mr. Suleymanov, who referred to the congressman as “Boss.”

Persons: Unbeknown, Henry Cuellar, Elin Suleymanov, Cuellar, ”, Suleymanov Organizations: Azerbaijan’s, Texas Democrat, Russian Locations: Caucasus, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Washington, Texas, “

The Justice Department is expected to announce the indictment of longtime Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, on Friday, two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News. It wasn't immediately clear if the indictment was related to the 2022 raid. A year after the raid — which had not previously yielded arrests or charges — Cuellar told the Texas Tribune: "There has been no wrongdoing on my part. Despite the raid, Cuellar narrowly defeated a progressive challenger, Jessica Cisneros, in his 2022 primary and went on to win re-election to his seat that November. A member of the centrist Blue Dogs and New Democrat Coalition, Cuellar was first elected to the House in 2004.

Persons: Henry Cuellar, Cuellar's, Joshua Berman, Cuellar, — Cuellar, Jessica Cisneros, Cassy Garcia Organizations: NBC News, Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, Texas Tribune, Texans, Republican, Cuellar, Dogs, New Democrat Coalition Locations: Texas, Laredo , Texas, Azerbaijan, U.S, San Antonio

Representative Henry Cuellar, Democrat of Texas, and his wife were charged with participating in a yearslong $600,000 bribery scheme involving Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank, according to a federal indictment unsealed in Houston on Friday. Mr. Cuellar, 68, and his wife Imelda, 67, are accused of bribery and money laundering in connection with their efforts on behalf of a bank based in Mexico City and an energy company owned by Azerbaijan, according to the 54-page complaint. Mr. Cuellar is also accused of acting as an agent of a foreign entity while serving as a U.S. government official. Payments made from 2014 to 2021 were laundered through “sham consulting contracts,” front companies and shell companies owned by Mrs. Cuellar, who performed “little to no legitimate work” under the contracts, lawyers with the Justice Department’s criminal division wrote.

Persons: Henry Cuellar, Mr, Cuellar, Imelda, . Cuellar Organizations: Justice Locations: Texas, Azerbaijan, Mexican, Houston, Mexico City, U.S

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