DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Satellite photos of earthquakes in Japan in 2024 and 2011 show the destruction each left in its aftermath
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-04 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Satellite image ©2024 Maxar TechnologiesDuring the 2024 earthquake, buildings and homes were leveled in Wajima. Satellite image ©2024 Maxar TechnologiesBoats capsized off the coast of Suzu City when the 2024 earthquake hit. Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies. Satellite image ©2024 Maxar TechnologiesRoads cracked open as a result of the 2024 earthquake. ASSOCIATED PRESS (left) / Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies (right)The total death toll and overall destruction from the 2024 quake are still unclear as rescuers scramble to save people trapped under rubble.

Persons: —, it's, Suzu's, Masuhiro Izumiya Organizations: Service, Japan Meteorological Agency, Fukushima, International Tsunami Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, BBC, Guardian, Technologies, Washington Post, Japan Times, AP News Locations: Japan, Noto Peninsula, Sendai, Ishinomaki, Natori Port, Fukushima, Wajima, Suzu City, Noto, Suzu, Turkey

☆ ASML blocked from shipping some of its critical chipmaking tools to China
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-02 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

ASML sells lithography machines that are a key part of the chip manufacturing process. The NXT:2050i and NXT:2100i, which are caught up in the Dutch government's latest export curbs, are DUV lithography machines. The revocation of the shipping license comes after the U.S. government tightened export controls on advanced semiconductors and chipmaking tools to China in October, building on previous rules. ASML said it does not expect the revocation of its export license of U.S. export controls "to have a material impact on our financial outlook for 2023." The company has previously said it expects fourth-quarter net sales of between 6.7 billion euros and 7.1 billion euros ($7.34 billion and 7.78 billion).

Persons: ASML Organizations: Apple, NXT, U.S, U.S ., Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CNBC Locations: U.S, Veldhoven, Netherlands, China, Dutch

☆ China says visa-free travel policy has boosted tourism
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, Dec 5 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday its visa-free travel policy has produced a clear effect, making things easier for travellers. "Going forward, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to adjust visa policies to create more favourable conditions and further facilitate cross-border travel," spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a press briefing when asked for an update on tourism after China announced the policy, which covers several European countries and Malaysia. Travellers walk past an installation in the shape of five stars, at Beijing Daxing International Airport in Beijing, China April 24, 2023. Germany's ambassador to China had expressed hope that China would extend the measures to all European Union members. Reporting by Andrew Hayley; Writing by Liz Lee and Bernard Orr; Editing by Tom Hogue and Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Wang Wenbin, Tingshu Wang, Wang, Andrew Hayley, Liz Lee, Bernard Orr, Tom Hogue Organizations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China, Beijing Daxing International, REUTERS, European Union, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Malaysia, Beijing, China, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain

On Nov. 18, China’s Ministry of Public Security announced that authorities in northern Myanmar had handed over some 31,000 suspects. The Kokang Self-Administered Zone and the Wa Self-Administered Division both share a border with China and are heavily influenced by their bigger neighbor. The Ming family are not the only powerful Kokang families caught up in the drive. Wa police handed 194 Chinese nationals to Chinese authorities on Nov. 28, according to Wa's state media, Voice of Wa State. Others say that China is showing it won't tolerate the scams anymore, regardless of how powerful are the people behind them.

Persons: ”, Lu Jiantang, Jason Tower, Ming, Hu Xijin, ” Hu, Wei Qingtao, they’ll, ” Wei, Liu Zhengqi, Ming Xuechang, Kokang, Yin Masan, MNDAA, cyberscammers, Richard Horsey, “, Bai Suocheng, Li Kyar Wen, It’s, Wanqing Chen Organizations: China’s Ministry of Public Security, U.S . Congress, United States Institute of Peace, Communist Party, China’s Communist Party, CCTV, Global Times, of Public Security, Fully, Wa Construction Ministry, Wa Communist Party, Brotherhood Alliance, Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, National Liberation Army, International Crisis Locations: BANGKOK, China, Myanmar, “, Wa, Kokang, Yunnan, Wa State, Shan, Arakan, cyberscams, Beijing

☆ New US rules on Chinese batteries could push up price of electric cars
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —The US government has announced new regulations that aim to keep Chinese batteries out of cars sold in the United States, a move that could push up the price of electric vehicles for American drivers. China is the world’s leader in EV battery production, dominating almost “every stage of the EV battery supply chain,” according to a 2023 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Tesla is a longtime customer of China’s CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker. Doubling downThe new measures add to existing efforts by Washington to redirect auto manufacturing to the United States. “Financial incentives play an important role in the widespread adoption of electric vehicles,” researchers at George Washington University found in a 2022 study.

Persons: Biden, ” John Podesta, “, John Bozzella, ”, Tesla, China’s CATL, CATL, Jeff Kowalsky Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, EV, International Energy Agency, US Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Energy, Treasury, Officials, IEA, “, Alliance, Automotive Innovation, Ford, Getty, George Washington University, ” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Hong Kong, United States, China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, America, Michigan, Washington, North America, Dearborn , Michigan, AFP, Europe, Beijing

☆ India agrees to withdraw soldiers from Maldives - President Muizzu
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mohamed Muizzu, the newly elected president of Maldives speaks during his inauguration ceremony in Male, Maldives November 17, 2023. REUTERS/Nishan Ali/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Dec 3 (Reuters) - India's government has agreed to withdraw its soldiers from the Maldives, the Indian Ocean archipelago's President Mohamed Muizzu said on Sunday. "In the discussions we had, the Indian government has agreed to remove Indian soldiers," Muizzu told reporters. India provides certain military equipment to the Maldives, assists in disaster response and has been helping build a naval dockyard there. Most of the Indian military personnel were in the Maldives to operate and manage two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft given to the Maldives by India.

Persons: Mohamed Muizzu, Nishan Ali, Muizzu, India's, Kiren, Mohamed Junayd, Krishn Kaushik, Aditya Kalra, Bernadette Baum, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, DELHI, Indian, Dornier, Thomson Locations: Maldives, Male, India, New Delhi, China

☆ TikTok’s recent court victories show just how hard it might be to ban the app
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Brian Fung | Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The lawsuit in Indiana sought court-ordered fines and restrictions on TikTok for allegedly violating state consumer protection laws. Both cases reflected concerns expressed by government officials at all levels in the United States about TikTok’s ties to China through its parent company, ByteDance. Calls for a TikTok ban in the US first arose during the Trump administration and have waxed and waned in the years since, but most attempts to ban the app have been challenged in court. What comes nextUltimately, the state-level efforts in Indiana and Montana failed for many reasons, Goldman said, and policymakers should take note of this. The Indiana decision is less likely to have a nationwide impact, Goldman added, simply due to the typical obscurity of state court rulings and how state laws differ from one jurisdiction to another.

Persons: TikTok, ” Eric Goldman, ’, Trump, Donald Molloy, Molloy, Patrick Toomey, “, ” Molloy, ”, Jennifer DeGroote, DeGroote, Goldman, Blake Reid, Reid Organizations: CNN, TikTok, Santa Clara University, American Civil Liberties, Security, University of Colorado Locations: Indiana, Montana, United States, China

☆ ‘We owe it to them’: Families of Israelis killed in war find new hope through sperm extraction
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Lianne Kolirin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“I’ve seen dozens of people killed in accidents or shootings, but this was the hardest thing I’ve done in my life,” Daphna-Tekoah told CNN by telephone. “I asked ‘Would you like me to find out about sperm preservation?’”Medical social worker Shir Daphna-Tekoah suggested the idea of sperm extraction to bereaved families on October 7. “The demand has been very high,” she told CNN in a video call, adding that dozens of families have accessed the service since October 7. It isn’t that they want a baby instead of their son - it’s the grandchild,” she told CNN by telephone. PSR can be the easy part, Rosenblum told CNN.

Persons: Shir Daphna, “ I’ve, ”, Tekoah, “, ‘, Noga Fuchs, Dr, Shimi Barda, Noga, Barda, Shaylee Atary, Atary, Fuchs, Irit Oren Gunders, Irit Rosenblum, Lawyer Irit Rosenblum, Irit Rosenblum Rosenblum, Rosenblum, “ We’ve, ” Rosenblum, “ I’m, ” Yulia, Vlad Poznianski, Baruch, Yulia, Shira, Liat Malka, Baruch Pozniansky, Yulia Pozniansky, she’s, Malka, She’s, won’t, isn’t, Soldiers, ” Israel ‘, Gil Siegal Organizations: CNN, Kaplan, of Health, PSR, Ichilov, Israel Defense Forces, Noga Fuchs, Noga, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, New, Center for Health Law, Kiryat Ono, Israel, University of Virginia Law School Locations: Tel, Kfar Aza, Gaza, Israel

☆ A downed Russian Shahed drone was found with a Ukrainian SIM card, suggesting the technology was used to pilot the explosive drone: think tank
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A downed Russian Shahed drone was reportedly found with a Ukrainian SIM card inside. This suggests the tech was used to pilot the attack drone, war analysts said. Last month, Russia launched its largest drone attack against Kyiv in the war so far. AdvertisementOne of Russia's downed Shahed drones was reportedly found this week with a Ukrainian SIM card inside, suggesting that the technology was used to pilot the explosive attack drone, according to war analysts. Last month, Russia launched its largest drone attack against Kyiv since the Kremlin invaded the Eastern European country in February 2022.

Persons: —, ISW, Kyivstar, 53fDhIXBCP, Necro Mancer, Yuriy Ignat, Mykhailo Shamanov, Киевстар Organizations: Kyiv, Service, The, Russian, Ukrainian Air Force, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, country's Armed Forces and Air Defense, CNN Locations: Russian, Ukrainian, Russia, Washington, DC, Ukraine, Kremlin, Kyiv

☆ How Qatar swayed Israel and Hamas to make a truce work
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

It was necessary to clarify all the points in the agreement and make sure they meant the same thing to Israel and Hamas, a source briefed on the negotiations said. Qatar's foreign ministry told reporters that Hamas and Israel negotiated in Doha until "the early morning" of Nov. 23 and agreed on a plan to implement the truce deal the next day. Qatari negotiators shepherded Israel and Hamas to agree on exactly where in Gaza Israeli tanks would be stationed during the truce. Israel vets all financial transfers Qatar makes to Palestinians in Gaza, Qatari sources have said. Despite proximity to Hamas officials, Qatari negotiators did not speak directly to the group's leaders in Gaza, but through its representatives based in Doha.

Persons: Qatar’s, Abdullah Al Sulaiti, Imad Creidi, Qatar's, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Sheikh Mohammed, David Barnea, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, shepherded Israel, Al Shifa, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Joe Biden, Sheikh Tamim, Mehran Kamrava, We've, Al Sulaiti, I've, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Matt S, Dan Williams, David Gauthier, Frank Jack Daniel Organizations: Hamas, National Command Centre, REUTERS, Rights DOHA, Qatari, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U.S . Department of State, U.S, Gaza, Bild, Palestinian, Georgetown University, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Doha, Qatar, Palestinian Territories, Egypt, Gaza, Moscow, London, Hamas, U.S, Russia, Gulf, Berlin, Syria, Qatari, Cairo, Washington, Jerusalem

☆ Israel and Hamas agree to last-minute cease-fire extension of 24 hours
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A helicopter with Israeli hostages released earlier by Hamas lands at Sheba Medical Centre on the sixth day of the temporary truce after Hamas blamed ‘technical issues’ on the delay as family and friends wait nearby in the early morning hours of November 30, 2023 in Ramat Gan, Israel. Israel and Hamas agreed to extend their cease-fire by at least a further 24 hours just minutes before the fragile truce hit its deadline. Under the terms of the deal between the warring parties, three Palestinian prisoners are exchanged for every one Israeli hostage. Qatar, a key mediator of the arrangement which has also been home to Hamas' political division since 2012, noted the continuation of humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza under the terms of the cease-fire. U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed Wednesday that one of the freed hostages was a dual Israeli-American national.

Persons: Joe Biden Organizations: Sheba Medical, Israeli Defense Forces, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Ramat Gan, Israel, Gaza —, Qatar, Gaza, State, American, Egypt, U.S

[1/9] A vehicle carrying hostages released as part of a deal between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, drives by, in Ofakim, Israel, November 30, 2023. Israel, according to the reports, is demanding at least 10 hostages be released on Thursday, with women and children prioritised. Fighters should "remain on such footing unless an official statement is issued confirming the extension of the truce," the statement added. Two Palestinian officials earlier told Reuters that talks were continuing over a possible extension of the truce, but no agreement had yet been reached. Hamas released 16 more hostages on Wednesday, the final day of a two-day extension to the truce.

Persons: Alexander Ermochenko, Antony Blinken, we'll, Blinken, prioritised, Joe Biden, Beinin, Majed Al, Ansari, Jordan, U.N, Antonio Guterres, Nidal al, Mohammed Salem, Emily Rose, Grant McCool, Lincoln, Cynthia Osterman, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, U.S, Brigades, Reuters, Health, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, . Security Council, Security, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Ofakim, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Brussels, Hamas, U.S, Dutch, Qatar, China, Cairo, Jerusalem

☆ Here's why China's weak economy is good news for the US stock market
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China's economy is weak and suffering from a demographic implosion, according to market veteran Ed Yardeni. But that's good news for the US stock market as it should lead to continued disinflation and a step down in geopolitical tensions. "It would be in China's interest to attract more foreign direct investment to shore up its economy," Yardeni said. And the recent decline in China's property values and stock market is especially painful for an aging population. The combination of continued disinflation and a reduction in geopolitical tensions is ultimately good news for the US stock market, according to Yardeni.

Persons: Ed Yardeni, Yardeni, —, aren't Organizations: Service Locations: China, Taiwan

☆ Three Thai hostages released from Gaza in good health, Thai PM says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Thai citizens who were released from the Gaza Strip after being taken hostage by gunmen from Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas during the deadly October 7 attack on Israel, stand together during a visit by Ambassador of Thailand in Israel Pannabha Chandraramya to Shamir Medical Center... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreBANGKOK, Nov 27 (Reuters) - The latest three Thai hostages released from Gaza after being held by Hamas militants were in good health, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted on the social media platform X on Monday. "I'm happy," Srettha said, adding the three were healthy and not in need of urgent medical attention. So far, 17 Thai hostages have been released after being kidnapped during Hamas raids into Israel in early October and would be brought back to Thailand as soon as possible, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. "For the remaining 15 Thai hostages, the Royal Thai Government continues to exert all efforts towards their safe release at the earliest opportunity," the statement said. Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Tom Hogue and Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Israel Pannabha Chandraramya, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Chayut Setboonsarng, Tom Hogue Organizations: Hamas, Shamir, Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Thai Government, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Thailand, BANGKOK, Lincoln

☆ Biden hopes for extension of Israel-Hamas truce as more hostages released
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( James Mackenzie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Thirty-nine teenage Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel on Sunday, taking the total since the truce began to 117. The four-day truce agreed last week is the first halt in fighting in the seven weeks since Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages back into Gaza. Some 14,800 Palestinians have been killed, Gaza health authorities say, and hundreds of thousands displaced. The latest three Thai hostages released were in good health, Thailand's prime minister said. Hamas released 24 hostages on Friday, the first day of the truce.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Abigail Edan, Abigail, Carmel Edan, he's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Omar Abdullah Al Hajj, he'd, Thais, Sunday's, Israel, gaunt, children's agency's James Elder, Elder, Raphael Satter, Diane Craft, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Sunday, International Committee, Red Cross, Reuters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saturday, Palestinian, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, Ramallah, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Palestinian, Gaza's, Qatari, Gaza City

☆ Taiwan's presidential election is a three-way race. These are the parties vying to replace Tsai Ing-Wen.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Candidates from the more established Kuomintang and the smaller Taiwan People's Party could not agree on the leader for a combined ticket. Taiwan's president and vice president are directly elected, serve one term of four years and may be re-elected for one additional term. Taiwan's elections kick off a year that is littered with numerous elections globally at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions as two major wars rage on. The outcome of Taiwan's elections will likely go some way in influencing testy U.S.-China ties and impact security in Asia-Pacific more broadly. These are the three parties contesting Taiwan's Jan. 13 polls to elect a new president.

Persons: Foxconn, Joe Biden's, bookends, Xi Jinping, Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Taiwan's Jan Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, Apple, Taiwan People's Party, U.S, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, APEC, Taiwan, ., Taiwan's Locations: China, Kuomintang, Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, Beijing, Asia, Pacific, San Francisco

☆ Greek foreign minister says the Israel-Hamas 'humanitarian pause' should be extended
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailGreek foreign minister says the Israel-Hamas 'humanitarian pause' should be extendedGiorgos Gerapetritis, Greece's minister of foreign affairs, says there needs to be "positive momentum."

Persons: Giorgos Gerapetritis Organizations: Hamas Locations: Israel

☆ 'I'm not dead,' Thai hostage says after 'miracle' release in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Chayut Setboonsarng | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"He told me not to cry, to tell mother I’m coming back," Roongarun Wichagern told Reuters of her younger brother after an emotional reunion on a video call. "He said, ‘I’m not dead, I’m not dead,’" Roongarun said, calling his survival a "miracle". The freed Thai hostages will return home after 48 hours in hospital, Thailand’s foreign ministry said in a statement. He called for the release of the remaining "innocent Thai hostages as soon as possible". Photographs from the Thai foreign ministry showed them meeting doctors at a medical centre in Israel.

Persons: I’m, Roongarun Wichagern, ‘ I’m, Roongarun, Srettha Thavisin, Vetoon, Thais, Thongkoon Onkaew, Natthaporn, Chayut Setboonsarng, Napat Wesshasartar, Poppy McPherson, William Mallard Organizations: Hamas, Foreign Affairs, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Reuters, Shamir Medical, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thai, International Committee, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Tel Aviv, Foreign Affairs Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Thai, Gaza, Thailand, Egypt, Qatar, Iran, Malaysia

☆ Russia launched its largest drone attack on Kyiv with more than 70 Iranian-made drones, Ukraine's military says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign affairs said the country shot down more than 70 drones near Kyiv. The drone attack is Russia's largest since its invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. AdvertisementUkraine says it intercepted most of Russia's drones launched toward Kyiv as part of the largest drone attack on the country since Russia invaded in February 2022. pic.twitter.com/N7lxwXOidt — MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) November 25, 2023Mykhailo Shamanov, a spokesperson for the Kyiv military administration, told CNN that the drone attack on the city is the fourth from Russia in the last month. AdvertisementUkraine's energy ministry said in a statement that 77 residential buildings and 120 non-residential facilities in central Kyiv lost power as a result of the attack, Kyiv Post reported.

Persons: —, N7lxwXOidt Organizations: Foreign, Service, Ukraine's Ministry, country's Armed Forces and Air Defense, Armed Forces, Air Defense Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Thailand says 20 of its nationals still held by Hamas after 10 freed
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Thai workers taken hostage by Hamas and later released as part of a deal between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, pose with a member of Thai mission after a medical checkup, in Tel Aviv, Israel, in this handout image released on November 25, 2023. Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Thailand/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Twenty Thai nationals were still being held by Hamas after the Palestinian militant group freed 10, Thailand's foreign ministry said on Saturday. The Thai hostages freed from Gaza in Friday's exchange of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinians from Israeli jails would return home after 48 hours in hospital, the ministry said in a statement. The released Thai hostages included one woman, according to photos released by the ministry, which showed them dressed in green jackets and with doctors at a medical centre in Israel. Reporting by Poppy McPherson; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Thais, Poppy McPherson, William Mallard Organizations: Hamas, Foreign Affairs, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, International Committee, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Tel Aviv, Foreign Affairs Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Gaza, Friday's, Egypt, Qatar, Iran, Malaysia

☆ Fact Check: Ireland’s McDonald did not expel Israeli ambassador
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The X user made the same claim, though misidentified McDonald as Ireland’s president. McDonald said (archived) the attacks on Gaza amounted to war crimes and called on the Irish government to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC), as well as to “send the Israeli ambassador home”. McDonald is the president of Sinn Fein, Ireland’s main opposition party. “The Ambassador of Israel to Ireland has not been expelled,” a spokesperson for the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs told Reuters in an email on Nov. 21. Israel’s ambassador to Ireland has not been expelled as of Nov. 23, 2023.

Persons: Ireland’s, Sinn, Mary Lou McDonald, …, McDonald, Sinn Fein Ard Fheis, ”, Sinn Fein, Michael Higgins, Leo Varadkar, Verona Ní Bhroinn, “, Read Organizations: Facebook, “, Sinn, Palestinian, Hamas, International Criminal Court, ICC, Verona, Oireachtas Service, Reuters, Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, Irish Government, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Republic of Ireland, Israel, Ireland

☆ Russian opposition group report says it's identified another superyacht belonging to Vladimir Putin
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Katherine Long | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Russian military plant built Vladimir Putin a 71-meter superyacht, according to a new report. The report was written by the Dossier Center, a Russian opposition group funded by an exiled oligarch. AdvertisementVladimir Putin's newest known superyacht is 71 meters long, cost an estimated $50 million to build, and can carry up to 28 people, according to a new report from Russian opposition group the Dossier Center. Construction on the yacht began in 2005 at a Russian military facility that typically produces nuclear submarines, according to the report, citing unnamed sources close to Putin. Spokespeople for the Russian president and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, oligarch, Putin's, —, Vladimir, Putin, Mikhail Khodorkovsky –, Russia –, lina K Organizations: Dossier, Service, NATO, ust Locations: Russian, Victoria, Sochi, Istanbul, Russia

☆ Israel and Hamas reach deal to release 50 civilian women and children held in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a humanitarian pause, allowing 50 civilian hostages in the Gaza Strip to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, according to the government of Qatar. "The agreement includes the release of 50 civilian women and children hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons," the ministry said. The major diplomatic breakthrough comes after weeks of conversations between the U.S., Qatar, Israel, Egypt and Palestinian militant group Hamas. Hamas infiltrated southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people, including foreigners, and taking about 240 hostages into Gaza. Separately, Hamas said in a statement that Israel had agreed to release 150 Palestinian women and child prisoners.

Persons: Israel, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, —, Joanna Tan Organizations: Hamas, U.S Locations: Tel Aviv, Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Qatar, U.S, Egypt, Jerusalem

☆ Vietnam ramps up South China Sea island expansion, researchers say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Vietnamese naval soldier stands quard at Thuyen Chai island in the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea on January 17, 2013. China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan all claim territory in the sea, which covers important shipping routes and is thought to hold untapped oil and gas reserves. China claims sovereignty over vast swathes of the South China Sea, including the areas where Vietnam has been building up islands. China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have lodged competing claims for some or all of the Spratly Islands. In August, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam rejected a map released by China that denotes its claims to sovereignty including in the South China Sea.

Persons: Thuyen, Khanh Vu, Robert Birsel Organizations: Washington's Center, Strategic, International Studies, Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CSIS's, Transparency, Thomson Locations: Thuyen Chai, Spratly, South, China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, HANOI, South China, U.S, Spratly Islands, CSIS's Asia

☆ Philippines' Marcos, China's Xi to discuss tensions, way forward in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. President of the Philippines attends the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. Manila refers to the part of the South China Sea that it claims as the West Philippine Sea. Marcos said he also discussed South China Sea issues with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, pointing to a line on its maps that cuts into the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. The Philippines' foreign ministry on Thursday committed to continue resupply missions and an "upkeep" of a grounded navy ship in a disputed South China Sea atoll, saying it does not have to give prior notice to China.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Carlos Barria, Xi Jinping, Marcos, Xi, Kamala Harris, Neil Jerome Morales, Shri Navaratnam, Michael Perry Organizations: Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, Rights, APEC, South China, West, U.S, The, of Foreign Affairs, Thomson Locations: Philippines, Asia, San Francisco , California, U.S, Rights MANILA, San Francisco, South China, West Philippine, Manila, South, China, China's, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Taiwan, Beijing

Search resuls for: "of Foreign Affairs"

25 mentions found