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☆ Live updates: Ukraine military accuses Russia of launching ICBM, Kyiv fires Storm Shadow missiles and ATACMS into Russian territory
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Christian Edwards | Catherine Nicholls | Cnn S Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Russia’s possible use of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a message to the West that it is has greater capabilities than previously displayed after a week of significant military operations and policy changes in both Ukraine and Russia. The West has for some time been concerned at a reciprocal Russian escalation in the war. This week, both US and British-French-made missiles have been fired into Russia by Ukraine, after US President Joe Biden gave Kyiv permission to use longer-range American missiles. In turn, President Vladimir Putin updated Russia’s nuclear doctrine — in a nuanced way, but still refined their policy to lower the threshold for use. Such an event would have elicited a very different reaction in Kyiv and the West.

Persons: Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Dnipro

☆ Analysis: US embassy’s temporary closure in Kyiv reflects a starkly escalating war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Kyiv, Ukraine CNN —It is a very specific and high-profile warning, so you would expect the information behind it to have been quite precise. The US Embassy in Kyiv has not closed since it relocated during the opening months of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But on Wednesday, it announced a one-day closure, citing “specific information of a potential significant air attack.” Kyiv endures air attacks on an almost nightly basis – but the US step suggested a fear of being potentially targeted. Ukrainian defense officials even derided a fake warning circulated widely on Telegram claiming a massive Russian air attack, as being crude Russian-produced misinformation. Residents in Kyiv struggled to reconcile the specific nature of the US warnings, with the quotidian daily threat they face.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Mykhailo Podolyak, ”, Anya, “, Tanya Dzafarowa, Donald Trump, Putin Organizations: Ukraine CNN, 1001st, CNN, Residents, US, Kremlin, NATO Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Spanish, Moscow, Russia, Krivyh, AFP, —

☆ US embassies are holding off on election watch-night parties, fearing they could get awkward
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-05 | by ( Joshua Nelken-Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Some US embassies in Europe are skipping traditional election-night viewing parties. Similarly, Politico spoke to then-Ambassador Anthony Gardner, who hosted a 2016 viewing party at the US Embassy in Brussels. A senior diplomat in Europe, who was not named, told Politico that the 2016 embassy events had been "calamitous." There's another, more practical reason some embassies may be forgoing a traditional viewing party. AdvertisementSimply put, the outcome may not be clear on election night — it could drag on for days or possibly weeks.

Persons: —, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Samantha Power, Madeleine Albright, Gloria Steinem, Hillary Clinton, Anthony Gardner, Trump, There's Organizations: Service, Politico, United Nations, UN, HBO, Trump, White Locations: Europe, London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Rome

☆ Jack Smith court filing against Trump and Israel strikes central Beirut: Morning Rundown
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Elizabeth Robinson | Elizabeth Robinson Is A Newsletter Editor For Nbc News | Based In Los Angeles. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

A new court filing from special counsel Jack Smith argues Donald Trump acted as a private citizen when he sought to overturn the 2020 election. It includes new details about Trump’s actions after the 2020 election and leading up to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, including testimony detailing Trump’s conversations with former Vice President Mike Pence. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung blasted the “falsehood-ridden” filing and declared the case a “partisan, Unconstitutional Witch Hunt.”Read the full story here. Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman and daughter of a former Republican vice president, will campaign with Vice President Kamala Harris today in the Wisconsin city considered the birthplace of the Republican Party. 2025 ambitions: Republicans in Congress are already looking ahead at what they could accomplish if Donald Trump wins the 2024 election.

Persons: Jack Smith, Donald Trump, Hurricane Helene, Here’s, Trump ‘, “, ”, Mike Pence, Pence, Trump, Steven Cheung, Witch Hunt, Helene Swannanoa Deon Hampton, Deon Hampton, Beverly Eller, Stewart Cody, Helene, Elon Musk’s, Joe Biden, Sen, JD Vance, Liz Cheney, Kamala Harris, Tom Cotton of, Charisse, Lane, — Michelle Garcia, Elizabeth Robinson Organizations: NBC News, U.S . Capitol, Getty, country’s Ministry of Health, Beirut . One U.S, NBC, Staff, Mission, Republican, Republican Party, Affordable, Trump, GOP, College Republicans, Florida, M University Locations: Beirut, United States, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, AFP, Bachoura, Beirut . One, Lebanese, North Carolina, Hurricane, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Swannanoa , North Carolina, Asheville, Michigan, Wisconsin, Tom Cotton of Arkansas

☆ Is Iran’s 'axis of resistance' collapsing under Israeli attacks?
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Dan De Luce | Dan De Luce Is A Reporter For The Nbc News Investigative Unit. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

But Iran’s strategy underestimated how Israel would respond to the Hamas terrorist attack of Oct. 7 and subsequent cross-border rocket fire from Hezbollah. “Israeli intelligence has restored their aura of deterrence," Hoffman said. However, Yahyah Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, is believed to be alive and hiding in tunnels that Israeli forces have not yet seized. The successful Israeli operations have also forced Iran and Hezbollah to face a vexing question: how and when to retaliate without suffering yet more setbacks? As long as Israeli attacks continue, Hezbollah’s decision-making will be in disarray, but the militia remains a significant force.

Persons: Israel, Hassan Nasrallah, “, ”, Bruce Hoffman, Hoffman, Mohammed Hamoud, Yahyah Sinwar, Matthew Savill, Savill, ” Glenn Corn, Ezzedine, Majdi, Nasrallah, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Karim Sadjadpour, ” Sadjadpour, Marc Polymeropoulos, Rabih Daher, Benjamin Netanyahu, Corn, “ Who’s, Norman Roule, ” Roule Organizations: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, “, Royal United Services Institute, Defense Ministry, CIA, Institute, Infrastructure Technology, Hamas, Getty, West, Carnegie Endowment, International, Israel, Lebanese Armed Forces, United, Nuclear Locations: Iran, U.S, Tehran, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Israel, Sana'a, Iranian, Hodeida, Lebanon, London, Gaza City, ”, Lebanese, Mahmudiyah, AFP, Beirut, Nuclear Iran

☆ Hezbollah steps up its response to Israeli attacks but its gloves are not fully off
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Despite pledging a “battle without limits” against Israel, Hezbollah’s response to back-to-back Israeli attacks appears to have been carefully calibrated. Hezbollah joined the fight against Israel out of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza after Hamas’ October 7 attacks against Israel. Israel accused Hezbollah of firing the rocket, which came from the direction of Lebanon, but Hezbollah has “firmly” denied it was behind the strike. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began to pivot from fighting Hamas in Gaza to Hezbollah in Lebanon, backed by bellicose allies on his extreme right. This week, another airstrike killed Ibrahim Qubaisi, another senior official who commanded Hezbollah’s missile units.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, –, – don’t, Hussein Malla, Israel, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, bellicose, Ibrahim Aqil, Ibrahim Qubaisi, Fathi Al, Masri, Abdallah Bou Habib Organizations: CNN, Israel, Hezbollah –, Radwan Force, Hezbollah’s, Getty, Lebanon’s Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Lebanon, Beirut, Kfar Rouman, Gaza, Hezbollah, Tripoli, AFP

☆ American detained in Turkey suspected of murdering Russian woman, state media reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Mariya Knight | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A United States citizen has been detained in Turkey on suspicion of murdering a Russian woman in the Moscow region, Russian state media reported Friday. The US State Department was “seeking additional information,” a spokesperson said, after Russian state media TASS reported the suspect was American, citing law enforcement sources. The body of a 30-year-old woman was found with multiple stab wounds on the staircase of an apartment building on Thursday in Odintsovo, a city of the outskirts of the capital, according to the Russian Investigative Committee for the Moscow region. The Russian Investigative Committee has not named the suspect but said discussions were ongoing into the “possibility” of bringing the person to Russia for further “investigative actions.”CNN cannot independently verify the reports. “The US Department of State and our embassies and consulates abroad have no greater priority than the safety and security of US citizens overseas,” the State Department spokesperson said.

Persons: ” Organizations: CNN, United, US State Department, TASS, Russian, ” CNN, US Department of State, State Department Locations: United States, Turkey, Russian, Moscow, Odintsovo, Russia

☆ A second Iranian attack on Israel would likely dwarf its first
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Read previewIran has repeatedly vowed it will attack Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas' political leader in Tehran on July 31. Iran directly attacked Israel for the first time in April, two weeks after Israel assassinated Iranian paramilitary commanders at an Iranian consulate annex in Damascus, Syria. AdvertisementHow Israel would retaliate for any Iranian attack would likely depend on certain factors. "If the coming Iranian attack causes Israeli casualties, they are likely to want to respond harshly," Azizi said. Devine believes Israel's response will depend on the "amount of damage and casualties" any Iranian attack ultimately causes.

Persons: —, Israel, Israel's, Fuad Shukr, Ismail Haniyeh, Antony Blinken, Arash Azizi, Azizi, what's, James Devine, Mount Allison University, Devine, MENAHEM KAHANA, Marwan Naamani, Ain, Washington Institute's Nadimi Organizations: Service, Business, Sunday, Clemson University, Iran's, National Security Council, Department of Politics, Relations, Mount Allison, Getty, Washington Institute for Near East, Tel, Hezbollah, Ain al Asad, IDF, Washington Locations: Iran, Tehran, Lebanon, Beirut, Israel, Iranian, Damascus, Syria, Britain, France, Jordan, Iraq's, Karbala, US, AFP, Yemen, Iraq, Tel Aviv, Lebanese, Ain al

Tensions were running high on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border on Monday in anticipation of an escalation in hostilities, after Israel’s security cabinet authorized its leaders to decide on the nature and timing of an Israeli military response to a deadly rocket attack from Lebanon last weekend. The Israeli military said overnight that its aerial defense systems successfully intercepted an unmanned aircraft that crossed from Lebanon into northwestern Israel. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on those attacks. Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the rocket attack Saturday that struck a soccer field in Majdal Shams. But the Israeli military said the type of rocket used in the attack is Iranian-made and carries more than 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of explosives.

Persons: Majdal Shams, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Antony J, Blinken, Isaac Herzog, “, Matthew Miller, Adrienne Watson, Gallant, ”, Mohamed Awada, Hwaida Saad, Edward Wong, Gabby Sobelman, Myra Noveck Organizations: Hezbollah, Israel’s, United, State Department, U.S . National Security Council, Lufthansa Group, East Airlines, Lebanon’s Locations: Lebanon, Majdal, Golan, Israel, Iran, United States, Gaza, Tokyo, Majdal Shams, Iranian, Beirut’s, Beirut, Jerusalem

However, Russia and Belarus are exceptions due to the invasion of Ukraine,” a Hiroshima city government spokesperson told CNN. Envoys from Russia and Belarus haven’t attended since Hiroshima excluded them in 2022 following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February that year. Russia used Belarus as one of the launch pads for its assault and later moved some of its tactical nuclear weapons there. “As a city of international peace, Hiroshima city needs to invite all nations, regardless of whether they are at war or not,” said Kunihiko Sakuma, president of Hiroshima Hidankyo, an atomic bomb survivors’ advocacy group. Hiroshima authorities said they only send invitations to countries with embassies in Japan and have never invited Palestinian representatives to the ceremony.

Persons: haven’t, Israel, ”, Hiroshima’s, Belarus haven’t, Tetsuji Kumada, Khan Younis, Mohammed Salem, Fumio Kishida, Volodymyr Zelensky, Naoya Azuma, Kunihiko Sakuma, Yoko Kamikawa, Junko Ogura Organizations: Tokyo CNN —, CNN, “, ”, European Union, Hiroshima’s, Russia, Hamas, Reuters, AP Japan, Kyodo, ” Kyodo, Mission of Locations: Tokyo CNN — Hiroshima, Gaza, Hiroshima, Israel, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, ”, “ Russia, Nagasaki, Palestine, Japan, Israeli, Al, Khan, Reuters Japanese, Hiroshima Peace, Kyiv, Tokyo, Mission of Palestine

☆ Julian Assange ends stalemate with US, exchanging guilty plea to felony charge for his freedom
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Lauren Said-Moorhouse | Thomas Manglona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images Assange addresses the Oxford Union Society from the Ecuadorian Embassy in January 2013. David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images Assange attends a news conference inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in August 2014. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images Assange, on the balcony of the Ecuadorian Embassy, holds up a United Nations report in February 2016. Carl Court/Getty Images Assange speaks to the media in May 2017, after Swedish prosecutors had dropped their investigation of rape allegations against Assange. Jack Taylor/Getty Images Assange was seen for the first time in months during a hearing via teleconference in Quito, Ecuador, in October 2018.

Persons: Julian Assange, “, ” Assange, Assange, Kim Hong, Ramona Manglona, Chelsea Manning, Jack Taylor, LEON NEAL, BERTIL ERICSON, FABRICE COFFRINI, Carl Court, Geoff Caddick, Oli Scarff, CARL COURT, Leon Neal, Philip Toscano, Ricardo Patino, Frank Augstein, David Paul Morris, John Stillwell, Mike, Pompeo, Maria Sol Borja, Alastair Grant, Daniel Leal, Elizabeth Cook, Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden, ASSANGE, Adrienne Watson, Stella, ”, Gabriel Shipton, he’s, hasn’t, Julian, –, ” Shipton Organizations: Northern Mariana Islands CNN, Northern, Northern Mariana Islands . Justice Department, WikiLeaks, United States, Reuters, Army, Metropolitan Police, US Justice Department, British, Justice Department, Guardian, Getty, Swedish Trade Union Confederation, St, Paul's, Court, Ecuadorian Embassy, Oxford Union Society, Ecuadorian Foreign, Southwest Festival, Bloomberg, United Nations Human Rights, United, United Nations, CIA, CNN, Ecuadorian, Ecuador, Southwark Crown, White, Sweden, National Security, Department of Justice, BBC Radio Locations: Saipan, Northern Mariana, London, United Kingdom, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Australia, United States, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sweden, Ecuadorian, Ecuador, Westminster, AFP, Stockholm, Geneva, Switzerland, Austin , Texas, United Nations, Quito, Southwark, Baghdad, Guantanamo Bay

☆ I was born and raised in Honolulu. Here are 7 things I wish tourists knew before they visited Hawaii.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Jennifer Adams | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Here are seven things I wish people knew before they visited Hawaii so they can be educated, more responsible tourists. In fact, according to census data obtained in September 2023, more Native Hawaiians live on the mainland than in the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii used to be its own kingdom until the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrownBefore becoming the 50th state, Hawaii was a thriving sovereign nation. In Hawaii, 'aloha' has a much deeper meaning than 'hello'You may know that "aloha" is used as a greeting to mean "hello" or "goodbye." So, if you do plan on visiting Hawaii, it's important to also have aloha for the land and its people.

Persons: —, Jennifer Adams, Queen Liliuoukalani, Linka A Odom Organizations: Service, Business, Tourism, CBS Locations: Honolulu, Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, Hawaiian

☆ Africa’s richest man says he needs 35 visas to travel in Africa – way more than a European visitor
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The 67-year-old entrepreneur’s visa woes have reignited a fresh firestorm about the frustrations of traveling within Africa for Africans. But many African countries still require visas from other Africans and the experience is fraught with discrimination, hostility and sky-high fees. He has also been detained at airports in Kenya and South Africa because of his Nigerian passport. “There’s a fear in richer African countries that people from poorer nations might be looking for a way to permanently move there,” he explains. His new St Kitts passport allows him to go to more African countries than his Nigerian passport.

Persons: Aliko Dangote, ” Dangote, ”, Patrick, Pouyanné, Tayo Aina, Aina, YouTuber, hasn’t, Marco Longari, Alan Hirsch, “, Sotunde, William Ruto, Tayo Organizations: Rwanda CNN, Forum, CNN, African, African Continental Free Trade, Getty, University of Cape, New, Institute, Travelers, East African Community, Kenyan, REUTERS, Reuters Kenyan, St Kitts Locations: Kigali, Rwanda, Nigerian, Africa, “, Benin, The Gambia, Seychelles, Addis Ababa, London, Kenya, South Africa, Caribbean, St Kitts, Nevis, AFP, University of Cape Town, Johannesburg, Southern, West Africa, Abuja, Nigeria, East

☆ US embassy in London refuses to pay $18.6 million in congestion charge fees
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Louis Mian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The US embassy in London is refusing to pay more than $18.6 million in charges from unpaid congestion fees, according to Transport for London (TfL), which oversees the city’s vast transport network. The congestion charge was introduced in 2003 in order to stem traffic and pollution in central London. However, TfL is insisting that in agreement with the UK government, London’s congestion charge constitutes a service and not tax. As of December 31, 2023, a total of 161 embassies, high commissions and consulates owed more than $182 million combined in unpaid congestion charge fees, according to TfL data. According to TfL’s figures, the Japanese embassy owes the second highest amount from unpaid congestion charge fees, at around $12.8 million.

Persons: ”, Dominic Raab Organizations: CNN, Transport, London, Drivers, TfL, International Court of Justice, Diplomatic Relations, U.S . Government, CNN “, of, Embassy, Foreign Office Locations: London, Vienna, of Japan

London CNN —WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will find out Monday whether he can make a final challenge against his extradition to the United States. LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images Assange attends a seminar at the Swedish Trade Union Confederation in Stockholm on August 14, 2010. LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images Assange and his bodyguards are seen after a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland, in November 2010. Carl Court/Getty Images Assange speaks to the media in May 2017, after Swedish prosecutors had dropped their investigation of rape allegations against Assange. Jack Taylor/Getty Images Assange was seen for the first time in months during a hearing via teleconference in Quito, Ecuador, in October 2018.

Persons: Julian Assange, Assange, Victoria Sharp, Jeremy Johnson —, Stella Assange, ” “ Julian, ”, Kristinn Hrafnsson, Jack Taylor, LEON NEAL, BERTIL ERICSON, FABRICE COFFRINI, Carl Court, Geoff Caddick, Oli Scarff, CARL COURT, Leon Neal, Philip Toscano, Ricardo Patino, Frank Augstein, David Paul Morris, John Stillwell, Mike, Pompeo, Maria Sol Borja, Chelsea Manning, Alastair Grant, Daniel Leal, Elizabeth Cook, Anthony Albanese, “, Albanese’s, Joe Biden, Trump, Biden, Sunna, it’s, Alan Rusbridger Organizations: London CNN, Foreign Press Association, Court, European, of Human Rights, WikiLeaks, Guardian, Getty, Swedish Trade Union Confederation, St, Paul's, British, Ecuadorian Embassy, Oxford Union Society, Ecuadorian Foreign, Southwest Festival, Bloomberg, United Nations Human Rights, United, United Nations, CIA, CNN, Army, Ecuadorian, Ecuador, Southwark Crown, Australian, Parliamentary, of Europe, Prospect Magazine Locations: United States, London, Westminster, Afghanistan, AFP, Stockholm, Iraq, Geneva, Switzerland, Sweden, Ecuador, Austin , Texas, Ecuadorian, United Nations, United Kingdom, Quito, Southwark, London’s, Australia

☆ The Baltimore Bridge cargo ship’s crew has been stuck on board for 7 weeks. What life is like on the Dali vessel
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Holly Yan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Mark Nestlehutt boarded the Dali cargo ship a week after it crashed into a Baltimore bridge, anxious questions emerged among the 21 crew members:“When will I get off the ship? When will I be able to get home?”More than a month later, crew members still don’t know the answers. But the FBI has only returned some of the crew members’ SIM cards, he said. They’re also assisting with the salvors.”The Singaporean-flagged Dali cargo vessel is shown on March 26, hours after it destroyed Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge. Their one-month visas expired during the nearly two months they’ve been trapped on the Dali, Duan said.

Persons: Mark Nestlehutt, They’ve, Dali, Francis Scott Key, ”, Gwee Guo Duan, they’ve, Philip C, Schifflin Jr, ” Schifflin, Nestlehutt, “, Duan, Dave Heindel, Bro Chen Chuanyi, ” Don Marcus, Darrell Wilson, They’re, Baltimore's Francis Scott Key, Julia Nikhinson, ” Wilson, Wilson, Duan –, can’t, “ They’re, ” Duan, nonessential, Schifflin, Gloria Pazmino Organizations: CNN, Francis Scott Key Bridge, FBI, Singapore Maritime Officers ’ Union, Center, Mariner, Federal Register, Seamen’s Church Institute, Singapore Organisation of Seamen, International Union, ”, ITF, International Organization of Masters, Synergy Marine, –, Marine, Synergy, National Transportation Safety, Walmart Locations: Baltimore, Lankan, United States, Dali

☆ Why predicted gains for right-wing populists could make Europe vulnerable to attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Right-wing populists are set to make unprecedented gains in the elections to the European Parliament taking place next month. Polling data suggests that far-right Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) could have enough seats to, together, block the passage of European Union legislation, creating a massive headache for the union as a whole. “For some countries, that is a six-month process, in others it can take two years,” a senior European Parliament source told CNN. Britain's Nigel Farage used his seat in the European Parliament to promote Brexit. It only becomes an issue if they are working with foreign powers to advance their agenda,” an EU security source told CNN.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Yiannis Kourtoglou, Reuters “, ”, James Shires, you’ll, don’t, Britain's Nigel Farage, SEBASTIEN BOZON, it’s, — Organizations: CNN, Parliament, European, Reuters, “, Brexit, Getty, British, EU, Brussels Locations: Brussels, China, Russia, Strasbourg, AFP, Britain, Ukraine, EU, Europe

☆ Saudi Arabia needs peace in the Middle East for its $500 billion Neom megaproject to succeed
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia brokered a deal to re-establish diplomatic relations. Related storiesThe US and Saudi Arabia are in the final steps of a new agreement on security guarantees and civilian nuclear assistance, Reuters reported last week. Many of Neom's projects aimed at capturing the luxury tourism market are located along the Red Sea coast. Set to open next year, Neom's luxury island resort of Sindalah is advertised as an "exclusive gateway to the stunning Red Sea." Saudi officials are already fighting to combat claims that Neom is facing delays and setbacks.

Persons: —, it's, Israel, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Ulrichsen, Robert Mogielnicki, Mogielnicki, Neom Organizations: Saudi, Service, Neom, New York Times, Reuters, Rice, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Gulf States Institute, Bloomberg, Business Locations: Saudi, Dubai, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, Palestinian, Israeli, Red, Jeddah

☆ Same-sex couples face up to 15 years in prison in Iraq’s LGBTQ crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Nechirvan Mando | Eyad Kourdi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Iraq has passed a new law that penalizes same-sex relations with up to 15 years in prison, a move condemned by rights advocates as the latest attack on the country’s LGBTQ community. Samar called on the US and other countries to put diplomatic pressure on the Iraqi government to revoke the law. He warned that international business coalitions have already signaled that such discriminatory practices could negatively impact Iraq’s economic growth. “Respect for human rights and political and economic inclusion is essential for Iraq’s security, stability, and prosperity. This legislation is inconsistent with these values and undermines the government’s political and economic reform efforts,” Miller said on Saturday.

Persons: ” –, Raad al, Mohsen Al, ” Al, Mandalawi, ‘, I’ve, ” Samar, Samar, Mohammed Shia, Joe Biden, “, ” Matthew Miller, ” Miller, Sarah Sanbar, ” “, ” Organizations: CNN, Iraq, Maliki, Iraqi, US Department of State Locations: Iraq, Iraq Samar, Samar, Al

☆ Ukraine Is Denying Consular Services to Men Outside the Country
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Maria Varenikova | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Ukrainian officials have taken several steps in recent weeks to swell the ranks of an army depleted by more than two years of grueling combat. The government passed a new mobilization bill aimed at increasing troop numbers and has stepped up border patrols to catch draft dodgers. Now, officials are targeting men who have already left the country. This week the government announced that Ukrainian embassies had suspended issuing new passports and providing other consular services for military-age men living abroad. By suspending consular services, the government said, it was responding to demands for fairness in society.

Organizations: dodgers

☆ Ecuadorians head to polls for referendum as Noboa seeks backing for war on crime
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Abel Alvarado | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The referendum will ask 11 questions, five that will modify the Constitution if approved and six that are advisory. More than 13 million of Ecuador’s population of nearly 18 million are eligible to vote – and in Ecuador, voting is obligatory. “We require urgent reforms that allow us to protect our security,” Noboa told a military event in March. In response to the escape, the government deployed more than 3,000 police officers and members of the armed forces to find Fito. The referendum has met opposition among some groups who claim the matters can be dealt with in the National Assembly.

Persons: Daniel Noboa, ”, he’s, ” Noboa, John Moore, Guillermo Lasso, Fernando Villavicencio, Adolfo Macias, Noboa, “, CNN’s Christiana Amanpour, Jorge Glas, Glas, Karen Toro Organizations: CNN, National Police, Armed Forces, Ecuadorian National Police, United Nations, Reuters, National Assembly Locations: Quito, Ecuadorian, Ecuador, Ecuadorians, Guayaquil, ”, Peru, Colombia, United States, Europe, Mexico, Mexican

☆ Time’s 100 Most Influential People: Five icons you should know from the 2024 list
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Leah Asmelash | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

TIME released its list of the 100 Most Influential People for 2024 on Wednesday. The annual list, which asks cultural and political icons to highlight the changemakers of the past year, features dozens of athletes, entertainers, artists and politicians. Beninese music legend Angélique Kidjo wrote about Nigerian artist Burna Boy, who in turn wrote about rapper 21 Savage. Shawn Fain, UAW PresidentPresident Joe Biden wrote about Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers, for TIME. Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty ImagesAt just 25 years of age, Motaz Azaiza is the youngest person on this year’s TIME list.

Persons: Alex Rodriguez, Patrick Mahomes, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Raquel Willis, Elliot Page, Angélique Kidjo, Burna Boy, Taraji P, Henson, Coleman Domingo, Shawn Fain, Joe Biden, Tom Williams, ” Fain, Biden, “, —, Fain, ” Biden, Motaz Azaiza, Yasmeen Serhan, Mohammed Abed, Azaiza, Instagram, ” Serhan, CNN —, ” Azaiza, ” Jenni Hermoso, Jenni Hermoso, Mana Shim, Fran Santiago, Luis Rubiales, Hermoso’s, Rubiales, Hermoso, “ Hermoso, ” Shim, Sakshi Malik, Nisha Pahuja, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Manish Rajput, Malik, Singh, ” Malik, Bhushan Sharan Singh’s, ”, Yulia Navalnaya, Russia’s, Alexei Navalny, Kamala Harris, Monika Skolimowska, Alexey Navalny, Putin, “ Putin, Navalnaya, “ Navalnaya, ” Harris Organizations: CNN, TIME, United Auto Workers, UAW, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Getty, “, UEFA Women's Nations League, UEFA, Spanish Women’s National Team, FIFA, Wrestling Federation of India, India Today, Delhi Locations: Dua Lipa, Gaza, AFP, Palestinian, Spanish, American, Indian, Rio ., Europe, Berlin, Paris, Hague, ”, Russian, Russia

☆ Opinion: 5 critical takeaways from Iran’s attack on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Miraculously, by a feat of military technology bolstered by coordination with friends and allies, Israel was able to repel the massive attack. The Quds Force commanders have been working with Iran-allied Hezbollah, which has been shelling Israel since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched an attack from Gaza. What if Iran’s missiles and drones had carried nuclear material? In addition, the US was able to work out of its bases in Qatar and northern Iraq to counter Iran’s attack. The Iranian attack has revealed that Israel does have friends, including some in very important places: across the Middle East.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Israel, Frida Ghitis Tanya Malott, Jerusalem —, Jesus, Israel unlivable, Israel —, Benjamin Netanyahu, —, General Antonio Guterres “, ”, Jordan, ” Saudi Arabia — Iran’s, Benny Gantz, ” Biden, “, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben Gvir, John Bolton Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Israel, Quds Force, Hamas, Ukraine, Street Journal, United Arab, Finance, National Security Locations: Israel, Jerusalem, al, Aqsa, Iran, Arab Israeli, Damascus, Gaza, Beirut, Buenos Aires, Jordan, Iraq, North Korea, Israeli, Palestinian, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Russia, Argentina, Japan, United States, France, ” Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Republic

☆ Arab states unexpectedly helped Israel fight off Iran's attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Jordan shot down an Iranian missile, and other Arab states may've provided intel. In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran restored ties with the help of China, agreeing to reopen embassies in their respective capitals. AdvertisementHowever, according to reports, Saudi Arabia and other Arab states are willing to continue discussions with Israel once fighting in Gaza has abated. There is a risk for Arab states though in being seen to come to Israel's aid, Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics, told Business Insider. AdvertisementAs the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, Arab states face a tough choice between their security priorities and addressing public anger over Gaza.

Persons: Israel, Jordan, may've, —, Samih, Marj Al, Yasmine Farouk, Farouk, Abraham, Trump, Israel's, Giorgio Cafiero Organizations: intel, Service, Deutsche Welle, St, Anadolu, Getty, Israel, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, New York Times, Abraham Accords, Analytics Locations: Iranian, Israel, Iran, Damascus, Jordan, Gaza, Jordanian, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Gulf, Marj, Amman , Jordan, China, Bahrain, Amman

☆ For U.S. Cuban claims holders, spy Manuel Rocha's plea deal raises fresh questions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Michelle Caruso-Cabrera | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Raul Rubiera | Miami Herald | Getty ImagesWhen Carolyn Lamb saw news of Cuban spy Victor Manuel Rocha's arrest on the news last December, she recognized him immediately. The lower the value of the claims, the less the Cuban government would have to pay in any future negotiated settlement. Ashby assumed Rocha's paranoia about eavesdropping was in response to the George W. Bush administration's opposition to the Cuba claims buying business. But according to the Justice Department, by that point Rocha was already in his third decade as a Cuban agent. File photo of former US ambassador to Bolivia, Manuel Rocha, talking to the press on the 11th of July 2001.

Persons: V, Manuel Rocha, Steel Hector, Davis, Raul Rubiera, Carolyn Lamb, Victor Manuel Rocha's, Rocha, Lamb, Lamb's, Castro, Justin Solomon, CNBC Castro didn't nationalize, of Rocha, Fidel Castro's, It's, Jason Poblete, Poblete, John Kavulich, Sears Roebuck, Timothy Ashby, Ashby couldn't, Ashby, George W, Bush, Little, Covert, Gonzalo Espinoza Organizations: Miami Herald, Steel, Cuban, US State Department, National Security, Cuban Telephone Company, " Beverage Company, CNBC, Pepsi, General Electric, Century Fox, Cuba Trade, Economic Council, Justice Department, Citizen, State Department, National Security Council, DOJ, Cubans, FBI, AFP, Getty Locations: America, Omaha, Bolivia, Cuba, Havana, United States, Cuban, Rocha, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Argentina, Miami, Chile

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