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☆ US urges Ukraine to draft 18-year-olds to solve manpower shortages on the battlefield
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-28 | by ( Hannah Abraham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementUS wants Ukraine to lower the conscription age to 18 amid a manpower shortage. The White House said aid to Ukraine will not be tied to the conscription age. The current minimum conscription age is 25, but an anonymous US administration official told reporters on Wednesday that reducing it would help Ukraine keep up with Russia's military. The White House clarified that US aid to Ukraine will not be dependent on whether the conscription age is lowered. In the months he has left, Biden has been scrambling to push measures to aid the war effort in Ukraine.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Dmytro Lytvyn, Zelenskyy, Pokrovsk, Michael Kofman, John Kirby, we're, Kirby, Biden, Antony Blinken Organizations: US, Russia, Financial Times, CNN, Manpower, Ukraine, Security, AFP Locations: Ukraine

☆ Gold plunges 3% as Trump Treasury pick and potential Israel-Hezbollah truce fuel risk-on mood
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-26 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Gold prices lost about 3% after President-elect Donald Trump picked Scott Bessent as his Treasury secretary, with reports of Israel and Hezbollah nearing a ceasefire deal also eroding the safe-haven metal's appeal. A potential Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement and Bessent's appointment were the key contributors to the bullion selloff amid a risk-on sentiment, Shiels added. Higher interest rates tend to erode the appeal of non-interest bearing gold compared to Treasuries — a competing safe-haven asset. Gold prices fell to a two-month low right after Trump's victory before rebounding to the $2,700 levels. Similar to when the Middle East conflict first broke out, gold prices tend to react very sharply initially before correcting over time as economic factors come back into focus, Eckford added, maintaining that gold prices were still set to advance toward $3,000 in 2025.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Donald Trump, Scott Bessent, Nicky Shiels, Danny Danon, Israel, John Kirby, it's, Bessent, Daniel Ghali, Shiels, Ghali, Donald Trump's, Trump, Robert Eckford, Rua Gold, Eckford Organizations: Federal, New York Mercantile, MKS, House, Key, Shanghai Gold Exchange, Federal Reserve, CNBC Locations: Israel, Key U.S, Canada, Mexico, Russian, Ukraine

A cease-fire deal to end the conflict between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia was close but not complete Monday, three senior Biden administration officials told NBC News. Over the weekend, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 20 people in the Lebanese capital of Beirut while Hezbollah fired more than 200 rockets at Israel, leaving neighborhoods in flames, according to the Israeli military. Amir Levy / Getty ImagesThe latest clashes follow months of intensifying fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, with Hezbollah firing rockets and other projectiles into Israel after the surprise Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that ignited the war in Gaza. The attacks have spanned as far as parts of Syria, where a recent Israeli airstrike killed a senior Hezbollah commander. Talks of a possible cease-fire come about a month after Israel attacked Iran on its soil, stoking fears that Iran would retaliate and dramatically escalate tensions in the region.

Persons: John Kirby, it’s, Amir Levy, Danny Danon, Miriam al, Ed Ram Organizations: Hezbollah, Biden, NBC News, House, Palestinian, Hamas, United Nations, Washington, Getty Locations: Israel, Beirut, Rinatya, Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, Beirut's Basta, Syria

☆ Zelenskyy says Ukraine will be forced to fight against North Korea as he calls on allies to increase pressure on Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-27 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine will be forced to fight against North Korean troops. Ukraine previously warned that North Korean troops could be on the battlefield from Sunday. AdvertisementUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine will be forced to fight against North Korean troops should they enter the conflict. In an evening address posted on Telegram, Zelenskyy said North Korean forces could appear on the battlefield "any day now." The US and NATO both later confirmed that they had evidence of North Korean troops in Russia.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskky, —, Zelenskyy, Putin, Vladimir Putin's, John Kirby, Kirby, Mark Rutte Organizations: North, Service, South Korea's National Intelligence Service, NATO, Ukraine, South Locations: Ukraine, Korean, North Korea, Europe, Russia, South Korean

☆ NASA chief calls for investigation into report that Musk and Putin have spoken regularly
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-25 | by ( Shania Shelton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on Friday called for an investigation into a Wall Street Journal report that SpaceX founder and Donald Trump ally Elon Musk and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been in “regular contact” since late 2022. Musk also held his own town halls last week in Pennsylvania, where he urged voters to support Trump and promoted several debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. The two have publicly discussed a potential government role for Musk. In recent days, Musk also offered splashy, $1 million daily sweepstakes for swing-state voters that has drawn scrutiny from the US Justice Department. Despite a warning from the Justice Department that the payments might be illegal, Musk’s super PAC awarded two $1 million prizes to registered voters in Michigan and Wisconsin on Thursday.

Persons: Bill Nelson, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Vladimir Putin, ” Nelson, Semafor’s Burgess Everett, “, Putin, Musk, Xi Jinping, ” Musk, John Kirby, ”, Dmitry Peskov, Tesla, Trump, CNN’s Jackie Wattles Organizations: CNN, NASA, Journal, SpaceX, Department of Defense, White, Putin, National Security, Pentagon, Defense Department, Trump, US Justice Department, Justice Department, Musk’s Locations: Russian, Russia, Taiwan, Butler , Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin

The total number is expected to reach 12,000, he said, with 3,000 deployed already. “They’re fair game” National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Wednesday, saying that the U.S. believes at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers have already arrived in eastern Russia by sea. The soldiers moved earlier this month and are receiving training at multiple Russian military bases, Kirby said. “They're fair targets and the Ukrainian military will defend themselves against North Korean soldiers the same way they’re defending themselves against Russian soldiers,” he said. “There could be dead and wounded North Korean soldiers fighting against Ukraine.”

Persons: Kim Yong, John Kirby, Kirby, “, ” Organizations: NBC News, United, South Korean Defense, National Security, North Korean, Ukraine Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Russia, United States, South, Seoul, Kyiv, Ukraine, Pyongyang, Ukrainian

☆ North Korean troops spotted in Russian border region with Ukraine, says Kyiv
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Niamh Kennedy | Darya Tarasova-Markina | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A group of North Korean soldiers have been spotted in Russia’s Kursk region, an area of ongoing military operations, Ukraine’s military intelligence service announced Thursday. On Wednesday, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers arrived in eastern Russia this month. “We have never doubted that the North Korean leadership takes our agreements seriously,” Putin told the press conference in Kazan, Russia. Putin’s Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov has been tasked with overseeing the troop’s training, the Ukrainian intelligence service said. CNN had previously reported when North Korean recruits were filmed receiving equipment and uniforms at a training ground in Russia’s Far East.

Persons: John Kirby, Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, ” Putin, Yunus, Bek Yevkurov Organizations: CNN, Defense Intelligence, US National Security, North, North Korean Locations: Russia’s Kursk, Russia’s, Russia, Ukraine, Kursk, China, North Korea, Russian, Kazan, Ukrainian, Russia’s Far

“We assess that between early- to mid-October, North Korea moved at least 3,000 soldiers into eastern Russia,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. “We assess that these soldiers traveled by ship from the Wonsan area in North Korea to Vladivostok, Russia. “We are seeing evidence that that there are North Korean troops that have gone to Russia,” Austin told reporters traveling with him in Rome on Wednesday. A senior administration official said earlier Wednesday that the training of North Korean soldiers and possible preparation to send them to find to Ukraine is a sign of serious desperation on Russia’s part. Meanwhile, South Korea’s spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said Friday that North Korea has shipped 1,500 soldiers, including special forces fighters, to Russia for training.

Persons: “, John Kirby, …, Defense Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Austin, Kirby, Putin, ” Kirby, Volodymyr Zelensky, Kevin Liptak, MJ Lee Organizations: CNN, Ukraine, ” National Security, Defense, US, Korean, Kremlin, UN, United, NATO, National Intelligence Service Locations: Russia, North Korea, Wonsan, Vladivostok, Ukrainian, Korea, Ukraine, Rome, Europe, Pacific, Moscow, Pyongyang, United States, Kyiv, Washington, Koreans, South

The United States, Ukraine and South Korea say that North Korean troops were dispatched to Russia for training with the aim of being deployed to Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russia's President Vladimir Putin after signing a comprehensive strategic partnership in Pyongyang, North Korea on June 19, 2024. “We are developing scenarios to understand the potential impacts North Korea and Russia’s actions could have on us,” the government official said. The arrangement could also help North Korea gain real-world intelligence on the functioning of its weaponry. Soldiers march in a parade for the 70th anniversary of North Korea's founding day in Pyongyang, North Korea, on September 9, 2018.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, ” Zelensky, Inna Varenytsia, Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov, ”, François Walschaerts, Foreign Affairs Kim Hong, Kim Tae, Defense Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, John Kirby, “, Carl Schuster, Ng Han Guan, Kim, Chun, ” Chun Organizations: South Korea CNN, Ukraine, NATO, Korean, CNN, National Intelligence Service, North, Maxar Technologies, Maxar, UN, Foreign Ministry, Getty, Korean First, Foreign Affairs, National Security Office, South, Moscow, Defense, National Security, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Korea, Ukraine, Europe, United States, Russia, North Korea, Moscow, Pyongyang, Kyiv, Washington, Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region, Koreans, South, Russia’s Far, China, Sergeevka, Russian, Brussels, AFP, South Korean, ” South Korea

☆ Initial investigation into US intelligence leak on Israeli attack planning focusing on who had access to documents
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Katie Bo Lillis | Evan Perez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The FBI is leading the investigation, working with Pentagon investigators and the intelligence community, according to US officials briefed on the matter. In recent days, investigators have worked to authenticate the documents and determine who could have had access to them, the officials said. Both documents were widely accessible products, according to two sources familiar with US intelligence. That could provide investigators with a critical jumping-off point: The Defense Department, like other federal agencies, tracks when employees print classified documents. Highlighting the sensitive nature of the leak, American officials were extremely tight-lipped about the investigation on Monday.

Persons: National Geospatial Intelligence Agency —, John Kirby, Kirby, ”, it’s, Jack Teixeira, Teixeira, CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, Zachary Cohen Organizations: CNN, House, Defense Department, National Security Agency, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, FBI, Pentagon, The Defense Department, National Security, Department of Defense, East Spectator, US, National Geospatial - Intelligence Agency, Middle East Spectator, U.S . Department of Defense, National Locations: Iran, American, Israel, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Korea, Ukraine

Yet days after Sinwar was killed by Israeli troops in southern Gaza, the fundamentals of the deadlocked talks remain unchanged. “Their internal dynamics will take some time,” a regional diplomatic official told CNN. The regional diplomatic source called it a “safe bet” that Sinwar’s brother Mohammed could take the lead for the hostages inside Gaza. To lead the overall organization, top Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, who is based in Doha, is getting backing from pro-Iran, pro-Gaza corners, the regional official said. Blinken is expected to meet with top Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, on Tuesday, amid tempered expectations he will return to Washington having made any significant progress on the hostage talks.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Yahya Sinwar, Joe Biden, Sinwar, isn’t budging, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, ” Biden, Israel, ”, John Kirby, Mohammed, Mohammed Sinwar’s, it’s, Yahya Sinwar’s, “, ” Mohammed Sinwar, Mohammad Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, Khalil al, Ismail Haniyeh, Blinken, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Blinken’s, Vladimir Putin Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Israeli, Diplomats, Sinwar, National Security, UN Security Council, US, Saudi Crown Locations: Israel, United, Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Doha, Cairo, Tehran, Qatar, Egypt, Washington, Tel Aviv, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Palestinian, Russia, United States

☆ Iran aided Russia against Ukraine. Now it needs to call in the favor
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Russia is unlikely to offer military intervention against Israel on behalf of the Iranians, Saab said, given it is already "too bogged down in Ukraine." In return for Iran's support, Russia has bolstered Iran's military capabilities in several areas, they noted: "Iran has made notable progress in acquiring advanced conventional weaponry from Russia, allowing it to achieve some of its defense officials' long-standing goals. Iranian protesters shout anti-Israeli slogans while burning an Israeli flag in a celebration for Iran's missile attack against Israel, in Tehran, Iran, on October 1, 2024. That shared antipathy toward the U.S. and desire to create a "new world order" are what largely binds Iran and Russia. Russia cannot — and will not — save Iran in its confrontation with Israel and the United States," he noted.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Masoud Pezeshkian, Israel, Bilal Y, They've, Saab, It's, Karim Sadjadpour, Nicole Grajewski, Su, John Kirby, Morteza, Mikhail Svetlov, Bashar al, Nikita Smagin, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Organizations: Getty, CNBC, Saab, North Africa, Israel, Kremlin, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Security, Ukraine, Nurphoto, United, Base, Russian International Affairs Council, Saudi Arabian Crown, Royal, Anadolu Locations: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Iran, Ukraine, Tehran, Russia, Islamic Republic, East, United States, Russian, U.S, Ukrainian, Gaza, Lebanon, Israel, Iranian, Yemen, Syria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Syria's, Moscow, Saudi, Al Yamamah, Riyadh

The Israeli military said Thursday it is "checking the possibility" that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, accused of being the architect of the Oct. 7 terror attack, was among three militants killed in Gaza during its operations in the enclave. If Sinwar is indeed dead, his killing would be a major coup for Israel and its war in the Gaza Strip. A senior Israeli official told NBC News that troops identified Sinwar as probably being among three militants killed during a "heavy gun battle" in Gaza on Wednesday. Ali Jadallah / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images fileU.S. officials have been in close contact with Israeli officials throughout the morning on all of this, one of the U.S. officials said. They did not expand on how they were killed, but said they were investigating whether one of the three was Sinwar.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Ali Jadallah, Shin Bet, “, Yoav Gallant, John Kirby, Frank Lowenstein, Barack Obama, Haniyeh, Masoud Pezeshkian, Israel Katz, Mohammed Al, Deif, Marwan Issa, Avichay Adraee, Basem Naim, Hamas ’, ” Sinwar, Gilad Shalit, Thomas Hand, Emily Hand Organizations: Hamas, Israeli, NBC News, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Israel Defense Forces, Israel Security Agency, IDF, National Security, NBC, Israeli Foreign, ISIS, Wall Street, European Council, Foreign Relations, Israel Locations: Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, U.S, Tehran, Iran

☆ Israeli military says it is investigating the possible killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Israeli military on Thursday said it was investigating the "possibility" that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was among three militants killed in an operation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Defense Forces added that the identity of the three casualties could not be confirmed at this time. "The forces that are operating in the area are continuing to operate with the required caution," it added in a social media post. In a social media update posted after the IDF communication, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, "You will pursue your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword. Sinwar assumed overall command of the Iran-backed Hamas in August, following the assassination of former political chief Ismail Haniyeh.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Yoav Gallant, John Kirby, Washington, Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Houthis, Hassan Nasrallah Organizations: Israeli Defense Forces, CNBC, Israeli, National Security, NBC News, Hezbollah Locations: Gaza, Iran, Israel, Tehran, Lebanese, Beirut, U.S, Asia, Pacific

Israeli officials were Wednesday scrutinizing an unusually stern letter from the U.S. government threatening to review military assistance to the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if it continued to block essential aid from entering the Gaza Strip. People involved in aid distribution in Gaza told NBC News that several trucks had entered Gaza City in the north of the enclave, but that aid had not been distributed elsewhere. Since Sept. 30, he said, “only 12 trucks of food have actually made it to the population” through the Erez border crossing in northern Gaza. While the U.N. only counts its own trucks, Israel includes commercial vehicles in its tallies. The State Department says U.S. pressure placed on Israel in April did work and humanitarian assistance increased.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, haven’t, Andrew Miller, State Anthony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Axios, COGAT, Scott Anderson, John Kirby, Blinken “, ”, it’s, we’ve, ” Charles Hollis, “, It’s, Biden, Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Ron Dermer Organizations: U.S, State, Defense, State Department, NBC News, Israeli Defense Ministry, United Nations Relief, Works Agency, House, Gaza, The State Department, Israeli, Strategic Affairs, Reuters Locations: Gaza, United States, U.S, Israel, Gaza City, New York, British, Austin, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Nabatieh

☆ US officials expect Israel’s counterattack on Iran will come before US Election Day
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Mj Lee | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The timeline and parameters of Israel’s retaliation against Iran have been subject to intense debate inside Israel’s government and are not directly related to the timing of the US election, the sources said. President Joe Biden, and by extension Vice President Kamala Harris, have faced pressure from progressives for their handling of the situation. In a telephone conversation last week, Biden and Netanyahu held a “direct” conversation about the plans for responding to Iran, according to the White House. American officials were extraordinarily tight-tipped about the two leaders’ conversation. Some American officials have privately speculated the Israeli leader is looking to boost Trump in the weeks ahead of November’s election.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu —, —, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Israel, Harris, Netanyahu, Biden, John Kirby, “, ” Kirby, Austin, wasn’t, ” Organizations: Washington CNN —, CNN, Michigan, Biden, White, US, Trump Locations: Israel, Iran, Gaza, United States

☆ The CIA, a Navy Seal and a $15m bounty. This alleged plot on Venezuela’s Maduro reads like a Hollywood script, for a reason
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-12 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

So, is there anything to Venezuela’s claims? Hollywood script and a convenient bogeymanThe details of the alleged plot read like the script of a Hollywood thriller. Given the nature of the allegations, Venezuela’s claims are almost impossible to independently verify. In October last year, before the release of “Fat Leonard” and Co, Maduro had promised the US that Venezuela’s election would be free and fair. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro celebrates with supporters following the election results in Caracas on July 29, 2024.

Persons: –, Nicolas Maduro, Leonard ”, Maduro, Venezuela’s, United States “, Diosdado Cabello, Cabello, John Kirby, – Wilbert Castañeda –, Kirby, Castañeda, Stringer, Donald Trump, Juan Manuel Santos, Matthew Heath, Heath, Hugo Chavez, d’etat, Cabello’s, “, ”, Yuri Cortez, Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin, Brittney Griner, Evan Gershkovich, Biden, Kamala Harris, Alex Saab Organizations: CNN, CIA, US State Department, United, State Department, US Justice Department, US Navy, Navy, Security, Anadolu, Getty, of Justice, Venezuelan, Wall Street, Chevron Locations: United, Venezuela, Caracas, Spanish, United States, Czech, Venezuelan, Colombian, Washington, Falcon, AFP, –

☆ Biden administration fears Iranian attack and is working with Israel on defenses, US official says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Biden administration is worried that an attack from Iran is being planned in the wake of Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and is working with Israel on defenses, a US official said Sunday night. Joint defenses are being prepared to ward off an attack with changes in US military posture, the official added. The Biden administration spearheaded a multi-national defense of Israel in mid-April when Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in response to the Israeli bombing of senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers in Syria. The US official told CNN the US-led statement issued Wednesday had been greenlit by Israel after working on it together for several days. On a hastily-arranged call that night, senior Biden administration officials told reporters with confidence: “the ceasefire will be for 21 days” across the Lebanon-Israel border.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Hassan Nasrallah, Patrick Ryder, Nasrallah, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, Israel “, “, ”, Ron Dermer, Jake Sullivan, John Kirby Organizations: CNN, Iranian Revolutionary Guard, US, Pentagon, ” Defense, USS, Lincoln Carrier Strike, Biden, Israeli, Lebanese, US National Security Locations: Iran, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, United States, Beirut, France

☆ America's rivals are piling on the pressure all at once
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. These incidents over the past few weeks highlight how US rivals and foes are increasingly challenging the American-led global order as threats multiply worldwide. Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea have deepened their security ties as they simultaneously present Washington and its allies with new dilemmas that strain the US military. North Korea has remained firmly committed to maintaining its nuclear status and strengthening its arsenal despite intense international pressure. Much to the frustration of the US and its Western allies, North Korea has provided artillery and missiles.

Persons: —, Michael O'Hanlon, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, SERGEI GUNEYEV, Putin, John Kirby, Pierre Crom, Israel, Kim Jong Un, David Lammy, AP Robert Gates, George W, Bush, Barack Obama Organizations: Service, Business, Brookings Institution, Getty, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, Ukraine, White, National Security Council, North, renegades, North Korea —, Washington, Korean Central News Agency, Korea News Service, AP, Washington Post Locations: Russia, Iran, China, North Korea, Washington, Hawaii, Japan, Philippines, South China, Pacific, United States, America, Moscow, Russian, Kyiv, Tehran, Gulf of Aden, Gaza, Israel, Red, Korea, Ukraine, NATO, Europe

Those officials were clear: The question was not if Israel and Hezbollah would accept the ceasefire proposal, but precisely when. But only hours later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would throw cold water on the multi-national proposal. “I can’t speak for Prime Minister Netanyahu, I can’t answer the question why he said what he said,” he told reporters. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with top Israeli officials in New York Thursday afternoon. Dermer and Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog demurred when asked by CNN ahead of that meeting if they are going to accept the ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hezbollah.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, Ron Dermer, Jake Sullivan, Emmanuel Macron, ”, Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre, John Kirby, wasn’t, ” Kirby, Antony Blinken, Michael Herzog demurred, Dermer Organizations: CNN — Senior, Israeli, IDF, White, CNN Locations: United States, Israel, Lebanon, New York City, Washington, Netanyahu’s, Dermer, New York

President Joe Biden will address the United Nations General Assembly for the final time as commander in chief Tuesday morning amid the spiraling conflict in the Middle East, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and growing global concerns about China’s influence. They are also Biden’s first remarks before the General Assembly since Hamas’ attack on Israel in October and the conflict that has ensued in Gaza, killing thousands of civilians. He’ll speak to the leaders of other nations as hope for a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas has dimmed. As Israel continues its battle with Hamas, its conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah has also escalated in recent days. Other key speakers expected at the General Assembly include Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy; Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas; and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Israel, John Kirby, Biden, ” Kirby, Kirby, António Guterres, Masoud, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mahmoud Abbas, Benjamin Netanyahu, Sabrina Singh, ’, Antony Blinken, “, ” Biden, Trump Organizations: United Nations General Assembly, White, Hamas, National Security, U.N, United Nations, General Assembly, Palestinian, Defense Department, Foreign Ministry, Congressional Republicans Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, New York, Sudan, United States, U.S, Mexico, Ukrainian, Wilmington , Delaware, Australia, India, Japan, China, Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — While President Joe Biden’s primary residence is still the White House for another few months, he plans to host world leaders at another home this weekend: his house in Wilmington, Del. NBC News is the first to report that he will host those meetings at his Delaware home. Biden first discussed hosting the summit in his hometown after Kishida brought leaders of the G7 alliance to his hometown of Hiroshima in 2023. “The prime minister is rightly very proud of Hiroshima and his experiences there. Biden has also had each prime minister to the White House for an official state visit, an honor reserved for the closest allies.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Biden, Anthony Albanese, Narendra Modi, Fumio Kishida, ” John Kirby, Kishida, ” Kirby, —, Kamala Harris Organizations: White House, NBC, Archmere Academy, Anthony Albanese , Indian, Japanese, White, National Security Communications, United Nations General Assembly, Economic Cooperation, U.S Locations: WASHINGTON, Wilmington, Del, Australia, India, Japan, Delaware, Anthony Albanese ,, Hiroshima, South China, New York, U.S, Africa, Angola, Asia, Peru, Brazil

CNN —Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington, DC, next week, according to three sources familiar with the planning. Asked Wednesday whether Harris will meet with Zelensky next week, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby suggested she might if the opportunity presented itself. “I know she has met with President Zelensky face-to-face on a couple of occasions, and I know she’s spoken to him on the phone. Earlier Wednesday, former President Donald Trump said he’ll “probably” meet with Zelensky when he travels to the US next week. Trump spoke on the phone with Zelensky in July, but a meeting between the two leaders would mark their first in-person interaction since Trump left the White House.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Volodymyr Zelensky, Harris, Zelensky, John Kirby, “, ” Kirby, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, he’ll “, Trump Organizations: CNN, National Security, United, United Arab Emirates, White, Zelensky Locations: Washington ,, Russia, Ukraine, United Arab, Sudan

☆ Biden’s national security team has no imminent plans to present an updated ceasefire proposal
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington CNN —Joe Biden’s national security advisers have no imminent plans to present the president with an updated proposal in the Israel-Hamas war ceasefire negotiations, two senior administration officials told CNN – the latest indication that talks to end the conflict have seriously stalled. Some US officials had indicated in recent weeks that a so-called bridging proposal was being finalized for Biden’s approval before being shared with the other mediators involved in the ceasefire talks, such as Qatar and Egypt. The recent execution of six hostages in Gaza – including one Israeli American – infuriated administration officials who have been intimately involved in the talks. Meanwhile, there has also been growing skepticism in Washington about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political willingness to end the war. Facilitating an end to the Israel-Hamas war before he leaves office is one of the most important foreign policy priorities for Biden.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Yahya Sinwar, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Israel, John Kirby, “, ”, ” Kirby, Antony Blinken Organizations: Washington CNN, CNN, Hamas, Israeli, Biden, National Security, American Locations: Israel, Qatar, Egypt, Gaza, American, Washington

☆ Blinken heads to Egypt but not Israel with prospects for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal bleak
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Kylie Atwood | Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

This is the first time since the October 7 attacks that Blinken has visited the Middle East without visiting Israel. The top US diplomat typically uses the visits to Israel to press the Israeli government on the critical issues surrounding the war, including the hostage and ceasefire deal. However, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has frequently rebuffed the administration in the hours and days following those meetings. The last time Blinken visited Israel, he said that Netanyahu had agreed to the “bridging proposal” meant to close to close the remaining gaps with Hamas. Blinken said earlier this month that “it’s incumbent on both parties” – Israel and Hamas – “to get to yes” on the “remaining issues” related to a ceasefire and hostage deal.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Badr Abdelatty, Netanyahu, Yahya Sinwar, United Nations Linda Thomas, Greenfield, ” Thomas, ”, Bill Burns, – Netanyahu, ” –, – “, Sinwar, Hassan Nasrallah, Biden, we’ll, John Kirby Organizations: CNN, Israel, State Department, Egyptian Foreign, United Nations, Hamas, Biden, Egyptian, Qatari, Security Locations: Egypt, Israel, Gaza, U.S, Qatar, Washington, ” – Israel, Lebanese

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