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☆ John Prescott, pugnacious deputy U.K. prime minister to Tony Blair, dies at 86
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

John Prescott, the pugnacious deputy prime minister to Britain’s Tony Blair during his 10 years in government, has died aged 86 after a battle with Alzheimer’s, his family said on Thursday. “There was no one quite like him in British politics,” Blair told BBC radio. He went into politics after coming ashore and he attended Oxford’s Ruskin College, which offered courses for mature students. “I’ve never worked with anyone in politics on my side of the pond or his quite like John Prescott,” Gore said. His family said he had died “surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery”.

Persons: John Prescott, Tony Blair, Alzheimer’s, Prescott, Blair, ” Blair, I’d, John, I’ve, he’s, bruiser ”, Prescott scuffles, David Kendall, Getty Images Prescott, Gordon Brown, Al Gore, Reuters “ John Prescott, ” Brown, Prescott’s, “ I’ve, ” Gore, Pauline, Marian Montgomery ”, “ John Organizations: Labour Party, BBC, Getty Images, Oxford’s Ruskin College, Labour, Kyoto, Reuters, U.S, Guardian Locations: Wales, Prescott, London, Kyoto

☆ Mali’s PM fired after criticizing prolonged junta rule, state TV says
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

BAMAKO, Mali Reuters —Mali’s Prime Minister Choguel Maiga has been fired, state television ORTM said on Wednesday of the civilian who criticized the ruling junta’s failure to organize elections within a promised 24-month transition back to democracy. “It’s all happening in total secrecy, without the prime minister’s knowledge,” Maiga told reporters on Saturday. His comments sparked tensions with the junta, forcing it to postpone a ministerial council meeting planned for Wednesday, a source close to Maiga told Reuters. Maiga had fervently defended Mali’s junta as West African neighbors and international allies criticized its military cooperation with Russian mercenaries and repeated election delays. Before being named prime minister in 2021, Maiga served as Mali’s commerce minister under former President Amadou Toumani Toure and as digital economy minister under former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Persons: Choguel Maiga, ORTM, Maiga, ” Maiga, Assimi Goïta, Amadou Toumani Toure, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Keita Organizations: Mali Reuters — Mali’s, Reuters, Russian Locations: BAMAKO, Mali, West

☆ Baltic Sea internet cables cut: European officials cry sabotage
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —European officials are looking toward Russia after two submarine internet cables in the Baltic Sea were suddenly disrupted in an apparent sabotage operation, just weeks after the United States warned that Moscow was likely to target critical undersea infrastructure. A cable between Lithuania and Sweden was cut on Sunday, according to Telia Lithuania, the telecommunications company that runs the link. Separately, the state-controlled Finnish telecoms company Cinia said one of its cables, which connects Finland and Germany, was disrupted on Monday. ”Nobody believes that these cables were accidentally severed,” he told reporters on Tuesday morning ahead of a ministerial meeting in Brussels, Belgium. The extent of the disruption, if any, caused by the damage to the cables is unclear.

Persons: Cinia, Boris Pistorius, ”, “, “ Pistorius, Telia, Andrius Šemeškevičius, – Organizations: CNN, Germany’s, Museum of Occupation, European Union, BCS Locations: Russia, Baltic, States, Moscow, Lithuania, Sweden, Finnish, Finland, Germany, Brussels, Belgium, Ukraine, Czech, Prague, Riga, Latvia, Ukrainian, London, Warsaw, Poland, Belarus, Helsinki, Rostock, Lithuanian

PARIS (AP) — French farmers are mobilizing for widespread protests on Monday targeting the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Backed by their government, they argue the deal threatens their livelihoods by allowing a surge of South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards. A partial EU-Mercosur deal, with many of the parts that French farmers find unsavory, could be agreed over their heads since France does not hold veto power. Other nations like Germany and Spain would like to see a far-reaching deal with their South American counterparts. French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has publicly opposed the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, citing risks of deforestation and health concerns linked to hormone-treated meat.

Persons: Villacoublay, ”, Jean, Noël, Luis Planas Puchades, Annie Genevard, Emmanuel Macron Organizations: PARIS, EU, Mercosur, European Union, French, South American, Spanish Farm, North, TF1, South, Farmers, Associated Press Locations: Paris, Velizy, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, France, EU, Germany, Spain, Mercosur, European, Auch, Agen, Europe, South America, South American

☆ Highest court in Massachusetts to hear arguments in Karen Read’s bid to dismiss murder charge
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Read’s attorneys argue she is being framed and that other law enforcement officers are responsible for O’Keefe’s death. A judge declared a mistrial in June after finding jurors couldn’t reach an agreement. The defense also arguing that the judge abruptly announced the mistrial in court without first asking each juror to confirm their conclusions about each count. The court never asked for counsel’s views, or even mentioned the word mistrial.”In August, a judge ruled Read can be retried on those charges. The defense portrayed Read as the victim, saying O’Keefe was actually killed inside Albert’s home and then dragged outside.

Persons: Karen Read, Read, John O’Keefe, ”, Beverly Cannone, Brian Albert, O’Keefe Organizations: BOSTON, Judicial, Boston Marathon, Prosecutors, ” Prosecutors, Bentley College, Boston police Locations: Massachusetts, Boston

☆ The Rise of GodGPT: Religions Are Using Bots for Spiritual Formation
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-03 | by ( John Brandon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

"Dealing with social anxiety can be challenging, but there are several approaches that might help," the bot responded. "Cathy represents our innovative approach to leveraging technology in support of spiritual exploration," says Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, the founding director of TryTank and an Episcopal priest. But they've designed it to help spiritual seekers talk about subjects they feel "vulnerable or defensive" about. John Brandon is a journalist who has published over 15,000 articles on social media, technology, leadership, mentoring, and many other topics.

Persons: Cathy, It's, Lorenzo Lebrija, Lebrija, Andrew Doyle, Jesus, Chatbot Eli, Gita GPT, Father Justin, they've, Elon Musk, Joshua K, Smith, I'm Cathy, Sam Altman, Thomas Telving, Richard Zhang, I've, —, Rev, Doyle, Telving, John Brandon Organizations: TryTank Research, Episcopal, Episcopal Church, of, Gatorade, Google Locations: of Texas

☆ North Korean soldiers learning Russian commands and may be sent to Ukraine front lines, South Korean lawmakers say
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Gawon Bae | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korean soldiers may be being readied for a move to the front lines of Russia’s war against Ukraine after being taught basic Russian commands, South Korean lawmakers told news agency Yonhap on Tuesday, citing the country’s intelligence officials. Russia is teaching North Korean soldiers about 100 basic military words like “fire” and “in position,” the lawmakers told Yonhap. However, they added, it’s clear that North Korean soldiers are struggling to communicate – and it’s not clear whether they’ll be able to bridge the language gap. This could mark the first time North Korea makes a significant intervention in an international conflict. She likely traveled to discuss potentially dispatching more North Korean troops – and what Pyongyang would receive in return, the lawmakers told Yonhap.

Persons: Yonhap, ”, Lee Seong, they’ll, Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, Choe Son Hui, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin Organizations: South Korea CNN — North, Ukraine, Pentagon, White House, Korea’s National Intelligence Service, Korean, Sun, North, CNN, North Korean Foreign Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Russia, Korea, North Korea, Ukraine, Russian, Pyongyang, Washington

☆ Australia is going to more than double the size of Ukraine's Abrams tank force
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementAustralia plans to send Ukraine a large batch of M1A1 Abrams tanks, officials confirmed on Wednesday, in a move that will more than double the size of Kyiv's existing inventory. The planned transfer will significantly expand Ukraine's arsenal of Western-provided armored vehicles and help replace the Abrams lost in combat. An Australian M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank during a training exercise in August 2021. Related storiesVasyl Myroshnychenko, the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, said that the Abrams tanks will be an "essential part" of Kyiv's land defenses. Since the Abrams are American-made tanks, Australia had to get the US to sign off on the transfer.

Persons: Abrams, —, Pat Conroy, Cpl, Sarah E, Conroy, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, we've, Myroshnychenko Organizations: Abrams, US, Ukraine, Service, Australia's Defense Industry, Bradley, Australian M1A1 Abrams, US Marine Corps, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, NATO Defense, ABC, Canberra Locations: Australia, Ukraine, Canberra, Kyiv, Russia, London, Ukrainian

☆ Oil oversupply could send prices tumbling in 2025, energy analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-10 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Oil could see a decline to a "much, much" lower price, according to crude analyst Tom Kloza. Oversupply will weigh on oil prices in 2025, Kloza predicted. AdvertisementThe oil market is headed into a troubled year in 2025, and crude prices may fall "much, much" lower, according to Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at Oil Price Information Service. The oil analyst said crude prices would experience more downward pressure in 2025 despite concerns that conflict in the Middle East could escalate and send prices higher. "It was pointing lower, and I think it's still pointing lower.

Persons: Tom Kloza, Kloza, —, Goldman Sachs, Brent Organizations: Service, Oil Price Information Service, Traders, CNBC, Energy Information Administration, Giants, Jets Locations: Saudi Arabia, Iraq

☆ Netanyahu rides wave of euphoria in Israel over Hezbollah assassinations as his political fortunes turn around
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Mick Krever | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“It’s clear enemies of Israel,” she said, referring to those whom Israel says it is targeting. The next day, an explosion in a Tehran government guest house killed Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh. But that scheme drew withering criticism from national security veterans and was finally quashed when Israel escalated the war in Lebanon. Jalaa Marey/AFP/Getty ImagesBroader political supportNadav Shtrauchler, a political strategist who has worked closely with Netanyahu, told CNN that bringing Sa’ar into government was intended to have three effects. Finally, he told CNN, broader political support is important as the war with Hezbollah escalates, and the possibility of a ground invasion looms.

Persons: Israel CNN —, Minister’s Benjamin Netanyahu’s, ”, Netanyahu, pollster, Dahlia Scheindlin, “, Amir Cohen, Israel, Hezbollah’s, Fu’ad, Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, Gideon Sa’ar, Sa’ar, ” Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Gideon Sa'ar, Jalaa Marey, Nadav, Sa’ar –, –, Itamar Ben, Gvir, ” Shtrauchler, Netanyahu “, Gallant, ” Scheindlin, Benny Gantz, ” Gantz, toasting Organizations: Israel CNN, Hamas, Likud, Israel’s, CNN, Reuters, Revolutionary Guards, Getty, National, Israel Defense Forces ’ Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Beirut, Tehran, Yemen, AFP, Sa’ar

☆ Quad group expands maritime security cooperation at Biden's farewell summit
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) prepares to pose for a group photo with Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong (2nd R), Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (2nd L) and India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (L) at the start of their Quad Ministerial Meeting at the Iikura Guest House in Tokyo on July 29, 2024. The leaders announced joint coast guard operations next year that will include Australian, Japanese and Indian personnel spending time on a U.S. coast guard vessel. The leaders' joint statement included sharp language about North Korea, condemning its ballistic missile launches and "malicious cyber activity." "But I think China's recent maritime aggression could be changing the equation for India and could be prompting India to become a bit more open to the idea of Quad security cooperation," she said. Before the summit, Albanese met with Biden at his home and discussed bilateral cooperation between the two close allies across defense and security, including in the Indo-Pacific.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Penny Wong, Yoko Kamikawa, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Joe Biden, Biden, Fumio Kishida, Narendra Modi, Anthony Albanese, Xi Jinping, he's, Lisa Curtis, Kishida, Modi, Albanese, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris Organizations: Australia's Foreign, Japan's, India's, of, Indian, Australian, Pacific Partnership, Maritime Domain, House, Analysts, East China Seas, East China, U.S, China, Center, New, New American Security, congressional Locations: Tokyo, of Australia, India, Japan, United States, China, Delaware, U.S, Beijing, South China, South, East, Taiwan, Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, North Korea, Islands, Southeast Asia, Asia, New American, Australia, Philadelphia

☆ North Korea shows first photos of banned uranium enrichment site
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

North Korea is believed to have several sites for enriching uranium. The new type of centrifuge shows North Korea is advancing its fuel cycle capabilities, said Ankit Panda of the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “Kim also appears to suggest that North Korean tactical nuclear weapons designs may primarily rely on uranium for their cores,” he said. This is notable because North Korea is more able to scale up its highly enriched uranium stockpiles, Panda said, compared with the more complicated process for plutonium. North Korea has previously shown photos of what it says were nuclear warheads.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kim, ”, “, Rafael Grossi, Ankit, “ Kim, Panda, Jenny Town Organizations: Nuclear Weapons Institute, United Nations, North, Analysts, Scientific Research, International Atomic Energy Agency, Carnegie Endowment, International, Stimson Center, Federation of American Scientists, United Nations Command Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, North Korea, United States, U.S, Korea, Yongbyon, Korean, North, Seoul, ” Germany

☆ North Korea’s Kim Jong Un vows to ‘exponentially’ boost nuclear arsenal
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country is now implementing a nuclear force construction policy to increase its number of nuclear weapons “exponentially,” state media reported Tuesday. Kim also said North Korea is facing a “grave threat” from what it sees as a U.S.-led nuclear-based military bloc in the region. South Korea will also hold a defense ministerial meeting with the member states of the United Nations Command (UNC) on Tuesday. Last month, Germany became the latest to join the UNC in South Korea that helps police the heavily fortified border with North Korea and has committed to defend the South in the event of a war. North Korea has criticized the UNC as an “illegal war organization” and Germany’s entry into the U.S.-led U.N. border monitoring force as raising tensions.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kim, ”, Cho Chang, rae Organizations: KCNA, U.S . State Department, United Nations Command, UNC, U.S . Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, North, United States, North Korea, U.S, South, Seoul, Germany

☆ North Korea’s Kim Jong Un says country to increase number of nuclear weapons ‘exponentially,’ state media reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country is now implementing a nuclear force construction policy to increase the number of nuclear weapons “exponentially,” state media KCNA said on Tuesday. Kim also said North Korea is facing a “grave threat” from what it sees as a US-led nuclear-based military bloc in the region. South Korea will also hold a defence ministerial meeting with the member states of the United Nations Command (UNC) on Tuesday. The UNC is led by the commander of the US military stationed in South Korea. North Korea has criticised the UNC as an “illegal war organisation” and Germany’s entry into the US-led UN border monitoring force as raising tensions.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Kim, ”, Cho Chang, rae Organizations: US State Department, United Nations Command, UNC, UN Locations: SEOUL, United States, North Korea, South, Seoul, South Korea, Germany

☆ India's Modi expected to usher in new era of bilateral agreements in Singapore visit
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-04 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | In Charmainemariajacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the launch of BJP membership campaign on Sept. 2, 2024 in New Delhi, India. Modi will also be meeting Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong during his two-day visit. Dean Kassim | Afp | Getty ImagesEarlier this week, the Indian prime minister made his inaugural trip to Brunei where he met Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Modi is India's first prime minister that has made a bilateral visit to the oil-rich country. The Indian prime minister had also visited Italy for the G7 summit, Russia, Ukraine and Poland in the last three months since his reelection.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Lawrence Wong, Modi, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Lee Hsien Loong, Goh Chok Tong, Anit Mukherjee, Mukherjee, Dean Kassim, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Omar Ali Saifuddien, Nirmala Sitharaman, Jaishankar, Wong, Vivian Balakrishnan, Balakrishnan Organizations: Indian, Hindustan Times, Getty, Singapore, Senior, King's College London, CNBC, Imports, Brunei International, Afp, High Commission of, Institute of South Asian Studies, Finance, Foreign Locations: New Delhi, India, Singapore, Asia, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, High Commission of India, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lion City

☆ Thai court dismisses prime minister over cabinet appointment
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

BANGKOK — Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for appointing to his cabinet a former lawyer who served jail time, raising the specter of more political upheaval and a reset of the governing alliance. Real estate tycoon Srettha becomes the fourth Thai premier in 16 years to be removed by verdicts by the same court, after it ruled he violated the constitution by appointing a minister who did not meet ethical standards. Deputy premier Phumtham Wechayachai is expected to take over as caretaker prime minister. If successful, she would be Thailand’s third Shinawatra premier after Thaksin and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. Other potential candidates include Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga and Prawit Wongsuwan, an influential former army chief who was involved in the last two coups.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Srettha’s, Thaksin Shinawatra, Pichit Chuenban, Pichit, Phumtham Wechayachai, ”, Olarn Thinbangtieo, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin, Yingluck Shinawatra, Anutin Charnvirakul, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Prawit Organizations: Thai, Party, Thai Party, University’s, Political Science, Law, Interior, Energy Locations: BANGKOK

☆ Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin removed from office in shock court ruling
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been removed from office after a court ruled he had violated the constitution, in a shock decision that plunges the kingdom into further political uncertainty. But Wednesday’s ruling shocked political analysts who believed the court would side with the prime minister. Pheu Thai and the establishmentPopulist Pheu Thai is the latest incarnation of parties aligned with divisive former leader Thaksin, who was ousted by the military in a 2005 coup. His dramatic return from a 15-year self-imposed exile last year coincided with the Senate’s vote to appoint Srettha as the country’s 30th prime minister. With Srettha now out of office, political negotiations will restart, with coalition partners jostling for Cabinet positions and the top job.

Persons: Thailand CNN —, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Pichit, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Wednesday’s, jostling, Pheu, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s Organizations: Thailand CNN, Thailand CNN — Thailand’s, Party, Populist, Manchester City Football Club, Pheu Thai Locations: Bangkok, Thailand

☆ Oil claws back some losses after Israel retaliates against Hezbollah
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil futures clawed back some losses on Wednesday, recovering from 7-week lows as geopolitical tensions rose after Israel retaliated against an attack by Hezbollah, although prices remained under pressure from concerns about demand in China. Oil futures clawed back some losses on Wednesday, recovering from 7-week lows as geopolitical tensions rose after Israel retaliated against an attack by Hezbollah, although prices remained under pressure from concerns about demand in China. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 52 cents, or 0.7%, to $75.25 a barrel. "While (WTI) crude oil remains below the 200-day moving average at $78.66, downside risks remain towards trendline support in the $74.20/00 area," Sycamore said, adding that a sustained break below $74 would open up a move towards $70. Slowing fuel demand in China, the world's largest crude oil importer and the biggest contributor to global demand growth, is also weighing on oil markets.

Persons: Israel, Brent, WTI, Hezbollah's, Tony Sycamore, Sycamore Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, Saturday's, U.S, UN, Organization of, Petroleum, Reuters Locations: China, Beirut, Israel, Gaza, OPEC, Russia

☆ How certification fights are already cropping up in battleground states
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Sara Murray | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The dustup in Fulton County is just one example of the election certification fights already cropping up in battleground states, from Georgia to Michigan to Nevada this year. Certification fights also popped up in 2022 and in 2020, though certification ultimately moved ahead in each of those instances. “They don’t like me.”But by early 2024, she was being sworn in to serve on her local election board. “The other issues that are going on or have gone in Fulton County I think are irrelevant.”Representatives for Fulton County declined to comment. The State Election Board is also considering changes that could allow board members to conduct inquiries and demand documents before certification.

Persons: Julie Adams, Adams, ”, Stephanie Jackson Ali, Mike Berry, “ Miss Adams, ” Berry, ” Adams, they’re, they’ve, “, you’re, Cleta Mitchell, Mitchell, “ She’s, ” Mitchell, Steve Bannon’s, Matt Rourke, —, Berry, –, Miss Adams, stokes, Megan Bellamy, Nadine Williams, Adams pored, CNN’s Kimberly Berryman Organizations: CNN, Fulton County, Registration, New, New Georgia Project, Washoe, Trump, Policy, Republican Party, Republican, Pennsylvania, Conference, ”, South East, South East Georgia Republican Assembly Locations: Georgia, Fulton, Fulton County, Michigan, Nevada, New Georgia, Washoe County’s, Delta County , Michigan, “, Camp Hill, Pa, Fulton County’s, Savannah, South East Georgia

☆ Quad foreign ministers meet in Tokyo for talks on maritime security, cyber
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) prepares to pose for a group photo with Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong (2nd R), Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (2nd L) and India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (L) at the start of their Quad Ministerial Meeting at the Iikura Guest House in Tokyo on July 29, 2024. Foreign ministers from Australia, India, Japan and the United States — a grouping known as the "Quad" — met in Tokyo on Monday for talks expected to focus on maritime security and initiatives to build up cyber defenses. The talks attended by Australia's Penny Wong, India's Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Japan's Yoko Kamikawa and Antony Blinken from the U.S., follow security discussions between Tokyo and Washington on Sunday where the allies labelled China the "greatest strategic challenge" facing the region. We all understand we face the most confronting circumstances in our region in decades," Wong said in opening remarks at the start of the Quad talks on Monday. In her opening remarks, Kamikawa highlighted the need to build up cybersecurity capability and provide training opportunities in maritime security to protect and develop prosperity in Indo-Pacific.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Penny Wong, Yoko Kamikawa, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Australia's Penny Wong, India's Subrahmanyam, Japan's Yoko Kamikawa, Wong, Kamikawa Organizations: Australia's Foreign, Japan's, India's, United Locations: Tokyo, Australia, India, Japan, United States, U.S, Washington, China

☆ US to announce military command revamp in Japan, official says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A dealer works behind U.S., left, and Japanese national flags at a foreign exchange brokerage in Tokyo, Japan. The United States will unveil a major revamp of its military command structure in Japan and other measures to deepen defense ties with its Asian ally at high-level security talks in Tokyo on Sunday, a U.S. official said. Forces Japan as a Joint Force Headquarters, reporting to the commander of U.S. INDOPACOM," the U.S. official told a briefing ahead of the talks. The command will be headed by a three-star general, the official said, not the four-star rank that Japan had requested. Prompted by China's growing military might, Japan is stepping back from decades of postwar pacifism.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Defence Lloyd Austin, Yoko Kamikawa, Minoru Kihara, Kihara, Shin Won, Austin, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Biden, Blinken, Wang Yi Organizations: U.S, Defence, Japanese, Austin, South Korean, Forces Japan, Joint Force Headquarters, U.S ., Defense Industrial Cooperation, Sustainment Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, Washington, China, North Korea, United, Asia, U.S, Ukraine, Blinken, Austin, Philippines, Laos

☆ China's Communist Party removes ex-foreign, defence ministers from top body
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

(Photo by Thomas Peter-Pool/Getty Images)China's Communist Party removed its former foreign and defence ministers, Qin Gang and Li Shangfu, from its Central Committee on Thursday during a meeting of its largest top decision-making body, state news agency Xinhua reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping has spearheaded a wide-ranging anti-corruption campaign since becoming leader of the Communist Party in 2012. Li Shangfu was ousted as defence minister last October without explanation, before being placed under a graft investigation. Agriculture minister Tang Renjian, 61, who has been under investigation for corruption since May, remains a member of the Central Committee. Three alternate Central Committee members were appointed as full members according to the communique: Anhui provincial Communist Party personnel boss Ding Xiangqun, Sichuan provincial Communist Party personnel boss Yu Lijun and Beijing Normal University President Yu Jihong.

Persons: Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, Qin Gang, Thomas Peter, Li Shangfu, Qin Gang's, Li Yuchao, Qin, Xi Jinping, Wei Fenghe, Tang Renjian, Ding Xiangqun, Yu Lijun, Yu Jihong, Ding Xingnong, Sun Jinming Organizations: Foreign Affairs, Foreign, Communist Party, Xinhua, Central, Central Committee, PLA Rocket Force, Liberation Army, State Council, Rocket Force, PLA, Committee, Anhui provincial Communist Party, Beijing Normal University, PLA Rocket, Former Central Committee Locations: Beijing, China, Anhui, Sichuan

☆ A North Korean defector was made a minister in South Korea, likely irking Kim Jong Un, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Joshua Nelken-Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tae made a high-profile defection to South Korea in 2016, and was previously an ambassador at the North Korean Embassy in London. The appointment makes him the first North Korean defector to be given a vice-ministerial job in South Korea, according to AP. Related stories"He's definitely considered a traitor of the current North Korean regime and I think that's how they'll paint it," she said. But "North Korea doesn't consider the Council to be particularly relevant," Pardo, the KF-VUB Korea Chair, told BI. Smith added: "He has been and will continue to be actively involved in campaigns that expose the North Korean government and the problems of the North Korean population."

Persons: —, Yoon Suk, Yongho, Tae, Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Sarah A ., Kim Jong, He's, Pardo, Hazel Smith, Smith, It's Organizations: Service, Korea, Advisory Council, North Korean Embassy, Business, North, KF, VUB, Brussels School, Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, National Assembly, CNN, Korean Studies, University of Sheffield, South Korea's National Assembly, Korea doesn't, SOAS University of London, South Korean, Korean Locations: North Korean, South Korea, London, VUB Korea, Vrije, North, Korea, North Korea

☆ When a cruise liner-size asteroid zips by Earth, two spacecraft may follow it
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-16 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —When a cruise liner-size asteroid comes within 19,883 miles (32,000 kilometers) of Earth on April 13, 2029, it won’t be alone. The European Space Agency has announced that its new Ramses spacecraft may accompany the asteroid Apophis before and after its safe, albeit rather close, pass of Earth. Astronomers think that an asteroid this large comes within such proximity to Earth only once every 5,000 to 10,000 years. In September 2022, NASA’s DART mission intentionally slammed a spacecraft into Dimorphos, a moonlet asteroid that orbits a larger parent asteroid known as Didymos. “The Ramses mission concept reuses much of the technology, expertise and industrial and science communities developed for the Hera mission,” said Paolo Martino, spacecraft manager for Hera who will also work on the Ramses mission, in a statement.

Persons: won’t, Ramses, Apophis, Apophis doesn’t, ”, Patrick Michel, ” Michel, Richard Moissl, NASA’s, OSIRIS, REx, “ Apophis, Hera, Paolo Martino, “ Hera Organizations: CNN, European Space Agency, NASA’s Center, Studies, ESA, NASA, System, National Centre for Scientific Research, NSF, JPL, Caltech, ESA’s Planetary Defence Office, APEX Locations: Europe, Africa, Asia, Apophis, France

☆ Why some women stay in religious groups that don’t let them become leaders
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-15 | by ( John Blake | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

“It hurt,” says Muse, the executive pastor of Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Nikki Hardeman, of Atlanta, an advocacy director for Baptist Women in Ministry, left, Meredith Stone, executive director of Baptist Women in Ministry, center, and Christa Brown, an advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and a supporter of the Baptist Women in Ministry, protest outside the venue of a Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting on June 11, 2024, in Indianapolis. Some Southern Baptist leaders, for example, say they do not oppose women running for political office. And yet millions of women still give their time and money to church groups that won’t allow them to lead men. Meredith Stone, executive director of Baptist Women in Ministry, a group that works with the SBC and other Baptist groups.

Persons: Kristen Muse, Muse, Paul, Timothy, ”, Hayes Barton, “, –, Clint Pressley, Nikki Hardeman, Meredith Stone, Christa Brown, Doug McSchooler, Albert Mohler Jr, Kamala Harris, Shelby Tauber, ” Muse, Christ, Mary Kassian, Beth Allison Barr, Barr, Jesus, Pope Francis, lectors, Beth Moore, Terry Wyatt, Moore, Infants, ” Barr, it’s, they’re, Rick Warren, Peter Smith, that’s, she’s, Rabbi Nachman, Rosh Hashana, Sergei Supinsky, don’t, ‘, Bishop Teresa Jefferson, Jay Reeves, Deborah, Lydia, Priscilla, Dorcas, Mary Magdalene, Mary, Luke, hasn’t, John Blake Organizations: CNN, National Public Radio, Southern Baptist Convention, Hayes Barton Baptist Church, SBC, Baptist Women, Ministry, Southern Baptist, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Roman Catholic Church, of God, Reuters, complementarianism, Children, Baylor University, Research, Saddleback Church, Saddleback, Getty, Christian Methodist Episcopal, Moody Temple CME Church, Jefferson Locations: manila, Raleigh , North Carolina, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Indiana, Dallas , Texas, Nashville , Tennessee, Texas, Saddleback, Southern California, New Orleans, Uman, Ukraine, AFP, Raleigh, Moody, Fairfield , Alabama, Israel

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