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☆ LGBTQ Afghans say they face abuse in detention as Taliban crackdown intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Billy Stockwell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“He grabbed me from behind, tore my clothes apart and raped me,” Sohrab – whose name has been changed for security reasons – told CNN in October. Transgender and gender non-conforming people are being “consistently” targeted at Taliban checkpoints due to their choice of clothing, human rights groups said. “I will never forget when the Taliban came to our house,” Samiar Nazari, a 22-year-old transgender man, told CNN. Other human rights groups have documented instances of extrajudicial detention, conducted out of the public eye. With little sign that the Taliban will improve their record on human rights, many in the country feel abandoned by the international community.

Persons: Sohrab, “, ” Sohrab –, –, ” Sohrab, Wakil Kohsar, Roshaniya, ”, Neela Ghoshal, Artemis Akbary, Ghoshal, ” Samiar, ” Nazari, Akbary, Abdul, ” Abdul, David Osborn, Osborn, It’s, Sano –, Sano, ” Sano, He’s, Rosemary DiCarlo, DiCarlo, Yuki Iwamura, UNAMA Organizations: CNN, “, Taliban, Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Afghan LGBT Organization, Getty, ” CNN, US Department of State, Facebook, Afghan, UK’s, Information Resilience, Afghan Witness, ”, UN, Political, Peacebuilding, United Nations Locations: Afghanistan, Czech Republic, Pul, Kabul, AFP, –, ‘ Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Herat, Afghanistan’s, Jalalabad, Qatar

☆ China is racing towards a future powered by wind and solar
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Ella Nilsen | Hien An Ngo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

China is installing wind and solar power projects faster than any other country on the planet. It’s not that China is using less energy — it’s using more than ever — but it’s just adding wind and solar power to its grid at an astonishing pace. The country is constructing two-thirds — nearly 339 gigawatts — of the world’s utility-scale solar and wind projects. That is in addition to the 758 gigawatts of wind and solar capacity it has already built, according to the Global Energy Monitor. Wind and solar are now capable of generating 37% of the country’s power, according to Global Energy Monitor, already displacing coal’s dominance.

Persons: Donald Trump, It’s, “, ”, Jonathan Pershing, William, Flora Hewlett, John Podesta, ” Podesta, Xi Jinping, hasn’t, Xia Yingxian, ” Li Shuo, Shuo, ” Shuo Organizations: CNN, Department, Global Energy Monitor, International Energy Agency, White, US, State Department, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Climate, Asia Society Policy Institute Locations: Mongolia, China, Europe, Africa, Podesta, Paris, China’s

☆ Israeli minister draws criticism for saying Trump's win is an opportunity to annex parts of West Bank
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Freddie Clayton | Freddie Clayton Is A Freelance Journalist Based In London. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A call from Israel’s ultranationalist finance minister to use Donald Trump’s election win as an opportunity to annex parts of the occupied West Bank has drawn international condemnation and fueled fears about the U.S. ally’s plans. Bezalel Smotrich said Monday that “the time has come” to extend Israeli sovereignty over settlements in the area — land recognized by the international community as belonging to Palestinians in their quest for a future state. The Israeli minister welcomed the president-elect’s victory and said that he would seek Trump's support for the move. Discussions on plans to annex parts of the West Bank were held between Israel and Washington during Trump’s first term, and Smotrich said that he would push his government to engage with the incoming administration to gain support. Smotrich added that he would seek international recognition for sovereignty over the West Bank, but his announcement quickly drew global condemnation.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Bezalel Smotrich, “, God’s, Trump, ”, Trump’s, Smotrich, Biden, Steffen Seibert Organizations: West Bank, State Department, Israel Locations: Israel, Judea, Samaria, Washington, United States

From Friday, citizens of nine more countries can enter China without needing a visa to visit. South Korea is a major tourism source market for China. In 2019, some 4.3 million South Koreans visited China, according to The Korea Times. Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported less than 1.3 million visited in 2023. Share prices of prominent Chinese and Korean travel companies rose following Beijing's announcement of the expanded visa-free program on Friday.

Persons: Trip.com Organizations: Europe —, Liechtenstein —, The Korea Times, Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jin Locations: China, Europe, Europe — Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, South Korea

☆ China urges U.S. cooperation as Trump trade threat looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-07 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A flag stall at the Yiwu Wholesale Market in Zhejiang province, China, on May 10, 2019. BEIJING — China emphasized the need for greater cooperation with the U.S., a day after it became clear President-elect Donald Trump would become the next leader of the White House. She was responding to a question about China's views and planned countermeasures, given the potential for increased U.S. tariffs and restrictions on high-end tech. "Together [we can] push China-U.S. economic and trade relations toward a stable, healthy and sustainable direction, for the benefit of both countries and the world," the commerce spokesperson said. Her comments echoed those of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who earlier in the day noted the benefits of bilateral cooperation in a congratulatory message to Trump, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs readout.

Persons: Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Trump Organizations: U.S, White, China's Ministry of Commerce, CNBC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Yiwu, Zhejiang province, China, BEIJING, U.S

☆ China is building new villages on its remote Himalayan border. Some appear to have crossed the line
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-05 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

“Knowing India has a strong presence in Bhutan, China naturally becomes vulnerable in the bordering region,” said Rishi Gupta, assistant director at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New Delhi. “None of the roads connect into Bhutan, they start from the Chinese border and end in forest areas. ‘No intrusion’Bhutan has repeatedly denied that Chinese construction has taken place in its territory. Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji, left, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meet in Beijing in October 2023. They picked up formal talks last October for the first time since the Doklam standoff, with Bhutan’s foreign minister making a rare visit to Beijing.

Persons: ”, that’s, Xi Jinping, Robert Barnett, Lotay Tshering “, SOAS ’ Barnett, Barnett, Bhutan’s, ” Barnett, Doklam, Bhutan –, Rishi Gupta, Jieluobu, Jieluobu –, Yun Sun, “, SOAS’s Barnett, –, Damien Symon, Symon, relocatees, Lotay Tshering, it’s, Karma Phuntsho, Manoj Joshi, Tandi Dorji, Wang Yi, Xi Organizations: CNN, East China Seas, Planet Labs, SOAS University of London, Tibet Autonomous, Labs, Bhutan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SOAS, Gurinder, India’s Ministry, Affairs, Asia Society Policy, Beijing, Jieluobu, Stimson, Demalong ., Demalong . Tibet Federation of Industry, Commerce, Intel Lab, Chatham House, La, National, ” Observers, Observer Research, Trade, Foreign, Ministry Locations: Bhutan, China, Tibet, South, East, India, Tibet Autonomous Region, Demalong, Lhuntse, “ China, Indian, Chinese, Nathu La, Sikkim, Gurinder Osan, Delhi, Beijing, Siliguri, New Delhi, Doklam, Washington, Semalong, Luozha, WeChat, Demalong . Tibet, London, Jieluobu, Belgian, ”, Thimphu, Kula, Bhutanese

☆ 90% of the latest US aid package hasn't reached Ukraine, Zelenskyy says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Mikhaila Friel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Zelenskyy said most of the aid the US passed for Ukraine in April hasn't got to Ukraine. He said 10% of the $61 billion aid package had made it so far. AdvertisementUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy questioned why much of the latest US aid package had yet to reach Ukraine, saying it had so far received 10%. The $61 billion package was approved in April after monthslong delays and pushback from House Republicans. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said in August that Ukraine may have to wait until 2027 to receive some Western aid.

Persons: Zelenskyy, hasn't, —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Joe Biden, Gabrielius Landsbergis Organizations: Ukraine, GOP, Service, House Republicans, Reuters, NATO, Department of State, Lithuanian, US, US Department of Defense, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Russian

Washington had pressed its ally in the hopes of ending the cycle of attacks and avoiding escalation into a wider war. Blinken said the U.S. is tracking the aid deliveries very carefully and “absolutely essential” that Israel comply. "Israel has achieved most of its strategic objectives when it comes to Gaza,” Blinken said in Tel Aviv. (It also signed off on $9.5 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza, as well as the conflict zones of Ukraine and Sudan.) But far-fetched as it might seem, it came up during Blinken’s meeting with the Saudi crown prince during this trip.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, it’d, Yahya Sinwar, Isaac Herzog, Nathan Howard, Amos Hochstein, Donald Trump, Netanyahu —, Netanyahu, Blinken, Israel, ” Blinken, “ It’s, Ibrahim Fakhroo, Sinwar, William Burns, Khalil al, “, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Joe Biden, Ayman Safadi, we’ve, ” It’s Organizations: State Department, Getty, Israel, Hamas, Trump, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign, CIA, Qatari, Senior, Palestinian Authority, Saudi Crown, U.S, U.S . Locations: United States, Israel, Iran, Washington, Gaza, Egypt, Lebanon, Blinken, Tel Aviv, AFP, U.S, Beirut, Saudi Arabia, Doha, Qatar, Riyadh, Ukraine, Sudan, Saudi, Palestinian, Jordanian, London

☆ Why North Korea would want to go to war for Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-28 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

North Korea sent thousands of troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. AdvertisementWhy is North Korea helping Russia? STR/KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty ImagesIt's unclear what exactly is driving North Korea to become increasingly involved in the war and send troops to Russia. North Korea also has an aging fighter jet fleet it wants to upgrade and a desire for advanced satellite technologies. Beijing has often aligned with Russia and North Korea, and Western officials have accused China of also giving military aid to Russia in return for certain technologies and information.

Persons: Kim, Putin, —, Mark Rutte, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong, KRISTINA KORMILITSYNA, Ivan Samoilov, Rutte, Kirby, Kurt Campbell, Defense Lloyd Austin, Biden, Seoul's Organizations: Ukraine, Service, US, Korean, Russian, NATO, Department of Defense, Pentagon, Ukrainian, North, Duma, Research, Gwara, Getty, VIA KNS, National Security, Technologies, Roman, Defense, Publicly, Ministry of Foreign, South Locations: Korea, Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, Kursk, Ukrainian, North Korea, Russian, Pyongyang, Korean, Moscow, Iran, North Korean, AFP, Kyiv, China, Beijing

Madrid CNN —From exile in Spain, Venezuela’s opposition leader sat down with CNN en Español on Thursday where he spoke about the “nightmare” of his last days in Caracas and his hope to find a solution to Venezuela’s political crisis. In his first television interview since leaving Venezuela, Edmundo González Urrutia explained the role of the Spanish government in his departure from the Latin American country. Venezuela’s opposition and multiple Latin American leaders refused to recognize Maduro’s victory, which sparked deadly protests during which thousands were arrested. On September 18, the Spanish Senate approved by majority a motion presented by the Popular Party urging the Spanish government to recognize González as the elected president of Venezuela. Regarding the official figures, González says that “there is no evidence to prove they [Maduro’s regime] won.”The opposition candidate said that an inauguration in exile has not been considered.

Persons: Venezuela’s, Edmundo González Urrutia, Nicolas Maduro, Gonzalez, ‘, ’ González, ”, González, Maduro’s, Delcy Rodríguez, Jorge Rodríguez, “, Federico Parra, María Corina Machado, María Corina Machado —, Machado, Maduro, Nicolás Maduro, Florida’s, Edmundo González, Cristina Narbona, Delcy, Narbona, Alfredo Lasry R, ” González, Pedro Sánchez, Nicolás Organizations: Madrid CNN —, CNN, Venezuelan Public Ministry, Spanish, Justice, Venezuelan, National Assembly, Venezuela’s National, Getty, Venezuela “, Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spanish Socialist Workers ’ Party, PSOE, Spanish Civil Guard, Barajas Airport, ”, Popular Party, Spain’s, Colombian, Electoral Council of Venezuela, Chavismo Locations: Madrid, Spain, Caracas, Venezuela, Spanish, Kingdom of Spain, AFP, Venezuelan, ”, ” Venezuela

☆ China-led regional group calls for countering protectionist policies, sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Chinese national flag flies outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing on July 26, 2023. A China-led 10-state regional group criticized what it called protectionist trade measures on Wednesday, part of an intensifying standoff between Beijing and Western countries over tariffs on Chinese products. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a Eurasian security and political group, also hit out at "unilateral sanctions" as member states Iran and Russia face curbs on trade. The statement said that the 10 member states, represented by seven prime ministers, "consider it important to continue joint efforts to counter protectionist trade measures that are contrary to WTO rules." Beijing has termed the moves discriminatory, and responded with similar actions as the standoff intensifies.

Organizations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, European Union Locations: Beijing, China, Western, Iran, Russia, Islamabad, India, Pakistan, United States, Canada

☆ Myanmar’s internet freedom is now as bad as China’s, report finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —For the past decade, China has consistently ranked last in the world for internet freedom due to its all-pervading online surveillance and content control system dubbed the “Great Firewall.”But a new report out Wednesday shows that internet freedoms in China’s neighbor Myanmar are now just as lacking. The report from Freedom House, a US government-funded NGO, found that global internet freedom has declined for the 14th consecutive year. In a record 43 countries, people were physically attacked or killed in retaliation for their online activities, the report found. The Central Asian nation Kyrgyzstan showed the biggest drop in internet freedoms, according to the report, as President Sadyr Japarov ramped up efforts to silence digital media and suppress online organizing. The report also covers online disinformation campaigns and political interference in the run-up to elections, including harassment of independent researchers and fact checkers.

Persons: ”, Mao Ning, Sadyr Japarov, Kloop, “ Organizations: CNN, Freedom, Trust, United Nations, UN, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ”, Central, US Locations: China, China’s, Myanmar, Central Asian, Kyrgyzstan, Iceland, United States, ’

☆ Russia defense chief touts ‘common understanding’ with China in Beijing talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Their task is to “strengthen and develop” their strategic partnership, the Russian defense chief added. Russia and China have been bolstering their security coordination in the face of shared frictions with the West. Belousov also held talks a day earlier with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, who ranks below Zhang in China’s military hierarchy. Belousov’s arrival in Beijing Monday coincided with China’s military flying a record number of fighter jets and other warplanes around Taiwan during large-scale military drills. China said the drills were intended as a “stern warning” to what it described as pro-independence forces in Taiwan.

Persons: that’s, Andrey Belousov, Zhang Youxia, Xi Jinping, That’s, Zhang, Xi, Vladimir Putin, Belousov, Dong Jun, Andrei Belousov, Wang Yi, Putin, Lai Ching Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, US, China’s, Military Commission, Tass, China’s Defense Ministry, Chinese Defense, Russia's Defense, China's, Russian Defence Ministry, Reuters China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Canadian Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Russia, Washington, Russian, Kazan, BRICS, Moscow, Ukraine, Ocean, Alaska –, South China, Taiwan

☆ Israel’s weapons: Where do they come from and who supplies them?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Antoinette Radford | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The United States has warned Israel it may stop supplying the country with weapons unless the humanitarian situation in Gaza improves. This is not the first time Israel’s major ally has threatened to turn off supplies. Here’s a breakdown of who supplies Israel with weapons:The United States:The United States is overwhelmingly the biggest supplier of arms to Israel. In 2023 69% of Israel’s arm imports came from the US, according to a report into international arms transfers by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Germany:While in 2023, Germany contributed 30% of Israel’s weapons, that supply has significantly reduced over the course of 2024.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Hassan Nasrallah, Olaf Scholz, Kay Nietfeld, Israel “, Antonio Tajani, SIPRI, David Lammy, Gil Cohen, Pedro Sanchez, “, ”, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, CNN’s Mia Alberti, Christian Edwards, Inke Kappeler Organizations: CNN, United, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, US State Department, Foreign Military, International Court, Justice, Bundestag, Pagella, Labour, MIM, Magen, Getty, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Israel, Spanish, International Court of Justice Locations: United States, Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Stockholm, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Beirut, Nicaragua, Nazi, United Kingdom, AFP, Lebanon

☆ Five Russian climbers die on Nepal’s Dhaulagiri mountain
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Anna Chernova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Five members of a Russian expedition who went missing while attempting to climb Mount Dhaulagiri have been found dead, Russia’s embassy in Nepal told CNN on Tuesday. Initial investigations suggested the group of Russian mountaineers died “as a result of falling down a slope,” the embassy said. Dhaulagiri – which translates from Sanskrit to mean “White Mountain” - is the world’s seventh-highest peak, standing 8,167 meters (26,795 ft) above sea level, in the Himalayas in central Nepal. The fatality rate of Dhaulagiri is slightly more than 16%, making it one of the most dangerous mountains to climb. The Russian Mountaineering Federation told CNN that the trip was organized by a private organization.

Persons: ” Organizations: CNN, Russian Mountaineering Federation, RIA Novosti, Leningrad Region Mountaineering Federation, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Nepal, Swiss, Austrian, Russia, Leningrad

ISIS executed Yazidi men and boys and committed acts of sexual violence and rape against women and girls, among other crimes, as CNN has reported. Sido said she was then trafficked to different locations across several countries over the next few years. The United States and Iraq confirmed they had coordinated to help evacuate Sido out of Gaza. “The government of Iraq asked us to do whatever we could to get her out of Gaza and get her home. An Israeli diplomat, David Saranga, released a video of Sido reuniting with her family members.

Persons: Fawzia Amin Sido, Sido, “, ”, Fawzia, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, David Saranga, Saranga Organizations: ISIS, CNN, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, American Locations: Gaza, United States, Sinjar, Iraq, Al, Hol, Syria, Idlib, Turkey, Istanbul, Hurghada, Egypt, ”, Rafah, Israel, Kerem, Jordan, Allenby, Baghdad, Iraqi, Israeli, Palestinian Hamas

Persons: Fawzia Sido, David Saranga X, Fawzia Amin Sido, Sido, “, ”, Fawzia, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, David Saranga, Saranga Organizations: Islamic, Reuters, ISIS, CNN, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, American Locations: Islamic State, Iraq, Gaza, United States, Sinjar, Al, Hol, Syria, Idlib, Turkey, Istanbul, Hurghada, Egypt, ”, Rafah, Israel, Kerem, Jordan, Allenby, Baghdad, Iraqi, Israeli, Palestinian Hamas

☆ Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Nechirvan Mando | Michael Rios | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS. Fawzia told CNN that she has been returned to Iraq after enduring years of captivity. Over the next few years, Fawzia was trafficked to different locations across several countries. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed that the US helped evacuate Fawzia from Gaza. And the government of Iraq asked us to do whatever we could to get her out of Gaza and get her home.

Persons: Fawzia Amin Sido, Fawzia, Hol, ” “, “, Matthew Miller, ”, ” Miller Organizations: CNN, ISIS, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, IDF, Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, American, US State Department Locations: Gaza, Israel, United States, Iraq, Sinjar, Nineveh, Al, Syria, Idlib, Turkey, Istanbul, Hurghada, Egypt, ”, Rafah, Fawzia, “, Baghdad, Iraqi

☆ China says it filed an appeal to WTO over Canada's tariffs on EVs and metals
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( Sonia Heng | In Sonia-Heng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Aerial view of new energy vehicles at Huaian BYD Industrial Co., Ltd. on August 26, 2024 in Huaian, Jiangsu Province of China. China on Wednesday announced that it has filed an appeal with the World Trade Organization, asking the organization to rule on the recent tariffs that Canada imposed on Chinese electric vehicles and metal products. The ministry said it filed a lawsuit against what it called Canada's "unilateralism and trade protectionist practices" with the WTO, adding that it also launched an anti-discrimination investigation into Ottawa's restrictive measures. These measures will "disrupt and distort the global industrial chain and supply chain," the ministry added. Canada's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.

Organizations: Wednesday, World Trade Organization, Union, China's Ministry of Commerce, China, Canada's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Huaian, Jiangsu Province, China . China, Canada, China, Beijing

☆ Michael Kovrig: Canadian held for more than 1,000 days describes ‘psychological’ torture in Chinese detention
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Lex Harvey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Kovrig and Spavor were only freed after US prosecutors dropped the extradition request and agreed to release Meng, nearly two years later. Chinese officials did not publicly disclose any evidence against Spavor or Kovrig, or detailed information relating to their trials, which were held behind closed doors. Michael Kovrig embraces his separated wife Vina Nadjibulla after arriving at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, on September 25, 2021. You are going to be interrogated,’” Kovrig said. After six months, Kovrig said he was moved to a larger cell with plexiglass windows, which he shared with a dozen cellmates.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Michael Kovrig, Michaels, ” Kovrig, Michael Spavor, Kovrig, “, ‘ That’s, ’ ”, Meng Wanzhou, Meng, Michael Kovrig, Vina Nadjibulla, Frank Gunn, ’ ” Kovrig, “ I’ll Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CBC News, International, Group, Huawei, Pearson International Airport, “, CNN, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Ottawa, Canadian, North Korea, Vancouver, Toronto

☆ Russian disinformation peddlers are targeting Harris-Walz campaign with fake videos, Microsoft says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Kevin Collier | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Brandy-Zadrozny-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Russian disinformation peddlers are producing videos targeting the Harris-Walz campaign with false and disparaging claims, Microsoft said Tuesday. At least three Russian disinformation actors have been working to denigrate the Harris-Walz campaign, Microsoft said. Some of the disinformation comes in the form of two videos that have been disseminated since late August, Microsoft said. NBC News has viewed an upload of that video posted to X, which Microsoft confirmed is the alleged Russian disinformation. The report comes after the U.S. accused the Kremlin of running a multifaceted disinformation campaign to boost former President Donald Trump and disparage Harris.

Persons: Harris, Walz, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs didn’t, Darren Linvill, ” Linvill, Kamala Harris, Linvill, ”, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Microsoft, Justice Department, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NBC News, Media, Clemson, Democratic, Russia’s Internet Research Agency, Tenet Media, National Intelligence, Intelligence, Biden, Ukraine, FBI, The Justice Department, Trump Locations: San Francisco, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, U.S, China

☆ Washington and Seoul discussing new deal on cost sharing for US troops in South Korea ahead of a potential Trump election victory
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The negotiations over the Special Measures Agreement, known as the SMA, strained the US-South Korea alliance during the Trump administration. Former President Donald Trump demanded Seoul pay up to 400% more for the presence of the 28,500 US troops in the country during negotiations over the current agreement. Under the current agreement, South Korea pays about $1 billion annually, representing an increase of about 13.9% over previous SMAs. Earlier this year, Trump said that he did not think the South Korea is paying enough based on the last agreement. One complication is that a deal will have to be approved by South Korea’s national assembly — which is dominated by the opposition party to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Persons: —, Trump, Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un’s, Joe Biden, ” Trump, Yoon Suk, “, ”, David Maxwell Organizations: CNN, Seoul, South, State Department, ROK, South Korean Ministry of Foreign, Biden, Defense Department, Biden Administration, US, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Trump Locations: Washington, Seoul, South Korea, North Korea, Korea

☆ German warships visit the Philippines amid its South China Sea clashes after angering Beijing by sailing through the Taiwan Strait
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Tensions are high in the South China Sea, as China continues its aggressive tactics against Philippine vessels. JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty ImagesClashes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea have been escalating for months as China unjustly claims sovereignty over a majority of the South China Sea, defying international law while increasing efforts to assert its authority in the area. While traveling to Manila, the Baden-Württemberg and Frankfurt am Main transited the Taiwan Strait, sparking backlash from China. The German warships transited the Taiwan Strait last week for the first time in 20 years. "International waters are international waters," he said .

Persons: —, Per Andreas Pfaffernoschke, Pfaffernoschke, Mao Ning, German Defense Ministry Boris Pistorius, Mao Organizations: Service, Business, Baden, Philippine, ROSA, Getty, Ministry of Foreign, German Defense Ministry, Command Locations: Philippines, Taiwan Strait, Germany, China, South China, Berlin, Frankfurt, Manila, AFP, Beijing, Baden, Württemberg, Taiwan, Main

☆ Russia expels six U.K. diplomats as tensions rise over Ukraine missiles
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-14 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Russia announced the expulsions hours before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House, a crucial step towards winning the go-ahead for Kyiv to use long-range missiles against targets in Russia. Neither Biden nor Starmer addressed long-range missiles in brief comments in front of reporters. Sources say the meeting is another step in talks to allow Ukraine to use Western long-range missiles against targets in Russia, something Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been demanding for months. The six UK diplomats were named on Russian state TV, which also showed photographs of them. The FSB said Russia would ask other British diplomats to go home early if they were found to be engaged in similar activity.

Persons: Keir Starmer, Joe Biden, “, ” Biden, Starmer, Biden, ” Starmer, Vladimir Putin, Putin, ”, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, John Kirby, Kirby, Maria Zakharova, ” Zakharova Organizations: British, White, Ukraine, FSB, Soviet KGB, Russian Federation, Federal Security Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, British Embassy, British Foreign, Biden, United Nations General Assembly, House, The New York Times, Russian Foreign Ministry Locations: Moscow, Ukraine, Britain, Russia, Kyiv, United States, Russian, Western, Washington, London, Iran, Soviet, British, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Europe, Vienna

☆ Russia expels six British diplomats it accuses of spying and sabotage activity
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Reuters —Russia’s FSB security service said on Friday it had revoked the accreditation of six British diplomats in Moscow whose actions it said showed signs of spying and sabotage work. Britain’s embassy in Moscow did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. “Thus, the facts revealed give grounds to consider the activities of British diplomats sent to Moscow by the directorate as threatening the security of the Russian Federation,” the FSB said in a statement. The six diplomats were named on Russian state TV, which also showed photographs of them. The FSB said Russia would ask other British diplomats to go home early if they were found to be engaged in similar activity.

Persons: Reuters —, ”, Maria Zakharova Organizations: Reuters, FSB, Soviet KGB, Ukraine, Russian Federation, Federal Security Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, British Embassy, Russian Foreign Ministry, TASS, British Locations: Moscow, Britain’s, Soviet, British, London, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Russia

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