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The head of Myanmar’s military government will pay an official visit this week to China, the embattled Southeast Asian nation’s most important international ally, for several regional meetings, state-run media reported on Monday, amid concern by the opposition. The visit comes as Myanmar’s army has suffered unprecedented battlefield defeats over the past year, especially in areas near the Chinese border. Myanmar’s pro-democracy opposition has expressed concern about China welcoming a visit by Min Aung Hlaing. It is Min Aung Hlaing and his group who are destroying these things,” Kyaw Zaw said. Myanmar’s army has been on the defensive since late last year when ethnic armed organizations dealt it major defeats in the country’s northeast.

Persons: Min Aung Hlaing, Aung, Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s, Min Aung, Chao, Kyaw Zaw, “, Aung Hlaing, ” Kyaw Zaw, Suu Organizations: Mekong Economic Cooperation, National Liberation Army, AFP, Getty Images, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, National Unity Government, Facebook, National League for Democracy, Brotherhood Alliance, ”, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Arakan Army Locations: China, Suu, Beijing, Myanmar, Kunming, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam Cooperation, China’s Yunnan, ” China, Russia, Kyaukme, Getty Images Russia, Jakarta, Shan

Charlotte Kates, a New Jersey native and Rutgers Law School graduate who co-founded the pro-Hamas organization Samidoun, has become the focus of an ongoing legal debate: When does free speech cross the line into breaking federal anti-terrorism laws? Germany banned the organization last November, and Israel designated it a terrorist organization in 2021. Kates’ open support of terrorist organizations puts her in the middle of a growing legal dispute: When does free speech cross the line into breaking federal anti-terrorism laws? “As far as I’m concerned, this is legitimate political advocacy, unpleasant as it may be.”What is ‘knowingly’ coordinating with a terrorist organization? “You don’t have a right to pick and choose which law to follow.”Not all federal law enforcement experts agree with Burns’ approach.

Persons: Charlotte Kates, Kates, “, ” Kates, Samidoun, Tom Petrowski, ” Petrowski, Dr Basem Naim, Odysee Petrowski, David Goldberger, Goldberger, ”, —, Basem Naim, Naim, Israel “, Andrew Lichtenstein, they’re, John Roberts, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “ We’re, “ It’s, Frank Figliuzzi, ” Figliuzzi, Daniel Richman, webinars, ” Richman, “ Definitionally, Khaled Barakat, Barakat, ” Samidoun, Lara Burns, Burns, George, ” Burns, Barbara McQuade, ” McQuade, McQuade, webinar Organizations: Rutgers Law School, NBC News, Treasury, Canadian, Republican, Justice Department, FBI, Civil, Terrorism Task Force, Hamas, Samidoun, Odysee, Palestine Islamic, American Civil Liberties Union, YouTube, ”, Columbia University, Supreme, Kurdistan Workers ’ Party, Liberation Tigers, NBC, Columbia, Treasury Department, Front, Liberation, PFLP, Palestine, Palestinian, Columbia University Apartheid, World Trade, Patriot, Brandenburg, Land Foundation, George Washington University’s Program, Extremism, Islamic State, Eastern, Eastern District of Locations: New Jersey, Vancouver , British Columbia, U.S, South Africa, Germany, Israel, Vietnam, Dallas, Palestine, American, Skokie , Illinois, New York, Chicago, New York City, Kurdistan, Tamil Eelam, webinars, Swiss, Instagram, Brandenburg v . Ohio, Texas, Eastern District, Eastern District of Michigan

The military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, giving rise to intensified fighting with long-established armed groups associated with Myanmar’s ethnic minority groups, and prompting the formation of new pro-democracy militias. Two weeks later the Arakan Army launched attacks in its home western state of Rakhine, and since then other militia groups and PDFs have joined in around the country. But at the same time, resistance groups are closing in on Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city in the center of the country. The Tatmadaw has been accused of deliberately targeting civilians in retribution for perceived support for the resistance militias, something it denies. Should the Tatmadaw fall, that could lead to the fragmentation of Myanmar unless the groups work hard to resolve political and territorial differences.

Persons: Aung, Suu Kyi, Alliance —, ”, Connor Macdonald Organizations: Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Arakan Army, National Liberation Army, Alliance, Council, United Nations ’ Office, Human Rights, Army, Institute for Strategy Locations: BANGKOK, Myanmar, Russia, China, Suu, Shan, Rakhine, Kayah, Naypyidaw, Yangon, Mandalay, Myanmar’s, Chin, Paletwa, Syria, Beijing

☆ New Zealand pilot freed after 19 months in captivity in Indonesia’s Papua
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-21 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed more than 19 months in Indonesia’s Papua, authorities said on Saturday. Indonesia’s Metro TV showed him tearfully speaking to his family by phone. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said, “We are pleased and relieved to confirm that Phillip Mehrtens is safe and well and has been able to talk with his family. This news must be an enormous relief for his friends and loved ones.”A range of New Zealand government agencies had been working with Indonesian authorities and others towards securing Mehrtens’ release, Peters said in a statement. Another New Zealand pilot, Glen Malcolm Conning, was killed by separatist rebels in Papua in August after landing his helicopter in a remote area, authorities said at the time.

Persons: Phillip Mehrtens, Mehrtens, Egianus Kogoya, Joko Widodo, Winston Peters, “, Peters, General Faizal Ramadhani, Egianus Kogoya’s, Glen Malcolm Organizations: Zealand, Metro TV, West Papua National Liberation Army, New Zealand Foreign, Mehrtens, New Locations: Indonesia’s Papua, Timika, Nduga, New Zealand, Papua

☆ New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens freed after more than 18 months in captivity in Indonesia’s Papua
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-21 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

West Papua, Indonesia — New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens has been freed from more than 18 months in captivity in Indonesia’s Papua, the Indonesian police said in a statement on Saturday. An armed faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), led by Egianus Kogoya, kidnapped Mehrtens on Feb. 7, 2023, after he landed a small commercial plane in the remote, mountainous area of Nduga. “We are prioritising approach through religious leaders, church leaders, traditional leaders and Egianus Kogoya’s close family to minimise casualties and maintain the safety of the pilot,” said the chief of Cartenz 2024 Peace Operations, Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani. Mehrtens was freed and picked up by a joint team in Nduga Regency and is undergoing health check-ups and a physiological examination in Timika regency, the police said. The police they would hold a press conference later.

Persons: Phillip Mehrtens, Egianus Kogoya, Mehrtens, Egianus Kogoya’s, ”, General Faizal Ramadhani Organizations: New Zealand, West Papua National Liberation Army Locations: Papua, Indonesia, New, Indonesia’s Papua, Nduga, Nduga Regency, Timika

☆ Gunmen kill New Zealand helicopter pilot in another attack in Indonesia’s restive Papua region
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Story Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Jayapura, Indonesia — Gunmen stormed a helicopter and killed its New Zealand pilot shortly after it landed in Indonesia’s restive Papua region on Monday, and they released two health workers and two children it was carrying, police said. West Papua Liberation Army spokesperson Sebby Sambom told The Associated Press that he had not received any reports from fighters on the ground about the killing. NZ Pilot Philip Mehrtens flanked by members of the West Papua National Liberation Army. Planning to use the pilot to negotiate, Kogoya has said they won’t release Mehrtens unless Indonesia frees Papua as a sovereign country. Flying is the only practical way of accessing many areas in the mountainous easternmost provinces of Papua and West Papua.

Persons: Indonesia — Gunmen, Glen Malcolm, Faizal Ramadhani, ”, Sebby Sambom, ” Sambom, “, Philip Mehrtens, Egianus, Philip Mark Mehrtens, Kogoya, Graeme Thomas Wall, Wall Organizations: Indonesia —, Zealand, Indonesian, PT, Angkasa Air Service, West Papua Liberation Army, Free Papua Movement, National Police, Associated Press, New Zealand, NZ, West Papua National Liberation Army, West, Susi, PT Freeport Indonesia Locations: Jayapura, Indonesia, Indonesia’s restive Papua, Alama, Mimika district, Central Papua, Papua, West, Jakarta, Dutch, New Guinea, West Papua, Christchurch, Indonesian, New Zealand, Ngaruawahia

☆ Battle for Lashio: Civilians caught in the crossfire as rebels claim major victory over Myanmar’s junta
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Helen Regan | Angus Watson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Displaced people fleeing fighting in Lashio try to cross the flooded road to Taunggyi in Myanmar's northern Shan state on July 9, 2024. For Lashio to fall, “it basically eliminates the junta as an effective organized force from a huge part of the country,” Ruser said. The road on the way was badly damaged,” he said as he traveled to Taunggyi, the Shan state capital some nine hours south of Lashio. People queue for food at a monastery turned temporary shelter for internally displaced people in Lashio, Shan state on November 15, 2023. There were also reports in local media that the junta had ordered its staff to leave Lashio as fighting got closer.

Persons: Khin, ” Khin Swe, ”, “, Lashio “, Zaw Min Tun, Lashio, Stringer, Nathan Ruser, ” Ruser, Swe, Khin Swe, –, Arakan Army –, “ They’re, Miemie Winn Byrd, Daniel K, Inouye, ” Byrd, “ I’m, Min Aung, I’m, they’re Organizations: CNN, Northeastern Military Command, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Junta, Getty, Analysts, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, “ Artillery, Facebook, Rebels, Three Brotherhood Alliance, People’s Defence Force, National Liberation Army, Arakan Army, US Army, Pacific Center for Security, Brotherhood Alliance Locations: Myanmar, Lashio, Shan, Zaw, Taunggyi, AFP, Zin Ann, Hsipaw, Mandalay, Arakan, Inouye Asia

☆ Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah sign reconciliation agreement in China
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on July 23 hailed an agreement by 14 Palestinian factions to set up an "interim national reconciliation government" to govern Gaza after the war. Rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah agreed to end their long-standing enmity and work to form a national unity government following talks held in China, Chinese state media reported Tuesday. "On the morning of July 23, the closing ceremony of the reconciliation dialogue among Palestinian factions was held in Beijing. In the months since, Israel's retaliatory assaults on the Gaza Strip have killed nearly 39,000 Palestinians there, according to health authorities in the enclave. Fatah, formally called the Palestinian National Liberation Movement, is led by Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Persons: Mahmoud al, Fatah, Wang Yi, Mussa Abu Marzuk, CGTN, Mahmoud Abbas Organizations: Central Committee, China's, Hamas, CNBC, Palestinian, West Bank, U.S, Reuters, Palestinian National Liberation Movement, Palestinian Authority, West Bank — Locations: Palestinian, Diaoyutai, Beijing, Gaza, China, Beijing ., Weibo, Fatah, Israel, Hussam

☆ Thailand is now the Myanmar junta’s favored banking destination as military attacks ramp up, UN expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong/Bangkok CNN —International banks are playing a significant role in the Myanmar military junta’s ability to carry out its systematic and deadly assault on its people, a new United Nations-backed report has found. Athit Perawongmetha/ReutersThe Thai connectionSingapore-based entities were Myanmar’s third largest source of weapons and military materials. In 2022, Singapore-based banks facilitated more than 70% of the junta’s purchases passing through the banking system. Looking for other financial institutions, the junta found neighboring Thailand. “Our banking and financial institutions follow banking protocols as any major financial hub.

Persons: Tom Andrews, ” Andrews, Banks, ”, Athit Perawongmetha, “ Organizations: Bangkok CNN — International, United Nations, UN, Administration Council, SAC, “ Banking, Military Junta, States, Karen National Liberation Army, Siam Commercial Bank, CNN, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Economic Bank Locations: Hong Kong, Bangkok, Myanmar, Singapore, Myawaddy, Thailand, Thai, Siam

There are more than 70 cases in which Tren de Aragua is mentioned in law enforcement documents or prosecutors’ complaints. Castro-Mata entered the country illegally last July, a member of Immigration and Customs Enforcement told CNN. The Venezuelan has tattoos associated with Tren de Aragua – which court documents for a suspected gang member in Georgia describe as five-pointed crowns, five-pointed stars and teardrops – the New York Police Department told CNN. A fellow police officer who refused to cooperate with the gang in his native Aragua state was shot 50 times, Boza says. They tied his body to a motorcycle and dragged it throughout the San Vicente neighborhood to demonstrate the power of the Tren de Aragua,” Boza said.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, “, Óscar Naranjo, Aragua, Yuri Cortez, Primeiro Comando, ” Britton Boyd, Jason Owens, Tren, ” Owens, Bernardo Raul Castro, Mata, Castro, teardrops, –, Allbert Herrera Machado, Vanesa Chourio, Diaz, Josmar Jesus Zambrano, Zambrano, Herrera Machado, Chourio, Álvaro, Boza, ” Boza, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio, Ana María Salazar, Joe Biden, ” CNN’s Jaide Timm, Garcia Organizations: CNN, Chicago . Local, Transnational Criminal Organization, ”, South, Colombian National Police, CNN Tren, ‘, Transparency Venezuela, Venezuelan, Bolivarian National Police, Gang, Getty, National Liberation Army, Villa del Rosario, Norte de Santander, US State Department, Police, Customs, Border Protection, FBI, Border Patrol, “, Enforcement, New York Police Department, Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Department, Tren, San, Florida, Republican Locations: South Florida, New York, Chicago ., Aragua, Venezuela, United States, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Peru, America, Carabobo, Tocorón, AFP, Venezuelan, Brazilian, South America, Tren, Villa, Norte, El Paso , Texas, Texas, Georgia, Queens . Castro, Louisiana , Texas, Virginia , New Jersey, Florida, ”, San Vicente, Central, Ecuador

☆ New Caledonia: Why this French island in the Pacific is roiled by violence over a vote held 10,000 miles away
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Angus Watson | Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

France’s military has mobilized and flown in “four additional squadrons to restore order,” according to French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. Macron will chair a defense and national security council on Wednesday, focusing on the violence, the presidential palace said. Others were equipped with larger rifles, firing bullets,” the French High commissioner to New Caledonia Louis Le Franc said. Theo Rouby/AFP/Getty ImagesFrench gendarme officers guard the entrance of the Vallee-du-Tir district, in Noumea, New Caledonia on May 14, 2024. FLNKS issued its own statement Wednesday both condemning the vote at the National Assembly and calling for an end to the violence.

Persons: Paris –, Gerald Darmanin, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Charles Wea, Louis Mapou, New Caledonia Louis Le Franc, Franc, RNZ, Theo Rouby, unfreeze, Gabriel Attal, “, ” Attal, FLNKS, “ FLNKS Organizations: CNN, New, New Caledonian, New Caledonia Louis, Radio New, Getty, Colonial, Noumea Accord, National Assembly, French, Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Locations: New Caledonia, Noumea, South Pacific, Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, , New Caledonia, Pacific, Caribbean, Indian, France, Paris, China, United States, Radio New Zealand, Noumea , New Caledonia, AFP, Tir, White, Covid, Kanak

☆ Opinion | The Ghost of the 1968 Antiwar Movement Has Returned
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Charles M. Blow | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

At the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, anti-Vietnam War protesters clashed with police officers — whose brutal role in the confrontation was later described by a federal commission as a “police riot” — hijacking the focus of the convention. Those young demonstrators had come of age seeing continual — and effective — protests during the civil rights movement and national mourning after the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy and the Rev. The movement against it began mostly on college campuses and grew. Of course, semesters end and students go home for the summer. But their opposition to the war didn’t end with the academic year.

Persons: John F, Kennedy, Robert F, Martin Luther King Jr, ”, Rennie Davis Organizations: Convention, New York Times Locations: Chicago, Vietnam, America

☆ What’s Happening In Myanmar’s Civil War?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Hannah Beech | Weiyi Cai | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +16 min

RUSSIA CHINA INDIA Pacific Ocean MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean AUSTRALIA RUSSIA CHINA INDIA Pacific Ocean MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean AUSTRALIAWhat’s Happening In Myanmar’s Civil War? Parliamentary rule 1962 Military coup 1988 Nearly five decades of military rule Widespread pro-democracy protests followed by bloody military crackdown. National civil unrest 2021 Military coup ended power sharing with civilian government. Parliamentary rule Nearly five decades of military rule National civil unrest British colonial rule 1948 1988 1990 2007 2011 2021 1962 2015 Widespread pro-democracy protests followed by bloody military crackdown. National civil unrest 2021 Military coup ended power sharing with civilian government.

Persons: Adam Ferguson, Min Aung, Daw Aung, Suu Kyi, Aung, —, Tom Andrews, Chin, Rakhine Karen Mon Bamar, Kayan, Karen, Ms, hideouts Organizations: MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean, Insurgent, Council, Myanmar, 8th Battalion, Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, The New York Times, Senior, National Unity Government, People’s Defense Forces, Rebels, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, Myanmar Peace Monitor, United Nations, General Administration Department, Union of, United, National Liberation Army Locations: RUSSIA CHINA, MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean AUSTRALIA RUSSIA CHINA, MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian, MYANMAR INDONESIA Indian Ocean AUSTRALIA, INDIA CHINA BANGLADESH Mandalay MYANMAR LAOS Naypyidaw Bay, Bengal Yangon THAILAND, INDIA CHINA Mandalay MYANMAR, Yangon THAILAND Bay, Bengal, Myanmar, Ukraine, Gaza, India, China, Karenni State, country’s, Suu, Myanmar’s, British, Sagaing Region, MYANMAR, Naypyidaw, Burma, United States, Rakhine, Thailand, Union, Union of Burma, Afghanistan

CNN —Myanmar rebels fighting the junta say they have seized the last remaining military base in a key border town, dealing the latest significant blow to the country’s military rulers as they struggle to cling to power. About 200 soldiers abandoned their base in the southeastern town of Myawaddy and have been pushed to the No 2. “Officially we (are in) control of the town Myawaddy since last night,” KNU spokesperson Saw Taw Nee said. Footage also showed Thai military vehicles and troops stationed along the border. CNN has reached out to Myanmar’s military junta for comment.

Persons: Karen, ”, Saw Taw, Thailand’s Mae Sot, Manan Vatsyayana, “, Naw Tee, Aung, Thailand's, Prasarn Saengsirirak, ” Prasarn, Prasarn, Kim Jolliffe, it’s Organizations: CNN, Myanmar, Karen National Union, UN, Reuters, Getty, Karen National Liberation Army, Command, National League for Democracy, Army, Arakan Army Locations: Myawaddy, Myanmar, Thailand, Thailand’s, Tak, Thailand's Mae Sot, AFP, Teetering, Aung San, Kachin, China, Rakhine, Arakan

☆ Was Jesus a man of color? Why this question matters more than ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( John Blake | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

But the question over the color of Jesus’ skin is a serious one this Easter, for two reasons. But there are some who say Jesus’ color should stay the same, or that it doesn’t matter at all. He concedes that there are barriers to worshipping a White Jesus that he, a White man, may not understand. Jesus didn’t simply care about the poor, he was poor.”Cleveland tells CNN that people who say Jesus’ color wasn’t important ignore history. She says the experience taught her how much White Christian nationalism and the White Jesus have merged.

Persons: CNN — Christena Cleveland, Thomas ”, Jesus, —, Cleveland, Thor, ”, Jesus didn’t, Megyn Kelly, “, Trump, Donald Trump, Al Drago, Gentile, Warner, he’s, Sallman, Edward J, Blum, Jesus Christ, Mario Tama, Christina L, Barr, ” Barr, he’d, coon, ” Antony Pinol, Pinol, God, Jesus doesn’t, ” Pino, Jeff Hutchens, Albert Cleage, George Floyd, Black, Dante Stewart, ” “, ” Stewart, James Cone, Toni Morrison, White, ‘ ’ Blum, MAGA, White MAGA Jesus, Paul Weaver, Drew Angerer, Jesus ’, Frederick Buechner, John Blake Organizations: CNN, Cleveland, TSA, Fox News, Bloomberg, Getty, CARE, New York Times, Christ, America, Communist Party, Warner, Republican Party, Black Tea News, Pennsylvania State Capitol, Christianity Locations: Cleveland, Hollywood, barbershops, Santa Claus, America, White, Avoca , Pennsylvania, Israel, Port, Prince, Haiti, Africa, Dillon , South Carolina, Asia, Southern, Eastern Europe, Rome, Harrisburg , Pennsylvania, Gaza, New York City

The fear of the ongoing crackdown by President Daniel Ortega – on the Catholic Church in particular but not sparing evangelicals – has become so pervasive that it is silencing criticism of the authoritarian government and even mentions of the repression from the pulpit. Her work recording hundreds of instances of church persecution recently won her an International Religious Freedom Award from the U.S. State Department. “If it’s dangerous to pray the rosary in the street, it is exceedingly so to report attacks,” Molina said. Despite the growing fear, many faithful continue to attend church services – where they remain available. “The dictatorship, what it wants is to completely eliminate the Catholic faith, because they haven’t succeeded in making the church kneel before them,” Molina said.

Persons: Daniel Ortega –, –, ”, Martha Patricia Molina, ” Molina, ’, Ortega, Nicaragua’s, ” Ortega, Rosario Murillo, Alicia Quiñones, It’s, Molina, Mother Teresa’s, didn’t, Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, Silvio Báez, Pope Francis, Dolly Mora, “ It’s, they’re, “, haven’t, Nicole Winfield Organizations: MIAMI, Central American, Catholic Church, U.S . State Department, Associated Press, “, . government’s, PEN International, Ortega’s Sandinista, Liberation, University of Central America, Jesuit, Vatican, AP, Lilly Endowment Inc Locations: Nicaragua, Nicaraguan, United States, Americas, America, –, Rome, Managua’s, Miami, ”

☆ Phillip Mehrtens: Militants squabble over fate of New Zealand pilot on anniversary of his kidnapping
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Angus Watson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Militant rebels in Indonesia’s restive West Papua are urging their most feared comrade to release a New Zealand pilot held hostage for a year. Mehrtens’ captors initially threatened to kill him unless New Zealand agreed to pressure Indonesia into allowing West Papua to secede from Indonesia, a seemingly impossible demand. West Papua separatist fighters release images of their hostage soon after his capture in February 2023. West Papua National Liberation ArmyFailed rescue effortsGrainy proof of life videos sent by the rebels between February and November 2023 show Mehrtens growing thinner and more unkempt. “The Indonesian response is dictated by the Indonesian military and their view is that they will hunt down this group, kill the leaders and release Mehrtens,” Kingsbury said.

Persons: Eganius Koyega, Phillip Mehrtens, Mehrtens ’, Mehrtens, Koyega, ” Koyega, ” TPNPB, Terryanus Satto, aren’t, hasn’t, Damien Kingsbury, ”, Winston Peters, Christmas Phillip, ” Peters, ” Kingsbury, “, Cammi Webb, Gannon, ’ ”, Webb, ” Webb, TPNB, Andreas Harsono, Prabowo Subianto, “ Prabowo, ” Harsono Organizations: CNN — Militant, New, Koyega, West Papuan National Liberation Army, Free Papua Movement, West Papua National Liberation Army, Indonesian Army, New Zealand, New Zealand Foreign Affairs, New Zealand Government, CNN, Australia’s University of Wollongong, Indonesian, Human Rights Watch, Rights, West Locations: Indonesia’s restive West Papua, Zealand, Nduga, New Zealand, Indonesia, West Papua, Indonesian, Papuan, West, New, Australia, Jakarta, “, ” West Papua, Papua

But in a brief statement issued just minutes before midnight, both sides said that they have extended the cease-fire for 180 days. The statement says the National Liberation Army, known by its Spanish acronym ELN, will “temporarily and unilaterally suspend economic detentions” in order to contribute to the cease-fire. A cease-fire between the government and ELN started in August, and has reduced fighting between both sides. According to Colombia’s Defense Ministry, the National Liberation Army is holding at least 38 hostages. Monday’s statement said that the conditions under which the rebels will cease kidnappings will continue to be discussed in an upcoming round of talks in April.

Persons: —, ELN, “, Otty, Gustavo Petro, Luis Díaz Organizations: National Liberation Army, Revolutionary Armed Forces, Colombia’s Defense Ministry Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, extorsion

☆ Colombia Government, ELN Rebels Are Yet to Agree Ceasefire Extension -ELN
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BOGOTA (Reuters) - The government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas have not yet agreed to extend their bilateral ceasefire for another six months, the rebel group said on Monday. The government of President Gustavo Petro restarted peace talks with the ELN in 2022 as part of a policy of 'total peace', to end Colombia's six-decade conflict, which has left more than 450,000 dead. An initial six-month ceasefire expired last week and was extended for five days, a measure that will end on Monday night. "Measures are being taken to resolve factors of crisis factors and add new elements of commitment to be fulfilled by both parties, with the purpose of agreeing on an extension of another six months of this temporary and national bilateral ceasefire," the ELN delegation said in a statement. The statement was released ahead of the close of a sixth cycle of talks between the rebel group and the government in Cuba's capital, Havana.

Persons: Gustavo Petro, Oliver Griffin, Franklin Paul Organizations: National Liberation Army Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Cuba's, Havana

☆ New Zealand Calls for Kiwi Pilot to Be Freed a Year After Papua Kidnapping
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - New Zealand has called for the immediate release of Kiwi pilot Phillip Mehrtens, a year after he was taken hostage by rebels in Indonesia's Papua region, its foreign minister said on Monday. His continued detention serves the interests of no one," New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement. The New Zealand foreign minister said a range of government agencies continued to work extensively with their Indonesian counterparts to secure Mehrtens' release. The separatist group has released video of Mehrtens several times, asking the United Nations to mediate talks towards Papua's independence. In one of the videos, he was seen holding the banned Morning Star flag and surrounded by Papuan fighters.

Persons: Phillip Mehrtens, Egianus Kogoya, Mehrtens, Phillip, Winston Peters, Sebby Sambom, Ananda Teresia, Kate Lamb, Jamie Freed Organizations: Kiwi, West Papua National Liberation Army, New Zealand Foreign, United Nations, New Zealand, United, Star Locations: JAKARTA, New Zealand, Indonesia's Papua, Nduga, Papua, Papua New Guinea, United Nations

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — Salvadorans are headed out to vote Sunday in a presidential and legislative elections that’s largely about the tradeoff between security and democracy. Nonetheless, about eight out of 10 of voters support Bukele, according to a January poll from the University of Central America. "He just needs a little bit more time, the time he needs to keep improving the country,” Mena said. In the lead-up to Sunday’s vote, Bukele made no public campaign appearances. “There’s this growing rejection of the basic principles of democracy and human rights, and support for authoritarian populism among people who feel that, concepts like democracy and human rights and due process have failed them,” said Tyler Mattiace, Americas researcher for Human Rights Watch.

Persons: —, Bukele, El, Farabundo, ”, Marleny Mena, Mena, ” Mena, “, Tyler Mattiace Organizations: SALVADOR, University of Central, Nationalist Republican Alliance, Liberation Front, Human Rights Watch Locations: El Salvador, University of Central America, San Salvador's, Americas

☆ Opinion | The World Has Caught Up to Frantz Fanon
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Adam Shatz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The shock of the new, in political life, often sends us back to the past, in search of an intellectual compass. ), which he joined while working as a psychiatrist in Blida, on the outskirts of Algiers. He captured, as no other writer of his time did, the fury engendered by colonial humiliation in the hearts of the colonized. Fanon wrote at the height of the Cold War, but, with no less prescience, he regarded the East-West struggle as a passing sideshow, of far less consequence than the divisions between North and South, of the rich world and the poor world. If the colonial world was, in his words, “a world cut in two,” our post-colonial world seems scarcely less so.

Persons: Donald Trump, Viktor Orban, Jair Bolsanaro, Hannah Arendt’s “, ”, Arendt, Frantz Fanon, Fanon, —, haven’t, It’s Organizations: National Liberation, Israel, Black Panthers, Palestinian Locations: East, Africa, Martinique, Blida, Algiers, North, Ukraine, Gaza

☆ Colombia, ELN Rebels Extend Ceasefire With View Toward Longer Renewal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

BOGOTA (Reuters) - The government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels said on Monday they would extend a bilateral ceasefire for five days while they finish evaluating a much longer extension to the measure. The two sides are holding peace talks aimed at ending the guerrilla group's part in 60 years of armed conflict. They began a six-month ceasefire in August 2023, which expires on Monday. "Once the evaluation of the bilateral, national and temporary ceasefire and the current cycle (of talks) is finished, the extension will be signed," the two sides said in a joint statement from Havana, where they are holding the current round of talks. (Reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Persons: Julia Symmes Cobb, Sandra Maler Organizations: National Liberation Army Locations: BOGOTA, Colombia, Havana

☆ When Violence Was What the Doctor Ordered
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Jennifer Szalai | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

THE REBEL’S CLINIC: The Revolutionary Lives of Frantz Fanon, by Adam ShatzRhetoric that is polemical, that is caustic, that is ruthlessly extreme is potent in one sense yet vulnerable in another. It seizes attention and attracts acolytes; it is memorable and therefore memeable. Writers who deploy it are susceptible to being cherry-picked and caricatured. I kept thinking about this paradox while reading “The Rebel’s Clinic,” Adam Shatz’s absorbing new biography of the Black psychiatrist, writer and revolutionary Frantz Fanon. He was both a militant and a doctor, someone who promoted a “belief in violence” while also practicing a “commitment to healing.” An acquaintance recalls being struck by Fanon’s compassion: “He treated the torturers by day and the tortured at night.”

Persons: Frantz Fanon, Adam Shatz, ” Adam Shatz’s, Fanon, ” Organizations: Rebel’s Clinic Locations: syllabuses, French, Martinique, Bethesda, Md, lynchers, ”, France, Algeria

Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesThe Arakan Army is a member of the armed ethnic group alliance that recently gained strategic territory in the country’s northeast. The Arakan Army is the well-trained and well-armed military wing of the Rakhine ethnic minority movement, which seeks autonomy from Myanmar’s central government. The Arakan Army first said late Sunday night that it gained complete control of Paletwa township. Paletwa, whose location on the border gives it strategic importance, is where the Arakan Army first established a foothold in 2015 to fight the against the army. However, the Chin have been a major force in the resistance against the military since the army seized power in 2021, so they now share a common enemy with the Arakan Army.

Persons: Khaing, Khaing Thukha, Aung, Suu Kyi, hasn't, Paletwa, Chin Organizations: Arakan Army, Associated Press, Military, Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, National Liberation Army —, Paletwa Locations: BANGKOK, Rakhine, India, Bangladesh, Arakan, Paletwa, Chin, Shan, China, Suu

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