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☆ The Putin-Kim bromance grows with a lion, yaks, bears, cockatoos, pheasants, and 40 ducks
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementRussia announced on Wednesday that Vladimir Putin is gifting Kim Jong Un about 70 animals for his zoo. Russia's environmental ministry said the animals include a lioness, two bears, two yaks, and over 60 birds. The new set of animals is another touch by Putin to firm up his alliance with North Korea. AdvertisementKozlov's ministry said it had previously sent Pyongyang birds such as eagles, cranes, and parrots, but that it was the first time Russia had donated mammals. In August, the Times of London, citing a veterinary source in Russia, reported that the Russian leader had sent Pyongyang two dozen purebred white horses.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Putin, Kim Jong, Alexander Kozlov, Kozlov's, Kim Organizations: Russia, North, Russian Ministry of Natural Resources, Moscow Zoo, Pyongyang Central Zoo, North Korean State Media, NATO, Central, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Locations: North Korea, Moscow, Pyongyang, North Korean, Korean, Russia, London, Russian, The, Ukraine, Korea, Germany, Poland, Western, Stockholm

☆ Google's DeepMind and YouTube built and shelved 'Orca,' a 'mind-blowing' music AI tool that hit a copyright snag
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Hugh Langley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementGoogle's DeepMind and YouTube previously built and shelved Orca, an AI music tool. Orca could generate music mimicking artists. Google trained it on copyrighted YouTube music videos. In November 2023, DeepMind announced a music generation AI model named Lyria, which was a pared-down version of the Orca project. AdvertisementSome employees who worked on Lyria and Orca left to found a new startup named Udio, which makes an AI music creation app.

Persons: Lizzie Widhelm, Taylor Swift, Orca, OpenAI, DeepMind, John Legend — Organizations: YouTube, Google

She wrote two more bills that same week supporting Julian Assange and Edward Snowden, who were behind two of the biggest US national security leaks of the 21st Century. Both men are broadly seen as enemies of the state within the intelligence community. Gabbard proposed repealing Patriot ActIf confirmed, Gabbard will be the most markedly anti-surveillance official to lead the intelligence community in the post-9/11 era. Some prominent Republicans like former Trump national security adviser John Bolton and former Trump UN ambassador and 2024 GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley have come out against her. Scott Olson/Getty ImagesGabbard is in many ways a stranger to the intelligence community.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, spymaster, Tulsi Gabbard, Daniel Ellsberg, Gabbard, ”, Ellsberg, Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, It’s, MAGA, Trump, Assange, Marco Rubio, Elise Stefanik, Mike Waltz, she’s, scot, Jamil Jaffer, George W, Bush, White, George Mason University’s, Snowden, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Assange —, Sen, Rand Paul, Justin Amash, Matt Gaetz, Gabbard’s Snowden, Bill Pugliano, Tulsi, Drew Angerer, Glenn Gerstell, —, Gerstell, ” Gerstell, She’s, neocons, ” “, Vladimir Putin’s, Biden, “, Hannity, Steven Ferdman, cynically, John Bolton, Nikki Haley, DNI, ” Haley, Hillary Clinton, Assad, Obama, Tom Williams, CNN Gabbard, Bashar Assad, Nancy Pelosi, Gabbard’s, we’ve, Trump’s, Qasem Soleimani, ” ‘, Donald Trump, Scott Olson, Democratic Sen, Chuck Schumer, ” Gabbard Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Pentagon, The New York Times, Washington Post, US, National Intelligence, Republican Party, WikiLeaks, National Security Institute, George, National Security Agency, — Democratic, Trump, FBI, Fox, Patriot, Foreign Intelligence, Congress, Capitol, Defense Department, Democrat, Republican, NATO, Fox News Channel Studios, Trump UN, GOP, blindsided, Hawaii National Guard, House Armed Services Committee, Syrian, ISIS, Democratic Party, Lawmakers, Gabbard Locations: Syria, Ukraine, Russia, Alexandria, —, Washington, Detroit , Michigan, Gabbard, Washington ,, China, Hawaii, American, Moscow, New York City, Kremlin, Iraq, Lebanon, Ohio, La Crosse , Wisconsin, United States

☆ Market interconnectedness challenges 'un-investable China' narrative: Analyst
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMarket interconnectedness challenges 'un-investable China' narrative: AnalystBrendan Ahern of KraneShares explains why he is skeptical of calls that China is an "un-investable" market, saying Chinese equities are an attractive investment despite challenges.

Persons: Brendan Ahern, KraneShares Locations: China

☆ Vladmir Putin gifts lion and bears to North Korean zoo
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

Russia transferred more than 70 animals, including an African lion and two brown bears, to a zoo in the North Korean capital Pyongyang from Moscow’s zoo, the Russian government said on Wednesday. The animals were “a gift from (Russian President) Vladimir Putin to the Korean people,” the government said. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a welcoming ceremony in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024. A bird is unloaded in a wooden crate upon arrival in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. Pyongyang and Moscow have forged closer ties since Putin visited the country in June and concluded a treaty with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Alexander Kozlov, Kozlov, Putin, Kim Organizations: North, Getty, Pyongyang Central Zoo, Moscow Zoo, Russian Natural Resources Ministry, AFP, Russia Locations: Russia, Korean, Pyongyang, Moscow’s, Russian, Moscow

CNN —The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, on the grounds it would not have secured the release of hostages. “We made clear throughout negotiations we could not support an unconditional ceasefire that failed to release the hostages. This resolution abandoned that necessity, and for that reason, the United States could not support it,” Wood added. The other four permanent members voted for it – including the UK, which has previously abstained from three other ceasefire resolutions shot down by the US. “There is an obvious urgency to implement an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

Persons: “, Robert Wood, ” Wood, ”, Wood, Danny Danon, Israel ’, Majed Bamya, Carolyn Allison Rodrigues, Birkett, Nicolas de Riviere, Barbara Woodward, –, Israel Organizations: CNN, UN, Seven, Palestinian Authority, Security, Russia, UNSC Locations: United States, Gaza, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, ”, Guyana, France

☆ Trump’s turn to bask in Musk’s reflected glory
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX visionary, has spent the last two weeks basking in Trump’s reflected glory at Mar-a-Lago. He’s around so much it’s almost like he’s family, and he even made it into a photo of Trump’s extended clan. Trump’s growing cultural cloutTrump’s visit to Musk’s launchpad was also the latest occasion since the election when he has inserted himself into high-profile photo-ops. The hit perhaps reflects Trump’s starry-eyed infatuation with Musk’s amazing array of spaceships and limitless ambition. With Musk, Trump might get more than he bargained for.

Persons: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, —, “, ”, Trump, Rushmore, Donald Jr, Texas Sen, Ted Cruz, Ronny Jackson, Musk, it’s, ” Trump, Greg Autry, Vivek Ramaswamy, Chandan Khanna, It’s, Kena Betancur, Joe Rogan, Theo Von, Musk’s launchpad, who’s, Anna Moneymaker, Kim Jong Un, MAGA, Elton John, DOGE, Andrew Harnik, Tim Pawlenty, CNN’s Erin Burnett, “ Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, Kim Organizations: CNN, Elon, SpaceX, Texas, White, Trump, University of Central, of Government, Fox News, Tesla, UFC, Madison, Getty, YouTube, Barstool Sports, Republican Party, House Republicans, Hyatt, Minnesota Gov Locations: Texas, Washington, New York, Great State of Texas, He’s, Trump, Gulf of Mexico, United States, University of Central Florida, AFP, Novi , Michigan, Korean, Washington ,, Mar, Minnesota, Russia, Paris

☆ 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

☆ Putin paying for 100,000 North Korean troops helps him delay a second mobilization: ISW
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementNorth Korean troops in Russia help Putin beyond sheer manpower needs — they help him at home, too. "The deployment of roughly 100,000 North Korean personnel would only replace Russian losses for less than three months," the think-tank wrote. In total, that could mean 100,000 North Korean troops cycling in and out of combat within a year, he said. The North Korean troops in Russia are believed to be special forces, which South Korean intelligence estimates say consist of about 200,000 members in total. AdvertisementSeoul also says that Russia is paying about $2,000 a month for each North Korean soldier.

Persons: Putin, ISW, Vladimir Putin, Kim, Russia's, Dmytro, Kim Jong Un Organizations: Putin, Kremlin, Institute for, Korean, Bloomberg, North Locations: Russia, The Washington, Moscow, Ukraine, Pyongyang, Kursk, Kyiv, North Korea, South Korea, America, Seoul, Korean, South

☆ Iran is increasing its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium, UN says
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Story Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

AP —Iran has defied international demands to rein in its nuclear program and has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog seen Tuesday by The Associated Press. Uranium enriched at 60% purity is just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. The IAEA also estimated in its quarterly report that as of Oct. 26, Iran’s overall stockpile of enriched uranium stands at 6,604.4 kilograms (14,560 pounds), an increase of 852.6 kilograms (1,879.6 pounds) since August. Western diplomats consider censuring IranIran last week offered not to expand its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60%, during a visit to Tehran by the IAEA chief, Rafael Mariano Grossi. In the past, Iran has responded to resolutions by the IAEA Board of Governors by further enhancing its nuclear program.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Grossi, Iran’s, Mohammad Eslami, Abbas Araghchi, Masoud Pezeshkian, —, Eslami, Donald Trump Organizations: AP, United Nations, Associated Press, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Hamas, America, Agency, Governors, Atomic Energy Organization of, Iranian Locations: Iran, Israel, Gaza, Tehran, Iran Iran, Fordow, Vienna ., Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Vienna, Isfahan

☆ US recognizes Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez as president-elect
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Stefano Pozzebon | Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The United States formally recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez as the country’s president-elect following the disputed July 28 presidential election, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday on X. “The Venezuelan people spoke resoundingly on July 28 and made Edmundo Gonzalez the president-elect. “The Venezuelan people overwhelmingly and unequivocally expressed their desire for democratic change—the publicly available voting tally sheets say so,” they said. Gonzalez on Tuesday thanked the US for the move, saying: “We deeply appreciate the recognition of the sovereign will of all Venezuelans. The Venezuelan opposition collected and published hundreds of thousands of vote tallies receipts claiming Gonzalez won with more than 70% of the vote.

Persons: Edmundo Gonzalez, Antony Blinken, Gonzalez, Nicolas Maduro, ”, Edmundo González Urrutia, “, ” Gonzalez Organizations: CNN, United, State Department, Tuesday, Carter Center, UN Locations: United States, Venezuelan, Rio de Janeiro, Venezuela, Caracas, Spain

☆ Afghan girl who encouraged others to sing wins children’s peace prize
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Nila Ibrahimi won the International Children’s Peace Prize on Tuesday, an award that has recognized luminaries including climate activist Greta Thunberg and girls’ education campaigner Malala Yousafzai. Afghan women prepare almonds at a factory on the outskirts of Aybak in Samangan Province on September 9, 2024. She co-founded “Her Story,” which encourages Afghan girls to share their stories, spotlighting the voices of those still in Afghanistan. Teenage girls and women are not allowed to study or work and can only leave the house with a male relative. “Human rights are protected in Afghanistan and no one is discriminated,” said spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat Fitrat.

Persons: Nila Ibrahimi, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, Ibrahimi, ”, Canada Ibrahimi, ” Ibrahimi, Richard Bennett, ” Bennett, Afghanistan’s, Hamdullah Fitrat Organizations: CNN, Getty, Foundation, Geneva, Human Rights, United Nations, UN, Women, Taliban Locations: ”, Afghanistan, Kabul, Aybak, Samangan Province, AFP, Canada, Pakistan, Germany, Australia, Netherlands

KYIV, Ukraine — The Ukrainian capital was blanketed by darkness Monday, even as residents were bolstered by a sense that their American allies had — finally — seen the light. "It is excellent news for us and a significant move," Kyiv resident Maryna Vlasenko, 39, told NBC News. She also bemoaned the lengthy process and the continued limits on Ukraine's use of the long-range weapons, however. A charred vehicle sits outside a residential building in Sumy, Ukraine, after a Russian missile strike Sunday. “Ukrainians don’t have the luxury of waiting while Russia continues killing civilians in Mykolaiv, Sumy, and pushing on the eastern front,” he added.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Maryna Vlasenko, ” Vlasenko, ”, Kyiv's, Kim Jong, Alfons Cabrera, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vlasenko, Dmitry Peskov, Biden, ” Trump’s, Mike Waltz, “, John Hamilton, Michael Bociurkiw, “ They’re, ” Frank Ledwidge, Ledwidge, “ It's, Vladyslav Faraponov, Donald Trump’s, Faraponov, don’t, Daryna Mayer Organizations: Kremlin, NBC, Ukrainian Emergency, Getty, Army Tactical Missile Systems, White, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Fox &, U.S . Army, Army Tactical Missile, Council’s Eurasia, England’s University of Portsmouth, Institute of American Studies Locations: KYIV, Ukraine, Russia, Russian, Odesa, Kursk, U.S, Moscow, Ukrainian, Sumy, Kyiv, Washington, Florida, AFP, “, British, Mykolaiv, Hong Kong

☆ North Korea's Kim Jong Un urges improved military capabilities for war
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged the country’s military to improve capabilities for fighting a war in a speech last week, state media KCNA said on Monday, after Pyongyang dispatched thousands of troops to Russia. The report came amid international criticism over rapidly developing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Washington, Seoul and Kyiv have said there are more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia to support its war against Ukraine, and some of them have engaged in combat in Kursk, near the Ukraine border. Biden’s administration has allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-made weapons to strike deep into Russia, sources told NBC News, marking a significant policy reversal and a response to Russia’s deployment of North Korean ground troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that North Korean troops had suffered casualties in combat with his country’s forces, and the first battles between them "open a new page in instability.”

Persons: Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Kim, ”, “, ” KCNA, Alexander Kozlov, Joe Biden, Yoon Suk Yeol, Shigeru Ishiba, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: Korean, Ukraine, National Resources and Ecology, South, Economic Cooperation, NBC Locations: Pyongyang, Russia, United States, South Korea, North Korea, Washington, Seoul, Kyiv, Kursk, Ukraine, Russian, Asia, Peru, Korean

The hour-long conversation marked the return of diplomacy to the decade-long conflict, even if their talk brought the familiar refrain it was not yet time to talk. One Western official said there was an “overall collective holding of breath” in Western capitals ahead of Trump’s inauguration. “The Germans speaking to Putin – that will have gone down badly” among Ukraine’s allies, the official said. “Giving Putin that positive bounce will have irked the French and others.” French President Emmanuel Macron has been particularly vocal about continuing support for Ukraine. Kremlin critics also warn of its history of using diplomacy as a pause or foil to pursuing its military goals.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, acceding, Zelensky, ”, Putin, Donald Trump, Trump, Scholz, “, Putin –, Emmanuel Macron, Donald Tusk, Biden, “ Scholz, Alena Epifanova, Epifanova, Scholz’s, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ebrahim Noroozi, Mike Waltz, “ ‘, ‘, ’ ” Trump, Kurt Volker, Trump’s, it’s, Oleksandr Gimanov, Volker, he’s, ’ ” Volker, Trump “, ” Volker, Sen, Marco Rubio, Kim Jong Un, elect’s, Putin won’t, “ He’s Organizations: CNN, White, Sunday, Trump, German, Foreign Relations, Schloss, Reuters, Ukraine, Economist, Getty, Biden Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Russian, Europe, Polish, Moscow, Schloss Bellevue, Berlin, Ukrainian, European, Trump’s Ukraine, Odesa, AFP, “, Afghanistan, China, United States, Beijing, US, Kyiv

☆ Pope Francis calls for investigation into Gaza genocide allegations
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Pope Francis has said that allegations of a genocide in Gaza should be “carefully investigated” marking some of his strongest criticism yet of Israel’s war in the territory. “According to some experts… what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide,” Vatican News, the Holy See’s official news outlet, cited the pontiff as writing in a forthcoming book. Pope Francis rarely comments on politics, often limiting his remarks to calls for peace. He lamented that “unarmed civilians are targets for bombs and gunfire” in Gaza and invoking scripture on war. Israel’s war in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, the ministry of health there says, and has flattened large swathes of the territory, triggering a humanitarian crisis.

Persons: Pope Francis, “, Hope, Yaron, ”, Omar Al, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Israel Organizations: CNN, Vatican, Vatican News, United Nations ’ International Court of Justice, Getty, ICJ, Hamas, UN, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Locations: Gaza, Israel, South Africa, Pretoria, Jabaliya, AFP, Parish

CNN —United States envoy Amos Hochstein is due to visit Beirut “imminently” after Lebanon responded “positively” to a US-backed proposal to stop the Israel-Hezbollah war, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Monday. US ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson relayed the proposal to the Lebanese government via Nabih Berri, the parliament speaker, on Thursday night, a Lebanese official told CNN earlier. According to the official, Hezbollah reviewed the proposal and submitted their response to Lebanese authorities on Sunday evening. The Israeli source added that Hochstein has not yet confirmed when he will arrive in the region. Another Lebanese source familiar with the ceasefire talks told CNN earlier that President-elect Trump has endorsed Hochstein’s ceasefire negotiations track, increasing the chances of its success.

Persons: Amos Hochstein, imminently, “, Najib Mikati, Al Araby, Mikati, Lebanon Lisa Johnson, Ed Ram, Netanyahu, Hochstein, Bezalel Smotrich, ”, Nabih Berri, Mohamed Azakir, Reuters Berri, Amal, Hassan Nasrallah, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Israel Organizations: CNN, United, Lebanese, UN, Getty, Reuters, Saudi, Al, Hezbollah, US Locations: Beirut, imminently ”, Lebanon, Israel, Lebanese, Nabih Berri, Lebanon’s, Israeli, Gaza, Al Awsat

☆ Trump doubles down on provocative Cabinet picks as their fates hang in the balance
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Not all of Trump’s picks are causing uproar. But in a conventional administration, controversies raging around at least four key Cabinet picks would be seen as a disaster. The president-elect’s son explains the planGaetz and several other Trump picks have caused consternation in some circles given the questions about their qualifications and past behavior. That’s what the American people want.”It would take a handful of Republican senators to block the most provocative Trump nominees early next year, given that Democrats are likely to vote en masse against them. If he’s qualified, he’s qualified.”Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt said he believed Trump’s nominees would get confirmed.

Persons: Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Hegseth, Trump’s, Intrigue, Gaetz, —, Kennedy, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio, Trump, he’s, ” Johnson, South Dakota Sen, John Thune, Mike Johnson, CNN’s Jake Tapper, “, ” Sen, Adam Schiff, Jim Himes, they’re, Matt Gaetz —, Robert Kennedy, Tulsi, ” Trump, Donald Trump Jr, ”, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, “ I’ve, … I’ve, Matt, ” Missouri Sen, Eric Schmitt, Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Pennsylvania Sen, John Fetterman Organizations: CNN, Washington, Republican Senate, Office, Fox News, Florida Republican, of Justice, Department of Health, Human Services, Senate, Trump, South, Louisiana Republican, California Democrat, Democrat, House Intelligence, Sunday, Connecticut Democrat, CBS, Republican, Fox Business, Oklahoma Republican, Press, ” Locations: Gaetz, — Russia, Washington, Florida, South Dakota, “ State, Louisiana, United States, California, Connecticut, ” Missouri, Alabama, Pennsylvania

☆ Russia is dropping millions on pay for up to 100,000 North Korean soldiers. They're unlikely to see much of it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russia is pouring cash into the deployment of up to 100,000 North Korean soldiers to help its war efforts — but the soldiers themselves are unlikely to receive any of it, according to North Korea experts. AdvertisementUkraine claims that up to 11,000 North Korean troops have been sent to help push back its forces in Kursk, and those numbers could rise. This could mean about 100,000 North Korean soldiers serving alongside Russia within a year, he said. North Korean soldiers onscreen in South Korea. Ukraine's allies have repeatedly said that North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine will become "cannon fodder" on the battlefield.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim Jong Un, Dimytro Ponomarenko, Ahn Young, joon, Kim, Bruce W Bennett, Bennett, Hyunseung Lee, RAND's Bennett, there's, Yoon Sang, hyun, Yoon, Chung Min Lee, Lee Organizations: Russia, North, America, Korean, Bloomberg ., AP, Associated Press, RAND, Ukraine, Radio Free, South, Korea Economic, Navy, Carnegie Endowment Asia, North Korean, Storm Corps Locations: Korea, Russia, North Korea, Kursk, South Korea, North Koreans, Korean, Radio Free Europe, Ukraine

☆ Nearly a hundred aid trucks looted in Gaza, as UN warns of ‘collapse of law and order’
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Pauline Lockwood | Hira Humayun | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Nearly a hundred aid trucks were looted in southern Gaza on Saturday in what UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, has described as “one of the worst” incidents of its kind. Of the 109 trucks carrying food supplies for UNRWA and the World Food Programme from the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, 97 trucks were “lost” in the looting, UNRWA told CNN in a statement Monday. Drivers were forced to unload trucks at gun point, aid workers were injured, and vehicles were damaged extensively, it said. In a report Monday that cited Gaza’s interior ministry, the Hamas-run Al-Aqsa TV channel claimed Gaza security forces had killed more than 20 people involved in looting aid trucks, though it did not specifically mention Saturday’s incident. Israel insists however that the number of aid trucks entering Gaza has risen and that it is “working tirelessly” to get aid into the enclave.

Persons: Philippe Lazzarini, Stéphane Dujarric –, ”, Lazzarini, “, ” Lazzarini, Dr, Munir Al, Bursh, Hani Badran, Kamal Adwan, Badran, Hussam Abu Safiya, Safiya, ” Safiya Organizations: CNN, UNRWA, UN, Drivers, Monday, Islamic Forces, COGAT, US State Department, West Bank, Hamas, Israel, ” CNN Locations: Gaza, Geneva, Aqsa, Israel, East Jerusalem, Beit Lahiya

☆ How different a commander in chief will Trump be?
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( Peter Bergen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +27 min

On the face of it, there are sizable differences in foreign policy between Trump and President Joe Biden. In October, the Biden administration again helped to intercept a barrage of around 200 Iranian ballistic missiles, which also caused minimal damage to targets in Israel. Bringing US troops homeIn 2020, the Trump administration signed a US withdrawal agreement from Afghanistan with the Taliban. But after McMaster was pushed out of office in 2018, the Trump administration negotiated with the Taliban the withdrawal agreement of all US forces from Afghanistan. Nonetheless, the incoming Trump administration seems intent on resurrecting Schedule F, an executive order issued in the last months of the first Trump term.

Persons: sneezes, Trump, Donald Trump’s, Joe Biden, —, Biden, Trump’s, shored, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Andrew Harnik, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Ahmad Gharabli, Israel, Jared Kushner, Qasem Soleimani, Mike Huckabee, Israel — Huckabee, David Friedman, Reagan, JD Vance —, H.R, McMaster, Nikki Haley, Mike Pompeo, Haley, Pompeo, Elise Stefanik, Mike Waltz, Florida, George W, Bush, Pete Hegseth —, Lloyd Austin, Jim Mattis, Robert Gates, John Ratcliffe of, Tulsi Gabbard, Vladimir Putin, Basher al, Assad, Putin, Diego Fedele, Ukraine doesn’t, John Bolton, Mark Rutte, Tom Homan, Homan, ” Trump, CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez, “ It’s, Maura Healey, Stephen Miller, CBS’s, Camp David, It’s, Kim Jong Un Organizations: CNN, Trump, NATO, Ukraine, White, of, Biden, CIA, Liberation Army, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Obama, Getty, West Bank, Abraham Accords, Arkansas Gov, US Defense Intelligence Agency, ISIS, McMaster, UN, GOP, Republican, Special, House Armed Services Committee, Pentagon, Fox News, Senate, Republicans, US Civil, Policy, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, Policy Institute, Rep, House Intelligence, NATO Trump, US Congressional Research Service, Joint Assault Brigade, National Police, of Homeland, American Immigration Council, NBC News, US Bureau of Prisons, Massachusetts Gov, National Guard, Congress, Washington Post, H.R, North, America Locations: Paris, Russia, China, Beijing, South China, United Kingdom, Australia, Taiwan, Washington, United States, Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Iranian, Syria, Israel, Yemen, Jerusalem, AFP, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, John Ratcliffe of Texas, Hawaii, Ukraine, Dnipro, Soviet, Toretsk, Crimea, Japan, NATO, “ Russia, Baltic, Western Europe, ”, Korean, North Korean

I’m tripping over their bodies,” said Sydney Seiler, the U.S. national intelligence officer for North Korea from 2020 to 2023. “Kim Jong Un is selling North Korean soldiers as cannon fodder mercenaries,” South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun said last month. It’s an entirely new environment for the North Korean soldiers, who live in one of the most isolated and repressive countries in the world. The Russian military is teaching the North Korean soldiers about 100 key military terms, but “North Koreans are having a difficult time learning Russian,” South Korean lawmakers Lee Sung-kwon and Park Sun-won said last month. North Korean soldiers’ inexperience could be another point of friction and a major factor in how they are deployed.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Putin, ”, Sydney Seiler, Seiler, Gavriil, Joe Biden, Yoon Suk Yeol, Shigeru Ishiba, Kim, “ Kim Jong, Kim Yong, hyun, John Hardie, Lee Sung, Bruce Bennett, ” Hardie, Bennett, ” Bennett, Edward Howell, “, ” Howell, Stella Kim Organizations: Ukraine, North, NBC News, U.S, The State Department, Korea’s National Intelligence Service, NBC, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Getty Images, Economic Cooperation, South Korean Defense, Pentagon, Politico, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, North Korean, South Korean National Intelligence Service, AFP, Getty, Korean, Battalion, Russian Ministry of Defense, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, South, Sun, Rand Corp . Communication, Chatham House Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Ukraine, Moscow, Russia, U.S, North Korea, Russian, Kursk, Korean, Korea, Washington, Pyongyang, Getty Images North Korea, South, Asia, Lima , Peru, The U.S, California, Ukrainian, London, Seoul, Hong Kong

☆ Iran ‘categorically denies’ UN envoy met Elon Musk
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-16 | by ( Mostafa Salem | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The New York Times reported the meeting took place earlier this week, citing two Iranian officials. But Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei “categorically denied” that a meeting took place and was “surprised” by the coverage in US media, state-run IRNA said. CNN has reached out to Musk, Trump’s transition team and the Iranian mission at the UN for confirmation of the meeting. Just last week, the day after the presidential election, Musk joined Trump’s call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to two sources. Trump announced Tuesday that Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency” in his second administration.

Persons: CNN —, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Esmaeil Baghaei “, ”, IRNA, Amir Saeid Iravani, Musk, Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump, Zelensky, Vivek Ramaswamy, Government ”, –, Republicans – Organizations: CNN, United Nations, Elon, The New York Times, The Times, UN, Trump, “ Department, Government, NASA, Republicans Locations: Iranian, New York, Starlink, Ukraine, Russia, Government

☆ Pro-Palestinian activists’ anger at Democrats hasn’t been dampened by Trump’s election
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-16 | by ( Gregory Krieg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —For Democratic pro-Palestinian activists, Donald Trump’s reelection delivered a bitter vindication. Led by the Uncommitted National Movement, they spent months pushing and pleading with the Biden administration to scale back its support for Israel’s war in Gaza. “I don’t have any regrets,” Uncommitted spokesman and strategist Waleed Shahid told CNN. After weeks of back-and-forth, on the final night of the confab, party officials inside the United Center told Uncommitted leaders it was a no-go. “The thing I’ve been saying and I will always say is that these uncommitted voters are our voters, they’re our family,” Barnes told CNN at the time.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Biden, Joe Biden’s, “, ”, James Zogby, Kamala Harris, ” Uncommitted, Lexis Zeidan, Trump “, ” Lexi Zeidan, Trump, Jill Stein, Harris, Harris ’, wasn’t, ” Zeidan, ’, Wa’el Alzayat, Emgage, Alzayat, Wa'el Alzayat, Jose Luis Magana, Mike Huckabee, Tulsi Gabbard, Matt Gaetz, Waleed Shahid, Lavora Barnes, –, ” Barnes, Shawn Fain, Ruwa, Romman, ” Romman, Trump’s, Dalal Baydoun, Stein, Israel, ” Harris, Bill Clinton, ” Clinton, ” Clinton’s, capper, Liz Cheney, Dick Cheney, Donald Trump, ” Shahid, “ it’s, ” Zogby, Zogby, “ There’s, we’re, he’s, CNN’s Danny Freeman, Yon Pomeranz Organizations: CNN —, Democratic, Movement, Black, Arab American Institute and, Democratic National Committee, Trump, CNN, Green Party, Democrat, Democrats, Muslim, Latina, Democratic National Convention, United Center, Michigan Democrats, United Auto Workers, statehouse, West Bank, United Nations, UN Human Rights, State, Defense, Michigan State University Locations: Gaza, Michigan, Dearborn, CNN Dearborn , Michigan, American, Chase , Maryland, Israel, Chicago, Palestinian, Georgia, ”, Arab, Lebanon, East Lansing, Palestine, Iraq

☆ During meeting with Biden, China's Xi cautions the U.S. to 'make the wise choice' to keep relations stable
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with China's President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Lima, Peru, on Nov. 16, 2024. Biden was expected to urge Xi to dissuade North Korea from further deepening its support for Russia's war on Ukraine. In front of the cameras Saturday, Xi spoke to Biden — but it was unmistakable that his message was directed at Trump. After he was greeted by Xi, Biden ignored shouted questions from reporters on his concerns about the incoming Trump administration as well as North Korea. Biden is looking for Xi to step up Chinese engagement to prevent an already dangerous moment with North Korea from further escalating.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Xi, Biden, haven't, We've, Trump, Warby Parker, Steve Madden, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Yoon Seok Yul, Shigeru Ishiba, Kim Jong, Pyongyang's, Kim Organizations: APEC, U.S, Economic Cooperation, U.S ., China -, Conference Center, Nike, Trump, White House, FBI, Ukraine, South, North, The North Locations: Lima , Peru, Beijing, U.S, Asia, China, North Korea, Ukraine, Lima's, Northern California, Russia, Taiwan, Moscow, United States, Russia's Kursk, Pyongyang, The, The North Koreans, Japan, South Korea, Xi, Peru

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