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WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday will weigh the fate of an 88-mile railroad project that would transport crude oil in Utah as the justices consider a dispute over whether federal officials conducted a stringent enough environmental review before approving it. It is opposed by Eagle County, Colorado, which claims that it will suffer from downstream effects of the railroad, as well as environmental groups. The federal entity overseeing approval of the project, the Surface Transportation Board (STB), conducted an environmental review and subsequently gave it the green light to commence. The Biden administration has backed the coalition at the Supreme Court in arguing that the STB's review was sufficient. Lawyers for Eagle County said in court papers that the appeals court correctly concluded that the STB had not done a full analysis.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Joe Biden, Biden, Elizabeth Prelogar, Neil Gorsuch, Philip Anschutz . Organizations: Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, Surface Transportation Board, ., Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, Environmental, Eagle, STB, DHIP Group, Rio Grande Pacific Corp, Liberal, Anschutz Exploration Corp Locations: Utah, Uinta, Eagle County , Colorado, Louisiana, Texas, Eagle County, Colorado, Rio

☆ OPEC+ oil output delay a 'reality check’ as group eyes demand, U.S. outlook, Saudi energy min says
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-06 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Saudi energy minister Abdulaziz bin Salman on Oct. 5, 2022. "There are so many other things, you know, growth in China, what is happening in Europe, growth in Europe … what is happening in the U.S. economy, such as interest rate, inflation," the Saudi energy minister said Friday. "Another delay, which we would not rule out, would leave the market broadly in balance next year," they said. Demand has been at the forefront of OPEC+ considerations, with the OPEC's November Monthly Oil Market Report seeing 1.54 million barrels-per-day of year-on-year growth in 2025. The Paris-based International Energy Agency, meanwhile, last month forecast that world oil demand will expand by 920,000 barrels per day this year and just under 1 million barrels per day in 2025.

Persons: Abdulaziz bin Salman, CNBC's Dan Murphy, Donald Trump — Organizations: Saudi Energy, Barclays, Bloomberg, Getty, HSBC, OPEC, International Energy Agency Locations: OPEC, U.S, Saudi, China, Iran, Europe, Paris

☆ Georgian opposition politician beaten unconscious by police, party says, as government crackdown intensifies
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-04 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Elene Khoshtaria, founder of the Droa party which Gvamaria represented, told CNN that police had stormed their offices on Wednesday. Following the vote, Georgia’s opposition parties said they would boycott parliament. Earlier this year, Levan Khabeishvili, then-chair of the United National Movement – Georgia’s foremost opposition party – said he was brutally beaten by special forces. Khabeishvili told CNN he had since stepped down as party chair, citing the effect the beating had on his health. Asked for comment, Georgia’s interior ministry told CNN that Gvamaria had been arrested over charges relating to “disobedience to the police.”

Persons: –, Nika Gvamaria, Elene Khoshtaria, Gvamaria, “, ”, ” Khoshtaria, Irakli Kobakhidze, Zurab, ” Gvamaria’s, Levan Khabeishvili, Khabeishvili Organizations: CNN, Coalition, European Union, Georgian Young Lawyers Association, United National Locations: Tbilisi, Soviet, Brussels

☆ Will Tulsi Gabbard bring a pro-Russian bias to intelligence reporting?
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-16 | by ( Dan De Luce | Dan De Luce Is A Reporter For The Nbc News Investigative Unit. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, at the Faith & Freedom Coalition's 2024 Road to Majority Conference, in Washington, DC., on June 21. But current and former intelligence officials fear that Gabbard will refuse to relay intelligence reporting that doesn’t fit in with her — or the president’s — worldview. “Would that predisposition translate into pressure on analysis to fit the administration’s policy goals?” one senior former intelligence official said. “We’ll see.”Previous administrations have clashed with the CIA and intelligence agencies over assessments that didn’t support their policy agendas or their views about a particular threat or an adversary’s intentions. The DNI’s job “is to define the world as it is, as opposed to advocating for a world as you want it to be,” the former intelligence official said.

Persons: Tulsi Gabbard, “, ”, Gabbard, Michael Brochstein, Donald Trump’s, George W, Saddam, Trump, Vladimir Putin, Bashar al, Assad, ” Gabbard, Syria’s Assad, Matt Gaetz, autocrats, Putin, Egypt’s Abdel Fattah el, Sissi, Narendra Modi, Modi, Jason Crow, ” Crow Organizations: NATO, Former, Faith, Majority Conference, Senate, CIA, Democratic, Indian, Modi, House Intelligence, NBC News Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Hawaii, Western, Washington ,, Former U.S, New Hampshire, Syria, Washington, Ukrainian, DNI, Cairo, United States, U.S, autocrats, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand

☆ Yen slips as Japan's election result clouds BOJ rate hike prospects
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The yen touched a three-month low on Monday as Japan's ruling coalition lost its parliamentary majority and investors figured that would likely slow future interest rate hikes, while the dollar headed for a monthly gain on rising U.S. yields. On the dollar, the yen hit its weakest since late July at 153.3 in early-morning trade and it touched the same milestone at 165.36 to the euro . That was down from the 279 seats they held previously and marked the coalition's worst result since it briefly lost power in 2009. The U.S. dollar index has climbed 3.6% during October, its sharpest monthly rise since April 2022. The New Zealand dollar traded near a three-month low of $0.5974, down nearly 6% for the month.

Persons: Shigeru Ishiba's, Komeito, Donald Trump, Sterling Organizations: Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party, NHK, Bank of Japan, Nomura, U.S, gilts, Australian, New Zealand Locations: Japan, U.S, Europe, Australia, China

☆ Russia's oil trade is rising as record volumes of Russian crude are carried on 'dark fleet' vessels
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-14 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

According to Clearview Energy Partners, Russian crude prices over the last four weeks have averaged about six cents below the Brent crude price. Record volumes of sanctioned Russian oil were carried by the "dark fleet" and known sanctioned tankers without known insurance over September, according to a recent report from Lloyd's List. The Price Cap Coalition continues to engage with industry to ensure compliance with the price cap and to increase Putin's costs of going outside it." The increased use of dark fleet vessels comes with greater maritime safety and environmental risks. Insurance giant Allianz said in May that dark fleet tankers had been linked to more than 50 accidents.

Persons: Kevin Book, Vortexa, Avebury, Andy Lipow, Putin, Lipow Organizations: Windward, Clearview Energy Partners, CNBC, European Union, Brent, Intelligence, Iranian Tanker Co, U.S . Office, Foreign, Control, Lipow Oil Associates, Treasury, Kremlin, Coalition, Group, Insurance, Allianz Locations: Morocco, U.S, Ukraine, Australia, India, China, Russian, Barbados, Seychelles, UAE, Avebury Shipmanagement . Greece, Russia, United States, Iran, Israel, Straits, Hormuz, Canada, Guyana

One measure on the ballot in New York state this November means two very different things to its supporters and its opponents. Advocates of the measure argue that it is simply a way to codify New Yorkers’ right to reproductive care. The Coalition to Protect Kids-NY has taken to calling the measure the “Parent Replacement Act.” The group argues that the measure would be used to strip rights from parents and push transgender rights for minors, in particular. The coalition's website includes no articles or other information about the ballot measure seeking to codify a right to abortion. Hochul’s office has helped lead the state’s Democratic Party to spend over $1 million to advertise in favor of the measure, including local ads, campaign yard signs and mailers.

Persons: you’ll, ”, Sasha Ahuja, they’ll, Ahuja, ” Ahuja, Roe, Wade, Kathy Hochul, “, ” Hochul, Anthony D’Esposito, ‘, I’ve Organizations: New, Coalition, New Yorkers, Equal Rights, NBC, “, NBC News, state’s Democratic Party, U.S . Rep, Republican, Harvard, Movement Advancement, Rights, Civil Liberties Union Locations: New York, Arizona , Colorado , Florida , Maryland , Missouri, Montana , Nebraska , Nevada , New York, South Dakota, Long

☆ Oil prices could surge 161% if Middle East conflict wipes out Iran's energy infrastructure, commodity chief says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Oil prices could surge past $200 a barrel if Iran's oil installations are taken offline, a chief commodities expert said. AdvertisementOil prices could roar past $200 a barrel if escalating tensions in the Middle East decimate Iran's crude output, a chief commodities analyst told CNBC. In the $200 per barrel scenario, Brent crude, the international benchmark, would gain 161% from its current price. Still, some investors are betting on the possibility of damaged oil output, Bloomberg reports. These restrictions were introduced to prop up oil prices, but have cost the alliance market share.

Persons: —, SEB's Bjarne Schieldrop, Schieldrop, Brent, Bob McNally, haven't Organizations: Service, CNBC, Traders, Bloomberg Locations: Iran, Hormuz, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh

☆ U.S. personnel wounded in attack against base in Iraq, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Two Katyusha rockets were fired at al Asad airbase in western Iraq, two Iraqi security sources said. One Iraqi security source said the rockets fell inside the base. The U.S. officials, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said one of the wounded Americans was seriously injured. "Base personnel are conducting a post-attack damage assessment," one of the officials added. A rare ally of both the U.S. and Iran, Iraq hosts 2,500 U.S. troops and has Iran-backed militias linked to its security forces.

Persons: Al Asad, Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammed Shia, Sudani, State Anthony Blinken, Blinken, Michael, Erik, Kurilla Organizations: Reuters, Israel, The U.S, Base, Pentagon, Hezbollah, U.S, Iraqi, State, U.S . Army, U.S . Central Command Locations: Iraq, Iraqi, Iran, U.S, Tehran, The, Israel, Gaza, Washington, Baghdad, Syria

☆ NATO condemns China as a 'decisive enabler' of Russia's war in Ukraine in sternest rebuke to date
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In NATO's most serious denunciation of China to date, the military coalition labeled Beijing a "decisive enabler" of Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine and expressed concerns over its nuclear arsenal and "systemic challenges" to the coalition's security. "The PRC has become a decisive enabler of Russia's war against Ukraine through its so-called 'no limits' partnership and its large-scale support for Russia's defence industrial base," a NATO communique said Wednesday, on the second day of a Washington summit celebrating the alliance's 75th anniversary. Earlier this week, Beijing started joint military exercises with Russia's close ally Belarus at a training ground mere miles away from the Polish border, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said in a Google-translated Telegram post. On the February 2023 first-year anniversary of the Ukraine war, China — which a month later successfully capitalized on goodwill earned as a trade partner to broker a reconciliation between arch-enemies Iran and Saudi Arabia — pitched a peace framework for the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. It, like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace plan and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's own recent conditions to ignite diplomatic negotiations, has so far failed to gain traction.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Russia's, Saudi Arabia —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy's, Vladimir Putin's Organizations: NATO, West, Belarusian Defense Ministry Locations: China, Beijing, Russia, Ukraine, Washington, Moscow, Belarus, Polish, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kyiv

☆ As NATO meets, leaders look to 'Trump-proof' the military alliance
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

US President Donald Trump arrives for the NATO summit at the Grove hotel in Watford, northeast of London on December 4, 2019. U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speak during a meeting in New York on September 25, 2019. Hanno Pevkur, Estonia's defense minister, emphasized that NATO allies did not interfere in each other's domestic politics and democratic processes. So when, when the choice of American people is Donald Trump, then it's Donald Trump. Then all the countries in the world, including Estonia, including the NATO allies, have to talk with this administration who will be put in place."

Persons: Donald Trump, Christian Hartmann, Trump, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Peter Nicholls, Jens Stoltenberg, Stoltenberg, Joe Biden's, —, Volodymyr Zelensky, Saul Loeb, Donald Trump's, Keir Starmer, Starmer, we've, that's, Radosław Sikorski, CNBC's Steve Sedgwick, Hanno Pevkur, It's, France —, Balázs Orbán, Viktor Orbán Organizations: NATO, AFP, Getty, Republican, Ukraine, Eurasia Group, Trump, Ukrainian, Independent, CNBC, Hungary's Locations: Grove, Watford, London, Washington, Ukraine, China, North Korea, Iran, Britain, New York, Europe, Russia, Estonia, United States, Germany, Canada, France, Poland

☆ Putin's Hungarian ally Orban draws EU ire over 'peace mission' to Moscow
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 5, 2024. Russia's closest European ally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has drawn ire from the EU over his Friday trip to meet Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Orban's trip to Moscow has also drawn the wrath of European officials, who questioned his authority to represent the bloc. Also referencing Orban's visit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that "appeasement will not stop Putin. Only unity and determination will pave the path to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine."

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Viktor Orban, Orban, Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, " Orban, Josep Borrell, Ursula von der Leyen, Donald Trump Organizations: Hungary's, Kremlin, EU, NATO, Reuters, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Locations: Moscow, Russia's, Hungarian, Ukraine, Hungary, Russia, Europe, Brussels, EU

☆ Trump says he proposed a 'migrant league of fighters' to UFC head Dana White: 'It's not the worst idea I've ever had'
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-23 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Donald Trump said he proposed a "migrant league of fighters" to UFC president Dana White. Trump shared his idea at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's conference in Washington. "It was a joke," Dana White said. AdvertisementDonald Trump told an audience on Saturday that he had pitched a "migrant league of fighters" to the head of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Dana White. "Did anyone ever hear of Dana White?"

Persons: Donald Trump, Dana White, Trump, — Organizations: UFC, Service, Business Locations: Washington

☆ Dutch PM Mark Rutte set to be next NATO secretary-general after rival withdraws from race
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Netherland's Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives to attend the European Political Community summit at the Palacio de Congreso in Granada, southern Spain on October 5, 2023. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Thursday rescinded his bid for the leadership of the NATO military alliance and threw his support behind the favorite contender for the post, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The move effectively clears the path for outgoing Dutch PM Rutte to assume the top position of the 32-member U.S.-led NATO military coalition, when incumbent Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg finishes his mandate on Oct. 1 after 10 years in the job. Iohannis, 65, is ending his second five-year round at the helm of Romania, which will hold national elections in September. Two weeks ago, Budapest conceded not to block the NATO alliance's deepening military support for Ukraine, in exchange for nonparticipation.

Persons: Mark Rutte, Klaus Iohannis, Iohannis, Rutte, Jens Stoltenberg Organizations: Netherland's, Palacio, Congreso, NATO, Dutch, Supreme, of National Defense, CNBC, U.S, Ukraine Locations: Granada, Spain, Romanian, Romania's, Ukraine, Iohannis, Romania, Rutte, Hungary, Russia, Budapest

☆ Trump's attempt to rally Gen Z continues — with Logan Paul
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Trump's out to charm Gen Z, and that demographic might already be souring on BidenFreshly convicted of 34 charges of falsifying business records, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee seems to have a new campaign strategy — appealing to younger Gen Z voters. Appealing to Gen Z could work for Trump, especially if one accounts for the "Trump amnesia" effect among Gen Zers. Now aged between 12 and 27 — some Gen Zers may have been too young during his presidency to be politically in tune with Trump-era policies. And Gen Zers who vocally backed Biden during his 2020 run may also be souring on him in 2024. Representatives of Trump, Paul, and Biden didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Persons: —, Logan Paul, Donald Trump, Trump, Paul, Mike Majlak, Putin, Elon Musk, MAGA Organizations: Service, Tesla, Business, Trump Locations: Russian

☆ China just showed how easily one of its massive drills around Taiwan could escalate into something worse
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewLast month, China conducted large-scale military exercises around Taiwan with the intent to send a message. He added that the May exercise showed that China's fleet "is very well suited" for a blockade or quarantine of Taiwan. After the most recent Chinese military drills, US Indo-Pacific Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo said the US observed the exercises closely, learning from them and assessing that they "looked like a rehearsal" for a military action against Taiwan. AdvertisementThe Taiwan M109 speed boats maneuver on the sea during a military drill on January 31, 2024, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. An outdoor screen shows a news coverage of China's military drills around Taiwan, in Beijing on May 23, 2024.

Persons: —, Tom Shugart, Adm, Samuel Paparo, Annabelle Chih, Nancy Pelosi, Mick Ryan, Ryan, JADE GAO, John Aquilino, Shugart, Gui Organizations: Service, Business, US Navy, Center, New, New American Security, of Defense, PLA, Pacific, Taiwan, Getty, South Korean, Theater Command, China Military, Anadolu, American Enterprise Institute, Institute for Locations: China, Taiwan, New American, Kaohsiung, Australian, Beijing, Gui Xinhua, Pacific

☆ India kicks off vote counting for the world’s biggest election, with exit polls projecting a Modi victory
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | In Charmainemariajacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Bharatiya Janata Party supporters wearing a hat with Narendra Modi's face during a nomination filing rally by in Kolkata, India on May 10, 2024. India started counting votes for its 2024 general election on Tuesday, with Narendra Modi projected to win a rare third consecutive term as prime minister as per exit polls. Exit polls released on Saturday showed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance was set to win an overwhelming majority, with the NDTV poll of polls pegging the coalition's seats at 365 in the lower house of the parliament. Exit poll projections may not always be accurate. Markets reacted euphorically to exit polls predicting an emphatic victory for the BJP, with key stock benchmarks, the Nifty 50 and the Sensex, gaining more than 3% and hitting record highs on Monday.

Persons: Narendra Modi's, Narendra Modi Organizations: Bharatiya Janata Party, National Democratic Alliance, NDTV, Markets, BJP Locations: Kolkata, India

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Russia cannot swallow the West whole, Orban says; G7 finance chiefs meet with Ukraine on agenda
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Governor of the Bank of Italy Fabio Panetta (L), Italy's Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti (R) and President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde pose on the sidelines of the G7 Finance Ministers meeting in Stresa on May 24, 2024. Earlier this week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Sky News she saw the "possibility" that G7 nations could assist Ukraine with as much as $50 billion in loans linked to frozen Russian assets. "The Russian assets are not earning interest anymore, but they are generating returns for Euroclear. That alone could be given to Ukraine that would be repaid over several years by that flow of interest," Yellen added. It remains to be seen whether G7 nations can strike consensus on such a loan and what final sum will be extended to support Kyiv's military effort.

Persons: Bank of Italy Fabio Panetta, Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti, European Central Bank Christine Lagarde, Janet Yellen, Yellen Organizations: Bank of Italy, Italy's, Economy, Finance, European Central Bank, Ukraine, Treasury, Sky News, Euroclear Locations: Stresa, Italy, Ukraine

☆ The US is worried about an invasion, but China could take control of Taiwan without firing a shot, war experts warn
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Defense experts say that an aggressive Chinese coercion campaign, short of war but still threatening, is more likely than a full-scale invasion and the US needs to prepare for such an event. Economic and diplomatic pressure is notable, and Chinese misinformation operations and the potential to slowly set up a blockade of Taiwan are also concerns. Annabelle Chih/Getty ImagesThe report identifies four things key to resisting Chinese coercion. CM-11 tanks fire artillery during the 2-day live-fire drill, amid intensifying threats military from China, in Pingtung county, Taiwan, 7 September 2022.

Persons: —, Han, Annabelle Chih, MANDY CHENG, Lai Ching, Lai, Ceng Shou Yi, John Aquilano, Xi, Aquilano, Carlos Del Toro, Frank Kendall Organizations: Service, Business, American Enterprise Institute, Institute for, Liberation Army, PLA, AEI, Cobra, Getty, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan, Getty Images, US, Pacific Command, US Armed Services, Air Force, Department of Defense Locations: Taiwan, China, Pingtung, US, Pacific, Hualien, AFP, Pingtung county, Guam, Japan

☆ Labor unions, domestic manufacturing groups launch coalition to reform de minimis import loophole
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

-WASHINGTON — Labor unions, domestic manufacturers, business associations and other interest organizations on Wednesday announced a bipartisan coalition to target an import loophole allowing billions of un-taxed goods into the U.S."The coalition we have assembled is a testament to the mounting pressure to close the de minimis loophole," Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said. The ranking member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade is working in conjunction with the new Coalition to Close the De Minimis Loophole. CBP said it processed over 1 billion de minimis shipments in FY '23, according to a report last modified on March 1. The company has been valued at over $66 billion according to a November report, while PDD reported third-quarter revenue of $9.44 billion that month. "Our industry has lost astonishingly 10 plants in five months as a result of the de minimis loophole," Glas told reporters.

Persons: Rep, Earl Blumenauer, minimis, Blumenauer, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, Neal Dunn, Sherrod Brown, Marco Rubio, Dunn, Dan Bishop, Rosa DeLauro, Conn, Shein, PDD, Kim Glas, Glas Organizations: Port, WASHINGTON — Labor, Wednesday, Trade, Coalition, Chinese Communist Party, U.S . Customs, CBP, CNBC, House CCP Committee, PDD Holdings, National Council of Textile Organizations, AFL, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Coalition for, Prosperous Locations: China, Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach , California, U.S, United States, Sens, Ohio, Singapore, Prosperous America

☆ NATO chief concedes 'valid point' of spending criticism as allies up defense budgets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a press conference on the third day of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meeting, in Marrakech, Morocco, October 11, 2023. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg conceded to criticism that some members have been underfinancing the coalition's defense budget, saying he expects a record 18 allies to meet their military spending goal this year. "The criticism that you hear is not primarily about NATO, it's about NATO allies not spending enough on NATO. And that's a valid point," Stoltenberg said during a press briefing on Wednesday, in response to a question on whether Trump's comments aligned with the broader views of Republican officials that the NATO chief has engaged. "The good news is that this is exactly what NATO allies are now doing."

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Donald Trump, Stoltenberg, " Stoltenberg Organizations: NATO, International Monetary Fund, Bank Locations: Marrakech, Morocco, Canada

In a court filing, Yost said the July 3 cutoff for the “Ohio Voters Bill of Rights” to make the fall ballot is a false deadline. Ballot campaigns are often mounted in presidential election years in order to take advantage of high turnouts or to motivate certain voter groups. He issued the decision even while acknowledging that his office had previously certified identical language, including a Nursing Facility Patients’ Bill of Rights in 2021 and another Ohio Voters Bill of Rights in 2014. The Ohio Voters Bill of Rights would enshrine in the state constitution the right for all Ohioans to vote safely and securely and require automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration and expanded early voting options and locations. It also follows a fight last summer over the threshold for passing amendments to the Ohio Constitution.

Persons: Dave Yost, Yost, Relators, ”, . Philip Randolph, shouldn’t Organizations: — Republican, “ Ohio, . Philip Randolph Institute, NAACP, Ohio, The Ohio Locations: COLUMBUS , Ohio, Ohio

☆ New Zealand National Day Protesters Demonstrate for Indigenous Rights
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Lucy CraymerWELLINGTON (Reuters) - Roughly 600 protesters on Tuesday marched to where New Zealand’s founding document was signed in the town of Waitangi, as official celebrations competed with protests against proposed government policies that threaten Indigenous rights. Demonstrators were protesting New Zealand's centre-right coalition's promises to undo policies that promoted the official use of the Maori language and sought to enhance Indigenous living standards and rights. The protesters arrived carrying signs asking the treaty be honoured and many people were waving the national Maori flag or the United Tribes flag. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and some of his coalition ministers arrived at the venue on Monday and were met by protesters displeased at moves to change Indigenous policy. Protest has long been part of Waitangi celebrations and in 1995 official events had to be cancelled due to anger over government policies.

Persons: Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, ” Moea Armstrong, Christopher Luxon, Lucy Craymer, Josie Kao Organizations: Reuters, New, Maori, United Tribes, British Crown Locations: Waitangi, New, New Zealand

Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said that 23 people, all rank-and-file fighters, were killed. The air assault was the opening salvo of U.S. retaliation for a drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend. The U.S. has blamed that on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias. Iran, meanwhile, has attempted to distance itself from the attack, saying that the militias act independently of its direction. On Friday, the USS Carney shot down a drone over the Gulf of Aden and there were no injuries or damage.

Persons: Hussein, Washington “, ” Mosawi, Rami Abdurrahman, Bassim, Awadi, embassy’s, “, —, Yemen’s, Carney, Dwight D, Abby Sewell, Bassem, Jon Gambrell, Tara Copp Organizations: Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Associated Press, Human Rights, U.S, Population Mobilization Forces, Islamic, Popular Mobilization Forces, Israel, U.S . military’s Central Command, U.S . Navy, Eisenhower Locations: BAGHDAD, United States, Iraq, Syria, Iranian, Baghdad, U.S, Britain, Jordan, Iran, Iraqi, Islamic State, Gaza, Aden, Red, Beirut, Jerusalem, Washington

☆ U.S. and Britain strike Yemen's Houthis in a new wave, retaliating for attacks by Iran-backed militants
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Yemen's Houthi followers take part in a tribal parade held against the United States-led aerial attacks launched on sites in Yemen, and solidarity with Palestinians, on January 22, 2024, near Sana'a, Yemen. The Defense Department said the strikes targeted sites associated with the Houthis' deeply buried weapons storage facilities, missile systems and launchers, air defense systems and radars. Saturday's strikes marked the third time the U.S. and Britain had conducted a large joint operation to strike Houthi weapon launchers, radar sites and drones. Iran has tried to distance itself from the drone strike, saying the militias act independently of its direction. Mosawi said the targeted sites in Iraq were mainly "devoid of fighters and military personnel at the time of the attack."

Persons: Yemen's, Dwight D, Lloyd Austin, Eisenhower, Carney, Hope, Bab, Jordan, Hussein, Mosawi, Rami Abdurrahman, Bassim, Awadi Organizations: Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Eisenhower, USS Carney, Associated Press, Defense Department, U.S, Human Rights, Islamic, Iraq, Israel Locations: United States, Yemen, Sana'a, Britain, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, U.S, Gulf of Aden, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Washington, Tehran, Sanaa, SABA, al, Gulf, Aden, Africa, Suez, Mandeb, Iranian, Baghdad, Gaza, Iraqi

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