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☆ US raises concerns about cozying relations between Russia and North Korea
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Katie Bo Lillis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

In January, high-ranking North Korean and Russian diplomats met in Moscow in advance of what North Korean state media says is a forthcoming visit to Pyongyang by Russian President Vladimir Putin himself — his first in more than 20 years. Trade with Russia could also further weaken the sanctions regime the US has placed on North Korea, also accelerating its economy and potentially bolstering its arms development program. As always with North Korea, deciphering how the hermit kingdom may respond is like reading chicken bones. For weeks, a blog post on an influential North Korea watchers website written by two former analysts circulated within the US government. If anything, some analysts believe, North Korea’s public statements signal that North Korea is abandoning its reunification policy in pursuit of peace on the peninsula.

Persons: Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, —, Biden, Jake Sullivan, Kim, ”, “, ” Jeffrey Lewis, Lewis, ” Lewis, Sydney Seiler, Seiler, ” Kim doesn’t, “ That’s, “ Kim, it’s, We’re, ” Seiler, we’ll Organizations: CNN, North, Russia, Intelligence, White House, DPRK, Democratic People’s, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, North Korean, National Intelligence Council, US Locations: North Korea, Washington, South Korea, Russia, Moscow, Pyongyang, Russian, Korea, Democratic People’s Republic, Soviet Union, United States, North, China, Beijing, Japan, Korean

CNN —The home of a Canadian Sikh activist in Brampton, Ontario, was hit by gunfire on Monday, months after the assassination of another activist sent India-Canada relations into a spiral. “It appears that only one bullet hole was found but that is subject to change,” Peel Regional Police wrote in a statement. The bullet hole in Gosal's home in Brampton, Ontario. The Canadian citizen was gunned down by masked men last June outside a Sikh temple in British Colombia. Weeks later, the United States accused an Indian government official of being involved in a conspiracy to kill another Sikh separatist, American citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on US soil.

Persons: Inderjit Singh, Gosal, Singh, Justin Trudeau, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Weeks, Gurpatwant Singh, Pannun, Nikhil Gupta, Gupta, Nijjar, “ Organizations: CNN, Justice, Peel Regional Police, Indian Consulate Toronto, Canadian, Indian, Global Affairs Canada Locations: Brampton , Ontario, India, Canada, India’s Punjab, British Colombia, United States, Ontario, Punjab

☆ It looks like Taylor Swift will make it to the Super Bowl after all
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Hannah Getahun | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

It arrived from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Los Angeles' LAX airport moments after 3:30 p.m. local time. Fans arrive at the Tokyo Dome, for the Taylor Swift concert, as part of the "Eras Tour" Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, in Tokyo. It’s so romantic," said office worker Hitomi Takahashi, 29, who bought matching Taylor Swift sweatshirts with her friend and took photos just outside the Tokyo Dome. Business Insider reported that the jet-setting starlet downsized from two planes to one plane. Representatives for Swift did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Persons: —, Taylor, Swift, they've, Travis Kelce, sleuths, Taylor Swift, Eric Thayer, ” Swift, Toru Hanai, Hitomi Takahashi, ”, Jack Sweeney, Swift's, “ Organizations: Service, LAX, Business, NFL, Los Angeles International Airport, Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Swift, Chiefs Locations: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Haneda, Kelce's, Washington, Asia, Australia, Instagram .

Officials have weighed in on her ability to park her jet in Las Vegas airports. The Japanese Embassy in Washington posted on social media that she could make the Super Bowl in time, including in their statement three Swift song titles – “Speak Now”, “Fearless” and “Red." “If she departs Tokyo in the evening after her concert, she should comfortably arrive in Las Vegas before the Super Bowl begins,” it said. If it all goes as planned she’s then expected to fly to Australia later this week to continue her tour. “This week is truly the best kind of chaos,” Swift posted Wednesday on Instagram.

Persons: — Will, Taylor Swift's, Travis Kelce, Swift, ”, “, Kelce, she’s, ” Swift Organizations: TOKYO, Super, Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs Locations: Tokyo, Haneda, Las Vegas, Washington, Asia, Los Angeles, Australia, Instagram

☆ Prague, Budapest Hold up EU Move to Sanction Violent Israeli Settlers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in December he would propose similar measures. The EU has not spelled out what the sanctions would entail but officials have said they would include bans on travel to the EU. The EU has already imposed sanctions on Hamas following the Oct. 7 attacks and diplomats say more are in the pipeline. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Wednesday now was "definitely not the time" to sanction Israeli settlers, state news agency MTI reported. (Additonal reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague and Boldizsar Gyori in Budapest; Editing by Nick Macfie)

Persons: Andrew Gray, John Irish, Josep Borrell, Israel, Peter Szijjarto, MTI, Jan Lipavsky, Jan Lopatka, Boldizsar, Nick Macfie Organizations: West Bank, West Bank ., EU Locations: John Irish BRUSSELS, PARIS, EU, Hungary, Czech Republic, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, United States, Britain, Budapest, Czech, France, Prague

☆ Messi’s ‘miracle’ return stirs Chinese anger and conspiracy theories
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“(He) played in five of the six preseason games and only missed the game in Hong Kong, China! Don’t come to China, China doesn’t welcome you,” another user wrote in a post liked by 20,000 others. “Why didn’t Messi play in Hong Kong or participate in the handshake with HK (the Hong Kong) chief executive? Messi's no-show sparks an outcry in Hong Kong on February 4, 2024. One social media user noted that it was not only Messi who played in Tokyo, but not Hong Kong.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi didn’t, Messi, “ Messi, Hong Kong, Kenneth Fok, Hu Xijin, didn’t Messi, ” Hu, ”, Louise Delmotte, “ Don’t, Hong, David Beckham, Beckham, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Luis Suárez couldn’t, Philip Fong, “, nimbly, Regina Ip, ” “ Messi, Kenneth Chan, Taylor Swift, ’ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Sunday, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Vissel, Hong, CNN, Weibo, HK, Global Times, Inter, National Basketball Association, Houston Rockets, Soccer, Ardent, Messi, Argentina national, Australia, Inter Miami's, Getty, The Inter Miami, Hong Kong Baptist University Locations: China, Hong Kong, Argentine, Japan, Vissel Kobe, Tokyo, Beijing, State, China’s Sichuan, Argentina, AFP, Asia

☆ Even the wealthy will have to pay extra for parking at the Super Bowl — at least for their private jets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Taylor Rains | Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Hundreds of private jets are expected to flood Las Vegas this weekend for Super Bowl LVIII. According to the agency, Super Bowl parking spot reservations are handed by aircraft service stations known as fixed-based operators, or FBOs. Scottsdale Airport in Arizona saw a deluge of private jets ahead of the Super Bowl in 2023. Wealthy flyers will also use private charter companies like flyExclusive and VistaJet to schedule a drop-off and pick-up before and after the Super Bowl. AdvertisementRepresentatives for Swift did not immediately respond to comment from BI regarding her planned Super Bowl travels.

Persons: Taylor, —, Heidi Hayes, City's, Harry Reid, Henderson, Hayes, Leona Qi, Jim Segrave, LIV, Breitenfeldt, Ross D, Niall Mulcahy, Mulcahy, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Swift, hasn't, Qi Organizations: Service, Las, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Clark, Clark County Department of Aviation, Federal Aviation Administration, Super, National Football League, FAA, NFL, Harry Reid International Airport, Henderson Executive Airport, North Las Vegas Airport, Boulder City Airport, Flexjet, Private, Associated Press, WM Phoenix, Super Bowl, Scottsdale Airport, Franklin, Signature Aviation, Dassault Falcon, Dassault, Bombardier Global, Gulfstream, Bombardier Locations: Vegas, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Clark County, North, North Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Glendale , Arizona, Arizona, Missouri, Baltimore, Nashville

☆ How Las Vegas airports are bracing for an influx of private jets for the Super Bowl
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Taylor Rains | Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Some 330,000 people are expected to visit Las Vegas this weekend as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. AdvertisementThese include Sin City's main Harry Reid International Airport, as well as Henderson Executive Airport, North Las Vegas Airport, and Boulder City Airport in the suburbs. Speaking to the Henderson and North Las Vegas airports, Hayes told BI there are about 1,100 slots across the two. According to the agency, Super Bowl parking spot reservations are handed by aircraft service stations known as fixed-based operators, or FBOs. AdvertisementRepresentatives for Swift did not immediately respond to comment from BI regarding her planned Super Bowl travels.

Persons: Heidi Hayes, City's, Harry Reid, Henderson, Hayes, Leona Qi, Jim Segrave, LIV, Breitenfeldt, Ross D, Niall Mulcahy, Mulcahy, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Swift, hasn't, Qi Organizations: Las, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Clark, Clark County Department of Aviation, Federal Aviation Administration, Super, National Football League, FAA, NFL, Harry Reid International Airport, Henderson Executive Airport, North Las Vegas Airport, Boulder City Airport, Flexjet, Private, Associated Press, WM Phoenix, Super Bowl, Scottsdale Airport, Franklin, Signature Aviation, Dassault Falcon, Dassault, Bombardier Global, Gulfstream, Bombardier Locations: Las Vegas, Clark County, Vegas, North, North Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Glendale , Arizona, Arizona, Tokyo, Missouri, Baltimore, Nashville

☆ Taylor Swift will have enough time to make it from her concert in Tokyo to the Super Bowl, Japan's diplomats assure fans
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Taylor Swift can make it in time for the Super Bowl after her Tokyo concert, diplomats said. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end plays in Las Vegas a day after Swift performs in Japan. AdvertisementInternational diplomats are confident Taylor Swift can make it from her world tour stop in Tokyo to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in time to support her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Taylor Swift performs onstage during The Eras Tour in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Then, Swift performs at the Tokyo Dome from February 7 through February 10 before flying back to the States for the Super Bowl the next day.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Swift, Travis Kelce, —, Taylor, Kevin Mazur, she's, Kelce Organizations: Super, NFL, The Kansas City Chiefs, Service, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Chiefs, Business, Embassy, Super Bowl Locations: Tokyo, Embassy, Japan, The, Las Vegas, Washington , DC, East Rutherford , New Jersey, United States

☆ No New Import Bans in Next EU Russia Sanctions Package - Sources
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Julia PayneBRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission will not add any new import bans in its next package of sanctions on Russia, EU diplomats said, as a 13th package proposal takes its final shape. Despite calls from some EU countries to ban more Russian exports like aluminium, the Commission will propose a package it hopes will cause minimal debate among member states so it is passed quickly. The sources added that once the 13th sanctions package is passed, the Commission will quickly propose a 14th set of measures which could include some new import bans. The EU has already banned many big ticket items such as sea-borne Russian oil imports and, most recently, diamonds. The EU will also soon adopt a first-step law to set aside windfall revenues from Russia's 300 billion euros of immobilised assets, mostly held in Europe.

Persons: Julia Payne BRUSSELS, Julia Payne, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: European Commission, European Union, EU, Russian Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Brussels, Europe, EU

☆ Hamas deploys police, distributes funds in sign of resurgence in Gaza areas Israeli troops have left
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A Hamas fighter aims an RPG, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Gaza City, Gaza, in this still image taken from video released on Jan. 31, 2024. Israel has said it's determined to crush Hamas militarily and prevent it from returning to power in Gaza, an enclave it has ruled since 2007. In recent days, Israeli forces renewed strikes in the western and northwestern parts of Gaza City, including in areas where some of the salary distributions were reported to have taken place. Four Gaza City residents told The Associated Press that in recent days, uniformed and plainclothes police officers deployed near police headquarters and other government offices, including near Shifa Hospital, the territory's largest. Ahmed Abu Hadrous, a Gaza City resident, said Israeli warplanes struck the area where the makeshift office is located multiple times earlier this week, including Saturday morning.

Persons: Israel, Saeed Abdel, Ahmed Abu Hadrous, Hijazi, Abu Yousef al, Khan Younis, Qatar — Organizations: Hamas, Associated Press, AP, Health Ministry, United Nations, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Gaza City, Gaza, Shifa, Gaza's, Rafah, Egypt, Jeneina, Hams, United States, Qatar, Iraq, Syria, Iranian, Jordan

☆ The Kremlin may be retaliating against anti-war Russian celebs abroad — even trying to get countries to send them back, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

On January 25, seven members of Bi-2, a popular Russian-Belarusian rock band, were arrested in Thailand before a planned performance. The band left Russia after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and has been performing for Russian expats abroad while also speaking out against the war. VPI Event, the concert organizer, said it had obtained the incorrect permit, according to The Times, but said the band members' arrest was unusual. But Dmitri Gudkov, an exiled Russian politician who knows the band, told The Times the push to send the band to Russia was a "special operation." Maksim Galkin, an anti-war Russian comedian, also said he was being targeted by Russia.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Dmitri Gudkov, Ekaterina Schulmann, Schulmann, Maksim Galkin, Galkin, wouldn't Organizations: Service, Russian, Business, Authorities, Human Rights Watch, The Times, Russian Foreign Ministry, New York Times, Times, Bloomberg, Russia's Foreign, Russia Locations: Ukraine, Thailand, Indonesia, Russian, Belarusian, Russia, Moscow, Israel, Australia, Germany, Bali

☆ French Minister Heads to Mideast With Post-War Gaza Plans in Mind
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By John IrishPARIS (Reuters) - France's foreign minister travels to the Middle East on Saturday to test ideas about reviving an Israeli-Palestinian political process after the Gaza war as Europe tries to play a role in a conflict that has deeply divided the European Union. He was referring to Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne's trip to Egypt, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon, where he will also continue French efforts to defuse tensions between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. European Union member states are divided on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and their response has mostly been to try to ease the humanitarian situation in the enclave. The Gaza war was triggered by fighters from the Hamas militant group who stormed across the border fence into Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza say more than 27,000 Palestinians have been confirmed killed, thousands more wounded, the enclave left in ruins and many more displaced.

Persons: John Irish PARIS, Christophe Lemoine, Stephane Sejourne's, Israel, Josep Borrell, John Irish, William Maclean Organizations: European Union, Union, EU Locations: Gaza, Europe, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Iran, EU, Paris

☆ More than 800 Western officials pen scathing criticism of Gaza policy
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Mick Krever | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —More than 800 officials from the United States and Europe have signed a scathing criticism of Western policy towards Israel and Gaza, accusing their governments of possible complicity in war crimes. Among them are around 80 United States officials and diplomats, a source told CNN. The official added that the ICJ’s decision to hear a genocide case lodged against Israel was validation for the authors’ concerns. Despite the letter not listing its authors, the US official told CNN many colleagues feared losing their jobs, and that the lower number of US signatories reflected stronger protections for official dissents in Europe. CNN has asked the U.S. State Department, the European Union, and the Dutch Foreign Ministry for a response to the statement.

Persons: “, ”, Israel, Mohammed Salem Organizations: CNN, United, Hamas, International Court of Justice, Union, U.S . State Department, European Union, Dutch Foreign Ministry, ” Locations: United States, Europe, Israel, Gaza, Rafah, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, British, Ukraine, Russia, China, Iran

☆ This is the world’s rarest passport
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Lola Méndez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The Sovereign Military Order of Malta – also known as the Knights of Malta – isn’t just a religious Catholic order with nearly 1,000 years of history. After World War II, the use of the diplomatic passport took on characteristics of passports used in other countries. Today, there are only around 500 of the diplomatic passports in circulation – making it the rarest passport in the world. robertharding/Alamy Stock Photo“The Order grants passports to members of their government for the duration of their mandate,” de Petri Testaferrata says. Once when I arrived at the Bangkok airport, a crowd of operators at passport control wanted to see my rare passport and take a selfie with it,” Balfour tells CNN.

Persons: Malta –, It’s, King, Spain, Napoleon Bonaparte, Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, Angelo, ” de Petri Testaferrata, Marianna Balfour, “ They’ve, ” Balfour, De Petri Testaferrata, John Kellerman, Anne, de Valette, Paschal II, ” Dane Munro, Don’t, Grand, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, Caravaggio, St John’s, St John ”, Finnbarr Webster, Casa Rocca Piccola, de Piro, Munro, Marquis Nicholas de Piro, Knight of Malta Don Pietro Rosselli Organizations: CNN, Knights, Knights of Malta – isn’t, United Nations, Sovereign Council, Souverain, Fort, UNESCO, “, Casa Magazzini, National Library of Malta, of, Supreme, Grand Masters, of Ambassadors, St, Maltese Association of Locations: Malta, Knights of Malta, Jerusalem, Maltese, Rome, of Malta, St, robertharding, Bangkok, France, United Kingdom, United States, Knights, Valletta, Mdina, Knight

“It is necessary to conduct this operation unilaterally and without notifying Venezuelan officials,” reads the 15-page 2018 memo expanding “Operation Money Badger,” an investigation that authorities say targeted dozens of people, including Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Within weeks, senior DEA officials plotted to deploy at least three undercover informants to surreptitiously record top officials suspected of converting Venezuela into a narco state. And “to limit or mitigate the exposure of the unilateral activities,” the document advised DEA officials to protect their informants and curtail in-person meetings with targets. I think they figured they had nothing to lose.”RELEASED BY ACCIDENTThe Operation Money Badger memo was never intended to be made public. The DEA memo authorized three informants to secretly record undercover meetings with the targets.

Persons: –, ”, Nicolás Maduro, Maduro’s, Alex Saab, Wes Tabor, “ We’re, Maduro, “, Biden, ” Maduro, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Joe Biden, ” —, Evan Criddle, William & Mary, there’s, Mike Vigil, Manny Recio, John Costanzo Jr, Costanzo, ” Michael Nadler, Washington –, launderer, Jose Vielma, Hugo Chávez, Vielma’s, Luis Motta, Vielma, Motta, Motta’s, Zach Margulis, Hugo Carvajal, Jennifer Farrar Organizations: MIAMI, The Associated Press, U.S . Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, Justice, AP, CIA, State, Justice Department, U.S, Attorney’s, Democratic, Supreme, William &, Saab, Miami Field Division’s, IRS Locations: Venezuela, United States, U.S, America, Venezuelan, Miami, Manhattan, Russia, China, OPEC, Mexico, Virginia, “, Colombian, New York, Houston, Washington, Investigative@ap.org

☆ Japan's Message for Donald Trump: Don't Cut a Deal With China
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +8 min

Trump, who reached a trade agreement with Beijing in 2019 that later expired, has not mentioned any potential deal with China during his campaign for the 2024 nomination. Two Japanese foreign ministry officials said they fear that Trump may be prepared to weaken U.S. support for nearby Taiwan in pursuit of a deal with China. A Trump aide told Reuters that no recent meetings have taken place between Trump and Japanese officials. "If he is going to cut a deal with China, Japan needs to try and get ahead of the curve and understand its potential role to support its interests in both the U.S. and in China," said Machida. Robert O'Brien, Trump's former national security adviser, also has connections with Japanese officials, two of the sources said.

Persons: John Geddie, Tim Kelly, Yoshifumi, America's, Donald Trump, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden's, Trump, Xi, Kim Jong Un, they're, Ado Machida, Machida, Shinzo Abe, Aso, Japan's, Shigeo Yamada, Mike Pence, Jim Mattis, Mike Pompeo, Michael Green, Bill Hagerty, Yamada, Hagerty, Robert O'Brien, Trump's, O'Brien, Shigeru Kitamura, Biden, Tsuneo Watanabe, John Bolton, Watanabe, Yukiko Toyoda, Kaori Kaneko, Sakura Murakami, David Brunnstrom, Tim Reid, Ben Blanchard, Laurie Chen, Liz Lee, David Crawshaw Organizations: Trump, Republican, Group, North, Reuters, Fox News, U.S, Steel, Japan's Nippon Steel, U.S ., Liberal Democratic Party, . Studies, University of Sydney, Japan's U.S, Taiwan, Peace Foundation Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Asia, China, Beijing, Tokyo, Iowa, New Hampshire, U.S, Taiwan, Washington, Trump, Taipei

☆ Algeria Pushes UN Security Council to Demand Gaza Ceasefire
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Michelle NicholsUNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Algeria has drafted a U.N. Security Council resolution to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a move that the United States - a council veto power - opposes because it says it would only benefit the Palestinian militants. It was not immediately known when or if Algeria's draft resolution could be put to a vote. A resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, China or Russia to be adopted. The U.S. and Israel oppose a ceasefire, believing it would only benefit Hamas. Earlier in December the 193-member U.N. General Assembly demanded a humanitarian ceasefire, with 153 states voting in favor of the move that had been vetoed by the United States in the Security Council days earlier.

Persons: Michelle Nichols UNITED, Israel, U.N, Michelle Nichols, Diane Craft Organizations: Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS, Reuters, Security, Hamas, International Court of Justice, General Locations: Algeria, Israel, United States, Gaza, Britain, France, China, Russia, U.S, Washington

MIAMI (AP) — It was a plan the United States knew from the start would arguably violate international law. Here are some of the takeaways from the AP's exclusive report on the secret memo:Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesWHAT DOES THE MEMO REVEAL? The 15-page memo spells out a secret DEA plan directing confidential informants to record Venezuelan officials suspected of converting the South American country into a narco state. “It is necessary to conduct this operation unilaterally and without notifying Venezuelan officials,” officials wrote in the memo. None of the indictments of Venezuelan officials before or after the 2018 memo made any mention of U.S. spying.

Persons: Nicolás Maduro, ”, Wes Tabor, Jose Vielma, Hugo Chávez, ” Michael Nadler, Maduro’s, Alex Saab, Maduro, “, Biden, Evan Criddle, William & Mary Organizations: MIAMI, Associated Press, U.S . Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, IRS, U.S, Attorney’s, Justice Department, CIA, Supreme, William & Locations: United States, Venezuela, U.S, Manhattan, Miami, VENEZUELA, Latin America, Virginia, Investigative@ap.org

☆ Ukraine: Europe is braced for a showdown on funding
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says he doesn’t oppose European funding for Ukraine, but is insisting that the money should not come out of the EU’s budget. It is widely suspected that Orban is using his veto on the funds for Ukraine to force Brussels into unlocking the money for Hungary. Beyond Europe, there are also major concerns about what a second Donald Trump presidency would mean for Ukraine and European security as a whole. As the Ukraine crisis approaches the two-year mark it is becoming increasingly difficult for Europe to manage. On the other, the consequences of Ukraine losing the war could be unconscionable for the rest of Europe.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Orban, Critics, Balázs, “, Jens Stoltenberg, Francois Mori, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Trump, Putin Organizations: CNN —, European Union, Kyiv, EU, CNN, Financial Times, Ukraine, “, NATO, Getty, Hungarian, European Council, Foreign Affairs Locations: Brussels, Ukraine, Hungary, Russian, United States, Washington, Hungarian, “ Brussels, there’s, Budapest, Kyiv, AFP, Russia, Israel, EU, Europe

Nearly half the hostages were released during a weeklong November cease-fire in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. In December, Israeli forces mistakenly killed three hostages who had escaped and were waving a white flag. HAMAS WANTS THE WAR TO ENDHamas has refused to release more hostages until Israel ends its offensive and withdraws from Gaza. The group's top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, said Tuesday that its priority is the “full withdrawal” of Israeli forces from Gaza. These include high-profile militants involved in attacks that killed Israeli civilians.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, —, Israel, ISRAEL'S NETANYAHU, Netanyahu, “, Ismail Haniyeh, Biden Organizations: Health Ministry, Hamas, West Bank, Gaza, —, Democratic, Palestinian Authority Locations: Gaza, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, U.S, United States, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Palestinian

☆ Analysis-West Africa's 'Brexit' Moment Spells Trouble for the Region
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

Ivory Coast alone is home to more than 5 million people from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Earlier this month, Russia and Niger, ruled by a junta since a coup last year, agreed to develop military ties. Russian military personnel flew into Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou last week to ensure the safety of the country's military leader. EMPTY THREATECOWAS has responded to a wave of coups in the region since 2020 with sanctions that the juntas have called "illegal and inhumane." "The departure from ECOWAS will have catastrophic consequences for the ability to respond to the many security challenges facing this region," said Abba.

Persons: Bate Felix, David Lewis, Giulia Paravicini, Seidik Abba, Russia's Wagner, Mucahid Durmaz, Verisk Maplecroft, Charlie Robertson, Kwesi Aning, Gilles Yabi, Adama Coulibaly, Nagnouma Keita, Abba, Tiemoko Diallo, Boureima, Silvia Aloisi, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Giulia Paravicini DAKAR, West, West African States, Reuters, Islamic, FIM Partners, European Union, ECOWAS, CFA Locations: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Russia, Ivory Coast, Niger . Niger, Nigeria, Paris, Ghana, Togo, Benin, France, United States, Burkina Faso's, Ouagadougou, West Africa, United, London, Bamako, Guinea, China

☆ Hong Kong leaders start legislative push to tighten national security laws
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chinese flags and Hong Kong flags are hung in Tsim Sha Tsui district on Oct. 4, 2023 in Hong Kong, China. The Chinese government imposed a National Security Law in the special administrative region on June 30, 2020. Hong Kong's leader confirmed on Tuesday his intention to pass fresh national security laws soon, building on sweeping legislation Beijing imposed on the city in 2020, saying the city has the constitutional responsibility to impose the new laws. A consultation document will be released later on Tuesday, Lee said, and the government will attempt to pass the legislation "as soon as possible." Lee said freedoms would be safeguarded and the laws would meet international standards.

Persons: Hong Kong's, Lee Organizations: Security Law Locations: Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui, China, Beijing

“The group participants remain detained at the immigration center in a shared cell with 80 people,” the post said. The seven band members were arrested last Thursday after playing a concert on the southern resort island of Phuket, reportedly for not having proper working papers. After paying a fine, the band members were sent to the Immigration Detention Center in Bangkok. The detained musicians “include Russia citizens as well as dual nationals of Russia and other countries, including Israel and Australia,” the group Human Rights Watch said in a statement Tuesday. Andrei Lugovoi, a member of the lower house of Russia's parliament, called the band members “scum” for their criticism of Russia's military operations in Ukraine.

Persons: Ilya Ilyin, “, ”, Elaine Pearson, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Gudkov, Gudkov, Andrei Lugovoi, ” Lugovoi, Alexander Litvinenko Organizations: —, Facebook, RIA Novosti, Immigration Detention, Human Rights Watch, Rights Watch, AP, Kremlin, Russian Foreign Ministry, YouTube, Spotify Locations: BANGKOK, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Russian, Phuket, Bangkok, Australia, Asia, ”, Britain, London

☆ China, HK Sign Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition of Civil, Commercial Cases
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's Supreme Court and Hong Kong's Department of Justice said on Monday that they signed an arrangement on the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgements in civil and commercial cases effective immediately in both places. It is unclear how the reciprocal recognition and enforcement arrangement would work in practise as there has been no previous precedent with the mainland. Hong Kong is the only jurisdiction to have an arrangement with the mainland on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgements with such a wide coverage, it said. Justice Secretary Paul Lam said that the new civil and commercial arrangement showcased the unique advantages enjoyed by Hong Kong under the "one country, two systems" formula that the city is governed under. "This will be conducive to enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre.

Persons: Hong, Jimmy Lai, Paul Lam, Lam, Farah Master, Tom Hogue, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Hong Kong's Department of Justice, Hong, European Union Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, China, U.S, Britain, Canada, Australia

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