DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Gardeners are fuming about a study that found produce from urban farms has a high carbon footprint
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Fruits and vegetables grown on urban farms have on average six times the carbon footprint of produce from conventional farms, the study, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Cities , found. Hawes said that produce grown on 17 out of the 73 urban farms his team studied across five countries had lower carbon footprints than produce from conventional farms. Rushdan also argued that urban farms are a much more sustainable use of land than commercial or industrial development. The letter also alluded to the structural problems that can prevent urban farms from being more permanent, including commercial development and barriers to landownership. "Our work does not lessen the many benefits that urban agriculture provides," Hawes said in an email.

Persons: shockwaves, Jason Hawes, Hawes, Rushdan, Detroit's, Benjamin Goldstein, Goldstein, they'd, Monica Fitzgerald Organizations: Service, University of Michigan, Nature, YouTube, Business, University of Michigan School for Environment, Sustainability, Detroit, BI, US Department of Agriculture Locations: Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Boulder , Colorado

☆ West closely watching Putin's next move after breakaway region asks Moscow to 'protect' it from Moldova
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with his confidants for the 2024 election at Gostiny Dvor in Moscow, Russia, on Jan. 31, 2024. Maxim Shemetov | ReutersSpeculation is mounting that Russian President Vladimir Putin will use his annual address to Russian lawmakers Thursday to announce that Russian troops will be sent to "protect" the pro-Russian, breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova. Officials in the separatist region appealed to Russia on Wednesday for "protection" against Moldova's pro-Western government. "We keep a close eye and reiterate that the Transnistrian region is aligned with the goal of peace and security of Moldova. A map of Moldova, including the breakaway region of Transnistria.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Maxim Shemetov, —, Putin, Moldova's, Daniel Voda, Matthew Miller, Tursa, Russia's, Ivana Stradner, Daniel Mihailescu Organizations: Gostiny Dvor, Reuters, Moldova's, Russia's Foreign, RIA Novosti, Analysts, Federal, U.S . State Department, EU, Getty Russia, United Nations, Defense, Democracies, CNBC, Kremlin, Russian Federation, Institute for, Afp, Getty Locations: Moscow, Russia, Transnistria, Moldova, Soviet Union, Europe, Pridnestrovie, Moldavian Republic, Transnistrian, Ukraine, Donetsk, Luhansk, Russian, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Georgia, Washington, U.S, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Chisinau

☆ 'We shall overcome everything together': Putin tells his people that the West is trying to defeat Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses the audience during the Future Technologies Forum at the World Trade Center in Moscow on February 14, 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is united as it faces the threats of "international terrorism" and challenges to its sovereignty posed by the "colonial West" that, he said, was trying to "bring discord to our home." "We shall overcome everything together," Putin said as he introduced his address, according to a BBC feed. He praised Russian citizens, industries and businesses, and the country's troops in Ukraine, for their efforts in defending "the Motherland." "We have proven that we are prepared to solve the most difficult tasks and rise to the most difficult challenges," Putin said.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Russia's Organizations: Sputnik, Future Technologies, World Trade Center, Russian, West, NATO, Moscow, U.S Locations: Russian, Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, Nazi

☆ Pentagon considering tapping last source of Ukraine military funding as Congress stalls on additional aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The Defense Department still has around $4 billion in presidential drawdown authority funds available for Ukraine, which allows the Pentagon to draw from its own stockpiles to send military equipment to Kyiv. But it would not be unprecedented for the Pentagon to find additional, unexpected sources of funding. Last year, the Defense Department announced that it had discovered an accounting error that led to DoD overvaluing the amount of aid it was providing to Ukraine by $6.2 billion. Asked on Tuesday whether the department was considering spending some of the remaining money, Pentagon press secretary Gen. Patrick Ryder said he had nothing to announce but that the Pentagon was continuing to explore ways to keep supporting Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told CNN this week that Ukraine will not win the war without continued US support.

Persons: Garron Garn, Patrick Ryder, “ We’re, ” Ryder, Ryder, ”, “, Volodymyr Zelensky Organizations: CNN, The Defense Department, Pentagon, Defense, ”, Defense Department, DoD, Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, “ Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Avdiivka

☆ Putin doesn't really want a war with NATO because 'Russia will lose and lose quickly,' UK military chief says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia doesn't want a conflict with NATO as it would "lose quickly" the UK's armed forces chief said. Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn't really want a conflict with NATO because in that scenario Russia would quickly lose, the head of the UK's armed forces said on Tuesday. He said that "the biggest reason that Putin doesn't want a conflict with NATO is because Russia will lose. And lose quickly." Even so, Radakin said that Russia would be quickly defeated by NATO forces if it attacked a member state.

Persons: Sir Tony Radakin, Vladimir Putin doesn't, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Putin, it's, Radakin Organizations: NATO, Chatham House, Air Force, Navy Locations: Russia, Russian, London, Ukraine, Europe, Chatham, Germany, France, Poland, Baltic, Sweden, Finland, China

☆ The dangerous parallels between Putin’s ambitions in Ukraine and Xi’s claims on Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Will Ripley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

What is happening is to a certain extent, an element of a civil war,” Putin claimed. The island remained a Japanese colony for half a century until the end of World War II, when it came under the control of China’s ruling Nationalist government. Today Xi is expanding China’s military at a pace the world hasn’t seen in a century – since before World War Two. Long-time China analyst Steve Tsang, author of “If China Attacks Taiwan,” once told me that Xi’s military build-up is, by comparison, larger than Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan combined. Many here in Taiwan fear it’s only a matter of time before Xi, like Putin, puts his words into action.

Persons: Taiwan CNN —, Kolas Yotaka, Tucker, Vladimir Putin, “ Putin, Xi, ”, Putin, Xi Jinping, ” Yotaka, –, Jens Stoltenberg, “, ” Stoltenberg, it’s, ” China’s, Russia –, Carlson, ” Putin, Critics, Chiang Kai, shek, ” Xi, He’s, Tsai Ing, Steve Tsang Organizations: Taiwan CNN, Taiwan Presidential, Taiwan –, NATO, Munich Security, Communist Party, Russia, Observers, Nationalist, Communists, Taiwan’s National Chengchi, Democratic Progressive Party, Taipei, Xi, Navy, Global China, Atlantic Council, Taiwan Relations Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Ukraine, Beijing, China, Russia, Soviet, Ukrainian, Soviet Union, Japan, Republic of China, Taiwan Strait, United States, Hong Kong, Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, Washington

☆ Satellite images reveal floating barrier at mouth of disputed atoll in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Satellite images of the hotly disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea show a new floating barrier across its entrance, near where Philippine ships and China coast guard vessels have had frequent run-ins. China claims the Scarborough Shoal, although it is inside the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. An international arbitration tribunal in the Hague said in 2016 that China's claims had no legal basis — a decision Beijing has rejected. That makes the atoll one of Asia's most contested maritime features and a flashpoint for diplomatic flare-ups over sovereignty and fishing rights. The satellite image bolsters a report and video distributed by the Philippine Coast Guard, or PCG, on Sunday showing two Chinese coast guard inflatable boats deploying floating barriers at the shoal's entrance on Feb 22.

Persons: BRP Datu Tamblot, Hague, China's Organizations: Philippine Bureau of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources, BRP Datu, Maxar Technologies, Reuters, Fisheries, Philippine Coast Guard Locations: China, Scarborough, South China, South, Philippine, Philippines, Beijing

☆ Big Tech’s Latest Power Grab: the Constitution - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Tim Wu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

And some percentage — the numbers are unclear — are taken down for violating the content rules set by the platforms. Texas a few years back wrote its own law to govern big tech companies, barring them from discriminating on the basis of viewpoint when they take posts off their social media platforms. I can’t say I like the law Texas passed — but that isn’t the point, for the cure is worse than the disease. If the justices strike down the Texas law, they would be jeopardizing our ability to control our own future using democratic means. It is important to understand what the tech companies are asking for.

Organizations: Facebook, Google, Twitter Locations: Texas, Paxton

☆ Battle for the Red Sea expands with U.S. strikes, EU stepping up its efforts against Houthis
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Defense officials tell CNBC as of February 21, there have been at least 59 attacks on commercial shipping interests in the Red Sea. But the EU said the Red Sea moves reflect the need for a stronger European presence in protecting ships from Houthi attacks. Trade leaders have urged more countries to join the military effort in the Red Sea. A war of misinformation in the Red Sea crisis also continues. On February 2 in Brussels, Borrell informed Yemeni Prime Minister Bin Mubarak about the plans to launch a new EU maritime operation in the Red Sea and about its mandate.

Persons: Mason, Torm Thor, Good Hope, Peter Stano, Josep Borrell, Mark Montgomery, Sen, John McCain, Steven Lamar, Hussein, Azzi, Stano, Houthis, Borrell, Bin Mubarak, Rashad Al, Carl Bentzel, Bentzel, Tesla Organizations: European Commission, United States Central Command, Command, U.S, CNBC, European Union's Naval Force, EU, French Navy, Prosperity, Prosperity Guardian, EU Commission, Navy, Foundation, Defense of Democracies, Senate Armed, NATO, U.S . Central Command, UK, Prosperity Guardian . Trade, American Apparel and Footwear Association, Central Command, Yemeni, Presidential, Council, UN, Federal Maritime, Foreign Shipping, State Department, FMC, Walmart Locations: Aden, Iranian, Yemen, Red, Libyan Coast, Good, Somalia, European, EU, U.S, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Houthi, Europe, Suez, Belize, Brussels, Yemeni, United States, Egypt, Germany, Israel

☆ Warren Buffet's son Howard has given $500M to Ukraine — he warns the US is making a historic mistake by pulling its support
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

But Howard Buffett, the elder son of Warren, the billionaire investor and Berkshire Hathaway CEO, has no intention of foresaking Ukraine or its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And it's going to be one of the biggest mistakes that the United States makes historically if we don't continue to support Ukraine. The UK has contributed $620 million and the Netherlands has provided $780 million, per the Kiel Institute's Ukraine Support tracker. But Howard Buffett has lent his voice to political advocacy, speaking out to support Ukraine and advocating for increased international support and military aid to the war-torn country. Howard Buffett in Ukraine.

Persons: —, Russia's, Howard Buffett, Warren, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Buffett, Buffett's Howard G, He's, he's, Warren Buffett's, Warren Buffett, Ukraine's, Zelenskyy, it's, Howard Buffet, Paula Bronstein, Buffett's, Putin, Howard G, Oleksandr Prokudin, Buffett Foundation Howard Buffett, Theron Mohamed Organizations: Service, Republican Party, Business, Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett Foundation, AP, NATO, Kherson, Zelenskyy Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Avdiivka, United States, Zelenskyy, Kyiv, Netherlands, Kiel, America, Zolota Nyva, Donetsk district, Europe, Kherson, Macon County , Illinois

☆ Netanyahu Issues First Plan for Postwar Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Patrick Kingsley | Thomas Fuller | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel released on Friday his most detailed proposal yet for a postwar Gaza, pledging to retain indefinite military control over the enclave, while ceding the administration of civilian life to Gazans without links to Hamas. The plan, if realized, would make it almost impossible to establish a Palestinian state including Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, at least in the short term. The blueprint for Gaza comes after nearly 20 weeks of war in the territory and a death toll approaching 30,000 people, at least half of them women and children, according to Gazan authorities. Mr. Netanyahu’s proposal for postwar Gaza was circulated to cabinet ministers and journalists early on Friday. He has laid out most of the terms of the proposal in previous public statements, but this was the first time they had been collected in a single document.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Organizations: West Bank Locations: Gaza, Israel, United States

☆ China’s coast guard has triggered ‘panic’ in Taiwan. That’s only part of Beijing’s plan
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Nectar Gan | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“It’s super scary,” a passenger told Taiwan’s United Daily News in a video upon returning to shore under the escort of a Taiwanese coast guard ship on Monday. “(The Chinese coast guard) chose a tourist vessel because it’s high profile – you would expect lots of people on the boat with cameras and phones,” he said. The stakes are high, as the increased presence and closer proximity of Chinese and Taiwanese coast guard vessels raise the specter of miscalculations that could potentially spiral into open conflict. Speaking to reporters about the inspection by the Chinese coast guard, Taiwan’s Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-kcheng highlighted such risks, saying the defense ministry is “very concerned” about potential miscalculations. Taiwan's coast guard inspects a vessel that capsized during a chase off the coast of Kinmen on February 14, 2024.

Persons: King Xia, ” Kuan, Taiwan’s, Ian Chong, Chong, ”, “ They’re, Chiu Kuo, Lai Ching, China’s, Nancy Pelosi’s, Tian Feilong, It’s, Tian, “, Lai Organizations: Taipei CNN, Taiwan’s United Daily News, Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, Democratic Progressive Party, National University of Singapore, South China, Taiwan’s, Taiwan Coast Guard Administration Locations: Hong Kong, Taipei, Taiwanese, Kinmen, China’s, Beijing, Taiwan, Xiamen, China, East, South, Taiwan's, Nauru, Taiwan Strait

☆ Einstein's last message was a dire warning against nuclear war that's still relevant today. Here's what it said.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

A new Netflix docudrama, “ Einstein and the Bomb ,” uses footage and reenactments of the famous scientist and his shifting view of nuclear weapons. It quotes his 1945 Nobel Prize address expressing concern over the future use of nuclear weapons, saying, “The war is won, but the peace is not.”Albert Einstein warned that nuclear weapons could lead to the end of humankind. The general public, and even many men in positions of authority, have not realized what would be involved in a war with nuclear bombs. But we now know, especially since the Bikini test, that nuclear bombs can gradually spread destruction over a very much wider area than had been supposed. Although an agreement to renounce nuclear weapons as part of a general reduction of armaments3 would not afford an ultimate solution, it would serve certain important purposes.

Persons: Einstein, Roosevelt, —, Albert Einstein, Bertrand Russell, Russell, Franklin D, “ Einstein, “, ” Albert Einstein, Stringer, Joseph Rotblat, Rotblat, Frederic Joliot, Curie, Linus Pauling, ”, White Organizations: Service, Einstein, Manhattan Project, Manhattan, Netflix, Central Press, Science, World Affairs, Communist Locations: Germany, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Manhattan, London , New York, Moscow, East, West, Pearl

☆ Prabowo Subianto: Once banned from the US, this fiery ex-army general is poised to lead Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

“The most important objective of democracy is giving people the leaders and representatives they want,” Prabowo told reporters from his pool. Antara Foto/Galih Pradipta/ReutersMany are excited about a Prabowo presidency, like this hardcore supporter who has clearly taken his support to the extreme. Bagus Saragih/AFP/Getty ImagesMore recently, Prabowo has presented himself as a loyal Jokowi ally, serving as his defense minister for the past five years. Experts say Prabowo, known for his fiery speeches, military background and combative past will make for a very different kind of president. Indonesia has long been one of Australia’s most important bilateral relationships and experts say that will not change with Prabowo in charge.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, ” Prabowo, Prabowo, Indonesia’s, Partai Probawo, Gibran, “ Prabowo, ”, Zachary Abuza, Abuza, “, Antara, Pradipta, Saragih, Widodo, Barack Obama, Tom Pepinsky, Rodrigo Duterte, Javier Milei, Trump, ” “, Dita Alangkara, Jokowi, Jacqui Baker, Laura Schwartz, Schwartz, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Adek Berry, Chong Ja Ian, Suharto, –, Dan Slater, Prabowo “, ” Slater, Chaideer Mahyuddin, Chong, Juni Kriswanto, Usman Hamid, Papuans, Veronica Koman, ” Koman Organizations: CNN, National War College, Getty, Southeast Asia, Cornell University, “, Center, Research, Senior Southeast, National University of Singapore, Center for Emerging Democracies, University of Michigan, Muda Airforce, Amnesty International Locations: Jakarta, United States, South Jakarta, Washington ,, AFP, Indonesia, Singapore, Ukraine, Russia, China, Australia, Asian, Perth, Asia, Beijing, Washington, “ Washington, Sultan, Muda, Aceh, West Papua, South China, Tentara Nasional Indonesia, Southeast Asia, “, Papua, Amnesty International Indonesia, restive, Indonesian, East Timor

☆ 'Hostile elements' tried to take over communications with a flight from Thailand to Israel, trying to divert it, airline says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read preview"Hostile elements" tried to seize control of the communication network of an El Al plane flying from Thailand to Israel over the weekend, The Jerusalem Post reported. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. The Post reported that this was the second time in a week that such an incident occurred to an El Al flight. In a statement provided to Kan, El Al said that the disruptions were not aimed solely at its planes. The airline did not respond to a request for comment by Business Insider.

Persons: —, Kan, El Al Organizations: Service, Jerusalem Post, Ben Gurion, Business, El, Horn Observer Locations: El, Thailand, Israel, Jerusalem, Phuket, Tel Aviv, Iran, Yemen, Red, Gaza, Somaliland, Somalia, Mogadishu

☆ China's Wang Yi tells Blinken U.S. should lift sanctions on Chinese firms
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meet at the 60th Munich Security Conference on Feb. 16, 2024. Washington should lift sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals, and that attempts to de-couple from China would only hurt the United States, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The United States should lift the sanctions and not harm China's legitimate development rights, Wang told Blinken on Friday on the sidelines of a Munich security conference, according to a statement from China's foreign ministry. Washington has imposed sanctions on various Chinese companies that it accuses of working with China's military despite denials from the firms. The United States does, however, maintain unofficial relations with the democratically governed island and remains its most important backer and arms supplier.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Wang Yi, Wang, Blinken, Biden, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping Organizations: Foreign, China's, U.S, Economic Cooperation, Treasury Locations: Munich, Washington, China, United States, Xinjiang, U.S, de, Ukraine, Taiwan, Asia, Beijing

☆ China Says No Banned Areas Around Taiwanese Islands After Two Killed
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - There are no off limits or restricted areas for fishing around a group of Taiwanese islands close to China's coast and Beijing reserves the right to take further measures after two Chinese nationals died near the islands, the government said. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained in recent years about Chinese fishing boats and other vessels operating in Taiwan-controlled waters, especially around the Kinmen and Matsu islands which sit a short distance from China's coast. Late on Saturday, China's Taiwan Affairs Office, which has already condemned Taipei for the incident near Kinmen's Beiding islet, said the deaths had caused "strong indignation" in China. China's Taiwan Affairs Office said the government had goodwill towards Taiwan's people, but will never tolerate Taiwan's disregard for the safety of Chinese fishermen. "The mainland reserves the right to take further measures, and Taiwan shall bear all the consequences," it added, without elaborating.

Persons: Kinmen, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan, Xu Hao, Ben Blanchard Organizations: China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Fishermen, Taiwan Affairs Office, Taiwan Affairs Office's, Beijing Locations: BEIJING, China's, Beijing, Taiwan, China, Taipei, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Shanghai, Taipei Mayor, Taiwan Affairs Office's Shanghai

☆ Egypt Denies Allegations of Participating in Any Process Involving Displacement of Gazans Into Sinai
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

CAIRO (Reuters) -Egypt categorically denied allegations of participating in any process involving the displacement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip into the Sinai Peninsula, the country's State Information Service (SIS) said on Friday. He said such scenario would entail "a definite liquidation of the Palestinian cause and a direct threat to Egyptian sovereignty and national security." Describing any sort of displacement as a "crime advocated by some Israeli parties", Rashwan said Egypt will take all necessary measures to stop it. Earlier this week, Egypt hosted talks involving the U.S., Israel and Qatar on a possible Gaza truce. An Egyptian source said the country was optimistic that talks to clinch a ceasefire can avoid the prospect of displacement.

Persons: Rahswan, Rashwan, Ahmed Tolba, Adam Makary, Hatem Maher, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Information Service, Reuters, Wall Street, SIS, Sinai Foundation, Human Rights, U.S Locations: CAIRO, Egypt, Gaza, country's, Rafah, Israel, Qatar

☆ Mayorkas defends his record on the southern border and slams House Republicans after historic impeachment
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Donald Judd | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Friday defended his record on the border, saying his impeachment by House Republicans has no basis in fact or law and he has no plans to slow down his work. Of course,” Mayorkas told Amanpour. As a member of the administration’s delegation to the conference, Mayorkas rebuffed the idea that Tuesday’s impeachment had compromised his standing with world leaders. Three Republicans – Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, and Tom McClintock of California – voted with Democrats against the measure. “I’ve interacted with the president countless times,” Mayorkas told Amanpour.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Mayorkas, “, ” Mayorkas, Amanpour, I’m, Alexey Navalny, Joe, Robert Hur’s, ”, –, Republicans – Ken Buck, Republicans – Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike Gallagher of, Tom McClintock, California –, Navalny’s, Vladimir Putin, Hur, Biden, “ I’ve Organizations: CNN, Homeland, House Republicans, Munich Security Conference, ” CNN, Republicans, United, Justice Locations: United States, Republicans – Ken Buck of, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, California, Ukraine

☆ Philippines Committed to South China Sea Code of Conduct
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Karen LemaMANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines is firmly committed to negotiations for a code of conduct between China and Southeast Asian countries to avert confrontations in the South China Sea, its foreign minister said on Thursday. Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo also said tensions in the South China Sea were not all about a rivalry between superpowers the United States and China, and the Philippines, and others, had legitimate rights and interests to uphold. The idea of a code of conduct was hatched more than two decades ago but parties only committed to begin the process in 2017. China has chided the Philippines for encroaching on what it says is its territory. Manalo said a high-level "2+2" meeting of the defence and foreign ministers of the Philippines and United States was planned and dates not yet been finalised.

Persons: Karen Lema MANILA, Enrique Manalo, Manalo, Karen Lema, Neil Jerome Morales, Martin Petty Organizations: Beijing Locations: Philippines, China, Southeast, South China, United States, Taiwan, Beijing, Manila

Some experts say Kim may seek to further dial up pressure in an election year in South Korea and the United States. He also accused South Korea of frequently violating what he decried as North Korean territorial waters with its maritime patrols and interdiction of third-party ships. He ordered his navy to strengthen its defense posture in waters near the South Korean border islands of Baekryeong and Yeonpyeong, where a North Korean artillery bombardment killed four people in 2010. North Korea insists upon a boundary that encroaches deeply into waters currently controlled by South Korea. Following a separate, year-end political conference at which Kim accused South Korea of hostility, North Korea in early January fired hundreds of artillery rounds on three consecutive days near the western sea boundary with South Korea.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kim, KCNA Organizations: North, Korean Central News Agency, Command, Supreme People’s Assembly, Washington Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Wonsan, United States, Korea, Baekryeong, Korean, U.S, North Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Beijing

☆ North Korea's Kim Jong Un Oversees Test of Surface-To-Sea Missile -KCNA
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the inspection test of a new surface-to-sea missile on Wednesday, KCNA said on Thursday. North Korea had fired multiple cruise missiles off its east coast on Wednesday, South Korea's military said, the latest of multiple missile tests in recent weeks before an April general election in South Korea. Kim said South Korea is violating the North's sovereignty by insisting on a "Northern Limit Line" (NLL), the maritime demarcation line between the two Koreas, state media KCNA said. Kim gave orders to strengthen military readiness in the waters north of Yeonpyeong Island to the west of the Korean peninsula, in the region of the NLL, KCNA said. The new missile, called Badasuri-6 or "sea eagle-6" in Korean, flew over the sea and hit the intended target, KCNA added.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Kim, Joyce Lee, Jonathan OatisEditing, Chris Reese Organizations: NLL Locations: SEOUL, Korea, South Korea, Yeonpyeong

☆ Taiwan Reports Another Chinese 'Combat Readiness Patrol' Nearby
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said it detected 14 Chinese air force planes operating around Taiwan and carrying out "joint combat readiness patrols" with Chinese warships on Wednesday. Taiwan's defence ministry said that starting around 1 p.m. (0500 GMT) on Wednesday it had detected 14 Chinese aircraft including J-16 fighters and drones operating off northern and southwestern Taiwan. Nine of those aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line, or areas close by, working with Chinese warships to carry out "joint combat readiness patrols", the ministry added. There was no immediate response from China's defence ministry. Photos You Should See View All 22 ImagesTaiwan sent its own forces to monitor, its defence ministry said.

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai, Ben Blanchard, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Sonali Paul Organizations: Taiwan Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Taipei

☆ Russia historians say the Tucker Carlson interview solidified one thing about Putin — he's off the rails
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewRussian President Vladimir Putin delivered a strange performance fueled by Russian propaganda and imperialist posturing in his interview with right-wing media host Tucker Carlson last week. The two-hour interview revealed little new information about the war in Ukraine — beyond that it is likely to continue — but did manage to highlight Putin's increasing delusion, according to two Russia historians. AdvertisementThe Russian president parroted in great, slogging detail many of the erroneous talking points he's used over the years to bolster his belief that Ukraine ought to be under Russian control. "Instead, he showed that it wasn't Russian insecurity, but Putin's personal imperialism, that motivated the war," English said.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Tucker Carlson, Robert English, Putin, parroted, he's, Rurik, Simon Miles, Carlson, combusted, Putin didn't, Miles, Masha Gessen, Hitler, Gessen, Donald Trump Organizations: Service, Business, University of Southern, Duke University's Sanford School of Public, Soviet Union, GOP, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Russia, University of Southern California, Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Russian, Polish, Lithuanian Commonwealth, Soviet, West, Kyiv, United States, Israel

Meanwhile, there are concerns among many observers that Indonesia’s democracy has been backsliding in recent years. Southeast Asia’s largest economyThe U.S. government sees Indonesia’s democracy as critical to regional stability, and at least for the last two decades, U.S.-Indonesia relations have been built on shared values of democracy. Financial irregularities tied to election funding have also dogged parties across the political spectrum, leading the Association for Election and Democracy to cite a worrisome trend of citizens coming to see money politics as acceptable within a competitive democracy. The other challenge during the election campaign is the lack of accountability and transparency for campaign funding. A slide toward autocracyThe decline in the quality of Indonesia’s democracy has been years in the making.

Persons: Ceria Sari, Prabowo, Ganjar, Anies, –, Burhanuddin Muhtadi, Joko Widodo’s, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Widodo Organizations: Commission, Association for Election, Dem Democracy Locations: U.S, Indonesia, Central Java, Jakarta, Baswedan

Search resuls for: "Sovereignty"

25 mentions found