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WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has thwarted a plot to kill Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, a U.S. official familiar with the matter said Wednesday. The official declined to comment on when or how U.S. officials became aware of the plot as well as how the alleged assassination attempt was derailed. The FBI is investigating the matter, the official said. Political Cartoons View All 1265 ImagesThe thwarted assassination plot was first reported by the Financial Times, which said the U.S. informed some allies of the alleged plot. The statement described the information as a “cause of concern for both countries” and said India takes it seriously.

Persons: Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Spokespeople, Justin Trudeau, Hardeep Singh, Adrienne Watson, “, Eric Tucker Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, FBI, Justice, Canadian, Financial Times, AP, Government, Indian, National Security, Associated Press Locations: New Delhi, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India, Canada, Indian, U.S, Indian Government, Washington

Israel has accused Hamas of using civilians and civilian structures including hospitals as shields; Hamas and several hospitals in the enclave have denied that. Since Saturday, Israel has opened up a humanitarian corridor for four hours each day, allowing Gazans in the north to leave for the south. Eyewitnesses described multiple explosions in central and southern Gaza on Tuesday morning that they said were caused by Israeli airstrikes. Yet Netanyahu insists he will not permit a ceasefire until Hamas releases the hundreds of hostages it still holds in Gaza. It’s not good for Israel; not good for the Israeli people,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CNN.

Persons: Alexander de Croo, Leo Varadkar, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Mira Ziydeh, Joe Biden, Biden, Israel, “, It’s, John Kirby, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Mark Regev, CNN’s Abeer Salman, Eyad Kourdi, Niamh Kennedy, Andrew Carey Organizations: Jerusalem CNN —, UN, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, ”, CNN, UNRWA, ABC, National Security Locations: Jerusalem, Gaza, Belgium, Belgian, Brussels, Latin America, Africa, Israel, United States, United Kingdom, Israel’s, Ramallah, ”, Gazan, Deir, Wadi Gaza, Southern Gaza

A crowds gathers at the Makhachkala Uytash Airport (MCX) in Dagestan, southern Russia, on October 29. Crowds stormed the runway at Makhachkala Uytash Airport (MCX) on October 29. “Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alex Ben Zvi is working with the Russian authorities to secure the well-being of Jews and Israelis at the site,” it added. “The United States vigorously condemns the antisemitic protests in Dagestan, Russia,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson wrote on social media. We call on Russian authorities to ensure their safety,” Lipstadt said.

Persons: ”, Israel, Russia Alex Ben Zvi, Adrienne Watson, Amb, Deborah E, Lipstadt, ” Lipstadt, Sergey Melikov, ” Melikov Organizations: CNN, Dagestan Health Ministry, TASS, Makhachkala Uytash, Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, Red Wing Airlines, Sunday, Jewish, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ” National Security, US Locations: Russia’s, Dagestan, Israel, Makhachkala, Tel Aviv, Russia, ”, Gaza, Ramallah, United States, Dagestan Republic

☆ Israel military announces ground operation expansion in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Kevin Flower | Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is “expanding ground operations” in the Gaza Strip, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced Friday, as intense airstrikes rocked the besieged enclave and with communications links reportedly severed. Gaza residents told CNN the strikes were the most intense they have experienced since Israel began to retaliate against Hamas’ October 7 terror attack nearly three weeks ago. A huge wall of heavy smoke that lasted 15 to 30 minutes also blew from Gaza into southern Israel earlier Friday evening. “We have, of course, certainly seen Israel undertake varied operations on the ground in the last couple of days,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Friday. He also declined to say if the Biden administration has confidence that Israel has fully considered the ramifications of a ground incursion.

Persons: Daniel Hagari, Mohammad Shtayyeh, Israel, Shtayyeh, Deir al Balah, Ayman Safadi, ”, ” Hagari, Hagari, John Kirby, “, we’re, ” Kirby, Biden, Kirby, Phillipe Lazzarini, Lazzarini Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Israel, ” Palestinian Authority, Al Aqsa Martyrs, Palestine Red Crescent Society, Reuters, United Nations, UN, Assembly, Hamas, IDF, National Security, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees Locations: Gaza, Israel, ”, Al Aqsa, Deir, Palestine, Gaza City, Israel’s, Egypt, Rafah

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon has sent military advisers, including a Marine Corps general versed in urban warfare, to Israel to aid in its war planning and is speeding multiple sophisticated air defense systems to the Middle East days ahead of an anticipated ground assault into Gaza. Glynn will also be advising on how to mitigate civilian casualties in urban warfare, the official said. The advisers will not be engaged in the fighting, the unidentified U.S. official said. Last Thursday the destroyer USS Carney shot down four land-attack cruise missiles launched from Yemen that the Pentagon has said were potentially headed toward Israel. The official noted arranging for the release of the Raanans took longer to come together than many people realized.

Persons: James Glynn, Glynn, Israel “, John Kirby, Kirby, Carney, Israel —, Eisenhower, “ We’re, ” Ryder, “, ”, Biden, Natalie Raanan, —, Axios Organizations: WASHINGTON, Pentagon, Marine Corps, Marine, Islamic, U.S, National Security, Patriot, Defense, Eisenhower, U.S . Central Command, Navy, Ford, U.S . Locations: Israel, Gaza, Islamic State, Fallujah, Iraq, Iran, Syria, East, Yemen, of Oman, Qatar, U.S

And based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you. And Americans are worried,” Biden told Netanyahu as they began a bilateral meeting, acknowledging the complex dynamic. Hospital blast looms over tripThe trip comes less than a day after a horrifying blast at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City. Biden landed in Israel on October 18, on a solidarity visit following Hamas attacks that have led to major Israeli reprisals. “The Jews have been subject to abuse, prejudice and attempts to wipe them out for, oh, God, over a thousand years,” Biden told interviewer Scott Pelley.

Persons: Joe Biden, ”, Biden, Israel –, Benjamin Netanyahu –, ” Biden, Netanyahu, “, ” Netanyahu, Israel, you’ve, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Abdel Fattah el, Mahmoud Abbas, –, Abbas, Benjamin Netanyahu, Evan Vucci, Israel “, Isaac Herzog, CNN Israel readies, Brendan Smialowski, BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, Brednan Smialowski, it’s, John Kirby, Netanyahu’s, ’, ” Kirby, Scott Pelley, It’s Organizations: CNN, Israel, Tel Aviv Wednesday, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Palestinian, Defense Intelligence Agency, Malaysia Airlines Flight, Hamas, Air Force, Israeli, United, ” Israel, Tel Aviv's, Getty, National Security, Advisers Locations: Israel, Gaza City, Gaza, Tel Aviv, United States, Iran, Jordan, Al, Ahli, Jihad, Russian, Ukraine, Egypt, Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion, AFP, –, Dachau

☆ Biden Officials Seeking to Determine Cause of Hospital Blast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The White House said the Biden administration is trying to determine the cause of the blast at a Gaza hospital that left hundreds dead. “We're all shocked by the horrific loss of life. The numbers are staggering for a single event,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters aboard Air Force One. “We all want to know how this could have happened.”

Persons: Biden, “ We're, John Kirby, ” Organizations: National Security, Air Force Locations: Gaza

The security risks of a diplomatic visit to Israel were starkly illustrated Monday when Blinken, in his meeting with Netanyahu, was forced to shelter in place after air sirens warned of incoming rockets. Biden, he said, “very much looks forward to discussing it further” during his visit. A visit with ‘strategic importance’In weighing Netanyahu’s invitation with his team, Biden factored in both the symbolism of a visit and its practicalities. Before war in Israel broke out, Biden and Netanyahu were planning to visit in person again at the White House, a personal invitation Biden extended when the two last met in New York City. Speaking to reporters Monday, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said a visit by Biden would have “strategic importance” for the entire Middle East.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Israel “, King Abdullah II, Abdel Fattah el, Mahmoud Abbas, –, Netanyahu, they’d, John Kirby, ” Blinken, “, we’ll, ”, Biden –, Daniel Hagari, Volodymyr Zelensky, White, Netanyahu –, Jake Sullivan, Israel –, ” Sullivan, Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi Organizations: CNN, White, Biden’s, Palestinian, National Security, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, USA, ”, CBS, Saudi Crown Locations: Israel, Gaza, Tel Aviv, United States, Jordan, Egypt, Rafah, Iran, Lebanon, New York City, Kyiv, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Tehran, Saudi Arabia, Israel’s

☆ Israel and US discussing possible Biden visit after Netanyahu extends invitation
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited President Joe Biden to visit Israel soon, and both countries are discussing the possibility, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. It wasn’t clear how advanced the discussions were, or when a possible trip might occur. If it did materialize, a trip would amount to a dramatic show of support by Biden for Israel as the country responds to last weekend’s devastating attacks by Hamas. A Biden visit would also amount to a message to other players in the region, including the Iran-backed Hezbollah, that they should not escalate the conflict further. Biden spoke Saturday with both Netanyahu and the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Adrienne Watson, Biden, Antony Blinken, Netanyahu, Mahmoud Abbas, Lloyd Austin Organizations: Washington CNN, Israeli, CNN, National Security, Israel, Palestinian, US Locations: Israel, Gaza, Iran

☆ The US is warning of a big build-up of Serbian troops on the Kosovo border. Here’s why tensions are high
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Sophie Tanno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The long fractious ties between Kosovo and Serbia are once again on edge after one of the worst outbreaks of violence in years. Ognen Teofilovski/ReutersMore than 20 years on, fragile peace has been preserved in Kosovo, while Serbia continues not to recognize Kosovo’s independence. During the subsequent shootout in the village of Banjska in northern Kosovo, police said they killed three armed attackers and arrested another. Visar Kryeziu/APIn another development, a top Kosovo Serb politician, Milan Radoicic said he took part in the gun battle, Reuters reported. The White House has warned that the incident represents a threat to the safety of not only Kosovo personnel, but international personnel including NATO troops.

Persons: Ognen Teofilovski, What’s, Albin Kurti, ”, Vjosa Osmani, Aleksandar Vucic, Vucic, “, Visar, Milan Radoicic, Radoicic, John Kirby, Jens Stoltenberg Organizations: CNN, Kosovar, Federal, NATO, Sunday, Facebook, Kosovo, Reuters, Kosovo police, AP, Kosovo Serb, Kosovo Police, National Security Locations: Kosovo, Serbia, Yugoslavia, Serbian, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Montenegro, Banjska, Belgrade, Pristina, Serbs, Zvecan

And at least 10 people were injured in overnight missile attacks on the city of Cherkasy in central Ukraine. Last year, Russia began a series of intense attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in October. Ukrenergo said the overnight missile attacks resulted in damage to power facilities in western and central regions and caused blackouts in several areas. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 36 of 43 missiles launched by Russia on Thursday, Ukraine’s army chief said. On Thursday, Zelensky travels to meet Biden, who is seeking to hear a “battlefield perspective,” the White House said.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden, Vitalii Klitschko, Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s, “, ”, Ihor Klymenko, Kyiv City Military Administration Serhii Popko, Vladyslav Sodel, Sergei Supinsky, Zelensky, ” Zelensky, Biden, John Kirby Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, White House, Internal, Kyiv City Military Administration, Russia, Reuters Firefighters, Getty, United Nations General Assembly, UN, National Security Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Ukraine CNN — Ukraine, Kherson, Kharkiv, Russia, Cherkasy, “, Vladyslav, AFP, New York, Ukrainian

Watson did not say when and where a potential meeting between Kim and Putin in Russia might take place. North Korea does not currently have any nuclear-powered submarines, according to an assessment from Nuclear Threat Initiative, a think-tank focused on reducing nuclear threats. Earlier this month, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on three entities it accused of being tied to arms deals between North Korea and Russia. Apart from North Korea, Russia has also received drones and artillery from Iran. These are our neighbors,” Shoigu told reporters, referring to North Korea by its official name.

Persons: Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu, “, Kim Jong Un, Adrienne Watson, Watson, Kim, Putin, ”, Dmitry Peskov, John Kirby, Wagner, Kirby, ” Kirby, Biden, ” Shoigu, Xi Jinping, Li Zhanshu, China’s, Xi Organizations: CNN, North, National Security, ”, Russian, National Intelligence Service, ” CNN, Korean Central News Agency, Nuclear Threat Initiative, New York Times, Eastern Economic, US, Russian Defense, Democratic People’s, Economic, Communist Party, Group Locations: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, North Korea, Pyongyang, Russian, Washington, Korea, North, Vladivostok, “, Iran, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, East, Beijing, India

CNN —The US has committed to approving the transfer of F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine as soon as training is complete, according to a US official. The plan is to make sure Ukraine has the fighter jet it has long sought the moment its pilots complete training on the F-16. A one-page training concept from the Danish Ministry of Defense laid out a six-month plan to prepare pilots and ground crews to operate the fighter jet. But the US has yet to receive a formal training plan to familiarize and prepare Ukrainian pilots for the fourth-generation fighter jet. Even so, Ukraine said Wednesday that it didn’t expect to receive F-16s until sometime next year.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Biden, ” Blinken, John Kirby, CNN’s Jake Tapper, “, ”, ” Kirby, Yurii Ihnat Organizations: CNN, Ukrainian Air Force, Reuters, Danish Ministry of Defense, National Security Locations: Ukraine, Denmark, Netherlands, Ukrainian, American

☆ White House downplays CNN poll showing majority of Americans oppose more US aid for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Nikki Carvajal | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The White House on Wednesday downplayed CNN polling showing most Americans oppose Congress providing additional funding to support Ukraine in its war with Russia ahead of a reported administration request for more aid. Last week, a CNN poll showed that overall, 55% say Congress should not authorize additional funding to support Ukraine vs. 45% who say Congress should authorize such funding. And 51% say that the US has already done enough to help Ukraine while 48% say it should do more. The administration requested this kind of additional funding to help support Ukraine four times last year, in March, May, September and December. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday called for continued support for Ukraine during an event in Louisville, Kentucky.

Persons: Strategic Communications John Kirby, “ It’s, ” Kirby, Putin, Biden, Doug Bush, ”, Mitch McConnell, Republicans –, haven’t, ” McConnell, it’s, Sen, Josh Hawley, you’ve, “ There’s, Xi, ’ ” McConnell Organizations: CNN, Wednesday, National Security, Strategic Communications, NATO, Republicans, Management, White, Pentagon, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Louisville , Kentucky, American, China, Asia, Japan

But two months after President Joe Biden announced US support for training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s, there remain a number of critical details to work out. It is also still unclear which countries will commit F-16s to the training program – and to Ukraine itself once the program is finished. The training program will be for Ukraine and “also for other countries who are transitioning to the fourth generation fighter jets,” she said. The number of Ukrainian pilots set to be trained is also still being determined, but the Air Force memo recommended a pool of 10-12 participants. “The United States will not be the holdup in ensuring that this F-16 training can get under way.”

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden, Biden, ”, Kajsa Ollongren, “, Strategic Communications John Kirby, ’ skillset, Jake Sullivan Organizations: Washington CNN, CNN, Denmark’s Ministry of Defense, Skrydstrup Fighter Base, Dutch Ministry of Defense, Dutch Defense, NATO, National Security, Strategic Communications, Vasco Cotovio, US Air Force, The Air Force, Morris Air National Guard Base, Force, Yahoo, an Air Force, Air Force, Ukraine’s Air Force, American, Russian, National Locations: Ukraine, Denmark, Romania, American, Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Europe, Tucson , Arizona, Soviet, United States

☆ US orders deployment of fighter jets and Navy destroyer to Middle East in response to Iranian activities
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered F-35 and F-16 fighter jets deployed to the Middle East, as well as the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, in response to Iranian activities in the Strait of Hormuz. The deployments come after two incidents earlier this month in which Iranian Navy ships attempted to seize merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. The US also bolstered its forces in the Middle East in May after destabilizing actions from Iran in the Persian Gulf. “[The] United States will not allow foreign or regional powers to jeopardize freedom of navigation through the Middle East waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz,” National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said at the time. He added that there is “simply no justification” for Iranian actions to interfere, harass or attack merchant ships.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Thomas Hudner, Sabrina Singh, ” Singh, “, Strategic Communications John Kirby Organizations: CNN, US, Defense, US Central Command Area, Pentagon, Iranian, US Navy, Richmond, ” National Security, Strategic Communications Locations: Strait, Hormuz, “, Gulf of Oman, Iranian, Iran, The, Persian, States

☆ Chinese hackers breached US government email accounts, Microsoft and White House say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Sean Lyngaas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —China-based hackers have breached email accounts at two-dozen organizations, including some United States government agencies, in an apparent spying campaign aimed at acquiring sensitive information, according to statements from Microsoft and the White House late Tuesday. “Officials immediately contacted Microsoft to find the source and vulnerability in their cloud service,” Hodge said. The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Wednesday on the Microsoft findings. The hacking began in mid-May, when the China-based hackers used a stolen sign-in key to burrow their way into email accounts, according to Microsoft. The tech giant has since blocked the hackers from accessing customer emails using that technique, Microsoft said late Tuesday.

Persons: Adam Hodge, ” Hodge, “ Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, House, National Security, “, Government, FBI, Embassy, Washington , D.C Locations: China, States, Beijing, Washington ,

☆ NATO Summit 2023: Ukraine's wait for membership -- and Zelensky's frustration -- loom over final day of summit, meeting with Biden
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Betsy Klein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

We’re looking for a continued, united NATO,” Biden said in brief remarks alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the summit site. Participants of the NATO Summit pose for an official photo in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11, 2023. NATO first welcomed Ukraine’s membership aspirations during a 2008 meeting in Bucharest, Romania, but little progress has been made and the timeline remains uncertain. Biden and NATO leaders have “unanimously agreed” to send a “substantial” new aid package to Ukraine, Sloat told reporters Wednesday — but she declined to provide additional details. Biden is also set to give a foreign policy speech that his aides have described as a “major address” later on Wednesday, reflecting on the strength and power of the NATO alliance.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Biden, ”, ” Zelensky, Gitanas Nauseda, Olena Zelenska, Kacper Pempel, Jens Stoltenberg, That’s, Stoltenberg, ” Biden, Andrew Caballero, Reynolds, Amanda Sloat, Sloat, “, ” Sloat, Zelensky’s, Chris Skaluba, Biden’s, ’ Biden Organizations: Lithuania CNN, NATO, Alliance, Reuters, Wednesday, CNN, ” National Security Council, Ukraine ”, Transatlantic Security Initiative, Strategy, Security, Ukraine Locations: Vilnius, Lithuania, Ukraine, Ukrainian, NATO, Russia, United States, Kyiv, Washington, St, Michael’s, Hiroshima, Japan, Bakhmut, Bucharest, Romania, Eastern Europe, NATO’s

☆ Biden says the US and its allies had nothing to do with Wagner Group’s rebellion against Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Over the weekend, Biden remained silent on the events unfolding in Russia. He consulted with European allies by telephone on Saturday before traveling to Camp David with his national security adviser Jake Sullivan. “We’re going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekend’s events and the implications for Russia and Ukraine,” he said. Biden continued speaking with his national security aides on Monday as they continued to process the consequences of the rebellion. The White House declined to speculate on the future of the Wagner group following this weekend’s events in Russia.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, “ It’s, ”, Vladimir Putin, David, Jake Sullivan, “, Putin, ” Biden, Sergey Lavrov, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Alexander Lukashenko, it’s, “ We’re, Wagner, John Kirby, Kirby, they’re, ” Kirby Organizations: CNN, White, Wagner Group, NATO, National Security Council, Russian, Kremlin, National Security, Ukraine Locations: United States, Russia, Europe, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Ukraine, Moscow, Russian

☆ US officials saw signs Prigozhin was planning challenge to Russian military but surprised by rapid escalation
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Natasha Bertrand Alex Marquardt Jim Sciutto | Natasha Bertrand | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

US and Western intelligence officials saw signs that Prigozhin was making preparations for such a move, including by massing weapons and ammunition, one Western intelligence official and another person familiar with the intelligence said. Prigozhin had vowed Friday to retaliate against Russian military leadership over an alleged strike on a Wagner military camp and claimed control of military facilities in two Russian cities. A European intelligence official told CNN that the “temperature had obviously been building,” but few could have predicted what Prigozhin was planning. It is not clear to US or European officials how far in advance Prigozhin was planning the rebellion. One source familiar with Western intelligence said it appeared that it must have taken at least several days to organize.

Persons: Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin’s, ”, Putin, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken’s, Blinken, Matthew Miller, “, Stringer Stringer, Kamala Harris, Adam Hodge, Lloyd Austin, Brig, Pat Ryder, Volodymyr Zelensky, ” Zelensky Organizations: Washington CNN, CNN, Intelligence, Ukraine, House, European Union, Foreign, Commonwealth, Development, ”, Southern Military District, REUTERS, Reuters Biden, National Security, US, Pentagon Locations: Russia, Moscow, Russian, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Japan, United States, Ukraine, Britain, Rostov, Don, Poland

CNN —Welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House this week for a state visit – the most elevated form of American diplomacy – will require President Joe Biden to make certain trade-offs. Yet Modi and India, the world’s largest democracy, also represent a lynchpin in Biden’s strategy in Asia. That, according to officials, was the rationale behind inviting Modi for a state visit, only the third of Biden’s presidency so far. The two leaders will hold a joint news conference – something virtually every state visit over the past two decades has featured – but that was only agreed upon after lengthy, delicate negotiations between the two sides. “We’re just grateful that Prime Minister Modi is going to be participating in a press event at the end of the visit.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Joe Biden, Modi, He’s, India’s, Biden, “ We’re, John Kirby, Jake Sullivan, New Delhi’s, ” Sullivan, “, Barack Obama, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Howdy Modi, Emmanuel Macron, Rahul Gandhi, Modi’s, he’s, Pramila, Sen, Chris Van Hollen, Jayapal, ” Modi, Rashida, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio, Sullivan, ”, It’s, Russia can’t, Xi, ” Biden Organizations: CNN, Indian, White, Office, National Security, Indian Embassy, White House, Trump, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Rep, Democrat, Maryland Democrat, Reps, State Department Locations: India, Asia, China, Beijing, Ukraine, New, United States, America, Houston, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Washington, Maryland, Alexandria, Cortez, Russia

☆ Sudan's paramilitary announces 72-hour ceasefire ahead of Eid al-Fitr
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced the ceasefire in a statement on Twitter early Friday morning local time. The ceasefire is due to begin at 6 a.m., the statement added. The ceasefire comes just ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. “The truce coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr … to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families,” the RSF said. The rival Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) have yet to comment on the announcement.

☆ In Afghanistan Report, White House Blames Donald Trump for Lack of Planning
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Andrew Restuccia | Sabrina Siddiqui | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby defended the decision to end U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. WASHINGTON—The Biden administration signaled Thursday that it should have sounded the alarm earlier about the risks that Afghanistan’s government could collapse as the war came to a close, and the White House partially blamed the chaotic 2021 U.S. withdrawal on a lack of preparation by President Donald Trump. “First and most critically, the president’s decision to end the war in Afghanistan was the right one,” National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told reporters Thursday at the White House. “The United States had long ago accomplished its mission to remove from the battlefield the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11.”

☆ Premarket stocks: What the OPEC cuts mean for Putin and Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

OPEC+ was formed in 2016 to coordinate and regulate oil production and stabilize global oil prices. What it means for Putin: OPEC+’s decision to cut oil production could have big implications for Russia. After Russia invaded Ukraine last year, the United States and United Kingdom immediately stopped purchasing oil from the country. Higher-priced oil could help Russia pay for its war on Ukraine and also boosts revenue in Saudi Arabia. Current regulations, Dimon argued, could actually lull banks into complacency without actually addressing real system-wide banking issues.

☆ Wagner Group Designated by U.S. as Transnational Criminal Group
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Mengqi Sun | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. took action Thursday against Russian private military group Wagner Group, designating it as a significant transnational criminal organization over its actions in combat operations in Ukraine on behalf of President Vladimir Putin. The U.S. Treasury Department said Wagner Group personnel also are involved in alleged ongoing criminal activity, including mass executions, rape and physical abuse in the Central African Republic and Mali. Thursday’s sanctions come after the White House said last Friday it would designate the Wagner Group as a transnational criminal organization. The Wagner Group has already been sanctioned by Canada, Australia, Japan, the U.K. and the European Union. Representatives for Wagner Group didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

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