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SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea test-fired a suspected long-range ballistic missile that is designed to strike the continental United States, its neighbors said Thursday, days before the U.S. presidential election. This would be the first ICBM launch since December for North Korea, a reclusive nuclear-armed state that has been ratcheting up its rhetoric against the U.S. and its allies South Korea and Japan. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani later said the missile fell into the sea off North Korea’s east coast around 8:37 a.m. He said the launch time of 86 minutes would be the longest ever for a North Korean missile test, and that it could be a new type of missile. North Korea has said the deployment is a “rumor,” while Russian President Vladimir Putin did not deny the reports when asked about them by NBC News last week.

Persons: Gen Nakatani, Sean Savett, ”, Vladimir Putin, Lloyd Austin, Kim Yong, Austin, Stella Kim, Arata Yamamoto, Jennifer Jett Organizations: U.S, Korea’s, Chiefs, Staff, Japanese, Korean, National Security, United Nations, Pacific Command, South Korea’s Defense Intelligence Agency, Officials, NBC, Defense, Ukrainian Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, North Korea, United States, Japan, Pyongyang, U.S, Korea, Moscow, Russia’s Far, Ukraine, The U.S, Russia, Washington, Korean, Seoul, Oshu City, Hong Kong

☆ US says it expects North Korean troops to enter combat against Ukraine in the coming days
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —As many as 8,000 North Korean troops are in Russia’s Kursk region and are expected to enter combat against Ukraine in the coming days, top US officials announced Thursday. The US will announce additional military support to Ukraine “in the coming days,” Blinken said. Ukrainian forces have held territory in Kursk since launching a surprise incursion into the Russian border region in August. The US defense secretary noted Thursday that the number of North Korean troops sent to Kursk “pales in comparison” to the number of casualties Russia sees regularly. “I’m surprised by China’s silence” on North Korea’s support for Russia, Zelensky said in an interview with South Korea’s KBS.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, Blinken, ” Austin, ” Blinken, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, Austin, Austin redoubled, ” “ We’ve, “ I’m, Zelensky, ” Organizations: CNN, Ukraine, Defense, South Korean, Korean, Ukraine “, North, Russia, South Korea’s KBS Locations: Russia’s Kursk, Washington, Kursk, Russia, Moscow, Pyongyang, Ukraine, Russian, South Korea, Blinken, China, North Korea, Beijing

☆ North Korea likely to ask for nuclear technology from Russia in exchange for troops, South Korea says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

North Korea will likely request Russian technology transfers relating to tactical nuclear weapons, the advancement of North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles, reconnaissance satellites and nuclear submarines, Kim said, speaking through a translator alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The US independently confirmed for the first time last week that thousands of North Korean troops had been sent to Russia for military training. A small number of North Korean troops are already in Ukraine, CNN reported on Tuesday, and officials are growing increasingly concerned that the forces will enter into combat alongside Russian troops. “The evidence now suggests that North Korea has sent around 10,000 soldiers to train in eastern Russia,” Austin said on Wednesday. But he did say that South Korean military analysts could be deployed to observe the North Koreans fighting the Russians to gain more insight into North Korea’s military readiness.

Persons: ”, Kim Yong Hyun, Kim, Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Austin, “, ” Kim, ” CNN’s Haley Britzky, Michael Conte Organizations: CNN, South Korean Defense, Pentagon, North Korean, NATO, Russian, DPRK, Intelligence, South, Korean, Koreans Locations: North Korea, ” Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, Korea, Russian, Iran, Moscow, Tehran, South Korea, Koreans, Republic of Korea

☆ North Korean soldiers learning Russian commands and may be sent to Ukraine front lines, South Korean lawmakers say
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Gawon Bae | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korean soldiers may be being readied for a move to the front lines of Russia’s war against Ukraine after being taught basic Russian commands, South Korean lawmakers told news agency Yonhap on Tuesday, citing the country’s intelligence officials. Russia is teaching North Korean soldiers about 100 basic military words like “fire” and “in position,” the lawmakers told Yonhap. However, they added, it’s clear that North Korean soldiers are struggling to communicate – and it’s not clear whether they’ll be able to bridge the language gap. This could mark the first time North Korea makes a significant intervention in an international conflict. She likely traveled to discuss potentially dispatching more North Korean troops – and what Pyongyang would receive in return, the lawmakers told Yonhap.

Persons: Yonhap, ”, Lee Seong, they’ll, Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, Choe Son Hui, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin Organizations: South Korea CNN — North, Ukraine, Pentagon, White House, Korea’s National Intelligence Service, Korean, Sun, North, CNN, North Korean Foreign Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Russia, Korea, North Korea, Ukraine, Russian, Pyongyang, Washington

☆ Israel has banned the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. That could be devastating for millions
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-28 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | Salma Arafa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Israel’s parliament has voted to ban a nearly eight-decade-old United Nations agency that provides essential services for Palestinian refugees, a move that could have devastating consequences for millions of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. The move is expected to severely restrict the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in territories Israel occupies. In the Gaza Strip, which has been ravaged by a devastating Israeli war for more than a year, UNRWA serves some 1.7 million Palestinian refugees. Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty ImagesThe agency provides a wide range of aid and services to Palestinian refugees and their descendants, including shelter, healthcare, food and education. It is unclear who would assume assistance for the millions of Palestinian refugees who rely on UNRWA, if it wasn’t able to.

Persons: CNN —, Boaz, Yuli Edelstein, Israel, Antony Blinken, ’, Asma, Omar Al, ”, ” Yulia Malinovsky, Ilia Yefimovich, “, António Guterres, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Guterres, Guterres, Aida Touma, Suleiman, ” Touma, United Kingdom –, Lloyd Austin, Biden Organizations: CNN, United Nations, UNRWA, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Likud, US State Department, UN, Hamas, Israel, West Bank, Getty, Commission, Refugees, UNRWA …, Palestinian, World Health Organization, WHO, UNHCR, US Locations: Israel, Israel …, Gaza, United States, ”, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, East Jerusalem, Gaza City, AFP, New York, Geneva, Brussels, UNHCR, Jerusalem, El Far’a, Palestinian Territory, Crescent, Israeli, Arab, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom

☆ Why North Korea would want to go to war for Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-28 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

North Korea sent thousands of troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. AdvertisementWhy is North Korea helping Russia? STR/KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty ImagesIt's unclear what exactly is driving North Korea to become increasingly involved in the war and send troops to Russia. North Korea also has an aging fighter jet fleet it wants to upgrade and a desire for advanced satellite technologies. Beijing has often aligned with Russia and North Korea, and Western officials have accused China of also giving military aid to Russia in return for certain technologies and information.

Persons: Kim, Putin, —, Mark Rutte, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong, KRISTINA KORMILITSYNA, Ivan Samoilov, Rutte, Kirby, Kurt Campbell, Defense Lloyd Austin, Biden, Seoul's Organizations: Ukraine, Service, US, Korean, Russian, NATO, Department of Defense, Pentagon, Ukrainian, North, Duma, Research, Gwara, Getty, VIA KNS, National Security, Technologies, Roman, Defense, Publicly, Ministry of Foreign, South Locations: Korea, Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, Kursk, Ukrainian, North Korea, Russian, Pyongyang, Korean, Moscow, Iran, North Korean, AFP, Kyiv, China, Beijing

☆ As crowds surge for bread in Gaza, a boy helps his younger brother to drink
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-27 | by ( Hannah Peart | Hannah Peart Is An Intern In The Nbc News London Bureau. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

The 3-year-old in a frayed and holey T-shirt, appears unfazed by the destruction and dust, remnants of what was once a functioning store, now reduced to rubble in Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis. “We came here to get bread for the house,” Ibrahim told an NBC News crew on Wednesday, adding that his family had 11 people. The boys watch as women and children crowd around outside Qala Bakery, the only functioning bread shop in the city of Khan Younis. Tense scenes as women fight for position to receive food at a bakery in Khan Younis. Long lines outside Qala Bakery in Khan Younis.

Persons: Khan Younis, Ibrahim, “, ” Ibrahim, Antony Blinken, Israel, Blinken, Lloyd Austin Organizations: NBC News, NBC, United Nations, State Department, U.S . Locations: Gaza’s, Khan, Qala, Gaza, Israel, U.S

☆ Israeli MP behind bill to expel key UN agency accuses US of interfering with process
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-27 | by ( Dana Karni | Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The Israeli government has claimed that some of the UN Relief and Works Agency’s (UNRWA) staff are affiliated with Hamas. UNRWA has strongly denied the allegations, but several governments suspended funding for the agency earlier this year while the allegations were investigated. The MP, Yulia Malinovsky, told CNN that US Ambassador Jacob Lew has contacted several opposition leaders, including Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz, in an effort to get the legislation stopped. The US State Department told CNN that as a matter of policy, it would not comment on private diplomatic conversations. Malinovsky told CNN that she is determined UNRWA should no longer receive “five-star treatment” in Israel.

Persons: Yulia Malinovsky, Jacob Lew, Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz, Daniel Hagari, Nukhba, Israel Katz, Antonio Guterres, “, ’, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Biden, Malinovsky, ” Malinovsky, UNRWA “, ” Organizations: CNN, UN, West Bank, UN Relief and Works Agency, UN Relief, Hamas, UNRWA, US State Department, West, Israel Defense Forces, US, Canada Locations: Gaza, Israel, West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, ”, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea

☆ US approves $2B arms sale to Taiwan including air-to-air missiles and NASAMS weapon systems
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-26 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The US has approved a $2 billion arms sale to Taiwan that includes missile and radar systems. The potential sale would include three NASAMS air-defense systems. AdvertisementThe US on Friday approved a potential arms sale package for Taiwan worth nearly $2 billion. The NASAMS is a medium-range air-defense system that can be used to defend against aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in November 2022 that the NASAMS system had up to that point had a 100% success rate in intercepting Russian missiles.

Persons: —, Lloyd Austin, China's, Tom Shugart, Wellington Koo Organizations: US, Ukrainian, Service, Air Missile Systems, Air Missile, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Raytheon, Norway's Kongsberg Defense, Aerospace, Eastern, Command, US Navy, Center, New, New American Security, Reuters, Business, Department of Defense Locations: Taiwan, Russian, Russia, Ukraine, China, Taiwan Independence, New American

“If the North Koreans are actually sending troops to fight with the Russians, then clearly the level of Russian willingness to support North Korea, to help defend North Korea, is going to be equivalent,” he told NBC News in an interview Thursday. “And that really, in many ways, supplants China as North Korea’s most important protector.”Ukraine says 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, could join fight starting SundayThe U.S. and its ally South Korea say 3,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, with the total expected to reach 12,000. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday in a post on X that the first North Korean soldiers were expected to be deployed in combat zones as early as Sunday. The entry of North Korean troops into the Ukraine war could also lead to even further escalation of the conflict. “I think that the North Korea move is a big part of that, frankly,” Bremmer said.

Persons: Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, ”, Ian Bremmer, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kim, Putin didn’t, We’ll, “, Kim Yong, Lloyd Austin, Bremmer, Xi Jinping, ” Bremmer, Lin Jian, Wang Yi, Xi, Putin Organizations: U.S, North, Getty, Eurasia Group, NBC News, Korean, Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s, Directorate of Intelligence, Ukrainian, Centre, Strategic Communication, Security, Putin, United Nations, South Korean Defense, U.S ., South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, South Korean National Intelligence Service, AFP, Foreign Ministry, Foreign, Kremlin Locations: HONG KONG — North, Ukraine, Washington, Korea, Russia, China, Pyongyang, Beijing, New York, Koreans, North Korea, North, ” Ukraine, South Korea, Vietnam, Russian, Kursk, Russia’s Far, Kazan, U.S, Korean, Washington . South, Moscow, North Korean, Japan

☆ Ukraine needs F-16s now, but this rugged jet made for the Russia threat could be the better choice for its future fighter fleet
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-25 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Ukraine needs its F-16s, but it should get Gripen jets to help fight Russia long-term, experts said. A Ukrainian Air Force F-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location in Ukraine on August 4. A Ukrainian air force F-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location in Ukraine on August 4. Three Swedish Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets escort a B-52H Stratofortress in flight. AdvertisementUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi in front of the first F-16 fighter jets received by Ukraine.

Persons: —, Michael Bohnert, They're, Bohnert, Gordon, Skip, Davis, You'll, Swedish Saab JAS, Corban Lundborg, Mats Helgesson, Sukhois, Oleg V, AirTeamImages Gordon, they're, Saab JAS, PATRICK TRAGARDH, Lloyd Austin, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, Vitalii, Tim Robinson Organizations: Gripen, Service, RAND Corporation, Saab AB, Ukrainian Air Force, AP, US Army, Defense Investment Division, Russia, Royal United Services Institute, NATO, Swedish Saab, Tech, US Air Force, Sweden's Saab Gripen, Swedish Gripen, Saab, Getty, Defense, UK's Royal Aeronautical Society Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Swedish, Sweden, Europe, Germany, Ukrainian, Russia Sweden, AFP

☆ If South Korea decides to get involved in Ukraine, it has powerful options
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-25 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But South Korea remains wary of getting involved in the Ukraine war. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV via Getty ImagesSouth Korea hesitatesSignificant obstacles stand in the way of South Korea arming Ukraine, though. Chan said South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol was domestically unpopular and would encounter difficulties repealing the law via South Korea's center-left-dominated National Assembly. AdvertisementBut the escalating alliance between Russia and North Korea may soon reach a point where South Korea feels it needs to act. Because of Russia's increasing reliance on North Korea, Kim finds himself in a powerful position to negotiate sophisticated technology in return.

Persons: —, Yonhap, Jeremy Chan, Chan, Ellen Kim, Kim, Lloyd Austin, Kim Jong, Russia's Vladimir Putin, GAVRIIL GRIGOROV, Yoon Suk, yeol, Kim Jong Un, Joon Cho, Yoon, Sean McFate Organizations: Russia, Service, Security Council, South, Eurasia Group, Center for Strategic, International Studies, North, US, Getty Images, National, National Assembly, Kremlin, Georgetown University Locations: Korea, Ukraine, South Korea, North Korea, Russia, Seoul, Korean, China, Asia, Poland, Washington ,, Kyiv, Pyongyang, South Korea's, South, Moscow

☆ U.S. and Israeli negotiators to travel to Doha with hopes of resuming Gaza ceasefire talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Abigail-Williams-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Abigail Williams | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. and Israeli negotiators will travel to Doha in the coming days, the top diplomats for U.S. and Qatar said Thursday, intending to resume long-stalled talks to reach a ceasefire deal and secure the release of hostages in Gaza. The announcement comes after Israeli forces killed Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas, earlier this month and the militant group continues its search for a new leader. Among the options is an Egyptian proposal, as previously reported by NBC News, for a two-week ceasefire in exchange for the release of six hostages. Qatari Sheikh Mohammed said there are ongoing discussions between Egypt and Hamas even today and he “hopes the discussions will yield something positive” for the talks that follow. Speaking from Doha, Blinken said the U.S. had seen Israel take some positive steps but it is not enough to get assistance to the borders of Gaza.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Biden, Sinwar, Antony Blinken, ” Blinken, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, “, Sheikh Mohammed, Defense Lloyd Austin, Blinken, ” Organizations: U.S, Qatari Prime, NBC News, Defense, Israel, U.S . Locations: Doha, Qatar, Gaza, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, U.S, Egypt, Blinken, Israel

☆ As North Korea, Iran and China support Russia’s war, is a ‘new axis’ emerging?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The remains of an unidentified missile, which Ukrainian authorities claimed to be made in North Korea, is seen at a site of a Russian strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine on January 2. China, Russia and Iran have also held four joint naval drills since 2019, and China is by far Iran’s largest energy buyer. Beijing also carefully manages its relationship with North Korea – which is almost wholly economically and diplomatically dependent on China. “Russia, North Korea, Iran is the type of grouping that China least wants to openly associate itself with,” said Tong Zhao, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. An Iranian military boat patrols ahead of the start of a joint naval drill of Iran, Russia and China in the Indian Ocean in May.

Persons: They’ve, Lloyd Austin, George W, Bush’s, ”, Kim Jong, Kim, there’s, what’s, Bashar al, Assad, Israel –, Xi Jinping, Putin, Alex Gabuev, Sofiia Gatilova, Xi, Loup, “, Tong Zhao, Zhao, Sydney Seiler Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Korean, Moscow’s, US, North, West, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, China’s, National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Iranian Army, AP, UN, National Defense Strategy, NATO, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Hong Kong, Russia, Ukraine, United States, Tehran, China, Iran, North Korea, Washington, Europe, Pacific, Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Imperial Japan, Iraq, South Korea, Pyongyang, Syria, Beijing, Moscow, Berlin, Kharkiv, Kazan, Israel, Jean, South, Taiwan, “ Russia, ”, Iranian, Asia, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, North Asia, Sydney

☆ North Korea knows its troops could desert in Ukraine. It has chilling ways to keep them in line.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The US says North Korean troops are in Russia, possibly bound for the war in Ukraine. AdvertisementAny North Korean troops sent to fight in Ukraine would be subject to harsh measures to ensure they don't desert, observers have told Business Insider. On Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said "there is evidence" that North Korean troops were training in Russia. Scattered reports have claimed that smaller numbers of North Korean troops are already in Ukraine. Bennett said that the presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine could offer a rare opportunity to reach high-placed North Korean citizens.

Persons: —, Lloyd Austin, Hromadske, Kim Jong Un, Joseph S, Bermudez Jr, Kim Jong, It's, Mark Collins, Kim, Bermudez, They're, Bruce W, Bennett, they've, Kim's, Kim Yo Jong, we've Organizations: North, Service, US, Business, Center for International, Strategic Studies, National Intelligence Service, South, Workers ' Party of Korea, RAND Locations: Russia, Ukraine, North Korea, South Korea North Korea, North Koreans, Pyongyang, Korea, Nazi, Soviet, South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea has sent troops to Russia, the U.S. said Wednesday, its first public confirmation of a move that has rattled Western allies and could mark a major escalation of Moscow’s war in Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visiting Korean People's Army soldiers at an undisclosed location on Oct. 17. South Korean lawmakers said Wednesday that North Korea had sent 3,000 troops to Russia out of a promised 10,000 to be deployed by December. That is twice the 1,500 the South Korean intelligence agency had reported being sent last week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that two units of North Korean troops, with as many as 6,000 people each, were being trained for deployment.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Austin, Kim Jong, KCNA, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ”, Kyrylo Budanov, Vedant Patel, “, ” Austin, Zelenskyy Organizations: ”, Democratic People’s, Korean People's Army, Getty, Kremlin, South, South Korean, Directorate of Intelligence, North Korean, State Department Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, North Korea, Russia, U.S, Ukraine, Rome, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Korea, AFP, Pyongyang, Moscow, Russia’s Kursk, Russian, Kyiv

“We assess that between early- to mid-October, North Korea moved at least 3,000 soldiers into eastern Russia,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. “We assess that these soldiers traveled by ship from the Wonsan area in North Korea to Vladivostok, Russia. “We are seeing evidence that that there are North Korean troops that have gone to Russia,” Austin told reporters traveling with him in Rome on Wednesday. A senior administration official said earlier Wednesday that the training of North Korean soldiers and possible preparation to send them to find to Ukraine is a sign of serious desperation on Russia’s part. Meanwhile, South Korea’s spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, said Friday that North Korea has shipped 1,500 soldiers, including special forces fighters, to Russia for training.

Persons: “, John Kirby, …, Defense Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Austin, Kirby, Putin, ” Kirby, Volodymyr Zelensky, Kevin Liptak, MJ Lee Organizations: CNN, Ukraine, ” National Security, Defense, US, Korean, Kremlin, UN, United, NATO, National Intelligence Service Locations: Russia, North Korea, Wonsan, Vladivostok, Ukrainian, Korea, Ukraine, Rome, Europe, Pacific, Moscow, Pyongyang, United States, Kyiv, Washington, Koreans, South

The United States, Ukraine and South Korea say that North Korean troops were dispatched to Russia for training with the aim of being deployed to Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russia's President Vladimir Putin after signing a comprehensive strategic partnership in Pyongyang, North Korea on June 19, 2024. “We are developing scenarios to understand the potential impacts North Korea and Russia’s actions could have on us,” the government official said. The arrangement could also help North Korea gain real-world intelligence on the functioning of its weaponry. Soldiers march in a parade for the 70th anniversary of North Korea's founding day in Pyongyang, North Korea, on September 9, 2018.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, ” Zelensky, Inna Varenytsia, Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov, ”, François Walschaerts, Foreign Affairs Kim Hong, Kim Tae, Defense Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, John Kirby, “, Carl Schuster, Ng Han Guan, Kim, Chun, ” Chun Organizations: South Korea CNN, Ukraine, NATO, Korean, CNN, National Intelligence Service, North, Maxar Technologies, Maxar, UN, Foreign Ministry, Getty, Korean First, Foreign Affairs, National Security Office, South, Moscow, Defense, National Security, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Korea, Ukraine, Europe, United States, Russia, North Korea, Moscow, Pyongyang, Kyiv, Washington, Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region, Koreans, South, Russia’s Far, China, Sergeevka, Russian, Brussels, AFP, South Korean, ” South Korea

☆ Pentagon chief visits Ukraine in show of support ahead of U.S. election
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Ukraine on Monday, in a show of solidarity with Kyiv just two weeks ahead of a U.S. presidential election that is casting uncertainty over the future of Western support. “We’re going to continue to support Ukraine in its efforts to defend its sovereign territory,” Austin told reporters travelling with him to Ukraine. Trump has signaled he would be more reluctant than Biden to continue to support Ukraine, which could deprive Kyiv of its biggest military and financial backer. “I’ve seen bipartisan support for Ukraine over the last 2-1/2 years, and I fully expect that we’ll continue to see the bipartisan support from Congress,” he said. Even with billions of dollars worth of U.S. military support, including the provision of F-16 fighter jets, Abrams tanks and more, Ukraine faces a tough fight ahead.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden’s, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s, Austin, “ We’re, ” Austin, “ We’ve, Austin’s, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Trump, Biden, “ I’ve, ”, Ukraine’s staunchest, Vladimir Putin, “, Zelenskyy, Putin, Abrams Organizations: Joe Biden’s Pentagon, Republican, Democratic, NATO, U.S Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine’s, Poland, Russian, Moscow, Russia, Donetsk, Brussels, Russia’s Kursk, Pokrovsk

The Israeli military expanded its offensive in Lebanon overnight, striking bank branches across the country to target Hezbollah‘s finances in an assault that sparked panic in Beirut, as Secretary of State Antony Blinken was heading to the Middle East to push for a diplomatic solution to the intensifying regional conflict. But it also comes as Israel prepares an attack against Iran itself. The U.S. and Israel have linked the bank to the Iran-backed militant and political group. An NBC News crew in Beirut heard the blasts ring out as Lebanese national media reported strikes on bank branches in the city's southern suburbs. Meanwhile, video shared on social media and geolocated by NBC News showed buildings on fire and collapsing after apparent air strikes.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Daniel Hagari, Hagari, Qard Al, Hassan Organizations: Defense, NBC News, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Lebanon, Beirut, U.S, Iran, Gaza, Israel, Lebanon's

☆ Defense Secretary Austin arrives in Ukraine amid Russian gains and imminent US election
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Kyiv, Ukraine CNN —Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv early Monday morning, as the future of US aid to Ukraine hangs in the balance of the imminent US presidential election and as Russia continues to make small but steady gains on the battlefield. “It’s been absolutely remarkable that Ukraine has been able to do what it’s done,” Austin told reporters. Ukraine has prevented Russian President Vladimir Putin from achieving “one single strategic objective” during the war, Austin said Sunday. China also continues to be a “critical enabler” of Russia’s war effort, the NATO official said. Ukraine has more sophisticated weaponry thanks to the West, which could give the country a strategic edge, the defense official said.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Rustem Umerov, Biden, Austin, “ It’s, ” Austin, we’ve, Donald Trump, ”, Trump, Zelensky, “, ” Zelensky, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, Defense, CNN, Ukraine Defense, European Union, Pentagon, Capitol, Ukraine, NATO, Russia Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Austin, ”, Europe, Russian, Iran, North Korea, China, Moscow

☆ Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Israel struck what it said were Hezbollah arms facilities in southern Beirut on Saturday after the Lebanese armed group fired rockets into northern Israel and a spokesman said a drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home. On Saturday, Israeli planes dropped leaflets over southern Gaza with a picture of Sinwar and the message: "Hamas will no longer rule Gaza". In Beirut's southern suburbs, Israel carried out heavy strikes on several locations, leaving thick plumes of smoke hanging over the city into the evening. The strikes targeted "a number of Hezbollah weapons storage facilities and a Hezbollah intelligence headquarters command center", Israel's military said. The United States would like to see Israel scale back some of its strikes in and around Beirut, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

Persons: Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Netanyahu, Iran's, Yahya Sinwar, Beit Lahiya, Hassan Nasrallah, Lloyd Austin Organizations: Israel, U.S . Defense Locations: Hireyk, Dahieh, Beirut, Lebanon, Lebanese, Israel, Iranian, Gaza, Beit, Israeli, Iran, United States, U.S

☆ US election looms over NATO discussions to Trump-proof Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

NATO officials say they are preparing for the US to take on a lesser role. “I’m very worried,” the NATO official said. But that mechanism, known as NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, is not yet fully operational and won’t be for several more months, another NATO official said on Friday. Russia alone is producing around 3 million munitions per year, while NATO collectively is producing less than 2 million annually, NATO officials said on Thursday. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Thursday that he was confident the alliance “will not lose” its unity when it comes to Ukraine.

Persons: Donald Trump, Defense Lloyd Austin, Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Joe Biden, Austin, Trump, Biden, James O’Brien, O’Brien, “, ” Austin, Russia It’s, Mark Rutte, Vladimir, Putin Organizations: Brussels CNN, NATO, Defense, Ukraine, Trump, ”, NATO Security Assistance, Training, State, Eurasian Locations: Brussels, Ukraine, Iran, North Korea, China, Russia, ”, Europe, NATO, EU, Hungary, Riga, ” North Korea, Moscow, Korea, Kyiv, “

Facing increasing U.S. pressure to ramp up aid into Gaza and warning that Washington would be “watching,” as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an emergency meeting to discuss the matter on Wednesday. Ambassador to the United Nations issued a stern rebuke to Israel at a meeting of the U.N. Security Council. Palestinian children at a camp for the internally displaced in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza on Oct. 17, 2024. “Given the abject conditions and intolerable suffering in north Gaza, the fact that humanitarian access is nearly non-existent is unconscionable,” Msuya said. According to a version published by Axios on Tuesday, the letter suggested that the U.S. would restrict weapons sales if the Israeli government did not allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, “, ”, Eyad Baba, Joyce Msuya, ” Msuya, State Anthony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Ron Dermer, Axios Organizations: NBC, United Nations, . Security, Washington, Getty, U.S, State, Israeli, Strategic Affairs, NBC News, Pentagon Locations: Gaza, Washington, U.S, Israel, ”, Deir al, AFP

U.S. B-2 bombers and other aircraft struck five underground Houthi weapons storage locations in parts of Yemen that the Iranian-backed rebel group controls, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said. The strikes targetedThe strikes targeted weapons that are used to target civilian vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the defense official said. An annual $1 trillion flow of goods goes through the Red Sea. Some shippers responded to the attacks late last year by suspending service in the Red Sea. The U.S. first launched airstrikes against Houthi weapons in January in response to the Houthi attacks against commercial shipping.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Irani Organizations: Defense, U.S, NBC News, Hamas, The U.S . Locations: Yemen, Aden, Gaza, Red, The

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