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☆ Space nukes are raising tensions between Moscow and Washington. Here’s what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Kari Bingen director of the aerospace security project and senior fellow in the international security program at the Centre for Strategic International Studies. Space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapons — or so-called space nukes — are a type of weapon designed to damage or destroy satellite systems. "It's an indiscriminate weapon," Bingen said. The deployment of a space-based nuclear weapon would mark a major advancement of Russia's military capabilities and a serious escalation of geopolitical tensions. Kari Bingen director of the aerospace security project and senior fellow in the international security program at the Centre for Strategic International Studies.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Alexander Ryumin, Mike Turner, Joe Biden, It's, Kari Bingen, Bingen, Juan Barreto, Putin, CNBC's Silvia Amaro Organizations: Sputnik, Chelyabinsk, Afp, Getty, U.S, White, CNBC, . House Intelligence, Bloomberg, Centre, Strategic International Studies, Analysts, Strategic International, United Nations Office, Outer Space Affairs, Elon Musk, Reuters, U.S ., Space Foundation, The, NATO, General, Saturday, Munich Security Conference Locations: Russian, Chelyabinsk Region, Chelyabinsk, Washington, Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, China, Bogota, U.S, The U.S

☆ One of last doctors left in Gaza’s Nasser hospital says patients’ fate no longer in his control
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Kareem Khadder | Zeena Saifi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Nasser hospital had been the largest functioning hospital in the enclave before Israeli forces raided it last Thursday after days of intense bombardment. Nasser hospital in the city of Khan Younis, Gaza, on December 22, 2020. Dr. Hatem said he was one of the five doctors allowed to return and care for the patients. On Sunday and Monday, 32 patients in critical condition were evacuated from Nasser hospital, OCHA said. On Saturday, a Palestinian surgeon trapped inside Nasser hospital warned that all the ICU patients would die – a grim prospect that Dr. Hatem is anticipating.

Persons: Nasser, ” Dr, Hatem Raba, “, Ashraf Al, Qidra, Hatem, ”, Khan Younis, Abed Zagout, Dr, OCHA Organizations: CNN, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Health Ministry, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, World Health Organization, WHO, Palestine Red Crescent Society, Red Crescent Society Locations: Gaza, Khan, Palestine, Rafah, Nasser, Khan Younis, Palestinian

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Chris Lau | Andrew Raine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Displaced Palestinians in Gaza’s southernmost Rafah city are reportedly fleeing towards northern Deir al Balah as Israeli airstrikes intensify amid the prospect of ground operations, according to a UN body. “Intensified airstrikes on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s population are crammed into less than 20 per cent of the Gaza Strip, and statements by Israeli officials about a ground operation in Gaza have reportedly led to the movement of people out of Gaza’s southernmost governorate toward Deir al Balah,” said the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Earlier on Friday, former Israeli prime minister and current war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said Israel “won’t stop” until all hostages are returned, even if that means continuing hostilities during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. He added that Israel is preparing for a military incursion into Gaza and will act “in dialogue” with its partners, including Egypt, and “direct the population to protected areas.”In a separate statement on Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told reporters that Israel had “no intention” of sending Palestinians into Egypt as part of an evacuation of Rafah, the focus of its next military offensive. Gallant provided no details about a potential evacuation but said “we are thoroughly planning future operations in Rafah, which is a significant Hamas stronghold.”Israeli officials have said the military is working on a detailed plan to evacuate civilians from Rafah ahead of a planned offensive there but have yet to share details.

Persons: Balah, “, Deir al Balah, ”, Benny Gantz, Israel “, Yoav Gallant, Israel, Gallant Organizations: UN, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, Israeli Locations: Gaza’s, Rafah, Deir, Gaza, Israel, Egypt

☆ NASA explains how it would alert the public of an apocalyptic asteroid strike
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In the event of an impending hazardous asteroid strike, NASA already has its plan in place to alert the public. NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office is tasked with finding, tracking, and assessing the risk associated with potentially hazardous asteroids in our solar system. To do that, NASA works with a global coalition of astronomers called the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN). There are about 2,300 known potentially hazardous asteroids out there, and roughly 153 of them are larger than 0.6 miles across. If Bennu does head toward Earth, NASA has a few tricks up its sleeve to defend our planet.

Persons: —, ROGER HARRIS, ”, Lindley Johnson, ” Johnson, IAWN, Johnson, MARK GARLICK, NASA wouldn’t, they’re Organizations: NASA, Service, Defense, Office, Planetary Defense, Warning, White, United Nations Office, Outer Space Affairs, Minor Planet

☆ Was Carmen in Netflix's 'Griselda' a real person? The character seems to be based on several real women in the drug lord's life
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Palmer Haasch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Netflix's "Griselda" adapts the life of drug lord Griselda Blanco. Carmen's storyline bears similarities to several real women in Blanco's life. Miami PD analyst June Hawkins was another character in the show, and the real Hawkins also consulted. One character in the show, Carmen Gutiérrez (Vanessa Ferlito), appears to be based on several women in Blanco's life who turned on her at some point. Here's everything you need to know about how her character actually corresponds to real life.

Persons: Griselda, Griselda Blanco, Carmen Gutiérrez didn't, —, Blanco, Sofia Vergara, Hawkins, Jorge, Rivi, Ayala, Carmen Gutiérrez, Vanessa Ferlito, Elizabeth Morris, Carmen, " Blanco, doesn't, Blanco's, Dario, she'll, Carmen Gutiérrez wasn't, Gloria Cabán, Maria Gutiérrez, Martin Rodriguez, Netflix Carmen Cabán, Per, Cabán, Elaine Carey, Gloria, Alberto Bravo's, Carey, Carmen —, Amparo, Gilman Atehortua — Organizations: Service, Miami, Netflix, United Nations Office, Drugs, Drug, Blanco, Bravo, Drug Enforcement Agency, DEA, Independent Locations: Miami, Colombia, United States, Blanco, New York City, New York, NYC

☆ UN Appeals for $4.1 Billion to Help War-Torn Sudan, Refugees
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations appealed on Wednesday for $4.1 billion to meet the humanitarian needs of civilians caught up in the war in Sudan, as well as those who have fled to neighbouring countries. A ten-month war in Sudan between its armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has devastated the country's infrastructure, prompted warnings of famine and displaced millions of people inside and outside the country. The U.N. refugee agency asked for $1.4 billion to support nearly 2.7 million people in five countries neighbouring Sudan as part of the appeal. War in Israel and Gaza View All 194 Images"Ten months of conflict have robbed the people of Sudan of nearly everything: their safety, their homes and their livelihoods," U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths said. This year, we must do better and with a heightened sense of urgency."

Persons: Martin Griffiths, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Sharon Singleton Organizations: United Nations, Rapid Support Forces, Central African, UNHCR, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs Locations: GENEVA, Sudan, Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Israel, Gaza

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, US airstrikes in Middle East, Gaza crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Amir Vera | Deva Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

This satellite image shows a makeshift tent city in Rafah. MaxarA makeshift tent city estimated to hold more than 1 million displaced Palestinian civilians is rapidly expanding in Rafah, southern Gaza, according to new satellite images from Maxar Technologies. Aid workers have raised concerns over any expanded Israeli military operation in Rafah as forces push south in their war with Hamas. More than half of the estimated 2.2 million people in Gaza are seeking refugee in the Rafah area, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA said Monday that refugees facing acute shortage of food, water, shelter and medicine are still pouring into Rafah as fighting worsens nearby.

Persons: OCHA Organizations: Maxar Technologies, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs Locations: Rafah, Gaza

☆ More than a million Palestinians are trapped in Rafah. As Israeli troops approach, there’s nowhere left to run
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Rob Picheta | Paul P. Murphy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“We hear (drones) very, very loud, and we hear the sounds of bombing at night,” Kareem Dahman, a displaced Palestinian in the city, told CNN. He said conditions in Rafah are “very difficult,” describing a “large number of people, chaos, and high prices.”A satellite image from Maxar Technologies shows Rafah, Gaza, on October 26, 2023. Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies A satellite image from Maxar Technologies shows Rafah, Gaza, on February 3, 2024. Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies Rafah's makeshift tent city Satellite image ©2024 Maxar TechnologiesDahman, like countless others, found himself in the city after a “very arduous” journey through the besieged enclave. Water is available but we need an hour to fill water from a water station,” Dahman told CNN.

Persons: ” Kareem Dahman, Khan Younis, “, ” Dahman, Abed Rahim Khatib, Yahya Sinwar, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, Sinwar, ” Gallant, Raed, Ismail Al, Belal Khaled, OCHA, Dahman, Youssef Abu Kwaik, ”, Jens Laerke Organizations: CNN, Maxar Technologies, Israel Defense Forces, “, Anadolu, Getty, Israeli, Hamas, Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Media Office, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, UN Office Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Palestinian, Gaza City, Egypt, ”, Israel, Mawasi

☆ UN Appeals for $4.2 Billion to Support War-Ravaged Ukraine, Refugees
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations and its partners on Monday appealed for a combined $4.2 billion from donors to support war-ravaged communities in Ukraine as well as Ukrainian refugees in 2024. "That fact alone should compel us to do everything we can to bring more humanitarian assistance to Ukraine." As part of the appeal, OCHA is asking for $3.1 billion to help 8.5 million people in dire need of humanitarian aid in 2024. The U.N. refugee agency is seeking $1.1 billion to support 2.3 million Ukrainian refugees and their host communities. "Host countries continue to extend protection and include them in society, but many vulnerable refugees still need help," said Filippo Grandi, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

Persons: Martin Griffiths, OCHA, Filippo Grandi, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber Organizations: United Nations, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, Refugees Locations: GENEVA, Ukraine, Russia

☆ North Korean Hackers, Criminals Share Money Laundering Networks in Southeast Asia - UN
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Tom WilsonLONDON (Reuters) - North Korean hackers are sharing money-laundering and underground banking networks with fraudsters and drug traffickers in Southeast Asia, according to a United Nations report published on Monday, with casinos and crypto exchanges emerging as key venues for organised crime. Funds stolen by North Korean hackers are a key source of funding for Pyongyang and its weapons programmes. The junket sector has been infiltrated by organised crime for "industrial-scale money laundering and underground banking operations," with links to drug trafficking and cyberfraud, the report said. The proliferation of casinos and crypto have "supercharged" organised crime groups in Southeast Asia, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Jeremy Douglas told Reuters. "It's no surprise sophisticated threat actors would look to leverage the same underground banking systems and service providers," he said.

Persons: Tom Wilson LONDON, Lazarus, Pacific Jeremy Douglas, Tom Wilson, Tommy Reggiori Wilkes, Angus MacSwan Organizations: United, United Nations Office, Drugs, Korea's, United Nations, North, Casinos, Bangladesh's Central Bank, Lazarus, UNODC Regional Representative, Southeast, Pacific, Reuters Locations: Southeast Asia, United Nations, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, North, Geneva, United States, Pyongyang, Philippines

☆ Raanana attacks: One killed, 17 injured in twin attacks in Israeli city of Raanana
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Amir Tal | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Jerusalem CNN —A woman in her 70s was killed Monday and 17 other people were injured in twin attacks in the central Israeli city of Raanana, according to hospitals treating the victims. A hospital outside Tel Aviv said it was treating seven children injured in the attacks. At least seven children were injured in the attacks, according to the Schneider Center for Pediatrics. “We strongly condemn the terrorist attack which left at least one dead and 17 injured, including several children, today in Raanana. Israeli settlers or soldiers have killed at least 340 Palestinians in the West Bank since October 7, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah.

Persons: Jerusalem CNN —, ”, Ron Barnett, Jack Guez, “ Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, West Bank, Schneider Center for Pediatrics, Hamas, Israel . Police, Getty, French Foreign Ministry, ”, Palestinian Ministry of Health, The United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs Locations: Jerusalem, Raanana, Tel Aviv, Hebron, AFP, Israel, Ramallah

CNN —The border between Egypt and Gaza “must” be closed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday – a move that would give Israel complete control over the Palestinian enclave’s access to the world. Egypt has previously warned Israel against military operations in the corridor, according to Egypt’s Ahram Online. Gaza borders Israel on two sides, and its Mediterranean coast and airspace are also under tight Israeli blockades. But aid groups say it is still far from enough and warn of a growing risk of famine for Gaza’s isolated population if Israeli restrictions on imports persist. In three months of siege, more than 23,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to health authorities in the Hamas-controlled enclave.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, We’ll, we’ll, ” Netanyahu, Israel’s “, ”, Israel, Netanyahu’s Organizations: CNN, Egypt’s Ahram, United Nations, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs Locations: Egypt, Gaza, Israel, Rafah, United, Israel’s Kerem Shalom, United States

☆ Red Sea crisis: Who are the Houthis and why are they attacking ships?
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-19 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels are stepping up their strikes on ships in the Red Sea, which they say are revenge against Israel for its military campaign in Gaza. While the Houthis may not be able to pose a serious threat to Israel, their technology can wreak havoc in the Red Sea. Video Ad Feedback Video shows moment Houthi rebels storm cargo ship in the Red Sea 02:30 - Source: CNNWhy are the Houthis attacking ships in the Red Sea? A number of countries have taken steps to try and push back Houthi aggression in the Red Sea region. The United Nations Security Council has meanwhile approved a resolution calling on Yemen’s Houthi rebel group to “cease its brazen” attacks in the Red Sea.

Persons: CNN —, Israel, Biden, Allah, Hussein, ”, Zaidis, Khaled Abdullah, aren’t, Israel –, Carney, Yemen’s, Joe Biden, ” Biden, “, Houthis “, ” Sare’e, Mohammed al, Al Jazeera Organizations: CNN, CNN — Yemen’s, United, Hamas, Reuters, UN, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, Center for Strategic, International Studies, US, Maersk, Lloyd, CMA CGM, Evergreen, United Arab Emirates, Prosperity, United Nations Security Locations: CNN — Yemen’s Iran, Red, Gaza, United States, United Kingdom, Yemen, Iran, Islam, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Sanaa, Iran’s, Israel, Islamic Republic, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Tehran, Eilat, Suez, Egypt, Hapag, Africa, Russia, China, Britain, Palestine

☆ In Gaza, disease could be even deadlier than airstrikes, WHO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues, there’s growing concern about how the situation may raise the risk of disease and illness in Gaza. There could be more deaths in Gaza from disease and a broken health infrastructure than from bombs and missiles, the World Health Organization has warned. “If the conflict impacts access to safe water, then there may be challenges with waterborne diseases,” she said. In this situation, the risk of death due to disease is much greater than the risk of death due to bombardment,” said Haque, who is not involved in WHO but has studied infectious disease, conflict and war. During the Israel-Hamas conflict, maternity care facilities have been affected by Israeli airstrikes due to evacuations, power outages, and a shortage of medical supplies.

Persons: “, Margaret Harris, Barry Levy, ”, Levy, Rebecca Katz, ” Katz, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, ” Tedros, Abed Rahim Khatib, Ubydul Haque, Haque, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Shifa, CNN’s Martin Goillandeau, Eleni Giokos Organizations: CNN, World Health Organization, WHO, Tufts University School of Medicine, Center for Global Health Science, Security, Georgetown University, United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, Getty, Rutgers Global Health Institute, CNN Health, Shifa Locations: Israel, Gaza, Covid, Al

☆ What the Scale of Displacement in Gaza Looks Like
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Zach Levitt | Amy Schoenfeld Walker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

That number is expected to rise after Israel issued a new evacuation order on Saturday for areas in the south. WEST BANK North Gaza GAZA STRIP Israel Mediterranean Sea Gaza 75,000 Area of initial evacuation order 5,000 Deir al Balah Number of people Khan Younis Area of Dec. 2 evacuation order ISRAEL GAZA STRIP Rafah EGYPT 5 mi. North Gaza WEST BANK GAZA STRIP Area of initial evacuation order Israel Mediterranean Sea Gaza 75,000 Deir al Balah 5,000 Number of people Khan Younis Area of Dec. 2 evacuation order GAZA STRIP ISRAEL Rafah 5 mi. Schools that have sheltered displaced people and have been damaged Minor Moderate Major damage WEST BANK North Gaza GAZA STRIP Israel Area of initial evacuation order Gaza Mediterranean Sea Deir al Balah Area of Dec. 2 evacuation order Khan Younis ISRAEL GAZA STRIP Rafah EGYPT 5 mi. North Gaza WEST BANK GAZA STRIP Mediterranean Sea Israel Area of initial evacuation order Gaza Deir al Balah ISRAEL Khan Younis Area of Dec. 2 evacuation order GAZA STRIP Rafah 5 mi.

Persons: Salah al, ”, Yousef Hammash, Khan Younis, Ahmad Hasaballah, Samar Abu Elouf, al Balah ISRAEL, Mr, Hammash, “, North Gaza Gaza Deir al Balah Khan Younis, Deir al Balah, Mohammed Salem, Omar El Organizations: Din, Maxar Technologies, Israel, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations, WEST BANK, “, Norwegian Refugee Council, The New York Times, UNICEF, World Health Organization, Reuters, Agence France Locations: Gaza City, GAZA, Israel, Gaza, WEST, Gaza GAZA, ISRAEL GAZA, Rafah EGYPT, Deir al, ISRAEL Rafah, EGYPT, United, Samar, Gaza’s, al Balah, Khan Younis ISRAEL GAZA, al, al Balah ISRAEL Khan, North Gaza, North Gaza Gaza Deir al, North Gaza Gaza Deir al Balah Khan Younis Rafah, Deir, Rafah, Omar

☆ As tentative truce holds, search for shelter continues for more than a million Gazans
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Prasanta Kumar Dutta | Mariano Zafra | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

*Figures for Gaza City and North Gaza have not been updated after Oct. 12 due to lack of communication. A map shows UNRWA schools and hospitals and clinics in and around the Khan Younis camp. A satellite image shows several U.N.-run schools and places where people are seeking shelter in the streets around Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. On average, 160 people sheltering in UNRWA schools share a single toilet. A map shows UNRWA schools and hospitals and clinics in and around the refugee camp in Rafah.

Persons: —, Khan Younis, Saleh Salem, Israel Organizations: —, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, Gaza’s Health Ministry, UNRWA, Ministry of Social Development, Hamas, United Nations Palestinian Refugee Agency, Nasser Hospital, Technologies, World Health Organization Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.N, Gaza City, North Gaza, uproot, Nasser, Khan, Rafah, Egypt

Joseph Ataman/CNNAfter many foreign workers fled Israel following the October 7 attacks, farmers were forced to abandon crops or rely on volunteers for the harvest. Inbar’s remaining foreign workers quietly motor up and down the rows of zucchini. Hamas fighters torched the barns holding hay for the dairy cows on Kibbutz Alumim, riding unopposed into the settlement before massacring foreign workers and attendees of the nearby Nova music festival. “The foreign workers run the farm, they do all the milking,” farm manager Stevie Marcus said of the working of the farm before October 7. Joseph Ataman/CNNStanding among Inbar’s zucchini, tech worker Avi Leibovich - volunteering on a day off from his day job - said he came to help Israeli farms survive.

Persons: Thais, Nattaphong Duangchan, Matan, Yosi, Joseph Ataman, Avi Dichter, ”, Lior Simcha, Stevie Marcus, Yosi Inbar, it’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, Inbar, “ We’re, Lisa Perlman, Inbar’s, Avi Leibovich, Danny Parizada, hadn’t, Mei –, Mei, “ Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Palestinian, West Bank, Milk Producers Association, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, of Housing, Brothers, Sisters, Volunteers Locations: Thai, Israel, Gaza, Hamas, Thailand, Thailand’s, Sri Lanka, Israel’s, Egypt, United States, Nova, Kibbutz Alumim, Gaza City, Tel Aviv

☆ Crypto scam: Inside the billion-dollar ‘pig-butchering’ industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Reuters Graphic | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Of that, at least $9.1 million came from a crypto wallet that U.S. blockchain analysis firm TRM Labs said was linked to pig-butchering scams. Neither did the Thai government, the Thai police or the Bangkok-based trade group Wang represented, the Thai-Asia Economic Exchange Trade Association. The crypto account registered to Wang was held at Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, according to three blockchain analysis firms. In April, the U.S. Department of Justice said it seized about $112 million worth of crypto linked to pig-butchering scams, without identifying suspects. The crypto account in Wang’s name was registered in November 2020, according to the financial records Reuters reviewed.

Persons: Wang Yicheng, Wang, Emma, Lisa Wolk, Erin West, Jessica Jung, West, “ I’ve, Jeremy Douglas, Binance, Bitmain, ” Organizations: Thai, Reuters, TRM Labs, Asia Economic Exchange Trade Association, U.S . Federal Bureau of Investigation, Secret Service, FBI, Secret, Global, U.S . Department of Justice, U.S . Treasury, United Nations Office, Drugs, Workers, KK Park, Commerce Company, Cultural Exchange Center, Overseas, United, Washington, Cultural Exchange Locations: California, Bangkok, Thai, Asia, Southeast Asia, U.S, Binance, United States, Thailand, China, Myanmar, KK, Ningbo, China’s, Xiamen

☆ Palestinian Red Crescent, UN agencies evacuate Al Shifa premature babies
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GAZA, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Ambulance crews of the Palestinian Red Crescent evacuated 31 premature babies from Shifa Hospital on Sunday in coordination with the World Health Organization and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the group said in a post on its Facebook page. [1/7]Premature babies which were evacuated from an incubator in Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City receive treatment at an hospital in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, November 19, 2023. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled Acquire Licensing RightsThe babies were transferred to the south of Gaza "in preparation for their transfer to the Emirates Hospital in Rafah" the group added. Later in the day Ashraf Al-Qidra, spokesperson for the Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza, told a news conference that the babies had been moved to Tal Alsultan Hospital in Rafah and will be sent to Egyptian hospitals with their families tomorrow. Reporting by Ali Sawafta and Ahmed Tolba, writing by Omar Abdel-Razek; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Hatem Khaled, Ashraf Al, Ali Sawafta, Ahmed Tolba, Omar Abdel, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Ambulance, Palestinian, Crescent, Shifa Hospital, World Health Organization, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, REUTERS, Emirates Hospital, Health Ministry, Hamas, Tal Alsultan, Thomson Locations: GAZA, Al Shifa, Gaza City, Rafah, Gaza, Tal

☆ Civilians caught in the crossfire as fighting escalates between Myanmar military and armed group
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Renewed hostilities between the Myanmar military and ethnic minority armed group the Arakan Army (AA) have spread to various townships in western Myanmar, including Pauktaw, where civilians have been caught in the crossfire as fighting escalates. The renewed fighting has displaced more than 26,000 people in the country’s western Rakhine state since Monday, according to UNOCHA. Myanmar military spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said during a briefing Friday that the Myanmar army and police force had retaken the Pauktaw police station and that the town “was already under control” of the military. Airstrikes and ground attacks on what the Myanmar military calls “terrorist” targets have been occurred regularly since 2021 and have killed thousands of civilians to date, including children, according to monitoring groups. “The sick man can’t die peacefully.”

Persons: “, ”, UNOCHA, Zaw Min Tun, Min Aung Hlaing, Nan Diya, Suak, can’t Organizations: CNN, Myanmar, Arakan Army, AA, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, UN, Army, Myanmar’s, Administration Council, SAC Locations: Myanmar, Pauktaw, Rathedaung, Maungdaw, Rakhine, Arakan

☆ Renewed fighting in Myanmar has displaced 26,000 people since Monday, UN says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Chloe Liu | Lucas Liliehom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Renewed fighting between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and the Arakan Army (AA) has displaced more than 26,000 people in the country’s western Rakhine state since Monday, according to the United Nations. More than 100 people have reportedly been detained by the MAF and five by the AA, it added. The most recent fighting began when the AA reportedly attacked two border posts near the Maungdaw township, which is near the border with Bangladesh. Most humanitarian activities have been suspended due to the fighting and “virtually all roads and waterways” between Rakhine townships have been blocked, the statement read. Whole villages have been burned down by junta soldiers and schools, clinics and hospitals destroyed in the attacks.

Persons: Min Aung Hlaing Organizations: CNN, Myanmar Armed Forces, Arakan Army, United Nations, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, AA, UN Locations: Rakhine, Myanmar, Maungdaw, Bangladesh

☆ WHO voices concern over spread of disease in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We are extremely concerned about the spread of disease when the winter season arrives," said Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. WHO has previously warned of "worrying trends" in the spread of disease in Gaza, where bombardments and a ground offensive have disrupted the health system, access to clean water and caused people to crowd into shelters. The start of the rainy season and the possibility of flooding has also increased fears that the densely populated enclave's sewage system will be overwhelmed and disease will spread. The absence of fuel already has forced the shutdown of sewage pumping stations and desalination plants, increasing the risk of water contamination and the outbreak of disease. "Overcrowding is leading to the spread of disease, including acute respiratory illness and diarrhea, raising environmental and health concerns," OCHA warned.

Persons: Abu Mustafa, Richard Peeperkorn, OCHA, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Madeline Chambers, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, World Health Organization, WHO, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, UNRWA, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian

☆ Israel is tightening its control of northern Gaza. But there is no clear post-war strategy in sight
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Abu Dhabi, UAE CNN —The Israeli military is tightening its grip on northern Gaza, as its war on the Hamas militant group is showing no signs of abating. Almost six weeks into the conflict, however, Israel is yet to offer a clear post-war plan for the territory. The Israeli military raided Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, on Wednesday after claiming that Hamas had built a command center beneath the sprawling medical complex. The United States has warned against Israel re-occupying Gaza, and has stressed a future role there for the Palestinian Authority (PA). Video Ad Feedback Netanyahu appeared to rule out giving the Palestinian Authority control of post-war Gaza.

Persons: Yoav Gallant, Israel, Khan Younis, Fatima Shbair, ” Frank Lowenstein, Barack Obama, “, ” Lowenstein, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “ Israel, ”, Daniel Levy, CNN’s Dana Bash, Levy, I’m, ” Levy, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, CNN Kobi Michael, Mahmoud Abbas, –, Abbas, Fadel Senna, Lina Khatib, ” Khatib, CNN’s Becky Anderson, Michael of INSS, Lowenstein Organizations: UAE CNN, Israeli, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Al, Palestinian, CNN, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, of Housing, United, Palestinian Authority, Palestinian Health Ministry, West Bank, Institute for National Security Studies, Palestinian Center, Policy, Research, West Bank . Lowenstein, Regional, Getty, United Arab Emirates, SOAS, East Institute, PLO, Palestine Liberation Organization, Israel’s Ministry, Strategic Affairs, UN Conference, Trade, Development, UNCTAD, UN, Programme, Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute, UNDP, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Israel Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, Gaza’s, Al, Khan, “, London, New York, United States, Ramallah, Tel Aviv, ”, Israeli, AFP, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Palestinian, Palestine

☆ Gaza war inflicts catastrophic damage on infrastructure and economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

In all, it said at least 45% of Gaza's housing units had reportedly been damaged or destroyed. It was impossible to independently verify the numbers, but Reuters reporters in Gaza say the destruction is on a huge scale. OCHA said 55 ambulances in Gaza had been damaged, with critical shortages reported of drugs and blood products. The socio-economic situation of Gaza was already dire before the war, with the poverty rate estimated to have reached 61% in 2020. They also forecast that the war would cost Gaza between 4% and 12% of gross domestic product in 2023.

Persons: OCHA, Khan Younis, Crispian Balmer, Giles Elgood, Gareth Jones Organizations: United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, Gaza's Ministry of Health, Palestinian, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, REUTERS Acquire, UNRWA, United Nations Economic, Social Commission, Western, United Nations Development Programme, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israeli, Beit Hanoun, Palestinian, ISRAEL, Khan, Israel, Western Asia

☆ Cocaine still Colombia drug gangs' top export despite fentanyl's ascendancy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Luis Jaime Acosta | Thomson Reuters | Luis Jaime Has Worked At Reuters For More Than Years. While He Chiefly Covers Colombia'S Armed Conflict | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Rocketing consumption of synthetic drug fentanyl in the U.S. has led some - including Colombia's President Gustavo Petro - to forecast declines in cocaine production in the Andean country, the world's leading producer. Coca production is taking place in new areas and fresh trafficking routes are opening up, Zapata said. Ecuador's incoming president, Daniel Noboa, who takes office this month, has promised to confront rising crime in the country, where violence linked to drug trafficking has increased sharply. Colombia hopes to destroy 200 square kilometers of coca crops by the end of the year and seize a record 834 tons of cocaine. "Drug trafficking is changing.

Persons: Luisa Gonzalez, Gustavo Petro, We're, Nicolas Zapata, Petro, Zapata, Daniel Noboa, we've, Luis Jaime Acosta, Oliver Griffin, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Colombian, United Nations Office, Drugs, Thomson Locations: Putumayo, Colombia, Rights BOGOTA, U.S, Europe, Ecuador

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