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CNN —A large-scale prisoner swap between the US and Russia is under way, according to a source familiar, and it is expected to include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan and a number of Americans. The parties have agreed to a prisoner transfer and the prisoners are expected to be in the care of US officials, according to a senior administration official. The deal would end a nightmare that lasted more than five years for Whelan and more than a year for Gershkovich. The former US Marine was sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges he vehemently denies. In April of that year, Moscow exchanged former US Marine Trevor Reed for Russian citizen and convicted drug trafficker Konstantin Yaroshenko.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Whelan, Gershkovich, Whelan –, –, ” It’s, Trevor Reed, Konstantin Yaroshenko, Brittney Griner, Viktor Bout Organizations: CNN, Wall Street, Gershkovich, US State Department, Marine, Russian Locations: Russia, Moscow, Washington, Yekaterinburg, Irish, Mordovia, Russian

At the city’s main military base, where Maduro lives, people were seen setting fire to the strongman’s election posters. The CNE, which is stacked with Maduro allies, has yet to issue final vote tallies from Sunday’s election. “Venezuela has the best electoral system in the world!” CNE president Elvis Amoroso announced before proceeding with the formal announcement. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives with his wife Cilia Flores for a ceremony where the National Electoral Council (CNE) certified he won the presidential election. Senior Biden administration officials on Monday said Venezuelan election authorities must release the “detailed precinct level results” from the election.

Persons: Nicolás Maduro, Esthefania Natera, ”, Maduro, Hugo Chavez, Elvis Amoroso, Nicolas Maduro, Flores, Matias Delacroix, Maria Corina Machado, Maduro’s, Edmundo Gonzalez, “, ” Machado, Machado, ” CNN’s Avery Schmitz Organizations: Caracas CNN —, CNN, Electoral Council, CNE, “, Maduro’s, Democratic, National Electoral, Monday, Venezuelan, Biden, Organization of American States Locations: Venezuela, Caracas, Falcón, “ Venezuela, States, Peru, Chile, Brazil, “, United States

☆ Netanyahu to address Congress on Wednesday, seeking to redirect American attention from Biden to the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Michael Williams | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address Congress on Wednesday – seeking to shore up American support for his war in Gaza and redirect the attention of a nation that has been preoccupied for weeks by a stream of domestic political issues. Netanyahu’s address to Congress comes at a crucial crossroads for the war. Netanyahu, meanwhile, has accused the United States of “withholding weapons and ammunitions to Israel,” claims that American officials flatly rejected. After arriving in Washington earlier this week, Netanyahu met with some American relatives of hostages held by Hamas. Former President Donald Trump and Netanyahu will also meet Friday at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump announced Tuesday.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden’s, Biden, Donald Trump, Netanyahu, Kamala Harris, Harris, Pro Tempore Patty Murray, Sen, Bernie Sanders, ”, ” Sanders, “, ” Biden, Israel, CNN’s Jeremy Diamond, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: Washington CNN, Israeli, Wednesday, Democratic, Republican National Convention, Pro Tempore, United States Congress, West Bank, Trump Locations: Gaza, Indianapolis, Washington, Vermont, “, Israel, United States, Palm Beach , Florida

☆ Optimism increases about prospects for a Gaza ceasefire deal, but families of hostages remain concerned ahead of Netanyahu’s address to Congress
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | Alex Marquardt | Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

For the families of the hostages held more than nine months in Gaza, there is no time to wait. The Israeli prime minister wants to meet with Biden before the Israeli delegation formally transmits its response to the mediators, the source said. US officials have been sensitive to the Knesset recess as they remain convinced that politics are at play for Netanyahu back in Israel. US officials believe it is possible that Israelis are seeking to put maximum pressure on Hamas ahead of a deal. US and Egyptian officials have begun preparing the flood of humanitarian aid that would enter Gaza if a ceasefire deal goes into effect.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Biden, Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken, Netanyahu, “ It’s, ”, Netanyahu ‘, ’ Aviva Siegel, Keith, Netanyahu “, They’ve, I’ve, Siegel, “, Jon Polin, Hersh Goldberg, Biden’s, Donald Trump, Harris, Netanyahu doesn’t, Jonathan Dekel, Chen, Sagui Dekel, Satan, ” Netanyahu, Daniel Neutra, Omer, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, There’s, Israel, –, Jake Sullivan, ” Blinken, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Hamas, Democratic, Monday, US State Department, Government, Biden, UN, Israel Defense Forces, IDF Locations: Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Washington, Rafah, Egyptian, el, Arish

CNN —A Russian court has sentenced Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist, to six-and-a-half years in prison, state news agency TASS reported Monday. The hearing, which was held behind closed doors, found Kurmasheva guilty of spreading false information about the Russian army, making her just the latest US journalist to be convicted in the country in recent months. When asked about this possibility earlier Monday, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “I have no answer to this question. We need her home.”Before her conviction, Butorin told CNN he was “so confident that she would get back to us that I bought Taylor Swift tickets” for August this year. After her passports were taken, she was fined and placed under de facto – and then formal – house arrest for months, before being charged in December.

Persons: Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, Dmitry Peskov, “, ”, –, Stephen Capus, ” Capus, ” Pavel Butorin, Butorin, Taylor Swift, ” Butorin, Kurmasheva, Gershkovich Organizations: CNN, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, RFE Locations: Russian, American, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, United States, Prague, Radio Free Europe, Russia, facto

☆ EU moves high-level meetings out of Budapest to protest Orbán’s Ukraine war stance
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( Caitlin Danaher | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“I can say that all member states, with one single exception, were very much critical about this behavior,” he added. “European Union policy is not a pro-war policy. Borrell’s decision comes after European Council President Charles Michel firmly hit back at Orbán’s claim that the EU has led a “pro-war policy” in a letter published last week. “Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine is the victim exercising its legitimate right to self-defense. Russia is leading a war of aggression in blatant violation of international law, Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with the UN Charter,” Michel wrote.

Persons: Viktor Orbán, ” Borrell, “, ’, ” Borrel, Putin, Borrell’s, Charles Michel, ” Michel, Orbán, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Orban, Ursula von der Leyen, ” Orban, Niamh Kennedy, James Frater, Amy Cassidy, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: London CNN, European Union, Union, European, EU, UN, Ukraine “, CNN Locations: Budapest, Brussels, Hungary, Ukraine, Hungary’s, Hungarian, Russia, Moscow, Beijing, Florida

CNN —Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Friday claimed responsibility for a deadly drone blast in Tel Aviv, the Iranian proxy group’s latest attack in what it says is a response to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The drone that caused the explosion was detected by an Israeli aerial defense system, but not intercepted due to “human error,” an Israeli military official said. The Israeli military is investigating the attack and does not believe further threats are imminent, the official said. An investigator inspects a damaged window of a building at the site of an explosion in Tel Aviv on July 19, 2024. The drone attack in Tel Aviv Friday comes after the Houthis claimed earlier this month that they had targeted ships in the Israeli port of Haifa with a number of drones in joint military operations with Iran-backed militias based in Iraq.

Persons: Yemen’s, Houthi, Yahya Sare’e, ”, ” Sare’e, Ricardo Moraes, Israel’s Magen David Adom, “, Roi Klein, ’ Organizations: CNN, Embassy, Israel Defense Forces, Reuters, US Embassy, US State Department, MDA, Police, IDF Locations: Tel Aviv, Gaza, Jerusalem, Shalom, Tel, Aviv, Red, Israel, Haifa, Iran, Iraq

☆ Paul Whelan tells CNN he has ‘sympathy and empathy’ for Evan Gershkovich but expresses hope following sentencing
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Paul Whelan, an American detained in Russia, told CNN he has “sympathy and empathy” for Evan Gershkovich following the conviction and sentencing of the Wall Street Journal reporter, but expressed hope that the development could open the door for a deal to secure both of their release. Whelan, who called CNN from his remote prison camp in Mordovia Friday, said he was able to watch a news broadcast about the sentencing. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier Friday that the US government is working “quite literally every day” to bring Gershkovich and Whelan home. “Look, any effort to bring any American home is going to be part of a process of back-and-forth discussion, potentially negotiation. And I don’t think that’s dependent on an election in the United States or anywhere else,” he said.

Persons: CNN — Paul Whelan, ”, Evan Gershkovich, Whelan, “, Evan, Trevor Reed, Brittney Griner, Gershkovich, ” Whelan, Antony Blinken, we’re, Paul Whelan, ” Blinken, Blinken Organizations: CNN, Wall Street Journal, US State Department, US, Aspen Security, they’ll Locations: Russia, Mordovia, Moscow, United States

☆ Blinken says Iran’s nuclear weapon breakout time is probably down to 1-2 weeks
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said that Iran’s breakout time – the amount of time needed to produce enough weapons grade material for a nuclear weapon – “is now probably one or two weeks” as Tehran has continued to develop its nuclear program. “Iran, because the nuclear agreement was thrown out, instead of being at least a year away from having the breakout capacity of producing fissile material for a nuclear weapon, is now probably one or two weeks away from doing that,” he said. Blinken said the policy of the US is to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and that the administration would prefer to stop that from happening through diplomacy. The State Department also said that there is no anticipation that the recent election in Iran will change the country’s behavior. “We have no expectations that this election will lead to a fundamental change in Iran’s direction or its policies,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said earlier this month.

Persons: Antony Blinken, ”, “, Blinken, Biden, Trump, Matthew Miller, it’s, that’s Organizations: CNN, Aspen Security, US Defense Department, US, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, UN, State Department, The State Department, ”, “ Locations: Tehran, Iran, “ Iran, “

☆ US imposes visa restrictions on former IDF sergeant for human rights violation
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-17 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The Biden administration imposed visa restrictions on former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) sergeant Elor Azaria “for his involvement in a gross violation of human rights, namely an extrajudicial killing in the West Bank,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced Wednesday. The State Department is “also taking steps to impose visa restrictions on an additional group of individuals for having been involved in or meaningfully contributed to undermining the peace, security, or stability in the West Bank,” Miller said in a statement. “There hasn’t been appropriate accountability across the board” in response to the violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, Miller said at a press briefing Wednesday. A Palestinian, Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, 21, was one of two men accused of stabbing another Israeli soldier in the West Bank city of Hebron in March. At the State Department briefing Wednesday, Miller explained that the US is required to impose visa restrictions on officials found to have committed gross violations of human rights.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Elor Azaria “, Matthew Miller, Azaria, “, ” Miller, ”, Netanyahu, hasn’t, Miller, who’ve, Netzah Yehuda –, Abdel Fattah al Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, West Bank, ”, The State Department, State Department Locations: United States, Palestinian, Gaza, Sharif, Hebron

☆ Fact-checking night 3 of the Republican National Convention
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-17 | by ( Cnn Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Night three of the Republican National Convention has kicked off in Milwaukee. From CNN’s Haley BritzkyRep. Ronny Jackson’s false claim of ‘record-high inflation’Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas claimed in his Republican National Convention speech on Wednesday that there has been “record-high inflation” under the Biden administration. From CNN’s Haley BritzkyRNC video falsely claims there was peace in the Middle East under TrumpA video played early in the Republican National Convention proceedings on Wednesday night claimed that the “strength” of President Donald Trump kept “the Middle East at peace.” Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley had similarly claimed in his convention speech on Monday that the Middle East was “at peace” four years ago under Trump. Dana El Kurd, senior nonresident fellow at the Arab Center Washington DC think tank, also called that claim “false” when Trump made it. She said in a November email: “The Abraham Accords did not achieve peace in the Middle East.

Persons: Newt Gingrich, Trump, Biden, –, Jennifer Hansler, Richard Grenell, Joe Biden “, ”, Joe Biden, ” Grenell, Donald Trump’s, “, CNN’s Haley Britzky, Ronny Jackson’s, Ronny Jackson, Jackson, Biden –, Daniel Dale, Michael Whatley, “ They’ve, Charlie Dietz, Donald Trump, Abraham, Aaron David Miller, ” Miller, Dana El Kurd, Joe Biden’s Organizations: CNN, Republican National Convention, Trump Former Republican, Defense, Trump intel, National Intelligence, ISIS, United, Taliban, Afghanistan Reconstruction, Russian, Russian Navy, Pentagon, State Department, NATO, Trump, Republican, ” Republican National, Abraham Accords, United Arab Emirates, West Bank, Hezbollah, Carnegie Endowment, International, Arab Center Washington DC, The Defense News, Heritage Foundation Locations: Milwaukee, Afghanistan, United States, ”, Doha, Texas, Cuba, Russia, Ukraine, Havana , Cuba, Russian, Kazan, Havana, Bahrain, Israel, Morocco, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, China, “, America

☆ US military ends troubled temporary pier mission off Gaza coast
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-17 | by ( Haley Britzky | Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The US military is ending its temporary pier mission off the Gaza coast that has been plagued with challenges after roughly 20 days of operational use, as humanitarian aid begins being brought in through an Israeli port instead. Cooper said the pier was operational for “a little more than 20 days” and delivered 19.4 million pounds of aid. The US military will continue to help deliver the remaining aid from Cyprus to Ashdod, Cooper said. “A temporary pier would enable a massive increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza every day,” Biden said. During the same storm, four US Army vessels supporting the pier were washed ashore on beaches in Gaza and Israel.

Persons: ”, Brad Cooper, redeploy, Cooper, Israel —, Joe Biden, “, ” Biden, Steve Taravella, Sonali Korde, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: CNN, US Central Command, US Army, Brooke Army Medical Center, Food, Food Programme, Bureau, Humanitarian Locations: Gaza, Cyprus, Ashdod, Israel, San Antonio , Texas

☆ Israel’s Netzah Yehuda: How an army unit deemed abusive by the US is shaping the fight in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-13 | by ( Cnn S International Investigations Team | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +25 min

In this 2014 photo, Israeli soldiers in the Netzah Yehuda battalion are seen taking part in training in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, near the Syrian border. While he was in Netzah Yehuda, he said, the battalion’s commanders played a key role in perpetuating a culture of violence, both by standing by as it happened and promoting it. The findings by the expert panel would have been enough to disqualify a military unit from any other country, the officials said. Lt. Col. Nitai Okashi oversaw the Netzah Yehuda battalion from 2018 to 2020. Lt. Col. Uri Levy was in charge of Netzah Yehuda from 2014 to 2016.

Persons: Yehuda, Menahem Kahana, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Mike Johnson, Israel “, Blinken, Netzah Yehuda, –, ” Charles Blaha, they’re, ”, “, Biden, Israel, Netzah, Ahmad Jamil Fahd, Sanad, Shin Bet, Gil Cohen, Josh Paul, Paul, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Amanpour, ” Paul, Eyad Baba, Joe Biden, Leahy, Sen, Patrick Leahy, Charles Blaha, Blaha, Omar Assad, Assad, Netzah Yehuda –, Mati Shevach, Nasser Nasser, ” Blaha, Shevach, Nitai Okashi, Okashi, Der Spiegel, , Uri Levy, Levy, Johnson, don’t, ” Netzah Yehuda, Col, Shlomo Shiran, Katie Polglase, Benjamin Brown, Barbara Arvanitidis, Alex Platt, Mark Baron, Augusta Anthony, Alberto Mier, Toby Hancock, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Laura Smith, Eliza Mackintosh, Dan Wright, Matt Wells Ami Kaufman, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: CNN, West Bank, Israel Defense Forces, US State Department, State Department, Getty, IDF, State Department’s Office, Security, Human Rights CNN, Congress, Department, Israel Border Police, Internal Security Forces, ” CNN, Israeli Air Force Base, Magen, State, Human, Kfir Brigade, AP, Netzah, Urban Warfare Training Center, CBS, Battalion, Kfir Infantry Brigade, West Bank ., Jerusalem Brigade, Britain’s Guardian, Okashi, Israeli, Augusta Anthony Visual Locations: Israeli, United States, Gaza, Golan, Syrian, AFP, Palestinian, Israel, Ramallah, Rahat, Jerusalem, Jiljilya, Col, West Bank, Jiljiliya, Beit Hanoun

CNN —The Biden administration is allowing a shipment of 500-pound bombs to be sent to Israel, after it was paused more than two months ago, a US official said. The initial decision to halt a shipment of both 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs was due to US concerns about Israel using the heavy munitions – specifically the larger 2,000-pound bombs – in their Rafah operation. One shipment of the 2,000-pound bombs remains on hold. That’s what happened here with the 500-pound bombs since our main concern had been – and remains – the potential use of 2,000-pound bombs in Rafah and elsewhere in Gaza,” the official said. “Because our concern was not about the 500-pound bombs, those are moving forward as part of the usual process,” the official added.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Joe Biden Organizations: CNN Locations: Israel, Rafah, Gaza

Diplomats and officials who spoke with CNN said Rutte is seen as a staunch trans-Atlanticist and a consensus builder. “He is really a seasoned political official, and this is essential to keep the cohesion of the alliance,” a European official said. “It was just a very polite, slightly humorous way of dealing Trump, and Trump appreciated it,” Hoekstra recalled to CNN. “We are not there yet, but it is better than when Trump left,” the official told CNN. Biden likes Rutte personally, they get along well, and the US president sees them as sharing the same values, the official told CNN.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Mark Rutte, Jens Stoltenberg, Rutte, ”, “ Trump, Pete Hoekstra, ” Hoekstra, ‘ Touche, ’ ”, “, ” Rutte, Stoltenberg, Joe Biden, Biden, “ Rutte, Putin Organizations: CNN, NATO, Dutch, Diplomats, Trump, Kyiv – Locations: Washington, NATO, Russia, Netherlands, European, Europe, Ukraine, China, US, ”

☆ Zelensky arrives in Washington for NATO summit with support for Ukraine’s war effort top of the agenda
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington, DC, as the high-stakes NATO summit prepared to kick off – and providing longtime long-term support for Ukraine in the war against Russia is at the top of the agenda. Ukrainian officials said the timing of Moscow’s assault – a day before the start of the summit – was calculated. However, Ukrainian officials want to see that policy expanded further to allow strikes against Russian military targets anywhere in Russian territory. “We want the lifting of any sort of limitations on the weapons Ukraine is receiving,” Stefanchuk said at an event in Washington on Monday. The European diplomat said there have been “deep and frank conversations” with Ukrainian officials.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden’s, Zelensky, Putin, Ruslan Stefanchuk, Ukraine –, ” Zelensky, ”, Biden, ” Stefanchuk, Andriy Yermak, “, “ I’ll Organizations: CNN, NATO, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russian, National Security, Biden Locations: Washington ,, Russia, Ukrainian, Ukraine, ”, European, Russian, Washington, Vilnius, Wiesbaden

CNN —Ukraine’s path to joining NATO was described as “irreversible” in a draft text of the alliance’s joint communique, three sources familiar told CNN Monday. While many Europeans have emphasized the need for strong language around Ukraine’s eventual future in the alliance, US and German officials had proposed describing a “bridge” to NATO membership for Ukraine. Ruslan Stefanchuk, the chair of Ukraine’s parliament, said at an event Monday that it’s not just about language, but it’s about actually bringing Ukraine closer to NATO. “There is rightly considerable focus on what Allies will say about Ukraine’s membership path in the summit declaration. “I’ll let the Ukrainians speak for themselves, but I think they understand the value of what NATO will be doing for that,” they said.

Persons: Ruslan Stefanchuk, it’s, ” Michael Carpenter, “, “ I’ll, ” Organizations: CNN, NATO, White House, Ukraine, Russia, Ukraine ”, National Security Council Locations: Ukraine, Washington, Kyiv, Moscow, European, Europe, Wiesbaden

Vice President Kamala Harris looks on during a campaign event at Girard College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 29. Biden always says not to compare him to the almighty, but to the alternative. That’s her keeping close to Biden — but it’s also Biden keeping her close. Despite her efforts, Democratic politics has started to reshape around her — as has former President Donald Trump’s campaign, which has already begun attacking Harris. Other officials and advisers said plans are underway to convince Biden to immediately throw his support behind Harris, release his Democratic delegates and ask them to follow his choice.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Frantz, Joe Biden’s, Kamala Harris ’, Biden, Harris, That’s, it’s, Donald Trump’s Organizations: Girard College, Reuters, Democratic, Biden, CNN Locations: Philadelphia , Pennsylvania

The concern is compounded because many believe Trump poses a threat to the future of NATO. Questions about Biden and his political future inject further uncertainty into a summit where key allies are also dealing with major political changes. However, as one former senior US diplomat said, there will “certainly be a spotlight” on Biden at the NATO summit. Adding to the pressure is the increased significance of this year’s NATO summit. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has sought to focus attention on the content of the summit and away from Biden’s debate performance.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Biden, — Keir Starmer —, Emmanuel Macron’s, —, he’s, Antony Blinken, spry, “, Lloyd Austin, Karine Jean, Pierre Organizations: CNN, NATO, Labour Party, Biden, Brookings Institute, North Atlantic Council, White Locations: Washington ,, Russia, United, US, Austin, European, Italy, Ukraine, United States, NATO

☆ Paul Whelan calls on Biden to treat his case as ‘he would do if his own son were being held hostage’
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Paul Whelan on Thursday called for President Joe Biden to handle his case as “he would do if his own son were being held hostage” as he marked another holiday in Russian detention. “I would hope that the president truly makes my case truly a top priority and leverages the resources available to him as he would do if his own son were being held hostage,” he said in a phone call to CNN on Thursday. “As the United States celebrates another year of independence, America should not forget that several of its citizens are being held hostage around the world by rogue regimes intent on exacting some form of ransom from the US government. Whelan told CNN that “it’s surreal” to spend another Fourth of July in Russian detention. “So it’s not just a holiday going by, it’s me missing my life, and missing my family, missing my dog, missing my friends, missing the things that we take for granted.

Persons: CNN — Paul Whelan, Joe Biden, ”, ” Whelan, “, Whelan, it’s Organizations: CNN, United States, US State Department Locations: United, America, Russian, Moscow, Mordovia

☆ Biden and Netanyahu are expected to meet later this month in Washington, source says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —President Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to meet in Washington, DC, in several weeks when the Israeli prime minister visits to address Congress on July 24, a source familiar told CNN. US and Israeli officials are still in the process of nailing down logistical details for the Biden-Netanyahu meeting, which would likely take place at the White House, the source said. A White House official told CNN that Biden has known Netanyahu for decades, and that “they will likely see each other when the Prime Minister is here over the course of that week. But we have nothing to announce at this time.”CNN has also reached out to the prime minister’s office for comment. Last month, Biden said in an interview that Netanyahu may be dragging out the war in an attempt to cling to power and said it was “uncertain” whether Israel had committed war crimes.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Biden, “, ”, ” Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken “, Amos Hochstein, Netanyahu’s, CNN’s Jack Forrest, Christian Edwards, Tara John, Kevin Liptak, Natasha Bertrand, Arlette Saenz, Jennifer Hansler, Kylie Atwood, Melanie Zanona, Oren Liebermann, Piper Hudspeth Blackburn Organizations: CNN, Biden, White, ” CNN Locations: Washington , DC, Israel, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Washington

☆ Gaza population at risk of famine as it continues to face emergency levels of hunger, report finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“A high risk of famine persists across the whole of the Gaza Strip as long as conflict continues and humanitarian access is restricted,” the report said. The Rafah crossing – a key transitway for humanitarian aid to Gaza – has been closed since early May, and only a handful of other land crossings remain open. Humanitarian aid workers continue to face tremendous risks to try to distribute the desperately needed aid to Gaza. “The humanitarian space in the Gaza Strip continues to shrink and the ability to safely deliver assistance to populations is dwindling,” the report said. “The humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly, and the specter of famine continues to hang over Gaza,” Phillips-Barrasso told CNN.

Persons: “, Gaza –, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Israel, Matthew Miller, dory, it’s, ”, Cindy McCain, “ There’s, It’s, Kate Phillips, ” Phillips, Barrasso, Philippe Lazzarini Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Integrated, IPC, ”, Food, Mercy Corps, “, UNRWA Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, United States

Washington CNN —American officials are hoping to gain a better understanding of Israel’s war plans in meetings this week with the country’s defense minister, who arrived in Washington as the rift widened between the Biden administration and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We will not end the war until we return all of our hostages – 120 hostages, the living and the deceased. Netanyahu said that once the “intense phase” of the Gaza conflict is over Israel will continue “mowing the grass” in Gaza, which US officials oppose. But Netanyahu ignored the demand from his defense minister, refusing to make such a public statement. And former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who resigned from a unity government with Netanyahu two weeks ago, accused Israel’s longest-serving leader of putting political considerations ahead of a post-war strategy.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Netanyahu, ”, —, that’s, Matt Miller, Gallant, Bill Burns, Amos Hochstein, ” Gallant, Benny Gantz, Israel’s, Israel, Lloyd Austin, Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Miller, “ vexing, “ Organizations: Washington CNN —, Biden, CIA, Defense, National, State Department, White, Washington Locations: Washington, Gaza, Israel, United States, ”, Lebanon

☆ Paul Whelan urges Biden admin to take ‘decisive action’ to secure his release as he surpasses 2,000 days in Russian custody
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-22 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Whelan said he was aware that Gershkovich’s trial is scheduled to begin behind closed doors in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg next week. Gershkovich, who has been declared wrongfully detained, has also been charged with espionage, which he denies. And in my case, that’s 100% true, and I’m sure in Evan’s case, it’s 100% true. But people go to trial here and they’re automatically guilty, and then they’re given a sentence, and that’s it,” he said. “We put a substantial offer on the table to secure the release of Evan and Paul Whelan some months ago, as we said publicly; we’re continuing to work to secure their release.

Persons: CNN —, Paul Whelan, ”, Biden, Evan Gershkovich, Whelan, “, You’re, it’s, ” Whelan, Evan, Paul, you’ve, ’ ”, Trevor, Reed, – Gordon Black, Alsu Kurmasheva, Gershkovich, they’re, Matthew Miller Organizations: CNN, US State Department, ex, Marine, State Department, ”, Moscow – Locations: Mordovia, Russia, Moscow, Guantanamo, Russian, Yekaterinburg

CNN —US officials have serious concerns that in the event of a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group could overwhelm Israel’s air defenses in the north — including the much-vaunted Iron Dome air defense system, three US officials told CNN. Israeli officials have told the US they are planning to shift resources from southern Gaza to northern Israel in preparation for a possible offensive against the group, US officials told CNN on Wednesday. “We assess that at least some” Iron Dome batteries “will be overwhelmed,” said a senior administration official. Earlier this month, Hezbollah released a video purporting to show a drone striking and damaging an Iron Dome battery on an army base in northern Israel. The Iron Dome is fundamental to Israel’s defense and the US government has spent over $2.9 billion on the program, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Persons: “, ”, “ We’re, Amos Hochstein, Hochstein, Israel, Israel ‘, Antony Blinken’s, Yoav Gallant, Hassan Nasrallah, Nasrallah, Assad Organizations: CNN, Hezbollah, Congressional Research Service, Israel Defense Forces, Islamic, Biden, US, IDF, Hamas, Israeli, Command, Radwan Force, Rocket Locations: Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Lebanese, Jerusalem, Beirut, Rafah, ”, Cyprus, Syria

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