DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Prosecutors want Trump held in contempt for 'disturbing' Truth Social post attacking prospective jurors
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewManhattan prosecutors in Donald Trump's criminal hush-money case asked the judge presiding over the case to sanction him for attacking prospective jurors in the trial, arguing the former president had repeatedly violated his gag order. Related storiesMerchan issued a gag order in the case forbidding Trump from making statements about trial jurors, witnesses, staff prosecutors, and family members of Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Prosecutors accused Trump of violating it on Monday with attacks on Daniels and Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer. On Thursday, Conroy said Trump violated the gag order seven more times, with attacks on Cohen on social media and on his campaign website. Merchan previously scheduled a hearing for next Tuesday to determine whether Trump violated his gag order.

Persons: —, Donald Trump's, Christopher Conroy, Jesse Watters, Trump, Watters, Conroy, Juan Merchan, Merchan, Stormy Daniels, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Daniels, Michael Cohen, Trump's, Cohen, Emil Bove, Bove Organizations: Service, Trump, Fox News, Business, Liberal, New, Prosecutors, Manhattan, Attorney Locations: Manhattan, Merchan

☆ Leaders Urge Restraint as Israel Considers Retaliation Against Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Mr. Netanyahu now must make a choice. Will he respond to Iran with a forceful counterattack and potentially entangle Israel and other countries in a broader war? No Israeli leader has warned about Iran so consistently as Mr. Netanyahu or, for that matter, has spent so long in office. Since his first year in office in 1996, Mr. Netanyahu warned that a nuclear Iran would be catastrophic and that time was running out. It was never clear if Mr. Netanyahu was bluffing, and the prospect of an imminent strike receded.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ”, Mazal Mualem, “, ” Ms, Mualem, Efraim Halevy, Netanyahu’s, Jeremy Issacharoff, Obama, Barack Obama, bluffing, Donald J, Trump, Mr, Issacharoff, Israel, “ Bibi Organizations: Al, Mr, United Nations General Assembly, Munich Security Conference, of Foreign Affairs, United Locations: Israel, Iran, East, Iranian Embassy, Damascus, Gaza, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, United States, Iranian, Israeli, Germany, U.S, States, Washington, United Arab Emirates

Kari Lake, the leading Republican candidate for Senate in Arizona, was quick to denounce the state Supreme Court’s ruling upholding an 1864 law banning nearly all abortions in the state. But in that 2022 appearance, Ms. Lake cited the 1864 law’s number in the Arizona state code. But the revival of the 1864 law in Arizona amounts to something of a nightmare scenario for Republicans in the state. Starting in the 2022 midterms and in governors’ races, special elections and ballot measures, the abortion issue has helped Democrats notch victories across the country. The Democrats also trained their focus on Ms. Lake, posting other remarks from 2022, during which she expressed strict anti-abortion stances.

Persons: Kari Lake, ”, “, Donald J, Trump, Caroline Wren, Lake, I’m, that’s, James T, Harris, Lake’s, Roe, Wade, Kamala Harris —, Ruben Gallego, Kyrsten Sinema, Gallego’s Organizations: Republican, Senate, Conservative, Republicans, Democratic Party, Minn, Mr, Democrat Locations: Arizona, Tucson, Ariz, St, Paul, ”

☆ J. Cole says he already regrets Kendrick Lamar diss track
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —J. Cole said he already regrets releasing a Kendrick Lamar diss track in the midst of his ongoing beef with his fellow musician. “It’s one part of that sh*t that makes me feel like, man that’s the lamest sh*t I did in my f**king life, right?”J. Cole performs on stage during Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration in December 2023. Prince Williams/WireImage/Getty ImagesHe added: “I damn near had a relapse … I ain’t gonna lie to y’all. The two have worked together before as, along with Drake, they have emerged as among the most influential hip-hop artists of their generation. All three have won multiple Grammy Awards, while Lamar received the 2018 Pulitzer Prize, making him the first non-classical or jazz musician to win it.

Persons: CNN — J, Cole, Kendrick Lamar, ”, “, J, Lil, Prince Williams, Lamar, Drake, ” Lamar, Rosenberg Organizations: CNN, ”, Lamar, Metro

☆ Europe opens competition probes covering Chinese solar panel makers over subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —The European Union has launched investigations into two groups of companies that include Chinese solar panel makers in the latest salvo against what it suspects is unfair competition from China’s vast manufacturing sector. “There are sufficient indications that both (consortia) have been granted foreign subsidies that distort the internal (EU) market,” the European Commission said in a statement. The European Commission has said it may impose tariffs on Chinese biodiesel imports if dumping is confirmed. Like biodiesel, solar panels are an important part of Europe’s efforts to transition to an economy powered by clean technologies. Last month, Premier Li Qiang told the country’s parliament that China would focus on exporting more of its “new trio” of products, namely electric vehicles, solar panels and lithium batteries.

Persons: Thierry Breton, Jens Eskelund, Li Qiang Organizations: London CNN, European Union, European Commission, Green Energy Technology Co, Shanghai Electric Group Co, European, European Union Chamber of Commerce, EU Locations: Romania, EU, China, Europe

☆ ‘Oppenheimer’ Hits Nuclear-Scarred Japan, 8 Months After U.S. Premiere
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Motoko Rich | Kiuko Notoya | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Watching “Oppenheimer,” the Oscar-winning biopic about the father of the atomic bomb that opened in Japan on Friday, Kako Okuno was stunned by a scene in which scientists celebrated the explosion over Hiroshima with thunderous foot stomping and the waving of American flags. Seeing the jubilant faces “really shocked me,” said Ms. Okuno, 22, a nursery school teacher who grew up in Hiroshima and has worked as a peace and environmental activist. Eight months after Christopher Nolan’s film became a box office hit in the United States, “Oppenheimer” is now confronting Japanese audiences with the flip-side American perspective on the most scarring events of Japan’s history. The movie follows the breakthrough discoveries of J. Robert Oppenheimer and his team before the United States struck Japan with the first salvo of the nuclear age. It won seven Academy Awards last month, including for best picture.

Persons: “ Oppenheimer, ”, Kako Okuno, “, Okuno, Christopher Nolan’s, “ Oppenheimer ”, Robert Oppenheimer Locations: Japan, Hiroshima, United States

☆ Biden campaign's latest broadside: A 'feeble' Trump is 'lying about having money'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A court ruling that slashed Donald Trump's civil fraud appeal bond was a financial win for the former president. But the campaign of his rival, President Joe Biden, found a way to capitalize on the news. "Donald Trump is weak and desperate – both as a man and a candidate for President," the Biden campaign said in a searing statement Monday afternoon. "He spent the weekend golfing, the morning comparing himself to Jesus, and the afternoon lying about having money he definitely doesn't have," said Biden campaign spokesman James Singer, in response to a Trump press conference earlier in the day. Trump campaign spokesmen did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.

Persons: Donald Trump, Donald Trump's, Joe Biden, Biden, Jesus, James Singer, Singer, Trump, Letitia James Organizations: U.S, Trump, New York Locations: New York City, U.S, Manhattan, New York

Microsoft is accusing The New York Times of "unsubstantiated" claims in the publisher's lawsuit filed in December against OpenAI, a case that could have major implications for the future of generative artificial intelligence. In a motion to dismiss part of the suit on Monday, Microsoft said the Times presented a false narrative of "doomsday futurology" in which OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot will decimate the news business. "In this case, The New York Times uses its might and its megaphone to challenge the latest profound technological advance: the Large Language Model," attorneys for Microsoft wrote. In its lawsuit, the Times accused OpenAI and Microsoft of copyright infringement and abusing the newspaper's intellectual property in training LLMs. A New York Times spokesperson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Microsoft Corporation Satya Nadella, OpenAI, didn't Organizations: Microsoft Corporation, Economic, Microsoft, New York Times, OpenAI, Times, The New York Times Locations: Davos, Switzerland, OpenAI

☆ The New York Times is facing backlash over its coverage of Donald Trump and the 2024 election
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —The New York Times is facing a sustained wave of backlash. It is your agenda.”The Times is, of course, far from the only news organization that has faced criticism over how it has covered the 2024 race. There is a mountain of thorny issues at the doorstep of outlets like The Times — and often there is no clear answer. For example, after the 2020 election, the conventional wisdom was that the press should largely ignore Trump’s antics. “But if Democrats lose to Trump after all THAT coverage, the fault will not be in the media, but in themselves.”

Persons: Gray, Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden’s, ” Jeff Jarvis, CUNY Craig, ” Jarvis, MSNBC can’t, newsrooms, Biden, Harry Enten, Enten, ”, ” Clara Jeffery, Mother Jones, “, ” Bill Carter, Carter, ” Carter Organizations: New York CNN, The New York Times, The, Times, Biden, Trump, Siena College, CUNY, CUNY Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, “ NY Times, The Times, ., CNN, MSNBC Locations: New York, American

☆ U.S. and Britain Strike 18 Houthi Targets in Yemen
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Helene Cooper | Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Houthi militants have launched attack drones and cruise and ballistic missiles at vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The United States and Britain carried out another round of large-scale military strikes Saturday against multiple sites in Yemen controlled by Houthi militants, U.S. officials said. On Monday, Houthi militants fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles at a cargo ship, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. The ship, called the Sea Champion, continued on to its destination at the port of Aden in Yemen, the statement added. The American-led retaliatory air and naval strikes against Houthi targets began last month.

Persons: ”, Houthi, Mason, Lloyd J, Austin III Organizations: Houthi, British, Defense Department, Associated Press, “, Yemeni Armed Forces, U.S ., U.S . Central Command, Central Command, Command, Iranian Locations: Aden, The United States, Britain, Yemen, Iran, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, “ U.S, U.S, Red Sea, Palau, Gaza, Israel, United States, Africa, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia

☆ Opinion: Cecilia Gentili’s life can’t be diminished by one Catholic archdiocese
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Opinion Allison Hope | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The day after Valentine’s Day, a massive, fabulous funeral was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York to honor the late, great Cecila Gentili. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is perhaps the most famous Catholic church outside of the Vatican. Enrique Salvo, pastor of St. Patrick’s, did not mince words in a statement he issued from the Archdiocese of New York’s office only days later. Cecilia Gentili's casket is brought into St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, on February 15. The Archdiocese of New York revealed its true colors with this statement, and along with them, the persistence of anti-LGBTQ judgment within the Catholic Church.

Persons: Allison Hope, Read, Billy Porter, Gentili’s, Gentili, Patrick’s, ” Allison Hope, Allison Hope “, Enrique Salvo, ’, Lent, Salvo, “, “ Saint Cecilia, Mother, Liaam Winslet, Mary Magdalene, ”, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Cecilia Gentili's, Laura Oliverio, Webster, it’s, Pope Francis’s Organizations: New Yorker, The New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, Slate, Patrick’s, Archdiocese, Gentili, Catholic, Patrick's, Merriam Locations: New, St, New York, Patrick’s, ‘ America’s Parish, “ Saint, New York City, Archdiocese

The funeral of a renowned transgender activist in a New York cathedral elicited a denunciation of the event by a senior church official, who called the mass a scandal within one of the preeminent houses of worship in U.S. Catholicism. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York condemned the funeral of Cecilia Gentili, which was held in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan and drew a large audience on Thursday. Gentili was known as a leading advocate for other transgender people, as well as sex workers and people with HIV. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesThe cathedral held a Mass of Reparation following the funeral at the direction of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, Salvo said. “New York’s LGBTQ+ community has lost a champion in trans icon Cecilia Gentili," New York Gov.

Persons: Cecilia Gentili, Gentili, Enrique Salvo, Saint Patrick’s, ” Salvo, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Salvo, ’, Lent, ”, Kathy Hochul, “, ” Gentili, Sen, Robert F, Kennedy, Babe Ruth, Edward Dougherty, CatholicVote, Billy Porter, ” CatholicVote, Porter, ” Porter Organizations: Roman Catholic Archdiocese, Patrick’s, HIV, New York Gov, FX, Conservative Locations: New York, St, Manhattan, ‘ America’s Parish, Rikers, “, Argentina, Patrick's

☆ At Rally in Michigan, Trump Lashes Out at Judge Who Fined Him $355 Million
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Neil Vigdor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Former President Donald J. Trump vented about his latest legal defeat to freezing supporters at a Michigan rally on Saturday night, a day after a New York judge fined him nearly $355 million plus interest in his civil fraud case. The Republican front-runner for his party’s presidential nomination, Mr. Trump denied that he had conspired to manipulate his net worth, which he was found liable of by Justice Arthur F. Engoron in a ruling that could wipe out Mr. Trump’s entire cash stockpile. “This judge is a lunatic,” he said in his opening salvo at his rally, held inside an airport hangar in Oakland County about 30 miles from Detroit. Mr. Trump used a similar line of attack against Letitia James, New York’s attorney general, who had accused him of exaggerating his wealth in the lengthy case. Barred by the judge for three years from serving in top roles at any New York company, including portions of his own Trump Organization, Mr. Trump cast aspersions on the justice system and said he had been persecuted.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Justice Arthur F, ”, Letitia James Organizations: Republican, Trump Organization, Mr Locations: Michigan, York, Oakland County, Detroit, New, New York

BANGKOK (AP) — Shares were mixed Tuesday in Asia, where Chinese stocks surged after a government investment fund said it would step up stock purchases and a report said leader Xi Jinping was set to meet with officials to discuss the markets. The fund periodically steps up buying of shares in big state-owned banks and other companies to counter heavy selling pressure in the Chinese markets. On Monday, benchmarks in Shanghai and the smaller market in Shenzhen bounced between small gains and big losses, while share prices of state-run banks and other big companies rose. The Fed has yanked the federal funds rate to its highest level since 2001 to bring down high inflation. But there's also an upside for stocks from the U.S. economy's blasting through worries about a possible recession.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Xi, Hong, Seng, Australia's, India's, Jerome Powell, there's Organizations: Bloomberg, CSI, Central Huijin Investment, Nikkei, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Institute for Supply, New York Mercantile Exchange, Brent Locations: BANGKOK, Asia, Shanghai, Shenzhen, South Korea, Bangkok

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Democratic mayor of San Francisco is pushing a pair of controversial public safety proposals on the March 5 ballot, including one that would require single adults on welfare be screened and treated for illegal drug addiction or else lose cash assistance. San Francisco is in a struggle to redefine itself after the pandemic left it in economic tatters and highlighted its longstanding problems with homelessness, drugs and property crime. Violent crimes are low in San Francisco, but the city has long struggled with quality-of-life crimes. But she said San Francisco needs to do more. Yet Trent Rhorer, executive director of the San Francisco Human Services Agency, which provides cash assistance and employment services to low-income residents without dependent children, said the current situation is in conflict with the agency's mission: to improve lives.

Persons: she'll, San, Breed, Black, Chris Ballard, Coleman, ”, Trent Rhorer, “, Gavin Newsom, Rhorer, ” Rhorer, Michael Hsu, Hsu Organizations: FRANCISCO, —, Democratic, Mayor London Breed, San Francisco Human Services Agency, Democratic Gov, Department of Public Health, . Police Locations: San Francisco, Francisco, Democratic California

Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said that 23 people, all rank-and-file fighters, were killed. The air assault was the opening salvo of U.S. retaliation for a drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend. The U.S. has blamed that on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias. Iran, meanwhile, has attempted to distance itself from the attack, saying that the militias act independently of its direction. On Friday, the USS Carney shot down a drone over the Gulf of Aden and there were no injuries or damage.

Persons: Hussein, Washington “, ” Mosawi, Rami Abdurrahman, Bassim, Awadi, embassy’s, “, —, Yemen’s, Carney, Dwight D, Abby Sewell, Bassem, Jon Gambrell, Tara Copp Organizations: Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Associated Press, Human Rights, U.S, Population Mobilization Forces, Islamic, Popular Mobilization Forces, Israel, U.S . military’s Central Command, U.S . Navy, Eisenhower Locations: BAGHDAD, United States, Iraq, Syria, Iranian, Baghdad, U.S, Britain, Jordan, Iran, Iraqi, Islamic State, Gaza, Aden, Red, Beirut, Jerusalem, Washington

☆ Hamas deploys police, distributes funds in sign of resurgence in Gaza areas Israeli troops have left
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A Hamas fighter aims an RPG, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Gaza City, Gaza, in this still image taken from video released on Jan. 31, 2024. Israel has said it's determined to crush Hamas militarily and prevent it from returning to power in Gaza, an enclave it has ruled since 2007. In recent days, Israeli forces renewed strikes in the western and northwestern parts of Gaza City, including in areas where some of the salary distributions were reported to have taken place. Four Gaza City residents told The Associated Press that in recent days, uniformed and plainclothes police officers deployed near police headquarters and other government offices, including near Shifa Hospital, the territory's largest. Ahmed Abu Hadrous, a Gaza City resident, said Israeli warplanes struck the area where the makeshift office is located multiple times earlier this week, including Saturday morning.

Persons: Israel, Saeed Abdel, Ahmed Abu Hadrous, Hijazi, Abu Yousef al, Khan Younis, Qatar — Organizations: Hamas, Associated Press, AP, Health Ministry, United Nations, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Gaza City, Gaza, Shifa, Gaza's, Rafah, Egypt, Jeneina, Hams, United States, Qatar, Iraq, Syria, Iranian, Jordan

☆ Trump faces two-front fight as Biden and Haley hit campaign trail
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Eric Bradner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Former South Carolina Gov. The Biden campaign has long been preparing for Trump to win the nomination, but it is acutely aware of polling reflecting Haley’s strength over Biden in a one-on-one matchup. And behind closed doors, the Biden campaign is cheering Haley’s decision to stay in the race as they monitor Trump lashing out at the former South Carolina governor. It has been welcome news for the president’s reelection team to see Haley prolong the Republican contest and force the Trump campaign to use its resources and time to attack her. “Go forth and prosper,” one Biden campaign official said, describing the team’s delight in seeing the Trump-Haley feud continue.

Persons: Donald Trump, Jean Carroll, Trump, Joe Biden, Nikki Haley, Biden, —, South Carolina —, Haley, Alina Habba, ” Trump, “ Donald Trump, ” Haley, Carroll, “ We’re, ”, “, ‘ Nikki Haley, ’ Haley, Liz Cheney, Randall Hill, Haley won’t, –, it’s, Alex Brandon, Jim Clyburn, Jim Clyburn –, Donald Trump’s, Betsy Klein, Kylie Atwood, Jeff Zeleny, Fredreka Schouten, Ebony Davis, MJ Lee, Kristen Holmes, Kate Sullivan, Arlette Saenz, David Wright Organizations: CNN, LaGuardia Airport, New, Republican, South Carolina Gov, Trump, — Trump, Biden, Palmetto, GOP, Twitter, Fox, Republicans, United, Republican Party, Wyoming, New York, SFA Fund, Former South Carolina Gov, Reuters, Charlotte, Prosperity, Trump loyalists, Electoral College, Silver State, Senate, Truth, Democrats, Democratic, Democratic National Committee, Palmetto State, DNC, South Carolina –, Mother Emanuel AME Church, Black, South Locations: Nevada, Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, America, United Nations, Mauldin, Conway, New, Palm Beach, Miami, New York , Florida , California, Texas, North Charleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Silver, New York, Georgia, Lago, Superior , Wisconsin, Columbia, Charleston, South

Near Avdiivka, Ukraine CNN —Straddling the frontlines, the small town of Avdiivka has become the epicenter of the war in Ukraine. Still in Ukrainian hands – just – it’s enclosed on three sides by Russian troops and cannons. Amid the ruins, Russian and Ukrainian troops clash, preyed upon by drones and the occasional tank. Reliant on the Soviet kit they have, not the Western arms they crave, Ukrainian troops have learned to be more creative with their weapons in battle. The Ukrainian drone dives into the narrow dugout behind them and explodes.

Persons: –, “ Bess, ”, “, Joseph Ataman, Volodymyr Zelensky, Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s, Daria Tarasova, Trump, John Kirby, Bradley, “ Barbie ”, “ It’s, Bradleys, Teren, Serhii Nuzhnenko, Zelensky, Dmitry Medvedev, “ Sayer ” Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, CNN, Omega Special Forces Group, 110th Mechanized Brigade, Reliant, Omega, National Security, Bradley, Ukraine, US, Russia, Ukraine's National Guard Omega, Kyiv, Russia’s Security, Omega Special Forces Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, Ukraine’s Donetsk, Ukrainian, Soviet, Bakhmut, “, Marinka, US, Russian

☆ U.S. targets Iraqi airline Fly Baghdad, its CEO and Hamas cryptocurrency financiers for sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. on Monday hit Iraqi airline Fly Baghdad and its CEO with sanctions, alleging assistance to Iran's military wing, and imposed a fifth round of sanctions on the militant group Hamas for abuse of cryptocurrency since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. In the new sanctions, the Treasury Department said Fly Baghdad and CEO Basheer Abdulkadhim Alwan al-Shabbani have provided assistance to Iran's military wing and its proxy groups in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. "The United States will continue to disrupt Iran's illicit activities aimed at undermining the stability of the region." The sanctions block access to U.S. property and bank accounts and prevent the targeted people and companies from doing business with Americans. Hamas has said it planned for a potentially long fight and was "ready to do whatever is necessary for the dignity and freedom of our people."

Persons: Basheer Abdulkadhim Alwan, Brian E, Nelson, Fly, Asad Organizations: Ministry, Treasury Department, Foreign, Control, Hezbollah, Popular Mobilization Forces, State, U.S Locations: Baghdad, Israel, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, United States, U.S, Fly Baghdad, cryptocurrency, Jihad, Australia

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. on Monday hit Iraqi airline Fly Baghdad and its CEO with sanctions, alleging assistance to Iran's military wing — and in addition, imposed a fifth round of sanctions on the militant group Hamas for abuse of cryptocurrency since the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. In the new sanctions announced Monday, Treasury said Fly Baghdad and its CEO Basheer Abdulkadhim Alwan al-Shabbani have provided assistance to Iran's military wing and its proxy groups in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. In addition on Monday, the U.S. sanctioned a network of Hamas-affiliated financial exchanges in Gaza— including financial facilitators that transferred funds through cryptocurrency from Iran to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza. “Hamas has sought to leverage a variety of financial transfer mechanisms, including the exploitation of cryptocurrency, to channel funds to support the group’s terrorist activities,” Nelson said. “Treasury, in close coordination with our allies and partners, will continue to leverage our authorities to target Hamas, its financiers, and its international financial infrastructure.”___Associated Press reporter Sewell is located in Beirut, Lebanon.

Persons: Basheer Abdulkadhim Alwan, ”, Brian E, Nelson, Asad, ” Nelson, Sewell Organizations: WASHINGTON, Ministry, Treasury, Treasury's, Foreign, Control, Hezbollah, Popular Mobilization Forces, State, U.S, Hamas, “ Treasury, Associated Press Locations: Baghdad, Israel, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, United States, U.S, cryptocurrency, Jihad, Australia, Beirut

☆ The U.S. Strikes More Houthi Sites in Yemen
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Eric Schmitt | More About Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

For the sixth time in 10 days, the United States on Friday said it had destroyed Houthi missiles in Yemen that were poised to attack merchant and military vessels in the Red Sea, a pattern of strikes that the White House says will continue for the foreseeable future to weaken the militia group. The U.S. military hit three Houthi missiles and launchers, John F. Kirby, a spokesman for National Security Council, told reporters on Friday. He did not say what weapons the United States had deployed in the attack, but previous strikes have used cruiser missiles and munitions dropped by fighter jets. President Biden said on Thursday that U.S. airstrikes against the Houthis will continue even though they have not halted the group’s attacks on Red Sea shipping. Yes.”Last Thursday, American and British attack planes and warships attacked more than 60 Houthi targets, including air defenses, command hubs and facilities to store and launch anti-ship cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as drones.

Persons: White, John F, Kirby, Biden, Mr, “, ” Organizations: National Security Council, Hamas Locations: United States, Yemen, Red, U.S, States, Gulf of Aden, Suez, Iran, Gaza, British

Islamabad, Pakistan CNN —Pakistan and Iran have both conducted strikes on each other’s territories in an unprecedented escalation of hostilities between the neighbors, at a time when tensions have risen sharply across the Middle East and beyond. Iran claimed it had “only targeted Iranian terrorists on the soil of Pakistan” and that no Pakistani nationals were targeted. In 2015, the group claimed responsibility for an attack that killed eight Iranian border guards, with militants reportedly crossing into Iran from Pakistan. Iran’s strikes on Tuesday sparked a diplomatic spat, with Pakistan recalling its ambassador from Iran and suspending all high-level visits from its neighbor. And after Pakistan’s strikes, Iran on Thursday demanded “an immediate explanation” from its neighbor, Tasmin reported.

Persons: Islam –, hideouts, Jaish al, ”, Karim Sadjadpour, Wesley Clark, “, Jaish, CNN What’s, Tasmin, Matt Miller, Washington, “ We’ve, –, Miller, ” Pakistan’s Organizations: Pakistan CNN —, Adl, Justice, Iran’s, Carnegie Endowment, International, US Army, CNN, Hamas, US, National Counterterrorism Center, US State Department, US State, Pakistan – Locations: Islamabad, Pakistan, Pakistan CNN — Pakistan, Iran, Balochistan, Sistan, Baluchestan, restive Baloch, Gaza, Here’s, Pakistan’s Balochistan, Iran’s, Iran’s Sistan, Baluchestan province, Islam, ”, United States, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, Red, NATO, Afghanistan, Tehran, Pakistan’s, Iranian, India, ” China

The United States carried out a new military strike against Houthi ballistic missiles in Yemen on Tuesday, the U.S. military said, but the latest salvo against the Iran-backed group left the White House grappling with how to stop a battle-hardened foe from disrupting shipping lanes critical for global trade. The Houthis damaged a U.S.-owned commercial ship on Monday after attempting to hit an American warship the day before. President Biden could order another blitz of strikes against Houthi air defenses, weapons depots, and facilities for launching and producing an array of missiles and drone, but analysts say that would risk widening the war even more. Or he could settle for more limited tit-for-tat exchanges, like Tuesday’s strike, but that would not necessarily resolve the threat to commercial ships, analysts say. Mr. Kirby defended the strikes last Thursday and Friday that American and British attack planes and warships carried out against more than 60 targets using some 150 precision-guided bombs and missiles.

Persons: Biden, “, John F, Kirby Organizations: Houthi, U.S, White, Pentagon’s, Command, American, Kirby, National Security Council Locations: States, Yemen, Iran, U.S, American, Gaza, British

☆ 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

Search resuls for: "Salvo"

25 mentions found