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☆ Russia Increases Maximum Size of Armed Forces by 170,000 Servicemen
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to increase the maximum number of servicemen in the Russian armed forces by 170,000 people, the Kremlin and the Defence Ministry said on Friday. According to the document, the regular strength of the armed forces is now set at 1,320,000 servicemen. "The increase in the full-time strength of the armed forces is due to the growing threats to our country associated with the special military operation and the ongoing expansion of NATO," the Russian defence ministry said. The ministry also said that the increase in the number of servicemen is due to the recruitment of contract personnel, and the military has no plans to significantly increase conscription or carry out a new wave of mobilisation. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said on Friday that more than 452,000 people were recruited to the Russian military under contract from Jan. 1 to Dec. 1 2023.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev, Maxim Rodionov, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, Kremlin, Defence Ministry, NATO, Russia's Security Locations: Russian

☆ Chicago homeless migrants shelter faces backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Eric Cox | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Migrants, without a place to stay upon arrival in the city, seek safe shelter inside the District 12 station of the Chicago Police Department in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. May 17, 2023. REUTERS/Eric Cox/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCHICAGO, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Chicago is grappling with local backlash against moving homeless migrants into a new government-run tent encampment as temperatures drop and more migrants continue to arrive. Hundreds of migrants are still sleeping on floors or in tents outside city police stations. Community members in Brighton Park are suing the city to try to stop construction, saying it violates Chicago zoning laws. "In May, Mayor Johnson welcomed migrants to Chicago, saying the city has 'enough room' for them," Eze said in a statement.

Persons: Eric Cox, Ricardo Palacios, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Johnson, Greg Abbott's, Abbott, Renae Eze, Mayor Johnson, Eze, Ted Hesson, Mary Milliken, Sandra Maler Organizations: Chicago Police Department, REUTERS, Rights, Chicago, O'Hare International, Chicago Mayor, Democrat, Republican, Texas, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Chicago , Illinois, U.S, Chicago, Chicago's Brighton Park, Illinois, Brighton Park, Texas, Mexico, Venezuela, Chicago , New York, Los Angeles, Washington

☆ French ministers head to Indo-Pacific, Australia in diplomatic push
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( John Irish | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna and French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu leave following the weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, November 22, 2023. France, with overseas territories in the Pacific and Indian Ocean and 7,000 troops stationed there, considers itself an Indo-Pacific power. The loss of a major submarine deal with Australia in 2021 forced it rethink its strategy amid ongoing regional tensions with China in the disputed South China Sea. Underscoring those efforts, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu will host in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia between Dec. 4-8 the South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting, the first time it has hosted the format since it was created in 2013. While it has diversified its ties across the Pacific, France has also worked on rebuilding its partnership with Australia.

Persons: Catherine Colonna, Sebastien Lecornu, Sarah Meyssonnier, Ferdinand Marcos, Karen Lerna, Sandra Maler Organizations: Foreign, French Defence, REUTERS, South Pacific, South Pacific Defence Ministers, South, Australia, Canberra, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, PARIS, Pacific, Ocean, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Caledonia, Britain, United States, South Korea, Spain, Manila, South China, Kuala Lumpur

☆ Henry Kissinger, American diplomat and Nobel winner, dead at 100
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger speaks at the International Economic Forum of the Americas/Conference of Montreal in 2008. U.S. President Richard Nixon and National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger stand on Air Force One during their voyage to China February 20, 1972. U.S. President Gerald Ford meets with Secretary Kissinger at Camp David, U.S., July 5, 1975. In 1973, in addition to his role as national security adviser, Kissinger was named secretary of state - giving him unchallenged authority in foreign affairs. But Ford did replace him as national security adviser in an effort to hear more voices on foreign policy.

Persons: Henry Kissinger, Shaun Best, Kissinger, Richard Nixon, Xi Jinping, Nixon's, Gerald Ford, Duc Tho, Gerald R, Ford, Henry, Heinz Alfred Kissinger, Anglicizing, Lyndon Johnson's, Nixon, Nelson A . Rockefeller, Henry A, Roosevelt, Premier Zhou Enlai, Mao Zedong, China Winston Lord, Leonid Brezhnev, Brezhnev, Gromyko, Dobrynin, Salvador Allende, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George W, Bush, Ann Fleischer, Nancy Maginnes, New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, Abinaya, Sandra Maler Organizations: U.S, International Economic, Americas, Conference of, REUTERS, Kissinger Associates, New York City . U.S, National Security, Air Force, Richard Nixon Presidential, REUTERS Acquire, House, Republican, Paris Peace, Camp David, Ford Library, HARVARD, Nazi, Army, Harvard University, State Department, Office, White, Communist, Premier, Former U.S, Reuters, Ford, Soviet, CIA, Democrat, New York Governor, Thomson Locations: Conference of Montreal, Connecticut, New York City ., China, North Korea, Beijing, U.S, Israel, Paris, North Vietnam, America, North, Cambodia . U.S, Camp, Washington and New York, Voluble, Furth, Germany, United States, Europe, Vietnam, South Vietnam, Washington DC, Cambodia, Jerusalem, Damascus, Syria, Golan, Vladivostok, Soviet Union, Russian, Russia, Egypt, Sinai, India, Pakistan, Washington, New York, Bengaluru

☆ US, partners target North Korea with sanctions following satellite launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The list includes senior officials from the National Aerospace Technology Administration, which oversaw the satellite launch, and the munitions industry department. Since the launch of the satellite, North Korea said that its leader, Kim Jong Un, has reviewed spy satellite photos of the White House, Pentagon and U.S. aircraft carriers at the naval base of Norfolk. Kimsuky's hacking operation has been historically focused on South Korea, Japan and the United States. The RGB is a North Korean intelligence agency that is involved in cyber warfare activities, according to analysts, and is under U.S. sanctions. Two Russia-based representatives of North Korean banks and one China-based representative were also hit with sanctions, among others.

Persons: Kim Jong, Brian Nelson, Nelson, Kimsuky, Daphne Psaledakis, David Brunnstrom, Christopher Bing, Hyonhee Shin, Sandra Maler, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS, U.S . Treasury Department, North, Terrorism, Financial Intelligence, Democratic People's, National Aerospace Technology Administration, United Nations, White House, Pentagon, U.S, North Korea sparred, Security Council, Treasury, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Agency, Security, U.S . National Security Agency, Korea's, Bureau, UN, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, SEOUL, United States, Korea, U.S, Australia, Japan, North Korea, Korean, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, South, New York, Norfolk, South Korea, Guam, Italy, Washington, Europe, Russia, North Korean, Iran, China, North, Seoul

☆ Brazil Increases Northern Border Military Presence Amid Venezuela-Guyana Spat -Ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil "has intensified defensive actions" along its northern border as it monitors a territorial dispute between its neighbors, Guyana and Venezuela, the country's defense ministry said on Wednesday. Defensive actions have been intensified in the northern border region of the country, promoting a greater military presence," it said in a statement. Venezuela's claims on the Esequiba, which have been the source of a long-running territorial dispute, were reignited in recent years after Guyana's discovery of oil and gas near the maritime border. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is expected to rule on Friday on a request by Guyana that the referendum be called off. The Venezuelan communications ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Brazil's actions.

Persons: Ricardo Brito, Peter Frontini, Vivian Sequera, Gabriel Stargardter, Diane Craft, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, Ministry of Defense, Court of Justice Locations: BRASILIA, Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela, Venezuelan, Caracas

☆ Canada is seeking more cooperation from India in light of US allegations
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. charges come about two months after Canada said there were "credible" allegations linking Indian agents to the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in a Vancouver suburb, in June. "The news coming out of the United States further underscores what we've been talking about from the very beginning, which is that India needs to take this seriously," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa. Earlier on Wednesday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly urged India to be more forthcoming in the ongoing murder investigation. Both the United States and Canada are looking to build better ties with India to counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region, and the allegations undermine that effort. Neither New Delhi nor Ottawa looks likely to take dramatic steps to reconcile soon as Canada's murder investigation proceeds and Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for Indian national elections by May.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, Hardeep Singh, Melanie Joly, Nijjar, Joly, Narendra Modi, Ismail Shakil, Steve Scherer, Chizu Nomiyama, Sandra Maler Organizations: Canadian, U.S . Justice, New York City, Indian, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, OTTAWA, Canada, India, British Columbia, The U.S, Vancouver, United States, Ottawa, Delhi

☆ Thai Foreign Minister Weeps, Welcomes Hamas Release of Thai Workers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Another two Thai workers were set free on Tuesday, bringing the total released to 19. He said they remain in contact with him and send him updates about the release of hostages even before the news breaks. The Thai foreign ministry said three Thais were being treated for wounds in hospital. On Monday, a Thai Muslim group that spoke directly with Hamas said its efforts were key to ensuring that Thai hostages were among the first to be released in Gaza during a temporary truce with Israeli forces. Israel says Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages back to Gaza on Oct. 7.

Persons: Parnpree Bahiddha, Nukara, Thais, Parnpree, Lerpong Syed, Israel, Juarawee Kittisilpa, Howard Goller, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, Thai Foreign, Shamir Medical Center, Hamas, Iran Locations: Kittisilpa TEL AVIV, Israel, Thailand, Palestinian, Gaza, Thai, Thailand's

Another two Thai workers were set free on Tuesday, bringing the total released to 23. He said they remain in contact with him and send him updates about the release of hostages even before the news breaks. The Thai foreign ministry said three Thais were being treated for wounds in hospital. On Wednesday night, four additional Thai hostages were released. Israel says Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages back to Gaza on Oct. 7.

Persons: Parnpree Bahiddha, Nukara, Thais, Parnpree, Lerpong Syed, Israel, Juarawee Kittisilpa, Howard Goller, Sandra Maler, Stephen Coates Organizations: Thai Foreign, Shamir Medical Center, Hamas, Iran, Reuters, Thomson Locations: TEL AVIV, Israel, Thailand, Palestinian, Gaza, Thai

☆ Slovak truckers to block Ukraine crossing, joining Polish protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Yan Dobronosov/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 29 (Reuters) - Slovak truckers will block the main border crossing with Ukraine from Friday, the country's truckers association UNAS said, joining Polish protests to win restrictions against Ukrainian drivers. Polish truckers have been blocking several crossings with Ukraine since Nov. 6 to demand tougher conditions for Ukrainian peers. Polish and Slovak truckers complain Ukrainian truckers offer cheaper prices for their services and also transport goods within the European Union, rather than just between the bloc and Ukraine. They say their business has been undercut since truckers from Ukraine gained exemptions from seeking permits to cross following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Polish truckers started protests this month, demanding the EU reintroduce a permit system for Ukrainian truckers entering the bloc and for EU truckers entering Ukraine, with exemptions for humanitarian aid and military supplies.

Persons: Yan, UNAS, Vysne Nemecke, Transport Adina Valean, Jason Hovet, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, EU, Transport, Thomson Locations: Poland, Ukraine, Korczowa, Slovakia, Kyiv, Prague

☆ Brazil increases northern border military presence amid Venezuela-Guyana spat -ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRASILIA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Brazil "has intensified defensive actions" along its northern border as it monitors a territorial dispute between its neighbors, Guyana and Venezuela, the country's defense ministry said on Wednesday. Defensive actions have been intensified in the northern border region of the country, promoting a greater military presence," it said in a statement. Venezuela's claims on the Esequiba, which have been the source of a long-running territorial dispute, were reignited in recent years after Guyana's discovery of oil and gas near the maritime border. On Dec. 3, Venezuelans will vote in a referendum on "the rights" to the Esequiba. The Venezuelan communications ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Brazil's actions.

Persons: Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Ricardo Brito, Peter Frontini, Vivian Sequera, Gabriel Stargardter, Diane Craft, Sandra Maler Organizations: National Bolivarian Armed Forces, REUTERS, Rights, Ministry of Defense, Court of Justice, Thomson Locations: Venezuela, Esequiba, Guyana, Caracas, Rights BRASILIA, Brazil, Venezuelan

☆ Trudeau demands end to antisemitic acts after attack in Montreal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Blair Gable/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOTTAWA, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday condemned an attack on a Jewish community center in Montreal and said antisemitic violence must stop immediately. A Molotov cocktail was thrown into the entrance of the Jewish Community Council of Montreal just after midnight on Sunday, according to the council. The attack adds to the growing cases of violence in Montreal since the start of the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas on Oct. 7. Earlier this month, two Jewish schools in Montreal reported that shots were fired at their entrances. "These continued acts of antisemitic violence are deplorable and unacceptable – and must stop immediately.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, Blair Gable, Molotov, Saul Emanuel, Montreal, " Trudeau, Ismail Shakil, Sandra Maler Organizations: Canada's, REUTERS, Rights OTTAWA, Canadian, Jewish Community Council of, CBC News, X, Police, Thomson Locations: Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, Montreal, Jewish Community Council of Montreal, Gaza, Israel, Toronto, Canada's, Ottawa

☆ North Korea Says Its New Spy Satellite Photographed White House, Pentagon
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

On Tuesday North Korean state media said leader Kim Jong Un had reviewed spy satellite photos of the White House, Pentagon and U.S. aircraft carriers at the naval base of Norfolk. North Korea last week successfully launched its first reconnaissance satellite, which it has said was designed to monitor U.S. and South Korean military movements. Since then state media has reported the satellite photographed cities and military bases in South Korea, Guam, and Italy, in addition to the U.S. capital. Commercial imagery of those cities on Nov. 27, the day North Korea says it captured its photographs, was not immediately available. The United States and South Korea have condemned the satellite launch as a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions banning any use of ballistic technology.

Persons: Josh Smith, Hyonhee Shin, Kim Jong Un, Chad O'Carroll, Dave Schmerler, James Martin, Schmerler, Jeffrey Lewis, Kim, KCNA, Hyonhee ShinEditing, Chris Reese, Sandra Maler, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Tuesday North, White House, Pentagon, U.S, NK News, Falcon, James, James Martin Center, Nonproliferation Studies, Andersen Air Force Base, U.S . Locations: Hyonhee Shin SEOUL, North Korea, Norfolk . North Korea, Korean, South Korea, Guam, Italy, Pyongyang, Seoul, U.S, U.S . Western, Norfolk, Newport, British, Korea, United States

☆ North Korea, US envoys engage in rare, public sparring match at UN
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A North Korean flag flutters at the propaganda village of Gijungdong in North Korea, in this picture taken near the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, South Korea, July 19, 2022. Formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions for its ballistic missile and nuclear programs since 2006. Denuclearization talks between North Korea, South Korea, China, the United States, Russia and Japan stalled in 2009. Kim said that until "the persistent military threat" was eliminated, North Korea would continue to strengthen its capabilities. China and Russia say joint military drills by the United States and South Korea provoke Pyongyang, while Washington accuses Beijing and Moscow of emboldening North Korea by shielding it from more sanctions.

Persons: Kim Hong, Pyongyang's, Linda Thomas, Kim Song, Kim, Thomas, Greenfield, Denuclearization, Kim Jong Un, Donald Trump, Michelle Nichols, Grant McCool, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, UNITED NATIONS, United Nations, North Korea sparred, Security, North Korean, DPRK, Democratic People's, United, North, . Security, U.S, Thomson Locations: Gijungdong, North Korea, Panmunjom, South Korea, United States, Greenfield, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK, Pyongyang, U.S, China, Russia, Japan, Korea, Britain, France, Washington, Beijing, Moscow, emboldening North Korea

☆ North Korea's Kim received photos taken by spy satellite of White House, Pentagon -KCNA
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un meets with members of the Non-Standing Satellite Launch Preparation Committee, in this picture released by the Korean Central News Agency on November 24, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Nov 28 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un received photos of the White House, Pentagon and U.S. aircraft carriers in the naval base of Norfolk, taken by its recently launched spy satellite, state media KCNA said on Tuesday. North Korea last week successfully launched its first reconnaissance satellite, which it has said was designed to monitor U.S. and South Korean military movements. The photos were the latest in a series of images of what KCNA described as "major target regions" sent by the satellite, including the South Korean capital of Seoul and U.S. military bases. Seoul officials have said the North's satellite capabilities could not be verified as it has not released the photos.

Persons: Kim Jong, KCNA, Kim, Hyonhee Shin, Chris Reese, Sandra Maler Organizations: Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, White House, Pentagon, U.S, ., Andersen Air Force Base, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Rights SEOUL, Norfolk, Korea, Korean, Seoul, U.S, U.S . Western, Guam, Newport, British, United States, South Korea

☆ Chechen leader says he is ready to send another 3,000 fighters to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov addresses service members while making a statement, dedicated to a military conflict in Ukraine, in Grozny, Russia February 25, 2022. REUTERS/Chingis Kondarov/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 28 (Reuters) - Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said on Monday that another 3,000 of his fighters were ready to go to fight in Ukraine as part of new units of the Russian defence ministry and the Russian National Guard forces. "They (the fighters) have the best equipment and modern weapons," Kadyrov said on the Telegram messaging app. Kadyrov's claims could not be independently verified and estimates of the Chechen fighters deployed to Ukraine vary. There have been also been several Chechen armed formations fighting on the side of Ukraine in the war that began with Russia's full-scale aggression in Ukraine 21 months ago.

Persons: Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov, Chingis, Ramzan Kadyrov, Kadyrov, Vladimir Putin's, Kadyrov's, Russia's, Wagner, Lidia Kelly, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, Russian National Guard, Chechen, Thomson Locations: Chechen Republic, Ukraine, Grozny, Russia, Chechnya, Melbourne

☆ Chechen Leader Says He Is Ready to Send Another 3,000 Fighters to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said on Monday that another 3,000 of his fighters were ready to go to fight in Ukraine as part of new units of the Russian defence ministry and the Russian National Guard forces. "They (the fighters) have the best equipment and modern weapons," Kadyrov said on the Telegram messaging app. "In addition, the guys are highly combative and very motivated to achieve results." Kadyrov's claims could not be independently verified and estimates of the Chechen fighters deployed to Ukraine vary. There have been also been several Chechen armed formations fighting on the side of Ukraine in the war that began with Russia's full-scale aggression in Ukraine 21 months ago.

Persons: Ramzan Kadyrov, Kadyrov, Vladimir Putin's, Kadyrov's, Russia's, Wagner, Lidia Kelly, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, Russian National Guard, Chechen Locations: Ukraine, Chechnya, Russia, Melbourne

☆ U.S. shoots down multiple drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Nov 22 (Reuters) - The United States shot down multiple one-way attack drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen on Thursday morning local time, U.S. Central Command said on X. "The drones were shot down while the U.S. warship was on patrol in the Red Sea. The ship and crew sustained no damage or injury," the post said. Reporting by Idrees Ali and Costas Pitas; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Idrees Ali, Costas Pitas, Sandra Maler Organizations: United, U.S . Central Command, Thomson Locations: United States, Yemen, U.S, Red

Steel coils are waiting for delivery at the storage and distribution facility of German steel maker ThyssenKrupp in Duisburg, Germany, November 16, 2023. As a result of the impairment, Thyssenkrupp, which has been trying to divest its steel division for several years, posted a 2-billion-euro net loss for the fourth quarter. Shares of the company, which proposed a stable dividend of 0.15 euros apiece, were indicated to open 1.8% lower in pre-market trade. Thyssenkrupp - which apart from steel builds submarines, car parts and operates a large materials trading business - said it was in constructive and open-ended talks with EPH about a potential steel joint venture. EPH, controlled by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, would support Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe with its energy expertise in any joint venture, the company said.

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Miguel Lopez, Daniel Kretinsky, Thyssenkrupp, Christoph Steitz, Tom Kaeckenhoff, Sandra Maler, Miranda Murray, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: REUTERS, Wednesday, EPH, Thyssenkrupp Steel, Thomson Locations: Duisburg, Germany, FRANKFURT, DUESSELDORF, Czech, Europe

☆ Cuban ministers reveal details of food, fuel shortages amid economic crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Minister after minister have delivered the bad news as the import-dependent Communist-run country weathers a fourth year of crisis, scraping by with a minimum of foreign exchange as output plummets. Food production, the supply of phamaceuticals and transportation are down by at least 50% since 2018, the top officials said, and continued to decline this year in large part due to chronic fuel shortages and power outages. "The ministers provided new information revealing just how serious the crisis is and that growth this year is very doubtful," Cuban economist Omar Everleny said. Public transportation, vital in a country where few have vehicles, has also been hobbled by fuel shortages and difficulties in obtaining spare parts. If before the collapse of former benefactor the Soviet Union "there were 2,500 buses operating in Havana ... today there are just 300 compared with 600 four years ago," Transportation Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Davila said.

Persons: weathers, Omar Everleny, Ydael Jesus Perez, Tania Margarita Cruz, Eduardo Rodríguez Davila, Marc Frank, Sandra Maler Organizations: Senior Cuban, Agriculture, Industry, Thomson Locations: Cuba, Caribbean, Cuban, Soviet Union, Havana .

☆ One dead, multiple others believed missing in Alaska landslide
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Steve Gorman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 21 (Reuters) - At least one person has been killed and multiple others were believed to be missing in a major landslide along the principal roadway serving an island community in Southeast Alaska, state officials said on Tuesday. "Multiple individuals are believed to have been within the slide area when the landslide occurred and are believed to be missing," the statement said. Alaska state police assumed command of the search-and-rescue effort, but ground-level search operations were suspended while geologists assessed the risk of additional landslide activity in the area, the public safety agency said. Wrangell is linked to the mainland and other towns in Southeast Alaska by ferry and airplane. Its principal road is the Zimovia Highway, which runs along the west side of the island for 14 miles.

Persons: Steve Gorman, Sandra Maler Organizations: Public Safety Department, Emergency, Elias, Thomson Locations: Southeast Alaska, Wrangell , Alaska, Juneau, Alaska, Wrangell, Alaska Panhandle, St, Los Angeles

☆ North Korea notifies Japan of satellite launch plan between Nov 22 and Dec 1
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Chang-Ran Kim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TOKYO, Nov 21 (Reuters) - North Korea has notified Japan it plans to launch a rocket carrying a space satellite between Nov. 22 and Dec. 1 in the direction of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, Japan's Coast Guard said on Tuesday. If carried out, it would likely mark a third attempt by the nuclear-armed state this year to put a spy satellite into orbit. Japan will work with the United States, South Korea and others to "strongly urge" North Korea not to go ahead with the launch, Kishida said. North Korea has not made a formal announcement of the plan on official media. The North considers its space and military rocket programmes a sovereign right, and analysts say spy satellites are crucial to improving the effectiveness of its weapons.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, military's Vandenberg, Chang, Ran Kim, Jack Kim, Christina Fincher, David Gregorio, Sandra Maler Organizations: Japan's Coast Guard, Aegis, United Nations, South, Japan, International Maritime Organization, North, U.S, SpaceX, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, North Korea, Japan, East China, United States, South Korea, Pyongyang, Korea, Tokyo, Seoul

☆ Russia Bars Moldovan Nationals, Summoning Ambassador
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Russia barred entry to a number of officials from Moldova on Monday and complained about moves by its pro-European government to block Russian media outlets ahead of local elections earlier this month. A Russian foreign ministry statement said Moldovan Ambassador Lilian Darie was summoned to be told of the decision. Moldovan foreign ministry spokesperson Igor Zaharov told Moldova-1 television that the government stood by protecting its media from interference regardless of Moscow's moves. Moldovan news outlet newsmaker.md said the Russian list barred 11 parliamentarians -- all members of Sandu's pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity. Ahead of the election, Moldova suspended licences and barred access to 30 media sites - some based in Russia, others in Moldova - on grounds of spreading disinformation.

Persons: Maia Sandu's, Lilian Darie, Igor Zaharov, Zaharov, newsmaker.md, Sandu, Alexander Tanas, Ron Popeski, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, European Union, Moldovan, European Party of Action Locations: Russia, Moldova, Soviet, Russian, Moscow, Moldovan, Ukraine, Chisinau

☆ Red Cross President Meets With Hamas Leader in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

GENEVA (Reuters) - The International Red Cross president travelled to Qatar on Monday to meet with the leader of Palestinian group Hamas to "advance humanitarian issues" related to the group's conflict with Israel, the Geneva-based body said in a statement. President Mirjana Spoljaric met with Ismail Haniyeh, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said, and also met separately with Qatari authorities which are acting as mediators in the conflict. The ICRC, a neutral intermediary which is providing aid to Gaza and has helped escort hostages and patients from the enclave, said that the meeting was part of discussions with all sides to the conflict to improve respect for international humanitarian law. It added that it was not part of negotiations aimed at releasing more than 200 hostages seized by Hamas during their deadly incursion into Israel on Oct. 7. (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Persons: Mirjana Spoljaric, Ismail Haniyeh, Cross, Emma Farge, Sandra Maler Organizations: Red Cross, Hamas, International Committee, ICRC Locations: GENEVA, Qatar, Israel, Geneva, Gaza

☆ Red Cross president meets with Hamas leader in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GENEVA, Nov 20 (Reuters) - The International Red Cross president travelled to Qatar on Monday to meet with the leader of Palestinian group Hamas to "advance humanitarian issues" related to the group's conflict with Israel, the Geneva-based body said in a statement. President Mirjana Spoljaric met with Ismail Haniyeh, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said, and also met separately with Qatari authorities which are acting as mediators in the conflict. The ICRC, a neutral intermediary which is providing aid to Gaza and has helped escort hostages and patients from the enclave, said that the meeting was part of discussions with all sides to the conflict to improve respect for international humanitarian law. It added that it was not part of negotiations aimed at releasing more than 200 hostages seized by Hamas during their deadly incursion into Israel on Oct. 7. Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mirjana Spoljaric, Ismail Haniyeh, Cross, Emma Farge, Sandra Maler Organizations: Red Cross, Hamas, International Committee, ICRC, Thomson Locations: GENEVA, Qatar, Israel, Geneva, Gaza

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