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☆ G7 leaders accuse China of ‘enabling’ Russia war on Ukraine in stark warning
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —China’s support for Russia is “enabling” its war in Ukraine, leaders of the world’s most advanced economies warned Friday in a hardening of tone against Beijing, while threatening further sanctions against actors that materially support Moscow’s war machine. “China’s ongoing support for Russia’s defense industrial base is enabling Russia to maintain its illegal war in Ukraine and has significant and broad-based security implications,” the G7 leaders said in the communique Friday. The US and European Union have already slapped sanctions on Chinese companies, and this week, the US imposed fresh sanctions on China-based firms supplying semiconductors to Russia. “So it is, in fact, helping Russia.”Leaders of the G7 nations gathered in southern Italy this week, with boosting support for Ukraine top of the agenda. “We express serious concern about the increasing use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Philippine vessels.”

Persons: “, Joe Biden, Filippo Monteforte Organizations: CNN, Beijing, of, European Union, ”, Ukraine, Getty, EU Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Italy, United States, Europe, China, Western, Moscow, Beijing, “ China, AFP, European, East, South China, South

The Israeli military said forty rockets were fired at northern Israel and the occupied Golan Heights on Thursday, causing at least ten fires that teams are working to extinguish. The rockets were fired from northern Lebanon, with Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah claiming responsibility for their launch. The group said it targeted six Israeli military barracks using Katyusha and Falaq rockets and used three drones to target bases. Hezbollah's massive rocket barrage: Thursday's launches came after more than 200 rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel Wednesday, according to the IDF. The group on Tuesday confirmed the death of Talib Sami Abdullah, known as Abu Talib, and three other fighters.

Persons: Israel's Magen David, Talib Sami Abdullah, Abu Talib, Talib Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, IDF Locations: Israel, Golan, Lebanon, Iran, Lebanese

☆ US college instructor David Zabner recounts surviving stabbing in China to Iowa public radio
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“Police told us that he was unemployed and down on his luck, and that somebody in our group bumped into the man,” Zabner told Iowa Public Radio News from his hospital room. I’ve been stabbed.’”Zabner was stabbed in the arm 6 inches below his shoulder, and paramedics arrived roughly 20 minutes later, he told Iowa Public Radio News. Cornell College instructor David Zabner survived the stabbing attack in Jilin, China. Zabner joined the program in November 2019 to teach computer science courses at Beihua University, according to Iowa Public Radio News. Zabner’s brother, Iowa state Rep. Adam Zabner, told CNN that his sibling was “doing well” and “has been stitched up and seems to be recovering,” after speaking to him on Tuesday.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, David Zabner, “, ”, Cui, ” Zabner, didn’t, I’ve, ’ ” Zabner, Adam Zabner, Zabner, Nicholas Burns, “ I’m Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Cornell College, Police, Ministry, “ Police, Iowa Public Radio News, Cornell, Foreign Ministry, Jilin police, US State Department ., Beihua University, Iowa Public Radio, CNN Locations: Hong Kong, American, China, Jilin, Beishan, Iowa, Jilin Hospital

Noa Argamani, a rescued hostage embraces her father, Yaakov Argamani, in Ramat Gan, Israel, in this handout image dated June 8. Israeli Army/ReutersNoa Argamani, one of the four Israeli hostages freed during Israel's Nuseirat operation on Saturday, has been reunited with her terminally ill mother. However, Argamani's father, Yaakov, said the reunion was "difficult." "This was not how I imagined the meeting would go," Yaakov said, sobbing while speaking to Galatz radio on Sunday. Despite the difficult reunion, her father said he was still grateful they met, fulfilling her mother’s wish.

Persons: Noa Argamani, Yaakov Argamani, Reuters Noa Argamani, Liora, Argamani's, Yaakov, Noa Organizations: Israeli Army, Reuters Locations: Ramat Gan, Israel

Eyewitnesses also said that they saw Israeli forces in disguise – dressed as Hamas fighters or civilians. The Israeli military denied using civilian vehicles, but declined to say whether the officers conducting the rescue were disguised as militants or dressed as Palestinian civilians. The Israeli military had previously used civilian clothing as a tactic in its operations. But soon after the mission got underway, Israeli soldiers and militants began to exchange fire, according to eyewitness accounts and statements from the Israeli military. A senior Biden administration official tells CNN that Israeli forces did not use an aid truck in the operation.

Persons: Mercedes, –, “, ” Khalil Al Tirawi, Mercedes van, — Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, Shlomi Ziv, Noa Argamani’s, Adm, Daniel Hagari, ”, Argamani, Arnon Zamora, Al Tirawi, Abdullah Jouda, ” Jouda, ” Hagari, Fadi Thabet, Trevor Ball, Richard Weir, ” Al Tirawi, Nidal Abdo, Zamora, Yaron Finkelman, that’s, Jake Sullivan, CNN’s Dana, ” Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Hagari, Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Nova, Israeli Security Agency, IDF, ” CNN, National Police, Hamas ’, Al, CNN CNN, Mercedes, Human Rights Watch, Biden, Southern Command, Union, Sheba Medical, Ichilov Locations: Nuseirat, Gaza, Israeli, Jabalia, Al Jazeera, Argamani, United States, Israel, U.S, “ State, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv

☆ Northern China braces for record high temperatures in major heat wave
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —A major heat wave is forecast to spread across large swathes of northern China this week, bringing record high temperatures to some areas, according to China’s meteorological authorities. The heat wave, which began on Saturday, has already triggered government weather alerts and follows the country’s hottest spring on record. The national observatory on Monday issued an orange alert for high temperatures – the second most severe warning – as sweltering heat engulfed the country’s north. Beijing on Saturday raised its first yellow alert for high temperatures this summer, warning residents to avoid going outdoors during the hottest parts of the day. Zhong said the high temperatures were linked to El Niño, a natural climate pattern marked by warmer than average ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific.

Persons: Zheng Zhihai, Zhong, El Niño, El Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, National Meteorological Center, NMC, National Climate Center, Xinhua Locations: Hong Kong, China, Shandong, Hebei, Xinjiang, Beijing, ”, Beijing’s Chaoyang, Guangdong

☆ Israel thrust between far-right support and Gaza cease-fire, as Netanyahu rival quits war cabinet
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Amir Levy | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesIsrael's war cabinet minister Benny Gantz resigned from the emergency government, dealing a decisive blow which is expected to entrench Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deeper into a far-right support base that opposes a cease-fire in Gaza. A former chief of staff of the Israeli Defense Forces, centrist Gantz co-founded and led the National Unity party that joined Netanyahu's emergency government after the outbreak of the Gaza war. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cabinet minister Benny Gantz during a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv , Israel , 28 October 2023. And the prime minister himself. Around 1,200 people were killed in Israel, Israeli official figures say, since the start of the Gaza conflict.

Persons: Benny Gantz, Amir Levy, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gantz, Netanyahu, Regrettably, Yoav, Gallant, entreat Gantz, Yair Lapid, Gadi Eisenkot, Lapid, Eran Etzion, Etzion, Jack Guez, Nimrod Goren, Goren, Itamar Ben Organizations: Getty, entrench, Israeli Defense Forces, National Unity, Gaza, Palestinian, Hamas, Reuters, Defense, Criminal, Gaza's Ministry of Health, Israel's National Security Council, CNBC, Ultra, Sheba Tel, HaShomer Medical Centre, Afp, Middle East Institute, U.S, Jewish Power Party Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, Rafah, Sheba, Ramat Gan, of Israel

Palestinians mourn their relatives who were killed by an Israeli bombardment at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on June 8. Ismael Abu Dayyah/APThe Israeli military rescued four hostages held in central Gaza on Saturday in a major daytime operation. The strip’s government media office said at least 210 Palestinians were killed and more than 400 injured by the Israeli bombardment as it carried out the hostage rescue operation. Over 200 Palestinians dead:At least 210 people have been killed and more than 400 injured as a result of the Israeli operation, the enclave’s government media office said. IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the hostages had been locked in rooms of apartments in multistory civilian buildings.

Persons: Ismael Abu Dayyah, Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, Shlomi Ziv, Balah, Israel, Daniel Hagari, Hagari, Benjamin Netanyahu, Argamani, that’s, Joe Biden, ”, Gantz postpones, Benny Gantz, Netanyahu, Gantz Organizations: Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Israeli, Israel Defense Forces, Nova, CNN, Al, Families, Sheba Hospital, Ichilov, White Locations: Al, Aqsa, Deir al, Gaza, Nuseirat, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv, American, Israel

☆ Israeli military rescues four hostages alive from Gaza, including Noa Argamani
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-08 | by ( Freddie Clayton | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Noa Argamani, who was kidnapped in the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and is one of four hostages who has been rescued by Israeli forces alive, is pictured in this undated handout photo. Jack Guez | Afp | Getty ImagesA video circulating on social media showed Argamani as she reunited with her father. She also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone conversation following her rescue. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called the rescue "A great light in a terrible darkness" and welcomed the hostages back. Andrey Kozlov recently moved to Israel from Russia, and had also been working as a security guard at the festival.

Persons: Noa Argamani, Jack Guez, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yan Gorjaltsan, Argamani's, Be'er Sheva, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Yair Lapid, Andrey Kozlov, Almog Meir, Ilia Yefimovich, Argamani, Avinatan, Almog Meir Jan, Shlomi Ziv, Andrei Kozlov, Gideon Markowicz Organizations: Reuters, HaShomer Medical Centre, Hamas, Afp, Getty, Israeli, Be'er, NBC News, Sheba Tel, Nova, Stallion Locations: Sheba Tel, Gaza, Ramat Gan, Israel, Tel Aviv, Sheba, Jerusalem, of Israel, Russia

☆ China’s Chang’e-6 probe lifts off with samples from moon’s far side in historic first
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Nectar Gan | Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe departed from the far side of the moon on Tuesday, moving a step closer to completing an ambitious mission that underlines the country’s rise as a space superpower. Its return journey to Earth is estimated to take about three weeks, with a landing expected in China’s Inner Mongolia region around June 25. “The lunar surface is rich in basalt,” Zhou added. It marked the second time a mission has successfully reached the far side of the moon, after China first completed that historic feat in 2019 with its Chang’e-4 probe. Last year, India landed a spacecraft on the moon for the first time, while Russia’s first lunar landing mission in decades ended in failure when its Luna 25 probe crashed into the moon’s surface.

Persons: China’s, Bill Nelson, Nelson, –, “ zhong, CNSA, ”, Zhou Changyi, Zhou, James Head Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Beijing, China National Space Administration, NASA, CNSA, Brown University, Luna Locations: Hong Kong, China, Mongolia, Aitken, India, Japan, Texas

☆ Taiwan celebrities Mayday, Jolin Tsai in crossfire of political battle as tensions with China rise
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

On Douban, a popular site for reviewing movies, books and music, users compiled a list of nearly 100 Taiwanese celebrities, detailing whether each of them had shared the post. On Saturday, CCTV publicly endorsed Taiwanese celebrities who shared its post, sharing the screenshots of 36 such reposts – fueling a further backlash against those who hadn’t. On Monday, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council weighed in, accusing the Chinese Communist Party of requiring Taiwanese artists to express a political stance. The remarks and retweets by Taiwanese artists of the CCTV unification post came against the backdrop of China’s largest show of force around the island in more than a year. “This is not the first time, and probably not the last, that Taiwanese artists are forced to make a political stand in China,” said the leader.

Persons: Mayday’s, Ashin, ”, –, Xi Jinping, Jolin Tsai, Edgar Su, China’s, Beijing’s, ’, Tsai, “, Lin Chen, ” Lin, Lai Ching, Ichiro Ohara, Lai, Zhu Fenglian, ” Zhu, Lin Organizations: CNN, Party, China, Democratic Progressive Party, Cardiff University, Facebook, Mainland Affairs Council, Chinese Communist Party, Communist, Yomiuri Shimbun, Taiwan Affairs Office, “ Locations: Beijing, Taiwan, China, Taipei, Taiwanese, “, Nanchang ”, Singapore, Weibo, ” Beijing

☆ China claims married couple working for government spied for UK’s MI6
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —China on Monday accused Britain of recruiting a married couple employed by the Chinese central government to spy for its MI6 intelligence service, as the two countries trade allegations of espionage. Those charges in the United Kingdom came after China’s MSS said in January it had detained the head of a foreign consultancy who had allegedly spied for MI6. Under Xi Jinping, China’s most authoritarian leader in decades, the country’s notoriously secretive spy agency has drastically raised its public profile and broadened its remit. In its latest statement Monday, the MSS detailed its allegations against the married couple. According to the MSS, foreign spies are omnipresent and infiltrating everything – from mapping apps to weather stations.

Persons: Hong, Xi, Wang, “, –, Zhou, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Ministry of State Security, Conservative Party, China’s, ”, CNN, Britain’s Foreign, Secret Intelligence Service, CIA Locations: Hong Kong, China, British, United Kingdom, Britain

☆ US defense chief hails security partnerships in Asia in face of Russia, China threats
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Brad Lendon | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Singapore CNN —US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday hailed the arrival of a “new convergence” in the Indo-Pacific, as the United States fortifies strategic and security partnerships in the region amid rising threats from China and Russia. “Today, we are witnessing a new convergence around nearly all aspects of security in the Indo-Pacific,” Austin said at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore. Looming large in that regional vision is a more assertive China, which Austin alluded to without mentioning it by name. Austin’s emphasis of a “new convergence” in Asia Pacific appeared to have struck a raw nerve with the Chinese delegation in the audience. Austin also reaffirmed US commitment to the Asia Pacific region, saying peace and stability across the region are crucial for the whole world.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Austin, Lai Ching, “ We’ve, We’ve, we’ve, ”, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Cao Yanzhong, “, Mr.Putin, Dong Jun, Dong, Ferdinand R, Marcos Jr Organizations: Singapore CNN — US, Saturday, “, South China Seas, Asia Pacific, NATO, Institute of War Studies, Academy of Military Sciences of, China’s, National Defense Locations: Singapore, United States, China, Russia, Taiwan, Beijing, South China, Asia Pacific, South, Washington, Asia, Ukraine, Philippines, Philippine

☆ Trump’s conviction: The former US president is trending on Chinese social media, and many are rejoicing
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

And as China woke up Friday to the news of Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, the country’s heavily censored social media lit up. Under leader Xi Jinping, China’s most assertive leader in decades, the country’s social media platforms have become increasingly dominated by anti-American, nationalistic voices. Second, can he still run for president?”But analysts say Trump’s conviction could be a tricky topic for Chinese state propagandists to navigate. So far, Chinese state media outlets have yet to publish the kind of blistering commentaries that previously appeared alongside news coverage of Trump’s legal entanglements. Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, said China’s state media is unlikely to play up the coverage in the days ahead.

Persons: Donald Trump, it’s, Communist Party —, China’s, “ Trump’s, ”, Trump, Chuan Jianguo, “ Trump, influencers, Xi Jinping, –, Hu Xijin, “, Bill Bishop, Alfred Wu, Lee, they’re, Wu Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, Xinhua, Washington, Global Times, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public, National University of Singapore Locations: China, United States, Weibo, Beijing, America

The Hong Kong and Beijing governments have repeatedly denied the national security law is suppressing freedoms, arguing it has ended chaos and “restored stability” to the city. Since the national security law came into effect in 2020, civil groups have disbanded, and independent media outlets have been shut down. They are the first defendants to be acquitted in a national security law trial in Hong Kong. But that strategy is in doubt after another local national security law enacted earlier this year curtailed access to reduced sentences for guilty pleas. “It’s absolutely clear that the national security law reduced the independence and the autonomy of the judiciary.

Persons: Hong Kong’s, Hong, Gwyneth Ho, Leung Kwok, ”, Lawrence Lau, Lee Yu, –, “, Joshua Wong, Benny Tai, Claudia Mo, Eric Lai, John Burns, Hong Kong Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Beijing, British, Hong, Hong Kong’s Legislative, Georgetown Center, Asian Law, Communist Party, city’s, University of Hong Locations: Hong Kong, Hong, Beijing, Hong Kong’s, China, University of Hong Kong

☆ Hong Kong arrests six for social media posts in first use of new local national security law
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Hong Kong police have made their first arrests under a newly passed local national security law over social media posts deemed “seditious” by authorities. “Those who intend to endanger national security should not have the delusion that they can avoid police investigation by going anonymous online,” the statement added. The arrests marked the first time Hong Kong’s own national security law had been invoked since it was unanimously passed by the city’s opposition-free legislature in March. The legislation introduces 39 new national security crimes, adding to an already powerful national security law that was directly imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong in 2020 after huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests the year before. The local national security legislation covers a raft of new crimes including treason, espionage, external interference and unlawful handling of state secrets, with the most serious offenses punishable by up to life imprisonment.

Persons: netizens, “, Hong, John Lee, Lee Organizations: CNN, Hong, police Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, China

☆ China’s military shows off rifle-toting robot dogs
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Brad Lendon | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

During recent military drills with Cambodia, China’s military showed off a robot dog with an automatic rifle mounted on its back, essentially turning man’s best (electronic) friend into a killing machine. The latter part of the video also shows an automatic rifle mounted under a six-rotor aerial drone, illustrating what the video says is China’s “variety of intelligent unmanned equipment.”Military use of robot dogs – and of course small aerial drones – is nothing new. And the dogs have been popping up on China’s heavily regulated social media for at least a year. According to the state-run Global Times, the presence of the robotic dogs at exercises with foreign militaries indicates an advanced stage of development. “Usually, a new equipment will not be brought into a joint exercise with another country, so the robot dogs must have reached a certain level of technical maturity,” Global Times quoted an unnamed expert as saying.

Persons: Chen Wei Organizations: CNN, US Air Force, Management, Commerce Ministry, People’s Liberation Army, Times, Global Times Locations: Cambodia, China, Lao, Malaysian, Thai, Ukraine

☆ US lawmakers vow to bolster Taiwan’s defense with bipartisan visit days after China’s ‘punishment’ military drills
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —US lawmakers vowed to bolster Taiwan’s deterrence against China on Monday during a bipartisan congressional visit to the self-governing democracy just days after Beijing surrounded the island with massive military exercises. US Representative Michael McCaul, Republican-Texas, has vowed to bolster Taiwan's deterrence against China. China’s military drills, he said, were “to express their displeasure with President Lai, a president democratically elected by the people of Taiwan.”But he added they had another objective. The delegation also met with Lai, Taiwan’s new leader, on Monday morning. China responded with a show of military force and later imposed sanctions on McCaul.

Persons: Lai Ching, Michael McCaul, ”, McCaul, Lai, ” McCaul, China’s, Xi Jinping, Xi, “, Mao Ning, Michael Brochstein, Lin Chia, ” “ It’s, ” Lin, Taiwan’s, “ Taiwan’s, ” Lai, Ronald Reagan’s, Tsai Ing, Nancy Pelosi’s Organizations: CNN, China, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Taiwan, US, Party, Republican, Ministry, Taiwan’s Locations: Beijing, China, Taiwan, Taipei, Ukraine, Taiwan Strait, Texas, United States, America, People’s Republic of China

CNN —China’s military drills around Taiwan are designed to test its ability to “seize power” over the island, the People’s Liberation Army said Friday as its forces kicked off a second day of large-scale exercises encircling its democratic neighbor. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has condemned China’s military exercises as “irrational provocations” and dispatched its own sea, air and ground forces in response. A total of 19 Chinese warships and seven coast guard vessels were detected near the Taiwan Strait, according to the ministry. China Coast Guard drill near Taiwan. China Coast Guard/Weibo‘Blockading Taiwan’China’s military drills are often as much about playing to a domestic audience as signaling intentions internationally, and state media has ramped up coverage of the drills.

Persons: CNN —, Lai Ching, Lai, Xi Jinping, ”, China’s, Tsai Ing, ” “, Wu Qian, Liu, Tsai, wasn’t, “, I’m, Zhang Chi, Zhang, Carl Schuster, Craig Singleton, ” Singleton, Singleton, Lionel Fatton, ” Fatton Organizations: CNN, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Command, Party, Taiwan, Guard, CCTV, Taiwan’s Defense, Kyodo, Democratic Progressive Party, China’s, Ministry, Chinese Communist Party, China Coast Guard, Taiwan . China Coast Guard, Weibo, US, Coast Guard, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, Foundation, Defense of Democracies, Webster University Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, China, Kinmen, Taiwan Strait, China's, Taiwan ., ”, Kaohsiung, Wuqiu, Geneva

☆ China has launched new drills encircling Taiwan. Why now?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Tensions are once again ratcheting up in the Taiwan Strait, with China launching military drills encircling Taiwan just days after the democracy swore in a new leader long loathed by Beijing. The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it launched joint military drills involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force in areas around Taiwan early Thursday morning. The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait – a narrow body of water separating the self-ruling island with mainland China – as well as north, south and east of Taiwan. The Chinese guided missile frigate Nantong, one of the vessels in the series of military drills around Taiwan. The defeated Nationalist Party fled to Taiwan, moving the seat of their Republic of China (ROC) government from the mainland to Taipei.

Persons: ”, Lai Ching, China’s, Xi Jinping, Li Xi, Lai, Wu Mei, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Tsai Ing, Tsai –, Mike Gallagher Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, Eastern Theater Command, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, People's Liberation Army, Weibo, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Nationalist Party, US, Communist, Beijing, Tuesday Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Kinmen, Taipei, People’s Republic of China, Republic of China, Xi, Washington

☆ China starts ‘punishment’ military drills around Taiwan days after island swears in new leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —China has launched two days of military drills surrounding Taiwan in what it called “punishment” for “separatist acts,” days after the self-ruling island swore in a new democratically elected leader. China’s ruling Communist Party says the self-ruling democracy is part of its territory, despite never having controlled it, and has vowed to take the island, by force if necessary. The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it launched joint military drills involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force in areas around Taiwan at 7.45 a.m. on Thursday. The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait – a narrow body of water separating the self-ruling island with mainland China – as well as north, south and east of Taiwan. It expressed regret to “such irrational provocations and actions that undermine regional peace and stability.”

Persons: Lai Ching, China’s, Li Xi, ” Lai, Lai Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, Eastern Theater Command, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry Locations: China, Taiwan, Kinmen, Beijing

Taipei CNN —Thousands of mostly young protesters surrounded Taiwan’s legislature late into the night on Tuesday, protesting a push by opposition parties to subject the island’s new leader and his administration to tighter scrutiny from a parliament controlled by lawmakers who favor closer ties to China. Meanwhile, the president would be required to deliver an annual address to the parliament on key policy issues. Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty ImagesOn Tuesday, as the parliament resumed its meeting to discuss the bill, protesters gathered outside the Legislative Yuan – Taiwan’s unicameral parliament – from morning until midnight, braving downpours in the afternoon. Lai, 64, a former doctor and vice president, was inaugurated Monday alongside new Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who recently served as Taiwan’s top envoy to the United States. Both leaders and their party are openly loathed by Beijing for championing Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Persons: Lai Ching, TPP, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Yuan –, braving, Ricky Li, “ I’m, ”, Lai, Hsiao Bi, China’s Organizations: Taipei CNN, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan’s, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People’s Party, DPP, –, Communist Party Locations: Taipei, Taiwan’s, China, Beijing, Taiwan, AFP, United States

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, IDF recovers another hostage
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Adrienne Vogt | Matt Meyer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Former Israeli defense minister and war cabinet member Benny Gantz attends a meeting with the press in Ramot Naftali, Israel, on October 29. Amir Levy/Getty ImagesFormer Israeli defense minister and war cabinet member Benny Gantz is demanding that the cabinet lays out a plan for the war against Hamas by June 8. Gantz said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must choose between "victory and disaster" as he issued the ultimatum. Gantz said that to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians, Hamas cannot remain in Gaza and must be cleared from Rafah. He acknowledged the harmful impact the war is having on civilians but insisted that “decisiveness” is needed.

Persons: Benny Gantz, Ramot Naftali, Israel, Amir Levy, Gantz, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu Organizations: Getty Locations: Ramat Gan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Rafah, Gaza

☆ Tsai Ing-wen: the leader who put Taiwan on the map and stood up to China
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Wayne Chang | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

While supporters applaud Tsai for standing up to China, defending Taiwan’s sovereignty, freedom and democracy, critics blame her for straining ties with Beijing, stoking cross-strait tensions. Beijing, which deems the tacit agreement a precondition for dialogue, has cut official contact with Taipei since Tsai took office. Taiwan President Tsai inspects reservists at a training session at a military base in Taoyuan on May 11, 2023. But under Tsai, Taiwan has sought to enhance its asymmetric defense capabilities, developing and procuring cheaper and more mobile weapon systems that could be instrumental in halting a potential Chinese invasion. Taiwanese military experts have increasingly advocated for such an approach, noting that Taiwan can never match China in military might and assets.

Persons: Taipei CNN — Tsai Ing, introvert, ” Tsai, Xi Jinping, Xi, Tsai, stoking, Taiwan’s, Lai Ching, ”, Alex Chan Tsz Yuk, Wellington Koo, “, Vanessa Hope, Ma Ying, Taiwan's, Jose Lopes Amaral, Wen, Amanda Hsiao, Nancy Pelosi, Chien Chih, Nancy Pelosi’s, Huang, Jameson Wu, ” Sung, ” Hsiao, “ Tsai, Sawayasu Tsuji, Sung, ” Tsai’s, –, Lai Organizations: Taipei CNN, Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Kuomintang, KMT, World Health Organization, WHO, Atlantic, Trump, Biden, International Crisis, US, Getty, World Health Assembly, National Chengchi University, Getty Images, Taiwan’s Military Academy, ” Tsai’s DPP Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, China, United States, Beijing, Tsai, Asia, Wellington, Ukraine, Gaza, Japan, Czech Republic, Republic of China, Taoyuan, AFP, Washington, Hong Kong

☆ Singapore’s Lawrence Wong sworn in as new prime minister — the first leadership change in 20 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Lawrence Wong was sworn in on May 15 as Singapore's new prime minister, after Lee Hsien Loong stepped down following two decades in office. Edgar Su | Afp | Getty ImagesSINGAPORE — Singapore's Lawrence Wong was inaugurated as the city-state's fourth prime minister on Wednesday, taking over from former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, who has led Singapore for 20 years. Trade and industry minister Gan Kim Yong will be promoted to deputy prime minister and work alongside current DPM Heng Swee Keat. Lee, the eldest son of Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, announced last month he will hand over power to the new prime minister in mid-May. Wong also served as principal private secretary to then prime minister Lee Hsien Loong from 2005 to 2008.

Persons: Lawrence Wong, Lee Hsien Loong, Edgar Su, Singapore's Lawrence Wong, Lee, Gan Kim Yong, Heng, Kim Yong, Swee Keat, Wong, Gan, Ong Ye Kung, helming, Singapore's, Lee Kuan Yew Organizations: Afp, Getty, SINGAPORE, Trade, Monetary Authority of, Party Locations: Singapore, Monetary Authority of Singapore, Gan

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