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☆ Takeaways from Joe Biden’s State of the Union address
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden delivered a raucous third State of the Union address, one that could be among the most important speeches he gives during his presidency as he turns toward reelection. The result was the most raucous State of the Union in years, with the House chamber brimming with election year frission. President Joe Biden holds a "Say her name Laken Riley" button while delivering the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 7. So it was unavoidable that Biden would face the issue during his State of the Union, whether he wanted to or not. And Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, prompted by the terror attacks of October 7, has generated a humanitarian crisis that is dividing Biden’s political coalition.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, Chip Somodevilla, –, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Laken Riley, Laken Riley ”, Saul Loeb, David, “, ” Biden, ”, it’s, Joe Biden's, Kent Nishimura, he’s, there’s, That’s Organizations: Washington CNN, Union, Trump Biden, Trump, NATO, Getty, Republicans, Social Security, Rep, Georgia Republican, Chamber, Biden, White, Jewish Voice, Capitol Locations: Thursday’s State, Russia, Washington ,, Ukraine, Gaza, Israel, Washington , DC

☆ North Korean factories making arms for Russia are ‘operating at full capacity,’ South Korea says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Yoonjung Seo | Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korea’s munitions factories are “operating at full capacity” to produce weapons and shells for Russia, according to South Korea’s defense minister, as Moscow’s devastating war in Ukraine grinds into a third year. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits a munitions factory at an undisclosed location on January 10, 2024. CNN has reached out to South Korea’s defense ministry for comment on the US’ estimate but has not yet received a response. The White House confirmed last month that Russia has been firing North Korean missiles at Ukrainian cities. The US and its allies are also concerned about the technology North Korea is seeking from Russia in return for weaponry.

Persons: Korean Defense Minister Shin Won, sik, Kim Jong Un, ” Shin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Avdiivka, Zelensky, Joe Biden’s, Vladimir Putin Organizations: South Korea CNN, South, Korean Defense Minister, KCNA, Reuters, US State Department, CNN, Ukraine, Kyiv, West, North, Intelligence, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, White House, Korean Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Russia, South, Ukraine, Korea, Washington, Pyongyang, North, Russian, North Korea, Avdiivka, Moscow, Russia’s

☆ As Gaza War Grinds On, Israel Prepares for a Prolonged Conflict
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Adam Rasgon | Aaron Boxerman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As the war in Gaza rages on, the situation in the battered enclave is one of devastation and despair. More than 29,000 people have been killed, according to Gaza health officials, the majority in a relentless Israeli bombing campaign. While global scrutiny grows over Israel’s conduct in the war, the Israeli military, by its assessment, has delivered a major blow to the capabilities of Hamas, killing commanders, destroying tunnels and confiscating weapons. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s goal of destroying Hamas remains elusive, according to current and former Israeli security officials. An Israeli military intelligence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity under military protocol, said that Israel was engaged in a comprehensive mission to unravel Hamas’s military capabilities.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Israel Locations: Gaza, Israeli

Learn moreThe remaining first legs of the last 16 continue tonight in the Champions League, and we've found multiple options on where to watch a free Napoli vs. Barcelona live stream. Then get stuck in and enjoy this free Champions League live stream. How to watch Napoli vs. Barcelona live stream with a VPNSign up for a VPN if you don't have one. Where to watch Napoli vs. Barcelona in AustraliaThe Champions League is a Stan Sport exclusive in Australia and you can watch every game there. So, if you can get around all this, you can enjoy the best value Champions League live streams in the world.

Persons: we've, you'll, You'll, Stan, Stan Sport, AWST, ExpressVPN, you've, Stan Sport's Organizations: Business, Champions League, League, Porto, Arsenal, Napoli, Belgian, RTL Club, BT Sport, TNT Sport, BT, TNT, Discovery, Amazon, Amazon Prime, Champions, Stan Sport, Sport, country's Champions League, Paramount Plus, Paramount, CBS, Netflix, PayPal Locations: Barcelona, Naples, Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, Austrian, RTL2, Australia, USA

☆ Europe is nervous about a potential Trump win. China sees an opportunity
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

China – which has not condemned Russia’s invasion and claims impartiality in the conflict – has also emerged as a key lifeline for the sanctions-hit Russian economy. In Europe, this has galvanized concerns about China’s own global ambitions and played a role in the European Union’s ongoing push to recalibrate its policy toward China. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell reiterated the EU’s “expectation that China refrains from supporting Russia,” in a meeting with Wang Friday. “As long as war in Ukraine continues, EU policies toward China will move into closer alignment with the US. As president, Trump not only voiced skepticism of the system of US alliances in Europe, but leveraged tariffs on European steel and aluminum, sparking retaliatory measures on US goods from Europe.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Wang Yi, Wang, Donald Trump, Trump, ” Wang, Alexey Navalny, Vladimir Putin’s, “, ”, Noah Barkin, Maxym Marusenko, Putin, Xi Jinping, –, Jens Stoltenberg, Josep Borrell, Christoph Heusgen, Dmytro Kuleba, Xi, hasn’t, It’s, Kuleba, Vladimir Putin, Xie Huanchi, Yu Jie, ‘, Liu Dongshu, “ Wang Yi, China …, ” Liu, Emmanuel Macron, GMF Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Munich, Washington, NATO, German Marshall Fund of, Communist Party, Wang Friday, Bloomberg, CNN, China’s, Ministry, ”, Ukrainian, Security, Beijing, Peace, Getty, ’ Observers, US, Chatham House, City University of Hong, “, White Locations: China, Hong Kong, States, Europe, Ukraine, Beijing, Munich, Moscow, Russia, United States, Russian, Ukraine's Kharkiv, West . China, Taiwan, EU, ”, China’s, Asia, Pacific, ” Beijing, Switzerland, Xinhua, London, Spain, France, City University of Hong Kong’s, Washington, York

☆ The Ukraine war grinds on — 4 ways the conflict with Russia could end
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian president has also indirectly suggested a cease-fire, something that the US has refused to consider unless Ukraine is involved in discussions, Reuters reported. Nuclear warPutin has made several threats of using nuclear weapons since the invasion began, but the West is divided on how seriously to take his comments. Jones said the risks of breaking the ultimate nuclear weapons taboo would likely outweigh any benefits. I think the US has already communicated pretty forcefully that all bets are off if Russia were to use nuclear weapons," he added.

Persons: It's, —, Max Bergmann, Bergmann, Caesar Kunikov, Eliot A, Cohen, Arleigh, Burke, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy's, Putin, Adrienne Watson, Seth Jones, Jones, Vladimir Putin's Organizations: Service, Bakhmut, Eurasia Program, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Representatives, Russia's, CSIS, Nazi, Reuters, Ukrainian, Bloomberg, Kremlin, National Security Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Kherson, Kharkiv, Avdiivka, Donetsk, Europe, Russian, YORUK, Nazi Germany, Red, Moscow, United States

☆ Kim Jong Un has broken with decades of North Korean policy – does it mean he’s planning for war?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The two sides have been cut off from each other since 1953, when an armistice ended the Korean War, and remain technically at war. Yoon and Biden have sharpened their countries’ deterrence plans and coordination in the face of North Korea’s threats and weapons development. If anything, some analysts believe, North Korea’s public statements signal that North Korea is abandoning its reunification policy in pursuit of peace on the peninsula. Vladimir Smirnov/AFP/Getty ImagesAn ‘emboldened’ KimThe North Korean leader may also feel more confident about his arsenal and his options as he watches a shifting global landscape. “Kim Jong Un is wary of a full-scale provocation by the South Korean military disguised as a military exercise and has vowed to occupy South Korean territory without hesitation,” said Lim in Changwon.

Persons: Kim Jong, South Korea –, ” Kim, ”, Kim, ’, Robert Carlin, Siegfred Heckler, Chul Lim, “, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Edward Howell, Yoon Suk Yeol, Ayse, ” He’s, Yoon, Biden, Seoul . Kim, Trump, Lim, “ That’s, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Vladimir Smirnov, ’ Kim, “ Kim Jong, …, Rachel Minyoung Lee, Howell, “ Kim Jong Un, Lee, Japan – Organizations: CNN, South, Korean Central News Agency, Reuters, North Korea Research Center, University’s Institute, Far Eastern, University of Oxford, Japan, Ewha Womans University, US, North, Russia's Vostochny, Getty, Stimson, –, White, United Nations Security Council, West, South Korean Defense Ministry, ”, Trump, North Korean Locations: Ukraine, Gaza, North Korea, South Korea, Korea, Republic of Korea, Kim, Washington, Seoul, Tokyo, United States, Korea’s, Changwon, Pyongyang, Russia, United Kingdom, Japan, Guam, Gon, Seoul ., Russian, Russia's, China, Iran, denuclearization, Western, North, Moscow, Beijing, Oxford, Jeju, South, “

☆ US Senate Faces New Test on Ukraine Aid Bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

The legislation needs 60 votes to overcome a procedural hurdle and continue toward Senate passage in the coming days. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesVoting is expected to begin around 1 p.m. EST (1800 GMT). Senate Republicans believe bipartisan passage would help stir support among Republicans in the House. The bill includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel in its war against Hamas, and $4.83 billion to support partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, and deter aggression by China. "Nevertheless, the Senate will keep working on this bill until the job is done."

Persons: David Morgan WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Todd Young, Young, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Schumer, David Morgan, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Senate, Republicans, Republican, Representatives, Democratic, Friday, Indiana Republican, Israel, Hamas, West Bank Locations: U.S, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Gaza, Kyiv, China, Mexico

☆ I'm a 'zillennial' who left the city. I don't like living in the suburbs as a young person, but I plan to stay.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Kelsey Lam, a 27-year-old who left Philadelphia to live in the suburbs in 2021. I've lived in the suburbs for three years and would say they don't really cater to my age group. AdvertisementEven going for coffee in the suburbs and in the city are completely different experiences. In the suburbs, I'm getting coffee from chains and the coffee just doesn't feel as unique. AdvertisementIn 2019, I was living in a 550-square-foot studio apartment in the city for around $1,165 a month.

Persons: —, Kelsey Lam, I've, King of Prussia, Kelsey, I'd, Lam, Covid Organizations: Service, Business, Facebook Locations: Philadelphia, Malvern , Pennsylvania, Malvern, Plymouth, Cities, Kelsey Lam, French, Chinatown, King

☆ Explainer-Why Does Russia Want to Capture Ukraine's Avdiivka?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Dan Peleschuk and Andrew OsbornKYIV/LONDON (Reuters) - Russian forces are intensifying efforts to seize the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka as Moscow's war in Ukraine grinds on. Russian war bloggers, whom the Kremlin has brought under tight control, have acknowledged heavy Russian losses but alleged significant Ukrainian losses too. They say Kyiv's forces can be encircled if Russian forces can cut their last main supply line to the west. Avdiivka is seen as a gateway to Donetsk city, whose residential areas Russian officials say have been shelled by Ukrainian forces, sometimes from Avdiivka. Seizing it could boost Russian morale and demoralise Ukrainian forces, which have made only incremental gains in a broad counteroffensive since June.

Persons: Dan Peleschuk, Andrew Osborn, Avdiivka, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Sergei Markov, Mykola Bielieskov, Bielieskov, Mike Collett, White, Timothy Heritage Organizations: LONDON, Mechanized Brigade, Radio Liberty, Kremlin, National Institute for Strategic Studies, Kyiv Locations: Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Ukraine, Bakhmut, Russia, Moscow, Russian, Donetsk, Luhansk, Avdeyevka, Kyiv, Kremlin

☆ Plans for Gaza’s ‘Day After’ Seem Ever Distant
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Steven Erlanger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As the war in Gaza grinds on, there is increasing talk of some “day after” formula for the broken territory. But that notion is an ephemeral one — there is not going to be a bright line between war and peace in Gaza, even if some sort of negotiated settlement is reached. “The whole conceit of ‘the day after’ has to be retired,” said Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. official at the Carnegie Endowment. “It’s misleading and dangerous,” he said, because there will be no clear dividing line “between the end of Israeli military operations and a relative stability that allows people to focus on reconstruction.”There are a variety of sketchy ideas — “plans” would be too specific a word — for what happens in the aftermath of hostilities. But there is a growing understanding that any sustainable settlement would require a regional deal involving countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar.

Persons: ’, ”, Aaron David Miller, “ Organizations: Carnegie Endowment, United Arab Locations: Gaza, Israel, U.S, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar

☆ 10 African Businesses Making the World's Most Expensive Products
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Sarah Elkasaby | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

In Tunisia, Mohamed cracks and scrapes at snails to make authentic Tyrian purple dye. Farther south in Uganda, Akello pounds and grinds nuts by hand to make silky, luxurious East African shea butter. Across Africa, small businesses and artisans are making some of the world's most expensive products. Our first stop is Fez, Morocco, where clay bars have been molded and transformed into colorful, handmade Zellige tiles for centuries.

Persons: Mohamed, shea Organizations: East Locations: Tunisia, Uganda, Africa, Fez, Morocco

☆ At Putin Campaign HQ, Soldier's Wife Says Bring Him Home
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

"Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has issued a decree that my husband has to be there (in Ukraine). I'm interested to know when he will issue a decree that my husband has to be home," Maria Andreyeva said as campaign workers looked on. She became involved in a heated exchange with a woman who told her that Russian soldiers in Ukraine were defending the motherland and she should pray for them. It showed the depth of anger and despair among some soldiers' families as the war grinds on, with no end in sight after nearly two years. Andreyeva said she did not detect any urgency from the authorities to address the concerns of soldiers' wives, and it was time to step up their campaign.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, I'm, Maria Andreyeva, Andreyeva, Putin, Mark Trevelyan, Peter Graff Organizations: Saturday, Ministry of Defense, Reuters Locations: MOSCOW, Russian, Ukraine, Russia

Friday's phone call came one day after Netanyahu said that he has told U.S. officials in plain terms that he will not support a Palestinian state as part of any post-war plan. But the regular cadence of calls between Biden and Netanyahu, who have had a hot-and-cold relationship for over three decades, has slowed considerably. And in late 2019, during a question and answer session with voters on the campaign trail, Biden called Netanyahu an “extreme right” leader. Netanyahu argues that a Palestinian state would become a launchpad for attacks on Israel. They hold out hope Israel could eventually come around to accepting a Palestinian state that comes with strong security guarantees for Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu, Biden's, ”, John Kirby, Eytan Gilboa, “, Donald Trump, Trump, hasn't, Massachusetts Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Connecticut Sen, Chris Murphy, Michael Koplow, Ron Dermer, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Brett McGurk, Amos Hochstein, ” Blinken, Barack Obama, —, Israel, ” Netanyahu, Daniel Kurtzer, Bill Clinton, George W, Bush, Julia Frankel, Ellen Knickmeyer, Seung Min Kim, Colleen Long Organizations: WASHINGTON, Israeli, U.S, Security, Democrat, Islamic, Israel’s, Ilan University, Israel, Netanyahu, Key Democratic, Biden, Economic, Middle, ” Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Palestinian Authority Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, United States, U.S, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Davos, East Jerusalem, ”, Jordan, Egypt, Jerusalem, Washington

The idea of using Russia's frozen assets is gaining new traction lately as continued allied funding for Ukraine becomes more uncertain and the U.S. Congress is in a stalemate over providing more support. Bipartisan legislation circulating in Washington called the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act would use assets confiscated from the Russian Central Bank and other sovereign assets for Ukraine. Belgium, which is holding the rotating presidency of the European Union bloc for the next six months, is now leading the talks on whether to seize Russia's assets. Belgium is also the country where most frozen Russian assets under sanctions are being held. Maria Snegovaya, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cautioned that if Ukraine's immediate needs aren't met, “no amount of seized Russian assets is unfortunately going to compensate for what may happen."

Persons: — It's, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “ Putin, ”, ” Biden, Penny Pritzker, “, Nicholas Mulder, Vladimir Putin, Shalanda Young, ” Young, ” Sergey Aleksashenko, Treasuries —, Konstantin Malofeyev, Alexander De Croo, De Croo, Maria Snegovaya, aren't, Ellen Knickmeyer, Lisa Mascaro, Seung Min Kim, Zeke Miller, Aamer, Sam Petrequin, Jamey Keaton Organizations: WASHINGTON, Russian Central Bank, U.S ., U.S, ., ”, Ukraine, Russia, Cornell University, Washington, Russia's Central Bank, White, Management, Russian Central Banker, Russian, Justice Department, State Department, European Union, Belgian, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Associated Press Locations: United States, Ukraine, Davos, Switzerland, Ukrainian, Washington, “, America, Russia, Russian, U.S, China, Frankfurt, Belgium, Brussels

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia’s intense missile and drone attacks across Ukraine in recent weeks sharply increased civilian casualties in December with over 100 killed and nearly 500 injured, the United Nations said in a new report Tuesday. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said there was a 26.5% increase in civilian casualties last month – from 468 in November to 592 in December. With some reports still pending verification, it said, the increase was likely higher. “These attacks sow death and destruction on Ukraine’s civilians who have endured profound losses from Russia’s full-scale invasion for almost two years now,” Bell said. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesThe U.N. monitoring mission said the highest number of casualties occurred during attacks on Dec. 29 and Jan. 2 amid plummeting winter temperatures.

Persons: Danielle Bell, ” Bell, –, Edem Wosornu Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, United Nations, United Nations Human Rights, Civilian, . Security Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Pokrovsk, Rivne, Russia, Moscow

If so, U.S. military aid to Israel, long assured without question, could be quickly halted. Heading toward the vote, Sanders said senators are nervous because what he’s trying to do is unprecedented in procedure and essentially practice. The action comes as Biden's request for $106 billion supplemental national security aid for Israel as well as Ukraine and other military needs is at a standstill. Going further, Sanders had already announced his refusal to support more military aid to Israel in the package because of the war. It requires that any arms or military aid must be used in accordance with international human rights accords.

Persons: Sen, Bernie Sanders, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Antony Blinken, Sanders, Israel, ” Sanders, John Kirby, ” Kirby, Netanyahu, Nixon, it's, Ellen Knickmeyer Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S . State Department, Hamas, Israel, U.S, United, White House National Security, Foreign, State Department, Republicans, GOP, U.S . Associated Press Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, United States, Vermont, Ukraine, Mexico

Earlier in a statement from the Ukrainian presidency, Yermak said a simple cease-fire wouldn't end Russia's "aggression” on Ukraine: “It’s definitely not the path to peace. “Peace is something that Ukraine needs,” he said during a break in the talks Sunday. He said that the purpose of the talks was to get ready for the moment when Russia might join a peace discussion. He said that neither Ukraine nor Russia was ready to make territorial concessions. “The war is far from over and peace is still nowhere in sight," the Swiss department of foreign affairs said in a statement previewing Sunday's talks.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy's, Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy, Yermak, —, “, ”, “ It’s, Ignazio Cassis, Moscow isn't, Cassis, hasn't, that's, ” Cassis Organizations: —, Kyiv, Swiss Locations: DAVOS, Switzerland, Russia, Swiss, Davos, Ukrainian, Europe, Asia, Africa, Ukraine, Moscow, “, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Malta, russia, ukraine

☆ Opinion: A turning point in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Opinion Michael Bociurkiw | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Last year, Ukraine passed legislation shifting its Christmas celebrations in line with many Western dates – a step to further distance itself from traditions commonly observed in Russia. As 2023 drew to a close, Russia launched the biggest air attack on Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion. The intensity and frequency of the attacks — on the back of reports that the Ukrainian counteroffensive is stalling and that western backers of Ukraine are holding back billions in funding — marks a major turning point in the war. While it’s impossible to put an exact number on Ukrainian war losses, anyone who visits the military portion of the Lychakiv Cemetary in Lviv can see that its expanded to almost maximum capacity. Ukraine scored a big win last week when the EU approved sanctions against Russia’s largest diamond producer, Alrosa, and its CEO.

Persons: Michael Bociurkiw, Odesa, Odesa CNN —, –, Oleksandr Gimanov, Olha, Radkevych, Anatolii Stepanov, Volodymyr Zelensky, who’ve, Armed Forces Valeriy, who’s, Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Le Cosmopolite, ”, won’t, Putin, Kira Rudik, “ Organizations: Atlantic Council, Organization for Security, Cooperation, CNN, Odesa CNN, OSCE, Getty, Armed Forces, expats, “, European Union, Ukraine, Russia’s, EU, Holos Party Locations: Europe, Ukrainian, Odesa, Ukraine, Russia, AFP, Israel, United States, Russian, North Korea, Iran, Lviv, Kyiv, Belgium

☆ Ukraine’s US lifeline is hanging by a thinning thread
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In a grave blow to its prospects, Ukraine aid has now been embroiled by Republicans in a separate imbroglio over immigration. While Ukraine’s survival is at stake, so is the reputation of the United States as a global leader. Johnson may struggle to retain his tenuous hold on his job if he uses Democratic votes to pass a Ukraine funding package. The Ukraine aid package is now caught in the most intractable US political issue — immigration. “We are at a moment in history.”But a group of Republican senators who normally back Ukraine aid signaled Monday they couldn’t move forward without immigration changes attached to the measure.

Persons: Vladimir Putin’s, Joe Biden, Israel —, “, Jake Sullivan, Vladimir, ”, Sullivan’s, Shalanda Young, Mike Johnson, United States Oksana Markarova, CNN’s Wolf, Volodymyr Zelensky, Lloyd Austin, Zelensky, Donald Trump, Putin, Trump –, Republican Sen, Jim Risch of, “ Vladimir Putin, …, he’s, outlasting, ” Risch, Ben Hodges, ” Hodges, Johnson, Biden, Chuck Schumer, Texas Sen, John Cornyn Organizations: CNN, White, of Management, GOP, Wing, Kremlin, Trump, Republican, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, Halifax International Security, US Army, of, Republicans, Democratic, New York Democrat, Texas, Ukraine, US Defense Department, Internal Revenue Service, – Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Russian, U.S, United States, Russia, Moscow, North Korea, Iran, Kyiv, Washington, China, Jim Risch of Idaho, Canada, Ret, — Washington, Berlin, Paris, London, of America, Europe, Crimea, Ukrainian, Mexico, Taiwan

State-owned Motor Sich is Ukraine's main manufacturer of aircraft and helicopter engines, including for some of the world's largest cargo planes. Many legacy Ukrainian defense companies will trigger "red flags" during the lengthy due diligence and compliance reviews conducted by Western defense companies, said one U.S. defense executive. A Motor Sich representative stopped by ITA's booth and spoke briefly about their company's capabilities, the spokesperson said. ROOTING OUT CORRUPTIONZelenskiy has made rebuilding Ukraine's defense and aerospace sector a top priority, which includes deeper investment in drone technology. While the talks in Washington later this week and last month's Dubai air-show contacts are potentially promising, the political realities that Western defense officials are grappling with could hinder any progress.

Persons: Gleb Garanich, Olexiy Nikiforov, Lockheed Martin, Pavlo Verkhniatsky, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Korzh, Trump, Nikiforov, RTX, Northrop, Valerie Insinna, Joanna Plucinska, Tim Hepher, Jo Mason, Jane Merriman Organizations: Motor Sich, REUTERS, State, Sich, Reuters, Lockheed, White, U.S, Western, U.S . Department of Commerce, Dubai Air Show, Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Republicans, Ukraine –, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Kyiv, Ukraine, WASHINGTON, Russia, China, Washington, U.S, Moscow, Zaporizhzhia, Dubai, Gaza, London

☆ ‘A hero every day’: He joined Ukraine’s Maidan protests at 16. At 24, he died fighting Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Anna Coren | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Kyiv, Ukraine CNN —Taras Ratushnyy remembers receiving a phone call from his son Roman during Ukraine’s deadly 2013 Maidan Revolution. Both his parents were previously activists and journalists; his mother Svitlana Povalyaeva, also a writer and poet, took part in the Maidan Revolution alongside her two sons. A young Roman Ratushnyy, who joined the Maidan Revolution at just 16 years old. It was the 10th anniversary of the Maidan protests; Taras had just one day at home before he returned to the battlefield. CNNFighting for a European futureThe Maidan protests were sparked by Ukraine’s then-President Viktor Yanukovych abruptly scrapping a trade deal with the European Union.

Persons: Ukraine CNN — Taras Ratushnyy, Roman, “, ” Roman, Taras, blaring, Svitlana Povalyaeva, Ratushnyy, Volodymyr Zelensky, –, ” Taras, Taras Ratushnyy, Ukraine’s, Viktor Yanukovych, Yanukovych –, Vladimir Putin, —, ”, Efrem, Marci Shore, Molotov, Yanukovych, Roman –, Boris Dralyuk, I’ll, Genya Savilov Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, CNN, European Union, Supporters, Europe, Getty Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Kyiv’s, Europe, Russia, Crimea, Izium, Ukraine’s Kharkiv Oblast, Moscow, Independence, Russia’s, Maidan, ”, Ukraine’s, Sumy Oblast, Ukrainian, American, AFP

The fighting is reminiscent of a battle for another eastern city, Bakhmut, which fell to Russian forces last May after months of brutal urban combat. Since Moscow launched its renewed offensive around Avdiivka in October, Ukraine's top general and Western military experts have made downbeat assessments of Ukraine's ability to break Russian lines. Located just north of the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk in the industrial Donbas region, Avdiivka hosts deeply entrenched Ukrainian defences. Pushing Ukrainian forces out of Avdiivka would be seen as enlarging the amount of territory Russia controls and making Donetsk city safer. Seizing Avdiivka could boost Russian morale and deal a psychological blow to Ukrainian forces, which have made only incremental gains in a counteroffensive launched in June.

Persons: Nuzhnenko, Ukraine's, Russia's, Andrei Gurulyov, Semyon Pegov, Vladimir Putin, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Mykola Bielieskov, Bielieskov, Dan Peleschuk, Andrew Osborn, Mike Collett, White Organizations: Ukraine's National Guard Omega, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, REUTERS Acquire, Mechanized Brigade, Avdiivka, National Institute for Strategic Studies, Kyiv, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, Donetsk region, Radio Free Europe, Ukrainian, Bakhmut, Russian, Moscow, Kyiv, Soviet, Donetsk, Luhansk, Russia

☆ Ukraine's ex-president says he was blocked from leaving country
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Ukraine's ex-President Petro Poroshenko said he had been stopped from leaving the country on Friday morning in what he described as a politically motivated bid to disrupt his work. The Ukrainian parliament's deputy speaker, Oleksandr Korniyenko, later confirmed he had cancelled Poroshenko's permission to leave the country. Poroshenko said he had planned to travel to Poland to help negotiate an end to a truckers' blockade and then to the United States to build support for Ukraine's war effort. "This is an anti-Ukrainian diversion," Poroshenko wrote. "It is not just the hampering of my entire team's diplomatic work, but unfortunately a blow to Ukraine's defence capabilities."

Persons: Petro Poroshenko, Gleb Garanich, Poroshenko, Oleksandr Korniyenko, Korniyenko, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Zelenskiy, Reportig, Dan Peleschuk, Max Hunder, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Solidarity, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Poland, Ukrainian, Russian, United States

☆ Investigators Find Train in Russian Tunnel Was Blown up in 'Terrorist Act' - Newspaper
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Dec. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Investigators have concluded that a train that caught fire in Russia's longest tunnel on Wednesday was blown up in a "terrorist act" by unidentified individuals, the Kommersant newspaper reported on Friday. At 9.5 miles (15.3 km) long, the tunnel on the Baikal-Amur Mainline railway is Russia's longest, excluding urban underground railway tunnels. Preliminary findings suggested that explosives had been placed beneath the train, Kommersant cited a source as saying. Reuters could not independently verify whether the rail route is used for military supplies. Russian Railways had said the train was stopped when smoke was spotted coming from a tank containing diesel fuel.

Persons: Andrew Osborn, Kevin Liffey Organizations: Reuters, Kommersant, Security Service of Ukraine, Russian Railways Locations: Russia's, Ukrainian, Siberia, Russia, Buryatia, Mongolia, Amur, Ukraine, Moscow

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