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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in 2019. Mark Kauzlarich | ReutersBEIJING — China's top diplomat slammed the U.S. for worsening bilateral tensions, while reiterating Beijing's support for peaceful resolutions to the Israel-Palestine and Russia-Ukraine conflicts. Wang said the U.S. has been devising "new ways to suppress China," saying U.S. accusations against China had reached an "unbelievable degree." While he said he sees a way forward for both countries, Wang said communication between both countries may only continue by respecting and recognizing differences. After the unexplained dismissal of Qin Gang as foreign minister in July last year, Wang reassumed the role.

Persons: Wang Yi, Mark Kauzlarich, Joe Biden's, Biden, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Wang, Qin, Wang reassumed, hasn't, Xi's, Lai Ching Organizations: Reuters, Reuters BEIJING —, China -, CNBC, Communist Party of, Qin Gang, United Nations, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Reuters BEIJING, Israel, Palestine, Russia, Ukraine, China, China - U.S, San Francisco, South China, U.S, Gaza, Beijing, Taiwan, South

☆ Tesla is in talks to build a factory in Thailand, government official says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Kocha Olarn | Manveena Suri | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong/Bangkok CNN —Tesla is in talks with the Thai government to build a production facility in the country, the prime minister’s office told CNN on Tuesday. The government has offered Tesla (TSLA) a 100% green facility, according to Prommin Lertsuridej, secretary general to the prime minister, who added: “We are in talks with them.”According to Prommin, Tesla representatives last visited Thailand in November, the same month Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the electrical vehicle giant’s Gigafactory in Fremont, California. “It is my hope that this collaboration will cement Thailand as the hub for EV and renewable energy in the years to come,” he wrote. That factory is Tesla’s biggest car manufacturing plant outside the United States and accounted for the bulk of its global deliveries last year. Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly spelled the name of the prime minister's general secretary.

Persons: Tesla, Prommin Lertsuridej, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, ”, Elon Musk, Narendra Modi Organizations: Bangkok CNN, CNN, EV, Indian Locations: Hong Kong, Bangkok, Thailand, Fremont , California, Asia, Shanghai, United States, India, New York

☆ UK PM Sunak Paid More Than 500,000 Pounds in Tax Last Year
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Andrew MacAskill and Sachin RavikumarLONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak paid 508,000 pounds ($641,000) in tax in the last financial year after income from his investments dwarfed his official salary, a report by his accountants showed on Friday. The three-page published summary is the second time that Sunak has published details of his tax affairs since he became prime minister in 2022. The figures show that Sunak made 139,000 pounds from his salary as a member of parliament, finance minister and prime minister between April 2022 and March 2023, and 2.1 million pounds from investments. Of his income from investments, 1.8 million pounds came from capital gains, up from 1.6 million pounds a year earlier. About 70% of the total tax paid by Sunak was due to capital gains tax on the profit made from sales of investments such as stocks.

Persons: Andrew MacAskill, Sachin Ravikumar, Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Evelyn, Piers Morgan, David Milliken Organizations: Sachin Ravikumar LONDON, British, Indian IT, Infosys, Evelyn Partners Locations: Indian, Rwanda

☆ Chinese firm behind ‘news’ websites pushes pro-Beijing content globally, researchers find
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Spread over websites in 30 countries, the propaganda material is interspersed with news aggregated from local news outlets and Chinese state media, according to a research report the Toronto-based group released on Wednesday. More than 100 websites disguised as local news outlets in Europe, Asia and Latin America are pushing pro-China content in a widespread influence campaign linked to a Beijing public relations firm, digital watchdog Citizen Lab has found. Spread over websites in 30 countries, the propaganda material is interspersed with news aggregated from local news outlets and Chinese state media, according to a research report the Toronto-based group released on Wednesday. Citizen Lab said the campaign began in mid-2020 and traced the network to public relations firm Shenzhen Haimaiyunxiang Media Co., Ltd., also known as Haimai. But a "press releases" button at a corner of its homepage leads to a range of Chinese state media articles on topics such as China's contribution to the global economic recovery and its push towards technological innovation.

Persons: Alberto Fittarelli, Citizen Lab, Mandiant Organizations: Citizen, Shenzhen Haimaiyunxiang Media, Roma, Times Locations: Lujiazui, Shanghai, China, Toronto, Europe, Asia, America, Beijing, United States, Shenzhen, Washington, Italian

☆ Former Canada Prime Minister's hedge fund pushes Kohl's to sell itself: Reuters
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Then Prime Minister Stephen Harper addresses supporters after he lost the federal election in Calgary, Alberta, October 19, 2015. An activist hedge fund chaired by former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is pushing U.S. department store operator Kohl's to sell itself, according to people familiar with the matter. Kohl's rejected acquisition offers worth as much as $64 per share in 2022, when it also came under pressure from several activist shareholders to explore a sale. Kohl's was not available for comment and Vision One did not respond to requests for comment. The development makes Kohl's the second U.S. department store operator to come under investor pressure to sell itself in as many months.

Persons: Stephen Harper, Kohl's, Harper, Carl Icahn protégé Courtney Mather, Macy's Organizations: Canadian, Vision, Management Partners, Arkhouse Management, Brigade Capital Management Locations: Calgary , Alberta, Kohl's, U.S

The Biden administration has expressed unwavering support for Israel since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war, skirting Congress to rush weapons to Israel and shielding its ally from international calls for a cease-fire. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, criticized that approach in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, saying Biden was hindering Israel's war effort and that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would give Israel greater latitude in fighting Hamas. “Instead of giving us his full backing, Biden is busy with giving humanitarian aid and fuel (to Gaza), which goes to Hamas,” Ben-Gvir said. Netanyahu, without mentioning Ben-Gvir by name, appeared to refer to his remarks when addressing a weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday. Family members of the hostages, with wide public support, are calling on Israel to reach an agreement with Hamas to bring them home.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Itamar Ben, Donald Trump, ” Ben, Gvir, Trump, Benny Gantz, Ben, Gantz, Yair Lapid, Gvir’s, Netanyahu, they’re, ”, ___ Magdy Organizations: JERUSALEM, Hamas, Wall Street, Republican, Health Ministry Locations: Washington, Gaza, Israel, U.S, Qatar, Egypt, Tel Aviv, Cairo, israel

☆ Malaysia halves jail sentence of ex-prime minister Najib
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Najib Razak, Malaysia's former prime minister, gestures as he leaves the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in Malaysia, on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. The board, chaired by Malaysia's king, did not give a reason for halving Najib's sentence. It said if Najib failed to pay the fine given, an additional year would be imposed on his jail term. Malaysia's king plays a largely ceremonial role but can pardon convicted people among discretionary powers granted by the federal constitution. The pardons board, which advises the king, includes the attorney-general and government officials.

Persons: Najib Razak, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Najib, Malaysia's, Jho Low, Al, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, Sultan Abdullah, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar Organizations: United National Malays Organisation, 1Malaysia Development, Saudi Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Johor .

☆ Malaysia Cabinet Discusses Najib Pardon Bid, but Won't Announce Outcome - Minister
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

It will be at the discretion of the Pardons Board to announce its decision, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said at a press conference on immigration and labour issues, which was packed with media seeking news on Najib's clemency bid. Najib requested a royal pardon shortly after beginning his sentence in 2022 and after exhausting all other appeals. Najib's lawyer and representatives, as well as Malaysia's attorney-general, a member of the pardons board, did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment. "Let us not jump the gun, let us wait for an official statement to be made," Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said at a separate press briefing. U.S. and Malaysian investigators estimate around $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB, with more than $1 billion channeled to accounts linked to Najib.

Persons: Danial Azhar, Najib Razak, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Najib, Prime Minister's Department Zaliha Mustafa, Najib's, Fahmi Fadzil, Jho Low, Nooryana Najwa Najib, pensively, Martin Petty Organizations: Reuters, 1Malaysia Development, Prime Minister's Department, Communications, Saudi Locations: KUALA LUMPUR

☆ Israeli PM's Office Says 'Gaps' Remain After Meeting on Hostage Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Talks held on Sunday initiated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt to broker a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas were "constructive" but meaningful gaps remain, the Israeli prime minister's office said. "There are still significant gaps in which the parties will continue to discuss this week in additional mutual meetings," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns and the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence service, David Barnea, met with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, along with the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, the statement said. Some 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted, according to Israeli officials. The U.S. and Israeli intelligence chiefs have previously met with Qatari and Egyptian officials, helping to broker a short-lived truce in November that saw more than 100 hostages freed.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu's, William Burns, David Barnea, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Abbas Kamel, Joe Biden's, Emily RoseEditing, Jane Merriman, Frances Kerry Organizations: . Central Intelligence Agency, Qatari Prime, Hamas Locations: JERUSALEM, Qatar, United States, Egypt, Israel, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Europe, Gaza, U.S

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — With Turkey completing its ratification of Sweden's bid to join NATO, Hungary is the last member of the military alliance not to have given its approval. Orbán has long promised that Hungary wouldn't be the last NATO member to ratify Sweden's request to join the alliance. Yet Orbán's critics say that there is no such schism within his party, and that when it comes to Hungary's approval of Sweden's NATO membership, Orbán alone is in control. Hungary's opposition parties, which favor Sweden's membership in NATO, have made several attempts over the past year to schedule a vote on the matter. “Anybody who believed that it’s in the hands of the governing party lawmakers was seriously mistaken,” she said.

Persons: Viktor Orbán, Orbán, Hungary wouldn't, —, Agnes Vadai, parliament's, It’s, ”, he'd, Ulf Kristersson, Kristersson hasn't, Tobias Billström, Budapest hasn't, he’d, Jens Stoltenberg, Dorka, Kristersson, “, ” Vadai, Vladimir Putin, Vadai, Orbán's Organizations: —, Turkey, NATO, Central European, Fidesz, European Union, Democratic Coalition, Ministry of Defense, Hungary, Centre, Integration Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungary, Budapest, Sweden, Turkey, Stockholm, Swedish, Ukraine, NATO

☆ UK Issues Statement From 24 Nations on Strikes on Yemen's Houthis
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said in a joint statement on Tuesday that 24 countries, including the United States, Germany and Australia, conducted additional strikes on Monday against eight targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. "In response to continued illegal and reckless Houthi attacks against vessels transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waterways, the armed forces of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, conducted additional strikes against eight targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen," a joint statement issued by the British prime minister's office said. "These strikes were designed to disrupt and degrade the capability of the Houthis to continue their attacks on global trade and innocent mariners from around the world, while avoiding escalation." (Reporting by Farouq Suleiman; Editing by Leslie Adler)

Persons: Farouq Suleiman, Leslie Adler Locations: Britain, United States, Germany, Australia, Houthi, Yemen, United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand

☆ Israel’s Netanyahu rejects any Palestinian sovereignty in post-war Gaza, rebuffing Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

US President Joe Biden (L) meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. The families want the government to take bold steps to free the hostages, fearing that Israel's military activity in Gaza further endangers their lives. Health authorities in Hamas-ruled Gaza say Israel's offensive has killed nearly 25,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. As part of its search for the hostages, Israel's military dropped leaflets on Gaza's southernmost town of Rafah. Israel's military didn't immediately comment.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden's, Netanyahu, Biden, Gaza hasn't, Israel, Antonio Guterres, Gadi Eisenkot, We've, Yuval Bar, Keith Siegel, Eli Shtivi, Majd, Khan Younis, Halima Abdel, Rahman, Tawfiq, Hafez Ajaq Organizations: Israel's, Palestinian, Hamas, U.S, Israel, Health, United Nations, Police, Iranian, Revolutionary Guard, National News Agency, Associated Press, West Bank, . Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Gaza, United States, Uganda, Israeli, Caesarea, pita, Haifa, Rafah, Iranian, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, Lebanese, Tyre, Jabaliya, Bani Suheila, Khan, Ramallah

☆ Netanyahu Told Biden Gaza Plans Clash With 'Palestinian Sovereignty', Statement Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on Saturday to push back against U.S. President Joe Biden's remarks about Palestinian statehood after the war against Hamas in Gaza ends. Biden on Friday said he spoke with Netanyahu about possible solutions for creation of an independent Palestinian state, suggesting one path could involve a non-militarized government. Asked to clarify whether Netanyahu is opposed to any kind of Palestinian statehood, his office did not immediately respond. Asked if a two-state solution was "impossible" while Netanyahu was in office, Biden said, "No, it's not." Netanyahu has stopped short of outright and explicit rejection of Palestinian statehood.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden's, Biden, Netanyahu, Matthew Miller, Miller, Israel, Maayan Lubell, Dan Williams Organizations: U.S, West Bank, . State Department Locations: JERUSALEM, Gaza, Israel, Jordan, That's, U.S, Palestinian, East Jerusalem

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

☆ Hezbollah Rejected US Overtures, Still Open to Diplomacy to Avoid Wider War
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +9 min

U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein has been leading a diplomatic outreach to restore security at the Israel-Lebanon frontier as the wider region teeters dangerously towards a major escalation of the conflict ignited by the Gaza war. Israel has also said it wants to avoid war, but both sides say they are ready to fight if necessary. Branded a terrorist organisation by Washington, Hezbollah has not been directly involved in talks, three Lebanese officials and a European diplomat said. Hezbollah has dismissed both ideas as unrealistic, the Lebanese officials and the diplomat said. Iran's foreign minister on Wednesday said attacks against Israel and its interests by the "Axis of Resistance" will stop if the Gaza war ends.

Persons: Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily, Amos Hochstein, Hochstein, Israel, Spokespeople, Eylon Levy, Najib Mikati, Mikati, Hamas, Mohanad Hage Ali, Hage Ali, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Nasrallah, Gebeily, Dan Williams, Tom Perry, Steve Holland, Edtiing, Frank Jack Daniel Organizations: U.S, Yemen's, Reuters, Hezbollah, Lebanese, Iran's, Guards, Carnegie Middle East Center Locations: Maya, Maya Gebeily BEIRUT, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen's Iran, Red Sea, U.S, Lebanese, Beirut, Jan, Washington, European, Hochstein, United States, IRAN, Syria, Iraq, Tehran, France, Jerusalem

☆ Germany leaps to the defense of Israel at the International Court of Justice, rejects South Africa's accusation of Gaza genocide
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The German government rejected South Africa's genocide allegations against Israel at the ICJ. Germany is set to intervene on Israel's behalf at the international court. "The German government decisively and expressly rejects the accusation of genocide brought against Israel before the International Court of Justice," Hebestreit said. Germany will be allowed to present its own case disputing South Africa's allegation of genocide against Israel, according to reports. The Israeli defense called South Africa's accusations of genocide "baseless, arguing that the stated aim of Israel was the destruction of the Hamas terrorist organization and liberating the hostages that remained imprisoned in Gaza.

Persons: Israel, Israel's, Netanyahu, Olaf Scholz, —, Steffen Hebestreit, Adolf Hitler's Nazi, Hebestreit, Benjamin Netanyahu, Scholz, Adila, Al Jazeera Organizations: ICJ, Service, Hague, International Court of Justice, Federal Government, Genocide, Israel, Getty, Israel's, Minister's Locations: South, Germany, South Africa, Hague's, Israel, Hamas, Be'eri, Gaza

But the $290 billion outlay comes without a parallel plan to prepare Yonaguni for a possible humanitarian crisis that residents like Sakihara say could quickly overwhelm their shores. Tokyo, they said, has no plan to deal with them, and locals' pleas for help have gone unanswered. A spokesperson for Japan's Cabinet Secretariat said that "if large numbers of refugees came to Japan, relevant government departments would work together to respond". Even if he had a refugee plan, Kishida would still face an obstacle: his contentious relationship with the Okinawa government that administers Yonaguni. NOT ENOUGH TO SHAREBack in Yonaguni, resident Satoshi Nagahama, 33, was surprised to learn the government had no humanitarian plan for refugees.

Persons: Sonkichi Sakihara, chancing, Kenichi Itokazu, Itokazu, Hirokazu Matsuno, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Lai Ching, Matsuno, Fumio Kishida, Kevin Maher, Maher, Yoshihide Yoshida, Japan's, shouldn't, Kishida, Denny Tamaki, it's, Hironobu, Satoshi Nagahama, Sakihara, Koji Sugama, Tim Kelly, Kaori Kaneko, Yukiko Toyoda, Ben Blanchard, Kentaro Sugiyama, David Crawshaw Organizations: Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, U.S, Japan Coast Guard, Migration Policy Institute, Nations, NMV Consulting, State Department, Defense Forces, it's, University's Research, of Disaster Management, Thomson Locations: YONAGUNI, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Tokyo, Yonaguni, Taipei, Myanmar, Europe, East, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Washington, East Asia, Okinawa

☆ Papua New Guinea to recruit Australia police in security deal - minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape will travel to Canberra on Thursday to sign the security agreement, his office said. "The security arrangement is in the best interest of Papua New Guinea and also for Australia and its regional security interests," Marape said in a statement on Tuesday. The Australian Federal Police and the defence minister's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the security agreement. "Its a big issue and Australia can help us out considerably," said Tkatchenko, who began negotiations with Australia on the deal last year. They will be contracted officers reporting directly to the police commissioner of Papua New Guinea and they will be under all the laws of PNG.

Persons: James Marape, Lillian Suwanrumpha, Marape, Justin Tkatchenko, Tkatchenko, Kirsty Needham, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Guinea's, APEC, APEC Business, Economic Cooperation, Rights, Papua New Guinea, Australia, U.S, Reuters, Defence, Australian Federal Police, PNG Royal Constabulary, CID, Australian, Thomson Locations: Papua, Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, biosecurity, Papua New, Canberra, United States, China, Solomon Islands, Australia, France

☆ Labour leader Starmer praises Thatcher in bid to woo UK Conservative voters
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Keir Starmer, leader of Britain's Labour Party, speaks during the Prime Minister's Questions, at the House of Commons in London, Britain November 29, 2023. UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Keir Starmer, leader of Britain's main opposition Labour Party, has praised former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, a deeply unpopular figure among many Labour supporters, as he seeks to woo Conservative voters before an election expected next year. Thatcher, dubbed the "Iron Lady" by the UK press at the time, was Britain's Conservative leader from 1979 to 1990. "Every moment of meaningful change in modern British politics begins with the realisation that politics must act in service of the British people, rather than dictating to them," Starmer wrote in an article for the Sunday Telegraph newspaper. After hailing Thatcher, Starmer wrote that Labour had "changed dramatically in the last three years".

Persons: Keir Starmer, Jessica Taylor, Handout, Britain's, Margaret Thatcher, Starmer, Rishi Sunak's, Thatcher, Tony Blair, Clement Attlee, Jeremy Corbyn, Victoria Atkins, Margaret Thatcher's, Michael Holden, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Britain's Labour Party, REUTERS, Labour Party, Labour, Conservative, Sunday Telegraph, Sky News, Thomson Locations: London, Britain

Media affiliated to Hamas said explosions and gunfire could be head in the northern part of the Gaza Strip ahead of the truce deadline. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report and there was no immediate comment from Israel or Hamas. Mark Regev, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel was open to continuing the ceasefire if Hamas committed to further hostage releases. Israel had previously set the release of 10 hostages a day as the minimum it would accept to pause its assault. [1/5]A helicopter carrying hostages released amid a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel arrives at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv district, Israel, December 1, 2023.

Persons: Israel's Kan, Israel, Mark Regev, Benjamin Netanyahu, we're, Athit, Qatar's, Abdullah Al Sulaiti, I've, Mia Schem, Schem, Aisha al, BLINKEN, Jordan's King Abdullah, U.N, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Netanyahu, Nidal al, Mohammed Salem, Humeyra Pamuk, Ari Rabinovich, Emily Rose, Andrew Mills, Cynthia Osterman, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Gaza Hamas, Hamas, Media, Street, CNN, United Nations, Sheba Medical, REUTERS, Reuters, Palestinian Red Crescent Society, U.S, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Gaza GAZA, TEL AVIV, Qatari, Palestinian, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv district, ISRAEL, Amman, United States, Tel Aviv, Cairo, Jerusalem, Doha

☆ Little food, a beating and lice: What freed Israeli hostages are saying about being held by Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Rachel Clarke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The details below have been compiled from comments by freed hostages to their families, their carers and sometimes to reporters. Under the terms of the deal between Israel and Hamas, most of those released are women, children and foreign workers. Ruth Munder, a released Israeli hostage, walks with an Israeli soldier shortly after her arrival in Israel on November 24. Emily Hand told her father that they always had breakfast and sometimes lunch or an evening meal. Emily Hand said she was not hit and her father said he believed harsh voices were enough to make her do what was wanted.

Persons: –, It’s, Adina Moshe, Eyal Nouri, “, ” Moshe, Nouri, keener, ” Nouri, Yocheved, Emily, Thomas Hand, Hand, “ It’s, ”, Hila Rotem, Raaya Rotem, ” Hand, “ She’d, Hila, bedclothes, Ruth Munder, Eitan Yahalomi, Deborah Cohen, Omer Lubaton Granot, ” Granot, Lifshitz, Grandmother Ruth Munder, Israel’s vise, ” Munder, ” Adina Moshe, Emily Hand, she’s, Uthai Saengnuan, Eitan, Yair Rotem, it’s, Yar Rotem, ” Chumpron Jirachart, Manee Jirachart, I’ve, Elma Avraham, Hagai Levine, ” Eitan Yahalomi, Efrat Bron, Harlev, ” Bron, ” Israel, CNN’s Rachel Clarke, Joseph Ataman, Wolf Blitzer, Kate Bolduan, Bianna Golodryga, Jessie Gretener, Poppy Harlow, Jacqueline Howard, Lauren Izso, Ed Lavandera, Phil Mattingly, Kocha OIarn, Clarissa Ward Organizations: CNN, Rotem, United Nations ’ Office, Humanitarian Affairs, BFMTV, Israel’s, UN, Sourasky Medical, Israeli Defense Forces, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Atlanta

According to three regional sources, Israel related its plans to its neighbours Egypt and Jordan, along with the United Arab Emirates, which normalised ties with Israel in 2020. He declined to offer details when asked whether those plans had been raised with international partners, including Arab states. A U.S. official, who declined to be identified, said Israel had "floated" the buffer zone idea without saying to whom. The regional sources compared the Gaza buffer zone plan to the "security zone" Israel once had in south Lebanon. "The buffer zone could make (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's forces a target also in the zone," he said.

Persons: Ronen, Israel, Abu Dhabi, Ophir Falk, Benjamin Netanyahu, Lebanon's, it's, Mohammad Dahlan, Benjamin, Netanyahu's, Samia Nakhoul, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Jonathan Saul, Dan Williams, Aidan Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk, Steve Holland, Edmund Blair, Daniel Flynn Organizations: REUTERS, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Saudi, Reuters, U.S, Lebanon's Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO, Palestinian Fatah, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Gaza Israel, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, U.S, DUBAI, CAIRO, LONDON, Israel, Riyadh, Arab Turkey, Qatar, Qatari, Turkish, Palestinian, Cairo, Lebanon, PLO, Dubai, London, Jerusalem, Washington

☆ How Qatar swayed Israel and Hamas to make a truce work
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

It was necessary to clarify all the points in the agreement and make sure they meant the same thing to Israel and Hamas, a source briefed on the negotiations said. Qatar's foreign ministry told reporters that Hamas and Israel negotiated in Doha until "the early morning" of Nov. 23 and agreed on a plan to implement the truce deal the next day. Qatari negotiators shepherded Israel and Hamas to agree on exactly where in Gaza Israeli tanks would be stationed during the truce. Israel vets all financial transfers Qatar makes to Palestinians in Gaza, Qatari sources have said. Despite proximity to Hamas officials, Qatari negotiators did not speak directly to the group's leaders in Gaza, but through its representatives based in Doha.

Persons: Qatar’s, Abdullah Al Sulaiti, Imad Creidi, Qatar's, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Sheikh Mohammed, David Barnea, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, shepherded Israel, Al Shifa, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Joe Biden, Sheikh Tamim, Mehran Kamrava, We've, Al Sulaiti, I've, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Matt S, Dan Williams, David Gauthier, Frank Jack Daniel Organizations: Hamas, National Command Centre, REUTERS, Rights DOHA, Qatari, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U.S . Department of State, U.S, Gaza, Bild, Palestinian, Georgetown University, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Doha, Qatar, Palestinian Territories, Egypt, Gaza, Moscow, London, Hamas, U.S, Russia, Gulf, Berlin, Syria, Qatari, Cairo, Washington, Jerusalem

☆ Tearful reunions for Israelis and Palestinians amid hostage-prisoner swap
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[6/30]Merav Tal, 53, who was taken hostage during the October 7 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas, embraces her loved ones shortly after her arrival at the Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 28. Her partner Yair is still being held hostage in Gaza and his children Yagil and Or were released the day before Merav. via Prime Minister's OfficeTEL AVIV, ISRAEL

Persons: Merav Tal, Yair, Yagil, ISRAEL Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Sourasky Medical, Merav, Minister's Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Gaza, TEL AVIV

☆ Elon Musk says he won't vote for Biden over Trump, calls Haley 'pro-censorship'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Jonathan Vanian | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc., during a fireside discussion on artificial intelligence risks with Rishi Sunak, UK prime minister, not pictured, in London, UK, on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. Photographer: Tolga Akmen/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesElon Musk said Wednesday that he won't vote for President Joe Biden in the 2024 election, even if former president Donald Trump is the Republican nominee. "I would not vote for Biden," Musk said during a wide-ranging interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin at the DealBook Summit in New York. When asked what he'd do if those were the two nominees, Musk said, "This is definitely a difficult choice here." When asked if he could support Nikki Haley among the Republicans, Musk said no and described the former South Carolina governor as a "pro-censorship candidate."

Persons: Elon Musk, Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Tolga, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Musk, Andrew Ross Sorkin, I'm, Barack Obama's, hasn't, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Sorkin, Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley Organizations: Tesla Inc, Bloomberg, Getty, Republican, Trump, Democratic Party, Florida, Republicans, South Locations: London, New York, South Carolina

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