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☆ Hong Kong transgender activist gets new male ID after yearslong legal battle
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

On Monday, Tse finally picked up a new ID card that registered his gender as male at Hong Kong’s immigration office. The 33-year-old activist, who holds both British and Hong Kong passports, identifies as a man and has lived as a man for years. His British passport identifies him as male but Hong Kong authorities refused to make that change for the city’s identity card, which is compulsory for all residents. So in 2017, Tse took legal action against the Hong Kong government, which fought the case all the way. LGBTQ activists in Hong Kong have long questioned why they must keep fighting through the courts to gain recognition and equality, but they have nonetheless seen repeated successes.

Persons: Henry Tse, Tse, –, ” Tse, Hong, ”, Xi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, British, Hong, Appeal, CNN, Kong’s Immigration Department, Reuters Locations: Hong Kong, Hong, East Asia, Kong’s, Tse’s, China, Taiwan, Asia, Japan

CNN —Russia on Wednesday vetoed a United Nations resolution that proposed a ban on the use of nuclear weapons in outer space amid US intelligence-backed concerns that Moscow is trying to develop a nuclear device capable of destroying satellites. In February, President Joe Biden confirmed the US has intelligence that Russia is developing a nuclear anti-satellite capability. It also called on UN member states not to develop nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction designed to be placed in Earth’s orbit. The White House’s comments on the prospect of a Russian nuclear space weapon have deepened those concerns. Last year, Putin deployed tactical nuclear weapons to neighboring ally Belarus, and former Russian president and deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said strategic nuclear weapons could be used to defend territories incorporated into Russia from Ukraine.

Persons: Vassily Nebenzia, Joe Biden, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Beijing “, ”, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Dmitry Medvedev Organizations: CNN, Wednesday, United Nations, UN, Russia’s Locations: Russia, Moscow, Russian, Japan, Beijing, China, Ukraine, Belarus

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Netanyahu criticizes US sanctions plans, UNRWA review
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

An independent review of the UN's main relief agency in Gaza has found that “neutrality-related issues persist” among staff, and recommended strengthening UNRWA's neutrality. Israel has longstanding issues with UNRWA, accusing it of aiding Hamas and calling for it to be entirely dismantled. What the UN said: UN chief Antonio Guterres accepted the recommendations, while UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini welcomed the findings. What Israel said: The review was not "genuine" or "thorough," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein claimed. "This is what an effort to avoid the problem and not address it head on looks like," he said.

Persons: Israel, Catherine Colonna, Antonio Guterres, Philippe Lazzarini, Oren Marmorstein Organizations: French, UN, Foreign Ministry Locations: Gaza, Israel

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Iran attack fears, Gaza aid crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

People attend the funeral procession for seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members killed in a strike in Syria, which Iran blamed on Israel, in Tehran on April 5. Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty ImagesThe US and Israel are on high alert for a potential attack by Iran or its proxies that could escalate regional tensions stoked by the war in Gaza. Iran has vowed revenge on Israel after a deadly strike on its embassy compound in Syria last week. Concerns about this possible attack have prompted diplomatic conversations around the globe. Here's what you need to know:And here's the latest on the conflict in Gaza:

Persons: Atta Kenare Organizations: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Getty Locations: Syria, Iran, Israel, Tehran, AFP, Gaza

☆ Mexican drug gangs ‘increasingly targeting’ Australia as meth supplies overtake rivals, police say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Drug cartels from North America have overtaken rivals in Southeast Asia to become Australia’s top suppliers of methamphetamine, police said, warning that Mexican gangs are “increasingly targeting” the country. Meanwhile, Southeast Asian meth fell to less than 15% of seizures of the drug, a highly addictive and potent stimulant. A wastewater detection program led by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission projected meth to be Australia’s second most used drug. In 2022, authorities stopped 1.8 tons of liquid meth masquerading as coconut water in Hong Kong before it reached Australia. They were bound for New Zealand, Australia and the surrounding Pacific region, police said.

Persons: Jared Taggart, Taggart, ”, Sam Gor, Terry Goldsworthy, Criminologist John Fitzgerald, Masood Karimipour Organizations: CNN —, Australian Federal Police, Police, ”, Australian Institute of Health, Welfare, Australian Criminal Intelligence, AFP, Bond University, Australian Capital Territory, University of Melbourne, Drugs, New Zealand police, Southeast, Pacific, United Nations Office Locations: North America, Southeast Asia, Australia, AFP, Mexico, United States, Canada, ” Australia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Japan , New Zealand, Hong Kong, Asia, Pacific, Queensland, American, Europe, Ukraine, New Zealand

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Rafah invasion, ceasefire talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

In a statement published early Tuesday, Hamas said the latest deal proposed by Israel does not meet their demands. Hamas said it received the proposal through Egyptian, Qatari and American mediators. While Hamas said it appreciated the effort, the group said Israel “remains stubborn and has not responded to any of the demands of our people and our resistance.”But Hamas maintained it is “keen to reach an agreement that puts an end to the aggression against our people.”The group said its leaders would review the proposal and would eventually inform the mediators of their response. Over the weekend in Cairo, CIA Director Bill Burns presented the new proposal which includes pushing Israel to release a higher number of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the expected 40 Israeli hostages who would be freed during the first phase of a three-stage ceasefire deal.

Persons: Israel “, Bill Burns Organizations: Qatari, CIA, Israel Locations: Israel, Cairo

☆ Taiwan earthquake: ‘Roger,’ overly playful dog who failed police academy, becomes star of quake response
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Chris Lau | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

While other dogs also played similar roles and were paraded for the media, Roger captured the island’s imagination — partly because of his backstory of an initial career failure. But his ebullient personality and intelligence made him a much better candidate to be a rescue dog, which was the career that was then chosen for him. Kaohsiung Fire DepartmentChen Chih-san, captain of the rescue dog unit of the Kaohsiung Fire Department, told reporters that Roger was transferred to the rescue training school when he was 1 year old. According to the Kaohsiung City Government, Roger was certified by the International Rescue Dog Organization in 2022, an accolade last achieved by a Taiwanese rescue dog in 2019. But retirement is looming for Roger, with the Kaohsiung Fire Department sending rescue dogs to a suitable home once they reach age 9, CNA said, citing Chen.

Persons: Roger, Kaohsiung Fire Department Roger, Chen Chih, “ I’m, ” Chen, ” Roger, Chen Organizations: Taiwan CNN, Central News Agency, CNA, Kaohsiung Fire Department, Kaohsiung Fire, Kaohsiung City Government, Dog Organization Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, lunged, Kaohsiung

An Iranian attack on Israel would likely be carried out by Iranian proxy forces in the region, rather than by Iran directly, two people familiar with US intelligence on the matter told CNN. Tehran is wary of a dramatic escalation in the fighting, the sources said, and does not want to give the United States or its allies an excuse to attack Iran directly. Iran and its proxy militia groups also do not appear poised to attack US troops or other assets in the region for similar reasons, the sources said. There is some debate, however, about whether they will wait until after Ramadan ends to strike, said one of the sources. Just waiting for the right time.”The Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment.

Persons: Ramadan, ” Organizations: CNN, National Intelligence Locations: Israel, Iran, Tehran, United States, Damascus

☆ Is it last orders for London’s nightlife?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

London CNN —It’s Thursday, 11.00 p.m., and on a street in London’s Soho district, there’s a loud clatter. “People haven’t got the money,” she told CNN. “That’s when their bills started coming through, the first heating bills from the winter,” he told CNN. Even before the ravages of the pandemic, the number of London’s nightlife venues was in steady decline. They don’t just go out for the sake of going out now,” she told CNN.

Persons: London CNN —, Lesley Lewis, haven’t, ”, Michael Kill, Grazyna, ” Kill, “, —, that’s, Kill’s, Jeremy Joseph, Freddie Mercury, ” Joseph, Jack Henry, Henry, Lutz Leichsenring, Fabian Sommer, Leichsenring, London’s, Sadiq Khan, Amy Lamé, Lamé, Khan, Lamé “, Charlie Fenemer, It’s, Becky Lam, Lam, ” Chris Lau Organizations: London CNN, Staff, CNN, Time Industries Association, York Minister, London, “, ”, German Commission, UNESCO, United Nations, Office, National Statistics, City Hall, Labour, Shady Locations: London’s Soho, London, Wales, Soho , London, Hoxton, London’s, Berlin, “ Berlin, Hong Kong, Soho, Hong, Beijing

CNN —Three people died after typhoon-like winds pulled them out through their apartment windows in southern China, as extreme weather battered the region over the past week. A total of seven people had died in Jiangxi province since the exceptionally strong winds began on Sunday, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Thursday. A 60-year-old woman from the same building was also swept out of the window by extreme wind. Air conditioners were blown out of high-rises in the city, while more than 2,000 trees were toppled, state media said. China has been hit by a series of extreme weather events in recent years.

Persons: yanked Organizations: CNN Locations: China, Jiangxi, Nanchang, Heilongjiang

☆ Live updates: 7.4 magnitude quake hits Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

The world’s biggest chipmaker is working to resume operations following the massive earthquake that struck Taiwan Wednesday — a welcome sign for makers of products ranging from iPhones and computers to cars and washing machines that rely on advanced semiconductors. A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the island’s east coast Wednesday morning, the strongest in 25 years, killing nine and causing landslides and collapsed structures. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the leading chipmaker also known as TSMC, operates largely on the opposite side of the island, although the company said its facilities did experience some shaking. TSMC temporarily evacuated some manufacturing plants following the quake but said later Wednesday that staff were safe and had returned to their workplaces. However, there is no damage to our critical tools,” TSMC said in a statement late Wednesday.

Persons: chipmaker, TSMC, ” TSMC Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Locations: Taiwan

☆ Japanese people could all be called Sato by 2531, study warns. But they’d need to get married first
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Chris Lau | Mai Nishiyama | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Tokyo CNN —Everyone in Japan could one day have the same surname unless its restrictive marriage laws change, according to a new study. But the country’s dwindling marriage rate could buck that trend and a rapidly declining population might render it moot entirely. If the rules carry on, all Japanese people could have the surname Sato by 2531, according to Hiroshi Yoshida, an economist from Tohoku University in Sendai, who led the study. According to Myoji Yurai, a company that tracks Japan’s more than 300,000 surnames, Sato is currently the most common, followed by Suzuki. About 1.8 million people out of Japan’s 125 million population have the surname Sato, Myoji Yurai says on its website.

Persons: Sato, Hiroshi Yoshida, Myoji, Suzuki, Takahashi, Myoji Yurai, Yoshida –, Yoshida, ” Yoshida, ”, Fumio Kishida, Wang, Li, Zhang, Liu, Chen, Galton, Watson Organizations: Tokyo CNN, Tohoku University, CNN Locations: Japan, Sendai, East Asia, China

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, strike on Iran consulate in Syria
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Emergency and security personnel gather at the site of strikes, which hit a building next to the Iranian embassy, in Damascus, Syria, on Monday. Iranian authorities and state media named senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders Mohammed Reza Zahedi and Haji Rahimi among those killed. Israel's military said it does not comment on foreign reports, but its spokesperson said the consulate was a "military building of Quds forces disguised as a civilian building." The Quds Force is a unit of Iran's IRGC responsible for foreign operations. Here are the latest developments in the region:

Persons: Maher Al Mountes, Mohammed Reza Zahedi, Haji Rahimi Organizations: Getty, Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Quds Force Locations: Damascus, Syria, AFP, Iran, Gaza, Israel, Quds

☆ ‘Oppenheimer’ finally opens in Japan, the only nation to experience horror of nuclear war
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Chris Lau | Moeri Karasawa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The three-hour biopic has broken several records since its release last year, becoming the highest-grossing movie set during World War II, according to Universal. As part of its promotional campaign, Universal sought the views of atomic bomb survivor Tomonaga Masao, who is the president of a Nagasaki-based “hibakusha” group — the name survivors call themselves. Oppenheimer’s invention was first used with devastating effect on August 6, 1945, when a US B-29 bomber named Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later, another B-29, named Bockscar, dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki. The bombings finally prompted Japan to surrender, bringing an end to World War II.

Persons: “ Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan, Barbie ”, J, Robert Oppenheimer, Kogyo, Tomonaga Masao, Masao, Oppenheimer, ”, Hiraoka Takashi, ” Cillian Murphy, Melinda Sue Gordon, Enola Gay, Barbie, “, Rishu, he’s Organizations: CNN, British, Universal Pictures, Universal, Former Hiroshima, US Department of, Manhattan Project, Social, Warner Bros . Film Group, Warner Bros, Warner Bros ., Reuters Locations: American, Japan, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Nazi Germany, Tokyo, “ Hiroshima

☆ Pope Francis skips Good Friday event at last minute ‘to preserve health’ for Easter rituals
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Christopher Lamb | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Pope Francis pulled out of a Good Friday service at the last minute, the Vatican said, “to preserve his health” ahead of major Easter events over the weekend. The 87-year-old pontiff’s well-being has been watched closely following an operation on his abdomen last year. The stations mark various stages of Jesus Christ’s suffering and death, with the pope seeking to apply the biblical account to contemporary concerns. War, online hatred and the exploitation of women are among the themes tackled by Pope Francis in his Good Friday meditations this year. In them, he reflects on the judgment of the crowd watching the crucifixion, linking it to online hatred.

Persons: Pope Francis, Francis, Jesus Christ’s, ”, Jesus Organizations: CNN, Vatican Locations: Peter’s

☆ Russia war on Ukraine: Ukraine faces retreat without US aid, Zelensky says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Mariya Knight | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Ukrainian forces would have to cede further territory to Russia if US military aid does not arrive soon, President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned, in his latest appeal to Congress to pass a multibillion-dollar package. President Joe Biden’s administration is struggling to push a $95 billion international aid package – which includes $60 billion for Ukraine – through the House of Representatives more than month since it was passed in the Senate. Zelensky warned that the lack of aid was urgent, and could endanger Ukraine’s major cities. Meanwhile, Zelensky said, Ukraine is scrambling “to find some way not to retreat.”The goal for Ukraine so far is to keep the frontline situation stable, according to Zelensky. “If the front remains stable, Ukraine can arm and train new brigades in the rear to conduct a new counteroffensive later this year,” he said.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden’s, Zelensky, ”, Vladimir Putin, Putin, keener, Mike Johnson, Ukraine can’t Organizations: CNN, Ukraine –, Patriot, Washington Post, Kyiv, GOP, Ukraine Locations: Ukrainian, Russia, Ukraine, ”, Ukraine’s, Russian, Moscow, Avdiivka, Bakhmut

☆ Kremlin’s security services were aware of ISIS threat to Russia before concert attack, new evidence from investigative body suggests
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Matthew Chance | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The Kremlin’s security services were aware of an ISIS threat days before a deadly attack on a concert hall near Moscow, Russian intelligence documents obtained by a UK-based investigative organization suggest. The Dossier Center is a Russian investigation group backed by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an exiled former Russian oil tycoon turned Kremlin critic. “Even before the attack on Crocus City Hall, a source close to the intelligence services told the Dossier Center about this,” it added. The following year, German police arrested several people from Tajikistan accused of plotting an attack on Cologne Cathedral, according to the Dossier Center. According to the Dossier Center, Russian law enforcement was monitoring all these reports and “considered the risk” to Russia.

Persons: Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Vladimir Putin, “, ”, Adrienne Watson, Putin, ” Putin, Ilya Ponomarev, CNN’s Erin Burnett Organizations: CNN, ISIS, Crocus City Hall, Security, Crocus City, Central, Embassy, National Security, Kremlin Locations: Moscow, London, Russia, Crocus, Russian, Tajikistan, Washington, United States, Ukraine, Kabul, Cologne, Kyrgyzstan

☆ Red rice yeast: Japan orders recall of ‘beni koji’ products over suspected link to four deaths
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Himari Semans | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

All three supplements contain “beni koji” - rice fermented with red yeast – an ingredient said to lower cholesterol levels that is traditionally used in food seasoning and preservation, and rice wine production. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s website says its beni koji products use a strain of bacteria in fermentation that does not produce citrinin. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday said the government was investigating the deaths and the suspected link to beni koji, adding it was prepared to act. Across the Taiwan Strait, the island’s Food and Drug Administration ordered distributors to suspend the import of more than 150 products containing beni koji, including those made by Kobayashi. And in Singapore, authorities recalled a sparkling sake, a type of rice wine, by Kyoto-based Takara Shuzo, which uses beni koji in its production.

Persons: Kobayashi, beni koji, Benikoji, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s, “, Fumio Kishida, ”, Takara Shuzo, beni Organizations: Tokyo CNN, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Wednesday, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, CNN, Weibo, Drug Administration Locations: Japan’s, Osaka, beni, Asia, China, Japan, Taiwan Strait, Singapore, Kyoto

☆ Chen Xuyuan: China sentences ex-soccer chief to life in prison in latest crackdown on sports corruption
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The ex-soccer chief, Chen Xuyuan, was jailed on Tuesday alongside multiple senior sporting executives, according to state media, following a months-long investigation. Five years later, the Chinese soccer association unveiled a plan to make the country a “world football superpower” by 2050. The Chinese men’s soccer team currently sits third in its FIFA World Cup qualify group, with four points, behind group leader South Korea, and second placed Thailand. Last Thursday, the team drew 2-2 with city-state Singapore, in a major blow to the country’s World Cup 2026 dream. The two sides face off again, on Tuesday, in what is being billed as a crunch match for underperforming China.

Persons: Chen Xuyuan, Xi, Chen, Yu Hongchen, Li Tie, “, ”, Chen Yongliang, Yu, Dong Zheng Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, league, Chinese Super League, Winter, men’s, soccer, FIFA World, South Locations: Hong Kong, Chinese, Hubei, Huangshi, China, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore

The appalling attack on the vast Crocus City Hall concert venue and shopping complex near Moscow – claimed by ISIS – left more than 100 people dead. This is hardly the stability and security for which so many Russians voted for Putin. For years, the Kremlin strongman has been cast as a leader able to guarantee order in this vast, turbulent country. But now, the focus is firmly on the apparent reappearance in Russia of jihadists, unrelated to the Ukraine war or domestic opposition to the Kremlin. But for a leader who has promised security and stability to Russians, a large-scale terror attack on home soil is a powerful blow to his image.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Moscow –, Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin Organizations: Crocus City Hall, ISIS –, Kremlin Locations: Russia, Crocus, Moscow, Putin’s, Ukraine, Ukrainian, jihadists, Russian

☆ Shooting at Moscow concert venue leaves at least 60 dead
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

A woman lays flowers at a makeshift memorial in front of the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, outside Moscow, on Saturday. Olga Maltseva/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Russian Ministry of Health has announced that 44 of the people who were injured in the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall on Friday are in serious condition, including two children. “The condition of 16 victims of the terrorist attack in Crocus, including one child, is extremely serious,” a senior official at the Ministry said. The governor of Moscow region, Andrey Vorobyov, said Saturday that the victims of the terror attack would receive financial compensation from the region and city governments. “Children registered in the Moscow region whose father or mother died in the tragedy will also receive monthly payments.

Persons: Olga Maltseva, ”, Andrey Vorobyov, Vorobyov, ” Vorobyov Organizations: Getty, Russian Ministry of Health, Crocus City, Ministry Locations: Crocus, Krasnogorsk, Moscow, AFP

Hong Kong CNN —China’s coast guard used water cannon against Philippine boats in a contested area of the South China Sea on Saturday, the latest in a string of maritime clashes between the two countries. The AFP also accused the Chinese coast guard of performing a “dangerous maneuver” by crossing the bow of the resupply vessel before using the water cannon. It said China subsequently installed floating barriers to “prevent further entry of any vessels.”A Philippine Coast Guard vessel had been “impeded and encircled” by a Chinese coast guard ship and two Chinese “maritime militia” vessels, the agency said, cutting it off from the resupply boat. The ship is now mostly a rusted wreckage and is manned by Philippine marines stationed on rotation. The latest run-in came just four days after Secretary of State Blinken told a news conference in Manila that the United States had an “ironclad commitment” to defending the Philippines in the South China Sea.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jay Tarriela, Thomas, “, Thomas Shoal, Blinken Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Armed Forces, AFP, Philippine Coast Guard, Convention, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine, Sierra Madre, Weibo Locations: Hong Kong, South, Philippine, China, Philippines, AFP, ”, Beijing, Manila, Palawan, BRP Sierra, Madre, Sierra, China’s, United States, South China, People’s Republic of China, Washington

Isis has claimed responsibility for the attack. Two sources familiar with the American information said that since November there had been a steady stream of intelligence that ISIS-K – an affiliate of ISIS that is active in Afghanistan and the surrounding region – was determined to attack Russia. Moscow has intervened tellingly in Syria’s civil war, to the support of President Bashar al-Assad and against ISIS. A US official said Friday that Washington had no reason to doubt ISIS’ claim that it was responsible for the latest attack. On Friday, following reports of the Crocus City Hall attack, the US embassy advised US citizens not to travel to Russia.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Gunmen, Isis, Putin, Adrienne Watson, “, tellingly, Bashar al, Assad, ” Michael Kugelman, Washington Organizations: CNN, ISIS, Crocus, Hall, US National Security, RIA Novosti, Wilson Center, Reuters, Central Asian Locations: Moscow, Russia, United States, ”, Khorasan, Kaluga, Afghanistan, Washington, Crocus

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Biden-Netanyahu call, raid on Al-Shifa hospital
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Nima Abu Garrara during an interview with CNN in Jerusalem. CNNIsraeli authorities are preparing to send a group of Palestinian patients who were being treated in East Jerusalem hospitals back to Gaza this week. But staying in East Jerusalem is no longer an option. Among them will be Nima Abu Garrara, who was brought from Rafah to East Jerusalem while pregnant with twins and gave birth on October 5. Abu Garrara fears a grim future in Gaza, where an Israeli military ground offensive on the southern city of Rafah looms.

Persons: Nima Abu Garrara, Abu Garrara, I’ll, Read Organizations: CNN, Hospital Locations: Jerusalem, East Jerusalem, Gaza, Israel, Rafah

☆ Article 23: Hong Kong passes second national security law aligning city more closely with mainland China
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Coming into effect on Saturday, the law 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 democracy protests the year before. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Lee described it as a “historical moment for Hong Kong.”Lawmakers attend a meeting for Basic Law Article 23 legislation at the Legislative Council on March 19, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. They argue their legislation is similar to other national security laws around the world. “This will surely increase the doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty of foreign businesses in Hong Kong.”In mainland China, national security laws have often ensnared both local and foreign businesses in opaque investigations. That is something Emily Lau, a former pro-democracy lawmaker, also worries about, that what made Hong Kong distinct is fast fading.

Persons: –, John Lee, Hong, Lee, Chen Yongnuo, ”, Hong Kong’s, Eric Lai, Lai, ” Lai, Hung Ho, fung, Capvision, Sarah Brooks, “, ” Brooks, ” Johannes Hack, Emily Lau, I’ve Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong, ” Lawmakers, Legislative, China News Service, China’s Communist Party, CNN, Georgetown Center, Asian Law, Johns Hopkins University, Amnesty International, German Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong Locations: Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s, Beijing, China, Amnesty International China, ”, Hong

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