DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Chinese blockade of Taiwan would likely fail, Pentagon official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - A Chinese blockade of Taiwan would likely fail and a direct military invasion of the self-ruled island would be extremely difficult for Beijing to carry out successfully, senior Pentagon officials told Congress on Tuesday. China's military in recent years has stepped up activity around Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory. However, whether Xi would order taking Taiwan by force, either through military options like a blockade or an invasion is unclear. "I think it is an option but probably not a highly likely option, when you start looking at the military options - much easier to talk about a blockade than actually do a blockade," McGee told lawmakers. He added flatly: "There is absolutely nothing easy about a PLA invasion of Taiwan."

Persons: Dado Ruvic, William Burns, Xi Jinping, Xi, Ely Ratner, Ratner, General Joseph McGee, McGee, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Michael Martina, Patricia Zengerle, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Pentagon, CIA, Affairs, House Armed Services, People's Republic of China . Army, Pentagon's Joint Staff, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, U.S, People's Republic of China, China

Relatives of those still missing told CNN they are terrified. Here’s what we know so far:Where did the flood hit? Morgues are stacked to capacity and dead bodies have been left on the sidewalks outside, Osama Aly, spokesperson for the Emergency and Ambulance Service in Libya, told CNN Tuesday. Analysts have said that climate forecasts gave warnings days before the storm hit Libya, but that authorities in the east did not act quickly enough. Tamer Ramadan, head of international Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Libya, told CNN Tuesday that the issue of rival governments in Libya doesn’t affect their operations.

Persons: “, Areej’s, Emad Milad, ” Milad, Osama Aly, Muammar Gaddafi, Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, Khalifa Haftar, Osama Hamad, Esam Omran, Reuters Derna, Ahmed Al, Mismari, ” Al, Al, Tamer Ramadan, ”, Jamal Alkomaty, Daniel, ” Karsten Haustein Organizations: CNN —, Authorities, United Nations ’ International Organization for Migration, CNN, Emergency, Ambulance Service, UN, of National Unity, GNU, Libyan National Army, Reuters, Arabiya, Federation of Red, Red Crescent Societies, Leipzig University, Science Media Center Locations: Derna, Libya, Tobruk, Benghazi, NATO, Tripoli, Egypt, UAE, Turkey, Italy, Algeria, Libya’s, Greece, Germany

☆ ‘We knew ahead of time’: A decade of turmoil left Libya unprepared for natural disasters
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Split between two rival administrations since 2014 and having failed to hold presidential elections, Libya faces an uphill battle when it comes to severe natural disasters. Planet Labs PBC/AP Planet Labs PBC/AP Satellite images show Derna, Libya on September 2, before the flooding, left, and after the dams collapsed, right. Responding to criticism regarding lack of preparedness by the LNA, Al-Mismari said that in such situations, 50% of the responsibility falls on authorities (LNA) and 50% falls on citizens. Turkey, which backs the Tripoli government, also said it is mobilizing personnel and supplies to assist authorities in eastern Libya. Tamer Ramadan, head of international Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Libya, told CNN Tuesday that the issue of rival governments in Libya does not affect their operation.

Persons: Storm Daniel, Khalifa Haftar –, ”, Anas El Gomati, Moammar Gadhafi, Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, Haftar, Jalel Harchaoui, ‘, ’, Harchaoui, Gomati, Osama Hamad, Osama Aly, ” Aly, “, Al Hurra, Jamal Alkomaty, ” Harchaoui, Ahmed al, Mismari, Al, ” Gomati, there’s, Ramadan, ” Ramadan Organizations: CNN, Planet Labs PBC, AP Planet Labs PBC, AP, ISIS, Libya –, Sadeq Institute, NATO, Libyan National Army, Royal United Services Institute, Emergency, Ambulance Service, Twitter, Analysts, United Nations, United, United Arab Emirates, Civil Protection Department, Federation of Red, Red Crescent Societies Locations: Libya, Split, Libyan, Derna, Greece, Morocco, “, Tripoli, Benghazi, “ Libya, London, Cyrenaica, tatters, Derna’s, Al, Italy, Egypt, Russia, United Arab, Algeria, Turkey

Major General Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Military Intelligence of Ukraine, speaks during an interview with Reuters, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces will continue through the onset of cold and wet weather later this year, even though it would become harder to fight, Kyiv's intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on Saturday. The counteroffensive will continue," Budanov said. Vadym Skibytskyi, an official from Ukraine's military spy agency, said earlier on Saturday that Russia currently had 420,000 servicemen inside Ukraine. Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has failed.

Persons: Kyrylo Budanov, Valentyn, Budanov, Victor Pinchuk, Tom Balmforth, Mike Harrison Organizations: Military Intelligence, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Russian, Victor, Victor Pinchuk Foundation, Kyiv, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Zaporizhzhia, Robotyne

☆ In U.S.-China AI contest, the race is on to deploy killer robots
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +26 min

In this high-tech contest, seizing the upper hand across fields including AI and autonomous weapons, like Ghost Shark, could determine who comes out on top. This could become critical if the United States intervened against an assault by Beijing on Taiwan. Cheap and expendableThe AI military sector is dominated by software, an industry where change comes fast. Still, the available disclosures of spending on AI military research do show that outlays on AI and machine learning grew sharply in the decade from 2010. The Costa-Mesa, California-based company now employs more than 1,800 staff in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Persons: America’s, Shane Arnott, Anduril, ” Arnott, Arnott, ”, “, Mick Ryan, Eric Schmidt, hasn’t, Lloyd Austin, –, Stuart Russell, Russell, Kathleen Hicks, “ We’ll, Palmer Luckey, Luckey, ” Arnott didn’t, Biden, Tsai Ing, Frank Kendall, Datenna, Martijn Rasser, Feng Yanghe, Feng, Palmer, ” Anduril, Arnott wouldn’t, David Lague, Edgar Su, Catherine Tai, Peter Hirschberg Organizations: Australian Navy, Ghost Sharks, Sharks, Reuters, Defense, Australian, Chinese Communist Party, Beijing, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Department of Defense, Pentagon, Australia’s Department of Defence, Australian Defence Force, Technologists, University of California, U.S ., U.S, Teledyne FLIR, Facebook, VR, Military, . Air Force, FH, U.S . Central Intelligence Agency, Department, Statistics, Harvard University, Biden Administration, Special, Command, Ministry of Defense, Veteran Locations: China, Australia, United States, Sydney, Britain, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Europe, Asia, Ukraine, ”, America, U.S, Taiwan, East Asia, Beijing, Russian, Berkeley, Fort Campbell , Tennessee, Kenya, “, Russia, Colorado, Zhuhai, Netherlands, Costa, Mesa , California, United Kingdom, Virginia, Canberra, Washington

☆ Human-machine teams driven by AI are about to reshape warfare
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( David Lague | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

But aerial, land and underwater robots, teamed with humans, are poised to play a major role in warfare. Evidence of such change is already emerging from the war in Ukraine. There, even rudimentary teams of humans and machines operating without significant artificial-intelligence powered autonomy are reshaping the battlefield. Simple, remotely piloted drones have greatly improved the lethality of artillery, rockets and missiles in Ukraine, according to military analysts who study the conflict. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces are integrating traditional weapons with AI, satellite imaging and communications, as well as smart and loitering munitions, according to a May report from the Special Competitive Studies Project, a non-partisan U.S. panel of experts.

Persons: Leah Millis, Kathleen Hicks, ”, Mick Ryan, David Lague, Peter Hirschberg Organizations: 58th Independent Motorized Infantry Brigade, Ukrainian Army, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Australian, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Bakhmut, U.S, Washington

☆ U.S. officials visit Syria's Deir al Zor in bid to defuse Arab tribal unrest
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Suleiman Al-Khalidi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An American soldier sits on a military vehicle, at al-Omar oil field in Deir Al Zor, Syria March 23, 2019. An Arab tribal backlash against the rule of the Kurdish YPG militia has led to clashes, with over 150 killed and dozens injured. Arab tribal fighters initially drove out the Kurdish-led forces from several large towns but the SDF has begun to regain the upper hand. Arab tribal leaders say they have been deprived of their oil wealth after the Kurdish-led forces laid their hands on Syria's biggest oil wells after the departure of Islamic State. Washington has pushed for a bigger say for Arab inhabitants in running their affairs in SDF areas, Western diplomats say.

Persons: Omar, Aboud, Syria Ethan Goldrich, Joel B Vowell, Deir al Zor, Sheikh Mahmoud al Jarallah, Suleiman Al, Khalidi, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, SDF, Senior U.S, Kurdish YPG, Syrian Democratic Forces, Islamic, U.S, State Department, Thomson Locations: American, al, Deir Al Zor, Syria, Iran, AMMAN, Zor, U.S, Islamic State, Arab, Busayrah, Shuhail, Kurdish, Russia, Damascus, Deir al, Washington

☆ Ukrainian weapons can now hit targets 430 miles away, Zelenskyy says, threatening to bring the war deeper inside Russia's borders
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

He said Ukrainian weapons can hit Russian targets more than 430 miles away. It means Ukraine has extended the range of its attacks and can strike deep within Russia's borders. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn a Facebook post Thursday, he posted a video apparently showing a long-range Ukrainian missile test. Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate Head Major General Kyrylo Budanov said that Ukraine has the capacity to strike targets anywhere in Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula occupied by Russia since 2014. As part of that drive, Ukraine has launched attacks on cities and military targets in Russia apparently aimed at sapping Russian morale.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Oleksiy Danilov, Kyrylo Budanov Organizations: Service, Ministry of Strategic Industries, Ukraine, Ukrainian National Security and Defense, Main Military Intelligence Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Russia's, Wall, Silicon, Pskov, Russia, Washington, DC, Russian, Crimea

☆ An elite team of Ukrainian snipers dubbed 'Devils and Angels' is taking out top Russian commanders to demoralize troops: 'We work quietly, we are invisible'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukrainian snipers are focused on taking out high-profile Russain targets and demoralizing troops. A sniper unit training near Bakhmut calls itself "Devils and Angels," The Wall Street Journal reported. The team of snipers has dubbed itself the "Devils and Angels," according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. The snipers training near Bakhmut told the outlet that in addition to their marksmanship, they're training to be even more elusive in the field. AdvertisementAdvertisementAlso in June a Ukrainian sniper picked off Vladimir Andonov, a Wagner Group member known at "The Executioner" and one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's most notorious mercenary fighters.

Persons: Robert Scales, Bakhmut, Fisher, Mark Cancian, Insider's Ryan Pickrell, Vladimir Andonov, Vladimir Putin's Organizations: Street Journal, Military, Service, Devils, Street, Ukraine Ukrainian, CNN, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Wagner Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia

The Chinese military regularly sends ships and aircraft through the channel, Taiwan's defence ministry has said. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the proposed port in Basco. Cayco confirmed the visit, saying they came "one time to assess" the proposed alternative port. Marcos has said the bases under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) could prove useful if China attacked Taiwan. Jay Batongbacal, maritime affairs expert at the University of the Philippines, said the proposed port "would certainly be needed for the island’s defence in a worst case scenario."

Persons: Marvin Licudine, Andres Centino, Heather Variava, Noel Beleran, Eric Austin, Marilou Cayco, Batanes, Cayco, Kanishka, MARCOS, Rodrigo Duterte, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, Jay Batongbacal, Poppy McPherson, Karen Lema, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Philippine Military, Embassy, Staff, Education, U.S, Reuters, China, Washington, U.S . Army, ., Enhanced, Security, University of the, Thomson Locations: Philippines, Philippine, U.S, MANILA, Taiwan . U.S, Taiwan, China, Washington, Pacific, Manila, Basco, Asia, Beijing, Batanes, South China, University of the Philippines, Luzon

☆ Ukraine's efforts to rack up Russian defectors and their equipment helped land the country an Mi-8 helicopter and fighter jet parts
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A Russian pilot defected to Ukraine with an Mi-8 helicopter and fighter jet parts this week. Ukraine offers monetary rewards to Russian soldiers who bring their equipment to Ukraine. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine has sought to incentivize Russian soldiers to defect since the war began in February 2022, launching at least two programs targeted at would-be turncoats. A helicopter — like the one a Russian pilot flew into Ukraine this week — fetches $500,000, according to the legislation. The Rada bill also promises "secrecy, a safe stay in Ukraine, and support in obtaining new documents and leaving for a third country," for any Russian soldiers who abandon post.

Persons: 30SM, Mark Cancian, Mick Ryan, Vladimir Putin's, Ryan Organizations: Service, Kyiv Post, US Marine Corps, Center for Strategic, Studies, Verkhovna Rada, Australian Army, Rada, ABC News, Guardian, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Kyiv Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Russia, Verkhovna, Radio Free Europe, Poltava, Kharkiv, Ukraine's

☆ Can expensive, American-made weapons like F-16s turn the tide in Ukraine's war against Russia?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Brad Howard | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In the run-up to the Ukrainian push, weapons from Western allies — such as tanks, artillery and other equipment — poured into Ukraine. Despite some small gains, Ukrainian forces have yet to see a large breakthrough, leaving some to wonder what else is needed. Just sending F-16s to Ukraine wouldn't turn the tide overnight. It's when you have lots of different weapons systems in the air on the ground. Watch the video above to find out if more big-ticket, U.S.-made weapons such as F-16s, the Patriot missile system and HIMARS can turn the tide in Ukraine.

Persons: Bradley Bowman, that's, Dmitri Alperovitch, Mick Ryan Organizations: Moscow's, Center, Military, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Silverado, Ukrainian Air Force, Patriot, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Ukraine, United States, Russia, Kyiv

[1/9] United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) members stand near their vehicles in Naqoura near the Lebanese-Israeli border, southern Lebanon, August 16, 2023. Israel and Hezbollah have avoided war across the Lebanese-Israeli frontier since their last major clash 17 years ago, deterred by mutual threats of destruction. The tensions come against the backdrop of a political crisis in Israel that has emboldened its enemies. Lebanon can ill afford conflict four years into a financial meltdown that has paralysed the state. Hezbollah last year gave its blessing to a maritime border deal with Israel that allows Lebanon to explore for offshore energy.

Persons: Aziz Taher, Israel, Tzachi Hanegbi, Hassan al, Baghdadi, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mohanad Hage Ali, General Lázaro, Andrea Tenenti, Tom Perry, Nick Macfie Organizations: United Nations Interim Force, REUTERS, Reuters, National Security, Iran's, Guards, Carnegie Middle East Center, West Bank, UNIFIL, Thomson Locations: Lebanon, Naqoura, Lebanese, Israel, JERUSALEM, BEIRUT, Iran, Syria, Ghajar, Western, Tel Aviv, Palestinian, Gaza, Jerusalem, Al, Aqsa, Beirut

☆ Retired Australian major general breaks down the Ukrainian counteroffensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Brad Howard | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRetired Australian major general breaks down the Ukrainian counteroffensiveRetired Major General Mick Ryan of the Australian Army breaks down some aspects of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, and how entrenched positions and landmines can slow down even the best equipped forces.

Persons: Mick Ryan Organizations: Ukrainian, Australian Army

☆ Son of Spanish actor detained in Thailand in grisly murder case
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The son of the well-known actor Rodolfo Sancho who starred in El Ministerio del Tempo (The Ministry of Time) and actress Silvia Bronchalo, Daniel Sancho works as a chef and was visiting Thailand on holiday, media reported. Sancho was detained shortly after body parts were found at a landfill on Koh Phangan, an island well-known to tourists for monthly 'full moon' parties. The police said DNA tests of the remains proved them to be of Arrieta, adding they have other evidence against Sancho. CCTV footage showed by local broadcaster ThaiPBS showed Sancho and Arrieta on a motorcycle together days before the remains were discovered. Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, Read, Koh Phangan, Daniel Sancho Bronchal, General Saranyu Chamnanrat, Sancho, Saranyu, Rodolfo Sancho, Silvia Bronchalo, Daniel Sancho, Daniel Sancho himself, Phangan, ThaiPBS, Arrieta, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Kay Johnson, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Reuters, Police, Sunday, El Ministerio del Tempo, Thomson Locations: Spanish, Colombian, Koh Phangan, Thailand, BANGKOK, Koh, El, Arrieta's

☆ After Supreme Court victory, anti-affirmative action group turns to military academy exemption
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Rachel Nostrant | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Graduation cadets toss their hats into the air at the end of the 2023 graduation ceremony at the United States Military Academy (USMA), at Michie Stadium in West Point, New York, U.S., May 27, 2023. Edward Blum's group launched its new campaign with a website called West Point Not Fair on which it asks: "Were you rejected from West Point? Or the Naval Academy or the Air Force Academy? The group is using the site to collect the names, contact information and stories of people who were rejected by West Point, the Naval Academy or the Air Force Academy or who are planning to apply to those institutions. Dunlap added in an email to Reuters, "The Court rarely supplants its judgment for that of military leaders and especially, the elected branches of government."

Persons: Eduardo Munoz, Edward Blum's, Blum, Thursday's, Charlie Dunlap, Dunlap, Rachel Nostrant, Leslie Adler Organizations: United States Military Academy, REUTERS, U.S, Supreme, Fair, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Reuters, Department of Defense, Harvard University, University of North, Duke University, Air Force, Thomson Locations: West Point , New York, U.S, West, University of North Carolina

☆ Ukrainian tanks are being wiped out by Russian minefields. The country needs its own 'Manhattan Project' to figure out how to clear them, a retired general told the NYT.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Ukrainian military might need to create its own solutions, a retired army general told the Times. Ukraine uses the US-provided M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC) systems, which Zaluzhny told the Post "are also being destroyed," per the Post. "Ukraine needs a Manhattan Project for mine clearing," Ryan told the Times, referring to the US project to build the world's first atomic bomb during World War 2. Beyond the minefields, the two-month offensive to take back territories claimed by Russia has become a significant challenge for Ukrainian troops dealing with heavily fortified defenses from their opponents. At the same time, Ukrainian troops waited for weapons from the West.

Persons: Valery Zaluzhny, Mick Ryan, Zaluzhny, Ryan, George Barros, Insider's Chris Panella Organizations: Times, Service, The New York Times, Washington Post, Lowy Institute, Russian, Project, Institute for, Ukraine Ministry of Defense Locations: Ukrainian, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Western, Australian, Russia

☆ What Ukraine must do to win in its southern push – and what Russia has in reserve
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

There’s simply no systematic pulling apart of the Russian defensive system that I could observe,” Gady tweeted. “Weakening Russian defenses to a degree that enables maneuver,” which will include the use of cluster munitions, is a critical task in the weeks ahead. It is far too early to tell whether the Ukrainian counteroffensive has entered a more dynamic phase. The Kremlin has seized upon the slow progress of the Ukrainian counter-offensive: a rare opportunity to go beyond damage limitation. “Russian defensive lines are not all contiguous or uniformly suited for strong defence.

Persons: Bradley, There’s, George Barros, –, “, ”, Barros, Franz, Stefan Gady, ” Gady, “ It’s, Kostyantyn, ” “, Stringer, Mick Ryan, Gerasimov, Vladimir Putin, Ivan Popov, Gady Organizations: CNN, Institute for, “, Legion, RFE, Radio Liberty, Reuters, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Army, Russian Defense Ministry Locations: Washington, Ukrainian, Mines, Europe, Russian, Ukraine, Orikhiv, Novodarivka, Zaporizhzhia Region, Australian, Kreminna, Kiev, ”, Zaporizhzhia, Donbas

☆ Russian land mines pose a persistent and deadly threat in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +16 min

What lies beneath Land mines left by Russian forces in Ukraine pose a deadly threat to Kyiv's military - and civilians in liberated territory. On average, anti-vehicle mines caused more incidents with multiple fatalities than anti-personnel mines did. GICHD has documented at least 12 types of anti-personnel mines and nine types of anti-vehicle mines in use in Ukraine. Formerly occupied towns in Kyiv; Sumy, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv and Kharkiv oblasts all saw a large number of mines, especially anti-personnel mines, left in place, Mathewson said. Ukraine is a signatory to the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, and had been destroying its anti-personnel mines when the war began.

Persons: Mark Hiznay, ”, Adam Komorowski, Tymur Pistriuha, Hiznay, PARM, GICHD, Andro Mathewson, “, Komorowsi, Mick Ryan, Mathewson, Nacho Doce, Pistriuha, Komorowski, ” Ryan, Ryan, Jack Watling, Watling, ” Watling, demining Organizations: Russian, Reuters, HALO Trust, Human Rights Watch, Advisory, Geneva International Centre, Humanitarian, Ukrainian Deminers Association, Ukrainian, U.S . Army, Australian Army, REUTERS, HALO, Mines, Royal United Services Institute, United, Surveyors, State Emergency Service, Dnipro River’s Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Russian, Russia, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Eastern Europe, South America, Caribbean, Soviet Union, Afghanistan, Germany, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia oblast, Kherson, Iraqi, Kyiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, ”, Vuhledar, United Nations, Nova, Izium

CNN —The United Nations has said that Russian accounts of a rocket attack on a camp holding Ukrainian prisoners of war in July 2022 are not supported by the evidence. More than 50 Ukrainian prisoners were killed in the strike that year on a detention center in the town of Olenivka. An extensive CNN investigation published in August last year demonstrated that the Russian narrative that the camp had been hit by a Ukrainian HIMARS rocket did not stand up to scrutiny – a finding now supported by the findings by the UN Human Rights Commissioner (OHCHR). There is almost no chance that a HIMARS rocket caused the damage to the warehouse where the prisoners were being held.”Experts consulted by CNN discounted a HIMARS strike on Olenivka – but could not say definitively what killed and wounded so many prisoners. “Our office has met with the families of the victims and heard their pleas for truth and justice – and indeed, they have a right to truth, justice and reparations.

Persons: Andrey Lazarev, Igor Konashenkov, “, Volker Türk, –, ” Organizations: CNN, United Nations, UN Human Rights, Donetsk People’s, US, Russian Defense Ministry’s Zvezda, Russian Defense Ministry, ”, UN, Russian Federation, United, UN Human Locations: Olenivka, Ukrainian, Donetsk, Donetsk People’s Republic, United Nations, Ukraine

WASHINGTON, July 21 (Reuters) - The White House on Friday launched an office to prepare for and respond to potential pandemics, to be led by Paul Friedrichs, a military combat surgeon and retired Air Force major general who helped lead the Pentagon's COVID response. The new Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy will also take over the duties of President Joe Biden's current COVID-19 and mpox response teams, the White House said. Friedrichs is currently special assistant to the president and senior director for Global Health Security and Biodefense at the White House National Security Council. The White House had been expected to cut down its COVID response team after the U.S. government in May ended its COVID Public Health Emergency. In June, the White House announced the departure of Ashish Jha, the last of the Biden administration's rotating COVID response coordinators.

Persons: Paul Friedrichs, Joe Biden's, Biden, Friedrichs, Ashish Jha, Kanishka Singh, Alison Williams Organizations: Air Force, of Pandemic, Global Health Security, White House National Security Council, White, U.S, White House, Biden, Thomson Locations: United States, Washington

☆ Threats of desertion are spreading in Russia's military as troops openly disrespect their commanders, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Insubordination is spreading through the Russian military in Ukraine, a report said. It names the dismissed officers as Major General Vladimir Seliverstov, Major General Alexander Kornev, and Major General Ramil Ibatullin. It cited Russian military bloggers, an important source of information about the Russian military, saying that authorities were also preparing to arrest Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky. The report says that the defiance towards Russia's top commanders appears to be spreading through the ranks. The VDV servicemen are blackmailing the Russian MoD to ensure that Teplinsky continues to command troops in Ukraine," the ISW said.

Persons: Wagner, Ivan Popov, Vladimir Seliverstov, General Alexander Kornev, Ramil, Mikhail Teplinsky, Teplinsky, Sergey Shoigu, Sergey Surovikin Organizations: Institute, Kremlin, Service, Russian MoD Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Bakhmut, Russian, Kherson, Ukrainian

☆ Ron DeSantis's Florida's State Guard is being trained as 'militia,' veterans say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Veterans say they quit Ron DeSantis's State Guard because training became too militaristic. One recruit accused the guard of becoming "a militia," per the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times. DeSantis reestablished the Florida state guard in June 2022, promoting it as a civilian disaster relief force in a "natural disaster-prone state." Florida's State Guard was originally created in 1941 to support the Florida National Guard during World War II, but the unit was disbanded in 1947. Unlike the National Guard, which takes orders from the federal government, the State Guard is under the direct control of the governor.

Persons: Ron, Ron DeSantis's, DeSantis, Brian Newhouse, Charlie Crist, John D, Haas, " Haas, Newhouse, Donald Trump Organizations: Guard, Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Democrats, Service, Florida National Guard, National Guard, State Guard, Florida, Trump Locations: Florida, Wall, Silicon, DeSantis

☆ How the Russian officer elite has been decimated in Ukraine — here are the generals and top commanders killed in action
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Alia Shoaib | Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Vitaly GerasimovMaj. Gen. Vitaly Gerasimov became the second senior Russian commander reported to be killed after Ukrainian military intelligence claimed he was shot dead in Kharkiv. Andrey KolesnikovUkraine's military said in a tweet that they killed Russian Maj. Gen. Andrey Kolesnikov. Ivan GrishinColonel Ivan Grishin, commander of Russia's 49th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, died in Ukraine, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Vyacheslav SavinovLieutenant Colonel Vyacheslav Savinov, who headed Russian artillery intelligence, was killed in Ukraine, a Russian artillery school confirmed. A damaged Russian military vehicle is seen after Russian Forces withdrawal as Russia-Ukraine war continues in Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine on September 14, 2022.

Persons: , Oleg Tsokov, Andrei Sukhovetsky Maj, Andrei Sukhovetsky, Sukhovetsky, Vitaly Gerasimov Maj, Vitaly Gerasimov, Alexander Nevsky, Andrey Kolesnikov Ukraine's, Andrey Kolesnikov, Oleg Mityaev Russia, Oleg Mityaev, Anton Gerashchenko, Andrei Mordvichev, Oleksiy Arestovych, Ramzan Kadyrov, Yakov Rezantsev, Illia Ponomarenko, Zelenskyy, Rezantsev, Dmitry Safronov Ukraine's, Dmitry Safronov, Denis Glebov, Glebov, Courage, Konstantin Zizevsky, Mikhail Vedernikov, Yuri Agarkov, Agarkov, Andrei Zakharov, Sergei Porokhnya, Gleb Garanich, Reuters Magomed, Magomed Tushaev, Putin, Vladimir Zhonga, Vladimir Zhoga, Sergei Sukharev, Sergei Krylov, Sukharev, Alexei, Alexei Sharov, Sharov, Sergey Bratchuk, Dmitry Dormidontov, Dmitry Pavlovich Dormidontov, Igor Zharov, Igor Igoshin, Zharov, Denis Kurilo, Kurilo, Anton Kuprin, Kuprin, Anton Gerashenko, Stringer, Denis Mezhuev, Vladimir Petrovich Frolov Maj, Gen, Vladimir Petrovich Frolov, Alexander Beglov, Fontanka, Miras, Miras Bashakov, Ivan Grishin, Vyacheslav Savinov, Savinov, Metin Aktas, Denis Kozlov, Kozlov, Andrei Simonov, Simonov, Roman Kutuzov Major, Roman Kutuzov, Alexander Sladkov, Tsargrad, Roman, Roman Berdnikov, Kutuzov, Volya, Kanamat, Botashev, Artem Nasbulin Maj, Artem Nasbulin, Serhiy Bratchuk, Tsokov, Михаил Ведерников Organizations: UK Defence Ministry, Service, British Defence Ministry, West, Storm, Russian, 7th Airborne Division, Combined Arms Army, Russian Federal Security Service, Arms Army, Interior Ministry, The New York Times, 8th General Army, Southern Military District of, Armed Forces, Twitter, Telegraph, Dmitry Safronov Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, Separate Marine Brigade, Russian Armed Forces, Ukraine's Defense Ministry, Airborne, 247th Guards Air Assault Regiment, Luhansk People's, 56th Air Assault Brigade, Guardian, 12th Engineer Brigade, Russian Armoured, Carrier, Reuters, The Daily Mail, Forces, Sparta Battalion, Donetsk People's, Daily Mail, 331st Guards Parachute, Ukraine, Ukraine's, Strategic Communication, Information Security, The Independent, 810th, Zhukov Brigade, Russian Marines, Evening, Local, 200th, Rifle Brigade, Black, Fleet, Russian Federation, Ukrainian, New York Times, 1st Guards, Banner, The Times, Kremlin, 8th Army, Aircraft Missile Brigade, Armed Forces of, Russian Missile Troops and Artillery, Russian Forces, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Separate Guards Engineers of Keningsbersko, Red Banner Brigade, Courage, Russian 2nd Army, Presidential, Russian Air Force, BBC, High Mobility Artillery, Southern Military District Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russian, Kharkiv, Mariupol, Chornobayivka, Kherson Airport, London, Yakov Rezantsev Ukraine, Kyiv, Chornobaivka, Ukrainian, Chuhuiv, Donbas, Donetsk, Luhansk, Pskov Region, Andrei Zakharov Ukraine, Ufa, Nova Husarivka, Chechen, Hostomel, Russia's Chechnya, Donetsk People's Republic, Volnovakha, Kostroma, Tatarstan, Pechenga, Sevastopol, St, Petersburg, St . Petersburg, Armed Forces of Ukraine, Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, Izyum, Ukraine's Donbas, Severodonetsk, Kherson, Berdyansk

☆ Russian defenses in Ukraine are 'likely brittle' as they lack the reserves to relieve frontline troops, think tank says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russian defenses are "likely brittle" amid the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive, the ISW said. The think tank noted that Russian forces likely lack the reserves to rotate frontline units. Popov reportedly claimed that he had appealed to his superiors to rotate troops and relieve those who had fought on the frontlines for a long time. The think tank said that without any reserves to rotate in, Russian forces would have to rely on "already degraded forces" in the event of a Ukrainian breakthrough. Ukrainian troops train with heavy weapons near the frontline in Zaporizhzhia on April 20, 2023.

Persons: Ivan Popov, Popov, Muhammed Enes Yildirim, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi Organizations: Service, Institute for, Russian, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images Ukraine, BBC, Sky Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian, Donetsk

Search resuls for: "Major General"

25 mentions found