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☆ Considering a move abroad in 2024? These are the best countries for expats
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Blane Bachelor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +26 min

The survey, which has been running for a decade, reflects input from nearly 12,000 expats representing 177 nationalities in 181 countries or territories. John Coletti/The Image Bank Unreleased/Getty ImagesA longtime retirement destination for Americans, Mexico also has attracted more families and the digital nomad set over the past few years. Pros: Mexico ranked first in InterNations’ 2023 Expat Insider survey and has ranked among the top five countries since 2014. Cons: As is the case in Mexico and other countries with large expat communities, there’s growing backlash against the influx of foreigners, especially Americans, and especially in Lisbon. That popularity among auslanders has contributed to a housing pinch in major cities, especially Berlin, where finding accommodation is one of the most stressful aspects of a move.

Persons: It’s, Megan Frye, Frye, ”, “, We’ve, John Coletti, San Miguel de Allende, margarita, Sean Pavone, expats, Alex Ingrim, Chase, Ingrim, it’s, pollsters, they’re, it’s MVV, Arielle Tucker, that’s, auslanders, Andriy Kravchenko, “ Costa, ” David Lesperance, Costa Rica’s, “ Tico, Sebastien Lecocq, Lesperance, he’s, what’s, Emily, ” Tucker, Roth, Tucker, Carte Organizations: CNN, Invest Overseas, Braga, InterNations, Mexico, National Institute of Statistics, Human Rights Watch, Visa, USA, CNN Travel, ”, Spain, International, Travel Association, pollsters Gallup, Michelin, Changi, Cons, United, Costa Rica Costa, Central, Costa, Lesperance, Associates, Panama Panama, Miami of, Panama City, Panama Qualified Investment, Panama Golden Visa, France France Locations: Valencia, Spain, Portugal, Mazatlán, Mexico, United States, Mexico City, Michigan, Mexico Mexico, Plaza Carso, Polanco, North America, —, Oaxaca, San Miguel, Playa, Carmen, InterNations, Portugal Portugal, Porto, Douro, Europe, Lisbon, Western Europe, Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Catalonia, Catalan, Netherlands, Amsterdam, Statista, Haarlem, Delft, Leiden, Maastricht, Washington, Miami , New York, San Francisco, Germany Germany, Munich, Germany, Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Switzerland, Singapore Singapore, Singapore, Asia, Entre, Costa Rica, “, “ Costa Rica, Costa Rican, Panama City, Miami, Miami of Central America, Panama, North, South America, Italy, Venice, Italian, Paris, France, Lyon, Strasbourg

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A Texas congressman said Saturday that three migrants, including two children, drowned while trying to reach the U.S. near the border city of Eagle Pass, where the Biden administration says Texas has begun denying access to Border Patrol agents. An Abbott spokesperson referred questions to the Texas Military Department, which did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Saturday. Cuellar, whose district include the Texas border, said Mexican authorities alerted Border Patrol of the distressed migrants struggling in the river late Friday. The 50-acre park is owned by the city, but it is used by the state Department of Public Safety and the Texas Military Department to patrol border crossings. On Saturday, Texas submitted a response to the court that disputed claims that Border Patrol agents were denied access to the park.

Persons: —, Biden, Henry Cuellar, Greg Abbott's, Abbott, Cuellar, ”, Julio Vasquez Organizations: Border Patrol, U.S . Rep, U.S, Justice Department, Supreme, Shelby, Border, Republican Gov, Lone Star, Migrants, Texas Military Department, Texas National Guard, Shelby Park, Guard, Homeland Security, . Customs, Protection, of Public Safety, Patrol, National Guard Locations: BROWNSVILLE , Texas, Texas, Eagle, Mexico, Rio Grande

☆ French police arrest yoga guru in connection with alleged rape, human trafficking and kidnapping scheme
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Sophie Tanno | Maya Szaniecki | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Paris CNN —French police this week arrested yoga guru Gregorian Bivolaru and 41 others on accusations of kidnap, rape and human trafficking. Alleged victims were drawn in with promises of a spiritual awakening, only to be indoctrinated and mentally manipulated into sexual relations with 71-year-old Bivolaru, a judicial source said. Then, the alleged victims said they would be mentally manipulated into accepting “sexual relations designed to suppress any notion of consent regarding sexual relations,” the judicial source said. The judicial source said the alleged victims were told that consent was a reflection of the ego preventing them from reaching a state of spiritual awakening. Twenty-six alleged victims were found living in cramped and unhygienic conditions, the judicial source said.

Persons: Gregorian, Bivolaru –, Bivolaru, MISA, ”, –, “, ’, ” MISA, Interpol’s ‘, Maya Szaniecki, Sophie Tanno Organizations: Paris CNN —, Interpol, for, International Federation of Yoga, CNN, Atman Federation, MISA Yoga, AFP, Rights League –, Central Office, OCRVP, Bivolaru Locations: Paris, France, Romania, French, Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Finland, London

Another two Thai workers were set free on Tuesday, bringing the total released to 23. He said they remain in contact with him and send him updates about the release of hostages even before the news breaks. The Thai foreign ministry said three Thais were being treated for wounds in hospital. On Wednesday night, four additional Thai hostages were released. Israel says Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages back to Gaza on Oct. 7.

Persons: Parnpree Bahiddha, Nukara, Thais, Parnpree, Lerpong Syed, Israel, Juarawee Kittisilpa, Howard Goller, Sandra Maler, Stephen Coates Organizations: Thai Foreign, Shamir Medical Center, Hamas, Iran, Reuters, Thomson Locations: TEL AVIV, Israel, Thailand, Palestinian, Gaza, Thai

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A truce between Israel and Hamas entered its fifth day on Tuesday, with the militant group promising to release more civilian hostages to delay the expected resumption of the war and Israel under growing pressure to spare Palestinian civilians when the fighting resumes. The sides agreed to extend their truce through Wednesday, with another two planned exchanges of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Hamas and other militants are still holding about 160 people, out of the 240 seized in their Oct. 7 assault into southern Israel that ignited the war. Most of the hostages freed so far have appeared to be physically well. The hostages freed from Gaza have mostly stayed out of the public eye, but details of their captivity have started to emerge.

Persons: Israel, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Elma Avraham, Munder, ”, Alaa Mansour, ___ Magdy Organizations: Hamas, State Department, Israel’s Channel, Health Ministry, Humanitarian Affairs Locations: TEL AVIV, Israel, Gaza, Qatar, Egypt, U.S, GAZA, Gaza City, “, Cairo, ___, israel

CNN —Almost three years on from its bloody coup, Myanmar’s military junta is facing the biggest threat to its hold on power as it fights wars on multiple fronts across the Southeast Asian nation. Junta airstrikes and ground attacks on what the Myanmar military calls “terrorist” targets have killed thousands of civilians to date, including children, and displaced about 2 million people. Stringer/AFP/Getty ImagesCNN has reached out to Myanmar’s military spokesperson for comment on the recent fighting but has not received a response. Stringer/AFP/Getty ImgesIn the jungles of southeast Kayah state, fighting has raged near the state capital Loikaw. Video filmed and published by the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force appears to show Myanmar army soldiers surrendering to rebels at Loikaw University who are filmed treating their injuries.

Persons: ”, Matthew Arnold, ” Arnold, Min Aung, Aung, Suu Kyi, “, Bo Nagar, Stringer, Myint Swe, Chin Shwe Haw, Nan Diya, Lalmalsawma Hnamte, Lin Lin, Ye Myo Hein, May, – “, Karen, Chin state’s Matupi, Tian Junli, Arnold, Myanmar’s, it’s, Suu Organizations: CNN, United Nations, National Unity Government, Junta, Myanmar, UN, Administration Council, Burma National Revolutionary Army, National Liberation Army, Alliance, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Arakan Army, ”, Getty, Reuters, Loikaw, Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, Loikaw University, Resistance, Burma People’s Liberation Army, Brotherhood Alliance, United States Institute of Peace, Wilson Center, Border Guard Forces, China, Global Times, PLA Southern Theater Command Locations: Myanmar, Myanmar’s, Suu, Yangon, Mandalay, Burma, Namhsan Township, Shan State, AFP, Arakan, China, ”, Shan, Chin, Muse, Rakhine, Pauktaw, Lashio, Kayah, Mizoram, “, Sagaing region, Asia, Kawkareik, Karenni, Sagaing, India, Thailand, Bangladesh

The deal came after an Israeli offer to continue the cease-fire by one day for every additional 10 hostages released, who would be exchanged for 30 Palestinians in Israeli prisons. Hamas said it had received a list of three women and 30 minors that Israel would release in return on Monday. Dozens of Israeli soldiers as well as civilian Israeli men in their 70s and 80s are still being held captive in Gaza. The official said Hamas has said that in those cases, the mothers are being held by different groups, and it would take time to get them. Late Monday, Israel’s Army Radio, citing the prime minister’s office, reported that the government had received a list of hostages held by Hamas who are expected to be released on Tuesday.

Persons: Kibbutz Nir Oz, Sharon Alony Cunio, Emma, Yuli Cunio, David Cunio, Cunio’s Organizations: Hamas, Israel’s Army Locations: Israel, Gaza, Qatar

☆ ‘I’ve dedicated my life to this mission’: Sara Sabry on making space exploration more accessible
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Arya Jyothi | Maheshpreet Narula | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Last year, Sara Sabry made history when she became the first Egyptian, the first Arab woman and the first African woman in space. CNN spoke to Sabry at Dubai Airshow last week to find out more about her experience going to space, and why she started Deep Space Initiative. CNN: How did you feel when you heard that you were selected to go to space? Sabry was chosen to join the Blue Origins flight by the non-profit Space for Humanity Blue OriginCNN: What did you feel when you first saw Earth from space? CNN: Why did you set up the Deep Space Initiative?

Persons: CNN —, Sara Sabry, you’re, Sabry, wasn’t, ”, we’re, it’s Organizations: CNN, Humanity, University of North, Sabry, Dubai Airshow, Humanity Blue Origin CNN, ” CNN Locations: University of North Dakota, Colorado, Egypt, Africa

A sign is seen at the arrivals passport control area of Terminal 5, at Heathrow Airport, London, Britain, March 23, 2023. High levels of legal migration have for more than a decade dominated Britain's political landscape, and will be a key battleground again in the vote which is expected next year. For the year ending December 2022, the ONS revised up the net migration figure to 745,000, a new record high and up 139,000 on its previous estimate. It also said the net migration number for the year ending June 2023 was 672,000, up from 607,000 a year earlier. "The government remains completely committed to reducing levels of legal migration," he said in a statement.

Persons: Toby Melville, Rishi Sunak, Sunak, James, Simon Clarke, Labour Party's, Yvette Cooper, Muvija M, Sarah Young, Kylie MacLellan, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Heathrow Airport, REUTERS, ONS, EU, Labour, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, United Kingdom, Rwanda, Ukraine, Hong Kong

[1/5] Israeli tanks operate in Gaza City, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the Gaza Strip, November 22, 2023. The starting time of the truce and release of hostages captured by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel has yet to be officially announced. Israel's Ynet news website reported that Israel had not yet received the names of the hostages slated for release by Hamas. Israel says 1,200 people were killed, mostly civilians and about 240 hostages of different nationalities taken hostage by Islamist gunmen. In retaliation, Israel has subjected Hamas-ruled Gaza to a siege and relentless bombardment.

Persons: Ronen, Tzachi Hanegbi, Kan, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Israel, Khan Younis, Netanyahu, Gilad Korngold, Seven, John Kirby, Catherine Russell, Russell, Grant McCool, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Cynthia Osterman, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, REUTERS, Palestinian Hamas, National Security, Qatar, White House, United Nations, UNICEF, . Security, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Gaza City, Gaza, Israel, Gaza GAZA, JERUSALEM, Palestinian, Khan, U.S, Israel ., Qatar

☆ No Gaza Hostage Release Will Start Before Friday, Says Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

The starting time of the truce and release of hostages captured by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel had yet to be officially announced. "The start of the release will take place according to the original agreement between the sides, and not before Friday," it said. Since the Hamas attack on southern Israel that surprised the government and shocked Israelis, five hostages have been recovered alive. Israel says 1,200 people were killed, mostly civilians and about 240 hostages of different nationalities taken hostage by Islamist gunmen. Hamas said the initial 50 hostages would be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children imprisoned in Israel.

Persons: Bassam Masoud, Emily Rose, Tzachi Hanegbi, Kan, Benjamin Netanyahu's, NETANYAHU Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Gilad Korngold, Seven, John Kirby, Catherine Russell, Russell, Grant McCool, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Palestinian Hamas, Hamas, National Security, Qatar, White House, United Nations, UNICEF, . Security, Reuters Locations: Emily Rose GAZA, JERUSALEM, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, United States, Israel ., Qatar, Palestine

☆ Three Americans expected to be included in Gaza hostage release-US official
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli bombardments since have flattened large swaths of Hamas-led Gaza and killed 13,300 civilians, according to authorities in Gaza. Under terms of the deal, Hamas is to release 50 hostages and Israel will release 150 Palestinian prisoners during a four- to five-day pause in the fighting. The hostage group will include two American women and an American girl named Abigail who will turn four on Friday, the official said. The deal will also include more deliveries of humanitarian relief aid to Gaza, the official said. A rigorous inspection regime will ensure Hamas does not use the pause to rearm the group's fighters in Gaza with weaponry, the official said.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Abigail, Steve Holland, Costas Pitas, Humeyra Pamuk, Arshad Mohammed, Scott Malone, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Palestinian, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, U.S, Qatar, American

☆ The secret negotiations that led to the Gaza hostages deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Steve Holland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Pictures of hostages held in Gaza, who were seized from southern Israel on October 7 by Hamas gunmen during a deadly attack, are displayed in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 15, 2023. Demands were made that Hamas produce the lists of hostages it was holding, their identifying information, and guarantees of release. Biden held a previously undisclosed phone call with the Qatari prime minister when the phasing of releases began to take shape, the official said. Shortly after Biden's call, Hamas produced details for the 50 hostages it said would be released in the first phase of any deal. Biden in a Nov. 14 call urged Netanyahu to take the deal - Netanyahu agreed.

Persons: Ammar Awad, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Bill Burns, Jake Sullivan, Jon, Brett McGurk, Sullivan, McGurk, Josh Geltzer, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim, Biden, Netanyahu, Judith Raanan, Burns, David Barnea, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, ”, Abbas Kamil, Word, Steve Holland, Don Durfee Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, White, U.S, Israeli, CIA, U.S . Middle East, National Security Council, Hamas, Qatari, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Tel Aviv, Qatar, Egypt, United States, U.S, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Sullivan’s, Doha, Cairo, San Francisco, Asia, Lincoln

☆ Meet the Thai celebrities — and ‘boys love’ stars — becoming fashion’s newest power players
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Tiffany Ap | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

(CNN) — Back in February, Nattawin Wattanagitiphat’s fans spared no expense in marking the Thai actor’s 29th birthday. Local media reported his birthday haul totaled 50 million Thai baht, or around $1.4 million. But more often than not, the Thai stars who are able to build international fan bases tend to be actors. “K-pop stars dedicated their lives training (from a young age) to be idols,” but Thai stars, she said, can be more relaxed. We don’t really keep the talent in a box like Korean companies do.”Another advantage some Thai celebrities have is their ability to resonate among Chinese audiences.

Persons: Nattawin, Christian Dior, Lefty.io, Karla Otto, TikTok, Kylie Jenner, Zendaya, Pascal Le Segretain, Dior, Tontawan Tantivejakul, Lalisa Manobal, Lisa, Celine, There’s, Pharrell Williams, Louis Vuitton, Davika Hoorne, Urassaya Sperbund, ‘, Calvin Klein, Bright’s, Metawin, ’, Nichapat, Sumettikul, “ KinnPorsche ”, Ralph Lauren, Kanawut, Suphap, It’s, “, ”, ” Suphap, Blackpink, Jisoo, Jennie, Rose, Evan Agostini, Dior womenswear, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, Fatti, ” Laleh, ” Davika Hoorne, Michael Kors, Jamie McCarthy, Traipipattanapong, Gucci, Justin Shin, Krisda Witthayakhajorndet, Thais Organizations: The, Fashion, CNN, Thai, Rolex, Vogue, Mastercard, Bain & Company, American Vogue, Burberry, Prada, Venture Management, Gucci, MTV, Apo, South Locations: ’, Asia, India, Instagram, Thailand, North, South Asia, Thai, Southeast Asia, Pacific, Bangkok, Pee Mak, Norwegian, American, Vogue Thailand, Newark , New Jersey, Launchmetrics, Paris, Blackpink, Brooklyn , New York, Seoul, South Korea

CNN —Qatar is hoping to announce a deal as soon as Tuesday to release civilian hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 attack in exchange for a pause in fighting, according to a diplomatic source and another source familiar with the talks. US officials close to the negotiations stressed that while the deal is not done, they are increasingly optimistic and believe the many weeks of difficult work is about to pay off with a hostage release. Two Israeli sources said a deal could be announced as soon as Tuesday. The release of the prisoners needs to be approved by the Israeli government but isn’t expected to be an obstacle, one said. It was not immediately clear how many more – if any – American citizens would be among the 50 hostages that Hamas initially releases.

Persons: “, ”, Abigail Edan –, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Organizations: CNN —, CNN, American Locations: CNN — Qatar, Israel, Gaza

Washington CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu grabbed Brett McGurk’s arm as he walked out of a tense meeting of the Israeli Cabinet over securing the release of hostages Hamas was holding in Gaza. Hamas – after refusing for days – had relented in offering identifying information about several dozen hostages, such as their age, gender and nationalities. It laid out how women and children would leave in the first phase, as well as incentives for Hamas to release more hostages beyond that. On October 24, Hamas appeared to agree to the parameters of a deal to release women and children hostages. Hamas would only guarantee 50 and refused to produce identifying information about the hostages.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Brett McGurk’s, ” Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Hamas –, –, – couldn’t, Biden –, Xi Jinping –, Biden, McGurk, Bill Burns, Natalie, Judith Raanan, Jake Sullivan, Jon, Stephanie Hallett, Natalie Raanan’s, Burns, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel wasn’t, Israel, Blinken, David Barnea, ”, Matt Miller, John Kirby, Kirby, CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: Washington CNN, Israeli, White, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, Al, CIA, Qatari, White House, State Department, CNN, State, National Security, US State Department Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, San Francisco, Qatar, Doha, Cairo, Hamas

☆ The Secret Negotiations That Led to the Gaza Hostages Deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +8 min

Five days later, on Oct. 23, the White House team's work helped yield the release of two American hostages, Natalie and Judith Raanan. Demands were made that Hamas produce the lists of hostages it was holding, their identifying information, and guarantees of release. Biden held a previously undisclosed phone call with the Qatari prime minister when the phasing of releases began to take shape, the official said. Shortly after Biden's call, Hamas produced details for the 50 hostages it said would be released in the first phase of any deal. Biden in a Nov. 14 call urged Netanyahu to take the deal - Netanyahu agreed.

Persons: Steve Holland WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Bill Burns, Jake Sullivan, Jon, Brett McGurk, Sullivan, McGurk, Josh Geltzer, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim, Biden, Netanyahu, Judith Raanan, Burns, David Barnea, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, ”, Abbas Kamil, Word, Steve Holland, Don Durfee Organizations: White, U.S, Israeli, CIA, U.S . Middle East, National Security Council, Hamas, Qatari Locations: Israel, Qatar, Egypt, United States, U.S, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Tel Aviv, Sullivan’s, Gaza, Doha, Cairo, San Francisco, Asia

☆ Chilling video shows Iran-backed rebel commandos hijack a cargo ship during a helicopter raid
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Iran-backed Houthi rebels hijacked an internationally flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea on Sunday. AdvertisementA new video shared by the Houthi rebel group captures the Iran-backed militants conducting a dramatic helicopter raid of an internationally flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea and hijacking the vessel, taking its entire crew hostage. The spokesperson suggested to countries with citizens working in the Red Sea that they should avoid association with Israel-affiliated ships. Publicly available shipping data from as recent as Saturday shows the vessel was halfway through its south-bound transit of the Red Sea. Adding to their list of provocations, Houthi militants in early November even shot down a US military MQ-9 Reaper drone off the coast of Yemen.

Persons: —, Benjamin Netanyahu's, hijackings, Israel — Organizations: Service, Galaxy Leader, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Galaxy, US Navy Locations: Iran, Yemen, Bahamas, Israel, Israeli, Turkey, India, British, Ukrainian, Tehran, Hodeida, Yemen's, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria

☆ Yemen's Houthi capture ship on suspicion of Israeli connection
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Adnan Amin / 500Px | 500Px | Getty ImagesYemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants have captured what they called an Israeli ship in the Red Sea and taken it to the Yemeni coast, calling all Israeli vessels a "legitimate target." He urged the international community to avoid working with Israeli ships or owned by Israeli individuals. "Yemeni armed forces confirm that they will continue to carry out military operations against the Israeli enemy until the aggression against Gaza stops," the spokesperson said. On Monday, Japan's top government spokesperson confirmed the capture of the Nippon Yusen-operated ship, Galaxy Leader, according to Reuters. It is not an Israeli ship."

Persons: Adnan Amin, Houthi, Yahya Saree, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Netanyahu, Nasser Kanaani Organizations: Gaza, Nippon, Galaxy, Reuters, Google, Republic News Agency, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Locations: Iran, Yemeni, Tokyo, Saudi, Omani, Bahamas, Yemen, Turkey, India, Israeli, British, Israel, Straits, Hormuz, Tehran

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel said Yemen's Houthi rebels seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship in a crucial Red Sea shipping route on Sunday, raising fears that regional tensions heightened over the Israel-Hamas war were playing out on a new maritime front. There was no immediate comment from the Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel movement in Yemen that threatened earlier Sunday to target Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea. Netanyahu's office condemned the seizure of the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier, as an “Iranian act of terror." The Israeli military called the hijacking a “very grave incident of global consequence." The Houthis have repeatedly threatened to target Israeli ships in the waters off Yemen.

Persons: — Israel, Yemen's Houthi, Houthi, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Abraham “ Rami ” Ungar, Ungar, ___ Gambrell Organizations: JERUSALEM, Galaxy Leader, Ray Car Carriers, Associated Press, AP, AIS, Ships, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, U.S . Navy, Hamas Locations: Israel, Iran, Yemen, Red, Bahamas, British, Gulf of Oman, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Korfez, Turkey, Pipavav, India, Persian, Yemen’s, Hodeida, Eritrea, The, Egypt’s Suez, Mandeb, Africa, Gaza, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

☆ Hostage families put pressure on Israel's government
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Janis Laizans | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"We cannot wait any longer, so we are demand(ing) them to do that now, to pay any price to bring the hostages back." Many relatives and friends of the missing fear they will come to harm in Israeli attacks on Gaza designed to destroy Hamas. Also on the march was Adriana Adri, whose 85-year-old mother-in-law was among those taken by Hamas. "We are marching to Jerusalem to bring her back, to shout and to say that she must be here," Adri said. "We don't have time, we don't have one hour more, we don't know if she is alive."

Persons: Noam Alon, Yair Lapid, Benjamin Netanyahu, Miki Zohar, Ronen, Netanyahu's, Stevie Kerem, Adriana Adri, Adri, marcher, Meirav, Romi, Dan Williams, Crispian Balmer, Mike Harrison Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, REUTERS, Qatari, Thomson Locations: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Gaza, Israel

☆ Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu battles on all fronts, amid growing pressure to free hostages
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Tara John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Only a small handful of families have met with the Israeli leader since the attacks, infuriating the hundreds of other relatives. Freeing hostages should be at the top of the Israeli war cabinet’s agenda, he said. Winds have been shifting against the prime minister as Israel’s war in Gaza drags past its sixth week. Cracks emergeOpposition parties initially rallied behind Israel’s war effort, with National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz joining the wartime government – but cracks have begun to emerge. Freeing hostages from Hamas was worth it, “whatever the cost,” he said.

Persons: Jerusalem CNN —, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ” Gil Dickmann, Carmel Gat, ”, Benny Gantz, , Yair Lapid, Lapid, “, ” Lapid, Ada Gansach, Tara John, Israel, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben Gvir, ’, Ilan Rosenberg, Gilad Shalit, Asher Elyahol, ” Ofir Dagan, Dagan, Yehudit Waiss, Waiss, Elyahol, “ we’ll Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Israel’s, CNN, Palestinian, National Unity Party, Likud, Twitter, Israeli, National, Palestinian Prisoner’s Society, Family, Hamas, Reuters Locations: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Israel, Gaza, United States, Gulf, Qatar

☆ Israeli hostage families near Jerusalem in march of solidarity and protest
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Police blocked off parts of the main highway as the marchers began to ascend the foothills leading to Jerusalem. They held up pictures of their loved ones, waved Israeli flags, and chanted "We won't give up, we demand the hostages' release!" Hamas fighters took around 240 people hostage during their Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. Bring them back home now," said Yuval Haran, who walked with a placard showing seven members of his family who were taken hostage, including his three-year-old niece. The families and their supporters say they will end the march of about 60 km (37 miles) on Saturday in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem.

Persons: Yuval Haran, Steffen Seibert, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Ilan Rosenberg, Gareth Jones Organizations: Palestinian, Police, Thomson Locations: Jerusalem, Latrun, Israel, JERUSALEM, Gaza, Tel Aviv

☆ Israel 'not successful' in bid to minimize Gaza civilian casualties, Netanyahu says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv , Israel , 28 October 2023. And we shouldn't have any because we're doing everything we can to get the civilians out of harm's way, while Hamas is doing everything to keep them in harm's way," Netanyahu said. "The other thing that I can say is that we'll try to finish that job with minimal civilian casualties. On Thursday, Israel's air force dropped leaflets in parts of south Gaza telling people to evacuate for their own safety. Israel has also used leaflet drops in northern Gaza to warn civilians to move.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Benny Gantz, Netanyahu, Gaza's, Israel, we're, Rami Ayyub, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, television's CBS, CBS, United, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, ABIR, Gaza, Germany, United Nations

☆ Myanmar military, insurgents battle over port town
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Myanmar military soldiers who have surrendered to the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force ride in the back of a vehicle in Loikaw, Myanmar, in this still image taken from video released November 15, 2023. "In the evening, junta troops came into the town and shot and killed civilians," the alliance said. Three rebel groups, aligned with pro-democracy fighters and a parallel, pro-democracy civilian government, have captured several towns and military posts across the country. Junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun accused the rebel alliance of trying to get China's support for their cause. Junta state media said on Friday it had handed three Chinese nationals accused of running scams over to China, while a fourth suspect shot himself after being captured.

Persons: Zaw Min Tun, Kanupriya Kapoor, Robert Birsel Organizations: Myanmar, Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, REUTERS Acquire, Brotherhood Alliance, Reuters, Arakan Army, AA, Nations, Junta, Thomson Locations: Loikaw, Myanmar, Bengal, Pauktaw, Rakhine State, Myanmar's, Yangon, Shan State, China, Southeast Asia, India

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