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☆ America’s political turmoil hampers its capacity to lead through yet another global crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

But no one could foresee just how quickly the paralysis in Washington would test the country’s reaction to a major global crisis. A situation this dangerous requires a calm, united and thoughtful US response, supported across the political spectrum. This means, at best, the United States will spend the coming months preoccupied by its own political plight. As president, I will once again stand with Israel,” Trump said. A growing sense abroad that America’s political problems are limiting its ability to lead globally could also have a devastating effect on its power.

Persons: –, Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, “ Joe Biden, Israel, ” Trump, Biden, autocrats, doesn’t, Michael McCaul, Xi, Michael Lawler, “, ” Lawler, CNN’s Dana Bash, McCarthy, Jim Jordan, Trump, Steve Scalise, Ukraine –, America’s, Russia –, Antony Blinken, ”, Nikki Haley, Blinken, ” Haley, GOP Sen, Tim Scott of, Biden – Organizations: CNN, Republicans, Israel, Republican, Trump, Hamas, House Foreign Affairs, Texas Republican, GOP, Senate, Democratic, White, Russia, Republican Party, US Treasury Department, Union, United Nations, Press, Washington Locations: Israel, United States, Washington, Ukraine, Iran, Russia, China, “ State, Texas, New York, Kyiv, Beijing, Moscow, Tehran, Gaza, Islamic Republic, Saudi Arabia, Tim Scott of South Carolina

☆ Trump endorses Jordan as he injects himself into House chaos
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The ex-president dived into the mayhem following the ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, characteristically seeking to cast himself as kingmaker and to steal the spotlight for himself. Then Trump teased the possibility that he could even step in as speaker himself on an interim basis. But the ex-president’s biggest bombshell was still to come – shortly after midnight, he endorsed Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan for the job. Jordan, who is running against Republican House Majority leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana for the top job, would likely augur a new period of fierce combat with the White House if he wins the speakership. He has opposed the US lifeline of arms and ammunition to Ukraine, and a Republican House majority led by Jordan would likely increase the chances of a government shutdown next month in a showdown over spending with Democrats.

Persons: –, Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy, Trump, Jim Jordan, “, ” Trump, Joe Biden, Jordan, Steve Scalise, Scalise, McCarthy, ”, ” William Cohen, Bill Clinton, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, McCarthy –, Matt Gaetz, Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, it’s, ” Rep, Dusty Johnson, ” Johnson, Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Matt Rosendale, Rosendale, Jim Sciutto, CNN Max, Vladimir Putin Organizations: CNN, Republican, Trump White House, Capitol, Ohio Republican, Trump, Republicans, Washington, GOP, Democratic, White, ABC News, Biden, ”, CNN News Central, Ukraine Locations: Washington, Louisiana, Ukraine, Jordan, bankrolling, Russia, Maine, Florida, California, South Dakota, Southern, Matt Rosendale of Montana, Russian

☆ Nobel Peace Prize could give a glimmer of hope amid era of conflict and climate crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded in Norway on Friday, as Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine rages on and other flashpoints threaten to ignite across the globe. But the peace prize can serve as a beacon of hope in fraught and fractured times. “I think it’s precisely in a situation like this that the peace prize becomes particularly important. But Nobel specialists have been quick to dismiss such speculation, saying it is rare for the peace award to go to a wartime leader. “It would be like saying in 1941 that (then-British Prime Minister) Winston Churchill should get the Nobel Peace Prize.

Persons: humanity’s, “ There’s, ” Dan Smith, ” Henrik Urdal, Volodymyr Zelensky, Winston Churchill, Zelensky, ” Smith, Bryan R, Smith, Urdal, “, ”, ” Urdal, Alfred Nobel’s, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Center for Civil Liberties –, Ales Bialiatski, Dmitry Muratov, Muratov, ANDERSEN, El Niño, El Niño hasn’t, Victoria Tauli, Annie Ling, Juan Carlos Jintiach, Raoni Metuktire, Evaristo Sa, Lula da Silva Organizations: CNN, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Peace Research Institute, British, Getty, International Court of Justice, ICJ, Criminal Court, ICC, Ukraine – Memorial, Center for Civil Liberties, AFP, UN, New York Times, Brazilian Amazon, Brazil Locations: Norway, Ukraine, Stockholm, Peace Research Institute Oslo, Europe, SIPRI, AFP, Russia, Rome, Belarusian, Russian, Oslo, China, Pakistan, Canada, New York, Mexico, ”, Victoria, Ecuadorian, Brazilian, Amazonia

☆ Republican blockade of Ukraine aid and Slovakia’s election play into Putin’s hands
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Fico anchored his campaign on his anti-US rhetoric, vows to stop sending weapons to Ukraine and a pledge to thwart Kyiv’s NATO ambitions. The GOP tide against Ukraine gathers strengthZelensky’s visit to Washington to shore up Ukraine aid last month looks prescient. At Republican campaign events, voters often voice antipathy to sending billions of dollars to Ukraine, and polls show rising public skepticism. Still, for now, there is a bipartisan Washington majority in favor of Ukraine aid, although the chaos in the GOP raises questions about how it will be delivered. So we’ve got to find a way that we can do this together.”But if McCarthy is toppled and replaced by a more radical speaker, Ukraine could run out of luck.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy didn’t, Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden, McCarthy, Robert Fico’s, Fico, –, Putin, Donald Trump, Fico’s, Trump, embolden Putin, “ Putin, Mike Quigley, “, ”, Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, “ Joe Biden, Dmytro Kuleba, ” Kuleba, “ They’re, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Russia, Ukraine, Republican, NATO, Ukraine –, Kyiv, Brexit, “, Soviet MiG, European Union, GOP, Democratic, Illinois, Congressional Ukraine Caucus, Democrat, Rep, Trump Georgia Rep, Foreign, CBS, Trump Locations: Ukraine, Slovakia, US, Poland, Warsaw, Western, Kyiv, France, Germany, “ Slovakia, Slovakian, Russia, Soviet, United States, Turkey, Sweden, Moscow, Czechoslovakia, Soviet Union, Bratislava, Washington, Biden’s, Florida, ” Ukraine

☆ Putin's pick to lead the Wagner Group is likely considered a 'traitor' by his own men, UK says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The new head of Wagner is likely seen as a "traitor" by his men, per a UK intelligence assessment. AdvertisementAdvertisementRussian President Vladimir Putin has picked someone to lead the powerful Wagner paramilitary group who is likely viewed as a "traitor" by his own men, according to a British military intelligence assessment published Saturday. A Kremlin spokesperson later described Troshev, a veteran of Wagner operations in Syria, as an employee of Russia's defense ministry. As a result, "Many Wagner veterans likely consider him a traitor," stated the Sept. 30 assessment. And that future, it continued — in contrast with the Prigozhin days — will likely entail "greater oversight from the Kremlin."

Persons: Wagner, Andrei Troshev, Vladimir Putin, —, Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin, iva, ann Organizations: Service, Kremlin, Ministry of Defense, Ukraine –, Defence Locations: Ukraine, Syria, osh

☆ Russia's air force has lost 90 planes in Ukraine and is becoming less formidable by overworking its jets, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's air force has lost 90 planes in Ukraine since February 2022, British intelligence said. Despite this, Russia still has the ability to fly missions over occupied Ukraine, the update said. AdvertisementAdvertisementRussia's air force has lost 90 planes since the start of the war in Ukraine and is becoming less formidable by overworking its jets, UK intelligence said. Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 28 September 2023. Its air force has managed to maintain its overall front-line strength by restoring old, grounded airframes and acquiring from NATO countries 18 Su-25s and 27 MiG-29s.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, British Ministry of Defence, Latest Defence, Ukraine –, Defence Locations: Ukraine, Russia

☆ JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warns the Russia-Ukraine war and other global clashes are the greatest threat to the world today
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Be ready for energy prices to spike and interest rates to climb higher, Jamie Dimon said. The JPMorgan CEO warns geopolitical threats like Russia's invasion of Ukraine are critical concerns. AdvertisementAdvertisementBe prepared for higher energy prices, steeper interest rates, and a potential economic hangover from a reduction in government spending, Jamie Dimon says. But Russia's invasion of Ukraine – and how it's reshaping global relations – is the number one threat to the world, according to the JPMorgan CEO. "I think people should be prepared for higher oil and gas prices, higher rates," Dimon told CNBC-TV18 on Tuesday.

Persons: Jamie Dimon, —, Dimon, we've Organizations: Service, Ukraine –, JPMorgan, CNBC, TV18, Federal Reserve Locations: Ukraine, Russia, European, China

☆ China has poured billions into Africa’s infrastructure. Is it now tightening the tap?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The impact of those funds is felt across Africa, where residents in major cities like Lagos, Nairobi and Addis Ababa now transit daily via railways, highways and airports built in recent years with Chinese loans and often by Chinese construction firms. But understanding how much money is flowing out of China into global development is notoriously tricky as Beijing doesn’t share this data openly and a wide range of financial entities play roles. How all this plays out could have a significant impact on developing countries’ access to much-needed infrastructure funding. China is also navigating the second decade of the Belt and Road amid stark economic challenges at home. China in 2017 released guidance on promoting a “green” Belt and Road, which called for sustainable development and strengthening environmental protection.

Persons: laud, Xi, Roberto Matchissa, Oyintarelado Moses, ”, Moses, Ammar A, Malik, “, Austin Strange, Yasuyoshi Chiba, AidData’s Malik, HKU’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Initiative, Boston University Global Development, Center, Getty, CNN, Global China Initiative, Global Development Policy, William, Mary’s Global Research Institute, University of Hong, Global Development Locations: China, Hong Kong, Africa, Beijing, Lagos, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Ukraine, Maputo, Katembe, Mozambique, AFP, Kazakhstan, Zambia, Ghana, University of Hong Kong, Kenya, United States, China’s

In short, Russia’s children are being prepared for war. Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov said recently that there are now about 10,000 so-called “military-patriotic” clubs in Russian schools and colleges, and a quarter-of-a-million people take part in their work. There are mandatory classes on military-patriotic values; updated history books accentuate Russian military triumphs. President Putin has personally led the campaign to inject patriotism into Russia’s schools. That message - hammered home by the president and state media - is now being taken into Russia’s schools.

Persons: Sergei Kravtsov, Vladimir Putin, ’, ”, ” Putin, Ukraine “, Putin, “, Vyacheslav Gladkov, Uliana Shumelova, schooler, Sergei Shoigu, Shoigu, Daria, Vladimir, Ukraine –, Buryatia, She’d, It’s Organizations: CNN, Education, Security, Defense, Education Ministry, Novosti, RIA Novosti, Russia, Kremlin, Educational, Ministry of Defense, Air Defense, United, ”, Northern Military District, Military Sports Games, Defense Ministry, Armed Forces Russian Federation Locations: Pacific, Ukraine, Moscow, Russian, Russia, Crimea, Ukrainian, stoke, Belgorod, Krasnodar, Vologda, Sakhalin, Russia’s Far, Yeysk, Azov, Astrakhan, United Russia, Vladivostok, Voronezh, Ussuriysk, Buryatia, Chita trumpeted, Orenburg, Polish, Perm, State

☆ Poland's arms spat with Ukraine has angered many in Europe, and it's only good news for Putin
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

A senior EU diplomat told CNN: “Ukraine already offered Poland a solution on grain. The country is currently trying to join both the EU and NATO, for which it has unanimous support. Most EU member states accept that in order to accommodate Ukraine, there will need to be substantial reform to how the EU operates. The final reason that officials across Europe are furious about this week’s events is that it hands Russian President Vladimir Putin a propaganda coup. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, when asked about the spat, used it to say “there are certain tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia’s, Zelensky, Mateusz Morawiecki, Andrzej Duda, Angela Weiss, Wojtek Jargilo, ”, –, Poland –, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov Organizations: CNN, Ukraine, European Union, EU, Justice, UN, Getty, NATO, “, EU Commission, Kremlin Locations: Poland, Warsaw, Kyiv, Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia, Europe, Polish, ” Poland, New York City, ”, Russia, EU, “ Ukraine, “, Brussels

CNN —The general leading Ukraine’s counteroffensive along the southern front line says his forces have broken through in Verbove – and predicts an even bigger breakthrough to come. However, open-source analysis of available video suggests that some Ukrainian units have crossed through an important line of Russian defenses near the village of Verbove. Stringer/ReutersAt the beginning of September Ukrainian forces said they had taken the village of Robotyne and were pushing east toward the village of Novoprokopivka. CNN reported earlier this week that the Ukrainian forces were still some 20 kilometers from Tokmak, struggling to break through the multiple layers of Russian defenses. “But the actions of our fighters force them to slowly pull back when they face our assault squads.”The general conceded that for the counteroffensive to be a success, Ukrainian forces need to at least reach the city of Tokmak.

Persons: Verbove –, Oleksandr Tarnavsky, Frederik Pleitgen, ”, Stringer, Soldiers, Tarnavsky, ” Tarnavsky, “, Rather, Sergey Surovikin, Ukraine – Tarnavsky, Tokmak, Pleitgen, It’s, Ukraine’s, CNN Wagner, ‘, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, Prigozhin, redeploying, that’s, it’s Wagner, it’s Organizations: CNN, International, Kyiv, Reuters, Assault Brigade Locations: Verbove, Russia, Ukrainian, Zaporizhzia, Zaporizhzhia, Crimea, Robotyne, Novoprokopivka, Ukraine, Tokmak, West, Russian, Belarus, Kherson, –, Sevastopol, Crimean

☆ Poland says it will stop arming Ukraine. How did we get here – and what does it mean for the war?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Poland’s decision was both sudden and predictable, coming after months of tensions over a temporary ban on Ukrainian grain imports to a number of European Union countries. “We no longer transfer weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland,” Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in a blunt social media statement on Wednesday. But three nations – Poland, Hungary and Slovakia – said they intended to defy the change and keep the restrictions in place. They are particularly suffering in their stronghold rural regions in eastern Poland, where agriculture is an important economic pillar. The urgency of the war to Poland has also slipped over the course of year.

Persons: Mateusz Morawiecki, Morawiecki, Piotr Muller, CNN Muller, Slovakia –, Alexander Ermochenko, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, ”, Mateusz, Beata Zawrzel, PiS, Vladimir Putin Organizations: London CNN, European Union, NATO, Ukrainian, CNN, EU, European Commission, Reuters, UN, Assembly, Ukraine, Law, Justice, Confederation, Kyiv Locations: Kyiv, Russia, Poland’s, Poland, Ukraine, Polish, United States, Soviet, Warsaw, Slovakia, Hungary, Europe, Zaporizhzhia, Russian, New York, Moscow, Ukrainian, Germany, Ukraine’s

☆ Report calls for action on sexual violence in Russia's war on Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The world must learn from the mistakes made after the war in Bosnia to avoid putting Ukrainian victims of rape and conflict-related sexual violence through decades of trauma, a new expert report has warned. Prey said that when considering survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, it is crucial to put aside biases and stigma and make sure everyone who is impacted is included. “We often think sexual violence is a crime that only happens to women, but it’s a crime that happens to everyone. “If we don’t really think about conflict-related sexual violence enough, then we especially don’t think about children born of wartime rape. “And survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, they deserve more than that.

Persons: ”, Emily Prey, “, …, Vladimir Putin, Prey Organizations: CNN, United Nations, New Lines Institute, Strategy, Dayton Peace Accords, Dayton Accords Locations: Bosnia, Ukraine, Bosnian, Russia, US, Dayton, UN’s, Montenegro, Lithuania, Germany, Sweden, Spain

☆ Republican Party infighting is driving America toward a government shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

More broadly, it could raise fresh doubts about the capacity of a polarized nation – featuring an ever more extreme and performative Republican Party in ex-President Donald Trump’s image – to govern itself. But the Republican majority is so thin – the speaker can lose only four votes with its current margin – and the party is so bitterly divided, that past experience may be a poor predictor of outcomes. So handing a win to the critical Republicans on whom the GOP majority depends may be a poor strategy. Rep. Mike Lawler talks on his way to a House Republican Conference meeting at the US Capitol on September 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. Rep. Matt Gaetz talks on his way to a House Republican Conference meeting at the Capitol on September 19, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, Donald Trump’s, Nancy Mace, McCarthy, Mike Simpson, it’s, ” Simpson, ”, Trump, Mike Lawler, ” Lawler, Chip Somodevilla, Hakeem Jeffries, they’ve, Matt Gaetz, “ It’ll, Mike Garcia, CNN’s Manu Raju, Don Bacon, Ukraine –, Biden, “, ” McCarthy Organizations: CNN, Republican, Chinese Communist Party, Capitol, GOP, Senate, Republicans, ” South Carolina GOP Rep, Trump, Democrats, Democrat, House Republican, Democratic Party, Congressional Progressive Caucus, ”, Democratic, ex, Navy, Nebraska Rep, Biden, United Nations Locations: America, ”, Idaho, Ukraine, New York, Washington ,, ” Florida, California, Nebraska, Washington

CNN —Poland said Wednesday it will stop providing weapons to Ukraine amid a growing dispute between the two countries over a temporary ban on Ukrainian grain imports. “We no longer transfer weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland,” Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on social media. The ban on Ukrainian grain was initially put in place earlier this year by several European Union nations, to protect the livelihood of local farmers worried about being undercut by low prices of Ukrainian grain. But three nations – Poland, Hungary and Slovakia – said they intended to defy the change and keep the restrictions in place. Polish President Andrzej Duda also urged greater unity and action on Wednesday at a meeting of the UN Security Council, of which Russia is a permanent member.

Persons: CNN —, Mateusz Morawiecki, Ukraine’s, Vladimir Putin’s, Slovakia –, Volodymyr Zelensky, Gleb Garanich, ” Zelensky’s, Pawel Jablonski, Morawiecki, ” Morawiecki, “, Andrzej Duda, ”, ” Duda Organizations: CNN, Eastern, European Union, EU, UN, Assembly, NATO, Ukrainian, United Nations, Kiel, UN Security Council Locations: Ukraine, Poland, Polish, Kyiv, Warsaw, Hungary, Slovakia, Europe, Bilohiria, Moscow, Ukrainian, United States, Soviet, Russia

CNN —South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned on Wednesday that his country and its allies “will not stand idly by” if North Korea receives Russian help to boost its weapons of mass destruction – just days after the leaders of the two nuclear-armed nations held a closely watched summit. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Russia last week for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed Yoon’s call to reform the UN Security council during his address at the UNGA, and accused Russia of seeking weapons from North Korea. Still, the talks signaled closer relations between the two countries, both of which face international isolation – Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and North Korea for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program. As the war drags on, Moscow is desperate for fresh supplies of ammunition – while North Korea ramps up its weapons testing program, eager to advance its nuclear ambitions.

Persons: Yoon Suk Yeol, “, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Yoon, ” Yoon, North Korea “, Antony Blinken, Putin, Dmitry Peskov Organizations: CNN, South, Ukraine –, United Nations General Assembly, UN Security, UN Security Council, UN Locations: Korea, Russia, Moscow, Pyongyang, South Korea, New York, North Korea, Ukraine, Republic of Korea

United Nations CNN —Western support for Ukraine as it defends against Russia has globally significant consequences, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Tuesday, urging Kyiv’s backers to remain steadfast. “It is about making sure that Russia is not able legally to forcefully shift the borders in Europe,” Duda told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview from the United Nations headquarters in New York. There is no compromise solution, Duda also said – a position shared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Both leaders took the podium in New York on Tuesday morning, as the United Nations General Debate got underway. Only then will we be able to say that Russian imperialism was really defeated,” Duda told Tapper.

Persons: Andrzej Duda, ” Duda, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Duda, Volodymyr Zelensky, Tapper, Zelensky, – Organizations: United Nations CNN, Russia, United Nations, Ukrainian, Ukraine, NATO, Abrams Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Europe, New York, United States, ” Poland, Ukrainian, Lviv, Poland, Kyiv, Washington

☆ Analysis: China may not fear a closer Russia and North Korea like the West
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“China is too important for both North Korea and Russia, so for them it would be foolish to do something behind China’s back that it wouldn’t like,” he said. Shen Hong/Xinhua/Getty ImagesBalance of powerChina, which supported communist North Korea in the Korean War some 70 years ago, has maintained a complicated relationship with its rogue neighbor. “China would support a more capable North Korea in many respects – economically, militarily – and a North Korea that continues to serve as a troublemaker for the US,” said Li. “When you have a more assertive North Korea it will lead to some sort of incentive for the US and South Korea to seek China’s cooperation in terms of dealing with North Korea,” he said. But despite the potential gains, experts also say China is not immune to the risks that can come from a stronger Russia or a stronger North Korea.

Persons: Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong, ”, Alexander Korolev, China’s, Putin, Kim, what’s, Li Mingjiang, Xi Jinping, Shen Hong, it’s, Li, ” Yun Sun, Leif, Eric Easley Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Relations, University of New, North, Vostochny, Foreign Ministry, Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, “, Korean, Getty, United, US, China Program, Stimson, NATO, Ewha University Locations: China, Hong Kong, Russian, South Korea, Japan, Ukraine, United States, Europe, Moscow, Pyongyang, Russia, North Korea, Beijing, University of New South Wales, Australia, Ukraine –, Xi, Xinhua, United Nations, Korea, Washington, Sun, US, —, “ Beijing, Seoul, “

☆ Number of billion-dollar weather disasters in US blows through annual record with four months left in the year
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

This year’s billion-dollar disasters have caused 253 direct and indirect fatalities and have resulted in $57.6 billion in damage, NOAA data shows. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Ken Kruse looks out at floodwaters surrounding his apartment complex in Tarpon Springs, Florida, on August 30. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Florida's Fort Myers Beach is seen during high tide ahead of Hurricane Idalia on August 29. Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg/Getty Images Shelves are left empty at a Target store in Gainesville, Florida, on August 29. Sarah Salmonese sits where her apartment once stood in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday, August 11.

Persons: CNN — It’s, Idalia, Hilary, Rachel Cleetus, ” Cleetus, Cristobal Herrera, Shutterstock, Sean Rayford, Cheney Orr, Reuters Jewell Baggett, Ulashkevich, EFE, Thomas Simonetti, Jack Lemburg, Richard Burkhart, Douglas R, Clifford, Zuma Press Donnye Franklin, Joe Raedle, Rebecca Blackwell, Ron DeSantis, Savannah Alderman Nick Palumbo, Ken Kruse, Hurricane Idalia, Eva Marie Uzcategui, Christian Monterrosa, Stephen M, Dowell, Reagan Ortagus, Tyler, Bob Self, NOAA Ana Iris Aguiar, Alexandre Meneghini, Marco Bello, Adrees Latif, Samson, Victor Cassano's, Chris O'Meara, Yamil Lage, Sharon Walsh, Doug Engle, Christine Willis, Andrew West, Harvey, Irma, Maria, Adam Smith, Michael, Laura, Ida, Ian, ” Smith, Deanne Criswell, Sarah Salmonese, Go Nakamura, Ken Alba, Jae C, Yuki Iwamura, Patrick T, Fallon, Bryan Anselm, Mike Blake, Matthew A, Foster, Rick Bowmer, Lauren Haley, Makalea Ahhee, Justin Sullivan, Max Whittaker, Zoltan Balogh, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, Evelio Contreras, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Matthew Thayer, Criswell, It’s, ” Criswell, Cleetus, ” Organizations: CNN, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Idalia, NOAA, Tropical, Union of Concerned, “, Tampa Bay Times, ZUMA Press, Reuters, Press, Washington Post, Angels Episcopal Church, Savannah Morning, USA, Network Rescue, Zuma Press, AP Florida Gov, Savannah, Bloomberg, Getty, Duke, Orlando Sentinel, Florida Times, Union, AP, Reuters Pike Electric, Southwest Airlines, Tampa International Airport, Reuters Home Depot, Reuters Fort Myers, Federal Emergency Management, FEMA, Senate, Ukraine, New York Times, Staff, US Army National Guard, Maui Police, Facility, AP Volunteers, Grace Baptist, Volunteers, Los Angeles Times, Kahului Airport, Technologies, Kahului, AP Helicopters, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Maui News Locations: United States, South, Midwest, California, Horseshoe Beach , Florida, Bend, Tampa, Horseshoe Beach, Perry , Florida, Keaton Beach , Florida, Madison , Florida, Steinhatchee , Florida, Samarra, St, Savannah , Georgia, Savannah, Steinhatchee, Crystal River , Florida, Perry, Crystal, Tarpon Springs , Florida, Mayo , Florida, Tarpon Springs, Myers, Hurricane, Gainesville , Florida, Sumterville , Florida, Johns County , Florida, Florida, NOAA, La Coloma, Cuba, Clearwater , Florida, Playa Majana, Suwannee , Florida, Batabanó, AFP, Guanimar, Ocala , Florida, USA, Reuters Fort Myers Beach, Gulf, Lahaina , Hawaii, Lahaina, Hawaii, Maui, Wahikuli, Wailuku, Kula , Hawaii, Kula, Kihei, West Maui, Grace, Napili, Honokowai, Honolulu, Maalaea, Kahului, Las Vegas, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji

“We hope this G20 summit will show that the world’s major economies can work together even in challenging times,” US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said this week. The institutions, created in the aftermath of World War II, have long funded education, public health and infrastructure programs in developing countries. Sullivan said this week the World Bank reforms were “not against China,” noting Beijing is a shareholder in the bank. “The biggest shareholders of the World Bank are all sitting around the G20 table. The contrast between Biden’s presence at the summit – which includes a number of developing countries – and Xi’s absence will also give the American president an opportunity to highlight the US’ commitment to the developing world.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Biden’s, Jake Sullivan, Narendra Modi, Modi, India hasn’t, Sullivan, We’ve, ”, Yun Sun, Stimson, –, – Biden, “ We’ve, Xi, Putin, China –, ” Sullivan Organizations: New, New Delhi CNN, ”, Indian, West, World Bank, Bank, Initiative Locations: New Delhi, Russia, China, Ukraine, Beijing, United States, India, Ukraine –, Bali

Watson did not say when and where a potential meeting between Kim and Putin in Russia might take place. North Korea does not currently have any nuclear-powered submarines, according to an assessment from Nuclear Threat Initiative, a think-tank focused on reducing nuclear threats. Earlier this month, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on three entities it accused of being tied to arms deals between North Korea and Russia. Apart from North Korea, Russia has also received drones and artillery from Iran. These are our neighbors,” Shoigu told reporters, referring to North Korea by its official name.

Persons: Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu, “, Kim Jong Un, Adrienne Watson, Watson, Kim, Putin, ”, Dmitry Peskov, John Kirby, Wagner, Kirby, ” Kirby, Biden, ” Shoigu, Xi Jinping, Li Zhanshu, China’s, Xi Organizations: CNN, North, National Security, ”, Russian, National Intelligence Service, ” CNN, Korean Central News Agency, Nuclear Threat Initiative, New York Times, Eastern Economic, US, Russian Defense, Democratic People’s, Economic, Communist Party, Group Locations: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, North Korea, Pyongyang, Russian, Washington, Korea, North, Vladivostok, “, Iran, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, East, Beijing, India

Yet several hard-right conservatives told CNN they are prepared to take down the rule over the spending bill if their demands aren’t met. Democrats are already trying to pin the blame on any shutdown on the House GOP. Ukraine funding a key flashpoint in HouseHow McCarthy deals with the immediate spending demands remains to be seen, including whether he’ll agree to pair the short-term spending bill with any aid to Ukraine. Simpson said of tying Ukraine aid to the short-term spending bill: “That’s a tougher sell. “Once you get truly into the presidential cycle, everything gets that much more difficult.”Hardliners may upend McCarthy’s strategyHard-line conservatives are already threatening to make McCarthy’s calculus more complicated if he cuts a short-term spending deal with Democrats.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, It’s, ” McCarthy, Department of Homeland Security –, Joe Biden, Ukraine –, aren’t, Mike Simpson of, ” Simpson, Don Bacon, Biden, “, ”, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Kevin Hern of, Hern, Simpson, Vladimir Putin’s, we’re, Sen, Tammy Duckworth, upend, Ralph Norman –, –, hasn’t, Matt Gaetz, Bob Good, Darrell Issa, ” Issa Organizations: CNN, GOP, White, Department of Homeland Security, White House, Democrats, ”, Senate, Republican, Republican Party, Party, Illinois Democrat, South Carolina Republican, Virginia Locations: Ukraine, Mike Simpson of Idaho, Washington, Nebraska, Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, Illinois, Florida, California

☆ Days after Wagner chief Prigozhin's reported death, Putin demands mercenaries swear allegiance to Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Amanda Macias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON — Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree Friday requiring all mercenaries to swear allegiance to Russia, a revelation that comes on the heels of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin's reported death. Prigozhin marched his Wagner mercenaries on Moscow following months of frustrations stemming from a lack of Russian battlefield successes in Ukraine. The rebellion was quietly called off between Putin and his once-personal-chef Prigozhin and the ex-Kremlin confidant was exiled to Belarus. Read more: Putin says Prigozhin ‘made serious mistakes’ in first remarks since plane crash that likely killed the Wagner bossOn Thursday, Putin issued quick, impersonal remarks to the families involved in the plane crash that is believed to have killed Prigozhin and top Wagner officers. The doomed flight from Moscow to St. Petersburg has been described as Putin's "public execution" of Prigozhin.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Vladimir Putin, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin's, –, Ukraine –, Prigozhin, Putin, Read, Prigozhin ‘ Organizations: Wagner, Kremlin Locations: Russian, Russia, Africa, Syria, Ukraine, Moscow, Belarus, St, Petersburg

☆ What Putin will take away from the first Republican presidential debate
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —If Vladimir Putin was watching the Republican presidential debate on Wednesday night, he would have found one more reason to dig in for a long war of attrition in Ukraine. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy acted as Trump’s stand-in, mining a deep seam of skepticism over the war among GOP grassroots voters. Chris Christie, who recently returned from Ukraine, warned: “This is the Vladimir Putin, who Donald Trump called brilliant and a genius. The debate underscored one of the tragedies of the war for Ukraine. They can’t control what Putin does, which means their fate will also be on the ballot in the US in 2024.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump’s “, Ronald Reagan, Volodymyr Zelensky’s, Joe Biden, Trump, Ukraine’s, Biden, Vivek Ramaswamy, ” Ramaswamy, Ramaswamy, he’s, –, Chris Christie, Donald Trump, ”, Nikki Haley, Ukraine –, “, Haley, Mike Pence, Pence, Putin, it’s, ” Pence, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, ” DeSantis, you’re, I’m Organizations: CNN, Republican, GOP, “, Former New Jersey Gov, United, Ukraine, Republicans, South, ”, Russia, China, Putin, NATO, Trump, Florida Gov Locations: Ukraine, Milwaukee, “ Ukraine, United States of America, Iraq, Vietnam, China, Russia, South Carolina, America, United States, Florida

☆ Dedollarization suffers a blow as the greenback's share in global payments hits a record high
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Zahra Tayeb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The international drive to end the dollar's dominance has suffered a blow, with the greenback's role in global payments hitting a record high. SWIFT data showed as much as 46% of foreign-exchange payments in July via the messaging system involved the dollar. The jump in dollar usage comes at a time when countries including China and Russia are trying to move away from the greenback. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe jump in dollar-based SWIFT payments raises challenges to the movement to end the greenback's supermacy of global payments and fund transfers. Some market experts however have ridiculed the so-called dedollarization efforts, with one calling the proposed BRICS currency plan "embarrassing."

Persons: SWIFT Organizations: Service, Society, Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, Bloomberg Locations: China, Russia, Wall, Silicon, India, Ukraine

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