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☆ Attorneys say Austin violated military rules in halting deal for alleged 9/11 conspirators
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Wednesday’s pretrial hearing, which has been scheduled for months, followed a whiplash decision by Austin to revoke a plea deal that had been announced just two days prior last week. “What he did was illegal,” Eugene Fidell, who teaches military justice at Yale University and co-founded the National Institute of Military Justice, told CNN. But Sowards argued Wednesday that by revoking the deal, Austin was actually doing more harm to the families. While the terms of the pretrial agreement had not been released publicly, among them was the assurance that the detainees would answer questions by 9/11 victim family members. Sowards said family members had already “been submitting questions in good faith,” and expecting answers in return as part of the deal.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, ”, ” Walter Ruiz, Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi, Austin, Susan Escallier, Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘ Attash, Ruiz, “, ” Austin, ” Eugene Fidell, Gary Sowards, Mohammad, ” Sowards, Clayton Trivett, ’ ”, Austin “, Antony Blinken, “ I’m, Sowards, Wells Dixon, Majid Khan, Khan, Dixon, ” Dixon, Eugene Fidell’s Organizations: CNN —, Defense, Guantanamo, Pentagon, White, White House, Yale University, National Institute of Military, CNN, Military Commissions, Austin, Military, Australian, American, ”, Center for Constitutional Rights Locations: Guantanamo, Austin, Belize

☆ A second Iranian attack on Israel would likely dwarf its first
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Read previewIran has repeatedly vowed it will attack Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas' political leader in Tehran on July 31. Iran directly attacked Israel for the first time in April, two weeks after Israel assassinated Iranian paramilitary commanders at an Iranian consulate annex in Damascus, Syria. AdvertisementHow Israel would retaliate for any Iranian attack would likely depend on certain factors. "If the coming Iranian attack causes Israeli casualties, they are likely to want to respond harshly," Azizi said. Devine believes Israel's response will depend on the "amount of damage and casualties" any Iranian attack ultimately causes.

Persons: —, Israel, Israel's, Fuad Shukr, Ismail Haniyeh, Antony Blinken, Arash Azizi, Azizi, what's, James Devine, Mount Allison University, Devine, MENAHEM KAHANA, Marwan Naamani, Ain, Washington Institute's Nadimi Organizations: Service, Business, Sunday, Clemson University, Iran's, National Security Council, Department of Politics, Relations, Mount Allison, Getty, Washington Institute for Near East, Tel, Hezbollah, Ain al Asad, IDF, Washington Locations: Iran, Tehran, Lebanon, Beirut, Israel, Iranian, Damascus, Syria, Britain, France, Jordan, Iraq's, Karbala, US, AFP, Yemen, Iraq, Tel Aviv, Lebanese, Ain al

Beirut, Lebanon CNN —Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said his group will respond to Israel “regardless of the consequences” to avenge the assassination of the group’s top commander a week ago, but keeping Israelis waiting is “part of the punishment.”“Their government, their army, their society, their settlements and their occupiers are all waiting,” Nasrallah said. Keeping Israel waiting is “part of the battle,” he added. The monthslong, cross-border exchange of fire intensified Tuesday morning after Hezbollah launched a “swarm” of drones towards what it said are military targets in northern Israeli cities. The Israeli military said the building was used by Hezbollah. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his Islamic Revolutionary Guard promised Israel a “painful” response for the killing of Haniyeh in Tehran.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, ” “, ” Nasrallah, ”, Fuad Shukr, Ismail Haniyeh, Ali Khamenei, Israel, Asad, Defense Lloyd Austin, Antony Blinken, Haniyeh Organizations: Lebanon CNN, CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Iran’s, Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Al, Pentagon, Defense, Officials, Organization of Islamic Cooperation Locations: Beirut, Lebanon, Israel, Nahariya, Iran, Shukr, Tehran, Haniyeh, Asad Airbase, Iraq, Jordanian, Jeddah

☆ Oil prices climb more than $1 on fear of spreading Middle East conflict
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices climbed more than $1 on Tuesday, paring the previous day's loss as concern that an escalating Middle East conflict could hit supplies outweighed fear of a possible U.S. recession that could hurt demand in the world's biggest oil consumer. Oil's slide was limited by worry that Iranian retaliation for the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran may lead to a wider war in the Middle East. "Increased fear of escalating Middle East conflict prompted fresh buying," said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, president of NS Trading, a unit of Nissan Securities . "The market has largely factored in a retaliatory attack by Iran so the focus is on its scale and Israel's counterattack," Kikukawa said. If the conflict escalates, oil prices will rise, but if it is contained in the short term - as it was in April amid similar escalation fear - gain will be limited, he said.

Persons: paring, Hiroyuki Kikukawa, Kikukawa, Antony Blinken, Masoud Pezeshkian, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas, NS, Nissan Securities, State Department, Reuters, OPEC Locations: Fort Stockton , Texas, Tehran, Iran, Israel, U.S, Iraq, Russia, Venezuela

☆ ‘We are all united’: South Florida’s Venezuelan community gathers to protest election
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Bri Buckley | Bri Buckley Is A Reporter For Nbc In South Florida. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The crowd condemned long-time Venezuelan socialist president Nicolas Maduro after he said he beat opponent Edmundo González Urrutia in Sunday’s election. “It’s really, really, really a congregation that we see all around the world that we showed to the world that it was a fraud and Venezuela deserved freedom,” said Gabriel Duque. Many are hopeful their voices will be heard and they can go back to their home country again soon. If you ask a regular Venezuelan, he’s going to tell you that he wants Maduro to leave because we want to go back to our country. And as soon as we remove Nicolás Maduro, you’re going to see, you’re going to witness all Venezuelans going back to our country because we never want to left,” Morin said.

Persons: MIAMI —, Nicolas Maduro, Edmundo González Urrutia, González Urrutia, Antony Blinken, Pope Francis, “, ”, Alfredo Leon, Maria Teresa Morin, Chandan Khanna, Ysbael Bello, Daniella Levine Cava, Joe Carollo, “ It’s, Gabriel Duque, Maduro, ” Morin, ” Leon Organizations: MIAMI, Venezuelan, Getty, Local, Dade, Miami City, Doral Mayor Locations: Downtown Miami, Venezuelan, Sunday’s, U.S, South Florida, Miami, Dade County, Doral Mayor Christi Fraga, Venezuela

☆ Ukraine finally sends F-16s into the battle against Russia — but they might not be a game-changer
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Flanked by another two of the U.S.-made combat aircraft, Zelenskyy announced on Sunday that the country's air force had already started operations using the warplanes against Russia. A number of Ukraine's European allies have pledged to send F-16s to Ukraine, and the first batch arrived in the country in late July. Russia has dismissed the supply of F-16s, with Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying last Thursday that Russian forces were prepared to shoot down the F-16 jets. The first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon received by Ukraine is seen on the Day of Ukrainian Air Force on August 4, 2024 in Unspecified, Ukraine. "The jets will considerably enhance Ukraine's ability to prevent Russian pilots entering Ukrainian air space, and can also target Russian cruise missiles in flight.

Persons: Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Ukraine's, Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, Vitalii, Antony Blinken, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov, Mykola Bielieskov, Bielieskov Organizations: Falcons, Dynamics, Anadolu, Getty, Ukraine's Air Forces, Ukrainian, Ukrainian Air Force, Anadolu Agency, NATO, Defense, National Institute for Strategic Studies, Fighting Falcons, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Russia, U.S, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, States, USSR, Kyiv, Ukrainian

☆ Venezuelans march over contested election, number of detained rises
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-04 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Thousands of Venezuelans marched across the South American country on Saturday over its contested election, as President Nicolas Maduro told supporters some 2,000 people had been arrested during protests against the results. The published election result sparked widespread allegations of fraud and protests. Subsequently security forces cracked down on protests which Maduro’s government labeled part of an attempted U.S.-backed coup. “This time there will be no forgiveness,” Maduro told supporters at a rally in Caracas, where he said some 2,000 people had been detained in connection to “crimes” during the protests. During the week, some Venezuelans have appeared outside police stations seeking news of their detained family members.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Maduro, Edmundo Gonzalez, ” Maduro, ” Maduro’s, …, ” Alfredo Valera, Venezuela’s, Maria Corina Machado, “, ” Machado, Machado, ”, Maria Luzardo, Gonzalez, Antony Blinken Organizations: Wall Street Journal, Rights Watch, of American, OAS, Nations, U.S Locations: U.S, Caracas, Valencia, Maracaibo, San Cristobal, Venezuela, Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Uruguay, Russia, China, Cuba

☆ AP review of Venezuela opposition-provided vote tallies casts doubt on government’s election results
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Protesters demonstrate against the National Election Council certification of President Nicolas Maduro's reelection in Caracas, Venezuela, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. The AP processed almost 24,000 images of tally sheets, representing the results from 79% of voting machines. National Electoral Council President Elvis Amoroso attributed the delay in updating results to "massive attacks" on the "technological infrastructure." The AP could not independently verify the authenticity of the 24,532 tally sheets provided by the opposition. The tally sheets, known in Spanish as "actas," are lengthy printouts that resemble shopping receipts.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro's, Venezuela's, Nicolás Maduro, Edmundo González, Maduro, Gonzalez, Elvis Amoroso, María Corina Machado, Machado, Biden, González, Edmundo González Urrutia, Antony Blinken, Vyacheslav Volodin, —, Cynthia Arnson, Caryslia Rodríguez, Jorge Rodriguez Organizations: National, AP, Electoral Council, Electoral, Wilson, United Socialist Party of Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, U.S, United States, Venezuela's, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Russian, Washington, United Socialist Party of Venezuela

☆ Can Venezuela's political crisis affect migration and U.S. politics?
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Juliana Jiménez J. | Juliana Jiménez J. Is A Reporter For Noticias Telemundo. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

After 25 years of autocratic rule, a significant portion of Venezuelans in the country and in exile had enormous expectations of change. But of “those millions who have emigrated from Venezuela, criminals are the minority,” he said. In addition, experts on Venezuela told Noticias Telemundo that there is no evidence of a state policy aimed at sending criminals to other countries. The Trump campaign has also stated that Kamala Harris is “intentionally importing millions of illegals in hopes of turning them into Democratic voters,” which is also false. “The campaign does not comment on hypothetical situations,” Florez said, adding that “the Republican National Committee’s statement is identical to that of the Trump campaign."

Persons: Edmundo González Urrutia, Antony Blinken, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, Maria Corina Machado, Federico Parra, Nicolás, hasn’t, Vedant Patel, Maduro, Ryan C, Berg, Mike Johnston, Jon Ewing, Alayna Alvarez, Ewing, Joe Biden, Biden, Trump, ”, José Antonio Ibarra, Laken Riley, “, Ronna Rísquez, Carlos Nieto, ” Nieto, Kamala Harris, Jaime Florez, ” Florez, Harris, “ Harris, ” Casado, Eduardo Gamarra Organizations: United Nations, Refugees, Monday, U.S . State Department, National Electoral Committee, Americas, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Pew Research, TPS, Denver Human Services, U.S, NBC News, Republican National Convention, Venezuelan, of, Victims Monitor, Noticias Telemundo, Democratic, Immigrants, Trump, Republican National Committee, Republican National, Biden, Florida International University Locations: Venezuela, U.S, Venezuelan, Caracas, AFP, United States, —, Denver, Colorado, Mexico, Georgia, Milwaukee, Latin America, Florida

☆ Freed prisoners return to U.S. from Russia and the race to define Kamala Harris: Morning Rundown
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Elizabeth Robinson | Elizabeth Robinson Is A Newsletter Editor For Nbc News | Based In Los Angeles. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +13 min

Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva make an emotional return to the U.S. Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky add to their Olympic medal collections. Jamie Squire / Getty ImagesBiles won gold in the women’s all-around gymnastics final, reclaiming her 2016 title and becoming the first American to win the Olympic all-around gold medal more than once. Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade won silver, and American Suni Lee, who won the all-around gold medal three years ago in Tokyo, took home the bronze. Katie Ledecky made Olympic history when she won a silver medal in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay final on Thursday. The battle intensifies to define HarrisIt goes without saying that Vice President Kamala Harris’ path to de-facto Democratic presidential nominee has been unprecedented.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu, Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, Sonya Massey, Biden, Harris, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Alsu Kurmasheva, Whelan, Gershkovich, Kurmasheva, “, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Antony Blinken’s, Sergei Lavrov, Suni Lee, Jamie Squire, Biles, Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, Maddie Meyer, Peacock, Read, rance, wimmer, ▶️, ure, Ana l, J uly, dow, ros, Pres, ena, Gray, ood, Joh, edd, maki, abou, , in Organizations: U.S, Russia, Marine, Joint Base Andrews, Wall Street, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Paris, unt, pla, us. Locations: Maryland, Germany, U.S, Russia, Slovenia, Norway, Poland, Radio Free Europe, Berlin, Paris, American, Tokyo, Belgium

☆ U.S. recognizes opposition candidate González as winner of Venezuela’s presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, center left, and Opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González, center right, greet supporters at a protest against the result of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, on Tuesday. On Monday, after the National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner of the election, thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets. The presidents of Colombia and Brazil — both close allies of the Venezuelan government — have urged Maduro to release detailed vote counts. He added that Mexico expects “that the evidence, the electoral results records, be presented.”Pressure has been building on the president since the election. But Machado, the opposition leader, has said vote tallies show González received roughly 6.2 million votes compared with 2.7 million for Maduro.

Persons: Nicolás Maduro, Edmundo González, Edmundo González Urrutia, Antony Blinken, Maduro, Maria Corina Machado, Jesus Vargas, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Gustavo Petro of, “, ”, Freddy Superlano, Maria Corina Machado —, —, González, Jorge Rodriguez, Machado, Machado’s, ” Machado, Venezuela’s, López Obrador Organizations: U.S . Department of, Electoral Council, México, Getty Images, Brazilian, Electoral, Foro Penal, National Assembly, Street, AP, Justice, Maduro, Brazil —, Venezuelan, Maduro’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela Locations: CARACAS, Venezuela, United States, Venezuela’s, ” U.S, U.S, Brazil, Caracas, Colombia, Mexico, Gustavo Petro of Colombia, “

Venezuela's opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia thanked the U.S. on Friday for recognizing him as the official winner of Sunday's controversial presidential election, in which both González Urrutia and President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory. "Those tally sheets indicate that Edmundo González Urrutia received the most votes in this election by an insurmountable margin," Blinken said in a statement Thursday. "Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear to the United States and, most importantly, to the Venezuelan people that Edmundo González Urrutia won." Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, center left, and opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González, center right, greet supporters at a protest against the result of the presidential election in Caracas, Venezuela, on Tuesday. The controversy over the election results is fueling fears of increased protests and violence amid the international debate and lack of consensus.

Persons: Edmundo González Urrutia, González Urrutia, Nicolás Maduro, Antony Blinken, Maduro, Blinken, González, Maduro's, María Corina Machado, Machado, Maria Corina Machado, Edmundo González, Jesus Vargas, “, Venezuela’s, it's, Freddy Superlano Organizations: United, NBC, Electoral Council, Associated Press, Venezuelan, Pro Locations: U.S, United States, Venezuela, Argentina, Peru, Vente Venezuela, Caracas Saturday, Caracas, Maduro, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuelan

☆ Opinion | The Gaza Conflict Enters ‘Uncharted Territory’
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Serge Schmemann | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

He was right; war is never inevitable until it breaks out. He was killed by an explosive device planted in an Iranian guesthouse weeks earlier, and both Iran and Hamas accused Israel of doing it. For Iran, the killing of a senior Hamas leader while he was attending the inauguration of the new Iranian president was a humiliation that the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared it was “our duty” to avenge. Mr. Haniyeh, moreover, was a top Hamas negotiator in cease-fire talks, raising questions about whether those negotiations would be put on a long hold. Nonetheless, Mr. Austin, who was on a visit to the Philippines, went on to suggest that there was still room for diplomacy.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Israel, Fuad Shukr, Ismail Haniyeh, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ”, Haniyeh, Austin, Antony Blinken Organizations: ”, Mr Locations: Beirut, Lebanon, Tehran, Israel, Iran, United States, Philippines, Asia

☆ U.S. recognizes Maduro's opponent as winner in Venezuela election
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro rises his hand during a mass gathering convene by supporters on July 18, 2024 in Caracas, Venezuela. The United States on Thursday recognized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's opponent and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner of Venezuela's disputed presidential election, rejecting Maduro's claim of victory. The announcement from Washington did not go beyond congratulating him for a "successful campaign," the closest the U.S. has come since Sunday's contested election to recognizing Gonzalez as the OPEC nation's new leader. The dispute over the presidential election results has sparked protests in Venezuela. Venezuela's electoral council proclaimed Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, the winner of the July 28 election with 51% of the vote.

Persons: Venezuela Nicolas Maduro, Nicolas Maduro's, Edmundo Gonzalez, Venezuela's, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, Antony Blinken, Sunday's, Gonzalez, Maduro Organizations: OPEC Locations: Venezuela, Caracas, United States, Venezuela's, Washington, U.S

☆ Venezuela’s opposition secured over 80% of crucial vote tally sheets. Here’s how they did it
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

On Sunday, officials attempted to block opposition volunteers from voting centers, and in some places, they succeeded. The QR code scans gave a team of campaign workers immediate access to voting results, which they tabulated Sunday night and Monday. The National Electoral Council has not yet shared the tallies on its website, which has been down since Monday. While it is not obligated to post images of the tally sheets, it has previously shared each sheet’s totals. The campaign needed to get them all fully scanned using equipment especially designed to copy the tally sheets.

Persons: Maria Corina Machado, Nicolás Maduro, Maduro, ” Machado, “, chorizo, Machado, Edmundo González, Elvis Amoroso, Gonzalez, Enrique Márquez, …, ”, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Gustavo Petro of, González, Jorge Rodriguez, Antony Blinken Organizations: Electoral, Electoral Council, United Socialist Party of, “, Maduro’s, National, International, Regional Locations: Venezuela, Caracas, United Socialist Party of Venezuela, Brazil, Gustavo Petro of Colombia, U.S

☆ How the Russian prisoner swap that freed Evan Gershkovich unfolded over two years
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Carol-Lee-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Carol E. Lee | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

The effort took on extra urgency in March 2023, when the Russians arrested Gershkovich, a senior administration official said. Days later, NBC News reported that a deal that could have sprung Navalny, Gershkovich and Whelan had been in the works. After Biden and Scholz met on Feb. 9, Scholz told Biden he was on board. Vice President Kamala Harris also discussed the prisoner swap with Scholz, telling him that Krasikov was a critical component of getting a prisoner swap with Russia, a White House official said. That was when he called the Slovenian prime minister to make sure his country was ready to release the Russian in their custody.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Brittney Griner, Biden, Viktor Bout, Paul Whelan ’, Whelan, Paul Whelan, Antony Blinken, “, ” Blinken, Sergei Lavrov, Gershkovich, Blinken, Lavrov, ” Lavrov, ”, ” Gershkovich, Alexei Navalny, Navalny, Vadim Krasikov, Zelimkhan, Olaf Scholz, Krasikov, Griner, Whalen, Joe Biden, Scholz, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Elizabeth Whelan, Sullivan, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Kurmasheva, ” Biden Organizations: Wall Street, Marine, AP, NBC News, Berlin, White, Biden Locations: Russia, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Berlin, Moscow, Germany, Chechen, Russian, U.S, Nevada, Slovenian

☆ Videos show the moment Americans were freed from Russian captivity after high-stakes prisoner swap
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewNew video footage reveals the moment that Russia freed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan, and others in a massive prisoner swap that took place in Turkey on Thursday. Gershkovich, Whelan, and 14 others were released as part of a historic and high-stakes exchange with Russia that marked the most complex prisoner swap since the Cold War. Russia's Federal Security Service, more commonly known as the FSB, released several videos of the tense prisoner exchange at an airport in Turkey. AdvertisementThe Russian FSB released a video showing prisoners from the Russian side being loaded onto a plane bound for Turkey for a prisoner exchange. AdvertisementWhite House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that he could confirm there was no money exchanged or sanctions loosened to facilitate the prisoner swap.

Persons: —, Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Gershkovich, Whelan, Joe Biden, Rico Krieger, — Hanna Liubakova, we've, Biden, Evan Greshkovich, eason, hite, J ake S ullivan, ould Organizations: Service, Wall Street, Business, Russia's Federal Security Service, RIA Novosti, FSB, Russian Federal Security Service, lsu Locations: Russia, Turkey, Russia's, Moscow, Ankara, Belarus

The Russian officials took the proposal back to Moscow. It was a remarkably swift conclusion to years of painstaking negotiations between the US and more than half a dozen countries. Key to the deal was President Biden’s ability to persuade German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to release Krasikov, the Russian prisoner most keenly sought by Putin. Officials worked quietly throughout this year to get the German government to agree to release Krasikov — including entreaties from both Biden and Harris. President Biden sent a letter to Scholz in April, and the Germans at last agreed to release Krasikov in early June.

Persons: CNN —, Vadim Krasikov, who’d, who’s, Vladimir Putin, Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Bill Burns, Gershkovich, Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Vladimir Kara, Murza, Kurmasheva, Joe Biden, Biden, Kamala Harris, Serdar Ozsoy, Biden’s, Olaf Scholz, Putin, Krasikov, Brittney Griner, Burns, –, Viktor Bout, Alexey Navalny, Brendan Smialowski, Antony Blinken, James Rubin, Blinken, Annalena Baerbock, Jake Sullivan, Harris, Scholz, “ Chancellor Scholz, “, Jake, ‘, ’, Sullivan, Navalny, Paul, Evan, ”, Ronald Wittek, Kara, Robert Golob, Kurmasheva’s, Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, Carstens, Jeff Flake, ” Flake, Flake, ” Sullivan Organizations: CNN, CIA, Wall Street, White, Base Andrews, Aircraft, Ankara Esenboga Airport, US Marine, WNBA, State Department, National Security Council, Krasikov, Getty, German, National, Biden, Munich, Conference, US, Munich Security, Aspen Security, Street, Hostage Affairs Locations: Eastern, Russia, Russian, Berlin, Moscow, American, Turkey, Ankara, Chechen, Slovenia, Norway, Poland, Washington , DC, AFP, Germany, ”, Munich, Washington, Slovenian, Mordovia, “

Washington CNN —The White House on Wednesday said reports of the assassination of a Hamas political leader in Iran “don’t help with the temperature going down,” while repeating calls for a ceasefire deal that would see the release of hostages held by Hamas. “These reports over the last 24-48 hours certainly don’t help with the temperature going down. I’m not going to be Pollyannaish about it; we’re obviously concerned about escalation,” White House national security communications adviser John Kirby told reporters during the White House press briefing. In both conversations, according to the State Department, the officials emphasized the need for a ceasefire in Gaza. “It’s too soon to know what impact any of this is going to have on the ceasefire deal,” Kirby said at the briefing.

Persons: I’m, we’re, John Kirby, Kirby, Biden, Antony Blinken, Aaron David Miller, Haniyeh, “ Blinken, ” Miller, ”, “, Blinken, Israel, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Thani, “ It’s, ” Kirby, Hezbollah’s, Fu’ad Shukr, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Netanyahu’s, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, John Kirby’s, CNN’s Abeer Salman, Jennifer Handler, Niamh Kennedy Organizations: Washington CNN, House, White House, senior State Department, CNN, State Department, Qatari, Haniyeh, Hezbollah, Hamas, United, Zionist Locations: Iran, Tehran, Singapore, Israel, Qatar, Jordan, Gaza, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al, Egypt, United States, Golan, Beirut, Washington

☆ Middle East on knife-edge after killing of Hamas leader in Iran; Israel's opponents vow retaliation
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Ismail Haniyeh attending an exclusive interview with Anadolu in Istanbul, Turkiye on April 20, 2024. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesThe Middle East is on edge after a dramatic escalation that saw top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in a strike in the Iranian capital of Tehran early Wednesday. Coming hours after the killing of Fuad Shukr in Beirut, the Middle East is on an absolute knife-edge now." Iran's leadership meanwhile has said that the alleged Israeli strike is grounds for "severe punishment" and that the country must "pay a heavy price." An all-out war between Israel and Iran — and Iran's proxies such as Hezbollah — would be devastating to all sides involved.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Israel, Charles Lister, Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's, Haniyeh, Hamas, Torbjorn, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Yahya Sinwar, Sinwar, Victor Tricaud, Tricaud, Antony Blinken, Will, Yoav Gallant, Iran's, Atta Kenare Organizations: Anadolu, Getty, Middle East Institute, Hezbollah, politburo, Verisk, Qatari, Foreign, CNBC, U.S . State Department, Israel, Israeli, Israel Defense Forces, AFP Locations: Istanbul, Turkiye, Tehran, Israel, Washington, Doha, Beirut, Golan, Iranian, Lebanese, Gaza, Iran, Qatar, Singapore, Palestine Square

☆ Killing of Hamas leader leaves Gaza ceasefire hopes dangling by a thread
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The assassination of the political leader of Hamas has plunged the Middle East into fresh crisis and dented already slim hopes of an end to the war between Israel and the militant group that rules Gaza anytime soon. Here’s what the killing of the Hamas and Hezbollah leaders means for the Gaza war and the region. “Netanyahu has systematically sabotaged ceasefire talks because ending the war will likely end his political career,” said Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute, a US-based foreign policy think tank, in a post on X. A faltered negotiation process also extends the risk to the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza. “This is the time for a deal.”There are 111 hostages still in Gaza, including 39 believed to be dead, according to data from Netanyahu’s office.

Persons: Israel, Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, ”, Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Benjamin Netanyahu, –, “ Netanyahu, “, Netanyahu, Jalaa Marey, Gershon Baskin, Baskin, ” Baskin, Gaza’s, Anwar, Antony Blinken, Biden, ” Hellyer, CNN’s Becky Anderson Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Quincy Institute, Palestinian, Getty, Families, Anwar Amro, Hellyer, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Royal United Services Institute for Defense, Security Studies, Israel Locations: Israel, Gaza, Tehran, Iran, Beirut, Golan, Qatar, Egypt, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al, Thani, Doha, US, Karmiel, AFP, Beirut's, United States, London

☆ What’s happening in Venezuela - protests, election uncertainty and an economic crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Venezuelans across the country took to the streets on Monday to protest a disputed election, clashing with police as uncertainty swirls around the results amid allegations of election fraud. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro after the presidential election results were announced in Caracas on July 29, 2024. Though Maduro supporters celebrated his win in parts of Caracas, Monday was marked by wider protests by the opposition. Many regional and world leaders have cast doubt on the results, including the United States – though some of Venezuela’s partners have stood by Maduro. Once the fifth-largest economy in Latin America, Venezuela has experienced the worst economic collapse of a peacetime country in recent history.

Persons: Nicolás Maduro, Maduro, –, Juan Barreto, Hugo Chávez, Edmundo Gonzalez, Maria Corina Machado, Matias Delacroix, Gonzalez, Machado, António Guterres, Molotov, Samir Aponte, ”, “, Antony Blinken, Maduro’s Organizations: CNN, Sunday, Getty, AP, Officially, Electoral Council, CNE, The Carter, United Nations, Reuters, Police, Washington, Venezuela –, European Union Locations: Venezuelan, Caracas, AFP, Venezuela, Charallave, Chile, Spain, Puerto La Cruz, United States, United Kingdom, Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, Latin America

☆ US suggests Venezuela's president is clinging on illegitimately after a disputed vote
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Hannah Abraham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Nicolás Maduro was declared the victory in Venezuela's election, despite exit polls suggesting he didn't win. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other leaders have suggested the vote is not legitimate. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementVenezuela's Nicolás Maduro claimed victory in Venezuela's president election — prompting criticism from the US and its allies over the legitimacy of the vote. A poll from Edison Research — which also polls the US elections — predicted that Maduro's rival Edmundo González Urrutia would win, with 65% of the vote to Maduro's 31%.

Persons: Nicolás Maduro, Antony Blinken, —, Maduro, Edmundo González Urrutia Organizations: Service, Edison Research, Business Locations: Venezuela's, Venezuela

CNN —Nicolás Maduro, the authoritarian leader of Venezuela, has been reelected as president, the country’s election authority has announced, amid allegations of electoral irregularities by the opposition. Maduro will hold office for a third consecutive six-year term – representing the continuity of “Chavismo” in power, which started in 1999 at the hands of former president Hugo Chávez. Maduro has been in power since Chávez’s death in 2013. The vote has come at a crucial moment for Venezuela, an oil-rich nation that experienced the worst economic crash of a peacetime country in recent history. In the capital Caracas, opposition supporters were seen crying and hugging after the results were announced.

Persons: Nicolás Maduro, Edmundo González Urrutia, Maduro, Hugo Chávez, —, Antony Blinken Organizations: CNN, Democratic, National Electoral Council, Voters, CNE Locations: Venezuela, Caracas

☆ Quad foreign ministers meet in Tokyo for talks on maritime security, cyber
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) prepares to pose for a group photo with Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong (2nd R), Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (2nd L) and India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (L) at the start of their Quad Ministerial Meeting at the Iikura Guest House in Tokyo on July 29, 2024. Foreign ministers from Australia, India, Japan and the United States — a grouping known as the "Quad" — met in Tokyo on Monday for talks expected to focus on maritime security and initiatives to build up cyber defenses. The talks attended by Australia's Penny Wong, India's Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Japan's Yoko Kamikawa and Antony Blinken from the U.S., follow security discussions between Tokyo and Washington on Sunday where the allies labelled China the "greatest strategic challenge" facing the region. We all understand we face the most confronting circumstances in our region in decades," Wong said in opening remarks at the start of the Quad talks on Monday. In her opening remarks, Kamikawa highlighted the need to build up cybersecurity capability and provide training opportunities in maritime security to protect and develop prosperity in Indo-Pacific.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Penny Wong, Yoko Kamikawa, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Australia's Penny Wong, India's Subrahmanyam, Japan's Yoko Kamikawa, Wong, Kamikawa Organizations: Australia's Foreign, Japan's, India's, United Locations: Tokyo, Australia, India, Japan, United States, U.S, Washington, China

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