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☆ Kherson: Russia is deliberately attacking civilians with drones, residents say
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Lauren Kent | Kosta Gak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Kyiv, Ukraine CNN —In the city of Kherson, southern Ukraine, civilians have started to hope for heavy rain – the only weather conditions that prevent Russian drones from flying overhead, they say. Today, the threat of occupation still looms just across the river, where Russian military positions are literally within sight. Difficult to combatThe frequency of the attacks and the drones’ small size make them difficult for Ukrainian forces to thwart. Russia has been repeatedly accused of targeting Ukrainian civilians by Kyiv, its Western allies, the International Criminal Court and the United Nations. On Monday, an ambulance was hit in a Russian drone strike on an urban area of Kherson, injuring two paramedics.

Persons: “, ”, Tetyana Yakovleva, Yakovleva, Tetyana, ” Yakovleva, ” “, “ It’s, Oleksandr Prokudin, Kateryna Stepanenko, ISW, Stepanenko, ” Stepanenko, Disturbingly, geolocated, can’t, Natalya, ” Natalya, Katy Ling Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, Authorities, CNN, Ukrainian Armed Forces, couldn’t, Institute for, Ukrainian, Kherson Regional Military Administration, Anadolu, Getty, Russian Telegram, Russian, Criminal Court, United Nations Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Kherson, Antonivka, Russian, Dnipro, Russia, Washington, DC, Krynky, Ukrainian

☆ Pentagon chief visits Ukraine in show of support ahead of U.S. election
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Ukraine on Monday, in a show of solidarity with Kyiv just two weeks ahead of a U.S. presidential election that is casting uncertainty over the future of Western support. “We’re going to continue to support Ukraine in its efforts to defend its sovereign territory,” Austin told reporters travelling with him to Ukraine. Trump has signaled he would be more reluctant than Biden to continue to support Ukraine, which could deprive Kyiv of its biggest military and financial backer. “I’ve seen bipartisan support for Ukraine over the last 2-1/2 years, and I fully expect that we’ll continue to see the bipartisan support from Congress,” he said. Even with billions of dollars worth of U.S. military support, including the provision of F-16 fighter jets, Abrams tanks and more, Ukraine faces a tough fight ahead.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden’s, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s, Austin, “ We’re, ” Austin, “ We’ve, Austin’s, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Trump, Biden, “ I’ve, ”, Ukraine’s staunchest, Vladimir Putin, “, Zelenskyy, Putin, Abrams Organizations: Joe Biden’s Pentagon, Republican, Democratic, NATO, U.S Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine’s, Poland, Russian, Moscow, Russia, Donetsk, Brussels, Russia’s Kursk, Pokrovsk

☆ China tightens export controls for tech and goods with military use, ahead of Xi's trip to Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Anniek Bao | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A DJI Inspire 1 Pro drone is flown during a demonstration at the SZ DJI Technology Co. headquarters in Shenzhen, China, on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. China has unveiled a set of export control regulations for so-called dual-use items, which refer to goods or technologies that can be used for civilian as well as military purposes, ahead of President Xi Jinping's trip to Russia. The regulations come amid intensified U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese companies which the U.S. deems have been supplying dual-use goods, such as drones, to aid Russia's war effort in Ukraine. China has attempted to show that "it is following similar norms as other nations in terms of how it regulates trade in dual-use goods," he added. Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief economist for Asia-Pacific at Natixis, however, suggested that Russia will likely be exempted from the possible export controls.

Persons: Xi, Mao Ning, Benjamin Cavender, Alicia Garcia, Herrero, Alex Capri Organizations: SZ, Technology, State, China Market Research Group, National University of Singapore Locations: Shenzhen, China, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Kazan, Washington, Asia, Natixis

☆ Israeli soldiers returning from Gaza war struggle with trauma and suicide
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

The Israeli military reservist returned a different person, traumatized by what he had witnessed in the war against Hamas in the strip, his family told CNN. The Israeli military has said it is providing care for thousands of soldiers who are suffering from PTSD or mental illnesses caused by trauma during the war. Israeli soldiers who fought in the enclave told CNN they witnessed horrors the outside world can never truly comprehend. For many soldiers, the war in Gaza is a fight for Israel’s survival and must be won by any means. There was a “very strong collective attitude” of distrust among Israeli soldiers toward the Palestinians in Gaza, especially at the outset of the war, the medic said.

Persons: Ma’ale, Eliran Mizrahi, “, ”, Jenny Mizrahi, Eliran, Benjamin Netanyahu’s “, Mizrahi, Bulldozing, ’ Mizrahi, Jenny, ” Jenny, Shir, Omar Al, ” Guy Zaken, ” Zaken, Zaken, Bregman, Abdel Kareem Hana, Uzi Bechor, ” Bechor, didn’t, ” Bregman, Beit, Amir Levy, Netanyahu, Joe Biden Organizations: Tel, CNN, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations, IDF, West Bank, Getty, UN, Israel’s, King’s College London, Haaretz, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Befrienders, Israel Democracy Institute Locations: Tel Aviv, Gaza, Israel, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Shejaiya, Gaza City, AFP, Deir al, Balah, Beit Jann

AITOU, Lebanon — The scene of carnage in northern Lebanon showed heartbreaking snippets of everyday family life. Illy Edwan, whose villa in Aitou, Lebanon, was destroyed in the blast. Pages from a children’s book are strewn across the wreckage following an Israeli strike in Aitou, northern Lebanon, on Tuesday. More than 2,300 people, including 127 children, have been killed in Lebanon since the Oct. 7 attack and an estimated 1.2 million have been displaced, according to Lebanese officials. If they can’t, they will remain in Lebanon.”Emergency responders move a body bag following an Israeli strike in Aitou, Lebanon, on Tuesday.

Persons: Israel, Illy Edwan, “, Ziad Jaber, Edwan, ” Jeremy Laurence, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Rema Jamous, Mohamed Youssef, Nermin Khair, Sandy, Bashar Hanouf, he’ll, ” Matt Bradley, Alexander Smith Organizations: NBC News, NBC, Israel Defense Forces, ”, United Nations, Hamas, Palestinian, Israel Locations: AITOU, Lebanon, Lebanese, Aitou, Beirut, ”, Israel, Gaza, Middle East, Tripoli, Turkish, Mersin, Nermin, London

☆ SEAL Team 6 is said to be training for a fight with China over Taiwan. Here's what it could do if Beijing invades.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-19 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

SEAL Team 6 is reportedly readying for a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. AdvertisementCould SEAL Team 6 special operators help Taiwan fend off a Chinese invasion? Related storiesThe Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), formerly known as SEAL Team 6, is the Navy's top-tier special operations outfit. SEAL Team 6 represents the cream of the crop of the SEAL community. And the direct support personnel serving with the unit will often have passed, depending on their role, Green Team, SEAL Team 6's physically and technically rigorous selection process.

Persons: —, DEVGRU, Richard Phillips, Osama bin Laden, Katie Cox Organizations: Service, Financial Times, Navy, Warfare Development, Army's Delta Force, DEVGRU, Maersk, U.S . Navy, Navy SEALs, 75th Ranger Regiment, Big Navy, Strategic, Navy SEAL, SEAL, Green Team Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, China, Maersk Alabama, Somali

He received the news of Sinwar’s death with “deep sadness and pain because (Sinwar) is a noble resister” – and predicted he would soon be replaced. For Abu Fares, one of hundreds of thousands prevented from returning to their homes, Sinwar’s death is just a continuation of a brutal war. Palestinians say they remain skeptical over whether Sinwar's death will shift Israel's war, which has laid waste to swathes of Gaza. Omar Al-Qatta/AFP/Getty ImagesAround 70% of Palestinians killed by Israel’s strikes are women and children, according to the Hamas-run Government Media Office (GMO). Mahmoud Jneid, also displaced in Deir al-Balah, said the world’s focus should rest on civilian suffering – not Sinwar’s death.

Persons: Deir, Gaza CNN — Abu Mohammed, Mohammed, Yahya Sinwar, Sinwar’s, Gaza – Mohammed, ” Mohammed, ”, Israel’s, Sinwar, Omar Al, Majdal, “ Sinwar, Israel, “, Benjamin ) Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Akram Dabbour, –, ” Dabbour, that’s, Mustafa Barghouti, ” Barghouti, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Abu Fares, Suha Al Turk, Balah, Mahmoud Jneid, ” Jneid Organizations: Gaza CNN, Israel, CNN, Getty, Israel Defense Forces, Amnesty International, CUNY Institute, Ministry of Health, UN, Shifa, Media Office, Hamas, Amnesty Locations: Gaza, Deir al, Rafah, Jabalia, AFP, Al, Ashkelon – Sinwar, Israel, Gaza's Al, Nazla, Jabalya, Gaza City

Matthew is serving a 7-year prison sentence in Singapore's Changi Prison for trafficking meth. Officials from the Singapore Prison Service say they encourage guards to think of themselves as “Captains of Life,” helping rehabilitate the prison population. Officials did not allow CNN to visit Institution A1, where more than 40 death row inmates await the same fate. Before each execution, authorities organize a professional photo shoot in which inmates trade their prison uniforms for civilian clothes. Hong Kong’s population is around 25% larger than Singapore’s, and it does not impose the death penalty for drug offenses.

Persons: Matthew, “, ”, Tom Booth, ” Shanmugam, Shanmugam, Rebecca Wright, ” Matthew, Steve Jobs, Nelson Mandela, Reuben Leong, –, Halinda binte Ismail, Halinda, Muhammed Izwan bin, ” Halinda, ’, Kirsten Han, Nazira, you’ve Organizations: Singapore CNN —, CNN, Changi, Singapore, Singapore’s, Home Affairs and Law, Visitors, Action Party, Home Affairs Ministry, Home Affairs, CNN Singapore, United Nations Office, Drugs, CNN Authorities, Singapore Prison Service Locations: Singapore, Canada, Portugal, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Asia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Scandinavian, mealtimes, United States, Australia, European, Hong Kong, British, –

J-Hope, K-pop star and member of the supergroup BTS, was discharged from South Korea's military on Thursday after completing the country's mandatory military service requirement. Jin, the oldest member of BTS, finished his military service in June, and presented J-Hope with a bouquet of flowers. South Korea mandates all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 serve 18 to 21 months in the military or equivalent civilian service. Exceptionally talented athletes and artists can sometimes be exempted from military service. A third BTS member, Suga, began his military service in September 2023.

Persons: Hope, Jin, Suga, They've Organizations: BTS, J, Billboard, BigHit Music Locations: South, Wonju, Gangwon, South Korea, North Korea, United States

☆ Satellite images show North Korean special forces sent to Russia disguised as Russian soldiers with fake IDs, South Korean spies say
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

North Korea has sent 1,500 special forces troops to Russia, according to South Korea's spy agency. Satellite images published by Seoul are said to show the North Korean special forces at bases in eastern Russia. The NIS said that North Korean military officers visited missile launch sites near the war's front lines in August. A Pentagon spokesperson said he's seen reports about North Korean forces deploying to the war but can't confirm or corroborate them. Beyond North Korea, Russia has also turned to fellow pariah state Iran for military assistance during the Ukraine war.

Persons: —, they're, he's, Pat Ryder, you've, Kim Jong Un Organizations: Korean, Service, Korea's National Intelligence Service, Moscow, NIS, North Korean, National Intelligence Service, National Intelligence, Pentagon, North Korea . National Intelligence Locations: Korea, Russia, South, Ukraine, Seoul, North Korea, Pyongyang, South Korea, Siberia, Russian, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, Moscow, Kyiv, Iran, Tehran

☆ Analysis: Sinwar’s killing brings end of Gaza war within reach – if Israel can seize the chance
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

And it could bring the devastating war in Gaza closer to an end, experts say – if Israel and its allies can seize the opportunity. Before the war, power in Hamas was decentralized – with Gaza political chief Sinwar just one of many leaders, Chorev said. Shira Efron, a senior director of policy research at the Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation said Sinwar’s killing gives Netanyahu the chance to claim a victory. Sinwar’s killing could also pave the way for a hostage and ceasefire agreement, since he was believed to be one of the main blockers of a deal. Chorev, from Tel Aviv University, added that Netanyahu could see Sinwar’s killing as a moment to cement his legacy.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar’s, Harel Chorev, Moshe Dayan, Sinwar, Chorev, “ Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, ”, Mohammed, Khalil Al Hayya, ” Chorev, Netanyahu’s, ’ Netanyahu, Shira Efron, Diane, Guilford, Netanyahu, “, Einav Zangauker, Matan, Uzi Rabi, Critics of Netanyahu, Joe Biden, clawing, Rabi, Yoav Gallant, Efron, ” Efron Organizations: CNN, Israel, Moshe, Tel Aviv University, Gaza, Hamas ’, Hamas, Guilford Glazer Foundation, ” Locations: Israel, Gaza, Cairo, “ Israel, United States, Lebanon, Rafah, ”, Gaza’s

☆ Sinwar’s killing again raises hopes in Washington for an end to Israel’s war
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —President Joe Biden envisioned a “day after” for Gaza without Hamas in power following Israel’s killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. This is only half the story, since at times, US officials have suggested Netanyahu had interests in prolonging the war as well. The White House believes that ending the war in Gaza is a precondition for lessening the chances of a disastrous regional war that it dreads. Is really his object to release … Israeli hostages still held in Gaza? If he keeps his word, some analysts will interpret his restraint, such as it is, as an attempt to avoid alienating the possible next president, Harris.

Persons: Joe Biden, Yahya Sinwar, Kamala Harris, Sinwar, Hassan Nasrallah, —, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden administration’s, Netanyahu, ’, Israel, ”, Firas Maksad, Jessica Dean, CNN Max, CNN’s Kayla Tausche, Sean Gallup, he’s, Harris, Donald Trump, ” Harris ’, Trump, Bill Organizations: CNN, “, UN, Middle East Institute, Brandenburg, Airport, Getty, White, Democratic, Jewish, Palestinian Youth Movement, U.S . Palestinian Community Network, Anadolu, Trump, White House Locations: ”, Gaza, Israel, ’, United States, Washington, Lebanon, Berlin, Schoenefeld, Germany, Europe, Michigan, Wisconsin, U.S, Detroit, Anadolu

☆ Israel killed its most-wanted target thanks to 2 things: chance and persistence
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Tom Porter | Hannah Abraham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Israel killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the October 7 terrorist attacks. AdvertisementAfter a yearlong war against Hamas that reduced much of Gaza to ruins, Israel on Wednesday killed its top target: the Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Israel's military persisted, using heavy weapons, including 2,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, to target areas under Gaza where Sinwar and other Hamas leaders could have been hiding. During that time, Israel killed several Hamas leaders, including Mohammad Deif in Gaza, and Ismail Haniyeh in an audacious explosives attack in Tehran, Iran. A chance encounterA unit from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) 828th Bislamach Brigade conducted Wednesday's operation in Gaza.

Persons: Israel, Yahya Sinwar, —, Bashir Abbas, Sinwar, Mohammad Deif, Ismail Haniyeh, Abbas, Tal al, Joe Biden, Bin, Netanyahu Organizations: Service, Hamas, Wednesday, Stimson, Israel Defense Forces, 828th Bislamach Brigade, Royal United Services Institute, US Institute for, ISIS Locations: Israel, Gaza, Washington ,, Tehran, Iran, Rafah, Lebanon

☆ Watchdog finds significant issues with US Army’s boat fleet
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“Army officials stated that these low mission capable rates, along with the smaller size of the watercraft fleet after divestment, hinder operational readiness and the ability to meet mission requirement,” the report said. After the temporary pier mission ended — the pier was only operational for roughly 20 days in total with a cost of $230 million — the military requested civilian contractor support in bringing the Army’s vessels back to the US. The US military said four of its vessels, supporting a temporary pier built to deliver aid to Gaza by sea, had run aground in heavy seas. The GAO report also said the Army is considering leasing civilian watercraft to bolster its existing fleet and moving all of its watercraft to the Pacific. Ultimately, the Army watercraft is “how the ground force, the Army, gets to war,” Butler said.

Persons: “, ”, Cynthia Smith, Smith, ” Col, Dave Butler, Randy George, ” Butler, Oren Ziv, Army “, Christine Wormuth, Wormuth, Butler Organizations: CNN, US Army, “ Army, Army, Getty, GAO, Army Futures Command, US Army Pacific, Pacific Command Locations: Gaza, Pacific, Ashdod, Japan, Hawaii

The Israeli military said Thursday it is "checking the possibility" that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, accused of being the architect of the Oct. 7 terror attack, was among three militants killed in Gaza during its operations in the enclave. If Sinwar is indeed dead, his killing would be a major coup for Israel and its war in the Gaza Strip. A senior Israeli official told NBC News that troops identified Sinwar as probably being among three militants killed during a "heavy gun battle" in Gaza on Wednesday. Ali Jadallah / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images fileU.S. officials have been in close contact with Israeli officials throughout the morning on all of this, one of the U.S. officials said. They did not expand on how they were killed, but said they were investigating whether one of the three was Sinwar.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Ali Jadallah, Shin Bet, “, Yoav Gallant, John Kirby, Frank Lowenstein, Barack Obama, Haniyeh, Masoud Pezeshkian, Israel Katz, Mohammed Al, Deif, Marwan Issa, Avichay Adraee, Basem Naim, Hamas ’, ” Sinwar, Gilad Shalit, Thomas Hand, Emily Hand Organizations: Hamas, Israeli, NBC News, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Israel Defense Forces, Israel Security Agency, IDF, National Security, NBC, Israeli Foreign, ISIS, Wall Street, European Council, Foreign Relations, Israel Locations: Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, U.S, Tehran, Iran

Facing increasing U.S. pressure to ramp up aid into Gaza and warning that Washington would be “watching,” as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an emergency meeting to discuss the matter on Wednesday. Ambassador to the United Nations issued a stern rebuke to Israel at a meeting of the U.N. Security Council. Palestinian children at a camp for the internally displaced in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza on Oct. 17, 2024. “Given the abject conditions and intolerable suffering in north Gaza, the fact that humanitarian access is nearly non-existent is unconscionable,” Msuya said. According to a version published by Axios on Tuesday, the letter suggested that the U.S. would restrict weapons sales if the Israeli government did not allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, “, ”, Eyad Baba, Joyce Msuya, ” Msuya, State Anthony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Ron Dermer, Axios Organizations: NBC, United Nations, . Security, Washington, Getty, U.S, State, Israeli, Strategic Affairs, NBC News, Pentagon Locations: Gaza, Washington, U.S, Israel, ”, Deir al, AFP

U.S. B-2 bombers and other aircraft struck five underground Houthi weapons storage locations in parts of Yemen that the Iranian-backed rebel group controls, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said. The strikes targetedThe strikes targeted weapons that are used to target civilian vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the defense official said. An annual $1 trillion flow of goods goes through the Red Sea. Some shippers responded to the attacks late last year by suspending service in the Red Sea. The U.S. first launched airstrikes against Houthi weapons in January in response to the Houthi attacks against commercial shipping.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Irani Organizations: Defense, U.S, NBC News, Hamas, The U.S . Locations: Yemen, Aden, Gaza, Red, The

☆ Israel says it killed Hamas leader and October 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Israeli military said Thursday it killed Hamas' leader, Yahya Sinwar, in an operation in Gaza. AdvertisementThe Israeli military said Thursday that it killed Hamas' leader, Yahya Sinwar, during an operation in Gaza, eliminating the architect of the October 7, 2023, massacre. The Israel Defense Forces released a statement confirming that soldiers from its 828th Brigade killed Sinwar in southern Gaza on Wednesday. But despite months of intense Israeli air and ground operations that have leveled much of Gaza, Sinwar managed to remain elusive. Related storiesIsrael's devastating Gaza war has left over 40,000 Palestinians dead — most of them civilians, per local assessments.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, —, Sinwar, Yahya, Yoav Gallant, Danny Danon, Avi Melamed, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel, Hassan Nasrallah Organizations: Service, Israel Defense Forces, 828th Brigade, IDF, ISA, Israeli, United Nations Locations: Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Iran

More significant to the political dynamics at play, however, is how the civilian overseas vote has eclipsed military voters abroad. “As it turns out, there are more overseas civilian voters than there are military voters,” said Michael McDonald, a University of Florida political science professor. GOP congressmen suing their own stateIn the Pennsylvania case, the dispute is over how overseas ballots are being vetted. Democrats, who intervened in the case, argue that the Republican lawmakers’ request could disenfranchise “tens of thousands” of overseas voters, including those in uniform. “Our lawsuit does not in any way affect military voters’ right to vote, which is protected by federal law under UOCAVA.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Jocelyn Benson, they’ve, ”, it’s, Michael McDonald, Research he’s, Martha McDevitt, Pugh, McDevitt, who’ve, Michael Whatley, Benson, ” Patrick Gannon, “, it’d, we’re, Joe Biden’s, ’, disenfranchise, Pat Ryan, Lloyd Austin, Trump, ” Ryan, Ryan, ” Claire Zunk, ” McDevitt, they’re Organizations: CNN, Democrats, Commission, Republican, Michigan, ”, Republican National Committee, Republicans, Trump, Democratic, Overseas Citizens, EAC, University of, Research, North, RNC, North Carolina Board of, Elections, Social Security Locations: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan, Detroit, Harrisburg, University of Florida, Maine, Colorado, ”, New York, Iraq

☆ US says B-2 stealth bombers struck hidden Houthi weapons, sending a message to foes that nothing is out of reach
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The strikes targeted Houthi weapons storage facilities, according to the Pentagon. US B-2 bombers were part of the operation, marking their first known involvement in the Houthi conflict. AdvertisementThe US military hit Houthi targets in Yemen with multiple "precision strikes," the Pentagon announced late Wednesday evening. The strikes on Wednesday — early Thursday local time — mark the latest US bombardment of Houthi targets in Yemen. American forces targeted the rebels earlier this month.

Persons: —, Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin Organizations: Pentagon, Service, Defense, Navy, US Air Force, of Defense, US Central Command, US Locations: Yemen, Iran, United States, Gulf of Aden, Israel

☆ Myanmar’s internet freedom is now as bad as China’s, report finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —For the past decade, China has consistently ranked last in the world for internet freedom due to its all-pervading online surveillance and content control system dubbed the “Great Firewall.”But a new report out Wednesday shows that internet freedoms in China’s neighbor Myanmar are now just as lacking. The report from Freedom House, a US government-funded NGO, found that global internet freedom has declined for the 14th consecutive year. In a record 43 countries, people were physically attacked or killed in retaliation for their online activities, the report found. The Central Asian nation Kyrgyzstan showed the biggest drop in internet freedoms, according to the report, as President Sadyr Japarov ramped up efforts to silence digital media and suppress online organizing. The report also covers online disinformation campaigns and political interference in the run-up to elections, including harassment of independent researchers and fact checkers.

Persons: ”, Mao Ning, Sadyr Japarov, Kloop, “ Organizations: CNN, Freedom, Trust, United Nations, UN, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ”, Central, US Locations: China, China’s, Myanmar, Central Asian, Kyrgyzstan, Iceland, United States, ’

CNN —The Israeli military confirmed on Thursday that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, believed by Israel to be chief architect of the militant group’s deadly October 7, 2023, terror attack that set off the war in Gaza, had been killed in battle. After completing the process of identifying the body, it can be confirmed that Yahya Sinwar was eliminated.”Two Israeli sources familiar with the matter told CNN earlier that Israeli forces encountered Sinwar during a routine military operation. Sinwar, pictured center, attends the funeral of a senior Hamas militant alongside Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza City in 2017. A longtime figure in the Islamist Palestinian group, Sinwar was responsible for building up Hamas’ military wing before forging important new ties with regional Arab powers as the group’s civilian and political leader. He was elected to Hamas’ main decision-making body, the Politburo, in 2017 as the political leader of Hamas in Gaza branch.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Sinwar, ” “, Israel, Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammed Salem, Reuters Sinwar, ”, Mohammed Deif, Al, Marwan Issa Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, ISA, Southern Command, 828th Brigade, Israeli Army Radio, IDF, Hamas, Reuters, Israel, ’, US Department of State, Biden Locations: Israel, Gaza, Hamas, Gaza City, Gaza . Israel, Sinwar, United Kingdom, France

How to strike a hostage and ceasefire deal, and with whom, is now a matter of uncertainty for American officials, who spent the hours after Sinwar’s death trying to determine if he had a successor. But US officials stopped short of saying Thursday that his death will result in a deal overnight. For long stretches, American officials couldn’t even say definitively whether he was alive or dead. “By all accounts, Sinwar has been the biggest obstacle within Hamas to a ceasefire-hostage release deal in Gaza. Depending on who would take his place, Sinwar’s death could revive hope for an agreement to end the war.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Antony Blinken, Hamas —, ”, Biden, Joe Biden’s, Kamala Harris ’, Harris, Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu, Sinwar, “, Jonathan Panikoff, ” Panikoff, Aaron David Miller, Miller, ’ ” Sinwar, couldn’t, Andrew Miller, ” Biden, Lloyd Austin Organizations: CNN, Hamas, US, Sinwar, State Department, “, Michigan Locations: Gaza, Israel, Sinwar, fatalistic, Palestinian, Lebanon

Israeli officials were Wednesday scrutinizing an unusually stern letter from the U.S. government threatening to review military assistance to the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if it continued to block essential aid from entering the Gaza Strip. People involved in aid distribution in Gaza told NBC News that several trucks had entered Gaza City in the north of the enclave, but that aid had not been distributed elsewhere. Since Sept. 30, he said, “only 12 trucks of food have actually made it to the population” through the Erez border crossing in northern Gaza. While the U.N. only counts its own trucks, Israel includes commercial vehicles in its tallies. The State Department says U.S. pressure placed on Israel in April did work and humanitarian assistance increased.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, haven’t, Andrew Miller, State Anthony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Axios, COGAT, Scott Anderson, John Kirby, Blinken “, ”, it’s, we’ve, ” Charles Hollis, “, It’s, Biden, Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Ron Dermer Organizations: U.S, State, Defense, State Department, NBC News, Israeli Defense Ministry, United Nations Relief, Works Agency, House, Gaza, The State Department, Israeli, Strategic Affairs, Reuters Locations: Gaza, United States, U.S, Israel, Gaza City, New York, British, Austin, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Nabatieh

CNN —The US carried out a round of strikes in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthis on Wednesday evening, according to three US defense officials, targeting weapons storage facilities, including underground facilities. The strikes were carried out by B-2 Spirit bombers, according to one of the officials, marking the first time the US has used the strategic stealth bomber to attack the Houthis in Yemen since the beginning of the US campaign. Over the past year, the US has repeatedly struck or intercepted Houthi drones and missiles in an effort to protect ships and degrade the Houthi arsenal. In September, the Houthis claimed to have launched approximately two dozen ballistic and cruise missiles and drones against three US destroyers. The Israeli military said on the latter attack, Israel had intercepted a surface-to-air missile fired from Yemen toward central Israel.

Persons: Sabrina Singh, “, ” Singh, ”, ” CENTCOM, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Organizations: CNN, US, Pentagon, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Yemen, Iran, Aden, Israel, Lebanon, Hamas, Gaza

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