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Washington CNN —Vice President Kamala Harris has met more than 150 world leaders since becoming vice president. Still, Harris has not always been the first phone call for foreign leaders or officials looking to get a line into the White House. UkraineA month after Russia invaded Ukraine, Harris was dispatched to NATO’s eastern flank on a reassurance mission – one that also came with some sensitive diplomatic smoothing-over. For a foreign policy novice with aspirations for higher office, the war in Ukraine was a rigorous introduction to wartime diplomacy. She has vowed to continue to support Ukraine and impose costs on Russia,” an aide to the vice president said.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, ”, Biden, Harris ’, Harris, she’s, Donald Trump, –, Dana Bash, “, Dana, haven’t, —, Israel Harris, Netanyahu, Israel –, ” Harris, Harris “, Israel ”, Xi Jinping, Phil Gordon, Rebecca Lissner, Dean Lieberman, Antony Blinken, ” Lieberman, Volodymyr Zelensky, Nancy McEldowney, ” McEldowney, don’t, Jake Sullivan, John Kerry, Emmanuel Macron, Biden –, – Harris Organizations: Washington CNN —, Israeli, Democratic, Republicans, CNN, Biden, White, Israel, White House, American, United Nations General Assembly, UN, ”, Aboard Air Force, NATO, Munich Security Conference, “, Munich Security, Ukraine, Rue Coquilliere Locations: Afghanistan, Gaza, Israel, Ukraine, United States, New York, Washington , DC, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Port, Prince, Haiti, Russia, Poland, Warsaw, Washington, Romania, Munich, France, Paris, White, Rue

☆ India's Modi expected to usher in new era of bilateral agreements in Singapore visit
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-04 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | In Charmainemariajacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the launch of BJP membership campaign on Sept. 2, 2024 in New Delhi, India. Modi will also be meeting Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong during his two-day visit. Dean Kassim | Afp | Getty ImagesEarlier this week, the Indian prime minister made his inaugural trip to Brunei where he met Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Modi is India's first prime minister that has made a bilateral visit to the oil-rich country. The Indian prime minister had also visited Italy for the G7 summit, Russia, Ukraine and Poland in the last three months since his reelection.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Lawrence Wong, Modi, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Lee Hsien Loong, Goh Chok Tong, Anit Mukherjee, Mukherjee, Dean Kassim, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Omar Ali Saifuddien, Nirmala Sitharaman, Jaishankar, Wong, Vivian Balakrishnan, Balakrishnan Organizations: Indian, Hindustan Times, Getty, Singapore, Senior, King's College London, CNBC, Imports, Brunei International, Afp, High Commission of, Institute of South Asian Studies, Finance, Foreign Locations: New Delhi, India, Singapore, Asia, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, High Commission of India, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lion City

☆ UN nuclear watchdog chief pushes back on Moscow’s calls for objectivity after Kursk plant visit
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-29 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog has pushed back against Moscow's calls for further objectivity, following an inspection at the nuclear facility in the embattled Russian region of Kursk. Last week, Russia accused Ukraine of attempting a drone strike at the Kursk nuclear plant during a lightning cross-border incursion that has been under way since early August and which Moscow is still trying to repel. "The spokesperson of the Russian ministry of foreign affairs rightly says, be objective. We are saying here that this nuclear power plant ... is within range of a potential artillery strike, which means that the danger exists. On Thursday, Grossi explained that the Kursk nuclear plant contains reactors of the Soviet RBMK-type, similar to the ones present in the Chernobyl facility, which suffered one of the worst nuclear disasters in history in 1986.

Persons: Rafael Grossi, Moscow's, CNBC's, Maria Zakharova, Grossi Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, of Governors, CNBC, Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday, IAEA, Sputnik, Ria Novosti Locations: Vienna, Austria, Russian, Kursk, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Kiev, Soviet

☆ With $20 Billion Weapons Deal, U.S. Aims to Help Israel and Deter Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Lara Jakes | Johnatan Reiss | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Top NewsFor months, the Biden administration waited to formally approve $20 billion in future American weapons sales to Israel, including F-15s and medium-range missiles. Almost none of the arms — which also include tank ammunition, tactical vehicles and mortars — are expected to be delivered to Israel for several years at least. The White House has tried to contain domestic opposition to arms for Israel in Congress, while attempting to keep the war against Hamas from escalating into a wider regional conflict. “We will continue to do what is necessary to ensure Israel can defend itself in the face of these threats.”Image An Israeli F-15 in southern Israel last year. Here is a look at the arms sales that the Biden administration notified Congress on Aug. 13 that it has approved.

Persons: Biden, Antony J, Blinken, ”, “, Jack Guez, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, —, Bradley Bowman, Mr, Bowman, Israel “, Northrop Grumman, AMRAAMs Organizations: Department, Agence France, Getty, U.S . Army, Foundation of Defense of Democracies, Boeing Corp, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Dynamics, Northrop, Street Journal, CNN, State Department, Tactical, Oshkosh Corp, General Dynamic Ordnance, U.S, AIM, RTX Corp Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Congress, Israeli, Washington, Iran, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Harris' foreign policy record suggests focus on China, Indo-Pacific, CFR political scientist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-21 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., along with their partners, meet at the Vice President's residence in Washington, DC, U.S., on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesVice President Kamala Harris would likely prioritize countering China and strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region if she were to win the White House, according to American political scientist Rush Doshi. watch nowOn Sunday, the DNC released the 2024 policy platform document ahead of its convention. For insight into Harris' position on the Indo-Pacific, Doshi instead suggested taking into account the policymaker's past work there. Those leaders include now Taiwanese President William Lai in January while he was still vice president and Chinese President Xi Jinping later that same year.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Rush Doshi, Harris, Doshi, shouldn't, Joe Biden, William Lai, Xi Jinping, Fumio Kishida, Mike Johnson, Win Mcnamee Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, White, Democratic, Committee, Europe, China Strategy Initiative, Council, Foreign Relations, DNC, Biden, U.S, Capitol Locations: Philippines, Washington , DC, China, Pacific, Europe, Asia, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Philippine, Australia, United Kingdom, India, Japan

☆ Ukraine carries out one of the largest-ever drone attacks on Moscow as Kursk incursion continues
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-21 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Ukrainian soldiers prepare a vehicle adapted to fire helicopter shells as the Russia-Ukraine war continues in the direction of Toretsk, Ukraine, Aug. 19, 2024. Ukraine carried out one of the largest-ever drone attacks against Moscow on Wednesday, as Kyiv continues to launch counteroffensives on Russian soil. Russia's Defense Ministry said it destroyed 45 Ukrainian drones overnight, of which 11were over Moscow, according to a Google-translated update on Telegram. "This is one of the largest attempts to attack Moscow with drones ever. CNBC has reached out to Ukraine's Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment.

Persons: Sergei Sobyanin Organizations: Moscow, Russia's Defense Ministry, Russian, CNBC, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Toretsk, Kyiv, Moscow

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government said Tuesday that it had filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing after Chinese jets flew dangerously close and fired a volley of flares in the path of a Philippine air force patrol plane over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army said Saturday that a Philippine air force aircraft “illegally” entered the airspace above the shoal, which China claims, disrupting its combat training activities. The command sent jets and ships to identify, track and drive away the Philippine aircraft, it added. In 2013, China announced a new Air Defense Identification Zone over the East China Sea that covers a chain of disputed islands also claimed by Japan. Washington has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.

Persons: Romeo Brawner Jr, ” Brawner, Teresita Daza, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, ”, Jay Batongbacal, ” Batongbacal, Thomas Shoal Organizations: Philippine military’s, Scarborough, seaway, ” Department of Foreign Affairs, ”, China, Southern Theater Command, People’s Liberation Army, Philippine, U.S, Air Defense, East China, Institute for Maritime Affairs, Law, University of the, Washington Locations: MANILA, Philippines, Beijing, Philippine, South China, Manila, China, People’s Republic of China, United States, Australia, Canada, East, Japan, Washington, University of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Scarborough, Asia

☆ Flags banned, signs ripped up: Why you can’t mention Taiwan at the Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Alex-Smith-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Alexander Smith | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

At Paris 2024, Taiwan’s red and blue flag is banned, as is the name “Taiwan” and its anthem. Security staff confiscated a "Taiwan" towel from a fan during the men's doubles badminton semi-final last week. Taiwan is a self-governing democracy that competes as “Chinese Taipei,” an attempt to participate in the Olympics without angering mainland China. That included the women’s team table tennis quarterfinal between Chinese Taipei and China that NBC News attended Wednesday. “Taiwan Independence, go to die.”“Motherland will retake Taiwan tomorrow, okay?” said another, referring to China.

Persons: Taiwan’s Lee Yang, Wang Chi, Liang Weikeng, Wang Chang, “ Let’s, Arun Sankar, Taiwan ”, Taiwan’s Chou Tien Chen, India’s Lakshya Sen, ”, Ann Wang, “, Xi Jinping, Aytac Unal, Mark Adams, Mao Zedong’s, China’s Wang Manyu, Chien Tung, chuan, Wang Zhao, Chiang, Yu Tsing Lin, Chen Szu, Lee Yang Organizations: PARIS, Security, Getty, Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Olympics, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Games, Olympic, Chinese Communist Party, International Olympic Committee, NBC News, IOC, Anadolu, Nationalist, Mao Zedong’s Communists, Taiwan, Paris Games, Taipei women’s, Weibo, Taipei House Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Tokyo, Paris, China, Taipei, U.S, Republic of China, Formosa, AFP, London, Taiwan Independence

Here’s a look at what voters had to say as part of four different groups: Trump loyalists, center-right voters conflicted about Trump, young progressives and traditional Democrats. But a group of these women did admit that the decision by Democrats to swap out Biden for Harris does concern them. “My concern about Trump is him making too aggressive of choices and us not being able to recover from it. But that does make me nervous because, did we vet everything that’s going to happen?” said Alyssa, a 29-year old woman who is still undecided on how she’s voting this fall. That’s powerful.”Traditional Democrats think Biden had to goThat support for Biden hanging up his political spikes extended to the group of traditional Democrats too.

Persons: Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, That’s, Elise Jordan, Trump, Harris, — they’re, Joe Biden’s, Tara, Biden, “, ” Kelly, we’ve, ”, Amy, —, ” Mary, “ Trump, Kelly, they’ve, they’re, Alyssa, it’s, Dawn, she’s, Karen, ” Karen, he’s, Kamala, ” Young, Nicholas, I’ve, Joe, “ It’s, we’re, ” Myra, Brett, “ I’m, Richard, Jolenta, wasn’t, ” Richard Organizations: Wisconsin, MSNBC, Trump loyalists, Trump, Kia, Biden Young, Democrats, Hamas, Biden Locations: Wisconsin

CNN —A video that surfaced online appears to show bodies on burnt-out Russian military trucks in the country’s southwestern Kursk region, the latest sign that Ukraine’s cross-border assault is probing more deeply and inflicting significant damage on Moscow’s troops. Rybar, one of the more prominent Russian military blogs, published a roundup of developments Friday that said the front lines have “somewhat stabilized” with the arrival of Russian reinforcements. Rybar cited local residents of Vtoroye Knyazhino, a settlement on the outskirts of Sudzha, as saying Ukrainian infantry entered their village. US officials say they do not believe Ukraine intends to hold Russian territory for the long term. Russian authorities help residents during evacuation efforts at a railway station in Oryol, Kursk region, August 9, 2024.

Persons: Archangel Spetsnaza, Dnevnik Desantnika, Cherkasskoe, Russkoe, Rybar, Pilipey, Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Vladimir Putin, “, Kursk –, ” Artamonov, Reuters Russia ‘, Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak, Zelensky, Podolyak, Peter Stanno, Ukraine “, Matthew Miller Organizations: CNN, Russian, CNN –, Malaya Loknya, Getty, Ukraine’s, Russia’s, Ministry, Russian Emergencies Ministry, Reuters, European Union, Ukraine, US State Department Locations: Kursk, Oktyabrskoye, Rylsk, Russian, Kyiv, Korenevo, Sudzha, Malaya, Vtoroye, Ukrainian, Kostyantynivka, Donetsk, AFP, Moscow, Kostiantynivka, Ukraine, Russia, Belgorod, Ukraine’s Kharkiv, –, Lipetsk –, Lipetsk, Bryansk, Voronezh, Orel, Crimea, Oryol, Handout, Reuters Russia

CNN —Ukrainian forces are pushing further into the Kursk region of Russia, in a cross-border incursion that surprised even American officials, multiple US and Ukrainian officials tell CNN. Ukrainian forces are comprised of a mix of Ukrainian regular and special operations units, unlike previous Ukrainian operations inside Russia that often involved undercover units and local sympathizers. Russia claimed on Thursday to have halted a Ukrainian incursion into its territory, but later said that some battles are ongoing in the Kursk region. Neither the Ukrainian military nor the government in Kyiv has publicly commented on the operation. A Russian military blogger Rybar reported on Wednesday that the Ukrainian military had established control over a gas transit station near the border.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, “ Sudzha, wasn’t, Alexei Smirnov, ”, Hochu, “, Kozak, Mick Ryan, Peter Stano, Karine Jean, Pierre, Biden, ” Jean, …, Niu York, HUR, Rybar, CNN’s Mariya Knight, Olga Voitovych Organizations: CNN, Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian Federal Security Service, Russian Defense, Telegram, Russian Ministry of Health, ., Federal Medical, Biological Agency, TASS, Reuters, Russian Defense Ministry, Futura, Institute for, Kyiv, Suspilne, Kyiv “, Ukraine Military Intelligence, LB, European Union, EU Locations: Kursk, Russia, Russian, Ukraine, Korenevsky, Ukrainian, Sudzhansky, Sudzha, Malaya Loknya, Kyiv, ”, Russia’s Kursk, Moscow, Pokrovsk, Niu, Toretsk, Europe

☆ Nigeria, Australia and several other countries warn about travel to UK amid riots
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Nigeria, Australia, Indonesia and a number of other countries have warned their citizens about traveling to the UK, as a spate of anti-immigrant riots grips cities across Britain. The UK’s worst social unrest in years was sparked by the stabbing deaths of three young girls in Stockport, northwest England, last week. A number of countries have issued warnings in response, including a group of Muslim-majority nations. Kenya’s principal secretary for foreign affairs, Korir Sing’Oei, took to social media platform X on Sunday to post, ““A deeply worrying situation in the UK. “Nigeria and Kenya are warning their citizens in the UK after riots in the former colonial power,” said Nairobi-based CNN correspondent Larry Madowo.

Persons: Korir Sing’Oei, ”, Larry Madowo, “ Organizations: London CNN —, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “, CNN, Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesian Embassy Locations: London CNN — Nigeria, Australia, Indonesia, Britain, Stockport, England, Nigeria, Kenya, “ Nigeria, Nairobi, United Kingdom, Indonesian, London

CNN —The US, UK and France are among several countries urging their citizens to leave Lebanon as heightened tensions in the region spark fears of a widening Middle East conflict. Haniyeh’s death came just hours after an Israeli strike on the Lebanese capital Beirut killed Hezbollah’s most senior military commander, Fu’ad Shukr. Many countries already had travel warnings in place but have issued fresh advice in the wake of the latest developments. AFP/Getty ImagesFrance told its citizens to make arrangements to leave Lebanon “as soon as possible” in a statement from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign affairs on Sunday. Israel says it is ready for “range of scenarios” following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran.

Persons: ”, David Lammy, “, Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah’s, Fu’ad, Jordan Organizations: CNN, Saturday Hezbollah, AFP, Getty, France, Ministry for, Foreign, ” Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa, Kuwaiti Airlines, Saturday, Pentagon Locations: France, Lebanon, ” Britain’s, Iran, Israel, Tehran, Beirut, Gaza, Metullah, Ministry for Europe, Jerusalem

More than in any other foreign arena, Vance has sought to echo Trump on the Ukraine war. In doing so, he emphasized the thick vein of “scarcity politics” that runs through his foreign policy, arguing that the U.S. can’t equip Ukraine with enough materiel to hold back an opponent as vast as Russia. Vance described Ukraine ceding territory to Vladimir Putin as being in “America’s best interest” while appearing more supportive than Trump of remaining in NATO. The foreign policy views of Pence, vice president when Trump was in office, while not loved by everyone, were at least “mature” — they were informed by several terms experiencing the consequences of foreign policy becoming reality, according to Daniel Kurtzer, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and now a professor at Princeton. Vance, on the other hand, brings “no foreign policy experience, certainly no expertise,” Kurtzer says, and he will fall in behind his boss when needed.

Persons: JD Vance, Donald Trump, ”, “, Vance, Clayton Allen, —, Anna Moneymaker, Trump, Bronwen Maddox, “ He’s, ” Allen, Biden, Vladimir Putin, Chatham House’s Maddox, Joe Biden, ” Vance, Patrick Baz, doesn’t, William Ruger, Israel, — Trump, Jair Bolsonaro, Viktor Orban, ” Trump, Stephen Maturen, Vance “, Dick, Cheney ”, George W, Allen, Hitler, Mike Pence, Pence, Daniel Kurtzer, ” Kurtzer, Benjamin Netanyahu, Charles Hollis, Hollis, Trump’s, ’ ”, Maddox, Grover Cleveland Organizations: Marines, Yale Law School, Gaza, Ohio, GOP, Eurasia Group, Republican Party, NATO, Republican National Convention, Democrat, Republicans, NAFTA, China, Getty, American Institute for Economic Research, Kremlin, Bloomberg, Trump, Princeton, United, Aperio Intelligence Locations: Iraq, U.S, Ukraine, Sierra Vista, London, Kyiv, Russia, lockstep, Europe, Mexico, Baghdad’s, Owerij, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Great Barrington , Massachusetts, Ukrainian, Taiwan, “, St Cloud, Minn, Israel, China, Gaza, Saudi Arabia, Iran, United States, Montezuma, Canada

☆ Spectator dragged from arena for holding up Taiwan banner during Olympic badminton match
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( Joshua Berlinger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Taiwan competes at the Olympics as “Chinese Taipei” as the result of a political compromise – but not under its own name, flag or anthem. Reuters reported that its journalists saw the spectator shouting while being removed mid-match. The banner he was carrying was green, a color used by the island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, as well as those who advocate for Taiwanese independence and greater autonomy. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “strongly condemns the crude and despicable means of malicious individuals ruthlessly snatching the ‘Go Taiwan’ slogan.”“This violent act is not only uneducated, but also seriously violates the civilized spirit represented by the Olympic Games. It also violates the rule of law and infringes on freedom of speech,” the ministry said in a statement.

Persons: Republic of China ”, “ Organizations: Paris CNN — Security, Paris Olympics, Taiwan, Reuters, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Olympic Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, Republic of China, Beijing, China, France

☆ A Triumphant Biden Welcomes 3 Freed Americans Home
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Katie Rogers | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Wall Street Journal reporter greeted his waiting colleagues with a wide grin and open arms. In the middle of the emotional scene that unfolded on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews late Thursday was President Biden. Hours earlier, Mr. Biden had triumphantly announced that his administration’s diplomatic efforts had secured the release of three American prisoners held by Russia. “It feels wonderful,” Mr. Biden told reporters. And for Mr. Biden, they provided a seeming vindication of the type of patient, multilateral diplomacy that he proudly practices but that has so far proved unable to halt wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

Persons: Base Andrews, Biden, Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Mr, “ Organizations: Street, Base Locations: Russian American, Russia, Maryland, Gaza, Ukraine

☆ 2 renowned strategists say the US should defend Taiwan with nuclear strikes. Experts say such talk is just a taste of what's to come.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

The US once floated nuclear retaliation in 1958 if China invaded Taiwan, and stationed nuclear weapons on the island until 1974. It would essentially tell Beijing that an invasion of the island risks nuclear war, he said. "What's the benefit of reassuring Xi that our nuclear weapons are not relevant?" "So relatively low-yield nuclear weapons could destroy that amphibious force and do little to no collateral damage onshore in Taiwan." He added that threatening war — much less nuclear war — over Taiwan would be deeply unpopular at home.

Persons: —, David Kearn, Kearn, — he'd, Greg Weaver, Weaver, Obama, Matthew Kroenig, James Acton, Greg, Matt, Kroenig, Lyle Goldstein, Goldstein, we're, Acton, Francesca Giovannini, Giovannini, Xi Jinping, Xi, It's, Marshall Billingslea, Billingslea, Rebeccah Heinrichs, Jake Werner Organizations: Service, John's, Atlantic Council, Pentagon, Business, RAND, US Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Defense Department, Nuclear, Carnegie Endowment, International, China Initiative, Brown University, International Peace, Harvard University's Kennedy, Georgetown University, US State Department, Hudson, Keystone Defense Initiative, Kroenig, East Asia, Quincy Institute, Responsible, Johns University Locations: St, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Washington, Korea, Japan, Taiwan Strait, Washington , DC, Guam, South China, Russia, United States, Bejing, South Korea

☆ 'Internal battle' in Modi's BJP on whether India needs Chinese investments, Natixis chief Asia economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | In Charmainemariajacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Supporters of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hold party flags as they celebrate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony on June 9, 2024. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesThere is an "internal battle" happening within India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party over inviting Chinese investments, as the country strives to become Asia's manufacturing powerhouse, Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief Asia Pacific economist at Natixis said. This proposal was shot down by Trade Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday who said that there was "no rethinking at present" on allowing Chinese investments into India, Reuters reported. Experts told CNBC that Chinese investments are needed in India's solar panel and battery manufacturing sectors — two areas that a report, citing Indian government sources last week, mentioned could see easing restrictions on Chinese investments. India increased scrutiny on Chinese investments into the country, and also blocked several Chinese mobile apps including TikTok following the incident.

Persons: Narendra Modi's, Alicia Garcia, Herrero, Natixis, V Anantha, Piyush Goyal, Modi, Garcia, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Harsh, Pant, Tauseef Mustafa, Jaishankar, Punit Paranjpe Organizations: Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Asia, Trade, Reuters, CNBC, Department, Promotion of Industry, Internal, Bloomberg, ICT, Communication Technologies, New Delhi's Observer Research Foundation, Afp, Getty, India's Foreign, Adani Locations: Asia Pacific, China, India, Europe, loggerheads, Eastern Ladakh, Tokyo, U.S, Mundra

☆ 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

☆ Brent tops $80 per barrel as oil analyst flags ‘phase of deterioration’ in the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Brent futures topped the $80-per-barrel-threshold on Wednesday, as Iran's claim that Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated reignited tensions in the Middle East. The Ice Brent contract with September expiry were trading at $80.32 per barrel at 09:45 a.m. London time, up by 2.15% from the Tuesday close price. Oil gained ground amid exacerbated hostilities in the oil-rich Middle East region, where Israel has been fighting Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas since the latter's terror attack in October. The Jewish state's decision to carry out a retaliatory campaign in the Gaza Strip has since broadened the conflict, with Israel trading fire with other Iran-supported factions, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi. "But now we're moving into a phase of deterioration into the Middle East that we believe is going to capture oil traders' attention and get them to return some material risk premium into the price of Brent.

Persons: Brent, Ismail Haniyeh, Ice Brent, Yemen's, Israel, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Clay Seigle, Emily Tan Organizations: Ice, Hamas, Revolutionary Guard, Republic News Agency, CNBC, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister's Office, Rapidan Energy Group Locations: London, Israel, Iran, Gaza, Tehran, Iran's, Ukraine, Brent

A Tuareg militant group spokesman said some Malian troops and Russian fighters had also been captured during the battle. According to some unofficial Russian Telegram channels, as many as 80 Russians were killed. The commander – call-sign Rusich – said on Telegram he was trying to convey a message to the Russian Defense Ministry. And in Syria five years ago, a disastrous attack by Russian mercenaries on an oil refinery led to dozens of casualties. One of them was an IED attack on a Russian vehicle in the same region of Mali as the latest devastating assault.

Persons: Nusrat al, JNIM, ”, Andriy Yusov, Yusov, Wagner, Wagner “, –, Sergei Shevchenko, Nikita Fedyanin, “, Korotkov, Africa Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Yunus, Bek, Yevkurov, al Organizations: CNN, Russian, Russian Telegram, Kremlin, Kyiv, Ukraine’s Security, Russian Defense Ministry, Corps, Grey, Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian Federation, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central African, Wagner PMC, Deputy, SITE Intelligence Group Locations: Mali, Algerian, Islam, Africa, Malian, Russian, London, Syria, Central African Republic, Mozambique, Bakhmut, Ukraine, Niger, Burkina Faso, Moscow, Togo

☆ Ancient monastery in war-ravaged Gaza placed on UNESCO’s danger list
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Lianne Kolirin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An ancient Christian monastery in Gaza has been added to the List of World Heritage in Danger because of the ongoing conflict in the region. Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Monastery of St. Hilarion, known locally as Tell Umm Amer, was simultaneously added to the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger, according to an announcement by UNESCO on its website on Friday. “This decision recognizes both the site’s value and the need to protect it from danger,” the organization explained online. The monastery was founded by St. Hilarion and was home to the first monastic community in the Holy Land, according to UNESCO. UNESCO stated: “In view of the threats to this heritage site posed by the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, the World Heritage Committee used the emergency inscription procedure provided for in the World Heritage Convention.

Persons: Mohammed Abed, Hilarion, Umm Amer Organizations: CNN, UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Getty, UNESCO, Fund, St, Monuments Fund, World Heritage, Heritage Convention, Convention, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Gaza, New Delhi, AFP, St, Danger, Gaza City, Africa, Asia

☆ Israel says Hezbollah will ‘pay the price’ after blaming it for attack on soccer field that killed 12
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-28 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Israel vowed Hezbollah will “pay the price” after blaming the Lebanese militant group for a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children, touching off fears once again that an all-out war would envelop the region. Hezbollah says it “firmly denies” it was behind the strike, the deadliest to hit Israel since the October 7 attacks. “Hezbollah is responsible for this and they will pay the price,” Gallant said. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Sunday backed Israel’s assessment, saying “every indication” suggested the strike was a rocket fired by Hezbollah. While Hezbollah admitted striking the Golan Heights on Saturday, it rejected responsibility for the attack on Majdal Shams.

Persons: CNN — Israel, “, Majdal Shams, Yoav Gallant, ” Gallant, State Anthony Blinken, ”, Yair Lapid, Shams, Israel, Nasser Kanaani, Israel “, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, Israel’s, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State, UN, Sunday, Israel, Saturday Locations: Lebanese, Golan, Majdal, Lebanon, Iran, Israel, Syria, ” Israel, Gaza, Majdal Shams, United States

☆ US Defense Secretary Austin to hold trilateral meeting with Japanese, South Korean counterparts in Tokyo, first in 15 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( Philip Wang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will hold a trilateral meeting with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts in Tokyo on Sunday local time, the first of its kind in 15 years, a senior US defense official said. The trilateral meeting came nearly one year after President Joe Biden held the first stand-alone summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at Camp David in August 2023. “We’ve made enormous progress, trilateral since the Camp David summit, with early warning missile data sharing real time with a trilateral exercise plan,” the US senior defense official said. There is no intention to integrate Japanese forces into the US commands, according to the official. And they’ll be doing that side by side with Japanese forces like never before.”

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida, Yoon Suk, David, Kishida, “ We’ve, Austin, ” Organizations: CNN, US, Korean, Japanese, South, ’, US Forces Japan, USF, Operations Command, Pacific Command, 5th Air Force Locations: Tokyo

☆ South Korea stung by introduction at Paris Olympics opening ceremony as North Korea
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( Ben Burrows | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

South Korea is seeking a meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach after its 143 athletes were wrongly introduced as North Korean during the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics. AdvertisementThe formal name of South Korea is the Republic of Korea. North Korea, which has 16 athletes as part of its first delegation since 2016, was properly introduced later in the program in French and English. South Korea and North Korea have been established as separate entities since 1948 and have been in conflict after the Korean War of the early 1950s. In 2012, organizers in London blamed “human error” after a flag of South Korea was displayed alongside North Korea’s women’s team ahead of a game in the soccer tournament.

Persons: Thomas Bach, ”, Mark Adams, “, Jang Mi Ran, Bach, Richard Pelham Organizations: Olympic Committee, Paris Olympics, IOC, South Korean, Democratic, The Athletic, Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism, of Foreign Affairs, Korean Olympic Committee, Korea Sports Federation, Korea’s women’s, Getty Locations: Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, North Korea, South Korea, Republic of Korea, “, Paris, Korean, London

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