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☆ NATO allies are discussing reclaiming some Chinese-owned infrastructure in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Kayla Tausche | Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —NATO officials are discussing taking action to reclaim some Chinese-owned infrastructure projects in Europe should a wider conflict with Russia break out in the east of the continent, three officials involved in the discussions told CNN. A decade ago, when Europe was still crawling out of the economic crater caused by the global financial crisis, the promise of infrastructure funding from Chinese-owned investment firms seemed like a major windfall. The fear, according to one US official, is that Beijing could use the infrastructure it owns in Europe to provide material assistance to Russia if the conflict were to expand. The discussions reflect an increasing focus on China by the NATO alliance. A NATO official said that if a war erupted, the infrastructure “would almost certainly be nationalized, or nations would temporarily assume operating control, under emergency security measures.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Kishida, ” Blinken, Jens Stoltenberg, CNN’s Natasha Bertrand Organizations: CNN, NATO, Washington, Moscow, Beijing, Initiative, Helsinki Shipyard –, US, Ukraine, European Union Locations: Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Beijing, China, NATO, Eastern Europe, Baltic, Finland, Canada, Japan, East Asia, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, France, Washington

☆ Zelenskyy says the problem with the coming F-16 fighter jets is the same one Ukraine had with the Abrams tanks
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Chris Panella | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewWestern-provided F-16 fighter jets are on their way to Ukraine and set to start flying missions later this summer. But they may not yet be enough to make a difference on the battlefield, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated in a discussion this week on what Ukraine needs, comparing the jets to the US-made Abrams tanks that Ukraine got last fall. "The problem with F-16," the Ukrainian president said, "is the number and the dates." The US sent only 31 M1A1 Abrams in total, and they were delivered to Ukraine months after British and German tanks. For comparison, Ukraine received about 300 US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, nearly ten times more than the number of Abrams sent.

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Abrams, Bret Baier, Zelenskyy, Derek Seifert, Zelenskky, haven't, Michael Currie, Antony Blinken's, it's, Zachariah Lopez, Jake Sullivan Organizations: Service, Business, Fox News, Reagan Institute, Abrams Ukraine, NATO, Egyptian, Force, US Air Force, US, Abrams, Bradley, Getty, Ukraine —, Ukrainian Air Force, Osan Air Base, US Air Force Tech, White, National Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Washington , DC, Russia, Egypt, Denmark, Netherlands, Soviet, South Korea

☆ Russia's brutal missile strike on a Ukrainian children's hospital just before the big NATO summit appears to be backfiring
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

AdvertisementEmergency officials and civilians conduct search and rescue operations among the rubble of Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital on Monday. The deadly Russian missile attack saw child cancer patients evacuated and moved with medical tubes still in their bodies. Women hold patients at Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital that was damaged during Russian missile strikes in Kyiv, Ukraine on Monday. He said that "when you hit not just a hospital or a children's hospital —and not just a children's hospital, but a children's hospital in which there are children were being treated for cancer — it doesn't get much worse than that in terms of brutality." A UN investigation found the children's hospital likely took a direct hit from a Russian missile, likely a Kh-101.

Persons: —, Kyiv's, Joe Biden, Biden, Gleb Garanich, Rajan Menon, Columbia University's, Russia's, Menon, Mykhailo Podolyak, Beata Zawrzel, Keir Starmer, Aleksandr Gusev, Getty Images Biden, Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Antony Blinken, Dmytro Kuleba, Blinken, ORI AVIRAM, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Jake Epstein Organizations: Service, NATO, Ukraine, Business, Kyiv Regional Military Administration, Getty, NATO's, Ohmatdyt, Russian, Monday, REUTERS, Columbia, Columbia University's Saltzman Institute of War, Peace Studies, NATO Summit, UN, Children's Clinic, Getty Images, Ukrainian Foreign, MOD, Moscow Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Okhmatdyt, Anadolu, Washington ,, Russia, Russian, Ukrainian

☆ Biden didn't show up for an early evening meeting with the German chancellor because he had to go to bed: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Hannah Abraham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewPresident Joe Biden canceled an early evening meeting with the German chancellor Olaf Scholz at the last minute because he had to go to bed, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. According to the report, the chancellor and his aides were surprised by Biden's absence and Blinken's appearance. Related storiesThe Journal report said that the White House has consistently reduced Biden's daily schedule and shielded him from impromptu meetings. AdvertisementBoth CNN and The New York Times have reported that Biden told governors he needed to get more sleep and stop holding events after 8 p.m. The White House has not responded to these claims.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Olaf Scholz, Antony Blinken, Biden, Axios, Donald Trump, ABC's George Stephanopolous, Abigail Disney, Walt Disney's grandniece Organizations: Service, Wall Street, Business, State Department, White, CNN, The New York Times, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations, Trump, Alliance, Biden Locations: Germany, Ukraine, China, Russia, Washington

☆ Israel is inching toward a wider war and a nasty fight against an enemy poised to bombard it as no other foe has
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-06 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

AdvertisementFor Israel, a larger war with Hezbollah would look very different from the full-scale conflict it's fighting against Hamas in Gaza. Before the 2006 Lebanon War, a monthlong conflict fought against Israel, Hezbollah maintained some 15,000 projectiles. REUTERS/Avi OhayonBut a larger Hezbollah war could overwhelm some of these systems, a scenario that has caused concern in Washington. During the 2006 war, Hezbollah fired somewhere between 100 and 200 rockets per day at Israel, according to estimates cited by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank. More than two dozen soldiers and civilians have already been killed in Israel, and in Lebanon, that figure has surpassed 450.

Persons: —, Ariel Schalit, Daniel Byman, MAHMOUD ZAYYAT, Avi Ohayon, Stringer, Rami Shlush, Antony Blinken Organizations: Service, Hezbollah, Tehran —, Business, United Nations, Israel, Hamas, AP, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Getty, Institute for National Security Studies, CSIS, REUTERS, Foundation for Defense, Democracies, Israel Communications, Research Center, Congressional Research Service, Institution Locations: Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Tehran, Gaza . The Lebanon, Kiryat Shmona, Gaza, Lebanese, Nabatiyeh, AFP, Israeli, Washington, Khiam, Israel's

The concern is compounded because many believe Trump poses a threat to the future of NATO. Questions about Biden and his political future inject further uncertainty into a summit where key allies are also dealing with major political changes. However, as one former senior US diplomat said, there will “certainly be a spotlight” on Biden at the NATO summit. Adding to the pressure is the increased significance of this year’s NATO summit. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has sought to focus attention on the content of the summit and away from Biden’s debate performance.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Biden, — Keir Starmer —, Emmanuel Macron’s, —, he’s, Antony Blinken, spry, “, Lloyd Austin, Karine Jean, Pierre Organizations: CNN, NATO, Labour Party, Biden, Brookings Institute, North Atlantic Council, White Locations: Washington ,, Russia, United, US, Austin, European, Italy, Ukraine, United States, NATO

☆ Biden and Netanyahu are expected to meet later this month in Washington, source says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —President Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to meet in Washington, DC, in several weeks when the Israeli prime minister visits to address Congress on July 24, a source familiar told CNN. US and Israeli officials are still in the process of nailing down logistical details for the Biden-Netanyahu meeting, which would likely take place at the White House, the source said. A White House official told CNN that Biden has known Netanyahu for decades, and that “they will likely see each other when the Prime Minister is here over the course of that week. But we have nothing to announce at this time.”CNN has also reached out to the prime minister’s office for comment. Last month, Biden said in an interview that Netanyahu may be dragging out the war in an attempt to cling to power and said it was “uncertain” whether Israel had committed war crimes.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Biden, “, ”, ” Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken “, Amos Hochstein, Netanyahu’s, CNN’s Jack Forrest, Christian Edwards, Tara John, Kevin Liptak, Natasha Bertrand, Arlette Saenz, Jennifer Hansler, Kylie Atwood, Melanie Zanona, Oren Liebermann, Piper Hudspeth Blackburn Organizations: CNN, Biden, White, ” CNN Locations: Washington , DC, Israel, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Washington

☆ US officials went line-by-line through arms shipments to Israel with defense minister to rebut Netanyahu’s delay claim
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —American officials went through a line-by-line explanation of hundreds of US weapons shipments to Israel in meetings this week with the country’s defense minister in a bid to rebut claims from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that President Joe Biden was delaying military assistance. The meetings with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant came amid a growing spat between the Biden administration and Netanyahu, who has claimed that armaments are being delayed to the intense frustration of Washington. “We had a very good opportunity to sit down with experts from across our system and go through every single case,” a senior US administration official said. Since Netanyahu first took his complaints public last week, White House officials have brushed off some of his comments as motivated by politics as he works to maintain a fragile grip on power. We look forward to constructive consultations with the defense minister in Washington this week,” a White House official said.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Yoav Gallant, Biden, Netanyahu, Gallant, ”, Netanyahu’s, –, Antony Blinken “, ” Netanyahu, wasn’t, “ Organizations: Washington CNN — American, White, Officials Locations: Israel, Washington, Gaza, Rafah

Washington CNN —American officials are hoping to gain a better understanding of Israel’s war plans in meetings this week with the country’s defense minister, who arrived in Washington as the rift widened between the Biden administration and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We will not end the war until we return all of our hostages – 120 hostages, the living and the deceased. Netanyahu said that once the “intense phase” of the Gaza conflict is over Israel will continue “mowing the grass” in Gaza, which US officials oppose. But Netanyahu ignored the demand from his defense minister, refusing to make such a public statement. And former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who resigned from a unity government with Netanyahu two weeks ago, accused Israel’s longest-serving leader of putting political considerations ahead of a post-war strategy.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Netanyahu, ”, —, that’s, Matt Miller, Gallant, Bill Burns, Amos Hochstein, ” Gallant, Benny Gantz, Israel’s, Israel, Lloyd Austin, Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Miller, “ vexing, “ Organizations: Washington CNN —, Biden, CIA, Defense, National, State Department, White, Washington Locations: Washington, Gaza, Israel, United States, ”, Lebanon

☆ China employing 'gray zone tactics' at contested Second Thomas Shoal, Lowy Institute's Yaacob says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons towards a Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 on its way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, March 5, 2024. China said the United States must refrain from "stirring up trouble" or taking sides on the South China Sea issue, after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said a security deal with the Manila extended to attacks on the Philippine coast guard. China is employing "gray zone tactics" against the Philippines at the contested Second Thomas Shoal reef, a move likely aimed at avoiding U.S. intervention in the region, according to Lowy Institute's Rahman Yaacob. Last week, Philippine officials said Chinese forces damaged the country's boats and injured several sailors near the Second Thomas Shoal — claimed by both Beijing and Manila — in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea. Gray zone tactics refer to "coercive actions that are shy of armed conflict but beyond normal diplomatic, economic, and other activities," according to Rand Corporation.

Persons: Shoal, Antony Blinken, Lowy Institute's Rahman Yaacob, Thomas Shoal —, Yaacob Organizations: Guard, U.S, Manila —, Asia Program, Lowy Institute, Rand Corporation, Philippine Locations: Philippine, South China, China, United States, Manila, Philippines, Beijing, Spratly Islands, Yaacob, Asia, India

CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended his decision to go public about delays in the supply of weapons from the United States, saying months of private discussions did not yield any results. At the beginning of a cabinet meeting Sunday, Netanyahu said that “after months of no change in this situation, I decided to give it a public expression. The US remains Israel’s most important ally and biggest supplier of arms but has voiced increasing concern over the mounting civilian casualties in Gaza. Our ties are crucial and perhaps more important than ever, at this time,” Gallant told reporters, according to a statement from the Israeli defense ministry. The Israeli defense minister has clashed with Netanyahu, who is facing an ongoing battle to keep his government together.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, Biden, Antony Blinken “, Amos Hochstein, ” “, Yoav Gallant, Lloyd Austin, ” Gallant, Gallant, ”, “ Organizations: CNN, Israeli, US, U.S Locations: United States, Israel, Gaza, Washington

☆ This technology could transform one of the world’s dirtiest industries. Experts say it’s way off pace
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-23 | by ( Rachel Ramirez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

This complex will be world’s first large-scale “green steel” project, according to H2 Green Steel, the Swedish company behind the multi-billion-dollar mill. Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesWhile projects like H2 Green Steel show momentum is growing, experts say the pace is far too slow. Northern Sweden is also home to the HYBRIT green steel pilot plant — which is one step ahead. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a visit to Hybrit Steel Plant in Lulea, Sweden, on May 30, 2023. But there’s also the challenge of producing large amounts of green hydrogen, which will require huge amounts of renewable energy.

Persons: Peter Boer, Dhiraj Singh, ”, Mohamed Atouife, Daniel Acker, ” Atouife, HYBRIT, Biden, Antony Blinken, Jonas Ekstromer, Martin Pei, SSAB, ” Pei, Chathurika, Caitlin Swalec, Jonathan Nackstrand, Pei, there’s, –, Philipp Verpoort, “ It’s, Princeton’s, Swalec, Chris Greig, ” Greig, RMI’s Gamage Organizations: CNN, Green Steel, Tata Steel, Bloomberg, Getty, Rourkela Steel, Princeton University, Volvo, Hybrit Steel, TT, Agency, AFP, “, Mountain Institute, Global Energy Monitor, Potsdam Institute, Climate Impact, Potsdam, Princeton University’s Andlinger Center for Energy, Workers, Jiangsu Shagang, Co, European Union Locations: Sweden, Boden, Swedish, Wijk aan, Netherlands, Odisha, India, Indiana, Portage , Indiana, Northern Sweden, Cleveland, Ohio, Middletown, Mississippi, Lulea, Luleå, AFP, China, Europe, Japan, Jiangsu, Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, European

☆ US offers assurances to Israel this week in the event of full-blown war with Hezbollah
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

They discussed a wide range of topics including the situation on Israel’s northern border, Iran and the ceasefire and hostage negotiations, sources said. Since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, Hezbollah’s provocations against Israel have continued – and escalated in recent weeks. If Hezbollah were to significantly expand the scale of its attacks on Israel, resulting in the deaths of Israelis, US officials expect Israel to respond with full force. As CNN reported, US officials have serious concerns that in the event of a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group could overwhelm Israel’s air defenses in the north — including the much-vaunted Iron Dome air defense system. In this week’s meetings, US and Israeli officials discussed possible “off-ramps” to try to lower the temperature along the so-called Blue Line that separates Lebanon and Israel, the senior administration official said.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ron Dermer, Tzachi Hanegbi, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Brett McGurk, Israel, Amos Hochstein Organizations: CNN — Senior, Hezbollah, Top, Strategic, Biden, White, CNN Locations: Washington, Israel, Iran, Lebanon

☆ South Korea said it might send weapons to Ukraine after Putin signed a security pact with its biggest enemy
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewSouth Korea said it could send weapons to Ukraine after Russia signed a security pact with Seoul's biggest regional foe, North Korea. Putin became the first Russian leader to visit North Korea in a quarter of a century this week, cementing an alliance with the pariah state. Putin, on a trip to Vietnam Friday, warned South Korea against arming Ukraine in response, saying that it would be a "big mistake." Moscow "will... [make] decisions which are unlikely to please the current leadership of South Korea" if it goes ahead and sends weapons to Ukraine, Putin said, reported BBC News. But he also said that South Korea has "nothing to worry about" from the new pact as long as it doesn't commit acts of aggression toward North Korea.

Persons: —, Chang Ho, Kim Jong Un, Chang, Putin, Russia's, Cho Tae, yul, Antony Blinken Organizations: Service, Seoul's, Korean, North, Business, UN Security Council, UN, South, BBC Locations: Korea, Ukraine, Russia, North Korea, Pyongyang, Russian, East Asia, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Moscow

☆ ‘Only pirates do this’: Philippines accuses China of using bladed weapons in major South China Sea escalation
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Nectar Gan | Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Hong Kong CNN —The Philippines has accused China’s Coast Guard of launching a “brutal assault” with bladed weapons during a South China Sea clash earlier this week, a major escalation in a festering dispute that threatens to drag the United States into another global conflict. A Philippine Navy serviceman on the rubber boat lost his right thumb when the Chinese Coast Guard rammed it, Torres said. China’s Coast Guard also deployed tear gas, “blinding” strobe lights and continuously blared sirens, the AFP said. “The Chinese Coast Guard personnel had bladed weapons and our personnel fought with bare hands. This is the closest China’s Coast Guard has come to the BRP Sierra Madre, Koh noted.

Persons: Thomas Shoal, –, ” Collin Koh, ” Koh, “, ”, Alfonso Torres Jr, Torres, Romeo Brawner Jr, ” Brawner, Ferdinand “ Bongbong ” Marcos Jr, Marcos, Matthew Miller, Enrique A, Antony Blinken, ” Derek Grossman, Koh, they’re, Thomas, Washington “, ” “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Coast Guard, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Philippine, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Philippine Navy, Armed Forces, Getty, Western Command, Chinese Coast Guard, China’s Coast Guard, Staff, Getty Images Mutual, South China, US State Department, Mutual Defense, RAND Corporation, China Coast Guard, Philippine personnel, Navy Special Operations Group, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre Locations: Hong Kong, Philippines, China, United States, Manila, Spratly, Philippine, Singapore, AFP, ’, China’s, South, States, US, Washington, South China, The Hague, Beijing, India, BRP Sierra, BRP Sierra Madre

CNN —US officials have serious concerns that in the event of a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group could overwhelm Israel’s air defenses in the north — including the much-vaunted Iron Dome air defense system, three US officials told CNN. Israeli officials have told the US they are planning to shift resources from southern Gaza to northern Israel in preparation for a possible offensive against the group, US officials told CNN on Wednesday. “We assess that at least some” Iron Dome batteries “will be overwhelmed,” said a senior administration official. Earlier this month, Hezbollah released a video purporting to show a drone striking and damaging an Iron Dome battery on an army base in northern Israel. The Iron Dome is fundamental to Israel’s defense and the US government has spent over $2.9 billion on the program, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Persons: “, ”, “ We’re, Amos Hochstein, Hochstein, Israel, Israel ‘, Antony Blinken’s, Yoav Gallant, Hassan Nasrallah, Nasrallah, Assad Organizations: CNN, Hezbollah, Congressional Research Service, Israel Defense Forces, Islamic, Biden, US, IDF, Hamas, Israeli, Command, Radwan Force, Rocket Locations: Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Lebanese, Jerusalem, Beirut, Rafah, ”, Cyprus, Syria

The eventual language issued by the alliance about Ukraine during July’s summit in Washington is critical. Vague commitment in 2008It was back in 2008 at a NATO summit in Budapest that Ukraine was first offered a vague commitment of an invitation to join in the future. “Of course we’d be for ‘irreversible,’” a third Eastern European official said. Generally, throughout the conflict, British officials, the closest US allies in NATO, have consistently hoped the White House would take a more aggressive stance. “When the text is on the table and the countries start to negotiate we can see the full picture,” the Eastern European official said.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, we’ll, Antony Blinken, Biden, Stoltenberg, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, “, ” Stoltenberg, ”, doesn’t, It’s “, Vladimir Putin, ” Putin, Putin, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: CNN, NATO, Central, “, US, Biden, European, ”, US State Department, NATO Alliance, Eastern, Eastern European Locations: United States, United Kingdom, Washington, Russia’s, Ukraine, July’s, Russia, Prague, Hungary, Central European, Kyiv, Lithuanian, Vilnius, Budapest, Russian, ”, Kharkiv, London

☆ North Korea rolls out the red carpet for Putin as West fears nuclear implications
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Russia's President Vladimir Putin is greeted by North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un during a welcoming ceremony at an airport in Pyongyang, North Korea June 19, 2024. Gavriil Grigorov | Via ReutersRussian President Vladimir Putin was met with a grand reception in Pyongyang, North Korea on Wednesday amid concerns from Western officials about the two nuclear-armed countries' growing relationship. North Korean state TV showed the two leaders warmly embracing on a red carpet outside Pyongyang International Airport after Putin landed around 2:45 a.m. local time, kicking off his first visit there in 24 years. During their initial meeting, the Russian and North Korean leaders shared their "pent-up inmost thoughts" and agreed to further develop their nations' relations, state media KCNA reported. "We are, of course, also concerned about the potential support that Russia provides to North Korea when it comes to supporting their missile and nuclear programs," said Stoltenberg.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, North, Kim Jong Un, Gavriil, Putin, Kim Jong Un's, Jens Stoltenberg, Stoltenberg, Antony Blinken Organizations: Reuters, Pyongyang International Airport, NATO, U.S Locations: Pyongyang, North Korea, Russia, North, Eurasia, Ukraine, China, Iran, Antony Blinken .

CNN —US envoy Amos Hochstein told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a meeting on Tuesday in Israel that his public comments this week that the US is “withholding weapons and ammunitions to Israel” were “unproductive” and “more importantly, completely untrue,” a senior US official told CNN. A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Israel confirmed that Lew spoke with Netanyahu on Tuesday. The meeting reflected the administration’s mounting frustration with the Israeli leader’s comments. Hochstein’s comments to Netanyahu weren’t the first time US officials have pushed back in private against public comments made by Netanyahu, but some US officials would like the Biden administration to go further, an administration official said. “In the meantime, meetings with Israeli officials are being held throughout the week at expert and senior levels on a range of topics.

Persons: Amos Hochstein, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel ”, ”, Israel Jack Lew, Netanyahu, Lew, ” Axios, Hochstein, Biden, Joe Biden, Netanyahu weren’t, “, that’s, ” Netanyahu, Antony Blinken “, ” Blinken, Israel won’t Organizations: CNN, Israeli, US Embassy, Israel Strategic Consultative, White, “ Locations: Israel, Gaza, Iran

☆ Kim Jong Un and Putin have upgraded their bromance, saying Russia and North Korea have reached a 'new high of alliance'
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewRussian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to North Korea in 24 years on Wednesday, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un saying the two nations have upgraded their partnership to "a new high of alliance." AdvertisementState-run Russian news agency TASS reported that North Korea returned the favor by gifting Putin several pieces of art depicting his likeness. "North Korea is supporting Russia right now," he added, "but I think more significant is that now, at least in theory, Russia will have to support North Korea." AdvertisementRussia and North Korea have developed closer ties since the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. CNN noted that while Putin did not explicitly describe the new agreement as an alliance, he acknowledged that ties between North Korea and Russia have reached a "new level."

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Kim, gifting Putin, Putin, Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Antony Blinken, Biden Organizations: Service, North, Yonhap News Agency, Business, Korean, TASS, KF, VUB, Brussels School, Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, UN, Ukraine, NBC News, CNN Locations: North Korea, Korea, VUB Korea, Vrije, Russia, Moscow, Pyongyang, Ukraine

☆ Blinken confirms US is still pausing a shipment of heavy bombs to Israel as Netanyahu increases pressure on admin
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

That remains under review,” Blinken said at a news conference at the US State Department. The administration is committed, however, to making sure that “that Israel has what it needs to effectively defend itself,” Blinken said. The announcement of the hold on the weapons shipment was met with mixed reactions, including strong condemnation from Israeli officials and some US lawmakers of both parties. It is unclear what other weapons Netanyahu was referencing. On Tuesday, CNN reported that key Democratic lawmakers had lifted holds on an expected $18 billion sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, ”, ” Blinken, Joe Biden, Israel, Netanyahu –, Blinken, Netanyahu, “, Israel won’t, CNN’s Michael Conte, Eugenia Yosef, Vasco Cotovio Organizations: CNN, US State Department, Israel, Democratic Locations: Israel, Israeli, Rafah, Gazan

☆ Opinion: The fanatical Hamas leader who calls the shots
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Peter Bergen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —In February, the Israeli Defense Forces released a grainy video showing the back of a man they identified as Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ leader in Gaza. Since the video didn’t show Sinwar’s face, there was no independent confirmation that the shadowy figure was indeed the Hamas leader. Former Israeli dentist Yuval Bitton, who treated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in an Israeli prison, speaks during an interview in his house in Kibbutz Shoval, Israel, February 5, 2024. While he was in prison, Sinwar admitted that he had killed several Palestinians who he believed were collaborating with the Israelis. While he was in prison, Sinwar became the leader of his fellow Hamas inmates, according to The Washington Post.

Persons: Peter Bergen, ”, Osama bin Laden, CNN —, Yahya Sinwar, It’s, Sinwar, Ali Jadallah, Joe Biden, hasn’t, ” Sinwar, Yuval Bitton, Amir Cohen, Bitton, Peter Bergen Sinwar, Biden, Antony Blinken, “, Gilad Shalit Organizations: New, Arizona State University, Apple, Spotify, CNN, Israeli Defense Forces, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Hamas, Wall Street, New York Times, Reuters, Israel Hayom, The Washington Post, Sinwar, Israel, Gaza Health Ministry Locations: New America, Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, East, Kibbutz Shoval, Israeli

Beirut, Lebanon CNN —The fate of the 120 remaining hostages in Gaza is crucial to any deal to end the protracted and bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas. But a senior Hamas official has told CNN that “no one has an idea” how many of them are alive, and that any deal to release them must include guarantees of a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. People walk among debris, aftermath of Israeli strikes at the area, where Israeli hostages were rescued on Saturday, in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, on Sunday, June 9. Hamas' Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar attends a meeting with members of Palestinian groups in Gaza City on April 13, 2022. Israel believes that more than 70 hostages of the more than 100 who are still held in Gaza to be alive.

Persons: Osama Hamdan, Yahya Sinwar, Antony Blinken, Sinwar, Hamdan, Joe Biden, Blinken, ” Blinken, Abed Khaled, ”, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu “, Jack Guez, ” Sinwar, Ali Jadallah, Netanyahu, “, … Organizations: Lebanon CNN, Hamas, CNN, NBC, ”, Wednesday, United Nations Security, Reuters, White, Israel Defense Forces, European Union, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Israel, Wall, IDF Locations: Beirut, Lebanon, Gaza, Israel, Lebanese, Doha, Israeli, Jerusalem, AFP, United Kingdom, Hamas, Gaza City, American

“Hamas could have answered with a single word – yes,” he said. “It’s time for the haggling to stop and a ceasefire to start. Hamas submitted its reply to the multi-phased ceasefire and hostage release proposal to mediators on Tuesday. According to a senior State Department official, Blinken, who was in Amman at the time, dispatched two of the senior staff traveling with him to retrieve Hamas’ response from Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel, who was also in the Jordanian capital. Izzat al-Rishq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, described their response as “responsible, serious and positive.”CNN’s Becky Anderson, Hamdi Alkhshali and Benjamin Brown contributed to this report.

Persons: Antony Blinken, ” Blinken, ”, “ Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Jake Sullivan, ’, Israel, Blinken, Abbas Kamel, ” CNN’s Becky Anderson, Hamdi Alkhshali, Benjamin Brown Organizations: CNN, US National, UN, State Department, Egyptian Locations: Gaza, Doha, Israel, ”, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Amman, Jordanian, Izzat

☆ Top US diplomat says Hamas is moving the goalposts on a cease-fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Hamas wants to change the terms of a US-backed ceasefire proposal, says Antony Blinken. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe US-led plan for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has hit another stumbling block — and the US says Hamas is to blame. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the militant group has made new demands, moving the goalposts on a proposed cease-fire to end the 8-month-long war. Blinken told reporters from Doha on Wednesday that Hamas has not agreed to a US-backed ceasefire proposal because it wants to make "numerous changes," despite the deal being "virtually identical" to one Hamas had previously accepted.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, — Organizations: Service, Doha, Hamas, Business Locations: Israel, Gaza

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