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☆ Zelensky says Russian forces started fire at Russian-controlled nuclear plant in southern Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Mariya Knight | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Russian forces started a fire at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Telegram post Sunday. Zelensky posted a video showing a large plume of smoke coming out of one of the towers on the plant’s territory. The Russian-installed communications director of the nuclear plant, Evgeniya Yashina, told state media TASS that there were no victims following the strike. 1 was damaged, and plastic steam traps caught fire following the Ukrainian drone strike,” citing the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Team was told by ZNPP of an alleged drone attack today on one of the cooling towers located at the site.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, ”, Yevhen Yevtushenko, Yevgeniy Balitsky, ” Balitsky, Vladimir Rogov, Maria Zakharova, Yashina, ZNPP Organizations: CNN, IAEA, International Atomic Energy Agency, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russian Foreign, TASS, Ministry, Russian Ministry Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Europe, Ukrainian, Nikopol, ” Russia, Zaporizhzhia, Enerhodar, ZNPP’s

☆ 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

☆ Belarus reinforces military power on its Ukraine borders after drone interceptions
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Mariya Knight | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Belarus sent military reinforcements to its border with Ukraine Saturday after it said several Ukrainian drones crossed its airspace and were intercepted by the country’s air defenses on Friday, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said in a statement. “We suspect these are attack drones,” Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko said during a separate briefing Saturday. Air defense, rocket defense and aviation forces and assets have been built-up,” Khrenin said. On Saturday, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry summoned the Charge d’Affaires of Ukraine and “lodged a strong protest” in connection with the incident, the ministry said in a post on X. Ukraine has not publicly commented on Belarus’ accusations.

Persons: Viktor Khrenin, Alexander Lukashenko, ”, ” Lukashenko, Khrenin, Russia ” Lukashenko “, Iskander, ” Khrenin, “, BelTA Organizations: CNN, Ukraine, Belarusian, Belarusian Foreign Ministry, Foreign Ministry Locations: Belarus, Belarusian, Ukraine, Kursk, Russia, Gomel, Ukrainian, Minsk, Europe

This came after the Israeli military said it had struck a “terrorist cell operating a drone” in southern Lebanon after “numerous projectiles” were fired at northern Israel. Rockets fired from southern Lebanon are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defence system over the Upper Galilee region in northern Israel. The killing came a day after Shukr, a senior Hezbollah leader died in an Israel airstrike on Lebanon’s capital Beirut. Israel’s military said it struck a Hamas military compound embedded in the schools. It came after an Israeli airstrike hit a tent camp inside a hospital in central Gaza earlier in the day.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jordan, Jalaa Marey, Ismail Haniyeh, Fuad Shukr, Haniyeh, Masoud Pezeshkian, Israel “, ” Israel, Shukr, ”, Menahem Kahana, Burcu Ozcelik, Mahmoud Zayyat Organizations: NBC News, Rockets, Israel's, Getty, Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Israel, Pentagon, Navy, Royal United Services Institute, NBC, Diplomats, Health Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Australia, France, Canada, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Turkey, Lebanon, Beirut, Galilee, AFP, Iran, Tehran, Golan, Shams, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, U.S, Britain, Haniyeh’s, London, Lebanese, Sidon, Gaza City

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. Such escalation could also jeopardize efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and release hostages, despite recent progress in negotiations. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed comprehensive security strategies to protect Israel, according to a statement on Monday. Israel was considering its options to prepare for a regional attack over the weekend. The country braces for war in its own way and tends to pick up after itself.

Persons: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ismail Haniyeh, ”, Israel, Israel hasn’t, “, Yoav Gallant, Defense Lloyd Austin, Michael Kurilla, Kurilla, Ayman Safadi, Badr Abdelatti, Ali Bagheri Kani, ‘, Masoud Pezeshkian, Safadi, Nasser Kanaani, Fu’ad Shukr, Majdal Shams, Hassan Nasrallah, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” “, ” Netanyahu, Ali Bagheri, Netanyahu, Gallant, Daniel Hagari, Lebanon scrambledto, floaties, Samer Othman, Jalaa Marey, Othman, Liz Nicholas, David Adom, Be’er, Ivana Reiser, Zeev Jabotinsky, Naama, ” Be’er, ” Baer, Reiser, Roy Dror, Ron Heckmann, they’re, Dror, ” Heckmann, Uri Shacham, Shacham Organizations: Jerusalem CNN —, Iran’s, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Saturday, US, Israeli, Defense, US Central Command, Jordanian, Egypt’s, Zionist, Israel, Iran, Sunday, Getty Images Israel, Hezbollah, CNN, Mount, Mount Herzl Military, Getty, MDA Locations: Beirut, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Israel, Iran, Tehran, Lebanon, Gaza, United States, Syria, Majdal, Golan, ”, AFP, Cairo, Lebanese, Beirut’s, Mount Herzl, London, Nahariyah

☆ Why Is Iran Expected to Attack Israel? What to Know About the Crisis.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Hiba Yazbek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Less than a week after the killing of a top Hamas leader in Tehran and a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut, the entire Middle East is on edge. Fears of a broader regional war have been mounting amid vows of revenge from Iranian leaders that have left Israel in a state of deep uncertainty. Israeli leaders would not confirm or deny whether their country was behind the breach of Iran’s defenses, but Iranian leaders and Hamas officials immediately blamed Israel and vowed retaliation. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued an order for Iran to strike Israel directly, according to three Iranian officials briefed on the order. And Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaan, said on Monday that “Tehran is not interested in escalating the regional conflicts, but it is necessary to punish” Israel.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Israel, Iran’s, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Nasser Kanaan, ” Israel Locations: Tehran, Beirut, Israel, Iranian, Iran

☆ Gunmen kill New Zealand helicopter pilot in another attack in Indonesia’s restive Papua region
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Story Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Jayapura, Indonesia — Gunmen stormed a helicopter and killed its New Zealand pilot shortly after it landed in Indonesia’s restive Papua region on Monday, and they released two health workers and two children it was carrying, police said. West Papua Liberation Army spokesperson Sebby Sambom told The Associated Press that he had not received any reports from fighters on the ground about the killing. NZ Pilot Philip Mehrtens flanked by members of the West Papua National Liberation Army. Planning to use the pilot to negotiate, Kogoya has said they won’t release Mehrtens unless Indonesia frees Papua as a sovereign country. Flying is the only practical way of accessing many areas in the mountainous easternmost provinces of Papua and West Papua.

Persons: Indonesia — Gunmen, Glen Malcolm, Faizal Ramadhani, ”, Sebby Sambom, ” Sambom, “, Philip Mehrtens, Egianus, Philip Mark Mehrtens, Kogoya, Graeme Thomas Wall, Wall Organizations: Indonesia —, Zealand, Indonesian, PT, Angkasa Air Service, West Papua Liberation Army, Free Papua Movement, National Police, Associated Press, New Zealand, NZ, West Papua National Liberation Army, West, Susi, PT Freeport Indonesia Locations: Jayapura, Indonesia, Indonesia’s restive Papua, Alama, Mimika district, Central Papua, Papua, West, Jakarta, Dutch, New Guinea, West Papua, Christchurch, Indonesian, New Zealand, Ngaruawahia

They spent six years behind bars until they were freed in 2022 in another prisoner exchange engineered by the Biden administration. And like the newly sprung Americans, Pereira’s first stop back in the U.S. was the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. “When you come back from something like this, you are like a bottle of Coca-Cola. And sometimes we were treated better and sometimes it was worse.”“The questions they kept asking us were, ‘How did you do it? “I didn’t realize there were so many people supporting my family and working to free me.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, José Pereira, ”, Biden, Pereira’s, Pereira, he’d, readjust, Jorge Arreaza, Jose Angel Pereira, Gustavo Cardenas, Jorge Toledo, Jose Luis Zambrano, Tomeu, Alirio Jose Zambrano, Paul Whelan, Alsu, Vladimir Kara, Murza, “ Everybody, ” Pereira, Jason Rezaian, ” Rezaian, “, ’ ” Pereira, you’re, it’s, Gershkovich, Whelan, Kurmasheva, Rezaian, Sam Goodwin, Goodwin, Sam, I’m Organizations: Wall Street, Brooke Army Medical Center, Twitter, Venezuela's, Bolivarian National Intelligence Service, Ministry, NBC News, Washington Post, Brooke Army Medical, military’s, Medical Center Locations: American, Venezuela, U.S, San Antonio , Texas, PISA, Caracas, Germany, Washington, North Carolina, Kara

The team has been under a cloud of suspicion since The New York Times reported in April that 23 swimmers tested positive for a banned heart drug before the 2021 Tokyo Games. The issue has also prompted a diplomatic spat between the U.S. on one side and China, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on the other. "Chinese swimmers are clean and have never feared testing," the spokesperson said. Adam Pretty / Getty ImagesThe impact of testing aside, Chinese swimmers are also worried the situation could affect their once-friendly exchanges with foreign competitors. "No matter how much World Aquatics tried to mess with the Chinese athletes’ mindset before, they still broke the world record!"

Persons: Zhanle, Pan Zhanle, Jonathan Nackstrand, Catherine Ordway, Pan, Adam Pretty, China’s, Ordway, WADA, Witold Banka, Sen, Marsha Blackburn, Erriyon Knighton, commenter, Pan’s, I’m Organizations: Olympics, Paris Olympics, Getty, New York Times, Doping Agency, Paris Games, U.S, International Olympic Committee, NBC News, Aquatics, NBC, International Testing Agency, University of Canberra, FBI, Justice Department, White House, Times, The, ’ Commission, Olympic, Games Locations: HONG KONG, China, AFP, Paris, France, Russia, Sochi, U.S, Australian, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, Weibo

☆ Iran says Israel will 'pay heavy price' after death of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Iranian officials are condemning what they say was an Israeli strike on Tehran that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Palestinian militant organization Hamas and Iran's Revolutionary Guard issued separate statements confirming the death of the longtime political leader of Hamas early Wednesday and blamed Israel, which has not yet commented on Haniyeh's death. Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani and former commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Mohsen Rezaei, in separate comments said that Israel will "pay a heavy price," according to Iranian state media. Tehran and other countries that do not recognize the state of Israel frequently refer to it as "the Zionist regime." He was made the head of Hamas' political wing in 2017 before moving to Qatar in exile in 2019.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Israel, Alireza Zakani, Mohsen Rezaei, Ayatollah Khamenei, Haniyeh, Hamas Organizations: Hamas, Iran's Revolutionary Guard, CNBC, Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Zionist, politburo Locations: Israeli, Tehran, Israel, Iranian, Iran, Qatar

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

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

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

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

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

☆ Israel Struck Beirut as ‘Axis of Resistance’ Leaders Attended Iran Inauguration
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Farnaz Fassihi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israel’s strike on Beirut on Tuesday came as senior leaders of the regional militant groups backed by Iran, known as the “axis of resistance,” were in Tehran for the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Even before the Israeli attack targeting a Hezbollah commander, Iranian military leaders were expected to meet with the militant leaders on the looming threat of war between Israel and Hezbollah. In a statement on Tuesday, Iran’s embassy in Beirut condemned “the cowardly and criminal attack,” according to Iranian media. The threat of a regional war could present Mr. Pezeshkian with the first major crisis of his presidency. Iran has maintained a dual policy of averting direct engagement in all-out war while supporting a network of militant groups that have opened fronts on Israel from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria.

Persons: Masoud Pezeshkian, “, Nasser Kanaani, ” Locations: Beirut, Iran, Tehran, Israel, Iran’s, Lebanon, U.S, Yemen, Iraq, Syria

☆ India and China joined Russia's Navy Day celebrations as Putin tries to project anti-Western group
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Russia's Navy Day saw participation from India and China, bolstering Putin's anti-Western ties. There was a notable absence of Russia's Black Sea Fleet at the parade, after losses to Ukraine. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementRussia's Navy Day saw warships from India and China join the celebrations as President Vladimir Putin sought to project the strength of his anti-Western alliance. China sent the Jiaozuo, a Type 052D destroyer, and India sent the Tabar, a stealth frigate, to the naval parade in St Petersburg on Sunday, according to Russia's foreign ministry.

Persons: Putin, —, Vladimir Putin, La Organizations: Russia's, Service, 052D, Business Locations: India, China, Ukraine, Germany, St Petersburg, Algeria

At the city’s main military base, where Maduro lives, people were seen setting fire to the strongman’s election posters. The CNE, which is stacked with Maduro allies, has yet to issue final vote tallies from Sunday’s election. “Venezuela has the best electoral system in the world!” CNE president Elvis Amoroso announced before proceeding with the formal announcement. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives with his wife Cilia Flores for a ceremony where the National Electoral Council (CNE) certified he won the presidential election. Senior Biden administration officials on Monday said Venezuelan election authorities must release the “detailed precinct level results” from the election.

Persons: Nicolás Maduro, Esthefania Natera, ”, Maduro, Hugo Chavez, Elvis Amoroso, Nicolas Maduro, Flores, Matias Delacroix, Maria Corina Machado, Maduro’s, Edmundo Gonzalez, “, ” Machado, Machado, ” CNN’s Avery Schmitz Organizations: Caracas CNN —, CNN, Electoral Council, CNE, “, Maduro’s, Democratic, National Electoral, Monday, Venezuelan, Biden, Organization of American States Locations: Venezuela, Caracas, Falcón, “ Venezuela, States, Peru, Chile, Brazil, “, United States

☆ Blinken chides Beijing's 'escalating actions' at sea, concerned over Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticised Beijing's "escalating and unlawful actions" in the South China Sea at a summit on Saturday, while his Russian counterpart said Washington has stoked anxiety with its plan for a nuclear deterrence with ally Seoul for the Korean peninsula. Blinken singled out China over its coast guard's hostile actions against U.S. defense treaty ally the Philippines in the South China Sea. The Philippines' small troop presence on a grounded former U.S. navy ship at the Second Thomas Shoal has angered China for years. Blinken discussed Taiwan with Wang and concerns about Beijing's recent "provocative actions", included a simulated blockade during the inauguration of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, a senior U.S. State Department official said. Wang told Blinken that although communications had been maintained between China and the United States, Washington had not stopped its containment and suppression of Beijing and had even intensified it.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Wang Yi, Beijing's, Blinken, Thomas Shoal, Wang, Lai Ching Organizations: China's, 57th Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Washington, Seoul, U.S, ASEAN Regional Forum, EU, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Foreign, Taiwan, U.S . State Department Locations: Vientiane, South, China, Philippines, South China, Manila, Russia, India, Australia, Japan, Gaza, Ukraine, North, U.S, Laos, Beijing, Taiwan, United States, Washington

☆ 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

☆ Blinken meets China’s top diplomat in Laos as global giants keep communication lines open
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( Nectar Gan | Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as China’s increasingly assertive moves in the South China Sea and threats toward Taiwan, have in recent years soured the Washington-Beijing relationship. In contrast, both Putin and Russia’s top diplomat Sergei Lavrov have been greeted in Beijing multiple times since the invasion. against a backdrop of increasingly violent clashes between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea. “We are pleased to take note of the successful resupply today of the Second Thomas Shoal, which is the product of an agreement reached between the Philippines and China,” Blinken said. His running mate JD Vance has advocated halting military aid to Ukraine in favor of focusing on Taiwan’s defense.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Wang Yi, Joe Biden’s, China’s, Xi Jinping’s, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Wang, Dmytro Kuleba, Beijing “, ”, Putin, Sergei Lavrov, Kuleba, Lavrov, Russia …, “, ” Lavrov, Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, Beijing’s, Shoal, Thomas, ” Blinken, Biden, Donald Trump, JD Vance, Kamala Harris Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United, Foreign, ASEAN, Laos –, North American Aerospace Defense Command, NATO, Ukraine, European Union, Ukrainian Foreign, South China, Republican, Democratic Locations: Hong Kong, China, Laos, Asia, Vietnam, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Mongolia, Ukraine, South, Taiwan, Washington, Beijing, Alaska, Russia, Moscow, Russia’s, Southeast Asia, South Korea, Manila, South China

☆ China says relations with Japan at 'critical stage'
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Relations between China and Japan are at a critical stage, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Japanese counterpart on Friday as the pair discussed thorny issues including Japanese nationals detained in China, food import bans and semiconductor curbs. "China-Japan relations are currently at a critical point: advance or be left behind," Wang told Kamikawa, according to a readout of the talks issued by the Chinese foreign ministry. It is hoped that the Japanese side will establish an objective and correct perception of China and pursue a positive and rational policy towards China." In their first one-to-one talks in eight months, Kamikawa strongly urged the lifting of import restrictions Beijing imposed on Japan food products in the wake of the Fukushima water release. She also called for the early release of Japan detainees in China.

Persons: Wang Yi, Wang, Japan's Yoko Kamikawa, Kamikawa Organizations: Southeast, ASEAN, Saturday's East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum, Japan, Astellas Pharma Locations: China, Japan, Laos, Saturday's, Beijing, Tokyo

☆ Don’t help Russia evade sanctions, Ukraine tells Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged Hong Kong to prevent Russia from using the Asian financial hub to bypass Western sanctions during a visit to the city on Thursday. Kuleba “called on the Hong Kong administration to take measures to prevent Russia and Russian companies from using Hong Kong to circumvent the restrictive measures imposed for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” according to a statement from Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry issued after the minister met with Hong Kong leader John Lee. “These restrictive measures are necessary to weaken Russia’s capacity to wage war and kill people in Ukraine,” it added. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong government told CNN on Friday that it “implements and strictly enforces” United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions. However, international companies based in Hong Kong, including Chinese banks, have generally adhered to US sanctions to avoid any risk of being frozen out of the dollar dominated global financial system.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Dmytro Kuleba, “, Hong, John Lee, Hong Kong, Wang Yi, ” Kuleba, Wang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong CNN — Ukraine’s, European Union, Hong, Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs, CNN, ” United Nations Security Council, UN, Assembly, UNSC, EU, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Kyiv, Beijing Locations: China, Hong Kong, Russia, United States, Ukraine, Russian, United Kingdom, Hong, Beijing, Moscow, Western, Guangzhou, Ukrainian

☆ China’s hosting Palestinian and Ukrainian delegations this week. But can it play peace broker in global conflicts?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s top diplomat Wang Yi has had a busy week in which two devastating conflicts have loomed large. Kuleba’s visit was the first time in the nearly 29 months of Russia’s war on Ukraine that a high-level Ukrainian official has visited China. Official statements from Beijing and Kyiv after Wednesday’s Wang-Kuleba talks gave no indication that the Ukrainian diplomat had swayed Beijing toward Kyiv’s vision for peace. Observers say Beijing could, at some point, play a role in any potential future talks, but is unlikely to shift its relationship with Russia. But it was met with some skepticism from observers in the region given the failure of past attempts at unity.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Wang Yi, Wang, Fatah, Dmytro Kuleba –, –, Kuleba, Beijing “, ” Wang, ”, Steve Tsang, Kuleba’s, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, Zelensky, Russia ”, Antony Blinken, Mahmoud al, Mussa Abu Marzuk, Pedro Pardo, Beijing’s, Wednesday’s Wang, ” Kuleba, Xi, Chong Ja Ian, Donald Trump, Trump’s, JD Vance, ” Chong, Jonathan Fulton Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hamas, Ukrainian, SOAS China Institute, University of London, Beijing, NATO, Central Committee, Fatah, China's, Getty, Foreign Ministry, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Kyiv, Observers, West, National University of Singapore, Republican, Global, ”, Palestinian, US State Department, West Bank ”, Atlantic Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Gaza, Ukraine, Russia, United States, Russian, Kyiv, Laos, AFP, Guangzhou, Ukrainian, Moscow, China’s, ” Russia, India, Brazil, Israel

☆ Hamas and Fatah sign agreement in Beijing ‘ending’ their division, Chinese state media says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Isaac Yee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Palestinian factions including rivals Hamas and Fatah have signed an agreement on “ending division and strengthening Palestinian unity,” Chinese broadcaster CCTV said Tuesday, following a deal brokered by China. There is a long history of bitter enmity between Hamas in Gaza and Fatah. Israel launched its military operations in Gaza following Hamas’ October 7 attack that killed more than 1,100 people and saw roughly 250 others kidnapped. Around 39,000 Palestinians have died in Israel’s war in Gaza that has triggered a mass humanitarian crisis and widespread destruction. Hamas and Fatah signed a reconciliation agreement in Cairo in October 2017 under pressure from the Arab states, led by Egypt.

Persons: Fatah, Wang Yi, ”, ” Wang, Mousa Abu Marzook, “, ” Abu Marzook, –, Xi Jinping, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ’, Rami Hamdallah Organizations: CNN, Hamas, PLO, Palestine Liberation Organization, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, China’s Foreign Ministry, Palestinian Locations: China, Beijing, Israel, Gaza, Oslo, Fatah, United States, Cairo, Egypt

The two main rival Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, signed a joint statement in Beijing on Tuesday that endorsed, in concept, a temporary government for the Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, in a grand show of unity brokered by China’s foreign ministry. Smaller Palestinian groups also signed the statement. For China, the agreement represents an opportunity to promote an image of Beijing as a peace broker and an important player in the Middle East. Mahmoud al-Aloul, the deputy leader of Fatah, showered praise on China for standing beside the Palestinian people. Both men posed for photos with Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, in an ornate hall in Beijing.

Persons: Fatah, Mousa Abu Marzouk, Mahmoud al, Wang Yi Organizations: Gaza, West Bank, Hamas Locations: Beijing, China

☆ China and Philippines already at odds over South China Sea deal to ease Second Thomas Shoal tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The dilapidated BRP Sierra Madre ship of the Philippine Navy is anchored near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea. Beijing claims “indisputable sovereignty” over almost all of the 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea, and most of the islands and sandbars within it, including many features that are hundreds of miles from mainland China. Under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, the Philippines has taken increasingly assertive steps to protect its claim to shoals in the South China Sea, leading to several confrontations off the Philippine islands. The US is not a claimant to the South China Sea, but says the waters are crucial to its national interest of guaranteeing free passage through seas worldwide. A close up view taken on March 29, 2014 of the BRP Sierra Madre beached near the Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Shoal, Ren’ai Jiao, ”, Mao Ning, pushback, Ritchie, Ferdinand “ Bongbong ” Marcos Jr, Marcos, Jake Sullivan, ” Sullivan, Thomas Shoal, Erik de Castro, Gregory Poling, “, ” Derek Grossman Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, BRP Sierra Madre, Foreign Ministry, The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, BRP, Philippine Navy, coastguard, US Navy, Aspen Security, US National, Reuters, Transparency Initiative, RAND Corporation Locations: Hong Kong, South, Manila, Beijing, Philippine, Spratly, Philippines, China, Palawan, Madre, South China, Second, The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, The Hague, Scarborough, BRP Sierra Madre, Washington, United States, Sierra Madre, BRP Sierra, Asia

CNN —A German citizen has been sentenced to death in Belarus after being charged with terrorism and mercenary activities, according to a Belarusian human rights group. The group Human Rights Center “Viasna” said the German national is a 29-year-old German Red Cross employee named Rico Krieger. According to his LinkedIn profile, he worked as an emergency medical technician for the German Red Cross and as an armed security officer for the US Embassy in Berlin. The German Red Cross (DRK) told CNN’s German affiliate N-TV that while “the man in question,” without naming Krieger, had previously worked for them, his stay abroad was not related to his work with the DRK. CNN has also reached out to the German Red Cross for comment.

Persons: ”, Rico Krieger, Krieger, Viasna, “, Anatoly Glaz, Germany “, Lukashenko’s, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Organizations: CNN, Human Rights, Red Cross, US, Minsk Regional Court, Federal Foreign Office, Embassy, German Foreign Office, Foreign, CNN’s Locations: Belarus, Belarusian, Berlin, Minsk, Germany, ”, German

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