DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Opinion | The Fantasy of Reviving Nuclear Energy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Stephanie Cooke | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Thirty-four nations, including the United States and China, agreed “to work to fully unlock the potential of nuclear energy,” including extending the lifetime of existing reactors, building new nuclear power plants and deploying advanced reactors. “Nuclear technology can play an important role in the clean energy transition,” Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, told summit attendees. Solar and wind power together began outperforming nuclear power globally in 2021, and that trend continues as nuclear staggers along. At the same time, investment in energy storage technology is rapidly accelerating. In 2023, BloombergNEF reported that investors for the first time put more money into stationary energy storage than they did into nuclear.

Persons: “, Ursula von der Leyen, BloombergNEF Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, “, European Commission Locations: Brussels, Belgian, United States, China

☆ Why Qatar is unlikely to withdraw from the Gaza hostage-ceasefire talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Qatar hosts Hamas’ political office, but it is also home to a 10,000-troop US military base. Experts say it is unlikely Qatar will end its mediation role. Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani gives a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Doha on Wednesday. And on Monday, Democratic US Congressman Steny Hoyer accused Qatar of “blocking” progress in the talks. The Gulf state was also a Major Non-NATO Ally, as well as key energy supplier to Western states.

Persons: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, ” Al Thani, “, ”, Anna Jacobs, “ They’ve, ” Jacobs, Daniel Shek, ” Shek, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Karim Jaafar, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Majid Al Ansari, Netanyahu, James Comer, General Merrick Garland, Steny Hoyer, Jacobs, Joe Biden, NATO Ally Organizations: UAE CNN, Foreign, United States Congress, US, Qatar, Group, CNN, ”, Qatar's, Turkish, Wednesday, Qatari, Hamas, Washington DC, Democratic, Al Udeid, Al Udeid Air Base, NATO Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Israel, Qatar, Doha, United States, Washington, Egypt, Gaza, Gulf, Brussels, Israeli, ” Qatar, Thani, AFP, Qatari, Al Udeid Air

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Russia fends off drone, missile and 'balloon' attack; Ukraine says it deserves same support as Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

It's been a difficult week for Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he continues to plead with the country's allies for more military aid, air defenses and backing to help beat Russia. Kyiv has watched how Israel's Western partners actively intervened last Saturday to help to defend the state from a massive Iranian drone and missile strike, with many of the projectiles intercepted by U.S., British, French and Jordanian forces. Although he has to tread a fine line between maintaining their support and goodwill, and campaigning for deeper assistance, Zelenskyy echoed that sentiment when addressing EU leaders Wednesday night. "We are still convincing that we need to protect Europe from ballistic missiles and 'Shaheds' [Iranian-made drones], from cruise missiles and bombs, as it happened in the skies of Israel and other countries in the region. Our Ukrainian sky and the sky of our neighbors deserve the same security," he said.

Persons: It's, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Israel, — Holly Ellyatt Organizations: Russia, U.S, NBC Locations: Jordanian, Ukraine, U.S, Europe, East, Brussels, Israel

☆ ‘Canceled’ for Protesting Cancel Culture, Europe’s Right-Wingers Rejoice
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Andrew Higgins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“This is what we are up against. We are up against a new form of communism,” declared Nigel Farage of Britain. Mr. Farage, a former member of the European Parliament and a champion of national sovereignty, who helped drive his country’s exit from the European Union, was getting ready to speak when the authorities arrived. “This is like the old Soviet Union. No alternative view allowed,” he said.

Persons: Viktor Orban of Hungary, Emir Kir, ”, Nigel Farage, Farage Organizations: Tuesday, Socialist Party, National Conservatism Conference, European Union Locations: Brussels, Europe, Britain, Soviet Union

☆ Here’s how the Israel-Iran conflict affects the oil market
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Oil prices spiked Friday to levels not seen since October in anticipation of just such an escalation but on Monday were subdued. “It is the most significant chokepoint in the global oil market,” Richard Bronze, co-founder and analyst at data firm Energy Aspects, told CNN. A renewed crackdown would, however, “create upward pressure on global prices” at an inopportune moment, Tagliapietra said. A tight oil marketDespite Iran’s barrage of drones and missiles, the conflict had a relatively muted impact on the global oil market Monday. Oil prices have already risen sharply since hitting a low in early February.

Persons: London CNN —, Brent, Israel —, Simone Tagliapietra, ” Richard Bronze, Tagliapietra, Joe Biden’s, WTI, Russia — Organizations: London CNN, West Texas Intermediate, CNN, International Energy Agency, Hamas, Organization of, Petroleum, United Arab Emirates, Traders Locations: Israel, Iran, Syria, Paris, Gaza, Tehran, Hormuz ‘, Hormuz, Brussels, China, Strait, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United States, Ukraine, Washington, Damascus, OPEC, Russia, Brazil, Guyana, Canada

☆ How the U.S. government is regulating artificial intelligence
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Carlos Waters | In Carloswaters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. government is considering laws to help society adapt to the introduction of artificial intelligence. Economists have worried for years that artificial intelligence could sink job prospects for white-collar workers, similar to the effects globalization has had on blue-collar workers in the past. In 2023, lawmakers in the New York State Assembly put forward a measure to limit the expected impact of tech-driven layoffs with robot taxes. Many economists have said that robot taxes, if used at all, should be set at a relatively low level. Watch the video above to learn more about the U.S. government's plan to regulate artificial intelligence.

Persons: Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Sora, Sam Altman, Erik Brynjolfsson, Brynjolfsson Organizations: CNBC, Force, European Union, Stanford Institute for, International Monetary Fund, New York State, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Locations: U.S, Brussels, United States

☆ Michael Pollan says broccoli is better than any supplement — here's why
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewIt's no secret that Michael Pollan loves plants. The author of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and "In Defense of Food" knows that vegetables aren't just great diet staples. "It's much better to get your vitamins from food," Pollan told Business Insider, ahead of the release of his latest food system documentary, Food, Inc. 2 (out Friday, April 12). Advertisement"When they identified this compound," Pollan said, "and then they put it in a supplement, it did not have the same effect." AdvertisementPollan pops one supplement: a multivitaminChris Rogers/Getty ImagesIn addition to his veggie-rich diet, Pollan does take a multivitamin, "but that's it," he said.

Persons: —, Michael Pollan, He's, Pollan, cole, Chris Rogers Organizations: Service, Defense, Business, Food, Inc Locations: Brussels

☆ China says EU subsidy probes interfere with China, Europe cooperation
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Subsidy investigations started by the European Union interfere with the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Europe, and China resolutely opposes them, a Chinese commerce ministry official said. Subsidy investigations started by the European Union interfere with the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Europe, and China resolutely opposes them, a Chinese commerce ministry official said. The official, who was not identified in a statement released by the department on Thursday, believes the probes launched by the European Union so far are all aimed at Chinese new energy-related enterprises, which will seriously damage the confidence of its firms in carrying out investment and trade cooperation in the EU. The remarks came from the head of the Trade Remedies Bureau of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce in a meeting with Martin Lukas, director general of the trade defense department of the European Commission, in Brussels, according to the statement.

Persons: Martin Lukas Organizations: European Union, EU, Chinese Ministry of Commerce, European Commission Locations: European, China, Europe, Brussels

☆ Top US general in Europe says Russia has in many ways 'grown back' its military strength to what it was before it invaded Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Ella Sherman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Advertisement"They still have as many tanks functioning inside Ukraine as they introduced at the beginning of the war," Cavoli said. The size of Russia's army has exceeded the size it was when it had first invaded Ukraine in 2022. Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli addresses a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. AdvertisementThe war in Ukraine has left certain elements of the Russian military untouched, and the Russians maintain certain key advantages in industrial, war materiel, and manpower. To stave off Russian forces while waiting for much-needed ammunition and aid, Ukraine has resorted to primarily using drones in combat, but these are no substitute for what Ukraine really needs.

Persons: —, Chris Cavoli, Cavoli, They've, Kurt Campbell's, General Christopher Cavoli, Virginia Mayo Cavoli Organizations: Service, US European Command, Armed, Business, Allied, NATO, AP, Royal United Services Institute Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Brussels, Virginia, London, Kharkiv

☆ Ukraine says there are more than 100 Patriot air-defense systems its allies could spare if they wanted
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine has identified 100 Patriots that it believes its allies can spare, its foreign minister said. AdvertisementUkraine's foreign minister said his team had identified more than 100 Patriot air-defense systems that its allies could spare, as the country struggles with munition shortages against Russian attacks. Ukraine has between three and five Patriot systems; the exact number and location of their deployment have been kept secret. Related storiesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this month that Ukraine needs 25 Patriot systems with between six and eight batteries each to protect the country fully. AdvertisementThe Post reported that Zelenskyy told Kuleba to focus on persuading countries with spare Patriot systems to transfer them to Ukraine.

Persons: Dmytro Kuleba, —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Kuleba, Anthony Sweeney, US Army Kuleba, Josep Borrell, Borrell Organizations: Patriots, Service, Washington Post, Patriot, US Army, Congress, U.S, Army, Post, Getty Locations: Ukraine, Greece, Russia, Zaporizhzhia, NATO, Brussels

☆ European diplomats in DC scramble to gain access to Trump allies for insights
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“We are not that nervous because we know that with Trump it is all about relationships,” said one veteran European diplomat who has been in DC since the Trump administration. “The logic of doing it at Heritage was not lost on us,” said Victoria Coates, a deputy national security advisor to former President Trump who is now a vice president at the think tank. The comments sent European diplomats into over-drive, eager to understand exactly what Trump meant. “If they are worried about how President Trump is going to react to them, they hold it in their hands to do something about it,” Coates said. But European diplomats are not only worried about NATO.

Persons: Donald Trump, jostle, Trump, of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, Mike Pompeo, Robert O’Brien, Keith Kellogg, Mike Pence’s, Hillary Clinton, they’ve, ”, –, David Cameron, Antony Blinken, Cameron, Jens Stoltenberg, Jim Lo Scalzo, Stoltenberg’s, Victoria Coates, Stoltenberg, ” Coates, nodded, James Carafano, “, it’s, “ He’s, Mike Johnson, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky Organizations: CNN, White, NATO, Ukraine, Trump, of National Intelligence, National, European Union, Republican, Russian Central Bank, EU, British, Heritage Foundation, Heritage, GOP, Putin Locations: Washington, Russia, European, Europe, Ukraine, Brussels, West, Russian, South Florida, Brexit, ”, Washington ,, “

☆ Judges just unsanctioned 2 Russian oligarchs worth almost $20 billion
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A top EU court struck down sanctions against two billionaire Russian oligarchs on Wednesday. Judges found there was insufficient evidence that they had backed Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. The oligarchs, Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven, are worth almost $20 billion combined, per Bloomberg. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementJudges in Brussels struck down sanctions against two Russian billionaires on Wednesday, potentially handing Moscow a big win as the war in Ukraine rages on.

Persons: Vladimir Putin's, Mikhail Fridman, Petr Aven, —, they'd Organizations: EU, Bloomberg, Service, Moscow, European Union, Business Locations: Ukraine, Brussels, European

☆ EU Parliament approves major reforms to migration policy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The wide-ranging reforms are designed to ease the burden on countries that have historically taken the most asylum-seekers among the EU’s 27 member states. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, said: “We have delivered a robust legislative framework on how to deal with migration and asylum in the EU. In theory, the EU will now spread the burden across the 27 member states, either through relocation of people to other member states or through financial and practical assistance in processing refugee claims. In a number of EU countries – notably Italy, Hungary, Slovakia and Sweden – anti-immigrant Euroskeptic politicians are in power, either outright or through coalition. “And it will ultimately be up to the member states themselves to decide how these new measures are practically managed.

Persons: Roberta Metsola, Joelle Grogan, Grogan, ”, Alberto Neidhardt, Neidhardt Organizations: CNN, European, EU, European Policy, Ukraine Locations: Greece, Italy, Malta, East, North Africa, Dublin, Brussels, “, Hungary, Slovakia, Sweden, France, Germany, Ukraine, United States

☆ All the deadly drones Ukraine is building to fight Russia can't make up for the weapons it really needs but doesn't have, Zelenskyy says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Jake Epstein | Paul Ronzheimer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine has built up a formidable arsenal of drones capable of attacking Russian forces everywhere. But these systems are no alternative to the other weapons Kyiv needs, President Zelenskyy said Tuesday. Ukraine needs air defenses, missiles, and artillery, he told Axel Springer media outlets. That said, Kyiv's drone program does not make up for the weapons that the country really needs but doesn't have in its arsenal. Advertisement"If we don't have air-defense systems and the appropriate long-range weapons to match Putin, he will destroy our country," Zelenskyy said Tuesday.

Persons: Zelenskyy, Axel Springer, —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Libkos Mykhailo Fedorov, Dmytro Kuleba, Vladimir Putin, Putin Organizations: Service, AP, NATO, Ukrainian, INA FASSBENDER, Patriots Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Kharkiv, Moscow, Kyiv, Bakhmut, Ukrainian, Brussels, Poland, Washington

☆ I recreated 3 popular fast-food chicken recipes in my air fryer, and one was better than the original
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Lucien Formichella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Dredging the chicken involved dipping it in an egg mixture and the flour mixture. Lucien Formichella for InsiderThe dredging process went well, though I definitely should've made more. It was relaxing to drop the chicken into the flour mixture, then the eggs, then back in the flour. Lucien Formichella for InsiderAfter putting the chicken in the air fryer, I genuinely wondered how the tenders would turn out because Popeyes chicken has such a distinct flavor. I left the second precisely as it came out of the bowl, figuring more of the flour mixture would stick to it.

Persons: —, fryer, I've, Here's, Lucien Formichella, I'm, I'd, fryer beeped, smokey, would've Organizations: Service, Business, KFC —, KFC Locations: Brussels, Louisiana

☆ Israel Vows to Enable More Aid for Gaza; Blinken Says ‘Real Test Is Results’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said that the United States was looking for “results” in response to news that Israel would open up more routes for aid to flow into Gaza. The Israeli decision to allow aid to enter through new routes came after President Biden made it clear in a call with the Israeli prime minister on Thursday that U.S. support for Israel would depend on its next steps to alleviate a humanitarian crisis in the enclave. Mr. Blinken called Israel’s agreement to establish new aid routes “positive developments” on Friday, but he immediately added that the United States would be “looking to see” if Israel would make allowing more aid into the enclave a priority. One measure of Israel’s commitment, he said, will be “the number of trucks that are actually getting in on a sustained basis.”“The real test is results, and that’s what we’re looking to see in the coming days and the coming weeks,” he told a news conference in Brussels on Friday, adding, “Really, the proof is in the results.”

Persons: Antony J, Blinken, Biden, ” Locations: United States, Israel, Gaza, Brussels

☆ Iceland's prime minister resigns, will run for president
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Katrin Jakobsdottir, Prime Minister of Iceland arrives at the European Council Meeting on March 22, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir announced on Friday that she will resign from her post and run for president, public broadcaster RUV and daily Morgunbladid reported. It was not immediately clear who would succeed Jakobsdottir as prime minister, a job she has held since 2017. "I have decided to ask to be released from the position of prime minister of Iceland and to stand in the upcoming presidential election," Jakobsdottir said in a video message according Morgunbladid.

Persons: Katrin Jakobsdottir, Jakobsdottir Organizations: European Locations: Iceland, Brussels, Belgium, Icelandic

☆ Biden Chides Netanyahu, Threatening to Pivot U.S. Policy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

During a 30-minute call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Biden went further than ever in pressing for change in the military operation. “President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” according to a White House summary of the call. But Mr. Kirby would not outline specific metrics for judging Israel’s response or what Mr. Biden would do if not satisfied. Mr. Biden called himself “outraged and heartbroken” over the incident and made a point of calling Mr. Andrés to express his condolences. Bibi obviously doesn’t care what the U.S. says, its about what the U.S. does.”Jon Favreau, a former chief speechwriter for Mr. Obama, was even more derisive of Mr. Biden.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, President Biden, Biden, “, Netanyahu, ”, Fatima Shbair, Antony J, Blinken, ” Mr, Biden’s, Chris Coons, Mr, Coons, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Biden “, Mohammed Saber, John F, Kirby, emboldening, John Hannah, José Andrés, Andrés, Zomi Frankcom, Damian Soból, Barack Obama, Bibi, ” Ben Rhodes, Obama, ” Jon Favreau, doesn’t, ‘, ’, aggravation, Jill Biden, Joe, Katie Rogers, David E, Sanger, Lara Jakes Organizations: Israel, Hamas, Credit, Associated, NATO, Democratic, CNN, Republican, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Iran, Central Kitchen, Shutterstock, Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Biden, Mr, Israel Defense Forces, White Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Brussels, Michigan, Washington, Delaware, Jerusalem, Iran, Syria, United States, “ Hamas, Haiti, Cyprus, U.S, “

☆ C.I.A. Director Is Heading to Cairo for New Truce Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Julian E. Barnes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

During a 30-minute call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, President Biden went further than ever in pressing for change in the military operation. Credit... Fatima Shbair/Associated PressBy the middle of the night in Jerusalem, Israel made its first gestures to Mr. Biden. The reported agreement came as American officials held out the prospect of consequences if Mr. Netanyahu resisted. But Mr. Kirby would not outline specific metrics for judging Israel’s response or what Mr. Biden would do if not satisfied. Mr. Biden called himself “outraged and heartbroken” over the incident and made a point of calling Mr. Andrés to express his condolences.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, President Biden, Biden, Biden’s, “, Netanyahu, ”, Fatima Shbair, Mr, Antony J, Blinken, ” Mr, Chris Coons, Coons, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Biden “, William J, Burns, Mohammed Saber, John F, Kirby, emboldening, John Hannah, José Andrés, Andrés, Zomi Frankcom, Damian Soból, Barack Obama, Bibi, ” Ben Rhodes, Obama, ” Jon Favreau, doesn’t, ‘, ’, aggravation, Jill Biden, Joe, ” Julian E, Barnes, Katie Rogers, David E, Sanger, Lara Jakes Organizations: Israel, Hamas, Credit, Associated, U.S . National Security Council, NATO, Democratic, CNN, Republican, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Iran, Central Kitchen, Shutterstock, Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Biden, Mr, Israel Defense Forces, White Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Jerusalem, Ashdod, Jordan, Brussels, Michigan, Washington, Delaware, Iran, Syria, United States, Cairo, “ Hamas, Haiti, Cyprus, U.S, “

☆ Western officials warn munition shortages could be catastrophic for Ukraine as US stalls on providing more aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | Katie Bo Lillis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The Ukrainian military is “experiencing shortages in air defense munitions, mostly in the medium to long range,” a NATO official said on Wednesday. Last fall, the administration asked Congress for more than $60 billion in additional funds to help support Ukraine, but more than 6 months later the funding has not passed amid opposition from Republican lawmakers. And the separate shortages of artillery ammunition could be “potentially catastrophic” for Ukraine in the short term, the official added. The NATO official said that as of now, Russia appears to lack the necessary maneuver units to mount such a large-scale, successful attack. That is why they believe it is critical for the west to continue to support Ukraine through this period of attrition.

Persons: “ It’s, Jens Stoltenberg, ”, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s, Olha Stefanishyna, Stoltenberg, Donald Trump, ” Stoltenberg, Kylie Atwood Organizations: CNN, NATO, Patriots, Republican, ” Energy, “, Pentagon, Ukraine Contact Defense, Ukraine Locations: Russia, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Kyiv, Brussels, Avdiivka, Russian, Belarus

The 30-minute conversation was the two leaders’ first phone call since an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen in Gaza. The killings have set off a furor inside the White House and Biden has been described as reaching a new level of frustration with Israel’s campaign. “President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” the White House said in a statement shortly after the call wrapped. Blinken said Israel should not stoop to the level of Hamas in its response to the group’s October 7 attacks. Blinken acknowledged the World Central Kitchen strike was not the first time Israel has killed aid workers in the conflict.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s, ’, Biden, “, ” Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken, ”, John Kirby, Kirby, Blinken, ” Blinken, haven’t, ” Kirby, Biden’s, Democratic Sen, Chris Coons –, CNN’s Sara Sidner, Netanyahu, Jennifer Hansler, Donald Judd Organizations: Washington CNN, Israeli, National Security, White House, Central Kitchen, Capitol Hill, Democratic, CNN, Israel, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, Brussels, Blinken, United States, Rafah

☆ Russia-Ukraine war live updates: Russian drone attack kills rescue workers in Kharkiv; Russia says NATO dialog at 'zero' but does not seek conflict
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Military experts operate at the site of a Russian aerial bombing of a high-rise residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district on March 27, 2024 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Russian drone strikes on Kharkiv early Friday morning killed at least four people, including three rescue workers, and injured 12 more, according to Ukrainian officials. A repeat attack on a separate area of Ukraine's second-largest city killed three rescue workers who had arrived on the scene after the first strike, he added. As NATO foreign ministers gather in Brussels to mark the defense alliance's 75th anniversary, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told state news agency RIA that dialog with Moscow had been reduced to a "critical zero" by Washington and Brussels. Grushko reportedly said relations were "predictably and deliberately" deteriorating, but that Russia has no intention of entering into open conflict with any NATO member.

Persons: Igor Terekhov, Alexander Grushko, Grushko Organizations: Kharkiv, NATO Locations: Shevchenkivskyi, Kharkiv, Ukraine, Russian, Brussels, Moscow, Washington, Russia

☆ US awaits Netanyahu’s response after Biden’s ultimatum
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Despite repeatedly expressing its frustration with Israeli tactics, the White House has been unwilling or unable to impose any leverage on the prime minister. There was no immediate response from the prime minister, who held a cabinet meeting after the call that he used to warn that Israel will defend itself against Iran. The Israeli prime minister is a consummate Washington player and has been engaging with Biden’s Republican foes on Capitol Hill, in an alliance that could increase political complications for the president if he creates deeper fractures with the Israeli prime minister. If Biden eventually assesses his warnings are falling on deaf ears, his credibility will depend on him publicly imposing a cost on the Israeli prime minister. But Biden’s political imperatives and the increasing humanitarian price of the war in Gaza mean he’s approaching a fateful crossroads.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Biden, –, Antony Blinken, Delaware Sen, Chris Coons, Blinken, Israel, John Kirby, Israel –, fulsomely, Biden didn’t, Leon Panetta, CNN’s Jake Tapper, ”, Independent Sen, Bernie Sanders, Tapper, “, ” Sanders, ” Netanyahu’s, ” Netanyahu, ” Kirby, Mike Johnson Organizations: CNN, Arab, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Democrat, White, Democratic, White House, National Security Communications, Independent, Hamas, Islamic, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, United, Washington, Republican, GOP Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Delaware, Palestinian American, Brussels, Washington, Vermont, Iran, Islamic Republic, Damascus, Rafah

☆ Hungary’s Orban, a long-time Trump ally, rocked by major scandals ahead of European elections
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives to attend a European Council summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on March 21, 2024. Sameer Al-doumy | Afp | Getty ImagesHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has run into political trouble ahead of European parliamentary elections in June, with his ruling party shaken by two political scandals within six weeks. Orban is a long-time ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump and widely seen as Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest supporter in the European Union. The right-wing leader has led the central European country since 2010, making him the EU's longest-serving head of state. Yet two major scandals have recently rocked his dominance of Budapest's political landscape at a sensitive time when Hungary is poised to hold both local and European elections in early June.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Sameer Al, Orban, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin's, Peter Magyar, Janos Kummer, Zsuzsanna Vegh, Vegh, Magyar, Judit Varga —, Katalin Novak, Novak, Varga, William Shakespeare Organizations: Hungary's, EU, Afp, Getty, Hungarian, European Union, Eurasia Group, Fidesz, German Marshall Fund of, CNBC, Facebook, YouTube, Reuters, Lawyer Locations: Brussels, doumy, Hungary, Budapest, United States, Hungarian

☆ NATO looking at options to shore up long-term support for Ukraine amid concerns about Trump winning November’s election
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that the alliance needs to commit to providing more support for Ukraine and rely less on voluntary contributions. This move would mean that Trump winning the presidency would have less of an impact on the mechanics of getting necessary weapons support into the country from dozens of nations around the globe. Politico was first to report on NATO considering taking these steps. Another ongoing push is for NATO countries to independently establish their own commitments with Ukraine, explained one of the sources. This would mean that not all Ukraine support gets funneled through NATO – creating sources of funding that could not be disrupted by individual alliance members.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, ”, Donald Trump, Stoltenberg, CNN’s Louis Mian, Eve Brennan Organizations: CNN, NATO, Kyiv, Ukraine, Trump, Pentagon, Ukraine Contact Defense, Politico Locations: Ukraine, European, Russia, Brussels

Search resuls for: "BRUSSELS"

25 mentions found