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05/17/21 Monday

This material is distributed by Ghebi LLC on behalf of Federal State Unitary Enterprise Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency, and additional information is on file with the Department of Justice, Washington, District of Columbia.

‘Our Hands Won’t Get Covered in Blood’: Italian Port Workers Hold Up Israel-Bound Weapons Cargo by Gabv Arancibia

Tensions between Israel and Hamas have recently reached a new boiling point, with thousands of rockets being exchanged between the two parties despite repeated calls from world leaders for a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier called for military operations to continue “as long as needed to restore quiet and security.” Union workers in the Italian cities of Livorno and Naples recently declared that they would not be assisting in the loading of an arms shipment headed to the Israeli port of Ashdod, citing Israel’s continued air strikes against the Gaza Strip. In a recent statement issued by L’Unione Sindacale di Base (USB), one of Italy’s rank-and-file unions founded in 2010, stated that it had received information revealing that the Asiatic Island, a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, was carrying “containers loaded with weapons and explosives” destined for Ashdod. “Weapons and explosives that will be used to kill the Palestinian population already hit by a severe attack this very night which caused hundreds of victims among the civilian population, including many children,” the USB statement, which is partly named “no to the transit of weapons ship in our port,” reads. The USB release cites intelligence from the Autonomous Port Workers Collective of Genoa and The Weapon Watch, a Genoa-based watchdog whose focus is the transit of arms in European and Mediterranean ports. “We have sent urgent reports to the Port Authority, the Harbor Master's Office and the Occupational Medicine ASL so that they can immediately carry out the appropriate checks,” the statement continues. “Work is important, especially in these times, but this cannot make us close our eyes, or worse still, make us complicit in the continuing massacres of the civilian population.” After initial reports regarding the USB’s efforts, reports surfaced detailing that the weapons shipment was later loaded in the southern Italian port city of Naples. However, the shipment prompted a similar response from workers associated with the SI Cobas union. A Monday-issued statement from SI Cobas blasts the transit of any weapons through Italian ports heading toward Israel, noting that “these weapons help feed wars and profits against the Palestinian people that has suffered for decades a ruthless repression by the state of Israel.” “We denounce the complicity of the Italian government and almost all parliamentary forces with the Israeli aggression. We denounce the Italian state’s silent approval of the transit of Israeli war weaponry through our ports,” SI Cobas states. “Our hands won’t get covered in blood to support your wars.”

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Citing Channel 12, the Times of Israel reported on Monday that Israeli officials are in the process of attempting to get the shipments released “as soon as possible,” adding that the initiative by union workers is being seen as “economic warfare.” The latest development also comes as reports detailed that the White House had approved a $735 million arms package to Israel that is said to include Joint Direct Attack Munitions. Over the last week, deadly rocket exchanges between Hamas’ military wing and the Israel Defense Forces have prompted the deaths of nearly 200 Palestinians, many of whom were children. While the Palestinian Red Crescent has stated that over 1,300 Palestinians have been injured amid the heightened tensions, Israel has reported the deaths of 10 Israelis and injuries to 50 residents. Despite repeated calls from world leaders for a ceasefire, Israel has vowed to continue its strikes against the Gaza Strip. Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi relayed to regional leaders that fighting would continue for at least another two days, but that it would go on “as long as it must.” Efforts by regional neighbors to broker a ceasefire deal are ongoing.

Video: New Jersey Wildfire Ravages Hundreds of Acres Amid Containment Efforts by Gabv Arancibia

On average, some 1,500 wildfires break out in New Jersey and consume an estimated 7,000 acres of land throughout the course of a year, according to the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. The height of the Garden State’s wildfire season is seen from March through May. Dozens of firefighters in New Jersey have been deployed near the Jersey Shore to combat a raging wildfire that has scorched hundreds of acres after erupting in the Little Egg Harbor Township over the weekend. The wildfire was first detected around 4 p.m. local time on Sunday, and had consumed some 70 acres of a forested area with limited accessibility, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Approximately 100 structures were considered at risk, with local evacuations being considered on a voluntary basis. Although some 16 volunteer forest fire companies and additional assistance from the state were dispersed to the area, the wildfire did manage to grow in size, burning an estimated 617 acres in the Little Egg Harbor Township and the neighboring Bass River State Forest. A Monday update by state officials revealed that the fire was 40% contained, and that the outbreak had not caused any serious injuries or property damages. No fatalities have been reported either. A release issued by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service revealed that firefighters had created a “containment area by setting small, controlled fires around the main fire” that effectively helped to establish a “buffer between structures and the main fire.” To date, only 30 structures are believed to be threatened by the wildfire. Officials have warned that smoke will likely remain “visible for some time as the fire smolders for several days.”

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The cause of the fire is still unknown, as investigations into the cause are ongoing. New Jersey is no stranger to wildfires. In 2020, wildfires torched roughly 4,800 acres across the state. In May 2007, a blaze broke out in southern New Jersey from a flare ignited by a New Jersey Air National Guard F-16 during a training exercise. The fire charred over 18,000 acres and destroyed six homes.

Grim Reaper Cometh: Over 745,000 People Have Died From Working Long Hours, WHO Reveals

Years in the making, the onset of the gig economy and the growing use of telework has allowed individuals to fall into a “can’t stop, won’t stop” mindset when it comes to work and climbing the corporate ladder. However, not all upward mobility is a bed of roses. Long working hours are a severe occupational hazard for the global workforce, one that has been linked to the death of over 745,000 individuals around the world, a new study by the World Health Organization has found. The findings, published on Monday, determined that individuals working 55 hours or more each week have an estimated 35% higher risk of stroke when compared to those who work between 35 and 40 hours weekly. Overworked employees also had a 17% higher chance of death by heart disease. Although standard working hours vary between countries, the more widely-accepted weekly work period does not typically extend past 50 hours. Published in the journal Environmental International, the global study examined various studies on heart disease and stroke, in addition to more than 2,300 surveys on working behaviors that were conducted in over 150 countries, starting from the 1970s. An analysis of the data found that middle-age men had the highest health burdens, with people working in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific having the highest exposure to overwork. Workers in Europe had the lowest exposure levels. Approximately 745,194 deaths were attributed to working over 55 hours a week, as researchers estimated that the cases amounted to some 4.9% of all recorded human deaths. "Teleworking has become the norm in many industries, often blurring the boundaries between home and work,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, stated in a statement accompanying a Monday release on the study. “No job is worth the risk of stroke or heart disease. Governments, employers and workers need to work together to agree on limits to protect the health of workers.” Although the study did not compile data during 2020, when much of the world was thrust into teleworking amid the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers noted in their findings that the pandemic is likely to accelerate trends causing employee overwork.

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The study's authors are calling on employers to implement better work practices to avoid long working hours for staff, such as agreeing to a maximum number of working hours per job, among other efforts. The study, done in collaboration with the International Labor Organization, is considered to be the first global analysis of the deaths and health complications associated with overwork.

Gaetz Associate Greenberg Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking Charges, Agrees to Work With Feds by Evan Craighead

Joel Greenberg, a former tax collector and longtime associate of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), was initially hit with 33 federal charges - including sex trafficking of a minor. Though federal prosecutors have referenced Gaetz in court documents, the US congressman from Florida has not been indicted in relation to the case. Greenberg, 37, appeared in a federal court in Orlando, Florida, on Monday and pleaded guilty to six charges: sex trafficking of a child; production of a false identification document; aggravated identity theft; wire fraud; stalking; and conspiracy to commit an offense against the US. The 37-year-old admitted to paying one underage girl to have sex with him and other men on at least seven occasions. He also confirmed that he provided the drug ecstasy, or MDMA, to the minor and other men. Greenberg's cooperation with federal investigators has been expected, as the former tax collector's plea agreement was submitted to the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida on Friday. The document detailed that Greenberg also agreed "to cooperate fully with the United States in the investigation and prosecution of other persons, and to testify, subject to prosecution for perjury or making a false statement, fully and truthfully before any federal court proceeding or federal grand jury in connection with the charges in this case." The 37-year-old will also have to register as a sex offender. The counts that Greenberg pleaded guilty to carry a minimum mandatory sentence of 12 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life behind bars. Prosecutors' agreement with Greenberg signals that he may have to cooperate with the US Department of Justice's investigation into sex trafficking allegations leveled against Gaetz. Gaetz and his office have repeatedly stated the US congressman from Florida has "never had sex with a minor and has never paid for sex." "Congressman Gaetz doesn’t seem to be named nor referenced in Mr. Greenberg’s plea. Congressman Gaetz has never had sex with a minor and has never paid for sex," said Harland Hill, a spokesperson for Gaetz. Nevertheless, the accusations against the congressman have prompted a US House Ethics Committee investigation.

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"The Committee is aware of public allegations that Representative Matt Gaetz may have engaged in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use," read a news release on the matter, approved by Chairman Rep. Theodore E. Deutch (D-FL), and Ranking Member Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-ID). Gaetz's once-public Venmo payments to Greenberg have also raised questions about the congressman's possible involvement in his associate's crime.

Donald Trump to Headline Key State Republican Convention on Retaking US Congress in 2022 by Evan Craighead

North Carolina has proved to be a pivotal state for Republicans, as former US President Donald Trump won the state in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. As the 2022 midterm elections approach, Republicans are looking to replace retiring Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) and regain majority presence in US Congress. Michael Whatley, chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, announced on Monday that Trump will headline his state's GOP convention on June 5. "President Trump won North Carolina in 2016 by promising to put America First, and he won North Carolina in 2020 by keeping that promise. President Trump delivered real results for North Carolina by rebuilding the military, standing strong against China, and unleashing the American Economy," Whatley said in a statement provided to the North State Journal. "We are honored to welcome President Trump to our convention as the Republican Party launches our campaign to retake Congress and the Senate in the 2022 midterms." Burr, the outgoing US senator from North Carolina, was censured by his state's Republican Party after he was one of seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump of inciting an insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6. The US Senate ultimately acquitted Trump after a 57-43 vote --10 votes shy of the threshold for conviction. "The NCGOP agrees with the strong majority of Republicans in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate that the Democrat-led attempt to impeach a former President lies outside the United States Constitution," the committee declared following its unanimous vote. Burr issued a same-day response, declaring that it was "a sad day for North Carolina Republicans." "My party's leadership has chosen loyalty to one man over the core principles of the Republican Party and the founders of our great nation," he said. Lara Trump, wife of the former US president’s middle son, Eric Trump, has been rumored to be one of likely contenders to fill Burr's seat. "In North Carolina, in particular, she’s a household name and people know her. She worked really hard on the campaign and was very involved in a lot of decisions throughout," Trump campaign adviser Mercedes Schlapp told the New York Times late last year.

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Pandemic Profits: Embattled NY Gov. Cuomo to Make $5 Million From COVID-19 Book by Evan Craighead

Reports emerged late last month detailing that a number of aides to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo repeatedly attempted to obscure state health officials' COVID-19 death toll for nursing homes. The aides' actions allegedly took place when Cuomo was pitching his book on leading New York through the COVID-19 pandemic. Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi revealed on Monday that, over the next two years, Cuomo is set to make a pre-tax total of over $5 million off his book deal for "American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic." Citing financial disclosures submitted to the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, Azzopardi detailed that Cuomo's contract "calls for payment of $3,120,000 in the last taxable year and an additional $2 million over the following 2 years." "Net income from the $3,120,000 million payment less expenses and taxes is $1,537,508," he added, noting that some $500,000 was donated to New York's United Way, a privately-funded nonprofit. The remaining net income was allegedly put into a trust for Cuomo's three daughters. The New York governor had previously denied revealing the details of the deal to reporters. "You’ll see it on my financial disclosure," Cuomo said during a virtual news conference back in August 2020. "Governor Cuomo tells the riveting story of how he took charge in the fight against Covid-19 as New York became the epicenter of the pandemic, offering hard-won lessons in leadership and his vision for the path forward," reads the original sales pitch of the book. However, Crown Publishing Group, Cuomo's publisher, ultimately suspended its support of the book due to the "ongoing investigation" related to the nursing home scandal. The publisher also declared there are "no plans to reprint or reissue in paperback." Late last month, the New York Times reported that senior aides to Cuomo attempted to block the release of true COVID-19 death tolls to the public, or even state lawmakers. The timeline of the book coincided with the period of time Cuomo was writing and pitching his book on leading New York through the pandemic. Elkan Abramowitz, an attorney for Cuomo's office, argued to the Times that folks are being "cynical" about the COVID-19 death toll. "The chamber was never satisfied that the numbers that they were getting from [New York Department of Health] were accurate," he said.

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The Bidens’ Income Dropped to Around $600,000 for 2020, Tax Returns Reveal by Evan Craighead

Prior to US President Joe Biden releasing his financial documents, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki pledged that the administration "will continue to release the president's tax returns, as should be expected by every president." Some interpreted her remarks as a dig at former US President Donald Trump, who chose to not release his returns. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden paid $157,414 in federal income tax and reported a federal adjusted gross income of $607,336, according to tax documents published by the White House on Monday. The couple's 2020 effective federal income tax rate amounted to 25.9%. Additionally, Delaware income tax return reports for the Bidens detail that they paid $28,794 in state income tax. "The President and First Lady also reported donating $30,704 - or about 5.1 percent of their total income - to 10 different charities," The largest donation was $10,000 to the Beau Biden Foundation, a charity geared toward child abuse that is also named after Biden's late son, Joseph R. "Beau" Biden, III. The White House release on the matter emphasized that Biden's release comes as a continuation of an "almost uninterrupted tradition." Trump decided to not release his tax returns during his tenure. The disclosure of a US president's tax returns is not required by law, but it has been somewhat of a voluntary tradition of transparency since 1974. As for US Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, the couple's 2020 federal income tax return details that they paid $621,893 in federal income tax and reported a federal adjusted gross income of $1,695,225. The couple's 2020 effective federal income tax rate amounted to 36.7%.

US Rapper J. Cole Makes Debut in Basketball Africa League After Dropping Latest Album by MariTi Blaise Lovell

Basketball Africa League (BAL), Africa’s premier 12-team men’s basketball league tipped off in Rwanda on May 16, a year after its postponement was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 8, Jermaine Lamarr Cole, better known as US rapper J. Cole, arrived in Rwanda to sign with Patriots of Rwanda, a basketball club based in Kigali, Rwanda. Famed musician J.Cole made his debut in the recently-launched Basketball Africa League over the weekend, scoring approximately three points during his highly-anticipated 17-minute appearance on the court. The Sunday match against the Rivers Hoopers of Nigeria also saw Cole secure three rebounds and two assists. The Patriots of Rwanda claimed a victory with a 83-60 opening game win in Kigali.

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Cole is expected to play in three out of the six games as part of the contract signed with the Patriots until the end of the season, which is due to wrap up on May 30. There have been concerns about the amount of pressure the rapper is putting on himself as he takes his first step into the league. "I talked to him in the locker room -1 said, ‘I am so proud of you,’ because he was very frustrated with himself," Patriots head coach Alan Major said, according to the BBC. "He had a couple of turnovers. I said, don’t put too much pressure on yourself - the only mistake he can ever make is to just not to try again.” While Cole surprised many during his step into the professional basketball scene, he showed talent early on during his time at Terry Sanford High School in North Carolina. He also played for St. John’s University basketball team for a short period, as he has said the sport parallels his rap career. Cole is considered one of the biggest names in the rap game with six albums, including his latest drop “The Off-Season,” which was released two days before his professional basketball debut. The cover of the album features Cole standing in front of a flaming hoop. The musician has explained that he is currently at a point in his life where he is questioning his role as an artist and looking to expand his career. “I’m at a point in my life where I’m like, are you going to be doing this forever?” Cole said in a recent interview, according to France 24. In 2019, BAL was announced by the organization’s president Amadou Fall, sports stars Michael Jordan and Dikembe Mutombo and other members of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), in a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The league represents the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a roster outside of North America. New Jersey-born power forward Costner Brandon, who played for several international basketball teams including China and Lebanon, also made his team debut. He accomplished a 20-point pull during the game working with Prince Ibeh, a london-born Rwandan center and the rest of the Patriots’ team.

US Supreme Court Rules Against Warrantless Search, Seizures by Law Enforcement by MariTi Blaise Lovell

The community caretaking rule applies in circumstances where police seek to provide aid and protection to a citizen even if there is no warrant and no real proof of crime. Caretaking functions are rules which allow officers to enter homes without a warrant under emergencies where they feel an individual or evidence is in danger of being destroyed. In a unanimous decision on Monday, the US Supreme Court ruled against warrantless police seizures and searches of a person’s home, arguing that such practices are unconstitutional. The ruling stems from the Caniglia v Strom case, which saw officers in Rhode Island take Edward Caniglia into custody and submit him to a psychological evaluation under the premise of a suicide-risk welfare check.

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While Caniglia was under evaluation, officers located and seized his firearms and ammunition without a warrant. At the time, the welfare check had been requested by Caniglia’s wife, Kim, after the pair had a heated argument. Caniglia later filed a lawsuit and alleged that officers had conducted an illegal search and seizure of his home. Lower courts later ruled that police were clear to enter Caniglia’s home under the community caretaking exception stipulated under the US Constitution’s warrant requirement. The majority opinion written by Justice Clarence Thomas states that this form of warrantless entries effectively violates the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees the right to retreat into one’s home and be free from governmental intrusion. “What is reasonable for vehicles is different from what is reasonable for homes,” Thomas explained, underscoring that the caretaking exception is not a “standalone doctrine” that amply justifies warrantless search and seizures. In this case, exigent circumstances state that officers can enter a home when they believe a person or evidence is in imminent danger of being destroyed, or if there is an active fleeing suspect. US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito states in the ruling’s concurring opinion that “warrants are not typically granted for the purpose of checking on a person’s medical condition.” The justices remain hesitant to completely disregard the need for wellness checks for certain situations, such as in instances involving elders who live alone. However, the US’ high court maintains that warrantless searchers should be examined under state laws. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in concurring, “police officers may enter a home without a warrant in circumstances where they are reasonably trying to prevent a potential suicide or to help an elderly person who has been out of contact and may have fallen and suffered a serious injury.” In the case of Caniglia, police in Rhode Island confiscated his firearms despite a psychological evaluation concluding he was not a danger to himself. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Cato Institute and the American Conservative Union Foundation filed their own opposition to the warrantless search policy, calling it a slippery slope and an open invitation for police officers to invade the home in a way that will decrease future willingness to seek police assistance. However, the ruling has also been praised by Daniel Woislaw, a lawyer with the Pacific Legal Foundation, a libertarian litigation firm who filed an amicus brief in the Caniglia case. “The Supreme Court reaffirmed the principle that a person’s home is their castle,” Woislaw said in a statement, according to The Hill. “The court unanimously ruled that the government cannot invade a private house without permission, a warrant, or an emergency." The US Department of Justice also filed an amicus brief in February, saying that officers should be allowed to enter homes without a warrant under the reasonableness standard in which officers need to ensure public safety. This is a move which Forbes says has been widely criticized as an overreach of power. This material is distributed by Ghebi LLC on behalf of Federal State Unitary Enterprise Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency, and additional information is on file with the Department of Justice, Washington, District of Columbia.

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US Withdrawal From Afghanistan Up to 20% Complete - CENTCOM

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - The United States’ military withdrawal from Afghanistan is up to 20 percent complete, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Monday. "US Central Command estimates that we have completed between 13-20% of the entire retrograde process,” the combatant command responsible for the Middle East and parts of Central Asia said in a statement. CENTCOM added that the military has removed the equivalent of 115 C-17 military transport planes of material out of the war-torn country and has designated over 5,000 pieces of equipment for demolition. The US has also handed over control of five military facilities to Afghan counterparts, the statement said. The United States invaded Afghanistan ostensibly to destroy the al Qaeda terror group (banned in Russia), which planned the 2001 attacks on New York and Washington from Afghan soil. But the effort morphed into an extended attempt to establish a democracy. During the intervening years, the Taliban regrouped and gained control of large parts of the nation in what has become America’s longest war. US President Joe Biden announced the decision to end the Afghan campaign in April following an extensive policy review, which began upon assuming office earlier this year.

Senior US Diplomats Visit Libya to Show Support For Upcoming Elections - State Dept.

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - Acting Assistant Secretary of State Joey Hood has paid the highest-level US diplomatic visit to Libya in seven years to express US support for upcoming elections there in December, the Department of State said on Tuesday. "Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Joey Hood and Special Envoy for Libya Richard Norland visited Libya May 18 and underscored US support for Libya’s December 2021 elections,” the State Department said in a media note. “This is the highest level diplomatic visit to Tripoli since 2014." Hood and Norland met with Libyan interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba, Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush, Head of the Presidential Council Mohamed Menfi, and President of the High National Electoral Commission Emad al-Sayah, the State Department said. The US officials also discussed areas of mutual interest with the national leaders, including a Libyan-led, inclusive, and negotiated political solution to the conflict, facilitated through the UN and full implementation of the October 23 Libyan ceasefire agreement, the State Department noted.

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US Republican Senators Introduce Resolution Reaffirming US Support for Israel

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - US Senator Marco Rubio, alongside 17 fellow Senate Republicans, introduced a resolution that reaffirms the US’ support for the state of Israel amid escalating tensions in the region, Rubio’s office stated on Tuesday. "U.S. Senator Marco Rubio joined [his Senate colleagues]... in introducing a resolution condemning the attacks against Israel by Hamas, an Iranian-backed and funded terrorist organization, and reaffirming the United States’ unwavering commitment to our ally Israel and its right to take whatever means are necessary to stop the murder of its citizens and foreign nationals residing in Israel,” Rubio's office said. The resolution is nonbinding: if passed, it would postulate that the Senate, on paper, opposes the escalating rocket attacks by Hamas against Israel and mourns the loss of innocent life caused by them, urges continued and steadfast support for Israel, and affirms its unwavering commitment to Israel and its right to defend itself.

US Announces Nearly $155Mln in New Humanitarian Aid for Rohingya Crisis - State Dept.

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - The US has announced nearly $155 million in assistance to support 900,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday. "The United States announced nearly $155 million in new assistance to sustain critical efforts to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and internally displaced Rohingya and other affected people in Burma. Our assistance will help meet the immediate needs of the nearly 900,000 refugees in Bangladesh who fled from horrific violence in Burma’s Rakhine State, including women and children,” Blinken said in a statement. Blinken also noted that the total amount of US humanitarian aid for the affected by the Myanmar crisis people is over $1.3 billion, including over $1.1 billion for programs inside Bangladesh. The US recognizes that the February 1 military coup leaders in many cases are the same individuals responsible for previous human rights abuses and atrocities against Rohingya, and will continue to seek justice and accountability for those responsible, the statement added. According to the UN Refugee Agency, some 860,000 Rohingya refugees are currently based in camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh district after fleeing violence and persecution in Myanmar.

Blinken Discusses Israel-Palestine Conflict With Bahraini, Moroccan Counterparts

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WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has discussed the ongoing escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with his Bahraini and Moroccan counterparts, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in two separate readouts on Tuesday. "Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid ai-Zayani,” Price said. “The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed their outreach to halt the conflict in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza.” Price said in another press release that Blinken and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita discussed their concerns about the violence in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza. "The Secretary highlighted the importance of the strong bilateral partnership and Morocco's key role in fostering stability in the region,” he added. The two kingdoms are part of the Arab states that normalized relations with Israel in last year's detente, alongside the United Arab Emirates and Sudan. The Israel Defense Forces and the Palestinian militants in Gaza have exchanged fire for more than a week. The increase in violence, the worst in years, has killed 10 people in Israel and 220 in Gaza, almost a quarter of them children.

US Announces Nearly $155Mln in New Humanitarian Aid for Rohingya Refugees - State Dept.

UPDATE - UNIFIL Says Boosts Patrols Between Israel, Lebanon after Fire WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - UN peacekeepers intensified patrols along the border between Lebanon and Israel following an exchange of rocket and artillery attacks between the two countries, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement. "UNIFIL in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces is enhancing security control in the area and has intensified patrols to prevent any further incidents that endanger the safety of the local population and the security of southern Lebanon," the peacekeepers tweeted on Monday.

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The Israeli Defense Forces said on Monday that six rockets were fired from Lebanon toward Israel. IDF returned artillery fire directed at the location from where rockets originated, according to UNIFIL. UNIFIL said it detected firing of rockets from the general area of Rashaya Al Foukhar north of Kfar Chouba in southern Lebanon. "UNIFIL Head @stefanode!co! was immediately in contact with counterparts in the @LebarmyOfficial and IDF commands urging the parties to exercise maximum restraint in order to prevent any escalation of the situation. The IDF has now stopped the fire," the tweet said. The flare up came amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.

UPDATE - Biden Approves $735 Million Weapons Sale to Israel ~ Reports

WASHINGTON, May 17 - (Sputnik) - The Biden administration approved a $735 million sale of precision-guided missiles sale to Israel and awaits approval from the House of Representatives, the Washington Post reported citing sources familiar with the matter. The White House has officially notified the US Congress of the proposed sale on May 5, just a week before violence between Israel and Hamas escalated, the report said on Monday. Federal law requires the administration to inform Congress of such sales. Lawmakers have 20 days after the formal notification to stop the transaction. Washington plans to provide Israel Joint Direct Attack Munitions. These weapons allow to transform so-called "dumb bombs" into precision-guided missiles, the Washington Post explained. The proposed sale may face pushback from House Democrats as Washington's unconditional support for Israel has increasingly come under scrutiny, particularly among the progressive caucus, the report noted. The current escalation of the israeli-Paiestinian conflict started earlier this month when unrest began in East Jerusalem over an Israeli court's decision to evict several Palestinian families from the area. The situation on the border between Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip has been deteriorating for the past week amid heavy rocket exchanges that have resulted in the death of nearly 200 Palestinians, including 58 children. Israel has reported 10 people killed and 50 others seriously injured, while the Palestinian Red Crescent says that more than 1,300 Palestinians have been injured amid tensions with Israel. Congresswoman lhan Omar in a tweet said US Congress "must intervene and stop the sale of these weapons."

Two Officers Shot in US State of Maryland - Sheriffs Office

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WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - Two officers were shot in Waldorf, Maryland while serving a warrant, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. "We are on the scene of an officer involved shooting in the 6300 block of Josephine Road in Waldorf in which two officers were injured. Situation is ongoing and we will provide updates as we can," the CCSO said in a tweet on Monday. The two officers were flown to a hospital to be treated for their serious injuries. Individuals have been asked to avoid the area as the police deal with a barricade situation following the shooting. The shooting occurred shortly before 5:00 p.m. local time (9:00 p.m. GMT). The identities of both the officers and the shooter remain unknown.

UNIFIL Says Boosts Patrols Between Israel, Lebanon after Fire

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - UN peacekeepers intensified patrols along the border between Lebanon and Israel following an exchange of rocket and artillery attacks between the two countries, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement. "UNIFIL in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces is enhancing security control in the area and has intensified patrols to prevent any further incidents that endanger the safety of the local population and the security of southern Lebanon," the peacekeepers tweeted on Monday. The Israeli Defense Forces said on Monday that six rockets were fired from Lebanon toward Israel. IDF returned artillery fire directed at the location from where rockets originated, according to UNIFIL. The flare up came amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.

US Trade Representative Discusses Ending Forced Labor Practices With Mexico Counterpart

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - US Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai met with Mexico's Economy Secretary Tatiana Clouthierto discuss cooperation in combating forced labor practices and ending the coronavirus pandemic, the Office of the USTR said. "Ambassador Tai and Secretary Clouthier discussed the importance of cooperation to help end the COVID-19 pandemic and combat the trade of goods made with forced labor," the Office of the USTR said in a release on Monday. The US Labor Department has identified 15 Mexican goods that are produced using forced and child labor, including a variety of fruit and vegetable products, clothing, leather goods and pornography.

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The two officials also discussed the ongoing battle against the coronavirus, the first meeting of the Free Trade Commission meeting of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and an immediate resumption of authorizations of agricultural biotechnology products in Mexico, the release said. The Mexican government has been hesitant to grant new permits for the use of genetically engineered crop seeds in the country under the administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador despite the fact that Mexico is dependent on imports of corn for animal feed from the United States.

Biden in Call With Netanyahu Encouraged Israel to Protect Civilians - White House

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - US President Joe Biden in a telephone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encouraged Tel Aviv to do everything possible to protect civilians and reiterated his support for Israel’s right to self-defense in the conflict with the Palestinians, the White House said in a release. "The President spoke today with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The President reiterated his firm support for Israel’s right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks," the release said on Monday. "He encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians. The two leaders discussed progress in Israel’s military operations against Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. The President expressed his support for a ceasefire and discussed US engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end." Biden also welcomed efforts to address intercommunal violence and to bring calm to Jerusalem, the release also said.

US Saves $13Bln in Energy Costs, 28Mln Vehicles’Worth of Emissions - Energy Dept.

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - The US Energy Department said it has cut nearly $14 billion in energy costs as well as greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 30 million vehicles in just a year, putting the Biden administration on target to meet its clean energy goals over the next three decades. In collaboration with nearly 1,000 businesses, government and other partners, the US administration "saved $13.5 billion in energy costs and more than 130 million metric tons of carbon emissions in the past year - equivalent to the greenhouse gases emitted by 28.2 million vehicles in a single year," the Energy Department said in a statement on Monday. The Energy Department said the efficiency improvements are key to reaching President Joe Biden’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

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In the technology and environment section of his American Jobs Plan unveiled in March, Biden also proposed an allotment of $174 billion for setting up charging stations and to provide consumer rebates for US-made electric vehicles, with a pledge to "electrify" the government’s entire transportation fleet.

Updated Mask Guidance for US Capital to Go in Effect Monday - Mayor

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - An updated guidance on wearing face masks in Washington, DC will go in effect on Monday, Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters. “[V\foshington] DC’s updated mask guidance goes into effect today,” Bowser said during a press briefing on Monday evening. Bowser said she is confident the situation with respect to public health in the US capital is moving in the right direction. “Fully vaccinated people only need to wear their masks or [keep] social distance in places where it is required," she said. The mayor urged people to continue to wash their hands frequently, but also to bring face masks with them when outside and to stay at home if they feel sick. Meanwhile, Bowser said the masking policy will stay in place in goverment buildings, public transport vehicles and facilities, airports as well as healthcare and other facilities.

US Security Adviser Tells Armenian, Azerbaijani Leaders Military Moves Irresponsible - NSC

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in phone calls with Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev denounced military movements near the un-demarcated border as provocative and irresponsible, the National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said. "National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke separately today with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan... He expressed concern over recent tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and emphasized that military movements near un-demarcated borders are irresponsible and provocative," Horne said in a statement. "In addition, he underscored the need for the two countries to conduct formal discussions to demarcate their international border." On May 12, the Armenian Defense Ministry said it detected a 3.5-kilometer (2.2 miles) incursion by the Azerbaijani armed forces into Armenia's Syunik region and an attempt to enclose the Sevlich lake.

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Blinken Discusses With Israeli Counterpart Steps on How to Move Forward in Mideast

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and focused on the steps how to move forward in the dire situation, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said. "The two discussed the path forward, and the Secretary noted that the United States would remain engaged with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and other regional stakeholders as part of our diplomacy to ease tensions and put an end to the hostilities," Price said on Monday evening.

Canada Warns of Far-Reaching Effects on Kyrgyz Foreign Investment After Gold Mine Takeover

TORONTO, May 17 (Sputnik) - Canada warned Kyrgyzstan of substantial repercussions on foreign investment in the Central Asian country after Bishkek temporarily imposed external management on a Canadian-owned gold mine. Earlier on Monday, Bishkek told RIA Novosti that the Kumtor Gold Company, owned by Canadian gold giant Centerra Gold, would be brought under government control for up to three months, with Kyrgyzstan’s government citing the company’s irresponsible environmental practices. "We are disappointed with the decision taken at the extraordinary session of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic on May 17 to move forward with the imposition of external management on the Kumtor Gold Company,” Global Affairs Canada said in a statement on Monday afternoon. "This will potentially have far-reaching consequences on foreign direct investment in the Kyrgyz Republic.” Ottawa also voiced its disappointment that the dispute was not resolved in a transparent manner between the parties, adding that the post-pandemic recovery requires “transparent and fair business environment" and that Kyrgyz economic livelihoods could be undermined by the decision. Centerra called the Bishek’s decision a "clear violation” of its rights, saying that, while it is ready to pursue negotiation, it will protect company and shareholder interests through international arbitration. Earlier on Monday, the Kygryz parliament's press service reported that the country filed a $4.2-billion lawsuit against Centerra Gold for allegedly violating environmental regulations and engaging in tax evasion. According to the Bishkek, the company's actions caused significant damage to the republic’s ecology, including the threat of the collapse of glaciers in the vicinity of the mine, which can lead to human casualties.

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Canadian Centerra Gold has been developing the largest Kumtor deposit in Kyrgyzstan with gold reserves of about 700 tons for about 30 years. The Kumtor field is the main asset of the international company, which generates most of its revenue. According to the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the share of Kumtor in the total industrial production of the republic is about 20 percent.

SPUTNIK TOP STORIES OF THE DAY WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) -

MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS * US President Joe Biden will be speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later today, Biden announced after a press conference on Monday. * The Israeli Air Force attacked the main operational headquarters of the Hamas Internal Security Service in the Rimal region in the north of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army said. * Russia will do everything possible to help Palestine and Israel launch direct negotiations, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pledged. * The United States has requested Israel to provide more information on the recent airstrike on a building in Gaza that housed international media outlets, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

US MYANMAR-RELATED SANCTIONS * The United States has imposed sanctions on 19 individuals and two entities from Myanmar, the US Treasury Department announced Monday. * The United States imposed terror-related sanctions on three individuals and one entity located in Turkey, Syria and Iraq, the Treasury Department said.

ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN DISPUTE * Russia is ready to provide assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan in border demarcation and sees no reason for the two countries to be too emotional because of the recent developments, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday. * Russian Defense Minister Gen. of the Army Sergei Shoigu discussed bilateral cooperation and the situation in Karabakh by phone with his Armenian counterpart Vagharshak Harutyunyan, the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters. * Russia constantly maintains contact with Armenia and Azerbaijan and makes effort to de-escalate the border tensions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. * Armenia's acting prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, expressed the belief on Monday that Armenia and Azerbaijan should review their border through trilateral negotiations with Russia.

DEVELOPMENTS IN UKRAINE

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* Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov qualified on Monday Ukraine's idea to exchange opposition politician Viktor Medvedchuk as "Ukraine's domestic political kitchen," and also said he could not understand why they actually want to exchange the politician for anyone. * Moscow is forced to react to Kiev's steps while it was never the initiator of sanctions and military build-up at the border, it remains ready to improve the relations through a friendly dialogue, Peskov said.

COVID-19 * President Joe Biden said on Monday that the number of COVID-19-related deaths is down by 81 percent while new coronavirus cases decline in the United States for the first time since the start of the pandemic. * Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said that Russia was ready to provide assistance to Turkey in the fight against COVID-19, primarily in the production of the Sputnik V vaccine. * The goal of vaccinating 20 percent of world's at-risk population against COVID-19 through CO VAX facility may fail to be fulfilled due to financing issues, and problems with vaccine availability, a World Health Organization (WHO) expert said. * A total of 31.8 percent of the EU population received at least one dose of a vaccine against the coronavirus, European Commission spokeswoman Dana Spinant announced.

US Raises Advisory Warnings on Visiting Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand - State Dept.

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - The US government has raised its level of advisory warnings against citizens traveling to Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan and Thailand, the State Department announced on Monday. "This week, the following travel advisories have been assessed and reissued with updates, raised to a Level 4 - Do Not Travel: Cambodia [and] Kyrgyzstan," the State Department said in a media note. The Travel Advisory updates were primarily on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Health Notices and secondary factors such as commercial flight availability, restrictions on US citizen entry and impediments to obtaining coronavirus test results within three calendar days, the note explained. The US government’s travel advisory for Thailand has also been raised this week to Level 3 - signifying reconsidering travel, the State Department added.

Canada's Trade Minister Raises Line 5, Lumber Disputes in Talks With US Counterpart

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TORONTO, May 17 (Sputnik) - Canada’s International Trade Minister Mary Ng discussed with US counterpart Katherine Tai trade disputes between Washington and Ottawa during the inaugural North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) successor summit, Global Affairs Canada said on Monday. Among the topics discussed were the fate of Canadian energy giant Enbridge’s Line 5, which has been ordered closed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and the softwood lumber dispute between the two neighboring nations. "Minister Ng reiterated that it was in the best interest of both countries to reach an agreement on softwood lumber and raised the impacts of solar safeguards. Minister Ng also noted the importance of the continued safe operation of Line 5,” Global Affairs Canada said in a statement. Ng and Tai also discussed the Biden administration’s "Buy American" policy, which has been the main concern of the Trudeau government, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his closest associate Chrystia Freeland concern with the plan in talks with US counterparts. The Line 5 pipelines, which carry over 540,000 barrels of predominantly western Canadian oil and natural gas to the eastern part of Canada as well as certain US states, including Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, has also become a sticking point in the bilateral trade relationship. Canada believes that Michigan and Enbridge can come to an amiable solution at the local level, Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan said during a press briefing earlier in the day, ahead of a mediated meeting between the parties scheduled for Tuesday. Canada is also engaged in diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute, although, it appears to have made little headway, with Enbridge Executive Vice President and President, Vern Yu, telling the Special Committee on the Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States in March that Canadian ambassador to the US Kirsten Hillman was denied a meeting with Whitmer. Meanwhile, softwood lumber has been a drag on the two countries’ bilateral trading relationship for decades, including mutual complaints through the World Trade Organization, in 2006, the two sides reached a settlement under which the United States agreed to suspend lumber duties. The deal expired in 2015 and the Trump administration has subsequently imposed new tariffs on Canadian lumber. The WTO largely sided with Canada in the dispute in August, citing the United States’ failure to prove that the price of exported lumber was artificially low due to provincial government subsidies.

US Not Planning to Buy Greenland Anymore - Blinken

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - The United States no longer seeks to buy Greenland from Denmark, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday.

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"I’m focused on looking forward, and the short answer is no," Blinken replied to a question if the United States still wants to purchase the island during an interview with Denmark’s DR-TV. In 2019, the then US President Donald Trump said that he was interested in buying Greenland and canceled a visit to Denmark after the country’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called his idea "absurd." Blinken is on a visit to Denmark, Iceland and Greenland where he will engage with the United States’ regional allies, participate in the Arctic Council Ministerial meeting in Reykjavik and in bilateral talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Blinken Seeks Israel-Palestine Progress With EU, Arab Foreign Ministers - State Dept.

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed ways of ending the continuing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in telephone conversations with the foreign policy ministers for the European Union (EU), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Tunisia, Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday. “...Blinken spoke today with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell to exchange views on how the United States and the EU can bring a halt to the current violence between Israelis and Palestinians,” Price said in a readout of the conversations. "[They] agreed on the need for Israelis and Palestinians to be able to live in safety and security.” Blinken also spoke by phone with Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi and both leaders agreed on the urgent need to restore calm and end the tragic loss of civilian life, Price said in another readout. In a third phone conversation on the issue, Blinken spoke with “United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Ai Nahyan. The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed efforts to bring the current violence in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza to an end and halt the tragic loss of civilian life,” Price said. Blinken also highlighted the importance of the UAE’s contributions towards promoting a more peaceful Middle East, this readout added.

WFP Chief Urgently Appeals For Access to Gaza Strip to Assist Palestinians

UNITED NATIONS, May 17 (Sputnik) - The UN’s World Food Program (WFP) Executive Director David Beasley on Monday urgently requested that humanitarian access be provided in Gaza to assist the Palestinians in need. "The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has caused suffering and destruction that is affecting the lives of millions of people. \Ne urgently appeal for peace and access, so that WFP can reach everyone

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in need of humanitarian assistance in Gaza,” Beasley said via Twitter. "Families need help [as soon as possible].”

US Presses Canada to Fulfill Tariff Cuts on Dairy Imports - Trade Representative

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - US Trade Representative Katherine Tai met with her Canadian counterpart Mary Ng and emphasized the need for Canada to fulfill its pledge to open quotas with reduced tariffs for dairy imports from the United States under the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA), the Office of the US Trade Representative said on Monday. "Ambassador Tai stressed the importance of Canada fully meeting its USMCA commitments, including its allocation of dairy tariff-rate quotas and home-shopping," the Office of the US Trade Representative said in a readout of the conversation. Tai and Ng also discussed softwood lumber and issues of reform in the World Trade Organization, the Office of the US Trade Representative said.’ Tai also expressed concern about Canada’s recently proposed digital service tax. She and Ng agreed to continue to collaborate on addressing these and other issues and to maintain an open line of communication, the readout said.

Latest Bombardment of Gaza May Amount to Collective Punishment Breaching Int'l Law - UNRWA UNITED NATIONS, May 17 (Sputnik) - The latest bombardment of the Gaza Strip may constitute a form of collective punishment in contravention to international law, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said in a statement on Monday. “In the Gaza Strip, where [nearly] 70% of the population are Palestine refugees, the latest bombardment is being carried out as the besieged coastal enclave enters the 14th year of a blockade, which may amount to collective punishment contrary to international law,” UNRWA said via Twitter.

US Mission Blocked UNSC Gaza Draft Due to Diplomacy Underway - Spokesperson to Sputnik

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UNITED NATIONS, May 17 (Sputnik) - The US mission to the United Nations said on Monday it blocked another statement by the UN Security Council on the hostilities between Israel and Palestine because it is engaged in diplomatic efforts at the highest levels to end the conflict. "As we have communicated consistently to Council members over the last week, the US is engaging in intense diplomatic efforts at the highest levels to try to bring an end to this conflict," a spokesperson at the US diplomatic mission told Sputnik. Earlier in the day, diplomatic sources said the UN Security Council once again could not issue a press statement as the United States broke the silence procedure and blocked the element. Washington had already blocked a statement by the Security Council on the ongoing violence in the Middle East following Sunday's emergency meeting on the situation. The spokesperson explained the United States intends to ensure that any statement by the UN Security Council on the issue will support its settlement efforts. "We are continuing to focus on crucial diplomatic efforts underway in the region, in Washington, and in New York to develop a pathway to deescalation," the spokesperson stated. Washington also remains prepared to render its support and mediation should the parties aim to reach a ceasefire, the spokesperson added. The UN Security Council, in the statement, expressed grave concern over the Gaza crisis and deaths among the civilian population. It called for deescalation, cessation of violence and respect for international humanitarian law. It also urged to protect civilians and humanitarian facilities, stressed the need of bringing aid to the Palestinians in need and called to respect the status quo at the holy sites and the right of Muslims to pray at the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. The statement welcomed all efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement, including from the Middle East Quartet, and urged all actors to support these efforts.

Norway, China, Tunisia to Raise Gaza Conflict at UNSC Tuesday - Oslo's Mission to UN

New York, May 17 (Sputnik) - The UN Security Council will again in closed consultations on Tuesday discuss the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations said in a statement on Monday. “#NorwayUNSC, Tunisia [and] China will once again raise the #MiddleEast crisis on the #Security Council agenda tomorrow, Tuesday,” the mission said via Twitter. “The situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. Innocent civilians continue being killed & injured. We repeat: Stop the fire. End hostilities now.” According to a diplomatic source, the meeting will be held behind closed doors under the “any other business” agenda.

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Canadian Man Sentenced to 32 Months for Immigrant Smuggling Conspiracy - US Justice Dept.

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - Canadian National Sri Kajamukam Chelliah has been sentenced to 2 years and 8 months in prison for conspiracy to smuggle immigrants from Sri Lanka into the United States, the Justice Department said on Monday. "A Canadian national was sentenced to 32 months in prison for conspiracy to bring undocumented immigrants to the United States for private financial gain in connection with his role in a scheme to smuggle undocumented immigrants from Sri Lanka through the Caribbean and into the United States," the department said in a release. Chelliah allegedly conspired with other human smugglers to bring immigrants in exchange for payment from Sri Lanka via Haiti, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Bahamas to the US in the period from July 1,2019 to October 10, 2019, the release said. The defendant was responsible for facilitating transportation, housing and food in the conspiracy and also accompanied the illegal immigrants, including traveling with them by boat during their journey from Bahamas to Miami, Florida, the release added. Chelliah was arrested on July 28 by Turks and Caicos authorities based on a request submitted by the US and pleaded guilty on February 24.

California Retains Mask Mandate Until June 15 - Health Secretary WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - The US state of California will keep face mask requirements in place until June 15, Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly said on Monday. "On June 15, California plans to implement the CDC’s guidelines around masking to allow fully vaccinated Californians to go without a mask in most indoor settings," Ghaly said in a statement. He said the four-week period will give Californians time to prepare for the change and achieve greater number of vaccinations, particularly in underserved communities. Last week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention amended its guidelines to allow fully vaccinated people not to wear a mask or physically distance during most outdoor or indoor activities.

Correctional Officer Sentenced For Unjustified Tasing of Inmates - Justice Dept.

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - A former corrections officer for Louisiana's Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Detention Center was sentenced with 5 years and eight months in federal prison after violating the civil rights of three inmates by tasing them repeatedly without justification, US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Monday.

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"Cody Richardson, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Dee Drell to 70 months in federal prison for each count, to run concurrently, followed by two years of supervised release. Richardson previously pleaded guilty on May 28, 2020, to three felony counts of using excessive force against pretrial detainees housed at the RPSO facility,” the DOJ said. Richardson abused his authority as an officer back in 2018 by repeatedly tasing three different inmates on separate occasions when they were either restrained or not resisting. He tased one inmate with his hands up, causing him to fall to the ground where he was tased three more times. In a similar case, Richardson tased another inmate in the back, causing him to fall to the ground where he was tased from behind another four times. Richardson also tased a third inmate between 15 and 20 times while he was shackled to a bench by his ankles. After another officer further restrained the inmate using handcuffs, Richardson continued tasing him, even kicking him in his abdomen during the incident. The DOJ added that they intend on continuing to prosecute officers who violate the civil rights of inmates who have been entrusted to their care and protection.

US Supreme Court Denies Police Greater Authority to Perform V\ferrantless Searches of Homes WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - The US Supreme Court delivered a unanimous decision in the Caniglia v. Strom Et Al. case on Monday, finding that houses maintain special privacy protections from warrantless searches, even under some exigent circumstances. "What is reasonable for vehicles is different from what is reasonable for homes. Cady acknowledged as much, and this Court has repeatedly ‘declined to expand the scope of... exceptions to the warrant requirement to permit warrantless entry into the home,’” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his opinion. Courts have generally upheld a “community caretaking exception” that allows police to sidestep the constitutional requirement of obtaining a warrant prior to searching private property in order to render emergency assistance to an injured occupant or to protect an occupant from imminent injury, but have declined to extend this concept more broadly to homes. The case in question involved a situation between Edward Caniglia and his wife Kim Caniglia. During an argument, Edward placed a gun on the table and asked his wife to shoot him. Kim hid the gun following the argument and spent the night at a hotel. After not hearing from her husband, she grew worried that he may have harmed himself and called the police to perform a wellness check. The police then showed up, forced him to undergo a psychological evaluation and then performed a warrantless search of his home in order to seize his guns. The ruling overturns a lower court decision which involved arguments revolving around whether the logic of the exception recognized in the 1973 case Cady v. Dombrowski, which allowed police to conduct warrantless searches of cars in their possession after a crash, could also be applied to private residences.

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Nearly Quarter of Americans Financially Worse off Than Year Ago Due to Pandemic - Fed

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - Nearly a quarter of Americans feel they are worse off financially compared to a year earlier, a Federal Reserve survey on the fallout and distress resulting from COVID-19 showed on Monday even as the central bank’s vice chairman forecast the best growth in 35 years for the economy. "In the fourth quarter of 2020, nearly one-fourth of adults said that they were worse off financially compared to a year earlier, reflecting the economic fallout and distress resulting from the global COVID-19 pandemic,” the Fed said in its Economic Well-Being of US Households in 2020 survey. The worst-hit were those who lost jobs in the economic downturn that followed the breakout of the virus, the central bank said. “Those who were laid off during the pandemic typically had a relatively small financial cushion to begin with, as less than two-thirds of those who were laid off said they were doing at least okay financially in late 2019, before experiencing job loss," it said. The Fed said people who retained their jobs during the pandemic generally had stable or improving finances in 2020. "However, those who suffered a layoff and an extended period of unemployment saw a deterioration of their financial circumstances,” the central bank said. “Layoffs during the pandemic were concentrated among workers with fewer financial resources, which further exacerbated pre-existing disparities in their financial well-being.” There were disparities as well among the ethnic groups hit by the crisis, with minority Blacks and Hispanics, along with non-college educated people, taking a bigger impact than majority Whites and those with college degrees. The survey was published as Fed Vice Chairman Richard Clarida said on Monday the economy could expand by as much as 7.0 percent in 2021, upping the central bank’s official forecast of a 6.5 percent growth. If his forecast was met, it would be the fastest pace of US growth in 35 years, Clarida said, adding that first-quarter data signaled that such expectations were realistic. The US economy shrank 3.5 percent in 2020 but rebounded by a dynamic 6.4 percent in the first quarter. Clarida, however, warned that the rebound was still in “a very fluid period” citing the estimated 8 million jobs that remained lost nearly a year after the onset of the pandemic.

US COVID-19 Deaths Down 81%, Cases Decline in All 50 States For First Time - Biden

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WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - President Joe Biden said on Monday that the number of COVID-19 deaths is down by 81 percent while new coronavirus cases decline in all 50 US states for the first time since the start of the pandemic. "Today, for the first time since the pandemic began pandemic cases are down in all 50 states, first time,” Biden said. “Deaths are down from COVID by 81 percent and also at their lowest level since April of 2020.”

New York State to Lift Mask Requirement Wsdnesday for Fully Vaccinated Residents - Cuomo

NEW YORK, May 17 (Sputnik) - New York State will end this week the requirement to wear masks for those residents who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus thereby adopting the new guidance issued earlier by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Monday. "Effective Wednesday, [New York State] will adopt the CDC's new mask [and] social distancing guidance for vaccinated people," Cuomo said. "Unvaccinated people should continue to wear a mask." Cuomo said masks will still be required for residents using the public transit system, in schools and in some communal settings. Meanwhile, the governor said it is up to private venues to decide whether to require customers to wear masks. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky on Thursday said that the agency had updated its COVI D-19 guidance for fully vaccinated people, recommending indoor and outdoor activities of any size without wearing a face mask or physical distancing.

Biden to Speak with Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu Today

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - US President Joe Biden will be speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later today, Biden announced following a Monday press conference. ‘Til be speaking with the Prime Minister [of Israel] in an hour and I'll be able to talk to you after that,” Biden said in response to a question about the possibility of a ceasefire to the conflict. The conflict, composed largely of rocket exchanges, has left roughly 200 Palestinians dead, including 58 children, as well as 10 Israelis. Biden reaffirmed his support for a two-state solution and the right for Israel to defend itself earlier in the day.

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UNSC Must Speak on Mideast Violence in 'Very Strong,' Unified Voice - UN Spokesman

UNITED NATIONS, May 17 (Sputnik) - The UN Security Council should send a powerful and unified message on the violence between Israel and Palestine that could influence the current state of affairs, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing on Monday "I would really restate the need for a very strong and unified voice from the Security Council which we [the UN Secretariat] think would carry weight," Dujarric said. The comment by the spokesperson came minutes after the United States once again opposed issuing a UN Security Council press statement that would have called for the cessation of violence in the Middle East. During an emergency weekend Security Council meeting, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said V\feshington has been working through its diplomatic channels behind closed doors to end the hostilities. The current escalation of the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict broke out last week on the border of Israel and the Gaza Strip. The ongoing violence has already killed nearly 200 Palestinians, more than 50 of whom are children. Israel has reported 10 dead, including two children.

US Economy May Expand 7% in 2021, Fastest Growth in 35 Years - Federal Reserve Vice Chair

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - The US economy could expand by as much as 7 percent in 2021, Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Richard Clarida said on Monday, upping the central bank’s official forecast of a 6.5 percent growth. "It looks like the economy, if anything, can pick up speed this year and my baseline outlook for economic activity is very constructive," Clarida said in a live-streamed address to the Atlanta division of the Federal Reserve. "\Afe could have growth north of 6 percent, possibly 7 percent. That would be the fastest pace of growth in 35 years and I think the recent GDP report showed that that is indeed possible." The US economy shrank 3.5 percent in 2020, although first quarter data for 2021 showed a rebound of 6.4 percent. The Federal Reserve has forecast a 6.5 percent economic growth for all of 2021. Clarida, however, warned that the US recovery from the coronavirus pandemic was still in "a very fluid period," having immunized nearly 38 percent of the population within five months of this year.

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"\Afe had an unprecedented shock last year with 22 million jobs lost," he said, referring to the period between March and April when almost the entire country was shut down to curb the spread of the virus. Officials say at least 8 million of those jobs haven’t returned. Clarida said another concern is the raise of inflation as the economy reopens. "When we closed the economy, there was downward pressure on prices, and on reopening, we now have upward pressure on prices or inflation," Clarida said. An early reading of US consumer confidence in May showed a drop as Americans worried about inflation and its impact on their income, the University of Michigan said on Friday in a survey closely followed by the country’s economists. The average price for a single home in the United States is up by almost 30 percent, or $36,000, over the past year while the price of lumber has also increased about 30 percent - reaching a record high above $1,700 per 1,000 board foot. Lumber has historically fluctuated between $200 to $400. Prices of other building-related raw materials such as copper and iron ore have hit all-time highs too from a broader boom in commodities from oil to soybeans. Gasoline prices are up almost 50 percent over a six-month period.

UN Says 'Very Important' to Clarify Exactly What Happened in Strike on AP Building in Gaza

UNITED NATIONS, May 17 (Sputnik) - The United Nations believes it is important to establish details around the bombing of a building in Gaza that housed media outlets, including the Associated Press and Al Jazeera, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing on Monday. "The Secretary-General was extremely disturbed to see the destruction of the media building," Dujarric said. "We don't have any additional information about the incident, but I think it would be very important to elucidate what exactly happened." Dujarric emphasized it was also important to ensure that journalists who work in Gaza should be able to do so without fear of harassment and destruction of their offices. On Friday, Israeli fighter jets bombed the 15-story building, which housed Al Jazeera and the Associated Press offices in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces said they struck the building because Hamas used it for military intelligence purposes. The non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders called on International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to include the Israeli airstrikes on media outlets in the Gaza Strip in her investigation.

RPT - Biden to Announce Sharing 80Mln Coronavirus Vaccines With Other Countries - Psaki

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WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - US President Joe Biden will announce a decision to share by July 80 million doses of coronavirus vaccines with the rest of the world, including 20 million authorized for domestic consumption, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Monday. "He [Biden] will also be announcing that the United States will send 20 million doses authorized for use in the United States to... countries battling the pandemic by the end of June. This is in addition to sending all of the manufactured AstraZeneca vaccine doses overseas over May and June as soon as the 60 million doses are cleared," Psaki said during a press briefing. Biden is expected to make the announcement later on Monday. "So that is a total of 80 million doses and this is the most doses donated by any country in the world by five times," Psaki said. The US authorities have provided emergency authorization to three types of vaccines manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson&Johnson. Astra Zeneca has failed to win the approval of the US regulators and has been restricted or prohibited in nearly two dozen countries.

US, Jordan Agree on Urgency of Achieving ‘Sustainable Calm’ in Middle East - State Dept.

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday conducted talks with Jordan Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi and the two officials

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agreed the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians must urgently be addressed to bring about "sustainable calm," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said. "The Secretary and the Foreign Minister expressed their shared concern about the violence in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza," Price said. "Both agreed on the urgency of working towards a sustainable calm. The Secretary reiterated that both Israelis and Palestinians equally deserve to live in safety and security."

US Urges Myanmar’s Military to Cooperate with ASEAN to Implement Consensus Plan- Blinken

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - The United States is calling on Myanmar’s military to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on implementing the five-point consensus program, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Monday. At a special session on Myanmar late last April, the ASEAN nations agreed on a five-point plan to resolve the situation in the country. The points include ending violence, facilitating talks between all parties, sending aid to Myanmar, and appointing a special envoy with access to the country. "As reiterated in our recent communique, the United States and our G7 partners welcome the recent ASEAN five-point consensus plan, and we strongly urge the military regime to immediately and unconditionally cooperate with ASEAN and the UN to implement this plan,” Blinken said. “The United States further stands ready to lend our support to ASEAN and the UN efforts to initiate an inclusive political dialogue to end the crisis.” The statement comes following Washington’s introduction of new sanctions against Myanmar's military leadership. Blinken noted that besides \Afeshington, the United Kingdom and Canada have also announced new measures against the military regime. "Our actions today underscore our resolve and that of our partners to apply political and financial pressure on the regime as long as it fails to stop violence and take meaningful action to respect the will of the people,” Blinken stated. "We encourage all countries to consider imposing measures against the regime - including arms embargos, suspension of military sales, and termination of commercial cooperation with military-owned entities - to promote accountability and to prevent further violence." On February 1, the Myanmar military overthrew the civilian government and declared a year-long state of emergency. The coup triggered mass protests and was met by deadly violence, resulting in the death of over 700 people. Additionally, about 3,000 protesters were detained, according to rights activists.

US Once Again Blocks UNSC Statement on Israel-Palestine Violence - Source

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UNITED NATIONS, May 17 (Sputnik) - The United States again blocked a draft statement by the UN Security Council on the ongoing deadly hostilities between Israel and Palestine, a diplomatic source at the United Nations told Sputnik on Monday. "Yes, the draft was blocked by the United States,” the source said. According to the source, US diplomats did not engage in the council’s work on the statement. US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Sunday Washington was conducting diplomacy aimed at ending the conflict behind closed doors.

Some 67% of Gas Stations in \Afeshington DC Still Out of Fuel - Analyst WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - Over two-thirds of gas stations are out of fuel in the US District of Columbia due to the hacking attack on the Colonial Pipeline, a senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy, Patrick De Haan, said on Monday. "Gas outages by state, 10am CT [Central Time], chg [change] since last update: AL [Alabama] 7% -1% [Washington] DC 67% -6% DE [Delaware] 2% N/C FL [Florida] 17% -1% GA [Georgia] 41% -1% KY [Kentucky] 2% N/C LA [Louisiana] 3% N/C MD [Maryland] 26% N/C MS [Mississippi] 6% N/C NC [North Carolina] 52% -1 % NJ [New Jersey] 1 % N/C SC [South Carolina] 47% N/C TN [Tennessee] 26% N/C TX [Texas] 2% N/C VA [Virginia] 31 % N/C WV [West Virginia] 5% N/C TOTAL 11,946 stns [stations] without gas," De Haan said via Twitter. Washington DC is both the hardest hit and fastest recovering in terms of the number of gas stations out of fuel as only 3 hours ago the same analyst reported that 83 percent of the US capital gas stations were out of fuel. The gas outage crisis across the US southern states is a result of the May 7 hacking attack on Colonial Pipeline, a major US fuel transporting facility. The attack was attributed to an unknown group of allegedly Russian-speaking hackers, although President Joe Biden told reporters last week that there was no evidence Moscow was involved. On Wednesday, the Colonial pipeline resumed its operation while a number of southern states continue to experience substantial fuel shortages at gas stations till today.

US Created Largest Secret Undercover Force in History Over Past Decade - Reports

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - The United States has created the largest undercover force in history over the past decade involving Special Operations military units and many thousands of online "cyber-warriors" without any accountability whatsoever to Congress, Newsweek reported on Monday.

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The undercover force now totals 60,000 people and is more than ten times larger than the clandestine elements of the ClAand it functions under the overall mission of signature reduction, functioning within many apparently legitimate companies, the report said. The force includes thousands of undercover operatives who work under fake identities and the actual size of the program could be far larger than the reported figures, the report said in its two-year-long investigation. It also appears to contravene both US laws and the Geneva Conventions, it also said. The secret operation seeks to eliminate or drastically reduce the online "signature" or "footprints left by clandestine operatives and their real families and the companies serving it operate with $900 million in annual revenues to finance them, the report added. Activities include paying the taxes of secret operatives and created fake documents for them to operate under as they hunt terrorists all around the world, according to the report.

US Imposes Myanmar-Related Sanctions on Individuals in Turkey, Syria, Iraq - Treasury

The United States has imposed sanctions on Myanmar's administrative body and high-ranking officials, the US Treasury Department announced Monday. The sanctions were imposed against Ibrahim Al-Fay from Turkey, Idris Al-Fay from Iraq, Alaa Khanfurah from Syria, and Al-Fay Company located in Turkey over their alleged involvement in facilitating funds for the Islamic State terror group (banned in Russia). "The individuals and company being designated today played a crucial role connecting ISIS [Islamic State terror group, outlawed in Russia] with a network of international donors and enabled ISIS to access the financial system in the Middle East,” the Treasury Department said in a statement. The sanctions extend to the State Administrative Council (SAC), the government of the Myanmar’s military junta, including four of its members as well as nine ministers and three adult children of previously sanctioned high-ranking SAC members, the statement said. The Treasury Department explained that it undertook the measures in coordination with the fourteenth meeting of the Counter Islamic State Finance Group (CIFG), which includes about 70 countries and international organizations, and plays a fundamental role in coordinating efforts to deny terrorists access to the international financial system. “The United States and other members of the Counter ISIS Finance Group remain committed to denying ISIS the revenue it needs to carry out its terrorist and criminal activities, as well as preventing the resurgence of the group,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a separate statement. Blinken also said the US-led coalition against the Islamic State will continue targeting its extremists. The Al-Fay Company and Idris Al-Fay are being designated for providing financial and other support to the IS, while Ibrahim Al-Fay is sanctioned for owning of controlling this entity, Blinken added.

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Mystery Illness in DC Raises Concerns about Directed Energy Attacks on US Soil - Reports

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - Federal investigators are looking into a series of health incidents, possibly caused by directed energy weapons, that have National Security Council (NSC) officials late last year, CNN reported on Monday. The health incidents - sometimes referred to as “Havana Syndrome” due to US diplomatic personnel in Cuba having experienced similar occurrences in 2016 - can cause a varying set of issues, including ear popping, vertigo, pounding headaches and nausea. The incidents are of growing concern to US government officials, especially because they happened so close to White House grounds, the report said. The US government study on the matter, undertaken by the National Academy of Sciences, concluded that the health incidents were potentially caused by exposure to directed microwave energy, although that claim is disputed, the report added. In a statement to the US Senate Intelligence Committee last month detailing the intelligence community’s assessment of global threats in 2021, the Director of National Intelligence said they are tracking the incidents and are committed to investigating their source and preventing them from continuing.

UN Security Council Works on Draft Statement on Situation in Gaza - Source

UNITED NATIONS, May 17 (Sputnik) - The UN Security Council is currently working on a draft statement on the Israeli-Palestinian escalation that entered its second week, a diplomatic source at the Security Council told Sputnik on Monday. On Sunday, the council met for an emergency meeting over the deadly fighting in Gaza and Jerusalem. However, at the end of the session, the UN’s global body for ensuring international peace failed to speak in one voice for the necessity of ending the confrontation. “The work at the Security Council on the draft statement is ongoing,” the source said. In the draft, seen by Sputnik, the UN Security Council expresses “grave concern” regarding the tensions in Gaza and deaths among the civilian population. It calls for a cessation of violence and stresses the need to provide aid to the Palestinians immediately. The council also welcomes all diplomatic efforts to lower tensions and to reach a ceasefire deal, including from the Middle East Quartet. The UN Security Council last week held three meetings on the current situation in the Middle East. All previous attempts by the council to conclude the meetings with a concrete result - a statement-were blocked by the United States.

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US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Washington has been working hard through its diplomatic channels behind closed doors to end the hostilities. The current escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began earlier this month when unrest began in East Jerusalem over an Israeli court’s decision to evict several Palestinian families from the area. The situation on the border between Israel and the Palestinian enclave Gaza Strip has been deteriorating for the past week amid heavy rocket exchanges that have resulted in the death of nearly 200 Palestinians, including 58 children. Israel has reported 10 people killed and 50 others seriously injured, while the Palestinian Red Crescent says that more than 1,300 Palestinians have been injured amid tensions with Israel.

Canada Imposes Sanctions on 16 Myanmar Officials, 10 Entities - Global Affairs

TORONTO, May 17 (Sputnik) - Canada has imposed sanctions on 16 Myanmar officials and ten entities, including several military officials and state-owned enterprises, in response to the coup d’etat carried out by Myanmar’s armed forces in February, Global Affairs Canada said on Monday. "Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced additional sanctions against 16 individuals and 10 entities under the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations in response to the military’s ongoing brutal repression of the people of Myanmar and their refusal to take steps to restore democracy," Global Affairs said in a statement. The sanctions were imposed in coordination with the United States and the United Kingdom and just days after the European Union announced similar measures, the statement said. The sanctioned individuals include State Administration Council Members Gen. Maung Maung Kyawand Lt. Gen. Moe Myint Tun. The Canadian government also placed embargoes on Myanmar's state-owned gems, timber and pearl companies. The sanctions freeze all assets the designated individuals may hold in Canada and prohibit Canadians to engage in financial dealings with the.m On February 1, Myanmar’s military overthrew the government and declared a year-long state of emergency. The military has placed under house State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, along with other top officials it has accused of election fraud.

Group of 28 US Senators Urge Immediate Israeli-Palestinian Ceasefire - Statement

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - Twenty-seven Democratic senators and Independent Bernie Sanders have issued a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians, US Senator Tammy Baldwin said on Monday.

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"To prevent any further loss of civilian life and to prevent further escalation of conflict in Israel and the Palestinian territories, we urge an immediate ceasefire," the 28 senators said in a joint statement according to a press release from Baldwin’s office. The group includes senators Jon Ossoff, Sherrod Brown, Cory Booker, Tom Carper, Tammy Duckworth, Dick Durbin, Martin Heinrich, Mazie Hirono, Tim Kaine, Angus King, Amy Kiobuchar, Patrick Leahy, Ben Ray Lujan, Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Chris Murphy and Patty Murray, the release said. Other senators signing the statement were Jack Reed, Bernie Sanders, Brian Schatz, Tina Smith, Jon Tester, Chris Van Hollen, Mark Wbrner, Raphael \Afernock, Elizabeth Warren and Sheldon Whitehouse, the release added.

CORRECTION - US Imposes Terrorism-Related Sanctions on Individuals in Turkey, Syria, Iraq - Treasury

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - The United States imposed terror-related sanctions on three individuals and one entity located in Turkey, Syria and Iraq, the Department of Treasury said on Monday. The sanctions were imposed against Ibrahim Al-Fay from Turkey, Idris Al-Fay from Iraq, Alaa Khanfurah from Syria, and Al-Fay Company located in Turkey over their alleged involvement in facilitating funds for the Islamic State terror group (banned in Russia).

UNGA Will Convene Meeting on Palestine on Thursday - President

UNITED NATIONS, May 17 (Sputnik) - The UN General Assembly will on Thursday meet for an open discussion on the deadly escalation between Israel and Palestine, the President of the General Assembly, Turkish diplomat Volkan Bozkir, said in a statement on Monday. “I received a letter from [the Niger Mission to the UN] as Chair of [Organization of Islamic Cooperation Observer Mission to the UN] and the [Mission of Algeria to the UN] as Chair of Arab Group, requesting an [UN General Assembly] meeting under The situation in the Middle East’ [and] 'Question of Palestine' agenda items to discuss the grave situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories,’’ Bozkir said via Twitter. “In line with that request, I will convene the UN General Assembly formal plenary on Thursday, May 20 at 10:00 a.m. [14:00 GMT].”

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South Carolina Governor Signs Bill to Allow Firing Squads for Executions - Legislature

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - South Carolina governor Henry McMaster has signed a bill to resume the death penalty by firing squad and force inmates to choose between that option and the electric chair if lethal injection is unavailable, the state legislature's website showed on Monday. "A person sentenced to death shall suffer the penalty by electrocution or by firing squad or lethal injection, if lethal injection is available at the time of election,” the text of the bill states. “The manner of inflicting a death sentence must be electrocution, unless the person elects death by firing squad, if execution by lethal injection is unavailable.” Lethal injection remains the state's the primary manner of execution, but the new bill requires prison officials to offer death row inmates either of the other two options in the event that the state lacks the necessary drugs for injection. Since 1985, there have been 43 death penalty execution in South Carolina with 36 people executed by lethal injection and 7 by electric chair, while the last execution in South Carolina was conducted in 2011, according to the data compiled by the Death Penalty Information Center.

US Imposes New Myanmar-Related Sanctions - Treasury

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Sputnik) - The United States has imposed sanctions on Myanmar's administrative body and high-ranking officials, the Treasury Department announced Monday. The sanctions extend to the State Administrative Council (SAC), the government of the country's military junta, including four of its members as well as nine ministers and three adult children of previously sanctioned high-ranking SAC members. The individuals were placed on the US Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN). The SDN List, managed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, is designed to place sanctions or embargo measures on designated terrorists, officials and beneficiaries of certain authoritarian regimes, and international criminals. The announcement comes amid controversial actions taken by the military government of Myanmar against its own civilian population. At least 774 civilians have been killed in crackdowns against pro-democracy protesters following the February 1 coup.

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