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The United States has engaged in intelligence sharing with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda to promote a cease-fire in the conflict involving the M23 rebel group in the eastern DRC. While the efforts have not led to a sustained cessation of hostilities, they represent a significant Western initiative to prevent further violence in the region. The Biden administration's involvement in the conflict stemmed from a decision to play a more direct role before crucial DRC elections in December. Despite some tangible results, ongoing tensions and human rights violations continue to pose challenges to peace efforts in the region. [Extracted from the article]

Iran's recent setbacks, including Israeli attacks on its proxies Hezbollah and Hamas, have raised concerns that Iran may accelerate its nuclear program and pursue atomic weapons. Hardline factions within Iran may push Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to develop nuclear weapons, while others argue for improving relations with the West. Acquiring nuclear weapons would be a longer-term step for Iran, but it could lead to a catastrophic escalation in tensions with Israel, which is believed to possess its own nuclear weapons. The next steps Iran takes will depend on Israel's response to the recent missile barrage and whether it was meant to send a message or cause major damage. [Extracted from the article]

Iran's recent setbacks, including Israeli attacks on its proxies Hezbollah and Hamas, have raised concerns that the country may accelerate its nuclear program and pursue atomic weapons. Hardline factions within Iran may push for the development of nuclear weapons, while others argue for improving relations with the West. Acquiring nuclear weapons would be a longer-term step for Iran, but it could lead to a catastrophic escalation in tensions with Israel, which is believed to possess its own nuclear weapons. The next steps Iran takes will depend on Israel's response to the recent missile barrage and whether it was meant to cause significant damage or send a message. [Extracted from the article]

Iran's recent setbacks, including Israeli attacks on its proxies Hezbollah and Hamas, have raised concerns that the country may accelerate its nuclear program and pursue atomic weapons. Hardline factions within Iran may push for the development of nuclear weapons, while others argue for improving relations with the West. Acquiring nuclear weapons would be a longer-term step for Iran, but it could lead to a catastrophic escalation in tensions with Israel, which is believed to possess its own nuclear weapons. The next steps Iran takes will depend on Israel's response to the recent missile barrage and whether it was meant to cause significant damage or send a message. [Extracted from the article]

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is increasing its efforts to recruit Chinese citizens due to growing discontent with President Xi Jinping's rule. The agency has issued instructions in Chinese on various social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Telegram, and X, explaining how individuals can securely contact the CIA on its public and dark web sites. The CIA aims to capitalize on the dissatisfaction within China and gain insights into the workings of the Chinese government, as tensions between the US and China continue to rise. The recruitment effort is supported by a growing number of CIA China experts around the world, who can also develop relationships with friendly foreign governments to warn them of potential threats from Beijing. [Extracted from the article]

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is increasing its efforts to recruit Chinese citizens due to growing discontent with President Xi Jinping's rule. The agency has issued instructions in Chinese on various social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Telegram, and X, explaining how individuals can securely contact the CIA on its public and dark web sites. The push for recruitment comes as Xi consolidates power and China becomes more opaque, making it difficult for the US to gain insights into the Chinese government. The CIA's recruitment efforts in China mirror its previous efforts in Russia and are part of a broader attempt to gather intelligence on authoritarian regimes. [Extracted from the article]

The Middle East is bracing for Iran's next move following recent attacks and assassinations. While Israel's assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah dealt a significant blow, experts believe it is unlikely to trigger a direct war with Iran. Instead, Iran is expected to focus on rebuilding Hezbollah in Lebanon and maintaining its network of proxies. Iran's vulnerability has been exposed, and its priority is deterrence rather than avenging Nasrallah. Iran will likely move fighters to border areas of Lebanon and Syria, and allies Syria and Iraq will become key conduits for the transfer of Hezbollah's resources. Despite the loss of Nasrallah, Iran's foreign and regional policy is not expected to change significantly. [Extracted from the article]

The Middle East is bracing for Iran's next move following recent attacks and assassinations. While Israel's assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah dealt a significant blow, experts believe it is unlikely to trigger a direct war with Iran. Instead, Iran is expected to focus on rebuilding Hezbollah in Lebanon and maintaining its network of proxies. Iran's vulnerability has been exposed, and its priority is deterrence rather than avenging Nasrallah. Iran will likely move fighters to border areas of Lebanon and Syria, and Hezbollah will rely on allies Syria and Iraq for resources. Despite the loss of Nasrallah, Iran's foreign and regional policy is not expected to change significantly. [Extracted from the article]

Israel has killed the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, in a strike in southern Beirut. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, gave the order just before his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. The US was only given a last-minute heads up, and Israel's actions have been seen as a challenge to Iran. Iran, however, is not rushing to escalate the situation, as both Hezbollah and Iran have been weakened recently. The US is increasing its military presence in the region, and Israel is preparing for possible retaliation. Arab states are happy to see Hezbollah weakened, but there are concerns about Israel's defiance of US calls for restraint. The violence is a political challenge for Vice President Kamala Harris, and the US is calling for a diplomatic solution. [Extracted from the article]

Israel has killed the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, in a strike in southern Beirut. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, gave the order just before his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. The US was only given a last-minute heads up, and Israel's actions have been seen as a challenge to Iran. Iran has not yet escalated the situation, and Israel is preparing for possible retaliation. Arab states are happy to see Hezbollah weakened, but there are concerns about Israel's defiance of US calls for restraint. The US is calling for a diplomatic solution, but the violence is becoming a political challenge for Vice President Kamala Harris. [Extracted from the article]

The recent explosion of pagers and other devices in Lebanon has raised concerns about the use of supply chains as weapons. Lebanese officials believe that these devices were rigged with explosives as part of an attack by Israel on Hezbollah. The scale and violence of these attacks have alarmed officials, who fear that globalized supply chains could be exploited by foreign adversaries. The United States has recognized its dependence on China for goods and services and has begun to move some vital supply chains to the US or friendly countries. The Lebanese blasts are just the latest example of supply-chain attacks happening worldwide, and infiltrating supply chains is a common tool used by intelligence services. The operation in Lebanon was put in place by Israel years ago as a measure to use in case of a major war with Hezbollah. China has also prepositioned cyber attackers to target critical infrastructure in the US. Protecting against intrusion in the virtual world is challenging, as many devices already have malicious code inside. The US government has sought to reduce reliance on Chinese firms for infrastructure and national security, but interdependence is difficult to escape. China has been pushing for "indigenous innovation" to reduce reliance on foreign technologies. Even low-tech solutions, like pagers, can still be vulnerable to attack. In a world with extended supply chains, vulnerabilities are a fact of life. [Extracted from the article]

The recent explosion of pagers and other devices in Lebanon has raised concerns about the use of supply chains as weapons by foreign adversaries. Lebanese officials believe that these devices were rigged with explosives as part of an attack by Israel on Hezbollah, highlighting the potential dangers of globalized supply chains. US officials have acknowledged the country's dependence on China for various goods and services and have started to move some vital supply chains to the US or friendly countries. The Lebanese blasts are just one example of supply-chain attacks happening worldwide, and experts warn that vulnerabilities are inherent in extended supply chains. [Extracted from the article]

The recent explosion of pagers and other devices in Lebanon has raised concerns about the use of supply chains as weapons by foreign adversaries. Lebanese officials believe that these devices were rigged with explosives as part of an attack by Israel on Hezbollah, highlighting the potential dangers of globalized supply chains. The United States has recognized its dependence on China for various goods and services and has started to move some vital supply chains to the US or friendly countries. However, the complexity of supply chains and the interdependence between nations make it difficult to completely eliminate vulnerabilities. [Extracted from the article]

A series of exploding pagers in Lebanon has led to investigations that trace back to a small post-box office in Budapest, Hungary. The pagers were produced by BAC Consulting Kft under a commercial agreement with Taiwanese company Gold Apollo Co. However, BAC's Budapest office claims to have no knowledge of the company, and the address listed for its CEO in Paris turned out to be a barracks. While Lebanon blames Israel's Mossad spy service for the explosions, civilians were also affected, leading to calls for an independent investigation. The incident has raised fears of a wider conflict in the region, with Hezbollah vowing retaliation and Iran expressing support. [Extracted from the article]

A series of exploding pagers in Lebanon has led to investigations that trace back to a small post-box office in Budapest, Hungary. The pagers were produced by BAC Consulting Kft under a commercial agreement with Taiwanese company Gold Apollo Co. However, the Budapest office claims to have no knowledge of BAC, and the address listed for BAC's CEO in Paris turned out to be a barracks. Lebanon has accused Israel's Mossad spy service of orchestrating the explosions, which killed and injured thousands of people. The United Nations has called for an independent investigation into the civilian impact of the attacks. [Extracted from the article]

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated following a deadly attack in Lebanon. Thousands of people were injured and some killed when their pagers exploded, with Hezbollah, the Lebanese government, and Iran blaming Israel for the blasts. While many of those injured were members of Hezbollah, civilians were also harmed, including two children who were among the 12 people killed. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the attack. The situation has raised concerns about the potential for an all-out conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, with the US and European Union urging all parties to avoid further escalation. [Extracted from the article]

The US is putting together an economic and security assistance package for Gabon to prevent China from establishing a military presence in the country. The package includes training for Gabon's special forces and $5 million in funding for democratic transition. The US has been trying to counter China's influence in Africa, but has not been able to match China's financial support. China has pledged $50 billion in financial assistance and $141 million in military assistance to African countries. The US is concerned about Chinese attempts to establish a military training facility in Gabon, which could lead to a permanent base. The US package will also include radar for monitoring illegal fishing, an expansion of partnership with the West Virginia National Guard, and assistance with conservation in national parks. The package will be unveiled during a visit to the US by Gabonese interim President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. The US views any Chinese military base on the Atlantic coast as a red line. China has previously established a military base in Djibouti and is seeking military port access in Tanzania and Mozambique. The US sees China's military expansion in Africa as a threat to its military edge and part of a broader strategic rivalry between the two countries. [Extracted from the article]

Chinese President Xi Jinping is seeking bigger returns and fewer problems from African debt deals as he welcomes African leaders to Beijing for the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. China has poured over $120 billion in government-backed loans into Africa through its Belt and Road Initiative, but this has come with accusations of debt traps and corruption. Xi is now shifting China's focus towards more profitable public-private partnerships that can generate better returns and deflect blame if things go wrong. Despite the problems, African leaders continue to see China as the continent's dominant foreign economic power. [Extracted from the article]

Chinese President Xi Jinping is seeking bigger returns and fewer problems from African debt deals as he welcomes African leaders to Beijing for the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. China has poured over $120 billion in government-backed loans into Africa through its Belt and Road Initiative, but this has come with accusations of debt traps and corruption. Xi is now shifting China's focus towards more profitable public-private partnerships that can generate better returns and deflect blame if things go wrong. Despite the problems, China remains Africa's dominant foreign economic power, and African governments continue to rely on Chinese funding for major infrastructure projects. [Extracted from the article]

President Joe Biden has lifted the ban on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, reversing a policy he had imposed earlier in his term. The decision comes as Biden seeks to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia and counter Iran. The Saudis have reportedly met their obligations in winding down their war against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The move signifies a shift in US priorities in the region, particularly in light of recent events such as attacks by Hamas militants and the assassination of a top Hamas leader in Tehran. The decision removes the remaining restrictions that Biden had imposed on Saudi Arabia and its crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. The US is now working towards a defense pact with Saudi Arabia and aims to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. The sale of Saudi weapons will now follow the regular process of congressional notification and consultation. [Extracted from the article]

President Joe Biden has lifted the ban on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia in an effort to strengthen ties with the country amidst escalating tensions with Iran. The decision comes after the Saudis met their end of the bargain by entering a truce with the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The US has been seeking more Saudi support and is working towards a strategic pact that would provide security guarantees to Saudi Arabia and potentially lead to diplomatic ties with Israel. The decision to lift the ban was made despite previous concerns over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and recent tensions in the region. [Extracted from the article]

US officials are still working towards a cease-fire in Gaza, despite facing challenges after a suspected Israeli strike killed a top Hamas leader in Tehran. The killing has complicated efforts to secure a truce between Israel and Hamas, with key Arab nations involved in the talks expressing concern. The Biden administration remains committed to pursuing a cease-fire deal and will continue to work towards it. However, the recent events have raised the risk of wider escalation and retaliation in the region. [Extracted from the article]

US officials are committed to pursuing a cease-fire in Gaza despite the killing of a top Hamas leader in Tehran by an Israeli strike. The US has been working for months to secure a pause in the Israel-Hamas conflict and will continue to do so, while also trying to limit regional escalation and supporting Israel. However, key Arab mediators have stated that Israel's actions complicate efforts to secure a truce. The killing of the Hamas leader and another strike on a Hezbollah leader in Beirut increase the risk of wider conflict in the Middle East. [Extracted from the article]

Fuad Shukr, a Hezbollah commander targeted by Israel in Beirut, was also wanted by the US for his involvement in a bombing in the same city over 40 years ago. The Israeli army claimed that Shukr was responsible for a recent rocket attack in the Golan Heights that killed 12 youths, leading to his targeted airstrike. Shukr, a senior adviser to Hezbollah's leader, has played a significant role in the group's operations, including retrieving US-made Stinger anti-aircraft missiles from Tehran in 1994 and aiding pro-government troops in Syria's civil war. He has been designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US State Department. [Extracted from the article]

Fuad Shukr, a Hezbollah commander, has been targeted and killed by Israel. Shukr was wanted by the US for his alleged involvement in the 1983 bombing of Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, which killed around 240 American service members. He was also believed to have played a key role in Hezbollah's military campaign in Syria and was responsible for growing the group's precision weapons capabilities. Shukr's death is seen as a significant loss for Hezbollah's command and control. [Extracted from the article]

Kamala Harris, as she prepares to take on Donald Trump, relies on a tight-knit team of loyal advisors. Many of her aides have primarily worked for her rather than Joe Biden, and she is considering bringing in veterans from the Obama administration and the Biden era. Harris prefers in-depth briefings and asks probing questions, and she trusts a small group of staff that she sees as loyal. Her top staff includes Lorraine Voles, Sheila Nix, Kirsten Allen, Brian Fallon, Phil Gordon, Mike Pyle, Deanne Millison, Brian Deese, Kristine Lucius, Rohini Kosoglu, and Josh Hsu. Harris is also turning to high-profile figures outside the Biden orbit, such as Eric Holder, Jim Messina, Jim Margolis, and David Plouffe, as she considers running mates and seeks to add big names to her campaign. She maintains separate operations from Biden's and does not have particularly close ties with his Cabinet. Harris relies on her family, including her husband Doug Emhoff, for grounding and political advice. [Extracted from the article]

Kamala Harris, as she prepares to run for president against Donald Trump, relies on a small group of loyal and trusted advisers. Many of her aides have primarily worked for her rather than Joe Biden. She is considering several veterans from the Obama administration, as well as some influential figures from the Biden era, for key positions. Harris prefers in-depth briefings, asks probing questions, and demands high standards due to the heightened scrutiny she faces as the first Black woman vice president. She also relies on her family, including her husband Doug Emhoff, for advice and support. [Extracted from the article]

The US government is insisting that billionaire mining magnate Dan Gertler's royalties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) be given to the country's government as part of a deal to ease sanctions on him. The move is aimed at opening up the assets to new investments that support US interests and benefit the DRC. Gertler was sanctioned by the US in 2017 for alleged corruption, but he reached a deal with the DRC in 2022 to return some of his assets in exchange for help in lobbying the US to lift the sanctions. However, he retained royalties in cobalt mines, which has made western firms hesitant to invest in his assets. The US wants to reduce its reliance on China for critical minerals and sees Gertler's continued presence in the DRC as a hindrance to that goal. The controversy revolves around the royalty streams for projects owned by Eurasian Resources Group and Glencore, which are estimated to be worth about $100 million each year. Civil-society groups have criticized the US plan to potentially allow Gertler to sell those assets, arguing that he obtained them through corruption and should return them for free. The US is open to a deal that includes monitoring of Gertler's businesses and the possibility of re-imposing sanctions if necessary. Gertler, who comes from a prominent diamond family in Israel, has connections at the highest levels of the country's government. The negotiations between the US, Gertler, and the [Extracted from the article]

NATO leaders are expected to release a statement calling out China for its military support of Russia in the conflict with Ukraine. The draft of the communique describes China as a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war and highlights its supply of dual-use materials to Russia's defense sector. The document also mentions China's systemic challenges to Euro-Atlantic security, including cyber activities and disinformation. While China denies providing weapons to the conflict parties, concerns have been raised about their collaboration with Russia in the defense field. This move by NATO reflects a growing consensus among its partners that China poses a threat not only in Asia but also to European security. [Extracted from the article]

NATO leaders have issued a strong statement accusing China of providing military support to Russia in the conflict with Ukraine. The declaration, made during NATO's 75th anniversary summit, describes China as a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war against Ukraine. The communique highlights China's supply of dual-use materials to Russia's defense sector and its development of counter-space capabilities. While China denies providing weapons to the parties involved in the conflict, European capitals are increasingly concerned about China's support for Russia and its potential threat to European security. [Extracted from the article]

NATO leaders are expected to release a statement calling out China for its military support of Russia in the conflict with Ukraine. The draft of the communique describes China as a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war and highlights China's supply of dual-use materials to Russia's defense sector. The document also mentions China's systemic challenges to Euro-Atlantic security, including cyber activities and disinformation. While the wording of the draft may change, the push from NATO reflects a growing consensus among its partners that China poses a threat not only in Asia but also to European security. [Extracted from the article]

NATO leaders are expected to release a statement calling out China for its military support of Russia in the conflict with Ukraine. The draft of the communique describes China as a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war and highlights its supply of dual-use materials to Russia's defense sector. The document also mentions China's systemic challenges to Euro-Atlantic security, including cyber activities and disinformation. While the wording of the draft may change, this move by NATO reflects a growing consensus among its members that China poses a threat not only in Asia but also to European security. [Extracted from the article]

NATO allies have agreed to send five long-range air-defense systems to Ukraine in response to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's request for more assistance following increased Russian attacks. The offer includes weapons that were previously promised and a commitment to provide more systems later in the year. The US and its partners have also pledged to provide dozens of shorter-range air-defense systems. President Joe Biden stated that Ukraine will receive this assistance before anyone else and will ultimately receive hundreds of additional interceptors to protect against Russian missiles. The decision comes after a Russian missile strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv and months of devastating assaults on Ukraine's infrastructure by Moscow's forces. [Extracted from the article]

According to US intelligence agencies, China does not have a clear preference between President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Both Chinese and American officials believe that regardless of the outcome, the relationship between the two countries will continue to deteriorate. Chinese officials view both candidates as intent on containing China and disrupting its rise. A second Trump administration could pose significant problems for Beijing, while a second Biden term would likely involve strengthening regional partnerships to counter Chinese assertiveness. [Extracted from the article]

According to US intelligence agencies and Chinese officials, China does not have a clear preference between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in the upcoming US presidential race. Both candidates are seen as intent on containing China and disrupting its rise. A second Trump administration could pose significant problems for Beijing, with expectations of provocative pronouncements, unpredictable policymaking, and a renewed push for anti-China measures. On the other hand, a second Biden term could strengthen regional partnerships to push back against Chinese assertiveness. Regardless of the outcome, officials in both Washington and Beijing anticipate more tense periods ahead. [Extracted from the article]

According to US intelligence agencies and Chinese officials, China does not have a clear preference between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in the upcoming US presidential race. Both candidates are seen as intent on containing China and disrupting its rise. A second Trump administration could pose significant problems for Beijing, with expectations of provocative pronouncements, unpredictable policymaking, and a renewed push for anti-China measures. On the other hand, a second Biden term would likely involve strengthening regional partnerships to push back against Chinese assertiveness. No matter who wins, officials in both Washington and Beijing anticipate more tense periods ahead. [Extracted from the article]

Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries, is facing a struggle between moving towards the West and maintaining ties with Russia. The autonomous region of Gagauzia, in particular, is a symbol of this complex struggle. While President Maia Sandu's government is leading Moldova towards European Union membership, much of Gagauzia would prefer to join Russia. Divided loyalties are evident, with Russian influence still strong in Gagauzia. The upcoming presidential elections in October will be a crucial turning point in determining Moldova's future direction. [Extracted from the article]

According to US officials, the Houthi rebels in Yemen are seeking partnerships with other militant groups to disrupt global shipping and protest the Israel-Hamas war. They have already formed a partnership with the Islamist insurgent group al-Shabab in Somalia. The officials believe that the Houthi rebels are motivated by a desire to be taken more seriously and to demonstrate their ability to threaten US and UK vessels. The attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea have resulted in a significant decline in container shipping and have affected numerous countries and companies. [Extracted from the article]

Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea have caused a significant decline in container shipping, according to US intelligence officials. Between December and February, container shipping through the area decreased by 90%. These attacks have affected at least 65 countries and forced major energy and shipping companies to change their routes, resulting in increased fuel costs. The US and the UK have launched airstrikes on the Houthis in an attempt to stop their attacks, but the economic impact continues to grow. The attacks have also caused delays in humanitarian relief efforts for Sudan and Yemen. [Extracted from the article]

According to American officials from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Russia is the primary adversary seeking to influence the 2024 presidential election through the use of commercial firms and generative artificial intelligence. The officials believe that Russia aims to undermine support for Ukraine, erode confidence in democratic institutions, and undermine trust in the US. Iran is also expected to sow domestic strife and promote violence during the election, while China has taken a more cautious approach. The ODNI's Foreign Malign Influence Center will counter these threats through forensic media analysis and efforts to notify targets of foreign interference. In the 2020 election, both Iran and Russia were accused of obtaining US voter registration information. [Extracted from the article]

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is traveling to Cambodia to renew ties with China's ally in Southeast Asia. Austin will meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who relies on Beijing for economic support through infrastructure projects. The visit aims to start a conversation about closer defense ties with Cambodia as the US seeks to provide an alternative to China. The US remains concerned about China's redevelopment of a naval base in Cambodia, which Cambodia denies. The Cambodian government sees an opportunity for improved ties with the US while maintaining its close relationship with China. [Extracted from the article]

Global defense leaders gathered in Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogue, where conflicting US and China defense strategies dominated the discussions. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin highlighted expanding military exercises and partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, while China criticized "outside forces" for interfering with peace and stability. The US praised its partnerships and joint drills with various countries, while China pushed back on US support for Taiwan and warned against the development of an Asian NATO. Tensions between the two nations were evident throughout the conference, with both sides engaging in public confrontations. [Extracted from the article]

Global defense leaders gathered in Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogue, where the US and China presented conflicting visions of the region. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin highlighted expanding military exercises and partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the free choices of sovereign states. In contrast, Chinese officials criticized US support for Taiwan, warned against the development of an Asian NATO, and accused the US of instituting a "technology blockade" against Beijing. The tensions between the two countries were evident throughout the conference, with both sides engaging in public outreach and making accusations against each other. [Extracted from the article]