#terrorist-designation

#terrorist-designation

The fleet, which comprises 20% of the U.S. naval force deployed worldwide and includes F-35 fighter jets and some 15,000 troops, has participated in military exercises near Trinidad and Tobago in recent days. Four senior U.S. officials have separately told Reuters that the start of the second phase of the military operation is imminent, while international airlines are suspending flights over Venezuela following a recommendation from the U.S. aviation agency, issued on Friday, to avoid the area due to the risk of a military escalation.

The US state department announced on Thursday that the ban would apply to Germany's Antifa Ost, an anti-fascist group whose members have been prosecuted by German authorities for attacks on far-right figures; Italy's International Revolutionary Front, which sent explosive packages to the then president of the European Commission in 2003; and two organisations accused of planting bombs in Greece: Armed Proletarian Justice and Revolutionary Class Self Defense.

Canada has accused the Lawrence Bishnoi gang of possible involvement in the murder of prominent Sikh activist and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar near Vancouver. Public safety minister Gary Anandasangaree said on Monday that the new designation would allow officials to seize any assets of the gang within the country and gives us more powerful and effective tools to confront and put a stop to their crimes.

QUITO, Ecuador The United States will designate two of Ecuador's most powerful gangs Los Lobos and Los Choneros as foreign terrorist organizations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced during a one day visit to the South American country on Thursday. The move allows Washington to freeze assets, target associates and share intelligence with Ecuador for what Rubio described as "potentially lethal" operations. He pledged $13.5 million in security assistance and $6 million in drone technology to support Ecuador's fight against organized crime.