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☆ Ukraine is defying the US over strikes on Russian oil refineries. Experts say it's a necessary risk.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

While the US dithered over aid, Ukraine had a robust argument for prosecuting the war pretty much as it pleased. "Taking out a particular refinery is not going to immediately undermine Russia's war effort," said Dailey, the RAND strategist. "But consistently putting pressure on Russia's oil sector would have a significant impact on Russia's ability to fight this war." AdvertisementVakulenko, in his article, also noted that that strikes on Russian oil refineries have "little impact on Russian export earnings." Later, Ukraine said that its attacks had reduced Russian oil production and processing by 12%.

Persons: —, Ann Marie Dailey, Rafael Loss, Joe Biden's, Marina Miron, Dailey, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Olga Tokariuk, Tokariuk, Donald Trump, Miron, Whittling, Celeste Wallander, Lloyd Austin, Sergey Vakulenko, There's, Sir Tony Radakin, Biden, James Patton Rogers, Patton Rogers Organizations: Service, White, Telegraph, Business, RAND Corporation, European Council, Foreign Relations, Washington Post, Department of, King's College, London's, House, Carnegie, RAND, Financial, Cornell Brooks Tech Policy Institute, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Krasnodar, King's College London, Russia

☆ Israel's strike showed Iran's air defenses were 'woefully unprepared.' Here's what Tehran may do next.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The incident in the city of Isfahan may force Tehran to upgrade its air defenses, possibly from more advanced Russian systems, to defend itself from the possibility of larger Israeli missile attacks. While Iranian air defenses failed to stop Israel's strike they have hugely improved in recent years. AdvertisementThe S-300PMU-2 is the most advanced air defense system Iran has acquired from Russia. "In practice, this could go either way, depending on the amount of Israeli missiles that would be hypothetically launched and from where." AdvertisementKhoueiry anticipates that early detection by Iranian air defenses could give these Iranian-made systems "more chances" against Israeli missiles.

Persons: —, Israel, Arash Azizi, Azizi, Freddy Khoueiry, RANE, Khoueiry, Jalaa Marey, Clemson University's Azizi, It's, it's Organizations: Service, Israeli, Economist, Business, Clemson University, Iran's, Rampage, Clemson, Moscow, Russian Locations: Iran, Russian, Isfahan, Tehran, Russia, Israel, Britain, East, North Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israeli, Lebanon, it's, Ukraine, Moscow

☆ As the U.K. Tries Moving Asylum Seekers Offshore, Ireland Pushes Back
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Mark Landler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Britain’s newly ratified plan to put asylum seekers on one-way flights to Rwanda has drawn objections from human rights groups, British and European courts, the House of Lords and even some members of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party. The Irish government said last week that asylum seekers in Britain who fear being deported to Rwanda are instead traveling to Ireland. Irish officials estimate that 80 percent of recent applicants for asylum crossed into the country via Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and with which the Republic of Ireland has an open border. That suggests that Britain’s vow to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda is already having something of a deterrent effect, which was Mr. Sunak’s sales pitch for the policy. On Sunday, Ireland’s prime minister, Simon Harris, said, “This country will not in any way, shape or form provide a loophole for anybody else’s migration challenges.”

Persons: Rishi, Simon Harris, ” Organizations: Conservative Party, Northern Ireland Locations: Rwanda, Ireland, Britain, Northern, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Ukraine

☆ ‘Great enigma’: Amateur archaeologists unearth mysterious Roman object
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Emily Blumenthal | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Amateur archaeologists in England have unearthed one of the largest Roman dodecahedrons ever found, but mystery surrounds what it was actually used for. The 12-sided object is one of just 33 known to exist in Roman Britain, and one of approximately 130 in the world. It is considered “one of archaeology’s great enigmas,” according to the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group, an amateur group based in the English region of Lincolnshire where it was found in June. “It is completely unique,” said Richard Parker, secretary of the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group, adding that no similar objects have ever been found. Norton Disney History and Archaeology GroupParker told CNN there are no descriptions of the dodecahedron in Roman literature, and they have not been depicted pictorially in mosaics.

Persons: “, ” Andrea Martin, ”, Richard Parker, It’s, ” Parker, Parker, we’re Organizations: CNN — Amateur, Roman, Norton Disney, Archaeology Group, Lincoln Museum, Lincolnshire County, Lincoln Festival, CNN Locations: England, Roman Britain, Lincolnshire

London CNN —Prince Harry will return to the United Kingdom in May to celebrate a milestone anniversary of the Invictus Games, the biennial sporting competition he founded a decade ago. It was not immediately clear if the prince will meet with his relatives during the trip next month. Prince Harry talks with wheelchair basketball players during the launch of the Invictus Games at the Copper Box Arena in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in March 2014. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesThe Invictus Games were established by Prince Harry after his deployment in Afghanistan. Winter sports will also be played for the first time at the Vancouver Whistler games, including Alpine skiing and snowboarding, Nordic skiing and biathlon, skeleton and wheelchair curling.

Persons: London CNN — Prince Harry, Duke, Sussex, King Charles ’, Harry, ABC’s, “, ”, I’m, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Queen Elizabeth II, Paul’s, Prince Archie’s, Buckingham, Charles, Naruhito, Masako, Prince Harry, London's Queen Elizabeth, Max Mumby, ” Harry Organizations: London CNN, Invictus Games, London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic, CNN’s Royal, Invictus, Vancouver Whistler, First Nations Locations: United Kingdom, London’s St, Paul’s, United States, St, London's Queen, Afghanistan, Vancouver, Whistler, Canada

☆ Asylum Seekers Already in U.K. Say Rwanda Law Creates New Anxiety
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Megan Specia | Emma Bubola | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On a cold spring day last month, Mohsen, a 36-year-old from Iran, woke before dawn and was hurried by smugglers onto a rubber boat on the coast of France. The water was calm and the sky clear, but he knew the risks of the journey he was about to make, he said. Since 2018, at least 72 people have drowned in the Channel while attempting crossings, according to the International Organization for Migration. He fled Iran, he said, because police officers came to his home last year threatening to arrest him after he took part in anti-government protests. And he boarded the boat even though he knew about the British government’s plan to deport some asylum seekers to the central African country of Rwanda, which was first announced in 2022.

Persons: Mohsen Organizations: Channel, International Organization for Migration Locations: Iran, France, Britain, Rwanda

☆ Julian Assange’s mission was to change the world - but at what cost?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Lauren Said-Moorhouse | Claudia Rebaza | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Julian Assange leaves a Melbourne court after facing charges of computer hacking in 1995. WikiLeaks/ReutersUnder a global spotlightAs WikiLeaks continued its disclosures, Assange found himself the latest cause célèbre – his every movement intensely scrutinized. … He liked the fuss that (the disclosures) caused but he was oddly incurious actually about the documents.”Others offer alternative explanations for Assange’s eccentricities. There were mounting calls for Assange to leave WikiLeaks and, when he didn’t, many cut ties with it. Outside the confines of his diplomatic shelter, the world questioned whether Assange was trying to circumvent justice.

Persons: London CNN — Julian Assange, ”, He’s, Chelsea Manning, Joe Biden, Assange’s, Anthony Albanese, Assange, “, ” –, Julian Assange, Ian Kenins, Sarah Palin’s, Atika Shubert, Shubert, ” Shubert, célèbre, Fidel Narvaez, “ Assange, ” Narvaez, James Ball, Joe Raedle, ” Ball, Ball, …, Narvaez, Hans Crescent, Lenin Moreno, Moreno, Abu Hamza al, Masri, Stella Assange, Daniel Leal, Stella, “ I’m, Nick Vamos, It’s, Alice Jill Edwards, Agnès Callamard, El País, Der Spiegel, Jameel Jaffer, Xiaofei Xu, Alex Stambaugh Organizations: London CNN, WikiLeaks, Court, Ecuadorian, Army, Australian, Pentagon, NASA, University of Melbourne, Fairfax Media, of Scientology, Republican, CNN, Chelsea, Apache, Reuters, Guardian, Ellingham, Hans, London’s Metropolitan Police, US Justice Department, of Justice, Britain's, Getty, Peters & Peters, Prosecution Service, Human Rights, UN, Amnesty, The New York Times, Columbia University Locations: United States, Australian, London’s, Australia, Townsville, Queensland, cybercrime, Melbourne, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Iraq, London, Afghanistan, ”, Sweden, Ecuador, UK’s, Belmarsh

☆ Suddenly, Chinese Spies Seem to Be Popping Up All Over Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Andrew Higgins | Christopher F. Schuetze | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

One of the men, a young Briton known for his hawkish views on China, worked as an aide to a prominent member of the British Parliament. Another, a German citizen of Chinese descent, was an assistant to a member of the European Parliament representing Germany’s far right. While from different countries and seemingly divergent backgrounds and outlooks, both men became ensnared this week in accusations of espionage on behalf of China — and a widening pushback in Europe against malign Chinese influence in politics and commerce. In all, six people in three separate cases have been charged this week in Europe with spying for China: two in Britain and four in Germany.

Locations: China, German, Germany’s, Europe, Britain, Germany

☆ Ship with 400 tons of food aid destined for Gaza has left Cyprus
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Zeena Saifi | Lauren Said-Moorhouse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The United Arab Emirates has now partnered with an aid agency to send crucial assistance to Gaza via the Israeli port of Ashdod. A UAE official told CNN Saturday that the vessel laden with critical food aid left on Saturday through a relationship with American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA). Itayam told CNN the 400 tons of aid would undergo Israeli security clearance upon arrival. The plan is for most of the food aid to be delivered to northern Gaza, but Itayam said that depending on the security situation, ANERA might consider sending a shipment to the south as well. The United States has already begun construction of the pier, intended to help deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

Persons: Jerusalem CNN —, Jennifer, ”, Itayam, Kerem Shalom, ANERA, Grant Shapps, “, ” Matthew Hollingworth Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, United Arab, UAE, CNN, American, East Refugee, West Bank, Mohenad, ANERA, of, Britain’s Royal Navy, United, Pentagon, Royal Navy, ”, British, Food, Integrated Locations: Jerusalem, Gaza, Cyprus, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Ashdod ., Larnaca Port, Israel’s Ashdod, Kerem, Territories, UAE, Cardigan, United States, ”

☆ Read Everest-scaling mountaineer George Mallory’s last letters, digitized for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Mindy Weisberger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest, leading up to the last days before he disappeared while heading for its peak. Mallory’s words, however, are now available to read online in their entirety for the first time. The college will display a selection of Mallory’s letters and possessions in the exhibit “George Mallory: Magdalene to the Mountain,” opening June 20. APThe Everest letters outline Mallory’s meticulous preparations and equipment tests, and his optimism about their prospects. Magdalene College/APOther letters Mallory exchanged with Ruth were written at the time of their courtship, while he was serving in Britain’s artillery regiment during World War I.

Persons: CNN — George Mallory, Mallory, Andrew Irvine, George Mallory, Magdalene, Irvine, Ruth, ” Mallory, ”, Katy Green, ” Green, “, Green, Jochen Hemmleb, alpinist, Hemmleb, —, Conrad Anker, Anker, Sir George Everest, Noel Odell, Odell, ” Hemmleb, Tenzing Norgay, Sir Edmund Hillary, ” Anker, Edward Norton, Edward Norton’s, ‘, ” Mindy Weisberger Organizations: CNN, Magdalene College , Cambridge, College, Magdalene College, AP, Irvine Research Expedition, Royal Geographical Society, Everest, Geographical Society, Scientific Locations: Nepal, Mallory, Irvine, Tibet, China, India, Everest’s, British, summiting

☆ King Charles III will return to public duties next week
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Lauren Said-Moorhouse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

London CNN —Britain’s King Charles III will resume public duties next week following “a period of treatment and recuperation,” Buckingham Palace announced Friday, two months after revealing that he was being treated for cancer. But the palace spokesperson did clarify that Charles was not expected to carry out a full summer program. Charles’ last public appearance was on Easter Sunday when he went to church in Windsor with several family members. Throughout his treatment, the King has continued to carry out his constitutional duties, receiving his daily red boxes and paperwork. Charles announced his cancer diagnosis and that he would step back from public-facing duties while undergoing treatment in early February.

Persons: London CNN — Britain’s King Charles III, ” Buckingham, Queen Camilla, Naruhito, Masako, King, Millie Pilkington, Camilla, couturier Fiona Clare, “, ” King Charles III, George's, Hollie Adams, Charles, Charles ’, Rishi Sunak’s, Charles ’ rubberstamping, Benjamin Key, Catherine , Princess of Wales, Kate, Prince Louis ’, Prince William, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Prince, Wales Organizations: London CNN, “, Westminster Abbey, Easter, CNN, St, CNN’s Royal, Naval Staff Locations: British, London, Buckingham Palace, Normandy, St, Windsor , England, Windsor, George’s, Rwanda, West Midlands

☆ Why Gaza Protests on U.S. College Campuses Have Become So Contagious
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Amanda Taub | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But campus protests overseas have been sporadic and smaller, and none have started a wider student movement. In Britain, for example, small groups of students temporarily occupied university buildings on the campuses of the University of Manchester and the University of Glasgow. The protest wave may yet spread to foreign universities. On Wednesday, students set up a protest encampment on the campus of Sydney University in Australia. On Friday classes were canceled at Sciences Po, an elite university in Paris, because of a student protest there.

Organizations: University of Manchester, University of Glasgow, Sydney University, Sciences Po Locations: United States, Britain, Australia, Paris

☆ King Charles is planning to add a solar farm to Sandringham
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Billy Stockwell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —King Charles III is making plans to install around 2,000 solar panels in the grounds of Sandringham Estate, in a sustainability drive that could see the entire country property powered by zero-carbon energy. The new venture, confirmed to CNN by a Sandringham Estate spokesperson, will provide renewable energy to power Sandringham House and the visitors’ center, with any surplus electricity returned to the grid. 06:03 - Source: CNNThe solar panels will be built on a secluded plot of land near Sandringham House, currently used as horse-grazing paddocks. The King’s latest venture follows the installation of a small number of solar panels on the roof of Sandringham House in early 2022. The monarch’s private residence, Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, also has some solar panels in its gardens.

Persons: London CNN — King Charles III, Charles, Highgrove, won’t, ”, Steve Gower, paddocks Organizations: CNN’s Royal, London CNN, Sandringham Estate, CNN, Sandringham House, Norfolk Constabulary Locations: London, Sandringham, Gloucestershire, Dubai

☆ Did Richard III Kill the Princes in the Tower?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Amelia Nierenberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

For over 400 years, Richard III has been seen as Britain’s most infamous king — a power-hungry usurper who killed his young nephews to clear the way to the throne. In Shakespeare’s “Richard III,” the king tells an assassin, “I wish the bastards dead,” referring to the princes Edward V and Richard. “And I would have it suddenly performed.”But the king’s murderous image, drawn from history books and cemented in literature and lore, is just not true — or, at least, it has not been proven true, argues Philippa Langley, an author and independent historian. “Maybe there is evidence,” she said over a cup of tea in Edinburgh earlier this year. “But there seems to be no evidence.”

Persons: Richard III, Shakespeare’s “ Richard III, “, Edward V, Richard, Philippa Langley, ” Locations: Edinburgh

☆ Britain’s King Charles III will resume public duties next week after cancer treatment, palace says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Britain's King Charles leaves the London Clinic after receiving treatment for an enlarged prostate in London, Britain January 29, 2024. King Charles III will resume his public duties next week following treatment for cancer, Buckingham Palace announced Friday. Charles took a break from public appearances almost three months ago to focus on his treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer. The palace said Charles would make a public visit to a cancer treatment center on Tuesday in the first of several appearances he will make in coming weeks. One of his first major engagements will be hosting a state visit by the emperor and empress of Japan in June.

Persons: Britain's King Charles, King Charles III, Buckingham, Charles, ″ Charles, Rishi Sunak, Charles ', Princess, Duke, Duchess, Prince Harry, Meghan — Organizations: Clinic Locations: London, Britain, Japan, Wales, Sussex

☆ Two horses in a ‘serious condition’ after running loose in central London, minister says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Two Household Cavalry horses which broke free and ran through the streets of London on Wednesday are in a “serious condition,” a British government minister has said. The army said in an update on X on Thursday that five horses tried to bolt and four broke loose. The two horses are said to be in a "serious condition." Footage emerged on social media on Wednesday of the horses running through central London. Jordan Pettitt/PAStartling footage emerged on social media on Wednesday showing the two horses – one apparently covered with blood – running through Aldwych in central London.

Persons: ”, we’ll, James Cartlidge, Nick Ferrari, Cartlidge, ” Cartlidge, Jordan, Jordan Pettitt Organizations: CNN, Cavalry, British Army, LBC, Sky News, Britain’s, Media, Mercedes, Household Cavalry Locations: London, Vida, Aldwych, Clermont, Buckingham, Hyde, Buckingham Palace

☆ Nvidia-backed startup Synthesia unveils AI avatars that can convey human emotions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.K. tech startup Synthesia unveiled a new range of AI-generated avatars that can convey emotions like happiness, sadness, and frustration. Nvidia -backed artificial intelligence firm Synthesia on Thursday unveiled a new wave of AI-generated digital avatars that can convey human emotions using a user's text inputs. The company said its "Expressive Avatars" can blur the lines between the virtual world and real characters. In one demonstration, the company showed three lines of text being inserted into its platform — "I am happy. The company's technology is used by more than 55,000 businesses, including half of the Fortune 100, to make digital avatars for corporate presentations and training videos, according to Synthesia.

Persons: Synthesia, Kleiner Perkins Organizations: Nvidia, Fortune, Accel, GV, FirstMark, MMC Locations: London

☆ Ukraine is getting a new type of laser-guided bomb that can pummel 'soft' Russian targets, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Ukraine is getting a new type of laser-guided missile from the UK, the Paveway IV. AdvertisementUkraine is about to get a new type of laser-guided bomb that can wreck "soft" Russian targets, a military analyst said. Britain is giving Ukraine a cache of Paveway IV bombs as part of its latest aid delivery, its defense ministry told Business Insider. Paveway IV bombs are dropped from planes, and weigh in at around 500 lbs. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business, Royal Air Force Locations: Ukraine, Russia

☆ Black royals say Hollywood erased their existence. They're fighting to change the whitewashed narrative.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Mikhaila Friel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Black royals have existed around the world for millennia. Mainstream TV shows and movies that depict the true history of Black royal families are few and far between. And while movies about fictional Black royals exist — "The Princess and The Frog" (2009), "Black Panther" (2018), and the latest "The Little Mermaid" (2023) — Hollywood still isn't doing enough to educate viewers that Black royals exist in the real world, according to Nigeria's Princess Keisha Omilana. - Prince Asfa-Wossen AsserateMeanwhile, Asfa-Wossen said educators are too often preoccupied with using slave narratives to recount Black history. But in order to portray Black royals as equal to their white counterparts, there must be a shift in perspective, he said.

Persons: —, Queen Elizabeth, Sierra Leone's, Sarah Culberson, Nigeria's Princess Keisha, Prince Kunle Omilana, Prince Asfa, Asserate, Princess Ariana, Prince Joel, Keisha Omilana, Halle Bailey, Ariel, Disney Keisha, Prince Adekunle, Omilana, Keisha, Kunle, Ipetu, Orjinmo, Prince Kunle, haven't, George Osodi, Fernando Catala, Princess Keisha, David White, Sarah, Sarah Culberson Sarah, Ethiopia's Prince Asfa, Manfred Roth, who's, Haile Selassie, Young, Charlotte, Liam Daniel, Wossen, Ethiopia's Prince Joel, Joel, Ethiopia Antwon Maxwell, Kassa, Ian Sansom, it's, Queen of Sheba, King Soloman's, Sheba, Menelik, Axum, don't, Tell Organizations: Service, Hollywood, BI, Immigration, Board of Canada, Paramount, Getty, Netflix, SAG, Ethiopian, King, Guardian Locations: Hollywood, Windsor, American, Nigeria, Yoruba Kingdom, British, Morocco, Lesotho, Swaziland, Europe, Africa, Mende, Bumpe, Sierra Leone, West Virginia, Ethiopia, India, Germany, Los Angeles, America

☆ Turner Prize Shortlist Leans In to Artists’ Identities
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Alex Marshall | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Claudette Johnson, a Black British visual artist who is experiencing a late-career renaissance, and Jasleen Kaur, an artist whose installations have explored her upbringing in a Scottish Sikh community, are among the nominees for this year’s Turner Prize, the prestigious British art award. The four-person shortlist was announced on Wednesday at a news conference at the Tate Britain art museum in London. Each artist is nominated for an exhibition held in the past 12 months, and Tate Britain will host a group show of their work from Sept. 25 to Feb. 16, 2025. Johnson, 65, whose portraits of Black women and men in pastels and watercolor are held in the collections of Tate and the Baltimore Museum of Art, is the highest-profile artist shortlisted. Her career began in the 1980s as a member of the Blk Art Group, a British collective, but she stopped exhibiting for decades while she raised two children.

Persons: Claudette Johnson, Jasleen Kaur, year’s Turner, Johnson, Black, ” Organizations: Scottish Sikh, British, Tate, Baltimore Museum of Art, Art, New York Times Style Locations: British, Scottish, Tate Britain, London

☆ More than 3 million Medicare patients could be eligible for coverage of Wegovy to reduce heart disease risks, study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

But some eligible beneficiaries could still face out-of-pocket costs for the highly popular and expensive drug, KFF said. Certain Medicare prescription drug plans may also wait until 2025 to cover Wegovy. Medicare's budget could be strained as more plans cover the costs of Wegovy. Among the Medicare beneficiaries who are obese or overweight and have a history of heart disease, 1.9 million also have diabetes, according to KFF. That makes them already eligible for Medicare coverage of other GLP-1 drugs approved for that condition.

Persons: KFF Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Medicare, Drug Administration, Novo Locations: London, Britain, U.S

☆ NATO Puts on a Show of Force in the Shadow of Russia’s War
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Helene Cooper | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

About 90,000 NATO troops have been training in Europe this spring for the Great Power war that most hope will never come: a clash between Russia and the West with potentially catastrophic consequences. In Estonia, paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Liberty, N.C., jumped out of planes alongside soldiers from Colchester Garrison in Essex, Britain, for “forcible entry” operations. In Lithuania, German soldiers arrived as a brigade stationed outside Germany on a permanent basis for the first time since World War II. And on the A4 autobahn in eastern Germany, a U.S. Army captain and his Macedonian counterpart rushed toward the Suwalki Gap — the place many war planners predict will be the flashpoint for a NATO war with Russia — hoping the overheated radiator on their Stryker armored combat vehicle wouldn’t kill the engine.

Persons: Russia — Organizations: NATO, Great, 82nd Airborne, Colchester Garrison, U.S . Army, Macedonian Locations: Europe, Russia, Estonia, Fort Liberty, N.C, Essex, Britain, Lithuania, Germany

☆ Aden Durde: He first opened doors to the NFL for international players. Now, he’s a historic coordinator
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Just as the offseason kicked off in mid February, Durde was hired to become the Seattle Seahawks’ new defensive coordinator, becoming the first British coordinator in NFL history. Durde’s first exposure to the NFL came in 2005 when – as part of the NFL International Development Practice Squad program, an early predecessor to the IPP – he spent some time on the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers. He spent three seasons as part of the Falcons’ defensive coaching staff, working across a number of roles under head coach Dan Quinn. His permanent hiring in 2018 meant Durde became the first British full-time coach in NFL history. Under Durde’s stewardship, Dallas’ defensive line developed into one of the most feared in the league, in particular star linebacker Micah Parsons.

Persons: Aden Durde, Durde, “, hasn’t, ” Durde, that’s, –, ”, Bill Walsh, Dan Quinn, Carmen Mandato, ” It’s, Efe Obada, Jordan Mailata, Wales rugby international Louis Rees, Zammit, Mailata, Louis, Rees, Jeff Ulbrich, he’s, He’s, Micah Parsons, Parsons, Pro Bowler, Roger Steinman, Mike McDonald –, Dallas, Pete Carroll Organizations: CNN, NFL, Seattle Seahawks, American, Atlanta Falcons, CNN Sport, London Olympians, Scottish, Hamburg, Devils, Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, London Warriors, Dallas Cowboys, Brit Osi, IPP, Washington, Philadelphia Eagles ’, Wales rugby international, Eagles, ”, Falcons, Atlanta Journal, Cowboys, Dallas, Seahawks, Durde Locations: Aden, British, London, Britain, Greenwich, NFL Europe, Hamburg’s, Europe, Atlanta, Texas, Durde’s, Dallas, Seattle

☆ Gukesh Dommaraju: Indian teenager becomes youngest challenger for world chess title, will face reigning champion from China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Teenage Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju, better known as Gukesh D, became the youngest player to claim the men’s Candidates Tournament in Toronto, Canada Sunday. The 17-year-old grandmaster’s win sets up an opportunity to dethrone reigning world champion Ding Liren of China at the 2024 World Chess Championship later this year. Gukesh is set to become the youngest player ever to challenge for a world chess title. China’s Tan Zhongyi won the women’s Challenger category to qualify for a world title match against compatriot and reigning world champion Ju Wenjun – date also unknown. Gukesh is the second Indian to play in a world championship after legendary Indian player Viswanathan “Vishy” Anand.

Persons: Gukesh Dommaraju, Ding Liren, Ding, Garry Kasparov’s, Gukesh, Hikaru Nakamura, “, ” Gukesh, ”, Kasparov, ” Kasparov, Narendra Modi, Gukesh’s, Magnus Carlsen, China’s Tan Zhongyi, Ju, Rameshbabu, Carlsen, “ Pragg, Viswanathan “ Vishy ” Anand, Anand, “ I’m, ” Anand Organizations: CNN, International Chess Federation, FIDE, Indian Locations: Toronto, Canada, China, Russian, Asia, Britain, India, Vaishali

☆ At Least 5 Die Trying to Cross English Channel, Including a Young Girl
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Aurelien Breeden | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At least five people, including a young girl, died at sea off the coast of northern France on Tuesday during an attempt to cross the English Channel, the French authorities said, as governments on both sides of the waterway struggle to deter migrants from making the dangerous voyage to Britain. The people who died were on an inflatable boat that was heavily overloaded with over 100 people, according to the French authorities. The boat was one of several vessels that were spotted on Tuesday morning by the French Coast Guard near the town of Wimereux. Jacques Billant, the prefect for the Pas-de-Calais area, told reporters in Wimereux that several people had fallen out of the boat. The coast guard dispatched several vessels to assist, including semirigid inflatable boats and a tugboat, and found several people who were unconscious and in critical condition aboard.

Persons: Jacques Billant Organizations: French Coast Guard Locations: France, Britain, Wimereux, Rwanda, Calais

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