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☆ Opinion | Iran Just Made a Big Mistake. Israel Shouldn’t Follow.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Thomas L. Friedman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

That would be a dangerous misreading of what just happened and a huge geopolitical mistake by the West and the world at large. There must be a consequence for Iran: When the regime fired all those drones and missiles, it did not know that virtually all of them would be intercepted. A missile could have hit al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest shrines. (You can see pictures online of Iranian rockets being intercepted in the skies right over the mosque.) Another could have hit the Israeli Parliament or a high-rise apartment house, causing massive casualties.

Persons: Syria — Organizations: Israel, West Locations: Iran, Israel, Syria, Jerusalem, Aqsa

Experts anticipate a steep rise in malnutrition-related deaths in children in Gaza, according to a new report from a global authority on food security and nutrition, which warned of especially dire circumstances for 300,000 people in the northern part of the territory. “Famine is imminent in the northern governorates and projected to occur anytime between mid-March and May 2024,” said the report released Monday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification global initiative. The group — set up in 2004 by U.N. agencies and international relief groups — has classified a famine only twice before: in Somalia in 2011 and in South Sudan in 2017. Across the Gaza Strip, people are facing severe shortages of food and other basic goods amid Israeli’s bombardment and a near-total blockade. “Since then, the conditions necessary to prevent famine have not been met,” the latest report said.

Persons: ”, “ Organizations: Integrated, U.N Locations: Gaza, Somalia, South Sudan

☆ Haiti: Machete-wielding militias battle gangs in Port-au-Prince as elites vie for power
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Caitlin Stephen Hu | David Culver | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Port-au-Prince, Haiti CNN —The wide road that passes in front of Haiti’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport has a post-apocalyptic stillness these days. But leaving the city isn’t an option this time; the airport, under siege by gangs, has been forced to close. Evelio Contreras/CNNPort-au-Prince’s gangs are still choking off the supply of food, fuel and water across the city. Gangs have long haunted the residents of Port-au-Prince, but their reach has dramatically expanded over recent years, covering 80% of the city today, according to UN estimates. Marie Suze Saint Charles in a hospital, Port-au-Prince March 17 Evelio Contreras/CNNThe proliferation of police, gang and civilian checkpoints meanwhile is fracturing Haiti’s capital into wary and anxious fiefdoms.

Persons: Haiti’s Toussaint, Ariel Henry, Evelio Contreras, ”, Marie Maurice, they’ve, Maurice, Prince, –, Marie Suze Saint Charles, Marie, Suze Saint Charles Organizations: Haiti CNN, National Penitentiary, CNN, Haiti’s National Police, Transnational, Refugees, Argentine, Armored, International Organization for Migration Locations: Prince, Haiti, Port, Haitian, Canapé, Swiss, Argentine Bellegarde, ”

The acute food shortage in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip has become so severe that “famine is imminent” and the enclave is on the verge of a “major acceleration of deaths and malnutrition,” a report from a global authority on food security and nutrition said on Monday. The group, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification global initiative, which was set up in 2004 by U.N. agencies and international relief groups, has sounded the alarm about famine only twice before: in Somalia in 2011 and in South Sudan in 2017. The warning came as Israeli forces again raided Al-Shifa Hospital in the northern part of the enclave on Monday, in an operation that they said had been aimed at senior Hamas officials who had regrouped on the premises, setting off an hourslong battle that both sides said had resulted in casualties. The raid at Al-Shifa, in Gaza City, raised questions about the level of control that Israeli forces have over northern Gaza. In December, the Israeli military said it was nearing “full operational control” there.

Persons: ” Organizations: Integrated, U.N, Shifa Locations: Gaza, Somalia, South Sudan, Al, Gaza City

☆ Haiti’s prime minister is resigning. Will that bring calm to the gang-ravaged country?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Caitlin Stephen Hu | Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

In Henry’s place, a transitional council will be established and endowed with some powers of the presidency – including the ability to name a new interim prime minister. It is unclear how long it could take to establish a transitional council to begin the transfer of power, though Haiti’s former PM Claude Joseph told CNN that it could be created within 24 hours. The big question is whether these changes can bring calm to Haiti, and put a stop to the terrible violence tearing apart Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince. Talks with regional leaders continued, leading into the emergency CARICOM meeting on Monday. The United States will contribute $300 million to the Kenyan-led multinational security mission, Blinken said after attending the CARICOM meeting on Monday.

Persons: CNN —, Ariel Henry, Henry, Claude Joseph, Jimmy “, Henry’s, Cherizier, Odelyn Joseph, Romaine LeCoeur, Fanmi, Petit, Jimmy Cherizier, Viv Ansanm, “ ’ Viv Ansanm ’, ” Cherizier, Guy Philippe, Philippe, ”, “ we’re, State Anthony Blinken, William Ruto, “, ” Blinken, Mia Mottley, Will Ariel Henry, Blinken Organizations: CNN, CNN — Haiti’s, Caribbean, US State Department, AP, United Nations, Initiative, Transnational, CARICOM, Montana Group, Petit Dessalinnes, United Nations Security, Kenyan, senior State Department, State, State Department Locations: Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Kenya, Port, Prince, Swiss, EDE, CARICOM, “, Barbados, United States

Port-au-Prince, Haiti CNN —From above, Haiti’s capital city Port-au-Prince still looks serene, its white-washed homes climbing steep green hills that encircle a glittering bay. Police officers run holding their guns while confronting a gang in Port-au-Prince, Haiti March 1, 2024. Haiti’s gangs were once seen as thuggish instruments for powerful politicians and business elites. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry at the United States International University Africa, in Nairobi on March 1, 2024. Anger toward the government for Haiti’s gangs problem is misplaced, he also said, emphasizing that the government has limited options.

Persons: Toussaint, Prince, Ariel Henry, Haiti’s, “, ”, Jimmy “, Robin Hood, Ralph Tedy Erol, Henry, “ Ariel Henry, Haiti Ulrika Richardson, Kraze Barye, John Bosco, Jeremie, CNN’s, Ariel kraze peyi, Ariel, Jovenel Moise, Guy Philippe, Odric Octina, Johnson Sabin, Shutterstock, Simon Maina, Henry’s, Jean Junior Joseph, –, Leinz Vales, Sean Walker Organizations: Haiti CNN, CNN, Police, United Nations, FBI, Global, Transnational, UN, National Police, Haitian, Canadian Embassy, Catholic, St, Bank, ”, Haitian Environment, Penitentiary, Reuters, Haiti, Caricom, United States International University Africa, Getty, Kenyan, United Nations Security Council, United Locations: Prince, Haiti, Port, Toussaint L’Ouverture, Kenya, New York, Delmas, Cité, Kizito, Jeremie, farmworkers, United States, Canada, It’s, Haitian, West, Nairobi, AFP

☆ An 81-year-old explains her simple solution to make sure loneliness doesn't become 'a way of life' — and what she thinks stands in the way of forming connections
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But she acknowledged that for other older adults, going to the mingle and introducing themselves to strangers might not be so easy. "I think loneliness is sometimes based in fear," Backlund said. Backlund knows the urgency of addressing loneliness and hopes that more people start taking the matter into their own hands. BI has previously spoken to other older adults who found solutions of their own to prevent becoming lonely. Chris Murphy and Bob Casey in December introduced the Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults Act, which would provide funding for organizations to address loneliness among older Americans.

Persons: Patricia Backlund, wouldn't, Backlund, Vivek Murthy, Murthy, you've, —, That's, let's, he's, Mike Flood, David Trone, Chris Murphy, Bob Casey Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Gig Harbor , Washington

☆ Why Singapore is quickly becoming the choice location for firms to support global carbon markets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Carbon credits continue to play an important role in the global transition towards net zero. As an innovative financing mechanism, carbon credits allow corporates to mobilize capital to support emission-reduction projects. The decision to anchor CAD Trust in Singapore stems from acknowledging that transparency and governance are rooted in its DNA. Why Singapore is a prime location for firms to support global carbon marketsSingapore has successfully attracted more than 100 carbon market and services players to establish the city-state as their home base in Southeast Asia. Singapore's expertise in carbon services and its trailblazing move implementing Southeast Asia's first carbon tax in 2019, also appealed to Calyx Global.

Persons: — Dinesh Babu, Grace Fu, Duncan van Bergen, Van Bergen, — Duncan van Bergen Organizations: Reuters, Singapore, for Nature, National University of Singapore, Data Trust, Government of, Emissions Trading Association, Singapore's, Sustainability, Meta, Trust, Insider Studios, Singapore Economic Development Board Locations: Dubai, Singapore, Government of Singapore, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, Africa, Paris, Bhutan, COP28, Asia

☆ Crises in Ecuador, Haiti Could Fuel Migration in 2024, Report Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Kylie MadryMEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Thousands more people could be forced to leave Ecuador and Haiti in 2024 due to humanitarian crises such as intensifying violence, climate impacts and deepening poverty, the International Rescue Committee said in a report on Wednesday. "Multiple factors...will deteriorate living conditions for millions of people in Ecuador and Haiti, potentially forcing thousands to seek safety elsewhere," the IRC said. "The crises in Haiti and Ecuador are creating a ripple effect across the entire region," said IRC regional head Julio Rank Wright in a statement. "Without a functioning political system, the government will struggle to address violence and meet growing needs," the IRC said in the report. Food insecurity will likely also deepen in Haiti in 2024, the IRC said.

Persons: Kylie Madry, Julio Rank Wright, Jovenel Moise, Ariel Henry, Eli Moreno, Ros Russell Organizations: Kylie Madry MEXICO CITY, International, El, Global, Transnational, Global Initiative Locations: Kylie Madry MEXICO, Ecuador, Haiti, Colombia, Panama, Darien, Caribbean, Kenya, Mexico City, Panama City

☆ Newsom and DeSantis Come Out Swinging in Debate on ‘Hannity’
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Newsom and DeSantis Come Out Swinging in Debate on ‘Hannity’Governors Gavin Newsom (D., Calif.) and Ron DeSantis (R., Fla.) went head to head in a debate on Fox News Channel. WSJ’s Molly Ball breaks down the key takeaways. Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Images for Clinton Global Initiative; Scott Olson/Getty Images

Persons: Newsom, ‘ Hannity, Gavin Newsom, Ron DeSantis, Molly Ball, Noam Galai, Scott Olson Organizations: Fox News, Clinton Global Initiative Locations: Calif, Fla

☆ DeSantis-Newsom Debate Shows the 2024 Campaign That Could Have Been
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Molly Ball | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Governors Gavin Newsom (D., Calif.) and Ron DeSantis (R., Fla.) went head to head on topics ranging from Covid-19 to President Biden’s leadership in a debate televised by Fox News and moderated by Sean Hannity. Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Images for Clinton Global Initiative; Scott Olson/Getty ImagesALPHARETTA, Ga.—Unless something unexpected happens in the next few months, the 2024 presidential campaign is likely to feature two aging, retread candidates of whom Americans are thoroughly tired. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom , a Democrat, faced off in a no-holds-barred roughly 100-minute debate, moderated by Fox News’s Sean Hannity and airing live on the cable network. Wall Street Journal parent News Corp and Fox parent Fox Corp. share common ownership.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Ron DeSantis, Biden’s, Sean Hannity, Noam Galai, Scott Olson, Fox News’s Sean Hannity Organizations: Fox News, Clinton Global Initiative, Florida Gov, Republican, California Gov, Democrat, Wall Street, News Corp, Fox, Fox Corp Locations: Calif, Fla

☆ Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom Set to Debate on ‘Hannity’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Molly Ball | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Gavin Newsom and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis plan to play up the perceived irony of each other’s political brands in the debate. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom , a Democrat, will meet for a 90-minute debate at 9 p.m. Wall Street Journal parent News Corp and Fox parent Fox Corp. share common ownership.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Ron DeSantis, Noam Galai, Scott Olson, Fox News’s Sean Hannity Organizations: Florida Gov, Clinton Global Initiative, Republican, California Gov, Democrat, Wall Street, News Corp, Fox, Fox Corp Locations: California, Florida

☆ The UAE planned to use the global climate summit it's hosting as a chance to strike new oil and gas deals, BBC report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The UAE is hosting the COP28 climate change summit. The BBC reported it planned to make secret oil and gas deals. Among them, UAE COP28 planning officials intended to discuss liquefied natural gas development projects by UAE state energy firm Adnoc with China, the BBC reported. The UAE in a statement to the BBC did not deny that it planned on holding oil and gas deal talks, and said "private meetings are private." Leaders from nearly 200 countries are gathering in the UAE on Thursday for the COP28 summit.

Persons: Sultan al, Jaber, Dr Jaber, Adnoc, it's Organizations: BBC, Service, United Arab Emirates, Center, Climate, UAE, UN Locations: UAE, Gulf, China, Colombia, Masdar

HAWSTON, South Africa (AP) — Nearly every house in Hawston has a boat in its yard, sometimes two. It's reduced the endangered South African abalone to unprecedented low levels, wildlife groups say. Political Cartoons View All 1256 ImagesAt first, the South African government banned abalone fishing completely. Hong Kong is importing between 2,000-3,000 metric tons of illegal South African abalone a year, the report estimated. Chan also rates South African abalone highly, as so many do, with its rich taste and slightly chewy texture.

Persons: Raphael Fisher, perlemoen, Fisher, ”, “ It’s, Wendy Chan, Chan, “, Keet, It's, Bertus van, van Oordt, Van Oordt, we'll, ” van Oordt, “ We'll, Markus Burgener, ” Burgener, Burgener, Zara, Toby, ” Fisher, Kanis Leung, Alice Fung Organizations: South, Global, Transnational, International Union for Conservation, Nature, Divers, Lookouts, Trade Monitoring, AP Locations: South Africa, Hawston, East Asia, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Taiwan, Gansbaai, HIK, Hawston's, Africa, africa

☆ Sub-Saharan Africa just hit 100 World Heritage Sites. UNESCO says that’s not enough
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Tom Page | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

At the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in September, UNESCO announced five new locations had joined the list of World Heritage Sites, taking sub-Saharan Africa’s total over 100 for the first time. Rwanda’s first two World Heritage Sites were named among 42 new entries worldwide. Vegetation in Rwasenkoko, Nyungwe National Park, one or Rwanda's two new UNESCO World Heritage Sites. CNLG/Courtesy UNESCOThere are currently 1,199 World Heritage sites, benefitting from the conservation agreements and tourism that come with that status. One is that some nations were slow to ratify the 1972 World Heritage convention, allowing them to submit applications for World Heritage status.

Persons: CNN —, Rwanda’s, Bale, Vande weghe, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, There’s, ”, Eloundou Assomo, –, Yonas, Assomo, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, World Heritage Committee, UNESCO, Heritage, World, Getty, “, World Heritage Fund Locations: Nyamata, Eastern, Odzala, Republic of Congo, Saharan Africa, Africa, Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Guinea, Bissau, Liberia, Sao Tome, Principe , Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Rwasenkoko, Gisozi, Rwanda, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Uganda, Buganda, Kasubi, Kampala, Ethiopia, Bissagos

☆ China has a sweeping vision to reshape the world — and countries are listening
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

All this coincides with longstanding calls from countries across the developing world for an international system where they have more say. Beijing, he added, sees the US as merely “paying lip service” to the “liberal order” to hurt other countries. Sergei Savostyanov/Sputnik/ReutersIn recent years, even some countries that have for decades embraced a close partnership with the US have drawn closer to China and its vision. “Is China really trying to promote multipolarity — or does China just want to (become a) substitute (for) US influence over the world?” he asked. They also raise questions about how a more militarily and economically powerful China would behave globally, if left unchecked.

Persons: Xi Jinping, —, Xi, Vladimir Putin, General Antonio Guterres, ” Xi, , Shen Hong, they’d, ”, Yun Sun, liberalize, Sanjit Das, Shen Dingli, ‘, ’ ”, Russia’s Putin, Bashar al, Assad —, Assad’s, Sergei Savostyanov, Ali Sarwar Naqvi, “ We’ve, James Marape, ’, Rubens Duarte, Li Zhiquan, “, Tong Zhao, Zhao, Ted Aljibe, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Zhang Youxia, Beijing’s, Gilberto Teodoro Jr, BRICS, Weeks, Joe Biden, Sergio Lima, ” — Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United Nations, Forum, China, Communist, CNN, Beijing, Washington, Getty, Stimson, Bank, World Trade Organization, . Riot, Bloomberg, Initiative, Asian, Global, Sputnik, Reuters, Center for International Strategic Studies, Papua New Guinea, multipolarity, China News Service, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Global Security Initiative, NATO, Russia, Philippine Defense, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, United, New, Seven, Ministry, Global Security, Group, UN, Communist Party Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Ukraine, Gaza, Russian, Xinhua, Washington, South, Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, America, Shanghai, West, Hangzhou, Israel, Pakistan, Pakistani, Islamabad, Papua New, Brazil, Indonesia, Europe, Asia, Scarborough, South China, AFP, Moscow, Russia, “, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Palestine, India, South Africa, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates, New Delhi, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, ” Beijing

☆ Putin says some Western weapons for Ukraine are ending up in the Taliban's hands
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with members of the country's Civic Chamber in Moscow, Russia, November 3, 2023. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsMOSCOW, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that some Western weapons supplied to Ukraine were finding their way to the Middle East through the illegal arms market and being sold to the Taliban. Well of course they are because they are being sold," Putin said. Since Russia sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year, Western powers have sent Ukraine tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons in an attempt to defeat Russian troops. In June 2022, the head of Interpol, Jürgen Stock, warned that some of the advanced weapons sent to Ukraine would end up in the hands of organised crime groups.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Bradley, Guy Faulconbridge, Andrew Osborn Organizations: Chamber, Sputnik, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Interpol, Jürgen, Global, Transnational, United, Kiel Institute, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, East, Russian, United States, Africa, Europe

Debates about its efficacy abound, with the United States, Europe and several environmental groups speaking out about the opportunities and risks. Research has been conducted into other potentially less dangerous SRM technologies, including marine cloud brightening, which involves the spraying of seawater from ships to make clouds more reflective. One group of 60 scientists launched a global initiative last year aimed at persuading governments to ban outdoor solar geoengineering experiments. "Once you've committed to it, you've got to keep doing it," said Laura Wilcox, a climate expert at Britain's University of Exeter. "If you stop, then you're going to see all of that warming that you've missed, essentially on climate timescales overnight.

Persons: Luke Iseman, SO2, Benjamin Sovacool, Andrea Hinwood, you've, Laura Wilcox, David Stanway, Jake Spring, Pravin Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . National Academy of Sciences, Company, Reuters, Harvard University, Swedish Space Corporation, Research, Boston University, SRM, United Nations Environment Program, Britain's University of Exeter, Pravin Char, Thomson Locations: Baja California, Mexico, Handout, United States, Europe, China, England, Africa, Asia

☆ UK AI Safety Summit: who will attend and what’s on the agenda?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Martin Coulter | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Britain will host the world's first global artificial intelligence (AI) safety summit this week to examine the risks of the fast-growing technology and kickstart an international dialogue on regulation of it. The aim of the summit is to start a global conversation on the future regulation of AI. Currently there are no broad-based global regulations focusing on AI safety, although some governments have started drawing up their own rules. A recent Financial Times report said Sunak plans to launch a global advisory board for AI regulation, modeled on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). When Sunak announced the summit in June, some questioned how well-equipped Britain was to lead a global initiative on AI regulation.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Justin Trudeau –, Kamala Harris, Ursula von der Leyen, Wu Zhaohui, Antonio Guterres, James, Demis Hassabis, Sam Altman, OpenAI, Elon Musk, “, Stuart Russell, Geoffrey Hinton, Alan Turing, Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Joe Biden, –, Martin Coulter, Josephine Mason, Christina Fincher Organizations: Bletchley, WHO, Canadian, European, United Nations, Google, Microsoft, HK, Billionaire, Alan, Alan Turing Institute, Life, European Union, British, EU, UN, Thomson Locations: Britain, England, Beijing, British, Alibaba, United States, China, U.S

GENEVA (AP) — Saudi Arabia is all but certain to host the men's 2034 World Cup after the Australian soccer federation declined to enter the bidding contest. “We have explored the opportunity to bid to host the FIFA World Cup and — having taken all factors into consideration — we have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition,” Football Australia said in a statement. Indonesia’s football association initially showed interest in a joint bid with Australia, potentially alongside Malaysia and Singapore, but that faded when Indonesia instead backed Saudi Arabia. Australia and New Zealand successfully co-hosted the Women's World Cup in July and August. Saudi Arabia also will host the men's Asian Cup in 2027 and has started a widespread construction program to build and renovate stadiums that likely also will be used for the World Cup.

Persons: “, LIV, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, Gianni Infantino, Australia —, Minky Worden, ” Worden, ___ Organizations: GENEVA, FIFA, ” Football Australia, Newcastle, Saudi Crown, South America — FIFA, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Qatar, soccer, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi, Rights Locations: Saudi Arabia, Australian, Saudi, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, South, Asia, Oceania, Australia, Qatar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New, Brisbane, Queensland

[1/5] Chinese President Xi Jinping greets Russian President Vladimir Putin as they attend the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum (BRF), to mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, October 18, 2023. REUTERS/Edgar Su Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping warned against decoupling from China as he opened the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) forum in Beijing on Wednesday, criticizing Western efforts to reduce dependence on the Chinese economy. The trade disruptions of the pandemic years have also added urgency to the desire to limit their dependence on China. WESTERN SCEPTICISMWestern scepticism of Xi's grand plans stems from suspicions over the way it would extend China's global influence, analysts say. Xi is making the Belt and Road smaller and greener, moving away from big-ticket projects like dams to high-tech ones such as digital finance and e-commerce platforms.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Edgar Su, Xi, Putin, BRI, Viktor Orban, Haji Nooruddin Azizi, Azizi, Xi's, Antoni Slodkowski, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Initiative, of, People, REUTERS, Rights, EU, Washington, Thomson Locations: Beijing, Rights BEIJING, China, Asia, Africa, Europe, Tiananmen, Taiwan, Western Europe, Afghanistan, Northern

[1/4] Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 16, 2023. Ten years on, the most senior EU leader expected to attend the third Belt and Road (BRI) Summit this week is Hungary's populist Viktor Orban, who will join guests including Russia's Vladimir Putin and a minister of the Afghan Taliban. Such Western doubts have coincided with Xi's assertive leadership and a deterioration in ties over trade, human rights, COVID-19 and Taiwan. Other analysts say economic slowdown both in China and globally, and rising commodity prices, have also cast a pall over the initiative. "It's not perfect, but it’s a process, and people are gradually realising it's so important: we need to build infrastructure.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Ken Ishii, Putin, Orban, Britain's, Viktor Orban, Russia's Vladimir Putin, Xi, Jinping, Matthew Erie, they've, Raffaello Pantucci, Ruby Osman, Tony Blair, Osman, Wang Huiyao, Wang, Joyce Zhou, Vineet Sachdev, Antoni Slodkowski, Don Durfee, Robert Birsel Organizations: Beijing Capital International Airport, Forum, REUTERS Acquire, Initiative, University of Oxford, Reuters, Washington, American Enterprise Institute, S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Tony, Tony Blair Institute for Global, Global Development Initiative, Monetary Fund, Sri, Center for, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Italy, Xi's, BEIJING, Western Europe, EU, Taiwan, United States, Ukraine, Erie, CHINA, America, Africa, Russia, Kazakhstan, Congo, Singapore, China's, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Center for China

[1/4] Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 16, 2023. Ten years on, the most senior EU leader expected to attend the third Belt and Road (BRI) Summit this week is Hungary's populist Viktor Orban, who will join guests including Russia's Vladimir Putin and a minister of the Afghan Taliban. Other analysts say economic slowdown both in China and globally, and rising commodity prices, have also cast a pall over the initiative. Wang Huiyao, president of the Center for China and Globalization think tank, said the BRI had "greatly pushed forward global awareness about the infrastructure deficit". "It's not perfect, but it’s a process, and people are gradually realising it's so important: we need to build infrastructure.

☆ 'I don’t care': 'Sportswashing' comments from Saudi crown prince spark anger from rights groups
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman lit up social media with his blunt response to accusations that his government is "sportswashing," or using sports to distract attention from its controversial human rights record. Human rights organizations immediately seized on the comments, criticizing what some said was proof of a state policy of hiding human rights violations behind an expensive veneer of big-ticket sports acquisitions and tournaments. "He's done more than say he doesn't care," Minky Worden, Human Rights Watch's director of global initiatives, told NBC News. "He's really endorsed the idea of sportswashing as a way of covering up the country's very serious human rights abuses. We've now heard from the top that this is state policy."

Persons: Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Minky Worden, He's, We've Organizations: Saudi, Fox News, Human Rights, NBC Locations: Saudi

The Gates Foundation has been a major supporter of Unitaid, donating $50 million in each 2012 and 2017, according to the foundation's grant database. The two announced their divorce in 2021 but committed to continuing to work together at the foundation. I think we will overcome that because the U.S. has a lot to be proud on this one,” Gates said. Cumulatively, the results of that study, which the foundation funded, has advanced knowledge about the causes of infant mortality. The Gates Foundation was not alone in announcing new commitments to support progress toward the development goals.

Persons: Melinda Gates, Melinda French Gates, “ Nona, gesturing, Jennifer, Omakwu, ’ ”, Gates, Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter, Singer Bono, George W, Bush, Bill Gates, Joe Biden, French Gates, ” Gates, Eden Tadesse, Aidan Reilly, Ben Collier, James Kanoff, Ashu Martha Agbornyenty, There’s, ”, Clinton Organizations: Melinda Gates Foundation, General, UNFPA, Gates Foundation, Sustainable, President’s, AIDS Relief, U.S, Congress, Midwifery, IKEA Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Clinton Global Initiative, Associated, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: New York, Ukraine, PEPFAR, U.S, South, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Vietnam, South Africa, Indonesia

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