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☆ Columbia University president hit with no-confidence vote from faculty group over handling of pro-Palestinian campus protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Alisha Ebrahimji | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Columbia cited security concerns in canceling the large event, a school official told CNN, and instead is holding smaller ones. “Canceling the traditional commencement ceremony was one of the toughest calls in a year of many tough calls,” Shafik wrote in an op-ed in the Columbia Daily Spectator, noting her top priority has been the safety of students, faculty and staff. Fifty people were arrested, and police began the booking process onsite, university spokesperson Tom Vasich said in an email. Pro-Palestinian protesters had set up a campus encampment on April 29, when the university also called in local law enforcement. “This is not protest, this is pure hate.”The building’s takeover came a day after the UCB Divest Coalition agreed to end its campus encampment following discussions with university leadership.

Persons: Minouche Shafik, “, Shafik “, Ben Chang, Shafik, ”, ” Shafik, Tom Vasich, ” Vasich, Vasich, Anna, Dan Mogulof, Nazism ”, David, Mogulof, Santiago Mejia, ” Carol Christ, Jagdeep Singh Bachher, Ana Mari Cauce, ” Cauce, David Ryder David Ryder, ’, Russell Dorn, Robert Manuel, ” Manuel, Manuel, –, ” Benjamin Meyer, Morehouse, Joe Biden’s, David A, Thomas, CNN’s Victor Blackwell, Amanda Musa, Matt Egan, Julia Vargas Jones, Andy Rose, Chris Boyette, Melissa Alonso Organizations: CNN — Pro, Columbia University, Ivy League school’s, New York, CNN, Barnard College, American Association of University Professors, –, Columbia Daily Spectator, UC Irvine, University of California, Irvine Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Authorities, KABC, UC Berkeley, Pro, KGO, Jewish Community Relations, Nazism, UCB, UC Berkeley’s, Palestine, San Francisco, Getty, UC Regents, UC, Regents, University of Washington, Seattle, Wednesday, REUTERS, Reuters, University, ” DePaul University, Police, DePaul University in, WLS, DePaul, ” University, Coalition, ” Morehouse, Morehouse College’s, White House, White Locations: Israel, Gaza, Shafik, Columbia, Irvine, Orange, Berkeley, Merced, Seattle, DePaul University in Chicago, Atlanta

☆ Meghan visited Nigeria as a duchess and left an African princess
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Lagos, Nigeria CNN —The Duke and Duchess of Sussex embarked on what was officially dubbed a 3-day private visit to Nigeria, yet it unfolded with all the grandeur and attention typically reserved for royal tours. The pair had been invited to the West African nation by the country’s highest-ranking military official, Christopher Musa. Meanwhile, for Prince Harry and Meghan, this marked their first major trip to Africa since relinquishing their official royal duties. Meghan, in particular, embraced exploring her Nigerian ancestry after discovering several years ago that she is 43% Nigerian through a genealogy test. As they bid farewell to Nigeria, Meghan declared: “I can’t wait to come back!”

Persons: Duke, Duchess of, Christopher Musa, Meghan, Harry, Duchess of Sussex, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Kola Sulaimon, Prince Harry, aplomb, Ngozi, Mo Abudu, selfies, Obi, Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, Meghan “ Ada Mazi, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Princess Diana, Uba Sani, Sani, “, Princess Meghan, ” Harry, Boko Haram, Corporal Yusef, Polo Organizations: Nigeria CNN, Lightway Academy, Foundation, GEANCO Foundation, Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Nigeria Unconquered, Getty, World Trade, Invictus Games, Lagos Polo Club Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, Duchess of Sussex, Abuja, West, AFP, Texas, Africa, Nigerian, American, Kaduna

☆ Glen Davis: NBA champion sentenced to 40 months in prison for part in plan to defraud league’s health care plan out of millions of dollars
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Ben Morse | Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Former NBA champion Glen Davis has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for his part in a scheme to defraud the league’s health care plan out of millions of dollars, according to federal court records from the Southern District of New York. Davis – whose nickname while he played in the NBA was “Big Baby” – was also ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution, according to court documents. In November, Davis was found guilty of wire fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to make false statements related to health care matters, court documents show. Williams, who has been called the “leader of the conspiracy” by prosecutors, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud in 2022, according to a judgment order. The scheme, Strauss said, began around November 2017.

Persons: CNN —, Glen Davis, Davis, ”, –, Terrence Williams, Williams, Rashard Lewis, Kevin C, Cox, Audrey Strauss, Strauss Organizations: CNN, NBA, Southern, of, Seattle Supersonics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Celtics, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando, Eastern, FBI, Manhattan Locations: of New York, Beverly Hills , California, Taiwan

Abuja, Nigeria CNN —The Duke and Duchess of Sussex landed in Nigeria on Friday, launching a three-day private visit to the West African nation, where they will meet with wounded soldiers and visit local charities, officials said. My husband was excited to jump up!” Meghan told cheering students in the school’s hall. Kola Sulaimon/AFP/Getty ImagesPrince Harry and Meghan were invited to Nigeria by the chief of defense staff, Christopher Musa, the country’s highest-ranking military official. The couple’s hosts, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, are keen to be involved further in the Invictus Games and to be part of the wider Invictus community. Effiom Antigha, captain of Team Nigeria, told CNN last year that the games gave him a new lease on life.

Persons: Duke, Duchess of Sussex, Marshal Abidemi Marquis, “ We’re, ” Meghan, Harry, ”, Kola Sulaimon, Prince Harry, Meghan, Christopher Musa, Marquis, Oyeyemi Aderibigbe, “, Ife, Etti, ’, Ngozi, Bola Tinubu, Richard Montgomery, ” Cpl, Effiom Antigha Organizations: CNN’s Royal, Nigeria CNN, Invictus, Air, Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Lightway Academy, GEANCO Foundation, Getty, CNN, Invictus Games, World Trade Organization, Israel, Team Nigeria, Foundation Locations: Abuja, Nigeria, West African, Kola, AFP, Lagos, Nigerian, London, Los Angeles, Kaduna State, Germany, Colombia

☆ 4 Americans charged with ammunition offenses in Turks and Caicos
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Four Americans are charged with possession of ammunition offenses in the tropical Atlantic getaway of Turks and Caicos, according to a post from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. Carrying firearms in Turks and Caicos is prohibited, according to the TCI Government. Another man visiting Turks and Caicos from Pennsylvania is set to appear before a TCI court Friday on similar charges, according to CNN affiliate WPXI. Two additional Americans – a 31-year-old from Virginia and a 72-year-old from Texas – are also facing lengthy prison sentences for possessing ammunition, according to the TCI Government. Firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets), and other weapons are not permitted in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).

Persons: Ryan Watson, Watson, Valerie, “, Valerie Watson, ”, Bryan Hagerich, Hagerich, Ashley, ” Ashley, WPXI, ” Hagerich, CNN’s Michael Rios, Tanika Gray, Forrest Brown Organizations: CNN, Turks, Caicos, Caicos Islands Government, TCI Government, British Overseas Territory, Embassy, Howard Hamilton International Airport, TCI, TSA, Will Rogers, Airport, WPXI, “, Transportation Security Administration, US State Department, British Overseas, State Department, United States, Firearms, Caicos Islands Locations: Caicos, Caicos Islands, Bahamas, Providenciales, Oklahoma, America, Oklahoma City, Turks, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, United States, United

☆ Tennessee school guns law: Governor signs into law a bill allowing teachers and staff to be armed on campus
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Bill Lee signed legislation Friday allowing teachers and school staff in the state to be armed in school buildings and campuses, according to the General Assembly’s website. Gun violence is the leading killer of children in the United States. So far, 443 children younger than 18 have been killed in gun violence this year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive. Thirty-four states bar teachers and the general public from carrying guns in K-12 schools, according to data from Everytown for Gun Safety. Another educator applauded lawmakers for trying to improve safety but said the law won’t do that.

Persons: Bill Lee, ” Lee, “, Sen, Raumesh Akbari, ”, don’t, Chris Cogdill Organizations: CNN, Tennessee Gov, Republican, WSMV, Gun Safety, Democratic, Tennessee Education Association, Jefferson County High School Locations: United States, Tennessee, “

☆ Melatonin industry asked to voluntarily tighten standards after dramatic rise in childhood ER visits
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

As a dietary supplement, melatonin is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for safety, effectiveness or labeling before it is sold to the public. The council’s action follows recent reports of a massive rise in accidental ingestions of melatonin by children and an April 2023 study that found 25 products labeled as melatonin gummies contained dangerous levels of the hormone. Melatonin gummies were involved in nearly 5,000 of those cases. While the vast majority of unsupervised melatonin ingestions did not result in hospitalization, the number of accidental ingestions by children 5 and under may be underestimated, the report said. New and improved labelsThe council guidelines call for new labels that warn consumers about the danger of drowsiness after taking a melatonin supplement.

Persons: —, ”, Pieter Cohen, ” Cohen, it’s “, Cohen, Catherine McQueen, ” Dr, Cora Collette Breuner, “ It’s, Breuner, Amanda Musa Organizations: CNN, Council for Responsible Nutrition, US Food and Drug Administration, Cambridge Health Alliance, US Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, CDC, Food and Drug Administration, Getty, Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington Locations: Somerville , Massachusetts, Seattle

☆ Arizona woman accused of trying to kill husband with poison in his coffee pleads guilty to lesser charge
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Steve Almasy | Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A woman in Arizona pleaded guilty this week to attempting to poison her husband’s coffee every day for months, court documents show. The defendant’s husband, Roby Johnson, told investigators he “believes she was trying to kill him to collect death benefits,” according to a criminal report obtained last year by CNN affiliate KVOA. Roby Johnson said he first noticed a foul taste to his coffee in March 2023 while he was an airman stationed in Germany, the document says. Roby Johnson told investigators he pretended to continue drinking the coffee so he could wait until they returned to Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson before filing a police report. Melody Felicano Johnson had been charged in August with attempted first-degree murder, attempting to commit aggravated assault, and poisoning food or drink.

Persons: Melody Felicano Johnson –, –, Roby Johnson, “, Melody Johnson, Melody Felicano Johnson Organizations: CNN, Court, KVOA, Johnsons, Davis Monthan Air Force Base Locations: Arizona, Pima County, Germany, Tucson

☆ Chechnya bans all music deemed too fast or too slow
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Authorities in the Russian Republic of Chechnya have announced a ban on music that they consider too fast or slow. The ban will mean that many songs in musical styles such as pop and techno will be banned. Chechnya sits in the North Caucasus region between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. Kadyrov has been leader since 2007 and has used his time in office to stifle any form of dissent. The pro-Kremlin leader has also subdued the Chechen separatist movement that fought for independence from Russia for almost two decades.

Persons: Culture Musa Dadayev, Chechen Republic “, Chechen Republic Ramzan Akhmatovich Kadyrov, ” Dadayev, Dadayev, Kadyrov, Mike Pompeo, ” Organizations: CNN, Authorities, TASS, of Culture, United, Kremlin, US State Department Locations: Russian Republic, Chechnya, Culture, Russian, Chechen Republic, North Caucasus, Russia’s, Georgia, United Nations, Chechen, Russia

☆ Meta loses top AI figures as Silicon Valley's talent battle continues
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The departures come as Big Tech firms battle for top AI talent with chunky pay packages. Elon Musk this week dubbed Silicon Valley's talent war as the "craziest" he's ever seen. AdvertisementMeta has lost three top AI employees within a week amid Silicon Valley's ongoing battle for talent. "The talent war for AI is the craziest talent war I've ever seen!" AdvertisementPrior to that, the cofounder of Meta's AI lab, Rob Fergus, jumped ship in 2020 to join Google's DeepMind.

Persons: Meta, —, Devi Parikh, she'd, Erik Meijer, Meijer, Abhishek Das, Mark Zuckerberg, He's, Google's DeepMind, Meta's, Zuhayeer Musa, Elon Musk, Rob Fergus, Google's Organizations: Big Tech, Elon, Service, Meta, Research, FAIR, Wall Street Journal, Street, Business Locations: OpenAI

☆ Puerto Rico declares public health emergency as dengue cases surge
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Rafy Rivera | Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Puerto Rico has declared a public health emergency due to a surging number of dengue cases. Puerto Rico Secretary of Heath Carlos Mellado said the health department has registered 549 cases of dengue so far this year, far exceeding historical numbers. Health officials in Puerto Rico are urging people to use insect repellent and eliminate possible mosquito breeding sites by preventing water from accumulating. Get CNN Health's weekly newsletter Sign up here to get The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta every Tuesday from the CNN Health team. “There are indeed efforts from the health department and other organizations like the Puerto Rico vector control unit to control dengue in the area.”Climate change will also encourage the spread of dengue around the world, Paz-Bailey said.

Persons: Heath Carlos Mellado, ” Mellado, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Gabriela Paz, Bailey, ” Paz, ”, Jamie Gumbrecht Organizations: CNN — Puerto, World Health Organization —, Virgin Islands, US Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Health, Get CNN, CNN Health, Vector, CNN, Paz Locations: CNN — Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico, Virgin, American Samoa, United States, Florida

☆ In Alabama, patients are praying for a change of heart on access to IVF
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Meg Tirrell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“It’s just frustrating, and it’s sad, and it’s heartbreaking,” Hardin said Thursday, the same day her clinic, Alabama Fertility Specialists, said it was temporarily stopping in vitro fertilization, or IVF, treatments because of legal risk. “I am a huge follower of Jesus,” said Hardin, who leads a group at her church for people who’ve had fertility issues. Those embryos are kept frozen in storage until they’re transferred in hopes of leading to a new pregnancy, or donated or discarded. The legal limbo has drawn the members of Hardin’s church group to lean on each other even more, she said. In July, she and her husband started the process for IVF, going through egg retrieval and freezing embryos, before she had hip surgery for a genetic condition.

Persons: Paula Jean Hardin, Wes, Hardin, “ It’s, ” Hardin, Jay Mitchell, Tom Parker, ”, Jesus, who’ve, “, –, ” Lauren Pleitz, ” Pleitz, Pleitz, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, ” CNN’s Isabel Rosales, Amanda Musa Organizations: CNN, Alabama Fertility, University of Alabama, Center for Reproductive, CNN Health Locations: Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham

☆ New data shows asthma medicine may help reduce severe reactions in people with multiple food allergies
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —A new study finds that the asthma medication Xolair may substantially reduce severe allergic reactions in people who have multiple food allergies and are accidentally exposed to those foods. There is no cure for food allergies, and the only other FDA-approved treatment is Palforzia, an oral immunotherapy for peanut allergies in children between 4 and 17 years old. “But the reality is that most of our patients don’t just have peanut allergy,” Wood added. For people who have multiple severe food allergies and even moderate to severe allergic asthma, Casale says, Xolair might be the best treatment option. Xolair does not eliminate food allergies, and unlike with some environmental allergies such as pollen, many people never outgrow them, Casale added.

Persons: ”, Sharon Chinthrajah, “, ” Xolair, Robert Wood, ” Wood, Xolair, Wood, omalizumab, Thomas Casale, Palforzia, Casale, they’ve, ” Lindsey Mathias, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Chinthrajah, “ We’re Organizations: CNN, New England, of Medicine, US Food and Drug Administration, Stanford University, of Allergy, Immunology, Johns Hopkins Children’s, Genentech, Novartis, FDA, National Institutes of Health, University of South, American Academy of Allergy Asthma, CNN Health, Xolair Locations: anaphylaxis, Eudowood, Johns, University of South Florida Tampa

☆ Alaskapox: What to know about virus after officials report first known fatal case
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Health officials in Alaska have identified the first known death linked to a recently discovered virus called Alaskapox. Since its discovery in 2015, seven Alaskapox infections have been reported, according to the state Department of Health. “This is the first case of severe Alaskapox infection resulting in hospitalization and death,” the health department said in a release last week. Still, there is a lot that isn’t known about the virus, McLaughlin said, including how it spreads from animals to humans and how long it has been around. “What has changed is clinician awareness and the general public’s awareness that Alaskapox virus is something that’s a possibility,” McLaughlin said.

Persons: ”, Joe McLaughlin, McLaughlin, Alaskapox, “, ” McLaughlin, Julia Rogers, ” Rogers, Rogers, Dr, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: CNN — Health, of Health, Alaska ., Alaska Department of Health, Epidemic Intelligence, US Centers for Disease Control, Health, The Alaska Department of Health, Get CNN, CNN Health Locations: Alaska, Africa, Asia, Europe, Fairbanks, Kenai

At the center of that growth are newer genres of Afrobeats — the renowned blend of distinct West African music styles — and amapiano, which fuses South African kwaito with African jazz, house music and soulful vocals. The 2022 track became the first led by an African artist to hit 1 billion Spotify streams and has the record for the most weeks — 64 — spent on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart. And some tracks meld the genres under the African music umbrella. That reach is particularly interesting considering that African music is produced for its people, embodying all aspects of their lives from their culture and experiences to their struggles, LeriQ says. The continent leads mobile device web traffic in the world, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration, translating to more market opportunities for artists.

Persons: ”, Burna Boy’s, Rema’s, Selena Gomez, —, Joey Akan, ‘, Burna, ’, Musa Keys, Boy, Istanbul's, Rema, Davido, Tina Davis, Olamide's, Angélique Kidjo, LeriQ, Nay, Mitego, Chika Anene, gatekeepers, Eric Wainaina, G’bemi Ereku, Nigeria —, Jhello, ” ___ Mureithi, Maria Sherman Organizations: FIFA, International Federation of, Phonographic Industry's, Spotify, Afrobeats Intelligence, UEFA Champions League, Pew Research, U.S . International Trade Administration, United, Afro Nation, AP Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Nigerian, Saharan Africa, African, South Africa, Africa, Tanzania, Abuja, Kenyan, Lagos, United States, Statista, Nairobi, Kenya, Johannesburg, Los Angeles

☆ Dry January is over, but are ‘sober drinks’ a healthy way to keep it going?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Dry January “was the perfect eye-opener.”Now sober, Montejano has adopted several tactics to keep herself on track: talking to a therapist, journaling and drinking nonalcoholic beverages like mocktails. By comparison, a 12-ounce glass of beer contains about 5% alcohol, according to the CDC. “The nonalcoholic beverages have a lot of the cues that are associated with real alcoholic beverages,” she said. “Are you reaching those goals with nonalcoholic beverages?” she said. Ultimately, going sober can have social ramifications, so it’s important to surround yourself with people who can support you.

Persons: Corrina Montejano, Montejano, “, ”, Ginger Hultin, nonalcoholic, Hilary Sheinbaum, Molson Coors, ” Sheinbaum, Hultin, Dr, Lara Ray, Dana Ellis Hunnes, you’re, Hunnes, Ray, they’re, Sanjay Gupta, I’ve, ’ ”, “ You’ve, Journaling, ” Montejano Organizations: CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, Heineken, Molson, US Department of, Tobacco Tax, Trade Bureau, UCLA, World Health Organization, ” WHO, UCLA Medical Center, US Food and Drug Administration, mocktails, CNN Health Locations: San Francisco, Seattle

☆ Some tianeptine products recalled as CDC links drug to ‘cluster of severe illness’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Neptune Resources, which makes some tianeptine products, has issued a nationwide recall, according to an announcement posted this week. Products that contain tianeptine are sold under several brand names, including Pegasus and Zaza, the CDC says. The FDA has issued a warning urging consumers not to purchase or use tianeptine products due to serious risks including seizures, loss of consciousness and death. In recent years, at least two deaths related to tianeptine products marketed as dietary supplements have been reported to the FDA, data shows. Nine people said they had used tianeptine previously; six ingested tianeptine along with other substances, including alprazolam, kratom, tramadol, trazodone and gabapentin.

Persons: ”, Zaza, Dr, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: CNN, Centers for Disease Control, Neptune Resources, Resources, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Pegasus, CDC, Neptune, Jersey Poison Control, CNN Health Locations: Neptune, Europe, Asia, Latin America, United States, Jersey

☆ Grammys 2024: There’s a new category for African musicians at the awards. Meet the nominees
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Lamide Akintobi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Lagos, Nigeria CNN —For the first time, African music will have its own category at the Grammys. The Recording Academy will showcase three new categories for this year’s awards, including “Best African Music Performance” — featuring some of Afrobeats’ global superstars. The Nigerian singer best known as Davido is also nominated for Best Global Album and Best Global Music Performance. Burna BoyVideo Ad Feedback The night Burna Boy became a Hollywood star 03:19 - Source: CNNBurna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, is up for a total of four Grammys this year for Best Global Music Album, Best Melodic Rap performance, Best Global Music Performance and Best African Music Performance — and will perform at the awards. No stranger to the awards circuit, he won the Best Global Music Album Grammy in 2021 for his album “Twice as Tall.” Burna Boy ended a historic 2023 at No.

Persons: ”, Harvey Mason Jr, Arya Starr, Sarah Aderibigbe, Ayra Starr, “, Barack, Kelly Rowland, Stormzy, Tiwa Savage, ” Asake, Ahmed Ololade, Amapiano, Olamide, Tyla Tyla, John Lamparski, Musa Keys, David Adeleke’s, Davido, “ I’m Organizations: Nigeria CNN —, Recording Academy, Recording, Spotify, YouTube, Mavin Records, CNN, Vibe, Art, Olamide, Getty Images, South, Hollywood, Best Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, Los Angeles, Square , New York City, AFP, South African, Nigerian, Africa

☆ EU Targets Six People Under New Hamas Sanctions Scheme
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union on Friday imposed asset freezes and travel bans on six people it said were linked to Hamas, under a new sanctions regime targeting the Palestinian militant group. The EU already listed Hamas as a terrorist organisation but moved to create a legal framework focused on the group after its deadly attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. The Council listed those sanctioned as Sudan-based financier Abdelbasit Hamza Elhassan Mohamed Khair, Nabil Chouman, the former's son Khaled Chouman, senior Hamas financier Rida Ali Khamis, senior Hamas operative Musa Dudin and Algeria-based financier Aiman Ahmad Al Duwaik. "The new sanctions framework shall apply until 19 January 2025. A senior EU official earlier on Friday said the first batch of sanctioned individuals was linked to providing funds to the group.

Persons: Abdelbasit Hamza Elhassan Mohamed Khair, Nabil Chouman, Khaled Chouman, Rida Ali Khamis, Musa Dudin, Aiman Ahmad Al Duwaik, Josep Borrell, Benjamin Netanyahu, Tassilo Hummel, Sudip Kar, Gupta, Andrew Gray Organizations: European Union, EU, of, Hamas, U.S . Treasury Locations: BRUSSELS, Israel, Gaza, Sudan, Algeria, United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia

☆ Gunmen Kill One, Kidnap at Least 150 in Nigeria's Northwest, Residents Say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Hamza Ibrahim and Ahmed KingimiKANO, Nigeria (Reuters) - At least 150 people, including women and children, were abducted with one person killed in a coordinated attack by gunmen on four villages in Nigeria's northwest Zamfara state, residents said on Saturday. The Zamfara police spokesperson did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment on the attack, which took place late on Friday. Residents told Reuters that gunmen on dozens of motorcycles stormed the villages of Mutunji, Kwanar-Dutse, Sabon-Garin Mahuta and Unguwar Kawo in the Maru local government area of the state. Dankandai Musa, a resident of one of the villages, told Reuters he managed to slip away unnoticed during the chaos. "I managed to escape after they were regrouping us and the people from the three other villages that were attacked," he said.

Persons: Hamza Ibrahim, Ahmed Kingimi KANO, Garin Mahuta, Dankandai Musa, Lawali Damana, Bola Tinubu, Elisha Bala, Mark Potter Organizations: Reuters, Residents Locations: Nigeria, Nigeria's, Zamfara, Mutunji, Sabon

☆ Common antibiotics are still in shortage as strep cases rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Some group A Strep bacteria are resistant to these antibiotics,” according to Dr. Kristina Bryant, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville. The precautions many people took to protect themselves from Covid-19, like wearing masks and social distancing, also protected them from strep throat. “Strep throat is a routine infection, and we know that cases are going to go up every year,” she said. If your child’s strep throat doesn’t get better with antibiotics, Bryant says, it may be that other bacteria in the throat are making the antibiotics less effective. “If the strep infection goes untreated, that individual can potentially be contagious with strep for weeks,” she said.

Persons: Amoxicillin, Kristina Bryant, Jennifer Stevenson, ”, “ Strep, ” Stevenson, Bryant, “, hasn’t, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Stevenson, McPhillips, Brenda Goodman Organizations: CNN, US Food, FDA, Norton Children’s Hospital, US Centers for Disease Control, Epic Research, Henry Ford Medical Center, CDC, Rapid, CNN Health Locations: Louisville, Dearborn , Michigan, Covid

☆ CDC to expand disease surveillance at four major US airports to include flu, RSV
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expanding its infectious disease surveillance program at four major US airports to more than 30 pathogens, including flu, RSV and other respiratory viruses. The program currently operates Covid-19 surveillance at seven major international airports in the United States. The traveler surveillance program was introduced in 2021 when the CDC began collecting nasal swab samples from anonymous international travelers arriving at participating airports who volunteer to get swabbed. The program has collected samples from travelers from more than 135 countries and has sequenced more than 14,000 samples for further analysis. The wastewater program, which was introduced in August 2022, collects wastewater from a single plane using a custom-made collection device.

Persons: Dr, Cindy Friedman, John F, “, ” Friedman, Friedman, Ginkgo Bioworks, Matthew McKnight, ” McKnight, Sanjay Gupta, Deidre McPhillips Organizations: CNN, Centers for Disease Control, CDC’s, Health, Boston Logan International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Dulles International, Washington , D.C, Kennedy International, CDC, Get CNN, CNN Health Locations: United States, Washington ,, New York, Ginkgo

☆ How the Nigerian military fatally shot a young captive
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +19 min

The Nigerian government and military – including the presidency, Ministry of Defence, defence headquarters and army leaders – did not respond to detailed questions for this story. Various entities have accused Nigerian security forces of other abuses in connection with killings of civilians and captives. Two security force members told Reuters they saw multiple prisoners brought out of the barracks and shot after the fighting ceased. Tweets from Nigerian defence headquarters in Abuja show the military declared the hostilities over shortly after 11 a.m. Nine shots fired A uniformed security force member shot nine rounds at the young captive, pulling the trigger at least seven times, according to forensic audio experts who listened to the recording at Reuters’ request.

Persons: Melanie O’Brien, –, Ocampo, Christopher Musa, Musa, ” Musa, “, extrajudicially, Michael Oluoha Agi, ’ ”, ”, Boko, ‘ Allahu akbar ’, Yahaya, Haram, Biu, Bellingcat, Belllingcat, Chris Olukolade, Emmanuel Emeka, Emeka, Reade Levinson, David Lewis, Tim Cocks, Carlos Gonzales, Paul Carsten, Daphne Psaledakis, Stephanie van den Berg, Youri van, Adolfo Arranz, Sam Hart, Feilding, Julie Marquis, Alexandra Zavis Organizations: Reuters, International Association of, Nigerian, Ministry of Defence, ICC, Islamic, Human Rights Commission, United Nations, Twitter, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, U.S . State Department, U.S, Boko, Civilian, Task Force, Defence, Facebook, 231, Battalion, 331 Artillery Regiment Locations: Geneva, Nigeria, Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, Nigerian, United States, Britain, U.S, Biu, Boko Haram, Abuja, Largema

☆ British health agency warns of fake Ozempic pens linked to hospitalizations
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Britain’s health agency is warning the public not to buy pre-filled pens claiming to contain the weight loss drugs Ozempic and Saxenda without a prescription, after a small number of people were hospitalized. Ozempic is used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes, and is used off-label for weight loss. More than 350 potentially fake Ozempic pens have been seized since January of this year, according to the MHRA. The agency has also received reports that patients have obtained fake Saxenda pens in the UK through “through non-legitimate routes.”No fake weight-loss pens were seized before January 2023, the agency says. The maker of both drugs, Novo Nordisk, told CNN Thursday that it is aware that counterfeit pens are being circulated.

Persons: Ozempic, ” Allison Schneider, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Alison Cave, ” Ozempic, “, Meg Tirrell Organizations: CNN, Medicines, Healthcare, Agency, Novo Nordisk, “, “ Novo Nordisk, General Pharmaceutical Council, Get CNN, CNN Health, European Medicines Agency, European Union Locations: Ozempic, “ Novo, Novo, Germany, Europe

☆ Cavendish bananas face extinction and not all experts agree on how to save it
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Rupendra Brahambhatt | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Cavendish, the most commonly available banana variety, is facing the risk of extinction. A fungal disease threatens to wipe Cavendish bananas off the face of the Earth. Why Cavendish bananas dominate the global marketThere are over 1,000 varieties of bananas, but about 47% that humans eat are Cavendish bananas (Musa acuminata). Fajri Ramadhan / 500px / Getty ImagesPanama disease is a serial banana killerWhat's happening to Cavendish bananas has happened before to another popular banana variety called Gros Michel. How scientists are trying to save the CavendishSome plant pathologists don't believe that the Cavendish banana will meet the same fate as Gros Michel.

Persons: Cavendish, —, Dan Koeppel, Fajri, Gros, Gros Michel, James Dale, Robert Nickelsberg, Dale, Koeppel, COZZI, Price Organizations: Service, Queensland University of Technology, TR4, Gros, University of Cambridge, Taiwan Banana Research Institute, Apple, Cavendish Locations: Cavendish, Musa, Panama, Darwin, Australia, Queensland, India, China, East, Africa, South America, QCAV, freezers

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