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☆ Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi: 28 of her artworks mysteriously disappeared three decades ago. They’ve finally returned home to South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Gertrude Kitongo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —It was a phone call that changed everything. “We have some good news.”Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi had been waiting to hear those words for more than 30 years. Origins of an artistSebidi was born in 1943 near Hammanskraal, South Africa, north of Pretoria. One of artist Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi's early works, which often depict traditional, rural scenes of a time before European colonization came to the African continent. “We need those freedoms.”Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi’s exhibition is on display at the University of Johannesburg Art Gallery until May 17, 2024.

Persons: ”, Helen Sebidi, ” Sebidi, Sebidi, “, John Koenakeefe Mohl, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi “, Mark Read, Everard, “ Helen, Read, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi's, Helen Sebidi “, –, – Sebidi, Kim Berman, ’, Helen Sebidi's, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi Sebedi, Gabriel Baard, ” Baard, ” Berman, Thabo Mbeki –, Jesper Osterberg, Gabriel Baard Baard, Everard Read, Helen Sebidi’s Organizations: South Africa CNN, South, CNN, Johannesburg Art Foundation, Everard Read, Galleries, Federated Union of Black Artists, Millary Colony, Arts, Nyköping Folk, School, University of Johannesburg, “, Smithsonian, Folk High School, Swiss Air Freight, University of Johannesburg Art, Swedish Embassy Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Sweden, Hammanskraal, Pretoria, New York, Swedish, Nyköping, Black, “, Stockholm, Sebidi

☆ Opinion | After College Presidents, Republicans Are Coming for Liberal Donors
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Michelle Goldberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland this week, the Republican senator Josh Hawley demanded a federal investigation into dark money groups subsidizing “pro-terrorist student organizations” holding anti-Israel protests on college campuses. He cited Politico reporting linking big liberal philanthropies to some pro-Palestinian organizers. Open Society Foundations, for example, founded by the oft-demonized George Soros, has given grants to the anti-Zionist Jewish Voice for Peace, which has an active university presence. That’s one reason I fear that the backlash to the pro-Palestinian campus movement — which includes lawsuits, hearings and legislation — could help Republicans wage war on progressive nonprofits more broadly. If they do, the right would be following a well-worn authoritarian playbook.

Persons: General Merrick Garland, Josh Hawley, George Soros, Hawley, “, Garland, Donald Trump, Trump, Rachel Kleinfeld, Kleinfeld, it’s Organizations: Politico, Society, Jewish Voice, Soros, Carnegie Endowment, International, Service, Carnegie Locations: Israel, Hungary

CNN spoke to three Israeli whistleblowers who worked at the Sde Teiman desert camp, which holds Palestinians detained during Israel’s invasion of Gaza. Reports of abuse at Sde Teiman have already surfaced in Israeli and Arab media after an outcry from Israeli and Palestinian rights groups over conditions there. CNN has requested permission from the Israeli military to access the Sde Teiman base. The account tallied with details of a letter authored by a doctor working at Sde Teiman published by Ha’aretz in April. The structure, which resembles an animal pen, is located in the central area of the Sde Teiman compound.

Persons: Sde Teiman, ”, “, –, Ofer, Patrick Gallagher, Adnan al, Bursh –, Mohammed al, Ran, ” Dr, Mohammed Al, Shawish, abasement, “ You’d, Teiman, Ha’aretz, Israel, Ray, Tal Steiner, ” Steiner, – Ofer, West Bank –, Ibrahim Yassine, Abu Salah, Al, Barbara Arvanitidis, Tamara Qiblawi, Matthew Chance OSINT, Allegra Goodwin, Alex Platt, Abeer Salman, Ami Kaufman, Kareem Khadder, Mohammad Al Sawalhi, Carlotta Dotto, Lou Robinson, Mark Oliver, Tom James, Sarah Tilotta, Mark Baron, Julie Zink, Augusta Anthony Motion, Yukari Schrickel, Laura Smith, Eliza Mackintosh, Dan Wright, Matt Wells Editor’s, Matthew Chance, Al Hilou Organizations: Israel CNN —, CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Military, IDF, West Bank, Bosnian, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Social Media, CNN Al, “, Ha’aretz, for Human Rights, Nasser Hospital, Planet Labs PBC Planet, Planet Labs, Palestinian Red Crescent Society Locations: Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, Al, Ahli, Israel’s, “, London, Sde, Jerusalem

☆ Live Updates: Former White House Aide Will Return to Stand in Trump Trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Matthew Haag | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

The judge denied the request and Mr. Trump’s second motion this week for a mistrial. Mr. Trump, 77, has denied the charges and says he did not have sex with Ms. Daniels. Credit... Todd Heisler/The New York TimesThe defense did get Ms. Daniels to concede that she had made money from the scandal. When Ms. Daniels stepped down from the stand Thursday afternoon, Mr. Trump stared at a monitor, not glancing up as she walked by. Image Madeleine Westerhout described life in the Oval Office, including Mr. Trump signing checks there.

Persons: Donald J, Stormy Daniels, Trump, Susan Necheles, Daniels’s, Necheles, ”, Daniels, Trump’s, Todd Blanche, Juan M, Todd Heisler, Mr, Necheles’s, “, Ms, Lucas Jackson, Thursday’s, Madeleine Westerhout, Bill O’Reilly —, Erin Schaff, Westerhout, Michael D, Cohen Organizations: Trump, New York Times, Trump . Credit, Trump glowered, Prosecutors, White House, The New York Times Locations: Nevada, Lake Tahoe, Trump .

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

☆ Nicholas Galitzine says he feels like a ‘cut of beef at a meat market’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Lianne Kolirin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

In an interview with GQ magazine published Wednesday, Galitzine responded to a question about how playing a character who is considered good-looking made him feel. He replied: “I think the most important thing to me is that I’m taken seriously as a performer. FlixPix/AlamyShe said the auditions saw actors choose a song they would play to get Hathaway’s character to dance. She said of his choice: “I heard [the lead singer of Alabama Shakes] Brittany’s voice and I just started smiling. And he [Galitzine] saw me smile, so he relaxed, and we just started dancing.”Galitzine said of the same audition that their connection was “unlike anything [he] had ever experienced.”“We were flying.

Persons: Nicholas Galitzine, ”, Anne Hathaway, Galitzine, “, I’m, it’s, ” Anne Hathaway, Daniel Boczarski, Mary, George ”, Julianne Moore, Hathaway, Hayes Campbell, Harry Styles, Styles, George . FlixPix, ” Galitzine Organizations: CNN, GQ, V Magazine Locations: British, Coachella, Alabama

☆ Election Updates: Barron Trump will be a delegate at the Republican Convention.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Michael Gold | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

“I worry about fundamental freedoms across the board.”Asked what specific legal precedents could be undone by the court, Ms. Harris demurred, saying she was “hesitant” to do so. Image At a campaign event in Elkins Park, Pa., on Wednesday, Ms. Harris cast abortion rights as an issue of personal freedom. She said she judged Mr. Trump based on his conduct, adding that she had never met him personally. “I think they might do that,” Mr. Trump said of states’ monitoring of women’s pregnancies in an interview with Time magazine last month. Ms. Harris said she was not worried that such efforts could help Mr. Trump win support from voters who support abortion rights.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Biden’s, Clarence Thomas, ”, Harris, “, Harris demurred, Harris’s, Biden, Donald J, Trump, John Roberts, Roe, Wade, Thomas’s, Thomas, Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, Mr, Kavanaugh, Justin T, Sheryl Lee Ralph, “ It’s Organizations: The New York Times, Mr, Trump, Time, “ Abbott, Biden, United Locations: “, San Francisco, Pennsylvania, California, Elkins Park, Pa, Washington, United States

☆ Pasco Japan: Rat parts found in sliced white bread, sparking recall
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Chris Lau | Himari Semans | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Tokyo CNN —A major Japanese food supplier has recalled more than 100,000 packs of a popular brand of sliced white bread after rat parts were found inside some loaves. They were found in a batch of white “chojuku” bread — or super fermented bread, known for its extra chewy texture — manufactured by a factory based in western Tokyo prefecture, according to the company. White bread is a staple for many Japanese people when they feel like a Western-style meal, or “yoshoku,” as an alternative to traditional Japanese food. Founded in 1920, Pasco is a major supplier of baked goods that employs more than 3,700 staff at 12 factories across the country. The 15-second commercial, released months ago, features a family excitingly declaring their love of good toast as breakfast, accompanied by a voice-over saying: “We put nothing unnecessary in it.”“⁠I love chojuku bread.

Persons: Warabeya Nichiyo, ” Organizations: Tokyo CNN, Pasco Shikishima Corporation, CNN, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, Warabeya, Reuters Locations: Pasco, “, Tokyo, Japan, Saitama

☆ Qu Jing: Baidu’s PR chief sparks a PR nightmare for the Chinese tech giant
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Hong Kong CNN —Chinese search engine giant Baidu has found itself in a public relations crisis, thanks to its own PR chief. Qu, Baidu's vice president and head of communications, has sparked backlash over her comments endorsing a tough workplace culture. China’s young workers have increasingly spoken out against the harsh workplace culture that has come to dominate many industries. Qu had asked all members of the PR team to create their personal accounts, according to the person, who requested anonymity. A former Baidu employee said Qu brought Huawei’s aggressive corporate culture with her to Baidu.

Persons: Qu Jing, Qu, I’m, ” Qu, “, ”, Jing, China’s, Ivy Yang, ” Yang, Alibaba, Jack Ma, Ma, Baidu, Cristina Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Baidu, Xinhua, Huawei, CNN Locations: China, Hong Kong, Weibo

☆ Sexism, Cheating, and Nightclubs: Inside the Dark Heart of Chess
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Rob Price | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +18 min

Socialites are playing chess on "The Real Housewives of New York City." In 1990, according to the US Chess Federation, only 4% of chess players were women. Out in the world, chess' resurgence has been accompanied by a wave of new clubs and events. I made a pilgrimage to the Marshall Chess Club, a 109-year-old institution in Greenwich Village. The following evening, I went to an East Village bar and found a very different scene at Club Chess.

Persons: we'd, she'd, I'd, festers, Judit Polgár, Gary Kasparov, —, Juliana Gallin, Jennifer Shahade, Alejandro Ramírez, Ramírez —, Ramírez, Shahade, Levy, Hikaru Nakamura, Rey, Anna Cramling, Miguel Pereira, Cramling, Nakamura, Bill Withers, Frank Marshall, Alexander Luke Bahta —, athleisure, you've, it's, Magnus Carlsen, Hans Niemann, Carlsen, Niemann, Dean Mouhtaropoulos, I've, Kasparov, they're, Vladimir Kramnik, Chess.com, Kramnik, Fabiano Caruana, Dan Timbrell, doesn't Organizations: Mechanics ' Institute, Housewives, New, US Chess Federation, FIDE, Washington Post, Marshall Chess Club, Chess, The Guardian, New York, whacking, Computer, YouTube Locations: San Francisco, New York City, Berkeley , California, Greenwich Village, hipsters, American, East, Canadian, Romanian, Netherlands, It's, New York, Russian

☆ Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets. I cannot tell you how many weight loss shows and makeovers I have done and they have been a staple since I’ve been working in television,” she said. Winfrey told People Magazine in December that she has added a “weight-loss medication to her regimen” but didn’t specify which drug. Winfrey and WeightWatchersWinfrey left the board of WeightWatchers, ending a nearly decade-long stint as a director of the beleaguered company, in February. “I will say that I was on the board at the time there were discussions about whether or not WeightWatchers would move into weight loss medications,” Winfrey said on Thursday.

Persons: Oprah Winfrey, ”, I’ve, makeovers, Winfrey, Rebel Wilson, Amber Riley, Sima Sistani, Sistani, WeightWatchers Winfrey, ” Winfrey, Oprah, WeightWatchers, ” WeightWatchers, Jimmy Kimmel, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, YouTube, WeightWatchers, Magazine, National Museum of, Goldman Sachs Locations: New York

☆ Gen Z hates phone calls, so one $9.7 billion company is pouring money into AI chatbots for customer service
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AI chatbots are expected to replace 20-30% of customer service agents by 2026, according to Gartner. Despite the potential savings and efficiency, AI customer service has seen limited adoption. AdvertisementGen Z hates talking on the phone, so companies like the $9.7 billion buy-now, pay-later giant Affirm are betting big on AI-powered chatbots. AI customer service hasn't been a panacea for all businesses, though. People tricked and hacked a car dealership's customer service AI in December, and in January, a UK mail service's bot swore at a customer.

Persons: —, Max Levchin, We've, Levchin, chatbots, that's, Deb Cupp, Mihir Shukla, hasn't Organizations: Gartner, Service, PayPal, Tech, Microsoft Locations: Davos

CNN —As one of the lead negotiators for students protesting inside the grounds of Columbia University, Mahmoud Khalil said his primary objective was to get the university to sever all financial ties with Israel. Khalil said Columbia never put anything in writing, instead making offers verbally. But without a firm promise, Columbia’s offer didn’t go far enough for Khalil and other protesters, since the university had previously rejected divestment proposals. Khalil said they then presented Columbia with another offer: Rather than dump Israel-tied investments, Columbia could instead divest from weapons manufacturing companies and any companies complicit in violating international law. NYPD officers in riot gear march onto Columbia University campus, where pro-Palestinian students are barricaded inside a building and have set up an encampment, in New York City on April 30, 2024.

Persons: Mahmoud Khalil, “, Israel, …, ” Khalil, Khalil, Columbia, Brown, Minouche Shafik, Lockheed Martin, Kena Betancur, ”, Shafik, Ben Sasse, it’s, Columbia’s, Lee Bollinger, Bollinger, Stephanie Keith, Columbia College –, Hedge, Leon Cooperman, Cooperman, Robert Kraft, Luigi Zingales, Zingales, ” Shafik, he’s, “ There’s Organizations: CNN, Columbia University, Brown University, Columbia, Dynamics, Caterpillar, West Bank, Columbia University campus, Getty Images Columbia, New York Police Department, Jewish, Northwestern University, CNN’s, Union, Sunday, University of Florida, Columbia Daily Spectator, Human Rights Watch, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defamation League, University, Columbia College, ”, New England Patriots, University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, Times Locations: Israel, Columbia, Gaza, Palestinian, New York City, AFP, CNN’s “ State, South Africa, United States, ”

“If that story was untrue, I would have written it to be a lot better,” Daniels said of her encounter with Trump. “You have a lot of experience of making phony stories about sex appear to be real,” Necheles asked. “You’re celebrating the indictment by selling things from your store,” Necheles asked. “Not unlike Mr. Trump,” Daniels responded. Prosecutor Josh Steinglass said Trump was aware of the “messy details” of the encounter in 2016 and that shows motive for the hush money payment and cover up.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Stormy Daniels, Susan Necheles, Trump, Daniels, ” Daniels, Juan Merchan, combatively, Necheles, ” Necheles, “, That’s, she’d, “ You’re, Madeleine Westerhout, Westerhout, Rhona Graff, Joe Scarborough, Jeanine Pirro, Serena Williams, Tom Brady, ”, ” Westerhout, Michael Cohen, Melania, Melania Trump, “ Madeline, it’s, Merchan, Todd Blanche, Blanche, ‘, ” Merchan, Trump’s, Josh Steinglass Organizations: CNN, Trump, White, Wing, ” Prosecutors, Daniels, NBC, White House, longtime Trump Organization, Trump Org, ” Trump Locations: New York

☆ Generative AI's disinformation threat is 'overblown,' top cyber expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

In APAC alone, there was a surge in deepfakes by 1530% from 2022 to 2023, according to a Sumsub report. But one top expert is going against the grain, suggesting instead that the threat deep fakes pose to democracy may be "overblown." However, new generative AI tools do "threaten to make the generation of fake content easier," he added. In any case, it is unlikely that the generation of content is limiting attackers," Lee said. Experts have previously told CNBC that they expect AI-generated disinformation to be a key risk in upcoming elections around the world.

Persons: Martin Lee, Lee Organizations: Cisco's, CNBC Locations: deepfakes

☆ Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava steps down just days after Miss USA’s resignation
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown. In an Instagram post Wednesday, Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava said her “personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.”“After months of grappling with this decision, I have made the choice to resign from the title of Miss Teen USA 2023,” wrote Srivastava in a statement on her personal account. Srivastava and the Miss Universe and Miss USA organizations did not immediately respond to CNN’s requests for comment. Voigt recently resigned from her Miss USA title. On Monday, Noelia Voigt stepped down from her Miss USA title, citing her mental health.

Persons: Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, ” “, ”, Srivastava, “, Noelia Voigt, Voigt, Hector Vivas, Claudia Michelle, Michelle Organizations: CNN, Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, Miss Teen, New Jersey, National Honor Society, Miss, 72nd Miss, El, Miss USA Organization, USA Locations: New, Miss USA, El Salvador, Venezuelan American, Utah, United States

☆ 'Griefbots' could use AI to haunt relatives from beyond the grave, ethicists warn
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Nascent 'griefbots' or 'deadbots' allow users to chat with the deceased. Safeguards should keep kids away from the bots and allow users to turn them off, a study suggested. AdvertisementAI could make your relatives haunt you from beyond the grave, researchers are warning. These bots use generative AI to allow people to have text and voice conversations with the deceased, using their past digital footprints to conjure a likeness. But AI ethicists at Cambridge's Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence warn that AI could one day push ads on grieving relatives or confuse children.

Persons: —, Tomasz Hollanek, Dr, Katarzyna Nowaczyk Organizations: Service, University of Cambridge, Cambridge's Leverhulme, Intelligence Locations: Cambridge, China, Cambridge's

☆ Critical Role is expanding its nerd empire. One longtime partner is about to be left in the dust.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Now, Critical Role is striking out on its own with the launch of Beacon, an in-house membership service. AdvertisementBeacon essentially gives people what they get with a Twitch subscription — instant access to VODs of their livestreams, but with some additional perks. The $5.99-a-month Beacon membership comes with exclusive access to additional Critical Role programs. Critical Role CEO Travis Willingham added that with "every windfall," the team continues to "purposefully reinvest" in their company to make more content.

Persons: —, Marisha Ray, Ray, Travis Willingham, Matthew Mercer, Twitch Organizations: Service, Business, YouTube, Amazon, Hasbro, Beacon Locations: Twitch, London

☆ Miss Teen USA resigns 2 days after Miss USA gave up her crown, saying her personal values 'no longer align' with the pageant
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava resigned two days after Miss USA Noelia Voigt gave up her crown. For the first time in its 72-year history, the pageant has neither a Miss USA nor a Miss Teen USA titleholder after both women resigned this week. Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava announced her resignation on Wednesday, two days after Noelia Voigt gave up the Miss USA crown. Without them, there is no Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. Do you work for the Miss USA organization or have an experience to share about pageants?

Persons: Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, Miss USA Noelia Voigt, Srivastava, Voigt, —, Noelia Voigt, Craig Barritt, I've, Voight, Claudia Michelle, Michelle, Miss Texas R'Bonney Gabriel, Max Sebrechts, Sebrechts, Crystle Stewart, Laylah Rose Organizations: Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, Service, Miss, National Honor Society, Business, Miss Teen, Miss New Jersey Teen USA, Miss Universe, BI Locations: Miss USA, Venezuelan, American

☆ Microsoft to build AI hub on previously-owned Foxconn land in Wisconsin
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | Samantha Waldenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Microsoft said it is pouring $3.3 billion into building a data hub in Wisconsin that aims to train employees and manufacturers on how to best use artificial intelligence. The new center aims to create 2,300 union construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs over time, according to Microsoft. In his remarks Wednesday, Biden plans to directly point his finger at Trump for the failed project, according to a White House official. The White House also introduced an order in 2023 to require AI system developers to share results of their safety tests with the federal government before they are released to the public. Beyond AI, Wisconsin is seeing a spate of funding toward futuristic industries.

Persons: Joe Biden, Trump, Satya Nadella, Biden, Microsoft’s Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, University of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin -, Trump, White, Infrastructure Law, Badger Locations: Wisconsin, Mount Pleasant , Wisconsin, America, Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, United States, Racine –

☆ Exclusive: Convergence AI, a new startup founded by ex-Cohere employees, is in talks to raise a major pre-seed round
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Callum Burroughs | Riddhi Kanetkar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A UK-based AI startup, founded last month by former Cohere employees, is already in talks to raise a major pre-seed round amid venture capitalists' continued spending spree in the sector. Convergence AI, incorporated at the end of April, was founded by ex-Cohere employees Marvin Purtorab and Andy Toulis, who was also a machine learning engineer at Uber. Its primary aim, per leaked investor documents seen by BI, is to build out automated workforces using AI. The nascent business has been feted by several leading funds, with the company receiving at least six different term sheets for investment, two London-based sources said. The startup opted for a funding round led by London-based Balderton Capital, six sources familiar with the deal told Business Insider.

Persons: Marvin Purtorab, Andy Toulis, Slack Organizations: Uber, Business, Balderton, BI, Nvidia, Mistral Locations: London, Paris

☆ Biden says U.S. won’t supply weapons for Israel to attack Rafah, in warning to ally
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Biden has said that Israel needs to do far more to protect the lives of civilians in Gaza. "We're going to continue to do what's necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself," Austin said. "But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah." A decision against Israel would further add to pressure on Biden to curb the flow of weapons and money to Israel's military. "Over the years, the United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Biden, Israel, we're, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Ali Jadallah, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Menahem Kahana, Gilad Erdan, Mike Johnson, Mitch McConnell, Sen, Lindsey Graham, Bernie Sanders of, Sanders, Netanyahu, Hatem Khaled, Itamar Yaar Organizations: Gateway Technical College, Reuters, Hamas, CNN, Israel, Anadolu, Getty Images, Biden, White House National Security, Palestinian Hamas, Afp, Getty, United Nations, Congress, Republican, Republicans, Austin, Reuters Privately, The State Department, Israel's National Security Council, Islamic State Locations: Sturtevant , Wisconsin, U.S, Israel, Rafah, Gaza, I'm, Palestinian, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, United States, Egypt

☆ Ife Agoro’s DANG is changing the game for women in Nigeria
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Candid conversationsThrough candid conversations and shared narratives, members of the DANG community confront taboo topics such as gender-based violence, discrimination, body image, mental health, and reproductive rights. This ultimately led Agoro to create the #DangAfterHours series, a no-holds-barred discussion on sex and sexuality, a real taboo subject in Nigeria, Agoro says. Soon after, she launched her DANG Lifestyle and skincare business which has grown largely through word of mouth through the DANG community, Agoro says. Despite aiming her message squarely at women, Agoro doesn’t discount a future where men would be integrated into the community. “I now get men commenting and saying to me, ‘We are DANG men too, include us in the conversation.’ We are happy to have them in the conversation.

Persons: Agoro, –, “, ’ ” Agoro, ”, ‘, ’ ”, ’ Organizations: Nigeria CNN —, Twitter, CNN Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, Nigerian, I’m, skincare, Dang, USA, Ghana, Kenya

☆ A new Apple ad is sparking backlash from viewers who say it hits the wrong note
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Saira Mueller | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

An Apple ad for its new iPad Pro seems to fall into the latter category. Posted on social media Tuesday by Apple CEO Tim Cook, the ad starts off as a sort of time capsule for human creativity. As we hear the opening words of “All I Ever Need Is You,” a 1972 single by Sonny & Cher, the metal slab starts descending. Even emoji aren't safe from the hydraulic press in Apple's iPad Pro ad. Others say that even though they understand what the ad is trying to say, it doesn’t resonate with them.

Persons: Tim Cook, There’s, Sonny & Cher, “, Cher, “ I’m, ”, Kendall Jenner Organizations: CNN, Apple, Pepsi, Wall Street

☆ People are going crazy over how this self-checkout pronounces 'organic bananas'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Alexandra Bacon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

TikTok users are reveling in how a Stop & Shop self-checkout pronounces "organic bananas." AdvertisementThe robotic voice of a Stop & Shop self-checkout has the internet cracking up in how it pronounces "organic bananas." The company even commented on the video, saying: "We just feel really passionately about ~organic bananas~." The comments on the organic bananas video spurred the user to post more TikToks of the self-checkout pronouncing different products. "Organic bananas" has, at least, provided some respite from self-checkout security and given social media users a laugh.

Persons: —, Everett, bok choy, They've Organizations: Service, Business

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