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☆ In Beijing, Xi and Putin left no question of their close alignment in a divided world
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Putin’s two-day state visit comes as Western leaders have leant on Xi to ensure that soaring exports from his country aren’t propping up the Russian war effort – a claim Beijing denies. Putin also traveled to Beijing with top security officials who the Russian president said Thursday would join informal talks on Ukraine. Beijing, which says it is neutral on the war, has repeatedly defended its trade with Russia as part of normal bilateral relations. Xi, analysts say, is seeking to keep Putin as a close partner, while not stepping over Western red lines. For that reason, she added, “he’s okay with on-going dependency between Russia and China – and with inequality in this relationship.”

Persons: Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin’s, Xi, Putin, Putin’s, Andrey Belousov, Sergey Shoigu, “ Putin, he’s, Kurt Volker, “, ”, Alexandra Prokopenko Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United, –, Israel, Hamas, Russian, Russian Security, Chinese Communist Party, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Observers, CNN, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Taiwan, Gaza, Russian, China, ”, Russia, North Korea, Ukraine, China’s Harbin, Siberia, Europe

☆ Free Speech Becomes a New Battleground in Abortion Litigation - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Linda Greenhouse | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

There has hardly ever been as fierce a defender of free speech as the current Supreme Court. The court’s version of free speech has become a powerful tool against government regulation. In his majority opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas said the “unduly burdensome” requirement amounted to unconstitutionally compelled speech. Now the question is whether the court’s solicitude toward those who would rather not talk about abortion extends in the other direction. What about state laws that prohibit rather than require offering information about where to get an abortion?

Persons: John Roberts, Janus, Elena Kagan, “, Clarence Thomas Organizations: . American Federation of State, Municipal Employees, ” Locations: . American Federation of State , County, California

☆ Gaza Gets Its First Aid Shipment from U.S. Pier: Israel-Hamas Latest Updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The notion of deploying U.N. peacekeepers into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been mentioned occasionally by diplomats. But the Arab League’s statement appeared to be the first time the group had officially made such a request in a written document, according to Farhan Haq, a U.N. spokesman. U.N. forces, which are typically drawn from the armed forces of multiple countries, do not enter live battle zones and do not engage in fighting. Both Israel and Hamas would also have to agree to having U.N. peacekeepers on the ground. “We don’t go into active combat, and parties themselves have to agree on allowing the presence of peacekeepers.

Persons: Farhan Haq, Mr, Haq, don’t, Israel, Vedant Patel, António Guterres, Guterres Organizations: United Nations, West Bank, . Security, League, Arab League, State Department Locations: Gaza, Israel, Manama, Bahrain, United States, Washington, Bahrain’s, Rafah

☆ Why Middle East travel is growing faster ‘than any other region’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Rym Bendimerad | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Last week, travel and tourism industry representatives from more than 150 countries gathered at the annual Arabian Travel Market trade show, held this year in Dubai. There, CNN’s Eleni Giokos spoke with Julia Simpson, president of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), about trends in tourism in the Middle East, and the challenge of making travel more sustainable. We are here in the Middle East — this is the first time I’ve been to the Arabian Travel Market — but what’s interesting is everyone’s telling me they have never, ever seen it this busy. Simpson: Well, the GCC and Middle East is growing faster than any other region. Visitors and delegates at the Arabian Travel Market.

Persons: CNN’s Eleni Giokos, Julia Simpson, I’ve, Simpson, Saud, you’ve, We’ve, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Travel, Tourism Council, Arabian, GCC, Gulf Cooperation, United, Visitors, Oxford Economics Locations: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al, Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, Saudi, Arabia, —, Saudi Arabia, Oman, East, UAE, Gaza, Egypt

☆ Australia’s ‘world’s oldest’ loong: Vandals target the Chinese parade dragon in an Australian museum
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Australian police are seeking two people for allegedly vandalizing a century-old Chinese parade dragon and other valuable artefacts at a museum in a small town known for its historic links to China. The vandalism took place last week at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo, about 100 miles northwest of Melbourne, according to the police and head of the museum. Golden Dragon MuseumBendigo, currently a city of some 100,000 people, has had Chinese residents for more than a century. To this day, a large dragon parade is held every Easter to raise money for a local hospital. The Golden Dragon Museum was opened in 1991 “to document, interpret and preserve the Chinese heritage in Australia” according to the museum’s website.

Persons: Toyota Prado, ”, Loong, “ Loong, Dai, “, Hugo Leschen, Sun Loong, Leschen, Yi Organizations: CNN, Australian, Dragon Museum, . Victoria Police, Toyota, “ Investigators, Golden Dragon Museum Bendigo, Miners, Bendigo Tourism, Dragon, Yi Yuan, Nine, Chinese Community Council of Australia Locations: China, Bendigo, Melbourne, Australia, Victoria, Yi Yuan Chinese

☆ Robert Fico: Slovakia’s prime minister out of ‘life-threatening situation’ following assassination attempt
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, is out of danger after being shot five times and undergoing surgery, officials say, following an assassination attempt that rocked the central European country and sparked global condemnation. Footage from the scene showed the injured prime minister being bundled into a vehicle by his staff, before it speeds away with him inside. undefined — Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico walks during the European Council summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on April 18, 2024. Unlike the president, whose role has limited scope, the prime minister holds rank as the decision-making head of government. Fico previously served as Slovakia’s prime minister for more than a decade, first between 2006 and 2010 and then again from 2012 to 2018.

Persons: CNN —, Robert Fico, Fico, Tomáš Taraba, “, Zuzana Čaputová, Kenzo Tribouillard, Šutaj Eštok, ” Fico Organizations: CNN, EU, Getty, Ukraine, Kyiv, NATO, Reuters Locations: Handlova, Banská Bystrica, Brussels, AFP, Slovakia

☆ Biden’s trade chief walks back comments contradicting Biden on tariffs and inflation
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Matt Egan | Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Research shows that former President Donald Trump’s tariffs on China did indeed raise prices on consumers and businesses — despite his claims otherwise. The study found tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump did not meaningfully contribute to inflation. “The new Biden tariffs, like the more extensive ones that Trump has promised, will worsen US inflation. It is fair to debate how much the Biden tariffs will impact inflation because they are not nearly as widespread as what Trump imposed and what Trump is promising if he’s reelected. Trump enacted sweeping tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese imports, setting off a trade war between the world’s two biggest economies.

Persons: Katherine Tai, Joe Biden’s, ” Tai, —, Donald Trump’s, Tai, Angela Perez, Donald Trump, Goldman Sachs, Tai’s, “ Trump, ” Biden, “, Alex Durante, Tai’s “, Maury Obstfeld, Biden, ”, Trump, he’s, ” Perez, White, Morgan, Daleep Singh, Jen Psaki, Jared Polis, ” Polis, Ed Mills, Raymond James, David Kelly, ” Kelly Organizations: New, New York CNN, US, White, Research, CNN, US International Trade Commission, “, China, Tax, Obama, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Biden, Atlantic Council, Bretton, Committee, ”, Colorado Gov, Republicans, Asset Management Locations: New York, China, Ukraine, EVs, Europe

☆ Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have serious sustainable-food-supply-chain goals — here's how they compare
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings aim to source their foods more sustainably. In 2023, the cruise giants Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings accommodated more than 10.3 million travelers. Both companies have been increasingly shopping localBoth Norwegian and Royal Caribbean want to be net zero emissions by 2050. Royal Caribbean did not respond to an inquiry about its beef initiatives or plans to expand its plant-based offerings. That's not to mention all the heat that cruise companies already take for operating ships that are bad for the environment.

Persons: —, Brittany Chang, Linken D'Souza, Royal Caribbean's, Bambi Semroc, it's, Ravi Anupindi, Anupindi, Royal, Semroc Organizations: Royal Caribbean Group, Cruise Line Holdings, Chain Management, Service, Norwegian, Royal, Business, Royal Caribbean's, Conservation, University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, Marine Stewardship Council, Aquaculture, Council, Global Animal Partnership, Regent Seven Locations: buffets, Royal Caribbean, Europe, Seattle, Vancouver, Florida, California, New York City, Norwegian, Oceania

☆ House to vote on bill to prevent Biden from withholding weapons to Israel as GOP ramps up pressure on Democrats
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Clare Foran | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The House vote has seemingly been partly designed to put pressure on Democrats and is expected to expose divisions within the party over the issue. The bill is unlikely to be taken up in the Democratic-led Senate and the White House has said that Biden would veto the bill if Congress passed it. The Biden administration on Tuesday began the early stages of a process to move ahead with a new $1 billion arms deal for Israel, according to two congressional sources. The move comes as the Biden administration has paused the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs and 500-pound bombs to Israel, citing opposition to the weapons being used in the densely populated areas of Rafah. Biden has come under extraordinary pressure, including from some members of his own party, to limit shipments of arms amid a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, CNN’s Erin Burnett, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel ”, Adam Smith, “, ” Smith, ”, Kevin Liptak, Kylie Atwood Organizations: CNN, GOP, Congress, State Department, Defense Department, National Security Council, Democratic, White, Tuesday, House Democratic, Hamas, Israel, ” Democratic, House Armed Services Committee Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Rafah

☆ These 16 House Democrats voted to force Biden to deliver withheld aid to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read preview16 House Democrats on Thursday voted for a bill designed to force President Joe Biden to provide all military aid to Israel — or risk the defunding of crucial national security-related offices. AdvertisementRepublicans in particular have sought to hit Biden for that move, including Rep. Cory Mills of Florida, a Republican who voted against Israel aid but has now introduced articles of impeachment against Biden for withholding that aid. AdvertisementSince October 7, the House has taken a variety of Israel-related votes that have split House Democrats, including one that equated anti-Zionism with antisemitism and another that was designed to crack down on campus antisemitism but faced free speech-related criticism. Last month, 37 House Democrats voted against a bill to provide the military aid to Israel that Biden is now partially withholding. Here are the 16 House Democrats who voted for the bill:

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Israel —, Thomas Massie of, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Warren Davidson, Ohio —, Biden, Cory Mills, I'm, nothing's, Jared Golden of, Greg Landsman, Ohio Organizations: Service, Democrats, Business, Republicans, Democratic, Republican, Department, Pentagon, Defense, State, National Security Council, White, . Jewish Democrats Locations: Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Ohio, Israel, Rafah, Gaza, Cory Mills of Florida, Jared Golden of Maine

Video footage shows the young man in a white hoodie, identified as Edan On, striking at the barrier around the pro-Palestinian encampment. From Social MediaOn, a local high school senior, was captured on video striking a pro-Palestinian protester with a pole. A pro-Palestinian demonstrator is beaten by counterprotesters attacking a pro-Palestinian encampment set up at UCLA's campus. Etienne Laurent/AFP/Getty ImagesA counterprotester, identified by CNN as Malachi Marlan-Librett, pushes a pro-Palestinian protester in the barrier of the UCLA encampment. Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty ImagesMarlan-Librett is seen throwing the bottom of a broom at a pro-Palestinian protester.

Persons: counterprotesters, UCLA –, –, “ Edan, Sharon, Edan, William Gude, “ We’re, counterprotesters calmy, “, ”, Chaim Seidler, Feller, Hillel, On’s, wasn’t, Malachi Marlan, Etienne Laurent, Wally Skalij, Librett, Dolores Quintana, Quintana, ” Dolores Quintana, Tom Bibiyan, Bibiyan, Trump, William Gude Tom Bibiyan, William Gude “, Angie Givant, she’d, Narek Palyan, Palyan, Catherine Hamilton, Hamilton, UCLA’s, Boosinger, ” Dylan Kupsh, ” Kupsh, Kupsh, Audrey Ash, Isabelle Chapman, Scott Glover, Curt Devine Organizations: CNN, UCLA, Fox, Facebook, Israel, Social, Social Media, Los Angeles Police Department, Patrol, UCLA Police Department, Bruins, LA, Key, Beverly Hills High School, Israel Defense Forces, UC Santa Cruz, Getty, Los Angeles Times, ”, Los Angeles Valley College, USC, Green Party, ucla, “, Student, ” Thistle, Thistle Locations: Gaza, Israel, California, Angeles, UCLA's, Los, Los Angeles

☆ Deepening Russia-China ties: Here's what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailDeepening Russia-China ties: Here's what you need to knowRichard Haass, Council on Foreign Relations president emeritus, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, the future of the Israel-Hamas war, and more.

Persons: Richard Haass, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping Organizations: Foreign Locations: Russia, China, Beijing, Israel

☆ 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

☆ Slovakia's prime minister no longer in life-threatening condition after assassination attempt
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico walks during the European Council summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on April 18, 2024. Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico is expected to survive a multiple-shot assassination attempt following surgery, according to the country's deputy prime minister. The Slovakian premier's condition has stabilized but remains serious, Reuters cited a hospital official as saying on Thursday. "The shooting of the prime minister is first and foremost an attack against an attack on a human being – but it's also an attack on democracy," she said in an officially translated video. Fico has served as prime minister of Slovakia for around 10 years across three mandates, heading the Smer (Direction) party.

Persons: Robert Fico, Tomas Taraba, Šutaj Eštok, Zuzana Caputova, it's, Fico Organizations: Slovakia's, EU, BBC, Reuters, CNBC, Slovakian Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Slovakian, Sky News, Russia, RTVS Locations: Brussels, Slovakian, Slovak, Handlova, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, Ukraine

☆ Opinion | Lets Chill Out About Apostrophes
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( John Mcwhorter | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The North Yorkshire Council in England has been in the hot seat recently for its changes to street signs — not because of anything on them, but rather because of something left off. One street in the town of Harrogate was rendered as St. Marys Walk. St. Marys Walk was just the beginning. It turns out the county plans to phase out apostrophes on all street signs, in part “to prevent complications while searching on databases,” an official told my Times colleague Jenny Gross. How many people would really miss the connection between St. Marys Walk and St. Mary’s Church?

Persons: Mary’s, Jenny Gross, don’t Organizations: North Yorkshire Council, Marys Locations: England, Harrogate, St, Marys, Mary’s

☆ Arab League Calls for U.N. Peacekeepers in Gaza and the West Bank
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Anushka Patil | Farnaz Fassihi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Arab League called on Thursday for a United Nations peacekeeping force to be deployed in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied West Bank until a two-state solution can be negotiated, in a statement that also called for the U.N. Security Council to set a time limit for that political process. The notion of deploying U.N. peacekeepers into the Israeli-Palestinian conflicthas been mentioned occasionally by diplomats. It’s unlikely that U.N. peacekeepers would be deployed to Gaza and the West Bank in the near future because sending U.N. peacekeepers into any conflict requires first the authorization of the Council. “We don’t go into active combat, and parties themselves have to agree on allowing the presence of peacekeepers. In addition to calling for an immediate cease-fire and accusing Israel of obstructing those efforts, the Arab League called for “the deployment of United Nations international protection and peacekeeping forces in the occupied Palestinian territory until the two-state solution is implemented.”

Persons: Farhan Haq, Mr, Haq, don’t, Israel, ” Organizations: United Nations, West Bank, . Security, League Locations: Gaza, Palestinian, Israel, Manama, Bahrain

☆ Why Biden’s monster EV tariffs could inflame a Europe-China trade war
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

It’s a very different matter in Europe — by far the biggest export market for Chinese EV manufacturers. EU tariffs could backfireAccording to Citi, the EU accounted for 36% of Chinese EV exports last year, more than the next five largest markets combined. By contrast, the United States currently receives just 1.1% of China’s EV exports. For BYD, China’s biggest EV maker, the tariffs would likely have to be even higher to be effective, they add. “I’d say we are entering a very tense period in terms of trade interactions and trade defense,” she added.

Persons: Joe Biden, “ I’m, ” Biden, Joseph Webster, Agatha Kratz, Kratz, That’s, Oliver Zipse, ”, Tu Le, “, Josh Lipsky, Juliana Liu Organizations: London CNN, United, EV, European Union, Atlantic Council, EU, CNN, Citi, Capital Economics, BMW Locations: China, America, Europe, United States, It’s, Brussels, “ Brussels, Beijing, subsidization, EU, States, Italy, Hong Kong

☆ Macron Moves to Declare State of Emergency in New Caledonia
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Emmanuel Macron of France convened a crisis meeting on Wednesday and moved to declare a state of emergency in New Caledonia after deadly riots in the semiautonomous French Pacific territory that has long sought independence. A vote in France’s Parliament approving the amendment on Tuesday ignited riots overnight that left three people dead. Mr. Macron met Wednesday with his Defense and National Security Council about the situation, according to a statement from his office. It said he had expressed “strong emotion” over the deaths and gratitude to French security forces. It also said he had requested that a state of emergency be declared for the territory at the afternoon cabinet meeting.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Macron Organizations: Defense, National Security Council Locations: France, New Caledonia

☆ Live Updates: Inflation Expected to Cool Slightly
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Ben Casselman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

Housing Inflation Remains Stubbornly High Economists had expected two measures of rental inflation to fade in 2023 and 2024, but that process is taking time to play out. There are two main measures of inflation in America, the Consumer Price Index and the Personal Consumption Expenditures index. Consumer Price Index Inflation Remains Hotter The Consumer Price Index is climbing faster than the Personal Consumption Expenditures index, in large part because it weights housing more heavily. With housing, Consumer Price Index inflation totaled 3.5 percent in March. But the convergence between new and existing rent inflation is taking a lot longer than expected.

Persons: There’s, “ It’s, ”, Mark Zandi, Biden, Zandi, grousing, “, O.E.R, We’re, would’ve, Mark Franceski, I’ve, Ernie Tedeschi, Tedeschi Organizations: New York Times, Federal Reserve, Index, Housing, Zelman, Associates, White House Council, Economic Advisers Locations: America, bam, Europe

☆ Young Thai activist’s death in detention after 65-day hunger strike sparks calls for justice reform
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

She had been in jail since January 26 and was awaiting trial, according to legal advocacy group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. While in detention, Netiporn went on a 65-day hunger strike until April to protest the jailing of political dissidents without bail, the group said. Panu Wongcha-Um/Reuters/FileThe activist faced seven criminal cases, including two lese majeste charges. Those attending included Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, a fellow activist who also faces lese majeste charges for her involvement in the 2020 protests. At least 270 people have been charged with lese majeste during that time, the group added.

Persons: Thailand’s, ”, “, Netiporn, Thalu Wang, Thais, Panu, Panusaya, lese, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Strettha, Mongkol Thirakhot, majeste, Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate, Akarachai Organizations: CNN, ” Thailand’s Corrections Department, Thammasat University Hospital, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Thai Corrections Department, Bangkok Criminal Court, Thailand’s Ministry, Justice, Rights, United Nations Human Rights Council, European Union Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Thai, lèse

☆ Slovakian PM Fico in ‘life-threatening’ condition after being shot; EU leaders decry 'brutal attack'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico attends a press conference during a Special European Council Meeting on April 18, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt that has sent shockwaves across the continent. The 59-year-old has been transported by helicopter to hospital in the central Slovakian city of Banska Bystrica to receive treatment. A post on Fico's official Facebook page said the prime minister was "shot multiple times and is in a life-threatening state" after an "attempted assassination." Slovakian President Zuzana Čaputová "strongly" condemned the "brutal and ruthless attack" in a Google-translated Facebook post, without supplying further details of the nature of the attack.

Persons: Slovakia Robert Fico, Robert Fico, Fico, Zuzana Čaputová Organizations: NBC, Reuters, CNBC Locations: Slovakia, Brussels, Belgium, Slovakian, Banska Bystrica, Bratislava, Handlova

☆ Blue-collar jobs are booming. White-collar jobs, not so much.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Now, she told me, blue-collar work is an oasis in the fake-email-job desert, with a newfound social cachet. In a survey conducted in late 2021, 67% of blue-collar workers said they believed the pandemic changed how people viewed their jobs, and 75% of white-collar workers agreed. AdvertisementNow, the economy is adding blue-collar jobs at a rapid clip. There is a tendency — particularly among white-collar workers — to look at blue-collar work through rose-colored glasses, to romanticize the hard work and skills it requires. The labor market hasn't completely reversed course; blue-collar jobs may be booming, but a bachelor's degree is still often a prerequisite for roles with high pay and numerous benefits.

Persons: Alyssa DeOliveira, didn't, DeOliveira, Chris Collins, Collins, Steven Kurutz, influencers, Eames, Bernie Sanders, Elise Gould, she's, it's, moratoriums —, Gould, Frankie Giambrone, Giambrone, Biden, Lael Brainard, Scott Gove, Michael Kaye, Gove, there's, he's, Sam Pillar, Jeff Goldalian Organizations: Walmart, UPS, Business, The New York Times, Economic, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Economic Council, Teamsters Union, United Auto Workers, Teamsters Locations: Boston, Tennessee, New York City

☆ New Caledonia: Why this French island in the Pacific is roiled by violence over a vote held 10,000 miles away
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Angus Watson | Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

France’s military has mobilized and flown in “four additional squadrons to restore order,” according to French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. Macron will chair a defense and national security council on Wednesday, focusing on the violence, the presidential palace said. Others were equipped with larger rifles, firing bullets,” the French High commissioner to New Caledonia Louis Le Franc said. Theo Rouby/AFP/Getty ImagesFrench gendarme officers guard the entrance of the Vallee-du-Tir district, in Noumea, New Caledonia on May 14, 2024. FLNKS issued its own statement Wednesday both condemning the vote at the National Assembly and calling for an end to the violence.

Persons: Paris –, Gerald Darmanin, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Charles Wea, Louis Mapou, New Caledonia Louis Le Franc, Franc, RNZ, Theo Rouby, unfreeze, Gabriel Attal, “, ” Attal, FLNKS, “ FLNKS Organizations: CNN, New, New Caledonian, New Caledonia Louis, Radio New, Getty, Colonial, Noumea Accord, National Assembly, French, Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Locations: New Caledonia, Noumea, South Pacific, Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, , New Caledonia, Pacific, Caribbean, Indian, France, Paris, China, United States, Radio New Zealand, Noumea , New Caledonia, AFP, Tir, White, Covid, Kanak

☆ US intelligence sees Russia step up disinformation campaign against Ukraine’s Zelensky
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Russia has stepped up its disinformation efforts to discredit Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and raise questions about his legitimacy in recent months, US intelligence agencies have observed. Russia has spread disinformation about Zelensky since before the war started but recent intelligence shows “it’s definitely increasing,” the official said. The administration has also imposed sanctions against individuals and entities connected with Russian disinformation. Both Ukraine and Russia have been involved in disinformation efforts against each other for years. “Not only have we seen these disinformation efforts increasing but we also expect them to continue to increase.”

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, “ it’s, “, ”, Zelensky, ’, Vladimir Putin’s, ’ ”, Gavin Wilde, ” Wilde, isn’t Organizations: CNN, Biden, ’ ” Biden, National Security Council, Carnegie Endowment, International Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Avdiivka, Ukrainian, Ukraine’s, Russian, Zelensky

☆ Robert Fico: Slovakia’s PM in life-threatening condition after being shot multiple times
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was in a life-threatening condition in hospital Wednesday after he was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico attends a European Council summit in Brussels, on April 18, 2024. Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images/FILEFico previously served as Slovakia’s prime minister for more than a decade, first between 2006 and 2010 and then again from 2012 to 2018. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, tweeted: “I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family.”And Hungarian Prime Minister Orban added: “I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Persons: CNN —, Robert Fico, Fico, Zuzana Čaputová, “ I’m, Roberto Fico, ” Čaputová, upend, “, ”, Vladimir Putin, Viktor Orban, Kenzo Tribouillard, Jan Kuciak, Martina Kušnírová, Kuciak, Ursula von der Leyen, Orban Organizations: CNN, CNN — Slovakia’s, Facebook, Ukraine, NATO, Kremlin, Hungary’s, European Union, Slovakia's, Getty Locations: Handlova, Banska Bystrica, Bratislava, Slovak, Ukraine, Brussels, AFP, Hungarian

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