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☆ European diplomats in DC scramble to gain access to Trump allies for insights
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“We are not that nervous because we know that with Trump it is all about relationships,” said one veteran European diplomat who has been in DC since the Trump administration. “The logic of doing it at Heritage was not lost on us,” said Victoria Coates, a deputy national security advisor to former President Trump who is now a vice president at the think tank. The comments sent European diplomats into over-drive, eager to understand exactly what Trump meant. “If they are worried about how President Trump is going to react to them, they hold it in their hands to do something about it,” Coates said. But European diplomats are not only worried about NATO.

Persons: Donald Trump, jostle, Trump, of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, Mike Pompeo, Robert O’Brien, Keith Kellogg, Mike Pence’s, Hillary Clinton, they’ve, ”, –, David Cameron, Antony Blinken, Cameron, Jens Stoltenberg, Jim Lo Scalzo, Stoltenberg’s, Victoria Coates, Stoltenberg, ” Coates, nodded, James Carafano, “, it’s, “ He’s, Mike Johnson, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky Organizations: CNN, White, NATO, Ukraine, Trump, of National Intelligence, National, European Union, Republican, Russian Central Bank, EU, British, Heritage Foundation, Heritage, GOP, Putin Locations: Washington, Russia, European, Europe, Ukraine, Brussels, West, Russian, South Florida, Brexit, ”, Washington ,, “

☆ Former German Spy Chief Founds New Right-Wing Party
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Thomas Escritt and Sarah MarshBERLIN (Reuters) - A former German spy chief who was sacked after being accused of averting his eyes to the threat posed by the far-right founded a new right-wing party on Saturday, holding an inaugural party congress on a boat near Germany's old capital Bonn. The Werteunion, or Values Union, is headed by Hans-Georg Maassen, who was dismissed as head of Germany's Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) in 2018. A former member of the opposition Christian Democrats, Maassen is himself now being monitored by the security agency he ran, he said last month. Maassen said on social media platform X, posting a photo of himself and colleagues in front of a German flag on the boat. Earlier this year, leftist politician Sahra Wagenknecht founded a new left populist party.

Persons: Thomas Escritt, Sarah Marsh BERLIN, Hans, Georg Maassen, Maassen, Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, Sahra Wagenknecht, Sarah Marsh, Matthias Williams, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Values, Christian Democrats, Social Democrats Locations: Bonn, Germany, Chemnitz

☆ Opinion: Stuck in traffic, I wonder if this European city’s car-free vision is working
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( David A. Andelman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The fact is that gas cars aren’t being weaponized on most of the continent the way they are in America. I’m all in favor of the commendable end to gas cars that Europe has now embraced – a decade or more hence. Of course, that’s only one corner of what’s happened to Paris traffic under the Hidalgo regime. The same toxic, planet-warming emissions are being generated, especially with all that idling in place in endless traffic jams. Perhaps a couple of decades from now when all those gas guzzling cars will be gone entirely?

Persons: David A, That’s, “, Giuseppe Sala, hasn’t, van, Laurent Nunez, ”, King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, Anne Hidalgo, Hidalgo, Joe Biden, Eric Adams Organizations: CNN, French Legion of, The New York Times, CBS News, European Union, Sunday, ”, Concorde, Olympic, Seine, Maison de Radio, Notre Dame, US Locations: Europe, Asia, Paris, America, Milan, Italy’s, Swedish, Stockholm, Vienna, Pontevedra, Spain, –, dribs, Hidalgo, ”, Seine, Taxis, New York

☆ I'm a travel expert and often travel with my family. These 5 romantic destinations are surprisingly great for families.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Taryn White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In fact, the world is brimming with destinations that effortlessly cater to both lovebirds and jet-setting families, merging fine dining, lavish lodging, and kid-approved activities. Go adventuring in St. LuciaSt. Lucia holds a special place in my family's hearts, as one of our first international destinations. Taryn White says that while CrossKeys Vineyard is great for couples, families with kids can also enjoy the atmosphere. Courtesy The Trip Wish ListFor those seeking a luxurious family retreat, there are many options, like Salamander Middleburg in Loudoun County. It also has family suites complete with bunk beds or twin beds, ensuring that everyone has plenty of space to unwind after a day of sightseeing.

Persons: —, I've, Lucia St, Lucia, Bean, there's, Walsh, Taryn White, CrossKeys, Paris isn't, Gigi, Angelina Organizations: Service, des Pitons, Gros, Petit, Resorts, Aurora, Aurora Entertainment, Virginia Wine, Veritas, Keswick Hall, Michelin, Jardin du, Jardin des, Louvre Museum, Fish Locations: Maldives, French Polynesia, Caribbean, St, Sulphur Springs, New Jerusalem, Morne, des, Anguilla, Little Bay, Sandy Islands, Zemi, Aurora, Morais, Salamander Middleburg, Loudoun County, Albemarle County, Clifton, Paris, Jardin, Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin des Tuileries, Hana, Makena

☆ India to Replace Troops in Maldives With Civilians by May
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The roughly 80 soldiers stationed in the Indian Ocean archipelago will be replaced by civilians, officials from both countries said. As global powers jostle for influence in the Indo-Pacific region, India and China have wooed the Maldives, which has traditionally been close to neighbour India. New Delhi's ties with Male have under strain since Mohamed Muizzu was elected president of the Maldives last year, pledging to end the country's "India First" policy. The Indian troops manage those operations. The next bilateral meeting will be in Male in the last week of February, the Maldives foreign ministry said.

Persons: Krishn Kaushik, Mohamed Junayd NEW, Mohamed Muizzu, Mohamed Junayd, William Mallard Organizations: May, Maldivian Foreign Ministry, Dornier Locations: Mohamed Junayd NEW DELHI, India, Maldives, China, New Delhi, Delhi

☆ Azerbaijan’s 10 best castles and fortresses
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Tom Marsden | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

It grew up around a fortress built in the 1750s by Panah Ali Khan, founder of the Karabakh Khanate (1748-1822). Kamilla Rzayeva Tea culture: Azerbaijani tea culture originated in Lankaran and the hospitable locals will often welcome visitors with a refreshing glass. Kamilla Rzayeva Yanar Bulag: Yanar Bulag, meaning "burning spring" is a natural spring which percolates methane gas. Kamilla Rzayeva Hirkan National Park: Home to endangered Persian leopards, Hirkin National Park is a great place for hiking and cooling off. Kamilla Rzayeva Ironwood trees: Hirkan National Park's famous ironwood trees are believed to have survived the last Ice Age.

Persons: ”, Alexander the Great, Timur, Russia –, Elchin Aliyev, who’s, Akhsitan I, Ilisu, Ivan Paskevich, Imam Shamil, Potemkin, Sergei Einstein’s, Panah Ali Khan, Persian Shah, Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, Joseph Stalin, Kamilla, Stalin, Yanar, Zindan Organizations: CNN, UNESCO, Sheki, of Sheki, Zaqatala Locations: Europe, Asia, Azerbaijan, Russia, USSR, jostle, Old City, Baku, Mardakan, Shabran, Persia, Chirag, Sheki, Caucasus, Ilisu, Ilisu Sultanate, Soviet, Zaqatala, Lesser Caucasus, Shusha, Karabakh, Persian, Alinja, Azerbaijan’s, Nakhchivan, Armenia, Iran, Turkey, Machu Picchu, Azerbaijani, Lankaran, Ironwood, ironwood, Talysh

☆ Indonesia hosts regional defence chiefs amid multiple global crises
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Nov 15 (Reuters) - Defence ministers in ASEAN called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a durable solution to the crisis in Myanmar during the opening of a regional meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday. Defence ministers from the Asian bloc are attending the 2-day meeting alongside key players in the Indo-Pacific as major powers jostle for regional influence, and as conflicts deepen from Myanmar to the Middle East. All ASEAN defence ministers, with the exception of Myanmar's, attended Wednesday's forum, with U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to meet counterparts later in the day. The talks will expand on Thursday to include Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand and Australia. The country removed its defence minister in October, raising questions about the stability of the leadership around President Xi Jinping.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, Joko Widodo, Joe Biden, Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Prabowo, Myanmar's, Lloyd Austin, Jing Jianfeng, Xi Jinping, Austin, Aaron Connelly, Thomas Shoal, Connelly, Stanley Widianto, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty, Kate Lamb, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defence, ASEAN, Wednesday, Indonesian Defence, Hamas, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan, U.S . Defence, Air, Joint Staff Department, China's, Military Commission, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Myanmar, Jakarta, Washington, Malaysian, Malaysia, East, Ukraine, South China, China, Philippines, Russia, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand, Australia, Beijing, Indonesia, North Korea, Pyongyang, Singapore, U.S, Israel

☆ How Haley could eclipse DeSantis to become the Trump alternative
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Ron Brownstein | Analysis Ronald Brownstein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

But many Republican strategists believe that DeSantis’ struggles to connect with voters, and his choice to run at Trump solely from the right, have opened a lane for Haley to eclipse the Florida governor. An array of recent polls, both nationally and in the battleground states, signal that DeSantis and Haley have separated themselves from the rest of the candidates chasing Trump. “Absolutely, Nikki Haley has more upside than DeSantis if they are both viable after the first two,” argued Alex Stroman, a former executive director of the South Carolina GOP. DeSantis, Ayres argued, has “has tried to appeal to some of the ‘always Trump’ voters, but the ‘always Trump’ voters are always Trump for a reason. Nikki Haley seems to have figured out the job is to consolidate the ‘maybe Trump’ voters who supported Trump twice but now … want a different style and different temperament.”Republicans sympathetic to DeSantis argue that it is Haley who has boxed herself in.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Trump, “ You’ve, ”, Tom Rath, Donald Trump, DeSantis, Haley, Republican pollster Whit Ayres, Alice Stewart, Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy, South Carolina Sen, Tim Scott, Scott, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Ted Cruz, Kim Reynolds, Huckabee, Santorum, Cruz, John McCain, Mitt Romney, ’, Ayres, Rath, George W, Bush, “, ” Dante Scala –, –, Scala, GOPers, ” Haley, McCain, Linus, ‘, ’ ”, he’s, Newt Gingrich, Alex Stroman, DeSantis “, ” Ayres, Ayres ’ “, tellingly, MAGA —, dethroning, ” Scala, Mike Murphy, who’s, Joe Biden, ” Murphy, There’s, Sen, Gary Hart parlayed, Hart, Walter Mondale, Chris Sununu, DeSantis ’, Yogi Berra, ” Rath Organizations: CNN, GOP, Florida Gov, South Carolina Gov, ”, Republicans, Trump, Republican, Washington Post, New, New Jersey Gov, South, Huckabee, New Hampshire GOP, University of New, Romney, South Carolina GOP, “, dethroning Trump, Democratic Locations: Florida, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa, New Jersey, Granite State, University of New Hampshire, After New Hampshire, Gaza, DeSantis, Haley, Iowa , New Hampshire

☆ Opinion | There Is Another Paris
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Cole Stangler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Tourists visiting the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, the magnificent snow-white cathedral towering over northern Paris, tend to descend the Butte Montmartre the way they came up. But once they’ve had enough, they’ll most likely make their way down the south side of the hill, following the path of the funicular toward the recognizable sights of central Paris. This Paris exists mostly outside the gaze of tourists, the whopping 12.7 million people who visited the area this summer. But they refuse to abide by the half-theme-park, half-museum ambience that prevails in much of central Paris. Here, another Paris is alive and kicking.

Persons: they’ve Organizations: Coeur Basilica Locations: Coeur, Paris, Montmartre, Belleville, Eastern, Southern Europe, Maghreb, China

Mohammed Aborjela, 27, used to document daily life in the Gaza Strip on his Instagram account before the war, videos about a crab dish prepared along the seaside or pigeon racing in the coastal enclave. Now, he has turned to documenting daily life under Israeli bombardment. On Sunday, he posted a story about the daily struggle to find drinking water. He records snippets as he walks, carrying a bright yellow jug to one of the few water stations still functioning in the southern city of Khan Younis. People are on top of one another and people are getting sick.”

Persons: Mohammed Aborjela, Khan Younis, ” Mr, Aborjela, ” Organizations: New York Times Locations: Gaza, Khan

Work is under way on a joint statement that would be issued during the visit, four people informed about the negotiations told Reuters. China's foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Reuters GraphicsSTATE VISIT PREPARATIONSOne of the sources said China had sent a team to Hanoi to organise accommodations for Xi's delegation. China's foreign minister Wang Yi was expected to visit Hanoi in mid-October to help finalise the joint statement, the source added, if sufficient progress on the text has been made. As China's president, Xi travelled to Vietnam twice, with his latest visit in 2017, when he attended an Asia-Pacific summit with Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and other leaders.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Wang Yi, Florence, Joe Biden's, Xi, Pham Thu, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Khanh Vu, Francesco Guarascio, Martin Pollard, Yew, Tian, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Graphics STATE, Vietnam, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Vietnam, HANOI, BEIJING, Hanoi, Washington, Vietnam's, United States, Europe, Asia, U.S, Singapore, South

“We were very fully making a ’70s movie,” Payne says, recently speaking by phone from his desk in Omaha, Nebraska. Payne, 62, shot “The Holdovers,” set at a New England boarding school, largely with filmmaking equipment and camera lenses from that period. “We were trying to play the exercise of: We are in 1970 making this movie,” he says. I told (screenwriter) David Hemingson: ‘We’re writing for Paul Giamatti. But as long-term and ’70s-oriented as making “The Holdovers” was, it struck Payne as a contemporary story, too.

Persons: Alexander Payne, ” Payne, Payne, ”, he’s, “, Paul Giamatti, Giamatti, Paul Hunham, Hunham, Payne pares, Angus, Dominic Sessa, Mary, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Barton, —, David Hemingson, That’s, aspersions, Randolph, Cessa, hadn’t, ‘, Dominic, ” Cessa, you’d, He’s, ” Payne’s, Marcel Pagnol, “ Trump, Nixon, Marx, Jake Coyle Organizations: curmudgeonly Barton Academy, Deerfield Academy, Jesuit, Twitter Locations: Omaha , Nebraska, New England, Hunham, Vietnam, jostle, Western Massachusetts, New York, “ Nebraska

☆ Karen Pence said that she 'never' feared for her life on January 6 and felt 'such a peace and God's presence' as she was evacuated from the Senate chamber
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Former second lady Karen Pence said that she "never felt afraid" while at the Capitol on January 6. Karen Pence said her role as second lady prepared her for the precautions she took that day. But throughout that harrowing day, Karen Pence in an interview with ABC News said that she "never" feared for her life and remarked that she felt "God's presence" despite the uncertainty that filled the air. When Davis asked Karen Pence about her drawing the curtains in the ceremonial office, the former second lady attributed it to "conditioning" from being in the public eye. "I think once you become, you know, second lady, life changed a lot for us," she said.

Persons: Karen Pence, Joe Biden's, Mike Pence, Linsey Davis, Davis, Let's, Charlotte, president's, Pence, Donald Trump's Organizations: Capitol, ABC News, Service, United States Capitol, Biden's, Christian Broadcasting Network, Trump, Republican, GOP Locations: Wall, Silicon, Iowa, Indiana

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Electric vehicle (EV) maker Fisker Inc (FSR.N) unveiled a pickup truck on Thursday, weeks after starting deliveries of its flagship sport utility vehicle (SUV) and as it tackles persistent supply chain issues. Fisker aims to make a mark in the crowded EV market with lower-priced vehicles that still have high-design sensibility. Fisker said Alaska, reservations for which opened on Thursday, would be built on the same platform as its Ocean SUV. Fisker, which uses contract manufacturing for its vehicles, aims to keep cost of production as well as vehicle prices low. While the Ocean SUV starts at $37,499, its smaller Pear SUV, which was also unveiled on Thursday, is priced at $29,990.

Persons: Henrik Fisker, Fisker, Tesla, We're, Lisa Baertlein, Abhirup Roy, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Fisker Inc, Reuters, Ford, Thomson Locations: HUNTINGTON BEACH , California, Alaska, Huntington Beach , California, Huntington Beach, San Francisco

☆ Trump’s Legal Woes Mount as Trial Dates and Campaign Calendar Collide
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Charlie Savage | More About Charlie Savage | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As former President Donald J. Trump campaigns for the White House while multiple criminal prosecutions against him play out, at least one thing is clear: Under the laws of physics, he cannot be in two places at once. Generally, criminal defendants must be present in the courtroom during their trials. Not only will that force Mr. Trump to step away from the campaign trail, possibly for weeks at a time, but the judges overseeing his trials must also jostle for position in sequencing dates. The collision course is raising extraordinary — and unprecedented — questions about the logistical, legal and political challenges of various trials unfolding against the backdrop of a presidential campaign. “The courts will have to decide how to balance the public interest in having expeditious trials against Trump’s interest and the public interest in his being able to campaign so that the democratic process works,” said Bruce Green, a Fordham University professor and former prosecutor.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, ”, Bruce Green, “ Organizations: Trump, White, Fordham University

☆ I got chauffeured in a $500,000 Rolls-Royce and saw firsthand how nice life is for the .1%
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I got driven in the Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV and Ghost sedan. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan starts at around $400,000. Getting whisked to my destination in a $500,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV provided an even fuller picture of the good life — and disproved once and for all the notion that you can't get any happier after making $75,000 per year. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan's headrest had trim that matched the cabin's blue theme. The Rolls-Royce Ghost is little sibling of the Phantom.

Persons: Royce Cullinan, Royce, I'd, Tim Levin, Royce Cullinan's, Cullinan, Royce Cullinan's headrest Organizations: Royce, SFO, BMW, TSA Locations: New York, San Francisco, Napa, Nobu, Riding, steerage

☆ Drivers are frustrated with cupholders, door handles, and horns that sound like 'clown cars' in newer models as automakers push for more tech in vehicles, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

An annual study by auto research firm JD Power found that the overall quality of cars declined. Part of the issue stems from automakers' push to put more tech in vehicles, JD Power tells Insider. Automakers are increasingly putting more tech in their new vehicles, but they can't seem to get basic features such as cupholders, door handles, and car horns right, a study from auto research firm JD Power found. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty ImagesPart of the desire to redesign door handles is due to the shift to electric vehicles, Hanley said. "They're trying to make the vehicles as aerodynamic as possible because it helps with range ... and door handles was one of those opportunities," he said.

Persons: Power, JD, Frank Hanley, Hanley, they're Organizations: JD, Drivers, Android, aren't, Manufacturers Locations: Teslas, Hanley

HONG KONG, July 7 (Reuters) - Alibaba Group Holdings (9988.HK) and Huawei Technologies Co on Friday showcased new products, including an artificial intelligence (AI) image generator and an AI model upgrade, as Chinese companies jostle for position in the global AI race. Alibaba Cloud, an Alibaba subsidiary, presented at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai an image generator named Tongyi Wanxiang that will initially be available to enterprise customers in beta form. Also on Friday, Huawei demonstrated the third iteration of its Panggu AI model at the start of its three-day annual developer conference in Dongguan. Alibaba's image generator will compete with OpenAI's DALL-E and Midjourney Inc's Midjourney, U.S.-based rivals that have gained a large following worldwide. Alibaba Cloud emerged from a massive overhaul announced in March that split the Chinese tech major into six units.

Persons: OpenAI, OpenAI's DALL, Inc's Midjourney, Alibaba, Josh Ye, Edmund Klamann, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Alibaba Group Holdings, HK, Huawei Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Huawei, McKinsey, Alibaba, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Shanghai, Dongguan, U.S, Shenzhen

☆ China offers closer military cooperation with Vietnam
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, June 27 (Reuters) - China is willing to work with Vietnam to strengthen high-level communication and cooperation between their militaries, Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu said on Tuesday as he met his Vietnamese counterpart. Li told Phan that relations between their militaries had developed well, adding that China's military was willing to push relations to a new level. The U.S. navy visit comes amid tension between China and the United States in the South China Sea, most of which China claims, as the two powers jostle for influence in the energy-rich region. Li, appointed defence minister in March, is under U.S. sanctions over his role in a 2017 weapons purchase from Russia's largest arms exporter. As tensions simmer in the South China Sea, where several countries have overlapping territorial claims and also hold military exercises in its waters, any thaw in Sino-U.S. military relations is being closely watched.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, Phan Van Giang, Phan, Ronald Reagan, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Nancy Pelosi, Bernard Orr, Kim Coghill, Robert Birsel Organizations: Chinese Defence, U.S, aircraft, U.S . Defence, Beijing, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Vietnam, Beijing, Asia, Pacific, Danang, U.S, United States, South China, Singapore, Taiwan

☆ Where Whales, Puffins and Icebergs Jostle for Your Attention
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Sam Howe Verhovek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“I never trust the mind of an iceberg,” Cecil Stockley told me. Dave Boyd said his safety rules depend on which type of iceberg he’s dealing with. “A tabular is generally pretty mellow,” Mr. Boyd explained as we floated off the coast of Newfoundland, referring to icebergs with steep sides and large, flat tops. Another clue, he said, is when a flock of seabirds perched atop the ice abruptly peels away en masse. They can feel the tremors that Mr. Rogers is straining to hear.

Persons: “, ” Cecil Stockley, Dave Boyd, Mr, Boyd, ” Barry Rogers doesn’t, Rice, Rogers Locations: Newfoundland

☆ Wagner's chief says his army isn't strong enough to topple Putin, responding to rumors he is planning a coup: report
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin denied planning a coup. Kremlin ally Igor Girkin had claimed that Prigozhin may be preparing to topple Vladimir Putin. Prigozhin instead implied that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu could stage a coup because he has access to the Russian Special Forces, the ISW added. Wagner, Prigozhin said on Telegram, simply wants reforms in Russia, according to the report. Girkin said insults Prigozhin has made about top Russian officials in expletive filled videos indicate he is planning to seize power.

☆ US and Papua New Guinea poised to sign defense pact as Washington, Beijing vie for influence in the Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The United States and Papua New Guinea are poised to sign a new bilateral defense cooperation agreement – a move that has sparked controversy in the Pacific Island nation and comes as Washington and China jostle for influence in the region. Those concerns were heightened last year after Beijing signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands – and tried, but failed, to win support for a sweeping, regional trade and security communique with Pacific Island nations. “Papua New Guinea does not have enemies but it pays to be prepared. Blinken is expected to meet with leaders of the Pacific Island Forum regional body in Port Moresby on Monday, the forum has said, taking Biden’s place at the gathering. That bid has included opening embassies in the Solomon Islands and Tonga this year, while Biden hosted Pacific Island leaders in Washington for a summit in September and released the first-ever national strategy on engaging the Pacific Islands.

☆ Thailand's opposition parties meet for coalition talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, May 17 (Reuters) - Thailand's opposition parties, which trounced their military-allied rivals in this week's election, met for coalition talks on Wednesday as the liberal Move Forward Party, which won the most votes, looks to form a government. Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat was seen greeting senior officials from five other parties at a Bangkok restaurant before ushering them upstairs for closed-door talks. Pita earlier this week said that together with five other opposition parties, his coalition will be able control about 310 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives. The parties Pita has approached are Pheu Thai, Thai Sang Thai, Prachachart, Seri Ruam Thai and Fair parties. On Wednesday, some Thais questioned the senate's role in electing a prime minister, asking 'why do we need a senate' on social media like Twitter.

☆ LinkedIn lays off 716 employees, kills China jobs app
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

LinkedIn, the popular business social networking platform owned by Microsoft , will discontinue its China-specific jobs app InCareer and lay off 716 employees worldwide, the company said in a message to employees. LinkedIn launched InCareer in Dec. 2021 after sunsetting its localized LinkedIn product in China. Shares of parent company Microsoft were largely flat in pre-market trading Tuesday morning. LinkedIn will continue to operate other businesses in China, including its LinkedIn Learning product. The total number of InCareer and LinkedIn users in China was over 57 million, according to an InCareer page.

☆ North America’s best bar for 2023 serves pizza cocktails
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —This week in travel news: Crowns are handed out to pizza joints, bars and an English king. And we reveal why going on a hiking trip might be one of the best ways to find love. Award-winning bars and restaurantsDouble Chicken Please, a cocktail bar-slash-chicken joint on New York’s Lower East Side, took the No.1 spot in North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023. A newly published Italian list names the Best Pizza in Europe 2023, all outside the home country. King Charles gets his crownThis is what you can expect to see at King Charles III's coronation 04:04 - Source: CNNLondon airports were expected to greet more than 2 million arrivals this week, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium, as the country prepares for the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday.

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