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☆ Man who attacked 3 NYPD officers with machete on New Year’s Eve 2022 sentenced to 27 years in prison
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Rob Frehse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The man who attacked three New York City police officers with a machete on New Year’s Eve in 2022 has been sentenced to 27 years in prison, federal prosecutors announced Thursday. “Inspired by radical Islamic extremism, Trevor Bickford brutally attacked three NYPD officers who were just doing their jobs by protecting the public during the Times Square New Year’s Eve festivities,” US Attorney Damian Williams said in a Thursday statement. He then swung the blade at a third officer, who shot him in the shoulder, according to police. Bickford later admitted he intended to kill as many military-aged, government-employed men as he could before himself becoming a martyr, CNN has previously reported. He had planned to travel overseas to support the Taliban but ultimately decided to turn his attention to an attack in the US, the release said.

Persons: Trevor Bickford, Damian Williams, ” “, ” Williams, Bickford, ”, “ Organizations: CNN, New York City, Times, New, Attorney’s, US Locations: New York City, Maine, New York, ”

☆ US is ‘best’ choice for Africa over Russia or China, US Commerce Secretary says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Nairobi, Kenya CNN —The United States is the best partner for African nations “without strings attached” but it will not force African nations to choose its partnership over Russia or China, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told CNN. She spoke on the sidelines of the AmCham Business Summit after meeting Kenyan President William Ruto during her first official trip to Africa. Anti-Western sentimentLike many other African nations, Kenya has deep ties with China, which has funding projects and major infrastructure projects across the continent. Secretary Raimondo addressed the criticism that African nations dislike ‘lectures’ from the US and its European allies about democracy and human rights, and many prefer dealing with China or Russia that don’t make similar demands. Raimondo said the US is coming to Africa “without strings attached,” saying she had brought more than a dozen businesses to the Nairobi summit.

Persons: Gina Raimondo, “, Raimondo, CNN’s Larry Madowo, William Ruto, ‘, Ruto, we’re Organizations: Kenya CNN —, US, CNN Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, United States, Russia, China, Africa

☆ Joe Biden and Donald Trump poised to officially clinch party nominations
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Gregory Krieg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —More than 1,200 days after their historic 2020 general election clash, Joe Biden and Donald Trump are expected to clinch their respective parties’ 2024 nominations Tuesday, with voting taking place in four additional states. Biden is the projected winner of the Democratic primary in the US territory of the Northern Mariana Islands, held earlier Tuesday. Unlike Trump, the president never faced a serious, well-funded primary challenge, with Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, his lone rival in elected office, dropping out and endorsing Biden last week. Biden won the state by less than 12,000 votes in 2020 – the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia since Bill Clinton in 1992. “But we all know Donald Trump sees a different America, an American story of resentment, revenge and retribution.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, ’, Trump, specter, Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson, Jason Palmer, Robert Hur’s, Hur, Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, Haley, “, Bill Clinton, ” Biden, That’s, that’s, ” Trump, Bernie Moreno, Democratic Sen, Sherrod Brown Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Republicans, Democrats, Democratic Party, Democratic, Biden, Trump, Capitol, Minnesota Rep, Israel, GOP, South Carolina Gov, Republican, Georgia, Peach State, Union Locations: Georgia , Mississippi, Washington, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Samoa, Gaza, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, Peach, America, Rome , Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Dayton , Ohio, The Ohio

European leaders have paid tribute to jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny following reports of his death in prison on Friday. It is terrible that a courageous, fearless voice that stood up for his country has been silenced by terrible methods." Meanwhile, President of the European Council Charles Michel wrote in a post on X: "Alexey Navalny fought for the values of freedom and democracy. President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she was "deeply disturbed and saddened" by news of the death of Navalny. "Navalny fought for democratic values and against corruption.

Persons: Alexei Navalny, Olaf Scholz, Navalny “, Scholz, Angela Merkel, Navalny, Charles Michel, Alexey Navalny, Ursula von der Leyen, Putin, Mark Rutte Organizations: European, EU Commission Locations: Russian, Russia, Germany, Soviet, Siberian, Omsk, Berlin, Berlin’s Charite

☆ New York’s Freedom Plaza development will feature skyscrapers joined by daring cantilevered ‘skybridge’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The "skybridge" connecting the two hotel towers is set to feature a 150,000-gallon rooftop infinity pool. Bjarke Ingels GroupThe development is one of several projects competing for three casino gaming licenses recently approved for downstate New York by the state’s gaming commission. Bjarke Ingels GroupSoloviev Group has also promised that an unspecified percentage of the gaming profits, starting with a minimum $5 million donation, will go to an independently run non-profit community fund. Freedom Plaza will also contain public green space and a new Museum of Freedom and Democracy. Bjarke Ingels GroupUnaffiliated with Long Island University’s Museum of Democracy, the new institution will contain pieces of the Berlin Wall and works from the Soloviev Group’s art collection.

Persons: Bruce Munro, Le Corbusier, Wallace Harrison, Oscar Niemeyer, ”, Ray Pineault, “, Michael Hershman Organizations: CNN, New, United, Museum of Freedom and Democracy, British, Soloviev Group, BIG, UN, downstate, Soloviev, Mohegan, Museum of Freedom, Democracy, of Freedom and Democracy, Ingels Group, University’s Museum of Democracy Locations: New York City, Midtown Manhattan, Madison, Danish, North America, York City, York, New York, Long

☆ Tiananmen musical: Broadway star quits US show during China tour
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —A Broadway star has withdrawn from a musical about the Tiananmen Square protests weeks before its debut in the US – while he is on a concert tour in China. “I have withdrawn from the musical Tiananmen,” Piser said in a brief signed statement on Instagram. His manager Dave Brenner told CNN “there was a creative difference” that caused the actor to back out of the Tiananmen musical. Piser’s announcement came a day after his role in the Tiananmen musical was reported by Playbill, an American magazine for theater fans. The rehearsals for the Tiananmen musical start in Phoenix on September 5, according to Rose, the lead producer.

Persons: Zachary Noah Piser, “, ” Piser, Piser, –, Dave Brenner, Wu’er, ”, Jason Rose, ” Rose, Wu'er, Nicholas Kamm, Evan Hansen, Rose, Xi Jinping, Kaixi Organizations: CNN, Tiananmen, “, The Phoenix Theatre Company, Playbill, Getty, Broadway, Communist Party Locations: China, Phoenix , Arizona, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Phoenix, American, Washington , DC, Nanjing, Chengdu, Shaanxi, Taiwan

☆ Once Wary, Biden to Host Italy’s Meloni at the White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Peter Baker | More About Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

In forming a coalition government after last September’s elections, Ms. Meloni became the first far-right nationalist to lead Italy since Benito Mussolini. Like the former president, Ms. Meloni came to office with a long record of skepticism of Western alliances. But Ms. Meloni has shown that she is in charge when it comes to Ukraine. To Washington’s delight, Ms. Meloni has been drawing away from China. Valbona Zeneli, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, said Western leaders misjudged Ms. Meloni after her election.

Persons: Brothers, Meloni, Benito Mussolini, Biden’s, Donald J, Trump, “, Viktor Orban, Matteo Salvini, Silvio Berlusconi, ” Mr, Berlusconi, Vladimir V, Putin, Valbona Organizations: Conservative Political, Conference, Council’s Locations: Italy, Italian, United States, Germany, France, Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, China, Beijing

☆ Chinese apps remain hugely popular in the U.S. despite efforts to ban TikTok
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +15 min

But while TikTok has been the one in the spotlight, other Chinese apps that present similar issues are also experiencing massive popularity in the U.S. Gorman said as the U.S. considers the threat posed by TikTok, it will also need to develop a framework for how to evaluate the relative risk of Chinese apps. But in the meantime, U.S. consumers continue to turn to Chinese apps. "And then of course, there's the early growth of Lemon8, which suggests that the appetite for Chinese apps in the U.S. is still growing." And some say the most effective long-term solution for curbing the use of Chinese apps may be fostering an environment for robust alternatives to grow.

☆ Taiwan determined to safeguard freedom, democracy, President Tsai says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Through this trip we again sent a message to the international community that Taiwan is determined to safeguard freedom and democracy which won acknowledgment and support from our democratic partners," Tsai said as she met Canadian lawmakers at her office in Taipei. We are willing to do our utmost to jointly safeguard the values of freedom and democracy with Canada and many more like-minded international partners." Despite China announcing the three days of drills had ended as scheduled on Monday, Beijing has continued military activities around Taiwan. Taiwan's defence ministry said on Wednesday morning that in the previous 24 hours it had detected 35 Chinese military aircraft and eight navy vessels around Taiwan. The aircraft crossing the median line included five Su-30 fighters at its northern end, with the other planes crossing at points in the centre and south.

☆ Ukraine creditors group: provides assurances to support IMF steps to help Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS, March 24 (Reuters) - The Group of Creditors of Ukraine (GCU) body said on Friday that it had provided financing assurances to support the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) approval for an upper credit tranche programme to help restore Ukraine's economy. The Group of Creditors of Ukraine includes Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Britain and the United States. That is why Germany is committed to providing financial support bilaterally and in various multilateral forums," a German finance ministry spokesperson said in a written statement. The group agreed to conduct a debt restructuring in a later phase to restore the country's debt sustainability, it added. Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta, additional reporting by Victoria Waldersee; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

BERLIN, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Ukraine allies around the world lit up landmark monuments, held vigils and prepared new sanctions in a collective show of support on the first anniversary of Russia's invasion. Polish Premier Mateusz Morawiecki went to Kyiv and, together with Ukraine's prime minister, laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance of those who died for Ukraine. The United States marked the anniversary by announcing new sanctions against Russia and its allies, new export controls and tariffs aimed at undermining Moscow's ability to wage war. EU institutions were also lit in Ukrainian colours, along with the Sydney Opera House. Kyiv says there can be no peace until Russia, which denies intentionally targeting civilians, withdraws.

☆ Czech president-elect to speak to Taiwan president in diplomatic breakthrough
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PRAGUE, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Czech President-elect Petr Pavel is due to speak with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday, Pavel's spokeswoman said, a highly unusual move given the lack of formal ties and a diplomatic coup for Taipei that is likely to anger China. Most countries' leaders avoid high-level public interactions with Taiwan and its president, not wishing to provoke China, the world's second largest economy. In 2016, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke by telephone with Tsai shortly after winning the election, setting off a storm of protest from Beijing. Pavel's spokeswoman said he and Tsai were expected to speak at 1000 GMT. The Czech Republic, like most countries, has no official diplomatic relations with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, but the two sides have moved closer together as Taipei seeks new friends in Eastern and Central Europe.

☆ UK indicates it will send battle tanks to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Michael Holden | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERSLONDON, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Rishi Sunak indicated on Saturday that Britain would send Ukraine some of its main battle tanks along with additional artillery support, drawing swift reproach from the Russian Embassy in London. Media reports have suggested Britain was in discussions with Ukraine to deliver the Challengers to help the country fight Moscow's forces. According to Sky News, about a dozen tanks would be supplied, the first time such Western weaponry had been pledged. BATTLE TANKThe Challenger 2 is a battle tank designed to attack other tanks, and has been in service with the British Army since 1994. "The prime minister and President Zelenskiy welcomed other international commitments in this vein, including Poland's offer to provide a company of Leopard tanks," Sunak's spokesperson said.

☆ Taiwan votes in local elections amid tensions with China
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/7] People line up to cast their votes on election day in Taipei, Taiwan, November 26, 2022. The elections for mayors, county chiefs and local councillors are ostensibly about domestic issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and crime, and those elected will not have a direct say on China policy. But Tsai has recast the election as being more than a local poll, saying the world is watching how Taiwan defends its democracy amid military tensions with China, which claims the island as its territory. Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang or KMT, swept the 2018 local elections, and has accused Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of being overly confrontational with China. Tsai and the DPP heavily defeated the KMT in 2020 despite their setback at the 2018 local polls.

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