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☆ Rep. Ritchie Torres quietly leaves Progressive Caucus amid tensions over Israel-Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York is no longer a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) after months of tensions with colleagues over the Israel-Hamas war. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. It's also unclear whether Torres left the caucus voluntarily, with one senior progressive caucus member telling Business Insider that the New York Democrat "never showed up" for meetings. One fellow progressive member told Business Insider that he only found out about it via social media. AdvertisementIt's also not the first time Torres has left a progressive caucus.

Persons: Ritchie Torres, Torres, Rashida, Tlaib, Lois Frankel, Florida —, xuMZTw7wSw — Ritchie Torres, Pramila Jayapal, It's, Alexandria Ocasio, Joe Crowley Organizations: Congressional Progressive Caucus, CPC, New York Democrat, Business, Jewish, Democratic Locations: New York, Israel, Michigan, Jewish State, New York City, Alexandria

CNN —The judge presiding over the Georgia election subversion case against Donald Trump and several co-defendants said Monday that the district attorney who brought the case could be disqualified if she financially benefitted from a personal relationship with her lead prosecutor on the case. Trump and his co-defendants are also seeking to get the entire case dismissed. “The state has admitted a relationship existed,” McAfee said. “The issues at point here are whether a relationship existed, whether that relationship was romantic or non-romantic in nature, when it formed and whether it continues,” McAfee said. While McAfee said Willis may not be the first witness called on Thursday, he did not rule out the possibility of Willis taking the stand.

Persons: Donald Trump, Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Trump, “, ”, Scott McAfee, ” McAfee, Wade, Willis, CNN Anna Cross, ” Willis, Mike Roman, McAfee Organizations: CNN, Fulton Locations: Georgia, Fulton County

☆ Odawara: Japanese castle town invites travelers to become ‘daimyo’ for a day
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Julian Ryall | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Simon Celestine arrived at Odawara castle as a tourist from France but he is now lord of one of the most impressive feudal-era fortresses in Japan – if only for a day. Odawara Tourism AssociationOdawara has been selected as one of the first recipients of government assistance to tell its story and local tourism authorities have been busy devising initiatives that play on its strengths. Five generations of the Hojo clan made Odawara castle one of the most formidable in the country and it was never successfully stormed in battle. Odawara Tourism AssociationThe innermost courtyard is across another bridge over a moat, up a flight of steep steps and through a gate set into a two-meter-thick wall. The “Lord of the Castle” experience can be booked through the official Odawara Tourism Association website.

Persons: Simon Celestine, Hojo, Naoya Asao, ” Celestine, ”, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Hideyoshi, Meiji, Celestine, Tomomi Iwayama, Iwayama, sashimi Organizations: CNN, Japan CNN, Odawara Tourism, Odawara, Odawara Tourism Association, CNN Travel Locations: Odawara, Japan, France, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hakone, Izu, Sagami Bay, Mount Fuji, Edo, Kanto

☆ Glen Powell at Sundance: ‘I’m Buzzing Right Now, Man!’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Kyle Buchanan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It has to do with “Hit Man,” a comedy Powell co-wrote with the director Richard Linklater that casts him as a hapless teacher who must pose as an assassin for hire. I first saw it at the Venice Film Festival in September, where it proved so crowd-pleasing that the audience broke into applause midway through the movie. A week later at the Toronto International Film Festival, the response was also through the roof. But for months, Powell had only heard about all that secondhand. Since the Screen Actors Guild strike was still going strong during the fall tests, Powell wasn’t able to attend a premiere of “Hit Man” until it played Monday night at the Sundance Film Festival.

Persons: Glen Powell doesn’t, ”, Powell, Richard Linklater, Powell wasn’t Organizations: Venice Film, Toronto, Actors, Sundance Film Locations: Venice

☆ Stream These 16 Movies Before They Leave Netflix in December
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Jason Bailey | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

‘Gladiator’ (Dec. 31)Stream it here. ‘Kung Fu Panda’ (Dec. 31)Stream it here. ‘Mission: Impossible’ 1- 4 (Dec. 31)Stream them here, here, here and here. ‘Role Models’ (Dec. 31)Stream it here. The raw edge yet soft heart of this wildly funny bad-boy comedy from 2008, and the presence of the frequent leading man Paul Rudd, might lead you to assume it’s the work of Judd Apatow.

Persons: ’, Russell Crowe, Ridley Scott’s, Crowe, Maximus, Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix, Scott, Napoleon, ”, Steven Spielberg, Roy Scheider’s, Brody, Kung, Jack Black, Jackie Chan, David Cross, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Angelina Jolie, Randall Duk Kim, Lucy Liu, Ian McShane, Seth Rogen, Christopher McQuarrie, Tom Cruise, John Woo, Brian De Palma’s, Brad Bird, Paul Rudd, Judd Apatow, David Wain, Kerri Kenney, Silver, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Rudd, Seann William Scott, J, Thompson, Christopher Mintz Organizations: Netflix Locations: Italy, Phoenix

Another off-year election, another good night for Democrats – a rejoinder to a spate of recent polls showing alarming 2024 prospects for President Joe Biden. In Election Day’s marquee contests – the Kentucky gubernatorial race, Virginia’s legislative elections and a pro-abortion-rights ballot measure in Ohio – Democrats notched victories. Beyond that, “the real test was Trump’s ability to move voters in a state race,” Cross says. Tate Reeves won a second term – though the race was relatively close for a deep red state. In the secretary of state race, incumbent Michael Watson, a Republican, outran Reeves by more than 8 points in defeating Democrat Ty Pinkins.

Persons: Democrats –, Joe Biden, Andy Beshear, Daniel Cameron, Kentucky’s, Beshear, Biden, Cameron, Glenn Youngkin, ”, Roe, Wade, Beshear’s, Al Cross, Cross, “ I’m, Rich Meagher, Youngkin, “, Paul Beck, Daniel McCaffery, Carolyn Carluccio, Larry Ceisler, Micah Rasmussen, Rider, –, Tate Reeves, Democrat Brandon Presley, Elvis Presley, Reeves, Democrat hasn’t, Presley, Jim Hood, “ Reeves, Steve Rozman, Donald Trump’s, Reeves “, ” Rozman, Republican Russell Coleman, Pamela Stevenson, Michael Adams –, Buddy Wheatley, Lynn Fitch, Democrat Greta Kemp Martin, Michael Watson, outran Reeves, Ty Pinkins, Mark Brewer Organizations: Democrats, Kentucky gubernatorial, Democratic, Republican, GOP, University of Kentucky’s Institute for Rural Journalism, Macon College, Senate, Republicans, Ohio State University, Rebovich Institute for New, Democrat, Public Service Commission, Mississippi, College, University of Maine Locations: Ohio, Kentucky, In Virginia, Letcher, Perry County, Hazard, Breathitt County, Jackson, Virginia, Randolph, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ”, New Jersey, Jersey, Rebovich Institute for New Jersey, Mississippi, Maine

☆ Runestones from Denmark praising a Viking queen hint at her power
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Mindy Weisberger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Both Jelling runestones also named a royal figure: Queen Thyra, mother of then-reigning King Harald Bluetooth. In recent years, archaeologists have revised prior interpretations of Viking warrior burials as exclusively male, finding that Viking women were fighters, too. The new findings add to the picture of influential Viking women holding prominent roles in statecraft as well as on the battlefield. Fewer than 10 runestones in Denmark from the pre-Christian era mention women at all — and four of those are of Queen Thyra. “Runestones in Denmark were mostly erected in honour of men, but Thyra is commemorated on more runestones than any other person in Viking Age Denmark,” Imer said.

Persons: CNN —, —, Thyra, “, ”, Katherine Cross, ” Cross, King Harald Bluetooth, King Gorm, Harald, Lisbeth, Imer, ” Imer, Queen Thyra, ” Mindy Weisberger Organizations: CNN, telltale, John University, National Museum of Denmark, Museum of, National Museum of, Scientific Locations: Denmark, Sweden, York, Europe, Jelling, Copenhagen, Museum of Denmark, National Museum of Denmark, dak, DAK, statecraft, Viking

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president said Monday he is going to send a diplomatic note to the United States to protest Texas truck inspections that have caused major delays at border crossings. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador claimed Monday that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to enforce additional truck inspections was “very irresponsible” and politically motivated. Mexico’s national freight transport chamber said Sunday that 19,000 trucks were delayed at the border. “We are going to send a diplomatic note today to protest the Texas' governor's attitude of putting up obstacles to free transit on our borders without any reason, but rather with political motivations,” López Obrador said.

Persons: —, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Greg Abbott’s, ” López Obrador Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Texas Gov Locations: MEXICO, United States, Texas

Andy Beshear has seized a commanding fundraising lead over Republican challenger Daniel Cameron in their marquee matchup in Kentucky, their latest campaign finance reports showed. Heading into the fall campaign, Beshear had the advantage of a noncompetitive spring primary campaign, while Cameron exhausted most of his funds during a crowded GOP primary. Cameron’s campaign reported raising about $2.3 million in contributions since May. Cameron's campaign contends their grassroots support is deeper, given the state's GOP strength, especially across the vast rural stretches of the Bluegrass State. We are confident that with our conservative message, robust fundraising and extensive travel schedule, Daniel Cameron will defeat Andy Beshear,” Sean Southard, a Cameron campaign spokesman, said in a statement.

Persons: Andy Beshear, Daniel Cameron, Beshear —, Cameron, Beshear, Al Cross, ” Cross, ”, Democratic Party —, Eric Hyers, Cameron's, Andy, ” Sean Southard Organizations: — Democratic, Republican, GOP, —, “, Kentucky, NFL, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Bluegrass State Locations: FRANKFORT, Ky, Kentucky, Churchill

☆ Who is Travis King, and what comes next for the US soldier in North Korea?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Picture of Travis King, the US soldier who ran across the military demarcation line into North Korea on Tuesday July 18. From Travis King/FacebookThe day before he crossed into North Korea, King was supposed to board a flight to Texas, where he was to face disciplinary procedures. The last American known to be held by North Korea was Bruce Byron Lowrance, who, according to North Korean state media, crossed from China into North Korea in 2018. While in North Korea, he appeared in propaganda films, taught the country’s spies English and spent up to eight hours a day studying the writings of North Korean leaders. He was allowed to leave North Korea in 2004, two years after his Japanese wife, who was kidnapped from her home in Japan in 1978 and left North Korea under a deal between Pyongyang and Tokyo.

Persons: Travis King “, ”, King, Travis King, Bryce Dubee, Christine Wormuth, King “, ” Jaqueda, King’s, “, Claudine Gates, Jonathan Franks, Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un, Trump, Kim, KCNA, Washington “, Private King, Bruce Byron Lowrance, Lowrance, Otto Warmbier, Warmbier, Charles Jenkins, Jenkins Organizations: South Korea CNN, Joint Security Area, North, US, CNN, 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat, Armored Division, Army, Incheon International, Aspen Security, South Korean, US Navy, Korean Central News Agency, U.S . Army, Washington, Private, Swedish Embassy, Central Intelligence Agency Locations: Seoul, South Korea, North Korea, Korean, Korea, Fort Bliss , Texas, Texas, Incheon, United States, ” Jaqueda Gates, Pyongyang, Washington, Busan, Japan, North, Maryland, Swedish, China, American, Tokyo

Seoul, South Korea CNN —A “conversation has commenced” with North Korea over US Army Pvt. Travis King, who crossed the border between North and South Korea last week in the demilitarized zone separating the two nations, the deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC) said Monday. It controls the South Korean side of the JSA, the one place where the North and South can meet for talks. King has not been publicly seen or heard from since he crossed into North Korea last Tuesday. North Korea has also not said anything about the status or condition of the missing soldier.

Persons: Travis King, King, Andrew Harrison, “, ”, ” Harrison, – Organizations: South Korea CNN, US Army, United Nations Command, UNC, Joint Security, Korean People’s Army, Seoul Foreign Correspondents, UN Command, CNN, American Airlines, Incheon International Airport, Incheon, Security Locations: Seoul, South Korea, North Korea, North, Korean, United States, Korea, Bliss, Texas

☆ What do we know about the US solider in North Korea?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —For the first time in decades a US soldier is believed to be in North Korean custody. The US Army has identified the soldier who crossed the demarcation line into North Korea on Tuesday as Pvt. The last American known to be held by North Korea was Bruce Byron Lowrance, who, according to North Korean state-run media, crossed from China into North Korea. While in North Korea, he appeared in propaganda films, taught North Korean spies English and spent up to eight hours a day studying the writings of North Korean leaders. He was allowed to leave North Korea in 2004, two years after his wife, a Japanese national who was kidnapped from her home in Japan in 1978, was allowed to leave North Korea under a deal between Pyongyang and Tokyo.

Persons: Travis King, King “, ”, “, Isaac Taylor, King, Bryce Dubee, Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un, Trump, Bruce Byron Lowrance, Lowrance, Otto Warmbier, Warmbier, Charles Jenkins, Jenkins Organizations: South Korea CNN —, US Army, Joint Security, Democratic, Korean People’s Army, ” US Forces, 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat, Armored Division, Joint Security Area, US Navy, Swedish Embassy, Pyongyang, United Nations Command, Central Intelligence Agency, US, North Locations: Seoul, South Korea, North, United States, Korea, Pyongyang, North Korea, Korean, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, ” US Forces Korea, Fort Bliss , Texas, South, Washington, Busan, Japan, Swedish, China, American, Tokyo

☆ ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Crosses the $1 Billion Mark
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Nicole Sperling | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The animated film “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” crossed the $1 billion box-office threshold on Sunday, making it the fifth movie to do so since the start of the pandemic and the surest sign yet that the theatrical movie business is on the rebound after a prolonged downturn. Of the five films to cross the $1 billion mark since the pandemic began, “Super Mario” is the first animated one. In fact, “Super Mario” helped push the April domestic box office up 11.5 percent compared with prepandemic levels, according to the box office analyst David A. Gross called the stat “a breakthrough” since it marks the first month that has surpassed its prepandemic average. The 2023 year-to-date box office deficit is now down 21.8 percent compared with that average.

☆ Car repossessions are on the rise in warning sign for the economy
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Shannon-Pettypiece-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Shannon Pettypiece | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

WASHINGTON — A growing number of consumers are falling behind on their car payments, a trend financial analysts fear will continue, in a sign of the strain soaring car prices and prolonged inflation are having on household budgets. The percentage of auto loans that were 30 days delinquent was at 2.2% in the third quarter compared with 2.35% delinquent over the same period in 2019, according to data from Experian. By contrast, just over 4% of auto loans went into default in 2009. Another risk to car buyers’ finances is the growing length of auto loans, many of which now exceed seven years. It can also mean higher interest costs over the life of the loan on top of already inflated vehicle prices.

☆ India-China border clash video shows troops fighting with sticks and bricks
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Though they’re separated by barbed wire, the footage appears to show Indian troops beating the Chinese soldiers with makeshift weapons, including what look like wooden sticks and metal pipes. In several instances, Indian soldiers can be seen throwing bricks or stones. Many of the Chinese soldiers, gathered on the other side of the wire, also appear to be holding long sticks or batons. Speaking to lawmakers on Tuesday, India’s defense minister accused Chinese troops of trying to cross the LAC, saying they were trying to “unilaterally” change the status quo. Later that evening in a statement posted online, the Chinese military’s Western Theater Command accused Indian troops of “illegally” crossing into the Chinese side of the border.

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