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☆ Kenyan President’s State Visit: An Antidote to U.S. Troubles in Africa?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Declan Walsh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As other African nations move away from the United States, disillusioned with democracy or lured by rival powers, President William Ruto of Kenya arrives in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day state visit intended to showcase a stalwart American ally on the continent. Relations with once-firm American allies like South Africa and Ethiopia are decidedly cool. Mr. Ruto, the Biden administration hopes, is the antidote to those troubles. Since he came to power two years ago, Mr. Ruto, 57, has pulled Kenya, the economic powerhouse of East Africa, ever closer to the United States. His visit is just the sixth state visit hosted by the Biden administration, and the first for an African president since 2008.

Persons: William Ruto, Ruto, Biden Locations: United States, Kenya, Washington, American, Russia, China, Niger, South Africa, Ethiopia, Senegal, East Africa

☆ Ukraine: Battles rage outside Kharkiv as troops try to hold back Russian advance
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Russia’s relentless onslaught has a key goal: If they take Lyptsi, then they can position artillery within range of Ukraine’s second city, Kharkiv, 20 minutes down the road. “They’re not sending just anyone into the assaults.”His stare lengthens when asked about what fortifications were in place before the surprise Russian attack. At one position closer to the Russian border, the 92nd Assault Brigade showed CNN a Russian artillery gun, captured in the first days of the war, from which they are now firing French mortar shells. The gun was partially hidden by a wire net, aimed at providing some protection from an attack drone. Attacks persisted in the distance however, keeping the city’s residents awake through violently loud nights, now amplified by the threat of Russian artillery edging closer.

Persons: ”, “ They’re, Artun, Mick Krever, tugging, ” Artun, “, CNN’s Nick Paton Walsh, Oleksandr, Brice Lainé Organizations: CNN, National Guard, 92nd Assault Brigade Locations: Ukraine, Kharkiv, Russian, Soviet, Lyptsi, Russia, Cherkaska Lozova

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo set to play in 11th international tournament after 39-year-old makes Portugal’s Euro 2024 squad
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in his 11th international tournament for Portugal later this year, after the 39-year-old was named in his nation’s squad for Euro 2024. It seemed as though Ronaldo might have made his last appearance in a major international tournament at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Ronaldo made his first tournament appearance for Portugal at Euro 2004. Darren Walsh/Action Images/ReutersHowever, Ronaldo will not be the oldest player in the Portugal squad. “His communication, his positioning mean that, when he’s fit, he’s a very important player.”Portugal will play Turkey, Georgia and Czech Republic in Group F at Euro 2024.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Ballon d’Or, Roberto Martinez, “ Cristiano, It’s, who’s, ” Martinez, Ronaldo, “, Fernando Santos, Darren Walsh, Pepe, ” Organizations: CNN, Portugal, Saudi, Portugal’s UEFA Nations League, Al, UEFA, Porto, European, Champions League, Sporting Lisbon, Czech Republic, Czech Locations: Europe’s, Saudi Arabian, Portugal, Greece, Portugal’s, Qatar, ” Portugal, Turkey, Georgia, Czech, Czech Republic

☆ Mauricio Pochettino leaves Chelsea by mutual consent
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( David Ornstein | Liam Twomey | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Mauricio Pochettino has left his position as Chelsea head coach by mutual consent after less than 11 months in charge. AdvertisementIn a Chelsea statement, Winstanley and Stewart said of the decision: “On behalf of everyone at Chelsea, we would like to express our gratitude to Mauricio for his service this season. Pochettino’s coaching staff members Jesus Perez, Miguel d’Agostino, Toni Jimenez and Sebastiano Pochettino have also left the club. Chelsea spent over £400million ($507m) ahead of Pochettino’s debut season in charge in a summer of squad overhaul. Chelsea finished the 2023-24 Premier League season with 63 points; with their 19-point increase from last season more than any other club in the division.

Persons: Mauricio Pochettino, Paul Winstanley, Laurence Stewart, Winstanley, Stewart, Mauricio, ” Pochettino, Jesus Perez, Miguel d’Agostino, Toni Jimenez, Sebastiano Pochettino, Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, Tuchel, Germain, Darren Walsh, Liam Twomey, Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, Jose Feliciano, Stewart –, Feliciano –, Ryan Pierse Organizations: Chelsea, Stamford, Sporting, Premier League and Europe, Bournemouth, Premier League, Stamford Bridge, Liverpool, Manchester City, Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Champions League, Spurs, Tottenham, Paris Saint, Ligue, de France, Trophee des Champions, PSG, Chelsea FC, Getty Locations: Argentine, Chelsea, Pochettino’s, London, Paris, Pochettino

The “Code 9.2” drone unit, from the 92nd assault brigade, are moving into a new launch position from where they are about to conduct a rare and potent mission: flying drones into Russia and dropping mines onto key roads inside enemy territory. It is only when the dark has set in that their work can begin. Before operators Andrey and Artem can leave the bunker to begin work, a noise sends them rushing back in for cover. It is only when the dark has set in that the work of Ukrainian drone unit 'Code 9.2' can begin. Artem and Andrey race to attach the mines to the drone, using only red lights.

Persons: Andrey, Artem, “, ” Andrey hisses, ”, Vladimir Putin, Brice Lainé, Ukraine’s, Sasha, Volodymyr Zelensky –, – Organizations: Ukraine CNN, 92nd, CNN Locations: Russian, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Russia, Belgorod, Kharkiv, Bakhmut, Ukrainian, Donetsk, –, “, Moscow

☆ One-third of single-family homes for sale are newly built, report finds. Here's what buyers need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

While new builds are still sold for slightly more than existing homes, the price gap has significantly narrowed. Over the last six months, the median price for a new home is only about 4% higher than the median price of an existing house. Reducing the square footage of your home can help reduce construction costs as well as utility and maintenance costs down the line. Keep construction costs down: Major factors like lumber and labor costs significantly impact the cost of a new house. And depending on the kinds of materials you add to the house, builders are "adding up the tab," Veronica Fuentes, a wealth management advisor based in Washington, D.C., previously told CNBC.

Persons: Alistair Berg, Digitalvision, Nicole Bachaud, Dietz, Matthew Walsh, Walsh, homebuilders, Veronica Fuentes Organizations: Getty, Zillow Group, CNBC, U.S . Census, U.S . Department of Housing, Urban, Moody's, Washington , D.C Locations: U.S, Washington ,

☆ Congolese Army Says It Foiled a Coup Involving Americans
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Declan Walsh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The military of the Democratic Republic of Congo said on Sunday that it had foiled a coup attempt involving foreigners, hours after a gunfight near the presidential palace in which at least three people were killed. In a brief statement on state television, an army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge, initially offered little detail about the purported putsch in the capital, Kinshasa, other than to say that the plotters and their leader had been “put out of action.”But he later told The Associated Press that three Americans were among the perpetrators, and the United States ambassador to Congo, Lucy Tamlyn, acknowledged publicly that American citizens may have been involved. The United States will cooperate “to the fullest extent” with the Congolese authorities “as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any U.S. citizen involved.,” she said on X, formerly Twitter.

Persons: Sylvain Ekenge, “, Lucy Tamlyn, ” Organizations: Democratic, Associated Press, United, Congolese Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, United States, Congo

For the Ukrainian border town of Vovchansk, they’re getting worse. Locals in the town lived through occupation and liberation for seven grueling months in 2022. The Russian military claims the action has left close to a dozen villages under its control. Maria, 85, evacuates the Ukrainian town of Vovchansk. The Russians held our boys there.” There has been widespread reporting of mistreatment of Ukrainian civilians under Russian occupation, allegations the Kremlin has typically dismissed as fake.

Persons: they’re, Vladimir Putin’s, Mykola, –, “, ”, Maksim, Maria, haltingly, Inna, they’ve, Vovchansk Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, Locals, CNN, Russian Locations: Vovchansk, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Moscow, Kyiv, Russia, Kharkiv

President Biden came out swinging this week when he announced a series of steep tariffs on Chinese imports, including 25 percent on certain steel and aluminum products, 50 percent on semiconductors and solar panels and 100 percent on electric vehicles. The administration’s official reason for the policy is simple: Chinese imports are undercutting American manufacturers in swing states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. And Mr. Biden wants to protect them from competition, as he pours huge amounts of government money into building up the manufacturing of electric vehicles and solar panels that can eventually compete with China’s inexpensive offerings. But the truth is, these new tariffs on electric vehicles are little more than a handout to legacy car companies like General Motors and Ford. With more cash and better credit, wealthy Americans are the only ones who can afford the electric vehicles currently on the market, which cost over $55,000 on average.

Persons: Biden, aren’t Organizations: General Motors, Ford Locations: American, Michigan , Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, United States, U.S

☆ Monzo: 2024 CNBC Disruptor 50
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Cnbc.Com Staff | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

As a digital-only bank, Monzo operates entirely within a mobile app. In September, the company partnered with BlackRock , the asset management giant, to offer three funds to Monzo customers. Founded in 2015, it has more than nine million customers, making it the largest digital bank in the U.K. and the seventh largest U.K. bank by customers. In March, Monzo raised $430 million in a new round of funding led by CapitalG, the venture arm of Alphabet. It appointed Conor Walsh, a former executive at Block's Cash App division, as the CEO at Monzo U.S. in October.

Persons: Monzo, neobanks, Starling, —, CapitalG, Conor Walsh, Anil Organizations: BlackRock, Starling Bank, Zopa, Sutton Bank, Monzo, Financial Times Locations: Monzo, U.S

☆ Russia is surging across the frontlines, and Ukraine seems unable to stop it
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

First, and most acutely troubling, is the northern border near Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city. Russian forces have crossed the border in multiple locations and claim to have seized nine villages. The town of Lyptsi is at risk, say some military bloggers, and from there Russian forces could hit Kharkiv with artillery. Netailove and Krasnohorivka slightly further south show Russian forces making further gains to the west of Avdiivka, and threatening another key hub – Pokrovsk. An evacuee arrives by bus at an evacuation point in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, on May 12.

Persons: ” “, ”, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Chasiv Yar, evacuee, Roman Pilpey, Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Andrey Belousov Organizations: CNN, Getty, Biden, National Security Council, Washington Locations: Ukrainian, Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, Kharkiv, Ukraine’s, Vovchansk, Lyptsi, Kyiv, Chasiv, Kramatorsk, Avdiivka, Donetsk, Verbove, Ukraine's Kharkiv, AFP, –, Europe

☆ Trump's worst rebukes from NY judges were all for attacks on women who made him look bad in court
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Cowbells herald a third Trump outburstDonald Trump at his criminal hush-money trial with lawyers Todd Blanche, left, and Emil Bove. I will not tolerate that," state Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan complained of Trump to defense lawyer Todd Blanche, his voice raised. Then there was Stormy DanielsA courtroom sketch of Stormy Daniels on the witness stand in Donald Trump's hush-money trial. Defense lawyer Susan Necheles questions Stormy Daniels as Donald Trump and Judge Juan Merchan look on. Advertisement"As recently as, I believe, Wednesday night, he was on TikTok," Blanche, the defense lawyer, complained to Merchan before court broke for the week on Friday.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Trump, riled Trump, they're, Debbie Walsh, Walsh, Donald Trump's, Allison Greenfield, enemies.i Curtis, David Dee Delgado, Arthur Engoron, who'd, Greenfield, Jean Carroll Donald Trump, Jean Carroll, Andrew Kelly, Luiz C . Ribeiro, Lewis Kaplan, audibly —, Carroll, Roberta Kaplan, Cowbells, Todd Blanche, Emil Bove, Jabin, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniel, Joe Biden's, Juan Merchan, Stormy Daniels, Jane Rosenberg, Daniels, swatting Trump, Merchan, audibly, — Daniels, Blanche, Susan Necheles, Mary Altaffer, Michael Cohen Cohen — Trump's, fining Trump, Cohen, he's, MAGA Organizations: Service, Business, Trump, Center for American Women, REUTERS, New York Daily News, Tribune, Getty, Reuters, GOP, AP Locations: Manhattan, York, New, New York City, Lake Tahoe, New York

CNN —Russian forces have made two cross border assaults inside northern Ukraine, according to information from Ukrainian sources and officials – in what President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling a ‘new wave of counteroffensive actions” by Russia. In the first development, Russian soldiers penetrated at least one kilometre towards the town of Vovchansk, a Ukrainian military source told CNN. The source said the Russian ground assault towards Krasne was carried out by four Russian battalions - about 2000 men. “But our military and military command were aware of this and anticipated their forces to meet the enemy with fire. Syniehubov insisted the latest Russian ground assaults did not put the city, which lies just 30 kms south from the Russian border, under heightened risk.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, “, DeepStateMap, ”, ” Zelensky, Oleh Syniehubov, Syniehubov Organizations: CNN, Russian, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, CNN Russian, Staff, “, National Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Vovchansk, Ukrainian, Krasne, Russian, Moscow, “ Russia, Kharkiv

☆ ‘Lord of the Rings’ franchise has a new movie coming in 2026
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly $6 billion blockbuster “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films. The first of the new projects from Sir Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens is tentatively titled “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,” Warner Bros. Walsh and Boyens have been tapped to write the screenplay, along with Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou. Warner Bros. is owned by CNN’s parent company. Jackson made history with “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, becoming the first person to direct three major feature films simultaneously.

Persons: Sir Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Gollum, ” Warner, “, Andy Serkis, Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, “ Yesssss, ” Serkis, ”, Peter, Fran, Philippa, ” Jackson, Tolkien’s, Mike De Luca, Pam Abdy, Jackson, King ”, Serkis, Jackson’s Organizations: CNN, ” Warner Bros . Discovery, Warner Bros, Warner Bros . Pictures, Globes

☆ Congressmen demand answers after CNN report contradicts Pentagon investigations into deadly Kabul airport attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | Mick Krever | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The reporting included a video obtained by CNN captured by a Marine’s GoPro camera that had not been seen publicly in full before. Much of the controversy about the Pentagon’s two investigations into the attack has focused on gunfire in the aftermath of the blast. “Lastly, why do journalists have this video footage and the Department does not? The recent discovery of new video released by CNN directly contradicts and exposes outright lies from our recent briefing last month from CENTCOM officials,” the Gold Star families said in a statement they sent to CNN. Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images/FileThe evidence also suggests the Pentagon may have more video footage than it has acknowledged in public.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin “, –, ”, Mike Waltz, Darrell Issa, Tim Burchett, Brian Mast, Rich McCormick, Keith Self, Cory Mills, Chris Smith –, Sayed Ahmadi, Ahmadi, “, ” James Adams, Hamid, Jared Schmitz, Humberto Sanchez, Taylor Hoover, Nicole Gee, Kareem Nikoui, Hunter Lopez, Rylee McCollum –, Biden, Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM, I’m, Haroon Sabawoon, Rob Lodewick, ” Lodewick Organizations: CNN —, Defense, CNN, Pentagon, House Foreign Affairs, Command, Marines, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Department, Gold Star, Department of Defense, Biden Administration, “, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Army, DoD, Service Locations: Kabul, Afghanistan, US

☆ Top minds at Milken unveil what they're seeing under the surface of the US economy as the national debt burden rises to nauseating levels
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

For the 27th straight year, some of the brightest minds from across the business world descended on Beverly Hills in early May to attend the Milken Institute Global Conference. But while speculation stole headlines, Milken speakers spent much of their time fixated on the state of the US economy. But despite continued concerns about stagflation, Milken speakers overwhelmingly expressed confidence about economic growth at a May 6 session called "Global Markets at Inflection." "The economy is still extremely strong, consumers are still doing really well, businesses are still doing really well," Scharf said. Though far from perfect, the US is still the best place to investDespite the $34.7 trillion anvil hanging over the economy, Milken speakers widely agreed that the US is still the best place to invest and operate a company.

Persons: Elon Musk, he's, Milken, Wells, Franklin Templeton, Gerard Baker, Andre Esteves, Jenny Johnson, Charlie Scharf, Scharf, we've, it's, you've, hasn't, Sam, Joshua Friedman, Anne Walsh, Friedman, Esteves, they've, Johnson, " Scharf, Wells Fargo Organizations: Milken Institute Global, SpaceX, Business, Milken, The, Consumers, Starbucks, Canyon Partners, Investors, Guggenheim Investments, Milken Institute Global Conference, US Locations: Beverly Hills, Wells Fargo, Brazil, McDonald's, Washington

☆ Watch CNBC's full interview with David Zervos and Anne Walsh at Milken Conference
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | 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 EmailWatch CNBC's full interview with David Zervos and Anne Walsh at Milken ConferenceHosted by Brian Sullivan, “Last Call” is a fast-paced, entertaining business show that explores the intersection of money, culture and policy. Tune in Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC.

Persons: David Zervos, Anne Walsh, Brian Sullivan, “ Organizations: CNBC

☆ How do celebrities get their hands on museum-quality gowns?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Leah Dolan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

But today, as more and more celebrities choose to wear vintage, the all-important stretch of red carpet has started to look more like a museum hallway. Kendall Jenner's vintage dress for the 2024 Met Gala. Mugler — the luxury French fashion house responsible for dressing Zendaya in a 30 kilogram full metal robot suit from 1995. Although interest in vintage fashion is rising amongst celebrity clients, not everyone is qualified to physically handle these pieces. John Shearer/WireImage/Getty ImagesFashion’s rat raceBut if these one-of-a-kind pieces are so fragile, and the method of their conservation so exact, how do celebrities even get their hands on them?

Persons: CNN —, Miley Cyrus, Laverne Cox, Olivia Rodrigo, Bob Mackie, ”, Vanessa Friedman, Cardi, Margot Robbie, Jennifer Lawrence, Mugler, Givenchy —, That’s, Kim Kardashian, Marilyn Monroe’s, Emily Ratajkowski, Versace, Zendaya, Givenchy, Kendall Jenner, Kendall Jenner's, Jamie McCarthy, Renée Zellweger, Jean Dessès, Julia Roberts, “ Erin Brockovich, Erin Walsh, Anne Hathaway, Selena Gomez, Sarah Jessica Parker, WWD, Wiktor, ” Adrian Corsin, Law Roach, Jean, Jacques Urcun, Marion Bourdée, Adrian, Julie Ann Clauss, Tom Ford, Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera, “, John Shearer, Kylie, ” Jenner, Thierry Mugler, Couturissime, ” Bourdée, Kylie Jenner, Ripley’s, ” Mugler, won’t, Walsh, ” Erin Walsh, Valentino, Karwai Tang, We’re, Kendall, ” Corsin, hasn’t Organizations: CNN, New York Times, Givenchy, London, Publishing, Brooklyn, International Council of Museums, , New York, Hollywood, SAG, Vogue Locations: Zendaya, London, France, LA, Mugler, New York, “, , New

☆ Fiscal spending offset much of the Fed's quantitative tightening, says Guggenheim's Anne Walsh
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | 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 EmailFiscal spending offset much of the Fed's quantitative tightening, says Guggenheim's Anne WalshHosted by Brian Sullivan, “Last Call” is a fast-paced, entertaining business show that explores the intersection of money, culture and policy. Tune in Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC.

Persons: Guggenheim's Anne Walsh, Brian Sullivan, “ Organizations: CNBC

☆ Live updates: Pro-Palestinian university protests at UCLA, USC, Michigan campuses
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Pro-Palestinian protesters gather at the campus of George Washington University on May 3. Susan Walsh/APGeorge Washington University President Ellen Granberg said the pro-Palestinian protest encampment that has occupied part of the university's campus for more than a week "has grown into what can only be classified as an illegal and potentially dangerous occupation of GW property." “All of these things have happened at GW in the last five days.”She said the encampment is in violation of multiple university policies and is occupying the space reserved for law students' final exams. The university also believes the protest involved people not affiliated with the school, she said. CNN has reached out to MPD for more details.

Persons: Susan Walsh, Ellen Granberg, Granberg, ”, Muriel Bowser, ” Granberg Organizations: George Washington University, AP George Washington University, Police, GW, DC Metropolitan Police Department, Washington Post, DC’s Metropolitan Police Department, DC, CNN Locations: Gaza, DC’s

☆ 4 ingredients to level up your pasta recipes
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Karla Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

With “Anything’s Pastable: 81 Inventive Pasta Recipes for Saucy People,” “I hope that people realize that there’s so much more than they can and should be putting on pasta,” Pashman said. Substitute 3 tablespoons prepackaged toasted rice powder for the 1 teaspoon oil and ¼ cup rice and skip step 1. In a large heatproof bowl, combine the shallots, ¼ cup cilantro, ¼ cup mint, scallions, chili flakes and sugar. Heat the remaining ¼ cup oil in the reserved skillet over high heat until just starting to smoke. Recipe adapted from “Anything’s Pastable: 81 Inventive Pasta Recipes for Saucy People” by Dan Pashman.

Persons: Dan Pashman, ”, Pashman, “, Harper Collins, ” Pashman, Alla, they’re, Pepe Chili Crisp, He’s, e pepe, Gan Ma, Jing, Dan Liberti, Caesar, Skip, James Park, Chili Crisp, Dan Liberti Dan Pashman’s Larb, browning, Karla Walsh, William Morrow Organizations: CNN, ”, Saucy, Ritz Crackers, Ritz, Sporkful, HarperCollins Publishers Locations: Italy, African, America, Thai, Des Moines , Iowa

☆ Ukraine: Russia is capturing its biggest swath of territory since July 2022, as Kyiv desperately awaits US weaponry
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Russian forces have used the “artillery drought” hampering Ukraine’s defenses since December to push forward on the eastern front near Avdiivka, making the largest advance since the early months of the war. Only on Sunday did the top Ukrainian military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, admit the fall of a series of villages that his subordinates had insisted for days were still contested. The resulting fallback showed Russian forces had, in just over two months, made the most substantial and swift progress since July 2022’s advances near Severodonetsk, according to a CNN analysis. DeepStateMap, which updates the frontline situation daily, showed significant losses near Avdiivka. Yurii Fedorenko, commander of the Achilles attack drones company at the 92nd separate assault brigade in that area, said the next two months marked a “window of opportunity” for Russian forces.

Persons: Chasiv, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ruslan Mykula, ” Mykula, ”, Volodymyr Zelensky, Oleksandr Ratushniak Oleksandr Ratushniak, Chasiv Yar, Col Nazar Voloshyn, ” Voloshyn, Druzhkivka, Novozhenina, Yurii Fedorenko, “ Organizations: CNN, Sunday, Kurakhove, Ukraine’s, Airborne, REUTERS, Reuters, Russian Locations: Ukraine, Avdiivka, Donetsk, Mariupol, Russia, Pokrovsk, Chasiv Yar, Bakhmut, Ukrainian, Russian, Avdiivka’s, Severodonetsk, Ocheretyne, Kurakhve, Kupiansk, Kharkiv, Moscow

is an investigative reporter at The Times, writing about public corruption. He has been covering the various criminal investigations into former President Trump and his allies.

Persons: Trump Organizations: The Times

☆ As home sellers, buyers wait on a Fed cut, here's how mortgage rates have impacted the spring housing market
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

People looking to buy or sell a home this spring are paying close attention to mortgage rates. The average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 7.17% for the week ending April 25, according to Freddie Mac data via the Federal Reserve. It remains unclear when the Federal Reserve might make its first rate cut. "I believe our first rate cut is penciled in for July," said Matthew Walsh, assistant director and economist at Moody's Analytics. "We might not see rates fall in any meaningful way until [the] later half of this year," he said.

Persons: Freddie Mac, Matthew Walsh, Walsh Organizations: Federal Reserve, Moody's Analytics, Finance

☆ Surrounded by Fighters and Haunted by Famine, Sudan City Fears Worst
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Declan Walsh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Fears of renewed ethnic slaughter in the Sudanese region of Darfur, where genocidal violence killed as many as 300,000 people two decades ago, have soared in recent days, with a looming assault on an embattled city that is already threatened by famine. The contest for control of El Fasher, the last city held by Sudan’s military in Darfur, has prompted alarmed warnings from American and United Nations officials who fear that mass bloodshed may be imminent. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. envoy to the United Nations, told reporters on Monday that the city was “on the precipice of a large-scale massacre.”El Fasher is the latest flashpoint in a year-old civil war between Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary group that the military once nurtured and is now its bitter rival for power. The conflict has devastated one of Africa’s largest countries and created a vast humanitarian crisis that U.N. officials say is one of the biggest in decades. The crisis also brings a sharp focus on the role of foreign powers accused of fueling the fight, especially the United Arab Emirates.

Persons: El Fasher, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, ” El Fasher Organizations: United Nations, Rapid Support Forces, United Locations: Sudanese, Darfur, U.S, “, United Arab Emirates

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