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☆ Spain, Ireland and Norway have recognized Palestinian statehood. Where does Europe stand on the issue?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognized Palestinian statehood on Tuesday, cementing a joint move that further isolates Israel over its war against Hamas in Gaza. The move also highlights just how split Europe is on whether to recognize Palestinian statehood. Spain, Ireland and NorwayThe move by these three countries to recognize Palestinian statehood in tandem sent an impactful message to Israel, and other Western states. Western EuropeIn 2014, Sweden became the first major Western European nation to recognize Palestinian statehood. “The path of symbolic recognition of statehood is not the way forward.”Eastern EuropeOfficially, a number of countries that previously fell under the Soviet sphere of influence in eastern Europe recognize Palestinian statehood.

Persons: Simon Harris, “, Harris, Ireland “, ”, Netanyahu, Israel, ” Harris, Espen Barth Eide, Pedro Sánchez, Israel Katz, ” “, ” Katz, Margot Wallstrom, Olaf Scholz, ” Scholz, Robert Golob, Golob, Palestine ” Organizations: CNN —, Palestinian, Gaza . Irish, United, Ireland, CNN, Palestine, Swedish, UN, Assembly, Reuters, Europe Officially, Soviet Locations: CNN — Spain, Ireland, Norway, Israel, Gaza ., Europe, United Nations, Eastern, Spain, Palestine, Gaza, Norwegian, Madrid, Palestinian, Iran, Sweden, France, Belgium, Poland, Greece, Denmark, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, States, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ramallah, Argentina, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, United States

☆ German cockroaches’ unexpected origins revealed by genomic analysis
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Amanda Schupak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The nocturnal critter was most likely a German cockroach, and its ancestors were pestering people more than 2,000 years ago in southern Asia, a new study found. German cockroaches, scientifically known as Blattella germanica, are ubiquitous in cities in the United States and around the world. The research team received 281 German cockroach samples from 57 sites in 17 countries and studied their DNA to trace their evolution. And we know that transatlantic trade routes probably were the culprit for the spread of German cockroaches. “For example, the German cockroach has insecticide resistance that is not detected in many other pests,” he said.

Persons: Qian Tang, ”, Tang, Carl Linnaeus, Matt Bertone, Jessica Ware, ” Ware, Amanda Schupak Organizations: CNN, National Academy of Sciences, Harvard University, American Museum of Locations: Asia, United States, Europe, India, Myanmar, Swedish, North America, Americas, New York City

☆ There's new evidence that creators are turning away from AI
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Shriya Bhattacharya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewArtificial intelligence took the creator world by storm, but it looks like fewer creators are now buying into the hype. Earlier this month, the Swedish-based music company Epidemic Sound published a report finding that fewer social-media personalities were using AI tools like chatbots or transcription software in 2024 compared to the previous year. For example, creator Noah Jennings said using AI to generate content designs was actually more time-consuming than coming up with the ideas himself. Others, like lifestyle creator Joseph Arujo, had relegated using tools like ChatGPT for administrative tasks like formatting emails for corresponding with brands rather than creative work. Other creators had stopped using AI altogether for reasons like a lack of inclusivity.

Persons: —, Noah Jennings, Joseph Arujo, Sora, Alex Piper, Kahlil Greene, we'll Organizations: Service, Business, Sound, Adobe, Night Studios, it's Locations: Swedish

☆ Putin has 'both eyes' on a strategic island belonging to new NATO member Sweden, army commander says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewRussian President Vladimir Putin is targeting a strategic Swedish island that offers mastery over the Baltic Sea, the commander-in-chief of Sweden's army warned this week. Putin's goal is to gain control of the Baltic Sea," Micael Bydén told German news outlets, according to Politico's translation of his remarks. Sweden joined NATO in early March, and the alliance is now the dominant force in the Baltic Sea, thanks in large part to its control of Gotland. Advertisement"If Russia takes control and seals off the Baltic Sea, it would have an enormous impact on our lives — in Sweden and all other countries bordering the Baltic Sea," Bydén said. Swedish military officials watch a Swedish C-130H take off from a non-traditional runway on Gotland Island on October 23, 2021.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Micael Bydén, Bydén, Patrik Orcutt, Ulf Kristersson Organizations: Service, Business, NATO, Nordic, Russia's Ministry of Defence, Moscow Times, US Army, Politico, Sweden's, Financial Times, Gotland Regiment, US Locations: Swedish, Baltic, Gotland, Putin's, Sweden, Russian, Kaliningrad, It's, Rhode, Russia, Bydén, Moscow, Lithuania, Finland, Latvia, Ukraine

London CNN —WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will find out Monday whether he can make a final challenge against his extradition to the United States. LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images Assange attends a seminar at the Swedish Trade Union Confederation in Stockholm on August 14, 2010. LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images Assange and his bodyguards are seen after a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland, in November 2010. Carl Court/Getty Images Assange speaks to the media in May 2017, after Swedish prosecutors had dropped their investigation of rape allegations against Assange. Jack Taylor/Getty Images Assange was seen for the first time in months during a hearing via teleconference in Quito, Ecuador, in October 2018.

Persons: Julian Assange, Assange, Victoria Sharp, Jeremy Johnson —, Stella Assange, ” “ Julian, ”, Kristinn Hrafnsson, Jack Taylor, LEON NEAL, BERTIL ERICSON, FABRICE COFFRINI, Carl Court, Geoff Caddick, Oli Scarff, CARL COURT, Leon Neal, Philip Toscano, Ricardo Patino, Frank Augstein, David Paul Morris, John Stillwell, Mike, Pompeo, Maria Sol Borja, Chelsea Manning, Alastair Grant, Daniel Leal, Elizabeth Cook, Anthony Albanese, “, Albanese’s, Joe Biden, Trump, Biden, Sunna, it’s, Alan Rusbridger Organizations: London CNN, Foreign Press Association, Court, European, of Human Rights, WikiLeaks, Guardian, Getty, Swedish Trade Union Confederation, St, Paul's, British, Ecuadorian Embassy, Oxford Union Society, Ecuadorian Foreign, Southwest Festival, Bloomberg, United Nations Human Rights, United, United Nations, CIA, CNN, Army, Ecuadorian, Ecuador, Southwark Crown, Australian, Parliamentary, of Europe, Prospect Magazine Locations: United States, London, Westminster, Afghanistan, AFP, Stockholm, Iraq, Geneva, Switzerland, Sweden, Ecuador, Austin , Texas, Ecuadorian, United Nations, United Kingdom, Quito, Southwark, London’s, Australia

☆ Bruce Nordstrom, Who Helped Lead His Family’s Retail Empire, Dies at 90
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Glenn Rifkin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Bruce Nordstrom, who along with three other members of the Nordstrom family transformed a small chain of Pacific Northwest shoe stores into an international fashion retail giant with more than 150 locations worldwide, died on Saturday at his home in Seattle. His death was confirmed by a company spokeswoman. As a grandson of John W. Nordstrom, the company’s Swedish immigrant founder, Mr. Nordstrom was part of the third generation of the family to run the company jointly, sharing power and making decisions by consensus, an unusual but successful Nordstrom tradition that continues to this day. He shared leadership with his cousins John N. Nordstrom and Jim Nordstrom, who were brothers, and Jack McMillan, who was married to their cousin Loyal Nordstrom. Management by committee is considered a business school formula for disaster, but the Nordstrom family, starting with Bruce’s father, Everett, and Everett’s brothers Elmer and Lloyd, decided that they could be more effective as co-leaders of the company, which was founded in 1901 in Seattle.

Persons: Bruce Nordstrom, Nordstrom, John W, John N, Jim Nordstrom, Jack McMillan, Loyal Nordstrom, Bruce’s, Everett, Elmer, Lloyd Organizations: Management Locations: Pacific Northwest, Seattle, Swedish

☆ Step aside, Ozempic — Zyn is the new (delusional) weight-loss quick fix
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Mia De Graaf | Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Now, Zyn users are buzzing about another purported side effect: Some claim that their habit has triggered weight loss. Andrea Hernández, author of consumer trend newsletter Snaxshot, pointed out this craze this week, sharing a collection of social media posts about Zyn and weight loss. "I've used Zyn nicotine pouches occasionally over the past few years but have started to use them regularly because they help me focus and curb my hunger," a Reddit user wrote in r/intermittentfasting. While nicotine pouches circumvent the health effects of cigarettes that are caused by tobacco, they still do a number on your body. She worries that "we don't fully understand how nicotine works to regulate appetite in people, specifically with obesity."

Persons: —, Tucker Carlson, Carlson, Andrea Hernández, I've, Carolyn Bramante, Bramante, vapes, Slim, Apple AirPods, Philip Morris, Forget, I'm, Elon Musk, Charles Barkley, Hernández, Michael M, Beverly Tchang, Tchang, Iuliia Burmistrova Organizations: Service, Business, University of Minnesota, FDA, Lucky, Samsung, Getty, Weill, Philip Morris International, Swedish Locations: New York

Blum turned to programs mostly in states where abortion access — and, by extension, abortion training — is likely to remain protected, like California, Colorado, and New Mexico. The AAMC analysis found the number of applicants to OB-GYN residency programs in abortion ban states dropped by 6.7%, compared with a 0.4% increase in states where abortion remains legal. For internal medicine, the drop observed in abortion ban states was over five times as much as in states where abortion is legal. The AAMC analysis notes that even in states with abortion bans, residency programs are filling their positions — mostly because there are more graduating medical students in the U.S. and abroad than there are residency slots. Stulberg and others worry that this self-selection away from states with abortion restrictions will exacerbate the shortages of physicians in rural and underserved areas.

Persons: — Isabella Rosario Blum, Blum, —, “, ”, Atul Grover, ” Jack Resneck Jr, Wade, Resneck, Beverly Gray, Gray, Duke, Rohini Kousalya Siva, Kousalya Siva, “ We’re, Debra Stulberg, Stulberg, Hannah Light, Olson, Dr, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: Health, —, Association of American Medical Colleges, KFF Health, OB, Research, Action Institute, American Medical Association, Duke University School of Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington , D.C, D.C, American Medical Student Association, Department of Family Medicine, University of Chicago, University of California, CNN, CNN Health, Residents, KFF Locations: Arizona, California , Colorado, New Mexico . Arizona, Seattle, Midwest, U.S, North Carolina, Washington ,, Maryland , New Hampshire , New York, Washington, Virginia, Tennessee, San Francisco, California, New York

☆ What is OnlyFans? Experts and creators explain how it works
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Marta Biino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Here are 3 examples of 'tip menus' creators have used and how much they chargeHow much money OnlyFans creators makeThe amount of money OnlyFans creators make can vary — it usually starts small, but many creators are able to build up their incomes. AdvertisementRead more about how much 8 OnlyFans creators earned and how they did itA popular and lucrative way creators monetize is via private messaging with their subscribers. Read more about how 3 OnlyFans creators have used TikTok for promotionFor some of the more popular creators, another lucrative income stream is offering promotional "shoutouts" to smaller accounts in exchange for a fee. AdvertisementHere's how 'promo shoutouts' have become big business for creatorsHow to make money on OnlyFans while anonymousIt's not uncommon for OnlyFans creators to publish adult content without showing their faces. Read more about how Mrs Robinson got started on OnlyFans and built her income to over $800,000Farrah is an OnlyFans creator who makes faceless content.

Persons: —, OnlyFans, Bryce Adams, Bella Thorne, Blac Chyna, Bhad, Jessica Moore, Morgan Edwards, Kitty K, monetize, Amber, Amber Sweetheart, Farrah, Read, Robinson, she's, Mrs Robinson Organizations: Service, Business, OnlyFans, BBC, Reuters

☆ Premier League clubs to vote on scrapping VAR from next season
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( David Ornstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

Premier League clubs are set to hold a vote at their annual general meeting next month on a proposal to abolish the video assistant referee (VAR) system from the start of next season. A Wolves statement said the move came “after careful consideration and with the utmost respect for the Premier League, (referees body) PGMOL and our fellow competitors. “However, after five seasons of VAR in the Premier League, it is time for a constructive and critical debate on its future. GO DEEPER Should Premier League clubs vote to scrap VAR? Has VAR worked in the Premier League?

Persons: ”, Shaun Botterill, “, Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, Mikel Arteta, Anthony Gordon’s, —, — PGMOL, Stuart Attwell, Diaz’s, Marc Atkins, Fredrik Reinfeldt, Phil Buckingham, Tony Scholes, Scholes, Johan Lindvall, David Rogers Organizations: Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers, —, ” Wolves, Premier, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Everton, International Football Association Board, Swedish Football Association, Premier League’s, Allsvenskan, Europe’s, Swedish Professional Football Leagues, Getty Locations: Harrogate, Sweden, —, Russia, “ Sweden

☆ Microsoft’s carbon emissions have risen 30% since 2020 due to data center expansion
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Microsoft 's total carbon emissions have risen nearly 30% since 2020 primarily due to the construction of data centers, the company said in its annual sustainability report Wednesday. However, its indirect emissions — those that stem from all other activities Microsoft engages in — increased 30.9% during the same period. The increase in Microsoft's indirect emissions is largely due to the building materials and hardware components, such as semiconductors, servers and racks, used in constructing more data centers. The expansion of data centers poses a challenge to tech companies that have set ambitious timelines to eliminate their carbon footprints. Goldman Sachs expects natural gas to fuel 60% of the increased power demand from data centers, while renewables will power the remaining 40%.

Persons: Goldman Sachs Organizations: Microsoft Times, Microsoft, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Brookfield Asset Management, Brookfield Locations: New York City, Swedish

☆ Want to see Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ without breaking the bank? Try Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Planning a summer vacation in Europe usually requires an exorbitant amount of cash, but when Taylor Swift is involved, it actually might be a deal. For example, secondary market ticket prices for Swift’s show in Stockholm, Sweden, this Saturday are as cheap as $300 for standing room-only and seats in the nosebleed sections. Compare that to Swift’s show in Miami in October where seats are selling for about $2,000 to as much as $8,500 on StubHub. Julien De Rosa/AFP/Getty ImagesAlthough Europe’s laws on ticket resale vary country by country, a number of them, including Ireland and Portugal, ban ticket sellers from making a profit on the secondary market. For Swifties looking to jump over the pond for their London Boy, Shemtob recommends using ticket sellers such as Ticketmaster, AEG, Eventim or Twickets.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Swift, Sam Shemtob, Julien De Rosa, reselling, Shemtob, it’s, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Union, Alliance, CNN, Friends Arena, Swedish men’s national football team, Sweden isn’t, Getty, EU, Digital Services, European Court, Justice, ”, London, Ticketmaster, AEG Locations: New York, Europe, Stockholm, Sweden, Swedish, Miami, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Paris, AFP, Ireland, France, EU

☆ Behind the curtain of the global arms trade
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Momo Takahashi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In his new book, "Nothing Personal: The Back Office of War," photographer Nikita Teryoshin lifts the veil on the global arms trade, capturing defense exhibitions worldwide. Closed to the public, his series offers a rare inside look into the lucrative global arms industry. Guests, politicians, and traders watch a live demonstration of warfare at the International Defense Exhibition in Abu Dhabi. After the construction and the oil and gas sectors, the global arms trade is one of the most corruption-prone sectors in the world, according to Transparency International. By contrast, the international trade of bananas is more tightly regulated than the arms trade, according to the introductory note of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.

Persons: Nikita Teryoshin, Teryoshin, Rafael, KAI, Lockheed Martin Organizations: Business, International Defense, Bofors, International Defense Industry, International Defense Exhibition, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, United Nations Arms, Black Eagles, Nikita, Kalashnikov, Lockheed Locations: East, Ukraine, France, Paris, United States, China, Abu Dhabi, Russia, India, Poland, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Peruvian, Lima , Peru, Korean, Seoul

☆ Grasp, a Swedish startup using AI for financial advisory, just raised $1.9 million in funding using this 11-slide pitch deck
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Swedish startup Grasp has raised $1.9 million to automate financial advisory workflows with AI. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementGrasp, a Swedish startup that makes AI assistants to help consultants and investment bankers reduce their workload, has raised $1.9 million. Founded in 2020 by former McKinsey consultants, Grasp aims to help users automate manual research functions. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Karl, Johan Persson, — Organizations: ex, McKinsey, Yanno, M, Service, Business Locations: Swedish

☆ Fintech firm Klarna says 90% of its employees are using generative AI daily
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Swedish financial technology company Klarna said Tuesday that nearly 9 out of 10 employees in its 5,000-strong workforce are now using generative artificial intelligence tools in their daily work. Klarna, which lets individuals split their purchases into interest-free, monthly installments, said over 87% of its employees are using generative AI tools, including OpenAI's ChatGPT and its own internal AI assistant. The biggest users of generative AI in the company are those in non-technical groups, such as communications (92.6%), marketing (87.9%) and legal (86.4%), Klarna said. At those rates, Klarna is seeing much higher adoption of generative AI within the company than in the broader corporate world. Klarna has its own internal AI assistant, called Kiki.

Persons: Klarna, OpenAI's, Kiki Organizations: Deloitte

☆ Opinion: Eurovision’s slogan is ‘United by Music.’ The reality turned out very different
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( Opinion Louis Staples | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The Eurovision Song Contest is a glittery and eccentric spectacle that rivals the Super Bowl for its attraction to audiences. When combined with the jury vote, Israel’s impressive public vote tally saw Golan finish in fifth place overall. Despite this, the EBU has always insisted that Eurovision is an apolitical music competition between broadcasters, rather than a political competition between governments. The 2023 contest in Liverpool was a moving display of unity — so much that Liverpool’s slogan, “United By Music,” was adopted by Eurovision for all future contests. On Saturday, there was very little sense that Eurovision was “united by music.” Some fans boycotted, while others mobilized online to vote for Israel.

Persons: Louis Staples, Celine Dion, Louis Staples Louis Staples, Greta Thunberg, Eden Golan, Israel, —, Lasagna, Golan, Nemo, Russia —, ”, Turkey, Isaac Herzog, Bambie, Joost Klein, AVROTROS, Martin Österdahl Organizations: Guardian, Rolling Stone, Wired, CNN, Super Bowl, Hamas, European Broadcasting Union, Eurovision, EBU, “ United, Music, Israel, Ukraine, Twitter, Facebook Locations: London, Slate, Switzerland, Swedish, Malmö, Gaza, Europe, Turkey, Israel, Russia, Greece, Cyprus, Ukraine, Liverpool, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, Dutch

☆ Switzerland wins Eurovision Song Contest amid Gaza protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The completed stage for the Eurovision song contest (ESC) is pictured at the Malmo Arena, shown to the media at a press conference in Malmo, Sweden on April 25, 2024. Switzerland on Saturday won the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Swedish host city Malmo, beating runner-up Croatia, after having been among bookmakers' top-three to win the competition. Swiss rapper and singer Nemo, 24, won the contest with "The Code", a drum-and-bass, opera, rap and rock song, about Nemo's journey of self-discovery as a non-binary person. The Eurovision winner is awarded the contest's official glass trophy, which is shaped like a classic, old-fashioned microphone, with sand blasted and painted details. "I didn't just break the code, I also broke the trophy," Nemo said, laughing, at the press conference after the win.

Persons: Nemo, Celine Dion, Swiss revellers, Maha Nater, Lasagna, Marko Purisic, Israel's Eden Golan, Joost Klein Organizations: Eurovision, Malmo, Saturday, Moi, Protesters, European Broadcasting Union, Russia, Police Locations: Malmo, Sweden, Switzerland, Croatia, Israel, Gaza, Swiss, Zurich, Europe, Ukraine, Dutch

☆ Joost Klein: Eurovision disqualifies Dutch act over incident involving female crew member
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Matt Wells | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Malmo CNN —The Eurovision Song Contest was thrown into fresh turmoil Saturday when organizers disqualified the Dutch entrant hours before the grand final for a backstage incident involving a female crew member. “Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final. While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest,” the EBU said. The EBU said the disqualification of Klein did not involve any other performer or member another country’s delegation. Tensions brew in Malmo ahead of finalThe alleged incident involving Klein happened on Thursday evening after the second semi-final, the EBU said.

Persons: Joost Klein, ”, Klein’s, AVROTROS, Klein, Eden Golan, Israel, Switzerland’s Nemo, France’s, Alyona, Jerry Heil, Golan Organizations: Malmo CNN, European Broadcasting Union, Swedish Police Authority, CNN, Malmo Arena, EBU, Security, RAI, Croatia, Israel Locations: Malmo, Sweden, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Gaza

☆ Eurovision Disqualifies Dutch Entrant Hours Before Final
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Alex Marshall | More About Alex Marshall | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Just hours before this year’s Eurovision Song Contest final was scheduled to begin in Malmo, Sweden, on Saturday, the glitzy singing competition was thrown into crisis after organizers banned the Netherlands’ entry from taking part. On Friday, the Dutch musician, Joost Klein, whose songs mix pop with hyperfast beats, did not appear for a scheduled rehearsal to perform his song “Europapa,” which was then among the favorites to win. Shortly afterward, the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the contest, said in a statement that it was “investigating an incident” involving the Dutch artist. On Saturday morning, a Swedish police spokeswoman said in an email that officers were investigating a man “suspected of unlawful threats” toward a Eurovision employee and had passed a file to prosecutors to consider charges. Eurovision organizers said in a new statement that it was Klein under investigation, and that “it would not be appropriate” for the musician to compete in Saturday’s final while a legal process was underway.

Persons: Joost Klein, Klein Organizations: European Broadcasting Union, Eurovision Locations: Malmo, Sweden, Netherlands, Dutch, Swedish

☆ It's 50 years since Abba won the Eurovision Song Contest — and you can still see their concert in London
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Chris Johnston | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Yes, the Swedish popsters who split up in 1982 and took about four decades to decide to make a new album, have the Abba Arena in London. The 3,000-capacity venue is home to Abba Voyage, which put the foursome back on stage when it opened in May 2022. Abba Voyage has been playing in London since May 2022. It's hard to convey exactly what the Voyage experience is like, but it's mainly a deeply weird mix of time travel and technology crossed with amazing pop. Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Benny Andersson at the opening night of Abba Voyage in London in May 2022.

Persons: —, Taylor Swift, — Abba, Abba, It's, Benny, Bjorn, Anni, frid, Frida, Conchita Wurst, Chris Johnston, you've, Mia, Ludvig, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Frid, Benny Andersson, Ian West, Mike Prior Organizations: Service, —, Olympic Games, Business, London, Bloomberg, Pophouse Entertainment, Wembley Arena Locations: Swedish, London, Malmo, Sweden

☆ Switzerland wins Eurovision after politically charged song contest upstaged by Israel controversy
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Switzerland’s Nemo won a chaotic and politically fraught Eurovision Song Contest, triumphing in a competition in Sweden that was upstaged by controversy over the presence of Israel. But organizers the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) sharply defended Israel’s presence, and insisted the contest is non-political – a line that became increasingly untenable as artists, broadcasters and fans clashed over the presence of Israel’s singer Eden Golan. Ultimately a competitor was disqualified, just hours before the event – the Dutch contestant Joost Klein, who was kicked out of the final after an “incident” backstage. Ireland’s Bambie Thug told CNN in the build-up to the event that it was “the wrong decision” not to exclude Israel, as Russia had been two years ago. But for all the celebratory scenes that closed the show, the EBU will be relieved to see a rocky week conclude.

Persons: Switzerland’s Nemo, Eden Golan, Joost Klein, Ireland’s Bambie Thug, ”, … Organizations: CNN, Israel’s, Malmo, Eurovision, Protesters, European Broadcasting Union Locations: Sweden, Israel, Gaza, Russia, Swedish

☆ Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi: 28 of her artworks mysteriously disappeared three decades ago. They’ve finally returned home to South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Gertrude Kitongo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —It was a phone call that changed everything. “We have some good news.”Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi had been waiting to hear those words for more than 30 years. Origins of an artistSebidi was born in 1943 near Hammanskraal, South Africa, north of Pretoria. One of artist Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi's early works, which often depict traditional, rural scenes of a time before European colonization came to the African continent. “We need those freedoms.”Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi’s exhibition is on display at the University of Johannesburg Art Gallery until May 17, 2024.

Persons: ”, Helen Sebidi, ” Sebidi, Sebidi, “, John Koenakeefe Mohl, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi “, Mark Read, Everard, “ Helen, Read, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi's, Helen Sebidi “, –, – Sebidi, Kim Berman, ’, Helen Sebidi's, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi Sebedi, Gabriel Baard, ” Baard, ” Berman, Thabo Mbeki –, Jesper Osterberg, Gabriel Baard Baard, Everard Read, Helen Sebidi’s Organizations: South Africa CNN, South, CNN, Johannesburg Art Foundation, Everard Read, Galleries, Federated Union of Black Artists, Millary Colony, Arts, Nyköping Folk, School, University of Johannesburg, “, Smithsonian, Folk High School, Swiss Air Freight, University of Johannesburg Art, Swedish Embassy Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Sweden, Hammanskraal, Pretoria, New York, Swedish, Nyköping, Black, “, Stockholm, Sebidi

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, looming Rafah invasion, Israel Eurovision participation
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Police face pro-Palestinian protesters in central Malmo during the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Malmo Arena, Sweden, on May 9. More than 150 million people around the world will watch Saturday's Eurovision final on TV, and around 15,000 fans will gather inside the Malmo Arena. Those protesting or boycotting the song contest say it is “artwashing” the conflict; others defend Israel’s inclusion, insisting the contest should not be dragged into geopolitics. And they are leading to perhaps the tensest three minutes in the contest’s history, when Israel’s competitor, Eden Golan, performs live. “I would imagine the scale of it in Malmo would be bigger than anything we’ve ever seen before.”Read the full analysis.

Persons: Johan Nilsson, ” Paul Jordan, ”, Weeks, Eden Golan, ” Jordan, “ Organizations: Malmo Arena, Getty, Music, Malmo, Eurovision, CNN Locations: Malmo, Sweden, AFP, Swedish, Gaza, Israel

☆ Shopify has acqui-hired AI-driven analytics startup Peel Insights
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Shopify has acquired the team working on analytics startup Peel Insights, the Canadian e-commerce giant confirmed Friday. Peel works primarily with Shopify merchants and can integrate with apps across their tech stack, including Klaviyo and Recharge. Peel's CEO and cofounder, Nicolas Grasset, is now a director of product at Shopify, according to his LinkedIn, and the Peel app is still available on the Shopify App Store. Related stories"With the Peel Insights team at Shopify, we can supercharge insights features for our millions of merchants," they said. In 2021, it brought on the team from AR startup Primer to work on AI and spatial computing at Shopify.

Persons: Shopify, Peel, Lerer Hippeau, Nicolas Grasset Organizations: Business, Eniac Ventures, Vinyl Capital, Peel Locations: Peel, Swedish, Triple

☆ Who Are the Favorites to Win Eurovision?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Alex Marshall | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Follow live updates on the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest final. On Saturday, acts representing 25 countries will compete at the Eurovision Song Contest, the high-camp competition that is also world’s most watched cultural event. The winner is chosen by a combination of votes from music industry juries in participating countries and viewers watching at home. A few hours later, Eurovision organizers said in a statement that it was Klein under investigation, and that “it would not be appropriate” for him to compete while a legal process was underway. Here are the five acts who may have the best chance at winning, based on European bookmakers’ odds and online chatter.

Persons: Joost Klein, Klein Organizations: Eurovision Locations: Malmo, Sweden, Netherlands

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