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☆ Meta created an AI advisory council that’s composed entirely of White men
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Meta this week appointed a group of outside advisors to provide guidance on its artificial intelligence strategy. The four-person advisory group is composed entirely of White men. The situation mirrors an incident last year at OpenAI when, in the wake of a leadership shakeup, it came under fire for appointing a board composed entirely of White men. The large language models that underpin AI systems are trained on vast troves of data, often written by humans and coming from the internet. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the council’s lack of diversity.

Persons: Patrick Collison, Nat Friedman, Tobi Lütke, Charlie Songhurst, White, OpenAI, ” Joy Buolamwini, Meta Organizations: New, New York CNN, Microsoft, Meta, League, CNN Locations: New York, OpenAI

☆ UK election 2024: Everything you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Rishi Sunak’s rival for power is Labour leader Keir Starmer, who is heavily favored to become Britain’s new prime minister in July. Labour leader Keir Starmer -- the frontrunner in the election -- launches his campaign in Gillingham on Thursday. Given Labour’s standing in the polls, Starmer is more equipped to take the fight to other groups. In the UK, voters don’t elect a prime minister directly. But this is a formal role only; the King won’t contradict his prime minister or overrule the results of an election.

Persons: CNN —, Rishi Sunak, We’ll, Keir Starmer, Sunak, Downing, Maja Smiejkowska, – Sunak, Boris Johnson’s, Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, Johnson, Stefan Rousseau, Jeremy Corbyn, Theresa May, Sunak hasn’t, –, Starmer, Henry Nicholls, Rishi Sunak’s, Gareth Fuller, Reform Party –, David Cameron, King Charles III, won’t Organizations: CNN, CNN — Britain’s, Labour, Reuters, Sunak’s Conservative Party, Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Conservative, Party, Getty, European Union, Reform Party, Scottish National Party, Green Party, National Health Service Locations: Westminster, Rwanda, England, AFP, Gillingham, Gaza

☆ Families of female Israeli hostages release graphic abduction footage to pile pressure on Netanyahu
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Families of seven female Israeli soldiers captured by Hamas during the October 7 attacks have released graphic footage of their abduction as they pile pressure on the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure their release. The video shows the women — all Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel — lined up against a wall, their hands bound. The footage was previously released by Hamas, according to the Hostages Families Forum. The campaigning group obtained it from the IDF, which had previously edited the video to exclude the most disturbing scenes. Efforts to reach a deal that would pause the war in Gaza and allow the release of hostages have repeatedly been dashed.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s, Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, ”, Israel, “, Benny Gantz, Gantz, Megidish, Noa Marciano, Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniela Gilboa, Naama Levy —, Naama Levy, ” Ayelet Levy Shachar Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Hostages, Hostage, Israel’s Nahal, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Hamas, Families, IDF, “ Locations: Gaza, Israel, The State, Cairo

☆ Scientists a step closer to unraveling mystery of sun’s magnetic field
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In contrast to previous research that assumed the sun’s magnetic field originates from deep within the celestial body, they suspect the the source is much closer to the surface. This view of the sun's magnetic field was generated by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. NASA/GSFC/Solar Dynamics ObservaModeling the sun’s magnetic fieldIt’s difficult to see the sun’s magnetic field lines, which loop through the solar atmosphere to form a complicated web of magnetic structures far more complex than Earth’s magnetic field. To better grasp how the sun’s magnetic field works, scientists turn to mathematical models. Like the 11-year solar magnetic cycle, torsional oscillations also experience an 11-year cycle.

Persons: Galileo, ”, Daniel Lecoanet, ” Lecoanet, “, Lecoanet, Geoff Vasil, Ellen Zweibel, Zweibel Organizations: CNN, Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering, Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration, Research, Astrophysics, NASA's Solar Dynamics, NASA, Dynamics, University of Edinburgh, University of Wisconsin Locations: United Kingdom, Madison

☆ Citigroup fined for almost dumping $189 billion into European markets by accident
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

London CNN —UK regulators slapped a combined £62 million ($79 million) fine on Citigroup Wednesday for failures in its trading systems that almost resulted in stocks worth $189 billion being dumped onto European markets. Without that discount, the combined fine would have topped £88 million ($112 million). The Bank of England highlighted an incident in May 2022 when one of the bank’s “experienced” traders sold $1.4 billion worth of stocks on European exchanges in error. Citigroup’s systems blocked $255 billion of that, meaning that $189 billion was sent to its trading platform for sale “over the rest of the day.” In total, $1.4 billion worth of stocks was sold before the trader canceled the transaction. Following the incident, Citigroup has taken steps to “improve and strengthen” the security of its trading systems, the central bank said.

Persons: ”, Sam Woods Organizations: London CNN —, Citigroup, Financial Conduct Authority, Bank of England’s Prudential, Authority, Bank of England, FCA, “ Locations: ”

☆ Election Updates: Trump shares, then deletes, a video with headlines about a ‘unified Reich’ if he wins.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Chris Cameron | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

Mr. Trump’s campaign still lags far behind in total cash on hand, the April filings show. Mr. Trump is leading Mr. Biden in many polls, including recent New York Times/Siena College/Philadelphia Inquirer surveys that had the former president ahead in five of six top battleground states. Mr. Trump also continues to spend millions of dollars on legal bills, the filings show. Still, the filings and campaign statements reflect a busy fund-raising month for Mr. Trump. Save America also received $2.75 million in April from a super PAC backing Mr. Trump, Make America Great Again Inc., and $183,000 from a new joint fund-raising committee Mr. Trump has with the Republican Party.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Biden, Biden’s, Trump’s, Money, Pete Marovich, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, “ We’re, “, Crooked Joe Biden, ” Mr, Timothy Mellon, Mellon, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kennedy’s, Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy, Shanahan Organizations: Republican Party, Mr, Democratic National Committee, Federal, Biden Trump, Republican, Republican National Committee, Biden, New York Times, Siena College, Philadelphia Inquirer, Radio City Music Hall, Democratic, The New York, Republicans, Trump, America, PAC, Make, Inc, Mellon Locations: Palm Beach, Fla, America, Hollywood, Wyoming

☆ Saudi Arabia’s biggest-ever plane order isn’t going to Boeing
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Saudi Arabia’s national airline has placed an order for 105 Airbus airplanes in the largest-ever deal in the country’s aviation history — another win for troubled Boeing’s European rival. Saudia Group’s current fleet comprises 93 Airbus and 51 Boeing aircraft, according to its website. Al-Omar did not specify whether it was the number of airplanes ordered or the total value of the order that made it Saudi Arabia’s biggest-ever aviation deal. When asked by CNN about that, as well as the value of the deal, Saudia Group did not respond, while Airbus declined to comment. Despite having a backlog of orders amounting to more 5,600 commercial jets, worth $529 billion, Boeing cannot make planes quickly enough each year to turn a profit as it’s working to address its quality issues.

Persons: Ibrahim Al, Omar, ”, “ Saudia, ” Al Organizations: London CNN, Saudi Arabia’s, Saudia Group, Saudia, Future Aviation, Airbus, Boeing, CNN, Future Aviation Forum, Saudi, National Tourism Strategy, Max Locations: Saudi, Riyadh

☆ Election officials in battleground Michigan grapple with sweeping voting changes and a presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Fredreka Schouten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The state’s highly decentralized system of administering voting means that “Michigan has 1,500 elections every big election day,” said Kyle Whitney, the city clerk of Marquette in the state’s Upper Peninsula. ‘We’re all beginners’The new rules in Michigan flow from a constitutional amendment that state voters approved by a wide margin in 2022 that dramatically expanded access to voting. Miller was elected to succeed the previous, term-limited clerk and is overseeing her first presidential election. Deborah Pellow, the part-time clerk of rural Tilden Township in the Upper Peninsula, is also overseeing her first presidential election this year. The next big test for Michigan comes in August, when voters cast primary ballots for congressional, state and local offices.

Persons: Michael Siegrist, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, tabulators, Biden, ”, Kyle Whitney, ” Whitney, Brennan, ‘, “, ” Lori Miller, Miller, “ It’s, Deborah Pellow, Pellow, Adam Wit, –, Shira Roza, Carlos Osorio, Angela Benander, Joycelyn Benson, Jacqueline Beaudry, ” Benander, ‘ We’re Organizations: CNN, Ferrari, Republican, Trump, Brennan Center for Justice, Wolverine State, Biden’s, Michigan’s, Democratic, Michigan Association of Municipal, Michigan Locations: Michigan, Canton Township, Antrim County, Marquette, Wolverine, Livonia, Detroit, Wayne County, Tilden Township, Canton, Harrison, Warren , Michigan, Ann Arbor City, Tilden

☆ Eric Molitor was acquitted on charges related to the Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot. Now he’s running for sheriff
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Alison Main | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A man acquitted last year on charges linked to a 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is now looking to unseat an incumbent county sheriff. Eric Molitor has filed to run in the Republican primary this August against Trent Taylor, the sheriff of deep-red Wexford County in Northern Michigan. Taylor told CNN he believes he’s constitutionally obligated to enforce the state’s laws and that it would be “reckless” not to do so, as Molitor has said he would. Molitor told CNN his experience opened his eyes to flaws in the justice system.

Persons: Gretchen Whitmer, Eric Molitor, Trent Taylor, ”, Taylor, “, Molitor, Whitmer, he’s, ” Taylor, ” Molitor, we’ve, Dan Pfannes, Pfannes, MAGA, Donald Trump’s “, Trump, Michele Lundgren, Dana Nessel, ’ ”, CNN’s Lauren del Valle, Veronica Stracqualursi, Josh Campbell, Michelle Watson Organizations: CNN, Michigan, Republican, Democrat, Michigan State University, Northern, Capitol, Michigan House, Democrats, The Michigan Sheriffs ’ Association, Michigan Democratic Party, MAGA Republican, Michigan Republicans won’t, Republican Party Locations: Wexford County, Northern Michigan, Cadillac , Michigan, Michigan, Wexford

☆ Election Updates: Rubio, a Trump V.P. Contender, won’t commit to certifying 2024 election results.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Maggie Astor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

Mr. Trump addressed the group as he is on trial in Manhattan on criminal charges that he falsified business records related to a hush-money payment to a porn star. Gun safety groups hung up T-shirts with the names of people killed by gun violence in Dallas County. At the N.R.A.’s meeting, Mr. Trump, whose campaign fund-raising has lagged in Texas, urged gun owners to head to the polls to help deliver him the election. She also criticized Mr. Trump for saying, “We have to get over it” after a shooting in Iowa this year that killed a sixth grader. Mr. Trump “is catering to the gun lobby and threatening to make the crisis worse if re-elected,” Ms. Harris said.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Biden, ”, Mr, “, Greg Abbott, John Cornyn, you’ve, Andrew Arulanandam, Abbott, Biden’s, ” “ Donald Trump, Joe Biden, ” Mr, N.R.A, ” Ana, Maria Ramos, Jill Brown, Louis, —, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Trump’s, Kamala Harris, ” Ms, Harris Organizations: National Rifle Association, Biden, “, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, Texas Democrats, Dallas City Hall, City Hall Plaza, Associated Press, Allen, Outlets, Republican, Trump coalition, Las, Supreme Locations: Dallas, Manhattan, Houston, Uvalde , Texas, Texas, Dallas County, United States, Pennsylvania, Las Vegas, Parkland, Fla, Iowa

☆ U.S. and Europe Move Closer to Using Russian Assets to Help Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The United States and Europe are coalescing around a plan to use interest earned on frozen Russian central bank assets to provide Ukraine with a loan to be used for military and economic assistance, potentially providing the country with a multibillion-dollar lifeline as Russia’s war effort intensifies. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen said in an interview on Sunday that several options for using $300 billion in immobilized Russian assets remained on the table. But she said the most promising idea was for Group of 7 nations to issue a loan to Ukraine that would be backed by profits and interest income that is being earned on Russian assets held in Europe. The urgency to find a way to deliver more financial support to Ukraine has been mounting as the country’s efforts to fend off Russia have shown signs of faltering. “It would generate a significant up-front amount that would help meet needs we anticipate Ukraine is going to have both militarily and through reconstruction.”

Persons: Janet L, Yellen, “, Ms, ” Organizations: Finance Locations: States, Europe, Ukraine, Italy, Russia, Germany

☆ Universities continue to grapple with pro-Palestinian protests ahead of graduation ceremonies
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —Universities across the United States have adopted a number of tactics in recent weeks to prevent disruptions by pro-Palestinian protesters at graduation ceremonies. Some universities have reached agreements with on-campus demonstrators, while others have cited safety concerns and canceled, postponed or relocated their schoolwide ceremonies. Several schools continue to grapple with pro-Palestinian protesters ahead of their spring commencement, subjecting themselves to internal scrutiny and public criticism. Friday’s arrests follow the arrest of at least 33 people on May 10 when law enforcement broke down a pro-Palestinian encampment erected on campus. Biden is expected to deliver a commencement address at the United States Military Academy at West Point on May 25.

Persons: Fisher, Bennet, Monday’s, Gene Block, counterprotesters, “, grievously, Andrea M, Kasko, ”, Etienne Laurent, Mildred García, Mike Lee, …, Lee, ” Lee, García, ” Morehouse, David A, Thomas, Joe Biden’s, ” Thomas, CNN’s Victor Blackwell, Biden Organizations: New, New York CNN — Universities, University of Pennsylvania, CNN, Penn, Occupation, UCLA, Senate, University of California, California State University System, Sonoma State University, Justice, “, Morehouse College, Morehouse, George Mason University, United States Military Academy, West Locations: New York, United States, Palestine, Gaza, Israel, Sonoma State, Los Angeles, University of California Los Angeles, Atlanta, Virginia

☆ Under Armour was a real threat to Nike. Now it’s fighting to stay relevant
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

It was the upstart athletic brand that was making real inroads against Nike, the dominant name in the industry. People saw it as a company that actually could break through and take market share from Nike among the hardcore athletes,” Swartz said. String of controversiesThe period from 2016 onward is when “things really started to fall apart” at Under Armour, Swartz said. A bulk of Under Armour products are sold through sporting goods retailers and department stores, including Macy’s and Kohl’s, and online. The basketball superstar Curry, arguably the best shooter in history, famously signed with Under Armour instead of Nike in 2013.

Persons: Armour, Stephen Curry, Jordan Spieth, Kevin Plank, Howard Schultz’s, Bob Iger’s, Plank, ”, David Swartz, Morningstar, ” Swartz, Justin Sullivan, Tommy Gilligan, ” Plank, Swartz, “, —, Stephanie Linnartz, ” Schwartz, Andrew Kelly, Merrell, Zak Stambor, Stambor, Plank’s, Noel Celis, Eric Smallwood, Dwayne Johnson, Johnson, ” Smallwood, Smallwood, Curry, Joel Embiid, Embiid, Skechers, Caitlin Clark Organizations: New, New York CNN, Nike, Starbucks, Disney, CNN, Sports, North, Maryland Terrapins, Southern Methodist Mustangs, Capital, Maryland, Reuters, —, Armour, Sports Authority, Sporting Goods, UCLA, US Securities and Exchange Commission, Footwear News, Adidas, NBA Golden State Warriors, UA Curry II, Getty, Apex Marketing, United Football League, NBA, WNBA Locations: New York, San Rafael , California, North America, College Park , Maryland, Manhattan , New York, Petaluma , California, Manila, AFP

☆ Many high schools are curbing the use of AI. These schools are leaning in
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —At Princeton High School, students are trying to combat the rapid decline of indigenous languages with some unlikely help: a furry, wide-eyed stuffed animal named Che’w. He’s a wildly intelligent generative AI robot that speaks Mam, a Mayan language spoken in the western highlands of Guatemala and Mexico and by a small population of the school’s students. At a time when some high schools are restricting the use of AI in the classroom, others, like Princeton High School, are leaning into it. Courtesy SamsungBeyond generative AISome high schools around the country are trying to teach students how to use other forms of artificial intelligence for a greater good. “It doesn’t lose patience or get sick of talking to them,” said Mark Eastburn, Princeton High School’s science, research and engineering teacher.

Persons: Che’w, Joy Barnes, Johnson, ”, ChatGPT, Ed ”, Noel Candelaria, ” Candelaria, Tylo Chacon, Chacon, “ We’ve, It’s, —, Mark Eastburn, “ It’s, ’, Eastburn, they’re Organizations: CNN —, Princeton High School, UNESCO, PHS, ”, STEM School Highlands, Samsung, Los Angeles Unified School District, Seattle Public Schools, National Education Association, CNN, NEA, Stuyvesant High School, University of Colorado, Princeton Locations: Guatemala, Mexico, Colorado, New York City, Washington ,, Boulder, Mam

☆ Gaza Gets Its First Aid Shipment from U.S. Pier: Israel-Hamas Latest Updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The notion of deploying U.N. peacekeepers into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been mentioned occasionally by diplomats. But the Arab League’s statement appeared to be the first time the group had officially made such a request in a written document, according to Farhan Haq, a U.N. spokesman. U.N. forces, which are typically drawn from the armed forces of multiple countries, do not enter live battle zones and do not engage in fighting. Both Israel and Hamas would also have to agree to having U.N. peacekeepers on the ground. “We don’t go into active combat, and parties themselves have to agree on allowing the presence of peacekeepers.

Persons: Farhan Haq, Mr, Haq, don’t, Israel, Vedant Patel, António Guterres, Guterres Organizations: United Nations, West Bank, . Security, League, Arab League, State Department Locations: Gaza, Israel, Manama, Bahrain, United States, Washington, Bahrain’s, Rafah

☆ At 81, Paul McCartney is worth £1 billion for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Paul McCartney has added another feather in his cap as the United Kingdom’s first billionaire musician, the Sunday Times reported in the 2024 edition of its annual Rich List, published Friday. According to the Times, the 81-year-old Beatles alum and his wife Nancy are worth £1 billion ($1.3 billion), up from £950 million ($1.2 billion) in 2023. Beyoncé earlier this year released her hit album “Cowboy Carter,” in which she reimagined the Beatles’ 1968 song “Blackbird,” originally written by McCartney. McCartney has released some music of his own over the past year: Last November, the Beatles released the chart-topping “Now and Then,” advertised as the group’s final song. McCartney famously sang that he doesn’t care too much for money, but the new album’s release is expected to give the rock star’s net worth another boost.

Persons: He’s, Paul McCartney, Nancy, Cowboy Carter, ”, McCartney, John Lennon’s, George Harrison’s, Ringo Starr’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Kingdom’s, Sunday Times, Times, Billboard, Beatles, Wings Locations: New York, ”, Glastonbury

☆ What you need to know about skin cancer and how to prevent it, according to a doctor
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Katia Hetter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Skin cancer is by far the most common form of cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. As we head into summer, what do we need to know about the chance of developing skin cancer? In addition, those who are at increased risk for skin cancer should ask a dermatologist if they should receive regular skin exams. These include personal or family history of skin cancer, history of precancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses, certain genetic disorders such as xeroderma pigmentosum and history of immunosuppression. And it’s not only people who are fair-skinned who can have skin cancer; individuals of all colors, including those with brown and Black skin, can develop skin cancer.

Persons: Leana Wen, Wen, Anastasiia Organizations: CNN, American Cancer Society, Northern, George Washington University, Getty, Preventive Services Task Force, immunosuppression Locations: United States

☆ Middle East Crisis Temporary Pier Is Anchored in Gaza to Deliver Aid, U.S. Military Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. officials had said last week that the floating pier and causeway had been completed, but that weather conditions had delayed their installation. An American ship loaded with humanitarian aid, the Sagamore, set off for Gaza from Cyprus last week, and the aid was loaded onto a smaller vessel that had been waiting for the pier to be installed. Aid groups say the devastation in Gaza after seven months of Israeli bombardment, strict Israeli inspections and restrictions on crossing points are limiting the amount of aid that can enter Gaza. The Pentagon has said that the pier could help deliver as many as two million meals a day. An aid group, World Central Kitchen, built a makeshift jetty in mid-March to deliver aid by sea to Gaza for the first time in nearly two decades.

Persons: Charles Q, Brown, “ It’ll, ”, “, that’s, Nadav Shoshani, Dan Dieckhaus, Rawan Sheikh Ahmad, Helene Cooper Organizations: U.S, Israel, U.S . Central Command, United Nations, Central Command, U.S ., Pentagon, Joint Chiefs, Staff, NATO, Israeli Navy, Division, Food, U.S . Agency for International Development Locations: Rafah, Israel, Gaza, An American, Cyprus, Brussels, Kerem

☆ Arup revealed as victim of $25 million deepfake scam involving Hong Kong employee
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —A British multinational design and engineering company behind world famous buildings such as the Sydney Opera House has confirmed that it was the target of a deepfake scam that led to one of its Hong Kong employees paying out $25 million to fraudsters. A spokesperson for Arup told CNN on Friday that it notified Hong Kong police in January about the fraud incident, and confirmed that fake voices and images were used. “Unfortunately, we can’t go into details at this stage as the incident is still the subject of an ongoing investigation. According to Hong Kong police, the elaborate scam saw the employee duped into attending a video call with people he believed were the CFO and other members of staff, but all of whom turned out to be deepfake recreations, Hong Kong police revealed in February. Authorities around the world are growing increasingly concerned about the sophistication of deepfake technology and the nefarious uses it can be put to.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Arup, ” Rob Greig, Michael Kwok Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Sydney Opera, Hong Kong, CNN, Hong, Beijing Olympic Games, Arup’s East Locations: Hong Kong, British, Hong, Arup’s East Asia

☆ North Darfur state, Sudan: At least 56 people dead as ‘deadly fighting escalates’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Louis Mian | Ingrid Formanek | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —At least 56 people died in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state, between last Friday and Wednesday, as “deadly fighting escalates,” Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said in a statement. At the city’s South Hospital, 454 casualties have arrived since last Friday, of whom 56 “have succumbed to their injuries,” according to the humanitarian organization. MSF added that “the wounded and death toll are likely far higher, since the fighting continues to be so intense that many people cannot reach the hospital.”“North Darfur had been a relatively safe haven compared to other parts of Darfur,” MSF added. “Now, there are snipers in the streets, heavy shelling is taking place, and nowhere in the city is safe at all.”Violence in North Darfur has intensified, as the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been encircling El Fasher. “The RSF military operation to encircle and besiege El Fasher, North Darfur, has endangered the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians,” a US Department of State spokesperson said.

Persons: “, Sudan Clementine, ”, RSF Organizations: CNN, Hospital, MSF, ” MSF, Rapid Support Forces, Yale School of Public, Sudanese Armed Forces, SAF, Yale, UN, United, US Department of State, UN Office, Humanitarian Affairs Locations: El Fasher, Sudan’s North Darfur, ”, Darfur, El, Sudan, United States, North Darfur

☆ Royal Mail: Meet Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský who wants to buy Britain’s postal service
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It has been operating a postal service in England since the reign of Henry VIII. EP Group has until May 29 to convert its £3.5 billion ($4.4 billion) non-biding offer into a formal bid for IDS. The likely sale would come after a difficult few years for Royal Mail, which was privatized in 2013. ‘As British as it gets’The potential buyout of Royal Mail has stirred anxieties about the consequences of the iconic British institution coming under foreign ownership. “Royal Mail is an important national asset that would benefit from being able to take a longer-term view,” the firm said.

Persons: Henry VIII, Daniel Křetínský, Křetínský, Patrik Tkáč, Rishi Sunak, Kemi Badenoch, Dave Ward, ”, ” Ward, Jonathan Reynolds, ” Ivana Kottasová Organizations: London CNN — Royal Mail, Distribution Services, IDS, Royal Mail, UK Department for Business, Trade, CNN, Bloomberg, Equity Investment, Newsweek, West Ham United Football Club, Reuters, Communication Workers Union, Labour Party, Royal, Labour Locations: England, Czech, British, United States, FNAC, France, United Kingdom, West

☆ Young Thai activist’s death in detention after 65-day hunger strike sparks calls for justice reform
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

She had been in jail since January 26 and was awaiting trial, according to legal advocacy group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. While in detention, Netiporn went on a 65-day hunger strike until April to protest the jailing of political dissidents without bail, the group said. Panu Wongcha-Um/Reuters/FileThe activist faced seven criminal cases, including two lese majeste charges. Those attending included Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, a fellow activist who also faces lese majeste charges for her involvement in the 2020 protests. At least 270 people have been charged with lese majeste during that time, the group added.

Persons: Thailand’s, ”, “, Netiporn, Thalu Wang, Thais, Panu, Panusaya, lese, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Strettha, Mongkol Thirakhot, majeste, Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate, Akarachai Organizations: CNN, ” Thailand’s Corrections Department, Thammasat University Hospital, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Thai Corrections Department, Bangkok Criminal Court, Thailand’s Ministry, Justice, Rights, United Nations Human Rights Council, European Union Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Thai, lèse

☆ U.S. Suspends Funding for Group at Center of Covid Origins Fight
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Benjamin Mueller | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration, under acute pressure from House lawmakers, moved on Wednesday to ban funding for a prominent virus-hunting nonprofit group whose work with Chinese scientists had put it at the heart of theories that Covid leaked from a lab. Republicans went further, demanding that Peter Daszak, the president of the nonprofit, EcoHealth Alliance, be criminally investigated. For EcoHealth, which relied on federal funding to study the threat of wild animal viruses, the loss of funding is another twist in a saga that has long dominated discussions of how the pandemic began. In April 2020, under orders from the Trump administration, the National Institutes of Health terminated a grant to EcoHealth amid President Donald J. Trump’s feud with China over the origin of the coronavirus. had failed to give a proper cause for ending the grant, which supplied an average of roughly $625,000 per year.

Persons: Peter Daszak, Trump, Donald J, Trump’s Organizations: Biden, Department of Health, Human Services, Republicans, EcoHealth Alliance, National Institutes of Health Locations: Wuhan, China

☆ YouTube blocks videos of Hong Kong protest song after local court order
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —YouTube has blocked access to a popular protest song in Hong Kong, a week after a court in the city granted a government request to ban the anthem. The ballad contains lyrics that reference the phrase “liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” a protest slogan that was already outlawed in 2020. The Hong Kong government and courts had said the phrase had secessionist and subversive connotations. CNN has reached out to the Hong Kong Department of Justice for comment. Hong Kong was promised key freedoms and autonomy to run its own affairs after it was handed over from British rule to China in 1997.

Persons: We’ll, ”, Hong Kong ”, Jeff Paine, Paul Lam, Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s Organizations: CNN, YouTube, Google, ” CNN, Spotify, Hong, Asia Internet Coalition, Meta, Hong Kong Department of Justice, Hong Kong, “, Volunteers, ”, Hong Kong’s Department of Justice Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Hong, China

☆ King Charles III Unveils First Official Painted Portrait Since Coronation
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Livia Albeck-Ripka | More About Livia Albeck-Ripka | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The 7.5 foot-by-5.5-foot portrait was commissioned by the Worshipful Company of Drapers, a medieval guild of wool and cloth merchants that is now a philanthropy. It will hang in Drapers’ Hall, the group’s baronial quarters in London’s financial district, which has a gallery of monarchs from King George III to Queen Victoria. Mr. Yeo has also painted the king’s wife, Queen Camilla, and his father, Prince Philip. He has said that the best portraits capture visual characteristics that remain relevant even as the person ages. When it came to the king, Mr. Yeo told The Times that he had noticed physical changes in their four sittings together — during which time the king was going through a metamorphosis of stature.

Persons: King George III, Queen Victoria, Yeo, . Yeo, Queen Camilla, Prince Philip, Tony Blair, Dennis Hopper, Nicole Kidman, Rupert Murdoch Organizations: Worshipful Company, Drapers, Times, British Locations: British

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