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People line up at a makeshift memorial outside Crocus City Hall near Moscow on March 24. Maxim Shemetov/ReutersAll four suspects in the Crocus City concert hall attack case have been remanded into pre-trial detention until May 22, the Moscow City Court said via Telegram. The names of the four accused in the case are Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni and Mukhammadsobir Faizov, Moscow City Courts announced via Telegram. All four are from Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic, and had been in Russia on either temporary or expired visas. The attack also came barely a week after Putin secured his fifth presidential term.

Persons: Maxim Shemetov, Saidakrami, Shamsidin, Mukhammadsobir Faizov, Putin Organizations: Reuters, Telegram Locations: Crocus, Moscow, Crocus City, Tajikistan, Soviet, Russia

☆ Nearly 300 abducted schoolchildren released by gunmen in Nigeria, governor says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Sophie Jeong | Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Nearly 300 schoolchildren kidnapped in Nigeria earlier this month have been released, the governor of the country’s Kaduna state said in a post on X on Sunday. “The abducted Kuriga school children are released unharmed,” Uba Sani said, without providing further details. Some students were rescued but 287 of them had remained with the kidnappers – around 100 were from primary school and the rest from secondary school. Kaduna state, which borders the Nigerian capital Abuja to the southwest, has grappled with recurring incidents of kidnappings for ransom by bandits and has witnessed several mass abductions in recent years. This is a developing story and will be updated.

Persons: “, ” Uba Sani, Sani, Bola Tinubu, ”, Mansur Hassan, Nuhu Ribadu, ” Sani, Mariya Knight Organizations: CNN, Secondary School, country’s National, Nigerian Army Locations: Nigeria, Kaduna, Kuriga, Kaduna’s Chikun, Abuja, Princewill

☆ Poland activates aircraft after Russia attacks Ukraine’s west
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Poland said it had activated aircraft Sunday morning to “ensure the security” of its airspace after Russia launched missiles and drones targeting Ukraine’s western Lviv region. Lviv mayor Andrii Sadovyi said the missiles had targeted critical infrastructure, but that no hits were reported in the city. Meanwhile, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that a series of blasts had occurred in the Ukrainian capital, with missile fragments falling in the Desnianskyi district. He added that fire and rescue units were heading to the scene. This is a developing story and will be updated.

Persons: CNN —, Andrii Sadovyi, Vitali Klitschko, ” Klitschko Organizations: CNN, Operational Command, Russian Federation, Lviv, Command Locations: CNN — Poland, Russia, Lviv, Polish, Russian, Kyiv, Desnianskyi

Port-au-Prince, Haiti CNN —A container carrying essential items for newborn babies and their mothers – including resuscitators and other critical supplies – was looted in Port-au-Prince on Saturday, aid agency UNICEF said in a statement, as gang violence and a humanitarian crisis worsen in the Haitian capital. In addition to maternity and neonatal supplies, the looted container also held “early childhood development and education and water equipment,” UNICEF said. The theft of the supplies “occurs at a critical moment when children need them the most,” said UNICEF representative Bruno Maes in Haiti. Three out of four women and children in the Port-au-Prince area do not have access to basic public health and nutrition, according to UNICEF. Meanwhile, the first flights of a UN air bridge between Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic have been completed, UN sources told CNN.

Persons: ”, Bruno Maes, ” Maes, Ariel Henry, Guerinault Louis, Jimmy “, Cherizier, Maes, “, – Organizations: Haiti CNN, UNICEF, Haitian, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Haitian National Police, Authorities, ” Police, CNN, CNN Haiti, National, UN Locations: Prince, Haiti, Port, Haitian, Lower Delmas, ”, Dominican Republic

☆ Niger ends military agreement with US, calls it ‘profoundly unfair’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Mitchell Mccluskey | Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Niger’s military government announced that it has ended an accord with the US that allowed military personnel and civilian staff from the Department of Defense to operate in Niger – days after holding high-level talks with US diplomatic and military officials this week. “This agreement is not only profoundly unfair in its substance but it also does not meet the aspirations and interests of the Nigerien people,” he said. Senior Pentagon officials believe that keeping a presence in Niger is vital to efforts to tackle terrorism in the region. In a letter sent to Congress in December 2023, President Joe Biden noted that approximately 648 US military personnel remain deployed to Niger. During meetings, Nigerien and American officials discussed the military transition in Niger and military cooperation between the two countries, Abdramane said.

Persons: CNN —, Major Amadou Abdramane, –, ”, Joe Biden, Abdramane, “, ” Abdramane, Niger “ Organizations: CNN, Department of Defense, American Department of Defense, Nigerien, US, Niger . Senior Pentagon, Pentagon, American, US Department of Defense Locations: Niger, United States, Republic of Niger, CNN Niger, Niger ., US, Nigerien, Russia, Iran

CNN —A major fire ravaged the 80-year-old iconic Al-Ahram Studio in Cairo, causing extensive damage and spreading to adjacent buildings on Saturday morning, according to the Egyptian state news website Al-Ahram. The fire, which took firefighters over five hours to extinguish and prompted an evacuation of nearby residential buildings, erupted just hours after the completion of filming for a Ramadan television series, Al-Ahram added. Videos circulating on Egyptian media sites showed the studio site and the buildings around it fully affected by the fire. The studio had been instrumental in producing countless Egyptian films and television series, marking it as a significant cultural asset. Egypt’s Public Prosecutor has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire at one of the Arab world’s oldest film production houses, state media outlets report.

Persons: Ahram, Momen Samir, ”, Omar Sharif, Youssef Chahine, Mostafa Madbouly, Nevine, Kilany Organizations: CNN, Ahram, Getty, Hollywood, Egypt’s, Madbouly, State Information Service Locations: Cairo, Ahram, AFP, Egypt, Al

☆ Live updates: Devastation in Gaza as Israel wages war on Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

More than 100 people were killed in northern Gaza where Israeli troops opened fire Thursday, triggering panic as hungry Palestinian civilians were gathering around food aid trucks, Palestinian officials and eyewitnesses said. CNN is unable to independently confirm the death toll, and the Israeli military has given a different account of the circumstances. People had swarmed around the newly arrived aid trucks when Israeli forces started shooting, according to witnesses. As the aid trucks tried to escape the area, others were accidentally rammed, causing further deaths and injuries, an eyewitness told CNN. Israeli government spokesperson Avi Hyman also told reporters the incident was "obviously a tragedy, but we're not sure of the specifics quite yet."

Persons: Haroun Al, Khader Al Za’anoun, Avi Hyman, we're, Izzat Al, Risheq Organizations: CNN Locations: Gaza, Haroun, Gaza City, Sheikh, People

☆ Hello Kitty theme park in Tokyo closed after ‘terrorist threat’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A Hello Kitty theme park in Tokyo has been forced to close for the day after it received a “terror threat,” its operator said. Sanrio Puroland, also known as Hello Kitty Land, is located in Tama New Town in north Tokyo. In a statement published on the park’s official website, operators said they received “a terrorist threat email” on Saturday. Hello Kitty is one of the most famous and recognizable Japanese brands of all time. Sanrio Puroland opened in 1990 and attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year – making it one of Japan’s most popular theme parks, along with Tokyo Disney Resort.

Persons: Sanrio Puroland, ”, Kitty, Sanrio Organizations: CNN, ” Police, NHK, Reuters, Tokyo Disney Resort Locations: Tokyo, Kitty, Tama New, Japanese, Japan, United States, United Kingdom

☆ Prabowo Subianto: Once banned from the US, this fiery ex-army general is poised to lead Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

“The most important objective of democracy is giving people the leaders and representatives they want,” Prabowo told reporters from his pool. Antara Foto/Galih Pradipta/ReutersMany are excited about a Prabowo presidency, like this hardcore supporter who has clearly taken his support to the extreme. Bagus Saragih/AFP/Getty ImagesMore recently, Prabowo has presented himself as a loyal Jokowi ally, serving as his defense minister for the past five years. Experts say Prabowo, known for his fiery speeches, military background and combative past will make for a very different kind of president. Indonesia has long been one of Australia’s most important bilateral relationships and experts say that will not change with Prabowo in charge.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, ” Prabowo, Prabowo, Indonesia’s, Partai Probawo, Gibran, “ Prabowo, ”, Zachary Abuza, Abuza, “, Antara, Pradipta, Saragih, Widodo, Barack Obama, Tom Pepinsky, Rodrigo Duterte, Javier Milei, Trump, ” “, Dita Alangkara, Jokowi, Jacqui Baker, Laura Schwartz, Schwartz, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Adek Berry, Chong Ja Ian, Suharto, –, Dan Slater, Prabowo “, ” Slater, Chaideer Mahyuddin, Chong, Juni Kriswanto, Usman Hamid, Papuans, Veronica Koman, ” Koman Organizations: CNN, National War College, Getty, Southeast Asia, Cornell University, “, Center, Research, Senior Southeast, National University of Singapore, Center for Emerging Democracies, University of Michigan, Muda Airforce, Amnesty International Locations: Jakarta, United States, South Jakarta, Washington ,, AFP, Indonesia, Singapore, Ukraine, Russia, China, Australia, Asian, Perth, Asia, Beijing, Washington, “ Washington, Sultan, Muda, Aceh, West Papua, South China, Tentara Nasional Indonesia, Southeast Asia, “, Papua, Amnesty International Indonesia, restive, Indonesian, East Timor

CNN —Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released from detention on Sunday, having served six months in prison following his return to the kingdom after more than 15 years in self-imposed exile. His jail sentence was later reduced to one year after he submitted a request for a royal pardon. His release from prison reintroduces a towering and divisive figure to Thailand at a tense political time. Wearing a neck collar and arm sling, the former prime minister was seen leaving the Police General Hospital in Bangkok on Sunday in a black van alongside his daughters, Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Pintongta Shinawatra. He returned to his residence in Bangkok where a handwritten banner had been hung on the gate welcoming him home.

Persons: CNN —, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pintongta Shinawatra Organizations: CNN, Thai Corrections Department, Police, Hospital Locations: Thailand, Bangkok

CNN —A sixteen-year-old Taylor Swift fan was killed in a head-on collision with a semi-trailer while on her way to see the pop star in concert in Melbourne on Thursday. Her 10-year-old sister, who was in the backseat, is in critical condition at a local hospital, 7 News Australia reported. “The rear passenger, a 10-year-old girl, was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition,” the police statement added. Swift is in Melbourne for the Australia leg of her global “Eras Tour.”The tragedy follows the death in November of a Taylor Swift fan before a concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. That death came amid a record heatwave that had prompted Swift to postpone an earlier show.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Mieka Pokarier, Mieka, ”, Swift, Benevides Machado, ” Swift, I’m, “ Organizations: CNN, Australia, News Australia, Melbourne police, Dubbo Hospital, ” New South Wales police, Westmead Hospital, ” Locations: Melbourne, Dubbo, NSW, New South Wales, ” New South Wales, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Australia

☆ Indonesia election: Early polls point to victory for ex-army strongman leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Heather Chen | Angus Watson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A former army general is on course to win Indonesia’s election, securing the majority of votes needed for an outright victory, early unofficial results showed. Popular former governor Anies Beswadan was running second with fewer than 22% of the votes, with rival Ganjar Pranowo in third, according to the unofficial early count. CNN cannot independently verify the early polls, though counts by reputable thinktanks have proved accurate during previous elections. Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country and home to the world’s largest Muslim population. More than 200 million people across 38 provinces were expected to cast their votes on Wednesday, in what was billed as the world’s biggest single-day election.

Persons: CNN —, Prabowo Subianto, Anies Beswadan, Ganjar Pranowo, Joko Widodo, Jokowi’s, Gibran Rakabuming Raka Organizations: CNN Locations: Indonesia, United States

☆ Indonesia election: Over 200 million will head to the polls across vast nation in world’s biggest election day
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —More than 200 million eligible voters will head to the polls in Indonesia on Wednesday, in what is billed as the world’s biggest single-day election. Mascots depicting presidential candidate and Indonesia's Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto (L) and vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka (R) in an election event on February 5, 2024. He has strong links with Islamic political groups, and his vice-presidential pick, Muhaimin Iskandar, is the leader of Indonesia’s largest Muslim political party, the National Awakening Party. A presidential candidate needs a simple majority of at least 50% of total votes and 20% of votes in more than half of the country’s 38 provinces to win. The use and abuse of AIWith more than 210 million Internet users, Indonesia boasts one of the world’s largest digital populations.

Persons: Suharto’s, Prabowo Subianto, he’s, Suharto, ” Kenneth Roth, Ganjar, Mahfud, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Adek Berry, Anies Baswedan, Muhaimin Iskandar, Anies, –, Basuki Tjahaja, Joko Widodo, Jokowi, Prabowo, Gibran, Jokowi’s, ”, Adrian Vickers, Vickers, “, Yusof, Maria Monica Wihardja, ” Wihardja, Sayyidatiihayaa, Satya Bumi, ” Sayyidatiihayaa, Ulet Ifansasti Organizations: CNN, Human Rights Watch, Princeton University, Indonesian Democratic Party of, Indonesia's Defence, Getty, Former Jakarta, Islamic, National Awakening Party, University of Sydney, Prabowo, Lembaga, Transparency International, Indonesia Locations: Indonesia, United States, Central Java, Jakarta, Indonesia’s, AFP, Chinese, Indonesian, Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, Nusantara, Borneo

☆ AI ‘resurrects’ long dead dictator in murky new era of deepfake electioneering
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“As a member of Golkar, I am very proud of Suharto because he successfully developed Indonesia,” Aksa wrote on X. The Golkar-produced Suharto video was just one of dozens featured in official party campaigns, they said. AI photos made by supporters, have also been used by Ganjar’s party in his campaign. Indonesia’s Communications Ministry issued advisories following several viral AI videos, warning tech companies and voters to be cautious of deepfakes. TAPP (Tim Advokasi Peduli Pemilu), a Jakarta-based nonprofit, said that videos like the Suharto deepfake showed AI’s potential for voter manipulation.

Persons: Suharto, ”, Erwin Aksa, Golkar –, Prabowo Subianto, –, ” Aksa, Golda Benjamin, Ganjar, Darryl Ramadhan, Muhammad Zulfan Dalimunthe, ” Budisatrio, Prabowo’s, Ganjar Pranowo, Anies Baswedan, Anies, ” Anies, TAPP, Tim Advokasi Peduli, Suharto deepfake, Gugum Ridho, Rahmat Pribadi, Suharto Suharto’s, Soe Tjen, Anton Pratama, “, ” Anton Organizations: CNN, Facebook, YouTube, Golkar, Asia Pacific, ”, Gerindra Party, Central Java Gov, Ganjar’s Democratic Party of, Jakarta Gov, Indonesia’s Communications Ministry, Getty, SOAS University of London Locations: Indonesia, Indonesian, Asia, Jakarta, Lubuk Pakam, North Sumatra, AFP, Gugum Ridho Putra, East Timor, Aceh, West Papua, Maluku, Yogyakarta

The attack took place at the General Gordon military base in Mogadishu on Saturday night, the ministry said. UAE personnel had been training soldiers from the Somali Armed Forces as part of an agreement between the UAE and Somalia, the ministry said. A UAE army officer told Reuters that the gunman was a newly trained Somali soldier. “The soldier opened fire on UAE trainers and Somali military officials when they started praying,” the official said. “We understand the soldier had defected from al-Shabaab before he was recruited as a soldier by Somalia and UAE,” the UAE army official said.

Persons: Gordon, “, Shabaab, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Organizations: CNN, United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, Bahrain Defense Force, UAE, Somali Armed Forces, Reuters, ”, UN Security Locations: Mogadishu, UAE, Somalia, Somali, Andalus, al, Shabaab

☆ Hungary’s president resigns amid uproar over child sex abuse case pardon
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Heather Chen | Pierre Meilhan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Hungarian President Katalin Novak has announced that she is resigning from office following mounting public criticism over her decision to pardon a man implicated in a child sexual abuse case. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the country’s capital Budapest on Friday, calling for Novak to step down. Protesters took to the streets in Hungary this week. Bernadett Szabo/ReutersNovak is a close ally of Hungary’s hardline nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán and was the former family minister. Saturday’s address was her final one as president, less than two years after she took office.

Persons: Katalin Novak, “, ” Novak, ”, Novak, Pope Francis –, Protesters, Bernadett Szabo, Viktor Orbán Organizations: CNN, Reuters Locations: Budapest, Doha, Hungarian, Hungary

☆ Coldplay has a request: They really, really want to play in China
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

He really, really wants to play in China. “I promise we’ll play in China one day,” Martin said to the screaming crowd when he invited two lucky fans up on stage. “You know, we can’t get the permission (to play in China),” he told concertgoers. Chris Martin and Coldplay aren’t alone in wanting to serenade mainland Chinese audiences. Chinese authorities have also been known to vet the content of shows, including setlists and lyrics.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Coldplay, Chris Martin, “, ” Martin, don’t, Coldplay, ”, Martin, concertgoers, “ Coldplay, China …, Paul Kane, Coldplay aren’t, Jon Bon Jovi, Jovi, Bon Jovi’s, Lama, Xi Jinping, –, Xi, Golshifteh Farahani, “ Young, Bjork, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry's, Sam Yeh, Katy Perry, Madonna, James Hetfield, we’re Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, Coldplay, Tourism Ministry, Oasis, Communist Party, China’s Communist Party, Tibet, Municipal, of Culture, Getty, Taiwan, Chinese Culture Ministry, South China Morning Locations: Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Guangzhou, British, Asia, Tokyo, –, Beijing, Shanghai, Macao, Covid, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Worth, Iranian, Buenos Aires, Iran, Taipei, AFP, Taiwan

☆ Pakistan releases official election results, independents affiliated with Khan’s PTI secure most seats
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Heather Chen | Sophia Saifi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Pakistan’s official election results were announced by the election commission on Sunday, with independent candidates affiliated with former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party securing the most seats in parliament. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, independent candidates won 102 seats. The majority of the independents are affiliated with Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz party (PMLN), headed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, came in second with 73 seats, and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) won 54 seats. The PTI party has called on party workers and supporters to hold protests on Sunday outside polling offices in constituencies where party members say election results were “withheld and delayed.”The capital Islamabad has imposed Section 144, allowing police to take legal action against any illegal assemblies and activities.

Persons: CNN —, Imran Khan’s, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Nawaz Sharif Organizations: CNN, Pakistan Muslim League, Pakistan People’s Party, PTI Locations: Imran Khan’s Pakistan, Pakistan, Islamabad

☆ Japanese trading giant Itochu to cut ties with Israeli defense firm over Gaza war
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Juliana Liu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong/Tokyo CNN —One of Japan’s biggest trading firms, Itochu, has decided to end its partnership with a major Israeli defense company due to the war in Gaza. The sprawling conglomerate, best known outside Japan for its Family Mart chain of convenience stores, said its aviation unit will cut ties with Elbit Systems, which bills itself as Israel’s largest defense contractor, by the end of February. Itochu Aviation, Elbit Systems and Nippon Aircraft Supply signed a cooperation agreement in March 2023, months before war broke out between Israel and Gaza. Itochu, which reported revenues of $104 billion in 2023, has faced small-scale, student-led protests in Tokyo against its partnership with Elbit since January. Its Family Mart chain has also been the target of calls for boycotts in Muslim-majority Malaysia over the agreement.

Persons: ”, Itochu, Israel, Tsuyoshi Hachimura, Hachimura, Bezhalel Machlis, Hanako Montgomery, Heather Chen Organizations: Tokyo CNN, Elbit Systems, International Court of Justice, United Nations, Japan’s Foreign Ministry, CNN, ICJ, Israel, Itochu Aviation, Nippon Aircraft Supply, Elbit, Japan’s Defense Ministry, Self - Defense Force, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Hong Kong, Tokyo, Gaza, Japan, Israel, South Africa, Itochu, Malaysia

☆ Live updates: US airstrikes in Middle East, Israel-Hamas war, Gaza crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Heather Chen | Andrew Raine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

US-led coalition conducts airstrikes in Yemen in response to the Houthi aggression at the Red Sea on February 3. US Central CommandThe US and the United Kingdom have conducted strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen from air and surface platforms — including F/A-18s — on over 30 targets across 13 locations, according to officials. The US and UK carried out the strikes with the support of several other countries, according to a joint statement on Saturday. The Houthis said US and UK warplanes struck multiple provinces in Yemen, including the capital of Sanaa. The USS Gravely and USS Carney fired the land-attack cruise missiles and F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier were also involved, officials said.

Persons: “, Carney, Dwight D, Joe Biden's, CNN's Eyad Kourdi Organizations: US Central Command, US, CNN, Eisenhower Locations: Yemen, United Kingdom, UK, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sanaa, Tehran, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Red

☆ Finance worker pays out $25 million after video call with deepfake ‘chief financial officer’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Heather Chen | Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A finance worker at a multinational firm was tricked into paying out $25 million to fraudsters using deepfake technology to pose as the company’s chief financial officer in a video conference call, according to Hong Kong police. Chan said the worker had grown suspicious after he received a message that was purportedly from the company’s UK-based chief financial officer. Dale De La Rey / AFPBelieving everyone else on the call was real, the worker agreed to remit a total of $200 million Hong Kong dollars – about $25.6 million, the police officer added. At the press briefing Friday, Hong Kong police said they had made six arrests in connection with such scams. Authorities across the world are growing increasingly concerned at the sophistication of deepfake technology and the nefarious uses it can be put to.

Persons: “, Baron Chan Shun, Chan, Hong, Dale De La, deepfakes, Taylor Swift Organizations: CNN, Hong, RTHK Locations: Hong Kong, Dale De La Rey, AFP, American

CNN —Chile has declared a state of emergency as it battles raging forest fires throughout the country that have killed at least 51 people – and authorities say the death toll is likely to rise. He added that the defense ministry would deploy more military units to affected areas, with all necessary resources made available. The declaration was made for the provinces of Marga Marga and Valparaíso, the presidential delegate of Valparaíso Sofía González Cortés said. The wildfires in Valparaíso have also damaged an estimated 1,100 homes, authorities said. At least six of those who died did so while being treated in hospitals for burns, according to authorities.

Persons: “, Gabriel Boric, Marga Marga, Valparaíso, González Cortés, Carolina Tohá, Tohá, Esteban Felix, Javier Torres, Toha Organizations: CNN, Chile, Marga, Firefighters, AFP, Getty Locations: Valparaíso, Chile’s, El

☆ Pigeon suspected of spying for China released in India after PETA intervention, group says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Heather Chen | Sania Farooqui | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A pigeon suspected of spying for China and held for eight months was released by Indian officials this week after intervention from animal rights organization PETA, the group said in a statement. “After learning that a pigeon was held at the Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals (BSDPHA) in Parel as case property for an astonishing eight months, PETA India sprang into action to secure the bird’s freedom from captivity,” PETA said. The animal’s ordeal began in May last year, when it was captured near a port in Mumbai. There was a message written on the pigeon’s wings in words that appeared to be Chinese, PETA added. B. Kulkarni, Chief Medical Superintendent of the BSDPHA,” PETA said.

Persons: Dinshaw, ”, Mumbai’s, Narendra Modi, B, Kulkarni, Bombay SPCA, Hvaldimir Organizations: CNN, Indian, PETA, Hospital for Animals, ” PETA, ” CNN, Bombay Society for Locations: China, Parel, PETA India, Mumbai, Bombay, Russian

☆ Malaysia cuts prison sentence of disgraced former Prime Minister Najib Razak
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Malaysia has cut former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s 12-year prison sentence for corruption in half, according to authorities in the Southeast Asian country. Najib, who served as prime minister from 2009 to 2018, was found guilty of money laundering, abuse of power and other charges in 2020 related to the 1MDB scandal, which saw billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money embezzled out of Malaysia. In a statement Friday, the country’s Federal Territories Pardon Board said the former leader’s application to shorten his prison sentence to six years had been approved. The 1MDB fund was created soon after Najib took office in 2009. Goldman Sachs, which underwrote much of the 1MDB fund and was facing a host of criminal and regulatory proceedings in Malaysia, agreed to a $3.9 billion settlement with the country’s government in 2020.

Persons: Najib Razak’s, Najib, 1MDB, Goldman Sachs Organizations: CNN, United Locations: Malaysia, Territories, United States

☆ British BASE jumper falls to his death from condominium in Thailand after parachute fails
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Kocha Olarn | Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —A British BASE jumper has died in Thailand after his parachute failed to open when he launched off an apartment building, local police told CNN. The victim was identified as Nathy Odinson, a 33-year-old British male citizen, he added. Odinson was believed to have been involved in a business selling parachute kits for about 10 years, Sinthurat said. Police confirmed that a parachute backpack was still attached to Odinson’s body and said the parachute kit likely malfunctioned. CNN has reached out to the British Foreign Office as well as the British Embassy in Bangkok for further comment.

Persons: Thailand CNN —, Nawin Sinthurat, Instagram, Odinson, Sinthurat, ” Sinthurat, “, ” Organizations: Thailand CNN, CNN, Authorities, Facebook, Police, British, Office, British Embassy Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, British, Pattaya

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