DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ The UN says Sudan is at a ‘catastrophic breaking point’ amid flooding and fighting
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

War-wrecked Sudan's humanitarian crisis is at "a catastrophic breaking point" amid fighting and devastating flooding, the U.N. migration agency said Monday, ahead of peace talks planned for later this week. The talks face uncertainty as Sudan's military has yet to confirm its participation in the meeting in Switzerland brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia. Sudan’s war has created the world’s largest displacement crisis. More than 10.7 million people have been forced to flee their homes since fighting began, according to the International Organization for Migration. AFP - Getty Images"We are at a breaking point, a catastrophic, cataclysmic breaking point," said Othman Belbeisi, IOM’s regional director.

Persons: Othman Belbeisi, Belbeisi, Tom Perriello, We’ve, Perriello Organizations: Rapid Support Forces, International Organization for Migration, Getty, IOM, U.S, SAF, Sudanese Armed Forces, United Locations: Switzerland, United States, Saudi Arabia, Khartoum, Darfur, Meroe, Sudan, AFP, Darfur’s, al, Sennar, Geneva, Saudi, Jeddah, Union, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, UAE

CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lambasted his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday and accused him of adopting an “anti-Israel narrative,” revealing a deep rupture at the top of the Israeli government as the Middle East risks spiraling into a full-scale regional conflict. “When Gallant adopts the anti-Israel narrative, he harms the chances of reaching a hostage deal,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement. Critics have accused Netanyahu of being more interested in defeating Hamas and preserving his government than returning the hostages. He has previously called on Netanyahu to declare that Israel would not establish civilian or military control over Gaza, although the prime minister has remained vague on his plans for the “day after” the war. “The conditions today for a Lebanon war are the opposite of what they were at the beginning of the war,” Gallant reportedly told lawmakers.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, ”, Saul Loeb, Ismail Haniyeh, Fu’ad Shukr, Haniyeh’s, Haniyeh, Netanyahu, –, Joe Biden, ” Gallant, Yahya, Sinwar, Daniel Hagari, “ Organizations: CNN, Israeli, US State Department, Getty Images, Qatari, ” CNN, American Enterprise, Institute for Locations: Israel, Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, United States, Washington ,, Getty Images Iran, Tehran, Beirut, of Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Cairo, Doha

CNN —Mediators in talks for a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel are making a last-ditch effort to revive stalled negotiations as the Middle East braces for an Iranian attack on Israel. President Joe Biden announces a proposed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza while delivering remarks in the State Dining Room at the White House on May 31 in Washington, DC. The militant group replaced Haniyeh with Yahya Sinwar, the hardline Hamas leader in Gaza who is one of Israel’s most wanted men. He is not interested in either a ceasefire or the full withdrawal of troops.”Why are Thursday’s talks so important? There have been some indications that Iran may abandon plans to attack Israel if a ceasefire deal is reached.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, ”, who’ve, Netanyahu, Chip Somodevilla, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel hasn’t, Yahya Sinwar, “ Haniyeh, “, Israel, Zahra, Omar Al, Thursday’s Organizations: CNN, Israeli, White, Thursday’s, Hamas, Getty, Israel, United Nations Locations: Israel, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Gaza, Rome, Washington ,, Rafah, Tehran, Iran, Palestinian, Shujaiya, Gaza City, AFP

☆ Sudan at a ‘breaking point’ as civil war rages, UN agency says
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Michael Mitsanas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Sudan is at a “breaking point,” a United Nations agency said Monday, as a growing number of people need food, water, shelter and medical care in a country devastated by intensifying war. “We are at breaking point, a catastrophic, cataclysmic breaking point,” he added. Earlier this month, the UN-backed Famine Review Committee said at least one refugee camp in Sudan’s Darfur region is experiencing famine, which the agency has only declared twice in Sudan’s history. “This was the only safe route for humanitarian aid to reach Central & (South) Darfur,” the agency said Monday in a post on X. “We’ve had extensive engagement with the SAF,” Tom Perriello, the US special envoy for Sudan, told reporters Monday, according to the news agency.

Persons: ” Othman Belbeisi, “ We’ve, Tom Perriello, ” Organizations: CNN, United, Sudanese Armed Forces, SAF, Rapid Support Forces, UN, International Organization for Migration, Food, IOM, US, AP Locations: Sudan, United Nations, East, Africa, Sudan’s Darfur, ”, Darfur, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Saudi, Jeddah

☆ Israel and US brace for Iranian attack as diplomats push hard for Gaza ceasefire
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Israel and the United States are preparing for a potential Iranian attack on Israel as efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza intensify, with talks set to resume this week amid intense diplomacy to avert a wider regional war. A major Iranian attack reprisal against Israel could risk derailing the ceasefire talks that US officials have said were at an advanced stage prior to the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which Iran blamed on Israel. But the country’s mission to the United Nations said on Saturday that Tehran’s retaliation to Israel’s suspected killing of Haniyeh is “totally unrelated to the Gaza ceasefire,” adding that it has a right to self-defense. Palestinians pray next to the bodies of those killed in an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people in Gaza City on Saturday. Egyptian and Qatari mediators have told Israel that Sinwar wants a deal, an Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN.

Persons: CNN —, –, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel hasn’t, Israel, hasn’t, Iran’s, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “, ”, Haniyeh, Lloyd Austin, Israel “, William Gore, Lebanon –, Fu’ad Shukr, Abed Sabah, Yahya Sinwar –, Israel –, Joe Biden, Sinwar, Benjamin Netanyahu, Bibi, Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, Qatari, Doha, United, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, United Nations, US, USS, Pentagon, Congress, UN, Spc, US Navy, Reuters, –, US National Security Council, Israel Defense Forces Locations: CNN — Israel, United States, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Cairo, Egypt, Qatar, Tehran, France, Germany, United Kingdom, USS Georgia, Manama, Bahrain, Lebanon, Beirut, Gaza City

☆ U.S. and China fight to 40-40 draw for most Olympic gold medals
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( David K. Li | Sean Nevin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Cameron Spencer | Getty ImagesThe U.S. and China each won 40 gold medals in the first Summer Games draw in Olympic history, with the Americans pulling into a tie Sunday with victory in the last event, women's basketball. China's Li Wenwen won gold in women's heavyweight weightlifting in what could have been a death knell for American hopes to capture overall gold. U.S. hopes were dimmed further when Chicago native Kennedy Blades, who made a surprising run to the gold medal wrestling match, lost to 76-kg rival Yuka Kagami of Japan. Gold medalist Simone Biles of Team USA poses during the artistic gymnastics women's all-around final medal ceremony on Aug. 1. Patrick Smith | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images

Persons: Cameron Spencer, China's Li Wenwen, Yuka Kagami, Jennifer Valente, Noah Lyles, Breanna Stewart, Cheryl Reeve wryly, hasn't, Simone Biles, Tom Weller, voigt, Anastasiia Kirpichnikova, Katie Ledecky, Isabel Gose, Quinn Rooney, Lee Kiefer, Lauren Scruggs, Eleanor Harvey of Canada, Patrick Smith Organizations: Eiffel, Rings, Olympic Games, Getty, U.S, France, China, Chicago, Kennedy Blades, Team USA, USA, WNBA, didn't, Summer, " Unified, Soviet, Games Locations: Paris, France, China, U.S, Japan, Italy, San Diego, Beijing, Norway, Germany, Soviet Union, Barcelona, Tokyo, Rio, London

☆ U.S. Officials to Visit China for Economic Talks as Trade Tensions Rise
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Alan Rappeport | More About Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A group of senior Biden administration officials is traveling to Shanghai this week for a round of high-level meetings intended to keep the economic relationship between the United States and China on stable footing amid mounting trade tensions between the two countries. Officials are expected to discuss ways to maintain economic and financial stability, capital markets and efforts to curb the flow of fentanyl into the United States. Although communication between the United States and China has improved over the past year, the economic relationship remains fraught because of disagreements over industrial policy and China’s dominance over green energy technology. The United States is also restricting American investments in Chinese sectors that policymakers believe could threaten national security. They are expected to meet with the People’s Bank of China’s deputy governor, Xuan Changneng, and other senior Chinese officials.

Persons: Biden, Brent Neiman, Xuan Changneng Organizations: Biden, U.S ., Treasury, Federal Reserve, Securities and Exchange Commission, People’s Bank Locations: Shanghai, United States, China

☆ World beaters: Women athletes ruled the Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Raquel Coronell Uribe | Raquel Coronell Uribe Is A Breaking News Reporter. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Sarah Stier / Getty Images filePerhaps most impressive is the sheer number of medals won by U.S. women. The country in fourth place, with the closest number of medals to the American women, is Great Britain, with 65 medals. Sixty-seven medals is a record for U.S. women and a record for any country’s women in general, beating the U.S. total of 66 in Tokyo. Biles and Suni Lee went 1-2 on the all-around and became the first two all-around women gold medalists to go head-to-head in an all-around final. The women’s U.S. basketball team won its eighth Olympic gold in a row, earning a shoutout from former President Barack Obama on X.

Persons: Katie Ledecky, Sarah Stier, Jordan Chiles, Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jamie Squire, Chiles, Lauren Scruggs, Amita Berthier, Al Bello, —, Biles, Rebeca Andrade, Amit Elor, Barack Obama, Imane, Ulrik Pedersen, Imane Khelif, Lin Yu, Angela Carini, Khelif, Carini, Lin, ” Organizations: U.S, USA’s, IOC, United States ’, Games, Olympic Games, Boxing Association, Olympic Locations: Paris, Romania, China, Great Britain, Tokyo, Singapore, United, Algeria, Algerian, Taipei, Russian, New Delhi

PARIS — Everywhere you looked at the 2024 Paris Games, Americans dominated. On the final day of the Games, China is leading Team USA in the medal table, with 39 golds to America’s 38. Its two golds here included the 4x100-meter medley, the first time in Olympic history that anyone had beaten the U.S. Though Russia, a longtime dominant force in the sport, was excluded from these Games, China still achieved a score that far outstripped any competitors. China has also been quick to embrace some of the newer Olympic sports including sport climbing, skateboarding, surfing and breaking.

Persons: Snoop, Lady Gaga, ”, Fang Zheng, “, it’s, ” Chen Yiwen, Oli Scarff, Zhanle, Hunter Armstrong, Caeleb Dressel, Zheng Qinwen, Jacklyn Luu, Deng Yawen, Zheng Haohao, Paris —, Ma Long, Wang Chuqin, Lintao Zhang, Erriyon Knighton, Xu Shixiao, Lindsey Wasson, Mao Zedong, Richard Nixon, Deng Xiaoping, Li Fabin, Miguel Medina, Xi Jinping, Li Xiang, ” Li Organizations: Games, . Team USA, USA, China, U.S, Doping Agency, WADA, New York Times, NBC, USA’s, Soviet Union, China’s, Association, Asian Studies, Asia, Helsinki Games, China wouldn’t, International Olympic Committee, IOC, Getty, Global Times Locations: United States, China, Paris, France, AFP, U.S, Spain, Russia, Beijing, India, USA, Soviet, Michigan, Western, Taiwan, Los Angeles, Taipei, ” Beijing

PARIS — U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles must return her bronze medal in the floor exercise, the International Olympic Committee said Sunday, upholding findings that a coach's protest that got her on the podium shouldn't have been allowed. Romanian Ana Bărbosu, 18, will now be the floor exercise bronze medalist. "We are devastated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling regarding women’s floor exercise," according to a statement issued by USA Gymnastics on Saturday night. "The inquiry into the Difficulty Value of Jordan Chiles’ floor exercise routine was filed in good faith and, we believed, in accordance with FIG rules to ensure accurate scoring." "I am taking the time and removing myself from social media for my mental health thank you," she wrote.

Persons: Jordan Chiles, Chiles, Cecile Landi, Marcel Ciolacu, he'd, Romanian Ana Bărbosu, Ana Bărbosu, She's, Jordan, she'd, David K, Li, Sean Nevin Organizations: PARIS, International Olympic, Romanian, IOC, Sunday, Sport, International Gymnastics Federation, NOC, USA Gymnastics Locations: U.S, Romanian, Romania, France, New York City, Tokyo, Paris, London

☆ Israeli military says no change in civilian guidelines amid reports of looming Iranian attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday its instructions to the public have not changed amid a possible retaliatory attack from Iranian forces after the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. “IDF forces are deployed and prepared in high readiness. As planned ceasefire talks are due to take place this week, the threat of an attack from Iran and Iranian-backed Hezbollah looms. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel will send a delegation to the talks. An Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN over the weekend Egyptian and Qatari mediators have conveyed to Israeli officials in recent days Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar wants a ceasefire deal.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, “, Daniel Hagari, Barak Ravid, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Yahya Sinwar, Joe Biden Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, UN Security Council Locations: Iran, Iranian, United States, Qatar, Egypt, Israel, Gaza, Israeli

☆ Hezbollah fires rockets into Israel as threat of Iran attack looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Jeremy Diamond | Irene Nasser | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Haifa, Israel CNN —Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets toward northern Israel on Sunday night, as Israeli forces remain on high alert for potential retaliation from Iran and its proxies following the assassination of a top Hamas leader last month. About 30 rockets were launched from Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, adding that some fell into open areas and no injuries were reported. “IDF forces are deployed and prepared in high readiness. Austin has ordered a guided-missile submarine to the Middle East and accelerated the arrival of a carrier strike group to the region ahead of an anticipated Iranian attack against Israel, the Pentagon said in a statement Sunday evening. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel will send a delegation to the talks.

Persons: Israel CNN —, Ismail Haniyeh, “, Daniel Hagari, Barak Ravid, Austin, Yoav Gallant, Ravid, Gallant, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Yahya Sinwar, Joe Biden Organizations: Israel CNN, National News Agency, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, CNN, Pentagon, UN Security Council Locations: Haifa, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Ma’aroub, Tehran, United States, Qatar, Egypt, Israeli

“Some critics, like Mr. Smotrich, for example, have claimed that the hostage deal is a surrender to Hamas or that hostages should not be exchanged for prisoners,” Mr. Kirby said at the start of a briefing for reporters. Mr. Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister and a far-right ally, have threatened to quit Mr. Netanyahu’s coalition if he signs a deal ending the war. But whether it could help Mr. Netanyahu to have the Americans weigh in on his domestic politics was not as clear. “The idea that he would support a deal that leaves Israel’s security at risk is just factually wrong,” Mr. Kirby said of the president. “He won’t allow extremists to blow things off course — including extremists in Israel making these ridiculous charges against the deal,” he said.

Persons: ”, Biden’s, John F, Kirby, Biden, Bezalel Smotrich, Smotrich, Mr, “ Smotrich, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ” Mr, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Biden administration’s pushback, Netanyahu, “, he’s Organizations: White, Hamas, ISIS Locations: U.S, Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Iran

Hong Kong CNN —Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ running mate has a decades-long connection with China. “I remember waking up and seeing the news on June 4 that the unthinkable had happened,” Walz told Voice of America in an interview in 2014. The newlyweds spent their honeymoon taking students on two-week tours in China for sightseeing and classes on culture, education and history. In Chinese nationalist circles, which have an outsized voice on policy debates in China, there are no rosy illusions about Walz. The hashtag “Harris’ VP pick once taught in China” racked up 15 million views on microblogging site Weibo.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Kamala Harris ’, Tim Walz, Walz, ”, Dalai Lama, Joshua Wong, Shen Dingli, ” Shen, ’ Walz, “, Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, ” Walz, Gwen, Cara Roemhildt, ” Roemhildt, Jeff Widener, ’ ”, Liu Dongshu, Liu Xiaobo, Lobsang Sangay, ” Tim Walz, X, Hong Kong’s, Wong, ” Jeffrey Ngo, “ Walz, ” Ngo, ” Shen Yi, “ We’re, ” Stephen Roach, Morgan Stanley Asia, Harris, Eric Fish, Hong Kong's, Joshua Wang, George H, Bush, Bush’s, there’s, Liu, “ Harris, China ”, –, Xi Jinping, “ Heh, I’ve, they’re Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Democratic, United States ’, Republican, Communist Party, Star, Herald, CNN, Harvard University, Paramount, America, “, of, People, Associated, Congressional, Commission, City University of Hong, Hong, Hong Kong Human Rights, Democracy, White Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Minnesota, Tiananmen, Nebraska, Shanghai, Foshan, Guangdong, America, Congress, City University of Hong Kong, Tibet, Dalai, Washington, “, South China, Weibo

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. Such escalation could also jeopardize efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and release hostages, despite recent progress in negotiations. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed comprehensive security strategies to protect Israel, according to a statement on Monday. Israel was considering its options to prepare for a regional attack over the weekend. The country braces for war in its own way and tends to pick up after itself.

Persons: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ismail Haniyeh, ”, Israel, Israel hasn’t, “, Yoav Gallant, Defense Lloyd Austin, Michael Kurilla, Kurilla, Ayman Safadi, Badr Abdelatti, Ali Bagheri Kani, ‘, Masoud Pezeshkian, Safadi, Nasser Kanaani, Fu’ad Shukr, Majdal Shams, Hassan Nasrallah, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” “, ” Netanyahu, Ali Bagheri, Netanyahu, Gallant, Daniel Hagari, Lebanon scrambledto, floaties, Samer Othman, Jalaa Marey, Othman, Liz Nicholas, David Adom, Be’er, Ivana Reiser, Zeev Jabotinsky, Naama, ” Be’er, ” Baer, Reiser, Roy Dror, Ron Heckmann, they’re, Dror, ” Heckmann, Uri Shacham, Shacham Organizations: Jerusalem CNN —, Iran’s, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Saturday, US, Israeli, Defense, US Central Command, Jordanian, Egypt’s, Zionist, Israel, Iran, Sunday, Getty Images Israel, Hezbollah, CNN, Mount, Mount Herzl Military, Getty, MDA Locations: Beirut, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Israel, Iran, Tehran, Lebanon, Gaza, United States, Syria, Majdal, Golan, ”, AFP, Cairo, Lebanese, Beirut’s, Mount Herzl, London, Nahariyah

CNN —With two presidential candidates fighting over a mere 538 Electoral College votes, a tie scenario is more than possible. Those individual, competitive electoral votes in Maine and Nebraska become hugely consequential in potential tie scenarios. If there’s a 269-269 tie, or if a third party or independent candidate wins electoral votes and keeps a candidate from reaching an Electoral College majority of 270, the next step is the same. Has a contingent election happened in the years since the tied election of 1800? In 1876, when there was a contested outcome, the contingent election system was bypassed.

Persons: Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, ”, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, there’s, It’s, it’s, Mike Johnson, –, Harris, Federalist John Adams, Jefferson, Burr, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, Jackson, Robert M, Johnson, Martin Van Buren, South Carolina –, Republican Rutherford B, Hayes, Samuel Tilden Organizations: CNN, Electoral, Democratic, Republicans, Win, Electoral College, Congressional Research Service, CRS, Senate, Democrat, Democrats, Republican, Trump, Federalists, Jefferson’s Democratic, Federalist Locations: Wisconsin , Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Maine, California, Texas, Delaware, Wyoming, Washington, DC, Minnesota, North Carolina, – Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, Oregon

Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the Palestinian militant group Hama, arrives for the inauguration of the new Iranian President at the parliament in Tehran, on July 30. Tehran: Haniyeh took at least four trips to Tehran – in November, March, May and July. In May, he attended the funerals of Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi and foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who were killed in a helicopter crash. On his final trip to Tehran, which ended with his assassination, he attended the inauguration of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Doha: As Israel’s war ravaged Gaza, Haniyeh spent the majority of his time in Hamas’ Doha offices.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Hama, Stringer, Ismail Haniyeh’s, Haniyeh, Ali Khamenei, Ebrahim Raisi, Hossein Amir, Abdollahian, Masoud Pezeshkian Organizations: Getty, CNN, Tehran –, Iranian Locations: Tehran, AFP, Gaza, Istanbul, Turkey, Doha, Cairo, Qatar, Egypt

☆ With Strife at Home, Security Concerns Grow for Israeli Olympians in Paris
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Talya Minsberg | Johnatan Reiss | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israeli athletes who had already been moving around the Paris Games with a security apparatus befitting a head of state can expect heightened protection after the recent assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders caused security officials to fear for the athletes’ safety. On Saturday, a rocket from Lebanon hit a soccer field in Majdal Shams, an Arab Druse village in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Israel blamed the deadly rocket attack on Hezbollah, which denied responsibility. On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike killed a Hezbollah commander near Beirut, the Lebanese capital, in retaliation. Before traveling to Paris, Israeli athletes reported receiving anonymous emails that threatened, “we intend to repeat the events of Munich 1972.”

Persons: Israel, Ismail Haniyeh, “, ” Shmulik, ” Organizations: Paris Games Locations: Lebanon, Majdal Shams, Arab, Golan, Israel, Beirut, Iran, Munich, Gaza, Paris

☆ Nollywood aims to become a global cultural phenomenon like Afrobeats
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New Orleans, Louisiana CNN —Nollywood, Nigeria’s vibrant film industry, is setting its sights on achieving global recognition akin to the meteoric rise of Afrobeats. As the third-largest film industry in the world by number of films produced annually, Nollywood has long been a significant cultural force within Africa. Global aspirationsToday, Nollywood is not just about entertainment; it’s about cultural representation and storytelling on a grand scale. Nollywood at the Essence Film FestivalAt the Essence Film Festival, a recent addition to the wider festival celebrating Black culture and achievements, Nollywood stars and stakeholders discussed their vision for international expansion. 3 on Netflix’s global film charts in 2023, garnering over 20 million views worldwide.

Persons: Louisiana CNN —, Nollywood, ”, Toyosi Etim, “ Afrobeats, Simisola, Uche, Omotola, “, , “ I’ve, ” Gbadamosi, Disney’s, it’s, Effiong, Moses Babatope, FilmOne, Babatope Organizations: Louisiana CNN, Netflix, Good Media, CNN, Essence, Academy, Hollywood, Nile Media Entertainment Group, Disney, Warner Bros Locations: Orleans, Louisiana, Africa, New Orleans, New Orleans , Louisiana, scriptwriting

☆ South Korea introduced as North Korea during Olympics opening ceremony, top official ‘deeply sorry’
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Xiaofei Xu | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Paris CNN —Olympics organizers have “deeply apologized” to South Korea over a “human error” that saw its 143 athletes wrongly introduced as North Korean at the opening ceremony. The mishap occurred on Friday, when the South Korean athletes made their debut on a boat cruising down the River Seine. Both the French and English announcements falsely identified them as being from the “People’s Democratic Republic of Korea.”That’s the full name of North Korea. South Korea’s Sports Ministry has said it “expresses regret” over the introduction of the South Korean delegation during the opening broadcast. Olympics organizers have “deeply apologized” to South Korea over a “human error” that saw its 143 athletes being wrongly introduced as North Korean at the opening ceremony.

Persons: ”, Thomas Bach, Yoon Suk, Republic of Korea …, Mark Adams, “ Organizations: Paris CNN —, South, “, Democratic, International Olympic Committee, South Korean, Olympic Games, National Olympic Committee, IOC, ” Reuters, Korea’s Sports, Paris Locations: South Korea, Korean, Democratic Republic of Korea, North Korea, Republic of Korea, Covid, Beijing, Japan, Pyongyang, Seoul

☆ US women’s gymnastics team’s history-making members inspiring gymnasts at home
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-28 | by ( Rikki Klaus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The most diverse US women’s gymnastics team in history will begin competing this weekend at the Olympic Games, inspiring younger gymnasts in the process. But far from Paris, at James Jones Gymnastics Academy (JJGA) in Jonesboro, Georgia, everyone — from the eponymous Jones himself to his gymnasts – are Black. The gym owner and coach said seeing this year’s diverse Olympic team competing at the highest level in a sport where their race has been underrepresented is inspiring. “It makes me feel wonderful,” Jones told CNN. Jones said he had also seen the effect this Olympic team was having on his young gymnasts.

Persons: —, Jones, –, ” Jones, Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, ”, Zuri Norwood, Danielle Saxon, ” Zuri, Phoenix, Rogers, White, ” Phoenix, she’s, Onnie Rogers, “, there’s, ” Rogers, ‘, Betty Okino, didn’t, that’s, Brown, ” Corrinne Tarver, we’ve, ’ ”, Tarver, “ We’re, ” Tarver, ” Zuri’s, Cruz Norwood Organizations: CNN, Olympic Games, USA, James Jones Gymnastics Academy, Olympic, Tokyo Games, Team USA’s, Norwood, Phoenix Rogers, NCAA, UCLA, of Comparative, University of Chicago, Fisk University Locations: Paris, Jonesboro , Georgia, Chicago, Georgia

☆ South Korea stung by introduction at Paris Olympics opening ceremony as North Korea
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( Ben Burrows | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

South Korea is seeking a meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach after its 143 athletes were wrongly introduced as North Korean during the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics. AdvertisementThe formal name of South Korea is the Republic of Korea. North Korea, which has 16 athletes as part of its first delegation since 2016, was properly introduced later in the program in French and English. South Korea and North Korea have been established as separate entities since 1948 and have been in conflict after the Korean War of the early 1950s. In 2012, organizers in London blamed “human error” after a flag of South Korea was displayed alongside North Korea’s women’s team ahead of a game in the soccer tournament.

Persons: Thomas Bach, ”, Mark Adams, “, Jang Mi Ran, Bach, Richard Pelham Organizations: Olympic Committee, Paris Olympics, IOC, South Korean, Democratic, The Athletic, Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism, of Foreign Affairs, Korean Olympic Committee, Korea Sports Federation, Korea’s women’s, Getty Locations: Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, North Korea, South Korea, Republic of Korea, “, Paris, Korean, London

☆ How Doug Emhoff is amplifying his wife’s historic presidential bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Betsy Klein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Confronted with a barrage of negative social media posts from former President Donald Trump aimed at his wife, second gentleman Doug Emhoff eschewed machismo or defensiveness. “That’s all he got?” he said Tuesday of the attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris, the new and historic presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. And Monday, he leaned into a cheerleader role as he introduced the vice president at her Wilmington, Delaware, campaign headquarters. So I think that gives you a fairly good indication of if he now would move into a precedent-setting first gentleman role,” McBride said. “This first gentleman role is being a supportive spouse and understanding better than anyone the administration’s goals and how to go about best achieving that,” she said.

Persons: CNN —, Donald Trump, Doug Emhoff, “, ”, Kamala Harris, Harris, Emhoff, Harris ’, Anita McBride, Laura Bush, Jill Biden, he’ll, David Letterman, Seth Schuster, He’s, Joe Biden, Dobbs, –, ” Emhoff, hyping, you’re, it’s, Kamala, that’s, “ He’s, Capricia Marshall, Obama, Clinton, shirk, ” Marshall, CNN’s Dana Bash, I’m, Bash, ” McBride, Marshall, CNN’s Arlette Saenz, Jeff Zeleny Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Georgetown Law, –, Jewish Democratic Council of America, Jewish, White, House Locations: England, Yarmouth , Maine, Nantucket, Vineyard , Massachusetts, Paris, Wausau, Stevens Point , Wisconsin, McLean , Virginia, Wilmington , Delaware, United States, United States of America, Israel

☆ Gaza war weighs heavy on the minds of Palestinian Olympians: ‘I want to be an inspiration’
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Zeena Saifi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Valerie Tarazi, 24, is originally from Gaza and one of two Palestinian swimmers who will be competing in Paris. Almasri was the first woman to represent Palestine in the World Cross-Country Championships in Belgrade in 2024, according to the Palestine Olympic Committee. But as a refugee, he couldn’t represent Palestine or Syria. Ismail, the team’s best hope to become the first Palestinian to win an Olympic medal, told CNN he feels similarly. This year, there will be eight – the most in history, according to the Palestine Olympic Committee.

Persons: Omar Ismail, Ismail, “, ”, ” Ismail, won’t, Valerie Tarazi, she’s, Tarazi, …, Layla Almasri, ” “, I’d, Almasri, don’t, Faris Badawi, he’s, couldn’t, –, Boxer Wasim Abu Sal, Jorge Salhe, Mohammed Dwedar, Yazan Al Bawwab, we’re, it’s, Omar Organizations: Abu Dhabi CNN, West Bank, United Arab Emirates, CNN, United Nations, International Olympic Committee, National Olympic Committee of Palestine, Games, Olympic Games, Paris, Palestine Olympic, Yarmouk Refugee, Tokyo Games, Palestine Olympic Committee Locations: Abu Dhabi, Jenin, UAE, Jordanian, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Palestine, Palestinian, Gaza, Paris, United States, Belgrade, “, Yarmouk, Damascus, Syria, Europe, Germany, Ramallah, Santiago , Chile, Jericho, Saudi Arabia

☆ Jill Biden travels to Paris Olympics as her husband passes the torch
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Betsy Klein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —First lady Jill Biden watched on Wednesday night as President Joe Biden told the American people it was time to “pass the torch” on his political career. Then she got on a plane, flying nearly 4,000 miles to Paris, where another torch was being passed. Jill Biden is arriving in Paris at a monumental time for her husband’s presidency. That unity will be on display at the Olympic Games, a rare moment in intensely polarized times. In one tangible signal of how plans for the Paris trip changed since the president’s decision to drop his reelection bid, Jill Biden had been scheduled to headline a fundraiser for Americans living abroad in Paris.

Persons: Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Biden, ” Biden, “, ”, Vanessa Valdivia, Joe Biden’s, Capricia Marshall, Obama, Clinton, ” Jill Biden’s, Elizabeth Alexander, Alexander, Kamala Harris, Harris, Marshall, Joe …, Anita McBride, Laura Bush, ” McBride, it’s, Doug Emhoff Organizations: CNN, Olympic Games, Olympic, USA, White, House, Democratic, Tokyo Locations: Paris, Virginia, Tokyo, Valdivia

Search resuls for: "Delegation"

25 mentions found