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☆ South Africa's ruling ANC set to lose majority in pivotal vote, early projection shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Residents line up to cast ballots in the national election on May 29, 2024 in Matatiele, South Africa. South African's governing African National Congress appears set to lose majority control in the country's most seismic political transition since the end of the apartheid. The International Monetary Fund projects that South Africa's gross domestic product will climb by 0.9% in 2024. The democratic process is going to emerge victorious," ANC leader and South Africa's incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa, 71, said Wednesday on social media. The U.S. dollar was up 1.31% against the South African rand at 8:30 a.m. London time, following the report.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, Cyril Ramaphosa Organizations: Reuters, country's Council for Scientific, Industrial Research, ANC, Democratic Alliance wresting, Marxist Economic, Fighters, African National, ANC —, World Bank, Monetary Fund, South, National Union of Mineworkers, Associated Press, U.S Locations: Matatiele, South Africa, London, Johannesburg

☆ China is developing systems to hunt US submarines from the air
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

China is developing new systems to hunt the US nuclear-powered submarines that could threaten a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, according to a new report. Also significant is that Chinese airborne sub hunters are tasked with protecting Chinese ballistic missile submarines as they sail to their patrol and launch locations. Current Chinese sonobuoys require "a complicated and labor-intensive series of manual button presses to configure sonobuoy parameters such as radio working frequency, working depth, working time, and pulse form to fit maritime conditions before deployment." "PLAN ASW units are training under more realistic conditions, and breaking down administrative barriers which prevented them from generating more training opportunities in different operational environments." AdvertisementFor example, since 2015, training materials have stressed the need for ASW aircraft and ships to work closely together, which is standard practice in the US and Western navies.

Persons: Eli Tirk, Daniel Salisbury, Tirk, Deanna C, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Business, People's Liberation Army Navy, Taiwan, China Maritime Studies, Naval War, PLAN, US Navy, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: China, Taiwan, Japan, Salisbury, America, Forbes

☆ ‘My eyes have been opened:’ Inside Elton John’s personal photography collection
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Victoria Woodcock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —“Fragile Beauty” is an exhibition of extremes. The new show of “Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection” at London’s Victoria & Albert museum (V&A) is at turns glitzy and gritty; joyfully pop and heart-wrenchingly poignant. “‘Fragile Beauty’ was chosen by Elton. Photography as a visual journalOne section, too, is titled “Fragile Beauty”, featuring work by Mapplethorpe, Hujar and McGinley. Elton even features in some of his own collection, as shown in David LaChapelle's "Elton John, Egg On His Face," 1999.

Persons: Sir Elton John, David, Marilyn Monroe, Nan Goldin, ”, Duncan Forbes, “, ’, Elton, Tristram Hunt, London’s, Tyler Mitchell's, Tyler Mitchell, Richard Avedon, Mitchell, John, Egglestons —, Newell Harbin, Hujars, ’ Elton John “, Forbes, Tom Bianchi's, Tom Bianchi, Fahey Klein, “ They’re, It’s, “ We’re, Ronald Fisher —, Newell, Robert Mapplethorpe, Mapplethorpe, Elton John, Sunil Gupta’s, Christopher Street ”, George Platt Lynes, Zanele Muholi, Peter Hujar's, Darling, Hujar, Mel Roberts, Gilbert, George’s, Ryan McGinley’s, Don Herron’s, Keith Haring, Peter Hujar, McGinley, Mary Ellen Mark, John’s, David Fahey, David LaChapelle's, Egg, David LaChapelle “, Fahey, Irving Penn, Herb Ritts, Horst P, Horst, Robert Mapplethorpe's, Roy DeCarava, Julio Cortez’s, George Floyd, Hunt Organizations: CNN, Albert, London’s Tate, Vogue, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Elton John Aids Foundation, ”, Rights Society New, Associated Press Locations: British, Atlanta, London, Los Angeles, “, Harbin, New York, American, Rights Society New York, Seattle, France, Britain, Minneapolis

☆ China’s military shows off rifle-toting robot dogs
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Brad Lendon | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

During recent military drills with Cambodia, China’s military showed off a robot dog with an automatic rifle mounted on its back, essentially turning man’s best (electronic) friend into a killing machine. The latter part of the video also shows an automatic rifle mounted under a six-rotor aerial drone, illustrating what the video says is China’s “variety of intelligent unmanned equipment.”Military use of robot dogs – and of course small aerial drones – is nothing new. And the dogs have been popping up on China’s heavily regulated social media for at least a year. According to the state-run Global Times, the presence of the robotic dogs at exercises with foreign militaries indicates an advanced stage of development. “Usually, a new equipment will not be brought into a joint exercise with another country, so the robot dogs must have reached a certain level of technical maturity,” Global Times quoted an unnamed expert as saying.

Persons: Chen Wei Organizations: CNN, US Air Force, Management, Commerce Ministry, People’s Liberation Army, Times, Global Times Locations: Cambodia, China, Lao, Malaysian, Thai, Ukraine

☆ South Africa’s Young Democracy Leaves Its Young Voters Disillusioned
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Lynsey Chutel | Joao Silva | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At the dawn of South Africa’s democracy after the fall of the racist apartheid government, millions lined up before sunrise to cast their ballots in the country’s first free and fair election in 1994. South Africa is now heading into a pivotal election on Wednesday, in which voters will determine which party — or alliance — will pick the president. This downward curve has mirrored the support for South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress, or A.N.C., which was a liberation movement before becoming a political machine. A new generation of voters do not have the lived experience of apartheid nor the emotional connection that their parents and grandparents had to the party. as a governing party is all young people know, and they blame it for their joblessness, rampant crime and an economy blighted by electricity blackouts.

Persons: Nelson Mandela Organizations: South, African National Congress Locations: South Africa

☆ China is flexing its missile arsenal in a new simulation for a mass Taiwan attack as the US watches Beijing's Rocket Force closely
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewChina's Eastern Theater Command on Friday released a simulation video of its missile forces carrying out a mass attack on Taiwan, boasting its land, sea, and air launch capabilities. "Destroy the pillar of Taiwanese independence! Strike the base camp of Taiwanese independence! Related storiesBeijing's missile forces have developed rapidly in recent years, alarming US officials who are now scrutinizing its arsenals and assets. Taiwan, recognizing the Chinese missile threat, has been stocking up on US-manufactured Patriot missiles.

Persons: —, CapwDFZyds, They're, Lai Ching, Lai, Tsai Ing Organizations: Service, Command, Business, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Taiwan, Pentagon, Liberation Army Rocket Force, Eastern Theater Command, Patriot, Coast Guard, Navy, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, Hualien, Kaohsiung, China, Beijing

☆ Bill Walton, one of basketball’s most eccentric characters, dies at 71
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Jason Quick | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +15 min

There was the satisfaction and appreciation of a team coming together to win the 1977 NBA title. The next day, before a Trail Blazers home game, Walton explained his emotions to a group of reporters. I regret the circumstances in which I left the Portland Trail Blazers’ family. “The Portland Trail Blazers deplore Bill Walton’s statement calling for the rejection of the United States Government. “And you are never the same again.”Related reading(Top photo of Bill Walton: NBA Photos / Getty Images)

Persons: Bill Walton, Walton, Adam Silver, Bill, Bill’s, Lori, Adam, Nate, Luke, Chris, ”, ” Walton, “, Ted Kulongoski, it’s, Jack Ramsay, Hank Delespinasse, Robert Parrish, Ricky Pierce, Eddie Johnson, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Steve James, Bird, Walton . Bird, James, ” James, Dave Twardzik, Tom Shanahan, don’t, Jack, Micki Scott, Patty Hearst, Walton’s, Herman Sarkowsky, Larry Weinberg, Harry Glickman, Bill Walton’s, Arthur Ashe, Kareem Abdul, Jabbar, Bill Russell, Muhammad Ali …, White, Hal Bock, …, Marty Glickman, —, Bill Walton's, Sir Isaac Newton’s, Fabricio Roberto, you’ve, Taylor, ” “ John Stockton Organizations: Fame, NBA, UCLA, Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics, Naismith Hall of Fame, Blazers, The Athletic, Trail Blazers, Celtics, NCAA, Memphis State, Florida State, Getty, Philadelphia, Portland, LA Clippers, Sixth, Walton, Athletic, Associated Press, Wilshire, FBI, Scotts, Symbionese Liberation Army, United, United States Government, National Basketball Association, “ Sports, The Associated Press, New York Knicks, Prime Ticket Network, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, ESPN, Turner Sports Locations: La Mesa, Calif, Portland, Oregon, “, Blazermania, Los Angeles, Vietnam, United States, San Francisco, Walton, Utah, America

☆ America’s military has the edge in space. China and Russia are in a counterspace race to disrupt it
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

Direct-ascent anti-satellite missiles are fired from Earth to take out a satellite target in space. Since then, China is believed by analysts to have conducted multiple, nondestructive missile tests that could advance its ability to target satellites. Illustration by CNNThat’s because the US has done extensive non-offensive testing of technologies to approach and rendezvous with satellites, including close approaches of its own military satellites and several Russian and Chinese military satellites, SWF says. Chance Saltzman explained why the US felt it needed to be able to counter other countries’ space capabilities. Its tenets may be more relevant now than ever – but potentially under greater threat amid a new focus on military and space.

Persons: –, Russia’s, ”, Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, Zang Jihui, Chance Saltzman, ” Saltzman, Juliana Suess, Kamala Harris, Etienne Laurent, SpaceX’s, Tong Zhao, ” Zhao, doesn’t, RUSI’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Russian, CNN, Getty, Sputnik, Center for Security, Strategy, Technology, Observer Research, Foundation, China, US Space Force, Liberation Army, PLA, Space Force, Washington, CNN That’s, Space, China’s PLA, US Space Command, Vandenberg Space Force, Bloomberg, Union of Concerned, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Modern Defense Technology ”, United Nations Security, US Locations: Hong Kong, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Europe, United States, China, Moscow, North Korea, Iran, Beijing, AFP, Soviet, Soviet Union, America, New Delhi, India, CNN China, Washington, Japan, Guam, France, Australia, Israel, Gaza, London, California, Honolulu, Hawaii, powerlines

☆ South Africa has failed its Black majority. Nelson Mandela’s political heirs may pay the price
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

When South Africans vote Wednesday, an unhappy combination of rampant corruption, soaring joblessness, crippling power cuts and feeble economic growth will likely be top of mind. Black South Africans, who make up 81% of the population, are at the sharp end of this dire situation. ‘Elite enrichment’Under apartheid — and colonial rule before that — Black South Africans were violently oppressed and denied many basic human rights. Millions of South Africans still live in such informal settlements. “The poster child of this is the electricity sector.”For much of last year, South Africans were without power for at least some portion of the day.

Persons: ”, Nelson Mandela’s, —, Cyril Ramaphosa, Leon Sadiki, BEE, Moeletsi Mbeki, Thabo Mbeki, White, “, Tshediso Matona, Anders Pettersson, Black, …, Kganki Matabane, Matthew Parks, Matona, Mbeki, Ricardo Hausmann, Jacob Zuma, Haroon Bhorat, Michele Spatari, ” Bhorat, hasn’t, ANC “, Zuma, Ramaphosa, Cas Coovadia, Hausmann Organizations: Johannesburg CNN, National Congress, ANC, World Bank, Oxford Economics, Harvard University, Democratic Alliance, Bloomberg, Getty, South African Institute of International Affairs, Wits University, CNN, ”, BBEE, Black Business Council, South African Trade Unions, Harvard’s, University of Cape, South Africa’s Free, International Monetary Fund, Fitch, IMF, JPMorgan, Shell, Unilever, Business, Business Unity, Harvard Growth Locations: London, Johannesburg, Sudan, Africa, Alexandra, South Africa, Leon, Isipingo, KwaZulu, Natal, South, ”, University of Cape Town, loadshedding, Namahadi, Frankfort, Business Unity South Africa

☆ Alderney was once the site of Nazi atrocities. A new inquiry reveals truths of this quiet British island
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-25 | by ( Sophie Tanno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Alderney, a quiet British island in the English Channel known for its outstanding natural beauty, was once the site of the only Nazi camps on British soil – and a hell on Earth for its thousands of inmates. Stretching for three square miles, the island was occupied by the Nazis for most of World War II. According to Pickles, the lack of records has led to unsubstantiated claims being made about Alderney and the war crimes that took place there. “Prisoners were treated appallingly, and life was cheap, but Alderney did not house a ‘mini-Auschwitz’; there was no extermination centre on the island,” Pickles said. Pickles, meanwhile, said the fact that the perpetrators never faced British justice is a “stain on the reputations of successive British governments.”

Persons: Eric Pickles, ”, –, Carl Court, Pickles, ” Pickles, “, Anthony Glees, Glees Organizations: CNN, Nazi, Soviet Union, Research, United Nations, ’, USSR, Glee Locations: Alderney, Britain, Jersey, Guernsey, British, Europe, Eastern Europe, Soviet, Soviet Union, USSR

☆ China's war drills around Taiwan enter Day 2. Here's what it means for cross-strait relations
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Members of Taiwan's military conduct routine exercises at Liaoluo Port in Kinmen on May 24, 2024. (Photo by I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images) I-hwa Cheng | Afp | Getty ImagesChina's latest military exercises around Taiwan risk escalating cross-strait tensions — but war remains unlikely, political observers say. Beijing warned that the two-day drills, which continued on Friday, were aimed at punishing the island's new President Lai Ching-te for his "hostility and provocations." The drills are "legitimate, timely and entirely necessary," as acts of "Taiwan independence" in any form "cannot be tolerated," it added. "This pretext for conducting military exercises not only does not contribute to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, but also highlights its hegemonic nature," the ministry said.

Persons: HWA CHENG, Cheng, Lai Ching, Lai, Xi Jinping, China's, Lai —, Wang Yi, Nancy Pelosi's, Xi, Joe Biden, Gabriel Wildau Organizations: HWA, Getty, Afp, Xinhua, Atlantic, China's Ministry of National Defense, Liberation Army, PLA, Eastern, Command, U.S ., Fujian, Guard, U.S, APEC, Teneo Intelligence, Republicans Locations: Liaoluo, Kinmen, China, Taiwan, AFP, Beijing, Eurasia, Republic of China, People's Republic of China, United States, U.S

☆ China's military isn't just putting on a show of force. It's rehearsing for the real deal, an assault on Taiwan.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewChina's large-scale military drills around Taiwan aren't just a show of force in response to the remarks of the democratic island's new president. China says the joint force live-fire exercise, lasting two days, is a test of its ability to launch a full-scale, lethal assault on Taiwan and ultimately force it to succumb to Beijing's rule. An outdoor screen shows a news coverage of China's military drills around Taiwan, in Beijing on May 23, 2024. AdvertisementA screen grab captured from a video shows the Taiwan army conduct military exercise following China's large-scale joint military drill around Taiwan on May 23, 2024. The use of force against Taiwan could take different forms, from an all-out assault to something like a blockade.

Persons: —, It's, Stephen McDonell, Z1FdXUvXmN, JADE GAO, Party's Lai Ching, Lai Organizations: Service, Taiwan aren't, Business, People's Liberation Army, BBC China, China Central Television, People’s Liberation Army, Eastern, Command, Getty, China's Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Democratic, Taiwan's Military News Agency, Anadolu, Getty Images Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taiwan's, Getty Images Beijing

☆ The world's top chipmakers can push a 'kill switch' should China invade Taiwan, Bloomberg reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewTwo of the world's most important chip companies can push a "kill switch" remotely on their most advanced chipmaking machines should China invade Taiwan, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The Netherlands's ASML — Europe's top tech company by market value — supplies advanced machines to chip-making companies. The US has also pressured the Netherlands to block some ASML exports to China to limit the country's ability to manufacture advanced chips. Rising concerns over Taiwan Strait developmentsThere are concerns about China's intensifying drills around Taiwan after Taiwan inaugurated its new President, William Lai — whom Beijing has branded as a separatist — on Monday. But Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told Bloomberg TV on Tuesday that that the world's tech sector is likely to continue depending on Taiwanese manufacturing for "some time."

Persons: —, Taiwan's, ASML, William Lai —, Li Xi, Jensen Huang Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Business, East, Dutch, China's People's Liberation Army, Nvidia Locations: China, Taiwan, Washington, Beijing, Netherlands, Arizona, Japan, Germany

CNN —China’s military drills around Taiwan are designed to test its ability to “seize power” over the island, the People’s Liberation Army said Friday as its forces kicked off a second day of large-scale exercises encircling its democratic neighbor. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has condemned China’s military exercises as “irrational provocations” and dispatched its own sea, air and ground forces in response. A total of 19 Chinese warships and seven coast guard vessels were detected near the Taiwan Strait, according to the ministry. China Coast Guard drill near Taiwan. China Coast Guard/Weibo‘Blockading Taiwan’China’s military drills are often as much about playing to a domestic audience as signaling intentions internationally, and state media has ramped up coverage of the drills.

Persons: CNN —, Lai Ching, Lai, Xi Jinping, ”, China’s, Tsai Ing, ” “, Wu Qian, Liu, Tsai, wasn’t, “, I’m, Zhang Chi, Zhang, Carl Schuster, Craig Singleton, ” Singleton, Singleton, Lionel Fatton, ” Fatton Organizations: CNN, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Command, Party, Taiwan, Guard, CCTV, Taiwan’s Defense, Kyodo, Democratic Progressive Party, China’s, Ministry, Chinese Communist Party, China Coast Guard, Taiwan . China Coast Guard, Weibo, US, Coast Guard, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, Foundation, Defense of Democracies, Webster University Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, China, Kinmen, Taiwan Strait, China's, Taiwan ., ”, Kaohsiung, Wuqiu, Geneva

☆ China starts military drills around Taiwan days after new president takes office
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te speaks on stage during the inauguration ceremony outside the Presidential office building in Taipei, Taiwan, on May 20, 2024. China's military started two days of "punishment" drills around Taiwan on Thursday in what it said was a response to "separatist acts", just days after new Taiwan President Lai Ching-te took office and called on Beijing to cease its threats. China detests Lai, saying he is a "separatist", and it has denounced his inauguration speech on Monday. The Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) said it had started joint military drills, involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force, in areas around Taiwan at 7:45 a.m. (2345 GMT). The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait, the north, south and east of Taiwan, as well as areas around the Taiwan-controlled islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin, the command said in a statement.

Persons: Lai Ching, China detests Lai, Wang Yi, Lai Organizations: Eastern Theatre Command, People's Liberation Army, PLA Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Beijing, China, Taiwan Strait, Kinmen

☆ China has launched new drills encircling Taiwan. Why now?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Tensions are once again ratcheting up in the Taiwan Strait, with China launching military drills encircling Taiwan just days after the democracy swore in a new leader long loathed by Beijing. The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it launched joint military drills involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force in areas around Taiwan early Thursday morning. The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait – a narrow body of water separating the self-ruling island with mainland China – as well as north, south and east of Taiwan. The Chinese guided missile frigate Nantong, one of the vessels in the series of military drills around Taiwan. The defeated Nationalist Party fled to Taiwan, moving the seat of their Republic of China (ROC) government from the mainland to Taipei.

Persons: ”, Lai Ching, China’s, Xi Jinping, Li Xi, Lai, Wu Mei, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Tsai Ing, Tsai –, Mike Gallagher Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, Eastern Theater Command, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, People's Liberation Army, Weibo, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Nationalist Party, US, Communist, Beijing, Tuesday Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Kinmen, Taipei, People’s Republic of China, Republic of China, Xi, Washington

☆ The world's top chipmakers can flip a 'kill switch' should China invade Taiwan, Bloomberg reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewTwo of the world's most important chip companies can flip a "kill switch" remotely on their most advanced chipmaking machines should China invade Taiwan, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The Netherlands's ASML — Europe's top tech company by market value — supplies advanced machines to chip-making companies. The US has also pressured the Netherlands to block some ASML exports to China to limit the country's ability to manufacture advanced chips. The Dutch company has also said it will stop servicing some equipment previously exported to China. Rising concerns over Taiwan Strait developmentsThere are concerns about China's intensifying drills around Taiwan after Taiwan inaugurated its new President, William Lai — whom Beijing has branded as a separatist — on Monday.

Persons: —, Taiwan's, ASML, William Lai —, Li Xi, Jensen Huang, TSMC Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Business, East, Dutch, China's People's Liberation Army, Nvidia Locations: China, Taiwan, Washington, Beijing, Netherlands, Arizona, Japan, Germany, ASML

☆ South Africa elections: A guide and everything you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Sarah Dean | David Mckenzie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Johannesburg, South Africa CNN —South Africans go to the polls on May 29 for what will likely be the most pivotal general election since the end of apartheid. This is the seventh general election South Africa has held since the end of white minority rule 30 years ago. South Africa general election 101 • South Africa uses a “proportional representation” system. This year South Africa received its lowest score on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. Democratic Alliance (DA) party leader Johan Steenhuisen speaks to supporters during a party event on May 9, 2024, in Soweto, South Africa.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, Cyril Ramaphosa, Jacob Zuma, What’s, Ramaphosa –, –, “, Ramaphosa, ”, John Steenhuisen, Johan Steenhuisen, Anders Pettersson, Zuma, Julius Malema, Malema, Floyd Shivambu, Steenhuisen Organizations: South Africa CNN, National Congress, ANC, Independent Electoral, •, “, Democratic Alliance, White South, Party Charter, uMkhonto weSizwe Party, Economic, Fighters, EFF, MK, Finance, Constitutional, Social Research Foundation Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa, China, Cuba, Soweto

☆ China starts ‘punishment’ military drills around Taiwan days after island swears in new leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —China has launched two days of military drills surrounding Taiwan in what it called “punishment” for “separatist acts,” days after the self-ruling island swore in a new democratically elected leader. China’s ruling Communist Party says the self-ruling democracy is part of its territory, despite never having controlled it, and has vowed to take the island, by force if necessary. The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it launched joint military drills involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force in areas around Taiwan at 7.45 a.m. on Thursday. The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait – a narrow body of water separating the self-ruling island with mainland China – as well as north, south and east of Taiwan. It expressed regret to “such irrational provocations and actions that undermine regional peace and stability.”

Persons: Lai Ching, China’s, Li Xi, ” Lai, Lai Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, Eastern Theater Command, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry Locations: China, Taiwan, Kinmen, Beijing

CNN —Spain, Norway and Ireland have announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state, in a move that is likely to bolster the global Palestinian cause but strain relations with Israel. Palestinian statehood has been recognized by more than 130 out of 193 member states of the United Nations, according to the Palestine Liberation Organization. “Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision,” Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris told a news conference in Dublin on Wednesday. The landmark decision by three key European players sparked swift condemnation from Israel, with a senior lawmaker ordering the immediate recall of Israeli ambassadors to Ireland and Norway.

Persons: Simon Harris, Micheál Martin, Jonas Gahr Støre, ” “, ” Støre, Pedro Sánchez, “, ”, “ It’s, It’s, Israel Katz, Katz Organizations: CNN —, United Nations, Palestine Liberation Organization, “, Norway’s, Spain’s, Terrorism Locations: CNN — Spain, Norway, Ireland, Palestinian, Israel, Spain, Palestine, Dublin, Gaza, Iran

☆ Is the Party That Ended Apartheid Losing Its Grip on South Africa?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The stadium boomed with chants like “We thank you, A.N.C., today we are joyful!” and it was hard to miss the gestures of solidarity with other liberation movements. Hanging high above the crowd was a Cuban flag, a reminder that Cuba was an important ally in the A.N.C.’s armed struggle. The spectators, who included officials from the liberation movements that now govern Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola and Mozambique, soaked up the event as if it were a spiritual experience. South Africa today struggles to provide the most basic needs for its people. The murder rate is among the highest in the world (six and a half times higher than in the United States), and most South Africans live in poverty.

Organizations: International Court of Justice Locations: Cuban, Cuba, Palestinian, Gaza, Israel, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, United States, Johannesburg

☆ An artist reckons with the dangerous power of advertising and iconography
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Abigail Glasgow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The artist Hank Willis Thomas is pointing to one of the images: of two well-dressed, neatly coiffed men standing atop a cliff. "She's Somewhat of a Drag," a 1959 advertisement Thomas repurposed in his series "Unbranded: A Century of White Women." Across his work, Thomas reframes iconic and mundane imagery to connect viewers to historical moments of resistance and reshape our understanding of who counts in society. Here, a pro-football player appears to face off with an enslaved cotton picker, in Thomas' work "From Cain't See in the Mornin' Til Cain't See at Night." His body of work work reflects the observation — and, perhaps, a warning — that we have moved toward “existing in a society of branded consciousness."

Persons: Hank Willis Thomas, Thomas, Aaron Wessling, Jordan, “, Thomas ’, Drummond, —, ” Thomas, mascara, Jordan Schnitzer, ” Schnitzer, ” Thomas ’, Thomas reframes, Barack Obama, ”, “ I’ve, doesn’t Organizations: CNN, Art, White, White Women, Family, Cotton, Corporate America, Civil Rights, American Express Locations: ”, Oregon, United States, Gorée

☆ The Dominican Republic votes on Sunday. Here’s what to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Jessica Hasbun | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic CNN —The Dominican Republic is days away from a general election that will see voters elect new lawmakers and the president as they weigh the nation’s economy and security. During his first term from 2020 to 2024, the Dominican Republic established a new record in the tourism industry, with more than 10 million tourists visiting the island in 2023. Former President of the Dominican Republic and presidential candidate of the People's Force party Leonel Fernandez greets supporters as he attends a closing campaign rally ahead of Sunday's election, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, May 15, 2024. Martinez poses during an interview with EFE, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 13 May 2024. People wait in Ouanaminthe, Haiti to cross into Dajabon, Dominican Republic, Friday, May 17, 2024.

Persons: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic CNN —, Luis Abinader, “ Abinader, ”, Bernardo Vega, Vega, National District Guillermo Moreno, Orlando Barria, Rosario Espinal, Abinader, Critics, Leonel Fernández, Fernandez, Leonel Fernandez, Henry Romero, “, Abel Martínez, Martinez, EFE, Pablo Flores, Flores, Matias Delacroix, Ney Segura Organizations: Dominican Republic CNN, Caribbean nation’s, Modern Revolutionary Party, National Police, Bank, National District, Dominican Liberation Party, Dominican, People's Force, Reuters, Force, People, Quarterly, United Nations, Santo, country’s National, US State Department, World Bank Locations: Dominican Republic, Dominican, Santo Domingo, Haiti, Port, Santiago, Caribbean, Ouanaminthe, Dajabon

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

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

☆ The US is worried about an invasion, but China could take control of Taiwan without firing a shot, war experts warn
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Defense experts say that an aggressive Chinese coercion campaign, short of war but still threatening, is more likely than a full-scale invasion and the US needs to prepare for such an event. Economic and diplomatic pressure is notable, and Chinese misinformation operations and the potential to slowly set up a blockade of Taiwan are also concerns. Annabelle Chih/Getty ImagesThe report identifies four things key to resisting Chinese coercion. CM-11 tanks fire artillery during the 2-day live-fire drill, amid intensifying threats military from China, in Pingtung county, Taiwan, 7 September 2022.

Persons: —, Han, Annabelle Chih, MANDY CHENG, Lai Ching, Lai, Ceng Shou Yi, John Aquilano, Xi, Aquilano, Carlos Del Toro, Frank Kendall Organizations: Service, Business, American Enterprise Institute, Institute for, Liberation Army, PLA, AEI, Cobra, Getty, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan, Getty Images, US, Pacific Command, US Armed Services, Air Force, Department of Defense Locations: Taiwan, China, Pingtung, US, Pacific, Hualien, AFP, Pingtung county, Guam, Japan

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