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CNN —Months before Donald Trump was indicted for mishandling classified documents, a federal judge said that investigators had “strong evidence” that the former president “intended” to hide classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort, according to newly released court documents. Judge Beryl Howell cited, among other things, the discovery of additional classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago months after the FBI’s search of the property in the summer of 2022. The ruling was among hundreds of pages of previously sealed filings that were publicly docketed Tuesday in the criminal classified documents case against Trump. Nauta has been charged alongside Trump and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira in the case, facing charges of mishandling sensitive or classified materials and obstruction. The case against Trump, brought last summer, is currently in front of Judge Aileen Cannon in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Persons: Donald Trump, “, Beryl Howell, ” Howell, Walt Nauta, Nauta, Carlos De Oliveira, –, Trump, Aileen Cannon, Cannon, Judge, Evan Corcoran, Howell’s, Corcoran, Howell, Barack Obama, ”, Donald Trump’s Mar, US Department of Justice Corcoran, Trump “ Organizations: CNN, Trump, Prosecutors, Mar, US Department of Justice, National Archives, Lago FBI Locations: Lago, Mar, Fort Pierce , Florida, South Florida, Palm Beach , Florida, Florida, Corcoran

☆ Diddy is done: Sean Combs can't save his career, entertainment attorney says — but he can maybe save himself
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewA "smoking gun" video of Sean "Diddy" Combs could help plaintiffs in other civil suits against him bolster their cases, an entertainment lawyer told Business Insider. In the video, a man appearing to be Combs shoves, drags, kicks, and throws an object toward Ventura in the hotel hallway. 'His career is effectively done'Ventura alleged in her November suit that Combs paid the defunct hotel $50,000 to obtain the surveillance footage. From the perspective of Combs' defense, Dowlatshahi said Combs' lawyers will probably try to settle the cases and advise Combs to cooperate with authorities. "His career is effectively done," Dowlatshahi told Business Insider.

Persons: —, Sean, Diddy, Combs, Cassie Ventura, Ventura, Camron, Mills, Mills Sadat Dowlat, wouldn't, Meredith Firetog, Firetog, Cassie, Dowlatshahi Organizations: Service, CNN, InterContinental Hotel, Business, Associated Press, Mills Sadat, Wigdor LLP, Federal, DHS, Miami, Diddy Locations: Los Angeles, Ventura, Hollywood

☆ Senate Inquiry Finds BMW Imported Cars Tied to Forced Labor in China
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Ana Swanson | Jack Ewing | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A congressional investigation found that BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Volkswagen purchased parts that originated from a Chinese supplier flagged by the United States for participating in forced labor programs in Xinjiang, a far western region of China where the local population is subject to mass surveillance and detentions. BMW shipped to the United States at least 8,000 MINI vehicles containing the part after the Chinese supplier was added in December to a U.S. government list of companies participating in forced labor. Volkswagen took steps to correct the issue. The investigation, which began in 2022 by the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Ron Wyden of Oregon, a Democrat, highlights the risk for major automakers as the United States tries to enforce a two-year-old law aimed at blocking goods from Xinjiang. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act bars goods made in whole or in part in Xinjiang from being imported to the United States, unless the importer can prove that they were not made with forced labor.

Persons: Ron Wyden Organizations: BMW, Jaguar, Rover, Volkswagen, Senate Finance, United States, Labor Locations: United States, Xinjiang, China, U.S, Oregon, United

☆ Opinion: Credibility is the key at Trump trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +21 min

The idea that Cohen talked to Trump about Daniels on that call “was a lie,” Blanche alleged. Moreover, my experience has been that juries don’t decide based upon one moment — they base their judgment on an overall view.”There were allegedly three parties aware of the scheme to conceal the real reason Trump paid Cohen more than $400,000 in supposed legal fees: Trump, Cohen and Allen Weisselberg, then-chief financial officer of the Trump Organization. “Weisselberg could be the linchpin to validate Cohen’s claims about Trump agreeing to reimburse him through Trump Organization, as a business expense,” wrote attorney Stacy Schneider. Trump seems to be tempted to go mano a mano and show that he is better fit to be commander-in-chief. The new requirement for GOP politicians wanting to demonstrate their loyalty to Trump seems to be visiting the Manhattan courthouse where he’s on trial.

Persons: CNN —, ” Mark Twain, “, Twain, ” Michael Cohen, Donald Trump, —, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Todd Blanche, Cohen, Norm Eisen, Blanche, ”, pummeled Cohen, Robert Mueller, Nick Anderson, Agency Cohen, Keith Schiller, Daniels, ” Blanche, ” Eisen, don’t, Allen Weisselberg, Stacy Schneider, Weisselberg, David Zurawik, “ I’ve, Sen, Robert Menendez, He’s, George Santos ., CNN “ It’s, he’s, ‘, Henry Cuellar, ” Cupp, Drew Sheneman, Georgia —, Vladimir Putin’s, Frida Ghitis, ” Ghitis, Joe Biden’s, ” Dana Summers, “ Biden, ” Julian Zelizer, mano, Biden, ” Bill Bramhall, Stephanie Griffith, Howard Tucker, Gayle Fleming, Michael Ventura Gayle Fleming, Biden —, ” Tom Brady’s, Kara Alaimo, Tom Brady “, Kevin Hart, Gisele Bündchen, Brady, Benjamin, Vivian, ’ Brady, ’, Alaimo, Brady didn’t, Nafees Syed, Kamel El Hilali, Andrew Borene, freakout Scott Stantis, Jeff Yang, … ” Brown, Keith Magee, Brown, backpedaling, Forget, Doug Burgum, Scott Jennings, Burgum’s, Bill Bramhall, Content Agency Clarence Thomas Washington, Clarence Thomas ’, Dean Obeidallah, Thomas, Harlan Crow, ” Clay Jones, John Oliver’s, Steve Vladeck, “ Thomas, ” Don’t, Clayton Swope, Dan Perry, Netanyahu, Jill Filipovic, Miss Teen USA Mary Ziegler, Bob Kolasky, Megan L, Ranney, Karen Tang, Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, Jonathan Yeo, King Charles III, Aaron Chown, Holly Thomas, King Organizations: CNN, Trump, Tribune, Agency, Trump Organization, Twitter, Facebook, DC, Robert Menendez of New, GOP, ” Texas, White, Europe, Russia, Kyiv, Biden, ABC, Democratic Party, Netflix, Garden State, Content Agency, Capitol, Consumer Financial, Board, Fifth Circuit, ICC, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Buckingham Palace, Royal Locations: New York, Robert Menendez of, Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Russian, Ukraine, Slovakia, Georgia, Soviet Republic, United States, Cleveland, “, Manhattan, North, . North Dakota, ” That’s, Louisiana , Mississippi, Texas, Florida’s, Buckingham

☆ ‘Diddy’ apology video: Sean Combs speaks out after surveillance tape shows him assaulting Cassie Ventura
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Almost 48 hours after being shown physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016 in a surveillance video obtained exclusively by CNN, Sean “Diddy” Combs has apologized. “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that,” Combs said in a video statement posted to Instagram. In the video, Ventura exits a hotel room and walks to a bank of elevators. Sean Combs and Cassie Ventura are seen in security video in 2016. Ventura, who reached an undisclosed settlement with Combs, declined to comment on the video obtained by CNN.

Persons: Cassie Ventura, Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, Combs, Ventura, “, ” Combs, ”, I’m, Meredith Firetog, “ Combs, Cassie, ‘, ’, ” “, ” Ventura, Ben Brafman, Combs “, Brafman, Mr, Sean Combs, CNN Ventura, Douglas H, Wigdor, Aubrey O’Day, Danity Kane, ” Danity Kane, ” O’Day, Sean ‘ Diddy ’ Combs, Alex Fine, shouldn’t, Fine Organizations: CNN, Ventura, InterContinental, InterContinental Century, InterContinental Hotels, MTV, Los Angeles County, Attorney’s, Victims Services, Los Angeles Police Department, LAPD, Violence Locations: Ventura, Century City, Los Angeles, “

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

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

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

☆ Diddy tape puts renewed focus on the women in his life
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Misa HyltonMisa Hylton-Brim, Justin Dior Combs and Sean "Diddy" Combs are seen in 2010. Kim PorterKim Porter and Sean "Diddy" Combs appear with their twin daughters D'Lila Star Combs and Jessie James Combs in 2007. Lopez and Combs split in 2001, and two years later she told Vibe magazine infidelity played a role in their breakup. Caresha “Yung Miami” BrownleeYung Miami and Sean Combs are seen in 2023. Dana TranTran, a cybersecurity specialist, is the mother of Combs’ youngest child, a daughter named Love Sean Combs.

Persons: Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, Cassie Ventura, Janice Combs, Ventura, Combs, Misa Hylton Misa Hylton, Justin Dior Combs, Sean, Diddy, Chance Yeh, Patrick McMullan, ”, Sean Combs, “, Andre Harrell, ” She’s, Lil Kim, Mary J, Blige, Hylton, Justin, Kim Porter Kim Porter, Star Combs, Jessie James Combs, Mat Szwajkos, Quincy Brown, Al B, Porter, Christian, Jessie, Sarah Chapman, I’ve, Kim, Jennifer Lopez Sean Combs, Jennifer Lopez, Ethan Miller, Caesars Entertainment Lopez, Anthony “ Wolf ” Jones, Shyne Barrow, Lopez, Jones, Sarah Chapman Sean Combs, Earl Gibson III, Chapman, Chance, Chance Combs, Laverne Cox, “ Yung Miami ” Brownlee Yung Miami, Angela Weiss, Brownlee, Yung, ” Combs, Dana Tran Tran, Love Sean Combs, Tran Organizations: CNN, Billboard, Uptown Records, Boy Records, CP Porter, Los Angeles County Coroner’s, Las, Caesars Entertainment, Club New, Vibe, Getty, City Locations: Hylton, Atlanta, Los Angeles County, Las Vegas, Club New York, Manhattan, Yung Miami

☆ Cassie appeared to be bruised on her body 2 days after Sean 'Diddy' Combs appeared to physically attack her in 2016, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewSinger Casandra "Cassie" Ventura was photographed with what appears to be bruises on her legs and arms days after an alleged physically assault by Sean "Diddy" Combs in a 2016 attack that was caught on video. Cassie Ventura and Sean P. Diddy Combs on March 7, 2016 — two days after the hotel hallway attack. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty ImagesWhile not seen in the footage, CNN reported that Combs ceased his attack when one of the elevator doors opened and someone appeared to exit. "After he fell asleep, Ms. Ventura tried to leave the hotel room, but as she exited, Mr. Combs awoke and began screaming at Ms. Ventura," the lawsuit reads. Elsewhere in the lawsuit, Ventura accused Combs of perpetuating a "cycle of abuse," raping her in their home and forcing her to engage in sex acts with male sex workers.

Persons: —, Cassie, Ventura, Sean, Diddy, Combs, Cassie Ventura, Sean P, Diddy Combs, Max, Douglas H, Jason LaVeris, Combs — Organizations: Service, CNN, Business, JMA, Getty, Business Insider, InterContinental, Mr, Ventura, The New York Times Locations: Los Angeles, Century City, Ventura, Manhattan

☆ Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs seen physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in 2016 surveillance video obtained by CNN
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Sandra Gonzalez | Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —A 2016 surveillance video obtained exclusively by CNN shows Sean “Diddy” Combs grab, shove, drag and kick his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura during an altercation that matches allegations in a now-settled federal lawsuit filed by Ventura in November. In the video, Ventura exits a hotel room and walks to a bank of elevators. Ventura’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, said: “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Sean "Diddy" Combs with Cassie Ventura attend the premiere of 'The Perfect Match' in Los Angeles on March 7, 2016. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”Details of the settlement were not disclosed.

Persons: Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, Cassie Ventura, Ventura, Combs, Douglas H, Wigdor, ” Combs, ”, “, Sean, Diddy, Chris Delmas, Ben Brafman, “ Mr, ” Brafman, Mr, Aaron Dyer, – Organizations: CNN, Ventura, InterContinental, Combs, InterContinental Hotels, Los Angeles, InterContinental Century, Getty, Authorities, Department of Homeland Security Locations: Century City, Los Angeles, Ventura, AFP, California, Florida

☆ Sean Combs Is Shown Assaulting Cassie in 2016 Surveillance Video
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Julia Jacobs | More About Julia Jacobs | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The video shows Mr. Combs, a hip-hop mogul known as Puff Daddy and Diddy, wearing a towel and confronting Ms. Ventura while she waits for an elevator. Mr. Combs is also seen grabbing an object off a table and throwing it. A lawyer representing Ms. Ventura, Douglas H. Wigdor, confirmed that the woman being assaulted in the video is his client. “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs,” he said in a statement. “Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”

Persons: Sean Combs, Casandra Ventura, Combs, Diddy, Ms, Ventura, Douglas H, Wigdor, ” Organizations: CNN

☆ FLiRT variants threaten a summer Covid wave, but experts say the risk remains uncertain
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Deidre Mcphillips | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

FLiRT variants are offshoots of the JN.1 variant — all part of the broader Omicron family — that caused this winter’s wave. The mutations of the FLiRT variants make increased transmissibility — and a possible summer wave — a real threat. “We learned from the laboratories that FLiRT variants appeared, so far, to be as transmissible as the other Omicron subvariants, which means they’re really quite contagious. As of May 1, the requirement for all hospitals to report Covid-19 data to the federal government has expired. While the FLiRT variants pose some risk this summer, experts remain focused on what might happen in the fall.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Andy Pekosz, “ We’ve, William Schaffner, ” Schaffner, it’s, ” Pekosz, “, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, we’ve Organizations: CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, Data, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Vanderbilt University, Schaffner’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center, CDC, JAMA, CNN Health, JN, US Food Locations: United States, Covid

☆ 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

☆ The Ukraine war exposed serious flaws in some of the most sophisticated US weapons systems
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Analysts say the US is gaining invaluable insights into the flaws of some of its most important weapons and military production systems. AdvertisementA shortage in weaponsThe Ukraine war has exposed problems not just with the quality of weapons, but with the US' capacity to produce them in the quantity Ukraine needs. "The biggest problem that the Ukraine war has exposed with American weapons is that the Pentagon simply does not buy enough munitions for a large-scale protracted conflict," said Pettyjohn. AdvertisementShe added that the recent Ukraine aid bill, which also contains billions for US weapons production, doesn't fix the problem. But though the war has posed serious conundrums for Pentagon chiefs, it's also shown that many of its weapons systems remain much better than those of its opponents.

Persons: —, Scott Peterson, Pettyjohn, it's Organizations: Service, Business, Getty, Center, New, New American Security, Ukrainian, Russia, Pentagon Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Ukrainian, New American, Afghanistan, Russia, United States

☆ C.D.C. Warns of a Resurgence of Mpox
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Apoorva Mandavilli | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

With Pride events scheduled worldwide over the coming weeks, U.S. officials are bracing for a return of mpox, the infectious disease formerly called monkeypox that struck tens of thousands of gay and bisexual men worldwide in 2022. A combination of behavioral changes and vaccination quelled that outbreak, but a majority of those at risk have not yet been immunized. On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned of a deadlier version of mpox that is ravaging the Democratic Republic of Congo and urged people at risk to be vaccinated as soon as possible. But the escalating epidemic in Congo nevertheless poses a global threat, just as infections in Nigeria set off the 2022 outbreak, experts said. Dr. Rimoin has studied mpox in Congo for more than 20 years, and first warned of its potential for global spread in 2010.

Persons: ”, Anne Rimoin, Rimoin Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, Democratic, University of California Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, Congo, Nigeria, Los Angeles

☆ Why investors shouldn't be clamoring for rate cuts this summer
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementThe market should be careful what it wishes for when it comes to rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. Ed Yardeni, a longtime market veteran, has warned of a stock market "meltup" if the Fed were to cut interest rates this summer. High interest rates on risk tipping the economy into recession, but lowering rates too quickly risks a resurgence in inflation, which could slam American consumers. Fed officials have said they're looking for more evidence inflation is on track to fall to its 2% price target before mulling rate cuts. AdvertisementFor the most part, investors aren't expecting interest rates to come down before September.

Persons: Ed Yardeni, meltdowns, Yardeni, —, they're Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve, Bloomberg, Yardeni, Fed

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

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

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

☆ U.S. orders Chinese-backed crypto miner to sell land near nuclear missile base
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen delivers remarks at the Treasury Department's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States conference at the Treasury Department in Washington, DC, on September 14, 2023. U.S. President Joe Biden issued an order on Monday forcing a Chinese-backed cryptocurrency mining company to sell land near a Wyoming nuclear missile base, citing national security concerns. The company, MineOne, acquired the real estate in June 2022, placing its operations within a mile of the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, a "strategic missile base and key element of America's nuclear triad," according to the White House. The company's site contained "specialized and foreign-sourced equipment potentially capable of facilitating surveillance and espionage activities," the presidential order said. MineOne was ordered to divest from the land in the next 120 days, and to remove certain improvements and equipment at the property.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Joe Biden, Francis E, Biden, MineOne Organizations: Treasury, Foreign Investment, United States, Treasury Department, Warren Air Force Base, British Virgin Islands Locations: Washington ,, Wyoming, British, United States, U.S

Hong Kong CNN —Hong Kong’s leader responded on Tuesday after three people were charged by British police for allegedly spying on behalf of the city’s intelligence services. Relations between Hong Kong and its former colonial ruler Britain have soured in recent years following mass pro-democracy protests in the Chinese city in 2019 and 2020. The British government has criticized Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed crackdown on almost all opposition in the years following the protests, while Hong Kong authorities have bristled at Britain providing a safe haven for pro-democracy leaders sought by the Hong Kong police. Hong Kong leader Lee noted in his Tuesday news conference that one of the men charged was the office manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London but did not directly address a question over whether it was involved in surveillance of Hong Kong dissidents in the UK. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee is speaking at a press conference on April 30, 2024.

Persons: Hong, Chi Leung, Peter, Wai, Matthew Trickett, Chung Biu Yuen, Hong Kong’s, John Lee, ” Lee, Chi Leung Wai, Yui Mok, Jonathan Brady, Yuen, Louisa Cieciora, Lee, Vernon Yuen, ”, Dominic Murphy Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, British, Hong, city’s Metropolitan Police, Hong Kong, Embassy, Westminster Magistrates, Administrative, Police, Hong Kong Economic, Trade Office, . Hong, Economic, Trade, Metropolitan Police, UK National Security, Crown Prosecution Service, Command, Met Police Locations: Hong Kong, Westminster, London, city’s, Britain, Hong Kong’s Beijing, . Hong Kong, England

☆ Biden Bans Chinese Bitcoin Mine Near U.S. Nuclear Missile Base
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Michael Forsythe | Gabriel J.X. Dance | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden on Monday ordered a company with Chinese origins to shut down and sell the Wyoming cryptocurrency mine it built a mile from an Air Force base that controls nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles. The cryptomining facility, which operates high-powered computers in a data center near the F.E. Warren base in Cheyenne, “presents a national security risk to the United States,” the president said in an executive order, because its equipment could be used for surveillance and espionage. The order did not detail those risks. But Microsoft’s report to the federal committee, obtained last year by The Times, said, “We suggest the possibility that the computing power of an industrial-level cryptomining operation, along with the presence of an unidentified number of Chinese nationals in direct proximity to Microsoft’s Data Center and one of three strategic-missile bases in the U.S., provides significant threat vectors.”

Persons: Biden, Warren, “ Organizations: Monday, Air Force, New York Times, Microsoft, Pentagon, Foreign Investment, The Times, Microsoft’s Data Locations: Wyoming, Cheyenne, United States, U.S

☆ Chinese Woman Jailed for Reporting on Covid Set to be Freed
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Vivian Wang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But in a sign of how eager the Chinese government remains to suppress public discussion of the outbreak, it was unclear on Monday evening whether Ms. Zhang, 40, had actually been set free. The lawyer who represented Ms. Zhang during her trial, Zhang Keke (the two are not related), said he could not reach her mother all day. The group, which gave Ms. Zhang a press freedom award in 2021, noted that journalists released from imprisonment in China are often kept under surveillance. Ms. Zhang was an early symbol of the mistrust that many Chinese harbored toward the government’s handling of the outset of the pandemic, and the hunger they had for unfiltered information. A former lawyer from Shanghai, she traveled in early 2020 to Wuhan, the city where the virus was first detected, as a self-styled citizen journalist.

Persons: Zhang Zhan, Zhang, Zhang Keke Locations: China, Shanghai, Wuhan

☆ Neom's push for foreign investment is getting trickier after allegations of Saudi brutality
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Saudi Arabia needs foreign businesses to help it realize its Neom megacity project. The BBC reported that Saudi officials were given a license to use lethal force to clear land. But underneath the image is a far darker reality, say campaigners, which could threaten the foreign cash and expertise Saudi Arabia needs to realize its ambitions. Though his decision took place in 2022, it was given new urgency by a whistleblower giving more detail on how Saudi officials may have acted. Amnesty International said businesses ought to be wary of doing deals in Saudi Arabia and called for UK officials to push for an independent investigation into the Neom land clearances.

Persons: —, Malcolm Aw, Col Rabih Alenezi, Dana Ahmed, Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal al, Neom Organizations: BBC, Saudi, Service, UN, Telegraph, Amnesty International, Amnesty, Politico, The Atlantic Council, Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi

☆ Australia and US unveil undersea drones Ghost Shark and Manta Ray
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —Ghost Shark and Manta Ray protect the undersea realm. Ghost Shark and Manta Ray are the names of prototype uncrewed underwater vehicles – UUVs or drones – introduced recently by Australia and the United States respectively. But when Australia unveiled Ghost Shark last month, it called the prototypes “the most advanced undersea autonomous vehicles in the world.”The first Ghost Shark prototype, "Alpha," was co-developed by the Defence Science and Technology Group, Navy and Anduril Australia. Like the Orca, the Manta Ray hasn’t come together as quickly as Ghost Shark. Its program began in 2020 and DARPA didn’t give a goal for the Manta Ray – or some variant of it – to join the US fleet.

Persons: Ray, Manta Ray, Rodney Braithwaite, ” Shane Arnott, Anduril’s, ”, Tanya Monro, Emma Salisbury, “, ” Salisbury, Chris Brose, Northrop, Manta, Northrop Grumman, ” Kyle Woerner, Kyle Woerner, Manta Ray hasn’t, Manta Ray –, –, Salisbury, Sutton Organizations: South Korea CNN, Marvel, Defence Science, Technology Group, Navy, Anduril, Government Defence, Australian Defense Ministry, “, US Navy, Boeing, Pentagon, Advanced Research Products Agency, DARPA, Research Projects Agency, Northrop Grumman, Manta, Defense, Research, Agency, US, U.S . Navy Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Australia, United States, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Kyiv, Swiss, Anduril Australia, Geostrategy, Southern California, Maryland, California, China, UUVs, Beijing, Canada, France, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Norway, Russia, United Kingdom, Sutton

☆ Chinese journalist imprisoned for her Covid reporting due to be released after four years
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —A Chinese citizen journalist who has been behind bars for four years over her reporting on the initial Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan is due to be released Monday after serving her sentence, according to supporters and a court verdict. Zhang is due to finish her sentence on Monday, according to the court verdict on her case obtained and published by human rights groups. In the lead-up to her expected release on Monday, supporters and rights groups have called on the Chinese government to free Zhang on schedule. Failing healthThe 40-year-old has been on multiple hunger strikes since being detained and her health conditions have sparked concerns from supporters and rights groups. During a previous hunger strike, Amnesty International alleged Zhang was shackled and force fed, treatment the group said amounted to torture.

Persons: Zhang Zhan, ”, Zhang, ’ ”, Zhang’s, “, ” Zhang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Twitter, YouTube, Amnesty International, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CNN, Foreign Ministry Locations: Hong Kong, Wuhan, Shanghai, China

☆ Shein promised to tackle overwork. A new report claims 75-hour weeks are still common
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“The 75-hour weeks that we found out about two years ago still seem to be common at Shein,” the Swiss organization said. Public Eye interviewed 13 textile workers employed at six factories in Guangzhou, a region in southern China, last summer. Shein does not reveal the identity of its suppliers, Public Eye said in its report. The group said it established that the factories were Shein suppliers through interviewees’ responses as well as the presence of Shein products. I can’t afford any more days off because it costs too much,” Public Eye cited one worker as saying.

Persons: London CNN —, Shein, “, ”, ” Shein Organizations: London CNN, Workers, Public, Public Eye, Wage, CNN Locations: Swiss, Guangzhou, China, ”

☆ Secret Hamas Files Show How It Spied on Everyday Palestinians
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Adam Rasgon | Ronen Bergman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The unit, known as the General Security Service, relied on a network of Gaza informants, some of whom reported their own neighbors to the police. People landed in security files for attending protests or publicly criticizing Hamas. Hamas has long run an oppressive system of governance in Gaza, and many Palestinians there know that security officials watch them closely. Security officials trailed journalists and people they suspected of immoral behavior. Political protests were viewed as threats to be undermined.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar Organizations: The New York Times, General Security Service Locations: Gaza, Israel

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