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

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

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

☆ US reaches agreement with Niger to withdraw military forces by September 15
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Oren Liebermann | Anneclaire Stapleton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US has reached an agreement with Niger to withdraw its military forces from the African nation by September 15, according to the US Defense Department and the Nigerien Ministry of National Defense. Niger’s military government announced in March that it had ended an accord with the US that allowed military personnel and civilian staff from the Department of Defense to operate in the country. The US delegation met with Niger’s ruling military junta last week to try to reach an agreement that would allow for the secure withdrawal of US forces and for clearances for military flights. The delegations also established procedures to facilitate the entry and exit of U.S. personnel, including overflight and landing clearances for military flights,” the joint statement said. Rebuffing the calls, the military junta instead began partnering more with Russia, whose forces are now operating at the same base from which US forces are withdrawing.

Persons: Balima, Chris Meier, Mamane Sani Kiaou, Biden, ” Organizations: CNN, US Defense Department, Nigerien Ministry of National Defense, Department of Defense, Getty, Nigerien Locations: Niger, Niamey, Anadolu, Russia, US, United States

Taiwan’s incoming president, Lai Ching-te, is poised to take office on Monday, facing hard choices about how to secure the island democracy’s future in turbulent times — with wars flaring abroad, rifts in the United States over American global security priorities, and political divisions in Taiwan over how to preserve the brittle peace with China. Mr. Lai has promised to steer Taiwan on a safe course through these hazards, a theme that he is likely to highlight in his inaugural speech on a public plaza in Taipei. He has said that he will keep strengthening ties with Washington and other Western partners while resisting Beijing’s threats and enhancing Taiwan’s defenses. Yet he may also extend a tentative olive branch to Beijing, welcoming renewed talks if China’s leader, Xi Jinping, sets aside his key precondition: that Taiwan accept that it is a part of China. “We’ll see an emphasis on continuity in national security, cross-strait issues and foreign policy,” said Lii Wen, the international director for Mr. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party and an incoming spokesman for the new leader.

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai, Xi Jinping, “, ”, Lii Wen, Lai’s Organizations: Washington, Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party Locations: United States, Taiwan, China, Taipei, Beijing

☆ Raisi Has Died in Helicopter Crash, State Media Reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Vivian Nereim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Inside a clothing store in Tehran, a television is set to a news channel reporting on the crash of the helicopter carrying the president of Iran. The crash of a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran could hardly have come at a more volatile time for the Islamic Republic. The crash also raises questions about who would become Iran’s supreme leader after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is 85, Mr. Vaez said. Mr. Raisi has been seen as a possible successor. Mr. Vaez said that Mr. Raisi has been viewed as “predictable for the system — and that’s the reason he was chosen as president and was being groomed for the top job.”Farnaz Fassihi contributed reporting.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Raisi —, Iran’s, —, Ali Vaez, ” Mr, Vaez, Mahsa Amini, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Raisi, ” Farnaz Fassihi Organizations: Crisis Group, Parliamentary, Islamic, Israel Locations: Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic, Israel, United States, ”, Kerman, Islamic State, Gaza, Lebanon, Damascus, Syria

☆ A boomer couple that was 'watching every single penny' they spent in the US moved to Portugal 2 years ago — and money isn't a concern for them in retirement anymore
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

After researching affordable places to live in retirement, Ann and her husband settled on Portugal. "Our quality of life is so much nicer because we're not worried about money like we were in the States," Ann said. AdvertisementWhile Ann was able to live comfortably in retirement abroad, many older adults in the US are struggling. "We understand how hard it is to try to accumulate enough money to retire and stay in the United States," Ann said. Advertisement"The United States is a very difficult country to retire in," she said.

Persons: Ann, she's, We've, We're, they've, we're, Diane Senffner Organizations: Service, Business, BI, Social Security, Survey, pats, Social Locations: Belize, United Kingdom, Mexico, Hawaii, Arizona, Scottsdale, Portugal, United States

☆ How Trump’s first term may have laid the groundwork to make his radical immigration agenda a reality
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Phil Mattingly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Trump’s advisers don’t see their agenda as aspirational political messaging. “Think about the first term, but on steroids,” a former senior Trump administration official who is working outside the campaign to draft immigration policy options for a second term. In closed-door fundraisers, Biden has also called attention to the radical nature of Trump’s immigration proposals – something his 2020 campaign used to its advantage. It shouldn’t.”The dramatic scale of Trump’s immigration agenda would have a sweeping effect across the US, Schulte said – one that shouldn’t get lost in debates over his rhetoric. Once viewed as radical and relegated to the fringes of the GOP, Trump’s immigration agenda is now an animating force for most, if not all, Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, don’t, ”, “, Todd Schulte, Joe Biden, Stephen Miller, ” Miller, Sebastian Gorka, Trump’s, Miller, ” Trump, Eisenhower, Clinton, Karoline Leavitt, Leavitt, Biden Biden, Biden, Biden’s, would’ve, ” There’s, SSRS, ” Biden, that’s, ” Schulte, Schulte, –, shouldn’t, “ He’s, Steve Vladeck, “ That’s, Neil Gorsuch, – Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett –, Vladeck Organizations: CNN, Republican, Supreme, National Guard, Trump, Democratic, Trump White House, Refugee, US Navy, Pentagon, White, Border Patrol, Department, Office, Senate Democratic, Democrats, Gallup, Biden, ” Trump, GOP, Republicans, Capitol, CNN Supreme, University of Texas Locations: United States, Panama, Mexico, torpedoing, California, America, Michigan, Ohio

☆ Iranian President Helicopter Crash Raisi Has Died in Helicopter Crash, State Media Reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Farnaz Fassihi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

☆ Toxic Political Culture Has Even Some Slovaks Calling Country ‘a Black Hole.’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Andrew Higgins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

More than a quarter century has passed since the United States called Slovakia a “black hole in the center of Europe” — an island of autocratic malaise surrounded by spry new democracies. The insult, leveled in 1997 by Secretary of State Madeline Albright against a country that has since joined NATO and the European Union, still stings. “We are back in a black hole; I’m not sure we ever got out of it,” said Roman Kvasnica, a prominent Slovak lawyer who denounces a political culture in which threats and personal insults are routine. In his own legal work he has faced numerous threats, including a warning that he would get a “bullet in the head” from a tycoon charged with ordering the 2018 murder of an investigative journalist digging into government corruption. Mr. Havel served as the first president of post-communist Czechoslovakia, the state that in 1993 split amicably into the Czech Republic and the Republic of Slovakia.

Persons: spry, Madeline Albright, Robert Fico, Albright, ”, Roman Kvasnica, Vaclav Havel, Havel Organizations: NATO, European Union, Central, Mr Locations: United States, Slovakia, Europe, Central European, Slovak, Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic, Republic of Slovakia

☆ Is America ready for a $400 pineapple? Luxury fruit is now a thing
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The Rubyglow pineapple –— bred for its distinctive red exterior and its sweetness — costs $395.99 at Melissa’s Produce, a California-based seller of specialty fruit and veggies. It took Del Monte, a wholesaler which sells a variety of produce but specializes in pineapple, a decade and a half to develop the red-hued fruit. And yet, there’s interest in premium fruit — enough to convince Del Monte to bring the Rubyglow, which is grown in Costa Rica, stateside. Courtesy Fresh Del MonteThe Pinkglow was never supposed to be a grocery list staple, said Melissa Mackay, VP of marketing in North America at Del Monte. Melissa’s started with 50 pineapples, according to Robert Schueller, director of public relations at Melissa’s Produce.

Persons: Del, ”, Cindy van Rijswick, “ there’s, Cotton Candy, McIntosh, Jim Luby, Patrick T, Fallon, Luby, Lane Turner, Oishii, Hiroki Koga, Jerod Harris, Melissa Mackay, “, It’s, Melanie Zanoza Bartelme, pricey, Hailey, Strawberry, it’s, Melissa’s, Robert Schueller, ” Schueller, Bo Corley, ” Corley, Corley Organizations: New, New York CNN, “, University of Minnesota, Getty, Rabobank, Citrus, Boston Globe, Vox Media, Del, Mintel, Melissa’s Locations: New York, California, Del Monte, China, United States, America, Costa Rica, AFP, Minnesota, Beverly Hills , California, North America, Erewhon, Angeles, Las Vegas, Southern California

☆ Congolese Army Says It Foiled a Coup Involving Americans
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Declan Walsh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The military of the Democratic Republic of Congo said on Sunday that it had foiled a coup attempt involving foreigners, hours after a gunfight near the presidential palace in which at least three people were killed. In a brief statement on state television, an army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge, initially offered little detail about the purported putsch in the capital, Kinshasa, other than to say that the plotters and their leader had been “put out of action.”But he later told The Associated Press that three Americans were among the perpetrators, and the United States ambassador to Congo, Lucy Tamlyn, acknowledged publicly that American citizens may have been involved. The United States will cooperate “to the fullest extent” with the Congolese authorities “as they investigate these criminal acts and hold accountable any U.S. citizen involved.,” she said on X, formerly Twitter.

Persons: Sylvain Ekenge, “, Lucy Tamlyn, ” Organizations: Democratic, Associated Press, United, Congolese Locations: Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, United States, Congo

☆ Inside 2 Texas cities where home prices are dropping, sellers are slashing asks, and buyers can get lowball offers accepted
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewAfter years of sellers calling the shots in the real-estate market, the balance may finally be tipping towards homebuyers in some US cities. But with fewer prospective buyers in the market for homes, home prices are now declining in several cities across the US. Related storiesThe trend, has led many sellers to lower their prices — though prices still remain significantly higher than a decade ago. As homes linger on the market, sellers are reducing their prices to draw buyers, she added. "It's definitely a buyers' market right now," Boatright said.

Persons: —, Nicole Marburger, Austin, Marburger, homebuyers, Sellers, San Antonio —, Mercy, Boatright, I've Organizations: Service, homebuyers, Business, National Association of Realtors, Lone Star State, Austin, Austin and New Braunfels, Real, Hunters Locations: United States, San Antonio, New Braunfels, — New Braunfels, Austin, Austin and New, Texas, Braunfels, homebuyers

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

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

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

☆ Millions are at risk for severe weather as storms could bring tennis ball-sized hail today
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Dalia Faheid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Millions across parts of the Central Plains are at risk for severe weather Sunday that could bring tornadoes, tennis ball-sized hail and damaging winds to the area. “Destructive wind swaths of 80-100 mph may occur, with localized extreme gusts exceeding 100 mph possible,” the Storm Prediction Center warned. The severe weather in Houston Thursday included a derecho with 100 mph winds. “Scattered severe storms are expected to affect the region Sunday afternoon and evening,” the National Weather Service in Wichita said. Through early next week, the Central US faces an increasing threat of severe weather and excessive rainfall, according to the National Weather Service.

Persons: “ We’re, Matt Elliott, “, Storms Organizations: CNN, Storm, Storm Prediction Center, Storm Prediction, National Weather Service Locations: Central, Gulf Coast, Plains, United States, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Central Plains, Houston, Kansas, Dodge City, Salina, Hutchinson, Garden City, Hays, Wichita, Michigan , Wisconsin, Illinois, Chicago, Detroit, Mississippi, Lower Michigan, Harris County

Lai, 64, a former doctor, was inaugurated alongside new Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who recently served as Taiwan’s top envoy to the United States. Both leaders and their party are openly loathed by Beijing for championing Taiwan’s sovereignty. Lai takes up the mantle from DPP predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, who bolstered the island’s international standing and recognition during her eight years in office. He is also expected to project goodwill to China with a message of pursuing peace and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait. That deliberately nuanced stance mimics his outgoing predecessor Tsai, Taiwan’s first female president, who was unable to stand again because of term limits.

Persons: Taipei CNN — Lai Ching, te, Lai, Hsiao Bi, China’s, Tsai Ing, Tsai –, –, Xi Jinping, Tsai, Taiwan’s, rebuking Organizations: Taipei CNN, Democratic Progressive Party, Communist Party, CNN, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People’s Party, DPP, ” Locations: Taipei, China, United States, Beijing, Taiwan

☆ Hochul Visits an Ancestral Home, 3,000 Miles From the Governor’s Mansion
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Claire Fahy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Kathy Hochul of New York focused on looking forward for solutions to worldwide crises like global warming and a lack of affordable housing. But as she visited County Kerry, Ireland, Ms. Hochul paused to linger in the past. They would later meet in Chicago, where they married before moving to Buffalo, the governor’s hometown, to work at the steel mill there. Every so often, as money and time allowed, the family would make the trip back to the Maharees, a peninsula that juts off Ireland’s west coast and contains three small towns: Fahamore, Kilshannig and Candeehy. On Sunday, around 100 local residents, county council members and relatives gathered in Spillane’s Bar in Fahamore for a civic reception to honor Ms. Hochul.

Persons: Kathy Hochul, Hochul, Kathleen Courtney, John Courtney, Mary Browne Organizations: Gov Locations: Europe, New York, County Kerry, Ireland, Kilshannig, United States, Chicago, Buffalo, Spillane’s, Fahamore

☆ Biden’s China Tariffs Are the End of an Era for Cheap Chinese Goods
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Jim Tankersley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For the first two decades of the 21st century, many consumer products on America’s store shelves got less expensive. A wave of imports from China and other emerging economies helped push down the cost of video games, T-shirts, dining tables, home appliances and more. Those imports drove some American factories out of business, and they cost more than a million workers their jobs. Stung by shuttered factories, cratered industries and prolonged wage stagnation, Americans in 2016 elected a president who vowed to hit back at China on trade. In separate but overlapping efforts, former President Donald J. Trump and President Biden have sought to revive and protect American factories by making it more expensive to buy Chinese goods.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Biden Organizations: Walmart, Amazon, Mr Locations: China, United States, U.S

No matter who wins the White House and control of Congress this autumn, one aspect of trade policy is likely to endure: Washington’s tough-on-China protectionist stance. But several trade experts predict that the America-first model of slapping tariffs on adversaries — as President Biden did this week — will backfire. Critics of tariffs and export restrictions say they not only will potentially exacerbate inflation and drag down economic growth, but are also likely to fail for a simpler reason: Chinese companies may see their businesses slowed down by the restrictions, but have found ways to beat them. As Alex Durante, an economist at the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan think tank that works with policymakers in the United States and Europe, bluntly put it: “They don’t work.”Huawei has shown that companies can find workarounds. Last year, the Chinese telecom giant unveiled the Mate 60, a smartphone powered by a high-end semiconductor.

Persons: —, Biden, Alex Durante, ” Organizations: White, Tax Foundation, ” Huawei Locations: China, America, United States, Europe, Washington

☆ Donald Trump addresses an embattled NRA as he campaigns against Biden’s gun policies
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Steve Contorno | Daniel Strauss | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Significantly less clear, though, is how much the NRA can help Trump’s bid to win the White House once again. “Donald Trump is winning no new voters when he boasts about doing nothing about gun violence during his presidency. Period,” said Nick Suplina, a senior vice president at Everytown for Gun Safety, a group founded in the aftermath of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Suplina said Trump’s NRA appearance “shows that both the organization and the man are a bit desperate for each other. Among both gun safety advocates and gun rights groups, there’s little disagreement about the stakes in 2024.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Wayne LaPierre, It’s, ”, “ It’s, I’ve, ” Trump, Kristi Noem, Donald Trump Jr, Joe Biden’s, Bryan Lanza, “ Donald Trump, ” Lanza, “, Biden, Nick Suplina, Sandy, Suplina, Aidan Johnston, Johnston, ” Suplina, ” Biden, Karoline Leavitt, CNN’s Kristen Holmes, Alayna Treene Organizations: Dallas CNN —, National Rifle Association, NRA, White House, New, Political, Mar, CNN, North Dakota Gov, Libertarian Party, Republican, Trump, Biden, Safety, Sandy Hook Elementary, Gun Owners of America, White, U.S Locations: New York, Manhattan, Jersey, Washington ,, Minnesota, United States, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Parkland , Florida

☆ I live in a Texas city that's one of the fastest-growing in America. I see why so many Californians are moving here — and the impact they have on home prices and traffic.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eric Newland, a 56-year-old retired Medical Service Corps officer who is now a real-estate agent in New Braunfels, Texas. The city is about 32 miles northeast of San Antonio and roughly 40 miles southwest of Austin, within the Texas Triangle." The city is growing but retaining its identityDespite its growth, the city maintains its small-town charm, with quaint shops and restaurants. Moving towards San Antonio and Austin, the city begins to feel like a larger town with several strip malls and new homes. An upside is that there have been a lot of new businesses, more income to the city, and even live music.

Persons: —, Eric Newland, Fort Sam Houston, I've, Braunfels, Newland, Eric Newland There's Organizations: Service, Medical Service, Business, Fort, Texas, Austin, Army, Realtors, Railroad Locations: New Braunfels , Texas, Braunfels, New Braunfels, Fort Sam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Germany, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Houston, there's, Wurstfest, United States, Schlitterbahn, California, Texas, San Diego, Angeles

☆ A Covid-19 memorial website, The WhoWeLost Project, offers pandemic mourners a digital safe space
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Ashley Williams | Ashley R. Williams | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

A year ago, the World Health Organization declared an end to Covid-19 as a global public health emergency. On the fourth anniversary of Settle’s death – and driven by a need to mourn – Koenig wrote about his former partner on the Covid-19 remembrance website WhoWeLost. Greenwald expanded the website nationally after a 2021 story on the website from an NPR affiliate garnered widespread praise. “I think the need for the site, in a way, is larger because less people are paying attention (to Covid-19),” Greenwald told CNN. They can write those stories down here.”New York City resident Wiandy Santiago’s 65-year-old brother Wilmard Santiago died of Covid-19 in April 2020, a week after being placed on a ventilator.

Persons: Jody Settle, Ed Koenig, Settle’s, Willie Nelson’s, ”, Koenig, – Koenig, Martha Greenwald, “, ” Greenwald, Greenwald, Kentuckians, Kent Nishimura, Wilmard Santiago, ” Wiandy Santiago, Alberto Locascio, doesn’t, ” Santiago, she’s, –, Wilmard, Locascio’s, Nicholas, She’s, Sarah Wagner, Covid, ” Koenig, Poynter, ’ ” Greenwald, Spencer Platt, “ We’re, ” Paige Gavin, that’s, ” Wagner, WhoWeLost, “ Covid Organizations: CNN, New York City, Settle, World Health Organization, United, NPR, Los Angeles Times, American Psychiatric Association, York City, Wiandy, Yankees, George Washington University, Getty Locations: Irish, New York, United States, Covid, Kentucky, New Jersey, Louisville , Kentucky, Washington, Washington ,, United Kingdom, ”, York, Bronx, New

☆ AI 'godfather' Geoffrey Hinton says he's 'very worried' about AI taking jobs and has advised the British government to adopt a universal basic income
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewSome say AI will be a great equalizer. And he believes a universal basic income might be the solution. "I advised them that universal basic income was a good idea." AdvertisementOpenAI CEO Sam Altman — who's been racing to develop artificial general intelligence — is running his own experiment around a universal basic income, the results of which he expects to release soon. He also recently floated the idea of a "universal basic compute."

Persons: —, Geoffrey Hinton, It's, Hinton, Sam Altman — who's, Altman Organizations: Service, BBC, Business Locations: Downing, South Africa, Kenya, India, United States

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

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

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

☆ U.S. and Iranian Officials Held Indirect Talks in Oman on Risks of a Wider War
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Edward Wong | More About Edward Wong | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Senior American and Iranian officials held talks through intermediaries in Oman this past week, the first such conversations since Iran launched a retaliatory attack on Israel with hundreds of missiles and drones last month, according to a person familiar with the recent meetings. Brett McGurk, the top White House official on Middle East policy, and Abram Paley, the deputy special envoy for Iran, attended the talks in Oman. Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, several Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria have stepped up attacks on American troops, raising fears of a wider war. However, U.S. intelligence officials assess that neither Hezbollah nor Iran wants to engage in a wider war. The format of the talks in Oman was similar to ones held in January: The Americans sat in one room while their Iranian counterparts sat in another, and Omani officials shuttled between the rooms.

Persons: Brett McGurk, Abram Paley, Axios Organizations: White, Hamas, United Locations: Oman, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, United States

☆ What’s BlackRock Without Larry Fink? Shareholders Fret About Future.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Maureen Farrell | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Laurence D. Fink built BlackRock into the world’s largest asset manager with a steely grip, a thick skin and a cleareyed vision of what the company could become. Today, it’s a caretaker of $10.5 trillion of investor money and a provider of sophisticated trading technology, and Mr. Fink has been an informal financial adviser to many governments, including the United States. They were on investors’ minds this week at BlackRock’s annual shareholder meeting, as they listened to Mr. Fink talk about the company’s performance and voted on ballot issues. Mr. Fink, BlackRock’s chief executive and chairman, exerts an unusual level of control for someone leading a firm of its size, with nearly 20,000 employees. From writing LinkedIn posts defending BlackRock’s policies to personally finding key deals, he has put his stamp all over the company, which he co-founded in 1988.

Persons: Laurence D, Fink, it’s, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, . Fink Organizations: BlackRock Locations: United States

☆ Billionaire CEO gifts 1,200 UMass grads 'envelopes full of cash' totaling about $1.2 million — but there's a catch
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewA billionaire gifted graduating students at UMass Dartmouth with "envelopes full of cash" totaling $1,000. Related storiesA UMass Dartmouth press release said security brought onstage two large duffle bags "packed with envelopes full of cash." AdvertisementHale told graduates that he had two envelopes to give them: one reading "gift" and the other reading "give." UMass Dartmouth graduates received $1,000. If all 1,200 students received the $1,000, Hale's giveaway amounted to about $1.2 million.

Persons: —, Robert Hale Jr, Hale, Jerry Seinfeld, Seinfeld, Duke Organizations: Service, UMass Dartmouth, Granite Telecommunications, Business, UMass Dartmouth Chancellor's, Columbia University, Duke University, BI Locations: Hale, United States, Gaza, Israel

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