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On February 4, Messi’s absence from the match between Inter Miami and the Hong Kong XI team sparked significant backlash. Many on Weibo questioned how the star was able to make such a quick recovery three days after the Hong Kong game. Others lashed out against what they saw as disrespect for Hong Kong – and China. In Monday’s video, Messi denied that his absence was due to political reasons and reiterated that he was unable to make the game because of an inflamed adductor that had worsened the day before the game in Hong Kong. “I’ve had a very close and special relationship with China and I’ve done a lot of things in China,” Messi said in the video.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Weibo, “ I’ve, ” Messi, “, Hong Kong, XFEST, CNN’s Simone McCarthy, Chris Lau Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Hong Kong XI, Argentina’s, Vissel, Weibo Locations: Hong Kong, Weibo, Vissel Kobe, Tokyo, China, China’s Sichuan, Beijing

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Chris Lau | Andrew Raine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Displaced Palestinians in Gaza’s southernmost Rafah city are reportedly fleeing towards northern Deir al Balah as Israeli airstrikes intensify amid the prospect of ground operations, according to a UN body. “Intensified airstrikes on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s population are crammed into less than 20 per cent of the Gaza Strip, and statements by Israeli officials about a ground operation in Gaza have reportedly led to the movement of people out of Gaza’s southernmost governorate toward Deir al Balah,” said the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Earlier on Friday, former Israeli prime minister and current war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said Israel “won’t stop” until all hostages are returned, even if that means continuing hostilities during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. He added that Israel is preparing for a military incursion into Gaza and will act “in dialogue” with its partners, including Egypt, and “direct the population to protected areas.”In a separate statement on Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told reporters that Israel had “no intention” of sending Palestinians into Egypt as part of an evacuation of Rafah, the focus of its next military offensive. Gallant provided no details about a potential evacuation but said “we are thoroughly planning future operations in Rafah, which is a significant Hamas stronghold.”Israeli officials have said the military is working on a detailed plan to evacuate civilians from Rafah ahead of a planned offensive there but have yet to share details.

Persons: Balah, “, Deir al Balah, ”, Benny Gantz, Israel “, Yoav Gallant, Israel, Gallant Organizations: UN, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, Israeli Locations: Gaza’s, Rafah, Deir, Gaza, Israel, Egypt

☆ Wall Street cheers Coinbase after its first quarterly profit in 2 years, but skepticism lingers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Wall Street is celebrating Coinbase after the crypto exchange operator posted its first quarterly profit in two years. Late Thursday, Coinbase posted earnings of $1.04 per share on $954 million of revenue for the fourth quarter. "Happy days are here again" for Coinbase, as Raymond James put it, but it's not clear for how long. "That said, we maintain our U/P rating given crypto market unpredictability, lack of revenue diversification, valuation, and continued legal overhang." JPMorgan, neutral, PT $95 "Management calls spot bitcoin ETFs [a] net positive but, we're still unconvinced," said JPMorgan's Kenneth Worthington.

Persons: Coinbase, haven't, bitcoin, Raymond James, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Will Nance, revs, Jason Kupferberg, Benjamin Budish, EBITDA, underperform, Patrick O'Shaughnessy, we're, Kenneth Worthington, Keefe, KBW's Kyle Voigt, Oppenheimer, Owen Lau, Devin Ryan, Needham, John Todaro, Canaccord, Joseph Vafi, Michael Bloom Organizations: LSEG, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, " Bank of America, Bank of America, Barclays, JPMorgan, Management, SEC, Coinbase's, BTC Locations: U.S, Coinbase, Needham

☆ Momentum remains strong for Coinbase despite regulatory uncertainty, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMomentum remains strong for Coinbase despite regulatory uncertainty, analyst saysOwen Lau, executive director and senior analyst at Oppenheimer, discusses the cryptocurrency exchange's fourth-quarter results and its legal fight with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, saying the "outcome is highly unpredictable, but I have confidence that Coinbase will fight with the SEC and probably can prevail."

Persons: Owen Lau, Oppenheimer Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC

☆ Happy New Year of the Dragon - or Loong?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

This year, it’s the Year of the Dragon, or more accurately, the “Year of the Loong,” says Chinese state media, using its preferred term for the mythical beast. The Chinese “loong” conjures positivity, nobleness and fortune and therefore should be distinguished linguistically from its Western cousin, state media argues. Chinese media has dedicated coverage and airtime to promote the new nomenclature over the past week or so, though both “dragon” and “loong” are being used interchangeably in English-language reports. “Transcribing long into English ‘loong’ would cause more problems and confusion than translating it as ‘dragon’,” he wrote. He noted that “some patriotic and political sources in the Sinosphere” have been peddling the concept that the Western dragon is fearful.

Persons: ”, Loong ”, it’s, loong, “ loong, Xi Jinping, Loong, John Lee, Wong Tai, Alex Chan Tsz Yuk, Elliott, Bradford Lee Eden, Eden, Eduardo Leal, ‘, Weibo, Victor Mair, Mair, “ loong ”, ” Eden, “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Disney, Xinhua, of Library Services, Valparaiso University ,, Tolkien Research, Getty, University of Pennsylvania, Valparaiso University Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Valparaiso University , Indiana, Macau, Weibo, West

☆ H3: Japan launches second flagship rocket a year after failed maiden attempt
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Junko Ogura | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Tokyo CNN —Japan’s space agency says it has successfully launched its flagship H3 space rocket, a year after its maiden attempt ended in failure. The H3 left the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan at 9:22 a.m. local time on Saturday, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said in a statement. H3’s maiden launch ended in failure last March when its second stage failed to ignite and its controllers issued a destruct command just 15 minutes after lift-off. That was just one of a string of problems for the maiden launch, which had already been postponed after ignition failures hit two of the rocket’s secondary booster engines. Experts say this could be used for drinking water or for fuel as humanity pushes the boundaries of space exploration in the future.

Persons: Japan’s Organizations: Tokyo CNN, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Smart, Soviet Locations: Japan, United States, Soviet Union, China

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Israeli jets strike Lebanon after rocket fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a media conference in Tel Aviv on October 12, 2023. Jacquelyn Martin/AFP/Getty ImagesIsrael's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday reiterated his intention to order concerted military operations in Rafah, vowing that his country will fight “until the absolutely victory.”Netanyahu said “powerful action” would come in the southern Gazan city after the evacuation of civilians from "battle zones." German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned Israel's planned ground offensive, saying it would create a "humanitarian catastrophe.”It comes as the Israeli military said Wednesday that it has struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, as the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff warned of an ongoing offensive against targets in the neighboring country. The strikes follow an earlier deadly rocket attack from Lebanon on a northern Israeli city. Here are the latest headlines:

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Jacquelyn Martin, “, ” Netanyahu, Annalena Baerbock, Israel's Organizations: Getty, Israel's, Red Cross, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Tel Aviv, AFP, Rafah, Gazan, Israel, Lebanon, Israeli

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Israeli forces launch Rafah airstrikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Chris Lau | Deva Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Abed Zagout/Anadolu/Getty ImagesThe Israeli military has not yet presented its plan to the government for the evacuation of Rafah, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told CNN on Tuesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday directed the IDF to plan for the “evacuation of the population” from Rafah, ahead of an anticipated ground assault on the southern Gaza city. "The government has instructed the IDF to devise a plan to achieve our goals, our war goals, in the area of Rafah," IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner told CNN's John Vause on Tuesday. Lerner said the military aims to create a plan that evacuates civilians "out of harm's way" and differentiates civilians from Hamas militants. We have confidence in our ability to differentiate and distinguish," he told Vause, admitting, however, that it comes "not without challenge."

Persons: Abed Zagout, Benjamin Netanyahu, Peter Lerner, CNN's John Vause, Lerner, Vause, We've Organizations: Getty, Israel Defense Forces, CNN, IDF Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Anadolu, Israel

Taylor Swift has arrived at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs and beau Travis Kelce in tonight's Super Bowl. The NFL and CBS, which is airing tonight's game, shared video of the music mega-star arriving and chatting with rapper Ice Spice and actor Blake Lively. Swift fans were concerned if the multi-Grammy award winning artist would make it to the big game given her tight touring schedule. Swift played the Tokyo Dome in the Japanese capital from February 7 to 10, leaving her little time — given the long-haul flight and large time difference — to get back for the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. The Japanese Embassy put out a statement last week to ease the concerns of fans.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Spice, Blake Lively, Scott, Andrea, Swift, “, Chris Lau Organizations: Kansas City Chiefs, NFL, CBS, Tokyo, Super, Allegiant Locations: Las Vegas, Tokyo

☆ Xi’an, China: Ancient city hosts spectacular lantern show
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But this month, all eyes are on another one of its historic sites – the Xi’an City Wall, said to be one of the world’s most impressive remaining traditional defense systems and one of the only complete ancient city walls left in China. China officially marks the Lantern Festival as the 15th day of the first lunar month (February 24 in 2024). A year-round attractionThe top of Xi'an's City Wall is a popular place for locals and tourists to get some exercise. chuyu/iStockphoto/Getty ImagesWhen not glowing with lanterns, Xi’an’s City Wall provides locals and tourists a relaxing space for cycling, or a breezy stroll, while offering panoramic views. A year earlier, in 2014, then-US First Lady Michelle Obama jumped rope and danced on the Xi’an City Wall.

Persons: netizen, Yuan, Xiao, it’s, Mark Zuckerberg, Michelle Obama Organizations: CNN, Army, Visitors, Lantern Festival ., Festival, Wall, Facebook Locations: China, Xi’an, Weibo, Lantern Festival . China

☆ Live updates: The latest on the Israel-Hamas news
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Chris Lau | Andrew Raine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

A woman and children sit outside tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza, on February 8. Satellite images showed this week how a tent city has swelled in size in just a few weeks. Also, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised concerns about the expansion into Rafah during meetings with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials this week, two Israeli officials told CNN on Wednesday. Non-governmental organizations issue warnings: Several non-governmental organizations have warned about the humanitarian consequences of Israeli operations in Rafah. Half of UNRWA requests to deliver aid in Gaza denied: The UN's main relief agency in Gaza said Friday that half of its aid mission requests to deliver aid in Gaza since the beginning of the year have been denied.

Persons: Mohammed Abed, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Vedant Patel, Antony Blinken, Netanyahu, won’t, Philippe Lazzarini Organizations: Getty, United Nations, Israel Defense Forces, CNN, Wednesday, Norwegian Refugee Council, Hamas, The United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees Locations: Rafah, Gaza, AFP, ”, Israel, United States, Egypt

☆ Ether is poised for an ETF approval in May, but the crypto’s price action may be subdued
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Investors expect the Securities and Exchange Commission to greenlight spot ether ETFs in May, but the price action for the crypto could be subdued compared to bitcoin's moves in the runup to its ETF approvals. That compares to the 55% surge bitcoin saw after BlackRock first filed its spot ETF application for the flagship crypto. Regardless, we see the spot ether ETF being less appreciated by the market." JPMorgan estimates a "no more than 50% chance" of spot ether ETF approval by May 23, the final deadline for the SEC to approve or deny the Ark/21Shares application . Schwenkler said any excitement leading up to potential ether ETF approvals will be "less speculative" and that a lot of it is priced in already.

Persons: Kenneth Worthington, Nico Cordeiro, there's, Owen Lau, Oppenheimer, Gustavo Schwenkler, Bitcoin, Solana, Schwenkler, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Securities and Exchange Commission, JPMorgan, BlackRock, BTC, ETH, SEC, CNBC, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University, of Locations: Southern, of New York, bitcoin

☆ Fears grow for Australian runner missing in dense bushland for six days
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Australian police are combing a large swathe of bushland in the state of Victoria for a woman who has been missing without a trace since going for a run six days ago. Samantha Murphy left her Ballarat home for a run in the Woowookarung Regional Park at 7am on Sunday, according to Victorian police. But high temperatures over recent days – sometimes reaching 37 degrees Celsius (98 Fahrenheit) – and the length of time she’s been missing have fueled concerns for her safety. Police have released images of missing woman Samantha Murphy, who was last seen leaving her home in Eureka Street, Ballarat East, on Sunday. Speaking alongside his daughter on Thursday, her husband, Michael, urged local residents to report every “little thing” they find relevant.

Persons: Samantha Murphy, Mark Hatt, she’s, Hatt, Murphy, Jess, “, ”, Bob Heaney, Michael, It’ll Organizations: CNN, Australian, Ballarat, Victoria Police, Police, Sunday . State Government, Nine Locations: Victoria, Eureka Street, Victoria Woowookarung, New York City

☆ Chinese city cancels Argentina soccer match after Messi backlash in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —A city in mainland China has canceled its plan to host a soccer match featuring Argentina’s national team amid a growing backlash in the country against star player Lionel Messi. Messi has faced an outpouring of criticism after he remained on the bench during an exhibition game featuring his Major League Soccer team Inter Miami in Hong Kong. Public relations nightmareMessi stayed on the substitute bench when Inter Miami played the Hong Kong team on February 4, despite repeated requests from the Hong Kong government and organizer, Tatler Asia, for him to get on the field. Messi later said this had been a “shame,” and that he had wanted to participate. “Our aspiration was to create an iconic moment in support of the government’s efforts to remind the world how relevant and exciting Hong Kong is.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, jeered, hasn’t, XFEST, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Argentina’s, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Hangzhou Sports Bureau, Hangzhou Olympic Sports, Argentina, Beijing Workers, Hong Kong, Hong, Tatler Asia, Vissel Locations: Hong Kong, China, Hangzhou, Argentina, Nigeria, Ivory, Vissel Kobe, Japan, Beijing, Asia

☆ Messi’s ‘miracle’ return stirs Chinese anger and conspiracy theories
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“(He) played in five of the six preseason games and only missed the game in Hong Kong, China! Don’t come to China, China doesn’t welcome you,” another user wrote in a post liked by 20,000 others. “Why didn’t Messi play in Hong Kong or participate in the handshake with HK (the Hong Kong) chief executive? Messi's no-show sparks an outcry in Hong Kong on February 4, 2024. One social media user noted that it was not only Messi who played in Tokyo, but not Hong Kong.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi didn’t, Messi, “ Messi, Hong Kong, Kenneth Fok, Hu Xijin, didn’t Messi, ” Hu, ”, Louise Delmotte, “ Don’t, Hong, David Beckham, Beckham, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Luis Suárez couldn’t, Philip Fong, “, nimbly, Regina Ip, ” “ Messi, Kenneth Chan, Taylor Swift, ’ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Sunday, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Vissel, Hong, CNN, Weibo, HK, Global Times, Inter, National Basketball Association, Houston Rockets, Soccer, Ardent, Messi, Argentina national, Australia, Inter Miami's, Getty, The Inter Miami, Hong Kong Baptist University Locations: China, Hong Kong, Argentine, Japan, Vissel Kobe, Tokyo, Beijing, State, China’s Sichuan, Argentina, AFP, Asia

☆ Hong Kong officials demand answers for Lionel Messi no-show
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —The Hong Kong government’s repeated requests for Lionel Messi to play in a sell-out soccer match went unanswered Sunday, a city official said, as cheers turned to jeers for the Argentine soccer legend. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government, which provided more than $2 million in grants to the match organizer, also said it was “extremely disappointed” the star did not play. Fans make their feelings clear after Lionel Messi's Hong Kong no-show. ‘We do feel a bit scammed’“Messi mania” had captured Hong Kong with Inter Miami’s arrival on Friday as fans swarmed the Major League Soccer team’s hotel. Meanwhile, the stadium reached full capacity during the Inter Miami’s open training session the evening before the match.

Persons: Hong Kong government’s, Lionel Messi, jeers, –, Messi, Ballon, Kevin Yeung, XFEST, Lionel Messi's, Justin Chin, Yeung, “, ” Yeung, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, ‘, ’ “ Messi, ”, Ada Kam, Luis Suárez Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong, Inter Miami’s, Hong, Hong Kong XI, Culture, Bloomberg, Getty, Inter, Major League Soccer team’s, CNN, Nigeria Locations: Hong Kong, Hong, Argentine, Lionel Messi's Hong Kong, Miami, Inter Miami’s, Tokyo, China, Argentina, Hangzhou, Ivory Coast, Beijing

A screengrab from a video, geolocated by CNN to the town of Qaim, Iraq, shows the aftermath of US military strikes in the area according to the Iraqi Military. US officials say the strikes hit four facilities in Syria and three in Iraq, where security officials reported damage in the city of Al-Qaim. The sites allegedly belonged to various Iran-backed militias, which the US blames for the strike in Jordan. The US does not plan to strike inside Iran: A senior official with the Biden administration told CNN the US will not strike inside Iran – only focusing on targets outside of the country. Striking inside Iran would have been a huge escalation, and officials have telegraphed that is unlikely to happen.

Persons: Joe Biden, Lloyd Austin, Biden, Jordan, Douglas Sims, Sims, John Kirby Organizations: CNN, White House, Pentagon, Defense, Air Force, National Security Locations: Qaim, Iraq, Iraqi, Jordan, Syria, Al, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, Gen

☆ US Navy warships are getting their first combat experience against the kind of threats China is banking on in the Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The US Navy in recent weeks has been shooting down Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles. Washington has also conducted preemptive strikes in Yemen, destroying anti-ship ballistic missiles before the rebels are able to launch them. CENTCOM has not specified which anti-ship ballistic missiles have been used in the attacks on international shipping lanes. AdvertisementChina has a formidable arsenal of anti-ship ballistic missiles, like the DF-21D and DF-26, and is increasingly expanding it. Advertisement"It doesn't matter what's coming at them, really," said Macy, the retired admiral who served aboard multiple US Navy warships.

Persons: —, Archer Macy, it's, Joe Biden, Jonathan, Bryan Clark, Mohammed Hamoud, Andy Wong, Clark, Shaan Shaikh, Shaikh, Carney, MCS2 Aaron Lau, Macy Organizations: US Navy, Pacific . Experts, Service, Pentagon, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Hudson Institute, People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, Military, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Navy, Combat System Locations: China, Pacific, Iran, Yemen, Gulf of Aden, Washington, Tehran, CENTCOM, Gaza, Jan, Sana'a, Western, Beijing, Tiananmen, Red

☆ LVMH launches Watch Week in Miami
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Crystal Lau | Robert Frank | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailLVMH launches Watch Week in MiamiExecutives from LVMH's top watch maisons sound off on Watch Week and the state of the luxury market

Organizations: LVMH, Watch Locations: Miami

☆ Taylor Swift will make it home from Tokyo in time for the Super Bowl, Japanese Embassy says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Swift is scheduled to play the Tokyo Dome in the Japanese capital from February 7 to 10, leaving her little time – given the long-haul flight and large time difference – to get back for the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 11. Still, as the Japanese Embassy’s statement shows, Taylor-mania is hardly confined to the NFL or even America. In Asia, the singer sparked a ticketing frenzy after announcing that she would be playing six shows in Singapore and four in Tokyo. So fierce has the competition been that fans have taken to calling it the “Great War” for tickets. After her Tokyo shows – and hopefully for fans, an appearance in Vegas – Swift is expected to return overseas for seven shows in Australia.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Swift, Taylor, Kelce, –, “, ”, Vegas – Swift Organizations: CNN, Super, Embassy, Tokyo, Chiefs, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, NFL, Chicago Bears, Singapore Locations: Washington, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Las Vagas, Japan, ”, America, Asia, Singapore, Vegas, Australia

☆ Heavy snow, rain threaten travel chaos during China’s Lunar New Year
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Heavy snow and rain is forecast to hit central and eastern China in the coming days, threatening travel plans for hundreds of millions of Chinese workers heading home for the Lunar New Year. However, Xu Jun, chief forecaster from the Central Meteorological Observatory, told CCTV the forecast snowfall won’t be as heavy or widespread as that experienced around the holiday season 16 years ago. “The rain and snow overlap with the peak period of Spring Festival travel. This has posed risks to safe (travel) and brought inconvenience to the transportation,” weather expert Wang Lijuan, from China Meteorological Administration, told CCTV. Xu, from the Central Meteorological Observatory, told CCTV freezing rain could affect many provinces over an area as wide as 43,000 square kilometers (16,600 square miles).

Persons: Xu Jun, Wang Lijuan, Xu Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Central Meteorological Observatory, Meteorological, Festival, China Meteorological Administration, Central Meteorological Locations: Hong Kong, China, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Liaoning, Hubei, Zhengzhou, China's, Xinjiang, Anhui, Weibo, Mohe, Heilongjiang

☆ Hong Kong Court Convicts Four for Rioting After 2019 Legislature Storming
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Hundreds of protesters stormed Hong Kong's Legislative Council building on July 1, 2019, after a protest march against a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed authorities to send individuals to mainland China for trial. District Court Judge Li Chi-ho found four people including Ho Chun-yin, actor Gregory Wong, Ng Chi-yung and Lam Kam-kwan guilty of rioting. During the trial, Gregory Wong told the court he entered the legislative council solely to deliver two chargers to reporters who were covering the break-in by protesters. Three Hong Kong police officers met him in Shenzhen and said he had to cooperate or else he would not be able to return to Hong Kong. Hong Kong's district court sets a maximum of seven years in prison for rioting.

Persons: Jessie Pang, Edward Cho HONG, Li Chi, Ho Chun, Gregory Wong, Ng Chi, Lam Kam, kwan, Lam, Wong Ka, Ma Kai, Wong, Althea Suen, Ventus Lau, Owen Chow, Edward Cho, Farah Master, Lincoln Organizations: Reuters, Hong, Legislative, Hong Kong, Hong Kong . Police, University of Hong Locations: Edward Cho HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China, Legco, Shenzhen, Hong Kong's

“We know this is silly; we know this is fun,” said Marcy Galando, executive director of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Members of Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, organized in 1899, care for Phil at a customized space beside Punxsutawney Memorial Library — where there's a window with a view into the creature's burrow. The Punxsutawney groundhog makes predictions but he's not always predictable. In 1998, a groundhog club leader wearing a $4,000 groundhog suit reported being assaulted by a half-dozen young men. Intended to preserve Pennsylvania German culture and traditions, clubs would sometimes fine those who were caught speaking anything but their Pennsylvania Dutch language at meetings.

Persons: Phil, there'll, Bill Murray, ”, there's, Marcy Galando, Joseph, Jesus, Don Yoder, Yoder, he's, didn't, PHIL, Charlie Hart, Hart, Orphie, “ Octoraro Orphie, It's, Travis Lau, ” Lau, groundhogs, William W, Donner, ” Donner Organizations: Historians, University of Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, University, National Centers for Environmental, Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, U.S Locations: Pa, Pennsylvania, U.S, Canadian, Europe, Jerusalem, United States, Morgantown , Pennsylvania, —, Pittsburgh, Punxsutawney, Quarryville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania's

The firm named the stock a top pick for 2024 and reiterated an overweight rating alongside a $105 per share price target. The firm downgraded the health insurance stock to neutral from buy, and lowered its price target to $370 per share from $530. Sur reiterated an underweight rating on Intel stock alongside a $37 per share price target, or more than 25% downside moving forward. Deutsche Bank's Ross Seymour reiterated a hold rating on the stock as well as a $42 per share price target, implying about 15% downside. Analysts Benjamin Black upgraded the Snapchat parent company to buy from hold and raised his price target to $19 from $10.

Persons: Oppenheimer, Wells, Timur Braziler, — Brian Evans, AJ Rice, Brian Evans, Piper Sandler downgrades, Bancorp Piper Sandler, Piper Sandler's, Scott Siefers, Harlan Sur, Sur, America's Vivek Arya, Arya, Deutsche Bank's Ross Seymour, Seymour, Owen Lau, Lau, Coinbase, Analysts Benjamin Black, Black, Fred Imbert Organizations: CNBC, Deutsche Bank, UBS downgrades Humana, UBS, Humana, Piper Sandler downgrades U.S, Bancorp, U.S . Bancorp, Intel, . Bank, America's, GM, Deutsche, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Analysts Locations: Wells Fargo, Puerto Rican, ., Coinbase, Thursday's, China

☆ Live updates: The latest on Israel's war in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Chris Lau | Andrew Raine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

Intense Israeli bombardment and heavy fighting in the area around a large hospital in southern Gaza killed at least 29 people Friday, according to Palestinian state news agency WAFA. Khan Younis has been the epicenter of Israel's ground operation in recent weeks. The fighting has forced thousands of Gazans to flee the area, many of them already displaced from northern neighborhoods where Israel first launched its offensive. Displaced Palestinians continue to arrive in overcrowded Rafah, near the border with Egypt, by "the thousands," a United Nations human rights official said Friday. There, they shelter in makeshift tents with little food or clean water.

Persons: WAFA, Khan Younis Organizations: Nasser Hospital, United Locations: Gaza, Nasser, Khan, Israel, Rafah, Egypt, United Nations

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