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☆ Trump has touted potential VP picks for months. He may end up picking someone off the public’s radar
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Kristen Holmes | Steve Contorno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —In recent weeks, an increasingly familiar list of Republicans has dominated the not-very-subtle competition to become Donald Trump’s running mate. Trump himself has added to the air of inevitability by floating these names in interviews and appearances over and over. Many around the campaign believe the lack of secrecy surrounding the open audition raises the possibility Trump ultimately picks someone off the public’s radar. A source confirmed Trump floated Cotton’s name during a recent private dinner, surprising some of his guests. Earlier this year, Hagerty was spotted at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach with the former president.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Trump, “, Ben Carson, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio, Marco Rubio , Ohio Sen, J.D, Vance, Elise Stefanik, Doug Burgum, South Carolina Sen, Tim Scott, Maria Elvira Salazar, Sens, Tom Cotton of, Bill Hagerty of, Tulsi Gabbard, Nikki Haley, Rubio, Salazar, ” Salazar, Trump’s, Lester Woerner, Cotton, –, Gabbard, Howard Lutnick, Hagerty, Doug Kaplan, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Ron DeSantis, Kristi Noem, Kaplan, ” Kaplan, ”, Haley, Ralph Norman of, ” Norman Organizations: CNN, Republicans, Urban, Republican National Convention, Florida Rep, Hawaii Rep, South Carolina Gov, Trump, Univision, Mar, New York Times, Democratic, Kaplan, Florida Gov, South Dakota Gov, Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach, Republican, GOP Locations: Manhattan, Trump, Florida, Marco Rubio , Ohio, North Dakota, South Carolina, Milwaukee, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, English, New York, Cuban, Miami, Palm Beach, Washington, –, Cotton, Congress, South, Carson, Hagerty, Japan, West Palm, Pennsylvania, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Indiana, Trump’s

The Melbourne skyline is reflected in the Maribyrnong River in the early morning light on April 18, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets were range bound on Tuesday as investors assess comments from the European Central Bank officials signaling that rate cuts may be on the horizon for the world's largest economic bloc. Japan's Nikkei 225 also was trading close to the flatline, with the broad based Topix also near flat. In a speech Monday, Olli Rehn, ECB governing council member and head of Finland's central bank, stressed inflation in the euro area was falling in a "sustained way." Inflation in the euro zone held steady at 2.4% in April, marking the seventh straight month it has been below 3%, despite a slight rebound in December.

Persons: Kospi, Olli Rehn Organizations: European Central Bank, Nikkei Locations: Melbourne, Maribyrnong, Asia, Pacific, Australia

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Russian-occupied territory comes under attack; Hungary accused of blocking Ukraine support
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers his speech at the occasion of Hungary's Revolution and Independence Day outside the Hungarian National Museum on March 15, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. EU foreign ministers are increasingly frustrated with Hungary's frequent opposition to measures by the bloc that are meant to provide aid to Ukraine and kick start EU accession talks for Kyiv. Lithuania's foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis accused Budapest of implementing a "systematic approach towards any efforts by the EU to have any meaningful role in foreign affairs." The Russian-occupied eastern Ukrainian territory of Luhansk came under attack overnight, Russian officials said, causing a fire and drawing emergency services to the scene. A senior Russian diplomat said he suspected the attack was followed by a second shelling of the area by Ukrainian forces.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Gabrielius Landsbergis Organizations: Hungarian National Museum, Kyiv, EU, CNBC Locations: Budapest, Hungary, Ukraine, Luhansk, Russian, Ukrainian

☆ A group of emerging nations could soon start knocking down one key pillar of dollar dominance
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The BRICS bloc could pick up its de-dollarization agenda at its October summit in Kazan, Russia. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe BRICS group of emerging nations has been agitating for a move away from US dollar dominance. Last year, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called for a BRICS common currency.

Persons: —, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, United Arab Emirates — Organizations: Service, United, United Arab Emirates, Business Locations: Kazan, Russia, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, United Arab

☆ An influx of new residents to GOP-leaning Montana could be the key voting bloc that decides the state's hotly-contested Senate race
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

With former President Donald Trump highly likely to win Montana in November, many Republicans believe he'll be able to aid down-ballot candidates like Sheehy. AdvertisementTester, a moderate Democrat, has established a political brand that has defied the state's GOP orientation for nearly 20 years. Greg Gianforte, the Montana legislature passed housing and land-use reform bills that overhauled the construction process — and now permit more housing density. The issue is sure to be a major issue for Tester — as well as the eventual GOP Senate nominee — for a state in transition. National Republicans see Montana as one of their best opportunities to win a "red" seat, especially as many transplants left Democratic-dominated coastal states for a more rustic environment.

Persons: —, Jon Tester, Tim Sheehy, Donald Trump, he'll, Sheehy, it's, Greg Gianforte, Tester Organizations: Service, Senate, GOP, Business, Montana, The New York Times, Census Bureau, GOP Gov, eventual, National Republicans, Democratic, Democrats, Republicans Locations: Montana, California , Oregon, Washington, Bozeman, RVs

☆ Spain, Ireland and Norway have recognized Palestinian statehood. Where does Europe stand on the issue?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognized Palestinian statehood on Tuesday, cementing a joint move that further isolates Israel over its war against Hamas in Gaza. The move also highlights just how split Europe is on whether to recognize Palestinian statehood. Spain, Ireland and NorwayThe move by these three countries to recognize Palestinian statehood in tandem sent an impactful message to Israel, and other Western states. Western EuropeIn 2014, Sweden became the first major Western European nation to recognize Palestinian statehood. “The path of symbolic recognition of statehood is not the way forward.”Eastern EuropeOfficially, a number of countries that previously fell under the Soviet sphere of influence in eastern Europe recognize Palestinian statehood.

Persons: Simon Harris, “, Harris, Ireland “, ”, Netanyahu, Israel, ” Harris, Espen Barth Eide, Pedro Sánchez, Israel Katz, ” “, ” Katz, Margot Wallstrom, Olaf Scholz, ” Scholz, Robert Golob, Golob, Palestine ” Organizations: CNN —, Palestinian, Gaza . Irish, United, Ireland, CNN, Palestine, Swedish, UN, Assembly, Reuters, Europe Officially, Soviet Locations: CNN — Spain, Ireland, Norway, Israel, Gaza ., Europe, United Nations, Eastern, Spain, Palestine, Gaza, Norwegian, Madrid, Palestinian, Iran, Sweden, France, Belgium, Poland, Greece, Denmark, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, States, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ramallah, Argentina, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, United States

☆ Dollar ebbs as markets await key global inflation reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In this photo illustration, a person is seen holding 100, 50, and 5 U.S. dollar bills in his hand. The dollar waned on Tuesday following a slight pick up in risk appetite, but it held tight ranges against its peers ahead of key inflation data from major economies this week that markets are looking to for guidance on the global interest rate outlook. The euro was a touch firmer at $1.0860 despite some dovish comments from European Central Bank policymakers on Monday and data showing German business morale stagnated in May. Down Under, the Aussie edged 0.03% higher to $0.6657, with the country's monthly consumer price index data also due on Wednesday. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Monday the central bank will proceed cautiously with inflation-targeting frameworks, noting that some challenges are "uniquely difficult" for Japan after years of ultra-easy monetary policy.

Persons: Rodrigo Catril, Sterling, NAB's, Kazuo Ueda, bitcoin Organizations: U.S, European Central Bank, ECB, National Australia Bank, New Zealand, Down, Bank of Japan Locations: Asia, Britain, United States, U.S, Tokyo, Japan

☆ Georgia parliament overrides president to pass Kremlin-style ‘foreign agents’ bill, defying Western pressure
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Christian Edwards | Niamh Kennedy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Georgia’s parliament has voted to override the presidential veto of a Russian-inspired “foreign agent” law, defying fierce protests at home and criticism abroad. The ruling Georgian Dream party has for weeks tried to force through the “foreign agent” law, likened by critics to a measure introduced in Russia to stifle dissent. Protesters stare down riot police outside the Georgian Parliament. Irakli Gedenidze/ReutersResponding to Tuesday’s vote, Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said it marked “a very sad day” for Georgia and the rest of Europe. But the government reintroduced the same bill in March and this time refused to cave to public pressure, despite a month of renewed protests.

Persons: CNN —, Salome Zourabichvili, “, I’m, Sen, Jeanne Shaheen, Irakli Gedenidze, Gabrielius Landsbergis, ”, Natalie Sabanadze, –, Sabanadze Organizations: CNN, European, Georgian, United, – Locations: Russian, Georgian, Russia, Soviet, European Union, United States, Georgia, New Hampshire, Europe

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, ICJ ruling, Rafah invasion looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Chris Lau | Sana Noor Haq | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission building in Brussels, Belgium, on April 12. They add: “It was precisely to avert such a grim world order that our grandparents, witnesses of the horrors of World War II, created Europe. The calls come in the same week that three European countries – Ireland, Spain and Norway - announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state. Although Norway is not an EU member, the plans do have the potential to exert greater pressure on the countries’ western allies to take a tougher stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. But the move is not a coordinated European effort and the bloc has long struggled to speak with one voice.

Persons: Kenzo Tribouillard, “, ” Organizations: European Commission, Getty, European, EU Locations: Brussels, Belgium, AFP, Gaza, Israel, Europe, Ireland, Spain, Norway, Palestinian

☆ The West is tapping Russian money to arm Ukraine. Much more could follow
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

London CNN —Money generated by Russian financial assets frozen in Europe will soon start flowing to Ukraine, giving Kyiv a boost as it struggles to counter an advance by Moscow’s troops. The plan “would essentially bring forward that flow of interest proceeds from the assets… (through a loan) given to Ukraine,” Yellen told broadcaster Sky News in an interview this week. “Ukraine has substantial needs, and being able to marshal significant resources to help Ukraine is important,” she said. Most of the frozen Russian money is held in Europe, and the euro is the world’s second-most important currency after the US dollar. This would give Kyiv access to a much larger amount of money than using future or current windfall profits from Russian assets.

Persons: Janet Yellen, ” Yellen, Gabriel Bouys, Joe Biden, ” Lee Buccheit, Trade Valdis Dombrovskis, Yellen, there’s, —, Buchheit, Putin, ” Organizations: London CNN, Union, Sky News, “, US, Getty, University of Edinburgh Law School, CNN, EU, Trade, Reuters, Russia, Ukraine, World Bank Locations: Europe, Ukraine, West, Italy, Russia, Ukraine’s, Kharkiv, Frankfurt, Germany, “ Ukraine, Stresa, AFP, EU, Belgium, Kyiv

☆ Tired, testy and fractured: The Supreme Court prepares for more drama
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Joan Biskupic | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —As Supreme Court justices try to resolve more than a dozen major cases over the next month, including whether Donald Trump must stand trial for election subversion, they appear mired in antagonism and distrust. Conservatives, who indeed hold the upper hand on the 6-3 court, nonetheless spike their writing and remarks with derision for the left. When the court majority allowed Louisiana state officials to use a map with a second majority-Black congressional district (over the protest of a GOP-backed group of White voters), the three liberals dissented. (A lower US court had referred to it as the “bleaching of African American voters” from the district.) Dissenting liberals emphasized that the decision reversing the lower court undercut a 2017 Supreme Court ruling, Cooper v. Harris, issued before the far-right majority took hold.

Persons: Donald Trump, Samuel Alito, Alito, Elena Kagan, Clarence Thomas, Ketanji Brown Jackson, John Roberts, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, Sonia Sotomayor, Kagan, Jackson, Blacks, Purcell, ’, Amy Coney Barrett, “, ” Barrett, Roberts, ” They, Bush, Feedback Kavanaugh, Gore, Cooper, Harris, ” Kagan, ” Alito, Joe Biden’s, Biden, Martha, Ann, ”, Alito tersely, Kagan’s, Edwin Kneedler, ” Roberts, Kneedler, Joshua Turner, Sotomayor, ” Sotomayor, Turner, interjected Organizations: CNN, Trump, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Liberal, GOP, White voters, Congress, Gore, South, American, Capitol, New York Times, US Justice Department Locations: America, Colorado, South Carolina, Carolina, Louisiana, Virginia, New Jersey, American, Alito’s, Jersey, Grants Pass , Oregon, Idaho, The Idaho

☆ China made so many solar panels that even its own grid can't support all the energy produced
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

China has made a lot of solar panels, dramatically lowering prices and helping the country's clean-energy transition. The problem is that Chinese manufacturers seem to have made too many solar panels, according to the US, the European Union, and their allies. China's facing its own overproduction problem at home following a breakneck pace of growth in solar energy — one key pillar of the country's "new three" economic drivers. Germany's energy prices are under pressure from too much solar energyIt's not just China getting hit by an excess of solar energy. Germany, too, has been producing so much solar energy that energy prices have fallen into negative territory when output peaks.

Persons: They're, Joe Biden, David Fishman Organizations: Service, European Union, Business, Reuters, Bloomberg, West, Longi Green Energy Technology, China Photovoltaic Industry Association, Lantau Group Locations: China, Beijing, overcapacity, Germany, that's

☆ Haley will vote for the Trump ‘chaos’ that she once decried
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Before losing her home state’s primary to Trump earlier this year, Haley lashed out at Republicans who backed Trump despite privately despairing over him. They’re just too afraid to say it out loud.”Now Haley is saying out loud she’s voting for Trump. Haley seeks to preserve her futureThere is every sign that Haley wants to run again for president once Trump finally leaves the stage. Trump has made no effort to appeal to Haley voters during the march to the nomination despite his dire need to court suburban voters. “Rightly or wrongly, chaos follows (Trump),” Haley complained at almost every event.

Persons: Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, ”, couldn’t, Joe Biden, “, ” Haley, Haley, Trump, Biden, —, They’re, Ted Cruz, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, I’m, Cruz, There’s, Liz Cheney, repudiating, John Bolton, ” Bolton, CNN’s Wolf, Haley –, Ron DeSantis, “ There’s, they’d, Ronald Reagan’s, Bush, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, “ Trump, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Tapper, Putin Organizations: CNN, South, Trump, United Nations, president’s, Harvard Law School, Democrats, Wyoming, GOP, Vermont, Florida Gov, Republicans, Hudson Institute, Republican, freeloading, NATO, Hampshire Locations: South Carolina, Texas, Washington, Florida, Iowa, Georgia, New Hampshire, Russian, North Korean, Europe, Asia, United States, Columbia , South Carolina

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

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

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

☆ Biden is struggling in Nevada. His economic messaging in the key swing state will be one of the biggest tests of his 2024 campaign.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The last GOP presidential nominee to win Nevada was George W. Bush in November 2004 — nearly 20 years ago. Biden will have to work hard to address some of the top concerns of Nevada voters: inflation, housing affordability, and health care. A plurality of Nevada voters (22%) listed the economy as their top issue, and a whopping 82% of voters said that the economy was "only fair" or "poor." Only 17% of Nevada voters rated the economy as "good" or "excellent." And by a 61% to 32% margin, Nevada voters believe Trump would be better at handling the economy.

Persons: —, Sen, Harry Reid, Barack Obama's, Catherine Cortez Masto's, Joe Biden's, Biden, Donald Trump, George W, Bush, Hillary Clinton, Trump, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Jill Stein, plummets, Stein, Kamala Harris Organizations: Service, Democratic Party, Business, Nevada, Vegas, Biden, GOP, Trump, New York Times, Siena College, Green Party, —, Safer Communities Locations: Nevada, Las Vegas, Reno, Siena

☆ Opinion: Iran’s president is dead. The cruel show goes on
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

She is a weekly opinion contributor to CNN, a contributing columnist to The Washington Post and senior columnist for World Politics Review. Expect clerics and security forces – the military and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – to compete to see who can gain the upper hand, with hardliners in both groups seeking to position themselves for dominance. The chance of a kinder, gentler Iran emerging after new presidential elections are held in 50 days are essentially nil. He won, but most voters spoiled their ballots or stayed home, with the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history. Now Raisi is dead and the odds are that he will be replaced by another hardliner.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Ebrahim Raisi, Raisi, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, –, Ali Khamenei, Khamenei acolyte, ”, Mahsa Amini, ” Raisi Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Islamic, Ukraine, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Army, Amnesty International, Green Movement, US Locations: Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Damascus, Russia, China, North Korea, Tehran, Saudi Arabia

☆ Biden to deliver Morehouse graduation speech amid concerns from faculty and students
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Nnamdi Egwuonwu | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

"We as students, faculty and alums who are standing on the right side of history do not stand with Biden," said another Morehouse student, sophomore Anwar Karim. Most recently, Morehouse faculty were split over the decision to award Biden an honorary doctorate degree at the ceremony. Divisions on campus led to at least three meetings between Morehouse President David Thomas and students and faculty. That sentiment was shared by other Morehouse students critical of Biden's visit. But still, Biden's Morehouse visit will come amid a concerted effort by his administration and campaign this week to sharpen his message to Black voters.

Persons: Joe Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre, Biden, He's, Jean, Pierre said, Court's Brown, Morehouse, Stephane Dunn, Calvin Bell, alums, Anwar Karim, he's, David Thomas, Thomas, Karim, Steve Benjamin, Benjamin, Trump, Malik Poole, Biden's Morehouse, Brown, Kamala Harris, Dunn Organizations: U.S, White, Morehouse College, NBC News, Education, Morehouse, Israel, CNN, House, Office, Public, Black, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Saturday, NAACP, Fund, Biden Locations: Israel, Washington , U.S, Gaza, Georgia, Detroit

☆ Biden confronts 2024 weak spots with young, Black voters at Morehouse commencement
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. President Joe Biden addresses Morehouse College graduates during a commencement ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., May 19. Biden's commencement address at Morehouse comes as recent polling has showed Black voters, especially young ones, have weakening enthusiasm for the president. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump's support from Black voters has increased by 9 percentage points. But Biden still has the majority of support among Black voters, at 69% vs. Trump's 18%. Vice President Kamala Harris has spent years reaching out to Black voters over the course of Biden's first term.

Persons: Joe Biden, Morehouse, Donald Trump's, Biden, Biden's, Sebastian Gordon, Kamala Harris, Wally Adeyemo, Steven Horsford, Harris, Adeyemo Organizations: Morehouse College, Morehouse, Black, NBC, NBC News, White House, Georgia, NAACP, state's Democratic, Biden Locations: Atlanta , Georgia, U.S, Gaza, Black, Atlanta, Israel, Detroit, Nevada, Wisconsin

☆ Women are worried about their financial security. That may affect the 2024 presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Hannah Beier | ReutersOlder women are the largest bloc of swing voters — and the biggest concern they have heading into the November election is their financial security, according to the AARP. Gender pay gap leads to retirement income gapNotably, younger women share many of those same retirement concerns, according to recent research from the National Institute on Retirement Security, or NIRS. Women tend to have greater financial concerns about retirement compared with men, according to Tyler Bond, research director at NIRS. "There's still a persistent gender pay gap, which translates into a retirement income gap," Bond said. "In fact, the pay gap and the retirement income gap are almost exactly the same, which is what you would expect, because retirement income is basically a reflection of what you earn while working," he said.

Persons: Hannah Beier, —, Margie Omero, GBAO, Omero, Tyler Bond, Bond, We've Organizations: Rockledge, Reuters, AARP, Democratic, National Institute on Retirement Security Locations: Pennsylvania, Rockledge , Pennsylvania

☆ Meta slapped with child safety probe under sweeping EU tech law
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on January 31, 2024 in Washington, DC. Facebook parent company Meta on Thursday was hit with a major investigation from the European Union into alleged breaches of the bloc's strict online content law over child safety risks. The Commission added that it is concerned about age verifications on Meta's platforms, as well as privacy risks linked to the company's recommendation algorithms. "This is a challenge the whole industry is facing, and we look forward to sharing details of our work with the European Commission." The EU said it will carry out an in-depth investigation into Meta's child protection measures "as a matter of priority."

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, Thierry Breton Organizations: Dirksen, Facebook, Meta, European Union, European Commission, CNBC Locations: Washington ,

☆ Meta’s Facebook and Instagram probed over fears they may be too addictive for children
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —The European Union is worried that Meta is failing to protect children on its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, and has launched a formal investigation that could result in a hefty fine. The probe is the latest evidence that regulators are increasingly focussing on the harmful impact of Meta’s platforms — and other social media — on young users, including by encouraging addictive behavior. The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, will consider whether Meta (META) has complied with its obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA), the bloc’s sweeping new law for online platforms. The legislation requires online platforms to put in place measures to protect children, including by preventing them from accessing inappropriate content and ensuring a high level of privacy and safety. The European Commission is concerned that Facebook’s and Instagram’s online interfaces “may exploit the weaknesses and inexperience of minors and cause addictive behavior,” it said in a statement Thursday.

Persons: Meta, Thierry Breton, ” Meta Organizations: London CNN, Facebook, European Commission, Digital Services, European, Meta, CNN, New Locations: New Mexico, Gaza

☆ E.U. Investigates Meta Over Addictive Social Media Effects on Children
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Adam Satariano | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

regulators could ultimately fine Meta up to 6 percent of its global revenue, which was $135 billion last year, as well force other product changes. The investigations are part of a growing effort by governments around the world to rein in services like Instagram and TikTok to protect minors. Meta has for years faced criticism that its products and recommendation algorithms are fine-tuned to hook children. In October, three dozen states in the United States sued Meta for using “psychologically manipulative product features” to lure children, in violation of consumer protection laws. People younger than 13 are not supposed to able to sign up for an account, but E.U.

Persons: Meta Organizations: Facebook, European Commission, United, Meta, Digital Services Locations: United States

☆ Calls to Pause Slovakia’s E.U. Election Campaigning Raise Questions
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Matina Stevis-Gridneff | More About Matina Stevis-Gridneff | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Calls are growing in Slovakia for political parties to suspend campaigning for the European Union elections, just three weeks away, in the wake of the assassination attempt on the prime minister in the sharply polarized country. The president-elect of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini, and others say the step is necessary to avoid further inflammatory political discourse, which has escalated further since the shooting that left Prime Minister Robert Fico badly wounded. At least one party, the opposition Progress Slovakia party, said it would immediately suspend its campaign, to help “end the spiral of attacks and blame.”The local news media reported that another party, the Christian Democratic Movement, had also paused campaigning. It is not clear how long such suspensions would last or what that would mean for Slovakia’s participation in the E.U. Voters across the European Union will elect 720 European Parliament representatives, with polling scheduled to take place in all 27 of the bloc’s members from June 6 to 9.

Persons: Peter Pellegrini, Robert Fico Organizations: European Union, Slovakia, Christian Democratic Movement Locations: Slovakia

☆ The impact of Instagram and Facebook on kids is under scrutiny once more
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The EU is investigating Meta over concerns its platforms are fueling addiction among minors. It comes as Meta faces growing legal pressure in the US over the impact of its platforms on kids. AdvertisementMeta is facing more questions over whether it's doing enough to protect kids on Facebook and Instagram. The European Commission, the bloc's regulatory body, said it would also investigate whether Meta's age-verification tools are stopping minors from accessing inappropriate content. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Regulators, Service, Meta, Facebook, EU, European Commission, Business

☆ Chuck Schumer and bipartisan group of senators unveil plan to control AI – while investing billions of dollars in it
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

It also instructs multiple Senate committees to come up with guardrails for AI to address some of its biggest risks, such as AI-enabled discrimination, job displacement and election interference. “Harnessing the potential of AI demands an all-hands-on-deck approach and that’s exactly what our bipartisan AI working group has been leading,” Schumer said Wednesday. “This roadmap represents the most comprehensive and impactful bipartisan recommendations on artificial intelligence ever issued by the legislative branch,” Young said Wednesday. Schumer has described regulating artificial intelligence as a challenge for Congress unlike any other, vowing a swift timeline measured in months, not years. But policy analysts, and some congressional aides, doubt whether Congress can pass significant legislation regulating AI in an election year.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Schumer, ” Schumer, New Mexico Democratic Sen, Martin Heinrich, Republican Sens, Mike Rounds, Todd Young, ” Young, ” Organizations: CNN, European Union, National Security, Artificial Intelligence, New, New Mexico Democratic, Republican, South, Todd Young of Indiana, EU Locations: New York, New Mexico, South Dakota

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