DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

CNN —Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released from detention on Sunday, having served six months in prison following his return to the kingdom after more than 15 years in self-imposed exile. His jail sentence was later reduced to one year after he submitted a request for a royal pardon. His release from prison reintroduces a towering and divisive figure to Thailand at a tense political time. Wearing a neck collar and arm sling, the former prime minister was seen leaving the Police General Hospital in Bangkok on Sunday in a black van alongside his daughters, Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Pintongta Shinawatra. He returned to his residence in Bangkok where a handwritten banner had been hung on the gate welcoming him home.

Persons: CNN —, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pintongta Shinawatra Organizations: CNN, Thai Corrections Department, Police, Hospital Locations: Thailand, Bangkok

☆ Nvidia earnings, Fed minutes on deck next week as Wall Street assesses interest rate outlook
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S & P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite each snapped a five-week advance. On average, market strategists on Wall Street anticipate the S & P 500 will end the year at 4,936, according to a CNBC survey . The equal-weighted S & P 500 index is up just 1.7% in 2024, trailing far behind the market-cap weighted benchmark. Initial Claims (02/17) 9:45 a.m. PMI Composite preliminary (February) 9:45 a.m. S & P PMI Manufacturing preliminary (February) 9:45 a.m. S & P PMI Services preliminary (February) 10 a.m. Existing Homes Sales (January) Earnings: Booking Holdings , Live Nation Entertainment , Intuit , Edison International , Dominion Energy , Moderna , PG & E , Keurig Dr. Pepper Friday, February 23, 2024 Earnings: Warner Bros.

Persons: chipmaker, Ayako Yoshioka, Yoshioka, Jerome Powell, Josh Emanuel, everybody's, Emanuel, Russell, They're, Chris Chen, Chen, Dr, Pepper, Nick Wells, Kif Leswing Organizations: Nvidia, CNBC, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Investor, Treasury, Wilshire Associates, American Association of, Insight Financial, Walmart, Home, Alto Networks, Diamondback Energy, Caesars Entertainment, Marathon, Devices, Chicago, PMI, Holdings, Nation Entertainment, Intuit, Edison International, Dominion Energy, Moderna, Warner Bros Locations: U.S, Santa Monica, Calif

BANGKOK (AP) — Two Chinese fishermen have drowned while being chased by Taiwan's Coast Guard off the coast of Taiwan's Kinmen archipelago, the coast guard said Wednesday. The deaths are unusual despite the level of Chinese activity in the waters near Kinmen, which is closer to China than it is to Taiwan’s main island. The unnamed Chinese vessel had been trespassing Wednesday afternoon by sailing about one nautical mile off the coast of an islet of Kinmen island, Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration said in a statement. The Chinese vessel attempted to flee but capsized. The Coast Guard said the fishermen’s families were being contacted via official channels.

Persons: Chen Jien Organizations: Taiwan's Coast Guard, Coast Guard Administration, Coast Guard Locations: BANGKOK, Taiwan's, Kinmen, China, Taiwan, Xiamen

☆ Indonesia election: Early polls point to victory for ex-army strongman leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Heather Chen | Angus Watson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A former army general is on course to win Indonesia’s election, securing the majority of votes needed for an outright victory, early unofficial results showed. Popular former governor Anies Beswadan was running second with fewer than 22% of the votes, with rival Ganjar Pranowo in third, according to the unofficial early count. CNN cannot independently verify the early polls, though counts by reputable thinktanks have proved accurate during previous elections. Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country and home to the world’s largest Muslim population. More than 200 million people across 38 provinces were expected to cast their votes on Wednesday, in what was billed as the world’s biggest single-day election.

Persons: CNN —, Prabowo Subianto, Anies Beswadan, Ganjar Pranowo, Joko Widodo, Jokowi’s, Gibran Rakabuming Raka Organizations: CNN Locations: Indonesia, United States

☆ Mortgage rates surge higher again, causing homebuyers to pull back
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

After a brief reprieve in December and January, mortgage rates are moving higher again, and that is taking its toll on mortgage demand. Total mortgage application volume fell 2.3% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. "That's because mortgage rates are climbing again and winter weather has been harsher than usual in much of the country, keeping some house hunters at home." Mortgage rates surged even higher Tuesday after a government report on inflation showed it was still stubbornly higher than expected. "The bond market (which underlies mortgage rates) reacted immediately and forcefully when the numbers came out.

Persons: Joel Kan, Chen Zhao, Bonds, Matthew Graham Organizations: Mortgage, Mortgage News Locations: Pico Rivera , California, Redfin

☆ Israeli hostage families to file war crimes complaint against Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The complaint, spearheaded by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, calls for the ICC to prosecute Hamas’s leaders for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity over the killing, kidnapping and sexual violence carried out during the October 7 terrorist attack. The ICC’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan is already investigating potential war crimes committed by both Hamas and Israel since October 7, but has yet to file any charges. For many of the families, lodging the complaint is about accountability as well as their latest effort to call attention to the captivity of their loved ones. This situation cannot go on anymore.”CNN was the only US news outlet to travel with the hostage families from Israel to the Netherlands. “We hope we’ll start some action against those terrorists,” said Moran Ben Ishay, the daughter of 80-year-old hostage Gadi Moses.

Persons: The Netherlands CNN —, Karim Khan, –, ”, Hagit Chen, Itay Chen, Moran Ben Ishay, Gadi Moses, “, ” “ Organizations: The Netherlands CNN, Criminal Court, ICC, El, CNN Locations: Hague, The Netherlands, Dutch, The, Israel, Netherlands, Rome, Gaza, of Palestine, Cairo

☆ Wanted: True Love. Reward: $100,000.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Angela Chen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Though he halfheartedly tried dating apps, and would have welcomed a relationship if it developed naturally, pursuing love didn’t seem worth the effort. But as Mr. Roy entered his 30s, his priorities began to shift. He spent a long time ruminating over the ethics of having children, then decided that he wanted some of his own. In December 2021, Mr. Roy put together an online dating bio, otherwise known as a “date-me doc,” and encouraged people to share it online. (Mr. Roy chose that wording so it wouldn’t rule out adoption.)

Persons: halfheartedly, Roy Locations: Mati

☆ Indonesia election: Over 200 million will head to the polls across vast nation in world’s biggest election day
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —More than 200 million eligible voters will head to the polls in Indonesia on Wednesday, in what is billed as the world’s biggest single-day election. Mascots depicting presidential candidate and Indonesia's Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto (L) and vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka (R) in an election event on February 5, 2024. He has strong links with Islamic political groups, and his vice-presidential pick, Muhaimin Iskandar, is the leader of Indonesia’s largest Muslim political party, the National Awakening Party. A presidential candidate needs a simple majority of at least 50% of total votes and 20% of votes in more than half of the country’s 38 provinces to win. The use and abuse of AIWith more than 210 million Internet users, Indonesia boasts one of the world’s largest digital populations.

Persons: Suharto’s, Prabowo Subianto, he’s, Suharto, ” Kenneth Roth, Ganjar, Mahfud, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Adek Berry, Anies Baswedan, Muhaimin Iskandar, Anies, –, Basuki Tjahaja, Joko Widodo, Jokowi, Prabowo, Gibran, Jokowi’s, ”, Adrian Vickers, Vickers, “, Yusof, Maria Monica Wihardja, ” Wihardja, Sayyidatiihayaa, Satya Bumi, ” Sayyidatiihayaa, Ulet Ifansasti Organizations: CNN, Human Rights Watch, Princeton University, Indonesian Democratic Party of, Indonesia's Defence, Getty, Former Jakarta, Islamic, National Awakening Party, University of Sydney, Prabowo, Lembaga, Transparency International, Indonesia Locations: Indonesia, United States, Central Java, Jakarta, Indonesia’s, AFP, Chinese, Indonesian, Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, Nusantara, Borneo

☆ AI ‘resurrects’ long dead dictator in murky new era of deepfake electioneering
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“As a member of Golkar, I am very proud of Suharto because he successfully developed Indonesia,” Aksa wrote on X. The Golkar-produced Suharto video was just one of dozens featured in official party campaigns, they said. AI photos made by supporters, have also been used by Ganjar’s party in his campaign. Indonesia’s Communications Ministry issued advisories following several viral AI videos, warning tech companies and voters to be cautious of deepfakes. TAPP (Tim Advokasi Peduli Pemilu), a Jakarta-based nonprofit, said that videos like the Suharto deepfake showed AI’s potential for voter manipulation.

Persons: Suharto, ”, Erwin Aksa, Golkar –, Prabowo Subianto, –, ” Aksa, Golda Benjamin, Ganjar, Darryl Ramadhan, Muhammad Zulfan Dalimunthe, ” Budisatrio, Prabowo’s, Ganjar Pranowo, Anies Baswedan, Anies, ” Anies, TAPP, Tim Advokasi Peduli, Suharto deepfake, Gugum Ridho, Rahmat Pribadi, Suharto Suharto’s, Soe Tjen, Anton Pratama, “, ” Anton Organizations: CNN, Facebook, YouTube, Golkar, Asia Pacific, ”, Gerindra Party, Central Java Gov, Ganjar’s Democratic Party of, Jakarta Gov, Indonesia’s Communications Ministry, Getty, SOAS University of London Locations: Indonesia, Indonesian, Asia, Jakarta, Lubuk Pakam, North Sumatra, AFP, Gugum Ridho Putra, East Timor, Aceh, West Papua, Maluku, Yogyakarta

☆ Women in China Aren't Having Kids. 3 of Them Told Us Why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewWhen it comes to settling down and having children, 26-year-old Bihan Chen views the choice in simple terms: It's a bad investment. Falling birth rates saw China's population shrank in 2022 for the first time since the early 1960s. "When it comes to having children, I don't have a shred of desire, only fear. AdvertisementOthers cited the loss of personal freedom as a key obstacle to having children. Having children remains a deeply personal decision that can't be evaluated by finances alone.

Persons: —, Chen, Emily Huang, Huang, Xi Jinping, Xi, Zhu Zheng, haven't, Dudley L, Poston Jr, Rich, we've, Lanjie Wang, Wang, Collin Meisel, might've, Yi Organizations: Service, Business, Women's Congress, Getty, Texas, M University, Weibo, University of Denver's, Center for International Futures, Publishing, University of Wisconsin, Project Syndicate Locations: China, Beijing, Weibo, Xinhua, Japan, Korea, America, Madison

KINGFISHER, Okla. (AP) — A man was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to killing four workers at an Oklahoma marijuana farm in 2022. As part of a plea agreement, Wu was sentenced to life in prison without parole for each of the murder counts and given a 20-year prison term for the assault charge. Wu, 47, was arrested in Florida two days after the shooting and was later extradited to Oklahoma. Killed in the attack were Quirong Lin, Chen He Chun, Chen He Qiang and Fang Hui Lee, court documents show. “This case should serve as a reminder of the dangers surrounding illegal marijuana activity in Oklahoma,” said Kingfisher County District Attorney Tommy Humphries, according to The Oklahoman.

Persons: Chen Wu, Wu, Wu Chen, Quirong Lin, Chen, Chun, Qiang, Fang Hui Lee, Yi Fei Lin, ”, Tommy Humphries Organizations: Prosecutors, Oklahoma City, Authorities Locations: Oklahoma, Hennessey, Florida, Kingfisher

☆ Weight loss drugs are still hard to find — but Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are trying to change that
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Victoria Klesty | ReutersThe insatiable demand for weight loss drugs is trouncing supply, leaving many patients struggling to find the injectable treatments. The dominant weight loss drugmakers, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly , have said supply woes likely won't go away anytime soon, as the popularity of those medicines continues to soar. Some Wall Street analysts project that the weight loss drug market could be worth $100 billion by the end of the decade. But both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly gave updates on positive supply developments to investors over the last week. Other forms of weight loss drugs could helpAlternative forms of weight loss drugs could also help alleviate supply constraints in the future.

Persons: Victoria Klesty, Eli Lilly, Cantor Fitzgerald, Louise Chen, Nordisk's Wegovy, Eli Lilly's Zepbound, Goldman Sachs, Jeff Friedman, Novo, Mike Segar, Eli, Catalent, Yves Herman Yves Herman, TD Cowen, Michael Nedelcovych, Anat Ashkenazi, Cantor Fitzgerald's Chen, Morgan Stanley, Eli Lilly's, George Frey Organizations: Novo Nordisk, CNBC, Nordisk's, University of Florida, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Roche, Food, Nordisk, Company, FDA, Novo Holdings, Wegovy, REUTERS, Reuters, U.S Locations: Oslo, Norway, Novo, U.S, Branchburg , New Jersey, Brussels, Belgium, Catalent, Concord , North Carolina, North, Germany, Indiana, Denmark, France

☆ Hungary’s president resigns amid uproar over child sex abuse case pardon
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Heather Chen | Pierre Meilhan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Hungarian President Katalin Novak has announced that she is resigning from office following mounting public criticism over her decision to pardon a man implicated in a child sexual abuse case. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the country’s capital Budapest on Friday, calling for Novak to step down. Protesters took to the streets in Hungary this week. Bernadett Szabo/ReutersNovak is a close ally of Hungary’s hardline nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán and was the former family minister. Saturday’s address was her final one as president, less than two years after she took office.

Persons: Katalin Novak, “, ” Novak, ”, Novak, Pope Francis –, Protesters, Bernadett Szabo, Viktor Orbán Organizations: CNN, Reuters Locations: Budapest, Doha, Hungarian, Hungary

☆ Pakistan releases official election results, independents affiliated with Khan’s PTI secure most seats
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Heather Chen | Sophia Saifi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Pakistan’s official election results were announced by the election commission on Sunday, with independent candidates affiliated with former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party securing the most seats in parliament. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, independent candidates won 102 seats. The majority of the independents are affiliated with Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz party (PMLN), headed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, came in second with 73 seats, and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) won 54 seats. The PTI party has called on party workers and supporters to hold protests on Sunday outside polling offices in constituencies where party members say election results were “withheld and delayed.”The capital Islamabad has imposed Section 144, allowing police to take legal action against any illegal assemblies and activities.

Persons: CNN —, Imran Khan’s, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Nawaz Sharif Organizations: CNN, Pakistan Muslim League, Pakistan People’s Party, PTI Locations: Imran Khan’s Pakistan, Pakistan, Islamabad

The attack took place at the General Gordon military base in Mogadishu on Saturday night, the ministry said. UAE personnel had been training soldiers from the Somali Armed Forces as part of an agreement between the UAE and Somalia, the ministry said. A UAE army officer told Reuters that the gunman was a newly trained Somali soldier. “The soldier opened fire on UAE trainers and Somali military officials when they started praying,” the official said. “We understand the soldier had defected from al-Shabaab before he was recruited as a soldier by Somalia and UAE,” the UAE army official said.

Persons: Gordon, “, Shabaab, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Organizations: CNN, United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, Bahrain Defense Force, UAE, Somali Armed Forces, Reuters, ”, UN Security Locations: Mogadishu, UAE, Somalia, Somali, Andalus, al, Shabaab

☆ Coldplay has a request: They really, really want to play in China
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

He really, really wants to play in China. “I promise we’ll play in China one day,” Martin said to the screaming crowd when he invited two lucky fans up on stage. “You know, we can’t get the permission (to play in China),” he told concertgoers. Chris Martin and Coldplay aren’t alone in wanting to serenade mainland Chinese audiences. Chinese authorities have also been known to vet the content of shows, including setlists and lyrics.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Coldplay, Chris Martin, “, ” Martin, don’t, Coldplay, ”, Martin, concertgoers, “ Coldplay, China …, Paul Kane, Coldplay aren’t, Jon Bon Jovi, Jovi, Bon Jovi’s, Lama, Xi Jinping, –, Xi, Golshifteh Farahani, “ Young, Bjork, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry's, Sam Yeh, Katy Perry, Madonna, James Hetfield, we’re Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, Coldplay, Tourism Ministry, Oasis, Communist Party, China’s Communist Party, Tibet, Municipal, of Culture, Getty, Taiwan, Chinese Culture Ministry, South China Morning Locations: Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Guangzhou, British, Asia, Tokyo, –, Beijing, Shanghai, Macao, Covid, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Worth, Iranian, Buenos Aires, Iran, Taipei, AFP, Taiwan

☆ Chinese zodiac fortune predictions for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Maggie Hiufu Wong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe StockMonkeys are going to have a relatively stable year. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock“This year, you may have to work a bit harder and work longer hours than usual. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock“It isn’t the worst year but there are going to be some challenges. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe Stock“According to ancient Chinese philosophy, Tigers and Dragons have a complicated relationship. Natalie Leung/CNN, Adobe StockAll you Rabbits can give yourself a pat on the back.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, There’s, ”, Chen, “, Thierry Chow, CNN Chow, floristry, “ It’s, Chow, Xuan, Duke, Jupiter, Stringer, VCG, Zhang Yu, Ulet Ifansasti, Johanes, NurPhoto, Zhang Cheng, Wu Wenjun, Axel Miranda, Tai Sui –, Tai Sui, Natalie Leung, Ben Ming Nian, “ Let’s, Ben Ming, “ You’ll, Ma Xing, –, it’s, It’s, there’s, ” Chow, Xing Tai Sui Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, Shui, China News Service, Spring, Reuters Workers, Adobe, Adobe Stock, Adobe Stock People, ”, Roosters, Tiger Tigers, Dragons, Tigers Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, Xuan Kong, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China, Beijing, Solo City, Indonesia, Dharmayana, Bali , Indonesia, Guangzhou, China's, Guangdong Province, Barcelona, Spain, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province

☆ Why millennials' retirement outlook may be worse than older generations
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

'Deteriorating' retirement outlookAbout 38% of early millennials (those born in the 1980s) will have "inadequate" retirement income at age 70, according to projections from a 2022 Urban Institute study. watch now"We do see the retirement outlook deteriorating for future generations," including millennials, said Richard Johnson, director of Urban's retirement policy program and co-author of the report. Millennials' student loans dent their net worthA 2021 paper by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College had similar findings. Meanwhile, the last major Social Security overhaul, in 1983, gradually raised the program's "full retirement age" to 67 years old. That will make it easier to save for retirement, according to a Brookings Institution report.

Persons: Jamie Grill, Craig Copeland, Gen X, Xers, Richard Johnson, Johnson, aren't, Millennials, Gen Xers, CRR, X, EBRI, Anqi Chen, Copeland, millennials, they're, William Gale, Hilary Gelfond, Jason Fichtner, there's, Sean Deviney, Deviney Organizations: Social Security, Research Institute, Urban, Center for Retirement Research, Boston College, Research, Transamerica Center, Retirement Studies, Finance, IRA, Pensions, Social, Center, Budget, Brookings Institution, Vanguard Group Locations: U.S, Fort Lauderdale , Florida

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Chang Yani topped teammate Chen Yiwen on the 3-meter springboard Friday, giving the powerhouse Chinese team its eighth diving gold medal of the World Aquatics Championships. Beginning with their emergence in 1984, the Chinese have won 47 of 72 diving gold medals. Since the Olympic program doubled from four to eight events in 2000, they have been even more dominant — 38 gold medals in 48 events. One thing the Chinese haven't done is take the top spot in all eight diving events at a single Olympics. The final two diving events will be held Saturday at the Hamad Aquatic Centre.

Persons: — Chang Yani, Chen Yiwen, Chen, Chang, Kim Suji, Maddison Keeney, Sarah Bacon, They've, —, ___ Organizations: United States, Olympics, Los Angeles Games, China, Doha —, Tokyo Games, Hamad Aquatic, Japan Locations: DOHA, Qatar, Australia, China, Doha, Paris, Olympic, United States

☆ Global investors are 'clearly' underinvested in China, KraneShares says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | 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 EmailGlobal investors are 'clearly' underinvested in China, KraneShares saysXiaolin Chen, head of international at KraneShares, discusses the key factors behind investor sentiment on China.

Persons: KraneShares, Xiaolin Chen Organizations: Email Global, KraneShares Locations: China

☆ Robert De Niro opens up about being a father at 80
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Amarachi Orie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Actor Robert De Niro has opened up about the “joy” of new fatherhood after welcoming his seventh child last year. The Oscar-winning actor and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen welcomed daughter Gia in April. In 1995, he welcomed twin sons, Aaron and Julian, with his then-girlfriend, Toukie Smith. De Niro was also previously married to Grace Hightower before they split in 2018, and the pair are parents to son Elliot and daughter Helen Grace. Talking about Gia, De Niro said, “The kids all get a big kick out of her.”“The grandkids even,” he continued.

Persons: Robert De Niro, Tiffany Chen, Gia, “, it’s, ”, Diahnne Abbott, Raphael, Aaron, Julian, Toukie Smith, De Niro, Grace Hightower, Elliot, Helen Grace, —, William Hale, Martin Scorsese’s, Lily Gladstone, Lily Organizations: CNN

☆ Signs of Rare Unrest Among North Korean Workers in China, Researchers Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

By Ju-min ParkSEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's intelligence agency says poor conditions for North Koreans working overseas have led to "incidents and accidents", while researchers report rare protests and unrest in China among workers from a North Korean military-linked trading company. Fed up with unpaid wages and lingering pandemic lockdowns, as many as 3,000 North Korean workers in China staged protests last month, according to two South Korean government-affiliated researchers, including a former North Korean diplomat. The North Korean embassy in Beijing and its consular office in the Chinese border city of Dandong did not respond to calls from Reuters seeking comment. South Korea's unification ministry said in a report last year that China and Russia were hosting North Korean workers despite the sanctions. That's not easy now, given the North Korean regime wants to keep them in China to raise money for the government."

Persons: Cho Han, Cho, Ko Young, Ko, Jimin Jung, Josh Smith, Eduardo Baptista, Antoni Slodkowski, Laurie Chen, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, . State, Korea Institute for National, South, Korea's National Intelligence Service, Security, Koreans, U.S . State Department, NIS Locations: SEOUL, China, North Korean, Beijing, Dandong, North Koreans, North Korea, Pyongyang, Korean, Helong, Jilin province, Jilin, Russia, Seoul

☆ Vision Pro Review: Apple’s First Headset Lacks Polish and Purpose
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Brian X. Chen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

About 17 years ago, Steve Jobs took the stage at a San Francisco convention center and said he was introducing three products: an iPod, a phone and an internet browser. “This is one device, and we are calling it iPhone.”At $500, the first iPhone was relatively expensive, but I was eager to dump my mediocre Motorola flip phone and splurge. There were flaws — including sluggish cellular internet speeds. Over the last week, I’ve had a very different experience with a new first-generation product from Apple: the Vision Pro, a virtual reality headset that resembles a pair of ski goggles. The $3,500 wearable computer, which was released Friday, uses cameras so you can see the outside world while juggling apps and videos.

Persons: Steve Jobs, ”, I’ve Organizations: San, Motorola, Apple Locations: San Francisco

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani of China captured their third straight diving world title in women’s synchronized 3-meter springboard on Wednesday. At the Hamad Aquatic Centre, the synchronized silver went to Australia's Anabelle Smith and Maddison Keeney in 300.45. Chang has now won four synchronized 3-meter world titles, also taking the 2017 championship while partnered with Shi Tingmao. The 30-year-old now has three world championships over her illustrious career, along with gold and silver medals at the Olympics. It was the 16th world medal for Cunha, who has reached the podium in eight straight championships going back to 2011.

Persons: — Chen Yiwen, Chang Yani, Sharon van Rouwendaal, Logan Fontaine of France, Australia's Anabelle Smith, Maddison Keeney, Britain's Scarlett Mew Jensen, Yasmin Harper, Krysta Palmer, Alison Gibson, Chen, Chang, Budapest . Chang, Shi Tingmao, Van Rouwendaal, Chelsea Gubecka, Brazil's Ana Marcela Cunha, Cunha, Fontaine, Marc, Antoine Olivier, Italy’s Domenico Acerenza, Hungary's Kristóf, Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri, ___ Organizations: Doha Old Port, Hamad Aquatic Centre, Olympics, Chelsea, France Locations: DOHA, Qatar, China, Doha, Netherlands, Fukuoka, Budapest ., Perth, Australia

☆ Japanese trading giant Itochu to cut ties with Israeli defense firm over Gaza war
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Juliana Liu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong/Tokyo CNN —One of Japan’s biggest trading firms, Itochu, has decided to end its partnership with a major Israeli defense company due to the war in Gaza. The sprawling conglomerate, best known outside Japan for its Family Mart chain of convenience stores, said its aviation unit will cut ties with Elbit Systems, which bills itself as Israel’s largest defense contractor, by the end of February. Itochu Aviation, Elbit Systems and Nippon Aircraft Supply signed a cooperation agreement in March 2023, months before war broke out between Israel and Gaza. Itochu, which reported revenues of $104 billion in 2023, has faced small-scale, student-led protests in Tokyo against its partnership with Elbit since January. Its Family Mart chain has also been the target of calls for boycotts in Muslim-majority Malaysia over the agreement.

Persons: ”, Itochu, Israel, Tsuyoshi Hachimura, Hachimura, Bezhalel Machlis, Hanako Montgomery, Heather Chen Organizations: Tokyo CNN, Elbit Systems, International Court of Justice, United Nations, Japan’s Foreign Ministry, CNN, ICJ, Israel, Itochu Aviation, Nippon Aircraft Supply, Elbit, Japan’s Defense Ministry, Self - Defense Force, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Hong Kong, Tokyo, Gaza, Japan, Israel, South Africa, Itochu, Malaysia

Search resuls for: "chen"

25 mentions found