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☆ How Regulations Fractured Apple’s App Store
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Tripp Mickle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Since introducing the App Store in 2008, Apple has run it largely the same way across 175 countries, right down to the 30 percent commission it has collected on every app sold. The company calls the result an economic miracle. The store has generated more than $1 trillion in sales, helped create more than seven million jobs and delivered Apple billions of dollars in annual profits. But as the App Store approaches its 16th anniversary, a patchwork of local rules are upending Apple’s authority over it. On Thursday, European Union regulators will begin enforcing the Digital Markets Act, a 2022 law that requires Apple to open iPhones in the bloc to competing app marketplaces and alternative payment systems for in-app sales.

Organizations: Apple, European Union, Digital Markets

Port-au-Prince, Haiti CNN —From above, Haiti’s capital city Port-au-Prince still looks serene, its white-washed homes climbing steep green hills that encircle a glittering bay. Police officers run holding their guns while confronting a gang in Port-au-Prince, Haiti March 1, 2024. Haiti’s gangs were once seen as thuggish instruments for powerful politicians and business elites. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry at the United States International University Africa, in Nairobi on March 1, 2024. Anger toward the government for Haiti’s gangs problem is misplaced, he also said, emphasizing that the government has limited options.

Persons: Toussaint, Prince, Ariel Henry, Haiti’s, “, ”, Jimmy “, Robin Hood, Ralph Tedy Erol, Henry, “ Ariel Henry, Haiti Ulrika Richardson, Kraze Barye, John Bosco, Jeremie, CNN’s, Ariel kraze peyi, Ariel, Jovenel Moise, Guy Philippe, Odric Octina, Johnson Sabin, Shutterstock, Simon Maina, Henry’s, Jean Junior Joseph, –, Leinz Vales, Sean Walker Organizations: Haiti CNN, CNN, Police, United Nations, FBI, Global, Transnational, UN, National Police, Haitian, Canadian Embassy, Catholic, St, Bank, ”, Haitian Environment, Penitentiary, Reuters, Haiti, Caricom, United States International University Africa, Getty, Kenyan, United Nations Security Council, United Locations: Prince, Haiti, Port, Toussaint L’Ouverture, Kenya, New York, Delmas, Cité, Kizito, Jeremie, farmworkers, United States, Canada, It’s, Haitian, West, Nairobi, AFP

☆ Why Australia keeps an arm’s length from South China Sea tensions, even as it draws closer with the Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —When Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressed the Australian Parliament last week there was no mistaking the fighting talk. The Philippines accused China's coast guard of setting up the barrier at the mouth of the disputed fishing ground. That meeting will also be attended by several other nations with territorial disagreements with China – including Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia. Collin Koh, research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said Australia was unlikely to back any tough language at the summit pertaining to the South China Sea or any other hot-button issue. As Bisley put it, “We don’t like what China does, but we’re not going to put ourselves in harm’s way.”

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, ”, Marcos, Rodrigo Duterte, –, Thomas Shoal, David, China’s, Marcos ’, China –, Scott Morrison, Collin Koh, Penny Wong annouced, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Lukas Coch, Susannah Patton, it’s, ” Patton, China’s aggressions, Wang Wenbin, Nick Bisley, Bisley, we’re Organizations: CNN, Maxar, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, China, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Australia, Australian, Partners, Reuters, South China, Southeast Asia, Lowy Institute, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, La Trobe University Locations: Philippines, China, South China, Manila, China’s, Philippine, Scarborough, Scarborough Shoal, Hague, United States, Canberra, Australia, Melbourne, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Beijing, Singapore, South, Penny Wong annouced Canberra, Southeast Asia, Japan, India

☆ In a likely Biden-Trump rematch, voters known as 'double haters' are poised to determine the election. Who are they?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The election could be determined by "double haters," or voters who view both candidates negatively. In 2016, Trump won among "double haters." These voters are often called "double haters," as they'll have to choose between two candidates that they don't like. In 2016, Trump won among "double haters," as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's once-high favorable ratings cratered during the campaign. AdvertisementIn the end, the "double haters" could end up saving Biden's presidency.

Persons: Biden, Trump, —, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, It's, Hillary Clinton's, Biden —, Barack Obama — Organizations: Trump, Service, New York Times, Siena, Biden, Times, Capitol Locations: Siena, Israel

☆ Van Jones: There’s hope and despair in what happened to my home state
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Van Jones | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Many were shocked last year when the Tennessee legislature dramatically expelled state representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson. When I was a legislative intern, the state of Tennessee was controlled by the Democrats and my boss was a man named Jimmy Naifeh. But even in my Southern home state, no opponent tried to score cheap political points based on his Arab background. Left-leaning or moderate Tennesseeans have virtually no say in their state legislature on the political matters that govern their lives. Van Jones, with Justin Pearson and Justin Jones CNNSo even on issues like gun violence — on which a large majority of Tennesseans in both parties would like “red flag” laws — nothing gets done.

Persons: Anderson Cooper ”, Van Jones, Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, Gloria Johnson, Pearson, Jones, —, Jimmy Naifeh, I’m, won’t, Odessa Kelly, Kelly, Matthew Shoaf, Shoaf Organizations: CNN, GOP, Tennessee House, Tennessee Capitol, Tennessee, Democrats, Democratic Party, Tea Party, Republican, Justin Jones CNN, Odessa, Democratic, Congressional District, The, The Tennessee General Assembly Locations: Tennessee, Nashville, Lebanese, American, . Tennessee, Democratic, Tennessee’s, The Tennessee, Odessa, Sumner County

☆ New poll shows Biden losing some of his 2020 voters to Trump and lagging in support among women
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The latest New York Times/Siena College poll shows Trump leading Biden 48%-44% among likely voters. Overall, Trump led Biden among likely voters 48% to 44% in the Times/Siena survey. In the Times/Siena poll, Trump led Biden among women by a 47% to 46% margin among likely voters. In the Times/Siena poll, 50% of likely voters rated the economy as "poor," while only 28% of voters rated it as "good" or "excellent." Among this group, Biden led Trump 47% to 44% among likely voters.

Persons: Trump, Biden, —, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Nikki Haley's, she's Organizations: New York Times, Siena College, Biden, Service, Times, Trump, South Carolina Gov, Democratic, Biden's Locations: Siena, Israel

☆ European markets set for gains ahead of euro zone inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A TV presenter gets ready for the daily reporting from the floor of the German share price index DAX at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, November 15, 2023. LONDON — European markets are set to open higher on Friday to start the new trading month after a winning February, with euro zone inflation data due mid-morning. The European stock index notched an all-time high last month, powered by the 11 GRANOLAS large-cap stocks that made up half of the gains across the entire Stoxx 600. Focus will turn Friday to February's flash euro zone inflation reading, expected at 10 a.m. London time, with economists in a Reuters poll predicting the consumer price index rose 2.5% year on year, down from 2.8% in January. German consumer price inflation on Thursday came in line with forecasts at 2.7% year on year.

Persons: DAX Organizations: LONDON, GSK, Roche, ASML, Nestle, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, L'Oreal, LVMH, AstraZeneca, SAP, Sanofi, Focus, European Central Bank, ECB, Fed Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, London

☆ Europe is having its worst earnings season since the onset of Covid — with little hope of a quick turnaround
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Silvia Amaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

As of Feb. 29 with 313 companies having reported, 50.2% posted a beat, according to a CNBC analysis of FactSet data. This was the smallest percentage of beats — thus the worst earnings season — since the first quarter of 2020 when the pandemic first hit European firms. Share buyback bonanzaSharon Bell, a senior European strategist at Goldman Sachs, told CNBC that she had noticed a new trend for European corporates during this earnings season. "What you have seen is a lot of companies announcing buybacks," she told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" Tuesday. "It is absolutely huge, you've never really seen this before in 20, 30 years, European companies pay dividends, they don't do buybacks," she said.

Persons: —, Edward Stanford, Philippe Ferreira, Kepler Cheuvreux, Sharon Bell, Goldman Sachs, CNBC's, you've, Bell, Ferreira Organizations: CNBC, HSBC, L'Oreal, European Central Bank, Shell, Deutsche Bank, Novo Nordisk, UBS Locations: Triomphe, France, Europe, China, Ukraine, European

CNN —Heavy gunfire has forced flight cancellations at Haiti’s main airport and killed at least four at a police station, as the Caribbean nation grapples with surging gang violence and political instability. Haiti has been gripped by a wave of unrest and gang violence in recent years. A powerful Haitian gang leader said gun fights that broke out across Port-au-Prince on Thursday were aimed at overthrowing Henry’s government, multiple media outlets reported. An attack on Bon Repos Police Station, north of Port-au-Prince, on Thursday left at least four people dead and three wounded, a security source told CNN. The security mission, authorized by the UN, has been seen by the international community as key to contain a full-blow fallout in Haiti.

Persons: Toussaint, “, Laura Masvidal, Jovenel Moise, Ariel Henry, Henry, Jimmy Cherizier, ”, William Ruto, Antony Blinken Organizations: CNN, American Airlines, Toussaint Louverture, Haitian airline Sunrise Airways, ”, Sunrise Airways, United Nations, UN, Office, CARICOM, Bon Repos Police, Haitian National Police, Multinational, United Nations Security Council, Kenyan, United, Haitian, police Locations: Caribbean, Miami, Port, Haiti, United, Haitian, Kenya, United States

☆ Palestinian factions seek unity at Moscow meeting as Russia vies for greater role in Gaza war
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Abbas Allawati | Analysis Abbas Al Lawati | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Palestinian factions, some of whom have been at odds for almost two decades, are meeting in Moscow to discuss forming a new government just days after the Palestinian Authority government resigned. Hamas, which is fighting a war with Israel in Gaza that has killed more than 30,000 people in the enclave, is attending the talks, according to Russian media. Analysts say that Hamas joining the PLO would be a significant development, given that it could potentially unify the Palestinian factions and create a consensus cabinet. Despite the PLO’s recognition of Israel, Hamas joining the bloc wouldn’t mean that it would automatically acknowledge it, he added. Moscow had offered to mediate between Hamas and Israel soon after the war started, touting its ties to all regional stakeholders.

Persons: Hussein Hamayel, ”, Khaled Elgindy, Fatah, Riyad al, Maliki, “, Israel, Elgindy, Anna Borshchevskaya, Russia’s, Vladimir Putin “, CNN’s Matog Saleh, Celine Alkhaldi Organizations: CNN, Palestinian Authority, Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO, Fatah, Wednesday, Hamas, Middle East Institute, Washington DC, West Bank, West Bank . PA, Reuters, Washington Institute for Near, West Locations: Moscow, Israel, Gaza, Washington, Oslo, United States, Russia, Policy, Russian, Elgindy

☆ Over 100,000 voters rejected Biden and chose 'uncommitted' in Michigan. Here's how that stacks up against recent Democratic primaries.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewOver 100,000 Michigan voters marked "uncommitted" on their ballots in Tuesday's Democratic primary. AdvertisementTo put Tuesday's results into perspective, it's worth considering recent Democratic primaries in the state. 2012: As President Barack Obama sought reelection, 20,833 voters chose "uncommitted," accounting for 10.7% of the vote. Officials with the Biden campaign have pointed toward this result, given that it's the last time a Democratic president faced an uncompetitive reelection. 2008: The "uncommitted" vote share was far higher this year — 238,168 votes, or 40% overall — because Obama did not appear on the ballot amid a competitive race against Hillary Clinton.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Marianne Williamson, Dean Phillips, Biden, Israel —, Donald Trump's, Barack Obama, uncommitted, Obama, Hillary Clinton, it's, Layla Elabed —, Rashida Tlaib — Organizations: Service, Democratic, Dean Phillips of Minnesota, Biden, Israel, Business, Democratic National Committee, Nevada and, Trump, Clinton, Democratic National Convention, Michigan Locations: Michigan, Nevada, Nevada and South Carolina, Clinton . Michigan, Israel, Chicago, Dearborn, Gaza

☆ Trump, Biden aim to cement dominance in Michigan's presidential primary: Here's what to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A resident votes at an early voting site on February 17, 2024 in Marshall, Michigan. In-person early voting was made available to Michigan resident for the first time today. Republican ex-President Donald Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden on Tuesday expect to notch decisive victories in Michigan's primary elections that will bolster their campaigns heading into Super Tuesday next week. The state's Democratic leaders rescheduled the primary election to take place earlier in the year, in hopes of giving it a greater impact on the presidential race. Early voting ran for nine days, from Feb. 17 through Sunday.

Persons: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Nikki Haley, Haley, Dean Phillips, Biden, Phillips, Rashida Tlaib, Trump Organizations: Republican, Democratic, Super, United, Trump, Dean Phillips of, Rep, Biden Locations: Marshall , Michigan, Michigan, United Nations, South Carolina, Dean Phillips of Minnesota, New Hampshire, Gaza

Paris CNN —French President Emmanuel Macron openly discussed the possibility of sending European troops to Ukraine to help Kyiv win the war against Russia, a potential major escalation to the largest ground war Europe has seen since World War II. Macron did, however, announce that a new coalition would be created to supply Ukraine with medium-range and long-range missiles. Macron pointed out that Western democracies have gradually increased their support to levels unthinkable when the war began. Macron warned at the start of the summit that Russia would likely attack beyond Ukraine in the coming years, threatening Europe’s collective security. “This is a European war,” Macron said.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Macron, ”, “, Olaf Scholz, ” Scholz, ” Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, ‘, Dmitry Peskov, ” Peskov, Sergey Lavrov, Donald Trump, It’s, Anna Chernova, Vasco Cotovio Organizations: Paris CNN —, Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Republicans, CNN, European Union, Kremlin, EU Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Europe, Hungary, Slovakia, Russian, Ukrainian, Washington, Germany, Kyiv, ”, Moscow, “, United Kingdom, EU

☆ What to watch for in the Michigan presidential primaries
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Gregory Krieg | Eric Bradner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“This is not an anti-Biden campaign,” Layla Elabed, a leader of the Listen to Michigan campaign, told CNN. Here’s what to watch for in Michigan:The first ballot test of Biden’s Israel strategyJust how committed are Michigan Democrats to Biden? Republicans opposed an earlier Michigan primary, and it violated Republican National Committee rules limiting which states can hold contests before March 1. After Democrats who control the legislature and the governor’s office moved the Michigan primary to February 27 despite GOP opposition, the RNC and Michigan GOP came up with the hybrid model. Tests for Biden, Trump in key stateThe drama within both the Democratic and Republican contests is playing out in one of the nation’s most important presidential swing states.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Israel –, Health –, Israel, Biden, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, uncommitted, ” Layla Elabed, “, It’s, ”, Nikki Haley, Trump, –, Haley, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu, Abdullah Hammoud, Joe Biden, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, ” Hammoud, Biden –, ” Biden, Seth Meyers, “ We’re, it’s, —, Pete Hoekstra, Kristina Karamo, Hoekstra, Gretchen Whitmer Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Health, Biden, Republican, Trump, South Carolina Gov, Republicans ’, GOP, Michigan Democrats, Gaza’s Ministry of Health, United Nations, White, Dearborn, New York Times, ” Movement, ” CNN, Michigan Republican, Michigan, Republicans, Committee, RNC, Michigan GOP, Democratic, United Auto Workers, Black Locations: Michigan, Gaza, Dearborn, South Carolina, Israel, United States, Trump, — demoting Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin

☆ Sweden clears final hurdle in bid to join NATO after Hungary approves accession
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Joshua Berlinger | Stephanie Halasz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Of the 194 members of parliament who voted, just six rejected Sweden’s accession. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that Sweden will join the alliance now that all allies have approved Sweden’s bid to join. As NATO states, Finland and Sweden will enjoy the protection granted under Article 5 of the treaty that established the alliance – which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack against all. While most NATO members quickly approved Finland and Sweden’s applications, Hungary and Turkey held out for some time. Video Ad Feedback Turkish parliament approves Sweden's NATO membership bid 01:05 - Source: CNNShortly after the Turkish vote, Orban told NATO chief Stoltenberg that his government would also support Swedish membership.

Persons: CNN —, Vladimir Putin, Ulf Kristersson, Viktor Orban, Sweden’s, ” Kristersson, Jens Stoltenberg, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Orban, Stoltenberg, Putin, Luke McGee, Lauren Kent Organizations: CNN, NATO, Stockholm, Swedish, Gripen, “, United, Russia, Ukraine, Union, EU, Sweden’s, Budapest, Kyiv Locations: Budapest, Hungary, Swedish, “ Sweden, Sweden, United States, Atlantic Treaty, Eastern Europe, Russia’s, Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Stockholm, EU, Europe, Israel

☆ Arab American Democrats push for ‘uncommitted’ vote in Michigan primary to send message to Biden about Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Arit John | Dianne Gallagher | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

They drew inspiration from the state’s 2008 Democratic primary, when “uncommitted” came in second place to Hillary Clinton with more than 40% of the vote. “The President is working hard to earn every vote in Michigan,” a Biden campaign spokesperson said in a statement. In recent weeks, the Biden administration has stressed its efforts to get humanitarian aid into Gaza and sharpened its tone toward Israel. Feelings of betrayal and guiltFor many Arab and Muslim Americans in Michigan, the push to vote uncommitted and promote a ceasefire is deeply personal. As she closed her remarks, Seikaly criticized the Biden administration for vetoing the recent UN Security Council ceasefire resolution.

Persons: Michigan CNN — Layla Elabed isn’t, Joe Biden, Biden, she’s, “, Elabed, ”, Rashida Tlaib, ” Elabed, It’s, Andy Levin, Donald Trump, “ uncommitted ”, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Rebecca Cook, ” Lavora Barnes, what’s, ” Barnes, it’s, Abbas Alawieh, Benjamin ] Netanyahu’s, ” Levin, there’s, Netanyahu, Israel, Seikaly, Sylvie Yaacoub, she’d, ” CNN’s Jade Gordon Organizations: Michigan CNN, Palestinian American, Michigan Democrat, Democratic, Wolverine State, Democratic Party, Michigan Rep, Palestinian, Biden, US, Volunteers, Democratic National Committee, Reuters, Michigan Democrats, Trump, Michigan Democratic Party, American, Israel, The New York Times, UN, Muslim, Detroit’s Wayne State University, UN Security, Michigan Locations: Dearborn, Michigan, Gaza, Israel, Wolverine, It’s, Palestinian American, Hamtramck , Michigan, Rafah

☆ Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban lauds new phase with Sweden ahead of vote on its NATO bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Jennifer Hauser | Tara John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said his country had opened a new phase with Sweden during a joint press conference with Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson on Friday as Budapest prepares to ratify Stockholm’s long-delayed NATO bid. Orban, who said last week that the Hungarian Parliament would vote on ratification on Monday, met with Kristersson on Friday and announced at the press conference that Hungary had bought four fighter jets from Sweden. “Being members together in NATO we [will be] able to reconstruct the full trust towards each other,” Orban added later. Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership in 2022 and Finland joined NATO in April 2023 – doubling the alliance’s border with Russia. But Sweden’s bid was mired in challenges.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Ulf Kristersson, Orban, Kristersson, “, ” Orban, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vladimir Putin, Katalin Organizations: CNN, Swedish, Budapest, NATO, Russia, Gripen, Kurdistan Workers ’ Party, European Union Locations: Hungarian, Sweden, Hungary, Ukraine, Finland, Russia, Turkey

☆ FTC fines cybersecurity company Avast $16.5 million for tracking and selling user data
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Jennifer Korn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Cybersecurity software company Avast faces a $16.5 million fine from the Federal Trade Commission after the agency filed a complaint Wednesday accusing the company of selling consumer data to third parties. The FTC says Avast, a firm that promises to protect consumer data from online tracking, has done the opposite, collecting and selling user browsing data without knowledge or consent while simultaneously misleading users. Furthermore, the FTC says Avast told users it would only share information in “anonymous and aggregate form,” though this was not the case. “Because it is intrinsically sensitive, browsing data warrants heightened protection.”The FTC says Avast sold data to a range of over 100 clients, including consulting firms, advertising companies and data brokers. On top of the multi-million dollar fine, Avast is being hit with a ban from the FTC to prohibit the company from selling or licensing data for advertising purposes.

Persons: Avast, Lina Khan, “, ” Khan, “ Avast, ” Samuel Levine, ” Avast Organizations: CNN, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Soviet Bloc, Gen Digital, Avast, Consumer Protection Locations: Czechoslovakia, Tempe , Arizona, Prague, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Czech, FTC’s

☆ U.S. to Impose Sanctions on More Than 500 Russian Targets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Alan Rappeport | More About Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The United States plans to impose sanctions on more than 500 targets on Friday in its response to Russia over the death of the opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny, the largest single package in a flurry of economic restrictions since the country’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago, according to a Treasury Department spokeswoman. It is not clear which sectors or individuals the Biden administration plans to target, a crucial variable in the sanctions’ ultimate expansiveness and effectiveness. The United States has been closely coordinating with Europe in its efforts to cut Russia off from the global economy. This week, the European Union unveiled its 13th tranche of sanctions on Russia, banning nearly 200 people and entities that have been helping Russia procure weapons from traveling or doing business within the bloc. Britain also announced sanctions this week on companies linked to Russia’s ammunition supply chain, as well as on six Russians accused of running the Arctic prison where Mr. Navalny died.

Persons: Aleksei A, Navalny, Biden Organizations: United, Treasury Department, Treasury, State, Biden, Europe, European Union Locations: United States, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Britain

☆ Opinion: Trump’s making America irrelevant to Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( David A. Andelman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

He formerly was a foreign correspondent and bureau chief for The New York Times in Europe and Asia and for CBS News in Paris. CNN —Madeline Albright famously called America the “indispensable nation.” Is former President Donald Trump making America the irrelevant nation? The first steps toward a new direction for such a Europe — without America — are already being taken. Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu/Getty ImagesVon der Leyen has also said that upping European defense production would be a top priority for her second term — not to mention sorting through vastly divergent budgets of the various countries. Still, as a bloc, Europe at about 85 billion euros ($92 billion) has already passed the United States at 66.2 billion euros ($71.6 billion) in total commitments to Ukraine.

Persons: David A, Madeline Albright, Donald Trump, Alexey Navalny’s, Vladimir Putin, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Joe Biden, ” haven’t, Mette Frederiksen, ” Frederiksen, Ursula von der Leyen, Europe’s, Christine Wormuth, Peter, Paul, Kaja Kallas, Dursun, Leyen, Emmanuel Macron’s, Macron, David Lammy, unflinchingly, who’s, ” Kallas, Alar Karis, ” Karis, we’re, Der Spiegel, ” Organizations: CNN, French Legion of, The New York Times, CBS News, Trump, Republicans, NATO, Security, Danish, America, Africa Command, Getty, Germany’s Kiel Institute, US, Union, Munich Security Conference, British, Labour Party, Estonian, Politico Europe, Kremlin, “ Locations: Europe, Asia, Paris, America, Russia, Russian, Ukraine, “, United States, Munich, Berlin, Brussels, Poland, Estonian, Anadolu, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, France, Russia’s, Sweden, Britain, German

☆ Middle East Crisis U.S. Vetoes U.N. Resolution Calling for a Cease-Fire in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Farnaz Fassihi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

But the donations have become the focus of a legal battle after an Israeli credit card company balked at transferring the funds. The campaign portrayed the family as victims of harassment by the Israeli left and emphasized its financial plight since Mr. Levi’s accounts were frozen. Then the nonprofit group that organized it took it down. The campaign to support Mr. Chasdai has raised 114,000 shekels, roughly $31,000, through a separate crowdfunding platform. But the sweeping nature of the U.S. sanctions means that financial institutions would be reluctant to participate in efforts to direct money to Mr. Levi or others, experts said.

Persons: Biden, Yinon Levi, Levi, Levi’s, David Chai Chasdai, Levi —, Britain —, Sapir Levi, Reut Gez, “, Gez, Chasdai, ”, Eliav Lieblich Organizations: West Bank, Cal, Mr, U.S . State Department, ABC News, State Department, Britain, Mount, Mount Hebron Regional Council, Democratic Bloc, Tel Aviv University, “, U.S . Treasury Locations: U.S, Tel Aviv, Israel, Palestinian, Huwara, Israeli, Hebron, Mount Hebron

☆ Middle East escalation fears spike as Houthis launch most damaging attack yet
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the group's responsibility for the attack, calling it their most severe yet. The group claim to support Palestinian civilians amid Israel's retaliatory military campaign in the Gaza Strip. Simultaneously, fighting is raging between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip with no sign of abating despite diplomatic efforts by a number of countries. INTERNATIONAL WATERS RED SEA, YEMEN - NOVEMBER 20: This handout screen grab captured from a video shows Yemen's Houthi fighters' takeover of the Galaxy Leader Cargo in the Red Sea coast off Hudaydah, on November 20, 2023 in the Red Sea, Yemen. EU foreign ministers called in a joint statement for an immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a lasting cease-fire.

Persons: Mohammed Huwais, Yemen's, Yahya Saree, Saree, Charles Myers, CNBC's, Myers, Hungary —, Israel's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, hasn't, Mohammed Abed Organizations: Hamas, Afp, Getty, U.S . Central Command, Global Advisors, SEA, Galaxy Leader Cargo, Handout, Security, Palestinian Locations: Israel, Sanaa, Gaza, Red, Belize, Gulf, Aden, Iranian, Yemen, U.S, Gulf Aden, Rafah, Gaza's, YEMEN, Red Sea, Lebanon, Iran, Beirut, Hungary

☆ Navalny's Widow Joins EU Foreign Ministers as Ukraine War Nears Two-Year Mark
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Gabriela BaczynskaBRUSSELS (Reuters) - The widow of Alexei Navalny, Russian President Vladimir Putin's nemesis who died in an Arctic prison last week, joins EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, days before the two-year mark of Russia's war on Ukraine. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesNavalny, a 47-year-old former lawyer, rose to prominence campaigning against corruption in Putin's Russia. The ministers are due to discuss military support for Ukraine and what would be the European Union's 13th package of sanctions against Moscow since it unleashed a full-scale invasion of its neighbour on Feb.24, 2022. Inside the EU, Germany has blocked replenishing a military fund used to supply Ukraine saying Berlin was contributing too much compared to other members. One senior EU diplomat said they believed it "will be able to make it in time" and agree the new punitive measures for Feb.24.

Persons: Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS, Alexei Navalny, Vladimir Putin's, Yulia Navalnaya, Putin, Josep Borrell, Navalnaya's, Donald Trump, Viktor Orban, Gabriela Baczynska, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Ukraine, Moscow, NATO, Kremlin, EU, Washington Locations: Russian, Brussels, Ukraine, Munich, Israel, Gaza, Russia, Putin's Russia, Siberia, United States, Europe, U.S, EU, Germany, Berlin, Hungary, Budapest, Kyiv, London, Sahel, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mauritania

☆ Russia's war in Ukraine is igniting an old debate in Brussels over debt
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Silvia Amaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Munich, GERMANY — Should we borrow from global markets as one combined entity and raise new debt together? That's the question hanging on the shoulders of EU officials as they promise to spend more on defense amid Russia's onslaught in Ukraine. However, in 2020, the 27 members of the European Union decided that the best way to deal with the financial and extraordinary impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was to jointly raise debt. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said in an interview with Bloomberg that joint bonds would be a good way to boost the bloc's defense capacities. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was also very clear he would not support joint debt at the EU level.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Olaf Scholz, GERMANY —, Alexander de Croo, Kaja Kallas, Christian Lindner, Lindner, Mark Rutte Organizations: European Union, CNBC, Munich Security Conference, Estonian, Bloomberg, Munich Security, Dutch, EU, MSC Locations: Paris, France, Munich, GERMANY, Ukraine, Belgium, Brussels, Russia

LONDON (AP) — The European Union said Monday it is investigating whether TikTok has broken the bloc's strict new digital rules for cleaning up social media and keeping internet users safe. The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, said it has “opened formal proceedings to assess" whether TikTok has breached the Digital Services Act, which took effect last year. The commission is focusing on whether TikTok is doing enough to curb “systemic risks” stemming from its design, including "algorithmic systems" that might stimulate “behavioral addictions." The EU has deemed nearly two dozen of the biggest online and social media platforms including TikTok, as ones that deserve the highest level of scrutiny under the DSA and hefty fines if they fail to comply. The bloc is already investigating Elon Musk’s X, previously known as Twitter, for breaches including failure to curb the spread of illegal content.

Persons: TikTok, ” Thierry Breton, We’ll, Elon Musk’s Organizations: Union, European Commission, Digital Services, DSA, EU

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