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☆ Lamine Yamal scores twice in Barcelona win as Europe’s soccer powerhouses dominate the weekend
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Highlights included a remarkable performance from Barcelona’s wonderkid Lamine Yamal, another hat-trick from Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and a goal for Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé. Spain’s La LigaIf you hadn’t heard of Lamine Yamal before this year, then you definitely should have by now. The 17-year-old is arguably the most exciting emerging talent in world soccer and continued his brilliant form in Barcelona’s 4-1 win against Girona on Sunday. Germany’s BundesligaElsewhere in Europe, former Tottenham star Kane continued his impressive start to the new campaign with yet another hat-trick in a Bayern Munich shirt. Harry Kane scored another hat-trick for Bayern at the weekend.

Persons: Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine, –, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Olmo, Barça, Carlo Ancelotti’s, Ander Gillenea, Mbappé, Vinícius Jr, Kane, Jamal Musiala, Stuart Franklin, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Khvicha, Romelu Lukaku, Alessandro Buongiorno, Antonio Conte’s, Emanuele Perrone, Erling Haaland, agonizingly, Defender Gabriel Organizations: CNN, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Liga, Girona, Sunday, La Liga, Real Sociedad, Getty, Madrid, Sociedad, Germany’s Bundesliga, Tottenham, Bayern, Holstein, Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Reigning, Bayer Leverkusen, Cagliari, Serie A, Inter Milan, Juventus, Napoli, League In England, Manchester City, Brentford, Arsenal, North London Derby, Gunners, City Locations: Europe, Europe’s, La, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real, AFP, Madrid, Bayern Munich, Holstein Kiel, Italy, Napoli, Manchester, Norwegian

☆ Bali considering a ban on new hotels amid overtourism struggles
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The moratorium is part of the government’s bid to reform tourism on Bali, one of Indonesia’s main attractions, to try to boost quality and jobs while preserving the island’s indigenous culture. The governor’s office and Indonesia’s tourism ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday. Luhut has previously said about 200,000 foreigners now live in Bali, contributing to problems such as crime, over-development and competition for jobs. Foreign arrivals in Bali have surged since it re-opened for tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic. There were 541 hotels in Bali last year, the figures show, up from 507 in 2019.

Persons: Hermin, Sang, Mahendra Jaya, Luhut Pandjaitan, Luhut Organizations: Reuters —, Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs, Reuters Locations: Reuters — Indonesia, Bali, Indonesia

“We still don’t know with full certainty what transpired and what happened, and that’s why we are working to get as much information as we can," State Department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said. They called for an independent U.S.-ordered investigation and said an Israeli investigation would not be enough. Patel said that Israel is conducting an investigation and that the State Department expects a formal process for releasing findings. The bodies of six hostages, including Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were recovered in a tunnel under Rafah late last month. In Gaza, local officials have said more than 40,000 people have been killed since Israeli forces launched its offensive in response to the Hamas attacks.

Persons: “, Vedant Patel, ”, Patel, Israel, ” Patel, Philippe Lazzarini, ” Lazzarini, Hersh Goldberg Organizations: West Bank, State Department, Department, University of Washington, International Solidarity Movement, Israeli Defense Forces, Justice Department, Hamas, United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UN Locations: Israel, American, U.S, Seattle, Gaza, East, Rafah

☆ The world’s most remarkable tennis courts
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-06 | by ( Yahya Salem | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But to American photographer and journalist Nick Pachelli, a tennis court is the harmonious union of surface, sound, and spectators, complemented by the natural elements and the inherent intensity of tennis. “Tennis is our only sport where the canvas on which we play can change so dramatically,” Pachelli, a former top junior tennis player himself, told CNN, highlighting each court’s “unique persona,” as he describes in his new photobook, The Tennis Court. During more than 500 days of travel, Pachelli visited over a thousand courts (of the roughly 200 in the book), crisscrossing more than 250 cities and towns in his pursuit of spotlighting the world’s most aesthetic, esteemed, and even idiosyncratic tennis courts. Reached by a few hundred steps, the tennis court at Hotel Il San Pietro Di Positano in Italy is between the cliff face and the pebble beach. The Courts at Borrego Springs in California describe themselves as 'four tennis courts, a clubhouse and a pool in the middle of nowhere."

Persons: Nick Pachelli, ”, Pachelli, Pietro Di Positano, King Richard, “, ” Pachelli Organizations: CNN, Tennis, Hotel, Tennis Clube da Foz, Junior Tennis, Center, ATP, Association of Tennis Professionals, WTA, United States Tennis Association Locations: Italy, Swiss, Cali, Colombia, Yangpyeong, South Korea, Lommerrijk, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Berge, Porto, Portugal, Maryland, United States, Borrego Springs, California, Flushing Meadows , New York

The demonstrations – a regular occurrence – were notable for taking place despite urgent security warnings as Israel braces for a possible strike from Iran. Videos showed protestors waving Israeli flags and holding up signs with images of the Israeli hostages. Of that number, 111 hostages were taken during the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people. “The head of the Mossad did not say that there was a deal ready and that it should be accepted. “While Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to the deal outline, Hamas has been trying to introduce dozens of changes that, de facto, nullify the outline,” the statement said.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Ismail Haniyeh, “ We’re, ”, “, ‘, Netanyahu’s, Yair Lapid, Netanyahu, Gil Cohen, David Barnea, Shin Bet, banged, CNN’s Eugenia Yosef, Larry Organizations: CNN, Hamas, IDF, Minister’s Office, Gaza’s Ministry of Health, United Nations, Israeli Prime, Magen, Getty, ” Locations: Israel, Gaza, Iran, Tehran, Tel Aviv, AFP

☆ Samoan Olympic boxer opens up about continuing to fight after coach died in Paris
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Isabel Yip | Isabel Yip Is An Intern For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

After a tough bout at his first Olympic match, the Samoan boxer reflected on his decision to keep fighting. After the fight, Plodzicki-Faoagali posted a photo of himself on Instagram with a defeated expression and a black eye. In the caption, he reflected on the mental toll of the “tough week” ahead of his Olympic fight. The International Boxing Association shared condolences in a statement and confirmed the death of the Samoan coach ahead of Plodzicki-Faoagali’s fight. Papua New Guinea’s boxing coach Peter Morrison stepped in to support Plodzicki-Faoagali during the fight.

Persons: Faoagali, Lionel Elika Fatupaito, Belgium’s Victor Schelstraete, ”, “, Elika, you’ve, haven’t, Peter Morrison, Schelstraete, Faoagali “, I’m Organizations: International Boxing Association, Pacific Games, Paris, Olympic Games, “, Boxing Association, Team Samoa, Facebook, Reuters Locations: Samoa, Plodzicki, Papua, Paris

☆ Why Americans are snubbing McDonald’s and Starbucks
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —On the surface, it looks like Americans are laying off the Big Macs, booze and even — gasp! On Monday, McDonald’s reported sales fell 0.7% in the US from the same period in 2023. The once reliably cheap McDonald’s pushed its prices up, while sit-down restaurants leaned into value and convenience. Applebee’s, for one, made a direct pitch to the hordes of ticked-off McDonald’s customers who felt the chain had abused its pricing power. Now, McDonald’s is trying to win back poorer customers while appealing to more affluent customers who want something new.

Persons: CNN Business ’, McDonald’s, Johnny Walker, It’s, it’s, they’re, ”, RJ Hottovy, Jonathan Maze, I’m, —, Chili’s, “, Taylor Swift Organizations: CNN Business, New York CNN, Starbucks, Diageo, Restaurant Business, Dine Brands, CNN Locations: New York, United States, North America, Texas, Paris

CNN —At least 30 people have been killed and over 100 injured in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Deir-al Balah, central Gaza, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. The United Nations estimated that about 150,000 people fled Khan Younis on Monday alone, intensifying pressure on meager supplies of food and water, and places to seek shelter. Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza on October 7 after Hamas attacked southern Israel. At least 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others abducted, according to Israeli authorities. Mohammed Salem/ReutersIsraeli military action in Gaza has since killed 39,090 Palestinians and injured another 90,147, according to the Ministry of Health there.

Persons: al, Khalil Al, Khan Younis, “, Ashraf Amra, Bashar Taleb, Israel, Khan Yunis, ”, Mawasi, Mohammed Salem, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Kamala Harris, Harris Organizations: CNN, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Palestinian Civil Defense, Israel Defense Forces, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Palestinian, United Nations, Reuters, Ministry of Health, UN ., UN Relief and Works Agency, Democratic Locations: Deir, Gaza, Al, Aqsa, Khan, Israel, al, Deir al, Deir el, Rome, Washington

☆ The Triumphant Comeback of the Kamala Harris Meme
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Amanda Hess | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Kamala Harris is a highly memeable presidential candidate. Videos of Harris dancing at campaign events were labeled “cringe.” The stickiest anti-Kamala meme of the 2020 election — that the former prosecutor Harris “is a cop” — united leftists, Black Twitter and Republican trolls in an internet-wide project of framing Harris as either a reactionary or a hypocrite. Since President Biden bowed out of the race and threw his support to Harris, the familiar old Kamala memes have risen again. Her dance moves have been set to Charli XCX songs and filtered through Charli’s lime-green “Brat”-era branding, bathing Harris in her chill hot-mess pop star glow. Even “Kamala Harris is a cop” has been reclaimed, with an exaggerated wink, by supporters eager to fashion it into a winning general-election pitch.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Harris, ”, Harris “, —, Black, Biden, Kamala, Charli, “ Kamala Harris Organizations: Republican YouTube, Black Twitter

☆ Shiite Muslims mark holy day of Ashura with mourning and self-flagellation
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Shiite Muslims across the globe on Tuesday observed Ashura, an annual commemoration mourning the seventh-century martyrdom of a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. Ashura, or “the 10th day,” falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. Shiite Muslim devotees self-flagellate during Ashura rituals in New Delhi, India. Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu/Getty ImagesA Shiite Muslim self-flagellates with curved knives on chains during an Ashura procession in Bengaluru, India. Bikas Das/APA "zuljanah," an ornately decorated horse representing Hussein's battle stallion, parades through the streets of Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Persons: Prophet Mohammed, Imam Hussein bin Ali’s, –, ”, Kabir Jhangiani, Saurabh, Imam Hussein, Haidar Mohammed Ali, Idrees Mohammed, Bikas Das, Yawar Nazir, Ameer Al, Ahmad Al, Nasir Kachroo Organizations: CNN, Anadolu, Getty Locations: Karbala, Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, India, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Nasiriyah, Bengaluru, AFP, Kolkata, Srinagar, Indian, Kashmir, Sadr City, Baghdad, Sopore

☆ Inspired by Muhammad Ali, meet the judo star who fled civil war conscription in Syria and will now compete at the Paris Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Rory Fleming | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

“He was someone who stood up and said ‘no.’ To have that sort of strength was something that inspired me,” says Adnan Khankan ahead of his Olympic judo debut in Paris later this month. Ed Kolenovsky/APConscription into the Syrian Army“I didn’t see it as my war, how could it be when it was Syrian people killing other Syrian people? The Syrian Civil War, which initially broke out in 2011, is now considered the biggest humanitarian crisis since World War II. Michael Kappeler/picture-alliance/dpa/AP“It really motivated me when I found out about the existence of a refugee team,” said Khankan. Adnan Khankan“The refugee team speak different languages, are different ethnicities, come from different cultures, but we are all one team competing together.

Persons: CNN — It’s, Muhammad Ali, Brown, ”, Ali, Adnan Khankan, Khankan, Bashar al, spiralled, ” Khankan, Ed Kolenovsky, Bashar Al, Assad, Diaa Al, “, ” Adnan Khankan, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Mardini, Yusra Mardini, Michael Kappeler, Marius Vizer, Adnan, “ Adnan, Vizer, Adnan Khankan “, I’ve Organizations: CNN, International Olympic Committee, Syrian Army, CNN Sport, Al, Free Syrian Army, Reuters, taekwondo, Getty, Rio Olympics, IOC, Rio, Tokyo, Japan, Judo, International Judo Federation, UNHCR, “, Olympic Locations: Vietnam, America, Paris, Cologne, Germany, Damascus, Syria, Houston, Arbeen, Ghouta, Tashkent, AFP, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Hungarian, Cairo, Tokyo, Europe, Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, East, Africa, Iran, Afghanistan, Cuba

☆ Mali junta lifts suspension on political party activities
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Reuters —Mali’s military junta has lifted a suspension on political party activities meant to safeguard public order, the council of ministers said late on Wednesday. “By taking this deterrent measure, the government was able to contain all the threats of public disorder that hung over this major event,” the council said in a statement. Given the focus was now on implementing the recommendations of the April 13-May 10 peace dialogue, the government will allow political parties to resume their activities, it said. Mali’s junta, which seized power in a second coup in 2021, reneged on a promise to hold elections in February, postponing the vote indefinitely for technical reasons. Political parties and civil society groups at the time reacted with anger to the junta’s decision not to hold the vote and called for a return to constitutional order.

Persons: Reuters — Organizations: Reuters, “, Islamic Locations: West, Central Africa, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, al Qaeda, Islamic State

☆ Miss AI crowns Moroccan lifestyle influencer Kenza Layli
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —After judges of the world’s first AI beauty pageant unveiled 10 finalists last month, the inaugural Miss AI has now been crowned. Meet Kenza Layli, a Moroccan lifestyle influencer who hopes to bring “diversity and inclusivity” to the AI creator landscape. “Winning Miss AI motivates me even more to continue my work in advancing AI technology,” Layli said in a video of the speech. Fanvue World AI Creator AwardsThe inaugural Miss AI contest opened in spring, drawing entries from some 1,500 AI programmers around the world, according to organizers Fanvue, an influencer platform for both AI and human creators. Fanvue World AI Creator AwardsRunner-up Lalina Valina from France.

Persons: Kenza Layli, influencer, ”, ” Layli, Fanvue, Layli, Myriam Bessa, Valina, Olivia C of Portugal, Cal, “, Olivia C, Aitana Lopez, Sally, Ann Fawcett, Dr, Kerry McInerney, ” McInerney, “ They’re, they’re Organizations: CNN, Miss, Phoenix AI, Leverhulme Centre, Intelligence, University of Cambridge Locations: Moroccan, France, Japan, Portugal

☆ The Beastie Boys Sue Chili’s Over Use of ‘Sabotage’
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Orlando Mayorquín | More About Orlando Mayorquín | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Beastie Boys sued Chili’s Grill & Bar in federal court on Wednesday, accusing the restaurant chain’s main operator of infringing on their copyright of the 1994 hit “Sabotage” by using it in advertisements without permission. According to the complaint, Brinker International, which operates more than 1,600 Chili’s and other restaurants worldwide, rolled out promotional videos on social media beginning in November 2022 that used significant portions of the song and parodied its music video, directed by Spike Jonze. The music video playfully pays homage to 1970s television crime dramas and features a fictitious opening credit scene and the group’s members dressed in fake wigs, mustaches and sunglasses of the era. In the Chili’s video advertisement, three characters dressed in similar ’70s attire rob ingredients from a Chili’s restaurant scored to the sound of “Sabotage,” said the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Persons: Brinker, Spike Jonze, ” Organizations: Beastie Boys, Chili’s Grill, Bar, Brinker International, Southern, of Locations: U.S, of New York

☆ 5,000 Miles, 8 Countries: The Path to the U.S. Through One Family’s Eyes
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Luis Ferré-Sadurní | Juan Arredondo | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +21 min

With three children and a dog, the Aguilar Ortega family trekked through the jungle, hopped freight trains and toured Times Square. Millions of Venezuelans like the Aguilar Ortega family have fled economic misery and political repression in their homeland as it descended into turmoil. “The kids want to go to New York,” Mr. Aguilar said in Spanish as he stood by his tent in Mexico City. Mr. Aguilar created hiding places for their cash, using toenail clippers to cut small openings into Hayli’s jacket and Josué’s pants. She called Ms. Ortega to check in, and learned of the family’s setup.

Persons: Aguilar Ortega, trekked, Miles, — Hayli, Samuel, Henry Aguilar, Leivy Ortega, Eric Adams, Biden, Aguilar, Ms, Ortega, Donna, ” Mr, ”, COLOMBIA Samuel, Hayli, Nicolás Maduro, It’s, Mr, selfies, “, Josué, Donna meandered, patted, Aguilar Ortegas, Aguilar’s, weren’t, “ It’s, Rafael García, “ Papi, Ortega’s, Floyd Bennett, Simón, Floyd Bennett Field, “ I’ve, I’m, Maria Cardona, ” Ms, Cardona, Amy Swan, Ray Swan, Swan Organizations: New York Times, U.S ., The Times, GAP, MEXICO CITY, Mexico City, Central America, CIUDAD, Times, United, Venezuela’s, Roman Catholic Church, New York, La Guardia Airport, Delta, Roosevelt, Queens, Honda, Facebook Locations: Mexico City, Latin America, Venezuelan, New York City, New York, U.S, United States, Venezuela, “, COLOMBIA, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, la, ”, ” PANAMA, MEXICO, Guatemala, Mexico, earshot, Central, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Ciudad Juárez, Texas, Juárez, Mexican, Rio Grande . Texas, Rio Grande, Cuba, Haiti, El Paso , Texas, El Paso, PASO , TEXAS, York, La, Michigan, Santa Claus, Manhattan, Spanish, MANHATTAN, BROOKLYN, Brooklyn, Simón Bolivar, Spain, Jamaica, MIDDLETOWN, CONN, Middletown, Conn, Connecticut

☆ She invited a stranger to join her on vacation in Italy. ‘It went from zero to 100, really, really quick’
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +25 min

“I was like, ‘Okay, let’s see what the guys look like in Vienna,’” Carter recalls. “If I’m going to meet up with this guy, I should FaceTime him to make sure he’s real,” she thought. “I was thinking, ‘This is either going to go really good or really bad,’” Carter recalls. “It went from zero to 100, really, really quick, in terms of comfort. And either I’m going to have to move here, or he’s going to have to move to America.

Persons: CNN — Carter Leathers, Italy –, Carter, Max Ratzenböck, ” Carter, Max, she’d, ’, “, ‘ I’m, ’ ”, whiling, ”, ’ ” Carter, I’d, it’s, I’m, Bumble, Max swiped, Max couldn’t, ” Max, Carter Ratzenböck Carter, Florence –, he’d, “ I’m, We’d, you’re, Carter’s, –, Pretty, Max's, Carter Ratzenböck, Florence’s, ” Here's Carter, marveling, He’s, they’d, ‘ We’re, They’d, Alex Katz, Austria who’d, “ It’s, “ I’ve, Max’s, ” Carter didn’t, Europe – she’d, Carter –, serendipitously, Max it’s, Max – Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Austrian, Opera House, Schönbrunn, Ferris, Viennese Opera, Vienna, Intelligence, ”, America Locations: Florence, Italy, Sacramento , California, Europe, California, Rome, Vienna, Austria, Austrian, Tuscany, Italian, Ponte Vecchio, osterias, ”, “, America, Sacramento, San Francisco, Napa Valley, Monterey, Paris, accilimatize, Ponte

☆ Indian wedding industry: Elephants, Michelin stars and Mughal jewels make it a $130 billion business
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Diksha Madhok | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Sujit Jaiswal/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Indian wedding industry has boomed since the country emerged from the pandemic. “And this is irrespective of the economic classes.”At about $15,000, the average Indian wedding costs more than three times the average annual household income. Indian weddings are often spread across several days, with an average guest list of 326, compared with 115 in the United States, according to The Knot Worldwide. Rihanna, couture and emeraldsThe average luxury Indian wedding can cost anywhere between $200,000 and $400,000, according to Jefferies. No luxury Indian wedding is complete without lavish meals, which at times involves flying in Michelin star chefs and the finest of ingredients from across the world.

Persons: Anant Ambani, Mukesh Ambani, Radhika Merchant, Mukesh Ambani’s, Tim Chi, Nita, Anant, Sujit Jaiswal, it’s, Jefferies, ” Jefferies, Nasir Kachroo, ”, Sima Taparia, Aditya Motwane, Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, “, you’ve, Ambani’s, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Rihanna, Motwane, —, Stringer, Knight Frank, Tina Tharwani, Nita Ambani, Olivier Polet, Tharwani, Virat, Vanessa Almeida, Almeida, videographers, Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli, Rafiq Maqbool, Narendra Modi, ” Modi Organizations: New, New Delhi CNN, Silicon, CNN, Getty, Netflix, Motwane Entertainment, Shaadi, Michelin, Backstreet Boys Locations: New Delhi, Radhika Merchant . India, India, Mumbai, AFP, South Asia, Jammu, Kashmir, United States, Indian, Jamnagar, Monte Carlo, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Florence, Indian Italian, Tuscany, Goa, Italian, Genoa

☆ Iranians are voting in a presidential runoff. What will it mean for the world?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Here’s what to expect on Friday’ second round of elections, and how the results could impact Iran and the world. During the first round, Pezeshkian led with 42.5% of the votes, followed by Jalili with 38.6%, according to the state news agency IRNA. In a move that shocked observers, the man who led Ghalibaf’s electoral campaign, Sami Nazari Tarkarani, also declared his support for reformist Pezeshkian, Khabar Online reported. People drive past a billboard with pictures of presidential candidates Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili on a street in Tehran, Iran, on Monday. Presidential candidates Masoud Pezeshkian and Saeed Jalili attend an election debate at a television studio in Tehran, Iran on Tuesday.

Persons: CNN — Iran’s, Ebrahim Raisi, Masoud Pezeshkian, Saeed Jalili, Raisi, Hossein Amir, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Pezeshkian, –, Khamenei, ”, hardliner Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Jalili, ” Parsi, Sardar Mohsen Rashid, Rashid, Sami Nazari Tarkarani, Ghalibaf, Sanam Vakil, “, ” Sina Toossi, ” Pezeshkian, Toossi, Majid Asgaripour, Iran’s, ” Jalili, Israel sharpens, Israel “, Israel Katz, ” Ali Vaez, Vaez, CNN’s Becky Anderson, Saeed Jalili , Morteza Fakhri, Parsi, ” Vakil Organizations: CNN, Foreign, Guardian Council, IRNA, Quincy Institute, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Pezeshkian, Khabar, North Africa, Chatham House, Center for International Policy, Trump, Islamic, International Atomic Energy Agency, UN, Israeli, Group, Reuters Locations: Islamic Republic, Iran, tatters, Israel, United States, Tehran, Washington, Iranian, East, London, Washington ,, Gaza, Lebanon

☆ Mali: Around 40 killed in attack on village in central region
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Reuters —Unidentified armed men have killed around 40 people in an attack on a village in insurgent-plagued central Mali, local officials said on Tuesday. “It was a very serious attack, armed men surrounded the village and shot at people,” said Bankass Mayor Moulaye Guindo by phone. He was not able to share a death toll, but two local officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said around 40 people were killed. Violence has spiraled in West Africa’s central Sahel region since the insurgencies took root in Mali and spread into neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, killing thousands of people and displacing millions more. The insecurity has helped spur two coups in Mali, one in Burkina Faso, and one in Niger since 2020.

Persons: ”, Moulaye Guindo Organizations: Reuters, Islamic Locations: Mali, Djiguibombo, Mopti, Mali’s, al Qaeda, Islamic State, West Africa’s, Sahel, Burkina Faso, Niger

☆ China’s ‘military readiness’ questioned with dramatic downfall of two defense ministers
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

At the height of their careers, former defense ministers Li and Wei often struck a tough tone before the world’s top military officials. Former Defense Ministers Li Shangfu and his predecessor Wei Fenghe have both been expelled from the Communist Party over corruption allegations. Most of the generals dismissed or disappeared without explanation last year were linked to the Rocket Force or military equipment, including Li and Wei. An engineer by training, the 66-year-old spent decades launching rockets and satellites in southwest China before being promoted to the PLA headquarters to deal with military equipment procurement. “The gun barrel must always be held in the hands of those who are loyal and reliable to the party,” Xi told the PLA elites.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Xi, Li Shangfu, Wei Fenghe, Xi Jinping, Li, Wei, “, James Char, ”, Former Defense Ministers Li Shangfu, Wei’s, Joel Wuthnow, ” Wuthnow, ” Char, Weidong, Char, Jason Lee, Xu Caihou, Guo Boxiong, Xu, Guo, Wuthnow, Jiang Zemin, haven’t, ” Wei, Li “, Bill Bishop, ” Xi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Communist Party, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Former Defense Ministers, AP, Reuters, Rocket Force, Development Department, Second Artillery Corps, Pentagon, National Defense University, CCP, China’s Naval University of Engineering, Central Military Commission, Military, People's, CMC, Communist Locations: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, United States, Singapore, People's Republic of China, Beijing, Yan’an

☆ Euro 2024: Our ranking of all the games in Germany this summer
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Ahmed Walid | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +35 min

AdvertisementThis was Belgium at their finest, and Romania raised the level of their game in the second half to try to equalise. If Austria wanted to have any chance of qualifying to the round of 16 they had to beat Poland in their second group game. The wide areas were where Ukraine focused their attacks, and Oleksandr Zinchenko’s square pass to Mykola Shaparenko made it 1-1 in the second half. However, Samet Akaydin and Altay Bayindir’s mishap on the second goal decreased Turkey’s probability of a comeback. More off-ball runs in the second half led to the third, and by then the match was done and dusted.

Persons: Muldur, Arda Guler, Georges Mikautadze, Khvicha, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Kerem Akturkoglu, Ronald Koeman’s, Romano Schmid, Austria, Cody Gakpo’s, Memphis Depay, Marcel Sabitzer, Merih Demiral, Ralf Rangnick’s, Vincenzo Montella’s, Michael Gregoritsch, Alexander Prass, Christoph Baumgartner, Mert Gunok, Kvaratskhelia, Jasir Asani’s, Zlatko Dalic’s, Mario Pasalic, Luka Sucic, Marcelo Brozovic, Majer, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Ante Budimir, Andrej Kramaric, Klaus Gjasula’s, Albania’s, Dan Mullan, Gianluigi, Italy weren’t, Nico Williams, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Kevin C, Cox, Jeremy Doku, Ivan Schranz, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard, Stanislav Lobotka, Juraj Kucka, Ondrej Duda, Martin Dubravka’s, David Hancko’s, Stu Forster, Zan Karnicnik’s, Jan Oblak’s, Luka, Patrik Schick, Ondrej Lingr’s, Ivan Hasek’s, Giorgi Chakvetadze, Saba Lobjanidze, Julian Nagelsmann, Germany didn’t, —, Murat Yakin’s, Dan Ndoye, Manuel Akanji, Fabian Schar, David Raum, Christina Pahnke –, Romania Domenico Tedesco’s, Youri Tielemans, Timothy Castagne, De Bruyne, Luciano Spalletti’s, Mattia Zaccagni, Kasper Schmeichel, Rasmus Hojlund, Manuel Neuer, Joachim Andersen, Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Ricardo Rodriguez, Schar, Akanji, Gianluca Scamacca, Remo Freuler’s, Ruben Vargas, RONNY HARTMANN, Gareth Southgate’s, Milan Skriniar, Denis Vavro, Lobotka, Francesco Calzona’s, David Strelec, Jude, Harry Kane, Peter Pekarik, Michel Aebischer, Aebischer, Kwadwo Duah, Hungary’s, Dominik Szoboszlai, Roland Sallai, Willi, Adam Buksa, Nathan Ake’s, Alex Livesey, Bull, Rangnick’s, Baumgartner, Marko Arnautovic, Nicolae Stanciu, Razvan Marin, Denis Dragus, Shaun Botterill, Neuer, Robert Andrich, Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rudiger, Ilkay, Steven Bergwijn, Xavi Simons, Netherlands ’, Stefan de Vrij, Virgil van Dijk, Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, Fabian, Lukas Haraslin, Hancko, Andriy Yarmolenko, Mykhailo Mudryk —, Oleksandr, Mykola Shaparenko, Shaparenko, Denmark Christian Eriksen, Jonas Wind, Eriksen, Benjamin Sesko’s, Kasper Hjulmand’s, Erik Janza’s, Carl Recine, Antonin Barak’s, Tomas Soucek —, Hungary’s Barnabas Varga, Kevin Csoboth, De Bruyne’s, N’Golo, Aurelien Tchouameni, Didier Deschamps ’, — Theo Hernandez, Jules Kounde —, Francisco Conceicao’s, Ruben Dias, Gabriel Bouys, Croatia hadn’t, Unai Simon, Nicolo Barella, Alessandro Bastoni, Rey Manaj, Havertz, Florian Wirtz, Musiala, Ryan Porteous, Scott McTominay, Tony Ralston’s, Xherdan, Kose, Bernardo Silva’s, Samet, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sesko, Diogo Costa’s, Torsten Silz, Alexander Bah, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Kylian, Ousmane Dembele, Deschamps ’, England’s, Pierre, Emile Hojbjerg, Morten Hjulmand, Marc Guehi’s, Alex Grimm, Maximilian Wober, Spain Luis de la, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Marvin, Let’s, Mark Carey, Michael Cox, Michael Regan – Organizations: Golden, Memphis, UEFA Nations League, Albania, Spain, Italy, Getty, Georgia, Hungary, Croatia, Real Madrid, Denmark, Milan, Bologna, Poland, olimpico, Dumfries, Georgia openign, Valencia, Ukraine, Manchester United, Portugal, …, Turkey, B, Slovenia AET, Danish, England, Calzona, Serbia, Michael Regan – UEFA, UEFA Locations: Turkey, Georgia, Kerem, Netherlands, Austria, France, Poland, Portugal, Croatia, Italy, Albania, Pasalic, Gjasula, Spain, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Belgium, Slovakia, Doku, Slovenia, Serbia, Republic, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany, Romania, Youri, Modric, Denmark, England, Hungary, Dumfries, Ukraine, Ilkay Gundogan, Gakpo, AFP, Scotland, Samet Akaydin, Altay, Romanian

☆ China expels two former defense ministers from Communist Party as corruption purge deepens
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

CNN —China on Thursday expelled its former Defense Minister Li Shangfu from the ruling Communist Party over corruption allegations, state broadcaster CCTV reported, eight months after he was dramatically removed from the post. Li, who was also a former member of the powerful Central Military Commission, was removed in October last year without explanation after he disappeared from public view for two months, amid a series of high-level purges that have roiled the world’s largest military. Li’s predecessor as defense minister, Wei Fenghe, was also expelled from the Communist Party, also over alleged corruption, according to CCTV. This is a developing story and will be updated.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, Wei Fenghe Organizations: CNN, Defense, Communist Party, CCTV, Central Military Commission Locations: China

☆ Hajj deaths: ‘Not enough medics’ to help pilgrims with heat, witnesses tell CNN as toll mounts
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-22 | by ( Xiaofei Xu | Masrur Jamaluddin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —There were not enough medics or basic facilities to protect Hajj pilgrims from the effects of the sweltering heat in Saudi Arabia last week, two pilgrims recently returned from Hajj told CNN, as the official death toll from this year’s Hajj pilgrimage soared to almost 500. This years’ Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca has been held amid extreme weather conditions which saw temperatures consistently soar above average figures. Ali’s comments were echoed by another witness, 44-year-old Ahmad from Indonesia, who told CNN he saw many people falling ill and even dying from the heat. According to Ali, five hours walking every day is the minimum, but many pilgrims spent 12 hours outside per day. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar and shorter than the Gregorian calendar, the timing of Hajj on the Gregorian calendar shifts slightly each year.

Persons: Witnesses, Zirrar Ali, ” Ali, ”, Ahmad, Fadel Senna, “, Rafiq Maqbool, Ali, that’s, Hajj ’ it’s, Ramadan Organizations: CNN, Hajj, Getty, Saudi General Authority, Statistics Locations: Saudi Arabia, Mecca, London, Indonesia, Hajj, AFP, ”, Saudi

☆ Why Olive Garden doesn’t want to give discounts
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But Olive Garden is holding out. In the quarter ending on May 26, sales at Olive Garden restaurants open at least 16 months dropped 1.5%. Olive Garden has tried to avoid such pushback by keeping its price increases low. “While Olive Garden same restaurant sales were below the industry, same-restaurant guest counts outperformed the industry,” Vennam said. “The way we do it is more sustainable.”Rather than vie for customers with steep discounts, Olive Garden is planning to bring people in by highlighting its regular offerings.

Persons: they’ve, Olive, “ We’re, ”, Rick Cardenas, Olive Garden, Cardenas, Raj Vennam, ” Vennam, Eddie V’s, David Henkes, Technomic, ” Cardenas Organizations: New, New York CNN, Darden, Olive Garden, Olive, LongHorn, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNN Locations: New York, Applebee’s, Olive Garden’s, Olive

☆ Chinese officials’ attempt to ‘block’ formerly detained journalist mars Australia goodwill tour
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Angus Watson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s four-day visit to Australia this week was set to be focused on repairing long-strained relations between the two countries. But apparent efforts by Chinese officials to stand in front of an Australian reporter during a press briefing have shone a spotlight back on frictions between the countries. Beijing has also long been condemned by Western nations and rights groups for wrongful and arbitrary detentions. 2 official, to Australia is the highest-level trip to a US-allied country of any Chinese official in seven years. Speaking alongside Li following the signing ceremony, Albanese called the visit “another important step in stabilizing” the relationship.

Persons: Li Qiang’s, Cheng Lei, Li, Anthony Albanese, Cheng, I’m, ” Cheng, Albanese, ”, Yang Hengjun, Yang, Li Qiang, Lukas Coch, ” Li, Scott Morrison Organizations: CNN, Sky News Australia, Australian, Sky News, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, CGTN, Australia's, AP Pandas, Sunday, Adelaide Zoo, New Zealand Locations: Australia, China, Canberra, Beijing, Australian, US, “, New, Chinese

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