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☆ Biden declares 'unanimity' after Republicans boo idea of Social Security cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset," the president said. Sitting behind Biden, McCarthy shook his head as Biden raised the idea. Multiple House Republicans, including hardliners Marjorie Taylor Greene and Byron Donalds booed. Biden even urged protesting Republicans to contact his office, saying he would "give you a copy of the proposal." "So, folks, as we all apparently agree, Social Security and Medicare is off the books now.

☆ Biden vows "to protect" country in State of the Union speech, refers to China balloon
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Patricia Zengerle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I'm committed to work with China where we can advance American interests and benefit the world," Biden said. "But make no mistake about it: as we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. Investing in American innovation, in industries that will define the future, that China intends to be dominating," Biden said. Democrats have joined Republicans in demanding more information about the balloon and the Biden administration's policy toward the government in Beijing. We built a global coalition," Biden said, vowing to stand with Ukraine "as long as it takes."

☆ Crews find survivors, many dead after Turkey, Syria earthquake
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Search and rescue operations continue in Sanliurfa, one of 10 provinces hard-hit by a 7.7- and 7.6-magnitude quakes in Turkey on Feb. 7, 2023. A few hours later, rescuers pulled 10-year-old Betul Edis from the rubble of her home in the city of Adiyaman. In Syria, the shaking toppled thousands of buildings and heaped more misery on a region wracked by the country's 12-year civil war and refugee crisis. The affected area in Syria is divided between government-controlled territory and the country's last opposition-held enclave, where millions rely on humanitarian aid. Earthquakes hit Turkey on Monday, flattening buildings and killing thousands.

☆ Three takeaways from Biden's State of the Union speech
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who once served as press secretary for Trump, rejected Biden's speech in a response prepared beforehand. "Social Security and Medicare are a lifeline for millions of seniors. ATTACK ON BIG COMPANIESBiden used a large segment of his ostensibly bipartisan pitch attacking corporations, from what he called "Big Pharma" to "Big Oil" and "Big Tech." Biden accused the pharmaceutical companies of charging too much for insulin but made no mention of their role in tamping down the COVID-19 pandemic. He accused tech companies of running a for-profit "experiment" on children, said oil companies were making too much money and made a case for higher taxes on billionaires.

☆ LGBT Brazilians compete in country's first drag king contest
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Steven Grattan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Egon Maurice LaSand poses with a crown after winning the King of Kings contest, a drag king competition that reunites 15 artists from all over the country, in Sao Paulo, Brazil February 5, 2023. King is taking part in Brazil's King of Kings competition, the first of its kind where 15 drag kings from around the country compete to win the title. Drag kings are mostly female or transgender performers playing exaggerated male characters, but the contest is open to anyone. "It's historic, because we don't have a contest or an event dedicated to drag kings in Brazil," said 43-year-old drag king Lorde Lazzarus, who organized the event. Many of the acts carried messages about social issues affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community through artistic performances.

☆ Caught in G.O.P.’s Cross Hairs, Mayorkas Faces Political Showdown Over Border Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Eileen Sullivan | Zolan Kanno-Youngs | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mr. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, did not hesitate: I’m not leaving, he replied. The staff members in the meeting erupted in applause and cheers, according to two people in attendance who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private event. On Tuesday, federal border officials testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. The hearing was the latest piece of what Republicans have promised will be an aggressive push to scrutinize Mr. Mayorkas that could result in his impeachment. On Tuesday, however, Republicans barely brought up Mr. Mayorkas, and instead focused on blaming Mr. Biden for the situation at the border.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Alejandro N, Mayorkas, I’m, James R, Comer, Biden, Mr Organizations: Republican, Republicans Locations: Kentucky

Biden has said he intends to run for re-election but has not confirmed plans to do so. The hundreds of party faithful who gathered for the president's address shouted "four more years," as Biden took the stage. 'DON'T RUN JOE'At the DNC meeting, members are expected this weekend to overwhelmingly approve a reshaped 2024 primary calendar selected by Biden. The expected approval shows Biden's grip on the party and would make it even harder for a rival Democrat to mount a campaign to unseat Biden. Trump has already launched his 2024 campaign but is expected to face a primary challenge, including from his former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley.

☆ Democrats make South Carolina first presidential primary voting state
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

South Carolina will now kick things off for Democrats, with Michigan — and potentially Georgia — joining the early states in the biggest shakeup of the presidential primary in years, while Nevada will go second. "The Democratic Party looks like America," Harrison added, "And so does this proposal." Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said the removal of Iowa will expose the party to charges that they have "turned their back on Iowa and rural America." New Hampshire Democrats have asked for more time to try to come up with a solution, but most Democrats say the writing on the wall and expect there will be no solution to the impasse. "Y'all, for far too long, our party's nominating calendar has not reflected this country looks like," said Georgia Rep. Nikema Williams, who is also the chairwoman of the state Democratic Party.

Congo has some of the world's richest mineral deposits, but its abundant resources have stoked conflict between ethnic groups, militias, government troops and foreign invaders. He led the stadium in an impromptu chant of "no to corruption" in French, Congo's lingua franca. "The pope is right," said Joel Muhemereri Amani, 21, an art student. The United Nations says African economies lose nearly $150 billion to corruption each year. The 86-year-old pope, who arrived in Congo on Tuesday, flies to neighbouring South Sudan on Friday.

☆ On Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil predicts six more weeks of winter
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Brendan O'Brien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] AJ Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil during the Groundhog Day Festivities, at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 2, 2023. According to folklore, if the rodent sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, then frigid and blustery weather will persist for six weeks. The first official celebration of Groundhog Day was in 1886, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The annual event, famously featured in the classic 1993 film "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray, draws visitors from around the world. As Punxsutawney Phil made his prediction, some 450,000 homes and businesses in Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee were without power after several rounds of sleet and freezing rain downed power lines and trees.

☆ Kamala Harris tells Tyre Nichols' funeral attendees that Congress must pass a sweeping police reform bill: 'It's non-negotiable'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Vice President Kamala Harris demanded passage of police reform legislation at the funeral for Tyre Nichols. As a senator, she co-authored a bill mirroring the House-passed George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021. Harris told mourners on Wednesday that "Tyre Nichols would be here with us today" if police had been in pursuit of public safety. Speaking directly to Nichols' mother and stepfather, she called them "extraordinary." Biden and Harris both spoke with Nichols' mother and stepfather to offer support, and Biden pledged to continue pushing Congress to pass the bill, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday.

☆ Emotional Djokovic hails biggest victory of his life
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

But the Serbian's woes are now well behind him and his 6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(5) victory over Tsitsipas was met with thunderous applause from a packed crowd at Rod Laver Arena. "I have to say that this has been one of the most challenging tournaments I have played in my life, considering the circumstances," Djokovic said in his on-court interview. This, probably, is the biggest victory in my life considering the circumstances." This is definitely not your last Grand Slam, you still have a lot of time, much more than me," Djokovic said. Tsitsipas, who fell short of becoming the first Greek tennis player to win a Grand Slam, commended Djokovic's contribution to the sport.

☆ Djokovic beats Tsitsipas for 10th Australian Open, 22nd Slam
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Serbia's Novak Djokovic is presented with the trophy by former player Ken Rosewall after winning his final match against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas. Djokovic stretched his unbeaten streak in Melbourne to 28 matches, the longest run there in the Open era, which dates to 1968. Djokovic was participating in his 33rd major final, Tsitsipas in his second — and the 24-year-old from Greece's other one also ended in a loss to Djokovic, at the 2021 French Open. Little doubt this is of no solace to Tsitsipas, but there is no shame in failing to defeat Djokovic in Melbourne. Still, Srdjan Djokovic did not attend his son's semifinal or the final.

Biden personally adds mentions of an assault weapons ban to his planned public remarks, a White House official said. "We're going to ban assault weapons again," he said on Thursday at a Lunar New Year reception at the White House, to applause. As vice president, he spearheaded a set of gun control proposals for Barack Obama after Sandy Hook that included a recommendation for a new assault weapons ban. However the Quinnipiac and other polls show that just about half of Americans support an assault weapons ban. Even though an all-out assault weapons ban seems unlikely, a very thin Republican majority in the House means that something more modest, such as raising the age to 21 to buy assault weapons, could be possible, the University of New Hampshire's Scala said.

☆ Hawaii man imprisoned for 1991 murder and rape of tourist released after judge hears new evidence of innocence
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

A court officer removes Albert Schweitzer's handcuffs at a hearing in Hilo, Hawaii, on Jan. 24, 2023. “Nerves, anxiety, scared.”The justice system is “flawed,” he said, calling himself one of many imprisoned for crimes they didn’t commit. Some intentional and some unintentional.”Ireland’s relatives couldn’t immediately be reached for comment on the petition and Schweitzer’s release. In 2019, Schweitzer’s attorneys and Hawaii County prosecutors entered into a “conviction integrity agreement” to reinvestigate the case. Despite the lack of evidence linking them to the killing, the two Schweitzers and Pauline were indicted in 1997.

☆ Germany agrees to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, allies to follow
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Andreas Rinke | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Germany's decision paves the way for other countries such as Poland, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands and Norway to supply some of their Leopard tanks to Ukraine, going some way towards delivering the hundreds of tanks that Ukraine says it needs. "Germany will always be at the forefront when it comes to supporting Ukraine," Scholz told German parliament to applause. Germany aims to quickly establish two battalions with Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine and initially provide 14 Leopard 2 tanks from its own inventory. A battalion normally comprises three or four companies with around 14 tanks each. Poland has also pledged 14 tanks and Britain has promised 14 of its own Challengers.

As with castmates Michelle Yeoh, nominated for best actress, and Ke Huy Quan, nominated for best supporting actor, Stephanie Hsu’s name drew particular applause during her category’s announcement. Notably, after Campion became just the third woman to ever win best director at last year’s ceremony, not a single female director was nominated this time around. Overall, the lesbian power-trip flick made a lesser showing than the Daniels’ queer kung-fu film. But its six nominations included spots in the evening’s biggest categories, including best picture, best cinematography, best original screenplay and, predictably, best actress. But an Oscar for best actor would be the ultimate prize in what has been a victorious comeback tour for the former heartthrob, following his decadelong, virtual exodus from Hollywood.

"Germany will always be at the forefront when it comes to supporting Ukraine," Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the German parliament, to applause. "At a critical moment in Russia's war, these tanks can help Ukraine defend itself, win and stand as an independent nation," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said. [1/13] Germany delivers its first Leopard tanks to Slovakia as part of a deal after Slovakia donated fighting vehicles to Ukraine, in Bratislava, Slovakia, December 19, 2022. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said any U.S. tanks sent to Ukraine would "burn like all the rest". Ukraine defeated Russia's troops on the outskirts of Kyiv last year and later drove them out of swathes of occupied land.

☆ Maison Rabih Kayrouz returns to haute couture runway in Paris
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Mimosa Spencer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Designer Rabih Kayrouz poses before his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2023 collection show for fashion house Maison Rabih Kayrouz in Paris, France, January 23, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah MeyssonnierPARIS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Maison Rabih Kayrouz took to the runway on Monday for the first time in three years, showing an elevated collection that toyed with the boundaries of ready-to-wear and haute couture fashion. "For me, haute couture is not one style, not one situation - it's know-how," he told reporters after the show. The show took place on the first day of Haute Couture Week in Paris, which runs through Thursday and features the most prestigious fashion houses, including Christian Dior and Chanel. Reporting by Mimosa Spencer in Paris Editing by Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Saint Laurent opens Paris Fashion Week with chic evening wear for men
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] A model presents a creation by designer Anthony Vaccarello during his Menswear ready-to-wear Fall/Winter 2023-2024 collection show for fashion house Saint Laurent as part of Men's Fashion Week in Paris, France, January 17, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit TessierPARIS, Jan 17 (Reuters) - French luxury house Saint Laurent kicked off Paris Fashion Week's menswear shows Tuesday night with a sleek lineup of sharply tailored evening looks for men, drawn up by designer Anthony Vaccarello. Models strode on pointy, heeled boots, their turtlenecks pulled up high, while tightly cinched overcoats were worn with the collars turned up. She continued to play as Vaccarello walked out for his bow, prompting a burst of applause and cheers from the audience. Paris Fashion Week's menswear collections run through Jan. 22, and will feature shows from high-end labels including Louis Vuitton, Dior Homme, Givenchy, Hermes and Maison Margiela.

☆ Djokovic feels the love during dominant opening victory
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic soaked up thunderous applause in his first match back at the Australian Open after last year's deportation drama, as the nine-times champion outclassed Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3 6-4 6-0 on Tuesday in a flawless start to his title bid. Returning to Melbourne Park where the prolific Serbian was denied a title defence in 2022 after being sent home amid public fury for not having a COVID-19 vaccination, Djokovic saved three early break points to win the first set as fans sang his name. A heavily strapped left thigh due to a hamstring strain he suffered en route to the Adelaide title proved little hindrance for the 35-year-old who was enjoying his time in front of the Rod Laver Arena crowd as he took the second to double his lead. Striking the ball superbly throughout, Djokovic underlined his credentials as favourite to win the title, which would take him level with holder Rafa Nadal on 22 majors, by wrestling Carballes Baena into submission in a one-sided third set. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Melbourne; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Household wealth optimism collapses, global survey shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Mark John | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Jan 16 (Reuters) - Barely two in five people believe their families will be better off in the future, according to a regular global survey that also identified growing levels of distrust in institutions among low-income households. It further confirmed how societies have been divided by the impacts of the pandemic and inflation. Higher-income households still broadly trust institutions such as government, business, media and NGOs. Globally, only 40% agreed with the statement "my family and I will be better off in five years" compared to 50% a year before, with advanced economies most downbeat: the United States (36%), Britain (23%), Germany (15%) and Japan (9%). While Edelman's longstanding Trust Index registered an average 63% trust level in key institutions among high-income U.S. respondents, that figure fell to just 40% among low-income groups.

☆ Chelsea earn scrappy 1-0 win over Palace to ease pressure
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( Clare Lovell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It was only the second league win in 10 matches for the home side who remain in an unaccustomed 10th place half-way through the season. Today we had five young players in the starting 11, they are doing a really good job at the moment." "Today we are happy for the three points," said Potter, who took over from Thomas Tuchel in September. Palace are in 12th place, six points behind Chelsea. Before kickoff, former Chelsea players who had been coached by or appeared alongside Gianluca Vialli joined the teams to pay tribute to the former Italy international and Chelsea player-manager who died 10 days ago.

☆ Passengers applauded and got 'really emotional' after a Royal Caribbean cruise liner rescued 17 people from a tiny boat in the Bahamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( Stephanie Stacey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Royal Caribbean cruise ships rescued 17 people from a tiny boat in the Bahamas. Due to heavy winds, the cruise ship had skipped a planned day trip to CocoCay, a private island in the Bahamas owned by Royal Caribbean. This turned out to be a "lucky" coincidence, said Bradford, as it ended up crossing paths with the tiny boat that the Royal Caribbean captain said had been adrift for weeks. The people on the tiny boat were waving pieces of red fabric, said Bradford. This was the latest in a series of similar incidents of cruise ships crossing paths with migrants' boats.

☆ Apple and Google are both at their biggest risk of disruption in over a decade
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Matt Weinberger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

This year, Apple and Google will both face their first real tests in a very long time. Apple could finally open its walled garden, potentially disrupting the App Store juggernaut. Google has spent the last decade-plus guarding its advertising business; Apple has built as many moats around its all-important iPhone business as possible, happily collecting App Store fees and Apple Music subscriptions. Let's look at how this is finally the year that Apple and Google will face their most meaningful competition yet. If the App Store opens up and the iPhone doesn't become a toxic hellstew, perhaps Apple will reconsider its approach.

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