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☆ Ukraine’s soldiers ‘in deep defense mode’ as uncertainty lingers over commander-in-chief
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Andrew Carey | Maria Kostenko | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

A presidential spokesman denied the report but a source familiar with the matter said an announcement was expected within days. Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters/FileA senior army spokesman with responsibility for the same region drew attention to another Ukrainian deficit opposite Russia, in comments on Ukrainian television – namely, a lack of ammunition. Where previously, Russian forces had been firing 60,000 rounds a day along the entire front line, the number currently was about half that, he said. “We are in deep defense mode and are holding back the enemy.

Persons: Oleksandr Syrskyi, ” Syrskyi, Volodymyr Zelensky, Valerii, Syrskyi, ”, Zaluzhnyi, Ukrainian Armed Forces Valerii, Valentyn Ogirenko, ” Illia Yevlash, Yevlash, Chasiv Yar, Oleksandr, Dmytro Lazutkin Organizations: CNN, President’s, Staff, Ukrainian Armed Forces Locations: Kupiansk, Kharkiv, Ukraine, Tabaivka, Luhansk, Russia, Bakhmut, Avdiivka

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy Hails Arrival of New Air Defence Systems
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the arrival on Friday of two new air defence systems that he said could "shoot down anything". In his nightly video address, the president pointedly said he could give no details of the newly arrived air defence systems but described them as the culmination of "working tirelessly at various levels for months". And while the systems are not yet sufficient for the complete defence of Ukraine, we are working towards that goal every day." Beefing up air defence has been one of the key priorities for defending cities, towns and infrastructure against Russian missile and drone attacks. "There is a risk that the Ukrainian armed forces may have to withdraw from Avdiivka," Dykiy said.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, State Victoria Nuland, Valery Zaluzhnyi, Yevhen Dykiy, Dykiy, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Reuters, Russia, Russian, State, Armed Forces Commander, General Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, U.S, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Donetsk, Russian

☆ ASEAN launches guide for governing AI, but experts say there are challenges
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Close up of woman's hand touching illuminated and multi-coloured LED display screen, connecting to the future. People, lifestyle and technologyThe Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Friday published a framework for artificial intelligence governance, but experts say member states being at "different stages of digital development" could pose a challenge. "The guide seeks to establish common principles for trustworthy AI and suggest best practices for how to implement trustworthy AI in ASEAN," said Singapore's Ministry of Communications and Information. Singapore is hosting the 4th ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting from Feb. 1-2 to discuss emerging digital issues including AI and cyber scams. Kristina Fong, lead researcher for economic affairs at ASEAN Studies Centre, said "the light-touch, flexible approach" to managing AI risks with the guide is a "reflection of the challenges posed by the development gaps between ASEAN member states."

Persons: Kristina Fong, Fong Organizations: of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Singapore's Ministry of Communications, Information, ASEAN Digital Ministers, ASEAN Studies Centre Locations: Singapore

☆ New York’s Rubin Museum is closing its doors — but will live on as a ‘museum without walls’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —New York’s Rubin Museum of Art, home to one of the world’s largest and most important collections of Himalayan art, announced on Wednesday that it will close its doors in October. Rubin Museum founders Shelley and Donald Rubin, pictured on October 8, 2015. Mireya Acierto/Getty Images“Building and sharing this collection of Himalayan art was one of my family’s great joys,” added Shelley Rubin. A lot of the time, we are shown Tibetan art as part of Chinese art — as an appendage because Tibet is now part of China. Robert K. Chin/Storefronts/AlamyThe closure will see some 40% of the Rubin’s staff lose their jobs — mostly those in “front-of-house roles,” a spokesperson for the museum told CNN.

Persons: York’s Rubin, Shelley, Donald Rubin, Rubin, Noah Dorsky, Mireya Acierto, ”, Shelley Rubin, “, Matthew Eisman, Jorrit Britschgi, ” Britschgi, Nepal’s, Ian Johnson, meanwhile, Curtis S, Chin, ” “, ” Johnson, Robert K Organizations: CNN, York’s Rubin Museum of Art, Rubin Museum, Rubin Museum of Art, Venice Biennale, Itumbaha Museum, Mandela, Centre for Foreign Relations, Asian Development Bank Locations: Manhattan, New York, Kathmandu, Nepal, New York City, Venice, York, Tibet, China

☆ Malta PM Turns up at Farmers’ Protest to Hear Complaints
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

VALLETTA (Reuters) - Farmers in Malta staging a demonstration on Friday against EU agricultural policies as part of Europe-wide protests were surprised when Prime Minister Robert Abela turned up in person to hear their complaints. The farmers drove tractors and trucks from a vegetable market in the centre of the tiny Mediterranean island to Floriana, a town near the capital Valletta, waving banners and placards that accused the EU of "killing its own farmers". "No farmers, no food, no future," read one placard attached to a tractor. Farmers have also protested in several European capitals and blocked streets in Brussels on Thursday while EU leaders were holding a meeting there. On Friday farmers blocked the Dutch-Belgian border and occupied roads in Greece, though French farmers started lifting their blockades after the government in Paris made concessions.

Persons: Robert Abela, Christopher Scicluna, Gareth Jones Organizations: Reuters, Farmers, European Union Locations: VALLETTA, Malta, Europe, Floriana, Valletta, Brussels, Belgian, Greece, Paris

☆ Ukraine's intelligence chief hints at more attacks on Russian soil, targeting critical infrastructure
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine's intelligence chief hinted that his country would conduct more attacks on Russian soil following a string of unclaimed attacks that took place on Russia's oil and gas infrastructure. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's defense intelligence directorate, told CNN that drone attacks on Russian soil were "quite possible." "And I believe that this plan includes all the major critical infrastructure facilities and military infrastructure facilities of the Russian Federation." Budanov said attacks on Russian soil mean the country's citizens finally "see the real picture," and that helps Ukraine. Ukraine's allies have said that they don't want the weaponry they've given to be used against targets on Russian soil, something Ukraine has agreed to.

Persons: Budanov, Insider's Alia Shoaib, Jan Kallberg Organizations: CNN, Russian Federation, Sky News, Centre for, Russian Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, Kyiv

The recordings immediately went viral on social media, and the candidate, who is pro-NATO and aligned with Western interests, was defeated in September by an opponent who supported closer ties to Moscow and Russian President Vladimir Putin. AI images that falsely depicted former President Donald Trump sitting with teenage girls on Jeffrey Epstein’s plane circulated on social media last month. And once a deepfake appears on social media, it can be nearly impossible to stop its spread. Šimečka said his team and others complained to social media platforms and law enforcement. He said social media platforms need to “put measures in place” to prevent attempts to meddle with an election.

Persons: he’d, Vladimir Putin, ”, Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein’s, Trump, “, Subrahmanian, Alex Curtas, Curtas, Jared DeMarinis, ’, ” DeMarinis, Chelsea Carattini, Ilana Beller, haven’t, ” Beller, Paul Vallas, Sean R, Clark, ” Vallas, Vallas, Brandon Johnson, ” “ We’ll, Slovakia Michal Šimečka, ” Šimečka, Šimečka, ” Daniel Milo, Milo, it’s, ” Milo, Janis Sarts, ” Sarts Organizations: CNN, NATO, Northwestern University, Senior, Twitter, Democratic, Chicago, Political, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Public Citizen, State’s, Republican Party, Commission, Progressive, YouTube, Facebook, Slovakia’s Ministry, Meta, NATO Strategic Communications, of Excellence, Foreign Intelligence Service, Russian Intelligence Locations: Slovakia, Moscow, Europe, States, New Hampshire, Russia, China, Russian, Northwestern, American, California , Michigan, Minnesota , Texas, Washington, New Mexico, Idaho, Chicago, Progressive Slovakia, Slovakia’s, Latvia

☆ Japan's Message for Donald Trump: Don't Cut a Deal With China
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +8 min

Trump, who reached a trade agreement with Beijing in 2019 that later expired, has not mentioned any potential deal with China during his campaign for the 2024 nomination. Two Japanese foreign ministry officials said they fear that Trump may be prepared to weaken U.S. support for nearby Taiwan in pursuit of a deal with China. A Trump aide told Reuters that no recent meetings have taken place between Trump and Japanese officials. "If he is going to cut a deal with China, Japan needs to try and get ahead of the curve and understand its potential role to support its interests in both the U.S. and in China," said Machida. Robert O'Brien, Trump's former national security adviser, also has connections with Japanese officials, two of the sources said.

Persons: John Geddie, Tim Kelly, Yoshifumi, America's, Donald Trump, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden's, Trump, Xi, Kim Jong Un, they're, Ado Machida, Machida, Shinzo Abe, Aso, Japan's, Shigeo Yamada, Mike Pence, Jim Mattis, Mike Pompeo, Michael Green, Bill Hagerty, Yamada, Hagerty, Robert O'Brien, Trump's, O'Brien, Shigeru Kitamura, Biden, Tsuneo Watanabe, John Bolton, Watanabe, Yukiko Toyoda, Kaori Kaneko, Sakura Murakami, David Brunnstrom, Tim Reid, Ben Blanchard, Laurie Chen, Liz Lee, David Crawshaw Organizations: Trump, Republican, Group, North, Reuters, Fox News, U.S, Steel, Japan's Nippon Steel, U.S ., Liberal Democratic Party, . Studies, University of Sydney, Japan's U.S, Taiwan, Peace Foundation Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Asia, China, Beijing, Tokyo, Iowa, New Hampshire, U.S, Taiwan, Washington, Trump, Taipei

☆ Hamas Unlikely to Reject Ceasefire but Will Demand Israeli Withdrawal -Source
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed not to pull troops out until "total victory", which he defines as eradicating Hamas. Hamas says it will not sign up to any temporary truce unless Israel commits to a withdrawal and permanent end to the war. "They haven’t entered deep into Al-Mawasi where we live but everyday they get closer," he told Reuters by phone, referring to the western district of Khan Younis along the Mediterranean Coast. Israel, which claims Hamas is using hospitals as command centres, has denied prior Red Crescent claims that it stormed the hospital. Palestinian health officials said medical teams had recovered 14 bodies of Palestinians who were killed near the centre of Khan Younis after some tanks retreated from there.

Persons: Nidal, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ismail Haniyeh, Khan Younis, Osama Ahmed, Amal, Israel's, Nidal al, Ari Rabinovitch, Sharon Singleton, Peter Graff Organizations: Hamas, Palestinian, Health, Reuters, Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Al, Crescent, U.S . Navy, U.S . military's, Command Locations: Gaza, Israel, United States, Paris, Cairo, Khan, Rafah, Gaza City, Al, Iran, Yemen, Red, Britain, Washington, U.S, Gulf, Aden, Mughrabi, Doha, Tala, Dubai, Jerusalem

Alina Muller has already accomplished plenty in the 10 years since scoring Switzerland’s bronze-clinching goal to become, at 15, the youngest women’s hockey player to win a medal at a Winter Olympics. Another first comes Thursday when she takes part in the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s 3-on-3 showcase game as part of the NHL’s All-Star weekend festivities in Toronto. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesNHL chief content officer Steve Mayer said the league has liked to use All-Star Weekend as a way to lean into women’s hockey. Like I must have done something right in life,'” said Team King coach and former Canadian national team player Cassie Campbell-Pascall. The team set a pro women’s hockey attendance record with 13,316 turning out for its home-opening 3-0 win over Montreal.

Persons: Alina Muller, Muller, it's, ”, it’ll, — Kendall Coyne, Steve Mayer, ” Mayer, “, Justin Trudeau, Ottawa’s, Mueller, Alex Carpenter, King —, Billie Jean King —, Hilary Knight, Coyne Schofield, Marie, Philip Poulin, Kloss —, Ilana Kloss —, Carpenter, Taylor Heise, Sarah Nurse, Brianne Jenner, Cassie Campbell, there’s, ” What’s, Pascall, Meghan Duggan, Campbell, “ It’s, Renata, Louis, we’ve, we’re, Toronto’s, Nicole Hensley, Paul, ” Hensley, that’s, Stephen Whyno, ___ Organizations: Professional, Boston, NHL, Canadian, Northeastern, Canada's, Campbell, Canada, ” Scotiabank, Toronto, Mattamy Athletic Centre, Montreal, Scotiabank . Minnesota, Xcel Energy, U.S, AP Locations: Toronto, Europe, Asia, Switzerland, United States, St, Minnesota

☆ Hong Kong Court Convicts Four for Rioting After 2019 Legislature Storming
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Hundreds of protesters stormed Hong Kong's Legislative Council building on July 1, 2019, after a protest march against a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed authorities to send individuals to mainland China for trial. District Court Judge Li Chi-ho found four people including Ho Chun-yin, actor Gregory Wong, Ng Chi-yung and Lam Kam-kwan guilty of rioting. During the trial, Gregory Wong told the court he entered the legislative council solely to deliver two chargers to reporters who were covering the break-in by protesters. Three Hong Kong police officers met him in Shenzhen and said he had to cooperate or else he would not be able to return to Hong Kong. Hong Kong's district court sets a maximum of seven years in prison for rioting.

Persons: Jessie Pang, Edward Cho HONG, Li Chi, Ho Chun, Gregory Wong, Ng Chi, Lam Kam, kwan, Lam, Wong Ka, Ma Kai, Wong, Althea Suen, Ventus Lau, Owen Chow, Edward Cho, Farah Master, Lincoln Organizations: Reuters, Hong, Legislative, Hong Kong, Hong Kong . Police, University of Hong Locations: Edward Cho HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China, Legco, Shenzhen, Hong Kong's

☆ Russia Destroys 21 Ukraine-Launched Drones Over Crimea and Russian Regions -Reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Russian air defence systems destroyed or intercepted 21 Ukraine-launched drones over the Crimean Peninsula and several Russian regions, Russian news agencies reported on Tuesday, citing Moscow's defence ministry. Russia's systems downed 11 of the drones over Crimea, RIA state news agency reported. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 in a move condemned by Kyiv's Western allies as an illegal land grab. Bryansk, Kaluga and Tula regions, Russian agencies reported. Kyiv has intensified its air attacks in recent months, in what it says are strikes targeting Russian military infrastructure to undermine Moscow's war efforts.

Persons: Kyiv's, Mikhail Razvozhayev, Vladislav Shapsha, Lidia Kelly, Tom Hogue, Jamie Freed Organizations: Reuters, Telegram Locations: Ukraine, Crimean, Crimea, Russia, Moscow, Sevastopol, Crimea's, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Tula, Kyiv, Melbourne

☆ What is catfishing and what can you do if you are catfished?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Sen Nguyen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

In the US, romance scams resulting from catfishing have among the highest reported financial losses of internet crimes as a whole. A 2019 study found that young LGBTQ+ men in rural America experiencing catfishing on dating apps felt angry and fearful. She also emphasized the need to recognize today’s loneliness epidemic, which “leads people to perhaps be more susceptible to catfishing scams,” she said. Catfishing is not explicitly a crime, but the actions that often accompany catfishing, such as extortion for money, gifts or sexual images are crimes in many places. In the US, romance scams resulting from catfishing have among the highest reported financial losses of internet crimes as a whole.

Persons: CNN —, Nev Schulman, “ Megan ”, Schulman, Evita, scammers, Catfishing, Snapchat, ”, Ngo Minh Hieu, Chong, Hieu, Wang, “, It’s, Fangzhou Wang, ” Wang, Maryna, WeChat Organizations: CNN, Cybersmile Foundation, Federation University, Fraud Intelligence, INTERPOL, Research, US Federal Trade Commission, SMS, University of Texas, Arlington, Getty, Facebook, UNICEF Locations: Alaska, Australia, Singapore, Southeast Asia, France, Germany, India, cryptocurrency, Vietnamese, America, catfishing, China, Cybersecurity, Australian

☆ How does a desert turn green?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Joan Muwahed | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A transformation is unfolding in the United Arab Emirates, where approximately 80% of the country's land is desert. The UAE has introduced measures to combat desertification by turning its arid landscapes green. The Middle East is home to 12 of the 17 most "water-stressed" countries of the world, and the UAE receives less than 200 mm of rainfall a year. Abdulla Al Mandous, director general at the UAE National Centre of Meteorology, says that the country has invested more than $20 million in cloud seeding research — a process designed to enhance rainfall. CNBC went inside the National Centre of Meteorology in Abu Dhabi to find out how the cloud seeding process works.

Persons: Abdulla Al Mandous Organizations: United Arab, UAE, UAE National Centre of Meteorology, CNBC, National Centre of Meteorology Locations: United Arab Emirates, UAE, China, Singapore, Abu Dhabi

☆ Rare cases of possible Alzheimer’s transmission uncovered in recipients of discontinued medical treatment
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

All five adults had growth hormone deficiency as children and received pituitary growth hormones prepared in a specific way from cadavers. The treatment approach was discontinued after cases of a rare brain disorder called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease were found to be associated with the administration of contaminated human growth hormone from cadavers. Although Alzheimer’s is not a prion disease, some separate research suggests that the two proteins that are hallmarks in Alzheimer’s disease — amyloid beta and tau — behave like prions. “This study suggests that in very rare circumstances Alzheimer’s disease may be transmitted between humans via human growth hormone from deceased donors. “I’m also intrigued by how these results may inform potential therapeutic targets and strategies in the future,” Isaacson said, regarding Alzheimer’s disease.

Persons: John Collinge, Jakob, Creutzfeldt – Jakob, Alzheimer’s, ” Collinge, ’, –, ” Dr, Susan Kohlhaas, ” Kohlhaas, “ It’s, Dr, Richard Isaacson, ”, Isaacson, “ I’m, ” Isaacson, “, Gargi Banerjee, ” Banerjee, James Galvin, Sanjay Gupta, ” Galvin, Lewy Organizations: CNN, Nature, University College London Institute, University College London, National Hospital for Neurology, Neurosurgery, Alzheimer’s Research, Science Media, Comprehensive, Brain Health, University of Miami Health, CNN Health Locations: United Kingdom, United States, United, Florida, UHealth, Creutzfeldt

☆ China, HK Sign Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition of Civil, Commercial Cases
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's Supreme Court and Hong Kong's Department of Justice said on Monday that they signed an arrangement on the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgements in civil and commercial cases effective immediately in both places. It is unclear how the reciprocal recognition and enforcement arrangement would work in practise as there has been no previous precedent with the mainland. Hong Kong is the only jurisdiction to have an arrangement with the mainland on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgements with such a wide coverage, it said. Justice Secretary Paul Lam said that the new civil and commercial arrangement showcased the unique advantages enjoyed by Hong Kong under the "one country, two systems" formula that the city is governed under. "This will be conducive to enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre.

Persons: Hong, Jimmy Lai, Paul Lam, Lam, Farah Master, Tom Hogue, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Hong Kong's Department of Justice, Hong, European Union Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, China, U.S, Britain, Canada, Australia

☆ Hamas Studies Ceasefire Proposal After Deadly Israeli Hospital Raid in West Bank
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

By Raneen SawaftaWEST BANK/GAZA/DOHA (Reuters) -Hamas said on Tuesday it would study a new ceasefire proposal in the war with Israel in Gaza, hours after Israeli commandos killed three Palestinian militants in a raid on a hospital in the occupied West Bank. The raid underscored the risk of the Gaza war spreading to other fronts, while Israeli forces fought new battles with Hamas fighters in the Palestinian enclave. The Israeli undercover squad broke into the hospital, headed to the third floor and killed them using silenced pistols, hospital sources said. Since then, 26,751 Palestinians have been killed and 65,636 wounded by Israeli actions in Gaza, the Gaza health ministry said. TANKS IN ACTIONIsrael mounted a new push in northern Gaza after earlier reporting successes against Palestinian militants there.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, William Burns, Qatar's, Islamic Jihad, Ibn Sina, Mohammad, Najy Nazzal, Mai Alkaila, Mohammed Jalamneh, Israel, Christian Lindmeier, Alkaila, Al Shifa, Khan Younis, Crescent, Ari Rabinovitch, Daniel Williams, Nidal Al Mughrabi, Ali Sawafta, Emma Farge, Angus MacSwan, Timothy Heritage, Gareth Jones Organizations: BANK, Reuters, West Bank, CIA, Islamic, Hamas, Basel Al, Palestinian Health, United Nations, World Health Organization, WHO, Nasser, Health, Palestinian, Residents, Deir Al, Al, Amal Locations: GAZA, DOHA, Israel, Gaza, Paris, Cairo, Ibn Sina, Jenin, Basel, Geneva, Beach, Al, Israeli, Kuwaiti, Gaza City, Deir, Jerusalem, Doha, Ramallah, Clauda, Dubai

☆ Opinion: What could fall apart after Trump’s victory
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. CNN —In 2018, Irish journalist Fintan O’Toole proposed the “Yeats Test” to determine how bad things are in the world. Although … Haley is the last contender standing between former President Donald Trump and the Republican nomination…most Republican voters do not want an alternative to Trump; they overwhelmingly back him. Polling shows Trump even leads Haley in her home state of South Carolina.”Haley’s quest is going nowhere, wrote Daniel McCarthy. Join us on Twitter and FacebookTrump’s election-night needling of South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who endorsed the president over Haley, stood out.

Persons: Fintan O’Toole, Yeats, ” O’Toole, Donald Trump, —, William Butler Yeats, Mitch McConnell’s, Trump, doesn’t, Joe Biden, Clay Jones, Nikki Haley, ”, Raul Reyes, … Haley, Haley, Daniel McCarthy, Ron DeSantis, “, Paul Begala, South Carolina Sen, Tim Scott, Tim, ” Trump, Scott, E, Jean Carroll, Ana Marie Cox, Carroll —, Julian Zelizer, — Trump, ” Bill Bramhall, Biden, Douglas, Bruce A, Willis, John Avlon, Dean Obeidallah, Jon Stewart, Bill Burns, Lishay Lavi, Omri Miran, Roni, Alma, ” Lavi, ” Barbie, Oscar Bill Bramhall, New York Daily News Sara Stewart, Barbie ”, “ Tuesday’s Oscar, ‘ Barbie, Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, Barbie, it’s, Brad Meltzer, Ken, ’, Hannah Ryan, Barbie ’, Sofia Coppola’s ‘ Priscilla ’, Priscilla Presley’s, Elvis —, Molly Manning Walker’s, Ava DuVernay’s, Noah Berlatsky, Dr, Strangelove ”, Peter Bergen, Elena Sheppard, Kyte, Nick Anderson, Narges Mohammadi, Jennifer Tucker, Wayne LaPierre, Erik German, Frida Ghitis, Elon Musk, Jill Filipovic, millennials, David S, Cohen, Greer Donley, Rachel Rebouché, David Mark, …, Lisa Benson, Suzanne Plunkett, Michelle Francl didn’t, Rosa Prince, You’re, you’ll Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, Trump, Polling, Florida Gov, Republican Party, ”, Twitter, Facebook, New York Daily, CIA, New York Daily News, Warner Bros, Warner Bros ., Academy, Counterpoint, NRA, Harvard, Bryn Mawr College, Boston Harbour Locations: Irish, “, Ukraine, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa, New York, Douglas London, Georgia, Gaza, Israel, Bergen, Boston, Pennsylvania

☆ Australia's New South Wales State Premier Condemns Neo-Nazi Rally
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The premier of Australia's New South Wales state condemned on Sunday a neo-Nazi rally in the state capital Sydney as "appalling", a day after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said neo-Nazism was on the rise in the country. "Police are meeting these obnoxious and appalling racists head-on in New South Wales streets," Premier Chris Minns told reporters in Sydney, describing the event as a "neo-Nazi demonstration". The prime minister said Australia had seen a rise in neo-Nazism, which was condemned "by all decent people". At the time, the centre-left Labor government said the laws sent a clear message there was no place in Australia for those who glorify the Holocaust or terrorist acts. (Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Kim Coghill)

Persons: Anthony Albanese, Chris Minns, Albanese, Sam McKeith, Kim Coghill Organizations: SYDNEY, Australia's, Nazi, Police, Labor Locations: Australia's New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Israel, Gaza

☆ Australia Appoints Former Minister to Head Sovereign Wealth Fund
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Lewis JacksonSYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's centre-left Labor government on Monday said it would appoint a former climate change minister to chair the A$212 billion ($139 billion) sovereign wealth fund, the second successive ex-minister to hold the position. Until then, Combet will continue as chair of the Net Zero Economy Agency, which oversees Australia's net zero transition plans, Chalmers said. Future Fund board member Mary Reemst has been appointed acting chair until he begins the role. Started in 2006 by then Treasurer Peter Costello with proceeds from the privatisation of state telco Telstra, the Future Fund today rivals the country's largest pension funds in size. In one of his final speeches last November, he urged government to resist using the fund to support political projects.

Persons: Lewis Jackson SYDNEY, Greg Combet, Jim Chalmers, Combet, Chalmers, Mary Reemst, Mr Combet, Peter Costello, telco, Costello, Lewis Jackson, Stephen Coates Organizations: Labor, IFM, Future Fund, Economy Agency, telco Telstra, Fund, Liberal Party

☆ A woman in China has decided to leave her $2.8m fortune to her dogs and cats and nothing to her children, says report
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A woman in China has cut her children out of her will as she felt they neglected her. Instead, she is leaving her $2.8 million fortune to her pets, says a Shanghai report. A pet clinic will administer the money and care for her dogs, cats, and their offspring. AdvertisementA wealthy woman in China has decided to leave her $2.8m fortune to her pets, and her three children will get nothing, say reports. Advertisement"We told Auntie Liu that if her children change their attitude toward her, she could always alter her will again," the official said.

Persons: —, Liu, Auntie Liu Organizations: Service, China Morning Post, Zonglan, Registration, China Morning Locations: China, Shanghai

HELSINKI (AP) — Ex-Prime Minister Alexander Stubb was projected to win the first round of Finland's presidential election on Sunday and face runner-up Pekka Haavisto in a runoff next month. Finnish public broadcaster YLE projected that Stubb won the first round of the presidential election with 27.3% of the votes, while Haavisto, an ex-foreign minister, took second place with 25.8%. Recent polls suggest that former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, 55, and ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, 65, are the leading contenders. The president also acts as the supreme commander of the Finnish military, a particularly important duty in Europe's current security environment. About 4.5 million citizens were eligible to vote for Finland’s new head of state from an array of nine candidates — six men and three women.

Persons: —, Alexander Stubb, Pekka Haavisto, Stubb, Jussi Halla, aho, Sauli Niinistö, “, ”, Eve Kinnunen, Haavisto, Olli Rehn, Niinistö, Vladimir Putin of, ___ Kostya Manenkov, Sergei Grits Organizations: HELSINKI, YLE, Legal, Nordic, NATO, Union, National Coalition Party, Finns, Bank of Finland, Halla, Associated Press, Helsinki, Green League Locations: Finnish, Stubb, Finland, HELSINKI, Russia, United States, China, Helsinki, Sunday’s, Europe, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Nordic, Finland’s, Sweden, Hungary

☆ At the Defense Table, Trump Uses the Courtroom as a Stage
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Maggie Haberman | Kate Christobek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

He spoke to his lawyers, his words sometimes quite audible to the packed courtroom. He wrote instructions for his defense team that he shoved their way. He walked in late at one point, and at another, while a lawyer suing him was speaking to the jury, he stalked out. His use of the defense table as a stage also provided clues to the public, and a reminder to his own legal team, of how he might handle himself if and when any of the four criminal cases he is facing go to trial. And in recent months he sat for many days of the trial a few blocks away at 60 Centre Street, where Justice Arthur F. Engoron of State Supreme Court oversaw the fraud trial against Mr. Trump and his company.

Persons: Donald J, Jean Carroll —, New York —, Carroll, general’s, Trump, Judge Lewis A, Kaplan, Arthur F Organizations: New, Republican, Court, Mr Locations: New York, Manhattan

☆ Finns Choose New President for NATO Era With Russia in Mind
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The Nordic country's admission to NATO last year drew threats of "counter measures" from its vast Russian neighbour. In December, Finland closed its entire border with Russia to passenger traffic in response to a surge in migrants trying to cross. Partial results are expected shortly after polls close at 1800 GMT and the competitors for the probable second round should be clear by 2030 GMT unless the results are very close. The new president will replace 75-year-old incumbent Sauli Niinisto who is required to step down after two six-year terms in office. He earned the nickname "the Putin Whisperer" during his tenure for his role in maintaining close ties with Russia, which had long been a key role for Finnish presidents.

Persons: Anne Kauranen, Alexander Stubb, Pekka Haavisto, Finns Party's Jussi Halla, Olli Rehn, Jutta Urpilainen, Sauli Niinisto, Putin, Terje Solsvik, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Anne Kauranen HELSINKI, NATO, Nordic, Moscow, Finnish Defence Forces, Green Party, Finns, Bank of Finland, Social Democrat European Locations: Finland, Ukraine, Russia, Helsinki, Oslo

☆ EU's Centre-Right Expects to Nominate Von Der Leyen for Second Term - EPP's Caspary
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN (Reuters) - The European Union's main centre-right alliance will nominate Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as European Commission president at a congress in March if she wants to continue in the post, a senior EU lawmaker told Reuters. Von der Leyen, a German Christian Democrat, has not yet said publicly whether she wants a second stint at the helm of the EU executive after her current term expires later this year. "The EPP will nominate Ursula von der Leyen as its lead candidate for the European elections at its European Congress on March 6 and 7," Caspary said, adding, "If that's what she wants." Being nominated as the EPP's lead candidate would mean von der Leyen would also be its nominee for Commission president. Caspary's comments add strength to the widespread assumption among diplomats and officials in Brussels that von der Leyen will seek and receive a second term as Commission president.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Von der, Daniel Caspary, Caspary, Leyen, der Leyen, Andreas Rinke, Andrew Gray, Nette Nöstlinger, Rachel More Organizations: BERLIN, Reuters, Christian Democrat, European People's Party, EPP Locations: Brussels

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