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☆ 4 traits you should have as an employee to help keep you off the layoff list, from an HR expert
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Alyshia Hull | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Before starting my own company, I worked in HR for 20 years and spent time in employment law. For example, "I don't need help, just a listening ear for a minute and some reassurance that it gets easier." To be a great employee, you don't have to have every solution, but showing ownership and having ideas can help solve the problem much more quickly. When you're a good team player, your manager is more likely to fight for you to stay on their team. It's important to remember that sometimes, these decisions are out of your control, but displaying good traits can strengthen your case.

Persons: —, Ashley Herd, doesn't, I'm, Lauryn Haas Organizations: Service, Business, lhaas Locations: Atlanta

☆ China launches probe into Calvin Klein parent over Xinjiang supply chain ‘disruptions’
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chinese and U.S. flags flutter near The Bund, before U.S. trade delegation meet their Chinese counterparts for talks in Shanghai, China July 30, 2019. BEIJING — China's Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday it was launching a probe into Calvin Klein-parent PVH Group over alleged business disruptions around its Xinjiang supply chain. China's Commerce Ministry on Tuesday did not state why it was probing PVH now, but said the U.S. retail group had 30 days to respond. U.S. defense companies that previously landed on the "unreliable entities" list are barred from China-related imports or exports. PVH did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment outside of U.S. business hours.

Persons: Calvin Klein, PVH Organizations: Bund, BEIJING — China's Ministry of Commerce, PVH Group, Huawei, U.S . Commerce, U.S, The U.S . Commerce Department, Monday, China's Commerce, CNBC Locations: Shanghai, China, BEIJING, Xinjiang, Russia, U.S

Trump allies have pushed for a special legislative session intended for the Republican-controlled legislature to change Nebraska to a winner-take-all system instead of awarding electoral votes by congressional district. The developments appear to cap months of deliberations over whether Nebraska lawmakers could change the way the state apportions its electoral votes in a way that would benefit Trump. Nebraska allocates its electoral votes by congressional district, and the swing district around Omaha has twice gone to Democrats in recent years, giving them one electoral vote from an otherwise ruby-red state. But if lawmakers changed that to a winner-take-all model, Trump would be all but certain to win all of Nebraska's electoral votes. Maine is the only other state that does not have a winner-take-all system for electoral votes.

Persons: Donald Trump, Sen, Mike McDonnell, Loren Lippincott, Lippincott, Pillen, ” Lippincott, McDonnell, Trump, Kamala Harris, Harris, Jane Kleeb, Nebraskans, Kleeb, Sen Lindsey Graham, Graham, “, Merv Riepe, Charlie Kirk Organizations: Nebraska Republican, Trump, Republican, NBC News ., NBC News . Nebraska GOP, NBC, Omaha, Nebraska, Electoral, U.S . House, Republicans, Nebraska Democrats, “, Nebraska Democratic Party, Washington Post, Nebraska's Electoral, Pillen, Electoral College Locations: Nebraska, NBC News . Nebraska, Pillen, Omaha, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, “ Nebraska, . Maine, Maine

Sen. Lindsey Graham told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday that North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson “has an obligation to defend himself” following reports last week that Robinson made lewd posts on a pornographic website over a decade ago. Currently, Nebraska splits its three Electoral College votes by congressional district, with the Republican nominee usually taking two votes and the Democratic nominee taking one. Maine is the only other state in the nation to participate in the Electoral College this way. On Thursday, Nebraska GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts told NBC News that 48 states have a winner-take-all electoral vote system and Nebraska should too.

Persons: Sen, Lindsey Graham, Mark Robinson “, ”, Robinson, Graham, ” Graham, I’d, Robinson “, CNN didn’t, Josh Stein, Donald Trump, “ Robinson, ” “ Mark Robinson, ” Stein, Trump, Roy Cooper, “ Trump, Jim Pillen, Kamala, Harris, —, Nebraska GOP Sen, Pete Ricketts, Ricketts Organizations: NBC, Gov, South Carolina Republican, CNN, NAZI, , North, Democrat, Press, Electoral College, Democratic Gov, GOP, Republican Gov, Electoral, Republican, Democratic, Nebraska —, Nebraska GOP, NBC News, College Locations: Carolina, ,, , North Carolina, North Carolina, Nebraska, , Nebraska, Maine

☆ Analysis: Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump is the closest presidential race of the century
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-22 | by ( Harry Enten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

On average, according to the latest CNN Poll of Polls, Harris is ahead by 3 points. Instead, it is a race to 270 electoral votes through the Electoral College. Per CNN’s current race ratings, Harris starts at 225 electoral votes to Trump’s 219. A win in Nebraska’s 2nd District would likely give Harris exactly 270 electoral votes when added to Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Some Nebraska Republicans, urged on by Trump, want to change the state’s method of allocating electoral votes to a winner-take-all format.

Persons: Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Harris ’, Harris, Joe Biden, –, Nate Silver, Trump, he’s, Biden, SSRS Organizations: CNN, White, Republican, Electoral, CBS News, NBC News, Democratic, CBS, NBC, ABC News, Fox News, The New York Times, Siena College, Trump, Harris, Electoral College, Congressional, Trump North, Cornhusker, Nebraska’s, Nebraska Republicans, Democrat, Nebraska, Silver State Locations: Nebraska’s, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan , Pennsylvania, Nevada, North Carolina, Trump North Carolina, Maine, Omaha

As governor, Mr. Evans increased aid for higher education and was instrumental in the creation of a state community college system. In 1970, Washington became the first state to create a Department of Ecology. When urban riots convulsed the nation, he went into Seattle’s poor neighborhoods and set up centers to deliver state services. Using executive powers, he established the Washington State Indian Affairs Commission in 1967 and the State Women’s Council in 1971. In 1969, he named the first Black members to the boards of the University of Washington and Seattle Community College.

Persons: ”, “, George H.W, George H.W . Bush, ‘, Gerald R, Ford, Evans, Nixon, Rockefeller, Bob Dole, Jimmy Carter, Thomas S, Foley, Evans “ Organizations: Ecology, Washington State Indian Affairs Commission, State Women’s Council, University of Washington, Seattle Community College, Democratic Locations: George H.W ., Bob Dole of Kansas, Washington

☆ Trump grapples with fallout from Mark Robinson’s latest scandal: From the Politics Desk
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( The Politics Desk | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

In today’s edition, we look at how Donald Trump is handling the political fallout from CNN's bombshell report on North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson. “North Carolina is a vital part of that plan. Additionally, Republican members of the North Carolina congressional delegation, including Sens. The political fallout from Robinson’s past comments could be particularly tough for Trump because of the importance of North Carolina as one of seven key swing states on the presidential map. The DNC launched digital ads and billboards featuring Trump heaping praise on Robinson, while a new Harris campaign ad links Trump to Robinson’s past anti-abortion comments.

Persons: Donald Trump, Mark Robinson, Kristen Welker, Trump, Matt Dixon, Katherine Doyle, Olympia Sonnier, Kristen Welker Donald Trump, Robinson, Martin Luther King, Trump’s, ” Trump, Karoline Leavitt, Biden, Harris, Ted Budd, Thom Tillis, Michael Whatley, Ben Kamisar, What’s, Joe Biden’s, Kamala Harris, I’m, they’ve, Bridget Bowman, Emma Barnett, Alex Tabet, Katherine Koretski, “, ”, Kenneth Hauck, Harris ’, Hauck, ” Norna, Read Organizations: NBC, White House, Capitol, North Carolina, NBC News, CNN, White, Trump, North, Republican National, DNC, “, Press Locations: “ North Carolina, North Carolina, Sens, Wilmington , North Carolina, Michigan , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, San Diego, Florida

Donald Trump is facing calls both from his allies and from within his own campaign to pull his endorsement from scandal-plagued North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, according to four people familiar with the discussions. “North Carolina is a vital part of that plan. Additionally, Republican members of the North Carolina congressional delegation, including Sens. Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, who is from North Carolina, planned to privately urge Trump to pull his endorsement of Robinson, according to a person familiar with the conversations. Recent polling has had Trump in a statistical dead heat with Vice President Kamala Harris in the state, at roughly 48%.

Persons: Donald Trump, Mark Robinson, Robinson, “, Trump, Martin Luther King, Trump’s, ” Trump, Karoline Leavitt, Biden, Harris, ”, Ted Budd, Thom Tillis, Michael Whatley, Budd, Tillis, Whatley, —, ” Robinson, Clarence Thomas, “ Robinson, Kamala Harris, outperforms Robinson, Josh Stein, Robinson’s, Roy Moore, Madison Cawthorn’s, Herschel Walker Organizations: North Carolina, CNN, White, Trump, NBC News, North, Republican National, Republican, Republican Governors Association, North Carolina Rep, Georgia Senate Locations: “ North Carolina, North Carolina, Sens, Wilmington , North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia

☆ Maine Democrats have likely run out of time to change Electoral College laws if Nebraska GOP acts
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Alex-Seitz-Wald-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Alex Seitz-Wald | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

LINCOLNVILLE, Maine — As Republicans in Nebraska consider changing state law to give Donald Trump an extra Electoral College vote this fall, their Democratic counterparts in Maine have little recourse to even the score. In 2020, Trump won one electoral vote from Maine’s rural 2nd Congressional District and is heavily favored to do so again, while Joe Biden won one from Nebraska’s Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District. And Maine GOP leaders have already signaled they have no interest in helping Democrats do away with their unusual formula for awarding electoral votes. “Maine has the gold standard of presidential election processes in the United States,” state House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham told the Bangor Daily News on Thursday. But unlike the previous times, there no longer appears to be a good way for Maine — and therefore national Democrats — to counter a change in Nebraska.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, Sen, Lindsey Graham, Billy Bob Faulkingham, “, ”, Kamala Harris, Harris, Biden, Harris ’, JD Vance, Democrats —, Dan Ankeles, ” Alex Seitz, Wald, Ben Kamisar Organizations: Republicans, Electoral, Democratic, Republican, Nebraska Republicans, Maine Democrats, Trump, Congressional, Maine Legislature, Maine GOP, Bangor Daily, Electoral College, Representatives, Maine, Democrats, National Locations: LINCOLNVILLE, Maine, Nebraska, Nebraska’s Omaha, “ Maine, United States, Bangor, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, R, Ohio, Lincolnville, Washington ,

☆ Trump presses to change Nebraska election law, in fight for a sole electoral vote
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Jeff Zeleny | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Jim Pillen to discuss the feasibility of overturning a 30-year law, which awards electoral votes by congressional district, rather than statewide winner-take-all. The former president called into the meeting briefly, a GOP official told CNN, hoping to win support and impress upon them the importance of a single electoral vote. It’s yet another sign of just how close the election against Vice President Kamala Harris could be, with one electoral vote from an Omaha-area congressional district emerging as potentially pivotal. Democrats are less optimistic about a Maine sweep, party officials say, than winning one of Nebraska’s electoral votes. Time has run out for Maine to change its law, state officials have said, with 90 days required for any legislation to take effect.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Jim Pillen, Republican Sen, Lindsey Graham of, Kamala Harris, Harris, “, ” Graham, ” Trump, Joe Biden, Pillen, ” Pillen, Sen, Mike McDonnell, Barry Rubin, “ Sen, McDonnell, ”, Tony Vargas, Don Bacon, ” Bacon, Jane Kleeb, ” Kleeb, CNN’s Alayna Treene, David Wright, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: CNN, Republican, Nebraska GOP, Republican Gov, GOP, White, Nebraska, The Washington Post, Nebraska Legislature, “, WTA, Democratic, GOP Rep, Nebraska Democratic, Trump, Nebraskans, Republicans Locations: Nebraska, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Omaha, Wisconsin , Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maine

Graham, acting on behalf of the Trump campaign, was working to encourage Pillen to call a special legislative session at which lawmakers could consider changing the state's apportionment of electoral votes, the source said. Nebraska allocates its electoral votes by congressional district. That one electoral vote could prove decisive. Maine is the only other state that does not have a winner-take-all system for electoral votes. The Democratic state House majority leader has said the state should consider switching to a winner-take-all electoral vote system itself as a counter if Nebraska moves to change its system.

Persons: Sen, Lindsey Graham, Jim Pillen, Graham, Trump, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Pillen, Nebraskans Organizations: Nebraska Gov, KOLN, Electoral, Trump, U.S . House, Republicans, Republican, Nebraska, Democratic Locations: Nebraska, Omaha, Lincoln, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Maine

☆ New York Democrats are desperate to avoid repeat of their 2022 midterm collapse
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Gregory Krieg | Gloria Pazmino | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

New York Democrats offered a wide array of excuses for their disastrous 2022 midterms, when Republicans flipped four seats outside New York City on their way to winning a narrow US House majority. Now, less than two months out from the 2024 general election, the state party, its campaign season allies, chastened candidates and Gov. D’Esposito is one of five New York GOP freshmen facing an onslaught from Democrats determined to claw back suburban voters. “New York is the reason Democrats lost the House in 2022,” said Pamela Shifman, president of the Democracy Alliance, a liberal group spending big in New York this year. “There’s more focus than there was the last couple cycles, both from the state party, but also obviously the national committees,” the strategist said.

Persons: Kathy Hochul, Donald Trump’s, Anthony D’Esposito’s, Laura Gillen, Joe Biden, Gillen, Marc Molinaro, Mike Lawler, Nick LaLota, Brandon Williams, Kamala Harris, ”, Pamela Shifman, Nancy Pelosi, Pelosi, “, Jay Jacobs, ” Hochul, Andrew Caballero, Reynolds, Ana María Archila, Archila, Trump, Hakeem Jeffries, Jeffries, Kirsten Gillibrand, Lizzy Weiss, Hochul, Andrew Cuomo, Tom Suozzi, Republican George Santos, Gabby Seay, Chip Somodevilla, “ Jeffries, “ He’s, Seay, Michael Bloomberg, Elizabeth Frantz, Lawler, Sean Patrick Maloney, Mondaire Jones, ” Lawler, Jones, Roe, Lee Zeldin, Riley Gaines Organizations: CNN, New York Democrats, Republicans, Gov, Democratic, Republican Rep, New York GOP, Trump, Democracy Alliance, Politico, Democratic National Convention, New, Getty, Families Party, Democratic Congressional, Committee, New York’s, Republican, ”, Capitol Visitor Center, GOP, PAC, New York Fund, Empire, New York, Congressional, Democrats, Rep, “, Working, Party, US, Wade, Convention Locations: New York City, Long, York, Hudson, Central New York, “ New York, New York, Chicago, AFP, Washington ,, strategizing, strategize, Gaza, Suozzi, Hudson Valley, State

☆ Whelan says he spent last five days in Russian detention in solitary confinement
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Paul Whelan, who spent five-and-a-half years wrongfully detained in Russia, revealed Tuesday that he had spent the final five days leading up to his release in solitary confinement. “It was due to people like my parents, who grew up in England during the war. It was that kind of, you know, resiliency that saw them through their childhood in England, and that’s how I grew up. Whelan said it was great to be back but “there’s a lot ahead.”“One of the things I’m focused on is getting a new car. Whelan also expressed gratitude for the government agencies who helped secure his release.

Persons: CNN — Paul Whelan, ”, “, ” Whelan, Whelan, Marc Fogel, Marc, Trevor, Reed Organizations: CNN, Capitol, Michigan Locations: Russia, PISA, “, England, United States, Germany, readjusting, American

☆ US military completes withdrawal from Niger
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The US military completed its withdrawal from Niger on Sunday, US Africa Command announced in a news release. The US had previously said that the withdrawal would be complete by September 15. The withdrawal comes months after Niger’s military government — which took power in a coup in 2023 — ended an agreement signed with the US that allowed military personnel and civilian staff from the Department of Defense to operate in Niger. A Niger military spokesman said in March that the agreement “is not only profoundly unfair in its substance but it also does not meet the aspirations and interests of the Nigerien people.”The announcement was made just days after a US delegation visited Niger in March. Those concerns were only furthered when, weeks after Niger announced the end of its military agreement with the US, Russian forces were operating out of the same military base as US troops in the country.

Persons: Sabrina Singh, ” AFRICOM, ”, —, Major Amadou Abdramane, Michael Langley, Celeste Wallander, “, ” Abdramane, Singh, Russia “, ” Langley, Chris Maier Organizations: CNN, Africa Command, Air Base, US, Pentagon, U.S . Africa, Department of Defense, US Special Forces, ” CNN, US Africa Command, American, Russian Federation, Niger, Islamic State, US Department of Defense, Nigerien Ministry of National Defense Locations: Niger, Niamey, Agadez, U.S, Nigerien, Russia, Africa, Russian, al Qaeda

☆ A top poll showing Trump narrowly ahead in Iowa is a warning sign for his campaign
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( John L. Dorman | Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Iowa shifted from being a swing state to one where Republicans are firmly in the driver's seat. In Iowa, the gender gap is as pronounced as it is in many swing states. AdvertisementIn the latest Iowa poll, state voters gave Harris an 11-point point edge over Trump (53% to 42%) on the issue of abortion. AdvertisementStill, the poll shows why the intense focus on the seven swing states can sometimes be detrimental. The Iowa poll found that six percent of voters still back Kennedy, a decrease from June but still a number that could cause headaches.

Persons: —, Donald Trump's, Trump, Barack Obama —, Joe Biden, Biden, Kamala Harris, Harris, Roe, Wade, It's, That's, Win McNamee, J, Ann Selzer, Nate Silver's, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kennedy, Mary Peltola, Lyndon B, Johnson, he's, Hillary Clinton Organizations: Service, Republicans, GOP, Business, Iowa, Trump, Democratic, Des Moines Register, Biden . Iowa Democrats, Biden, Des, Register, Republican, Iowa Republicans, White Locations: Iowa, Midwest, . Iowa, Illinois, Des, —, Hawkeye, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Alaska, Alaska's, Trump, Michigan , Wisconsin

☆ 7 things to watch for at tonight's debate: From the Politics Desk
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( The Politics Desk | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +10 min

In today’s edition, we preview tonight's showdown between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Programming note: Stay tuned for a special edition of the From the Politics Desk newsletter tonight, where we will be recapping and analyzing the presidential debate. One of the things I’ll be looking for is which voters each candidate goes out of their way to address directly. Something to watch for right at the beginning of the debate is whether Harris and Trump shake hands. That would boost her to 245 electoral votes and reduce the number of remaining state outcome combinations to 16.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Steve Kornacki, —, NBC —, Donald Trump —, ’, Kristen Welker, Harris, Read, Chuck Todd, Monica Alba, Harris ’, Mike Pence, she’s, Trump, → Garrett Haake, Gabe Gutierrez, Jonathan Allen, Emma Barnett, Rob e Organizations: NBC, White House, Capitol, ABC News, Trump, NBC News, Keystone State, Electoral Locations: Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada , North Carolina, Wisconsin

☆ UN nuclear watchdog chief pushes back on Moscow’s calls for objectivity after Kursk plant visit
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-29 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog has pushed back against Moscow's calls for further objectivity, following an inspection at the nuclear facility in the embattled Russian region of Kursk. Last week, Russia accused Ukraine of attempting a drone strike at the Kursk nuclear plant during a lightning cross-border incursion that has been under way since early August and which Moscow is still trying to repel. "The spokesperson of the Russian ministry of foreign affairs rightly says, be objective. We are saying here that this nuclear power plant ... is within range of a potential artillery strike, which means that the danger exists. On Thursday, Grossi explained that the Kursk nuclear plant contains reactors of the Soviet RBMK-type, similar to the ones present in the Chernobyl facility, which suffered one of the worst nuclear disasters in history in 1986.

Persons: Rafael Grossi, Moscow's, CNBC's, Maria Zakharova, Grossi Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, of Governors, CNBC, Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday, IAEA, Sputnik, Ria Novosti Locations: Vienna, Austria, Russian, Kursk, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Kiev, Soviet

☆ Dozens killed in strikes in southern Gaza as preparations for cease-fire talks move forward
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

At least three dozen Palestinians were killed in multiple Israeli strikes in the southern Gaza Strip, officials said Saturday, even as preparations moved ahead for high-level cease-fire talks in the Egyptian capital. The hospital received a total of 33 dead who were killed in three separate strikes in and around Khan Younis. Seventeen others were killed when a strike hit a road south of Khan Younis, including the passengers on a tuk-tuk and passers-by, Nasser Hospital said. Another strike hit a tuk-tuk east of Khan Younis, killing at least five people. First responders also recovered the bodies of 10 people from a residential block west of Khan Younis.

Persons: Khan Younis, Nasser Hospital, Mahmoud Merdawy, David Barnea, Shin, Eliezer Toledano, William Burns, Brett McGurk, Joe Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Bassem Naim, Sunday’s, Merdawy Organizations: Hospital, Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Associated Press, Health Ministry, Hamas, Qatari, CIA Locations: Gaza, Al, Aqsa, Khan, Israel, United States, Egypt, Qatar, Cairo, U.S

☆ Former OpenAI employees call out Sam Altman for not backing even 'light-touch' safety efforts
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"OpenAI opposes even the extremely light-touch requirements in SB 1047, most of which OpenAl claims to voluntarily commit to, raising questions about the strength of those commitments." They said the existing federal legislation OpenAI is using to support its case is "woefully inadequate." They said they hoped their letter would help push the California legislature to pass SB 1047. In an email to Business Insider, a spokesperson for OpenAI said the letter misrepresented the company's position on the bill. "We strongly disagree with the mischaracterization of our position on SB 1047.

Persons: —, OpenAI, California Sen, Scott Wiener, Sam Altman, William Saunders, Daniel Kokotajlo, Saunders, Wiener, we've Organizations: Service, Business, Congressional, Labor, U.S, AI Safety Locations: California, Sacramento, OpenAI

☆ Hamas Agrees to Meet With Mediators in Cairo Ahead of Cease-Fire Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-24 | by ( Erika Solomon | Aaron Boxerman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Hamas said it would head to Cairo on Saturday to meet with mediators ahead of a new round of Gaza cease-fire talks, as the United States, Qatar and Egypt push to reach an agreement they hope can stave off the growing threat of regional war. On Friday, the Israeli military announced that at least one soldier had been killed and several others were wounded in fighting in central Gaza. While U.S. officials have insisted there is progress in negotiations, the main warring parties, Israel and Hamas, have been far more pessimistic in their assessment. Negotiators have been pushing for a major summit as early as Sunday to move ahead with the talks. But the visit to Cairo leaves the door open for further talks.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu Organizations: Civil Defense, Hamas Locations: Cairo, Gaza, United States, Qatar, Egypt, While, Israel

☆ Even if a Gaza ceasefire is agreed, Israel has made clear it reserves the right to resume the war with Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Months of feverish negotiations, in different cities and at multiple levels, have gotten Israel and Hamas closer to striking a ceasefire deal. “But we are committed to continue the war after the pause in order to achieve the goal of destroying Hamas. It essentially allows Israel – and Hamas – to abandon discussions after the six-week first phase and resume the war. Far-right members of his cabinet have blasted any ceasefire agreement while Israeli reports cite security officials who accuse Netanyahu of sabotaging the negotiations. Earlier this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was visiting Israel, said Netanyahu had agreed to the proposal while Hamas had not yet.

Persons: Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s, Israel –, –, Netanyahu, Riki Baruch, ”, it’s, John Kirby, “, Joe Biden, Biden, Qatar –, Yahya Sinwar, Bill Burns, Antony Blinken, Sinwar, ” CNN’s Jeremy Diamond, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: CNN, Israel, National Security, Hamas, Islamic, IDF, ”, CIA, Biden, American Locations: Israel, Gaza, Cairo, Palestinian, Egypt, Qatar, Israeli, Israel’s, American, Doha, Iran, Lebanon, Beirut, Tehran

☆ Nepal Asks China to Wipe Away a Loan It Can’t Afford to Pay Back
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Bhadra Sharma | Daisuke Wakabayashi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Thursday, Nepal’s one-month-old government, led by the country’s largest communist party, which has close ties to Beijing, formally asked China to convert a $216 million loan for the airport into a grant, wiping away the debt. It made the request during a visit by a Chinese delegation including Sun Weidong, China’s vice foreign minister. A few weeks after it opened in January 2023, a domestic flight headed for the city crashed into a river gorge, killing 72 people. The airport has not attracted any regular international flights, dimming the financial outlook for the project. Over the last year, Nepal’s anti-corruption agency and a parliamentary committee started investigations into the airport’s construction.

Persons: Nepal’s, Sun Weidong Locations: China, Pokhara, Beijing

☆ Beyoncé hype ran high then popped like a balloon at the DNC
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Like most pop culture fantasies, speculation that Beyoncé would make an appearance at the DNC started – and ended – on social media. From the moment CNN reported in July that Beyoncé had granted the vice president permission to use her 2016 song “Freedom” for her presidential campaign, there were questions. People spotted wearing ‘COWBOY KAMALA’ sashes at the Democratic National Convention. Eva Hambach/AFP/Getty ImagesA bee emoji shared on X by White House political director Emily Ruiz further spiked the hype. “If you thought the Oprah surprise was big, just wait.”On Thursday evening, TMZ reported that Beyoncé would indeed be performing.

Persons: Kamala Harris, –, Beyoncé, Bey, Harris, Taylor Swift, Kamala, KAMALA, Shasti Conrad, ” Conrad, Eva Hambach, Emily Ruiz, Oprah Winfrey, ”, “ I’ve, Barack Obama’s, Obama’s, Hillary Clinton, Yvette Noel, Schure, TMZ, CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister Organizations: CNN, Democratic National Convention, Chicago’s United, DNC, Washington Democratic, Washington State Standard, United Center, Getty, White House, TMZ, Media, Democratic, Biden, Hollywood Locations: Chi, O’Hare, Washington, Chicago , Illinois, AFP, Ohio, Chicago

☆ Netanyahu added conditions that complicated Gaza negotiations, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Abigail-Williams-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Abigail Williams | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introduced new conditions that complicated negotiations aimed at freeing hostages and suspending fighting in the Gaza Strip in May, according to U.S. and foreign officials. The cease-fire talks, with Israel represented by the head of its intelligence service and other officials, had advanced close to an agreement. The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas was sparked by Hamas’ terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7, which killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians. About 40,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since Israel launched its retaliatory military operation in the enclave, according to local health officials. In a statement Sunday, Hamas said Israel had added new conditions to an earlier proposal that revealed its intention to continue its “aggression” in Gaza and sabotage a possible cease-fire agreement.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “ Netanyahu, Israel, ”, Iran’s, Ismail Haniyeh, Fazil Abd Erahim, “ It’s, there’s, Haniyeh Organizations: The New York Times, NBC News, Sky News, State Department, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Israel Defense Forces, Biden Locations: Gaza, Israel, U.S, Qatar, Egypt, Jerusalem, Lebanon, British, Tehran, Algiers, Algeria, Iran

☆ The UN says Sudan is at a ‘catastrophic breaking point’ amid flooding and fighting
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

War-wrecked Sudan's humanitarian crisis is at "a catastrophic breaking point" amid fighting and devastating flooding, the U.N. migration agency said Monday, ahead of peace talks planned for later this week. The talks face uncertainty as Sudan's military has yet to confirm its participation in the meeting in Switzerland brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia. Sudan’s war has created the world’s largest displacement crisis. More than 10.7 million people have been forced to flee their homes since fighting began, according to the International Organization for Migration. AFP - Getty Images"We are at a breaking point, a catastrophic, cataclysmic breaking point," said Othman Belbeisi, IOM’s regional director.

Persons: Othman Belbeisi, Belbeisi, Tom Perriello, We’ve, Perriello Organizations: Rapid Support Forces, International Organization for Migration, Getty, IOM, U.S, SAF, Sudanese Armed Forces, United Locations: Switzerland, United States, Saudi Arabia, Khartoum, Darfur, Meroe, Sudan, AFP, Darfur’s, al, Sennar, Geneva, Saudi, Jeddah, Union, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, UAE

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