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LONDON (AP) — Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill is poised to make history Saturday by becoming the first Irish nationalist leader of Northern Ireland as the government returned to work after a two-year boycott by unionists. Northern Ireland was established as a unionist, Protestant-majority part of the U.K. in 1921, following independence for the Republic of Ireland. The return to government came exactly two years after a DUP boycott over a dispute about trade restrictions for goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain. Northern Ireland’s 1.9 million people were left without a functioning administration as the cost of living soared and public services were strained. The new changes included legislation “affirming Northern Ireland’s constitutional status” as part of the U.K. and gives local politicians “democratic oversight” of any future EU laws that might apply to Northern Ireland.

Persons: Sinn, Michelle O'Neill, O'Neill, Brexit, ” O’Neill, Sinn Fein Organizations: Irish, Republic of Ireland, Democratic Unionist Party, DUP, Northern Ireland Assembly, Stormont Assembly, Irish Republican Army, Windsor Locations: Northern Ireland, Northern, Ireland, Republic of, Government, Stormont, Great Britain . Northern, Belfast

Paying state salaries and pensions - this means compensation for teachers, doctors, nurses, civil servants and other public-sector employees. Ensuring smooth power and water supplies, and keeping other public services running. Bohdan Yeremenko, a Ukrainian lawmaker and former diplomat, told Ukrainian media on Thursday that he expected the government to use some of the funds to ease downward pressure on the hryvnia, saying it was important for macroeconomic stability. Safety net for foreign investments in Ukraine. Yevheniia Kravchuk, another deputy from Zelenskyy’s Servant of the People party, told the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle Friday that Kyiv will use some of the aid to provide insurance and stable financing for foreign investments, including plants that produce arms and ammunition.

Persons: Bohdan Yeremenko, Yevheniia Kravchuk Organizations: People, Deutsche Welle Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, German

☆ U.S. Launches Retaliatory Strikes in Iraq, Syria; Nearly 40 Reported Killed
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

The White House said the United States had informed Iraq ahead of strikes. Baghdad later accused the United States of deception, saying a U.S. claim of coordination with the Iraqi authorities was "unfounded". The Syrian foreign ministry said the United States was fuelling conflict in the region in a "very dangerous way". The United States has assessed that the drone that killed the three soldiers and wounded more than 40 other people in Jordan was made by Iran, U.S. officials have told Reuters. Iranian advisers assist armed groups in both Iraq, where the United States has around 2,500 troops, and Syria, where it has 900.

Persons: Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Timour Azhari, Joe Biden's, Nasser Kanaani, Rami Abdulrahman, General Douglas Sims, Biden, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Ebrahim Raisi, Radek Sikorski, Jordan, Roger Wicker, Enas Alashray, Adam Makary, Andrew Gray, Sabine Siebold, Tom Perry, Frances Kerry Organizations: United, Revolutionary Guard, U.S, Syrian, Human Rights, Joint Staff, Pentagon, U.S . Defense, Reuters, Republican, Senate Armed Services Committee Locations: Timour Azhari WASHINGTON, BAGHDAD, United States, Iraq, Syria, U.S, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Tehran, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraqi, Baghdad, Washington, Britain, Polish, Brussels, Al, Jordan

It's the kind of obstruction of key policy objectives for which Orbán has become notorious within the European Union. “We are the sand in the machinery, the stick between the spokes, the splinter under the fingernail,” Orbán said in a speech to tens of thousands of supporters in 2021. Now, frustrated EU officials are trying to determine what Orbán seeks to achieve with his obstructionist strategy, and how they might overcome it. But with his veto power, the nationalist leader will have plenty of further opportunities to sow discord within the EU. Widely considered to be Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally in the EU, Orbán has been accused by his critics of promoting Moscow’s interests over those of his EU and NATO allies, and of preparing to lead his country out of the EU entirely.

Persons: —, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, ” Orbán, Donald Tusk, “, ”, Péter Krekó, ” Krekó, “ Orbán, Daniel Freund, Freund, it’s, he's, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, “ He’s, he’s, Krekó, Vladimir Putin’s Organizations: NATO, European Union, EU, Conservative Political, Green, United, U.S, Trump, Germany, Political Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungary, Brussels, Polish, Ukraine, Budapest, Germany, France, Italy, Europe, United States, Washington, Netherlands, Union

☆ Russia is getting a million artillery shells from North Korea, Zelenskyy says, as Ukraine struggles for supplies
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russia is now getting a million artillery shells from North Korea, per Ukrainian intelligence. AdvertisementUkraine says Russia is getting a million artillery shells from North Korea as it is struggling with its own supplies from its allies. "Intelligence confirms that Russia will receive a million artillery shells from Pyongyang," Zelenskyy said, per an official translation of his video address. "Meanwhile, unfortunately, the implementation of the European plan to supply one million artillery shells to Ukraine is being delayed," he said. In his address, Zelenskyy said that North Korea sending more than one million artillery shells to Russia is a "signal of global competition, in which Europe cannot afford to lose."

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Josep Borrell, Rustem Umerov Organizations: Service, Intelligence, EU Locations: Russia, North Korea, Ukraine, Pyongyang, Korea, Europe

☆ Russia is getting a million artillery shells from North Korea, Zelenskyy says, as Ukraine struggles for supplies from its own allies
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewUkraine says Russia is getting a million artillery shells from North Korea as it is struggling with its own supplies from its allies. "Intelligence confirms that Russia will receive a million artillery shells from Pyongyang," Zelenskyy said, per an official translation of his video address. "Meanwhile, unfortunately, the implementation of the European plan to supply one million artillery shells to Ukraine is being delayed," he said. AdvertisementThe EU has failed to deliver the one million rounds of ammunition promised to Ukraine in March last year, with production rates still lagging. In his address, Zelenskyy said that North Korea sending more than one million artillery shells to Russia is a "signal of global competition, in which Europe cannot afford to lose."

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Josep Borrell, Rustem Umerov Organizations: Service, Intelligence, Business, EU Locations: Ukraine, Russia, North Korea, Pyongyang, Korea, Europe

☆ More young people are dying of colorectal cancer. Three lifestyle factors could be partly to blame, scientists say.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Kim Schewitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Colorectal cancer deaths among younger people in Europe are forecast to rise by around a third in 2024.to rise by around a third in 2024. Obesity, low levels of physical activity, and alcohol might be partly to blame, scientists say. Cancer researchers from the University of Milan, Italy, predicted that colorectal cancer deaths among people aged 25 to 49 will rise significantly in the EU and the UK this year compared to 2018. AdvertisementAlthough they estimated that deaths from colorectal cancer will fall overall in 2024, this is the first year they have predicted a rise in colorectal cancer deaths among younger people. More people drinking alcohol, which has been linked to early-onset colorectal cancer, and less physical activity could also be factors, the study said.

Persons: —, Christina Annunziata, Chadwick Boseman's, Annunziata, Carlo La Vecchia, La Vecchia, Kimmie Ng Organizations: EU, Service, Cancer, University of Milan, American Cancer Society, Oncology, World Health Organization, Dana, Farber Cancer Institute, NBC Locations: Europe, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland, France, Boston

☆ Italy to Supply Admiral for EU Red Sea Naval Mission
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

ROME (Reuters) - Italy will provide the admiral in command of a European Union Red Sea naval mission to protect ships from attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on Friday. "The European Union today asked Italy to supply the Force Commander for the Aspides Operation in the Red Sea," Crosetto said in a statement. The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Wednesday he hoped the mission, to be named Aspides - meaning "protector" in ancient Greek - could be launched on Feb. 17. Its mandate would be to protect commercial ships and intercept attacks, but not take part in strikes against the Houthis, Borrell said. (Reporting by Angelo Amante; Writing by Gavin Jones; Editing by Daniel Wallis)

Persons: Yemen's, Guido Crosetto, Crosetto, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Angelo Amante, Gavin Jones, Daniel Wallis Organizations: European, Red Sea, Defence Locations: ROME, Italy, Yemen, Gaza, Union, Red, Israel, Greece, Larissa

☆ 'I Went to the Wall', Hungary's Orban Says After Agreeing to EU Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary's Viktor Orban said on Friday that he "went to the wall" for his country before agreeing to an EU deal on Thursday to extend new aid to Ukraine and that he averted the risk of losing EU funds earmarked for Budapest from the bloc's joint coffers. In a regular interview on state radio on Friday, where he addresses his domestic audience, Orban said the agreement reached on Thursday was a good one. "I went to the wall," Orban said. "We are not sending weapons (to Ukraine), we get our money from Brussels, and we will contribute to the civil financing of Ukraine." Orban reiterated that peace talks should start between Ukraine and Russia as two years have now passed since the start of the war, and "time was on the Russians' side."

Persons: Hungary's Viktor Orban, Orban, Krisztina, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Union, European Commission Locations: BUDAPEST, Ukraine, Budapest, United States, Hungary, Brussels, Russia

☆ Amazon to Launch Privacy Tool for Advertisers in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Lauren Johnson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Amazon's data clean room for European advertisers is meant to comply with an upcoming EU regulation. Companies are racing to build data clean rooms that solve for the loss of third-party cookies. Amazon is set to launch a new privacy tool for advertisers that competes with Google and data firms. The clean room will allow advertisers to independently vet the performance of campaigns that use Amazon's data, the company said in the post. An Amazon spokesperson declined to say whether the tool would be made available in the US.

Organizations: Google, Markets, Amazon, Business Locations: EU

☆ Greece Promises Extra Aid for Grieving Farmers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament that the measure would cost the state 82 million euros ($89.31 million) in 2024 and announced more steps to appease the protesters. Farmers have been setting up blockades in central and northern Greece, echoing grievances from farmers across Europe, who have staged hundreds of tractors blockades in France and Brussels where EU leaders met on Thursday. A group of them lined up their tractors in the northern city of Thessaloniki on Thursday, surrounding the Agrotica trade fair venue. PPC, Greece's biggest power utility, will also offer an extra 10% rebate on electricity for farmers from May to September, Mitsotakis, who met protesting farmers in central Greece this week, said. Mitsotakis said that the state will spend in total 3.3 billion euros over the coming years to repair damage in Thessaly.

Persons: Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Mitsotakis, Lefteris Papadimas, Angeliki Koutantou, Renee Maltezou, William Maclean Organizations: Farmers, EU Locations: ATHENS, Greece, Europe, France, Brussels, Thessaloniki, Thessaly

☆ Poland Extends Border Controls With Slovakia to Stem Illegal Migration
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland has extended border controls with Slovakia until March 2 to try to stop illegal migrants entering from Slovak territory, the interior ministry said on Friday. "Due to the continuing threat of illegal migration... the Minister of Interior and Administration extended the temporary reintroduction of border control on the section of the state border with the Slovak Republic for the period from February 2 to March 2, 2024," it said. Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria all tightened their borders with Slovakia on Oct. 4. The Czech Republic said this week it would end temporary controls on its border with Slovakia. Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria are all part of Europe's open-border Schengen zone.

Persons: Anna Wlodarczak, Nick Macfie Organizations: of Interior, Administration, European Union Locations: WARSAW, Poland, Slovakia, Slovak Republic, East, Afghanistan, Europe, Germany, Hungary, Serbia, EU, Czech Republic, Austria, Israel, Gaza

☆ Mark Zuckerberg hits out at Apple's 'onerous' new App Store rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is the latest to slam Apple's new app store rules. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementMeta has joined the ranks of companies criticizing Apple's new App Store rules. AdvertisementOn a call with analysts this week, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the changes were "so onerous" that he'd be "very surprised if any developer" chooses to opt in. The streaming giant also released a statement accusing Apple of acting like "they don't think the rules apply to them."

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, —, It's, Apple, Daniel Ek, Apple's, Sarah Bond Organizations: Service, Meta, Union's, Apple, Digital

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Zelenskyy says EU aid sends 'clear signal' to both Moscow and the U.S.; French aid volunteers killed in Russian strike
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

In his nightly address, Zelenskyy thanked EU leaders and said the four-year program would provide Ukrainians with financial guarantees for "social stability." This is a clear signal to Moscow that Europe will withstand and that Europe will not be broken by any destructive waves that the Kremlin always comes up with," he added. "But at the same time, it is a clear signal across the Atlantic that Europe is taking on commitments. Security commitments. U.S. President Joe Biden's government has been pushing for congressional approval for $61 billion in fresh funding for Ukraine for months.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Joe Biden's, — Organizations: EU, Israel, Pentagon, Republican Locations: Moscow, United States, Europe, Ukraine, U.S

☆ 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

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers are urging Hungary to immediately ratify Sweden's application to join NATO, saying patience with the Central European country is “wearing thin” as it continues to delay its approval for the Nordic nation. “Despite its numerous prior public commitments, Hungary is the last remaining NATO member to have not ratified Sweden’s bid and both time and patience are wearing thin. Hungary’s inaction risks irrevocably damaging its relationship with the United States and with NATO,” the senators wrote. Orbán, a staunch nationalist that has led Hungary since 2010, has long promised that his country wouldn't be the last NATO member to approve Sweden's application. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesA vote on the protocols for Sweden’s NATO accession hasn’t yet appeared on the Hungarian parliament’s agenda, and the matter is unlikely to go before lawmakers until at least late February when the parliament reconvenes.

Persons: Jeanne Shaheen, Thom Tillis, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, Sen, Ben Cardin, ” Cardin, Biden, Cardin, ”, “ Organizations: NATO, Central, New, New Hampshire Democrat, North Carolina Republican, Hungarian, Maryland Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, U.S, Visa, Global, European Union Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungary, U.S, Nordic, Budapest, Sens, New Hampshire, United States, Ukraine, Maryland, Washington

☆ French Minister Heads to Mideast With Post-War Gaza Plans in Mind
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By John IrishPARIS (Reuters) - France's foreign minister travels to the Middle East on Saturday to test ideas about reviving an Israeli-Palestinian political process after the Gaza war as Europe tries to play a role in a conflict that has deeply divided the European Union. He was referring to Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne's trip to Egypt, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon, where he will also continue French efforts to defuse tensions between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. European Union member states are divided on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and their response has mostly been to try to ease the humanitarian situation in the enclave. The Gaza war was triggered by fighters from the Hamas militant group who stormed across the border fence into Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza say more than 27,000 Palestinians have been confirmed killed, thousands more wounded, the enclave left in ruins and many more displaced.

Persons: John Irish PARIS, Christophe Lemoine, Stephane Sejourne's, Israel, Josep Borrell, John Irish, William Maclean Organizations: European Union, Union, EU Locations: Gaza, Europe, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Iran, EU, Paris

☆ Banks are being rocked again as real estate losses mount
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The regional lender set aside $552 million in the fourth quarter to absorb loan losses, up from $62 million in the previous quarter. The increase was driven partly by expected losses on a loan used to finance an office building, it said. ET as shares in NYCB, as well as other regional banks, suffered sharp losses. Much bigger players are girding themselves for losses linked to commercial real estate. Europe’s benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Banks index, which tracks 42 big EU and UK banks, is up 23% since a low in late March.

Persons: Thomas Cangemi, Brendan McDermid, Julius Baer, Philipp Rickenbacher, Arnd Wiegmann, Reuters Philip Lawlor, ”, “, ” Lawlor, CNN’s Matt Egan Organizations: London CNN, Credit Suisse, New York Community Bancorp, New York Stock Exchange, Japan’s Aozora Bank, Federal Reserve, ”, CNN, Signa Group, Chrysler, Reuters, Deutsche Bank, Bank, Suisse —, UBS, Wilshire Indexes, KBW Locations: Europe, New York, Tokyo, Zurich, California, Republic, NYCB, Banc, Swiss, Austrian, Switzerland

☆ Zelenskiy Says EU Aid Approval Will Boost Ukraine's Economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday the EU's approval of an aid package to Ukraine would strengthen long-term economic and financial stability as the war with Russia approaches its third year. "It is very important that the decision was made by all 27 leaders, which once again proves strong EU unity," Zelenskiy said on the X social media platform. "Continued EU financial support for Ukraine will strengthen long-term economic and financial stability, which is no less important than military assistance and sanctions pressure on Russia," he said. Ukraine expects to receive the first tranche of 4.5 billion euros ($4.9 billion) from the EU facility in March, the economy ministry said. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesUkraine critically depends on financial support from its Western allies.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Serhiy Marchenko, Olena Harmash, Jon Boyle Organizations: Finance, Kyiv, European Union Locations: Ukraine, Russia

Most of Kosovo uses the euro, even though the country isn't part of the EU. But parts of Kosovo's north, populated mostly by ethnic Serbs, continue to use the dinar. The Central Bank reported on Wednesday that Serbian bank Komercijalna Banka AD Beograd closed its branches in Kosovo. Serbian forces fought a 1998-99 war with ethnic Albanian separatists in what was then the province of Kosovo. Kosovo eventually declared independence in 2008, but the government in Belgrade doesn't recognize its neighbor as a separate country.

Persons: Kosovo's, Aleksandar Vučić, Alexander, Botsan, ” Vucic, ”, Besnik Bislimi, Albin Kurti, Miroslav Lajčák, Josep Borrell, ___ Llazar Semini Organizations: Union, Serbian, Kosovo’s Central Bank, Western, The Central Bank, NATO, Belgrade doesn't, European Union, Kosovo, Kosovo police, EU Locations: PRISTINA, Kosovo, Serbian, Kosovo's, Serbs, Serbia, Russia, Russian, Belgrade, Pristina, Metohija, Kosovo Serbs, ” Kosovo, Komercijalna Banka, Beograd, Brussels, EU, United States, Vučić, Balkans, Kosovo’s, Tirana, Albania

☆ Ukraine says it can't fire more than 2,000 shells a day as Western allies fail to meet pledges: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine is limited to firing 2,000 artillery shells a day, roughly one-third of Russia's capacity, the country's defense minister, Rustem Umerov, said in a letter seen by Bloomberg. While Ukraine's Western allies stall, and US military aid is held up in Congress, Russia has ramped up production. AdvertisementMartin Herem, commander of Estonia's defense forces, told Bloomberg last week that he believes Russia is now capable of producing several million shells a year. Shell hunger is not a new problem for Ukraine — throughout the last year, soldiers often reported having to husband their ammunition supplies. Alongside further appeals to its allies, Ukraine has, in recent months, been refocusing on its domestic military production capacities.

Persons: Rustem Umerov, Umerov, Boris Pistorius, Celeste Wallander, Martin Herem Organizations: Bloomberg, EU, Politico, Ukraine —, Times, CNN Locations: Ukraine, Congress, Russia, London

☆ Ukraine: EU agrees $50bn funding deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

#Unity All 27 leaders agreed on an additional €50 billion support package for Ukraine within the EU budget,” the EU Council’s President Charles Michel wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Grateful to @CharlesMichel and EU leaders for establishing the €50 billion Ukraine Facility for 2024-2027,” he tweeted. Orban had held up the deal on the grounds he did not want the funds to come from the EU budget, meaning funds would be taken from EU member states and sent to Ukraine. Critics of Orban were quick to accuse him of blocking the deal because the EU is currently withholding funds for Ukraine due to it breaching rule of law requirements. The diplomat said the deal as outlined by Michel does not unlock EU funds for Hungary, though the summit will continue throughout Thursday.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Charles Michel, ”, Volodymyr Zelensky, didn’t, Orban, Critics, Michel, Vladimir Putin, , Josep Borrell, ” Borrell Organizations: CNN, European Union, Hungary’s, Kyiv, EU, “ EU, Ukraine, Reuters Locations: Ukraine, Russian, United States, Washington, “, Russia, European, Hungary, Brussels, Europe

☆ Protesting farmers hurl eggs and clog streets with tractors as EU summit begins
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Sophie Tanno | Chris Liakos | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Demonstrators rolled into Brussels in their tractors in the early morning hours before gathering outside the European Parliament where the summit was being held, blaring horns, hurling eggs and sparking fires. A handful of tractors had been parked near the EU Parliament all week before convoys from across the country converged on Thursday morning. Hatim Kaghat/Belga/AFP/Getty ImagesThere were chaotic scenes outside the European Union headquarters as a key meeting on aid to Ukraine got underway. We need to make sure that our farmers can be a partner in this,” De Croo said on arrival at the summit. In France, protesting farmers continue their roadblocks outside of Paris and near the cities of Lyon and Toulouse.

Persons: Hatim, Yves Herman, Alexander De Croo, De Croo Organizations: CNN, European Union, Ukraine, ” Police, Reuters, EU, Farmers, Belgian, BFMTV, European Commission Locations: Brussels, Belgian, AFP, Ukraine, Italy, Spain, Romania, Poland, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Greece, Thessaloniki, France, Paris, Lyon, Toulouse

BRUSSELS (AP) — Convoys with hundreds of angry farmers driving heavy-duty tractors advanced toward European Union headquarters, bent on getting their complaints about excessive costs, rules and bureaucracy heard by EU leaders at a summit Thursday. Even if the EU summit was supposed to be laser-focused on providing Ukraine financial aid for its war against invading Russia, the farmers were likely to squeeze their plight onto the informal agenda of the 27 leaders too. Jean-Francois Ricker, a farmer from southern Belgium, braved the winter night close to EU headquarters and said he expected 1,000 to 1,400 vehicles. Farmers coming to Brussels on Thursday have been insisting their protest will be peaceful and security forces have handled the protests lightly so far. I think we are addressing two very important (concerns) of them right now,” European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič said.

Persons: Jean, Francois Ricker, Maroš Šefčovič, Sylvain Plazy, Mark Carlson Organizations: —, European Union, EU, Farmers, police, European Commission Locations: BRUSSELS, Belgian, Ukraine, Russia, Belgium, France, Italy, Rungis, Brussels, “

☆ The White House weighs in on the AI copyright debate for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Kali Hays | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

In the three months since the executive order was issued, the White House has made progress on a number of the directives. Something else that has developed since the executive order came out is the debate around copyright and AI. Some that I'm really excited about are AI for science and generative AI, but also more generally AI systems in biology and healthcare. AdvertisementAnd then second, in the executive order, we stand up the AI Safety Institute at the Department of Commerce. Do you or the White House have thoughts on where AI training falls in copyright law?

Persons: Joe Biden's, There's, Ben Buchanan, Buchanan, Biden, there's, I'm, Ben, we've, Biden's, They're, let's, We've, they've, Schumer Organizations: Artificial Intelligence, National Security, White, US, Meta, Microsoft, Google, National Security Council, Management, AI, Department of Commerce, NIST, Defense, of Commerce, Commerce Locations: deepFakes, United States, whitehouse.gov, EU

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