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☆ News outlets deny prior knowledge of Hamas attack after Israeli government demands answers over misleading report
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“The first pictures AP received from any freelancer show they were taken more than an hour after the attacks began. In a statement, CNN said Eslaiah was not working for the network on the day of the attack. “We had no prior knowledge of the October 7th attacks,” a CNN spokesperson said. A member of Israel’s war cabinet, Benny Gantz, also used the report to question whether journalists had prior knowledge of the attack. The Committee to Protect Journalists denounced the Israeli government’s rhetoric, warning it could put media workers in harm’s way.

Persons: Hassan Eslaiah, ” Lauren Easton, “, ”, ” Easton, Eslaiah, “ Hassan Eslaiah, Israel, Yousef Massoud, Yousef, photojournalists, HonestReporting, Benjamin Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, Kaiser Organizations: CNN, Associated Press, Reuters, The New York Times, Israel, AP, ” Reuters, Hamas, “ Reuters, The Times, Government Press, Journalists, Protect Journalists Locations: Gaza, ”, Israel

☆ Italy judge seizes 780 mln euros from Airbnb in tax probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A woman talks on the phone at the Airbnb office headquarters in the SOMA district of San Francisco, California, U.S., August 2, 2016. REUTERS/Gabrielle Lurie/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Nov 6 (Reuters) - An Italian judge has ordered the seizure of 779.5 million euros ($836.40 million) from short-term rentals platform Airbnb's Ireland unit for alleged tax evasion, Milan prosecutors' office said on Monday. The probe concerns Airbnb's (ABNB.O) alleged failure to withold 21% of landlords' rental income and pay it to Italian tax authorities, as required by a 2017 law, prosecutors in the northern Italian city said in a statement. Airbnb's Italian press office did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration is meanwhile planning a crackdown on tax cheating on short-term rentals, and wants to raise taxes from 21% to 26% for owners of multiple short-term rental properties.

Persons: Gabrielle Lurie, Milan, Giorgia, Emilio Parodi, Alvise, Chris Reese, Franklin Paul, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, EU, Justice, Thomson Locations: SOMA, San Francisco , California, U.S, Italian

☆ Ecuador's incoming president picks new finance chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Noboa, 35, has pledged to rebuild the South American country's ailing economy, create jobs and work to quell rising crime and violence largely blamed on organized crime. Moya will serve in a cabinet that the incoming president has pledged will feature an equal number of women and men. Noboa faces the challenge of a local economy that has struggled since the coronavirus pandemic, pushing thousands of Ecuadoreans to migrate. In October's run-off election, Noboa won about 52% of the vote, besting leftist adversary Luisa Gonzalez's 48% support. Reporting by Yury Garcia in Guayaquil; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Daniel Noboa, Guillermo Lasso, Noboa, Karen Toro, Sariha Moya, Moya, Luisa Gonzalez's, Yury Garcia, Sandra Maler Organizations: Ecuadorian, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Quito, Ecuador, Rights GUAYAQUIL, Noboa, United States, Guayaquil

☆ As U.S. Pushes for Temporary Halt to Fighting, Netanyahu Pushes Back
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

As U.S. Pushes for Temporary Halt to Fighting, Netanyahu Pushes BackAfter meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel wouldn’t consider any temporary ceasefire without the return of the hostages held by Hamas. WSJ’s Vivian Salama reported from Israel. Photo: Amos Ben Gershom/Israeli Press Office

Persons: Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel wouldn’t, WSJ’s Vivian Salama, Amos Ben Gershom Organizations: U.S, Press Locations: Israel

Ronen Zvulun/Reuters A woman mourns over a dead man at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza City on October 18. Yousef Masoud/The New York Times A morgue worker arranges body bags at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on October 12. Samar Abu Elouf/The New York Times/Redux Children run for cover as bombs fall near the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on October 9. Erik Marmor/AP Six-month-old Sama Alwadia is rescued from the rubble in Gaza City on October 9. Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto/Getty Images Israeli soldiers work on a tank at the border between Israel and Gaza on October 9.

Persons: CNN — Israel, Israel, Gazans, they’d, Ismail Abd Almagid, Ivana Kottasova, CNN “, ” Ismail Abd Almagid, Ronen Zvulun, Hatem Ali, Jalaa Merey, Ahmad Salem, Ali Jadallah, Khan, Abed Zagout, Fadel Senna, Atef Safadi, Yosef Vahav, Anas al, Kiryat Shmona, Jalaa Marey, Mustafa Hassona, Albert Miles, Bernat, Abed Rahim Khatib, Ilan Rosenberg, Fatima Shbair, Ashraf Amra, Manna, Tamar Chaya Torpiashvili, Mohammed Abed, Abed Khaled, Tamir Kalifa, Khan Younis, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Ammar Awad, Jehad Al, Kafarnah, Teddy, Dan Kitwood, Dima Vazinovich, Ahmad Hasaballah, Jack Guez, Sagiv Ben Zvi, Evelyn Hockstein, Omar El, Mohammed Salem, Amir Levy, Yasser Qudih, Tsafrir, Francisco Seco, Ali Mohmoud, Lifshitz, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Violeta Santos Moura, Mai Yaghi, Mohammed Zaanoun, Yam Goldstein, Nadav, Ariel Schalit, Said Khatub, Leon Neal, Hatem Moussa, Nir Oz, Wolfgang Schwan, Yousef Masoud, Shadi Tabatibi, Belal al Sabbagh, Mohammed Saber, Rizek Abdeljawad, Ahmad Gharabli, Janis Laizans, Mohammed Dahman, Gallant, Ofir Libstein, Aza, Belal Khaled, Hod, Ayal Margolin, Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, Brendan Smialowski, Biden, Netanyahu, Kenny Holston, Kfar Aza, Ilia Yefimovich, Mahmoud Khaled, Samar Abu, Dor Reder, Shir Torem, Wahaj Bani Moufleh, Antonio Macías, Macías, Eli Albag, Liri, Mohammed Talatene, Sergey Ponomarev, Dor Kedmi, Mahmud Hams, Saher, Abraham Cohen, Valentin Ghnassia, Ghnassia, Yuri Cortez, Ibrahim Hams, Bashar Taleb, Baz Ratner, Yahya Hassouna, Mapal Adam, Agha, Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Reuters Itzik, Miriam Shafir, Dor Shafir, Savion Kiper, Maya Alleruzzo, CNN Sergey Ponomarev, Eden Guez, Ohad, Mohammed Soboh, Said, Noam Elimeleh Rothenberg, Amir Cohen, Ilai Bar Sade, Erik Marmor, Oren Ziv, Majdi, Ramez Mahmoud, Roi Levy, Alleruzzo, Tali Touito, Oded, Ahmad Hasballah, Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa, Eyad Baba, Itai Ron, Hadas Parush, Philippe Lazzarini, ” Organizations: CNN, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Gazans, Israel Defense Forces, UNRWA, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Pictures, Reuters, Getty, Bloomberg, United Nations Relief, Works Agency, Israeli Apache, AP, Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Palestinian, Al, Najjar, IDF, EyePress, New York Times, Israeli, Getty Images, Nasser Medical Hospital, AP Rescuers, Hamas, Tel Aviv University, Reuters Civil, AP Rockets, AP Israel's, Regional, Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Israel's, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Ben Gurion International, Shifa, Aris Messinis, Haim, Mount, Mount Herzl Military, Nova, Anadolu Agency, Nova Festival, Ben Gurion, Rockets, United Nations, Reuters Police, Reuters Rockets, Palestinian Red Crescent Society Locations: Palestinian, Gaza, Israel, “ Israel, Egypt, Ramallah, Jerusalem, Rafah, Israeli, Golan Heights, Lebanon, AFP, Gaza City, Anadolu, Khan Younis, Sderot, Beit Guvrin, Shareef, Kiryat, Al Aqsa, Deir Al, Balah, Kibbutz Be'eri, Ashdod, Tel Aviv, Holon, Ichilov, Najjar, Kibbutz Shefayim, Deir al, Europe, Zahra City, Xinhua, East Jerusalem, Ras, Israel's, Yehuda, Aqsa, Hod HaSharon, Kiryat Shmona, Al, Ahli, Gan, Kfar, North Sinai, Samar, Samar Abu Elouf, Beit Kama, Haifa, Cyprus, Nablus, West, Kfar Saba, Be'eri, Rehovot, Mount Herzl, Modiin Maccabim, Kfar Aza, Ashkelon, Mount Herzel, Yassin, Beitar Ilit, Ramat Gan, Itai, Beit Hanun, Rishon Lezion

☆ 2 prominent conservative judges have quashed an investigation into their former clerk — and friend of Clarence Thomas — for texting 'I hate black people'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Jack Newsham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementThe federal courts have spiked an investigation into racist text messages sent by a conservative activist-turned-law clerk who got jobs working alongside two federal judges with the full-throated support of Clarence Thomas . She also landed clerkships with two federal judges — Judge Corey Maze, a federal district judge in Alabama, and Judge William Pryor, an influential appellate judge. Last year, a federal judicial panel ordered that an investigation take place into whether Clanton actually sent the texts. After finishing law school, Clanton clerked for Maze, a federal judge in Anniston, Alabama from 2022 to 2023. Judge Debra Livington, the Second Circuit's chief judge, wrote in 2022 that Judges Pryor and Maze simply concluded that the New Yorker's reporting wasn't true.

Persons: Crystal Clanton, Clarence Thomas, —, Charlie Kirk's, Donald Trump's, Clanton, Clarence, Ginni Thomas, Corey Maze, William Pryor, Pryor, Maze, William Hodes, Clarence Thomas's, Mediaite, George Mason University's Antonin Scalia, Thomas, Pryor didn't, Jane Mayer, Judge Pryor, clerkships, Debra Livington, she'd, Charlie Kirk, Gabby Fe, Jack Newsham Organizations: Service, Fox News, New Yorker, Washington Post, Starbucks, George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School, Atlanta, Circuit, Appeals, Media, Second Circuit, Judicial, Judicial Conference, Yorker Locations: Alabama, America, Anniston , Alabama, New York

☆ Ori Megidish: Israeli forces rescue soldier held by Hamas in special operation, IDF says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Akanksha Sharma | Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A female Israeli soldier who was abducted by Hamas has been rescued in a special joint operation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told CNN, the first successful hostage extrication since the militant group’s October 7 rampage. Ori Megidish was “released.” But that was a translation error, IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Tuesday. Megidish was among over 200 hostages held by Hamas and was “actively rescued” with “boots on the ground” in a joint operation between the IDF and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) which is also known as Shin Bet, Conricus said. Megidish has also shared information about her captivity with Israeli intelligence officers that “can be used for the future,” Conricus added. Conricus also alleged that Hamas is indulging in psychological warfare by using hostages as leverage.

Persons: Megidish, Jonathan Conricus, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, “, Shin Bet, Conricus, ”, ” Conricus, –, Majed Al, Ansari, … Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Israeli Security Agency, Israel, Israeli Government Press Office, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Gaza, Israel, American, Qatar, Megidish

After the violent struggle with his attacker, Kunwong was left for dead, heavily bleeding from the wound in his throat. He was eventually found and cared for by other migrant workers. ‘Business as usual’ for Thai workers, aid groups sayThe Thai government has called for the release of all remaining citizens being held in Gaza. So far at least 33 Thai nationals have been killed, according to figures shared by Thai authorities with CNN – with 18 Thai nationals still being held hostage as of October 26. Families told CNN that, despite the conflict in Israel, Thai migrant workers were under pressure to honor contracts specifying minimum five years of labor – a heavy price to pay to support their families back home.

Persons: Kunwong, “, ”, has, Thais, Yahel Kurlander, Kurlander, ” Kurlander, Lillian Suwanrumpha, Benjamin Netanyahu, Parnpree Bahiddha, Nukara, Zohar Shvartzberg, AAW, Manee Jirachart, CNN Kunwong, Manee, Chumporn Organizations: Thailand CNN, CNN, Israeli Government Press Office, Hamas, Hai, Getty, UN, Thai, Jobs, Families, Agricultural Workers Locations: Udon Thani, Thailand, Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, Nepal, Philippines, Israel’s, Thai, Tel, Bangkok, AFP, Tel Aviv

Jerusalem and Gaza CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday a ground incursion into Gaza will take place and that current airstrikes were “just the beginning,” as new satellite images revealed the devastation wrought by Israel’s bombs in the besieged enclave. Beit Hanoun, Gaza, on May 1 Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies Beit Hanoun, Gaza, on October 21 Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies Beit Hanoun, Gaza SATELLITE IMAGE ©2023 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIESThe IDF told civilians to leave the crowded northern portion of the Palestinian enclave, where the bombardment has been especially severe. UNRWA director for Gaza Tom White told CNN that aid workers would have to decide what aspects of life-saving aid they could and could not provide to civilians. A view of the rubble and ruins of buildings that were demolished in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on October 25, 2023. US President Joe Biden said Wednesday he told Netanyahu that if it’s possible to secure the release of hostages in Gaza ahead of an Israeli ground invasion, he should do so.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, Israel, “, –, ”, Peter Lerner, Maxar, Beit, Al Jazeera, Wael Al, Al, CPJ, Youssef Alzanoun, OCHA, Gaza Tom White, Mark Rutte, Hamas –, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Biden, he’d Organizations: Gaza CNN, Israeli, Israel Defense Forces, CNN, Palestinian Ministry of Health, IDF, Protect Journalists, UN Relief and Works Agency, UN’s, US, European, Dutch, Ireland, Getty Images Qatar, Hamas, Qatari Locations: Jerusalem, Gaza, Israel, ”, Beit Hanoun, Al, Atatra, Hanoun, Ramallah, Israeli, Al Jazeera, Lebanese, Russia, Slovenia, Egypt, Germany

Speaking in Parliament to lawmakers from his Justice and Development Party, Mr. Erdogan accused Israel of deliberately attacking civilians in Gaza and killing large numbers of children, women and older people. Mr. Erdogan also criticized Western countries for their strong backing of Israel and for branding Hamas, the armed Palestinian group that controls Gaza, as a terrorist organization. But recently, Mr. Erdogan made steps at rapprochement with the Jewish state. On Wednesday, Mr. Erdogan said all plans to visit Israel had been scrapped. “We clearly mentioned that we never excuse any acts targeting civilians, including Israeli civilians, regardless of the perpetrator,” he said.

Persons: Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, Israel, ”, Mr, mujahedeen, Erdogan’s, Isaac Herzog, Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Ergodan’s, Lior, Russia’s, Vladimir V, Putin, ” Mr, Nadav Gavrielov Organizations: NATO, Development Party, Hamas, European Union, Ministry, Israel’s, Turkish, Turkish Presidency Press, Agence France, United Nations General Assembly, ISIS Locations: Turkey, Israel, United States, Gaza, Ankara, Israeli, New York, Turkish, Russia, Ukraine, “, Seoul

☆ At least 22 dead, 50 injured in mass shooting across several locations in Lewiston, Maine, police say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mike Pescaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

At least 22 people are dead and 50-60 more were injured in a mass shooting at two businesses in Lewiston, Maine, according to NBC News. Mayor Jason Levesque, the mayor of nearby Auburn, urged people in his city, Lewiston and the surrounding region to shelter in place. "I am aware of and have been briefed on the active shooter situation in Lewiston," Gov. Federal law enforcement agencies are assisting our state and local law enforcement partners in Lewiston, Maine," spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa told NBC News. The ATF's Boston office said it is also responding to the active shooter event in Maine.

Persons: Scott Sweetow, NBC10, Sweetow, He's, Robert Card, Jim Cavanaugh, Mike Sauschuck, Sauschuck, Jonathan Dienst, Melinda Small, Small, Ange Amores, Amores, Jason Levesque, Shannon Moss, Janet Mills, Sen, Angus King, Maura Healey, Joe Biden, Anthony Albanese, Biden, King, Susan Collins, Jared Golden, Merrick Garland, Xochitl Hinojosa, Jake Langlais Organizations: NBC News, of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Lewiston, Bowdoin, NBC, Department of Public, Auburn Middle School, Lewiston police, Central Maine Medical, Maine Medical, Legends Sports, Associated Press, Maine State Police, Maine Department of Public Safety, Police, Lewiston . Massachusetts Gov, Australian, White House, Gov, Bates College, Public Locations: Lewiston , Maine, Androscoggin County, Lewiston, Auburn, NBC10 Boston, Lisbon, Maine, Portland, State, Lewiston . Massachusetts, Mills, Sens, Boston

☆ Turkey's Erdogan submits Sweden's NATO bid to parliament for ratification -presidency
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan addresses lawmakers from his ruling AK Party at the Turkish Parliament in Ankara, Turkey October 11, 2023. NO ARCHIVES./File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsANKARA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday submitted a bill approving Sweden's NATO membership bid to parliament for ratification, the presidency said, in a move welcomed by Stockholm that clears the way for it to join the Western defence alliance. "The Protocol on Sweden's NATO Accession was signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on October 23, 2023 and referred to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey," the presidency said on social media platform X without elaborating. Finland's membership was sealed in April, in a historic expansion of the alliance, but Sweden's bid had been held up by Turkey and Hungary. Erdogan has previously linked Sweden's NATO bid to U.S. support for its request.

Persons: Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, Sweden's, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ulf Kristersson, Kristersson, Gumrukcu, Huseyin Hayatsever, Simon Johnson, Alex Richardson, Hugh Lawson Organizations: AK, Turkish, Presidential Press, Rights, NATO, Kurdistan Workers Party, European Union, Grand National Assembly of, Sweden's, Thomson Locations: Ankara, Turkey, Rights ANKARA, Stockholm, United States, Sweden, Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Finland, Ukraine, Hungary

☆ Exclusive: Tech billionaire Peter Thiel was an FBI informant
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Mattathias Schwartz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Another source close to Thiel told Insider that while they could not confirm that Thiel was a CHS, Thiel did speak to Buma occasionally. "[They] will be either an 'FBI source' or a 'former FBI source' and, in turn, his or her conduct or misconduct will reflect upon the FBI." Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesAs a CHS, Thiel was assigned a code name and an internal serial number to track his reporting. Thiel, Johnson said, was directed by the FBI not to report on his interactions with Donald Trump or other US political figures. Johnson told Insider that he brokered an introduction between Thiel and the FBI special agent who would become his handler.

Persons: Peter Thiel, Trump, Thiel, Johnathan Buma, Charles Johnson, Johnson, MAGA, Donald Trump, Drew Angerer, Scott Horton, Buma, Sen, J.D, Vance of, Blake Masters, —, Vance, Joe Biden's, Vance of Ohio, Anna Moneymaker, Masters, Mithril's, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz's, Ginger Gaetz, Bill Barr, Rudy Giuliani, Alex Wong, Jeffrey Epstein, Enrique Tarrio, Tarrio, Mattathias Schwartz Organizations: FBI, Buma, CHS, Trump, Trump Tower, Republican National Convention, Joe Biden's Department, Getty Masters, Mar, Masters, Pentagon, CIA, National Security Agency, US Army, NSO Group, Forbes, Mithril, Clearview's, Committee, Capitol, Founders Fund, Boys Locations: Los Angeles, Germany, United States, New Zealand, Malta, Silicon, Vance of Ohio, Arizona, Palantir, American, Russian, Atlantic City, schwartz79@protonmail.com

Situated in the al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City, the office has been something of a safe haven for Dahman. Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times/Redux Palestinians walk amid the rubble following Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 10. Erik Marmor/AP Six-month-old Sama Alwadia is rescued from the rubble in Gaza City on October 9. Ramez Mahmoud/AP A plume of smoke rises in the sky over Gaza City during an Israeli airstrike on October 9. Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 8.

Persons: London CNN — Ibrahim Dahman, Zaid, Rasha, Dahman, Ibrahim Dahman, Khalil, Joe Biden, ”, ” Dahman, “, Israel, Salah al, Deen, Khan Younis, Peter Lerner, they’ve, ” Avril Benoit, Khan, Fatima Shbair, Shir Torem, Wahaj Bani Moufleh, Mohammed Abed, Abir, Hatem Ali, Antonio Macías, Macías, Francisco Seco, Mohammed Saber, Eli Albag, Liri, Mohammed Talatene, Sergey Ponomarev, Violeta Santos Moura, Dor Kedmi, Mahmud Hams, Saher, Hatem Moussa, Abraham Cohen, Valentin Ghnassia, Ghnassia, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Yuri Cortez, Yousef Masoud, Ibrahim Hams, Bashar Taleb, Baz Ratner, Jack Guez, Abed Rahim Khatib, Yahya Hassouna, Mapal Adam, Abed Zagout, Tamir Kalifa, Agha, Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Reuters Itzik, Miriam Shafir, Dor Shafir, Savion Kiper, Maya Alleruzzo, Mohammed Salem, CNN Sergey Ponomarev, Eden Guez, Atef Safadi, Ohad, Mohammed Soboh, Said, Noam Elimeleh Rothenberg, Belal Khaled, Samar Abu, Amir Cohen, Ilai Bar Sade, Erik Marmor, Ali Jadallah, Oren Ziv, Ronen Zvulun, Majdi, Ilia Yefimovich, Ramez Mahmoud, Roi Levy, Alleruzzo, Tali Touito, Jalaa Marey, Oded, Ahmad Hasballah, Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa, Tsafrir, Ahmad Gharabli, Mustafa Hassona, Ilan Rosenberg, Eyad Baba, Itai Ron, Hadas Parush, ” Lynn Hastings Organizations: London CNN, CNN, Hamas, Islamic, Journalists, Racing, Hotel, Sunday, UN, AP, West Bank, Getty, Aris Messinis, Haim, New York Times, Reuters, Mount, Mount Herzl Military, Nova, Anadolu Agency, Israel Defense Forces, Nova Festival, Ben Gurion, Shifa, Rockets, Israel's, United Nations, Palestinian, Reuters Police, Reuters Rockets Locations: Gaza, London, Israel, Gaza City, Salah, Khan, Khan Younis, Haifa, Cyprus, Nablus, West, Lebanon, AFP, Rafah, Abir Sultan, Kfar Saba, Al, Tel Aviv, Israeli, Be'eri, Rehovot, Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, Kibbutz Be'eri, Sderot, Modiin Maccabim, Kfar Aza, Ashkelon, Mount Herzel, Samar, Samar Abu Elouf, Yassin, Palestinian, Beitar Ilit, Ramat Gan, Kiryat Shmona, Itai, Beit Hanun, Rishon Lezion, Palestinian Territory

☆ Jim Jordan is using the war in Israel to try to bully his 55 hold-out colleagues into backing his House speakership bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Jim Jordan won the GOP speaker nod, but roughly 55 colleagues have said they won't vote for him. So Jordan and his allies are using a new argument to win them over: the war in Israel. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAdvertisementThe war in Israel continues to hang over the leaderless House of Representatives — this time as a blunt instrument for allies of Rep. Jim Jordan, the embattled GOP nominee for speaker.

Persons: Jim Jordan, Jordan, —, Donald Trump, Chip Roy, Texas, Anna Paulina Luna, Sean Hannity, Juliegrace Brufke, Steve Scalise, There's, Mike Rogers of, Rogers Organizations: Service, GOP, Ohio Republican, Ohio, Chip Roy Press Office, Fox News, Republicans, Jordan, White, House Armed Services Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Florida, Mike Rogers of Alabama

☆ Vivek Ramaswamy says it's 'not productive' for companies to blacklist Harvard students who make 'dumb' statements like blaming Israel for the Hamas attacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"I say this as someone who vehemently disagrees with those Harvard student groups," he wrote on X. "The Harvard student groups who co-signed the anti-Israel letter are simple fools," Ramaswamy wrote. "But it's not productive for companies to blacklist kids for being members of student groups that make dumb political statements on campus." I say this as someone who vehemently disagrees with those Harvard student groups." But it’s not productive for companies to blacklist kids for being members of student groups that make dumb political statements on campus.

Persons: Vivek Ramaswamy, Bill Ackman, —, it's, Ramaswamy —, who's, Ramaswamy, Donald Trump, Ackman Organizations: Harvard, Service, Sunday, Yale, Republican, Israel Locations: Israel, Harvard's, Cambridge , Massachusetts

A spot bitcoin ETF would give investors exposure to the world's largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization without having to own it. The SEC has denied all spot bitcoin ETF applications, including Grayscale's, on the grounds applicants have not shown they can protect investors from market manipulation. The appeals court ruled that the SEC arbitrarily denied Grayscale's application because it never explained why the two arrangements were materially different. The appeals court is expected to issue a mandate specifying how its decision should be executed, which will likely include instructing the SEC to revisit Grayscale's application. Several other asset managers, including BlackRock (BLK.N), Fidelity and Invesco, have similar filings pending with the SEC for a spot bitcoin ETF.

Persons: Jim Bourg, Grayscale's, Chris Prentice, Hannah Lang, Michelle Price, Rod Nickel Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, REUTERS, Columbia, BlackRock, Fidelity, Thomson Locations: Washington

☆ Erdogan says Turkey will ramp up diplomacy in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech at the Extraordinary Congress of his ruling AK Party in Ankara, Turkey October 7, 2023. "So long as this problem is not resolved in a fair way, our region will continue to live in longing of peace," Erdogan said. In this regard, as we have always underlined, the preservation of the two-state solution perspective is very important." "As justice is delayed, unfortunately the price of this is paid by Palestinians, Israelis, and our whole region," Erdogan said. The fighting comes as Ankara was working to repair ties with Israel after years of acrimony over the status of Jerusalem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Persons: Tayyip Erdogan, Murat Cetinmuhurdar, Erdogan, Hakan Fidan, Toby Chopra, Ros Russell Organizations: AK Party, Turkish Presidential Press, REUTERS, Rights, Hamas, Qatari, Thomson Locations: Ankara, Turkey, Rights ANKARA, Israel, Istanbul, Jerusalem, Spanish, Saudi, Jordanian

☆ Turkey's Erdogan tells supporters he does not 'recognise' LGBT
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech at the Extraordinary Congress of his ruling AK Party in Ankara, Turkey October 7, 2023. Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Turkish Presidential Press Office/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsANKARA, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday he did not "recognise LGBT" and vowed to combat "perverse" trends which he said aimed to destroy the institution of family in the country. Turkey's government, led by Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted AK Party, has toughened its stance on LGBTQ freedoms in recent months, particularly while campaigning for this year's elections in May. We are members of a structure that holds the institution of family solid, that strongly embraces the family institution," he said. "We will dry the roots of sneaky acts aiming to destroy our family institution by supporting perverse political, social and individual trends," he told tens of thousands of flag-waving and chanting supporters.

Persons: Tayyip Erdogan, Murat Cetinmuhurdar, Erdogan, Jan Harvey Organizations: AK Party, Turkish Presidential Press, REUTERS, Rights, AK, United Nations General Assembly, Thomson Locations: Ankara, Turkey, Rights ANKARA, New York

☆ Why is India's Modi so worried about Sikh separatist calls for Khalistan?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Amplified calls for the creation of Khalistan date back to when India gained its independence in 1947. At the same time, some Sikh supporters of Khalistan have made comments perceived as anti-national and threatening toward India and its government. And in counterinsurgency operations, Indian security forces were accused of a multitude of human rights abuses. The first photos of the damaged Akal Takhat after the army stormed the sikh Golden Temple complex in Amritsar on June 9, 1984. “The larger [Sikh] community is standing by the statements from Trudeau and they want action upon this,” said Jasveer Singh, a British Sikh and senior press officer with the Sikh Press Association.

Persons: Justin Trudeau’s, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, “, Nijjar’s, –, Andre Durand, Guru Nanak, hasn’t, ”, Amandeep Sandhu, Amritpal Singh, India’s, Singh, Stringer, Modi, Suhasini Haidar, Sondeep Shankar, Indira Gandhi, Gandhi, Harsh Pant, Cole Burston, Pant, Nijjar, Justin Trudeau, Blair Gable, Trudeau, Jasveer Singh Organizations: CNN, Air India, Sikh, Canadian, Air, Air India Boeing, Getty, India, British, Keystone, Pew Research Center, Panjab, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Police, Khalistan, Observer Research Foundation, Protesters, Reuters, Sikh Press Association Locations: Montreal, New Delhi, Ireland, Indian, Punjab, Canada, Hardeep, India, Air India, Cork, AFP, Pakistan, Amritsar, British India, Ottawa, “ India, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Toronto, British

☆ Fact Check: Gates-backed venture will not chop down 70 million acres of trees
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Rather, it is developing a project that handles throwaway biomass from forest thinning for the U.S. Forest Service. The article, entitled “Bill Gates Pushes Plan to Chop Down 70 Million Acres of Trees to ‘Fight Global Warming,’” was published on a website called Slay on Aug. 31. “Our company is developing technology to help public agencies like the US Forest Service, stewardship non-profits, and private landowners meet their wildfire mitigation and forest thinning goals," he said. Kodama Systems, a company that received funding from a fund owned by Bill Gates, is not planning to cut down millions of acres of U.S. forests. The company has received a grant from the U.S. Forest Service for a project to handle throwaway biomass from forest thinning.

Persons: Bill Gates, ”, Slay, Scott Owen, Owen, ” Owen, Robert York, KODAMA, James Sedlak, Read Organizations: Systems, U.S . Forest Service, Kodama Systems, Microsoft, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Western, U.S . Department of Agriculture, USFS, Department of Interior, Berkeley Forests, UC Berkeley, Oregon State University, University of Melbourne, Kodama, US Forest Service, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, Western United States, California

☆ Joe Biden's dog, Commander, has been moved from the White House because it keeps biting people
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

President Joe Biden's dog had to be taken from the White House after it kept biting staff. AdvertisementAdvertisementOne of President Joe Biden's dogs, a German shepherd named Commander, has been removed from the White House after a string of biting incidents. Champ and Major were moved temporarily to Delaware in early March, before the pair returned to the White House later that month. AdvertisementAdvertisementWhite House Chief Groundskeeper Dale Haney takes Commander, for a walk at the White House on December 6, 2022. "The White House is just a crazy environment for a dog," one former White House official told the outlet.

Persons: Joe Biden's, —, Elizabeth Alexander, Lady Jill Biden, Champ, Major, Groundskeeper Dale Haney, Haney, Chip Somodevilla, Biden, Axios, Alexander Organizations: White, House, Service, White House, CNN, Department of Homeland Security, Judicial Watch, Secret Service, Politico Locations: German, Delaware

☆ Some vulnerable Republicans aren't cashing Marjorie Taylor Greene's $2,000 checks
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Marjorie Taylor Greene sent $2,000 checks to 18 of her colleagues' campaigns in March. But spokespeople for two of those vulnerable Republicans — Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin and Rep. Michelle Steel of California — now say that their campaigns didn't end up cashing the checks. Though the March 29 contributions appear in Greene's campaign filings with the Federal Election Commission, they never appeared in Van Orden or Steel's filings. Greene's campaign, which did not respond to Insider's request for comment, has not amended its filings with the Federal Election Commission to reflect that the checks were never cashed. Van Orden represents a swing district, and Democrats are eager to tie more vulnerable Republican candidates to the party's electorally toxic far right.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, —, Derrick Van Orden's, Michelle Steel's, she'd, Derrick Van Orden, Michelle Steel, Van Orden's, Van Orden, Orden, Greene, Jamaal Bowman, Derrick Van, — Kim Bernice Nguyen, Derek Tran —, who's, Steel, MAGA, Tran Organizations: Service, pugnacious Georgia Republican, Republicans — Rep, Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, Federal, Commission, Van Orden, Democratic Rep, —, Derrick Van Orden Press, Georgia Republican, Orange County Register, Democratic Locations: Derrick Van Orden of, California, Van, Washington, Orange

Glenn Youngkin's administration acknowledged this week, with early voting underway, that it is working to fix an error that caused an unknown number of eligible Virginians to be removed from the voter rolls. The Richmond news outlet reported the problem appears to stem from recent changes the agency has made in an attempt to remove people from the rolls who had their voting rights restored by a governor but went on to be convicted of a new felony. The governor has the sole discretion to restore those civil rights, apart from firearm rights, which must be restored by a court. “It is unacceptable that we are two weeks into early voting and the Youngkin administration does not even know how many Virginians they wrongfully purged from the voter rolls. Corinne Geller, a spokesperson for the Virginia State Police, told VPM the agency was making changes to the data it provided the Department of Elections to prevent further problems.

Persons: Glenn Youngkin's, Andrea Gaines, VPM, Aaron Mukerjee, Susan Swecker, ”, Jason Miyares, Corinne Geller, ” Geller Organizations: —, Virginians, Virginia State Police, Department, American Civil Liberties Union of, Virginia Democrats, Democratic Party of Virginia, administration’s Department, Republican, Virginia Department, Elections, Virginia Central Criminal Records Locations: RICHMOND, Va, Richmond, Virginia, Arlington County, American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia

☆ Kenya panel urges shutdown of Worldcoin's crypto project within country
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Duncan Miriri | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Worldcoin was rolled out in various countries around the world by Tools for Humanity, a company co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The project still has a virtual presence in Kenya and can be accessed via the Internet, even after the August suspension. It also called for the suspension of the companies' "physical presence in Kenya until there is a legal framework for regulation of virtual assets and virtual services providers." The panel also asked government ministries to develop regulations for crypto assets and firms that provide crypto services and called on the police to investigate Tools for Humanity and take any necessary legal action. Reporting by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Aaron Ross and Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Annegret, Sam Altman, Duncan Miriri, Aaron Ross, Hugh Lawson Organizations: REUTERS, Humanity Corp, Kenyan, Humanity, Communications Authority, Humanity GmbH, National Assembly, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, NAIROBI, Britain, France, Kenya

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