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☆ Saudi Arabia, Russia and several OPEC+ producers extend voluntary crude supply cuts until end of June
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud gesture upon his arrival at the 8th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna on July 5, 2023Heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Russia, alongside several other key OPEC+ producers, will extend their voluntary crude supply cuts until the end of the second quarter. Saudi Arabia will stretch out its voluntary crude production cut of 1 million barrels per day until the end of the second quarter, the state-owned Saudi Press Agency said Sunday, citing an official source from the country's Ministry of Energy. Riyadh's crude production will be approximately 9 million barrels per day until the end of June, the announcement said. Back in November, OPEC+ countries had held a formal policy of collectively reducing their output by 2 million barrels per day until the end of 2024. Unlike formal policy changes, voluntary cuts do not require the group's unanimous consent during an official meeting and bypass the need to distribute production cuts or increases among OPEC+ members.

Persons: Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al, Saud, Alexander Novak, —, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Organizations: Saudi, Energy, OPEC, Organization for, Petroleum, Saudi Press Agency, country's Ministry of Energy, Tass, Moscow, Google, INA, Hamas, Saudi Energy Locations: Vienna, Saudi Arabia, Russia, OPEC, Riyadh, Moscow, Russian, Iraq, UAE, Iran, Gaza, China, Aramco

☆ For Trump and Biden, attention on North Carolina will linger well past Super Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Steve Contorno | Jeff Zeleny | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

North Carolina, which Trump narrowly won in 2020, is emerging as a critical piece of Biden’s reelection strategy. It has been 16 years since Barack Obama delivered a North Carolina surprise in 2008. Former President Donald Trump gestures after speaking at the North Carolina Republican Party convention in Greensboro on June 10, 2023. She isn’t sure how much longer Republicans can hold the line in North Carolina. “Yes, we have had more growth in our urban communities, and it’s going to make North Carolina trend bluer in the future,” Anderson said.

Persons: North Carolina CNN — Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Joe Biden, ”, Paul Shumaker, “ It’s, Haley, Kamala Harris, ” Harris, Barack Obama, Biden, Donald Trump, Chuck Burton, Sarah Reidy, Jones, Charlotte ” –, “, Trump, ” Haley, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins of, Will Trump, Haley’s, Harris, Peter Zay, scoff, Billy Ward, ” Trump, Susie Wiles didn’t, battlegrounds “, ” Wiles, Michael Whatley, Ronna McDaniel, Whatley, MAGA, Thom Tillis, Mark Robinson, Robinson, Roy Cooper, Ben McKeown, Anderson Clayton, ” Clayton, we’ve, ” Anderson, CNN’s Alayna Treene Organizations: North Carolina CNN, Republican, Trump, Democratic, North Carolina Republican Party, GOP, South, Biden, White, College, Duke University, University of North, Getty, Wake County Republican Party, CNN, North, North Carolina GOP, Republican National Committee, Republicans, Gov, state’s Democratic Party, Conservative, “ Locations: Raleigh, North Carolina, Michigan, “ North Carolina, Durham, Wake County, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, Wake, Mecklenburg, –, Greensboro, Seattle, South Carolina, Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Carolina, University of North Carolina, Durham , North Carolina, Anadolu, GOP’s, Raleigh , North Carolina, Russia, Ukraine, Southern

☆ Takeaways From the Supreme Court Arguments on Social Media Laws
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Charlie Savage | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Supreme Court heard arguments for nearly four hours on Monday on a pair of First Amendment cases challenging laws in Florida and Texas that seek to limit the ability of internet companies to moderate content on their platforms. Here are some takeaways:The cases could shape the future of internet discourse. The coalition won preliminary injunctions blocking both states from enforcing the laws while broader First Amendment issues are litigated. The court might send the cases back down. Both liberal and conservative justices signaled that they would prefer to have a more developed record about how the law would operate, raising the possibility that the Supreme Court could return the case to lower courts for more fact finding.

Persons: Donald J, Trump Organizations: Facebook, YouTube, Capitol Locations: Florida, Texas, Silicon

☆ Arab American Democrats push for ‘uncommitted’ vote in Michigan primary to send message to Biden about Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Arit John | Dianne Gallagher | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

They drew inspiration from the state’s 2008 Democratic primary, when “uncommitted” came in second place to Hillary Clinton with more than 40% of the vote. “The President is working hard to earn every vote in Michigan,” a Biden campaign spokesperson said in a statement. In recent weeks, the Biden administration has stressed its efforts to get humanitarian aid into Gaza and sharpened its tone toward Israel. Feelings of betrayal and guiltFor many Arab and Muslim Americans in Michigan, the push to vote uncommitted and promote a ceasefire is deeply personal. As she closed her remarks, Seikaly criticized the Biden administration for vetoing the recent UN Security Council ceasefire resolution.

Persons: Michigan CNN — Layla Elabed isn’t, Joe Biden, Biden, she’s, “, Elabed, ”, Rashida Tlaib, ” Elabed, It’s, Andy Levin, Donald Trump, “ uncommitted ”, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Rebecca Cook, ” Lavora Barnes, what’s, ” Barnes, it’s, Abbas Alawieh, Benjamin ] Netanyahu’s, ” Levin, there’s, Netanyahu, Israel, Seikaly, Sylvie Yaacoub, she’d, ” CNN’s Jade Gordon Organizations: Michigan CNN, Palestinian American, Michigan Democrat, Democratic, Wolverine State, Democratic Party, Michigan Rep, Palestinian, Biden, US, Volunteers, Democratic National Committee, Reuters, Michigan Democrats, Trump, Michigan Democratic Party, American, Israel, The New York Times, UN, Muslim, Detroit’s Wayne State University, UN Security, Michigan Locations: Dearborn, Michigan, Gaza, Israel, Wolverine, It’s, Palestinian American, Hamtramck , Michigan, Rafah

☆ Germany rebuilds its military amid ongoing defense aid deliveries to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailGermany rebuilds its military amid ongoing defense aid deliveries to UkraineHensoldt, a high-tech security defense company based in Germany, is part of the country's drive to send military equipment to Ukraine. CNBC got exclusive access into their factory in Ulm to see the TRML-4D radars, which detect Russian threats in the battlefield. Germany is ramping up its military production and support to Ukraine, amid a broader drive among NATO allies to raise their defense spending contributions to the coalition.

Organizations: Germany, Ukraine Hensoldt, CNBC, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Germany, Ulm

☆ German parliament votes to legalize limited recreational cannabis use for adults
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Nadine Schmidt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Germany’s lower house of parliament voted to legalize cannabis for limited recreational use among adults on Friday, following a controversial debate about the pros and cons of allowing easier access to the drug. In total, 407 German lawmakers voted in favor of the new regulation; 226 lawmakers voted against and four lawmakers abstained from Friday’s vote. The move makes Germany the third country in Europe – after Malta and Luxembourg – to legalize the drug for recreational use, removing cannabis from the official list of banned substances. The German government said that cannabis would remain illegal for minors and highly restricted for young adults, adding that consuming the drug near schools and playgrounds would be illegal. “Nobody should misunderstand this law: cannabis consumption is being legalized, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous,” Germany’s health minister said.

Persons: –, Karl Lauterbach, ” Lauterbach, “, Tino Sorge, GMA Klaus Reinhardt Organizations: CNN, Christian Democratic Union, CDU, German Medical Associations, GMA Locations: Germany, Europe –, Malta, Luxembourg, Netherlands

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) announced the coalition late Tuesday, naming former premier Shehbaz Sharif as prime minister and Asif Ali Zardari as president. Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty ImagesIndependent candidates affiliated with former Prime Minister Khan’s Pakistan Tehereek-e-Insaf (PTI) party secured the most parliamentary seats, in a stunning victory for the jailed cricket icon. But none of the three major parties that contested won the necessary seats to declare a majority in parliament. Shortly after the coalition announcement, the PTI accused the PMLN and PPP of stealing their mandate to govern. Sharif is on course to become prime minister for the second time, with Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of Pakistan’s slain former leader Benazir Bhutto, by his side.

Persons: Imran Khan, Shehbaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, “, ” Sharif, Aamir Qureshi, Khan’s, ”, Khan, Nawaz Sharif, Asim Hafeez, Sharif, Pakistan’s, Benazir Bhutto Organizations: Pakistan CNN —, Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz, Pakistan People’s Party, Getty, PTI, Pakistan People's Party, Bloomberg Locations: Islamabad, Pakistan, Kasur, Punjab, Khan’s Pakistan, Karachi

☆ Labor coalition accuses Starbucks of 'flawed' union strategy, risking shareholder value
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Kate Rogers | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The coalition is pushing to replace three current Starbucks board members with its own nominees. The SOC proxy presentation claims the company's board has backed what it calls an "unnecessarily confrontational" strategy with the union. Starbucks said it has not only a new CEO, but with these additions, it has added five new board members in the past year. The proxy presentation targets three current Starbucks board members: Ritch Allison, Andy Campion and Jørgen Vig Knudstorp. Allison, Campion and Knudstorp, specifically, provide "continuity and highly-valuable unique perspectives," the Starbucks presentation said.

Persons: Baristas, Nielsen, Maria Echaveste, Joshua Gotbaum, Wilma Liebman, Daniel Servitje, Neal Mohan, Mike Sievert, Ritch Allison, Andy Campion, Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, Allison, Campion, Knudstorp, Wendy's, Narasimhan Organizations: Starbucks, CNBC, Organizing Center, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, National Labor Relations Board, NLRB, Starbucks Corporation, Siren Retail, Service Employees International Union, Starbucks Workers United, Communications Workers of America, United Farm Workers of America, Chipotle, Darden, Restaurant Brands, Yum Brands, White House, Hawaiian Airlines, White, Grupo Bimbo, YouTube, Mobile, SEC Locations: Buffalo, Arlington , Virginia, China, U.S

☆ Wall Street giants like JPMorgan and Pimco are walking back their environmental pledges after years of outspoken support for fighting climate change
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Samantha Stokes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewSome Wall Street giants, many of which have spent the last few years pledging to fight climate change through corporate responsibility, are now retreating from some of their environmental initiatives. Founded in 2017, Climate Action 100+ initially launched as a five-year initiative that in 2022 was extended until 2030. AdvertisementFollowing the departures of JPMorgan, State Street, and Pimco, financial investors including Neuberger Berman, William Blair Investment Management, and Wellington Management remain members of Climate Action 100+, whose targeted companies include American Airlines, Chevron, and Procter & Gamble. Other finance giants have similarly stepped back from previous environmentally friendly initiatives, The New York Times reported. They include BlackRock, which scaled back its participation with Climate Action 100+ in recent weeks, as well as Bank of America, which walked back a pledge to stop financing coal.

Persons: —, Neuberger Berman, William Blair Organizations: Service, JPMorgan, State Street, Business, New York Times, Politico, State, William Blair Investment Management, Wellington Management, Climate, American Airlines, Chevron, Procter, Gamble, The New York Times, BlackRock, Bank of America

☆ Deepfake porn is a huge problem — here are some of the tools that could help stop it
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

"The overall percentage is now lower, but the overall volume of deepfake content which is pornographic has exploded," Ajder said. Deepfake porn of pop superstar Taylor Swift has raised awareness of the issue. Criminal deterrentsThis has had an effect on legislation in the UK, where the Online Safety Act has made it illegal to distribute deepfake porn — but not to create it. AdvertisementThough hard to prosecute, criminalizing deepfake porn is still an important deterrent, in his view. In India, a deepfake porn scandal involving Bollywood actresses spurred the government to fasttrack legislation and pressure the big tech companies to prevent AI-generated content from being spread online.

Persons: —, Trace, Henry Ajder, Midjourney, Ajder, Taylor Swift, Bauer, Griffin, Elon Musk, Biden, ChatGPT, they're, it's, Ben Zhao, Joe Biden, Joe Morelle, deepfakes, criminalizing Organizations: Service, BBC News, Google, Meta, Coalition, telltale, University of Chicago, NPR, Anadolu, Getty, Associated Press, Federal Communications Commission Locations: Deepfakes, British, New York, New Hampshire, India

Over the course of several days, The Associated Press interviewed a cross section of voters in Northampton County to ask whether Biden's messaging around the fate of democracy was resonating. These voters represented parts of the very coalition Biden will need to win Pennsylvania again — Black voters, Latinos, independents and moderates from both parties. A Biden campaign spokesperson said the democracy message is central to the campaign but it is not the only one the campaign will use to reach voters. Getting Black voters engaged is going to take more from Biden, she believes, because so far his campaign messages have not resonated. But Lopez thinks messages of fear and Trump imperiling American democracy are essentially meaningless for many of the county's working class voters.

Persons: Raymond Santiago, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Santiago isn't, ”, Trump, ” Biden, Evelyn Fermin, “, Curt Balch, Balch, ’ ” Balch, Christian Miller, That's, Miller, ” Miller, Christopher Borick, Harry Truman, Republican Thomas Dewey, ” Borick, Hillary Clinton, Anna Kodama, Kodama, “ That’s, Esther Lee, Lee, Guillermo Lopez Jr, Lopez Organizations: Bethlehem Steel, Hispanic, GOP, Northampton County, Trump, Independence Hall, Associated Press, Biden, Pennsylvania, —, Lehigh Hispanic, U.S, Capitol, Biden’s, Republican, Republican Party, Institute of Public, Muhlenberg University, Democrats, NAACP, Lehigh, AP Locations: BETHLEHEM, Pa, Lehigh, Northampton County, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Valley Forge , Pennsylvania, America, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Dominican Republic, Hellertown, Nazareth, Northampton, Allentown, Ohio, Europe, Emmaus

CNN —Senegal’s outgoing president Macky Sall Friday said he would hold presidential elections “as soon as possible” one day after the West African country’s constitutional council ruled against his decision to postpone elections. “The head of state will conduct necessary consultations to hold the presidential election as soon as possible,” the statement added. Sall was under pressure to react once the top court Thursday rejected his bid to delay elections until the end of the year. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) urged all parties in Senegal to comply with the constitutional council’s decision. “No to presidential election postponement”, said another released opposition leader Aboubacar Djamil Sané of the PASTEF Party, who had been imprisoned for seven months.

Persons: CNN —, Macky Sall, “, ”, Sall, Babacar Gueye, Thursday’s, Pierre Goudiaby Atépa, Ousmane Sonko, ” Sonko, Cheikh Oumar Diagne, Diagne, Aboubacar Djamil Organizations: CNN, Constitutional Council, French, RFI, West African States, “, Senegalese, Truth, PASTEF Party Locations: Republic, Senegalese, Senegal

☆ Kim Jong Un has broken with decades of North Korean policy – does it mean he’s planning for war?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The two sides have been cut off from each other since 1953, when an armistice ended the Korean War, and remain technically at war. Yoon and Biden have sharpened their countries’ deterrence plans and coordination in the face of North Korea’s threats and weapons development. If anything, some analysts believe, North Korea’s public statements signal that North Korea is abandoning its reunification policy in pursuit of peace on the peninsula. Vladimir Smirnov/AFP/Getty ImagesAn ‘emboldened’ KimThe North Korean leader may also feel more confident about his arsenal and his options as he watches a shifting global landscape. “Kim Jong Un is wary of a full-scale provocation by the South Korean military disguised as a military exercise and has vowed to occupy South Korean territory without hesitation,” said Lim in Changwon.

Persons: Kim Jong, South Korea –, ” Kim, ”, Kim, ’, Robert Carlin, Siegfred Heckler, Chul Lim, “, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Edward Howell, Yoon Suk Yeol, Ayse, ” He’s, Yoon, Biden, Seoul . Kim, Trump, Lim, “ That’s, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Vladimir Smirnov, ’ Kim, “ Kim Jong, …, Rachel Minyoung Lee, Howell, “ Kim Jong Un, Lee, Japan – Organizations: CNN, South, Korean Central News Agency, Reuters, North Korea Research Center, University’s Institute, Far Eastern, University of Oxford, Japan, Ewha Womans University, US, North, Russia's Vostochny, Getty, Stimson, –, White, United Nations Security Council, West, South Korean Defense Ministry, ”, Trump, North Korean Locations: Ukraine, Gaza, North Korea, South Korea, Korea, Republic of Korea, Kim, Washington, Seoul, Tokyo, United States, Korea’s, Changwon, Pyongyang, Russia, United Kingdom, Japan, Guam, Gon, Seoul ., Russian, Russia's, China, Iran, denuclearization, Western, North, Moscow, Beijing, Oxford, Jeju, South, “

But few foresaw JPMorgan Chase and State Street quitting Climate Action 100+, a global investment coalition that has been pushing companies to decarbonize. All told, the moves amount to a nearly $14 trillion exit from an organization meant to marshal Wall Street’s clout to expand the climate agenda. Representative Jim Jordan, the Ohio Republican who compared the coalition to a “cartel” forcing businesses to cut emissions, called for more financial companies to follow suit. JPMorgan said it had built an in-house sustainable investment team to focus on green issues. And BlackRock will maintain some ties to the coalition: It has transferred its membership to an international entity.

Persons: Wall, Jim Jordan, Brad Lander, they’re Organizations: JPMorgan Chase, State, Ohio Republican, JPMorgan Locations: BlackRock, Brad Lander , New York

☆ Uber is celebrating its $1 billion profit. But some drivers are feeling left behind.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Drivers are feeling squeezedSome Uber drivers are feeling squeezed on pay. That doesn't mean drivers aren't feeling angry about a drop in pay that they say they've experienced, with data backing them up. Gridwise Analytics, a data firm analyzing the gig economy , found average monthly gross earnings for Uber drivers fell 17% last year. A more contentious issue among drivers has focused on whether or not Uber is taking a bigger slice of their fares. Yet it seems that not all drivers are satisfied — and Uber will be hoping that number doesn't keep rising.

Persons: —, Dara Khosrowshahi, he’d, Uber, ” Khosrowshahi, “, it's, ru4gU8nRa7, OEx6OEkovB Organizations: Service, Business, App Workers, “ Workers, East, Drivers, East Coast Locations: Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh

☆ US, EU Discuss Russia Sanctions Ahead of Ukraine War's Second Anniversary
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

"Many of us are prepared to roll out quite robust anniversary packages," the official told Reuters, but declined to provide details. The new sanctions would come as the U.S. and its allies look to maintain pressure on Russia with U.S. military aid to Ukraine increasingly in doubt. "All delegations expressed their support to the proposed package, except one who requested a bit more time to analyze the content of the proposals," said an EU official, pointing to Hungary. The official said, however, the new EU sanctions would blacklist almost 200 people and entities. "The Russia sanctions program is both an extraordinary success and an extraordinary failure, depending upon one's point of view," said Smith.

Persons: Daphne Psaledakis, Gabriela Baczynska WASHINGTON, Joe Biden's, John Smith, Smith, Gabriela Baczynska, Don Durfee Organizations: Reuters, Kyiv, Republican, Representatives, Washington, EU, Wednesday, Russia, U.S . Treasury Department’s, Foreign Assets Control Locations: BRUSSELS, U.S, Russia, Brussels, Ukraine, Washington, EU, Hungary, Moscow, Lincoln

☆ New York City Mayor Is Sued Over Refusal to Comply With New Rental-Assistance Laws
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Jonathan AllenNEW YORK (Reuters) - Lawyers representing New Yorkers facing eviction and living in shelters sued New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday to try to force him to comply with new local laws expanding access to rental assistance. The lawsuit by the Legal Aid Society comes after the mayor unsuccessfully vetoed the new laws expanding access to vouchers for low-income New Yorkers. The New York City Council, which had voted to override the mayor's veto last July, will soon join Legal Aid in suing the mayor after making the unusual move last week. More than 36,000 households already receive housing vouchers from the city, according to Adams' office. A spokesperson for the mayor said his office was reviewing the lawsuit and that his administration would focus on working with the city council to build more affordable housing across the city.

Persons: Jonathan Allen, Eric Adams, Adams, ”, Robert Desir, Donna Bryson, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Jonathan Allen NEW YORK, New, New York City, Legal Aid Society, The New, The New York City Council, City Fighting, New York State, Aid Society, Legal, Manhattan Supreme, Coalition, Homeless Locations: The New York, Manhattan, Bronx

☆ NATO chief concedes 'valid point' of spending criticism as allies up defense budgets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a press conference on the third day of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meeting, in Marrakech, Morocco, October 11, 2023. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg conceded to criticism that some members have been underfinancing the coalition's defense budget, saying he expects a record 18 allies to meet their military spending goal this year. "The criticism that you hear is not primarily about NATO, it's about NATO allies not spending enough on NATO. And that's a valid point," Stoltenberg said during a press briefing on Wednesday, in response to a question on whether Trump's comments aligned with the broader views of Republican officials that the NATO chief has engaged. "The good news is that this is exactly what NATO allies are now doing."

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Donald Trump, Stoltenberg, " Stoltenberg Organizations: NATO, International Monetary Fund, Bank Locations: Marrakech, Morocco, Canada

☆ 6 tips for maintaining a strong bond with your partner through tough times, from a couple together for 41 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Julia Pugachevsky | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

“That's been a joy in our lives, and it's been a joy participating in getting that privilege of marriage,” Morton said. Now married, the couple shared their tips for making a marriage or partnership entirely your own. “I think part of the reason for our long-lasting relationship is that Bert and I are in different fields,” Korty said. “It's been a good life because of that, and I've been lucky to share it with Lee,” he said. But once they were officially married, Morton and Korty had different views on the term “husband” and what it meant to them.

Persons: —, Lee Korty, Bert Morton, ” Morton, Morton, That's, it's, “, Korty, ” Korty, Bert, “ Bert, you've, Jess T, Dugan, “ It's, I've, Lee, ”, ‘, ’ ”, they’re Organizations: Service, Business, ACLU, Lambda, Science, IBM, Coalition, Korty, Invest Locations: Illinois, Chicago, Iowa

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago won't renew its ShotSpotter contract and plans to stop using the controversial gunshot detection system later this year, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office announced Tuesday. The system, which relies on an artificial intelligence algorithm and network of microphones to identify gunshots, has been criticized for inaccuracy, racial bias and law enforcement misuse. Chicago's $49 million contract with SoundThinking, a public safety technology company, expires Friday. The city plans to wind down use of ShotSpotter technology by late September, according to city officials. The Stop ShotSpotter Coalition praised the announcement but said Chicago should end the use of the technology sooner.

Persons: Brandon Johnson’s, ”, didn't, Johnson, Larry Snelling Organizations: CHICAGO, Associated Press, SoundThinking, “, ”, AP, Chicago, ShotSpotter Coalition Locations: Chicago

☆ Coalition government deal in Pakistan leaves Imran Khan’s party out of power
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Sophia Saifi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Islamabad, Pakistan CNN —Two of Pakistan’s major political parties - the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) - say they will form a coalition government after last week’s inconclusive elections. The move means the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan will not be in power, despite independent candidates affiliated with it gaining the most votes. The PMLN also released a statement that Shahbaz Sharif would be the party’s candidate for prime minister. Earlier on Tuesday, the PPP’s chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had said his party would support the PLMN candidate for prime minister. The party would also field its candidates for the National Assembly speaker, chairman of the Senate, and president, he said.

Persons: Imran Khan, Shahbaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Imran Khan’s, Nawaz Sharif, Khan, ” Zardari, Sharif, “, ” Bhutto Zardari Organizations: Pakistan CNN —, Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz, Pakistan People’s Party, PPP, PTI, National Assembly, Senate Locations: Islamabad, Pakistan, Lahore, Wahdat

Photos You Should See View All 21 ImagesThe Biden campaign circulated talking points to allies that were obtained by The Associated Press. Biden aides say they do not expect the president or his campaign to take on the age question more directly. Messina compared the special counsel's report to former FBI Director James Comey's October 2016 announcement that he was further investigating former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's handling of classified emails. Beyond celebrating the release of the special counsel's embarrassing descriptions of Biden, Trump won a new trove of delegates in Nevada's Thursday caucuses, where he ran unopposed. Barry Goodman, a Biden fundraiser from Michigan, said he’s had some donors “take a wait and see approach” about supporting Biden, even before the special counsel’s announcement.

Persons: Joe Biden's, couldn't, Biden, Robert Hur's, Beau, Hur, “, ” Sen, Brian Schatz, they’ve, Trump, MAGA, doesn’t, ”, —, Kamala Harris, LaJoia Broughton, can’t, Sleepy Joe, Kate Berner, “ Donald Trump, Jim Messina, Barack Obama’s, Messina, James Comey's, Hillary Clinton's, “ There’s, ” Messina, “ Trump, I’d, Trump's, Joe Biden, What’s, ” Donald Trump Jr, Barry Goodman, he’s, ” Goodman, Goodman, Trav Robertson, General Merrick Garland, “ Merrick Garland, ” Robertson, Biden's, gaffes, Nancy Pelosi, Nikki Haley, Biden didn't, Dan Goldman, Robert Garcia, Mike Johnson, ” Garcia, ” ___, Bill Barrow, Ayanna Alexander Organizations: WASHINGTON, Joe Biden's Democratic, Democrats, Capitol, “ Republicans, Trump, The Associated Press, Democratic, Biden, Clinton, South Carolina Democratic Party, Republican, ” ___ Peoples Locations: Hawaii, U.S, Florida, Washington, South Carolina, Columbia, Nevada's, Michigan, Mexico, Iran, Israel, New York, Atlanta

☆ Inside a meeting of Germany’s far-right AfD: Beer, bratwurst and conspiracy
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Sebastian Shukla | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Outside the hall, people grabbed a beer and a bratwurst before taking their seats inside, ignoring calls from the protesters down the road to come and talk. They came for an evening of conversation with the Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD), Germany’s leading far-right party. To one camp, this meeting represented a call for political change; to the other, a risk to German democracy. The AfD has officially tried to distance itself from the reports, saying it was not an official party meeting. But the AfD knows it has a struggle on its hands, as opponents of the party vow to keep protesting.

Persons: Germany’s, Adam, “, Chris Stern, Bessin, Lars Hunich, Marlon, Berndt, Hans, Christoph Berndt, he’s, ”, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Scholz, Nouripour, Dr Berndt, Hitler, Conspiracy, wouldn’t Organizations: CNN, Adam Sevens, ”, CNN Coalition of, Green, East Germany –, ” Protesters, Sevens Locations: Brandeburg, Germany, Freienthal, Netherlands, Italy, Berlin, Brandenburg, Potsdam, Brandenburg’s, Frienthal, East Germany, East Germany – Brandenburg, Thuringia, Saxony

☆ OpenAI Is Adding Watermarks to AI Images. It's Not a Perfect Solution.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

OpenAI says it's adding new digital watermarks to DALL-E 3 images. AdvertisementOpenAI says it's adding new digital watermarks to DALL-E 3 images. In a blog post published Tuesday, the company said watermarks from the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, or C2PA, would be added to AI-generated images. Fellow tech company Meta has also signaled its preparing to crack down on the spread of AI-generated content. The company said on Tuesday it planned to attach labels to AI-generated images on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

Persons: OpenAI, —, Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, Taylor Swift, C2PA Organizations: Service, Coalition, Meta, Facebook, Business

☆ Houthi Attacks and U.S.-Led Strikes Dash Hopes for Quick Yemen Peace Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Vivian Nereim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For nine years, Yemen was torn by a war that erupted when the Houthis, a Yemeni militia supported by Iran, ousted the government and took control of the country’s northwest. Alarmed by an Iran-linked group taking control across the border, Saudi Arabia assembled a military coalition and launched a bombing campaign, backed by American weapons and support, in an attempt to reinstate the government. Instead, hundreds of thousands of people died from fighting, starvation and disease, and the coalition pulled back under international pressure, leaving the Houthis in power. When 2023 dawned, it looked as if the Houthis and the Yemeni factions they had been fighting were finally ready to sign a peace deal. But then the war in Gaza began, and now the prospect of peace is unraveling.

Locations: Yemen, Iran, Saudi Arabia, American, Gaza, Red, U.S

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