Tag Archives: Ukraine

News, Newspapers, Views

The New York Times — Tuesday, November 28, 2023

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Hamas and Israel Extend Cease-Fire for 2 Days, Qatar Says

Palestinians walking on Monday amid buildings hit by Israeli strikes in Gaza City.

The extension, and another exchange of hostages and prisoners, raised hopes that more people would be set free and more humanitarian aid would reach people in the Gaza Strip.

Biden Hopes to Alter the Trajectory of the War as Hostages Are Released

President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Sunday in efforts to extend the temporary cease-fire.

At the president’s urging, the temporary truce between Israel and Hamas was extended two more days. The challenge is what comes next.

Inside U.S. Efforts to Untangle an A.I. Giant’s Ties to China

American spy agencies have warned about the Emirati firm G42 and its work with large Chinese companies that U.S. officials consider security threats.

Russian Women Protest Long Deployments for Soldiers in Ukraine

“Make way for someone else,” a new grass-roots movement demands as women challenge the official argument that the mobilized troops are needed in combat indefinitely.

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The New York Times — Monday, November 27, 2023

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As Hamas Releases More Hostages, Longer Cease-Fire Appears Possible

People waving to Aviva Adrienne Siegel, a released hostage, aboard a bus in Ofakim, Israel, on Sunday.

A third group of captives released from Gaza included a 4-year-old dual American-Israeli citizen whose parents were killed in the Hamas attack on Oct. 7.

U.S. Troops Still Train on Weapons With Known Risk of Brain Injury

Special Operations troops trained with rocket launchers in Fort Chaffee, Ark.

Pentagon researchers say weapons like shoulder-fired rockets expose troops who fire them to blast waves far above safety limits, but they remain in wide use.

Members of Congress Head for the Exits, Many Citing Dysfunction

More than three dozen incumbents have announced they will not seek re-election next year. Some are running for other offices, while others intend to leave Congress altogether.

As Groundwater Dwindles, Powerful Players Block Change

Here are some of the people fighting efforts to conserve a vital resource that’s disappearing across the United States.

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The New York Times — Sunday, November 26, 2023

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Amid Hostage Releases, Israel Faces Dilemma Over Resuming the War

A group of Israeli hostages was released by Hamas on Saturday, after an hourslong delay raised fears that the deal would collapse.

The cease-fire can be extended by daily releases of hostages, making it progressively harder for Israel to restart military operations.

Gaza Civilians, Under Israeli Barrage, Are Being Killed at Historic Pace

Even a conservative assessment of the reported Gaza casualty figures shows that the rate of death during Israel’s assault has few precedents in this century, experts say.

Despite Bans, Disabled Women Are Still Being Sterilized in Europe

Governments have declared the practice a human rights violation. But they have made exceptions that are divisive among parents, doctors and social workers.

In This Atlanta Suburb, Teens Taste Freedom at 10 M.P.H.

In Peachtree City, Ga., golf carts are everywhere, giving young people in particular an early chance to take life by the wheel.

Arts, Culture, History, Magazines, Previews, Reviews, Travel

Arts/History: Smithsonian Magazine – December 2023

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Smithsonian Magazine (December 2023) – The latest issue features ‘Can A Robot Replace the World’s Greatest Artists?; A tiny reindeer enjoys its day in the sun; In Ukraine, war reshapes a Holocaust Memorial; the Rebirth of a Lost American Wine Region, and more…

Why Collectors Fall Head Over Heels for the ‘Inverted Jenny’ Stamp

Inverted Jenny

One of the rare 24-cent misprints sold at auction this week for a record-breaking $2 million

The Real History Behind Empress Joséphine in Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’

Vanessa Kirby as Joséphine and Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon in Ridley Scott's Napoleon​​​​​​​

A new Hollywood epic traces Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise and fall through his checkered relationship with his first wife

News, Podcasts, Politics, Stories

Saturday Morning: News And Stories From London

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Monocle on Saturday, November 25, 2023: David Bodanis, author of ‘Art of Fairness: The Power of Decency in a World Turned Mean’, joins Georgina Godwin for a look at the week’s news and culture.

Also this week, Marketing Manager, Carley Bassett, and Sales Director, Chris Unger, give us a taste of a limited-edition magnum from Hattingley Valley. The award-winning English winery specialises in sparkling wine and released the special bottle to celebrate a decade of excellence in wine-making. Plus: Jorg Zupan became the chef of the first restaurant in Ljubljana to earn a Michelin star – and the first to give one up. Guy de Launey finds out why.

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The New York Times — Saturday, Nov 25, 2023

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First Captives Freed in Tense Gaza Truce Between Israel and Hamas

Vehicles with Red Cross insignias traveling through a border checkpoint.

Hamas freed two dozen hostages, Israel released 39 imprisoned Palestinians, and more than 130 aid trucks reached Gaza over the first day of a tense, temporary truce after seven weeks of war.

Growing Numbers of Chinese Migrants Are Crossing the Southern Border

A family of migrants from China in Texas after surrendering to Border Patrol in April.

More than 24,000 Chinese citizens have been apprehended crossing into the United States from Mexico in the past year. That is more than in the preceding 10 years combined.

How Electricity Is Changing, Country by Country

Carbon-free electricity has never been more plentiful. Wind and solar power have taken off over the past two decades, faster than experts ever expected. But it hasn’t yet been enough to halt the rise of coal- and gas-burning generation.

Could Haley Really Beat Trump? Big Donors Are Daring to Dream.

Powerful players in the business world have gravitated toward Nikki Haley, aware that she remains an underdog but beginning to believe she has a chance.

Economics, Financial, Magazines, Opinion, Politics, Previews, Reviews

Previews: The Economist Magazine – Nov 25, 2023

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The Economist Magazine (November 25, 2023): The latest issue features The Climate report – Some progress, must try harder….

Progress on climate change has not been fast enough, but it has been real

And the world needs to learn from it

The agreement at the conference of the parties (cop) to the un Framework Convention on Climate Change, which took place in Paris in 2015, was somewhat impotent. As many pointed out at the time, it could not tell countries what to do; it could not end the fossil-fuel age by fiat; it could not draw back the seas, placate the winds or dim the noonday sun. But it could at least lay down the law for subsequent cops, decreeing that this year’s should see the first “global stocktake” of what had and had not been done to bring the agreement’s overarching goals closer.

Lessons from the ascent of the United Arab Emirates

How to thrive in a fractured world

In Argentina Javier Milei faces an economic crisis

The radical libertarian is taking over a country on the brink

News, Newspapers, Views

The New York Times — Friday, November 24, 2023

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Israel, Hamas Agree to Begin Cease-Fire Friday Morning

The relatives of children kidnapped on Oct. 7, along with families and supporters of hostages, protesting on Monday in Tel Aviv.

Prodded by the U.S., Israel agreed to the pause in hostilities and the release of 150 imprisoned Palestinians in exchange for 50 hostages held in Gaza.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Draws Spectators and Protests

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has brought holiday cheer for almost a century. This year, it also provided a stage for protesters.

The nearly century-old holiday tradition also provided a stage for activists.

Retailers Worry About Shoppers’ Mood This Holiday Season

Consumer spending has been strong in 2023 despite higher prices and waning savings. But some retailers have jitters heading into Black Friday.

Johnson’s Release of Jan. 6 Video Feeds Right-Wing Conspiracy Theories

The speaker fulfilled a demand of the far right, which has sought thousands of hours of footage to try to rewrite the history of the Capitol attack.

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The New York Times — Thursday, Nov 23, 2023

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Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire May Start Friday, Followed by Hostage and Prisoner Release

Photographs of hostages in Ramat Gan, Israel, on Wednesday.

Both sides announced a four-day pause in the war between Israel and Hamas, but details were still being worked out.

Five Days of Chaos: How Sam Altman Returned to OpenAI

Sam Altman wears a tan sweater while posing in front of a brick wall.

On Friday, Mr. Altman was pushed out of the hot A.I. start-up he ran. But an intense pressure campaign and negotiations brought him back.

Extra Fees Drive Assisted-Living Profits

The add-ons pile up: $93 for medications, $50 for cable TV. Prices soar as the industry leaves no service unbilled. The housing option is out of reach for many families.

For Election Workers, Fentanyl-Laced Letters Signal a Challenging Year

As overheated rhetoric and threats rise, people are leaving election jobs in record numbers.

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The New York Times — Wednesday, Nov 22, 2023

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Israel and Hamas Agree to Cease-Fire in Exchange for Hostage Release

Friends and relatives of people being held by Hamas took part in a “March for the Hostages” from Tel Aviv to the Israeli prime minister’s office in Jerusalem last week.

The agreement calls for a pause in the fighting and for Hamas to free 50 of the captives it seized in its Oct. 7 raid on Israel. Hamas said Israel would release 150 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

Families Fear for the Health of Ailing, Frail Israelis Held Hostage

People gathered in Tel Aviv on Monday to demand the release of those taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7. Many hostages had medical issues before they were taken captive, are very young or were hurt in the attack.

Many of the more than 200 people seized by Hamas when it raided Israel had serious medical conditions. Some were badly injured in the attack. Doctors say they need medical care urgently.

As A.I.-Controlled Killer Drones Become Reality, Nations Debate Limits

Worried about the risks of robot warfare, some countries want new legal constraints, but the U.S. and other major powers are resistant.

Before Altman’s Ouster, OpenAI’s Board Was Divided and Feuding

Sam Altman confronted a member over a research paper that discussed the company, while directors disagreed for months about who should fill board vacancies.