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Showing articles 316 - 330 of 334 total (matching filters).

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  Retail spending fell in March as consumers pull back

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2023-04-14 14:29)

  Summary: US retail sales fell 1% in March, a steeper decline than expected, as consumer spending weakened. Economists attribute the pullback primarily to smaller tax refunds and the expiration of enhanced pandemic-era food assistance benefits. While the labor market remains solid, there are signs of cooling, including moderating wage growth, which contributed to the spending slowdown.

  Main Topics Covered: 1. The decline in US retail sales in March and its severity. 2. The contributing factors, including smaller tax refunds and expired government benefits. 3. The state of the labor market, noting solid conditions but moderating wage growth and momentum. 4. Broader economic concerns, such as recession fears following the banking crisis.

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  Analysis: Fox News is about to enter the true No Spin Zone

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2023-04-14 06:41)

  Summary: Jury selection has been completed for Dominion Voting Systems' $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News, with the trial set to begin as scheduled. The author, a longtime Fox News observer, notes this is a significant departure from the network's usual ability to evade accountability, as it will now have to defend its actions in a formal legal setting where facts are paramount. Based on pre-trial proceedings, the network is expected to face a difficult challenge in court.

  Main Topics Covered: 1. The imminent start of the Dominion Voting Systems defamation trial against Fox News. 2. Fox News's history of broadcasting controversial content without facing major consequences. 3. The expectation that the legal process will force Fox News to operate in an unprecedented fact-based environment.

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  Silicon Valley Bank collapse renews calls to address disparities impacting entrepreneurs of color

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2023-04-13 21:13)

  Summary:
  The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has heightened concerns about ongoing lending discrimination and disparities in access to capital for minority entrepreneurs. SVB was known for actively supporting founders of color, immigrants, and women—groups that often face rejection from larger banks. The bank’s failure has left these entrepreneurs particularly vulnerable, prompting community-led efforts to find alternative funding and support.

  Main Topics Covered:
  1. The impact of SVB’s collapse on minority, immigrant, and women entrepreneurs.
  2. SVB’s role in serving underrepresented communities in banking.
  3. Systemic lending discrimination and capital disparities in the banking industry.
  4. Community and alternative support efforts following the bank’s failure.

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  'I was up to my waist down a hippo's throat.' He survived, and here's his advice

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2023-04-12 12:44)

  Summary: In 1996, experienced Zimbabwean safari guide Paul Templer was leading a canoe trip on the Zambezi River when a hippo attacked one of the other canoes, throwing its guide, Evans, into the water. While attempting to rescue Evans, Templer's own canoe was struck by a hippo, which then grabbed him, leading to a traumatic and life-threatening attack.

  Main Topics Covered: 1. Paul Templer's background as a safari guide in Zimbabwe. 2. The hippo attack on the Zambezi River during a canoe expedition. 3. The attempted rescue of a fellow guide and Templer's subsequent attack.

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  Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals sneakers sell for a record $2.2 million

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2023-04-12 03:17)

  A pair of game-worn Air Jordan 13 sneakers from Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals "Last Dance" season sold at a Sotheby's auction for a record $2.2 million, becoming the most expensive sneakers ever sold. The sale highlights the high market value of Jordan's memorabilia from that season, following the 2022 auction of his Game 1 jersey for $10.1 million. The sneakers were part of a larger sports memorabilia auction featuring items from other notable athletes like Kobe Bryant and Tom Brady.

  Main Topics Covered: 1. The record-breaking auction sale of Michael Jordan's game-worn sneakers. 2. The high value and demand for Michael Jordan's "Last Dance" memorabilia. 3. The broader context of the sports memorabilia market and auction.

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  How Playboy cut ties with Hugh Hefner to create a post-MeToo brand

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2023-04-11 07:10)

  Summary: The article examines the shifting legacy of Playboy as it approaches its 70th anniversary. It details how founder Hugh Hefner built the brand using women's images, often without their consent, and how recent allegations and the #MeToo movement have led to a reevaluation of his personal conduct. In response, the modern Playboy company has publicly distanced itself from Hefner, is now largely staffed and managed by women, and is pivoting its business model toward a creator-led platform that emphasizes female agency.

  Main Topics Covered: 1. The founding and controversial history of Playboy under Hugh Hefner. 2. The re-evaluation of Hefner's legacy and accusations of misconduct in the post-#MeToo era. 3. The radical transformation of the Playboy brand's structure, values, and business model today.

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  They bought an abandoned 'ghost house' in the Japanese countryside

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2023-04-10 12:22)

  Summary:
  Japanese traveler Daisuke Kajiyama returned to Japan with his partner to open a guesthouse but faced financial constraints and a desire for a traditional kominka house. He ultimately found and negotiated for two abandoned rural houses (akiya) in Shizuoka prefecture, which he is renovating into a home and guesthouse despite ownership complexities.

  Main Topics Covered:
  - The personal story of Daisuke Kajiyama pursuing his dream of opening a guesthouse in rural Japan.
  - The challenge of finding affordable traditional housing and the shift toward using abandoned homes (akiya).
  - Japan's issue of rural depopulation and increasing vacant properties.
  - The process of locating, negotiating for, and renovating the abandoned houses.

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  Here's the real reason to turn on airplane mode when you fly

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2023-04-07 12:52)

  Summary: The article examines the rationale behind in-flight safety rules, particularly the requirement to set devices to flight mode. It explains that while modern aircraft systems are generally well-shielded from interference from personal electronic devices, the primary reasons for the rule are to prevent potential overload on ground networks and to mitigate emerging concerns about 5G signals interfering with critical aircraft navigation systems, especially during takeoff and landing.

  Main Topics Covered: 1. The historical and technical reasons for in-flight safety rules regarding electronic devices. 2. The evolution of aviation technology and regulations regarding electromagnetic interference. 3. The current concerns driving the flight mode rule, specifically ground network overload and potential 5G interference with aircraft systems.

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  'A definitive backslide.' Inside fashion's worrying runway trend

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2023-04-06 20:53)

  Summary: The Fall-Winter 2023 fashion runways in major cities showed a significant decline in the use of plus-size models, reversing recent progress toward size inclusivity. This trend coincided with widespread media attention on new prescription weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. Fashion commentators criticized the industry's retreat from diversity, noting that many major designers who had previously featured curve models did not do so this season.

  Main Topics Covered: 1. The reduction of plus-size models on major fashion runways for Fall-Winter 2023. 2. The concurrent rise and cultural conversation around prescription weight-loss drugs. 3. Criticism from industry advocates regarding the fashion industry's backslide on body diversity. 4. Statistical data and specific examples highlighting the decline in size-inclusive representation.

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  Relaxed entry rules make it easier than ever to visit this stunning Asian nation

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2023-03-31 04:25)

  Summary: Mongolia is actively promoting tourism by easing visa requirements for citizens of 34 additional countries and opening new infrastructure, including a major international airport and a modern museum. The article highlights these developments alongside cultural attractions like music festivals and the historic Naadam festival as reasons to visit.

  Main Topics Covered: 1. Eased visa policies to attract international tourists. 2. New tourism infrastructure (airport, museum). 3. Cultural and event-based attractions (festivals, Naadam).

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  Scientists identify secret ingredient in Leonardo da Vinci paintings

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2023-03-30 17:43)

  Summary: A new study suggests that Old Masters like da Vinci and Rembrandt may have intentionally added egg yolk to their oil paints. This addition altered the paints' properties, such as reducing oxidation and wrinkling, and allowed for different textures while potentially conserving expensive pigments. The findings indicate this was a deliberate technical choice rather than accidental contamination.

  Main Topics Covered: 1. The discovery of intentional protein (egg yolk) use in historical oil paintings. 2. The technical benefits of adding egg yolk, including paint stability and manipulation. 3. The experimental recreation of historical paint-making to validate the hypothesis.

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  The surreal facades of America's strip clubs

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2023-03-06 14:13)

  French photographer François Prost traveled over 6,000 miles across the US in 2019 to photograph the exteriors of nearly 150 strip clubs for his book "Gentlemen's Club." His objective, documentary-style project aimed to explore American culture through the architecture of these venues, noting their varying visibility—from flamboyant facades in places like Las Vegas to more discreet ones in conservative regions like the Bible Belt. Prost was interested in the clubs as cultural landmarks at the intersection of commerce and gender, rather than their interior activities.

  Main Topics Covered: * The premise and scope of François Prost's "Gentlemen's Club" photography project. * The documentary approach and cultural observations about strip club architecture in different US regions. * The contrast between the visibility of the clubs and the social conservatism in areas like the Bible Belt. * The project's inspiration and its presentation as a study of American culture through landscape photography.

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  Nelly Cheboi, who creates computer labs for Kenyan schoolchildren, is CNN's Hero of the Year

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2022-12-12 10:38)

  Summary: Nelly Cheboi was named the 2022 CNN Hero of the Year for her work with TechLit Africa, a nonprofit that provides upcycled computers and digital skills training to schoolchildren in rural Kenya. She left a software engineering job to start the initiative, which addresses both technological access and educational opportunity. As the award winner, she will receive significant grant funding to expand the program.

  Main Topics Covered: 1. Nelly Cheboi's recognition as CNN Hero of the Year. 2. The mission and impact of her nonprofit, TechLit Africa. 3. Her personal background and motivation. 4. The operational model of collecting and refurbishing donated computers. 5. The educational curriculum and future goals of the organization. 6. The details of the award and grant funding received.

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  default 3

  CNN Heroes: Sharing the Spotlight

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2022-12-10 19:39)

  Summary: Kelly Ripa and Anderson Cooper will co-host the CNN Heroes tribute special live on December 11. The event honors everyday individuals for their extraordinary humanitarian contributions.

  Main Topics: The announcement of the event's hosts, its live broadcast details, and its purpose of celebrating community heroes.

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  These were the best and worst places for air quality in 2021, new report shows

  (CNN.com - RSS Channel - World / 2022-03-22 16:43)

  Summary: A 2021 global air quality report found that air pollution exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) safety guidelines in every country and 97% of cities analyzed. The worst pollution was concentrated in regions like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, while Scandinavian countries and Australia ranked among the best. The report underscores the severe public health impacts of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and calls for stricter government regulations, highlighting fossil fuels and wildfires as key pollution sources.

  Main Topics Covered: 1. The widespread global exceedance of WHO air pollution guidelines. 2. Regional disparities in air quality, from most polluted to least polluted areas. 3. The health dangers of PM2.5 pollution and its sources (e.g., fossil fuels, wildfires). 4. A call to action for governments to implement stronger air quality standards and policies.