ITNbot

Amid a fresh Russian offensive that threatens to break through Ukraine's defensive lines in the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy canceled his upcoming foreign travel on Wednesday. Interfax...

Major Harrison Mann, a US Army officer who gave notice of his resignation last November, confirmed Monday that his decision was due to what he called America's "unqualified support for the government of Israel.” FOX News (LR: 4 CP: 4)...

At the invitation of Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping, Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin will make a two-day state visit to China from May 16 to 17 — his first foreign trip after taking office for the fifth time. XINHUA...

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said on Tuesday that negotiations regarding a cease-fire in Gaza had reached a stalemate due to Israel's most recent operation in the strip, adding: "what happened with Rafah sent us backward." Reuters (a) (LR: 3 CP: 5)...

North Korea reportedly laundered $147.5M using the virtual currency exchange service Tornado Cash in March, according to a confidential report by UN sanctions monitors that was reviewed by Reuters on Tuesday. reuters.com (LR: 3 CP: 5)...

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Georgia’s capital Tbilisi after the country's parliament passed a divisive "foreign influence" bill on Tuesday. Thirteen protesters were reportedly arrested. Al Jazeera (LR: 2 CP: 1)...

Former Pres. Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Wednesday accepted the proposal of Pres. Joe Biden to debate in June and September. Trump called Biden "the WORST debater I have ever faced." thehill.com...

After exiting a government meeting in the town of Handlova on Wednesday, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times and seriously wounded as he greeted a crowd of people. He was airlifted to the regional capital, Banska Bystrica, for treatment. Reuters.com (LR: 3 CP: 5)...

On Tuesday, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan won the Republican nomination for that state's US Senate race, and Gov. Jim Justice did the same in West Virginia. Associated Press (LR: 3 CP: 5)...

The Biden administration reportedly notified congressional leaders Tuesday that it will proceed with plans to sell more than $1B of weapons to Israel. The commitment, revealed by three congressional aides, comes a week after the White House paused shipments of 2K-pound bombs to Israel. Associated Press (LR: 3 CP: 5)...

The manhunt for a French fugitive inmate — a suspected drug boss known as "La Mouche" (The Fly) — has entered its third day, after Interpol issued a "Red Notice" international request warrant for him on Wednesday at the request of French authorities. Independent (LR: 2 CP: 3)...

Israeli singer Eden Golan has qualified after a public vote for the Eurovision Song Contest final, which will take place Saturday, despite being booed in the semifinal on Thursday and during dress rehearsals. BBC News...

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca on Tuesday announced that it's withdrawing its COVID vaccine globally, citing low demand and a "surplus of available updated vaccines." Guardian (LR: 2 CP: 5)...

The Israeli military said Wednesday that the Kerem Shalom crossing — closed on Sunday after a rocket attack killed four soldiers — "is now open for the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip." AA...

On Thursday, Kamal Kharrazi, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that Iran could change its nuclear doctrine and pursue the production of nuclear weapons if the country's existence were to be threatened. reuters.com (LR: 3 CP: 5)...

According to a new report from climate think tank Ember, renewable energy powered 30% of the world's electricity last year, up from 19% 24 years ago. Researchers said this was due to a large increase in wind and solar power. Guardian (LR: 2 CP: 5)...

Pres. Joe Biden warned against the threat of antisemitism in the US, and reaffirmed his support for Israel amid its polarizing campaign in Gaza during a speech delivered Tuesday at the Capitol's Emancipation Hall. Reuters.com (LR: 3 CP: 5)...

German police dismantled a pro-Palestinian encampment at the Free University of Berlin on Tuesday at the request of the school, on claims that demonstrators rejected attempts to engage in dialogue and attempted to occupy rooms and lecture halls. Al Jazeera (LR: 2 CP: 1)...

TikTok said Thursday that it will start automatically tagging artificial intelligence (AI)-created content, making it the first-ever video-sharing platform to identify such material to users. Forbes (LR: 3 CP: 5)...

According to a report published by Reuters, OpenAI could unveil its AI-driven search tool on Monday, extending its ChatGPT platform to compete with Google. reuters.com (LR: 3 CP: 5)...

Vermont lawmakers have approved a bill aimed at holding fossil fuel companies liable for damages caused by the climate crisis. Politicopro...

Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery announced the upcoming launch of a new streaming package that bundles Disney+, Hulu, and Max. Starting this summer, customers can purchase the bundle through any three of the platforms. BBC News...

Archegos Capital Management founder Sung Kook "Bill" Hwang's trial is slated to begin Wednesday with jury selection. Archegos, a family office that managed Hwang's assets, collapsed in March 2021. Reuters (LR: 3 CP: 5)...

Journalists from RAI, Italy's public broadcaster, went on a 24-hour strike on Monday to protest budget cuts and alleged repression by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government. Mint...

An appeals court in Hong Kong sided with the government on Wednesday, banning the popular "Glory to Hong Kong" song for the first time since Britain transferred the city back to Chinese rule in 1997. Associated Press (LR: 3 CP: 5)...