James Rondeau, the Art Institute of Chicago's director, is set to return after a leave of absence following an incident on a United Airlines flight to Munich. He was detained after allegedly disrobing mid-air due to intoxication from alcohol and medication. Despite the embarrassment, the museum has reinstated Rondeau, expressing confidence in his leadership after an independent investigation.
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Jimmy Sham, a prominent pro-democracy figure, is now free after spending four years in jail. He was arrested under national security law. Sham played a key role in 2019 protests. He was among 47 activists arrested for primary election involvement. Sham continued to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights while incarcerated. He acknowledges self-censorship and uncertainty about his future freedom.
In anticipation of Eid-ul-Adha, the Bangladesh central bank has released new currency notes of Taka 1,000, Taka 50, and Taka 20. These notes replace the image of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with depictions of nationally significant establishments and scenic locations. The new notes are available in limited quantities at the Motijheel office and will be distributed more widely soon.
Malaysia's economy minister said Wednesday he was resigning from his cabinet post after losing his position as deputy president of the ruling PKR to the premier's daughter in a party poll. The party's president is Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and his daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, won the post of deputy president last week with close to 10,000 votes while Rafizi received around 4,000.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon considered new privacy laws. This followed allegations against his press secretary, Michael Forbes. Forbes allegedly recorded sex workers without their consent. He also secretly photographed women at the gym. Forbes resigned and apologised for his actions. Luxon expressed shock and questioned the legality of Forbes's behaviour.
Since relocating to California in 2020, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's presence in Montecito has drawn varied reactions. While Prince Harry is seen as approachable and friendly, Meghan Markle maintains a low profile, says local journalist Richard Mineards. He noted Markle's detachment from community events, contrasting it with Oprah Winfrey's active involvement.
In Dalian, China, two Japanese men were killed. Police arrested Yuan, a Chinese business partner, in connection with the deaths. Yuan, a long-time resident of Japan, had business dealings with the victims. The incident occurred after previous attacks on Japanese schoolchildren in China. Dalian has historical significance as a former Russian naval base seized by Japan.
Water scarcity is intensifying across Europe due to climate change, threatening various sectors and citizens' access. The European Commission is set to unveil a Water Resilience Strategy, emphasizing efficiency and technological solutions. However, environmental groups advocate for nature-based approaches, highlighting their cost-effectiveness and sustainability in addressing the escalating water crisis.
The US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate Gaza ceasefire and unrestricted aid access, citing its failure to condemn Hamas. This occurred amidst ongoing Israeli operations and rising casualties. While most members supported the resolution, the US, Israel's key ally, insisted on Hamas disarmament.
A US federal judge on Monday cancelled the planned trial of US aviation giant Boeing over crashes of its 737 MAX aircraft that left nearly 350 people dead. The case dates to a January 2021 Justice Department agreement with Boeing that settled charges that the company knowingly defrauded the Federal Aviation Administration during the MAX certification.
A photo went viral claiming to show Xi Mingze, daughter of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The image was from a 2018 UN event. An X user discovered the woman was not Xi Mingze. She was identified as Fi (Catherine) Chen. The older woman was Noelle Kwok. Media outlets used the photo without verifying. This incident highlights the risk of misinformation.