Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a meeting of US Congress members that "victory" in Gaza and "getting" Hamas' senior leadership in the enclave are only "a few weeks away."On Wednesday, Netanyahu told a bipartisan group from the US Congress, “We’ve killed many senior leaders [of Hamas], including number four in Hamas, number three in Hamas. We’ll get number two and number one. That’s victory. Victory is within reach. It’s a few weeks away," reports CNN. Hosting the congressional delegation in Jerusalem, which the Prime Minister's Office claimed was organised by the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Netanyahu said it was "very important to maintain bipartisan support" but "especially in these trying times." Netanyahu stated that Israel "had no choice" but to enter Rafah because its "very existence is on the line." Netanyahu is an obstacle to peace: US Senate Majority Leader Chuck SchumerThe prime minister stated that Israel has had a "remarkable alignment" with the Biden administration since the October 7 Hamas attack, but they have fundamentally opposing views on an Israeli incursion into Rafah, the report said.Israel has received international condemnation before of its planned onslaught on the southern Gaza city, where over one million Palestinians are currently taking shelter. Netanyahu had previously stated to the delegation that displaced Palestinians in Gaza could "just move" out of Rafah and "move with their tents." Biden: Netanyahu 'hurting Israel' by not preventing more civilian deaths in Gaza"There is all of the Gaza Strip north of Rafah," Netanyahu remarked. "People can move up or down," he continued.Disagreements regarding the possible invasion of Rafah and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza have strained relations between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden.Earlier this week, Netanyahu postponed a scheduled government trip to Washington in protest over the United States' abstention from a UN Security Council vote that allowed a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza to pass, the report also said.The resolution, proposed by the 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council, demanded an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and “the urgent need to expand the flow” of aid into Gaza. Netanyahu snaps back against growing US criticism after being accused of losing his way on Gaza

Following the Princess of Wales' statement that she had cancer, King Charles said he was "so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did." Charles, who was also diagnosed with cancer following a treatment for an enlarged prostate, is still in "closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law," according to Buckingham Palace, reports CNN. Prince Harry, Meghan hope Kate and family can heal ‘privately and in peace’ "Both Their Majesties will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time," said the palace. The princess's health status was updated following her successful operation on her abdomen on January 16. She stayed in a London hospital for 13 days after the operation and, per the doctor's suggestion, has been away from the public eye during her recovery, the report said. What is known about Kate's cancer diagnosis Kate was seen in public for the first time since January, when she went to a farm store with her husband Prince William last weekend. Kate, Princess of Wales, says she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy

In a striking revelation reported by the Guardian, CNN faces internal criticism and a growing backlash over its coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Journalists from CNN’s newsrooms, both in the United States and internationally, have raised concerns about the network’s editorial policies. These policies, they claim, have led to the dissemination of Israeli perspectives while marginalizing Palestinian voices in the coverage of the war in Gaza. The core of the discontent centers around the network’s handling of key events, particularly the October 7 Hamas massacre and Israel’s subsequent retaliatory attack on Gaza. One CNN staffer lamented, “The majority of news since the war began, regardless of how accurate the initial reporting, has been skewed by a systemic and institutional bias within the network toward Israel,” branding it as “journalistic malpractice.” According to detailed accounts from six CNN staff members and a review of over a dozen internal communications, the daily news output is heavily influenced by directives from CNN headquarters, the Guardian says. These directives have imposed strict guidelines on reporting, including significant restrictions on quoting Hamas and presenting Palestinian perspectives, while often uncritically broadcasting Israeli government statements. Read more: UN experts condemn killing, silencing of journalists in Gaza Mark Thompson, CNN’s new editor-in-chief and CEO, who assumed his role shortly after the October 7 incident, is at the heart of the controversy. Staffers express concern over Thompson’s history of yielding to external pressures in his previous position at the BBC, fearing a similar pattern at CNN. The coverage, as a result, has been criticized for disproportionately highlighting Israeli suffering and narratives, with a notable deficiency in reporting on the Palestinian civilian casualties and the devastation in Gaza. A particularly contentious point is the editorial process, where every story related to the conflict requires approval from the Jerusalem bureau, effectively filtering the content that reaches the public. This process has been condemned for introducing biases, as reports undergo modifications that detract from the Palestinian plight, according to some CNN journalists. Critics within the network have pointed out a notable imbalance, citing an early November directive by David Lindsay, senior director of news standards and practices, that limited the reporting of Hamas statements, labeling them as “inflammatory rhetoric and propaganda.” This contrasts starkly with the network’s approach to Israeli officials’ statements, which have been aired frequently and often without challenge. Amidst these editorial decisions, CNN’s coverage has been accused of utilizing a framework that implicitly justifies Israeli actions by continuously referencing the Hamas attack as the conflict’s “immediate cause.” This narrative, staff members argue, marginalizes other contexts and histories that are crucial for a balanced understanding of the conflict. The network’s spokesperson has defended CNN’s reporting, emphasizing the care taken to attribute claims across their coverage. However, the restrictions on foreign journalists’ access to Gaza, except under Israeli Defense Forces control, have further complicated efforts to present a balanced view, keeping the full impact of the war on Palestinians largely unseen on CNN and similar channels.  This internal critique of CNN’s coverage echoes past accusations of bias, reminiscent of the network’s approach post-9/11 and its coverage of the Afghan conflict. The current discontent among CNN staff highlights a deep-seated concern over journalistic integrity and the challenge of maintaining balanced reporting amidst external pressures and editorial mandates. Read more: Hamas shows signs of resurgence in parts of Gaza where Israeli troops largely withdrew weeks ago

A spokesman for Robert De Niro confirmed to CNN on Tuesday (May 09, 2023) that the actor has once again become a father. The Oscar winner broke the news in an interview with ET Canada on Monday, where he was promoting his new film, coincidentally titled “About My Father”. When the topic of paternity came up during the conversation, the 79-year-old gently corrected the interviewer when she said that De Niro had six children. “Seven, actually. I just had a baby,” the actor said. Read More: Netflix Originals in English Coming in June 2023

CNN is set to air a 30-minute program that explores Bangladesh’s preparations for sustainable economic and environmental growth. The program, titled “Growing Bangladesh”, will examine how Bangladeshi innovators are finding localised solutions to the country’s core challenges, such as flood-resistant homes and solar-powered pay-as-you-go microgrids, according to a press release of CNN International. Marina Tabassum, an award-winning Bangladeshi architect famed for her landmark designs such as Swadhinata Stambha at Suhrawardy Udyan, is featured in the CNN program. Tabassum bases the majority of her initiatives in Bangladesh, drawing on the country’s rich history, culture, and needs, with an emphasis on improving homes and lives. Read More: Marina Tabassum scoops Lisbon Lifetime Achievement Award Aiming at climate change mitigation, she is developing flatpack bamboo homes for those affected by flooding. Her work seeks to make a difference and embrace social responsibility while celebrating the heritage of Bangladesh. “Growing Bangladesh” also features Fahad Ifaz, the co-founder of iFarmer. With nearly half of the country’s population employed in agriculture and more than 70 percent of its land used for farming, Fahad and his friends founded the initiative in 2019 with the goal of transforming the agricultural sector. iFarmer seeks to increase farmers’ income and productivity by providing bundled services for finance, timely advisory services, education, modern farming technology, and access to inputs and appropriate markets. With more than 87,000 farmers registered on the platform, the company has transformed Bangladesh’s agricultural sector by facilitating the sale of nearly 190,000 tonnes of produce and facilitating more than $19 million in funding assistance for farmers throughout the country, according to the CNN press release. Read More: Sofol App from iFarmer: A Revolution Towards the Agriculture Digitization Salma Islam, head of projects, fundraising, and communications at SOLshare, a start-up hoping to kickstart the electric vehicle (EV) revolution in Bangladesh is among the “changemakers” who are featured in the program. CNN’s “Growing Bangladesh” also features Rokaiya Ahmed Purna, one of the country’s leading fashion designers who seek to revolutionise Bangladesh’s readymade garment industry by unleashing the country’s creativity. Purna’s ‘Design in Bangladesh’ platform – to be launched later this year – aims to turn the tables and conceptualize the idea of “Designed in Bangladesh” instead of “Made in Bangladesh”. Her platform will provide opportunities for Bangladeshi designers and she hopes that this will demonstrate the country’s creative prowess to the world and garner international recognition for Bangladeshi designs. Read More: Bangladeshi Marina Tabassum in Aga Khan Award for Architecture’s Steering Committee During the 30-minute show, CNN also talks to Taslima Miji, the founder of Leatherina, a manufacturer of leather products. The company is committed to making a difference in the leather industry by procuring responsibly and reducing waste and designs many of its bags in-house. The show will air at 11 am and 9 pm Bangladeshi time on April 1.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said Bangladesh maintains close ties with everyone, not only with any particular country. “We’re close to everyone – China, USA and India. Those who support our development, we’re with them,” she said in an interview with CNN, aired today. The premier made the remark when CNN’s senior journalist Richard Quest mentioned that the US believes and is concerned that Bangladesh is “getting too close” to China. Sheikh Hasina said China is one of Bangladesh’s development partners. China is investing here and they are involved in construction. “That’s all. We’re not dependent on anyone,” she said. When her attention was drawn to Bangladesh’s stance on the so-called “Chinese debt trap”, the PM said, “We’re extremely cautious when taking loans or undertaking development project.” She said Bangladesh takes majority of loans from different institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. “When it comes to Chinese loans, our case is not like Sri Lanka’s or others,” she said. The PM said her government always considers the returns and the benefits before undertaking any development project. Read: ‘Enjoying her own recipe for tea’: CNN’s Richard Quest tweets photo with PM Hasina “Another thing is that we always try our best to develop our country with our own resources. We don’t take unnecessary loans or big projects. We always consider from which project we can get returns and to what extent people will be benefited,” she said. 'Bangladesh never supports any invasion' The prime minister also told CNN that Bangladesh never supports any kind of invasion, rather it believes in peaceful resolution through dialogue. “We believe in peaceful resolution. If there is any conflict, it can be solved through dialogue. We never support any kind of invasion or conflict,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh’s foreign policy is clear and transparent: “Friendship to all, malice to none.”  “So, when we see any human rights violation or invasion, we definitely oppose it,’’ she said. She asked the global community to come forward to stop the war in Ukraine. ‘’I feel that the world should come forward to stop the war. Because, people are suffering,” she added. She said a war cannot be dragged on by one side; it needs involvement from both sides. “I believe, each country has the right to maintain and protect its territory,” she added. 'International community should exert pressure on Myanmar to repatriate Rohingyas' The premier said Bangladesh has called upon the international community to exert pressure on Myanmar to take their nationals back to their country. She said this while replying to a question on what Bangladesh needs from the global community to deal with the Rohingya crisis. Read: BGMEA ties up with CNN to promote 'Made in Bangladesh' Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is continuing a dialogue with Myanmar. But unfortunately Myanmar is not responding positively. She said her government had already talked to China, ASEAN countries, Japan, USA and others countries and requested them to put pressure on Myanmar to take back their nationals. “Unfortunately, the Myanmar government is not listening to anybody. That is the problem,” she said. The PM said Bangladesh had given shelter to the Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds. She said the Rohingya (12 lakh) are becoming a “big burden” for Bangladesh as it has to feed them alongside ensuring their basic rights despite the fact that the country is overpopulated.  “I have to feed them (Rohingyas). I have to ensure their basic needs,” she said.    The first episode of the interview was aired in the early hours of Tuesday and the second episode will be aired soon.  

Renowned British journalist and CNN’s international business correspondent Richard Quest tweeted a photo with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina yesterday (March 13, 2023). The tweet read: “I am enjoying her own recipe for tea: ginger, cardamon, honey and host of spices.” Read More: Pressures on Sheikh Hasina won’t work: PM The photo was taken in Dhaka during Quest’s visit here. In another tweet with a photo, the anchor of ‘Quest Means Business’ on CNN wrote: “Thank you #bangladesh for warmth and hospitality. This was my first visit to your country: it won’t be my last. You can see my interview with the prime minister on @questCNN next week.”    Read More: EC is totally independent to conduct election: PM Hasina

The Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) will organise the "Bangladesh Business Summit 2023" in March 2023 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. To cover this mega event globally, the FBCCI signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US-based multinational news channel Cable News Network – better known as CNN – as its international media partner Saturday. Under this agreement, CNN will promote trade potential and investment opportunities in Bangladesh globally. Read: FBCCI signs MoU with Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and Industry FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin and CNN South Asia Sales Director Abhijeet Dhar signed the MoU in the capital. Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman was present at that time. Salman said: "The business representatives and investors of different countries can learn about the success and potential of Bangladesh through the business summit, which will attract foreign investors." "Besides national and international investment, the small and mid-size enterprise (SME) sector will get special attention at the summit." Read: Thai AirAsia launches Dhaka-Bangkok flight Jashim said potential sectors like textile, digital economy, circular economy, and the blue economy will be showcased at the summit. Entrepreneurs who have contributed to the country's economy and freedom fighter businessmen will get recognition from the FBCCI. Through this summit Bangladesh can benefit from industry relocations across the world, Jashim said. Read More: FBCCI for building skilled workforce for achieving SDGs The director general of the World Trade Organization, the trade commissioner of the European Union, the chairman of Jetro, SEOs of several multinational companies, ministers of several countries, and business representatives will attend the summit.

It was the kind of story that media reporter Brian Stelter would normally sink his teeth into — if only it didn’t involve him. CNN said last week it was cancelling “Reliable Sources,” its 30-year-old program on the media, and letting Stelter go, part of a nascent effort by new management to reclaim a brand identity that it feels was damaged during the Trump era. The news network, now under the Warner Discovery corporate banner and led since spring by CNN Worldwide Chairman Chris Licht, is trying to inject more balance into its programming and become less radioactive to Republicans. How and whether that can be accomplished remains a mystery. “CNN has to figure out what it wants to be,” said Carol Costello, a former anchor there and now a journalism instructor at Loyola Marymount University. Former President Donald Trump portrayed CNN as an enemy, and a Pew Research Center study illustrated the impact that had with his followers. In 2014, Pew found that one-third of people who identify or lean Republican said they distrusted CNN as a source for political news. By 2019, that number had shot up to 58 percent — higher distrust than The New York Times, The Washington Post or MSNBC. And that was before the overheated 2020 election campaign and the anger over its outcome. Last year’s firing of CNN anchor Chris Cuomo after he helped his brother, former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, behind the scenes, also hurt CNN’s reputation among Republicans, said Carlos Curbelo, a former GOP congressman from Florida. As Trump attacked the network, CNN returned fire. Under previous leader Jeff Zucker, CNN figures became more opinionated on the air than they ever had before. Anderson Cooper once likened Trump to “an obese turtle on its back, flailing in the hot sun, realizing his time is over,” a remark he later apologized for. “All mainstream media took a hit with the ascent of Donald Trump,” Costello said. “I really think he did a number on journalism in general, not just CNN. For a time we all played into it, and our reporting was kind of hysterical.” CNN’s tone had a lot to do with changes in the network’s reputation, said Mark Whitaker, a veteran newsman and former CNN executive. CNN had higher ratings and more buzz under Zucker, but, Whitaker asked, “Was it worth it in terms of the way it changed the brand perception?” Being seen as a liberal alternative to Fox News Channel isn’t an issue for a news outlet that plays up partisanship. But for a company that has sold itself as an unbiased news source for more than 40 years — to viewers, to advertisers, to cable or satellite operators — that presents a problem. Since Licht took over, morning anchor Brianna Keilar’s occasional takedowns of Fox coverage have disappeared. Although Licht hasn’t commented publicly on Stelter’s exit, the media reporter’s criticism of Fox was a regular feature of “Reliable Sources.” It received little notice at the time, but cable news executive John Malone, now a member of the Warner Discovery board of directors, said in a CNBC interview last November that “I would like to see CNN evolve back to the kind of journalism it started with, and actually have journalists, which would be unique and refreshing.” Read: CNN’s streaming service shutting down a month after launch Similarly, Warner Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav said at a company town hall in April that CNN should set itself apart from a cable news industry that is dominated by “advocacy networks.” CNN needs to be about reporting, truth and facts, he said. “If we get that, we can have a civilized society,” said Zaslav, who appointed Licht. “And without it, if it all becomes advocacy, we don’t have a civilized society.” Licht has given few interviews to outside journalists since taking over, and a CNN spokesman turned down a request for this article. Licht has taken steps toward the goals his bosses have elucidated. He wants CNN anchors to be conscious of a perspective that they sometime talk down to people. He wants panel discussions to be informative, not dominated by extreme points of view. He wants to resist “outrage porn.” He ordered that the on-air “breaking news” banner be reserved for real breaking news. Licht also went to Washington to meet with Republican leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy, his counterpart at the House. Licht would like to see more Republicans appear on CNN for meaningful interviews, not necessarily to be used by them to appear tough to supporters for standing up to hostility. There have already been small signs of success in recent weeks: appearances by South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and Texas U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw. “This is true of all three (cable news) networks: When you can get only members of one party to show up, it shows that your news division is lacking in credibility with essentially half the country,” said Curbelo, an NBC News contributor. It’s early, but Curbelo said he has liked what he’s seen with Licht so far. The outreach with Republicans has raised some eyebrows, with Democratic strategist Kurt Bardella suggesting in a Los Angeles Times column that CNN was “eager to pander” to politicians detached from reality. And Eric Deggans, NPR’s television critic, said he’s worried about the risk of normalizing lies like the last presidential election was stolen. “Sometimes journalists have been accused of being partisan when what they’ve really been doing is insisting upon the truth and refusing to go along with a political party that is redefining the truth to serve its own ends,” Deggans said. CNN points out that Licht made a similar pitch to aides at President Joe Biden’s White House, showing demographic information of viewers to illustrate it would be worthwhile to appear for interviews. The network resists suggestions that lies would not be challenged, but said wants all Americans to feel their opinions are listened to. “No matter what they do, they’ll be attacked,” Whitaker said. “Trump and others will continue to cry ‘fake news’ about anything they don’t like from the media.” But, he said, CNN has the best chance of any cable news network to reach an audience looking for a more balance in journalism. Other visible moves are likely to come soon. Licht has been eyeing a shakeup of CNN’s morning hours and recently hired Ryan Kadro, a former CBS News colleague who handled that network’s morning show. CNN still has a hole in prime time, too: Chris Cuomo hasn’t been replaced since he was fired last December.   But what’s next remains unclear, which Deggans advised against. He called on CNN’s leaders to be clear with viewers about what’s being done. “The attitude of the new management seems to be, ‘Trust us, we have a plan.’”

CNN’s brand-new streaming service, CNN+, is shutting down only a month after launch. In a Thursday memo, incoming CNN chief executive Chris Licht said the service would shut down at the end of April. CNN+ launched when its parent was still part of AT&T. It combined with Discovery earlier this month in a new company, Warner Bros. Discovery, under Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who had his own vision for CNN and its Warner siblings. In his memo, Licht said consumers wanted “simplicity and an all-in service” rather than “stand-alone offerings.” Discovery had previously suggested that it wanted to merge the new company’s separate streaming services, which include Discovery+ and HBO Max, into a single app. Read: What’s the impact if Europe cuts off Russian oil? Licht said some CNN+ content will wind up on other company networks, and the streaming service’s employees will get opportunities to apply for jobs elsewhere inside Warner Bros. Discovery. The head of CNN+, Andrew Morse, is leaving the company. “While today’s decision is incredibly difficult, it is the right one for the long-term success of CNN. It allows us to refocus resources on the core products that drive our singular focus: further enhancing CNN’s journalism and its reputation as a global news leader,” Licht wrote. Under AT&T, there were $100 million in development costs and some 500 employees assigned to building out CNN+. The service had attracted big names for its lineup, from former Fox anchor Chris Wallace to food-media star Alison Roman, as part of the company’s effort to appeal to younger people with a streaming news service as cable news audiences age. Read: Musk says he has $46.5B in financing ready to buy Twitter There had been skepticism that a paid news streaming service would attract interest from consumers, who already have available a slew of online TV. While Fox has a paid streaming service, Fox Nation, other major TV news organizations make their apps available free.