Notices by The Index (theindex@mastodon.social)

Export controls didn’t stop the Soviets from innovating, and they won’t stop China either. AI chip restrictions may slow progress temporarily, but history shows they’ll adapt—and fast.

https://www.theindex.media/ai-chip-restrictions-revive-cold-war-dilemmas-in-a-globalized-era/

🇺🇸 A Georgia judge blocked controversial election rule changes backed by pro-Trump Republicans, marking the third court defeat for Trump allies in two days. The ruling voided rules empowering local officials to investigate voting irregularities and access election documents before certifying results, citing conflicts with the Election Code. The changes, passed by a Republican-controlled election board, faced bipartisan criticism.

🇺🇸 Six days after Hurricane Helene's devastating impact, tens of thousands in North Carolina remain without water, as catastrophic flooding destroyed infrastructure across the Southeast. Over 160 dead, 1.2 million still without power across multiple states. In Asheville, 150,000+ residents face weeks without water, prompting community-led distribution efforts. President Biden and VP Harris survey damage in key election battlegrounds.

🇮🇷 Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei warned Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah of an Israeli assassination plot days before his death, revealing deep concerns about Israeli infiltration at high levels. Khamenei urged Nasrallah to flee to Iran, but he refused. The assassination has sparked a crisis of trust within Iran's government and Hezbollah, prompting arrests in Iran and a major internal investigation in Hezbollah. The incident has severely damaged Iran's "Axis of Resistance".

🇺🇸 Reuters reports Elon Musk secretly funded a conservative political group, Building America's Future, as early as 2022, predating his public endorsement of Trump. The organization's revenue surged from $11M in 2021 to $53M in 2022, coinciding with Musk's multi-million dollar contributions. This "dark money" group has launched campaigns criticizing the Biden administration on issues like immigration and menthol cigarette bans.

🇸🇩 Sudan's humanitarian crisis deepens as famine grips millions, with UN aid blocked by warring factions. Desperate civilians resort to eating leaves while graveyards expand rapidly.

Don’t ignore this.

Top links + Reddit, Bluesky & Threads posts:

https://www.theindex.media/sudans-humanitarian-crisis-deepens-as-famine-grips-millions/

🇺🇸 Hurricane Helene prompts over 1,000 flight cancellations across US as it approaches Florida; Southwest, American, and Delta most affected; coastal residents urged to evacuate amid warnings of catastrophic winds and storm surge; major airports issue travel advisories, with airlines offering waivers for Southeast US and Gulf of Mexico routes as powerful storm threatens widespread disruption to air travel and coastal communities.

🇺🇸 Donald Trump's planned joint appearance with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Pennsylvania canceled, source says; event at Polish-American Catholic shrine would have been rare instance of foreign leader joining U.S. presidential candidate on campaign trail; eastern European voters increasingly crucial in battleground states like Pennsylvania; Trump still plans meetings with Ukrainian and Indian leaders amid UN General Assembly, as VP Harris critiques his stance on Russia.

🇺🇸 Elon Musk sparks outrage with deleted X post questioning absence of assassination attempts on Biden/Harris, hours after reported second attempt on Trump's life. Musk claims joke fell flat due to lack of context. White House condemns post as "irresponsible," emphasizing no place for political violence. Incident follows recent controversies, including Musk amplifying false and racist claims about immigrants and making sexually harrassing comments about Taylor Swift.

🇺🇸 PBS reports former President Trump allegedly pressured Israeli PM Netanyahu against a Gaza ceasefire, fearing it could boost VP Harris's election chances. Both Trump and Netanyahu deny these claims. At the DNC, President Biden promised efforts towards humanitarian aid, peace, and a ceasefire in Gaza, acknowledging protesters' concerns. The 10-month conflict has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, with south Gaza facing a dire humanitarian crisis.

🇺🇸 Federal judge rules Google illegally maintained search monopoly, marking first major antitrust decision against a tech giant in the internet era. Verdict could reshape Big Tech business practices and influence other pending cases.

✅ Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/17/world/asia/china-philippines-boats-collide.html

🇵🇭 China and Philippines blame each other for ship collision near disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, escalating tensions in the region. U.S. condemns China's 'dangerous maneuvers.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/South-China-Sea/Philippines-China-deceptive-and-misleading-on-South-China-Sea-collision

🇮🇱 U.S. sanctions Israeli group for blocking Gaza aid as southern Gaza faces "catastrophic" hunger. UN lists Israel, Hamas for grave violations against children. Police accuse Israeli minister of trying to stop aid truck protection.

✅ Sources:

https://apnews.com/article/eu-election-right-migration-climate-polls-vote-0fbfcb7bd987008e802d70f759fa870b

🇪🇺 Early projections show far-right parties making strong gains in European Parliament elections, challenging mainstream leaders. Results seen as rebuke to establishment, making it harder to pass laws. French President Macron calls for new elections after crushing defeat.

🇵🇼 Palau, a Pacific island nation with ties to Taiwan, was hit by a massive cyberattack. Officials have claimed China's involvement, but evidence is lacking. The breach could pose risks to Palau's allies, including the U.S. and Japan.

🇵🇸 Biden proposes 3-phase Gaza plan: 6-week ceasefire, prisoner swap, aid; permanent end to fighting, Israeli withdrawal; reconstruction and new Palestinian gov't. Israel and Hamas cautiously optimistic, but details remain unclear.

🌍 Nations fail to finalize pandemic treaty at World Health Assembly due to disputes over vaccine access and funding, as negotiators seek more time to address complex issues and counter misinformation surrounding the agreement.