ICYMI: News Round-Up for May 20-24, 2024

Here are just a few of the news events that took place around the world this week:

1. Spain, Ireland, and Norway announced plans to formally recognise Palestine as a state. In statements, the countries indicated the move was to support peace in the region. Slovenia and Malta have also indicated they may consider a formal recognition.
2. China's People’s Liberation Army (PLA) executed military drills around Taiwan's main island and other smaller islands near Mainland China's coastline. The performative exercises are a reaction to what China views as "separatist acts" (Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te, recently came into power), and a continuation of President Xi Jinping's aim of "complete reunification".
3. Multi-day funeral ceremonies began in Iran after President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash last weekend. Elections have been announced for late June.
4. College sports in America received a huge shake-up after a $2.7 billion settlement. For the first time, a revenue-sharing plan will be put in place for college athletes. The settlement is also expected to include back pay for past athletes.
5. A Singapore Airlines flight en route from London to Singapore was diverted to Bangkok after encountering severe turbulence. A 73-year-old British man died, and dozens of others were injured after being violently flung against the overhead compartments of the plane. The airline has since tightened seatbelt rules in response to the incident.
6. Chipmaker Nvidia made waves after reporting a big jump in year-over-year Q1 revenue, driven by data center growth. The company is now worth more than $2.5 trillion.
7. Google announced the Umoja project – a plan to run a fiber optic cable from Australia to Kenya, connecting a number of other African nations up along the way. The cable is expected to join up with another undersea cable running between South Africa and Portugal.