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☆ Saudi Arabia needs peace in the Middle East for its $500 billion Neom megaproject to succeed
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia brokered a deal to re-establish diplomatic relations. Related storiesThe US and Saudi Arabia are in the final steps of a new agreement on security guarantees and civilian nuclear assistance, Reuters reported last week. Many of Neom's projects aimed at capturing the luxury tourism market are located along the Red Sea coast. Set to open next year, Neom's luxury island resort of Sindalah is advertised as an "exclusive gateway to the stunning Red Sea." Saudi officials are already fighting to combat claims that Neom is facing delays and setbacks.

Persons: —, it's, Israel, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Ulrichsen, Robert Mogielnicki, Mogielnicki, Neom Organizations: Saudi, Service, Neom, New York Times, Reuters, Rice, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Gulf States Institute, Bloomberg, Business Locations: Saudi, Dubai, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, Palestinian, Israeli, Red, Jeddah

☆ China’s Xi is visiting Europe for the first time in five years – his goodwill tour will be an uphill struggle
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Major breakthroughs with China’s toughest critics will be hard to come by unless Xi is ready to make surprise concessions. And the trip could instead serve to underscore divisions – not only between Europe and China – but those within Europe that could play to China’s favor, analysts say. Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron visit a garden in Guangdong during Macron's state visit to China last April. Putin has said he plans to visit China this month, according to Russian state media. Xi may also look to highlight Chinese investments in both Belgrade and Budapest in a message to the rest of Europe.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Andrea Bocelli, –, Xi, China –, ”, Noah Barkin, Hungary –, Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Von der Leyen, Olaf Scholz, Chong Ja Ian, “, Chong, Jacques Witt, China’s, Macron, Russia …, Wang Yiwei, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Aleksandar Vučić, Viktor Orban – Organizations: CNN, European Union, Ukraine, German Marshall Fund of, EU, “, National University of Singapore, Getty, Beijing’s Renmin University, NATO, Reuters, EV Locations: China, Italy, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Russia, “ China, Europe, Berlin, United States, Serbia, Hungary, Beijing, Paris, “ France, North America, Guangdong, Ukraine, Switzerland, Barkin, “, Belgrade, Budapest, Balkans, Balkan

☆ Biden cannot afford a boiling summer of protest
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —President Joe Biden can ill afford a long, hot summer of protest that comes to a boil in time for the Democratic National Convention in August and then bleeds into the final weeks of an already venomous clash with Donald Trump. The nationwide campus protests are not as pervasive as mass civil rights and anti-Vietnam War protests that raged in the 1960s and 1970s. This has been especially testing for Biden — a staunch supporter of Israel dating back to 1970s Prime Minister Golda Meir. More than 3 million Americans served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. This may also help explain why Biden had not addressed the campus protests in detail before Thursday.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, “, ” Biden, ”, Trump’s, Trump, James Traub, Hubert Humphrey, Biden “, ” Traub, Isa Soares, Traub, He’s, Mary McGrory, that’s, Biden’s, afer, Biden —, Golda Meir, he’d, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Lyndon Johnson, LBJ, …, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, ” Sanders, can’t, Netanyahu, shelve, Sanders Organizations: CNN, Democratic National Convention, White, Foreign, Democratic, CNN International, Republicans, Trump, Electoral, Gaza Health Ministry, American, National Guard Locations: Gaza, Vietnam, America, Israel, Vermont, Gazan, Rafah, Southeast Asia

☆ Making the power grid 'smart' could save us all money and prevent blackouts. Chattanooga made the $280 million investment.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Chattanooga's utility built a $280 million smart grid, creating $2.7 billion in economic value. The local utility, called EPB of Chattanooga, spent $280 million to refurbish its power system with smart technologies to make a "smart grid." The traditional power grid carries electricity from a power plant to homes and commercial buildings. Smart grids can bring huge economic benefitsEven Congress knows the nation needs a smart grid. Though a smart grid requires a big up-front investment, it can save a lot of money down the line.

Persons: —, That's, Tiago Majuelos, Monika Skolimowska, Kevin Schneider, Schneider, Joshua Rhodes, David Wade, EPB, Wade, Taylor, David Swanson, We're Organizations: Infrastructure, Service, Chattanooga Smart, US Department of Energy, Wall Street, Getty, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, American Society of Civil Engineers, University of Texas, Department of Energy, C Electric Company, BI, Reuters, Nationwide Locations: Chattanooga , Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tennessee, EPB, California, Austin, Hamilton County, Palm Springs , California, Columbia, Southern California

The American right’s growing embrace of Orbán builds upon millions of dollars that his government has spent on lobbying in the US, and new connections between Hungarian and American conservative think tanks. “Make America great again, make Europe great again!” Orbán declared in English, before continuing in Hungarian: “Go Donald Trump! Conservatives from around the US, Europe and beyond traveled to Budapest for the two-day event, which was organized by a Hungarian government-funded think tank. Two American nonprofits that are actively planning policies for a second Trump term have shown an interest in Hungary and Orbán’s model. But some of the American conservatives who flew into the country for CPAC seemed more focused on the optics of Budapest than on democratic rights.

Persons: crackdowns, “, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, Donald Trump’s, ” Orbán, Donald Trump !, ” Trump, ”, Trump, Steve Bannon, President Trump, Gladden Pappin, Szilard Koszticsak, White, ” Pappin, “ saviors, Bannon, Kari Lake, Mark Meadows, Andy Harris, Zoltan Mathe, Paul Gosar, Christopher Rufo, István, Ron DeSantis, Trumpists, Kim Lane Scheppele, Orbán’s, Zsuzsanna Szelényi, ” Szelényi, Márton Gulyás, influencers strode, Joey Mannarino, ” Kyung Lah, Anna, Maja Rappard, Casey Tolan, Curt Devine Organizations: Hungary CNN —, Republican, Conservative, Trump, European Union, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Conservative Political, “ Conservative, White House, ”, Republican Arizona, CNN, Department of Justice, Southern Poverty Law, Heritage Foundation, America, Policy Institute, Institute, Florida Gov, Princeton Locations: Budapest, Hungary, American, Europe, Lago, Dallas, America, Hungarian, Arizona, United States, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Florida, “ Hungary, marveled, New York, Washington

☆ Warner Bros. Discovery’s stock plummets to new low amid concerns the media giant could lose its NBA rights
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Discovery doesn’t “have to have the NBA.” It appears Wall Street disagrees. TNT has built a programming slate around the NBA games, most notably the highly rated ”Inside the NBA” show. Losing the rights to NBA games could throw aspects of that business partnership into question. Since WBD first began trading on Wall Street in April 2022, the stock has lost roughly 70% of its value. And for Zaslav, whose company is struggling on Wall Street, the battle could not come at a more inopportune time.

Persons: New York CNN — David Zaslav, “, WBD, —, Joe Flint, Amol Sharma, Isabella Simonetti —, Charles Barkley, Andrew Marchand, Warner, That’s, NBCU’s, I’m, Zaslav, Gunnar Wiedenfels, Wiedenfels ’, Bob Iger, David Ellison’s, ” Organizations: New York CNN, Warner Bros, NBA, CNN, Industry, WBD, TNT, The Athletic, New York Post, NCAA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, Disney, Fox Corporation, Netflix, Paramount Global, Wall Locations: New York

The sudden end to the standoff produced cheers from the protesters, and confusion for those who had been bracing for chaos. At Emory University in Atlanta, officers used pepper balls and wrestled protesters to the ground, ultimately arresting 28 people. On quads and lawns from coast to coast, colleges are grappling with a groundswell of student activism over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Administrators are having to make controversial decisions over whether to call in the police, and are often criticized regardless of the route they take. “They don’t seem to have a clear strategy,” said Jennie Stephens, a professor at Northeastern who attended the protest there to support the students.

Persons: ”, Jennie Stephens, “ Organizations: Boston, University of Southern, Emerson College, Ohio State University, At Emory University, Northeastern Locations: Northeastern University’s, University of Southern California, Boston, Atlanta, Gaza

☆ White House unbowed on support for Israel despite growing frustration from progressives and unrest on campuses
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Kayla Tausche | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

This week’s rapid spread of college campus encampments meant to protest the war has ratcheted up the pressure on the US over its support for Israel. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff spoke by phone with two Jewish leaders on campus, a White House official said, to discuss the immediate need to address antisemitism on college campuses. Despite being just miles from Columbia and the most tense scenes of the protests, Biden will not be making a visit to campus as he holds events in the New York area Friday. The White House must by May 8 certify whether Israel is complying. And while Sanders sought assurances from Biden on how he was approaching the situation, the president remained characteristically diplomatic, Shakir, the Sanders adviser said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Biden, Sanders, Biden –, ‘, ” Faiz Shakir, Joe, Doug Emhoff, Mike Johnson, Johnson, ” Johnson, ” Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Shakir, “, CNN’s Sam Fossum Organizations: York, York City CNN, Democratic, CNN, Israel, Columbia University, White, Republican, Representatives, National Guard, Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute, Politics, Israeli, Hamas, Biden Locations: York City, Virginia, Vermont, Gaza, Israel, Columbia, New York

☆ Opinion: Melania’s complicated ‘stand by your man’ routine
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Opinion Jill Filipovic | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The days of women standing up next to their philandering husbands should be well in the rear view. Melania’s decision to stay married to Donald despite very public evidence of an affair is her choice to make. (Her decision to stay married to a man who very publicly cheated on his first wife, is virulently misogynistic and has stoked hatred of immigrants tells us something else about her character.) Former First Lady Melania Trump stands alongside her husband, former President Donald Trump at a fundraising event in Palm Beach, Florida on April 6, 2024. Would Donald stay married to Melania if she faced multiple very public affair accusations?

Persons: Jill Filipovic, Donald Trump, Stormy Daniels, Melania, Barron, Trump, Karen McDougal, Daniels, McDougal, Donald, Lady Melania Trump, Alon Skuy, Bill Clinton, Idaho Sen, Larry Craig, Craig, Eliot Spitzer, Silda Wall Spitzer, stoically, Abedin, Anthony Weiner, Former Louisiana Sen, David Vitter, Wendy, presser, ” premised, –, Chip Somodevilla, She’s Organizations: Twitter, CNN, Republican, Former New York Gov, York, Former Louisiana, Rochester Opera House Locations: New York, Manhattan, Palm Beach , Florida, Idaho, Paris, Rochester , New Hampshire

Others took evening walks in the city and shared the bright orange scenes on social media. A low-pressure system over northern Africa swept dust over Cyprus several times in mid-April, “darkening skies and reducing air quality,” NASA said Tuesday. Dust was expected to continue to cross the Mediterranean, impacting both Cyprus and Greece over the next several days, NASA said. People cross a snow covered railway in Helsinki, Finland, on April 23, 2024, as an unusual weather system brought trams in the city to a halt. Photos showed Helsinki residents walking through thick snow and ice, carrying umbrellas under heavy snowfall, and tall clusters of snow piled up on sidewalks, cars and scooters.

Persons: Alessandro Rampazzo, Johannes Laitila, Finavia, ” Finavia, ”, Antti Vigelius Organizations: CNN, NASA, Anadolu Agency, Getty, YLE, Helsinki Airport, Johannes Locations: Greece, Africa, Athens, Cyprus, Helsinki, Finland, Europe

☆ By passing Ukraine aid, the accidental speaker became an unlikely Churchill
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Republican Speaker Mike Johnson showed political courage that is rare in Washington and notable legislative skill for an inexperienced leader in forcing a long-delayed $60 billion aid bill for Ukraine through the House of Representatives on Saturday. And 112 Republicans — a majority of the conference — voted against the Ukraine bill. And any Republican speaker propped up by Democrats might hemorrhage support among GOP lawmakers and be forced to resign. “As we deliberate on this vote, you have to ask yourself this question: Am I Chamberlain or Churchill?” he said. The accidental speaker makes an unlikely Churchill, but on Saturday he proved to be a far more daring and substantial figure than many of his Republican and Democratic critics previously believed.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Vladimir Putin, Ronald Reagan, Joe Biden’s, “, Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, ” CNN’s Frederik Pleitgen, Putin, —, Biden, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Johnson —, Kevin McCarthy’s, Marc Molinaro, CNN’s Manu Raju, Trump, Zelensky, Trump’s, Hakeem Jeffries, Mike Quigley, It’s, ” Quigley, Chuck Schumer, Jeffries, Mike McCaul, ‘, it’s, McCaul, Chamberlain, Churchill Organizations: CNN, West, GOP, America, MAGA, United States House, Representatives, Ukraine, Republican Party, Trump, Republicans, Georgia, Mar, Democratic, Congressional Ukraine Caucus, Illinois Democrat, Foreign, Texas Republican, Republican Locations: Washington, Ukraine, Russian, Louisiana, United States, Russia, Europe, Iran, China, Israel, Taiwan, Mexico, Georgia, New York, Kyiv, Texas, Nazi Germany

☆ Jordan walks a tightrope after downing Iranian drones and missiles
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Jomana Karadsheh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Jordan became the second Arab country to sign a peace deal with Israel in 1994. The kingdom was portrayed as shielding Israel at a time when Palestinians were being bombed by Israel in Gaza. One meme shared by users apparently outside Jordan showed a manipulated image of Jordan’s King Abdullah in an Israeli military uniform. “We are in the range of fire and any missiles or projectile that could fall in Jordan would cause harm to Jordan. Our priority is to protect Jordan and to protect Jordanian citizens.”And Jordan’s leadership seems intent on sending that message to its people.

Persons: Saddam Hussein, Jordan, Israel, King Abdullah, Bisher, “, Ayman Safadi, CNN’s Becky Anderson, ”, Safadi, “ Jordan, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyaahu, Iran ”, Abdullah, Queen Rania Organizations: CNN, Israel, West Bank, Scud, United, Sunday, ”, Jordan, Zionist, Jordanian Royal Court Locations: Amman, Israel, Damascus, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Jordanian, United States, Jordan, Gaza, Tehran, Fars, Iranian, Mafraq

☆ Xi Jinping is hyping China as Ukraine's peacemaker — while actually helping Russia's invasion
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewChina's leader, Xi Jinping, played the role of Ukraine's peacemaker during talks on Tuesday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. At the meeting in Beijing, Xi presented his German counterpart with four principles for peace in Ukraine, according to Chinese state media. AdvertisementThe principles are vague and similar to a Ukraine peace plan proposed by China last year. But despite these public statements, analysts say that Xi's claims to be a peacemaker are a charade and that in reality, China is increasing support for Russia's military. AdvertisementThis is in addition to the diplomatic and economic support China has already given the Kremlin.

Persons: —, Xi Jinping, Olaf Scholz, Xi, Scholz, Vladimir Putin, he's, Joe Biden Organizations: Service, Business, London's Royal United Services Institute, The, Associated Press Locations: Beijing, Ukraine, China, Russia, US, Germany, San Francisco

☆ China is sending its highest-level delegation to North Korea since 2019 to kick off a ‘friendship year’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The three-day visit, at North Korea’s invitation, shows the “great importance” China attaches to those relations, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. The delegation will also arrive amid heightened global concern about North Korea, which has in recent months ramped up its bellicose rhetoric and continued its weapons testing. The trip could also be an important opportunity for the upper echelons of China’s political establishment to better understand the circumstances in North Korea today. Balance of powerChina has long walked a thin line in its relations with North Korea. It is a critical economic lifeline for a North Korea crippled by international sanctions over its illegal weapons testing.

Persons: Zhao Leji, ”, KCNA, Zhao, Xi Jinping, China’s, Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Li Qiang, Liu Dongshu, …, ” Liu, Kim, Li Mingjiang, Vladimir Putin, Yun Sun Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — China’s, Beijing, Foreign Ministry, Japanese, CNN, Communist, North Korea –, Hong Kong’s City University, North, Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, “, United Nations Security, Stimson Locations: China, Hong Kong, North Korea, Pyongyang, Beijing, Moscow, United States, North, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, Asia, Washington, Philippines, Russia, North Korean, Covid, Pacific, American

☆ Millions of people are traveling to see the total eclipse. Hotels, motels, and skydiving operators are making bank on it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementAs millions of Americans get ready to watch the total solar eclipse on Monday — an event NASA has described as rare and "spectacular" — the phenomenon stands to lift local economies. According to NASA, this year's eclipse is set to last three to four minutes, longer than the last solar eclipse, in 2017. Former President Donald Trump looked up at the solar eclipse without glasses during the last eclipse. The glasses sold for $1.50 to $2 apiece. "We've shipped already about 70 million glasses, and I suspect I'm going to approach right at 75 million by the time next week comes," Jerit said.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, John Jerit, We've, Jerit, Jason Berger Organizations: Service, NASA, Perryman Group, New York Times, Marriott, The Washington, Getty, Optics, NPR, Fox News Locations: Texas, New York, Texas , Ohio, Grayville , Illinois, Dallas

☆ Hot girls love book clubs
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Jordan Parker Erb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

All the "It Girl" celebrities have their own book clubs, from model Kaia Gerber to Kendall Jenner. TikTok is flooded with "book recommendations for hot girls," and young women are flocking to apps like Bookclubs to start or join a reading group. But in an age when people are lonelier — and more chronically online — than ever, book clubs have taken on new meaning. Book clubs on the riseBook clubs are nothing new. "We call it book club, but we're not actually doing a traditional book club," Shao said.

Persons: —, Gen, Korn, Kaia Gerber, Kendall Jenner, they'd, Anna Ford, Ford, Isa Tomlinson, Tomlinson, Amylynne Siroin, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Gen Zers, It's, Micaela Primoff, Primoff, it's, Vivien Shao, we're, Shao Organizations: Service, Fan Locations: TikTok, Austin, Brooklyn , New York, New York

☆ Here are Friday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Tesla, Netflix, Marvell, Ollie's, Snowflake, Eli Lilly, Krispy Kreme & more
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

"We are raising our YE'24 NFLX target price $65 to a street-high $765 driven primarily by a combo of higher '24 and beyond subscriber/ARPU forecasts." "We are upgrading Ollie's Bargain Outlet to a Buy from a Hold rating while raising our price target to $90 from $80, implying 26% upside from current levels." We cut our price target from $2 to $1, still giving ATUS the highest multiple in Cable as optionality. "We are raising our already Street High $330 YE'24 target price $60 to $390 driven primarily by higher premium and to a lesser extent ad supported ARPU forecasts." Jefferies adds Pepsi to the franchise picks list Jefferies said it sees opportunity internationally for Pepsi and raised its price target to $209 per share from $199.

Persons: Marvell, it's, Bernstein, Mizuho, Wells, Piper Sandler, Krispy, JPMorgan, Eli Lilly, LLY, Stifel, Rosenblatt, Snowflake, Jefferies, underperform KBW, Daiwa, Tesla, KBW, Monness Crespi Hardt Organizations: Netflix, Bank of America, Apple, Amazon Web Services, RBC, Eaton, Piper, JPMorgan, Technologies, Cable, Spotify, BMO, Royal Bank, Pepsi, Fox, Fox News, Digital, Citi, Express, American Express Locations: NY, McDonald's, USA, Toronto, Snowflake, U.S

☆ Bank of America says this chip stock is ready for its AI moment and to buy it before next week's event
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Marvell Technology will reap the benefits from the growth of artificial intelligence due to its deep and broad base of intellectual property, Bank of America predicts. On Thursday, the bank reiterated its buy rating ahead of the chipmaker's AI presentation next Thursday. MRVL YTD mountain Marvell Technology year to date At the event, analyst Vivek Arya expects Marvell Technology to outline a $20 billion to $30 billion incremental total addressable market. He also expects Marvell to reinforce its competitive differentiation in custom chips compared to lower-priced Taiwan rivals, similar to an argument recently made by Broadcom . Arya also expects management at the AI event to address Marvell's leadership in inter- and intra-data center AI optics and its ability to transition to silicon photonics.

Persons: Vivek Arya, Arya, Marvell Organizations: Marvell Technology, Bank of America, Marvell, Broadcom, photonics Locations: CY24E, Taiwan

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Tesla, Super Micro, Meta, Wynn, Reddit, Coinbase, GM & more
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Mizuho reiterates Nvidia as a top pick Mizuho says Nvidia is still a top idea at the firm. Morgan Stanley initiates Mural Oncology at overweight Morgan said in its initiation of the biotech company that it sees a long "cash runway" lasting through 2025. Morgan Stanley downgrades Block to underweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley sees growth headwinds for the payment tech company. Morgan Stanley upgrades Zeta to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said the marketing technology company has an underappreciated valuation. " Morgan Stanley reiterates Tesla at overweight Morgan Stanley lowered its price target to $310 per share from $320. "

Persons: Bernstein, Reddit, underperform Bernstein, Raymond James, Raymond James downgrades Bumble, Barclays downgrades Ferrari, it's, Mizuho, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Morgan Stanley, Morgan, Wolfe, underperform Wolfe, Piper Sandler, Piper, Synopsys, Morgan Stanley downgrades Block, Dave, Buster's, Jefferies, Zeta, Oppenheimer, Ball, Wayfair, Wynn, bullish, Tesla, Goldman Sachs downgrades Hertz Organizations: Citi, Barclays, Ferrari, Nvidia, JPMorgan, Avis, UBS downgrades Bank of America, UBS, Apple, AstraZeneca JPMorgan, AstraZeneca, Amazon, AWS, Meta, General Motors, GMC, Chevrolet, Buick, GM, DFS, Mizuho, Eversource Energy Locations: Avis, MURA, Charlotte, Wayfair, Capital, Macau

☆ Opinion: Trump videos send wildly different messages
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. In a video promoting the Bible, Trump said, “Religion and Christianity are the biggest things missing from this country. … we need to bring them back.”On Good Friday, Trump posted a very different kind of video. It showed an image of President Joe Biden lying sideways and tied up in the bed of a pickup truck. “Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign can’t win, but it could swing the presidency to former President Donald Trump,” Begala wrote.

Persons: Matthew Arnold, Homer, King James, Donald Trump, ”, Lee Greenwood’s, AJ Willingham, Trump, Joe Biden, Drew Sheneman, MAGA, Biden, Fareed Zakaria, ” Zakaria, Candida Moss, he’ll, he’s, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Julian Zelizer, ” “, …, ” Clay, “, Obama, “ Obama, CNN Trump, —, Attorney Alvin Bragg, “ Trump, Stormy Daniels, ” Norman Eisen, Andrew Warren, James Antle III, stoked, Letitia James, Dali, Francis Scott Key, Tasos Katopodis, Richard Timme, ” Timme, Salvatore R, Mercogliano, ’, Jalal Baig, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Baig, Paul Hockenos, “ It’s, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Nicole Shanahan, Eric Risberg, Paul Begala, Ross Perot, George H, Bush, “ Robert F, can’t, ” Begala, ” Shanahan “, Sergey Brin, Hillary Clinton, Pete Buttigieg, Ro Khanna, Lee Drutman, Mark Osler, Jill Filipovic, Lisa Murkowski, Obeidallah, Johnson Ronna, Ronna McDaniel, Justin Sullivan, McDaniel, ” McDaniel, David Zurawik, Jack Ohman, Walt Handelsman, Tim Hubbard, Dennis Muilenburg —, Max, David Calhoun, ‘, ” Hubbard, Annelle, ” Sheline, ” Don’t, Frida Ghitis, Putin, Howard Fischer, Keith O’Brien, Pete Rose, Nick Anderson, Agency Sara Stewart, Mary Ziegler, Patrick T, Brown, shouldn’t, Emma Firth, Carter ’ Parkwood, Roxanne Jones, Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé, ” Jones Organizations: CNN, Oxford University, New, Trump, Nasdaq, NYPD, Hollywood, Biden, Cupp, Obama, Manhattan, Attorney, Democratic, US Coast Guard, Baltimore, Federal Highway Administration, RFK Jr, RFK, Google, The New York Times, Republican National Committee, NBC News, “, Press, NBC, MSNBC, Content Agency Boeing, Notre Dame, Boeing, US State Department, Israel, Tribune, Agency, Sony, AP Locations: Independence, New York City, America, New, Manhattan, Queens, New York, Baltimore, Coast, Suez, Port, China, Argentina, Red, Gaza, Wales, Northern California, California, Israel, Columbia

But with Russian forces still inside the country and millions of Ukrainians displaced from their homes, fighting on the frontlines, or living overseas, there is no election in sight. Although Sunday is the day the constitution says Ukraine should be voting, it also does not allow it during wartime. He would have voted for Zelensky five years ago if he had had the chance and would vote for him now. Last August, President Zelensky was asked for his position in an interview on Ukrainian television and sounded sympathetic to holding a poll. As the United States Congress continues to dither over new military aid, elections in Ukraine became folded into the debate by some Republicans.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Viktor Yanukovych, Mykola Lyapin, Kateryna Bilokon, Yanukovych, ”, Jamie Oliver, ‘, ’, Oleksiy Koshel, Zelensky’s, Vivek Ramaswamy, Lindsey Graham, “, ” Zelenskiy, Valentyn Ogirenko, Graham, Ruslan Stefanchuk, ” Stefanchuk, disenfranchisement, Oleksandr Voitko, Valerii, Maria Kostenko, Victoria Butenko Organizations: CNN —, Republicans, Sunday, Putin, CNN, Zelensky, Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, Russia, United States Congress, Republican Party, South, 47th Brigade, “ Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv’s, Europe, United States, “, South Carolina, Kyiv, Russian, Avdiivka, Italy, Russia

☆ How to check if your solar eclipse glasses are real
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Otherwise, experts say it’s absolutely necessary to wear certified eclipse glasses or use handheld solar viewers that meet a specific safety standard, known as ISO 12312-2, when watching all other phases of a total or partial solar eclipse. And sunglasses won’t work in place of eclipse glasses or solar viewers. Counterfeit eclipse glasses with black lenses that have straight left and right edges from China (top) are printed with text copied from real eclipse glasses, but the counterfeit glasses are missing the company address. Meanwhile, real eclipse glasses from American Paper Optics (bottom) have reflective lenses with curved left and right edges. Never look through an unfiltered optical device of any kind in this situation, even while wearing eclipse glasses.

Persons: ”, Rick Fienberg, “, ” Fienberg, Ronald Benner, doesn’t, ” Benner, Benner, ‘ I’m, ’ Organizations: CNN, American Astronomical Society, NASA, Planetary Society, American Optometric Association, Astronomical Society, ‘, Optics, APO, Eclipse, Force, “, AAS Locations: Mexico, United States, Canada, China, U.S, Cangnan, Europe

☆ Opinion | The Overlooked Truths About Biden’s Age
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Frank Bruni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In terms of optics and in terms of energy, I wish President Biden were younger. And from the casual conversations all around me and the formal polling of voters, I know I’m in robust company. A great many Americans consider his age unideal, and that belief is why there’s no wishing away the focus on it. Even so, aspects of the subject actually get too little consideration, starting with this crushingly obvious and yet frequently overlooked fact: The presidency isn’t a solo mission. And the president of the United States is only as good as the advisers around him, whose selection reflects presidential judgment, not stamina.

Persons: Biden, There’s, isn’t, brawn Locations: It’s, United States

☆ How Sam Bankman-Fried's ex-girlfriend and early recruit helped put the FTX founder behind bars for 25 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Yuki Iwamura | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesIn sentencing FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried to a 25-year prison sentence on Thursday, Judge Lewis Kaplan cited testimony from Caroline Ellison, an ex-girlfriend of the defendant and early recruit into his crypto enterprise. In a Google document from February 2022 shared with the Times, Ellison wrote, "I have been feeling pretty unhappy and overwhelmed with my job. The government presented a series of Signal exchanges involving Bankman-Fried, Ellison, Wang and other top execs. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Prosecutors relied heavily on text messages sent among FTX and Alameda Research executives in the case against Sam Bankman-Fried. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Prosecutors relied heavily on text messages sent among FTX and Alameda Research executives in the case against Sam Bankman-Fried.

Persons: Caroline Ellison, Yuki Iwamura, FTX, Sam Bankman, Judge Lewis Kaplan, Kaplan, Ellison, FTX spiraled, Damian Williams, she's, Fried, District Judge Lewis Kaplan, Jane Rosenberg, SBF Ellison, She'd, Michael Lewis, Caroline, Sam, Lewis, Nishad Singh, Gary Wang, Attorney Thane Rehn, Bankman, Binance, Sam Trabucco, Danielle Sassoon, Wang, SDNY Ellison, Um Organizations: Alameda Research, Bloomberg, Getty, Department of Justice, Manhattan U.S, U.S, District, Federal Court, Reuters, Jane, Stanford, Alameda, The New York Times, Times, Attorney, Google, Alameda's Locations: New York, Manhattan, FTX, New York City, Fried, California, Hong Kong, Bahamas, Alameda

☆ How corporate PAC money could end up in the personal coffers of Sens. JD Vance and Markwayne Mullin
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

At the same time, they've been taking tens of thousands of dollars in corporate PAC money — some of which may be ending up directly in the senators' bank accounts. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Between the 2022 election and the end of 2023, Vance has used $78,000 in corporate PAC contributions to repay campaign debts, while Mullin has done the same with $45,000 in corporate cash. Mullin did the same with 19 corporate PACs, including ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobile, and GlaxoSmithKline. He also promised not to take corporate PAC money during the GOP primary, only to reserve that pledge during the general election against Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan, who did accept corporate PAC money.

Persons: —, JD Vance, Markwayne Mullin, they've, Vance, Mullin, Sen, Ted Cruz, Elena Kagan, Cruz, Jordan Libowitz, Republican Sen, Ron Johnson of, Ron Johnson, Shawn Thew, who's, Tim Ryan, didn't, Vance's, Saurav Ghosh, Ghosh Organizations: Service, Sens, Indiana, Business, Texas Republican, Finance, FEC, Citizen, Washington, Capitol, Republican, Getty, Pro, Comcast, Intel, General Motors, Walmart —, ConocoPhillips, GlaxoSmithKline, GOP, Democratic Rep Locations: Ohio, Texas, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, AFP, Oklahoma, The Ohio, ExxonMobile

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