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☆ I went to a food festival where Latina chefs shared their culinary journeys — and fed my Boricua soul
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Sofía Viera | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I spoke with Latina chefs about their culinary crafts at a Latin food festival in New Jersey. On a warm, sunny April day in Paramus, New Jersey, the Westfield Garden State Plaza parking lot transformed into a Latin food festival. Children enjoy the warm weather and live music during a Latin food festival in Paramus, New Jersey. Cynthia Soto, owner of Empanada Lady stands for a portrait near her food stand during the Latin food festival. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much when I heard about a Latin food festival in Paramus.

Persons: —, Hurricane Maria, Alvarado Jr, Cynthia Soto, Soto, I've, Franny Reyes, Kathy Quiroga —, Reyes, Sweets, they've, they're, Quiroga, Kathy Quiroga, Karla, Bianca, Margarita, Amores, Fernandez, Sofía Viera Organizations: Puerto Rican, Service, Westfield Garden, Hurricane, BI, BI Entrepreneurship, Latina, Puerto Locations: New Jersey, Puerto, Paramus , New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Jersey, José, Puerto Rican, Piñones , Puerto Rico, Dominican, Long, Kathy Quiroga — Dominican, Reyes, Puerto Rican Cuban, East Coast, mayo, Paramus, Brooklyn

☆ A 110-year-old man says he's never had back pain and still drives his car every day. Here are his 6 longevity tips.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Julia Pugachevsky | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewAt 110, the 8th oldest man in the world still drives his car every day. He shared his daily routine and longevity tips with the outlet, including an active social life, lots of movement, and a flexible diet. "I was drinking milk and eating well because I worked on a farm," he told TODAY.com. "He has eaten whatever he wants," she told TODAY.com. He stopped smoking and doesn't drink muchDrinking and smoking are considered to be bad for longevity.

Persons: —, Vincent Dransfield, TODAY.com, Erica Lista, Dransfield, Lista, He's, Dransfield's Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Little Falls , New Jersey

☆ I've been to more than 30 countries, but I'll always think this European city is the best destination for children of any age
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Erika Ebsworth-Goold | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewAs a travel writer, one of my greatest loves is experiencing a new country, region, or city with my son. But if you ask me, London is also the best spot to bring your kids, especially if they range in age. Here's why I'll always believe London is a terrific destination for children of any age. Children under 11 travel for free when accompanied by an adult, and discounts are available for older kids. The city is full of parks for children to play inLondon has incredible green space for such a large city.

Persons: —, I've, Erika Ebsworth, Big Ben, we've, Gordon Ramsay's, Martin Organizations: Service, London, Business, Transportation, Heathrow Express, Airport, Paddington Station, Hyde Park, Royal Observatory, Prime Meridian, Food, British Museum, Magna Carta, Tate, Eurostar Locations: London, Hyde, Greenwich, London . London, Ethiopian, Harrods, St, Trafalgar, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Birmingham, Brighton, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam

☆ A 6-month Chinese-food festival is bringing authentic and flavor-packed cuisine to New York City's masses
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Xintian Tina Wang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

At New York's Dragon Festival, authentic Chinese brands and restaurants excite locals' taste buds. Its founder shared some of her favorite vendors of soup dumplings and candies at the opening event. "This doesn't taste like home," said Xu, a 31-year-old entrepreneur and the creator of New York City's Dragon Festival, the biggest Chinese-food festival in the metropolitan area. Jessie YuChen for BIChen said that confectioners in her home province of Fujian, China, caught her attention when she was younger. In 2006, inspired by the soup dumplings made popular by Shanghai's Nanxiang district, Ma opened his first New York City storefront.

Persons: —, Xu, Jessie YuChen, she's, Mila, Tang Hulu, I'm, Bu Tong, Ivy Chen, Dragon Lulu, Chen, Vivian Cao, confectioners, Emperor Guangzong, Michael Ma, Xiang Xiao Long Bao, Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, Ma, Nan, bartenders, Coco, Xibei Yang Organizations: Service, Park, Dragon, Prospect, lollipop, Michelin, Chi Forest, Haidilao, BI Locations: New York, SoHo, Chinatown, Flushing, York City, Koreatown, Union, Chelsea, Washington, Kwa, Henan, Queens, Prospect Park , Brooklyn, Beijing, Fujian, China, Shanghai, York, Nanxiang, New York City, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Chi, Thai, Bangkok, Sichuan, Manhattan

☆ Art dealing can be a tricky business. Insiders share the ins and outs of their 'unusual' world
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Lucy Handley | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

After a degree in fine art, Lambert imagined he would become an art teacher, but a chance meeting with an art dealer who hired him as an assistant set him on a different path. Then, after a stint at another dealership, he opened his own gallery in September — Lambert Fine Art — in the British town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Dealing in art is a trade Lambert described as "unusual," because art is often a purchase driven by emotion rather than need. 'The business needs new blood'The world of art dealing can be intimidating to new entrants, according to Olya Johnson, an interior architect and co-founder of art and interiors business Relic, which she set up in 2023. Risks of dealing artThe occupation can also be risky, because dealers often own multiple pieces of art without knowing when they will be sold, according to the dealers CNBC spoke to.

Persons: —, Mark Lambert, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Lambert, …, — Lambert, " Lambert, Olya Johnson, Johnson, Rasid, Relic, Colefax, Fowler, Natalie Vosloo, it's, Tom Rooth, Jack Roberts, I've, Roberts, David Hockney, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Banksy, Shannon Finney Organizations: Art, CNBC, — Lambert Fine Art, Fair, Anadolu, Getty, Washington , DC Locations: Stratford, Avon, London, Battersea Park, Washington ,

☆ I went from a Big Tech job to folding clothes at a retail store. My new role gave me confidence and joy when I needed it the most.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Hady Mendez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

It's what I refer to as my famous last words before I applied for a retail job at a clothing store after working in corporate for 25 years. Almost immediately, I launched my business, Boldly Speaking, leaning on my speaker skills and years of experience with ERGs. I ended up working at an Athleta store in NYC, and I'm glad I decided to join that team. What sticks with me most is the confidence and joy I've found during a time filled with so much doubt and uncertainty. I landed a seasonal brand associate role and felt like a kid in a candy store.

Persons: I've, they'll, It's Organizations: Service, Business, Inc Locations: NYC

☆ Hamas Political Leader Says Israeli Strike Kills His 3 Sons
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

Palestinians gathered for Eid prayers across Gaza on Wednesday, where many mosques have been destroyed after six months of war. Ms. Abu Awda’s family managed to take some clothes with them when they fled their home in Jabaliya two months ago. “What kind of Eid is this?” Ms. Abu Awda said, adding, “We have lost so much. We have lost family and loved ones. The Gaza Ministry of Health says that more than 33,000 people have been killed in Gaza over six months of Israeli bombardment.

Persons: Eid, Fitr, Amani Abu Awda’s, Abu Awda, ”, “, —, Abu Awda’s, Ms, Alina Al, Yazji, Haitham Imad, Muna Daloob, Mohammad Shehada, we’re, Shehada, enjoyments Organizations: Hospital, Al, Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, ., Agence France, Gaza Ministry, Health Locations: Gaza, Rafah, Jabaliya, Aqsa, Deir al, Gaza City, Israel, Egypt

☆ Middle East Crisis End of Ramadan Is Marked by War and Hunger in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Raja Abdulrahim | Ameera Harouda | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

As Eid al-Fitr approached, Amani Abu Awda’s four children began asking her for new clothes and toys — festive items that Muslims customarily buy to celebrate the holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. “Oh God, I couldn’t get anything for them because of the high prices,” she said Saturday, days before most Muslims worldwide would celebrate Eid al-Fitr. We have lost family and loved ones. Image Displaced Palestinians prepare traditional cakes before Eid al-Fitr, in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Tuesday. “I have a lot of hopes for Eid,” he said, “but firstly for them to end this revolting war.”

Persons: Eid, Fitr, Amani Abu Awda’s, ”, “, —, Abu Awda’s, Ms, Abu Awda, Alina Al, Yazji, Haitham Imad, Muna Daloob, Mohammad Shehada, we’re, Shehada, enjoyments Organizations: Hospital, Al, Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, ., Agence France, Gaza Ministry, Health Locations: Gaza, Rafah, Jabaliya, Aqsa, Deir al, Gaza City, Israel, Egypt

☆ Zimbabwe just introduced a new gold-backed currency in an attempt to fight inflation and wean off the US dollar
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Last week, the country's central bank introduced a new gold-backed currency called Zimbabwe Gold, or ZiG, in an attempt to tame price gains that reached a seven-month high of 55% in March. The Zimbabwe dollar — the currency the country most recently used — has tanked 80% this year alone. AdvertisementOn Thursday, Zimbabwe's central bank governor, John Mushayavanhu, said the country has real gold and mineral assets to back up the new ZiG currency. The ZiG started trading on Monday at an exchange rate of 13.56 to the dollar set by the central bank. AdvertisementHowever, moving to the new ZiG currency could solve at least one problem, for a start: a shortage of US coins.

Persons: —, There's, John Mushayavanhu, Mushayavanhu, Hasnain Malik, Tellimer, Robert Mugabe Organizations: Service, Zimbabwe, Business, of America, BBC, New Development Bank, International Monetary Fund Locations: Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe's

☆ 5 desserts for celebrating Eid al-Fitr
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Jocelyn Solis-Moreira | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Ramadan is coming to an end, which means it’s time to plan to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. A number of desserts make up the table during Eid al-Fitr. Arindam Dey/AFP/Getty ImagesA classic Eid al-Fitr dish is sheer khurma. Helou said these desserts are eaten all year round, but they are ever more present during Ramadan and Eid. iStockphoto/Getty ImagesA popular Eid al-Fitr dish is a sweet milk-based dumpling called rasmalai.

Persons: Ramadan, Eid, Sweets, Anissa Helou, Ma’amoul, ” Helou, Arindam Dey, Helou, Mehmet Akif Parlak, “, ”, it’s, Karolia, James Nielsen, Jocelyn Solis, Moreira Organizations: CNN, Getty, Anadolu Agency, Houston Chronicle Locations: Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian, Agartala, India, AFP, Gaziantep, New York

☆ As cocoa prices soar this Easter, chocolatiers consider alternatives
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( John Towfighi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Cocoa prices are surging so high, the Easter Bunny might want to hoard its chocolate. Poor climate and crop diseases in West Africa – home to 70% of global cocoa production – have tightened supply and caused prices to skyrocket. As prices rise, some chocolatiers are exploring cost-cutting alternatives, like diversifying their products to depend less on cocoa. Yet mining often destroys farms and the possibility of a livelihood in cocoa production, Issaka said. “Given the persistently high cocoa prices, it may be necessary for us to make responsible adjustments to pricing in the future,” the spokesperson wrote in an email.

Persons: Hershey’s, Shaquille O’Neal, Michele Buck, Billy Roberts, Roberts, ” Roberts, Issaka, Will Kletter, Kletter, “, Peng Xu, Christopher Taylor, Li, Taylor, ”, “ We’re, “ It’s, ” Taylor Organizations: CNN, Cadbury, NCA, “ Brands, Industries, International Cocoa Organization, Rabobank, US, ”, Euromonitor Locations: West Africa, North Region, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Silicon, Washington ,, Manhattan

☆ I tried 30 of Trader Joe's seasonal spring products, and there are only a few I wouldn't buy again
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Savanna Swain-Wilson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +44 min

AdvertisementOther candy makers should take notes because Trader Joe's clearly knows what it's doing when it comes to chocolate. I fell in love with the lemon-and-ricotta ravioli's tasty fillingThis lemon-and-ricotta option is my new favorite Trader Joe's ravioli. These blueberry-and-lemon hand pies are the perfect pastry for the spring seasonThe blueberry-and-lemon hand pies from Trader Joe's look homemade. Trader Joe's Portuguese custard tarts totally lived up to the hypeTrader Joe's Portuguese custard tarts blew me away. If someone told me Trader Joe's lemon sheet cake came from a fancy bakery, I wouldn't question it for a second.

Persons: —, I've, Wilson, Joe's, they're, Savanna, I'm, seitan, pico, gallo, there's, Joe's didn't, Parmesan, Almond, Wilson I'm, graham, They'd, Meyer, munch, Wilson I've, Ina Garten, They're, madeleines, Florentine, Joe, Wilson It's, frosting, pasteis, nata, I'd, pretzels, Joe's dulce, dulce de Organizations: Service, Business, Wilson Locations: Savanna, Eastern Europe, Parmesan, Portugal

Jerusalem CNN —Israeli authorities are preparing to send a group of Palestinian patients who were being treated in East Jerusalem hospitals back to Gaza this week. They had all received permission from Israeli authorities to travel to Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem for advanced medical care – most before Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. Mick Krever/CNNAmong them will be Nima Abu Garrara, who was brought from Rafah to East Jerusalem pregnant with twins and gave birth on October 5. But staying in East Jerusalem is no longer an option. Before October, a third of those receiving care at the Augusta Victoria Hospital were patients from Gaza who needed advanced cancer treatment.

Persons: Mick Krever, Nima Abu Garrara, Abu Garrara, I’ll, COGAT, pining, “, Asmaa Al Dabje, I’m, she’s, Dr, Fadi Atrash, CNN Hannan Sharadan, ”, Abdullah, It’s, ” Atrash, Mohammed, Hamza, Al Dabie Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, CNN, Makassed, Hospital, Augusta Victoria Hospital Locations: Jerusalem, East Jerusalem, Gaza, Israel, Rafah, ”, Augusta, Kerem, Al

The Daily Hunt for Food in GazaFor two million hungry Gazans, most days bring a difficult search for something to eat. Amany Mteir, 52, scours the streets north of Gaza City, where people sell or trade what food they have. The war, including Israel’s bombardment and siege, has choked food imports and destroyed agriculture, and nearly the entire population of Gaza relies on scant humanitarian aid to eat. Most food shops in northern Gaza are damaged or closed, so vendors set up informal street markets to sell food and other items. An average of just six commercial trucks carrying food and other supplies have been allowed to enter Gaza each day since early December.

Persons: Amany Mteir, Aseel Mutair, Nizar Hammad, Nizar, ” Aseel, Pita, Aseel’s, Rice, Aseel, Muhammad, “, —, ” Amany, ” Nizar, Amany, ”, We’ve Organizations: Daily, United Nations, Aid, The New York Times, pita Locations: Food, Gaza, Gaza City, Beit Lahia, Rafah, United States, The, bouillon

☆ Middle East Crisis Ramadan Begins as Hunger and Fear Stalk Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Raja Abdulrahim | Rawan Sheikh Ahmad | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Praying in front of a destroyed mosque in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza on Friday. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is usually a time of religious devotion, dawn-to-dusk fasting, charity, family gatherings and nightly feasts. All that seems far away this year in Gaza, now in the sixth month of an Israeli military offensive and near-total blockade. The war has erased how Palestinians here used to live and observe Ramadan. Normally in the lead-up to Ramadan, Ms. Ali would be at her home in northern Gaza preparing the house for a month of worship and festivities.

Persons: ”, Ahmad Shbat, Mohammed Abed, Gazans, Ramadan, Shbat, Iman Ali, Ali, Ms, “ It’s, ” Ameera Harouda Organizations: Credit, Agence France, Hamas, United Nations Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Israel, mallow, Jabaliya

☆ Shoppers are scrambling to get their hands on Trader Joe's $3 mini tote bags, leading to a lucrative online resale market
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewTrader Joe's mini tote bags have only been on sale for a couple of weeks — and they've already sparked a lucrative online resale market. Hundreds of people have already bought the mini tote bags from the online marketplace. "The size is ideal for smaller shopping trips, to pick up those few items you forgot the first time around," Trader Joe's says in the product description. Probably not," one TikToker said in a video of her mini tote. Have you bought a mini tote bag from Trader Joe's?

Persons: —, they've, Stanley, Joe's, Quencher, Alphas Organizations: Service, Business, eBay

☆ Signos uses a glucose monitor patch and AI to help you eat healthier. Here's what it's like
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Ashley Capoot | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +13 min

SignosFounded in 2018, Signos uses continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs, and an artificial intelligence-powered app to help people better understand their metabolisms. But Signos' CGM system is meant for average consumers, so it is not intended for diabetes management. The Signos app walked me through the process step by step, offering a one-minute video and a series of GIFs I could watch. Another activity had me try and guess what I thought my glucose levels were at different points throughout the day. After eating a meal, I would often get a "Fast Rise" notification from my Signos app, which indicates that a glucose spike is occurring.

Persons: Ashley Capoot, I've, Signos, Dexcom, Sharam Fouladgar, you've, it's Organizations: CNBC, Abbott Laboratories, Centers for Disease Control, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Dexcom Ventures, Bluetooth Locations: U.S, Mercer

☆ My mother didn't act like a typical grandma, and it was exactly what my son needed
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Sunita Theiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

At first, my mom didn't seem too excited about my newborn son — her first grandchild. I expected her to be a devoted grandmother, instead she had a full social calendar. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . I had no idea that in just a few short years, this would be exactly what my son needed. AdvertisementFriends and loved ones struggled to understand our changed parenting strategy, approach to discipline, and interactions with our son.

Persons: —, potty, we'd, it's Organizations: Service

In Hollywood, actor Kevin Bacon is a big star. In Wisconsin's Kenosha County, Kevin Bacon is one big pig! The 450-pound porker wandered from his pen last week then moseyed on down the road, where he was caught hamming it up on the Molgaard family's security camera. He called a farmer friend, who not only knew the pig's owner but had his phone number. About a mile and 2 1/2 hours later — by the glow of a flashlight in the darkness — Kevin Bacon was led safe and sound back into his pen.

Persons: Kevin Bacon, Jake Molgaard, ”, Molgaard, “, Kevin, Bacon, ” Molgaard Organizations: Hollywood Locations: Kenosha County, Brighton, Milwaukee, Kenosha

☆ Euro zone inflation cools less than expected to 2.6% in February
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

A salesman preparing a bag of sweets for a customer in the Sicilian confectionery shop Mazzone on February 02, 2024 in Catania, Italy. Inflation in the 20-nation euro zone eased to 2.6% in February, flash figures showed on Friday. The headline print previously came in at 2.8% in January, with further easing expected after price rises cooled in Germany, France and Spain. Investors are hunting for clues on when the European Central Bank will start to bring down interest rates, with market pricing pointing to a June cut. Yet many ECB officials still stress that they need spring wage negotiations to conclude before they have a clearer picture of domestic inflationary pressures.

Organizations: Reuters, European Central Bank Locations: Catania, Italy, Germany, France, Spain

☆ Willy Wonka-inspired experience sparks outrage and online mockery after police called to event
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

People there became so angry on Saturday that the police were called, Police Scotland confirmed to CNN, the event was canceled, and the story went viral on social media. “There was a crowd of people outside all furious,” Paul Connell, one of the actors hired to perform at the event told CNN on Wednesday. “I saw people shouting, the people running the event were crying … It was absolute chaos. Jack Proctor and his family were among those attending the experience, and they arrived once the event had been open for a couple of hours, he told CNN on Wednesday. “We were met by groups of families leaving the event, looking utterly bewildered,” he said.

Persons: Willy Wonka, ” Paul Connell, “, Jack Proctor, Connell, ”, Proctor, ” Proctor, they’re, ” Connell Organizations: CNN — Families, Police Scotland, CNN, Facebook, ” CNN Locations: Glasgow, Scotland, ”

For years, Chinese companies and their contractors have been slaughtering millions of donkeys across Africa, coveting gelatin from the animals’ hides that is processed into traditional medicines, popular sweets and beauty products in China. But a growing demand for the gelatin has decimated donkey populations at such alarming rates in African countries that governments are now moving to put a brake on the mostly unregulated trade. The African Union, a body that encompasses the continent’s 55 states, adopted a continentwide ban on donkey skin exports this month in the hope that stocks will recover. Rural households across Africa rely on donkeys for transportation and agriculture. Yet donkeys only breed a foal every couple of years.

Organizations: African Locations: Africa, China, African Union

☆ I had lunch at the oldest café in Venice. It dates back to the 1700s, has become a tourist hot spot — and wasn't worth the high bill.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I could see why the café remained so popular, even 300 years later — its picturesque interior was perfect for photos. Marielle Descalsota/Business InsiderDespite my hesitation, a few seconds later, a waiter — dressed in the café's signature white coat and bow tie — invited me inside. Near the entrance, dozens of tourists crowded the café's storefront, perusing the many trinkets on offer — from Florian-branded perfumes to brightly colored leather bags. I sat at the corner of the café, at one of the dozen small, rickety tables. A waiter approached me after five minutes to promptly take my order before rushing over to a family of seven.

Persons: Florian Caffe, Marielle, —, Florian, Titian — Locations: San Marco, Asia

☆ We're DINKs who make $190k a year and work from home. Here's what our typical Costco haul looks like.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Jacqueline Gualtieri | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Here's what my partner and I usually get for $350 in our high-cost-of-living California city. AdvertisementWe usually pick up variety packs of Poppi, which contain prebiotics for gut health and have fewer calories and added sugars than most sodas. There are few places to grab bagels around my home now, so the bagels at Costco are a decent replacement. Instead of using cream cheese, I put Laughing Cow spreadable cheese on my bagel, preferably the light option if Costco has it. It's a good substitute for unhealthier snacks, and a pack of 60 only costs us about $10 at Costco.

Persons: —, we're DINKs, Jacqueline Gualtieri, we're, Ade kombucha, Costco's, Caesar, Costco Jacqueline Gualtieri, Gualtieri, We've, Kirkland Organizations: Service, Area, Business, Costco, Del Real Foods, Kirkland Locations: Central Coast, Monterey, California, Del Real, Italian

☆ U.S. Strike Killed Afghans Recruited to Fight for Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Farnaz Fassihi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It was a memorial for the “martyrs” killed when the U.S. struck military bases in Syria, according to Iranian state television. A small crowd sat in rows of folding chairs, men in the front and women in the back, at the main cemetery in Tehran, the Iranian capital, earlier this month. Children milled around and a young man passed a box of sweets. To help President Bashar al-Assad of Syria beat back rebel forces and Islamic State terrorists, Iran at the time began recruiting thousands of Afghan refugees to fight, offering $500 a month, schooling for their children, and Iranian residency. The brigade is still believed to be about 20,000 strong, drawn from Afghan refugees living mostly in Iran, and it serves under the command of the Quds Force, the overseas arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

Persons: ”, Bashar al, Assad Organizations: Iranians, Fatemiyoun Brigade, Islamic State, Quds Force, Guards Locations: U.S, Syria, Tehran, Iran

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