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☆ Putin lands in Belarus for talks amid fears of new assault on Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Tom Balmforth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Russian President Vladimir Putin walks after disembarking from a plane upon his arrival at the National Airport Minsk in Minsk, Belarus December 19, 2022. Russian forces used Belarus as a launch pad for their abortive attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in February, and there has been Russian and Belarusian military activity there for months. Adding to the ominous mood music, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei, one of the few officials in Lukashenko's government with any rapport with the West, died suddenly last month. His successor, Sergei Aleinik, met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday. The talks are seen by the Belarus opposition as a vehicle for a creeping Russian annexation.

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☆ Treasury Proposal Lays Out Who Would Have Access to New Ownership Database
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Dylan Tokar | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

The latest rule lays out who will be able to use the information and how they can access its contents. The Treasury in its proposal said it would keep tight controls on information in the nonpublic registry, limiting access mostly to U.S. law enforcement and regulators. Any department employee whose duties require it will be able to access the database, including for tax administration purposes, according to the proposal. Federal agencies engaged in national security, intelligence and law enforcement also will have direct access to the database. Foreign government representatives, including law enforcement agencies in other countries, will be able to request information from the database through U.S. counterparts, according to the proposal.

Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® cardholders can activate the Q1 bonus categories through their Chase account starting December 15, 2022, until March 14, 2023. How Chase Freedom quarterly bonus categories workEach quarter of the year, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® cards earn 5% back (or 5x points) on a different set of bonus categories. That's why you can think of the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® bonus categories as earning you either 5% back or 5x points. Previous Chase Freedom quarterly bonus categoriesFor Q4 2022 (October through December), the Chase Freedom bonus categories are Walmart and PayPal. Right now, there are alternative bonuses available directly through Chase for the Freedom cards — find out more in our guide to the current Chase Freedom offers and in our Chase Freedom Flex review.

☆ The National Archives wants to release hundreds of pages of emails about Hunter Biden and Burisma — and the White House won't say whether it will let it happen
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Mattathias Schwartz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

National Archives is set to release White House emails about Burisma, the Ukrainian company that reportedly paid Hunter Biden $1.5 million. The White House now has 60 days to decide whether to stop the release of the emails by invoking executive privilege. The Biden White House repeatedly declined to answer questions about whether it intended to fight release. The Burisma emails are, of course, only one of the many ongoing Hunter Biden controversies. House Republicans have promised to launch their own far-reaching inquiry into Hunter Biden's finances and tumultuous personal life, and some of Hunter Biden's allies are discussing ways to counter-attack.

☆ U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit kicks off under China's long shadow
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Trade between Africa and China last year surged to $254 billion last year, up about 35% as Chinese exports increased on the continent. “We are not interested in the views of any other countries on China’s role in Africa,” Qin said at the Semafor forum. Asked whether Biden administration officials would directly approach U.S. concerns about Chinese involvement in Africa during this week’s meetings, officials bristled. Those include Africa, South America and the Middle East, where China is eyeing military and economic expansion. U.S. officials have also expressed concerns that China is looking to establish a military base on the western coast of Africa.

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☆ Iran carries out second known execution over protests
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Iran on Monday executed a second known prisoner detained and convicted amid nationwide protests challenging the country’s theocracy, airing footage on state television it claimed shows him stabbing two security force members to death and running away. At least 488 people have been killed since the demonstrations began in mid-September, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, a group that’s been monitoring the protests. Iran’s Interior Ministry said earlier this month that the death toll was 200, including security forces who were killed. A heavily edited state television report aired after Rahnavard’s execution showed clips of him in the courtroom. It executed the first known prisoner detained during demonstrations last Thursday.

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But they fear a harsh new anti-gay law passed by Russian lawmakers will leave them little choice. As the Kremlin prepared to finalize the expansion of the 2013 discriminatory anti-gay law, members of the LGBTQ community in Russia told CNN they feared the uncertain future ahead. Activists say a new legislative package that beefs up an existing anti-gay law is a threat to LGBTQ people in Russia. And it’s just reducing the space within which a non-heterosexual existence can comfortably take place in Russia,” Healey told CNN. Yulia Alyoshina, Russia's first transgender politician, said the new law was discriminatory and would make life tougher for Russia's LGBTQ community.

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden next week will announce U.S. support for the African Union's admission to the G20 group of the world's largest economies as a permanent member, a White House official said on Friday. Biden will make the announcement during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington next week, White House adviser Judd Devermont said, when Biden will meet presidents of African countries. Devermont said the move, first reported by the Washington Post, comes after requests from African Union Chair and Senegalese President Macky Sall and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. South Africa is the only G20 member from Africa. But Biden has struck a different tone from former President Donald Trump, who disparaged some African nations and barred travel from six of them.

☆ Costco reports mixed quarter, but we see positive catalysts on the horizon
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Jeff Marks | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Margins Reported gross margins fell 45 basis points year-over-year, and 21 basis points excluding gas inflation. Core merchandise margins fell 52 basis points on a reported basis, and 31 basis points excluding gas inflation. Ancillary and other businesses' margins increased 23 basis points on a reported basis, and 30 basis points excluding gas inflation. LIFO — last in, first out — margins increased 3 basis points on a reported basis, and 3 basis points excluding gas. Other margins — a catchall bucket — fell 17 basis points on a reported basis and 18 points excluding gas inflation.

☆ Asian stocks draw highest monthly foreign inflows in two years
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Gaurav Dogra | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 6 (Reuters) - Foreign net monthly inflows into Asian equities hit a two-year high in November on hopes that the U.S. Federal Reserve could cut the pace of its interest rate hikes. The MSCI Asia Pacific index (.MIAP00000PUS) surged 14.8% last month, its biggest monthly gain in about 24 years, after being hit by aggressive rate hikes by the Federal Reserve earlier this year. Taiwanese equities attracted $6.06 billion in foreign inflows last month, the biggest amount since 2008, while India and South Korea received $4.43 billion and $3.04 billion, respectively. Analysts are also optimistic about flows into emerging Asian markets as the dollar has dropped sharply in recent weeks. "The US dollar index remains locked in a downward bias, which could continue to provide a supportive environment for foreign inflows into Asian equities towards year-end," said Yeap Jun Rong, a market strategist at IG.

It's impossible to name one single best credit card, given the wide range of benefits, rewards, and annual fees available. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 19.74% - 26.74% Variable Editor's Rating 4.8 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.8 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 20.74% - 27.74% Variable Editor's Rating 4.65 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.65 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightBest secured rewards card for building credit Discover it® Secured Credit Card 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 5 out of 5 Stars Intro offer Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 26.74% Variable Editor's Rating 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 5 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

☆ Western firms’ Chinese red lines are not their own
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Lisa Jucca | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Yet companies’ red lines on China are out of their hands. Undeterred by growing geopolitical tensions and slowing Chinese growth, several Western companies have this year intensified the rate at which they bet on the People’s Republic. If Western states decide to impose sanctions, boards would have their red lines decided for them. Western companies will keep betting on the Middle Kingdom, until their governments stop them. The report predicts China will become the largest global market for luxury goods by 2025.

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☆ More Cases, Policy Changes Are on the Horizon, DOJ’s New Fraud Section Chief Says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Dylan Tokar | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

The fraud section has at least two bribery-related settlements with corporations that it plans to finalize in the coming weeks, Mr. Leon said. Justice Department settlements typically require companies to undertake compliance reforms over a set period of time. A company’s chief executive and chief compliance officer will be required to sign at the end of that period the certification document, stating that the company’s compliance program is “reasonably designed to prevent and detect” future violations. A veteran of the fraud section, Mr. Leon previously served as a supervisor in its securities fraud unit beginning in 2011 and then briefly as its deputy chief before departing in early 2014. More policy changes are on the horizon, Mr. Leon said, including an update to the fraud section’s FCPA corporate enforcement policy.

☆ Global Tensions Spur a Sea Change in Japan
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Walter Russell Mead | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Walter Russell Mead is the Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship at Hudson Institute, the Global View Columnist at The Wall Street Journal and the James Clarke Chace Professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities at Bard College in New York. He is also a member of Aspen Institute Italy and board member of Aspenia. Before joining Hudson, Mr. Mead was a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations as the Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy. He has authored numerous books, including the widely-recognized Special Providence: American Foreign Policy and How It Changed the World (Alfred A. Knopf, 2004). Mr. Mead’s next book is entitled The Arc of A Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Future of the Jewish People.

☆ Citi AT&T Points Plus Card review: Earn a $100 welcome bonus and up to $240 in annual statement credits for no annual fee
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Tessa Campbell | Personal Finance Reviews Fellow | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +24 min

More Information The information related to the AT&T Points Plus℠ Card from Citi has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer. Review: Is the Citi AT&T Points Plus credit card the best card for you? Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightFees and costsThe AT&T Points Plus℠ Card doesn't charge an annual fee. Does the Citi AT&T Points Plus card come with cell phone insurance? No, the AT&T Points Plus℠ Card unfortunately does not come with cell phone insurance.

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☆ Wall Street mistakenly overlooking Salesforce's solid quarter by focusing too much on co-CEO exit
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Jeff Marks | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Sure, cRPO (current remaining performance obligation) was a little light and the fiscal fourth quarter revenue guide midpoint missed by a hair (some conservatism probably due to the uncertain macro environment). Companywide results Breaking down quarterly subscription and support revenue results by cloud: Sales cloud revenue increased 17% in constant currency to $1.7 billion. Service cloud revenue increased 16% in constant currency to $1.9 billion. Platform and other (including Slack, which Salesforce acquired on July 21, 2021) revenue increased 22% in constant currency to $1.5 billion. Guidance For their fiscal fourth quarter, Salesforce management sees revenues increasing 8% to 10% year over year to $7.93 billion to $8.03 billion.

☆ White House says 'everyone has the right to peacefully protest' after China Covid demonstrations intensify
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Rebecca-Shabad-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Rebecca Shabad | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — The White House on Monday issued a statement in support of peaceful protesters in China after demonstrations against the country's zero-Covid policy intensified this weekend. “We’ve long said everyone has the right to peacefully protest, in the United States and around the world,” a White House National Security Council spokesperson said in a statement. “Zero COVID is not a policy we are pursuing here," the spokesperson said. The Chinese government argues its pandemic strategy has saved lives and is necessary to protect the fragile health care system from being overwhelmed. The latest deaths bring China’s official toll to more than 5,000, compared with more than 1 million in the United States.

It's impossible to name one single best credit card, given the wide range of benefits, rewards, and annual fees available. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 18.99% - 25.99% Variable Editor's Rating 4.8 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.8 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 19.99% - 26.99% Variable Editor's Rating 4.65 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.65 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightBest secured rewards card for building credit Discover it® Secured Credit Card 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 5 out of 5 Stars Intro offer Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 25.99% Variable Editor's Rating 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 5 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

☆ Tens of thousands march in Mexico City to support president
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Ana Isabel Martinez | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] People take part in a march in support of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's government policies and to celebrate his four years in the office, in Mexico City, Mexico November 27, 2022. REUTERS/Henry RomeroMEXICO CITY, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands marched with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Sunday in a massive demonstration through the center of the country's capital to show their support for the head of state before a 2024 general election. Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, who were at the march, are likely party candidates to run for the next election, scheduled for the summer of 2024. "AMLO criticizes the salaries of INE councillors," wrote columnist Sergio Negrete on Twitter. "With the cost of his ego-boosting march, he could pay the salaries of 11 INE councillors for 43 years and three months."

☆ ABB Nears Deal to Resolve Third U.S. Bribery Case Against Company
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Dylan Tokar | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg NewsIn the U.S., the ABB deal is an early test of a pledge by the Biden administration to take a tougher stance on corporate repeat offenders. An ABB spokesman said the company continues to fully cooperate with authorities and hopes to reach a final settlement soon. Exactly how U.S. authorities, including the Justice Department, will frame the ABB deal in relation to the new stance on repeat offenders remains to be seen. Allowing the ABB parent company to avoid a guilty plea will in theory help shield much of its business globally from those risks. The ABB deal would also mark the second time the Swiss company has settled FCPA offenses with a deferred-prosecution agreement.

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